Aoki returned to Verdanturf Town with his small companion, Phoebe. During his absence, Verdanturf Town had undergone significant changes. Now, it stood as one of the most developed towns in the Hoenn region, surpassing even nearby Littleroot Town in growth. Of course, when compared to major cities, Verdanturf still lagged behind in certain aspects.
The commercial street in front of the Verdanturf Gym had expanded considerably due to its profitability, with Devon Corporation investing heavily in its development. The gym's income had risen steadily as a result. The artificial lake, opened recently under the gym's management, had already produced its first batch of Pokémon eggs, drawing crowds eager to catch Pokémon. Due to limited availability, visitors often had to wait for days, spending time exploring the bustling marketplace—further stimulating the local economy.
The Breeder's Guild in Verdanturf had also flourished, becoming the second-largest branch after the one at the League Headquarters. Many trainers sought the expertise of its breeders, further cementing the town's reputation. Overall, Verdanturf had entered a phase of rapid economic growth, with the gym's resource income increasing every month.
Upon arrival, Aoki entrusted Phoebe to the Breeder's Guild, assigning a reliable breeder to show her around town. He then headed straight to the Verdanturf Gym, where Sky was overseeing operations while the three members of the Kaitou group managed Team Sky's affairs in Violet City.
After Aoki demonstrated his strength, the factions in Goldenrod City begrudgingly accepted Team Sky's replacement of the Void. However, reclaiming the Void's former assets proved difficult, so Team Sky focused on strengthening its own foundation.
Aoki briefed Sky on his plans for an aromatherapy shop, detailing product concepts and expansion strategies. He aimed to establish a chain across Hoenn, though he considered this venture secondary to his main goals. He also tasked the Kaitou group with gathering materials needed to repair the Riolu Pokémon Egg, having already exchanged some Aura-related items with League investigators.
With his instructions delivered, Aoki retreated to the gym's backyard, requesting no disturbances unless Phoebe finished her tour or an acquaintance arrived. His focus now was on Mega Evolution—testing two unidentified Mega Stones and training his Blaziken to master its mega evolved form. He also sought to improve his own physical and mental conditioning to better support the process.
Using Unown's power, Aoki created a separate dimension within the backyard's large tree, ensuring no energy leaks would alert outsiders—especially his mentor, Matsuda, should he return unexpectedly. Inside this space, he summoned all his Pokémon, including those previously stationed on Mirage Island.
His current roster included:
Champion-level Pokémon: Mismagius, Altaria, Slowking, Gengar, Florges.
Pseudo-Champion-level Pokémon: Weavile, Bagon, Pupitar, Swampert.
Elite-level Pokémon: Politoed, Lairon, Pupitar, Blaziken. Thɪs chapter is updated by NoveI[F]ire.net
Others in training: Bagon, Horsea, Ralts, Carbink, and the unhatched Riolu Egg.
Including the semi-battle-ready Flygon, Aoki now trained nineteen Pokémon—an immense undertaking requiring vast resources. Fortunately, his self-sustaining operations and savings allowed him to manage this.
The five Champion-level Pokémon had stabilized in growth, requiring steady but manageable resources. The four Pseudo-Champion-level Pokémon—excluding Swampert—were nearing breakthroughs, demanding significant investment. Meanwhile, Politoed and Pupitar were in rapid development phases, likely to catch up soon.
Aoki's training philosophy emphasized foundational growth before intensive battles, ensuring his Pokémon reached their full potential without premature limits. Bagon and others were now ready for accelerated training.
Holding two Mega Stones, Aoki addressed his team: "These stones enable Mega Evolution, but we must test if they're compatible with any of you." Though some Pokémon lacked Mega forms, he left the possibility open—after all, in the Pokémon world, anything was possible.