"This match is in the bag for Sato!" Joseph said confidently, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Why though? Aren't Cacturne and Ludicolo still fighting?" Mark gave him a puzzled look.
redith and Kyle also turned to look, clearly not understanding why Joseph was so sure.
"Ever since the two Pokémon began clashing in this way, the outco has already tilted in Cacturne's favor. Don't forget, Water-type moves are useless against it."
As soon as Joseph finished speaking, the other three imdiately had a lightbulb mont… but then realized, didn't Wake already know that?
"Gym Leader Wake is too obsessed with winning and losing. Once he discovered that Surf could break through Cacturne's Cotton Spore trap, he forgot all about the earlier lesson.
…And now, even if he rembers, it's already too late."
It was like Joseph knew exactly what they were all wondering and kept explaining without even being asked.
Mark was already used to this and just nodded without saying anything. But redith and Kyle couldn't help giving Joseph a thoughtful look.
They had assud Joseph was just in charge of support and logistics for their group, but they didn't expect him to have such an understanding of battle as well.
None of them were normal Trainers…
---
anwhile on the battlefield, Sato still stood quietly, watching the strange tug-of-war between the two Pokémon. Wake, on the other hand, was clearly growing more anxious.
It was obvious, this long standoff had made him realize he'd already fallen into his opponent's trap. And now, Wake could either wait for Ludicolo to run out of stamina and collapse, or… forfeit the match himself!
Wake glanced again at the unusually calm Sato, and a wave of helplessness washed over him.
'…Why did the "Dark King" have to target Pastoria Gym?'
"I forfeit!"
Sato blinked and silently gave Wake a ntal point.
Choosing to forfeit and preserve strength rather than waste energy in a fight he couldn't win… now that was the right decision.
"Cacturne, slowly stop the Sandstorm."
"Cac~"
"…Ludicolo, we fell into his trap from the very start. We already lost," Wake said with unwillingness, speaking to Ludicolo under the water, though it was also clearly ant for Sato to hear.
'If we hadn't fallen into the trap, we still could've fought!'
Sato gave a faint smile and didn't argue. The winner always had to bear more doubt anyway.
He was long used to it.
Soon, the two Pokémon worked together to completely calm the waves and stop the Sandstorm. The exhausted Ludicolo crawled up onto the shore, gently patted Wake on the shoulder, and seed to have taken the loss quite well.
"Alright, alright, go get so rest." Wake, face flushed, returned Ludicolo to its Poké Ball. Not only did he lose the match, but he even got comforted by his own Pokémon.
So awkward…
"Not bad out there!"
Sato also gave Cacturne a light pat on its leafy hat as praise. The rest of its body was all spines, and he didn't dare touch it.
"Cac~" Cacturne narrowed its eyes and smiled cheerfully, clearly enjoying this kind of interaction with Sato.
The referee looked at the two Trainers, both of whom had wrapped up the match on their own, with a face full of resentnt.
He hadn't even gotten to announce the result yet!
"You're really strong. I admit I'm no match for you. Do whatever you want to … cut down or skin , I'll take it! Just hurry up already!" Wake raised his head, pouting with his mouth.
'Was he seriously being tsundere?'
Sato stared speechlessly at Wake. This guy was a total drama king; even after losing, he still managed to steal the spotlight.
---
The five of them quickly left Pastoria Gym and returned to the Pokémon Center.
And once again, the issue landed on Mark's shoulders. This ti, he had no reason to keep stalling.
"redith, I'll leave the rest up to you," Mark said, holding the sleeping Manaphy with a drooping expression.
redith sighed softly. She suddenly wondered… when did she turn into the bad woman who tears families apart?
"Let's listen to Manaphy. When the ti cos, the ocean will naturally guide its direction," redith said, then turned and walked back to her room with long strides.
'What, I can't have a bit of attitude too?'
Sato and Joseph exchanged a glance and helplessly shook their heads. It was all for Manaphy's sake, there was no one to bla.
After lunch, a newly awakened Manaphy was no longer as clingy to Mark as before. Instead, it bounced over to the window on its own and quietly looked outside.
Its gaze facing directly toward the ocean!
Seeing this, Mark, though reluctant deep down, still took the initiative to knock on redith and Kyle's door.
"Let's… head out to sea."
----
The next morning, as dawn broke, the five of them arrived at the port. redith and Kyle led the group to a brand new small ship.
"For long trips, let's use this. It's a hybrid ship, it'll better guarantee everyone's safety and living comfort," Kyle said with a smile as he stepped onto the deck.
The other three had no objections and followed him aboard. Once inside the cabin, they were surprised to find how spacious it was.
"You can even see underwater!" Mark exclaid in delight.
"Mana~ Mana~" Manaphy called out happily as well. It curiously poked the glass with its finger, then quickly pulled back, afraid it might break the glass and let seawater rush in.
Utterly adorable…
Yes, the lower level of the ship actually had a special observation deck. Through the glass, Mark curiously looked at the undersides of various passing ships.
"Nice setup. Let try cooking with this kitchen gear, see if it makes good food!" Joseph placed both hands on the kitchen counter, full of spirit.
redith stood nearby, seriously considering whether to argue over kitchen rights… and wisely decided to give up.
"This kind of space should be more than enough for training," Sato said, stroking his chin as he looked at the open platform on the ship's second level.
"Definitely. The deck on this level has been specially reinforced, unless you're using moves like Earthquake or Hyper Beam, it can take it no problem," Kyle said with a hearty smile, not showing a trace of pride.
After touring this so-called small hybrid ship, the three of them gained a deeper understanding of the "legendary" People of the Water couple, redith and Kyle.
At the very least, their heritage was no joke. Just this ship alone was so well-equipped that the three of them couldn't help but swallow a little.
Sato thought to himself, 'If Shadownight Town were by the sea, I'd probably want to buy one too.'
But he figured, this kind of hybrid ship wasn't sothing you could just buy casually. Custom orders might be possible though.
"Alright then, let's set sail!"
"Aye!" *N
Everyone shouted together under the morning sun. Gone was yesterday's awkwardness, now there was even a hint of anticipation.
As they journeyed toward the Sea Temple, what strange encounters awaited them?
And as the ship left port and entered international waters, a huge surprise was quietly waiting ahead.
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