Where there are people, there will be conflict. Whether it's the dark Underground Organization or the self-proclaimed just Pokémon League, internal contradictions are inevitable.
But compared to those ruthless underground forces that chew people up and spit out bones, this open provocation in front of Sato actually seemed almost cute in its childishness.
'Jules Shiroyū[1]¹… was he from Elite Four Agatha's clan?
From what Fitzwilliam said, he also had an even stronger older brother?'
Sato thought about it and figured that since Agatha and Bertha had both taken good care of him in the past, it was only right for him to help guide their juniors a bit~
Then, before Fitzwilliam could react, Sato casually said to the kid opposite him, "Watch your manners. Call me Yuga-sama!"
The boy named Jules immediately had a tic form on his forehead, looking like the pound sign "#", and nearly threw a punch right there!
"You… what… did… you say?"
"Elite Four Agatha… what's she to you?"
"What's it to you?!"
"His grandmother," Fitzwilliam smoothly chimed in, earning a weak glare from Jules.
'Tch, everyone has grown up being glared at and wagging their tail at some point, right?'
"Exactly. Elite Four Agatha is on par with my… teacher, and I'm my teacher's final protégé. That makes me your senpai, doesn't it, my dear Jules-kun~"
"ARRGHHH!" Jules was gritting his teeth in rage! Having completely forgotten all his brother's warnings. He raised his hand to strike at Sato!
And then…
There was no "and then."
Picking a fight at the entrance to League HQ? Even if you were the little "grandson" of someone like Elite Four Agatha, there was no way that would fly.
Truthfully, Jules didn't seem all that bright… And the brother who sent him to test Sato clearly wasn't much smarter… sigh.
A group of League enforcement officers quickly stepped in, efficiently grabbed Jules, and escorted him away. Not a single word was exchanged with the others during the whole process.
Their aloof, no-nonsense style actually piqued Sato's interest.
"They're the League HQ's security team. They report directly to President Charles Goodshow. That's just how they are."
Fitzwilliam patted Sato on the shoulder and continued, "What's got you so fired up today? You're usually way more cowa… cough… you know… cautious."
Sato was speechless. How was tactical retreat by a Trainer considered cowardice?
Still, part of the reason he'd stayed low profile was so that Mark wouldn't attract too much attention the moment he entered the Elite Four candidate pool. Ideally, Mark would have time to quietly "study" and grow.
Most Elite Four candidates had been through multiple League tournaments, climbing rank by rank; like Flint from Sinnoh, for example.
But Mark had earned his slot simply by excelling at the Kalos League's exchange match. Elite Four Drake had directly given him the nomination.
To those who had followed the official selection process step by step, Mark's appearance felt jarring.
…But now, with everyone focused on Sato, there were fewer people bothering with Mark.
And as for all the stares and scrutiny, Sato had long since stopped caring.
"Come on, let's get registered!"
"Let's go!"
---◓---
"Leader Sato, here is your schedule and coursework for the next month. You'll also be evaluated at the end, so please take it seriously."
The staff member explained the curriculum with complete seriousness.
Sato glanced at the densely packed sheet of text and realized that becoming an Independent Investigator for the League was definitely no easy feat…
Luckily, he felt fully confident about the Disguise, Tracking, and Data Analysis courses. Even if he skipped the lectures, he'd still pass.
Sato then carefully double-checked the content of tomorrow's first class…
[How to Escape Correctly and Efficiently]
…Actually sounds kind of useful.
The registration process was quickly completed, and just like any newly hired employee, Sato was about to begin his "onboarding training."
Elsewhere, Jules -who had been taken away by the League's security force- was already signed out by his older brother.
"…Brother, do you know how arrogant that guy Sato was? He actually told me to call him 'SAMA'! That little punk who probably hasn't even finished puberty…"
At first, Jules was still furious. But slowly, he noticed that his big brother had been ( ╬) staring him down the whole time.
"…B-Brother?"
"…Who did I tell you to test?" Jules' brother, Helian, asked coldly.
"To test Sa… oh wait, Mark!"
"…And then?"
"Then… then that Sato stepped in on his own…" Jules' voice got quieter and quieter, and he didn't even dare look Helian in the eye.
"Do you know why Sato came to headquarters?"
"T-To become an Independent Investigator…"
"Then let me ask you again… what kind of person is qualified to become an Independent Investigator?"
Jules turned pale and shrank like a terrified Starly in front of his brother.
"Strength at least…"
"…At least Peak Ace level. And Sato has already publicly used Elite Four level Pokémon in battle. What gives you the right to provoke him!?
He told you to call him 'sama'… was he wrong?
There are people all over the world dying to call him FAMILY!"
Jules's face turned deep purple. He instinctively felt something was off about what his brother said, but had no idea how to argue back.
Then Helian grumbled, "Tch… why does Sato have to be so protective? Why jump in so quickly?"
Jules nodded furiously in agreement, mainly because he was afraid Helian would yell at him more.
Wait… wasn't there something wrong about that last part?
Never mind. Let it go.
"…Looks like it's time for Plan B."
Helian rubbed his bare chin thoughtfully. His narrowed eyes clearly hinted at something sinister brewing.
It really did look like he meant business.
---◓---
The night passed without incident…
At dawn, Sato was in the backyard of Drake's villa, training Frogadier and Pikachu.
The two Pokémon were going all out from the start, yet the commotion didn't bother Salamence at all; he was fast asleep not far away.
Beside him, Hydreigon was also lying flat on its back, snoring in perfect sync.
As Sato's only Dragon-type Pokémon, Hydreigon had bonded with many of Drake's regular team even before evolving. Naturally, it had picked up a lot of tricks.
…Like how to fall asleep faster, and how to snore louder!
In the middle of the training field, Pikachu and Frogadier were restricted from using high-power moves, relying purely on agility to battle at close range.
Frogadier's limbs were better suited for physical combat, but Pikachu had mastered its tail like a third arm. Once it accelerated, the lightning bolt shape even gained a slicing effect.
Even though it was just a match between two Elite Pokémon, the spectacle was top-notch.
Drake stood on the second-floor balcony, wrapped in a coat, quietly observing the training session.
What he appreciated most about this final protégé was Sato's relentless daily training.
Everyone thought he was a prodigy! A monster, even. But only those who truly knew him understood…
Sato's discipline and work ethic stood out among his peers like Drapion pooping! Completely one of a kind!
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¹. Ch ~500
[1] Ch ~500