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After leaving the alley, Sato's first destination was the Pokémon Center, where he asked Nurse Joy to provide Meowth with comprehensive care.
"Please, Nurse Joy, this little guy is a Pokémon I just caught here in Saffron City. It's likely a native, so please give it the best treatment possible. I want it to regain its full health," Sato said earnestly, handing over his trainer ID and the Great Ball containing Meowth to Nurse Joy.
"Don't worry. We won't cut any corners on care. We'll make sure this poor little one gets the best medical attention. When you see it next, it will be completely healthy," Nurse Joy replied, her tone serious and her gaze carrying a hint of admiration as she looked at Sato again.
As a Meowth native to Saffron City, it was evident that the Pokémon had endured significant hardships to survive in such a human-dominated environment.
Hidden injuries were almost inevitable for a wild Pokémon in such a setting.
In truth, many exceptionally gifted wild Pokémon never get to shine because they fall like shooting stars, often due to injuries accumulated in battles over time.
While some injuries heal naturally, others fester as chronic internal wounds, eventually leading to their downfall no matter how strong their physical constitution.
Understanding this, Sato was determined not to let such a promising Pokémon suffer. He promptly sent Meowth for the best possible care.
His decision proved wise. Normally, Sato would only wait about half an hour at the Pokémon Center for his team to be ready. This time, however, he spent nearly three hours in the waiting room before his name was called over the intercom—just for Meowth.
With every new addition to his team, Sato had a tradition of holding a welcome party. Meowth was no exception. After retrieving it, Sato returned to his suite in a five-star hotel to host the celebration.
With more resources at his disposal now, the level of these celebrations had increased significantly. Sato went out of his way to have the hotel prepare a lavish spread of dishes, most of which were fish-based, knowing Meowth's feline nature.
The aroma of the sumptuous meal filled the entire room, making Swampert and his shiny Pelipper drool as they stared longingly at the table.
"Come out, Meowth. Meet your new teammates," Sato said once preparations were complete, releasing Meowth from its PokéBall. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍
In a flash of light, Meowth appeared on the floor. It looked noticeably cleaner and healthier than before, though its half-squinting eyes and slightly upturned mouth still gave it a sly appearance.
As a Meowth native to Saffron City, its vigilance was strong. The moment it appeared, it scanned its surroundings for a defensible position, retreating to a safe spot and eyeing Sato and the other Pokémon warily.
However, when its gaze fell upon Swampert, Meowth instinctively took a few steps back, still vividly recalling the sensation of being sent flying by the big Pokémon's punch.
A phantom pain seemed to echo in its stomach.
"Relax, Meowth. As long as you don't provoke him, Swampert won't hurt you. I've caught you with a PokéBall, so we're teammates now. Look, we've even prepared a welcome party for you," Sato said with a reassuring smile, pointing at the table laden with food.
Swampert chimed in supportively, nodding at Meowth before turning its attention back to the golden, crispy roasted chicken leg on the table, its longing clear.
For wild Pokémon accustomed to Saffron City's challenges, actions often spoke louder than words. The lavish feast was a much more effective gesture of goodwill.
Meowth, having struggled with hunger since birth, knew the value of food. Before joining a Meowth gang, it had survived by tricking and stealing from others to get sustenance, so it understood how precious a meal was.
From the moment it appeared, Meowth had already noticed the spread on the table—something it had only seen in high-end restaurants before through glass windows.
Now, hearing Sato and Swampert's words, Meowth was stunned. It knew enough about human money to grasp the cost of such a meal.
Its gaze toward Sato shifted subtly. Though still wary, it now carried a hint of recognition—Sato was clearly a "long-term source of luxury meals."
Its sly eyes sparkled mischievously, likely calculating its next moves.
'Looks human Trainer is rich and doesn't plan to make me a workhorse. Those kind, pretty ladies said he's a good guy, and I didn't believe them. But it seems they were right! I can't believe someone this naive actually exists. Following him is way better than roaming with that gang. Hehehe, a life of comfort awaits,' Meowth thought, its gaze toward Sato now resembling one of pity mixed with amusement.
A moment later, Meowth emerged from its hiding spot, feigning delight as it greeted the other Pokémon enthusiastically.
Then, it acted incredibly affectionate, rubbing its head against Sato's to show loyalty.
Throughout the welcome party, Meowth behaved like a newcomer trying to impress. It diligently 'poured tea' and served food for Golbat and the others, particularly fawning over Swampert and Golbat with exaggerated flattery that even made Sato cringe slightly.
(Note: Pour Tea, in Chinese figure of speech means to serve others, as a gesture of respect. It does not always means 'pouring tea' literally)
"This little guy sure knows how to play his cards. I was worried he'd resist more," Sato thought, his lips twitching in bemusement at the rapid change in Meowth's demeanor.
While Sato could tell Meowth's behavior was an act, he chose not to expose it. The absence of hostility was already a victory.
Sato firmly believed that the warmth of his team would eventually make Meowth feel a genuine sense of belonging.