"It's still a bit far from enough. Your Dragonite's strength is beyond doubt. I can only use some clever tricks." Aoki shook his head slowly, walked to Slowking's side, and helped treat some of the hidden injuries on its body.
Both of them had completed their missions, and Lance was preparing to leave, but before departing, he proposed a direct battle with Aoki.
Both used their ace Pokémon—Dragonite versus Slowking.
The final winner was Dragonite, though it was severely injured.
Meanwhile, Slowking had nearly lost its ability to fight.
The outcome made it clear who had won and who had lost.
This result wasn't beyond either of their expectations, and in fact, Lance held an even higher opinion of Aoki now.
With such strength at his age, Lance himself hadn't been this strong back then.
After all, Lance was three years older than Aoki, and that gap wasn't something easily closed.
Still, it had to be said that Aoki was gradually catching up to Lance and Steven. Though he might still be slightly behind, the distance wasn't insurmountable.
Given a little more time, surpassing them wasn't impossible.
Through this battle with Lance, Aoki had a rough idea of where he stood among the younger generation in the League.
"This isn't just cleverness—it's strategy, and that's a form of strength in itself. I'll report this battle to the Hoenn League. Someone like you shouldn't be overlooked."
Lance smiled and pulled out a camera, shaking it slightly in front of Aoki.
The photo had been taken earlier with Aoki's permission, originally meant as a simple memento.
But now, it seemed it would serve a greater purpose.
Aoki gave a resigned smile but didn't protest. This was exactly what he wanted—recognition from the League would open doors for him.
Displaying his skills now would secure him more resources later.
After treating Slowking's injuries, he handed it over to Nurse Joy, along with Lance's Dragonite.
"I'll be heading back soon. What about you?" Lance asked as they sat in the Pokémon Center's waiting area.
"I'm nearly finished here too. There's just one last thing I need to take care of before I return," Aoki replied.
Lance nodded. "Who knows when we'll meet again. Hoenn isn't too far from Kanto—visit sometime if you get the chance."
Lance would be returning to Kanto to wrap up his long mission, while Aoki would be going back to Hoenn.
Aoki lowered his head, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "I don't think it'll be too long. I might be in Kanto sooner than expected."
As for why he'd be going to Kanto, Aoki didn't elaborate, and Lance didn't press.
Soon, both Pokémon had fully recovered.
"Let's go," Lance said, clapping Aoki on the shoulder casually before flicking his cape and striding out.
He summoned Dragonite and took off toward the airport.
Flying openly in Lumiose City suited Lance's bold personality.
Aoki watched him leave without a word.
Upon returning, Lance would likely assume the role of Kanto's chief investigator, further solidifying his standing in the League.
"I wonder how long until Kanto splits," Aoki mused silently before leaving the Pokémon Center.
The eventual division of Kanto presented opportunities—ones he intended to take full advantage of.
Exiting the center, Aoki didn't linger in Lumiose City. Instead, he headed directly north.
Avoiding unnecessary wild battles, he rode his Flygon straight to the northernmost city in Kalos—Laverre City.
Laverre was a city of some renown in Kalos.
It was well-known that Kalosians adored coffee, with cafés lining every street.
But what many outsiders overlooked was their love for aromatherapy—a cultural staple so ingrained that its significance often went unnoticed.
If the average Kalosian realized just how much incense they burned yearly, even they'd be shocked.
Aoki's goal in visiting Laverre was simple: to acquire aromatherapy recipes and production methods.
What was commonplace in Kalos could be marketed as exotic elsewhere.
Opening an aromatherapy shop in Verdanturf Town seemed like a guaranteed success.
With the raw materials easily grown on his island, production costs would be minimal.
Aromatherapy was expensive yet highly sought after, particularly among the wealthy.
Its true value lay in its formulas and crafting techniques—similar to Pokéblocks.
Different blends had different effects, some even benefiting Pokémon directly.
Yet outside Kalos, few understood how these were made.
By monopolizing aromatherapy production in Hoenn, Aoki could dominate the market.
Keeping the key formulas secret would allow him to establish a chain of shops across the region.
Profit would follow swiftly.
Securing the recipes was Aoki's final objective for this Kalos trip.
His interference in Team Flare's formation and Lysandre's plans had already exceeded his initial goals.
Currently, Laverre City lacked an official gym.
But in the future, it would house the world's first Fairy-type gym, established with the Kalos League's backing.
Three days later, at Hoenn's airport.
Aoki stepped out.
It had taken him only a day to obtain the desired aromatherapy formulas in Laverre.
Given how widespread the industry was in Kalos, the recipes weren't heavily guarded, making acquisition easy.
He'd also purchased samples for testing.
Every objective for this Kalos journey had been met.
His Pokémon had grown significantly stronger, and he'd officially crossed into the Champion tier of Trainers.
That alone was immensely satisfying.
Beyond that, he'd secured three Mega Stones and twenty Key Stones.
He'd even outmaneuvered Lysandre in the end. Though he hadn't crippled him, every major decision Team Flare made would now pass through Aoki first.
From overarching goals to individual missions, nothing escaped his notice.
Just after leaving the airport, his communicator buzzed.
"Adams… the President?" Aoki's expression sharpened at the name on the screen.
For Adams to contact him the moment he landed was unexpected.
He answered immediately.
"Mr. President, you needed me?"
Adams' cheerful voice came through. "Aoki! Free at the moment? Come to League Headquarters."