From what Satoshi had learned, Team Skull was basically muscle-for-hire—on the Aether Foundation's payroll.
Which meant they ultimately answered to the Aether Foundation's president, Lusamine.
[Lusamine~~! Satocchi, i—Furiko—wants to see you together with Lusamine!]
Quit it—she's a married woman in her forties. If you're going to say someone, at least say Lillie!
[Why not both? Activate the Parental Bond Ability.]
"Rillaboom—[GRASSY GLIDE]. Take them out!"
Ignoring Furiko's nonsense, Satoshi stayed focused.
The deeper they went, the more people they ran into. Thankfully, Team Skull didn't actually have that many members, so it never got truly out of hand.
And besides, he had a reliable partner right next to him.
"Electivire—[THUNDER PUNCH]!" "Ele!"
At Uika's command, Electivire snapped its fist forward, blazing with brilliant golden lightning. It caught Toxicroak squarely. Toxicroak went flying, hit the ground hard, and didn't get back up.
The two of them were basically on the same level. As long as nothing went wrong, there wouldn't be a problem.
As long as nothing went wrong…
This wasn't some normal match. In a real fight, Trainers getting clipped was practically routine.
Satoshi had wanted Uika to head back first. He was a Super Rookie—this kind of thing didn't bother him much. But Uika was different. She insisted on coming with him, to help, to keep things from getting worse.
She really is… I could cry.
Since Uika was an idol, she wore a cap to hide her identity. Satoshi had one on too, which only made them look even more in-sync.
To Team Skull's eyes, they probably looked like a couple.
And that probably made them even nastier. They were petty punks—stealing other people's Pokémon, causing scenes at trial sites—but they usually didn't push things far enough to get serious charges. Officer Jenny could scold them and lock them up for a few days, and that was it.
Deep down, they were just people with a grudge against the world. Half the time, even stealing a single Yungoos needed their boss to show up in person.
Pathetic doesn't even begin to cover it. But they were still perfectly capable of hurting someone.
And then it happened.
A Team Skull girl had been staring daggers at Uika for a while. While Satoshi and Uika—and their Pokémon—were focused elsewhere, she finally found her opening.
"Golbat—[AIR SLASH]!"
"Goru~~" Golbat beat its wings and fired a razor wind blade. It swept in and sliced across Uika's calf. Blood welled up immediately.
"Ugh… it hurts…" Pain flared through the wound. Uika sucked in a sharp breath, heat pulsing along her leg.
She's hurt?!
The moment Satoshi registered it, his hands caught Uika by the waist. He pulled her in fast, holding her tight against his chest.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah… it's not that deep… Don't worry about me—Satoshi, focus on the fight."
Uika's body trembled, like her strength had drained out of her. Still, she forced herself upright—and even lied about the injury. It was deeper than she was admitting.
"It's fine. Leave it to me." Satoshi felt how shaky she was. He stroked her hair, steadying her.
"A perfect chance—Arbok, [GUNK SHOT]!"
"Muk, [SLUDGE BOMB]!"
"Raticate, [SHADOW BALL]!"
Seeing an opening, the Team Skull members rushed to capitalize.
Several Pokémon launched ranged moves at once—but Satoshi didn't even think. Two Poké Balls flicked out of his hand.
"Come out—Blaziken and Raichu!"
"Bla-zee!!" "Rai-chu!"
Blaziken and Raichu hit the field and immediately caught their Trainer's anger. They roared.
Satoshi had been trying to conserve stamina until he reached the Totem Pokémon. And honestly, Frogadier and Rillaboom were more than enough to handle a bunch of punks like this.
But it was one thing if he got hurt.
If Uika got hurt again, protecting her would get complicated—and Uika was probably thinking the same.
After all, the Totem Pokémon was the kind of opponent you couldn't take lightly.
He'd come to Alola to challenge the strong, but now his priorities had shifted.
He was furious.
Maybe for the first time in his life, he felt anger like this—hot and clean, with nowhere to go.
Hurting his friend?
He couldn't tolerate that.
So what he needed to do right now was simple.
Crush Team Skull.
Make sure they never dared swagger around Alola again.
Satoshi swept his hand forward.
"Raichu—[THUNDERBOLT]!"
"Blaziken—[BLAZE KICK]!"
"Frogadier—[WATER PULSE]!"
"Rillaboom—[DRUM BEATING]!"
"Rai!"
"Bla-zee!"
"Koga!"
"Rilla!"
At the command, everyone moved at once, colliding with Team Skull's Pokémon.
The outcome was obvious. What could this lot possibly do? They were just thugs—no real training, no discipline. Satoshi's Pokémon put them down cleanly.
To prevent any sneak attack from the shadows, Satoshi kept Uika tucked close against him.
If someone tried something, he'd take the hit—his body could handle it.
The only ones getting hurt now were—
Team Skull.
"Hide here for a bit," Satoshi said gently, looking down at Uika.
"Mmh~" Uika relaxed, melting into his embrace and letting his warmth surround her. She clutched his arm with both hands.
So warm… so this is the warmth Saki gets to feel.
Let it stay like this for now. But later… Saki will get to feel it every day, won't she?
A faint blush crept over Uika's cheeks. She closed her eyes, savoring the warmth and safety.
Something stirred in her chest—an emotion budding, something a lot like love.
But steadfast Uika didn't want to pull a Tauros on Sakiko!
I have to support their relationship!
With that firm resolve, Uika nestled closer against Satoshi's chest—and her fingers brushed his large hand.
My hand moved on its own. It's not my fault!
Electivire: Why isn't my Trainer saying anything?
[Oh no—someone's gone full love-brain!]
Yeah, I know. It's you again, isn't it.
[Waaah… not me~]
Not paying Furiko any mind, Satoshi kept his attention on Team Skull. Most of them were already done.
That left only one.
Team Skull's boss, Guzma.
"Destroy, destroy—no matter how many times I destroy, I never hold back! Your oh-so-hated Boss Guzma is here!"
Guzma planted a foot on a rock. Beside him stood Golisopod and Ariados.
With a commotion this big, it was only natural for Team Skull's leader to show up.
Normally, Satoshi would've taught him a lesson and moved on.
But today—
"Get lost. I'm in a very bad mood."
Satoshi stared at Guzma with cold indifference—no mercy in his eyes, only raw anger.
He had just one thought left.
Wipe out Team Skull.