"Sato, my Miltank is super strong! Just one match, okay? Just one!"
Whitney, now a bit older, had become even more lively. Aside from being a little shy when she first saw Sato, once childhood memories kicked in, she latched onto him like glue.
"Ahem, I just finished a mission a couple days ago. Zoroark and the others are pretty worn out, so I let them go home to rest."
Sato made up an excuse to brush her off. He didn't want to make his partners suffer, even if it was just to humor Whitney.
But if it really came down to it, no matter how strong Whitney's Miltank was, it'd still be a one-hit or two-hit KO.
And if Whitney started crying after that… now that would be the real disaster!
"Alright… Whitney. Sato is a League Investigator now, he's very busy most of the time. Now that he's finally got some free time to spend with us, don't keep pestering him."
Howard reclined lazily in a lounge chair. He no longer had the energy he did when Sato first met him… back when he could wander lost for hours across several kilometers!
Time spares no one. The once-legendary figure now had to speak softly even when addressing his granddaughter.
"Oh, okay! Sato, you rest well! I'll go get you the freshest Moomoo Milk!"
Whitney was obedient when it came to her grandfather. She bounced out of the room in high spirits.
Sato watched her leave, then finally sat down beside Howard.
"In the blink of an eye… Whitney's grown up."
"Yeah… And in the blink of an eye, that kid who used to freeload off me is now a League Investigator, Juahahaha!"
Sato twitched at the corner of his mouth. Yep, still the same conversation-killing Howard.
"I came this time because-"
"Knew it! No way you came just to visit me, waaah!"
Howard cut him off, snorting in annoyance and then literally turning his head away from Sato.
Sato: (◎_◎;)?
Sato wasn't the type to coax people; didn't matter if they were old, young, male, or female.
So he simply stayed quietly by Howard's side. When the old man needed water, he passed him a cup. When he coughed, Sato patted his back.
Sato's actions were stiff and awkward, but Howard enjoyed watching him fumble around. Gradually, most of his childish pettiness melted away.
"Alright… tell me. What's the real reason you came this time?"
Sato chuckled, "Just came to check on you, that's all!"
"Hey!"
Leader Howard raised a hand as if to strike, but Sato didn't flinch. He looked him right in the eye and lied without a shred of guilt.
"You win! Out with it, already!"
In the end, Howard couldn't bring himself to smack him and just grumbled in frustration.
"It's not really a big deal. Just that someone might be trying to set me up…"
The moment Sato mentioned "set up," Howard's cloudy eyes widened; but he held back and let Sato continue.
Soon enough, Sato summarized the counterfeit case in just a few sentences. Having weathered many storms, Howard quickly understood the hidden trap behind it all.
If Sato followed the intel trail, he would end up in direct conflict with the Oat Family, who happened to be on good terms with him.
But if he didn't investigate, then it would mean he knowingly let the family slide… which would be tantamount to shielding them.
Because the Oat Family had extensive investments in Shadownight Town, it was very likely that others would suspect Sato and the Oat Family had long been secretly colluding.
Howard fell silent for a moment, then instructed Sato to help him place a call.
Three minutes later, the call ended…
Sato and Howard exchanged a glance; both of them had the same look in their eyes: as expected.
"The League has already received the intel you're holding and is aware that you've arrived in Goldenrod City."
Sato nodded. He had anticipated all this beforehand. But even so, aside from taking this opportunity to visit Howard and Whitney, he also wanted to speak openly with Wester.
"My phone has encrypted and anti-surveillance protocols installed. I suggest you give your Oat family friend a heads-up."
Sato nodded again, then picked up the phone and dialed Wester directly.
When the call connected, Wester sounded pleasantly surprised that Sato was calling him!
…Until Sato finished explaining. Then Wester fell silent.
"So, about the counterfeit items… how much was your family really involved?"
Wester shook his head and finally sighed. [What if I told you this was all the work of certain internal members of the Family, using our name to act recklessly? Would you believe me?]
Sato nodded. "I would. But the League won't. And neither will the public."
Wester sighed again, then after a brief hesitation, continued speaking.
[Then… go ahead and investigate! There are indeed too many parasites in my family. Cleaning house might be for the best.]
His eyes turned sharp, and he even took the initiative to ask Sato to investigate thoroughly, making things easier for Sato.
Sato nodded in acknowledgment. After hanging up, he turned to look back at Howard.
"A responsible young man. I'll have my people investigate. You don't need to be involved any further."
With a wave, Howard took on the burden of this difficult and delicate task on Sato's behalf.
On the other side, Sato's conversation with Howard and Wester helped him nearly confirm who the real troublemaker was.
Only someone inside the League could have arranged so many things so quickly.
And the most visibly active League Trainer in Vermilion City…
Was the Vermilion Gym Leader.
Lt. Surge!
'If you can't even keep a low profile as an undercover, don't blame me for setting you up in return. Let's see how you like the taste of your own medicine… perhaps you'll do better than the previous "Surge"!' Sato thought, already forming his plan.
After that, Sato settled down comfortably at the Goldenrod Gym. He truly minded his own business, completely focused on dodging Whitney's constant challenges to battle.
Aside from that, it really did feel like being back at the Shadownight Gym during his training days. Calm, repetitive, and yet deeply fulfilling.
---◓---
One week later, at Goldenrod Ranch.
Sato was training with Absol and the others when he saw Howard walking out, supported by Whitney.
"It's done. Seventeen people from the Oat Family have been arrested. I've done my best to contain the fallout. But reputation… that's not easy to reverse. A lot of their business will inevitably suffer serious damage."
"Mmh… Thank you."
"No need to thank me. I'm just glad I could do something useful before I die, juahaha!"
Sato wisely said nothing, but Whitney's eyes instantly reddened.
"Grandpa's going to live to be a hundred!"
"Juahaha! I'll be satisfied if I live long enough to see you get married, Whitney~"
Whitney blushed instantly. She'd never realized how much her grandpa liked to joke around.
Sato just stood off to the side with a "polite" smile. At times like this, saying nothing was definitely the best choice!