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"Fame, huh? No wonder these idle heirs of influential families are so invested in this matter. It seems that this bicycle gang really has become a cancer in Mauville City. Whoever eliminates them will gain immense prestige in the city. Wattson will probably leverage this achievement to secure her position as a Gym Leader in the future."
Sato's sharp eyes caught the fervor in the two trainers' gazes. He instantly understood the motives of these two League-bred trainers from noble families and Wattson's ambitions.
At the same time, he gained a deeper understanding of just how troublesome the bicycle gang had become.
For Sato, who still operated primarily as a member of Team Rocket, fame was nothing but a burden.
The aftermath of the Mt. Pyre incident was still unfolding. If he helped Wattson and the others eliminate this gang, his reputation would soar even higher.
At that point, Sato would inevitably attract the attention of major powers, especially the League itself.
He wasn't entirely confident in Team Rocket's ability to keep his identity under wraps.
If the League discovered that his trainer ID was secretly processed by Team Rocket, he would be in serious trouble.
Although Sato had already reached the level of a professional trainer, he wasn't arrogant enough to think that this strength could make the League overlook his affiliation with Team Rocket.
Once his Rocket identity was exposed, no amount of goodwill or contributions to the League would save him.
The League was unforgiving in such matters. They'd rather kill by mistake than let someone with ties to Team Rocket slip through.
This was likely a price Sato knew he had to pay when he chose to join Team Rocket.
Power always comes at a cost—though the true extent of that cost might not be clear at the beginning.
As Sato had grown to his current level, he could now see the lifelong price he'd paid for gaining his starter Pokémon and resources from Team Rocket.
Essentially, there was no escaping them for the rest of his life. Read full story at 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍
The moment he joined, Team Rocket had branded him with an indelible mark.
As long as that mark existed, Team Rocket didn't have to worry about betrayal.
They knew that even if someone defected, the outcome wouldn't be favorable.
The League would never fully trust a trainer with a Rocket past. Such a person could never reach the upper echelons of the League—at best, they'd be treated as a glorified enforcer.
So, to live more comfortably, staying with Team Rocket was the correct choice for Sato.
At least this way, he had a shot at reaching the top of the organization.
Of course, there was another option: a win-win scenario.
He could follow in the footsteps of people like Sabrina, Lt. Surge, or Koga—maintaining his Rocket identity while aligning with the League to balance both worlds.
However, that approach required exceptional skill, particularly in acting. It also depended on how much Team Rocket was willing to invest in him.
If Team Rocket could completely erase his past and his acting skills were convincing enough, he could live openly under a dual identity.
After all, life itself is like a play, and he was willing to give it a shot.
Koga was an excellent example. Not only was he a master ninja, but he was also a deeply hidden double agent.
He eventually became one of the Indigo League's Elite Four while maintaining his Rocket ties.
With such a vivid precedent, Sato didn't care much about the stigma of being a Rocket member.
As a transmigrator, he had his pride. Over the years, he had honed his acting skills to seamlessly integrate into this strange world.
During his growth from infant to child, he'd cried, played, and behaved perfectly like a local.
He was terrified of being exposed as abnormal and suspected of being possessed by a ghost-type Pokémon or some other entity, only to be executed by the superstitious villagers.
In the Pokémon world, where odd creatures abounded, rural areas were especially steeped in superstition.
Historically, there were records of ghost-type Pokémon controlling humans from the shadows, adding to the villagers' fears.
Given the chance to live under a dual identity, Sato would seize it without hesitation.
He believed his future achievements would rival, if not surpass, those of Koga.
After all, he was a man with a decade-long goal: become the world's strongest or perish trying.
"I see. I understand your plan to eliminate the gang. From what I gather, your preparations seem thorough, and your chances of success are high. Honestly, if I weren't in a rush, I wouldn't want to get involved in this mess. So, I have a proposal for you."
Sato paused, then spoke as the two trainers looked at him eagerly. As he continued, their eyes burned even brighter.
Ten minutes later, Sato bid farewell to the two, who left with smiles plastered across their faces. Clearly, they had gained exactly what they wanted.
In truth, Sato's proposal was simple.
He offered to help them eliminate the bicycle gang, but he wanted none of the fame. All credit would go to Kris and Patt. In return, he demanded 50% of the profits from the operation.
This included mission rewards and any gains from the gang.
The proposal sounded steep, but Kris and Patt immediately agreed without consulting Wattson, who remained in the dark.
The three quickly reached an agreement, settled on a time and place for the operation, and left satisfied.
Truthfully, neither Kris nor Patt cared about the mission rewards or loot. What they truly valued was the reputation they'd earn after the operation.
A stellar reputation would open doors in the exclusive circle of League trainers and elevate their family standings, securing them greater benefits.
Prestige mattered immensely in noble families, where social standing determined inheritance.
"Sigh, I underestimated how much these League heirs value reputation. I should've asked for 60%. Judging by their enthusiasm, they would've agreed."
Watching Kris and Patt disappear into the distance, Sato's smile faded, replaced by regret.
Reputation was invaluable—a precious intangible asset. Compared to it, mission rewards paled in comparison.
If circumstances allowed, Sato would've claimed it for himself.
But the matter was settled, and Sato wouldn't dwell on it. He had to reach Slateport City tonight and catch a flight to Saffron City the next morning.
With only six days remaining, he needed to continue strengthening his team.
Sato knew that once he returned to the Pewter City Rocket base, his carefree days were likely over.
If he wanted to maintain his current lifestyle, he had to amass overwhelming strength. Only then could he avoid becoming a target for opportunists.