Only those who have experienced darkness can truly understand how precious the light is.

Sato indulged in the peace and comfort of the past few years, so much so that he had nearly forgotten those corners where light never reached…

When Drake asked him to take on more responsibility, Sato had to admit… he didn't want to.

He instinctively didn't want to deal with those dark, filthy, and "forever-hidden-from-the-light" forces, even if it meant standing on the opposing side.

Sato also knew very well that the wild growth within the shadows was far more complicated than it appeared. Many who joined the darkness had no choice in the matter.

Just like his past self; what resistance could he offer when he was abducted?

How many are born evil, truly?

That's why Sato had hesitated so much. It was only after a long period of mental preparation that he finally decided to become an Independent Investigator.

But before he could even stand on the opposite side of the dark forces… they had already struck first!

Two unknown individuals had managed to elude even Amber, who was secretly trailing them. Their capabilities and cunning left no room in Sato's heart for wishful thinking.

Perhaps fate had always been guiding him toward this day… forcing him to become the kind of person he once both admired and resented, the one standing against the darkness!

"I'm going with you!"

Joseph's words snapped Sato out of his thoughts. He looked back at Joseph's unwavering eyes, silently thinking, 'You sure figured it out fast.'

"Boss, I'm going too!"

"So am I!"

"Leader, I'm going as well."

"Please take me with you…"

"…"

Mark and the others all chimed in one after another, fervently declaring without a hint of hesitation.

Sato felt a tightness in his chest, but he also knew clearly; none of the others truly understood just how dangerous Viridian City was.

"Haruka, thank you. I'll definitely come visit you when I get the chance, so don't blame me if I show up unannounced."

Sato turned around and spoke to her first.

Haruka Joy opened her mouth slightly, but in the end only nodded gently.

[Be careful! If you need help, contact me anytime. Don't forget, you're the first Trainer officially supported by the Joy family.]

"Mhm, I know."

After hanging up, Sato finally turned to the group, who were all ready to jump into action.

"Except for me… none of you are allowed to go. Especially you, Joseph. You must absolutely not take even half a step into Viridian City!"

Sato's tone was abnormally firm. His stubborn stance made even Joseph frown; Sato had never been this forceful with him before.

"Boss, we've gotten a lot stronger. We can definitely help. Trish and Amber are family to us!"

Mark, for once, had a serious look on his face. And what he said left Sato with no retort.

After all, they had all watched Trish grow up together…

Even Lotta, who had never met her, had heard countless stories about Trish from the others, stories always told with warmth and affection.

And Amber, a kind and loving jiisan, had offered them all guidance and help on many occasions.

The smooth early development of Shadownight Gym, the stable operation of the Shadownight Intelligence Shop… these were all thanks to Amber's efforts.

"But…"

Sato wanted to explain, but the truth about Viridian City was too shocking! For a moment, he didn't even know how to begin.

"Boss, we can all tell! There's more to Trish and Amber's disappearance than meets the eye. But they say strength lies in numbers. Why can't we help too?"

Mark continued trying to persuade him, and the seriousness in his tone felt a bit unusual to everyone.

"Sato… what exactly is it about Viridian City that makes you so guarded and alarmed, and so forcefully determined not to let me go?" Joseph pressed on.

Sato remained silent. The others stood there without saying a word, frozen in place, caught in a heavy silence.

The tension in the air felt almost tangible, until a sudden flash of white light erupted beside Sato… Gardevoir appeared before the group.

"Toto, you're not alone anymore. More than ever, you have to trust in the strength of your partners!"

Only Gardevoir, who had altered the memories of the defected Elite Four Shaka, knew what Sato was truly afraid of.

Team Rocket was several times more powerful and terrifying than anyone imagined!

"Toto, everyone at Shadownight Gym is already united as one. You stopped them this time, but what about next time? And the time after that?"

"You're reading my mind!" Sato stared at Gardevoir. Every word it spoke(?) was a strike to his very core.

"Yes, I'm reading your mind. I'm reading that part of you that clearly understands everything, yet just refuses to admit it."

Gardevoir met his eyes head-on, its blood-red eyes unblinking. And for the first time, Sato began to feel a flicker of unease.

"But…"

"No buts. Tell everyone what you're afraid of. Then you can all figure out how to face it together. THAT'S what you're supposed to do," Gardevoir cut him off forcefully.

In that moment, the Psychic Queen's aura was on full display!

Sato took a deep breath. He suddenly found it a little funny 'Heh…' at the critical moment, it was his own Pokémon who convinced him.

As the saying goes, concern leads to chaos. Trish and Amber's disappearance had made Sato instinctively not want the others to get hurt too.

…But he had forgotten that some things couldn't be avoided just because you wanted to.

Rather than hide the truth, it was better to let everyone know early so they could at least be mentally prepared when the real crisis hit.

"What I'm about to say… is not fearmongering. Behind Viridian City lies something more terrifying than the worst ghosts from the Ghost World…"

Sato began to explain everything, including the true identity of Viridian Gym Leader, Giovanni, the hidden power behind Team Rocket, the legend of the Viridian Power, and more…

Watching their expressions twist in shock again and again, Sato's heart gradually began to settle.

Maybe the enemy really was strong…

But with the connections he'd built over the years, the investigative, infiltration, and assassination skills he had mastered in his previous life, and this group of reliable companions in front of him…

How could they not have the strength to fight back?

The goal this time was to rescue Trish and Amber, not to battle the enemy to the death.

Looking back, it was Sato's deep understanding of Team Rocket's power that had caused him to lose composure from the very beginning.

After he finished explaining, everyone was still in a state of shock; but not a single one of them showed even the slightest trace of hesitation or fear.

"Rescuing them isn't something we can accomplish by blindly charging into Viridian City in a fit of emotion. If the enemy really is targeting Shadownight Gym or me, then at the very least, Amber and Trish won't be in immediate danger.

The most important thing right now is to pinpoint their exact location. I'll ask a friend in Kanto to help with that.

After that, we'll all discuss the plan together…"