The next morning, Aoki and Kamizrei resumed their journey toward Lavaridge Town. They had already wasted enough time in the past few days, and Aoki was eager to reach Lavaridge as soon as possible to challenge Flannery, the Gym Leader specializing in Fire-type Pokémon.
As they traveled through the dense jungle, they gradually approached a road leading toward their destination. Once they got onto the main path, reaching Lavaridge Town would be a simple matter.
Along the way, Aoki continued training Bagon. With Greninja having evolved and reached an Elite-level threshold, his current focus was ensuring Bagon's growth. Once it evolved into Salamence, its strength would increase exponentially.
Moreover, with Salamencite in Aoki's possession, Mega Evolution would make it an even more formidable force.
Suddenly, a low, distant rumbling caught Aoki's attention.
Rumbling… rumbling…
Kamizrei heard it too and instinctively looked up. A massive black shadow loomed in the sky, rapidly approaching.
"That's a helicopter…" Kamizrei muttered.
Aoki narrowed his eyes. "Could it be from a villainous organization?"
From his experience, only villainous groups used helicopters to operate in such areas. Legitimate organizations and ordinary trainers rarely had access to them.
Up in the sky, the helicopter indeed belonged to a villainous group—specifically, the Pokémon Hunters.
This aircraft was under the command of Hunter K, one of the more notorious Pokémon poachers operating in Hoenn. Within the Hunter's Association, those capable of affording their own specialized aircraft were often among the most dangerous and successful members.
Hunter K was seated by the window, tilting a glass of red wine in his hand. His expression was one of supreme confidence.
"This mission turned out to be quite lucrative," he mused aloud. "With the Pokémon we've captured, I should be able to fetch an excellent price."
A subordinate sitting beside him quickly flattered, "Congratulations, sir! With the profits from this batch, you could afford to purchase a pseudo-legendary Pokémon. That would push you closer to an Elite-level trainer!"
Hunter K smirked at the idea. He had always dreamed of obtaining a pseudo-legendary Pokémon, and he was finally close to affording one.
Just as he was lost in thought, his gaze happened to land on Aoki far below.
His eyes narrowed.
At Aoki's side was Bagon—a Pokémon he instantly recognized.
"A pseudo-legendary… Bagon?"
Hunter K suddenly burst into laughter.
"What incredible luck! Just as I was planning to acquire a strong Pokémon, one appears right in front of me."
He immediately issued a command:
"Bring us closer. That Bagon will be mine."
The helicopter rapidly descended, moving toward Aoki and Kamizrei.
Kamizrei tensed. "Aoki, they're heading straight for us."
She recalled their previous encounter with Team Aqua and now found themselves in another predicament.
"The world really is full of chaos…" she muttered.
Aoki, however, remained composed.
"Don't worry. It won't be anything serious."
His eyes locked onto the helicopter as he analyzed the approaching enemy.
Through the Eye of Data, he detected a golden treasure chest on Hunter K, indicating he wasn't exceptionally powerful—likely around the quasi-Elite level.
Aoki smirked.
He already had two Elite-level Pokémon, and with Boss Lairon's Mega Evolution, he held the advantage.
Moments later, the helicopter came to a halt, and over a dozen men leaped down.
Leading them was Hunter K himself.
"Kid, hand over that Bagon—and the rest of your Pokémon," Hunter K sneered. "Do that, and I might let you walk away alive."
Aoki's response was immediate.
"Bagon, Flamethrower."
Without hesitation, Bagon unleashed a torrent of searing flames, aiming directly at Hunter K.
The poacher's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected Aoki to attack without hesitation.
"Not good! Nidoking, Poison Sting!"
Hunter K reacted instinctively, releasing a massive Nidoking from a Poké Ball.
As soon as it appeared, Nidoking opened its mouth and spat out a barrage of poison-laced needles, intercepting Bagon's flames midair.
The two attacks clashed, causing an explosion that sent embers and poisonous barbs flying.
Aoki's expression didn't change.
"Tyranitar, Hydro Pump!"
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed a Luxury Ball into the air.
A massive Gyarados emerged, its roar echoing across the jungle.
With its fearsome presence, the Elite-level Gyarados immediately took action.
Opening its jaws, it unleashed a powerful Hydro Pump, sending a torrent of water directly toward Nidoking.
Hunter K panicked.
"Nidoking, dodge!"
Despite its massive size, Nidoking was surprisingly agile. It leapt sideways, narrowly avoiding the blast.
"That was close…" Hunter K muttered.
Aoki's gaze sharpened.
Through Eye of Data, he examined Nidoking's details:
• Name: Nidoking
• Strength: Elite-level (Profound meaning: Small mastery)
• Potential: Elite
His suspicions were confirmed.
"So that's why he has an Elite Pokémon…" Aoki muttered.
It was clear now—Hunter K hadn't trained this Nidoking from scratch. Instead, he must have bought it from the underground market.
Hunter K grinned smugly, noticing Aoki's brief pause.
"How about that? This Nidoking cost me a fortune," he boasted. "I thought I was scammed at first, but after accidentally feeding it high-quality berries, it turned out to be a hidden gem. Now, it's an Elite-level powerhouse!"
Aoki remained unfazed.
A Pokémon obtained through purchase would never match the potential of one raised from the ground up.
This Nidoking wasn't battle-hardened—it was just a lucky find.
"No wonder he only has a Saffron treasure chest despite having an Elite-level Pokémon," Aoki mused.
Hunter K wasn't a true Elite-level trainer—he just happened to acquire a powerful Pokémon through luck.
"Gyarados, Hydro Pump again!"
Aoki gave the order with authority, his gaze cold.
Gyarados roared, gathering even more power. This Hydro Pump was stronger than before, carrying an overwhelming force.
Hunter K's confidence faltered as he felt the shockwave of power from Aoki's Pokémon.
"That strength… Is that Gyarados an Elite-level Pokémon?!"
Panic crept into his voice.
"Nidoking, Mega Horn!"
Nidoking bent low, its horn glowing with energy as it charged toward Gyarados, preparing for a head-on collision.
The battle had only just begun.
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