Chapter 472 - Yanmega

Aoki scoured the forest for the distinctive mark of the Shadow Group.

Though he had never officially undertaken a mission for them, he had learned the basics.

After a careful search, he spotted the Shadow Group's symbol carved into the base of a towering tree. Without hesitation, he changed into a black cloak—the group's signature attire. With his Pokémon concealed, only Honchkrow remained at his side while Haunter lurked within the shadows.

Following the marked path, Aoki navigated through the forest. However, he soon noticed an excessive number of directional marks. Many were unnecessary—he could have walked straight ahead—but whoever left them had deliberately led him on a winding route. Was this meant to avoid detection? A habitual practice of the Shadow Group? Or simply a ploy to test his patience? He wasn't sure, but the redundancy made him wary.

After weaving through the dense woodland, Aoki arrived at a cave. The last mark indicated that his contact should be inside. However, instead of entering immediately, he frowned.

At first glance, the cave entrance appeared unremarkable. But with his heightened psychic senses, Aoki detected something almost invisible—a thin silk thread stretched across the entrance.

Had he not been attuned to the finest details, he might have missed it entirely.

The thread's presence suggested two possibilities. Either the contact inside had set up a security measure to detect intruders, or it was part of a trap—one that would trigger something dangerous upon disturbance.

Aoki examined the surroundings but found nothing obviously amiss. Still, an uneasy feeling gnawed at him. Caves made for good hideouts but came with a major flaw: limited escape routes. If someone blocked the entrance, the person inside would be trapped.

Instead of stepping in, Aoki used his psychic power to gently touch the thread.

For a few seconds, nothing happened.

Then—

BOOM!

A violent explosion erupted from within the cave, blasting outward. The force sent tremors through the ground as debris shot out, sealing the entrance completely.

Aoki's expression darkened.

Had he entered carelessly, he would have been caught in the blast. While his psychic abilities and Pokémon would have likely kept him alive, injury would have been unavoidable. This was no coincidence—someone had deliberately set this trap for him.

But why?

Was his supposed contact really out to kill him? And on whose orders?

Standing silently amidst the settling dust, Aoki pondered his next move.

Then, a shadow appeared on the ground.

Looking up, he saw a figure descending from the sky, clad in a black cloak similar to his own. The man rode atop a massive Yanmega, its wings buzzing ominously as it landed near the collapsed cave.

Aoki's dark eyes flickered with cold resolve.

No matter who this person was, they had attempted to take his life. And for that, he would make them pay.

He activated his system, scanning the Yanmega's data:

Pokémon: Yanmega

Gender: Male

Level: 39

Type: Bug/Flying

Ability: Tinted Lens

Held Item: None

Egg Moves: Leech Life, Signal Beam, Pursuit

Basic Moves: Bug Buzz, Air Slash, Faint Attack, Bite, Tackle, Detect, Quick Attack, Double Team, Sonic Boom, Supersonic, Uproar, Ancient Power, Feint

Learnt Moves: Bug Bite, Giga Drain, Snore

TM Moves: Protect, Hidden Power (Fire), Shadow Ball, Aerial Ace, Steel Wing, Substitute

Aoki narrowed his eyes. This Yanmega was strong, bordering on elite-level.

Which meant the man before him was no ordinary grunt.

As the figure dismounted, Aoki noted the Shadow Group emblem pinned to his chest—but no sign of Team Rocket's insignia. Likely intentional. The Hoenn region still resisted Team Rocket's influence, and openly displaying allegiance could attract unwanted attention.

The man slowly pulled back his hood, revealing a middle-aged face marred by a vicious scar stretching from cheek to cheek across the bridge of his nose. His black hair and dark eyes gave him an ordinary appearance, save for the cruel smirk twisting his lips.

With a mocking tone, he chuckled, "Well, well… You may not have run missions for the Shadow Group before, but you certainly know how to follow our marks. I thought it'd take you at least a day and a half to find this place."

Aoki ignored the taunt. His voice remained calm, but his Honchkrow stiffened beside him, sensing the anger boiling beneath his master's composed facade.

"You're with the Shadow Group?" Aoki asked coldly.

The man's smirk widened.

The game had begun.