The Purpose of War

"Rest assured, Gym Leader. There were six attackers in total, and all of them have now been repelled. Other than a few apprentices suffering minor injuries, there have been no other serious losses," Kinoshita Ming reported solemnly from the other end of the phone.

"Mm, well done! I've already instructed Honchkrow and Houndoom to assist you and Uncle An in repelling the enemy if necessary."

As Sato spoke, he sent Honchkrow and Houndoom to Little Ming.

"Understood, Gym Leader. Then when will you be back?" Little Ming visibly sighed in relief after receiving the two Poké Balls.

Honchkrow was a Reserve Totem, capable of calling upon a large number of companions to assist in battle at any time in Dark Night Town.

Houndoom was no weakling either, and its leadership ability was plain for all to see.

With Sato's instructions, the two Pokémon would temporarily obey his commands, greatly bolstering Little Ming's confidence in facing the enemy.

Without those instructions, unless Dark Night Gym itself suffered a devastating blow, Sato's Pokémon would not take the initiative to act.

After all, Pseudo-Elite Four Pokémon were naturally proud and unwilling to be casually ordered around by other Trainers, not to mention when that Trainer was not capable enough.

That was precisely why the two Pokémon Sato had lent Little Ming were relatively easygoing.

If Tyranitar had been sent over for support, never mind whether it would obey orders—Tyranitar would probably throw a couple of punches at Sato first.

"I won't be going back for now. Team Rocket has launched a massive invasion of the Johto Region, and as one of the Eight Great Gyms' Gym Leaders, I've been assigned other tasks.

"However, I'll have Mark return to stand guard. Dark Night Town wasn't a main battlefield to begin with, so having him