This time, Sato's opponents were merely a few Team Magma elites whose strongest Pokémon weren't even level 60. Moreover, none of them possessed Pokémon capable of effectively countering Pikachu's Electric-type attacks.
As a result, Sato easily defeated the Team Magma elites using Pikachu's overwhelmingly powerful lightning abilities.
At the same time, in order to gather intelligence, Sato only seriously injured the Team Magma elite who had been the most aggressive at the beginning. As for the remaining five, he simply had Pikachu paralyze them.
Before long, Sato used Hypnosis to extract information from these trusted subordinates whom Courtney had sent to hunt him down.
Through them, he learned Team Magma's purpose for coming to Route 112.
Courtney and her group had gone so far as to kidnap Professor Cozmo and his entire family and bring them to Route 112 for a single reason:
To search for Groudon's Blood.
It turned out that the site of the previous battle between the super-legendary Pokémon was located nearby.
During that battle, Groudon had taken one of Rayquaza's Dragon Ascent attacks head-on and suffered severe injuries. A considerable amount of its blood had been spilled across the battlefield.
Every part of a super-legendary Pokémon was a priceless treasure, and naturally their blood was no exception. It contained mysterious and extraordinary power.
According to these Team Magma elites, Groudon's Blood resembled molten magma. When it first flowed from Groudon's body, it was unimaginably hot. However, like ordinary blood, it eventually solidified over time.
Once solidified, it appeared outwardly similar to an ordinary stone. But that was merely the surface. If cut open, the interior would reveal a substance resembling red crystal.
After the battle between the super-legendaries ended, the League had quickly cleaned up the battlefield. As a result, nearly all of Groudon's Blood had been collected by the League.
Only after expending enormous effort did Team Magma manage to find a small amount hidden in remote locations along the battlefield's outskirts.
And the reason Team Magma had been able to locate Groudon's Blood at all was largely due to Professor Cozmo.
It was the detection device he had developed that gave Team Magma the means to search for it.
Although Route 112 was somewhat distant from the battlefield itself, Team Magma believed that given the intensity of the clash, it was highly likely that some of Groudon's Blood had splattered as far as this area.
"So it's Groudon's Blood. No wonder Team Magma is taking this so seriously. Anything even remotely connected to Groudon is something they'd desperately want."
After learning their objective, Sato couldn't help but think to himself.
He was naturally tempted as well.
Although he had no idea what Groudon's Blood could actually be used for, the fact that it had once been part of Groudon's body meant its value was undoubtedly extraordinary.
The problem was that Route 112 was now crawling with Team Magma personnel. Trying to obtain Groudon's Blood would be like snatching food from a tiger's mouth.
Even more importantly, Team Magma still hadn't found any.
In fact, whether Groudon's Blood even existed on Route 112 remained uncertain.
Thinking about those two issues left Sato hesitant.
Soon, however, he organized his thoughts.
"Forget it. Why worry about gains and losses? I didn't have it to begin with. But no matter what, Team Magma can't be allowed to obtain it. Even if I can't get it myself, I definitely can't let my enemies have it."
Sato quickly made up his mind.
He was going to stab Team Magma in the back and make sure this operation ended in failure.
"Hello, Flannery? It's me. I ran into Team Magma on Route 112. They seem to be searching for something here..."
After making his decision, Sato took out his communicator and called Flannery, informing her about Team Magma's activities.
His plan was simple.
He intended to use Flannery to draw out Mr. Moore, Hoenn's former Fire-type Elite Four member.
As long as that formidable old man made a move, even if Courtney had already advanced to Elite-Four level Trainer status, she'd have no choice but to flee for her life.
The Elite Four positions were reserved for veteran Trainers.
Because of the Master's Tournament system, every official Elite Four member had climbed to their position over the shoulders of countless other Elite-Four level Trainers.
The fact that Moore had held his Elite Four seat until retiring in old age spoke volumes.
Part of the reason for his retirement was certainly the aging of his main Pokémon and the decline of their strength. But from another perspective, it also proved how formidable he remained even in old age.
Many Elite Four members were quickly replaced by challengers.
Those who managed to retire normally were invariably among the strongest.
Sato estimated that if Moore personally intervened, Courtney would likely flee at the first sign of him.
After contacting Flannery, Sato took out a perfectly fitting Team Magma grunt uniform and quickly changed into it.
Then he rolled around on the ground, covering himself with the scent of dirt and crushed grass to mask his natural smell.
Afterward, he boldly headed toward Team Magma's position.
When he had previously encountered Team Magma, he had deliberately hidden Tyler's face behind a mask. Now that precaution was proving useful, allowing him to infiltrate them.
To better play the role of a grunt, Sato had even captured a Taillow and a Geodude nearby to serve as convincing cover.
At this point, there were simply too many Team Magma members searching Route 112.
It was impossible for them all to know one another.
Dressed in a Team Magma uniform and carrying the same type of detection device, Sato blended in effortlessly.
Flannery was a hot-blooded young woman overflowing with a sense of justice.
The moment she heard from Sato that a large Team Magma force had appeared on Route 112 near her hometown, she could no longer sit still.
She immediately promised to bring people and drive Team Magma away.
Of course, despite her passionate nature, she remained level-headed.
Team Magma was not easy to deal with.
Ordinary Trainers were no match for them and generally avoided provoking them.
Furthermore, Lavaridge Town was only a small settlement. The League forces stationed there were quite limited. There was no realistic way they could expel such a large Team Magma force on their own.
After considering her options, Flannery concluded that she had no choice but to ask her grandfather for help.
As his granddaughter, she knew exactly how powerful he was.
If he was willing to act, then even several Elite-four level Trainers from Team Magma would be powerless against him.
Just as Flannery was preparing to seek Moore's assistance, Courtney's side finally made progress.
A Team Magma grunt reported that his detection device had reacted near a cave located at the junction between Route 112 and Jagged Pass.
Upon hearing this, Courtney was overjoyed.
She immediately set aside her doubts regarding why the six Team Magma elites she had sent out had yet to return and ordered the reporting grunt to lead the way.
"The detector is finally reacting. Looks like some Pokémon picked up Groudon's Blood and carried it inside. You lot—take some people and investigate the cave."
Watching the detection device in her hand continuously emit signals, a trace of excitement appeared on Courtney's face.
She immediately ordered several Team Magma elites to lead teams into the cave.
Sato arrived at the cave entrance together with Courtney's group.
Fortunately, he was standing near the back of the crowd and successfully avoided being selected by any of the Team Magma elites.
However, after a series of screams suddenly echoed from deep within the cave, Courtney quickly ordered all the remaining grunts—including Sato—to enter the cave and investigate the situation.