Pokémon: Above the Top

"Sato, I've already arranged a tutor for you. When do you think you'll be back?"

On the video call, Nurse Joy spoke to Sato with a warm smile.

After arriving in Saffron City, Sato didn't head out immediately. Instead, he spent time preparing supplies for his journey to Seafoam Islands while also contacting his official guardian, Ria Joy ("Sis Joy" from ch69).

He asked her to find a tutor for him, focusing on Pokémon expertise, city protection skills, and political studies.

"Thanks, Sis Ria. I'll be back in half a month, whether I manage to catch a Sneasel or not."

"Hmph, if you hadn't reached out yesterday, I would've thought you completely forgot I was your guardian," she teased, pretending to be upset.

Sato was momentarily at a loss for words. Back then, he hadn't given it much thought. After all, any Nurse Joy would take good care of his Pokémon.

But in doing so, he had overlooked the one who had been looking out for him from the very start: Ria Joy.

"Next time, I'll send my Pokémon to you."

"Pfft! Alright, alright, I was just teasing. Besides, your Pokémon aren't actually at the Ecruteak Pokémon Center. The Advanced Mimicry Space (High-level simulated training environments) is set up at the Pokémon Center's headquarters. Even if I wanted to take care of them for you, I wouldn't be qualified!"

"Not qualified?" Sato was surprised. Since when had he become so important?

"That's all because of your ridiculous talent! You made it to the quarterfinals of the Young Elite Tournament. Aunt Haruka has high expectations for you."

"…Thanks!" Sato was silent for a moment before responding with a smile and a nod.

Noticing his hesitation, Nurse Joy offered some gentle advice, "Don't overthink it. You're still young. Even if Aunt Haruka and the others have plans for you, it won't be now. Just focus on getting stronger, alright?"

"Yeah, thanks, Sis Ria!" Sato smiled. He understood the situation clearly and didn't mind it.

Investment. People only invested in those with potential and value.

Otherwise, just saving a Nurse Joy wouldn't have been enough for them to become his open protectors. That alone had already made them even.

Besides, compared to other factions, the Joy family had treated him well so far.

After the repeated Pokémon Center attacks, the Joy family had shifted their focus toward combat training.

Many Joy members with weaker healing abilities but a passion for battling, breeding, or coordination had switched roles, becoming more active in the broader Pokémon world.

Sato recalled that ten years from now, a highly talented Joy would even capture the Legendary Pokémon, Latias, through her own efforts!

With this shift, someone like him, who had been close to the Joy family from the start and had no dark history, was naturally an ideal candidate for "cultivation".

Of course, Sato understood nothing came for free. The Joy family had invested in him, and now Ria Joy was here to relay their expectations.

He chose to accept it openly.

'Fewer distractions, more bonds... maybe it's not a bad thing.'

----

That same day, Sato packed his bags and took a train to Vermilion City, before boarding a ferry in the afternoon.

After an entire day of travel, he finally arrived at Seafoam Islands, a massive snow-covered island rumored to be home to the Legendary Pokémon, Articuno.

At the island's shoreline, there was a small port town, a hub for adventurous Trainers... complete with a Pokémon Center.

However, Sato had already planned his route.

---

Without stopping in town, he headed straight toward the heart of Seafoam Islands!

The islands consisted of two massive mountains, where howling blizzards raged year-round. Even Ice-type Pokémon found it difficult to climb.

However, within these two mountains was a network of intricate caves, home to numerous Ice-type Pokémon and a small number of cave dwellers like Geodude and Zubat.

Standing at the entrance, Sato tightened his thick winter coat.

Eevee curled up against his chest, peeking out with curious eyes.

Sharpedo hovered at his side, easily maintaining its position in midair. Being a Water/Dark-type, it could remain afloat here with minimal energy expenditure.

Click!

The moment Sato stepped inside, he felt something was off.

He instinctively retracted his right foot- and in the next second, a powerful Electric-type attack roared toward him!

"Shaaar!"

Sharpedo reacted instantly, rushing in front of Sato and raising a green protective barrier: Protect!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom…!

The sound of multiple Poké Balls opening echoed through the cave entrance, and in an instant, the area outside became crowded.

Zoroark and Houndoom took positions at Sato's left and right, while Sharpedo hovered overhead, glaring furiously at their surroundings.

Eevee, realizing they were under attack, squirmed restlessly in Sato's arms, eager to leap out.

"Stay calm!"

Sato held Eevee down, his Dark Energy spreading outward. Two distinct emotions resonated back to him, but even more were already encircling him!

From behind, a man slowly stepped forward, a tiny Natu perched on his shoulder. At his side, an elegant Persian walked confidently.

Inside the cave, a slender woman emerged, a tall Electabuzz standing beside her.

Yet, through his Dark Energy, Sato sensed another presence hidden in the shadows, a Ghost-type Pokémon, lurking nearby!

"It's not just the two of you, is it? That's not how your organization operates. Where's the third?"

The woman flinched, her expression momentarily stiffening. But when she saw the knowing look on Sato's face, she realized she had fallen into his trap.

"Electabuzz, use Thunderbolt!"

"Persian, use Fury Swipes!"

"Houndoom, Flamethrower on Electabuzz! Zoroark, take down Persian, quickly!"

Lightning crackled, flames roared. Neither side could gain an immediate advantage!

Zoroark pounced on Persian, and from the moment they clashed, it completely overpowered the Normal-type!

Even so, Sato remained on high alert.

Because if there was one thing he knew about this organization, it was that when a single Blue-ranked assassin failed to eliminate a target, the next attempt would always involve a three-person team!

The third member, still missing, was the real threat!

Yet, the man didn't seem concerned about Persian struggling. Instead, he tossed two more Poké Balls.

Machamp! Heracross!

It was clear that they had prepared extensively for this battle.

They knew Zoroark was Sato's strongest Pokémon, and they had come with a counter strategy in place!

Retreat!

Sato made the decision in an instant. Three Blue-ranked assassins working together, they didn't even need to defeat him outright. With sheer numbers, they could wear him down until he was out of options!

But most importantly: The third assassin was still missing!

"Gengar, use Mean Look!"

From Sato's shadow, Gengar silently locked onto a hidden target.

A Mismagius was instantly revealed, caught completely off guard!

"Gengar, Psychic! Zoroark, Night Daze!"

By the time Gengar's attack immobilized the two Fighting-types, and Zoroark rushed toward Mismagius, the Ghost Pokémon only then realized it had been exposed!

Two Blue-ranked assassins alone could never stop Sato!