"Gym Leader Sato, from the map, it looks like the designated battle zone in the Whirl Islands is just up ahead."
The unnamed male assistant was fulfilling his role, guiding Sato and Satoru Rei along the route.
As for why directions were still necessary? It was because the Elite Four Tournament in the Whirl Islands was held in real wilderness.
If a few wild Pokémon happened to show up and "spectate" during the match, that wouldn't be surprising at all.
"Idol, the internet says you like tonkatsu. Let's go eat some after the battle!"
Rei hadn't stopped talking the entire way, constantly pulling out his phone to look up info on Sato, even though most of it was inaccurate!
"Idol, how about tonkatsu with eggs? Juicy pork cutlet dipped in egg, coated with breadcrumbs, deep-fried to golden perfection… even the neighbor's kid would cry from hunger just smelling it!"
Sato secretly swallowed a mouthful of saliva… then "calmly" replied, "Focus on the match first."
"Got it~" Satoru Rei responded happily, then immediately pulled out a thick notebook and began muttering to himself.
"…No 'obvious' preference for tonkatsu. Response was quick. Can tentatively mark as first backup choice."
Sato: ???
'Bro… could you not read out loud when writing something this embarrassing?'
It made things really awkward for Sato, the one being written about!
Just as Satoru Rei was about to ask Sato's opinion on chicken cutlet, the assistant finally brought them to the battle zone.
Splashhh…!
A vertical waterfall crashed against the rocks below, producing a thunderous roar.
Beside the cascade, a shirtless middle-aged man was calmly meditating amidst the noise.
As Sato's group arrived, the man opened his eyes almost simultaneously. His ears twitched slightly, as if confirming something.
Meanwhile, Sato and Rei spotted the man sitting cross-legged with his back to them.
Maybe because of the outsider's presence, Rei finally returned to normal and began explaining on his own.
"Idol, if I've got the info right, this opponent's going to be a tough one. Especially for you!"
Sato raised an eyebrow, unfazed, but he had also guessed the man's identity.
At that moment, the middle-aged man finished meditating, stood up slowly, and turned toward them.
"I am Dominic. I look forward to battling both of you."
Straightforward and to the point, just like the man himself.
Sato and Satoru Rei quickly stepped forward and gave brief self-introductions. Then came the question. Who would battle first?
The two exchanged a glance. Sato stepped forward first!
"Very well, let's begin right away!" Dominic clearly appreciated Sato's initiative.
"What about a referee…?"
"I'll do it. You two can focus on the battle." The male assistant appeared right on cue, changed instantly into a referee uniform, and took the job.
Dominic looked completely unfazed. He had clearly seen this kind of thing before.
"We will now begin the Johto region's Elite Four Tournament preliminary match, number Xx… The contestants are Yuga Sato from Shadownight City and Dominic from Cianwood City.
Each Trainer will use three Pokémon. The battle ends when all three Pokémon on one side lose the ability to battle!"
The assis… referee made the announcement with utmost seriousness. After glancing to confirm both Sato and Dominic were ready, he loudly called, "Both sides, SEND OUT YOUR FIRST POKÉMON!"
"Poliwrath, you're up!"
"Sharpedo, prepare for battle."
Two flashes of red light burst forth. Dominic's Poliwrath and Sato's Sharpedo appeared on the wild battlefield at the same time.
The moment they landed, both Pokémon locked onto their opponents, clearly ready to race for the first strike the instant the match began!
"Battle… STARTO'!"
"SHA!"
As expected, the first to act was Sharpedo, with its Speed Boost Ability and explosive acceleration.
In a blur of Aqua Jet, it appeared directly in front of Poliwrath, jaws wide open, ready to devour it whole.
Dark-type move: Crunch.
"Mind Reader!"
Crack!
A sharp, crisp sound followed as Sharpedo's Crunch landed cleanly on Poliwrath.
"POLI…wrath…!"
Poliwrath winced in pain, eyes shut tight, but still forced itself to activate Mind Reader.
In Poliwrath's perception, no matter how fast Sharpedo was, it now appeared crystal clear.
"Dynamic Punch!"
'Just as expected…' Sato noted silently. Mind Reader + Dynamic Punch; a classic combo.
Thankfully, he was already prepared and didn't panic.
"Aqua Jet."
"Shaaar!"
Sharpedo responded immediately, darting away from Poliwrath's position with a sudden burst of speed.
Sharpedo's acceleration was simply too fast. Even though Poliwrath had used Mind Reader and locked onto Sharpedo's position…
It still couldn't catch up!
"Snarl."
Sato took the chance to follow up without getting close.
"Sha! Shar-shaaaar! Sha~Do…"
Sharpedo began spinning rapidly around Poliwrath, letting out a barrage of piercing, disruptive cries as it circled.
But Poliwrath's willpower was strong. Even though it was struggling to concentrate, it kept searching for Sharpedo, trying to find a chance to counterattack.
"Again, Snarl."
The sonic pressure continued. Poliwrath's stamina dropped steadily, but Sharpedo, determined to keep its distance, refused to give it any opening.
Still, when there's no opportunity, you create one. Dominic finally came up with a new plan and gave his next command.
"Surf. Cover the field!"
"Poli!"
Poliwrath didn't hesitate. The moment it had something to do, it moved without delay.
It leapt into the air, and as it landed, a massive surge of water erupted from beneath its feet. Waves expanding outward in a powerful ring.
Under precise control, the towering Surf not only blocked the disruptive sound of Snarl but also began sweeping toward Sharpedo from every direction.
'…Fly over it?'
Sato shook his head. That would be too boring. He had plenty of ways to counter this.
"Sharpedo, Aqua Jet straight through! Keep using Snarl."
"Shaaar!"
By now, Sharpedo had already stacked multiple Speed Boosts. Its form was nearly a blur.
So against the sweeping Surf, Sato never even considered retreat.
No fear.
Go straight in!
Sharpedo turned into a dark blue streak and charged straight at the towering wave.
Plop~
The splash wasn't loud, almost insignificant in the roaring chaos of the battlefield.
But then, the ring of Surf seemed to stutter… like something had broken its rhythm.
Moments later, Sharpedo's Snarl echoed faintly from within the water wall. Continuing relentlessly.
Sato knew that sound well. It was the sign that Sharpedo had succeeded!