As Aoki turned and left, he glanced at Soros's Koffing.
Pokemon: Koffing (Dark Yellow)
Egg Moves: Charge Follow current novᴇls on novel[f]ire.net
Basic Moves: Poison Gas, Tackle, Smokescreen, Pursuit, Clear Smog
It was a relatively strong Koffing. Although its potential was slightly lower, its high level and good training made it stand out.
"Sure enough, there's still some capability here," Aoki muttered.
People with such skill and resources could usually do well as long as they avoided any significant pitfalls.
Aoki arrived at the exchange, where only a few people lingered as the day's testing had just finished. One of the staff members, who had assisted him with skill exchanges the previous day, recognized him immediately. He cast a questioning glance in Aoki's direction, and Aoki nodded subtly, indicating he wanted to see the mysterious figure again.
With a simple exchange of looks, the staff member led Aoki to a secret door, eager and a bit anxious. Tapping a rhythmic password on the door, it opened with a soft click, revealing a dimly lit corridor beyond.
Gesturing for Aoki to enter, he stepped aside. Aoki walked through the candlelit hallway, which cast faint light just enough to make the path visible. After a few minutes, he arrived in a spacious room lined with bookshelves, filled with what must have been tens of thousands of books. It was an impressive sight, especially on Trial Island, where resources were scarce.
In the center of the room, a mysterious figure cloaked in black sat at a desk, reading intently. He didn't acknowledge Aoki's entrance, but Aoki knew better than to believe he was unaware of his presence. Respectfully, he stood in silence, waiting for the figure to finish.
After a few moments, the figure raised his head, revealing a scarred hand. The injuries were unmistakably the result of severe poisoning, a consequence Aoki recognized all too well.
Without hesitation, the figure spoke in a hoarse voice. "Retrieve something for me, and I will reward you with ten thousand points." He placed a finely detailed map on the table and slid it toward Aoki.
Aoki took the map, noting its precision compared to the crude maps typically used by Team Rocket. After a quick review, he nodded in agreement. "Yes," he replied, storing the map in his belt.
As Aoki turned to leave, the figure, introducing himself as Shadow, gave him one final nod. He responded respectfully, "Yes, Shadow." With no further instructions, Aoki and Murkrow exited the room.
Back outside, the bright light made his eyes squint after the dim corridor. Murkrow shielded its eyes with a wing, irritated by the abrupt transition.
Walking away from the exchange, Aoki murmured to himself, "Shadow... Shadow." The name stirred memories of a rumor from his time in Team Rocket. Two deputies, Dark and Shadow, were said to be personally brought in by Giovanni. Their existence was known, but the identity of the mysterious leader of the Shadow Group remained elusive, fueling speculation.
Shaking off the thoughts, Aoki refocused on the mission. This task from Shadow was just the beginning of what he suspected would be a series of escalating challenges.
Prepared for the journey, Aoki carried supplies in his storage belt, though he felt the space was inadequate. Clad in his Team Rocket uniform and exclusive belt, he blended in with other members, drawing no special attention.
Following the map, Aoki and Murkrow ventured into the semi-developed forest of Trial Island. The forest was rich in resources but carefully preserved. Tall trees with dense foliage filtered the sunlight, casting scattered patches of light on the ground.
Pokémon and wild animals inhabited the forest, many of them blending seamlessly with their surroundings. Aoki's system was always active, scanning every creature within range, gathering detailed data. Even the well-camouflaged grass-type Pokémon couldn't evade detection.
The Pokémon in the outer forest posed no threat, as they were generally weak. Murkrow, uninterested in battling low-level opponents, remained focused on the path ahead.
As night fell, Aoki found a stream where he set up camp. A small fire crackled as he prepared a simple meal. Murkrow, ever diligent, gathered branches for the fire, incorporating its training into daily tasks.
With the tent set up and a warm meal in hand, Aoki and Murkrow enjoyed a brief respite. Their journey into the unknown continued, but for now, they had found a moment of peace.