"Boss, why aren't we going to Jubilife City? That Lolo is so full of himself. Shouldn't we just go beat the crap out of him until he starts questioning his life?"
On the way to Oreburgh City, Mark was still fuming, swinging his fist as if ready to throw a punch at anyone.
"When I was talking to Nurse Joy just now, you weren't listening at all," Sato shot him a sidelong glance, eyes glinting coldly.
"Huh? I was listening! She said to let him jump around for a couple more days, and then... and then..." Mark trailed off. The truth was, he hadn't paid any attention and was just thinking about going to Jubilife City to beat someone up.
"You didn't listen? Then keep your mouth shut." Sato had no intention of indulging him.
Mark wilted. He looked to Joseph for help, hoping he'd be kind enough to explain things.
Seeing this, Joseph helplessly shook his head, then slowly began, "The Gym Leader of Jubilife City publicly mocked Sato. His goal is to lure us into challenging him directly. But the moment we go, it confirms we're "rookies". Even if we go to set the record straight, we're still seen as a step below him..."
"Then if we don't go, won't we lose even the chance to defend ourselves?" Mark asked anxiously.
Of course, there was something else he didn't dare say out loud… age-wise, they really were rookies.
"Don't interrupt." Sato was irritated. He still wanted to hear Joseph's full take, to see if it matched his own thoughts.
Mark pouted but didn't dare speak again, staring pitifully at Joseph.
"If it were an ordinary time, of course we'd go "pay our respects" as rookies. But in a public setting, we're Gym Trainers, and Sato Gym Leader. Why should we be the ones to bow down for no reason?"
Mark nodded, showing he understood. Then he heard Joseph continue, "But since the other party made a public statement, it wouldn't look good if we don't respond at all. So Sato decided to take a different approach."
"A different approach? How?" Mark blinked and couldn't help asking.
"It's simple. Didn't Lolo buy media exposure just to mock us? Then we'll help him buy more, so the public starts thinking this Lolo guy has nothing better to do than bash Sato every day."
"Spend money to make people keep insulting us?" Mark's eyes went wide. He swallowed his curse… this plan came from the boss.
Better not say anything. Nope, nope… nopenopenopenope.
"Exactly!" Joseph chuckled and continued, "Just keep him talking trash, today he says we're impatient, tomorrow we're arrogant, and the day after we're all show and no substance. Whether he actually said it or not doesn't matter. What matters is making people think he did."
"And then~?" Mark asked eagerly, thinking this plan that hurt themselves to hurt the enemy had to have something nastier coming.
"Think about it, Mark. Lolo is seen as the older 'wise' senior. But if he keeps going after a junior all the time, it won't take long for people to get sick of his antics and feel like he's abusing his seniority."
"Mhm mhm, and then, and then~" Mark's eyes started to light up. He knew a twist was coming.
"Then one day, Nurse Joy from Sandgem Town gives an interview saying the three of us had already left the city for the wilderness the day before the news came out, so of course we couldn't respond…"
"Then everyone will naturally start connecting the dots with Lolo's actions over the past few days and think he only dared to mock us publicly because he knew we couldn't reply! Hahahahaha! Boss, you're so evil~"
Mark jumped in excitedly, then gave Sato a slap on the shoulder, his face full of mischief.
Joseph nodded slightly, but hesitated. He had a feeling Sato's plan wasn't over yet…
Sato gave Mark a calm look, letting him figure it out on his own, then noticed Joseph's hesitation as well.
"So, tell me, what should I do next?"
Joseph thought for a moment before saying, "By the time things escalate to this point, we'll be just about arriving in Oreburgh City.
Earlier, you specifically asked Nurse Joy about Forge, the Gym Leader of Oreburgh Gym, and found out that he's one of the League's oldest Trainers, just as famous as Lolo from Jubilife City…
More importantly, even though Forge acts neutral, he has a very close bond with Lolo, they're old war buddies.
So, I'm guessing your plan is to defeat Forge as quickly as possible, then strike back hard with this news while the public is still annoyed with Lolo."
"Really?! Boss, is that really your plan~?" Before Sato could nod, Mark was already jumping with excitement.
If things went smoothly, Lolo would be in a tight spot. One moment calling Sato unworthy, and the next, his best bud -cough, war buddy- gets taken down.
At that point, Sato wouldn't just be going to Jubilife City to challenge the Gym…
He'd be going to "conduct" an official Gym evaluation!
…After all, Sato was a Gym Inspector directly appointed by Elite Four Bertha.
Now that Mark knew Sato had already planned out Lolo's future so thoroughly, he relaxed. He leisurely sent out Phione, letting it practice its water-floating control while they traveled.
On this side, the three of them were strolling through the forest, completely unrushed.
Meanwhile, Lolo, the Gym Leader of Jubilife City was starting to get a little anxious. He had timed the media push right when Sato and the others were expected to leave Sandgem Town, just to ensure they'd be provoked into coming.
But the informants in Sandgem still hadn't confirmed whether they were heading to Jubilife City.
The next morning, as he habitually opened the news, he saw his name still topping the trending page.
---
[Gym Leader Lolo fires back again: "Young Trainers shouldn't be arrogant, learn from your seniors."]
[Jubilife Gym Leader takes second shot at Yuga Sato: " 'Dark King'? More like a flea king."]
---
"Strange… I didn't buy a spot today. Are the media feeling generous with some "buy one get one" deals?" Lolo mused while eating breakfast.
"Heh, guess I'm not the only one who can't stand him. They're probably borrowing my voice to insult him again."
Soon enough, Lolo convinced himself with that explanation and went on with his day, unconcerned.
Then came the second day… the third… the fourth… for five straight days, all the headlines were about how the Gym Leader of Jubilife City kept bashing Sato.
Every paper had something about it. The novelty wore off, and people began to feel something was off…
After all, the so-called "Dark King" was just a teenage Trainer. Why was he being flamed so hard every single day?
People naturally sympathize with the underdog, and the fact that Lolo had been ranting non-stop for five days was starting to make everyone uncomfortable.
Now Lolo was panicking. He had tried to use public opinion to pressure Sato, but Sato had turned the tables, trapping him instead.
At this point, all he could do was pay the media double to stop the articles on the matter and hope Sato was a coward who wouldn't dare come to Jubilife City.
On the sixth day, after tossing and turning all night, Lolo sprang out of bed and rushed to check the trending news.
"Phew… thank goodness, no mention of me today…" he muttered to himself.
Only to suddenly freeze halfway through, his face changing drastically.
[Nurse Joy from Sandgem Town reports: " 'Dark King' Sato has been deep in the wilderness for over seven days!"]
[Our editor counted the timeline and something doesn't add up with this K-drama.]
[Question: "How do I respond to online messages while lost in the forest? Asking for a friend."]
That very day, Sato and the others also arrived in Oreburgh City, right on time. Neither early nor late.
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150 Power Stones = Extra Chap