"I saw Mark come back a while ago, but he was always in such a rush. I thought maybe he'd been beaten down on his journey and didn't dare talk to him much," someone who seemed to know Mark said in sudden realization.
"Wasn't he the one who couldn't catch Pokémon? How did he end up getting into the Gym?" another person, who clearly knew more about Mark's past, spoke in a tone full of disbelief.
"Don't tell me this Gym just has powerful connections but no real strength?"
"Heh." Everyone around looked at the guy who said that with contempt. Was that something a true Shadownight local should say?
By now, the entrance to Shadownight Gym was already flooded with visitors, and the grand opening flower stands nearly covered both sides of the doorway. One by one, rarely seen figures had sent flower arrangements in various forms.
All that could be said was: these days, people couldn't afford to ignore Sato anymore.
Especially after the previous night, when one Team Rocket Admin and three "Seven-Star Hunters" attacked, yet failed to disrupt the opening ceremony in any way.
All the factions that had been trying to dig up info on Shadownight Gym were thoroughly shocked.
Though it was rumored that the rookie Inspector, Lance, had stepped in, he could at most hold back one Admin.
Yet the final reports stated that all three "Seven-Stars" lost their battles, with two rescued and one captured alive.
There were even whispers that Team Rocket had paid to hire three assassins to take out Sato before the opening but all of them failed.
Each of these reports gave Shadownight Gym a solid foundation right from the start.
---
At 7:30 a.m, the doors to Shadownight Gym suddenly opened, and the curious crowd surged forward.
After endless waiting, the elusive Gym Leader was finally about to show his face. Everyone was buzzing with excitement, determined not to miss a single detail.
The doors opened, and the crowd held their breath as the sound of crisp footsteps rang out.
Because of the morning sun, all they could see was a shadow slowly emerging from the dark interior. As the figure fully stepped out of the Gym, the crowd finally got a clear look at his face.
"…He looks so old."
"He's gotta be, what, fifty or sixty? Probably won't last more than a few years before retiring."
"Being older probably means he's strong. He might be insanely powerful, who knows..."
"Ahem! Cough… cough…"
Amber looked at the noisy crowd gathered at the entrance and couldn't help but cough twice into the microphone to maintain order.
"Today marks the official opening of the Pokémon League's Shadownight Gym. Thank you all for coming. I am Amber, the Gym's steward. From now on, please…"
"…He's not the Gym Leader? Just the steward? Then where's the Gym Leader?" The crowd below began murmuring again, clearly not interested in hearing Amber's speech.
But very soon, they were drawn in by his next words and quieted down.
"Now, allow me to formally introduce the Gym Leader of Shadownight Gym. The youngest official Gym Leader in the Pokémon League: Yuga Sato.
Gym Leader Sato, born in Cerulean City of the Kanto Region, is twelve years old..."
"WHAAT! Only twelve? He's only been a Trainer for two years and already became a Gym Leader?"
The crowd erupted into chatter, but Amber didn't bother stopping them. Some people's talent was simply beyond the reach of the ordinary.
----
"…Gym Leader Sato played a vital role assisting Elite Four member Bruno during the Team Rocket incident in Goldenrod City!
…Gym Leader Sato became a Trainer for less than a year and still placed in the top eight of the Pokémon League's Young Elite Tournament!
…Gym Leader Sato, together with his teammate Wester, placed top four in the Elite Four Tournament at Mahogany Town!"
…Gym Leader Sato passed the Gym Leader Qualification Tournament one year after becoming a Trainer -sixty wins in the practical combat exam and the highest total score- earning his official appointment as Gym Leader!
…Gym Leader Sato was the first to discover and achieve Mega Evolution, and with it, reached Pseudo-Elite Four level strength!
…Gym Leader Sato, during his journey in the Hoenn Region, personally captured the leaders of the underground organizations Team Aqua and Team Magma: Archie and Maxie!
…Gym Leader Sato, while traveling in the Unova Region, assisted Hoenn Elite Four Drake in strengthening the relationship between the Unova League and Kanto Headquarters. His performance earned high praise from Elite Four Drake!"
…Gym Leader Sato, during the Trial Tournament at Vertress Cave in the Unova Region, represented the League and won first place. For context, the minimum requirement to participate in the Vertress Cave Trial Tournament is Peak Elite level strength!"
-----
Each "Gym Leader Sato" announcement stunned the crowd one after another, but every accomplishment sounded verifiable and left them no room for doubt.
Before they could even catch their breath, Amber continued speaking through the loudspeaker.
"Due to the large number of guests, all those with invitations, please present them and enter the Gym directly. Those without invitations, please line up in an orderly fashion. Entry will close once we reach full capacity.
After reaching full capacity, all squares in Shadownight Town will broadcast the opening ceremony live via projection, so please avoid crowding."
Hearing this, those with invitations didn't rush. But the ones without them began surging toward the Gym entrance. With a Gym Leader this amazing, they had to see him with their own eyes.
"I said… no pushing!" Amber's stern voice echoed through the crowd. At that moment, two shadows suddenly shot out from inside the Gym.
"Awoooo~"
"Breoooon~"
Houndoom and Umbreon howled to the sky in unison. Their Elite-level aura burst out, more than enough to suppress a crowd of ordinary people.
The "fierce and menacing" Houndoom, the "noble and mysterious" Umbreon. Just their appearance sent a thrill through the crowd outside.
But remembering the pressure they had just unleashed, people stayed excited but dared not push anymore. They could only shuffle forward in tiny steps, as fast as they could.
Meanwhile, those with invitations began stepping out from the crowd, walking into the Gym with ease under everyone's envious gazes.
"Look at all the Nurse Joys… I mean, I get why they got invitations, but there are just so many of them!"
"Like you'd ever get one. As if the Gym Leader would care about someone like you, hmph."
"And look, several Officer Jennys are here too. Our local Jenny from Shadownight Town must be among them."
"Hey, look at that white-bearded old guy… doesn't he look like Leader Howard from Goldenrod Gym?"
"The lady next to him and that little girl are both so pretty. You can tell they're something special."
"Hah… simp spotted. Absolutely hopeless."
"The mayor and village heads came too. By the way, where's Victor from the Intelligence Shop? He should be here too, right?"
"Whether he's coming or not, I don't know. But I'm pretty sure I just saw…"
"LANCE! That's Lance! Dragon Master Lance!"
"Flying-type Master Lance?"
"And his friends… White, Will, and Rose Joy!"
"Let me tell you, our Gym Leader once formed an adventurer team with them back on Mt. Silver!"
"Really?"
"Totally… So cute~ Ho-Oh, what did I just witness? That adorable boy is actually a sage?!"
The "sage" touched his bald head, face flushing red as he handed an invitation to Amber.
He seemed to hear someone calling him from behind and turned around in confusion, only to find the whole crowd staring at him.
The "sage" blushed even harder. He bowed with a Sage salute and quickly slipped into the Gym.
"I fell in love… and then I got my heart broken."
"Same here…"
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200 PW = ExtraChapi
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