Completing the Mission

Aoki walked inside, and the whole hall was very spacious. A high platform was set up in the middle of the hall, and an imposing chair was placed on it.

Aoki was unpretentious, walking straight to the chair and sitting down. The Murkrow followed him, flying up and perching on the back of the chair, looking down at the people below.

Aoki glanced at the people standing in two rows beneath him and couldn't help but feel a bit stunned.

No wonder so many people crave power. Sitting in a high position and looking down from above truly creates a feeling of superiority. This kind of perspective can easily make some people addicted to control.

Even in the past, Aoki never had this kind of opportunity to look down at subordinates like this. Now, it was a first.

Skye stepped forward from the group and said, "Master Aoki, we have a total of twenty-five people now, including you, making twenty-six. The average scores are around forty, though a few individuals are in the twenties or thirties. Overall, this is a powerful force in this base."

Aoki nodded silently, signaling Skye to continue.

"In addition to your first-place score, no one has dared to provoke us so far. In the last two days alone, we've collected a total of 237 points, which are currently on my ID card," Skye reported.

On this trial island, there was an unwritten rule: joining a faction to gain protection was allowed, but a 20% share of all earned points had to be handed over after completing missions. It was essentially a protection fee.

"Keep the points with you for now. If someone contributes significantly, reward them directly," Aoki instructed.

To him, such points were insignificant. After all, he had given out 1,000 points as a reward without hesitation earlier.

This group of trainers had its use on the trial island, but in the grand scheme of Team Rocket, it was nothing more than a small faction. Still, those who survived had potential above average compared to regular grunts.

Aoki had formed this group mainly to see if any promising individuals could become reliable subordinates when he eventually established himself in Team Rocket.

After listening to Skye's report, Aoki dismissed him. He wasn't the type to parade around with a group of followers. Whether in the past or present, he preferred to operate alone. He found solace and focus when he was with his Pokemon rather than managing people.

Leaving the management of the group to Skye, Aoki appreciated the man's talent for leadership. If Skye remained loyal, he might very well become Aoki's first trusted subordinate in Team Rocket.

"Don't disappoint me, Skye," Aoki murmured as he walked out of the hall with the Murkrow perched on his shoulder.

The trial rules had been adjusted by Viper, and the new test was scheduled to begin in the afternoon. Aoki decided to use the time to visit the exchange office and submit the task he had completed for Shadow.

The exchange office, usually quiet, was now bustling with activity. Trainees who had adapted to the harsh environment of the trial island were busy exchanging their hard-earned points for items to enhance their strength. However, unlike Aoki, most of them earned only a few dozen points per mission.

Many were frugal with their points, carefully calculating how to get the most out of their efforts.

When Aoki entered, he didn't draw much attention, as most were preoccupied. Only one person, standing behind the counter, noticed him immediately.

The exchange officer gestured for Aoki to come closer. As Aoki approached, the man smiled. "I didn't expect you to return so soon. The boss instructed me to send you to him directly when you arrived."

Aoki nodded and followed the officer. Behind a hidden door, he entered a familiar dimly lit corridor. Unlike the first time he had walked this path, he was much calmer now. Shadow had made it clear that as long as he had value, he wouldn't be harmed.

Upon entering the familiar room, Aoki saw Shadow sitting at a desk, flipping through a book. This time, Shadow was not hidden beneath a black robe. He had pale coffee-colored hair and white skin, likely from lack of sunlight. His features were sharp, with a mix of precision and elegance. One hand was missing two fingers, while the other was intact, with long, slender fingers.

Shadow noticed Aoki and smiled faintly. "You're here."

Aoki stepped forward, placing the Gengar's Pokeball on the desk with respect. Shadow's gaze softened as he picked up the Pokeball, his expression complex. Through the transparent casing, the Gengar inside immediately stood and looked at Shadow with a mix of longing and recognition.

"You've endured a lot, Gengar," Shadow said softly, clipping the Pokeball to his belt.

Then, turning to Aoki, he nodded approvingly. "You've done well. Someone will bring you 10,000 points shortly as a reward."

Aoki simply responded with a polite, "Yes."

Shadow seemed pleased with Aoki's calm demeanor. He leaned back in his chair, studying him. "You're not curious why I left Gengar there?"