Finding the right team was extrely important for a Gym. After all, a Gym couldn't be supported by just the Gym Leader alone.
Any Gym officially certified by the League had a duty to protect its city and surrounding towns and villages.
Accepting challenges from Trainers and awarding Gym Badges was actually the lighter part of the Gym Leader's responsibilities.
Shadownight Town wasn't big, and only had two nearby villages under its jurisdiction. But the wild Pokémon in the area were higher level than average, which ant that while there weren't many places to protect, the difficulty was still high.
In fact, if Sato wanted to recruit fully trained Trainers right away, all he needed to do was say the word to the Joy family or the Dragon Clan. Soone would report in by the very next day.
Even if Sato simply revealed his presence to the residents of Shadownight Town, he could instantly gain massive public support.
But Sato didn't want to do that. He would rather have Mark scout out a few kids, and raise them from the ground up.
As for how to protect one town and two villages, Sato already had a few ideas.
Soon, everyone got busy. Sato first brought Amber to see Nurse Joy and check on the referee license situation.
"Mr. Amber is already a High-level Referee from the Unova Region, so you just need to register at the League's branch office here in Shadownight Town.
However, the Gym must have at least two referees of Junior-level or higher, so Sato, you'll need to find one more. If you need help, I can assist you with that," said Nurse Joy of Shadownight Town with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, Miss Joy."
"My na's Lia Joy, third cousin to Lilian. From now on, call Sis Lia, alright? Don't you dare play favorites."
'…Here we go again.'
Sato sighed inwardly. The Joy family sisters hadn't changed at all. They weren't much older than him, yet they all loved acting like older sisters. It had been so long since he'd called anyone that, it felt awkward.
"Sis… Lia."
"Aww, good boy~ If anything ever cos up, co to , I'll take care of it for you, perfectly and completely~"
On the way back to the room, Amber followed closely behind Sato, finding it harder and harder to understand just how much influence was hidden behind this young Trainer.
---
A month ago, Sato had appeared out of nowhere at the place where he and Trish were hiding, and pulled a handwritten letter from Boss Zillion, strongly insisting on taking Trish away.
Amber, unable to rest easy, chose to go along in the end; but he hadn't ruled out the possibility of escaping with her if the chance ca.
But over the past few weeks, he had co to see that although Sato was young, he already seed capable of protecting others.
Trish was still a child, and Amber was already fifty. If what Sato said was true, and Zillion would never return to the real world, then how much longer could he care for Trish?
'Maybe… staying peacefully at the Shadownight Gym wasn't such a bad idea?'
Amber's mind spun in circles. He glanced at Sato's not-so-broad shoulders and finally made a decision.
"Leader, I used to manage the Boss's estate. I'm familiar with complex logistical work. If you don't mind, I'd like to assist Joseph."
Sato abruptly stopped walking, turned around to look at Amber, his eyes filled with scrutiny. "Are you sure?"
When he agreed to let Amber co along, Sato had considered putting his skills to use.
But along the way, Amber barely interacted with him, spending most of his ti watching over Trish. The rest of the ti, he acted like nothing else concerned him and Sato hadn't pushed him.
Now that Amber had co to the decision himself, Sato was naturally pleased. After all, none of the three of them had any experience managing a Gym.
Sato's words carried aning, and Amber understood perfectly. He lowered his head slightly. "Leader, you've truly taken care of Trish. This old man sees it clearly." He didn't answer directly, but it was exactly what Sato wanted to hear.
"If Trish calls 'brother,' then she's my sister from now on. Don't worry, Amber," Sato replied solemnly. He had plenty of "sis'" in this life, but this was the first ti he'll had a "little sister".
The difference between taking initiative and being passive was huge. Now that Amber was willing to handle the Gym's daily operations, Sato suddenly realized that the three of them only needed to follow orders and focus on their own tasks, everything else was covered.
There was a reason for the saying, "An elder in the ho is a treasure."
----
Things like the Gym's layout and decoration, the addition of functional rooms, utilities like water, gas, and electricity, and supply logistics were all managed by Amber in a perfectly orderly manner.
Joseph, too, was now completely free from the burden of miscellaneous affairs and could focus solely on overseeing the Gym's ergency dical conditions and Pokémon care.
Then, following Amber's guidance, Mark recruited a few older townsfolk who weren't very well-off.
Mark had known these people since he was a little boy and was very familiar with their personalities. Everyone he selected was soone he trusted.
At this mont, however, Sato had already left the Pokémon Center and was heading into the Forest of Shadows.
The forest was as dark as ever. Perhaps because of the Dark Energy, Sato didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable here, in fact, he found it soothing.
"Krow Krow!"
A harsh caw rang out. Sato looked up and saw a Murkrow circling overhead, seemingly conveying so kind of ssage.
"Murkrow, take to your leader," Sato called out.
Murkrow nodded at Sato, then flew westward without hesitation.
"Zoroark."
"Zoro!"
Zoroark crouched low. Once Sato leapt onto its back, it kicked off with its hind legs and dashed forward at full speed.
"Pichu!"
Perched on Sato's shoulder, Pichu lost its grip and was flung off. Luckily, Sato had quick reflexes and caught it midair.
"Hold on tight…"
"Pichu Pi!"
Zoroark easily caught up to the Murkrow leading the way, but before they had even covered half the distance, a massive shadow suddenly lunged toward Sato.
"Krow!"
Zoroark tensed up, ready to attack.
"Easy, it's the little Murkrow from before," Sato cald Zoroark and leapt off, spreading his arms to welco the young Murkrow.
Murkrow stopped abruptly in front of him, then gently flapped its wings and cautiously nestled into Sato's arms.
"Long ti no see, Murkrow. You're not so little anymore, though. You're probably bigger than the average Honchkrow now."
"Krow..." Murkrow cried out softly, looking aggrieved as it tried to curl its body, making it easier for Sato to hold it.
"Yes, yes, you're still young, still just a baby." For so reason, what others found to be unpleasant caws, Sato always seed able to understand clearly.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through, the Murkrow's leader had arrived. It rembered Sato's face and greeted him with an unceremonious, rough welco.
"Low Pseudo-Elite Four now?" Sato raised an eyebrow. No wonder it was acting cocky.
"So? Want to go another round?" Sato grinned at the Murkrow's leader, openly inviting a battle.
"KROOW!"
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