"Ariados, when using Megahorn, try to condense the energy into a narrower, more tapered shape. The attack doesn't always have to be a straight thrust, it can be executed as a slash as well."
"Dos!"
Ariados maintained the Megahorn, working hard to compress and refine the energy on its horn, making it thinner and longer.
After all, Ariados didn't have a very long horn to begin with. And since this one was female, its horn was even shorter than that of a typical male.
"Sharpedo, Poison-type energy is harder to condense, but you must learn to externalize Poison Fang as a ranged attack. Otherwise, it's too easy to poison yourself."
"Shar~"
Sharpedo nodded obediently. Purple poison-type energy began forming on its sharp fangs, but if it lost focus, the energy quickly scattered.
Poison Fang wasn't as powerful as Crunch or Ice Fang, but it did carry a 30% chance to badly poison the target.
"Badly poisoned" status was far more terrifying than regular poison, the damage doubled with each passing turn.
Given Sharpedo's potential after Mega Evolution, Sato had spent a lot of effort refining all of its fang-based moves.
Now, both Crunch and Ice Fang could be executed as ranged energy attacks, but perhaps because Sharpedo was less sensitive to Poison-type energy, it hadn't yet mastered Poison Fang.
Still, Sharpedo had just recently broken through in level. Now was the perfect time to slowly build up move proficiency.
In Sato's view, a Pokémon's level was the foundation of its strength, while its moves were the tangible expression of that strength. Strategy, battle sense, and reflexes all fell under the category of technique.
Nowadays, most Trainers followed the doctrine of Level > Moves > Technique. but reality often worked the opposite way.
During battles, Trainers' commands usually compensated for their Pokémon's lack of technique.
And during training, most of what Trainers focused on was move proficiency.
But leveling up a Pokémon often relied on improving its moves and technique in order to give something back to the Pokémon itself.
This kind of feedback loop was most effective during breakthrough phases. At other times, it could only provide a trickle of accumulation.
That's why Trainers focused on leveling would pay more attention to a Pokémon's foundational training, nutrient absorption, and energy reserves.
While Sato was strict with training and could consistently have his Pokémon defeat stronger opponents using skill and tactics, that only worked in the early stages of battling.
The higher the stage/level, the harder it became to advance, and the more time Trainers had to spend on moves and technique, where Sato's advantage would gradually diminish.
At the highest stages of battle, the effect of moves and tactics decreased significantly. When the level was high enough, who didn't love crushing their opponents through raw power?
That's exactly why Advanced Mimicry Spaces were invented, and why items like Energy Crystals and Power Stones -things that increased levels at the source- were so rare and valuable.
So when Hatada once again blocked the door holding two Dark-type Energy Crystals, Sato decided to let her in.
"I didn't know you specialized in Dark-types. Giving you a Torchic Egg without knowing that ended up offending you. I sincerely apologize."
Even though Sato had always spoken to her with cold indifference, Hatada came in again with a humble attitude. Even Sato had to admit a degree of admiration.
He admired Hatada's adaptability and Dafu's persistence and eye for detail.
"I just happen to be more proficient with Dark-types. Don't I also have Ariados?" Sato's tone softened slightly, but then he added, "Honestly, Energy Crystals are something no one would turn down… especially not two Dark-type ones that are extremely useful to me.
But I don't believe in free lunches. So I'm willing to offer something in return for the Dark-type Energy Crystals. Miss Hatada, please be direct."
"Can't it just be about making a genuine friend?" Hatada forced a smile, struggling to keep up the act.
Sato didn't reply. He simply stared at her in silence.
As far as "pure" friendship went, the only ones Sato acknowledged were Joseph, Mark, and White.
Now someone shows up with two Energy Crystals and says they want to be friends? Even the other party knew that was impossible.
Sato's definition of a friend had always been very "narrow," so he would never cheapen the meaning of that word.
"We can cooperate. What exactly does Captain Dafu want from me?"
Hatada gave a bitter smile. She didn't know what Captain Dafu wanted from Sato… maybe even Dafu himself didn't know what he needed from him.
As a seasoned businessman, Dafu certainly understood the value of connections. Otherwise, he wouldn't be running combat tournaments so openly on his cruise ship.
He was willing to invest early in talented young Trainers, and had enough patience to wait for returns.
Even if the investment failed, he had ways to minimize his losses.
But over time, after doing it for so long, he gradually turned his investments into a system: fixed procedures, same operations.
So when he tried to handle Sato using that same formula, he found that Sato wasn't having it.
Then he ordered people to conduct a deep investigation into Sato and began treating him with far greater importance.
After that, he sent Hatada specifically to handle the matter, putting on every appearance of a "humble" superior trying to win over talent.
But from beginning to end, Dafu never once approached Sato personally.
So how was someone like Sato -who already disliked him- to believe this was about genuine friendship?
After all, Sato's experiences made it impossible for him to see this through the eyes of a child. Nor could he simply overlook the subtle arrogance that bled through Dafu's so-called polite conversations.
From the very beginning, there was only ever the possibility of trade and cooperation between them.
In the end, Hatada returned the two Dark-type Energy Crystals untouched, standing nervously at Dafu's side.
"Today's young people really become this difficult to deal with?" Dafu asked blankly, as if genuinely pondering the question.
"No, Boss. It's just that Sato guy who doesn't know what's good for him," Hatada replied cautiously.
"No… it's our fault…" Dafu shook his head. He wasn't in the mood to deal with Hatada anymore and waved her away.
Looking down at his perfectly tailored suit, and at the nameplate on his desk that read "Captain of the S.S. Maria," Dafu couldn't help but feel slightly mocked.
What kind of captain stays in an office all day, dressed in a sharp suit, talking about nothing but money and power, never once thinking about sea breeze or clouds?
"I'm not a captain. I'm just a businessman," Dafu muttered to himself, suddenly recalling his very first investor.
'Would Goodshow still consider me a friend today?'