The first individual on this list held the position of vice president within the Initial Pokemon Association.
Given that the infiltration had reached such a high level, it would have been unusual for Adams to appear pleased.
However, Adams still found himself admiring Aoki's decisive and straightforward methods.
Although he was even more surprised than before...
Simply looking at the extensive list, he genuinely could not summon any feeling of happiness.
The others present in the room did not dare to make any further comments.
The meeting concluded within this heavy and tense atmosphere.
Bickley was escorted away, following the same fate that had previously befallen Gordon.
This event, however, marked the official commencement of the overt battle between the Pokemon League and the Hunter Guild.
But these developing conflicts had little direct impact on Aoki for the moment.
The League's immediate priority would be to identify and remove all the operatives the Hunter Guild had planted within their ranks, and only then could they fully assess their losses.
Once the meeting was adjourned, Aoki departed without delay.
...
One day later.
Aoki, Steven, and Phoebe returned together to Verdanturf Town.
After arriving back in Verdanturf Town, Aoki and Steven engaged in a full-scale, no-holds-barred Pokemon battle, with Phoebe present to witness it.
Nobody else learned of the final outcome except for these three individuals.
There was no definitive account of who emerged victorious and who was defeated.
All that was known was that when the three of them eventually emerged from Aoki's residence, each of their faces bore a satisfied and content smile.
Afterwards, Steven took his leave, preparing to return to Dewford Town and to the Stone family.
This recent incident had been fraught with significant danger, but conversely, the gains and lessons learned from it had also been substantial.
The Stone family had been deeply concerned for Steven's safety throughout this ordeal, so he could not remain in Verdanturf Town for an extended period.
He made another agreement with Aoki, promising they would battle again once his Tyranitar had matured further.
And Phoebe, much like Steven, also departed, heading for the League headquarters.
This entire event had prompted considerable growth in her, and her demeanor was now markedly different from her previous, more naive appearance.
It was estimated that following this incident, Adams would no longer impose such stringent restrictions on Phoebe's activities.
After all, having endured and survived such perilous situations, it was unlikely she would encounter anything more dangerous.
If a young eagle wishes to learn to fly, it must always endure certain hardships and challenges.
After bidding farewell to the two of them.
Aoki returned once more to his backyard.
Looking at the badly damaged and dilapidated state of the backyard, he could only shake his head helplessly.
In the end, he had lost the battle against Steven.
But there had been no other choice. Honchkrow and Weavile were unable to participate in the battle, and Gengar could not use Mega Evolution. Even though three of his Pokemon had broken through to the official Champion level, he still only possessed four Champion-level Pokemon in total.
Mismagius and Altaria were not deployed by Aoki for this battle. Instead, the Pokemon that participated were Blaziken and Tyranitar.
The two Pokemon had gained a stark realization of the gap that existed between themselves and Champion-level Pokemon.
This experience would undoubtedly motivate them to train even harder.
However, the two Pokemon had not utilized Mega Evolution during the battle; otherwise, Aoki might have stood a chance of victory.
The two Trainers fought until the very end, with Steven's Aerodactyl finally managing to defeat Blaziken.
The Pokemon were not discouraged by their defeat.
They had already witnessed their own significant progress, and all they needed to do next was to focus completely on their final sprint towards greater strength.
Aoki summoned his Pokemon to work together on repairing and restoring the backyard to its former state.
Ever since his private island had gotten properly on track, this backyard had largely become a secondary location, more of a decoration.
In addition, Aoki was now more concerned with the affairs of the Carbink tribe residing in the back mountain.
Even Absol and its child had been teleported to the island to help guard and protect it.
Absol possessed the ability to predict the coming of disaster to a certain extent, and with their presence, the island's security would be significantly enhanced.
After finishing the work on the backyard alongside his Pokemon.
Aoki took them to sit together on the grass in the restored backyard.
On his left was Tyranitar, who stood over three meters tall, and on his right was Aggron, who also reached three meters in height.
Two powerful guardian gods sat loyally beside Aoki.
There were also Slowking, Gengar, Florges, Drapion, Blaziken...
Many other Pokemon surrounded him. With the portable transmission device he possessed, he could summon his Pokemon to his side at any time he desired.
These rare moments of rest were always very precious and infrequent.
The Pokemon also thoroughly enjoyed spending time quietly with Aoki, savoring these peaceful and calm moments.
...
But sometimes, things simply do not go as one plans or hopes.
Just when Aoki and the others had rested for less than half an hour, the communicator located on the most private part of his person began to vibrate intensely.
Feeling the communicator buried deep within his clothes, Aoki's face changed slightly, becoming more serious.
Team Rocket!
Aoki took out the communicator and saw the number displayed on its screen, causing his expression to become even more grave.
Giovanni!
Giovanni was contacting Aoki directly.
Without much hesitation or further thought, he pressed the answer button immediately.
"Chief, you are looking for me," Aoki said, his tone respectful.
"I heard about the incident involving the Hunter Guild," Giovanni's faint and calm voice came through the communicator.
When Aoki heard Giovanni talking about the Hunter Guild, his heart tightened slightly with apprehension.
"Do not worry, the Hunter's Guild is the Hunter's Guild. It has nothing to do with our Team Rocket. I will not make things difficult for my own people because of the Hunter's Guild's affairs," Giovanni's voice carried a hint of a subtle smile.
Aoki did not quite understand what Giovanni meant by this.
Giovanni's tone straightened and became more businesslike, "In three days, we will arrive at the base in Viridian City."
He did not specify what was to occur, but that was enough information for now.
"Yes," Aoki nodded without any hesitation.
The communicator was then hung up.
Aoki subsequently showed a pensive and thoughtful look.
According to Giovanni's personality, he would not say anything useless or without purpose.
A special reminder regarding the Hunter Guild: what was its significance?
This left Aoki feeling somewhat confused, and he did not know what exactly would happen in three days' time.
However, since Giovanni had explicitly stated that he would not pursue him due to the Hunter Guild's affairs, then he definitely would not do so.
Giovanni's characteristic was that he always kept his word.
If you cannot figure something out, then it is best not to dwell on it excessively.
You will know when the time comes, regardless.
For some reason, Aoki had some vague guesses forming in his mind, which were probably related to the recent dream incidents.
He began organizing his things and preparing for what was to come...
Just as he finished packing his things, Gengar jumped out from his shadow, holding a Pokemon Egg Incubator carefully in its hands.
Placed inside the incubator was Riolu's Pokemon Egg.
But at this very moment, the Pokemon egg was emitting a rich and intense blue light.
"Didn't the initial prediction state it would take approximately one more week? Why is it going to hatch today?" Aoki thought to himself, surprised.
However, he quickly took the incubator from Gengar's grasp.
He carefully lifted the Pokemon egg out from within it.
The other Pokemon watching nearby all showed expectant and excited expressions.
A new companion was about to join their close-knit group.
After the incubator was opened, fully revealing the Pokemon egg inside, and without the restrictive environment of the incubator, the Pokemon egg seemed unable to hold back any longer and began to hatch immediately.
Small cracks appeared on the shell of the Pokemon egg.
A large amount of aura power emanated from the cracks, and soon the cracks became larger and more numerous.
Click, click, click——
The fragments of the Pokemon egg began to fall off bit by bit.
This revealed a very petite and delicate Pokemon inside.
The blue and black Pokemon, which looked somewhat like a small puppy, was curled up within the egg, hugging its knees with its hands and keeping its eyes closed.