By the time Deputymon woke up, Aomori had already returned to Ore Town.
He had harvested a wealth of intelligence this time. Unlike the simpler-minded Numemon, Deputymon was clear-headed and articulate, possessing a rich reservoir of information. Not only did Aomori gain a deep understanding of the overall geographical distribution of Server Continent, but Deputymon also detailed the various factions, large and small, across the land.
Among them, the most powerful was undoubtedly Myotismon, who controlled the mountains and plains of the central and northern regions. Following him was Etemon, who dominated the vast deserts of the southeast.
Other significant powers included SuperStarmon's Business Town, Volcamon's Volcano Island, Gigadramon's Iron City, Datamon's Underground Research Lab, and Piximon's Nature Village.
Volcamon, Gigadramon, Datamon, and Piximon were all Ultimate-level Digimon. According to Deputymon's internal ranking, each of them was stronger than SkullMeramon.
Myotismon held the top spot not only because of his individual strength but also because of the numerous powerful Ultimates under his command. The four strongest among them were known as the "Four Lesser Dark Kings," and even the formidable SkullMeramon wasn't qualified to be counted among them. This spoke volumes about the sheer might of Myotismon's forces.
However, whether Myotismon was merely biding his time or harboring some other scheme, he had not yet moved to purge these other factions, allowing them to develop freely.
"Deputymon is quite the talent!" Aomori already considered him one of his own.
With this intel, the work ahead would involve far less trial and error. Aside from Gigadramon, who was likely a subordinate of Machinedramon, the others were all potential allies to be won over. He decided to start with the nearest: SuperStarmon.
According to the reports, SuperStarmon had an intense craving for Chrome Digizoid, to the point of being willing to wage war against Myotismon for it. For Aomori, the metal was merely a luxury, not a necessity; cooperation was a viable path.
"Time to make this official."
Aomori summoned a Centarumon. Given its speed, he tasked it with delivering a message to SuperStarmon, stating he would visit the following day. Centarumon accepted the order, thick smoke billowing from the pipes on its back as it accelerated toward Business Town.
On the temporary training grounds, many Digimon had already collapsed from exhaustion, but Salamon was still running slow laps. Its small red tongue lolloped out of its mouth as it panted heavily. Its long ears flopped with every stride, and its snow-white fur was stained with dust and grime.
Aomori stood in the distance, watching its persistent silhouette. He didn't stop it; he admired its self-discipline and lack of vanity most of all.
Only after Salamon completed all its training drills did Aomori appear before it. He scooped the puppy up, using his Healing Spell to wash away its fatigue.
"You did a great job, Salamon," he said with an appreciative tone.
"Hehehe." Salamon leaned into his embrace affectionately, smiling sillily. "Absol told me that Master likes the hardworking type, so I kept going. So, Master, Master... has your love for me deepened just a little bit more?"
"More than just a little."
"That's good!" Salamon giggled, nuzzling its small head against Aomori's chest.
"Look at your dirty little face. You're getting mud all over my clothes."
"Master, Master, can we go take a bath? I want to wash up. Let's go together, okay? Pretty please?"
"Alright, alright. I can't say no to you."
"Hehehe!"
Aomori carried Salamon and called out to Absol and the others to head to a nearby river for a bath.
The moment Salamon hit the water, it excitedly wriggled out of his arms and began a doggy paddle, swimming in circles around Aomori.
Ditto, not to be outdone, tried to activate "The Strongest on Earth" mode, but Aomori slapped it back to its original form before it could transform. Feeling aggrieved, it transformed again, this time into a delicate, blushing Psychic-type beauty, and she was...
"Hmph. Flat and unremarkable." Aomori instantly activated his Three-Stage Breathing Style, calmly returned Ditto to its Poké Ball to reflect on its actions, and then dived nose-first into the water. When he resurfaced, he had regained his usual cold and aloof composure.
Salamon tilted its head curiously. "Master, Master, are you hurt?"
"Not at all."
"Really? Maybe I saw wrong."
On the other side, Absol soaked quietly in one spot, his eyes fixed on the Digi-Egg floating in the water before him. Pidgeot, who disliked water, flew to a nearby branch to preen his feathers while watching the group play.
In the distance, Darkrai extended his long legs to touch the riverbed, holding the Portable Camcorder. Never forgetting his duty as a cameraman, he steadily filmed the scene.
After ten minutes, Ditto was released from its "sentence." This time it behaved, dutifully transforming into a Dragonair to play in the water with Salamon, helping the puppy get fully soaked and cleaned.
Aomori watched them quietly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
…
The next day, leaving Ditto and Absol to guard the house and instructing Salamon to train hard, Aomori took Darkrai and followed Pidgeot toward Business Town.
To show sincerity, he had specifically asked Akihiko Kayaba to cut a grain-sized cube of Chrome Digizoid to bring along as a gift.
As they neared Business Town, Aomori recalled Pidgeot and brought out his Motorcycle. Coordinating once more with Darkrai, he transformed into HellKnightmon, driving toward the town and leaving a pitch-black hellish road in his wake.
At the entrance to Business Town, Deputymon had been leading a large contingent of subordinates since early morning. Their presence drew the attention of many passing Digimon.
"Lord Deputymon is making such a fuss. Is some big shot coming?"
"I know, I know! I have a friend who is Lord SuperStarmon's personal aide. He told me Myotismon is coming personally to recruit our Lord SuperStarmon."
"Myotismon? No way."
"Nonsense! It's clearly Etemon coming to host a concert!"
"I heard Gigadramon is coming to talk business..."
While the idle Digimon speculated, a terrifying malice suddenly pressed down on their hearts. The scene instantly fell silent.
"He's here." Deputymon gripped the handle of the gun at his waist as a vast shadow swept in from the distance. "With an entrance like that, he's truly the mysterious master who defeated SkullMeramon."
As the shadow approached, even Deputymon couldn't withstand the pressure and began to step back.
"Stand down."
A familiar golden glow appeared before Deputymon, and the pressure largely dissipated.
"Yes, Lord SuperStarmon." He respectfully led his subordinates to the rear.
Appearing alongside SuperStarmon were the two Andromon, their eyes glowing with red light. Three Ultimate-level Digimon stood together, yet their combined presence couldn't match the figure in the distance.
About a minute later, SuperStarmon watched with a solemn expression as the black knight on the motorcycle came to a stop nearby. The knight dismounted and walked toward him step by step.
He stopped one meter away.
"SuperStarmon?"
"HellKnightmon?"
After a moment of staring, they both suddenly laughed.
"Hahaha! I've heard of you for a long time! Seeing you now, your reputation is well-deserved."
"The feeling is mutual. The name HellKnightmon has been ringing in my ears; I've been eager to meet you."
The tense atmosphere finally relaxed. Deputymon, standing behind, let out a long sigh of relief.