The m, the group woke up early.

  After some discussion, they decided to return to Silver Town for a short rest.

  Cir had woken up but seemed emotionally downcast and unusually quiet.

  Wheone Edge from the giant Magcargo had sshed across her shoulder, she had genuinely believed she was going to die.

  After all, Cir was only ten years old—uo, who carried the mi of an older man within.

  The sudden life-threatening experience had shaken her deeply, and she hadn't fully recovered from the shock.

  Adding to that, her injury was serious enough that she needed proper care at the Pokémoer.

  ---

  Mount Silver was vast, and sihe group had been moving terally after reag the inner mountain, it only took a full day's travel to return to Silver Town.

  After handing over their exhausted Pokémon to Nurse Joy, they also checked on Cir, who, fortunately, only needed rest as her injuries were no longer critical.

  With that settled, everyouro their rooms to rest.

  However, Sato did not immediately sleep—instead, he began refleg ohing that had happened.

  Traveling as a group greatly reduced the dangers of the wild, and in terms of daily life, it had been surprisingly enjoyable.

  But—Sato couldn't shake the feeling that he was being held back.

  One major reason was his instinctive suppression of his Dark Energy.

  The other—the sheer gap in average strength.

  Land Will each had at least three Peak Elite Pokémon, f Sato to always send out his stro pair—Zoroark and Gengar—just to keep up.

  His other Pokémon barely had time to train, and in any difficult battle, he ended up pying a minor supp role.

  But at the same time, it wouldn't be fair to hold back the team just for him.

  In the first pce, Sato had only been allowed to join out of respect for Nurse Joy's reendation.

  Yes, he could help them find high-potential Pokémon and earn money quickly—but the truth was, none of them actually needed money, except for him.

  He was in no position to demand special treatment.

  "Sigh…"

  Sato exhaled lightly, his mind now made up.

  The day, Lance led the group to the Adventurer's Guild to report their pleted missions.

  With so many high/advanced-rank tasks, along with a few top-tier ones acquired through es, it took nearly an hour just to verify and distribute their rewards.

  Lance didn't hesitate for a sed—he split the points evenly among everyone.

  Sato accepted his Adventurer ID card silently, saying nothing.

  Once all the bureaucratic work was dohey returo White's vil.

  With Cir still hospitalized for observation, everyone prepared to go about their own tasks—after all, they had plenty to do after returning.

  "Lance!"

  "Hmm? What is it?"

  Sato called out to Lance, just as he was about to head upstairs. The others, sensing something unusual, also paused to listen.

  Sato hesitated for a moment before speaking.

  "I want to leave the team."

  "Why?"

  Laurned back immediately, stepping closer with a frown. He had genuinely e to admire Sato.

  Ba Mount Silver, Sato's performance had been excellent, and his rapid improvement had even put pressure on Lance himself.

  Additionally, Sato was the same age as Cir—and whether he realized it or not, Lance had subsciously started seeing him as a younger brother.

  "Did we not treat you well?"

  Before Sato could answer, White cut in.

  A g Will showed that he remained expressionless, but the fact that he had quietly stepped beside Lance made it clear—he was questioning Sato as well.

  "No, it's because you all have treated me too well," Sato said, his eyelids l slightly before tinuing.

  "Ba Mount Silver, White, you handled all the meals. Every single one was eveer than what I ate at home. Whe hurt, Rose was there. As long as our Pokémon weren't seriously ihey fully recovered in no time, boung bato battle without any worries."

  Sato paused. He had never spoken this much at once before.

  "As for battles—Land Will are far strohan me. Whenever we faced a tough situation, I couldn't tribute much."

  White's distant expression softened as he listeo Sato speak. Despite always grinning and joking, White was actually deeply seal.

  Hearing Sato's expnation made him feel much better. After all, Sato had just plimented his cooking!

  Will, oher hand, had already rexed, casually taking a seat on the sofa—he was waiting for Lance's decision as captain.

  "Sihe day I became a trainer, I've always been on my own. But tely, I've grown too fortable. With all of you taking care of things before and after battles, I've let my guard down—I stopped thinking critically and just went with the flow..."

  "Is that really how you feel?"

  Sato apologized silently in his heart, then Lance.

  "I hought you were useless ieam," Lance said. "But I do uand why you feel out of pce..."

  He seemed to think of something, but theated before tinuing, "So, you want to leave the team to train on your own, right?"

  "Yeah." Sato nodded, unsure of where this was going.

  "Who said team members have to stick together all the time?" Lance asked with a grin.

  "...Isn't that how it works?"

  "You just happeo join during one of our rare full-team expeditions. Most of the time, Will and I only take one or two missions at a time, usually finishing them within three days"

  Rose said, crossing her arms and watg the versation unfold with amusement in her eyes.

  "I don't usually go on missions with the others. Logistics should stay at the base—that's the real job of support staff."

  White said, returning to his usual grinning self before g his hands and heading off to make lunch.

  "So, I just…" Sato hesitated.

  "Overestimated yourself," Will said as he stood up, delivering the final blow.

  "If you want to head out, have Will pick out two suitable missions for you. The White and Rose prepare your supplies and emergency medie. Finally, just let me know. That's how the Brave Fights the Evil Dragon Team actually works!"

  Lance said seriously.

  "As for leaving the team—don't even think about it, brat!"

  Lance walked away, and Rose gave Sato a gnce like she was looking at an idiot before heading back to her room.

  Sato twitched at the er of his mouth. Since when did Rose start ag like this?! But—this was good.

  The Brave Fights the Evil Dragohis was good.

  ---------

  Three days ter, Sato set out for Mount Silver, following the route his teammates had pnned and carrying the supplies they had prepared.

  This time—he was alone, yet not truly alone.

  "First mission—Weezing in Luminous S!"

  Sato rode Houndoom, dashing toward his destination.

  Just as he ehe inner mountain, a thick brown vine suddenly shed out at him!

  "Victreebel!"

  Sat instantly.

  After a closer look, he realized—this was the same Victreebel that Lance had easily defeated before! To think they'd run into each ain—was this fate or misfortune?

  "Houndoom, Fmethrower!"

  Fmes roared forward, but Victreebel tered with Sludge Bomb, colliding with Fmethrower and g each other out.

  Lance had hahis with ease, but Sato wouldn't have it so easy.

  "Houndoom, Dark Pulse!"