After the emergency meeting, Aoki returned to his temporary tent. Because of his special status, he had a tent to himself, with Steven and the others situated right next to him. However, this time he did not go to exchange experiences with Steven and the others; instead, he returned to his tent alone. Steven and the others did not disturb him, thinking he was simply tired from the busy back-and-forth battles that had taken place during the day. But in reality, after returning to his tent, Aoki used his psychic powers to create a sound-blocking barrier and dialed the communication number for Rose, who was currently at the Sky Hunters base in Mauville City.
The communicator connected. "Sir," Rose's respectful voice sounded through the device. "How have things been recently?" Aoki asked indifferently. "As per your instructions, we did not participate in the so-called 'feast' of the underground forces. We have just diligently focused on our own affairs. The League seems to have become more at ease with us after a period of observation and has not taken any particularly targeted actions. We are preparing to reopen the black market, as our losses have been considerable during this period," Rose reported concisely.
Hearing the report, Aoki was quite pleased with Rose and her team's way of handling things and their obedience. Underground forces, such secondary elements, were indeed best managed by others. "The black market can indeed be reopened. The League's attention will not be on us. However, during this period, you should double, or even more, all prices for supplies and Pokémon for sale, and then aggressively acquire rare materials being sold at low prices. Pay attention to the movements of Team Magma and Team Aqua members operating in the shadows. Any valuable items they are offloading can be bought back at low prices. It is best to conduct bartering, suppress their prices, and raise ours!" Aoki instructed.
Upon hearing Aoki's words, Rose immediately understood the situation. It seemed Team Magma and Team Aqua were preparing for a war of attrition with the League, and the Sky Hunters could make a fortune during this period, profiting from the conflict. At this time, some essential materials and fully developed Pokémon were absolutely of very high value. The premium was entirely reasonable. Previously, they would have worried about selling at such high prices to Team Magma and Team Aqua, fearing retaliation. But now, those teams were clearly struggling to protect themselves and had no time to spare for the Sky Hunters. "Yes!" Rose replied with some excitement.
"Also, you must always pay attention to the League's movements. It is estimated that they will target the smaller forces first in the coming period, so be prepared to take them over. I have only one request: quality over quantity!" Aoki emphasized another matter. "Yes! You can rest assured!" Rose, of course, knew what to do. Watching the Sky Hunters gradually grow stronger, her current position, similar to a head housekeeper, would also rise in status in the future. If Team Magma and Team Aqua were severely damaged by the League this time, the Sky Hunters might truly have a chance to rise! "That is all. If there are any special circumstances, report to me immediately." With that, Aoki hung up the communicator directly.
And as his main direction was determined, the previously dormant Sky Hunters immediately sprang into action. Rose's commands and tasks were issued one after another, and the Sky Hunters, this not-so-small machine, was fully activated. If it could absorb enough nutrients, it might truly have a chance to become a giant monster...
After the call with Rose, Aoki waved his hand to remove the psychic barrier and sat on his bed. This incident, both for himself and for Steven and the others, was an opportunity. Raising Pokémon is not enough just by training. After so many battles today, he could clearly feel that his Pokémon's battle skills and move proficiency were improving. A level that would normally take three days of training to achieve could be instantly improved in just one intense battle. Pokémon are naturally wondrous creatures that grow through battle. The emergence of the Trainer profession was merely to shorten the growth period of Pokémon and help them grow better. Trainers and Pokémon are a complementary combination, mutually benefiting and growing together. Therefore, if there were always such battles, Aoki would be very supportive.
However, his heart was also somewhat conflicted. Because he knew exactly what Team Magma and Team Aqua were searching for. He also knew what would happen once they found it. On one hand, he hoped to witness the legendary Pokémon Groudon and Kyogre and see what level of power they could reach. On the other hand, he feared things getting out of his control. In the original timeline, Team Magma and Team Aqua would not have found the Blue Orb and Red Orb so early. Now, the ripple effect caused by his presence, this small butterfly, was already significant. What made Aoki most unpredictable was the appearance of the so-called cult. This was the first time Aoki felt that the subsequent events were about to completely deviate from his known scope. However, thinking is thinking, and the current situation was already beyond his control. He was just a slightly larger fish in the long river of time, able only to drift with the current...
So, for a period of time after that, the League, Team Magma, and Team Aqua began a protracted tug-of-war. The League was always the active party, while Team Magma and Team Aqua became the passive defenders, resisting their advances. Both sides suffered losses in this war of attrition. However, on the League's side, the reputations of Aoki, Steven, Phoebe, and Wallace began to soar. Even the teams from Team Magma and Team Aqua had to consider their strength when encountering these four.
Especially Aoki; he was very experienced in real combat, so his growth and rise to fame were much faster than Steven and the others. When encountering Steven and the other three, Team Magma and Team Aqua needed to weigh the importance of their mission and decide whether to continue or abandon it. But when encountering Aoki, all members could unconditionally choose to abandon their mission, and they would not be held responsible for the mission's failure. This was the result Aoki had achieved during this time. Because when encountering Steven and the others, although they were strong, they were not as adept at the brutal realities of actual combat.
But Aoki was different. Once a battle with him began, not only did one need to command their Pokémon, but they also had to constantly guard their own personal safety. Such battles truly unleashed Aoki's unique and formidable fighting style. And regarding Aoki's current fighting style, Steven and the others not only did not object or question it, but even felt that Aoki's growth rate was remarkably fast and that he was someone uniquely suited for real combat. Among the League members, the calls for Aoki to become a new member of the Elite Four grew louder and louder.
Because Aoki was not only fierce and sharp in battle, but he had also saved many people. Almost everyone in the camp now had received Aoki's help at some point, and everyone would salute him in respect when they saw him. It could be said that, apart from Steven and Roxanne, Aoki's personal prestige had already reached its peak within the group. Everyone respects a strong person who has proven themselves through undeniable strength and action. Moreover, Aoki was also a Breeder, and he had a group healer like Florges, who could both charge on the front lines and provide crucial support in the rear with healing and logistics. How could such a versatile and powerful person not command deep respect from his peers?