Pokemon: The Legendary Trainer

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Sato casually leaned against the bike shop's wall, instantly catching the attention of a nearby, charming female employee. 

She promptly walked over with a warm smile, asking what kind of bicycle Sato was looking for.

What stood out about her was that she didn't underestimate Sato for his simple and modest Trainer attire. Instead, she maintained a high level of professionalism as she assisted him.

After a brief conversation, the employee realized Sato was particularly interested in an off-road bicycle, the second-most expensive model in the shop.

Her smile grew even brighter, and she launched into an enthusiastic sales pitch, eloquently highlighting the bike's many advantages.

When it came to the bike's drawbacks—primarily its exorbitant price—she cleverly countered them with the shop's current promotions, including a major discount, a one-year return policy, a ten-year warranty, and a generous supply of spare parts.

To be honest, when Sato heard the bike cost a staggering three million PokeDollars, his heart skipped a beat. The price left him momentarily stunned.

However, the off-road Acro bike's steep price was justified. Its frame was made entirely of a special alloy, making it both incredibly sturdy and exceptionally lightweight. 

Despite its solid appearance, the bike weighed only about 10 kilograms.

The tires, crafted from a special synthetic rubber, were not only durable and wear-resistant but also highly buoyant. With air-filled inner tubes, the bike could float on water effortlessly.

Equipped with additional weight-reducing gadgets, the bike could handle challenging terrains like swamps, uneven ground, and lakes with ease. It even doubled as an emergency flotation device.

To demonstrate its features, the employee threw the bike into a demonstration pool in the shop. She then stood on the floating bike herself, further proving its capabilities.

The off-road bike also had versatile assembly options. It could be quickly reconfigured into various outdoor essentials, such as a one-person boat, a makeshift table with a chair, a tent, or climbing gear, using its accompanying parts.

In her words, owning this off-road Acro bike allowed Trainers to traverse most terrains effortlessly.

"Hmm, it does sound impressive. Is this bike the latest model?" Sato asked with a smile after patiently listening to the detailed introduction.

"No, sir. The ones displayed outside are last-generation demo models. The latest models are inside the shop. If you'd like to see them, please follow me," she replied eagerly, realizing Sato was serious about buying. Without waiting for his response, she enthusiastically led him into the shop.

Having worked in sales for over two years, the employee had developed a keen eye for spotting potential customers. Despite Sato's plain attire, his strong Trainer aura was unmistakable, not to mention the well-trained Growlithe by his side. 

She could tell at one glance that he was a skilled Trainer.

Typically, a Trainer's strength correlated with their wealth. Her hospitality proved well-placed, as Sato's behavior confirmed her assessment.

Half an hour later, the employee bid Sato farewell with a beaming smile. He rode out of the shop on a newly purchased Acro bike.

This latest-model bike originally cost 3.88 million PokeDollars but was discounted to 3 million. For Sato, this purchase was well within his means.

Before leaving Slateport City, Sato had only 1 million PokeDollars left. After receiving 2 million from the village elder for his first rescue mission, 4 million from looting the Team Magma at Mt. Pyre, and 10 million from the Dewford Clan, his wallet was well-padded. 

Even after buying the bike, he still had over 14 million PokeDollars to spare.

Under Sato's request and an extra 200,000 PokeDollars for modifications, the shop's mechanics transformed the originally sleek, jet-black off-road bike into a plain-looking one. Despite its appearance, the bike retained all its original functionality.

Riding his seemingly ordinary bike through the streets, Sato sped along effortlessly. Growlithe lay in a metal basket at the front, poking its head out with its pink tongue wagging as it happily took in the sights. 

Behind Sato, Bellossom sat gracefully on the rear seat, hugging his waist and sharing in the joyful experience.

"This was worth every PokeDollar," Sato thought with satisfaction as he pedaled. Even on bumpy roads, the bike handled smoothly and steadily. "If I'd had this bike before, I wouldn't have spent two days crossing Route 123. I could've done it in just one."

Sato soon reached Mauville City's Pokémon Center from the bike shop on the city's eastern edge, covering the 12-kilometer distance in just 20 minutes—an impressive speed of 36 kilometers per hour. 

Amazingly, he wasn't even tired, feeling as though he'd only jogged a couple of laps around a standard track.

After folding the bike and storing it in his spatial gear, Sato entered the Pokémon Center. His eyes immediately landed on a prominent red mission board displaying a League task. 

A white paper on the board detailed the recruitment of Trainers to combat a gang of reckless bikers on the city's cycling highway. 

The request was issued jointly by the Mauville City and Slateport Bicycle Associations.