These 20 million Pokecoins covered all the supplementary materials required for the evolution qualification potions, excluding the primary ingredients.
This included all the secondary materials needed for the evolution potions of Aoki's current Pokémon, as well as the resources for every qualified potion during their evolutionary stages.
Aoki now almost possessed everything necessary to craft qualification potions for all his Pokémon.
This meant he wouldn't have to scramble for these materials in the near future.
In addition to these supplies, Aoki also visited several Pokémon shops to purchase more Pokémon.
These weren't for his personal team but were instead intended to be raised on his private island.
The primary goal was to bolster the island's ecosystem, ensuring stability by increasing the Pokémon population and preventing any species from dwindling to the point of ecological collapse.
The Pokémon he acquired this time were predominantly Grass-types.
Given the island's current lack of dense vegetation, introducing more Grass-type Pokémon would help purify the air and promote plant growth.
Unlike predatory Pokémon, Grass-types typically contributed to their environment as they matured, enriching the soil and fostering plant life rather than depleting resources.
These Pokémon didn't necessarily need to be wild-caught; in fact, tamed ones were often easier to manage.
Aoki's selections included common Grass-types such as Oddish, Paras, Bellsprout, Tangela, Hoppip, Sunkern, and Shroomish—all relatively low-value species that were abundant in the wild.
Pokémon like Oddish, Bellsprout, and Hoppip could be found nearly anywhere, making them incredibly affordable.
The focus was on purchasing specimens with above-average potential. With Aoki's planned interventions, their abilities would improve over time.
He bought nearly a hundred Pokémon, prioritizing those with solid foundational stats, spending a total of 20 million Pokecoins.
Finally, Aoki also purchased three Bulbasaur and four Chikorita.
As starter Pokémon, their prices were significantly higher. Even with mediocre potential, sellers demanded premium prices.
The Bulbasaur and Chikorita he obtained ranged from light green to dark green in aptitude, with none reaching the cyan tier.
Despite their average quality, these seven Pokémon alone cost another 20 million Pokecoins.
In total, Aoki spent 40 million Pokecoins on Pokémon acquisitions.
Combined with the 20 million spent on supplementary materials and another 40 million on TMs, his expenditures reached a staggering 100 million Pokecoins.
Though the sum seemed enormous, it vanished in mere minutes.
With his purchases complete, Aoki left the underground market.
Instead of heading to the investigators' gathering point, he returned to his rented hotel.
Once there, he had Slowking erect a Psychic barrier to prevent eavesdropping before retrieving Team Rocket's encrypted communicator.
He dialed Shadow's contact frequency.
The call connected almost instantly.
"Lord Shadow," Aoki greeted respectfully.
Only then did the other party's voice respond, fatigue evident in their tone.
"What is it?" Shadow asked.
"Sir, I'm currently in Goldenrod City," Aoki stated.
"Oh?"
Shadow's demeanor shifted immediately.
As a high-ranking Team Rocket operative, Shadow was well aware of the organization's activities in Goldenrod City.
It wasn't unusual for Aoki to know about the trading conference—what was unusual was his involvement and this sudden communication.
"The League has tasked me with investigating Team Rocket's recent movements. They've grown wary of our sudden withdrawal from public operations," Aoki explained bluntly.
Silence lingered briefly on the other end before another voice cut in—deeper, authoritative.
"Put me through."
Aoki's expression tightened slightly.
Giovanni.
Shadow was in Giovanni's presence.
"Aoki, this is Giovanni," the voice announced, calm and measured, devoid of arrogance but carrying undeniable command.
"Boss," Aoki responded with deference.
"You're saying the League sent you to probe Team Rocket's activities?" Giovanni confirmed.
"Yes. Initially, the League dismissed our retreat as a strategic shift. But after such prolonged silence, they've grown uneasy. They recalled me from outside Kanto to investigate. I felt it necessary to report this to leadership."
Giovanni gave no outward reaction.
The League's scrutiny was nothing new. Their relationship with Team Rocket had always been a tangled web of espionage and counterintelligence.
Team Rocket had infiltrators in the League, just as the League had spies within Team Rocket.
Some were known; others remained hidden.
Giovanni had no intention of addressing this directly.
In his eyes, operatives were motivated by rewards, not speeches.
"Tell them Team Rocket is consolidating resources to collaborate with the Kalos-based Fradari Labs on mass-producing specialized battle armor," Giovanni instructed after a moment's thought.
It was a plausible excuse, one that would satisfy the League without revealing their true plans.
"Understood," Aoki acknowledged.
He had seen prototype armor resembling Team Flare's designs at an auction but hadn't realized Team Rocket was already negotiating with Lysandre's faction.
Perhaps Team Flare didn't even exist yet—everything was still under the guise of Fradari Labs.
That would explain why the Mega Stone had been relegated to the auction's lower tiers.
Giovanni's plan was killing two bird with one stone:
If Fradari Labs survived League scrutiny, collaboration could proceed.
If the League dismantled them, Team Rocket would avoid direct backlash while redirecting attention elsewhere.
A clean, risk-free maneuver.
"Did you participate in the auction?" Giovanni asked abruptly.
"Yes."
"Good. Gather intelligence on the major families present. Feed it to the League."
Aoki's instincts sharpened.
Giovanni wasn't just diverting attention—he was sowing discord within the League itself.
While it wouldn't cripple them, the ensuing internal strife would buy Team Rocket more time. This was now killing three birds with one stone.
"I'll see to it," Aoki affirmed.
"But..." Giovanni continued.