"Come on, everyone, gather around!"
Lieutenant Mick clapped excitedly and shouted, signaling the soldiers still training to gather around him.
The soldiers were indeed quick to act. Even though most of them were still in battle training, they recalled their Pokémon without hesitation and returned to formation at the fastest speed.
In just three to five seconds, all one hundred Elite soldiers had assembled. Their military discipline was impeccable.
"Allow me to formally introduce everyone. The person beside me is Officer Sato, an Independent Investigator from the Johto Alliance!"
"Hello, Officer!"
Clap clap clap!...
A round of tight, thunderous applause accompanied everyone's greeting, beginning and ending in perfect unison.
Clean and crisp, simple and efficient! Sato raised an eyebrow. He could clearly feel that every member of this small unit was battle-hardened, brave, and formidable.
Sato gave a slight nod in greeting, but Mick impatiently continued.
"Officer Sato is also powerful support personally invited by Officer Cynthia from Kanto Headquarters. His strength surpasses that of Trainers his age."
"And today, we are fortunate enough to have Instructor Sato provide everyone with battle guidance!"
"Officer Sato told me that he will only use his little ones to battle everyone. He absolutely won't use his heavy hitters to crush you with levels!"
"So, who dares to come up and receive guidance?"
Mick had explained himself clearly enough, but Sato still couldn't help turning to look at him twice.
There was nothing obviously wrong with those words at first glance. After all, battles between Pokémon of the same level were more beneficial to both sides' growth.
But saying it publicly could easily be understood as: I don't think much of you, so I'm only willing to use my second-string team, or even my third-string team, against you.
Was Mick really that thoughtless? Or