The hoarse voice of Shadow sounded through the mobile terminal, heavy with exhaustion from the other end of the line.
As one of the two primary forces invading the Mew Ruins this time, Dark and Shadow had undoubtedly faced the frenzied assaults of Regirock and Registeel.
It was unclear how the two operatives had fared—after all, the combat prowess of those legendary Pokémon was beyond what even most Elite Four members could handle.
"Master Shadow," Aoki acknowledged.
"The mission is concluded. Team Rocket has secured a significant asset. After deliberation by the leader and high-ranking officials, it's been decided that Team Rocket will undergo restructuring. Time is no longer a luxury afforded to you. You now have two choices."
"First: Abandon the Hoenn region, return to Kanto, and reintegrate into Team Rocket. I will arrange a position for you." Thɪs chapter is updated by novel✶fire.net
"Second: Continue operating in Hoenn independently. Team Rocket will cease direct support, but rest assured—the leader still values you. Your clearance level now matches that of the three top executives. Whether within the League or Team Rocket, your data remains highly classified."
Shadow presented the options, leaving the decision to Aoki.
The choice required no deliberation. Aoki had invested too much in Hoenn to abandon it now. Verdanturf Town had become the cornerstone of his growth. Returning to Team Rocket meant surrendering everything he'd built—not to mention severing his hard-won League connections, confining him permanently to the shadows.
Without hesitation, Aoki replied, "I'll take the second option."
A pause lingered on the line. Shadow wasn't surprised. "Very well. Stabilize your operations. But moving forward, you'll need to contend not just with Hoenn's underworld—but also internal factions within Team Rocket."
Aoki understood. Furukai, Renda, even the Regis faction—they'd seize this chance to strike.
"Understood," Aoki said flatly.
"Stay vigilant. If the situation becomes untenable, contact this number. I'll assist where possible." Shadow's offer was the extent of his aid.
His losses on Neverland had been mitigated solely because of Aoki's forewarning. The gains had outweighed the setbacks—hence this rare concession.
"Thank you, sir." The call ended.
Aoki knew the phone wouldn't ring again for a long time.
As anticipated, Team Rocket had extracted Mew's genetic material from the ruins. Under Sakaki's orders, research commenced immediately. Initially, the goal wasn't to engineer a new Pokémon—but to clone Mew itself.
Yet, Mew's existence defied replication. Each attempt collapsed at the genetic level.
Undeterred, Sakaki's scientists pivoted: they would fuse Mew's DNA with hundreds of other Pokémon to create something superior.
Thus, Mewtwo's genesis began.
The resources poured into the project were staggering—far beyond any ordinary organization's means. This explained Team Rocket's sudden retreat into secrecy, even as the League surged forward.
Silence didn't equate to inaction. Team Rocket remained Kanto and Johto's dominant underworld force—but expansion ceased. For now, Aoki was their sole external operative.
Hanging up, Aoki stood motionless, expression unreadable.
This was a crisis—but also an opportunity.
Two calls in one day—from the League and Team Rocket—had shattered his low-profile plans. The next morning, he led a team of Pokémon into the mountains.
The rest remained in Verdanturf Town, safeguarded by Slowking's instant teleportation and Altaria's presence in the backyard. Only a direct assault by an Elite Four-level Trainer would threaten them—and Absol would detect such an intrusion immediately.
Aoki's selected team included Slowking, Floette, Marshtomp, Combusken, Poliwag, and Aron. Gengar and Mismagius lurked in the shadows.
The objective was clear: train the second-tier Pokémon.
Team Rocket's withdrawal had reignited Aoki's urgency. The specter of an ambush loomed like a suspended blade, demanding growth.
Joining the Hoenn League outright would've alleviated the danger—but Aoki carried too many secrets. He had to advance alone.
Having scouted the mountains before, Aoki knew where to find suitable wild Pokémon for Aron and the others.
Larvitar's inclusion was purely pragmatic: pseudo-legendaries grew slowly, and snacks accelerated the process. Without the Mega Stone for Aggron, Aoki might've left Aron behind entirely.
Upon entering the foothills, Aoki released Poliwag, Marshtomp, Combusken, and Aron. Slowking's role was logistical—teleportation support—while Floette handled recovery.
The training commenced immediately. No waiting for wild encounters; Aoki marched straight into their territories.
First targets: the Roggenrola colony in the dense forests behind Verdanturf.
Normally docile, these Rock-types were about to become unwilling sparring partners.
With their quadruple Water weakness, double Fighting and Steel vulnerabilities, they were perfect practice dummies.
Who else would Aoki target first?
Today marked the beginning.
The "Terror of Verdanturf," Aoki, was coming for every underpowered herd in the mountains.
Watching his smirking Pokémon line up opposite the bewildered Roggenrola (and their evolved Boldore counterparts), Aoki grinned.