Hunter Becomes Prey

The few people eyeing Aoki were no ordinary gangsters; they were members of a small gang in Goldenrod City. Although they may not have reached the level of a full-fledged gang, they were a small organization with a particular focus. Every day, they loitered in the game city, targeting those who appeared weak but were lucky enough to win money.

Today, Aoki fit their profile perfectly. Not only did his appearance seem harmless, but he had also won a substantial amount of money, which caught their attention early on. They followed him at a distance, not yet ready to strike, as they were waiting for the arrival of their other members.

Although Aoki appeared vulnerable, they followed their boss's orders: no matter the prey, they would execute their plan to the fullest. Since their organization wasn't very strong, they decided it would be best to wait until they were more confident before launching their attack.

They had already sent word to their boss, and before long, the gang members gathered and prepared to strike. For a small group like theirs, one million league coins was a huge sum, worth the risk.

Aoki, following their plans, moved toward areas with fewer people. He navigated the complex terrain of Goldenrod City, unknowingly leading himself into the alleys of the old city. The lack of crowds made it easier for the gang to follow without raising suspicion.

In the dimming light, Aoki tossed a Great Ball, summoning Murkrow. This location was perfect for him, and Aoki, wearing a brand new human skin mask, had no fear of being recognized. There were few people around, and the few that were there were too far behind to intervene.

The gang members, now growing impatient, began to close the distance between themselves and Aoki. Despite seeing Murkrow perched on his shoulder, they weren't deterred. Instead, it seemed to ignite their aggression.

Unbeknownst to them, Aoki had been controlling his pace, ensuring they stayed within reach. The corners of his mouth curled into a slight smile, and even Murkrow seemed excited, eager for a fight.

Since leaving Trial Island, Aoki had been longing for a real battle. Murkrow's desire to fight could finally be released, and the moment had come.

As dusk settled, the alley grew darker, and the few figures that had lingered earlier now disappeared. The gang members, feeling it was the perfect time, signaled their leader, who gave the order for them to advance. They moved quickly, their footsteps closing in on Aoki.

Hearing them approach, Aoki gripped a Pokéball containing Slowpoke and suddenly accelerated, darting into another alley with a single stride.

"Chase! Hurry up!" the boss shouted, realizing Aoki had noticed them. He called on his elves, summoning them to chase after the target.

But Aoki, having spent over half a month on Trial Island, was no longer the frail figure he once was. Although he wasn't muscular, the physical exercises he had done made him far stronger than before. His movements were swift, like a cheetah, darting through the alleys, and with the cover of night, he quickly lost the gang members behind him.

However, the members of the small gang were familiar with the streets of Goldenrod City. They had spent years moving between the city's various alleys, so they had a much better understanding of the terrain than Aoki. They weren't worried about losing him.

"Split up, in pairs," the boss ordered. It was safer to cover more ground, even if the prey seemed easy to catch. After all, there were not many young, powerful trainers in the city.

The gang quickly split into pairs, each disappearing into different alleys to search for Aoki.

What they didn't know was that Aoki had changed into a black suit, making it even harder to spot him in the dark alley.

His cold eyes glinted with calculation as he silently watched the gang members disperse. Murkrow, perched on his shoulder, was also alert, ready for action.

The gang had the advantage in numbers, and though their Pokémon were common like Pidgey and Beedrill, they still posed a threat when used in large numbers. But now, with the gang members spread out, they were vulnerable to Aoki's counterattack.

After taking a moment to adjust his breathing, Aoki slowly stepped out of the alley. With Murkrow's excellent night vision, he had no trouble seeing the surroundings, and they moved without a sound.

Gastly, who had been watching from the shadows, now appeared beside Aoki. In this environment, it was his domain.

Soon, Aoki spotted two of the gang members searching for him. Gastly crept up silently, using Hypnosis to put the trainers to sleep. Murkrow quickly moved in, using its speed and powerful attacks to take down the gang's Pokémon in an instant.

The gang members' Pokémon were poorly trained and easily overpowered. Their level gap was evident, and they couldn't withstand Murkrow's assault.

"Since you want to attack me, be prepared for the consequences," Aoki muttered, as both trainers fell into a deep sleep under Gastly's Hypnosis.

Aoki, with the dagger he had kept from Trial Island, quickly and efficiently ended their lives, the blade sliding into their throats. He wiped the blood off on their clothes and took any items of value, though there was little worth taking.

As for their Pokémon, Aoki had no interest in them, and Murkrow didn't hold back, dispatching them all without hesitation.

Once the two gang members were dealt with, Aoki and his Pokémon disappeared back into the darkness, continuing their hunt.