Then maybe Yang Dou really didn't know.
The only one who truly understood what lay within this space might have been Mitchell.
"Then tell me what you know about the Hunter's Guild, Team Magma, or Team Aqua in this space." Aoki didn't dwell too much on the issue.
The answers would come in time, but practical knowledge was more valuable now.
"I only know about some arrangements between our guild and Team Magma. I wasn't responsible for contacting Team Aqua, so I'm not very familiar with their operations." Yang Dou admitted.
Aoki nodded, gesturing for him to continue.
Yang Dou proceeded to reveal everything he knew about the Hunter's Guild's layout and Team Magma's positioning around the Tree of Life.
At the same time, Aoki learned the location of the League members.
"One last question. When you attacked Wattson, who was the traitor in the League that he mentioned?" Aoki's gaze sharpened as he studied Yang Dou. If he showed any sign of deception, Aoki wouldn't let him off easily.
His psychic senses allowed him to detect falsehoods to some degree.
But he had overestimated Yang Dou—the man was already broken, eager for it all to end.
He was facing death. What did the Hunter's Guild's schemes matter to him now?
Nothing at all.
So Yang Dou not only named the League traitor but also exposed several other spies the Hunter's Guild had planted within the League.
He even divulged parts of the guild's internal plans, as if determined to drag others down with him.
Aoki's eyes flickered with surprise at the revelations.
The Hunter's Guild, which always played the role of a neutral mediator, had ambitions far beyond what he'd imagined.
Still, some matters were beyond his immediate control, so he simply filed the information away for later.
Having gotten what he needed from Yang Dou, Aoki saw no reason to prolong things.
The man had betrayed his own guild's secrets without hesitation.
Satisfied with his cooperation, Aoki granted him a swift end before disposing of the body in a separate dimension.
After dealing with Yang Dou, Aoki collected all his Pokémon and valuables.
The spoils were considerable—Yang Dou, as one of the Hunter's Guild's three leaders in this expedition, had amassed significant resources.
This sealed space had remained untouched for years, and as they explored, they had discovered numerous rare treasures.
The lush vegetation provided ideal conditions for herbs, many of which had grown to exceptional quality.
Yang Dou had exploited this, stockpiling medicinal plants and precious berries through his subordinates.
His storage was well-stocked, some items even useful to Aoki himself.
Combined with the resources from Yang Dou's Champion-level Pokémon, it was a substantial haul.
Now certain of their direction, Aoki made straight for the League's base.
With Drake overseeing the League's forces, the other factions avoided provoking them unless necessary.
Entering this space had been easy—leaving would be another matter.
Finding an exit would take time.
After recalling his Pokémon and mounting Venusaur, Aoki traveled swiftly. Three hours later, they neared the League's encampment.
Perhaps for safety, the base wasn't positioned too close to the Tree of Life, maintaining some distance.
From Yang Dou, Aoki had learned that the Tree's immediate vicinity was contested by the three major factions.
Drake could handle himself alone, but with League members under his protection, caution was necessary.
Aoki made no effort to conceal his approach, and the sentries spotted him quickly.
Noticing Venusaur's imposing size and presence, they didn't act recklessly. One stayed to observe while the other rushed back to report.
Aoki noted their actions but said nothing, halting Venusaur just outside the base.
The watching sentry relaxed slightly when he stopped.
Soon, the messenger returned with reinforcements.
Drake had been alarmed by the report of a stranger riding a potential King-level Venusaur.
He strode out of the makeshift camp, his Haxorus following closely.
But upon recognizing the visitor, Drake paused, then broke into a wide grin.
"Hahaha! Aoki! Knew you'd pull through. The Tree of Life's been stirring, and you were nowhere to be seen—had me worried you'd run into trouble!" His booming laughter echoed through the camp.
Seeing a familiar face, Aoki dropped his guarded demeanor, leaping down from Venusaur with a smile.
"Ran into a few complications. Apologies for the concern, Drake."
Drake's announcement had drawn attention, and movement stirred within the camp.
Two figures burst out, spotting Aoki mid-conversation with Drake before breaking into a sprint.
"Aoki!"
"Aoki—!"
Their voices carried clearly.
Drake chuckled. "Seems your friends missed you."
"Yeah." Aoki nodded slightly, watching the approaching figures.
Steven and Phoebe—both looking far different from when they'd parted.
Steven, though his fine coat was dirtied, still carried himself with his usual grace.
Phoebe, however, had changed drastically.
Though strong before, she'd lacked the hardened edge of a seasoned Trainer—more like a League-raised prodigy.
But after days surviving in this harsh space, the difference was night and day.
Now she moved like a veteran, a far cry from the sheltered girl she'd been.
If her grandfather saw her now, he'd be far more at ease letting her travel independently.
She still had some youthful naivety—enough that she might still be tricked—but the transformation had begun.
"Steven! Phoebe! Long time." Aoki grinned.
Thud.
He and Steven bumped fists out of habit.
Phoebe, however, after her initial excitement, suddenly puffed out her cheeks in a pout.