Because he had accepted the escort mission, Sato could no longer set out on his journey with the same casual preparations as before. This time, he would be staying in the desert for at least two weeks, so he had to make far more thorough preparations before departure.
Lucy and Hughes were also well aware that this mission was no trivial matter. Neither of them dared to be careless. They, too, planned to stock up on supplies in advance. The three agreed to meet at 9 a.m. the next day at the Pokémon Center in the city center.
Not long after Sato parted ways with them, he received a call from an unfamiliar number. Upon answering, he learned that the items Alice had promised him had arrived.
Soon, Sato reached the designated location and received a spatial package from a middle-aged man dressed as a bodyguard.
Inside the package lay a high-level meditation technique, a book on the application of psychic powers, a thick manual on training Psychic-type Pokémon, and a large quantity of rare ingredients for making specialized Psychic-type Pokémon food.
The high-level meditation technique was called "Full Moon Meditation Method." According to its description, its effectiveness was only average compared to other high-level techniques under normal circumstances.
However, if a psychic trained under the moonlight, its effect would surpass the average high-level meditation methods. The fuller the moon, the better the results. On the night of a full moon, its effectiveness could even rival top-tier meditation techniques.
"This is good stuff. Even though it depends on environmental conditions, if it can truly rival top-tier meditation methods, then it's essentially a top-tier high-level technique."
After reading the description, Sato felt delighted and very satisfied.
In truth, it wasn't that he didn't want a top-tier meditation method. It was just that such techniques were incredibly rare. Only long-established Psychic families tended to possess them, and even then, they often required very specific conditions to use.
Even if an ordinary person obtained one, without knowing the conditions, it would be nothing more than a useless book.
Although the Sasaki family was a prestigious Kanto household, its rise had only been within the last one or two centuries. The fact that they possessed something like the Full Moon Meditation Method was already quite remarkable.
The book on training Psychic-type Pokémon was titled "Psychic Records." It was essentially the compiled experience of an Elite-Four level Trainer specializing in Psychic-types. Aside from legendary Pokémon, it covered training methods and specialized food formulas for nearly all Psychic-type Pokémon.
There was no doubt—Alice had shown great sincerity. While these weren't the absolute best items possible, they were definitely among the best she could offer.
Sato was very satisfied. The only slight regret was that he still hadn't secured a Ralts egg—he would have to wait patiently a bit longer.
"Please convey my thanks to Miss Alice. I am very satisfied with her gifts. If she ever needs my help in the future, I will do my utmost."
After carefully verifying the rare ingredients, Sato neatly stored everything into his spatial backpack and said with a smile to the middle-aged man awaiting his reply.
"Rest assured, Mr. Tyler. I will deliver your message. Then I shall take my leave."
The Sasaki family guard nodded, forcing a rare smile onto his otherwise stern face.
He then released a Swellow and rode it into the sky, disappearing into the distance.
Once the man had left, Sato turned and headed toward the largest trading market in Mauville City.
Within an hour, he had purchased a large amount of supplies suitable for desert survival, as well as enough food to sustain all his Pokémon for half a month.
For the next stretch of time, Sato found a training facility and began training his Pokémon. At the same time, while guiding their training, he also decided to deal with a certain "loose end" he hadn't resolved the day before.
"Come out. Time to eat."
Sato took out a Luxury Ball, released the Pokémon inside, and tossed down an opened can of high-grade Pokémon food.
"Hmph. I'm not interested. I won't eat."
The Pokémon that had just emerged turned its head away in disdain and replied via telepathy.
It was none other than the black-robed man's shiny Natu. For some reason, the black-robed man had instilled absolute loyalty in it. Even now, it still harbored deep hostility toward Sato, who had killed its former master.
Seeing the same bad attitude, Sato didn't mind. He simply turned and walked away, leaving the shiny Natu where it stood.
Shiny Pokémon were extremely rare—especially a Psychic-type like Natu, which also possessed powerful precognitive abilities. Sato naturally wanted to bring it under his command.
Unfortunately, from the current situation, it would take a long time before this shiny Natu would submit.
But that didn't matter. Sato had patience. Feeding it was no burden, and he knew that Psychic-type Pokémon were highly rational creatures—they would never choose death.
He believed that one day, it would make the right choice.
When the shiny Natu saw Sato actually leave, a crafty glint flashed in its eyes. But the moment Golbat appeared nearby, its little scheme immediately vanished.
It knew that escaping was nearly impossible. Not only could Golbat seal its prized Teleport with a single Taunt, but Sato had also planted a psychic marker on it.
The moment it tried to remove the marker or escape even a short distance, Sato would sense it instantly—and appear with Teleport.
At that point, not only would it fail to escape, it would surely suffer another brutal beating from Sato and his Pokémon.
It had been nearly a full day since the shiny Natu last ate. Its stomach growled loudly, while the tempting aroma from the open can of high-grade Pokémon food wafted through the air.
Sato had no intention of mistreating it. What he provided was the most expensive high-grade food in Pokémon stores—specifically tailored for Psychic-type Pokémon.
It was not only highly nutritious, but also perfectly suited to the taste of a Psychic/Flying-type Pokémon like Natu.
"Hmph. If I can't beat you… I'll eat you bankrupt."
From start to finish, the shiny Natu had no intention of dying. After more than ten minutes of resistance, hunger finally defeated it.
Finding a perfectly reasonable excuse for itself, it dove into the can and began devouring the food ravenously.