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In the captain's cabin where Reggie was.
The instant a faint distortion rippled through the air, Reggie — who had been watching the room with utmost vigilance — immediately noticed it. The next time he blinked, a masked man in black appeared before him, accompanied by a massive Crobat.
"Good day, old sir. Tell me, have I already cleared all the obstacles you set in my way?"
The moment Reggie saw the sudden arrival of Sato, he was just about to speak when a strange voice rang directly in his mind. His expression changed at once.
At the same time, the words he had prepared to say were swallowed back down, for he realized that at some point, his entire body had been seized by Sato's overwhelming psychic power. He couldn't even open his mouth.
Just as Sato had said, the layers of defenses he had ordered his men to arrange outside — those were meant to test whether Sato truly had the ability to extract Todd from the heavily guarded Team Aqua base. If Sato couldn't even break through a few checkpoints, then there was no need to negotiate further.
But to Reggie's mingled shock and delight, Sato's psychic ability was far stronger than he had imagined. Not only did he command the instant, free-flowing power of teleportation, he could also subdue Reggie with telekinesis in an instant.
The frightening part was that Sato clearly had the ability to kill him right there, and even his Feraligatr and Crawdaunt wouldn't be able to save him in time.
Fortunately, Sato bore no malice. After using psychic power to restrain him as a show of strength, he immediately released Reggie from the telekinetic bind.
Sato had principles. Faced with someone who had once helped him, he would never commit an act that endangered that person's life.
What's more, he deliberately wanted Reggie to believe he was a supremely powerful Psychic-type specialist, thus avoiding any chance of exposing the true extent of his abilities.
"Your psychic power is truly formidable. I believe you are capable of rescuing my friend. Please, come with me — I shall show you my treasure."
Once Reggie felt himself freed, he immediately restrained Feraligatr and Crawdaunt, who were glaring murderously and preparing to attack Sato. Rising to his feet, he nodded toward Sato.
Sato had no objection. He ignored the two powerful Pokémon brimming with hostility and followed Reggie with calm, confident steps — the very picture of self-assurance in his abilities.
Soon, under Reggie's lead, Sato once again entered the treasure vault.
"That silver feather looks quite good. I like it. Captain, would you be willing to part with it?"
Almost without hesitation, the moment he stepped inside and saw the silver feather placed in the most prominent position, Sato used telepathy to convey his request.
At his words, Reggie's old face turned ashen. In truth, he had considered hiding the feather, but he doubted his other treasures would satisfy Sato. Thus, he had refrained.
Now, hearing Sato immediately claim his most beloved treasure, it felt like a piece of his heart was being carved out. The pain was sharp and bitter.
"It is possible. But this silver feather is priceless — as I'm sure you've noticed. It comes from the legendary Psychic-type Lugia itself, and it is an especially rare feather at that.
"So, if you intend to take it, then you cannot claim the other two items. This is my most valuable possession. Its worth is more than enough."
Reggie drew in a deep breath, suppressing his reluctance, and spoke solemnly.
"I see. No wonder I sensed such a strong psychic pulse from it. Indeed, it is from a Psychic-type Legendary — its value truly cannot be measured."
"Since you are willing to part with such a treasure as my reward, I would be remiss to refuse. As you wish — my payment will be this Lugia's feather."
Hearing Reggie's words, joy surged in Sato's heart, though outwardly he only paused in thought before nodding with feigned reluctance.
"Very well, then. The rescue mission is in your hands. I will send you the relevant details through the communicator shortly. For now, this is yours."
Reggie, though his face was still twisted with unwillingness, forced a faint smile as he spoke. He then carefully removed the silver feather from its display case and held it out toward Sato.
"What are you doing? By the rules, I am only to take the reward after completing the task. If you give it to me now, aren't you afraid I'll just run off? After all, this is our first meeting."
Sato was briefly stunned by Reggie's sudden gesture. He did not immediately accept the feather, instead sending a puzzled inquiry by telepathy.
"Better short pain than long. This feather is my dearest treasure. If I had to see it every day, knowing it would soon be taken from me, I might go back on my word. Giving it to you now is best.
"As for your character — I trust it. I know you Psychics wield frightening means. Since you could find me so easily, then you must have long since found my vault as well. So really, you have no need to do the mission. You could have simply teleported into this vault, taken whatever you liked, and left."
Reggie shook his head with a wry smile as he explained. Then he tossed the glass orb containing the silver feather toward Sato.
"You are a man who understands well."
Beneath the mask, Sato's lips curved in a satisfied smile. He nodded in agreement.
Blue light flickered in his eyes. His telekinesis stopped the glass orb mid-air, then drew it gently into his hand.
A moment later, his eyes glowed again — and with a flash of teleportation, Sato vanished with Crobat at his side, leaving behind the old captain Reggie, shaking his head with a bitter smile.
Minutes later, with Crobat's aid, Sato reappeared in his hotel room in the eastern district of Slateport City.
No sooner had he returned than he released Swampert, instructing it and Crobat to guard the door and watch for disturbances. Only after confirming that everything was normal did he take out the glass orb.
"It wasn't easy… but finally, after all that effort, you are mine. Let's see just how many surprises you hold."
Sato gazed at the silver feather glowing softly within the orb, his face full of anticipation.