No matter how the outside world discussed things, Sato, Cynthia, and Shiping continued living as they always had.
Shiping set out on his journey home. It was clearly not going to be a particularly pleasant trip, but no one had any reason to stop him.
Cynthia's reputation in the Sinnoh Region continued to rise. Her strength and accomplishments soared together; though she was not an Elite Four Trainer, she surpassed one in all but name.
Those familiar with and knowledgeable about her all knew that Cynthia lacked only an Elite Four Ranking Match.
As for Sato, he had already ridden Honchkrow back to the long-awaited Dark Night Town... no, it should be called Dark Night City now.
Clearly, Dark Night City had developed rapidly over these past few years as well. Skyscrapers that could once only be seen in major cities now rose one after another.
Dark Night City's prosperity was closely tied to Dark Night Gym's year-round position as one of the Eight Great Gyms in the Johto Region.
The title of "Eight Great" drew countless Trainers to the city, and Trainers needed to constantly replenish all kinds of supplies while raising Pokemon.
Where there was demand, there was a market. As the market gradually grew bigger and stronger, the city naturally prospered along with it.
Whenever he returned, Sato never went straight back to the Gym. Instead, he would land casually on some street and walk while looking around, reminiscing about this familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar Dark Night City.
Umbreon quietly followed beside Sato. Having just parted from Glaceon, it was not in high spirits.
Even when a noblewoman's Persian beside it cast it a flirtatious gaze, Umbreon pretended not to notice anything, though its inner thoughts had already begun racing.
*Hmph, how could such cheap beauties compare