"I've heard that Reverend Mingguang of Ecruteak City is known for his generosity. I never expected to be fortunate enough to receive such selfless help. Thank you."

  Sato csped his hands together, his expression bnk.

  Was this some sort of favor to be repaid? Did they really take him for a na?ve child?

  "You are someoh fate. It is only natural to offer assistance," Reverend Mingguang responded with a serene expression, seemingly unaware of Sato's perfunctory tone.

  Oher hand, Morty's expression wasn't as pleasant.

  "If there's nothing else, I'll be going. Leader Morty, please take good care of Duskull. After all, it has Pseudo-Elite Four potential."

  Sato locked eyes with Morty as he spoke, then turned without hesitation and walked dowairs, leaving the Burower.

  Behind him, Reverend Mingguang remained silent, his hands still pressed together in prayer.

  Gengar, who had been following quietly behind, gently tugged on Sato's sleeve as they he Pokémoer. Its golden eyes flickered with worry and guilt, as if asking whether it had caused trouble.

  "This has nothing to do with you. We take whatever bes e our way—there's no reason to refuse. Focus on adapting to your new body."

  Gengar nodded rapidly, its usual mischievous grin absent. Instead, it wore a rare expression of seriousness aermination.

  Over the few days, Sato avoided the Ecruteak Gym entirely. Morty was too much of a schemer, and Sato had no time for his games.

  ---------

  Inside a private training area at the Pokémoer, he observed Gengar battling against Zoroark. The power boost from evolution was undeniable.

  Gengar had leaped from Elite-Junior to Elite-Intermediate, with signifit improvements in every stat—there was simply no parison to its time as a Haunter.

  First, Gengar had learned Destiny Bond and awakened a new ied move during evolution—Clear Smog. Both were highly valuable moves, useful in attrition battles and multi-oppo fights.

  Additionally, Gengar's Levitate ability had been repced with Cursed Body, which granted a ce to disable an oppo's move upon being struck.

  While Levitate was gone, Gengar's gaseous body still allowed it to hover freely. After all, there was a saying in the Pokémon world:

  "If a Pokémon tries hard enough… it fly!"

  Now, in battle against Zengar had reached a truly petitive level. With its enhaats, it was no lo a disadvantage—if anything, it was starting to push back!

  "That's enough!"

  Notig that both Pokémon were nearing exhaustion, Sato called off the match.

  Zoroark immediately colpsed onto the ground, panting heavily, while Gengar floated down, closing its golden eyes and sitting cross-legged iation.

  The mischievous and reckless Haunter seemed to have vanished ht, repced by a Gengar that was posed, reserved, and wise.

  Or rather, Gengar now exuded a hint of…

  Sage serenity?

  Seeing traces of enlighte in a Ghost Pokémon was uling. Sato shook off the bizarre thought—maybe he'd just been around too many monks tely.

  "Hey, Sato, that little monk came looking for you again!"

  Nurse Joy suddenly opehe door, poking her head in with an exasperated expression.

  Sato wrinkled his nose. Ever since Haunter's evolution, a young monk from the Bell Tower had been ing to invite him over every single day.

  Having brushed them off long enough, and seeing that Gengar had stabilized, he finally decided to go and see what they wanted.

  "Sato, my master said I absolutely must…"

  The young monk had bright, clear eyes and delicate features—so much so that it was no wonder Nurse Joy found him difficult to turn away.

  With a face like that, it was hard to say no.

  Sato interrupted, "I'll visit Reverend Mingguang tomorrow. If there's nothing else, you head baow."

  "Ah! Okay, thank you! I'll go tell my master right away!"

  The young monk bowed to Nurse Joy, received a head pat from her—which made his face flush red—then quickly ran off.

  ---------

  The day, Sato prepared himself and arrived early at the entrance of the Bell Tower.

  Uhe Burower, the Bell Tower was meticulously maintained. Sato didn't spot a single missing tile or a patch of peeling paint.

  "Sato, please e in!"

  The young monk greeted him cheerfully and led him inside, but as soon as they entered, his demeanor became solemn.

  As they asded, Sato noticed many monks engaged in ascetic practices on each floor. Their robes varied in color, clearly denoting their ranks—simple yet effective.

  Soon, they reached the top floor. A row of elderly monks sat in perfeation, and at the very front stood an enormous gilded statue of Ho-Oh!

  Sato spotted Reverend Mingguang at the head of the group, further firming his high status.

  Before he could dwell on it, the monks cluded their ting. Most of them silently left, making the grand hall feel empty in an instant.

  The young monk looked like he wao leave as well, but Reverend Mingguang called him to stay.

  Sato stepped forward and directly asked, "Reverend Mingguang, why did you summon me?"

  "You have a e with the Bell Tower," Mingguang replied with a serene expression. "I simply wished to speak with you privately—there's o be so wary."

  Since he was already here, Sato saw no reason to be polite. He sat cross-legged, arms folded, and gave the monk a look that said, Alright, let's hear it.

  Reverend Mingguang motioned for the young monk to sit beside him, then began speaking.

  "Feions, the monks of the Bell Tower have served the sacred beast, Ho-Oh, ag as its emissaries among humans. Through this bond, we have been granted certairaordinary abilities."

  "However, a tury ago, those with mali their hearts took advantage of our moment of negligehey set fire to the old Bell Tower, enraging Ho-Oh, which theed—o return."

  "Though we rebuilt the Bell Tower even more magnifitly than before, Ho-Oh has never desded upon us again. Thus, our mission shifted—from serving Ho-Oh to seeking it."

  Sato remained unmoved, both outwardly and inwardly.

  Why would humans serve a Legendary Pokémon?

  Who exactly were these 'malicious people'?

  Those were the real questions that ied him.

  "I years, we have tirelessly searched for Ho-Oh. Though we have yet to succeed, we have found clues."

  Reverend Mingguarieved a wooden box and carefully ope. Inside, a shimmering, multi-colored feather glowed faintly.

  "This is the Rainbow Feather—one of Ho-Oh's fallen plumes."

  Standing up, the reverend slowly brought the Rainbow Feather closer to Sato. And then—the feather began to glow even brighter!

  As Mingguang pulled the feather away, its radiance dimmed accly.

  "We have been searg for those who elicit a rea from the Rainbow Feather. When we find them, we entrust them with carrying it at all times."

  "And then?"

  For the first time, Sato's curiosity iqued.

  Was this tiher really supposed to summon Ho-Oh?