Pokemon: The Legendary Trainer

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As time passed, most of the St. Louis had already sunk into the sea. At this rate, it wouldn't take more than half an hour for the entire ship to vanish beneath the waves.

However, despite the ship's gradual sinking, the fire raging on the deck showed no signs of subsiding.

On the contrary, the flames grew fiercer with the aid of the wind.

"Mr. Sato, let's go. It's been nearly twenty minutes since the fire broke out, and it's only getting worse. Even if there are people still inside, I'm afraid there's no saving them now. The sailors are already urging us to leave. If we don't go soon, they'll depart without us."

A young trainer with a soot-covered face said to Sato, who was still searching the blazing inferno for survivors.

The trainer glanced nervously at the intensifying flames around them, his expression filled with urgency.

Aside from this young trainer, Eileen and three other trainers were also assisting Sato. Thanks to the efforts of their Water- and Rock-type Pokémon, the group had managed to stay safe so far.

However, after over ten minutes of rescue operations, both the trainers and their Pokémon were reaching the limits of their stamina. If they continued any longer, their lives would be at serious risk.

Hearing the young trainer's words, Eileen and the others turned their attention to Sato.

In this rescue mission, Sato had undoubtedly contributed the most. His precise commands had led to the rescue of over fifty passengers, earning him great respect among the team.

"We'll give it a few more moments. If Growlithe doesn't find any more survivors, we'll leave," Sato said, nodding in acknowledgment while glancing at the escalating flames around them.

His Golbat perched on his shoulder, was flapping its wings lightly.

Using Golbat's echolocation and Growlithe's strong resistance to fire, Sato had managed to locate numerous survivors.

With the help of Bellossom, Eileen, and her Chansey, these survivors had been successfully escorted to safety.

By now, most of the nearby survivors trapped in the flames had been rescued.

Only those in more remote areas remained unaccounted for, and it was uncertain whether they were still alive. Sato had sent Growlithe to check one last time.

Eileen and the others nodded silently, refraining from further discussion. They continued instructing their Pokémon to maintain the small safe zone amidst the sea of flames.

Before long, Growlithe returned from the fire. His dejected expression and the shake of his head told Sato that he hadn't found any more survivors.

"...Let's go. We've done all we can," Sato said with a heavy sigh, turning to the others, whose expressions mirrored his own somber mood.

Eileen and the others were also deeply saddened by Growlithe's report. However, hearing Sato's words brought them some solace.

They had done everything in their power, and their conscience was clear.

Guided by Golbat and with their Pokémon clearing a path through the fire, Sato and his team finally made their way off the burning deck and boarded a small boat that had been waiting for them.

Once everyone was aboard, the sailor manning the boat started the engine, quickly setting them toward the rest of the fleet, which had already moved some distance away.

As the massive St. Louis continued its descent, its enormous frame gradually disappeared beneath the waves.

Watching the magnificent cruise ship sink completely left Sato and the others with a deep sense of sorrow.

"Hmph, it's all because of those weirdos who blew up the ship! If it weren't for them, the St. Louis would still be fine, and everyone would be safe and sound," Eileen fumed angrily, her emotions spilling over as she watched the ship disappear beneath the waves.

As a naturally sensitive woman, Eileen couldn't hold back her frustration at the tragedy.

Her words resonated with the others, who joined in to express their anger at Mary and the other culprits. Some even vowed that if they ever encountered them, they wouldn't let them off lightly.

"These people are lunatics—a highly organized and resourceful group of lunatics at that," Sato thought silently as he listened to his companions vent their fury.

"Just one of them, like that Shuuji Ikeda, could easily take me down. If I want revenge, I'll need to bide my time and grow stronger first."

Sato knew all too well that Mary and her group were far beyond what his companions could handle. Going up against them would be a death sentence.

In fact, during the rescue operation, Growlithe had caught a trace of Mary and her associates. Among them was the very person who had attacked him before—the only one wrapped in bandages.

Growlithe's incessant barking at her confirmed Sato's suspicions. She was indeed his target.

When Sato received this information from Growlithe, his first instinct was to memorize his enemy's appearance. As for exacting revenge on the spot, he didn't even consider it.

This bombing incident alone demonstrated just how ruthless and cunning Mary and her group were. They would stop at nothing to achieve their goals.

If Sato had exposed them then and there, it would have likely cost him his life.

Of course, if that particular enemy had been acting alone, Sato might have attempted retaliation. But with Mary and Hector by her side at the time, he had no choice but to endure.

Thanks to their speedboat, Sato and his group soon caught up with the main fleet ahead. The dozen or so small boats were packed with people, each wearing a somber expression.

Many bowed their heads in silent mourning for the passengers who hadn't made it.

Thanks to the efforts of the veteran captain, the rescue operation, and the St. Louis's thorough preparations for emergencies, the casualties in this maritime disaster were kept to a minimum.

Over 90% of the passengers had survived.

By now, it was past 4 PM. When the St. Louis exploded, it was already nearing its final destination. The ship had sunk relatively close to the journey's endpoint—Lilycove City, which wasn't far from Slateport City.

After learning that the St. Louis was going to sink, the captain had immediately sent a distress signal to the nearby Lilycove City.

As a result, by the time Sato and the others caught up with the main fleet, rescue boats from the city were already arriving one after another.

Finally, at around 6 PM, Sato and the other survivors reached the shores of Lilycove City in the Hoenn region.

At the Pokémon Center's entrance, having finished restocking supplies, Sato stood with Eileen and the rest of the rescue team, bidding them farewell.

"This is where we part ways. Meeting all of you has been an honor. If there's ever anything you need my help with, just contact me. Farewell, everyone," Sato said, exchanging contact information with the group.

After shaking hands and exchanging hugs, Sato, accompanied by his Growlithe, set off on a new journey.

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