The weather was clear, with not a cloud in the sky.
A black shadow streaked across the heavens, moving so fast that it vanished beyond the horizon in the blink of an eye.
After spending three days in Goldenrod City, Sato was now hurrying toward his next mission destination.
This year's Region Exchange Match champion had not left much of an impression on Sato. Zhuzhen's growth, on the other hand, made him quite gratified.
Zhuzhen had already been taught how to use the World Tree Spring Branch. If his Jumpluff worked hard enough, it might even continue breaking through its limits.
Sato looked forward to seeing whether Zhuzhen would bring him another surprise the next time they met.
It seemed that being fond of teaching others was an instinctive desire in everyone's heart.
By noon, Sato had ridden Honchkrow to Ecruteak City, southeast of Goldenrod City.
Ecruteak City's Bug-type Azalea Gym had once enjoyed great glory, even briefly shedding Bug-types' reputation as the weakest type.
However, as the Old Gym Leader's health worsened by the day and the newcomers he had trained had yet to graduate, it had always been in the awkward position of having no successors.
When the Azalea Gym discovered traces of Team Rocket in town, the Old Gym Leader immediately reported the situation without a word.
The Team Rocket Purge Operation had only just ended. The fact that they dared show themselves under such circumstances meant this was definitely no simple matter.
Until the new Gym Leader truly matured and became independent, the Azalea Gym's policy was to lie low in all things.
And under such circumstances, Sato was dispatched to Ecruteak City.
Using Gengar's Space Barrier to conceal himself, Sato openly strolled through the streets. The Slowpoke that could be seen everywhere were so leisurely