Spinarak's evolution came ter than Sato had expected.

  After all, Bug-type Pokémon generally grow faster than other species in their early stages.

  Meanwhile, Larvitar, which was much older, showed no signs of evolution at all. Though its level had already reached the evolution threshold, its body hadn't accumuted enough energy yet.

  Other than pleting its daily training regimen, the most important thing for it right now—was eating!

  Eating a lot, eating well, aing until its body could no longer absorb any more nutrients—only then would its biological limits be broken, allowing it to naturally evolve into Pupitar!

  Why were daquil, Totodile, and Chikorita chosen as Johto's starter Pokémon? Their friendly temperaments were the least important reason.

  The real reason—was their exceptional species potential.

  They could evolve twiaturally through leveling—and they achieved their final evolution before level 40.

  That was what mattered most!

  The same logic applied to starter Pokémon in ions—many Pokémon had species potential equal to or eveer than starters—but they cked the same evolutionary advantage.

  Take Magikarp, for example—its early-stage growth ainfully slow, and its evolution ces were extremely low.

  rowlithe—despite havier stats than starters, its rarity and the scarcity of Fire Stones made it impractical as a widely distributed Pokémon.

  At present, no one khat Electabuzz and Magmar had sed-stage evolutions.

  Even if they did—Electirizers and Magmarizers were even rarer and more expehan evolution stones—meaning most trainers couldn't afford them!

  As for pseudo-legendaries, raising them was even harder.

  Dratini and Dragonair had to gh tless moltings to gradually grow stronger.

  During these molting periods, they were at their most vulnerable—this was the natural limitation of their bodies.

  And when it was time to evolve into a true pseudo-legendary—the transformation fronair tonite required an enormous physical metamorphosis, involving unimaginable challenges and pain.

  For Larvitar, its struggle began at birth.

  From the moment it hatched, it had to stantly eat a, ing aire mountain before accumuting enough energy to evolve.

  And then—? O became Pupitar, it would be entombed in a heavy metal shell, uo move its limbs.

  It would o hibernate, digest energy, and refis power—until the day it shattered its co and became a king!

  Other pseudo-legendaries faced simir obstacles—Beldum could only learn one move before evolving, while Samence had to undergo its owamorphosis to take flight.

  Meanwhile, Hydreigon hatgs were born with two separate minds—but they had to fight for domihe winner became a pseudo-legendary, while the loser died and vanished without a trace.

  For a rookie trainer, starting with a pseudo-legendary hatg wasn't a blessing—It was a curse, turning their early journey into nightmare mode.

  Sato had been lucky to get Zorua as his first Pokémon. Then he had quickly acquired Gastly.

  With the experience of two lifetimes, he minimized the impact of Zorua's te evolution at level 30.

  And now—Ariados, having just evolved, had broken into the Elite-Low Level stage—surpassing Houndour and Larvitar in bat power.

  However—Houndour's evolution wasn't far off either.

  For now, Sato still held some hope for the Potential Enha Serum. If it could enhance Houndour's Fire-type potential, it would be perfect.

  Returning to the battlefield, Sato collected the assassin's Pokémon into their Poké Balls—and locked them iriode.

  Arbok, Hitmon, Bae, and Pidgeot—oe (Peak Level), oe (Mid Level), and two Elite (Low Level).

  This lineup was extremely powerful.

  As expected, Sato found ay badge on the assassin's body...

  A Blue Badge!

  Blue Rank-badge assassihe bae of Ghost Ship. Every time one was lost, it dealt a serious blow to their regional branch.

  Just like when Kalo, another Blue Badge assassin, had onihe erial.

  Sato piled the damaged tent and the assassin's body together—then ordered Larvitar to dig up the earth.

  Before long, the corpse was buried, leaving no trace behind.

  "Let's go!"

  Recalling all of his Pokémon except Ariados, Sato left the battlefield in ruins, with Ariados still buzzing with excitement from its evolution.

  …

  The day

  Sato found a Pokémoer stationed nearby. There, he handed over three of the captured Pokémon to Joy Lilia for processing.

  Afterward, he tacted Wester, transferring the remaining Pidgeot to him.

  While he was at it, he purchased a rge supply of exclusive food fengar.

  "It's been a while since we talked, Sato. How's the jourreating you?"

  Wester seemed genuinely pleased that Sato had reached out first, smiling warmly as he asked.

  Sato recalled the generous rewards he had gained from the night ambush—and unsciously nodded in satisfa.

  But then, realizing his own arrogance, he let out a sheepish ugh—He was getting too full of himself.

  "What's so funny? Tell me!"

  "Nothing. My Spinarak evolved st night."

  Sato shook his head.

  Getting too cocky wasn't something he should say out loud—It would just make him look like an idiot.

  "That's great!"

  Wester said with a hint of envy.

  "By the way, where are you headi?"

  "I'm heading northeast. I'll stop by Mahogany Town and Bckthorn City, and after that, I'll chet. Silver."

  There was o hide this—if Ghost Ship wao track him, they had a hundred different ways to do it.

  "That's perfect! I'm heading to Mahogany Town too. Do you know that in a little over a month, the Flying-type Elite Four, Sen, and the Ice-type Elite Four, Yanagi, will be hosting ae Four Battle Tour in their hometow's meet up there! Hold on, I'll send you the tour details."

  Wester eagerly sent the tour informatioo Sato—but he didn't notice that Sato's mind was already elsewhere.

  Sen - Yanagi (Pryce). Elite Four Battle Tour.

  If there was o from his past life that Sato could never fet, it was this very tour hosted by the two Elite Four members!

  During this era, Mahogany Town became famous across the entire Pokémon League—because at the time, two of Johto's curree Four were from Mahogany Town.

  Harsh as ice—the Ice-type Elite Four, Yanagi!

  (TL: Yanagi= Pryce, There is a reason for it, just be patient, anyway "Yanagi" is on toentle as the spring breeze—the Flying-type Elite Four, Sen!

  They had started their jour the same time, pushing each other as rivals and friends, both challenging aing the previous Johto Elite Four—and both succeeding.

  For a time, their popurity skyrocketed—they became the idols of tless young trainers and the dreams of many lovestruck girls.

  However—their fate ended in tragedy.

  On the night of the tour's award ceremony, Sen was assassinated.

  Yanagi, furious and bming himself for failing to protect Sen, ighe League's rules and personally executed the captured assassin.

  His as were deemed a viotion of League w—as a result, Yanagi was stripped of his title as ae Four and became the Gym Leader of Mahogany Town.

  In the end—the once cold and proud Yanagi was gone—and all that remained was the elderly man knoryce.

  And for Sato, this was unfettable—not just because of their tragic fate—but because the assassination of Elite Four Sen.

  Had been carried out by Ghost Ship.