Chapter 745 - Finally found the target

But sometimes, there is always some deviation between what a person thinks and how events unfold.

After Aoki and Steven spent two days recuperating in the manor, Aoki had to leave abruptly.

Because on the second night, while sleeping, the small device held tightly in Aoki's hands suddenly lit up. At the same time, the voice of the system echoed in his mind.

"Ding. Target located. Range locked. Proceed with narrowing the search parameters?"

Startled awake by the alert, Aoki immediately sat up. The small computer-like device in his hand was something he never let go of—not even while sleeping. Its importance to him was immeasurable.

When Aoki had initially programmed the system, he had set an urgent alert protocol—no matter the circumstances, he was to be notified the moment a trace was detected. Even if it meant being woken in the middle of the night.

Yet instead of frustration, Aoki felt exhilaration.

Finally… after all this time.

"System, maintain the locked range and continue narrowing the search. Update coordinates in real-time," Aoki commanded mentally as he swiftly dressed.

The Pokémon sleeping around the room stirred awake at his sudden movements. Years of traveling in the wild had conditioned them to remain alert even in rest.

"Return to your Pokéballs for now. I'll call you when it's time," Aoki said, recalling all but his Flygon. He then scribbled a hasty note explaining his sudden departure and pinned it to the door.

Without hesitation, Aoki leapt from the window, his descent slowed by his psychic abilities. Flygon materialized beneath him, its wings beating silently as they soared into the night.

Since they were on the outskirts of Jubilife City, Flygon only needed to fly a short distance before reaching unregulated airspace, avoiding any issues with the city's no-fly ordinance.

Now airborne, Aoki focused on the coordinates displayed by the system.

Eterna City?

Eterna City, the largest and most technologically advanced city in Sinnoh, was built upon the flattened remains of an excavated mountain. Originally, the nearby Oreburgh City had been a coal-mining hub, but once the resources were depleted, the barren land was repurposed into a sprawling metropolis. Many of Oreburgh's residents migrated to Eterna City due to its cleaner environment, and over time, it became Sinnoh's center of technological innovation.

No wonder the system took so long to locate it. Hiding in a city this advanced would naturally interfere with scans.

The night air was crisp, sharpening Aoki's focus as Flygon carried them onward. Compared to the importance of his objective, losing a little sleep was trivial.

If necessary, he was prepared to forfeit the Sinnoh League Championships entirely. What he sought was far more critical to his future growth.

Still, if things went smoothly, he might still make it back in time for the second round.

"System, maintain real-time tracking. Narrow the search radius as much as possible—we can't afford to lose it," Aoki reinforced his command.

"Ding. Target confirmed within Eterna City. Immediate action recommended. Estimated resistance duration: 72 hours."

A timer appeared on the holographic display.

Three days… That should be enough. If all goes well, I can still compete.

He patted Flygon's back, signaling for greater speed. The dragon Pokémon obeyed, wings beating faster as Aoki fed it a Pokéblock for stamina.

Time was of the essence.

Fortunately, the distance between Jubilife City and Eterna City wasn't vast. Flying above the League-approved routes minimized encounters with wild Pokémon, ensuring an unimpeded journey.

By dusk the following day, they arrived at Eterna City.

Aoki altered his appearance—discarding any League or Team Rocket-associated attire. This was a temporary disguise, necessary for the task at hand.

Storing Flygon, he entered the city just as the neon glow of technology illuminated the streets. Eterna City thrived at all hours, its brilliance undimmed by nightfall.

Disguised in plain clothing, his features subtly obscured by psychic distortion, Aoki navigated the labyrinthine alleys.

The system had narrowed the target's location to a district, but pinpointing it required proximity.

This was a task demanding precision.

Unbeknownst to him, his furtive movements drew the attention of local underworld factions. To them, his presence was an encroachment—an unspoken challenge to their dominion.