The four stayed in the manor for one final night.
Before dawn, Aoki was the first to leave.
It was likely that the others would depart soon after sunrise, but Aoki wasn't yet ready to head to the Hoenn region. Instead, he chose to set out ahead of them.
The mysterious island within the alternate space above Lake Valor still awaited further exploration.
Clutching a specialized device in his hand, Aoki vanished in an instant, transported by Slowking's Teleport.
After several rapid jumps through space, Aoki and Slowking materialized on the shores of Lake Valor.
In his left hand, Aoki held the device containing an egg—a Ralts egg obtained during the Sinnoh competition.
Something about this strange island, teeming with Psychic-type Pokémon, made him believe it could help Ralts grow stronger.
The four glowing symbols on his right hand pulsed as he swept his arm downward, as though unzipping reality itself. The rift to the alternate space yawned open before him.
Without hesitation, Aoki stepped through.
Navigating the chaotic space was effortless now.
Soon, he stood once more on the island's surface.
During his last visit, Aoki had explored only a quarter of the island's outer regions, focusing on training his Pokémon.
This time, he intended to push toward the center—to uncover the island's secrets.
Strangely, the egg didn't count toward his active team, meaning he could still summon three Pokémon.
He released three from their Pokéballs: Slowking, Honchkrow, and Weavile, the latter two having been absent for some time.
Due to the Sinnoh competition, Aoki had paused their training. With the tight schedule between events, they had remained confined, but that was about to change.
Honchkrow and Weavile had both reached the Quasi-Elite level.
However, being overtaken by Drapion and Florges had left them frustrated, eager to prove themselves.
Being surpassed by those two was one thing, but if Swampert and Politoed—the youngest on the team—outpaced them, it would be unbearable.
So, as soon as the Sinnoh competition ended, Aoki had summoned them back into action.
The Psychic-type Pokémon infesting this island were wildly aggressive. As Dark-types, Honchkrow and Weavile were perfectly suited for the task.
Drapion had only participated in the competition because Aoki had prioritized its training. Now, balance was being restored.
With his three Pokémon at his side, Aoki pressed deeper into the island.
Slowking had reached level 58—just two steps away from the Champion threshold. Crossing that line would mark a monumental leap in Aoki's strength.
Every member of his first-string team had now reached Quasi-Champion status. His current power had already surpassed what he'd achieved in his past life.
Back then, his strongest Pokémon had been Salamence, but aside from that, the rest of his team paled in comparison to his current roster.
In his previous life, it had taken years to reach this point. Now, less than a year after his rebirth, he stood at the cusp of Champion-level strength.
But the road ahead wouldn't be easy.
In his past life, none of his Pokémon had ever broken through to Champion status. He didn't know what barriers lay ahead—whether there would be bottlenecks, or if the path would grow even steeper.
Still, as long as he kept moving forward, Aoki believed he would eventually secure his place in this world—gaining the power to act freely, without restraint.
That was his ultimate goal.
But all of it hinged on one thing: strength.
Whether facing the League, Team Rocket, Team Magma, Team Aqua, or Team Galactic—no organization, no force, could stand against absolute power.
Why had Sakagi formed Team Rocket?
Because he knew that no single person, no matter how strong, could rule the world alone.
Even a Champion's strength wasn't enough to dominate.
No matter how vast Team Rocket's influence grew, they remained confined to Kanto. The moment they overstepped, the world would unite against them.
That was why Sakagi had poured endless resources into the Mewtwo project—why he sought the power of legendaries.
Because with that kind of strength, true control became possible.
Aoki didn't share such grand ambitions. He didn't need to reach Sakagi's level.
All he wanted was to be able to stand among the Elite Four.
That would be enough—enough to make others think twice before crossing him. Even a Champion would hesitate, knowing the cost of attacking him.
He didn't need absolute power—just enough to make his enemies wary.
And that was what Aoki was striving for.
One word summed it up: deterrence.
As for being exposed as a Team Rocket spy? Unless Sakagi himself said it, who would believe it?
Would the League take Regis' word for it?
The League didn't nurture geniuses only to let them be crushed.
If Team Rocket or Team Galactic suddenly declared, "This person is our spy," would the League's higher-ups really be fooled?
Try shouting that Wallace was a Team Aqua spy and see how many people bought it.
Of course, if Sakagi said it, that was different.
Someone of his stature wouldn't lie—and Sakaki's pride wouldn't allow it anyway.
As longtime adversaries, the League understood him well.
There was a saying: "Your greatest enemy knows you best."
Lost in thought, Aoki mapped out his next moves—his plans for Hoenn, his team's growth, the steps ahead.
With his Pokémon beside him, he advanced steadily toward the island's heart.
Wild Pokémon crossed their path—those they'd battled before stayed away, while newcomers were swiftly dealt with.
Between Slowking's Psychic prowess and the combined Dark-type onslaught of Honchkrow and Weavile, ordinary Psychic-types stood no chance.
Thankfully, the island had no large swarms, so they didn't have to worry about being overwhelmed.
By the end of the day, they had covered more than half the distance.
Aoki was closing in on the island's core.
And deep within that core, something stirred—sensing his approach, awakening.