"Ah, young trainers are truly getting strohese days," Howard recalled his Kangaskhan and hahe Poké Ball to Whitney.

  Whitney, who had just run over, pouted as she took the Poké Ball and ran off.

  In truth, she was very curious about the boy who had just defeated her grandfather, even though he wasn't much older than her.

  "Sato, you truly have the qualifications to say you won't participate in the League fere your current level, reag pseudo-Elite Four strength shouldn't be an issue"

  Howard said as he patted Sato's shoulder, clearly impressed.

  "Thank you for the praise. But what happens after reag pseudo-Elite Four? What exactly defines ae Four-level trainer?"

  "Hahaha, you're already thinking about being ae Four before even reag the previous stage," Hhed heartily, not minding Sato's ambition.

  "Let me ask you something instead—who do you think pys a bigger role in a trainer's strength, the Pokémon or the trainer?" Howard didn't answer directly but posed another question.

  "The Pokémon? Or the trainer?" Sato frowned.

  This question reminded him of how people usually perceived Elite Four trainers.

  Are they sidered Elite Four because they own Pokémon of that level?Or is it the trainer who elevates their Pokémon to that level?

  "What do you think, Leader Howard?" Sato lowered his posture and directly asked for advice.

  "I don't know," Howard shrugged nontly. "And holy, I doubt many people do. Even those who cim to know are merely stating their personal beliefs."

  "…"

  "Don't look at me like that. My elders once asked me the same thing when I was youhey told me that when I found my answer, I would bee ae Four."

  "But weren't you on Elite Four-rarainer?"

  "Ah, no, I wasn't. At least, I never sidered myself one," Howard chuckled before waving Whitney over.

  Sato still felt puzzled, but he stopped asking further questions. He simply watched as Howard cheerfully teased his granddaughter.

  "ht! Sato, take this! sider it a thank-you gift fuiding me bay ranch, hahaha!"

  So, you finally admitted you're hopeless with dires? Sato thought to himself as he unfolded what looked like an invitation.

  "The Youe Tour?"

  "Yes! A petition for top young trainers aged 10 to 18. It gathers the most elite young trainers from Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh. The skill level is much higher than that of the League ference. What do you think? Ied?"

  Sato carefully reviewed the details of the petition. One particur rule caught his eye—each Gym, regardless of its ranking or strength, had only one nomination slot. He immediately uood the rarity of this opportunity.

  "Across fions, there are fewer than 200 Gyms in total. And since about two-thirds of them don't send didates every year, the usual number of partits is around 100."

  "Leader Howard, is it really okay for you to give me this spot just like that?"

  Sato didn't care about the League ference, but he was quite intrigued by the ce to challehe so-called "geniuses."

  Now that he no longer o keep a low profile, how could he grow stronger without fag some hardships?

  "What's the problem? You know what would be embarrassing? If the trainer sent by the Gym gets eliminated in the first round. Now that would be humiliating!"

  "In that case, I'll accept your nomination!"

  "Good! But you're still a bit underqualified right now. The tour has a minimum requirement—all Pokémon must be at least elite-level. And currently, you only have two elite-level Pokémon."

  "…Then why bring it up in the first pce?"

  "However," Hrinned, ign Sato's gre, "I have high hopes for you. Half a year should be more than enough time for you to get there."

  With another firm pat on Sato's shoulder, Howard successfully sold him a dream.

  "Leader Howard, if I achieve a good ranking, that should t as bringing honor to the Goldenrod Gym, right?"

  "Uh… I suppose?" The experienced Howard suddenly shifted from his usual bold demeanor, answering with an uaiion.

  "… I hope Gym Leader guide me a little so I won't disgrace the Goldenrod Gym's reputation!"

  Faced with an old fox, Sato decided to speak directly. Why py mind games whehing could be arranged clearly?

  "Well… sure…" Howard choked for a moment. This kid wasn't following the usual script—how was he supposed to stall for time now?

  "ht, take this as a keepsake." Howard handed Sato the Goldenrod Gym Badge. The square-shaped golden badge had a exture to the touch.

  "Thank you!"

  ----------------------

  Between the enter with the blue Miltank, the Gym battle, and now the Youth Elite Tour, time had flown by.

  Since he o seek guidance from Howard, Sato obtained permission from the grandfather and granddaughter to stay at Moo-moo Farm for a while.

  Dinner was naturally not something Sato had to worry about.

  Owning the rgest farm in Johto, with 90% of the region's Moomoo Milk produ ing from here, the grandfather and granddaughter clearly weren't short on money—being a Gym Leader really was just a side job for Howard.

  The m, with the help of the farm's milkers, Sato found a training spot beside a small river that was well-suited for his needs.

  Though there was no waterfall, training could still tinue as pnned. Carvanha's most crucial training remained overing geographical limitations and making Aqua Jet an instinct.

  Half the m had passed when Sato finally saw Howard leisurely wandering over from the opposite dire of the farmhouses, now apanied by a Granbull instead of Wigglytuff.

  …He got lost again.

  "Good m, Leader Howard!"

  "M, Sato! Keep training, I'll just watd see if there's anything to improve."

  "Alright!" Sato was a man of few words and preferred a, so he appreciated direess. Without further ado, he tinued his praining.

  Howard appeared unfazed, but inwardly, he was nodding in approval, growing even more impressed by Sato's team. Even the most on Pokémon, Spinarak, performed exceptionally well.

  Where did he find such outstanding Pokémon?

  But Howard didn't dwell on it too much. Every region had its share of lucky and talented newers, and everyone had their secrets. Someone as experienced as him wouldn't foolishly pry.

  Aside from the ge in location, Sato's training remained rgely ued, and Howard's occasional "lost" visits often turned into impromptu training sessions.

  Meanwhile, the carrot-headed Whitney practically made it a daily routio visit Sato, carrying her adorable Cleffa and delivering fresh Moomoo Milk.

  --------------

  Over two weeks passed, and Whitney had gone from being cautious to utterly at ease around him, though she still had no i in the aloof Zoroark.

  Sato, oher hand, gradually shifted from having no direct address to being called "Big Bro Sato."

  For someoh the mi of an adult, Sato found Whito be a cute child—a bit spoiled, but still just a kid.

  Moreover, Howard's guidance was invaluable. Apart from adjustments and optimizations in trainihods, Sato also learned a cssic move bination from him.

  Rest, Snore, Sleep Talk!

  The impact of Tauros' performan their battle was still fresh in his mind, and Sato found this bo quite intriguing. He trained diligently to master it.

  If Sato had a Pokémon that could learn Rollout, Howard would have even been willing to teach him his Gym's signature teique.

  And now, it was time to move on.