If it were a Charcoal or Bck Gsses, Houndour could carry it to boost its move power.

  But this Fme Orb, which tinuously emitted immense heat and inflicted a burn status on the Pokémon holding it, seemed only suitable for Pokémon with Guts or Quick Feet.

  Seeing that Sato wasn't taking it, Charmeleon rolled its eyes, then shoved the Fme Orb into his hands. It chattered away at Houndour for a while before zily wandering off with two Magmar.

  The other Pokémon also began to leave. Though exhausted, they couldn't hide their joy. In the end, only the Houndour pack remained.

  After beied once more, they could only lower their heads in disappoi and leave.

  Sato gently stroked Houndour, who stood motionless, but he said nothing. He was never good at fort, nor did he think it was necessary.

  Houndour's talent wasn't as outstanding as his other Pokémon, but when it came to intellige was the smartest Pokémon Sato had ever seen.

  Psychic-type Pokémon were generally high in intelligence, but intelligence didn't always equate to wisdom—and in this, Houndour surpassed 99% of all Pokémon...

  "Let's go. We o leave quickly."

  "Woof woof!"

  Houndour bit the hem of Sato's pants, signaling him to wait a moment.

  Sato watched as Houndour picked up the Fme Orb and pced it on a rock. Then, it raised a paressed it down.

  No one kly what Houndour was doing, but suddenly, its body began to glow red, deepening in color until it turned a dark crimson, radiating with increasing iy!

  "Awooo!"

  A bzing infered from Houndour's mouth, striking a nearby rock.

  An astonishing se unfolded—the area directly hit by the fmes began to melt, turning into magma-like molten material!

  Sato's eyes widened in shock. This level of firepower reminded him of something—Voya's ales… and its special ability… twenty years from now.

  They were identical!

  "Charmeleon taught you this?"

  "Woof!"

  Houndour nodded before coughing twice. It was clear that such a powerful attack wasn't something it could fully trol yet.

  Blessing in disguise.

  If it had been the old Sato, he would have never cared about these unfortunate Pokémon. But after accepting Houndour's request, he had chosen to defy Team Rocket ht.

  Ironically, he had inally po obtain ales' special ability i.

  Yet now, because he had rescued these Pokémon, he had abahat pn—only for this unique ability to end up in Houndour's possession anyway.

  "Let's go. You've earhis."

  Sato smiled, patting Houndour on the head before recalling all his Pokémon except Zoroark.

  "Head south!"

  "Zoruu!"

  Zoroark let out a howl to the moon, then carried Sato as they dashed away at high speed.

  --------

  Three days ter, Sato, covered in dust and exhaustion, arrived in Oliviy.

  He immediately booked a luxury suite at the Pokémoer, enjoying the special treatment reserved for him by the Joy family.

  "Miss Joy, it's me, Sato. Could you tact Matriarch Haruka? I have something important to report!"

  Sato found Miss Joy of Oliviy—Team Rocket's activities o be reported to the Pokémon League.

  But first, he had to inform the Joy family that had taken care of him.

  "Something important?"

  Joy tilted her head, pouting in thought. Instantly, half the people in the lobby shot hostile gres at Sato.

  "Follow me."

  Joy giggled and wi Sato. That did it.

  Now, almost every person in the room was gring at him—including many of the women. Sato sighed i.

  The Joy of Oliviy… was a mischievous troublemaker!

  The unication s ected, revealing Haruka, the Matriarch of Johto's Joy family, reviewing dots.

  She softly issued a few instrus to someone beside her before turning to Sato, speaking in a warm tone:

  "Sato, what brings you to me? Did Kin-kin bully you?"

  "Aunt Haruka!"

  The Joy who had brought Sato inside pouted in protest—she was the "Kin-kiioned by the Matriarch.

  Her full name—Joy Kiki.

  "Matriarch Haruka, while traveling from Goldenrod City to Oliviy, I actally discovered a secret Team Rocket base…"

  Oher side of the video call, Haruka sat up slightly. Sato addressihis way was a subscious signal that this was an important matter.

  "My Houndour was ohe leader of its pad has strong anding abilities. Thanks to its help, Team Rocket's forces were pletely defeated by the Fire-type brigade. I also mao defeat their base leader, Voya, allowio escape."

  "It seems Team Rocket has truly been weakened retly… A base this important, a was led by a girl only seventeen hteen years old?"

  Sato was momentarily stunned. A sudden feeling of relief washed over him—Good thing I faced Voya from twenty years ago…

  sidering Team Rocket's weakeate, esg so easily had been possible this time. But at aime? Under different circumstances? It would have been impossible.

  "By the way, Sato, hand over the Potential Enha Serum to Kiki. She help you test if it has any side effects. Too bad this thing 't be replicated—otherwise, you'd be making a huge tribution to the League."

  Haruka chuckled lightly.

  "Why 't it be replicated?"

  A thought fshed through Sato's mind, and he pressed for more details.

  "The League actually obtairic-type and Poison-type versions of the serum before. They ied massive resources into research… and still haven't figured out anything."

  "Aunt Haruka, this time, I might actually make a big tribution."

  Sato grinned, showing his white teeth, then pulled out a USB drive from his bag.

  "Before I left, I copied the entire base's data records. Here, everything's in here."

  He casually waved the USB drive, ag as if it was no big deal.

  "You… you… you…"

  Behind him, Kiki, who had been quietly listening, suddenly poi Sato, but was too stuo speak.

  "Yes, yes, yes, me, me, me."

  Sato grinned, fshing his teeth.

  "He… he… he…!"

  Kiki turoward Haruka, torween frustration, urgency, and amusement.

  "Alright, alright. Give the data to Kiki. She knows who to hand it over to. Once we get results, I'll make sure you receive an eveer reward."

  Haruka chuckled befiving some final instrus, then ehe call.

  "Kiki, catch!"

  Sato purposely tossed the USB drive toward her, f Kiki into a frantic scramble to grab it.

  "Ugh, I'm so exhausted… I'm going back to rest!"

  After teasing Kiki, Sato quickly slipped away.

  Standing there, Kiki could only ugh in frustration before obediently clutg the USB drive and heading off to ha.

  Ba his luxurious apartment, Sato leaned fortably in a lounge chair, finally enjoying a moment of peace.

  Whoosh!

  Suddenly, Sato shot upright.

  Lost in thought, his mind had uedly made a e—if the Fme Orb could be used in this way… Then what about the Toxic Orb?!

  "Maybe Spinarak could enhas abilities the same way!"

  He rahought through his mind over and over. If the opportunity arose, it might be worth finding a Toxic Orb aing it.

  Lying back down, Sato decided to enjoy his rare moment of rexation. Such opportunities didn't e often.

  Ding-dong!