Those who had originally intended to ambush others did not realize they had instead beco guides leading their enemies straight to them.
It sounded almost like a twisted joke.
The opportunity had been seized by Aoki.
The group they were following bore no distinctive markings on their clothing, making it impossible for Aoki to determine which faction they belonged to.
Yet they moved with clear purpose, advancing without hesitation, as if certain of their destination.
Aoki followed silently from behind, his mind racing with possibilities.
Finally, he made his decision—he would capture them first.
After all, venturing further into the unknown carried risks. Securing imdiate advantages was the safer choice.
Once resolved, Aoki commanded Slowking and Gengar to begin their hunt.
The distance between them was not insignificant, but Aoki's approach from behind made detection unlikely.
There were five targets in total.
Slowking subdued their Pokémon while Gengar immobilized the trainers, rendering them unconscious with hypnosis.
The difference in strength between a newly promoted quasi-Champion-level Pokémon and Slowking was vast.
One.
Aoki counted silently.
The process repeated.
Soon, three of the five were captured.
Including the earlier bait, that made four.
However, as the fourth was being subdued, the last remaining mber noticed.
Yet even this realization did nothing to stop Aoki.
The leader, rather than attempting a rescue, spared only a terrified glance before bolting deeper into the forest.
Seeing such cowardice, Aoki deed it ti to withdraw.
Five captives were enough for interrogation.
But as the last man fled, he scread, "Master Yangdou! Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
His mount surged forward in desperation.
Hearing the na, Aoki paused.
Yangdou?
The Hunter's Guild?
Interest flickered across his face.
It seed the Hunter's Guild had mobilized in force this ti—dispatching multiple trainers at once.
Aoki doubted Yangdou was leading this operation.
His strength was insufficient to challenge the likes of Team Magma's or Team Aqua's mbers, let alone confront Wattson. He lacked the authority.
Which ant there was soone else in charge.
That changed things.
Aoki abandoned his retreat.
With Slowking, he gave chase.
Ahead, faint smoke curled above the trees—likely the Hunter's Guild's temporary base, positioned to intercept League trainers heading toward the Tree of Life.
From the distant camp, a lone figure approached.
Though still too far to identify, the fleeing man's cries confird the newcor's identity.
"Stop!" the man bellowed.
The distance was still considerable, but Aoki reached the fleeing man before his would-be rescuer.
Still disguised, Aoki ignored the command.
In monts, the pursuer ca into view.
Aoki's interest in further captures faded.
Five were sufficient.
Instead, he made sure the last man fell right before Yangdou's eyes.
Had the man stayed silent, he might have escaped.
Had he known his cries would doom him, regret would have consud him.
Had he realized his rescuer wasn't Yangdou, he might have lived.
Now, he likely cursed Yangdou with his dying breath.
Because Aoki wanted Yangdou to witness this.
Yangdou's expression darkened, fury and shock twisting his features.
His glare burned with murderous intent.
Since when had League trainers beco so ruthless?
Weren't they supposed to take prisoners?
After all, only the League would dare ignore his orders.
But he didn't realize—Aoki had done this deliberately.
"Heh..."
A mocking laugh.
Then Aoki turned, vanishing into the trees with Slowking.
Yangdou froze.
Had he just been laughed at?
Even if this was a trap, his pride wouldn't allow retreat.
With a snarl, he gave chase.
Aoki smirked beneath his illusion.
A signal to Slowking—slow down just enough.
Don't lose him.
Don't let him give up.
This area was too close to the Hunter's Guild's camp. A battle here would draw reinforcents, ruining Aoki's chance for revenge.
Lure him away.
Then crush him where no one could interfere.
Yangdou didn't question it.
He didn't connect this Slowking to the one from his past—the one belonging to that insignificant Trainer he'd once targeted.
Even if both were shiny, he'd long forgotten minor grudges.
Back then, Aoki had been beneath his notice.
Surely the gap between them had only widened.
But he didn't know—Aoki rembered.
And Aoki held grudges.
Slowking rembered too.
This man had forced them to flee once.
Had forced them into danger.
Had indirectly led to Aoki's awakening.
Now, they would repay that debt.
So the chase continued—an hour of pursuit through dense forest, far from the Tree of Life, far from potential reinforcents.
Aoki slowed, allowing Yangdou to close in.
Then stopped entirely.
This was the place.
"Hmph. Done running? You led all this way—I expected an ambush. But it seems you were just fleeing blindly. Pathetic," Yangdou sneered.
Aoki grinned.
"Oh, there's a point. Now, when you scream for help no one will hear you."
Yangdou's eyes narrowed.
Even if Aoki removed his disguise Yangdou might not recognise him. Better to start a fight and beat him first.
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