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The two Ghost-type Pokémon were absorbing life energy at a rapid pace, and it seemed the little beings inside were starting to realize that the emerald-green particles flowing into them were beneficial.
Under Sato's observation, the two yet-to-be-born Pokémon had already learned the meaning of competition.
Two invisible forces were being released from the Ghost-type Pokémon eggs, each one vying for the life energy emanating from the jade pendant.
Judging by the current situation, the little one in the Duskull egg was much stronger at seizing the life energy than the one in the Misdreavus egg.
About 60% of the life energy from the jade pendant had been taken by the one in the Duskull egg.
Perhaps feeling dissatisfied, the Misdreavus egg would occasionally tremble slightly during the absorption process. Though the movement was subtle, Sato caught it immediately.
It was clear that both Ghost-type eggs were voracious consumers.
The life energy stored inside the intermediate-level jade pendant energy collector was completely devoured in under half an hour, and not a single green particle emerged afterward.
Even so, only a few more white specks had appeared on the surface of the two Ghost-type Pokémon eggs.
"Hatching Ghost-type Pokémon really is difficult. No wonder The Grimoire of Dark Spirits says that without any external help, a Ghost-type Pokémon egg sometimes takes over a decade to hatch."
Seeing the pendant's stored energy completely exhausted with barely any change in the eggs, Sato's expression darkened slightly, and he sighed inwardly.
To recharge the jade pendant would take at least two days—and that's only if Sato kept it in a densely populated, life-rich environment.
Based on the changes he observed from the Pokémon eggs during the life energy absorption, Sato estimated it would take at least several months before the two Pokémon could be successfully born into the world.
"If I were to focus on just one of them, I could probably cut the time in half—but even then, that's still at least two months. Whatever. This kind of thing can't be rushed. One step at a time."
After some deliberation, Sato retrieved the two Pokémon eggs and stored them in the wristband-style spatial device on his arm. He then put the jade pendant back around his neck and hid it under his clothes.
Though not much had happened tonight, it had been mentally exhausting—whether it was escaping the assassins chasing Lusamine and her daughter or the battle of wits with the black-hearted Pokémon hunter Pete.
So after enjoying a hearty late-night snack with his Pokémon and a simple wash-up, Sato lay in bed. Within minutes, the room fell into darkness and the sound of steady breathing filled the air.
The next morning at 7:00 sharp, Sato woke to the sound of his alarm.
As usual, he washed up and had breakfast with his Pokémon, then set off for morning training.
He once again chose the same uninhabited island over ten kilometers from Cinnabar Island as the training site.
However, this morning's session brought a few unexpected and unwelcome guests.
And not just uninvited—they were clearly aggressive, though their motives were not yet clear.
"We meet again, kid. I really didn't expect you to be one of the boss's people. Let me reintroduce myself—name's Marlos. I came here today to make a deal with you."
Marlos, dressed in full camouflage military gear, stood atop his Magnezone, looking down at Sato with a confident, almost charming smirk on his handsome face.
Surprisingly, he was speaking on equal terms for once. But when his eyes flicked toward the Pichu on Sato's shoulder, an unmistakable look of greed flashed across them.
Along with Marlos were several young men dressed in sailor uniforms. They rode Gyarados, Blastoise, and Lapras, and appeared just off the shoreline.
It was clear these three were acting under Marlos's command, surrounding him protectively while subtly forming a perimeter around Sato.
Sato instantly noticed the unmasked greed in Marlos's gaze toward Pichu, and his fury surged.
Pichu had been hatched by his own hands—he practically considered himself the little one's parent.
"If you're here about that again, you can turn around and fuck off. Of course, if you want to try force, I'll give you an answer: you're going to die. Even with the trash you brought along today, no one's saving you."
Though Sato was already seething from that one greedy glance, he still restrained himself from attacking immediately. He forced himself to endure Marlos's insolence, replying in a cold, steely voice while locking eyes with him.
At the same time, a sharp whistle from Sato brought his Pokémon—Swampert, Bellossom, and Crobat—swiftly back to his side, forming a tight defensive ring around him.
Sato recognized this brat from Vermilion City—Marlos, the so-called "Little Thunder God." They had exchanged a few words back on the Rocket plane headed to Cinnabar Island.
But to Sato, that conversation had been far from pleasant.
That exchange made it clear: Marlos was every bit the arrogant, aggressive rich brat you'd expect. He was reckless, vain, and prone to domination.
Marlos specialized in Electric-type Pokémon. In terms of knowledge and experience with the type, he likely even surpassed Sato—and naturally, he could tell Pichu was no ordinary Pokémon.
Though Sato had shown great strength during the chaotic battle back then, Marlos, who dared to scam even Janine and Maya, wasn't the type to fear some nameless Rocket recruit. He had straight up tried to demand Sato hand over his Pichu.
The Rocket Gang was a dark organization, built on the law of the jungle. If Sato surrendered Pichu, it would be the same as announcing to everyone that he was weak and easily bullied.
And more importantly, Pichu was a member of Sato's family now.
Sato had immediately blown up and flat-out rejected Marlos's demand.
Marlos was the kind of hot-headed spoiled brat who couldn't stomach rejection. And so, a brief battle broke out.
Due to the terrain, Marlos sent out his Electabuzz, while Sato chose Arbok.
Though Arbok was four levels lower at the time—level 38 versus 42—it used its three-pattern snake markings, the Shed Skin ability, and Sato's excellent command to ultimately defeat Electabuzz.
If it hadn't been for a Rocket member at the pseudo Elite Four level stepping in just in time, the stunned Marlos would've been killed by Arbok's venomous fangs.
Hearing Sato's murderous words now, Marlos's smile instantly vanished. His face flushed red, but he seemed to recall something even more important and forced himself to stay calm.
"Hmph. Don't bring that up again. If it weren't for the terrain, your Arbok wouldn't have touched a hair on my Electabuzz. I came in good faith this time—see for yourself."
With a scowl, Marlos pulled out a scroll and tossed it toward Sato, still sounding disgruntled.