Saito Kentaro

   Saito Kentaro started life as a troubled child, saddled with cold parents and spitefully low expectations. Finding themself unwanted, they turned to their playmates and schoolmates; but what you learn from watching your parents isn't always right, and Kentaro was met with discipline for "aggressive behaviour" time and again. Frustrated from an early age, they decided to embody what they were painted as, finding it easy to slip into the role of schoolyard bully. By the time they were old enough to try the traditional pokémon journey, their community leaders couldn't endorse it. They'd already accrued a history of violent outbursts, including a recent incident that had left an older boy in a ditch within an inch of his life. Fearing the repercussions of unleashing Kentaro on the world unchecked, they instead recommended a more closely monitored program that Kentaro's parents were all too happy to dump them in at first chance.

   It was an Explorers program, funneling kids into a carefully designed Ranger curriculum, aiming to instill a sense of appreciation for pokémon and nature and occupy struggling children with a less destructive lifestyle. After all, couldn't the healing power of pokémon work wonders on a person's psyche? Kentaro certainly didn't see it that way, but they did see that the best of the students got to take their own initiative, sometimes even embarking on their own solo assignments, and that sort of freedom was very, very appealing.

   Technically, upon graduation of the three-month program, one was supposed to return to normal life. But to the best of its students the Ranger program offered a special outlet: a fast-track into Ranger school proper, and a promising career in a competitive field. Kentaro made absolutely sure to be in that best-students group. In their new school it was easy to excel; they were tough inside and out, quick to react, a steel trap for the memorization, everything a Ranger needed to be. Perhaps the only thing they lacked was the ardent admiration of pokémon, which probably explained why a pawniard worked so well with them, but they got the job done better than most of their peers and that was what showed on paper. After graduation, they dove headfirst into assignments, reveling in the chance to roam freely and with minimal supervision so long as they could prove they got the job done. The icing on top was that their aura, one of aggressive standoffishness, kept potential companions away and encouraged their operators to assign them alone. Truly it was perfect.

   The one downside that really stuck with Kentaro was the boredom. At first it was exciting; then as the shine wore off, they began to count on getting assigned the big hitter jobs, but even those weren't common. Then they began to travel, providing assistance or gathering data in other regions, but that eventually lost its thrill too. By that time, only one type of assignment excited them any more: poachers. The task of catching them frequently defaulted to Kentaro (no one could deny that their particular brand of ruthlessness got the job done especially well). Tracking and capture were a risky game, and that made it fun. But Kentaro had to wonder, what was it like to be on the other side? Fighting a pokémon to the death was far different than simply battling. Their own partner pokémon, now evolved into a bisharp, would be perfectly suited to the task. Each pokémon's unique abilities made them puzzles to be solved, and the curiosity seemed to grow daily.

   So, when Kentaro rifled through the things of a captured poacher team while waiting for the helicopter sent to retrieve them, they decided to pocket the unlocked phone with its mysterious emails and aliases. A few carefully worded messages had the clandestine employer's interest piqued; before they knew it Kentaro was signing a contract, with full understanding that breaking it in any way would have them outed as a poacher and bring their entire career crashing to the ground. But for someone who lives in the heat of the moment, craving that new thrill, it was far too good of an offer not to take.

   Nowadays, Kentaro leads a double life. They still work afield, of course; the diligent Ranger facade is important to their moonlighting, as being able to flash a badge works wonders on those who are suspicious or simply in the way. They still hunt poachers, too; but it's awfully convenient to grab the hunters early and take their kill instead, or 'discover' the remains of a secondary kill after it's already been processed. Their long record lends them an enormous credibility, and to those who would doubt, their intense and intimidating air is useful to silence the unsure. And all of this in service of an employer they've never recognized: whoever they are, they're funding the most lavish (and clandestine) dinner parties one could have, serving up only the rarest of pokémon dishes .... as acquired by yours truly, of course.

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NOTES/TRIVIA

• They have a number of large scars from 'work incidents' visible across their arms, but they're pleased to note they've been able to save their face so far.
• When not in uniform, they still prefer workwear-type clothing and sturdy shoes. They have a distinct dislike for big graphics or logos on their clothes.
• 'Saito Kentaro' is the correct order to write their name in, Saito being their surname. However, they're very used to being abroad in regions where given names are used more casually. Either name is acceptable to call them by; just don't use any nicknames, if you plan to get along long-term.
• Kentaro has a bit of a dominance issue, and will clash with anyone trying to actively assert oneself over them. 'Alpha male' types beware, you will not get along.
• Although they are paid very handsomely between both jobs, they have almost no savings; they tend to live in the moment and can be quite the hedonist when they're back in town, often blowing their paycheck completely on drinks and entertainment by the time the next assignment rolls around.
• Kentaro is Sinnohan, having been born and raised in Solaceon.