"It's really pitiful to live like you," Aoki said.
Hearing Aoki's words, Furukai was taken aback. He immediately realized that this young Trainer, only sixteen years old, had seen through his tactics. But Furukai did not say anything more.
"In that case, let me test your level," Furukai said.
Then he threw a Luxury Ball again, and a massive Arbok appeared beside him.
This Arbok was his trump card, the original Pokemon he had trained from the start. Whether it was the intimidating Gyarados in front or the smirking Exeggutor behind, both instinctively shifted their positions to avoid interfering with the Arboks' presence. This alone showed how highly Furukai valued this Arbok.
A normal Arbok measures around 3.5 meters in length, but this one appeared to be over five meters long, its body far sturdier than an average specimen. Aoki recalled the Arbok he had once trained on Trial Island—it, too, had an unusual physique and exceptional endurance. He wondered if there was any connection between the two.
After appearing, the Arbok coiled itself into a tight spiral, shielding Furukai within its protective ring. Its massive tongue flicked in and out, its serpentine eyes locked onto Aoki with predatory focus—a gaze that marked its prey, ready to strike at any moment.
Pokemon: Arbok (Cyan)
Gender: Male
Level: 59
Type: Poison
Ability: Intimidate
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Poison Fang, Iron Tail, Pursuit, Sucker Punch
Basic Moves: Wrap, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang, Fire Fang, Glare, Poison Sting, Bite, Leer, Screech, Acid, Stockpile, Swallow, Spit Up, Acid Spray, Belch, Haze, Coil
Learnt Moves: Aqua Tail, Pin Missile, Bind, Seed Bomb, Giga Drain
TM Moves: Bulldoze, Hidden Power (Electric), Venoshock, Earthquake, Rock Tomb, Rock Slide, Poison Jab, Dark Pulse
This was the strongest Pokemon in Furukai's current team. Not only had it reached Level 59—just one step away from Champion-tier strength—but its aptitude was Cyan, indicating the potential to reach even greater heights.
Aoki suspected that this Arbok hadn't started with such high potential. Furukai must have obtained methods to enhance a Pokemon's innate abilities from Team Rocket, allowing it to grow this powerful. And Furukai, who idolized his brother, had clearly been influenced—choosing to train the Pokemon Ekans in an attempt to surpass him.
"Come on. If you think that Flygon can stop me, you don't need to summon any more Pokemon."
Aoki nodded. Furukai was right—a Flygon at the peak of Elite-level strength stood no chance against a near-Champion-tier Arbok.
Fortunately, Aoki had a trump card.
He threw another Luxury Ball, and an Altaria appeared before him.
The Altaria let out a majestic cry as it emerged, its wings flapping powerfully enough to kick up sand from the beach. Waves rippled across the sea, and the trees on the island shuddered from the force. Just by appearing, the Altaria had already made an impression.
Aoki made a mental note to reward the Altaria and his two Swablu with extra treats later.
Seeing the Altaria, Furukai stiffened. His near-Champion-tier Arbok could sense that the Altaria's aura was not only equal to its own—it was slightly stronger.
And when the Altaria appeared, the Arbok tensed, recognizing a genuine threat.
"So this is your trump card? An Altaria at the peak of pseudo-Champion strength. You've been hiding quite a lot. No wonder you've survived every assassination attempt. Did the League's old men lend you one of their guardian Pokemon?" Furukai's suspicion turned toward the League.
In Team Rocket, Aoki wasn't a high-ranking officer, so he wouldn't receive such treatment. And taming an Altaria of this caliber on his own seemed unrealistic. That left only the League's veterans as possible benefactors.
Aoki smiled but said nothing.
"Do you really think one Altaria can defeat me?" Furukai hurled three more Poké Balls.
He had intended to hold back, but now, he had no choice but to go all out.
A Level 57 Pigeot (Dark Green aptitude), a Level 55 Nidoking (Light Cyan aptitude), and a Level 55 Crobat (Cyan aptitude).
Six Pokemon in total, all at pseudo-Champion level—three of them on the verge of breaking into Champion-tier strength.
Furukai was fighting seriously now.
The Altaria's expression grew tense. The opponent was formidable, and victory was far from guaranteed.
Aoki tossed another Poké Ball, summoning Slowking. In a battle of this scale, even Slowking could contribute—whereas his other Pokemon would barely make a difference.
As soon as it appeared, Slowking used Calm Mind to amplify its psychic powers.
Meanwhile, Aoki mounted his Flygon. Fighting on the ground would put him at a severe disadvantage—especially against Arbok and Exeggutor, who were restricted to land combat.
Slowking levitated beside Aoki using its psychic abilities, not rushing into battle just yet.
Aoki smirked down at Furukai. "If you want to kill me, come and try."
Then Flygon's wings beat powerfully, carrying them away from the island.
Aoki had stayed only to confirm who was targeting him. Now that Furukai had revealed his full strength, engaging him head-on would be suicide. Even with the newly trained Mismagius joining the fight, they stood no chance.
Furukai grinned. "A futile struggle."
He leaped onto Pidgeot's back, while Exeggutor levitated beside him using its own psychic powers. Gyarados and Arbok plunged into the sea, their massive forms churning the water as they pursued from below.
Storing Nidoking away, Furukai soared after Aoki on Pidgeot, flanked by Crobat and Exeggutor. Pideot's speed far surpassed Flygon's—within moments, it had closed the distance.
If not for Altaria's interference, Furukai would have already shot Aoki down.
And beneath them, Gyarados and Arbok lurked in the water, their jaws waiting to snap shut.
From Furukai's perspective, fleeing gave Aoki no advantage. Fighting to the death on the island might have allowed him to take down one or two of Furukai's Pokemon.
But he didn't see the smile on Aoki's face as he led the chase, flying steadily toward a predetermined destination.
If I suspected it might be you, do you really think I came unprepared?
Get ready for your surprise.