"I'm not here to challenge the Gym."
Looking at the group of registered Trainers inside Canalave Gym eyeing him like predators, Sato explained helplessly.
However… it was completely ineffective.
Not long after, the registered Trainers parted to the sides, and Canalave Gym Leader Byron slowly walked out.
…A young man who looked much older than his actual age.
That was the only way Sato could describe him. According to the records, Byron was just in his thirties, but years of working in Iron Island and the mines had left him scruffy and bearded, making him look well… over forty.
Yet this rugged-looking man had managed to make his own son a Gym Leader in Oreburgh City, under the excuse of "family discord."
One family, two Gyms. An absolute rarity in the entire Pokémon League.
So, when it came to Byron's Iron Island Exploration Competition, Sato was actually pretty interested.
"You must be Sato, the Gym Leader of Shadownight Gym. I've long heard of your reputation, an honor to meet you!" Though a miner, Byron still spoke quite formally.
"Gym Leader Byron, nice to meet you. I'm truly only here to register for the competition," Sato stepped forward, shook his hand, and nodded.
"Hahaha, whether to register or to challenge… once I open the doors to my Gym, I won't turn away any Trainer," Byron laughed heartily, but his words made it clear that no matter Sato's purpose, Byron would face it head-on.
Seeing no other choice, Sato said directly, "Let's settle it after the competition, Leader Byron!"
If they were already treating him like a challenger, he might as well not let down their expectations.
If it's a fight… then so be it!
"Hahaha, it's a deal! How about this, Leader Sato. Why not be our competition's special guest? It's just kids fooling around in these matches, hardly any challenge for you."
Byron smiled as he spoke, but everything he said was clearly meant to keep Sato from joining the Exploration Competition.
Sato sighed inwardly. If the host didn't want him to participate, then forcing his way in would be meaningless.
The real issue was now that he was "famous", he got recognized everywhere. With status came limitations. Doing things that appeared too low in the public eye could become awkward.
Even if there was nothing wrong with participating, once word spread, it would end up being free publicity for the competition.
[DARK KING OF JOHTO PERSONALLY ENTERS THE COMPETITION… what makes it so special?]
[JOHTO'S GYM LEADER YUGA SATO JOINS SINNOH'S GYM LEADER BYRON'S EVENT… what's the secret?]
---
In the media-rich Sinnoh region, Sato could imagine several flashy headlines in seconds.
So, Sato turned to Mark. "Then you'll be the only one participating this time. Remember, you're representing Shadownight Gym!"
"Eh?"
Mark was shocked. 'I've been quietly standing in the back without saying a word, and trouble still finds me? This is too much for me!'
Then Sato looked back at Byron. "Being a guest is too boring. How about we hold our battle at the beginning or end of the competition as an exhibition match to entertain the crowd?"
The moment Sato finished, the Trainers behind Byron immediately erupted in rage, their eyes glaring as if they wanted to devour Sato on the spot.
Byron was stunned for a second but quickly recovered. After another hearty laugh, he clapped Sato on the shoulder and said enthusiastically, "Great idea! Then let's schedule our battle for the closing award ceremony. Deal!"
"Whatever you say," Sato replied with an "innocent" smile so disarming that Byron almost couldn't resist punching him.
Sato's strength had already been confirmed in Gym evaluatio- …whoops, Gym challenges… again and again. Byron considered himself no weaker than any other Gym Leader, but there was always that lingering fear of the unexpected.
They called it an "exhibition match", but Byron was certain: if he couldn't defeat Sato, the latter definitely wouldn't hold back.
…And if the host of the Iron Island competition lost during the exhibition match, what would be the point of the competition?
Byron's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. His impression of Sato quickly dropped from average to downright unpleasant.
Even though Sato had left room for flexibility, suggesting the match be held at the end of the competition, a battle would still have a winner and a loser. If Byron won, great.
…But if he lost, the competition's reputation would take a major hit.
Everyone would focus on one thing: yet another Sinnoh Gym Leader defeated by a Johto Gym Leader. No one would care that it was "just" an exhibition match at the end of a local event.
But Byron hadn't realized something: Sato had said from the start he only came to register for the competition. The problem was… no one believed him.
A person's reputation is like a tree's bark.
Byron's rejection actually helped Sato understand something deeper: His strength no longer allowed him to stay low-profile.
Once Mark -still dazed- finished registering, Sato left Canalave Gym under the "friendly farewell" of Byron and the others.
After the three regrouped, Sato briefly explained what had just happened to Joseph.
"Do your best in the competition. I'm not asking you to win first place, but at least don't lose miserably," Joseph said as soon as he finished listening, immediately turning to Mark.
Mark: "…"
'Why am I always the one people don't trust? Clearly Boss's match is way more important. I only joined the competition for fun.'
Joseph saw right through what Mark was thinking and grinned. "Sato won't lose anyway. But if you lose badly, people will say Shadownight Gym is just Sato carrying dead weight, the rest of us are trash. And in the end, the one who gets embarrassed is still you."
"Hmph! Just wait and see how I bring home first place!"
Mark snapped, immediately vowing with conviction. His fighting spirit reignited in an instant.
Joseph grinned wide, thinking, 'Mark, you're still so easy to manipulate.'
…No challenge at all.
Sato had watched the whole thing silently. From a team standpoint, of course he hoped Mark would win first place. But the competition allowed each Trainer to use up to three Pokémon.
Mark only had one. That was a serious disadvantage.
And since registration had just been completed, Sato didn't even get a chance to lend him Krookodile.
'Oh well, as long as he didn't lose, it would be fine.' Sato thought to himself.
Back at the Pokémon Center, none of the three were in the mood to rest and recover from the fatigue of sea adventure. They immediately threw themselves into their respective preparations.
Sato focused on putting together the best lineup for his match with Byron, determined to secure a clean victory.
This was a match both sides were preparing for. Byron would surely study Sato's battle style. If Sato didn't prepare as well, he might really get caught off guard.
Mark also began intensive training with Lucario.
Taking advantage of Sato's good relationship with the Joy family, he shamelessly went to Nurse Joy to dig up information about past competitions. Clearly, he was taking his prep seriously too.
As for Joseph, wasn't support and logistics important? What about Pokémon care? What about studying breeding knowledge?
Relaxation? What's that.