After finishing their matches in the Whirl Islands, Sato and Satoru Rei parted ways due to different schedules.
Rei was heading to Olivine City, just across a narrow strait, where another Trainer was stationed.
As for Sato, according to the organizer's arrangements, he headed to the wetlands south of Violet City, the abyssal sinkhole west of Blackthorn City, and the explosive canyon east of Goldenrod City…
These places were all far from urban centers but were key strategic zones under League control.
The protected area spoke for itself; publicly presented as a "sanctuary" for wild Pokémon, but internally it served as one of the best sources of high-potential Pokémon.
As for the abyssal sinkhole and explosive canyon, their unique terrain and environments -nearly equivalent to an Apex Mimicry Zone- allowed them to produce large numbers of Pokémon with exceptional potential and distinct "traits" (abilities).
These were the very foundations that had upheld the Pokémon League's unshakable dominance for hundreds of years!
---◓---
After completing this circuit, Sato suddenly realized that the matches weren't the most important part.
What truly mattered was how the League had subtly, yet confidently, shown everyone its power and heritage.
After finishing all his external battles, Sato returned once again to Mt. Silver.
By this time, the first stage of the Elite Four Tournament, the points matches, had gradually entered its later phase. And by now, most participating Trainers already had a clear idea of whether they would make it to the finals.
As a result, many Trainers stopped caring about winning or losing, or even about points, and instead focused purely on improving themselves, producing many exciting matches never seen in the early rounds.
But there were also a few who, after confirming their advancement, directly forfeited several of the more difficult upcoming matches.
Among them were Siegfried, Lance's uncle, and Arata, a junior of Agatha's. Both voluntarily avoided facing Sato in the preliminaries, drawing sighs and sneers from many onlookers.
Sato himself hadn't expected this either. Since when had he become strong enough for others to willingly "avoid" him…?
Still, while some stayed rational, others remained determined!
Investigator Shuto and the Sasaki Family genius, Ippei, had just wrapped up an extremely impressive match that morning.
Shuto didn't have a fixed type specialty, so he sent out Arcanine, Pidgeot, and Nidoking for a well-rounded team.
The Sasaki Family was known for their expertise in raising and battling with Grass-types, and Ippei was no exception. This time, he used Venusaur, Meganium, and Ludicolo.
Despite the unfavorable typing, Ippei relied on excellent command and seamless teamwork to take down Shuto's Arcanine and Nidoking.
In the end, Ludicolo fell only because it had been Badly Poisoned by Nidoking and couldn't land a hit on Pidgeot, who was kiting it through the sky.
Even though Sato was only watching from the sidelines, he felt a rush of adrenaline from the match. Fortunately, that same afternoon, he encountered a very solid opponent.
Edward, the younger brother of the president of the Johto region's Steelhead Group.
Though he was the younger brother, Edward was already thirty-five years old, and every one of his Pokémon was a solid High Elite Four level; neither weak nor overpowered.
None of his matches stood out as memorable, yet all of them felt both easy and not easy… he always won with a 1:0 score.
But perhaps because of this, Sato picked up on some oddities… or maybe terrifying traits.
◓---
From the audience stands, Will watched Edward with a grave expression, his mind replaying the scenes of his own defeat to him.
That feeling of control, of being manipulated and dominated, made Will -this Psychic-type Trainer- extremely uncomfortable!
And now, this terrifying man was up against Sato, and Will couldn't help but feel concerned for him.
---◓
Soon, after the referee made the usual announcements, Sato and Edward simultaneously sent out their lead Pokémon.
On Sato's side was Houndoom, whose body had more than doubled in size under the blessing of "natural" energy, steadily evolving into a Totem Pokémon.
As for Edward, he calmly sent out Kangaskhan like an old master at ease.
Kangaskhan had both power and speed, and its typing was only weak to Fighting-type.
Add to that its Scrappy Ability -which allowed Normal- and Fighting-type moves to hit Ghost-types- and it was a perfect all-purpose lead.
Or rather…
Edward had clearly thought through his team composition. Based on the known Pokémon Sato had used so far, his lineup clearly revolved around various Dark-types, with the Ghost-type Gengar as support.
No matter who Sato sent out, the Scrappy Kangaskhan with multiple Fighting-type moves could counter effectively!
Soon, with a sharp wave of the referee's flag, Houndoom and Kangaskhan sprang into action.
A swirl of orange spiral-patterned energy wrapped around Kangaskhan's fists as it charged toward Houndoom with terrifying speed, belying its bulky frame.
Fighting-type move: Drain Punch!
Houndoom, undaunted, responded with an explosive instant-cast Fire Blast!
The Fire Blast flew forth in an instant, reaching the charging Kangaskhan in the blink of an eye.
Caught off guard, Kangaskhan could only swing its Drain Punch with all its might at the core of the incoming Fire Blast!
...BOOOOOOM!
The Fire Blast exploded violently, catching Kangaskhan completely off guard and leaving burns all over its body.
Edward furrowed his brows tightly. This was not at all what he had planned.
When had Sato's Houndoom gotten so strong!?
Wasn't Fire Blast supposed to weaken from "Large" to "Medium" and then to "Small" after being struck?
Why had it just exploded outright?
"Houndoom, Dark Pulse."
Sato's voice rang out. Edward grew wary but then realized the Dark Pulse had already reached behind Kangaskhan.
A real command issued early, a fake command issued late to confuse!
BOOOM!
"K-KAAAAANG!"
A pained cry erupted as Houndoom's Dark Pulse hit Kangaskhan and exploded again, causing secondary damage.
"KANGASKHAN, HANG IN THERE! USE FORESIGHT!"
"KAN-"
Enduring the searing pain of the Dark-type move, Kangaskhan's eyes suddenly flashed red, sweeping across the entire battlefield in a scattered pattern.
'I see you now!'
"Kangaskhan, Dizzy Punch!"
At the same moment, Houndoom -who had been shifting positions nonstop- suddenly sensed a powerful threat.
Houndoom turned its head and saw that although Kangaskhan wasn't charging directly at it, it was heading straight toward the spot it was just about to land!
Foresight prediction!
At this point, Houndoom didn't even wait for Sato's next command. It made its decision instantly.
Its mouth moved slightly, its flame-colored eyes flickering as a low, incomprehensible murmur was whispered straight into Kangaskhan's ears.
Status move: Confide!
Whispering a secret that disrupts focus, lowering the opponent's Special Attack.
For Houndoom, all it needed was for Kangaskhan to hesitate for just one moment -to lose concentration- and it was confident it could completely avoid the Dizzy Punch.