Chapter 308: Chapter 307: Battle Dome
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Sato stepped out of the impoverished western district of Saffron City and into a bustling, vibrant area. The stark contrast in scenery stirred an inexplicable irritation within him.
Gone was the eagerness he had felt earlier when leaving the black market, excited to experiment with making Pokémon food. Instead, a restless agitation simmered in his heart, compelling him to seek an outlet.
And what better outlet than battle?
Hailing a cab on the roadside, Sato instructed the driver to take him to the Battle Dome in Saffron City's central district.
Saffron City, renowned as the "City of Battles" in Kanto, catered to the needs of the many trainers residing within it by offering numerous public and private battle facilities.
Among these, the Battle Dome stood as the most iconic. Built and operated by the Pokémon League itself, its authority and prestige were unmatched in Saffron, even better than the Battle Arena he'd visited the last time he was in Saffron City.
The Battle Dome promised trainers a fair environment and stringent rules. Every trainer who entered was logged into the League's vast database, and opponents of equivalent skill levels were algorithmically matched for battles.
However, only trainers who had reached the elite level—owning at least three Pokémon above level 30—were eligible to participate.
After a 15-minute ride, Sato arrived at the entrance to the massive Battle Dome.
Paying the fare, he stepped out and gazed at the majestic structure, its grandeur reminding him of the Battle Tower in Larousse City. In terms of stature and prominence, Sato thought the two facilities were almost on par.
Unlike the Battle Tower, which operated under a floor-master system, the Battle Dome focused purely on combat.
The Kanto League had built it to enhance trainers' battle skills and scout for potential talent. It also employed a point-based system: trainers earned points by winning battles, with higher-level matches and win streaks yielding greater rewards.
These points could be exchanged for various items from the Dome's extensive catalog, courtesy of its League backing.
While the League had invested substantial resources in the Dome, it also reaped immense financial returns. The facility had become a golden goose for the League, drawing crowds daily, and seats were often sold out.
The annual Kanto Elite Tournament held here was especially popular, with tickets fetching exorbitant prices as fans gathered in droves to witness the spectacle.
As a competing trainer, Sato bypassed the long lines of spectators waiting at the main entrance and entered through the trainers' exclusive passageway.
"Welcome, esteemed trainer. How can I assist you today? Would you like to schedule a one-on-one match, random battle, or a team tag battle?" a poised and elegant service attendant greeted him with a professional smile at the counter.
"I'd like to register anonymously for a one-on-one battle," Sato replied, placing his League ID on the counter.
He then presented the PokéBalls of his Pokémon: Golbat, Bellossom, shiny Pelipper, Swampert, Growlithe, and shiny Beautifly. (Don't worry, Nidoran—your moment will come very soon.)
The attendant nodded, her demeanor noticeably shifting as she inserted his ID into the system. Her eyes widened slightly as she read the data on the screen.
She glanced at Sato with newfound respect before swiftly completing his registration with precision. Her smile became warmer and more genuine as she returned his ID and PokéBalls.
"All set, Mr. Sato. Your battle is scheduled for 12:30 AM in Arena C, Room 3. Since you've opted for anonymous participation, your alias here will be 'Trainer 2569.' This is your identification badge. Best of luck in your debut battle at the Dome!"
Sato noticed the shift in her attitude and correctly deduced that the information displayed on the system had impressed her.
While curious about what exactly was listed under his name, he didn't dwell on it.
Unbeknownst to Sato, the League database recorded several of his heroic deeds:
- Rescuing numerous lives as a medical trainer during the catastrophic accident at Saffron City's station.
- Saving 21 passengers during the St. Louis shipwreck.
- Freeing over a hundred hostages from Team Magma at the Route 122 harbor.
- Playing a pivotal role in dismantling a rogue biker gang in Mauville City.
Each of these feats highlighted Sato's courage and dedication, earning him admiration from those with a sense of justice.
Smiling faintly at the attendant, Sato turned and followed the signs to Arena C.
He gestured to the Ditto perched on his shoulder, which promptly transformed into a stylish white mask with black accents. Sato adjusted the mask on his face, stepping into his role as the enigmatic "Trainer 2569."
Thus began Sato's journey to carve an illustrious legacy in the Battle Dome.