"Oh, by the way, you have a Slowking who can use Teleport, so you are a bit unscrupulous. The people I sent last time failed to stop you from teleporting. It is probably because your Slowking has broken through to a higher level. Be careful." Furukai's expression changed again, from a cold look to a calm one.
It is not unreasonable for Furukai to have joined Team Rocket as a commoner and risen through the ranks in an organization full of internal struggles.
At that time, he was also bringing along a younger brother who hadn't yet grown strong.
His ability to shift his demeanor and manipulate situations is truly something to behold.
If things had developed normally, Furukai would have become a Team Rocket executive in the future. Then, with his brother's support, Guga would have become a provisional executive before Aoki left, with a high chance of eventually becoming a full executive.
If the two brothers had stayed united, they might have formed their own faction within Team Rocket, perhaps even becoming a significant branch of the organization.
But in this life, due to Aoki's interference, Guga died young, and now Furukai is taking a great risk by trying to eliminate Aoki early.
There's no other choice—the threat Aoki poses is too great. Even the top-tier Trainers among the Elite Four that Furukai sent last time were wiped out by Aoki. Now, he has no one left to send except himself.
He can't afford to wait any longer. If Aoki discovers his plans, even Sakagi would take action against him.
Furukai would rather risk Sakagi finding out and leave Team Rocket entirely. If he flees to regions like Johto or Sinnoh and seeks refuge with local underground factions, he wouldn't have to worry about Sakagi or Team Rocket pursuing him.
Those factions would surely be eager to learn Team Rocket's secrets.
Originally, he hadn't wanted to take such drastic measures. After all, he had spent years building connections within Team Rocket, and his superiors had high expectations for him. As long as his strength met the requirements, he would soon have been promoted to executive.
If he were just an ordinary Team Rocket officer, even if his actions were discovered, he would only face minor penalties—just enough to maintain appearances.
The difference between a provisional executive and an ordinary officer is significant, otherwise there wouldn't be separate titles for them.
But now, he has no choice. Aoki's growth rate is too fast. If he waits any longer, Aoki's strength might surpass his own, and then he would be the one in danger.
By then, Sakagi would support Aoki, and no one would dare to oppose him.
Rather than waiting for a slow defeat, Furukai has decided to take the risk—betting on whether Team Rocket values Aoki more than him, a provisional executive.
In truth, both of them understand the harsh reality: the organization favors those who are alive and useful. Team Rocket wouldn't punish a valuable asset just to avenge a dead man.
Many hesitate to act against Aoki because they fear failing to eliminate him in one strike.
But Furukai is now going all out—he no longer has such concerns.
Furukai took out a Luxury Ball and threw it, summoning an Exeggutor.
Exeggutor is a Grass- and Psychic-type Pokémon. While its defenses are average, it's clear that Furukai intends to use it against Aoki's Slowking.
Aoki activated his system and scanned the Exeggutor's data.
Pokémon: Exeggutor (Light Cyan)
Gender: Female
Level: 58
Type: Grass / Psychic
Ability: Chlorophyll
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Synthesis, Ancient Power, Ingrain
Basic Moves: Barrage, Uproar, Hypnosis, Reflect, Leech Seed, Bullet Seed, Stun Spore, Poison Powder, Sleep Powder, Psychic, Worry Seed, Stomp, Seed Bomb, Psyshock, Egg Bomb, Wood Hammer, Leaf Storm
Learnt Moves: Teleport, Giga Drain, Stomp, Zen Headbutt
TM Moves: Trick Room, Grass Knot, Dream Eater, Light Screen
This was another Pokémon close to Champion-level strength. After seeing its data, Aoki understood that Furukai was truly determined to kill him here.
"Well? Will you send out your Slowking to see whose Psychic powers are stronger?" Furukai smiled brightly, but his eyes were cold.
This was a man who had mastered deception to the point where it was second nature.
Aoki analyzed Furukai silently.
Though he wasn't wearing a literal mask, he had always hidden his true thoughts behind a façade.
"Did you follow me all this way just to show me what you've prepared?" Aoki replied calmly.
"No, no. I simply wanted to see if an opportunity would arise. I didn't expect you to lead me to this deserted island. With no one around, once you're gone, no one will know it was me. I can return and continue as Team Rocket's provisional executive—soon to be a full executive." Furukai smirked.
"I'm curious—how did you know I would be in Slateport City and choose to sail from there?" Aoki's voice remained steady, but his Flygon shuddered beside him.
Even facing the opponent's powerful Pokémon, Flygon hadn't reacted like this. But something in Aoki's tone sent a chill through it.
Aoki was furious, but he concealed it well.
Very few people knew his travel plans. If Furukai had such precise information, Aoki had to consider the possibility of a traitor within his own team.
"You know what kind of organization Team Rocket is. Did you really think your so-called Sky Team would be any different?" Furukai taunted.
Anyone would be enraged upon learning their subordinates had betrayed them.
Furukai truly saw Aoki as a rival, despite the current difference in strength. He was doing everything he could to provoke Aoki, hoping anger would cloud his judgment in battle.
Psychological warfare was one of Furukai's specialties.
But he didn't realize that Aoki was no ordinary sixteen-year-old. His mind was far more experienced.
Gradually, Aoki's anger faded.
Instead, he pitied Furukai. Despite his power, he still acted like a coward—scheming, paranoid, and self-deluded.
He lacked the bearing of a true Champion.
A strong Trainer without the spirit of one was worthless.
Even Sakagi, as the leader of an underground syndicate, carried himself with the presence of a true powerhouse.
Furukai had spent too long in the shadows. He had forgotten how to stand in the light.
And that was exactly what Aoki despised.