The Forest of Shadows was even vaster than expected; so vast that many parts of it remained completely unexplored.
Shadownight Town itself had only been added to the League's development list in recent years, with the goal of tapping into the resources of the forest.
But the first to arrive weren't construction teams. It was waves of Trainers and adventurers!
Soon after, the Pokémon Center caught wind of the influx and became the first structure built. Following that, all kinds of Pokémon-related merchants set up shop one after another.
The League quickly realized the town's potential and, after careful evaluation, decided to establish a Gym here.
And eventually, Sato, who had already been appointed as the town's future Gym Leader, chose this very place, scheduled to officially assume the role within three years.
At this point, no one in Shadownight Town knew that their Gym Leader had already arrived. After purchasing a few intelligence reports, he had gone directly into the Forest of Shadows.
And once he went in, he stayed in for over a month!
At the moment, Sato and Joseph were resting at a relatively flat grassy area, their fourth stop based on intelligence reports that hinted at the possible presence of a Chansey.
So far… nothing.
Ironically, Sato had purchased three separate reports on the Murkrow flock. Each one cost only 500 Pokédollars, the cheapest tier available.
And the very first one he followed led him straight to a Pseudo-Champion potential baby Murkrow. Utterly absurd luck.
Meanwhile, Joseph had bought higher-quality reports. Each one priced at 1,000 to 2,000 Pokédollars, focused on Chansey sightings.
But after nearly a week of searching, they hadn't seen a single pink Pokémon, let alone a Chansey.
Fortunately, Sato was only along to accompany Joseph.
Since he hadn't expected anything, he wasn't disappointed. His mindset was relaxed, he stuck to his training schedule and enjoyed every delicious meal Joseph cooked...
Life was good.
Joseph, on the other hand, had always believed in not forcing Pokémon captures, trusting in 'fate'. Even after three failed attempts, he remained "composed''.
Even Sato couldn't tell whether Joseph truly didn't care, or if he was just pretending.
After lunch, the two began searching again, using their campsite as a base and expanding outward in search of signs of Chansey.
Kirlia and Wigglytuff led the effort. Their approach? Simply ask the locals.
Both Kirlia and Wigglytuff could use Heal Pulse and looked gentle and non-threatening.
Not only were they beloved among Trainers, but even wild Pokémon instinctively trusted and accepted them. After all, who didn't need healing now and then?
Sato and Joseph followed from a distance, careful not to interfere with their Pokémon's communication efforts while also providing protection in secret.
"Actually, I have a pretty good relationship with the Joy family. Want me to ask for a Chansey for you?"
Sato chatted with Joseph as they walked.
"No thanks. I'd rather find one naturally. It's not like I desperately need it."
Joseph declined firmly. Then he added: "Neither of us is in a rush, so we might as well follow these reports and see what turns up. That said… aren't you planning to capture more Pokémon for your Gym?"
Joseph's question caught Sato off guard.
A Gym Leader's own strength could be limitless, but they couldn't exactly use Pseudo-Elite Four or Elite Four-level Pokémon against rookie Trainers.
That's why many Gym Leaders, despite seeming to use just a handful of Pokémon, often had entire training grounds full of similar Pokémon species or types.
When faced with challengers of different skill levels, they simply selected a Pokémon of matching strength.
This wasn't rare, it was standard practice. Any Gym with decent backing operated this way.
'It's still early. Talented Pokémon are rare, but anything below Elite level isn't hard to find.'
Sato thought for a moment and concluded that there was no need to rush.
The Forest of Shadows had plenty of Murkrow. Houndoom was also common enough, not exactly rare.
But finding more Larvitar or Umbreon wouldn't be so easy. Maybe he could ask the Joy family for another Larvitar or two?
"Rustle... rustle..."
Just as Sato was lost in thought, a sudden rustling came from the surrounding bushes.
Situations like this were common in the wild, so Sato simply signaled Umbreon to be on guard while they quietly waited for whatever was coming to appear.
"Ah! People!"
A slightly disheveled-looking Trainer burst out of the bushes, clearly surprised to see Sato and Joseph.
Sato didn't lower his guard, especially since this so-called adventurer had a massive Arbok trailing behind him.
Anyone wandering the wilderness with an Arbok was bound to raise suspicion. After all, Arbok had potent venom and strong digestion...
"Wow, what luck running into fellow travelers out here! I'm Mark, and this is my partner, Arbok. Say hello!"
"Chaaa..."
"..."
"Uh, hello... I'm Joseph, a Pokémon Breeder."
Joseph was the first to recover from the stranger's overfriendly introduction and awkwardly responded out of politeness.
"...Sato. Pokémon Trainer."
"Yup yup! I'm an adventurer. I've been exploring the Forest of Shadows for ages. What Pokémon are you looking for? I can help! A lot of the intel in town came from me!"
"You've been posting the reports? A lot of them?"
Sato raised an eyebrow, suddenly getting a bad feeling.
"Yeah! If nothing else, I know where most of the Pokémon in this forest live!"
Mark patted his chest proudly, beaming with confidence.
"Was this report yours?"
Sato forced a smile and pulled out one of the failed Chansey reports they'd already investigated… completely useless.
"Chansey, huh? Oh, you're looking for Chansey? This area's long since been abandoned by them."
Mark glanced at the report and declared confidently.
"Why?"
Joseph couldn't help but ask.
"Because they ran away!"
Mark replied matter-of-factly.
"Ran where?"
"No idea."
"...Didn't you just say you know where all the Pokémon are in this forest?" Sato sighed. His confidence in this guy was plummeting by the second.
"Most! I said most! You're looking for Chansey right off the bat? In a place like this, Chansey are super rare!"
Mark raised his voice as if to defend his credibility.
"But hey, come with me! I'll help you look for Chansey!"
"Uh..."
Joseph was momentarily speechless. He had truly never met someone so shamelessly forward.
"No thanks. Capturing Pokémon is about... fate. If we don't find one, so be it." Sato stepped forward and refused flatly.
"Oh, it's no trouble. I love helping others!"
Mark was taken aback, but quickly tried again. Meanwhile, Arbok stood beside him, nodding seriously.
"You… what do you really want?"
Sato narrowed his eyes, unable to hold back anymore.
"Haha... well... I ran out of food... and… I'm lost..."
"..."
"..."
"...!"