Extra chapter because we hit the 10k views. Cheers, everyone!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Should he interfere and try to save a prodigy's life, or remain indifferent and stay out of it? In his past life, Sato would never have hesitated over the life or death of a stranger.

  But this was not his past life—he lived in the present.

  "Hey! Why are you zoning out? Don't tell me you're a fan of the Elite Four too!"

  "What?"

  "o hide it! I totally idolize Ice-type Elite Four Yanagi (Pryce)—cold, ruthless, decisive, and able to freeze all evil!"

  Wester's enthusiasm grew as he spoke, pletely abandoning his usual noble demeanor.

  ht—Wester was a chatterbox!

  Sato finally remembered the terror of being dominated by Wester's ealking.

  Quickly, he firmed their meetup in Mahogany Town and ehe call as fast as possible.

  "I'm just going to watch, that's all. I'm definitely not going to get involved!"

  Sato reassured himself.

  Then, after recalling his fully healed Pokémon, he and Houndan their jouroward Mahogany Town.

  But Sato's current location was in Johto's western region—and traveling northeast to Mahogany Town was no short trip.

  --------

  "Houndour, Roar!"

  A ferocious howl once again intimidated a group of approag Victreebel, making them hesitate.

  Sato rubbed his forehead—this was a headache. Rushing forward too hastily, he and Houndour had actally wandered into a Victreebel territory.

  Unlike most gentle Grass-types, Victreebel were apex predators in the forest ecosystem. Especially sihey lived in packs, were experts in toxic traps, and excelled at coordinated ambushes!

  "Fmethrower!"

  "Awooo!"

  A wave of scorg fmes ied the ining Vine Whips, instantly clearing an open path ahead.

  "Charge through!"

  Houndour led the way, bsting through the oning Victreebel, sending them flying! Why were there so many Victreebel here?

  As Sato ran, he couldn't help but pin—Is this pce ri Leaf Stones or something?

  "Whoosh!"

  A dark shadow fshed by!

  "Houndour, Sucker Punch!"

  Without hesitation, Sato anded a terattack!

  Fueled by its mysterious battle instincts, Houndour instantly appeared in front of the shadowy figure, cws enveloped in dark energy, striking with full force!

  "Krii!"

  A Tange! A deep blue Pokémon, blending perfectly among the Victreebel pack, without seeming out of pce.

  "Krii krii!"

  Though startled by Houndour's sudden attack, Tange's bat instincts were sharp.

  In a moment, dozens of Vine Whips shed out in all dires—all of them lunging toward Houndour at once!

  "Use Roar!"

  A dominant howl erupted from Houndour's small body, its sheer force making the Vine Whips hesitate for a split sed.

  Seizing the opening, Houndour quickly retreated, wisely avoiding close bat.

  Despite Tange's small size, its entire body was covered in regeing vines, giving it extremely high physical defense!

  bined with its numerous Vine Whips, Tange was a nightmare for melee fighters.

  Without needing instrus, Houndour instinctively fell back.

  "We'll fight while retreating."

  Sato didn't send out any other Pokémon. Houndour's evolution required external stimuli—and battle was the best catalyst.

  -----

  Half an hour ter—Sato and Houndour finally escaped the Victreebel territory.

  However, they found themselves stepping into a vast flower field.

  Immediately—multiple Vileplume with rge red petals emerged, eyeing Sato and Houndour cautiously.

  Then—a swarm of Gloom and Oddish appeared, clustering protectively around the Vileplume.

  Further behind—tless Skiploom and Jumpluff drifted freely through the air, seeming pletely unbothered by Sato's arrival.

  Ahead, tless Vileplume watched them with sharp, wary eyes.

  Behind them, the Victreebel still li the forest's entrance, unwilling to leave.

  Just as Sato was about to send out Zoroark and force his way through, Houndour suddenly ran toward a flower and s gently.

  "Woo~~"

  Houndged its small, short tail with an expression of pure bliss.

  Sato stared, eyes wide.

  One of the Vileplume lowered its guard, curiously waving its tiny arms as if asking Houndour something......Three mier—Houndour was surrounded by a group of Vileplume—Its bck-furred face slightly blushing, with a flower ad its head.

  The se was almost too harmonious!

  If Ariados were here, it would finally uand what Larvitar had meant about girls loving flowers and pnts.

  As Houndour's panion, Sato also received the Vileplume's warm hospitality.

  "Bana~"

  A Vileplume cheerfully offered Sato a flower , pointing at his head.

  Faced with su enthusiastid insistent) invitation, Sato relutly crouched down—allowing the Vileplume to pce the on his head.

  Watg Houndour thrive among the Vileplume, Sato could only sigh.

  "Such a social dog.".....By evening, with a crowd of "flowers" esc them, Sato and Houndour safely exited the flower fields—and even received a Leaf Stone as a parting gift.

  Ohey were out of Vileplume's sight, Sato silently removed his flower . Sihey were still close to the flower fields, he decided not to throw it away.

  Theuro see Houndour, who calmly removed its own flower .

  "Whoosh!"

  A bze of fire erupted—and the flower was instantly reduced to ashes!

  Houndour looked up at Sato, then g the in his hand.

  Its i was clear.

  Burn it?

  Expressionless, Sato tossed the flower away. In his heart, he silently gave Houndour aitle...

  Scheming dog!

  Ariados, your petition is tough… and you're not even cute anymore...

  After these two bizarre enters, Sato—who had tried to stay as posed as Houndour—finally rexed a little.

  No matter how much he rushed, there would always be ued events along the way.His presence alone had already altered events, creating a butterfly effect.

  For all he khe assassination plot might no longer eve.

  And if it did—as long as he had s, that was enough.

  With his thoughts clear, Sato stopped w about hurrying. He tinued on, leading his scheming dog, who had burwo flower s, through the wilderness.

  ------

  Three days ter—while taking a brief rest at a remote Pokémoer, Sato received news from Kiki.

  The Potential Enha Serum had been fully deciphered—and the Joy family had even found a way to elimis side effects.

  By administering multiple small doses—alongside the right nutritional supplements—they could ehat the Pokémon's health remained intact while still having a ce to unlock its potential!

  Currently:-Ordinary-level potential had a 70% success rate of enha.-Elite-level potential had a 50% success rate.

  Though not as extreme as Team Rocket's results, the key difference was—No side effects!

  Now that Joy had shared this information with Sato, it meant they were fully fident in their findings.

  Even with just a 10% success rate, if there were no risks, it was worth trying!