"Eat up, eat up, don't be shy! This Whirlpool seafood pot is one of our specialties. You normally have to book a month in advance to get a seat."
Inside a fine dining restaurant that looked ordinary from the outside but was astonishing once you stepped in, Dominic was enthusiastically treating Sato and Rei to a meal.
Besides the three of them, another quiet middle-aged man was seated at the table. He was one of the other Elite Four level Trainers stationed in the Whirl Islands.
The Ice Artist, Victor Frontier.
Just from the title alone, it was clear Victor specialized in Ice-type Pokémon and even leaned somewhat toward the path of a Coordinator.
Moreover, Victor was highly respected across the Whirl Islands, largely because his Ice-type moves were especially effective at dealing with natural disasters.
After Dominic and Sato's battle this morning, Satoru Rei had also battled Victor in the afternoon.
Although Rei ended up winning, Victor's Lapras and Walrein had left a strong impression on Sato.
Tomorrow, Sato would face Victor, while Rei would battle Dominic. Still, that didn't stop Dominic from warmly inviting them out.
With the tournament now halfway through, most competitors could already estimate their rank and placement. Dominic and Victor were no exception.
So going into the upcoming battles, their mindset was focused more on mutual growth than winning or losing. After all, their current point totals were too low. Reaching the finals was already out of the question.
Most importantly, Sato had been using his Dark Energy to sense their emotions and he hadn't detected anything unusual from either of them.
The truth was, for competitors like Sato and Rei who had kept winning, most people felt both envy and an irresistible urge to get close, hoping to ride their coattails somehow.
At the table, Dominic and Rei were hitting it off. The former was knowledgeable and could chime in on any topic. The latter was inexperienced and had always been sheltered by "elders", so every unusual anecdote left him wide-eyed with amazement.
Sato and Victor, on the other hand, were far more composed. They quietly ate and listened, not at all bothered by the atmosphere.
Eventually, the conversation turned back to the Whirl Islands.
"Dominic, what exactly is going on in the Whirl Islands that keeps you all so tied up? You even had to request on-site matches for yourselves."
Rei asked without restraint. The other three visibly paused, but in the end, Dominic sighed and explained.
"…This might not be known to outsiders, but everyone living in the Whirl Islands lives in constant fear because of it."
Hearing that, Sato also turned to look at Dominic, waiting for him to continue.
Dominic didn't hold back and quickly laid it all out.
"The Whirl Islands are part of the Johto region. They're not that far from the mainland, and each of the four main islands has its own unique specialty.
Logically, the Whirl Islands should be thriving economically. But due to the frequent appearance of Whirlpool Tides, the islands are periodically cut off from the mainland entirely."
"Uh!? Whirlpool Tides? What are those?" Satoru Rei asked urgently.
"Whirlpool Tides are a unique natural disaster caused by lunar gravitational fluctuations and frequent tectonic shifts. They form in the uniquely shaped terrain of the Whirl Islands.
Once they form, they draw in massive amounts of seawater and sweep across the entire archipelago in the form of water tornadoes.
During this period, most productive activity in the Whirl Islands would grind to a halt. People could only stay inside their homes and wait for the disaster to pass.
And what Victor and I must do is monitor the entire archipelago for signs of Whirlpool Tides, then guide and redirect the devastating water tornadoes to minimize damage."
"Mm… guide and redirect? Why not just eliminate them outright?"
Rei's innocent question even made the silent Victor roll his eyes.
"That's the grand power of nature you're talking about! Victor and I had to train for a long time just to barely handle it."
Dominic found the question both amusing and exasperating, but still gave a considerate explanation.
Realizing how embarrassing his comment was, Satoru Rei could only continue, "So… there's no permanent solution for the Whirlpool Tides? That sounds horrible for the people living here."
Dominic shook his head. "They've existed before, but never as frequently as they have these past few years. Victor and I can only temporarily stabilize the Whirlpool Tides. Whether the problem can be resolved permanently depends on whether the higher-ups find a way."
As soon as Dominic finished speaking, Sato understood that this was a difficult issue. Even Elite Four level Pokémon could only draw on portions of natural energy to empower themselves.
But to truly oppose nature… perhaps only a Champion might stand a chance.
And even then, only a chance.
Natural disasters were beyond human control, yet the feeling of helplessness still left everyone in low spirits.
Thinking of the matches scheduled for tomorrow, they soon dispersed to go about their own activities.
Sato firmly rejected Rei's offer to go on a nighttime stroll together. With a few steps, he easily shook him off.
Maybe still preoccupied with the Whirlpool Tides, Sato subconsciously wandered toward the sea.
Just then, he felt a Poké Ball on his belt shaking restlessly. With a helpless smile, he released the clingy Umbreon.
"Umbre~"
Nighttime, a walk, just the two of them with the handsome Sato. Umbreon felt like this was the happiest moment it had had in years!
Of course, it intentionally ignored the Gengar lurking in the shadows…
Rubbing against Sato's leg, Umbreon bounced adorably at his side.
Sniffing wildflowers, splashing in puddles… everything made Umbreon chirp with joy.
Seeing this, Sato slowly relaxed. After all that intense training day after day, it had been a long time since he'd seen Umbreon this happy.
Right now, it didn't resemble an Elite Four level Pokémon in the slightest.
However… the night felt a little too quiet.
At that moment, Sato and his partner -+Gengar- happened to reach the seaside, but no sea breeze touched them.
The tide had receded drastically. Sato could faintly make out a calm coastline.
The longer he stared, the stranger it felt; even Umbreon went quiet and stayed close by his side.
Bzzz… … Bzz… Bzz-bzz…
Sato pulled out his rarely used phone and saw Dominic filling his inbox with call after call, clearly something urgent.
He picked up, and Dominic's panicked voice exploded from the speaker.
[SATO! SATO, ARE YOU AT THE COAST?! Get back to the hotel… NOW!]
"What happened?" Sato frowned, eyes fixed on the eerily still sea.
[The Whirlpool Tide has formed. It's coming ashore tonight. Sato, get to saf-]
Before Dominic could finish, the call was abruptly cut off.
At the same time, without warning, a violent gale erupted across the once-tranquil sea.
A massive whirlpool began to rapidly form...