Sato Was Annoyed

Sato stared closely at West. Only after confirming that the other man was not lying did he slowly nod. This was more or less what he had expected.

"I have one more question. How did you know Haunter has Dual Pseudo-Elite Four Talent?"

"Well, I have some connections in Violet City. The treatment equipment used at the Pokémon Center scans Pokémon data. Under normal circumstances, the data is automatically destroyed after treatment, but I intercepted it."

"With a Pokémon's detailed data, calculating its talent isn't difficult. Many people know this method."

Sato looked furious on the surface, seemingly quite disdainful of West's act of intercepting other people's information, but inwardly, he quietly sighed in relief.

If what the other man said was true, then it was barely reasonable that one needed a Pokémon's detailed data to determine its talent. Even thirty years later, he had never heard of any black technology capable of completely learning all of a Pokémon's data without catching it first.

As for the Pokémon Center matter, Sato was not as concerned as he appeared. He knew about the automatic data-destruction program. West's ability to intercept the data did not mean others could do the same.

Even if someone could do it, people at that level were not someone Sato could avoid simply by wanting to. As long as he did not frequently expose Zorua's and Larvitar's data and draw the attention of someone with intentions, then he would deal with whatever came his way!

"I still don't quite understand. Single Pseudo-Elite Four Talent and Dual Pseudo-Elite Four Talent only differ in quantity. Is there also a difference in quality?" Countless thoughts raced through Sato's mind, but outwardly, he continued asking questions.

West took a deep breath and slowly nodded. "Yes! In terms of the chance of breaking through to Elite Four level, Dual Pseudo-Elite Four Talent has twice the probability of a single talent!"

"A Pokémon's talent isn't the upper limit of its strength?" Sato knew that even with everything he had seen and heard in his previous life, his foundation was still insufficient. Now that he had encountered such an opportunity, he would not be willing to stop until he had asked everything he needed to know.

West had clearly realized this as well. However, these things were not secrets among the higher-ups of the Information Alliance or the core members of major factions. So, West was patient enough to spend a few more words building goodwill with Sato.

"Talent is only one aspect. Without proper training, talent alone will not lead to much achievement. But likewise, if one works hard enough, it is not impossible to break through the limits of talent. That is the probability I mentioned earlier."

After taking a sip of coffee, West continued, "A Pokémon with Single Pseudo-Elite Four Talent has roughly a thirty percent chance of reaching Elite Four level, while Dual Pseudo-Elite Four Talent has a sixty percent chance. That is assuming the Pokémon's potential can be fully developed."

"What about Elite and Outstanding Pokémon?"

"They all have a chance to break through one level beyond their respective talent potential, but I have never heard of one breaking through two levels."

"What about Single Attribute Pokémon? Do they only have a thirty percent chance of breaking through as well?"

"Single Attribute Pokémon are more specialized, so their chance of breaking through is basically fifty-fifty."

After hearing West's words, Sato fell silent. He had not expected Haunter to give him such a huge surprise. That made it even more impossible for him to trade it away.

Sato raised his head and looked at West before him. Throughout their conversation, he had been circulating Dark Power, wanting to see whether West was truly upright and kind-hearted, or merely putting on a hypocritical front.

Dark Power did not react in the slightest.

"Ahem, Sato, is there anything else you want to ask?" West asked softly, feeling a little uncomfortable under Sato's gaze.

"No." Sato shook his head and continued, "Haunter is my partner. There is no way I will trade it, but we can still make a deal."

"I knew it." West smiled bitterly, though he still politely indicated for Sato to continue.

"I have a Special Ability that lets me communicate with some Pokémon with relatively high Mental Power, allowing me to vaguely sense their condition—their talent, in other words."

West was startled and immediately leaned forward, but he seemed to realize that this was impolite and awkwardly withdrew again.

"That was how I discovered Haunter's talent. And in the Ruins of Alph near Violet City, I once found another Pokémon with Pseudo-Elite Four Talent—a Single Attribute Shuppet!"

"A Single Attribute Shuppet? Why didn't you catch it?" West found this rather strange.

"I already have Haunter. My team does not need a second Pokémon of the same type, and it was clever. I failed to catch it."

West reluctantly nodded. That explanation was still plausible. Most commoner Trainers chose their partners very carefully, after all. They lacked money.

But when he remembered that Sato had mentioned a deal, West's eyes lit up as he looked at Sato expectantly.

"I can take you to catch Shuppet, but you have to give me the method of using Pokémon data to analyze Pokémon talent."

"No."

"Huh?"

Sato froze. A Shuppet with Pseudo-Elite Four Talent was unexpectedly not enough to trade for a method of calculating talent?

"The method of analyzing Pokémon talent is nothing to me, so I will add five million League Coins. Consider it payment for the information on your Shuppet."

"..." Sato was a little annoyed. If West wanted to spend more money, why would he refuse? He would accept it with perfect justification!

"Tomorrow morning at eight, I'll wait for you at the entrance to the Pokémon Center. If you're late, the deal is off." After saying that, Sato stood up clean and crisp, then left the café.

"Alright!" West nodded seriously, very satisfied with the outcome of their conversation. He had no time to wonder why Sato had left in such a hurry.

At eight the next morning, Sato arrived on time at the entrance to the Pokémon Center. Seeing West decked out in top-tier equipment, he could not be bothered to speak. He turned his head and indicated the way before walking straight toward the outskirts.

"I'll be in your care from here on out." West hurriedly followed, handing Sato a compact device that looked like a game console.

"This is...?"

"The Pokémon Talent Analyzer. It's the most compact model, suitable for traveling Trainers like you. I'll demonstrate how to use it..."

Before long, under West's explanation, Sato learned how to use the Talent Analysis Machine. He enlarged Haunter's Poké Ball and fitted it into the prepared card slot. Haunter's detailed data soon appeared on the screen.

Pokémon: Haunter

Gender: Male

Strength: Elite Beginner
Potential: Pseudo-Elite Four (Ghost) + Pseudo-Elite Four (Poison)
Ability: Levitate
Moves: Hypnosis, Lick, Grudge, Mean Look, Shadow Ball, Toxic, Curse, Night Shade, Confuse Ray, Sucker Punch, Shadow Punch, Payback, Sludge Bomb, Dark Pulse, Disable...

Sato only glanced through the parts he cared about most. Haunter's strength had reached Elite Beginner, and the Sludge Bomb and Dark Pulse it had crammed the previous night were listed. Disable should be an inherited move it had awakened after breaking through.

With West present, Sato did not release Zorua or Larvitar. Although he had initially come to trust the other man's character, why should he make things difficult and test him?