The people of Kanto were speechless.
However, what Aoki provided was still very important. After discussing a few more details, he immediately ended the call to make the necessary arrangements.
From Aoki's perspective, although he was affiliated with both Team Rocket and the League at this time, he had not done anything to significantly harm the interests of either side.
The League obtained the intelligence they needed and successfully raided a Team Rocket research base, securing a favorable outcome.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket used Aoki to mislead the League, allowing them to proceed with their plans undisturbed. Their objective had been achieved.
If Team Rocket managed to control Mewtwo, then Aoki's actions would ultimately benefit them.
However, Aoki already knew that Mewtwo would eventually break free from control. When that happened, Team Rocket wouldn't just fail in their plans—they would also become Mewtwo's primary target.
In reality, Aoki hadn't truly aided either faction, yet both believed he was on their side.
A perfect deception.
Aoki, the double agent, had played his role flawlessly.
All three parties involved—Aoki, the League, and Team Rocket—gained something, with no significant losses on any side.
Of course, the biggest casualty was Team Rocket, losing one of their research bases.
No—the true victim was the Fradali Institute. Their situation was far worse.
Initially, they had merely sought information on Mega Evolution Stones from Team Rocket. Later, they entered into a cooperative agreement, hoping to benefit from the partnership.
But now, they had been exposed by Sakaki.
Though "exposed" wasn't quite accurate.
Sakaki had simply allowed the League to verify whether the Fradali Institute was a suitable partner for Team Rocket.
It was a test—could the Fradali Institute withstand the League's scrutiny?
The high-ranking League officials in Kanto quickly terminated the video call, unwilling to endure Adams' inevitable mockery.
Aoki wasn't fully aware of the situation, but based on Adams' words, he could guess what had transpired.
Adams was fiercely protective of his subordinates.
Once the Kanto representatives disconnected, only Adams and Yui remained.
"Aoki, you've done well. Once the mission is complete, leave that unstable region as soon as possible. Kanto is still too volatile," Adams advised.
Aoki nodded in acknowledgment.
After a few more instructions, Adams ended the call.
Yui, never one for lengthy conversations, simply informed Aoki that once the League confirmed the existence of the Team Rocket base in Asahi City, his mission would be considered complete. After that, he could manage his time freely.
If possible, he should visit the Kalos region to gather intelligence on the Fradali Institute.
Aoki agreed without further comment.
He had already considered traveling to Kalos after completing the island's construction. Since Kalos was the origin of Mega Evolution, he might uncover more Mega Stones before the phenomenon became widely known.
Investigating the Fradali Institute would serve as a perfect excuse.
More importantly, Aoki suspected that the Mega Stone auctioned off had been brought by Fradali researchers.
Did that mean their institute still possessed more undiscovered Mega Stones?
The thought was thrilling.
With all calls concluded, Aoki's mission was officially complete.
The investigators standing behind him regarded him with newfound respect.
A Senior Investigator truly lived up to the title—what they had considered an impossible case had been cracked in a single day.
Not only had they uncovered critical intel, but they had also located a Team Rocket base. A monumental achievement.
Though they had contributed little, simply being associated with Aoki's success was a boon.
"Prepare your report and submit it to your superiors. You heard everything—no need for me to elaborate, correct?" Aoki said.
"Understood! Thank you, sir!" one of the mid-level investigators responded eagerly.
Aoki's implication was clear—he wasn't hogging all the credit. He would take the lion's share, but they would receive enough recognition to bolster their careers.
A gesture of goodwill.
With a wave of his hand, Aoki vanished from the room, teleported away by Slowking's powers.
The Team Rocket trade fair end was still six days away.
The following auctions likely wouldn't match today's intensity, and Aoki saw no reason to attend them all, lest he risk exposure.
Besides, any resources he needed could be purchased elsewhere.
The Pokémon he had brought served more as a deterrent in the black market than as active combatants.
That night, Aoki swapped out several of his Pokémon, teleporting them back and replacing them with a new team.
Chief among them was Pupitar.
In his hotel room, Aoki used the Unown, creating an extradimensional space—a rift in the wall leading to an illusory grassland.
With five Unown now under his command, the artificial space was larger and more stable than before.
Anything that transpired within this pocket dimension would not affect the outside world, allowing Aoki to train freely even in the confines of his room.
However, he left the rift open, ensuring his system remained connected to Porygon2 on the island.
If the link were severed, the island's development could suffer disruptions.
Once inside the alternate space, Aoki released Pupitar and Combusken.
The Mega Stone he had acquired likely belonged to one of them.
Whether it was Pupitar or Combusken, Aoki would be satisfied.
Given that the stone had been encased in Smooth Rock, Pupitar seemed the more probable candidate.
He had Pupitar approach the stone while the system monitored for energy fluctuations.
This was the fourth such test.
"Pupitar..." The Pokémon let out a low growl, sensing that the stone resonated with it.
The surrounding sediment also seemed to react to its presence.
But Aoki's focus remained on the Mega Stone.
Under the system's scan, the stone's energy spiked as Pupitar drew near.
Aoki's pulse quickened.
This was it—he had struck gold.
A Tyranitarite.
And it came with Smooth Rock!
The Sand Storm Monster was now complete.