Hearing the two people's shouts, Aoki angrily gave each of them a slap on the head.
"Can you speak?!"
"Can you speak?!"
"What son-in-law?!"
But truthfully, Aoki was tempted for a brief moment.
This was an opportunity that most people could only dream of—a chance to rise to the top in an instant.
If he accepted Chief Jenny's offer, he could achieve his goals effortlessly.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
All he had to do was agree.
However, the Jenny family undoubtedly had strict conditions.
From the founding of the League until now, there had been those who married into the Jenny family.
Yet, perhaps due to the family's overwhelming genes, every child born looked exactly like a Jenny.
That was terrifying in its own way.
Moreover, as a man entering a matriarchal family, Aoki had serious doubts about his future standing.
From Chief Jenny's tone, it was clear there were unspoken expectations.
Champion Drake, ever perceptive, understood immediately.
It was all about Aoki's potential.
Truthfully, Drake himself recognized Aoki's talent.
Aoki, Steven, Phoebe, and Wallace.
Aoki and Steven were the most gifted, and currently, they seemed evenly matched.
However, Aoki had more field experience, making him slightly stronger in battle.
But Steven had the backing of the Stone family—his growth wouldn't slow down. In fact, it might accelerate.
Drake suspected that soon, with the Stone family's dedicated training and Devon Corporation's resources, Steven would eventually reach his level.
With a little publicity, Steven's status in the League would skyrocket.
This had been part of the agreement when the League first established itself in Hoenn, partnering with the region's most influential family.
Even Champion Adams couldn't oppose it.
So while Steven's progress was impressive, it wasn't entirely surprising.
Steven had talent, and the Stone family had resources—this outcome was inevitable.
But Aoki was different.
As someone without a prestigious background, his rise was nothing short of astonishing.
Many wondered how he had gotten this far without a powerful family's support.
What if a family did step forward to sponsor him?
What would happen then?
No one could say for sure, but the possibilities were staggering.
The Jenny family was merely the first to make an offer.
More would follow—Drake was certain of that.
Now, it was up to Aoki.
Joining the Jenny family meant accelerated growth, but also restrictions—starting with marrying into their lineage.
Otherwise, why would they invest in him?
If Aoki could accept those terms, this was his best path forward.
But if he had any pride as a Trainer, he wouldn't take the easy way out.
He had come this far on his own—why stop now?
Joining the Jenny family would save time, but what else did it offer?
Rare Pokémon?
Aoki's Tyranitar was already on par with Steven's Shiny Metagross.
Any gap that might have existed had been closed.
And Drake knew Aoki had a Bagon.
If that Bagon reached the same level as his Tyranitar, Aoki's future would be limitless—even beyond Drake's own expectations.
Watching Aoki lost in thought, Drake felt a pang of regret.
Why didn't he have a granddaughter?
Then the Jenny family wouldn't have gotten the first move.
Was it just because they had more women in their family?
If he had a granddaughter, she wouldn't need Aoki to marry in—she could marry him outright.
They all seemed to forget Aoki was only seventeen.
Aoki wasn't actually considering Chief Jenny's offer.
There was no real choice here. After a fleeting moment of temptation, refusal was the only answer.
He was entering his prime, his strength growing rapidly—why shackle himself to a family's demands?
Even without the Jenny family's help, Aoki was confident in his own path.
Besides, he was already the Chief Investigator, a future Elite Four candidate, and someone Champion Adams trusted.
Would he throw that away for the Jenny family's offer?
Did he want to stay in the League or not?
After a brief deliberation, Aoki made his decision.
Resources were scarce now, but he could earn them himself.
As his strength grew, so would his opportunities.
Steven and Phoebe were still snickering, waiting to see what Aoki would say.
Aoki looked up and addressed Drake.
"Champion Drake, Gordon isn't the only one in the League working with the Hunter's Guild. There must be others—otherwise, they wouldn't have known about the island so quickly."
Drake blinked, caught off guard.
What kind of answer was that?
Hadn't they been discussing the Jenny family?
"Ah—yes, that's likely. But, Aoki, Chief Jenny's proposal—" Drake began, only to be cut off.
"Champion Drake, please don't joke with me. Chief Jenny was obviously just teasing me. We shouldn't take it seriously." Aoki smiled, waving a hand dismissively.
Steven and Phoebe exchanged glances.
A joke?
But then, a thought struck Steven.
Marrying into a family…
The Stone family could arrange that too.
With their backing, Aoki's growth would be unstoppable.
And there were plenty of unmarried sisters in the family.
For a moment, Steven's mind wandered.
Training and battling Aoki every day… wouldn't that make them both stronger?
He needed to call his father.
Drake, understanding Aoki's meaning, nodded slowly.
A polite refusal, then.