Kingdra's Hydro Pump made Clair instantly aware of a possible weakness in Zweilous.

Its move power wasn't strong enough!

Compared to Dark Pulse and Dragon Pulse, Hydro Pump's power was clearly greater, and under Kingdra's full-force execution, it became even more devastating.

But looking at Zweilous, whether it was Lefty or Righty, every attack they launched was almost exactly the same in strength.

So if they could use overwhelming power to break through Zweilous's offense and push back hard, it was entirely possible to dismantle its seamless assault!

Realizing this, Clair nearly jumped with excitement. Thinking she had found the key to victory, she shouted with renewed confidence, "KINGDRA, MAX-POWER HYDRO PUMP!"

"KINGDRAAA!"

Pshhh!

Another massive Hydro Pump roared forward, but neither Sato nor Zweilous showed the slightest panic.

"Dark Pulse."

Same command. Same head-on clash. But this time, both Lefty and Righty fired a Dark Pulse, which merged midair into one combined blast.

Hydro Pump vs Double Dark Pulse!

"DRAAA~"

A sharp cry rang out. This time, it was the Dark Pulse that overpowered the Hydro Pump and struck Kingdra head-on!

At this point, the difference in strength between both sides was already clear, but Clair and Kingdra refused to give up. And naturally, Sato and Zweilous had no intention of holding back.

Another six minutes passed. After being pressured by Zweilous time and again, Kingdra finally collapsed, unable to continue.

"Kingdra has lost the ability to battle. Zweilous wins. The victor is Trainer Sato!"

The butler made the official announcement with a serious tone, then immediately called for medical staff to tend to Clair's Kingdra.

"Kingdra's fine, just exhausted. A bit of rest and it'll be good as new," White said after checking it himself.

"Thank you, Kingdra…" Clair stroked Kingdra's scales, speaking in a slightly downcast tone.

"Draa…"

"Tch, no mercy from our great Gym Leader Sato! Even against a girl… poor Kingdra."

"Hmph! Who needs him to go easy on me? I'll beat him fair and square one day!"

Sato hadn't even rolled his eyes yet when Clair was already provoked. She glared viciously at White, then turned to face Sato.

"Fine, I lost!" she declared briskly, but immediately followed up, "But you still can't beat Lance! So keep training, kid!"

Sato tugged at the corner of his mouth, thinking, 'What does that have to do with you losing to me?'

"Anyway, we've eaten, we've battled… I'm heading to Pallet Town. What about you two?" Sato got back to business.

"No rush. I had the butler arrange a private jet for tomorrow, we'll fly straight to Pallet Town."

White replied casually, looking infuriatingly carefree.

Sato stayed silent. Sure, he wasn't broke or anything, but compared to White, his lifestyle suddenly felt… lacking in luxury.

In the end, Sato stayed the night, enjoying another delicious dinner and sleeping on a bed so comfortable it made him groan.

---

The next morning, the three of them had a lavish and refined breakfast before slowly making their way to the airport and boarding the private jet arranged by White's family.

At the same time, many prominent figures were also making their way to Pallet Town, and their goal… was mostly the same.

The Oak Research Lab Inauguration Ceremony!

The plane pierced through the clouds, and in just two hours, they arrived in Pallet Town.

Unlike the rapid development of Shadownight Town in recent years, Pallet Town had remained in its peaceful, agrarian state thanks to deliberate preservation efforts.

Though many powerful Trainers had emerged from this place -at one point even earning the nickname "Champion Town"-, most locals still lived simple lives, rising with the sun and resting at dusk, in tranquil harmony with nature. A place that stirred longing in many hearts.

The lab was located on a small hill on the western edge of town. To make research easier, Professor Oak had even bought the entire mountain behind it…

Talk about deep pockets!

Sato and the others disembarked from the plane, but the Oak Research Lab was still a bit of a walk away.

Since they weren't in a rush, they decided to stroll over and enjoy the scenery of Pallet Town.

As they entered the town, they passed neatly divided farmland. Now and then, they'd see a farmer or two working contentedly in the fields.

"Let go, Ash! I saw that Poké Ball first!"

"It's mine! I hooked it first!"

"Nonsense! I pulled the rod first, so that Poké Ball belongs to me!"

"Ugh, fine! Let's duel, Gary!"

"A duel it is!"

---

The sounds of two children arguing gradually reached the trio's ears. Hearing the word "duel," they couldn't help but look over.

They spotted two little kids by the riverbank, each holding a fishing rod, tugging at something between them.

As they got closer, they saw a plain red-and-white Poké Ball suspended in the air between them.

Looking more carefully, it turned out both of their fishing hooks had latched onto the Poké Ball, and now the two were tugging their rods back and forth, each trying to claim it.

"Hey, that spiky-haired kid on the left looks kind of familiar…" White suddenly said, but he kept his voice low so as not to startle the kids.

"That's Professor Oak's grandson, I think his name is Gary. The other one must be some local kid from Pallet Town. Looks kinda dumb," Clair said, recognizing Gary immediately and casually judging the other boy.

"Maybe they'll become lifelong rivals and grow stronger together. Wouldn't that be nice~? A kid like me, raised in a castle, never got a chance for something like that. I'm so pitiful..."

White sighed dramatically, clearly fishing for sympathy. The other two ignored him completely.

"Let's go already. Nothing interesting about two kids bickering," Clair urged.

The three of them quietly left, never drawing Gary or Ash's attention.

…But in Sato's mind, something about those two boys stirred a memory.

Gary Oak: destined to inherit his grandfather Samuel Oak's legacy, and eventually become an outstanding Pokémon Professor himself.

And the other child… was probably Ash Ketchum.

He had entered many regional League Conferences, but only managed to win his first championship far away in the Alola Region, at the inaugural League Conference there.

The only reason Sato remembered anything about Ash was because he was the first known Trainer to discover the Bond Phenomenon.

Of course, Sato's thoughts stopped there.

-----

The trio wandered along the path, and just before lunchtime, they arrived at the entrance of the Oak Research Lab.

[Hello, this is the Oak Research Lab. May I help you?]

Gary's voice rang out through the speaker. Clearly, he had taken a shortcut and returned early.

.

.

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150 PS - Chap