Perhaps Ariana's ambush had drained all their bad luck, because everything afterward went surprisingly smoothly.
When the trio finally arrived in Goldenrod City, they allowed themselves to relax for real.
After all, they had just survived a life-or-death situation together. So Sato decided to tell them the truth about why Team Rocket had targeted him.
Joseph, being sharp, had already more or less guessed the reason. As for Mark… aside from marveling at the story, he showed no intention of leaving the team.
Which was… great?
Sato had never believed in fate or anything supernatural, but after being reincarnated, was anything truly impossible anymore?
With that in mind, and with too many eyes in Kanto and Johto already locked on Sato, the trio didn't waste a moment. They booked a flight for that very afternoon.
The Gym Leader of Goldenrod, Howard, was one of Sato's few genuine friends, though the man always treated him like a junior.
Since they wouldn't be returning from the Hoenn Region for a while, Sato decided to visit him while there was still time before their flight.
---
"Gramps? I dunno where he 'wandered' off to this time. Probably lost again. You can wait here if you want."
It had been a while since they'd seen Whitney, she had shot up quite a bit in height. Upon hearing Howard had gone missing again, Sato just shook his head… no surprise there.
No one knew how long it would take Howard to find his way back.
That afternoon, the three of them boarded the plane; hearts full of anticipation for the new journey ahead!
…
Back in the Rocket base beneath Goldenrod City, Ariana glared at the figure before her, seething with rage.
She, one of the three Team Rocket Admins, had taken action personally, and failed to capture even a lowly Elite-level kid.
And now someone had come to mock her for it… or perhaps just to gloat.
"Archer, what do you care about that brat's strength? And why should I tell you? If you've got the guts, go grab him yourself, and then tattle to the Boss!"
Ariana fumed as she spoke, angry not just at Archer but also at herself. What had gotten into her back then? Why had she hesitated?
Looking back, she realized the power boost couldn't have lasted long. All she had to do was press a little harder… and that brat would've crumbled on his own.
Without an attacker, all the support in the world meant nothing.
"I'll take care of it. You don't have to be involved anymore." Archer's face remained emotionless as he shouldered the task.
Everyone wanted the secret to Mega Evolution. And with the opportunity right in front of him, he might even get that Houndoom.
Besides, if Ariana had been forced to retreat, that kid was hiding more than just power. The thought lit a fire in Archer's eyes.
Knock knock knock!
Just as Ariana was seething in silence, a knock at the door interrupted and pushed her irritation to the edge.
"Can't you see I'm yelling at someone? Get out!"
"R-reporting in, ma'am! We just received new intel on Yuga Sato…"
"I said out!"
"Come back."
Ariana glared daggers at Archer. The base in Goldenrod was under her command. That person outside was her subordinate. And he'd just mentioned Sato.
But there was a harsher truth… she couldn't beat Archer.
Even among the three Rocket Admins, there was a hierarchy. And in the Boss and deputy's absence, rank ruled.
"Archer, sir, here's the latest intel!"
A black-uniformed Rocket grunt rushed in, holding out a tablet with both hands.
"Good work." Archer gave Ariana a meaningful glance, then leisurely took the tablet.
Ariana stood at the side, glaring coldly at the backstabbing underling. She already had a thousand ways to make him pay.
"Hmm? This is the intel you brought me?"
Archer's voice turned icy. The Rocket grunt trembled instantly, unable to utter a word. Truth was… he'd been so excited, he hadn't even checked what the intel said.
Was something wrong?
Ariana sensed it too. Without hesitation, she snatched the tablet out of Archer's hands, and after one look, couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"They flew to Hoenn! Hahaha! Lord Archer, you're so capable, I'm sure you'll bring back the secret of Mega Evolution for the Boss, right?"
The tablet displayed a photo of Sato and his companions at the airport, waiting to board, with full flight details and departure time.
Judging by the current time, their flight had already taken off long ago. They were far out of reach.
What's more, Team Rocket was still recovering from the League's recent crackdown. That was the only reason Sato's movements had reached Ariana so late.
And Hoenn? That distant region had zero Team Rocket influence. The Pokémon League had already established and flourishing there.
Even for someone like Archer, a powerful but shadow-bound figure, tracking down three people in the vastness of Hoenn was like finding a needle in a haystack.
"What are you laughing at? You failed to capture them. And now they slipped away from your territory. Let's see how you explain that!" Archer's cold sneer finally brought an expression to his face.
Ariana froze, then glared at him, fuming with rage. She wanted nothing more than to crush this smug bastard.
Archer didn't waste another word.
He turned and walked out. There was no reason for him to linger in Goldenrod anymore.
"Archer, sir, w-wait! Please take me with you! I want to serve under you!"
The Rocket grunt who'd delivered the intel panicked. He had hoped this would help him climb the ladder, but clearly, the report hadn't met expectations.
So what now?
Archer turned, giving the trembling grunt a look so full of disdain, it was almost pity.
This kind of idiot wanted to work for him? Ariana must've planted him just to tank his IQ.
"Stick with your own 'commander.' She's wonderful. So loving to her subordinates."
"Archer, sir… no, please… ah!"
CRACK!
A barbed metal whip appeared in Ariana's hand. She looked down at the groveling fool with utter contempt.
"Sato… just you wait. Even if you're in Hoenn, I won't let you off!"
"Aaaah!"
…
Hoenn Region – Mauville City.
Bathed in the glow of sunset, Sato and his companions landed safely.
No plane crash, no hijacking, none of those classic "main character" events. The in-flight meal in economy class was even better than expected.
Hoping to rest properly, the group checked into a hotel rather than the Pokémon Center.
Sato had no objections. In fact, he welcomed the chance to send a message to the Joy family.
Some things required a clear stance.
After all, if Haruka was fighting on his behalf to secure resources, and he just acted indifferent, it would only drag her down. That would be shameful.
"So where do we go next?"
After freshening up, Joseph and Mark came to Sato's room to discuss tomorrow's plan.
"Mauville City sits at the heart of the Hoenn region. We can go north, south, east, or west from here," Joseph said, studying the map.
"Then we go east," Sato declared decisively.
"Why east?"