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The innocent words from Ralts snapped Professor Oak back to clarity. Yes, perhaps Sato was indeed part of Team Rocket—but he hadn't done anything evil.
Prof. Oak couldn't just turn his back on a young Trainer seeking help because of preconceived notions rooted in factional bias.
Especially when this young Trainer was so exceptional. If he refused him now, wouldn't that be the same as pushing him completely to the other side?
In his current unstable state, if Sato lost control and hurt someone by mistake, he might never be able to turn back.
Hadn't Oak's lifelong goal been to help more Trainers walk the right path? Now, with a young Trainer who hadn't done anything wrong coming to him for help—how could he just stand by and do nothing?
The road this young Trainer was walking had merely strayed slightly from the righteous path. It was Oak's duty to do everything in his power to help guide him back to the right track.
After a moment of silent contemplation, Professor Oak turned and walked toward his room. There, relying on memory, he found a simple but well-preserved wooden box.
"Let's hope this still works."
Opening the box, Professor Oak looked at the worn wooden bracelet inside and murmured to himself.
This wasn't an ordinary bracelet. It had been given to him in his youth by a wise monk from the Johto region. Legend had it that the bracelet was crafted from sacred camphor wood at the top of the Bell Tower, where the legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh once perched. It was said to hold powerful purifying properties.
Professor Oak had suffered from something similar to Sato's post-battle trauma in the past. This bracelet had played a vital role in helping him recover.
But that was many years ago. Its glow had long faded. Whether it still retained its power was unclear.
He closed the box carefully and set it on the table. Then he picked up a blank sheet of paper and pen. After a short while, he finished writing a simple letter.
Meanwhile, Sato sat anxiously in the chair, unsure of what fate awaited him. Would Professor Oak help him—or arrest him on the spot? Both outcomes seemed equally likely.
To be honest, if not for the crisis he currently faced, he wouldn't have come to Oak for help. They weren't particularly close, and he lacked the confidence to ask such a favor.
Now, having revealed parts of Team Rocket's rookie trials—though never mentioning the name explicitly—he knew that with Oak's wisdom, the man could infer the truth.
In Sato's mind, Oak choosing not to help and instead apprehending him seemed far more probable. After all, the man had once been the Kanto League Champion, known for his firm sense of justice.
'Sigh... I really have no choice but to put my faith in Professor Oak. If I lose control and end up attacking people accidentally, I'll be hunted by the League anyway. If I end up like in my past life—on the run, hiding constantly—maybe it's better to be caught by Oak before I make any irreversible mistakes. With his character, he'd at least treat my Pokémon with kindness. That wouldn't be such a bad ending…'
With that thought, Sato felt his anxious heart begin to calm. He remained seated, patiently awaiting Professor Oak's final decision.
Running away? Not an option.
The Oak Research Lab housed countless Pokémon left in his care by some of the strongest Trainers from Pallet Town. Even rare Psychic-types were nothing unusual here. If Professor Oak truly wanted to catch him, he wouldn't stand a chance of escaping.
Rather than digging his own grave, it was better to stay calm and wait for the verdict.
After all, since his debut, Sato hadn't done anything evil. In fact, he had accomplished many good deeds.
Professor Oak was a reasonable man. Even if Sato's Team Rocket identity disgusted him, it wouldn't blind a respected Pokémon professor to the truth.
Footsteps echoed from down the hallway. Though Sato had calmed a moment ago, his heart began to race again. He stared ahead nervously.
But when he saw Professor Oak approach—not with a powerful Dragonite, but simply carrying a plain wooden box and a sealed letter—Sato let out a huge sigh of relief.
He knew then that he was safe.
Professor Oak had chosen to help him.
"Young Sato, inside this box is a bracelet made from sacred wood. It should help temporarily suppress the distress in your heart. This letter is a recommendation—take it to the Slowpoke Monastery in Johto and give it to the head abbot. He'll assist you in suppressing and purging your inner state."
Seeing Sato's tense expression relax, Professor Oak gave a slight smile. He walked over, handed the box and letter to him, and said warmly.
"I can't thank you enough, Professor Oak. If you ever need my help in the future, I'll never refuse."
Sato immediately stood, accepted the items with both hands, and gave Oak a deep bow, solemnly making his promise.
"Good. Then I need you to promise me this—no matter how deep you are in the darkness, your heart must always seek the light. You must never commit atrocities. If you do—no matter how far you run—I'll personally drag you to a League prison."
Professor Oak's voice turned cold, his expression serious. A powerful aura—the kind only possessed by Champion-level Trainers—swept out from him.
Sato felt like a small boat caught in a raging storm. His face turned pale under the immense pressure.
At that moment, he knew—Professor Oak had guessed the truth about his Team Rocket affiliation. And yet, he had chosen to trust him.
Sato was deeply moved.
"I swear—even if it costs me my life—I will never commit any atrocity so long as I can help it."
Gritting his teeth, Sato stood firm against the overwhelming aura and replied with sincere determination.
As soon as he spoke, the pressure vanished without a trace. Professor Oak was once again the kind, approachable elder.
Had it not been for his ragged breathing, Sato might have thought the terrifying storm of moments ago had been a hallucination.
"Good. Sato, you must not seek power so recklessly anymore. Rapid growth is impressive, yes—but it must be measured. Go too far, and the consequences are dire. Steady progress is best. With your talent, if you take things one step at a time for seven or eight years, even I may not be your match."
Professor Oak was clearly satisfied with Sato's heartfelt promise. He looked at him with the approving gaze of a mentor, his voice filled with wisdom.
"Yes, I'll train steadily from now on. By the way, Professor Oak, there's actually something else I came to ask your help with... It's this. I hope you can help me take care of it for a while."
Sato nodded seriously. Then, taking off his backpack, he carefully pulled out a Pokémon egg—an egg of a Dratini—and nervously held it out to Professor Oak.