Everyone's face showed more confidence, and many smiles could be seen.
With Drake as the strongest fighting force and Aoki as the super logistics support, they were much less afraid of this space.
"How is it? Is the consumption high?" Drake asked.
Aoki took out a Pokeblock and gave it to the two Bulbasaur to eat, then took out the Pokeblock specially made by Florges and gave it to her.
Shaking his head, he replied, "No problem."
After saying that, he took out some healing potions and special pills from his storage space and handed them to Drake, Steven, and Phoebe.
"These are powerful recovery potions I specially made. If a Pokémon is injured, it can recover quickly after taking them.
Although this space is mysterious and dangerous, it also contains a large number of treasures. The ingredients for these potions were collected from here." Aoki explained.
Steven and Phoebe happily accepted the gift.
Of course, they had no intention of being polite to Aoki.
Moreover, in their opinion, although Aoki was currently only a mid-level Breeder, he was completely hiding his true capabilities.
Steven and Phoebe were the first to disagree if someone claimed Aoki didn't have the ability of a high-level Breeder.
Did people really think they were fools?
Could an intermediate Breeder also create special high-level Pokeblocks?
It was just that no one said it out loud.
In their eyes, Aoki's achievements as a Trainer were already impressive enough. If he continued advancing as a Breeder, not to mention other factions, the League would go crazy first.
Should he focus on being a Trainer or a Breeder?
Aoki himself was a Trainer, so he concealed his abilities as a Breeder.
In truth, they misunderstood Aoki.
Was Aoki unwilling to take the assessment for an advanced Breeder?
No!
There simply wasn't enough time!
Drake did not refuse and accepted the items happily. He also didn't keep his distance from Aoki.
After the treatment was completed and preparations were made, the four of them sat in the room, waiting for nightfall.
...
In the mysterious space, the sky was in chaos.
Yet, there was still a distinction between day and night.
There was even moonlight at night.
Taking advantage of the darkness, Aoki and the others led the League members out of the base and headed toward the edge of the space.
"Slowking has left psychic coordinates on my two Venusaur. As long as you stay with them, we'll be able to find you.
At the same time, Venusaur will temporarily protect your safety," Aoki told everyone.
After the group healing session during the day, Aoki's popularity among the crowd had risen to second only to Drake's.
Moreover, his strength had also been recognized, so no one doubted his words.
"As investigators, you two will be in command of these two Venusaur for now. You must protect everyone," Aoki said to the two in front of him.
"Yes!" Both of them responded with determination and passion.
The Chief Investigator was their top superior.
"Let's go." After giving instructions, Aoki turned to Drake and the others.
Drake nodded.
The four of them vanished from sight with the help of Slowking's Teleport.
After they disappeared, the two investigators immediately led the group further away.
They didn't want to become a burden to Drake and the others—the farther they went, the better.
Aoki and the other three returned to their previous camp.
"Before the final operation, I want to remind you again.
If you encounter a situation you can't handle later, don't force yourselves. If you face a powerful enemy, your first choice should be escape!
If escape isn't possible, hold out until I arrive," Drake said seriously.
Aoki and the other two wore equally solemn expressions.
They nodded firmly.
The danger of this mission was unimaginable.
"Let's move!" With that, Drake summoned his Dragonite and took off first.
Next was Steven's Aerodactyl.
Phoebe didn't have a flying mount, so she rode on Drake's Dragonite.
Finally, Aoki stood atop his Flygon.
There was no harm in comparison. Normally, Flygon was a decent mount, but now the gap was becoming apparent.
The main issue was that Flygon's strength hadn't kept up.
It was fine for general travel, but in urgent situations, it fell short.
The three Flying-types soared at high altitude, staying within the range covered by the branches of the Tree of Life. Hidden beneath its leaves, their presence was nearly undetectable.
At this point, they could have followed the branches straight to the central trunk of the Tree of Life.
But flying was still slightly faster and quieter. It was unknown whether any traps had been set along the branches.
Steven slowed his Aerodactyl's speed, bringing it alongside Aoki.
Looking at Steven's Aerodactyl, Aoki's eyes gleamed with interest.
During the Sinnoh Tournament, Steven's Aerodactyl had undergone unusual changes. Black rocks had sprouted from its wings and body.
Outwardly, it still resembled a normal Aerodactyl, but in truth, only Aoki knew that it was now in a transitional state between a regular Aerodactyl and its Mega form.
He still didn't understand why these changes had occurred.
Pokémon: Aerodactyl (Light Blue)
Gender: Male
Level: 63
Type: Rock / Flying
Ability: Rock Head
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Steel Wing, Dragon Breath, Roost, Tailwind
Basic Moves: Iron Head, Ice Fang, Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, Wing Attack, Supersonic, Bite, Scary Face, Roar, Agility, Ancient Power, Crunch, Take Down, Sky Drop, Iron Head
Learnt Moves: Heat Wave, Earth Power, Dragon Pulse, Stealth Rock, Sky Attack
TM Moves: Body Slam, Dragon Claw, Hyper Beam, Earthquake, Flamethrower, Rest, Rock Throw, Rock Slide, Sleep Talk, Substitute
Even the system couldn't analyze the transformation.
Perhaps the answer would only become clear once Aerodactyl fully assumed its Mega form.
"Something wrong?" Steven noticed Aoki staring at his Aerodactyl and asked.
Aoki snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head. "Nothing. Just admiring how well-trained your Aerodactyl is."
Steven smiled and patted his Aerodactyl's back without elaborating. "Aoki, what do you think caused this space and the Tree of Life to appear?
When Phoebe and I first entered, the Tree of Life wasn't here. It grew almost overnight."
Aoki had no answers either and replied honestly, "I don't know. But I have a feeling their goal is connected to the Tree of Life's sudden appearance. Maybe we'll learn something from them."
"I think so too. Be careful later," Steven said before urging his Aerodactyl forward to rejoin the others.
Aoki nodded, his gaze shifting to the massive tree trunk now almost within reach.
Aside from its colossal size, it looked no different from an ordinary tree.