Pokemon: Rising From The Dark

Absol's mother took a step back when she heard Aoki's words, signaling that she understood and would allow Aoki to approach.

Honchkrow and Sneasel took a step forward, blocking Absol's path but allowing her to see what Aoki was doing.

Seeing a stranger approach, the three Absol cubs let out low cries, especially the two healthy, non-shiny Absol, who protectively positioned themselves in front of the shiny one.

"Pfft~~" Absol's mother called softly.

Only then did the two little Absol stop blocking the way and quiet down.

Aoki slowly placed his hand on the shiny red fur of Absol.

A very soft and warm feeling spread through his hand.

"System, start fine scanning," Aoki commanded silently in his mind.

At the same time, he pretended to be carefully observing.

Three minutes later.

A mechanical voice sounded in Aoki's mind.

"Drip! Scan complete. Displaying results."

A data map appeared before Aoki.

Judging by the scan results, the reason this Absol was so weak was entirely due to a lack of sufficient nutrients and vitamins.

Was Absol's mother unable to provide enough?

Aoki glanced at Absol's mother, who was waiting anxiously.

He carefully placed the shiny Absol on the ground and said, "I have a way to heal him and help him grow stronger than his siblings."

Hearing this, Absol's mother showed a look of surprise, and the Kaitou watching from the side also looked surprised—though there was something more in her eyes.

This lunatic actually knows how to heal Pokémon?

Who is he?

"But I have a request," Aoki interrupted their thoughts.

"Pfft?"

"It's a simple request. I won't capture you or restrict your freedom. I just want you to live in a different place and help me guard the environment there. It's still far from the human world, and treating this little Absol won't be a one-day process. If he's closer to me, I can treat him better," Aoki explained, looking directly into Absol's mother's eyes.

He truly meant it, so there was no deception in his expression.

"Pfft~~" After thinking for a moment, Absol's mother nodded slightly.

It was just a change of location—it wouldn't disrupt their lives too much.

Although they had adapted to this environment, Absol were born to roam deep in the mountains, so relocating wasn't unacceptable.

Aoki was thrilled.

Today, while he didn't capture Absol for hunter points as originally planned, he successfully brought in a future deputy leader of his hunting group and secured a rare Absol to guard his territory—four, in fact.

Absol's mother had a light cyan aptitude, and perhaps their father had a high aptitude as well. The two normal Absol also had light cyan aptitude, while the shiny Absol had cyan aptitude.

Once they grew, Aoki's mountain would be well-protected.

Since Absol could foresee danger, even if one vision wasn't always accurate, would four working together be?

And the shiny Absol had great potential for training.

While treating him, there was always the possibility of building a bond and making him Aoki's own Pokémon.

After all, Absol was a Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution.

A shiny Absol, as a rare Pokémon, would definitely stand out in the future.

"Then gather your things. I'll take you with me soon," Aoki said.

Then he glanced at the Kaitou standing behind him, hesitating to speak. After a moment of thought, he added, "Go to Verdanturf Town and wait for me. I'll be heading there in a few days to set up our hunting group.

"You'll soon meet the people who will be working under you."

The Kaitou looked at Aoki and finally couldn't hold back. "Madman, are you a Pokémon doctor?"

"I'm a breeder. You can consider me an intermediate-level breeder. I can provide your Pokémon with Pokeblocks in the future, but there will be a price," Aoki said calmly.

Hearing this, the Kaitou's eyes widened in disbelief.

Was this real?

He wanted to establish his own hunting group and recruit people—wouldn't his deception be exposed eventually?

After a brief moment of doubt, she realized Aoki wasn't lying.

A leader with the skills of an intermediate breeder? This hunting group was starting to sound interesting.

Feeling pleased, the Kaitou left slowly.

Before leaving, Aoki exchanged contact information with her.

Would she betray Aoki?

Aoki considered the possibility, but it was unlikely.

They were both intelligent people, and she understood that the hunting group's establishment would benefit her greatly. There was no reason to refuse.

With that, the Kaitou left the cave, then departed on her Skarmory.

But had she ever considered that, once she left, Aoki could easily capture all the Absol and claim the mission reward for himself?

Shaking his head, Aoki returned to the cave.

In reality, the Kaitou wasn't foolish—her instincts told her Aoki wouldn't do such a thing.

Sometimes, intuition was powerful.

Watching the Kaitou leave, Aoki turned back toward the cave.

Absol had gathered all three cubs. The two healthy ones were riding on her back, while the weaker shiny Absol was carefully carried in her mouth.

"Let's go," Aoki said to Absol.

However, just as she stepped out of the cave, Absol's mother suddenly stopped. Her red eyes flickered with psychic energy.

Aoki gave her a puzzled look.

She nodded at Aoki before suddenly turning and running in another direction.

Aoki hesitated for a moment but knew she wasn't trying to escape. He had no ill intentions toward them, and the injured Absol still needed his treatment.

Sitting on Honchkrow's back, he followed.

Absol led Aoki to the edge of the lake where they had met before.

She gestured toward the water, her eyes glowing with psychic energy.

"In the water, there is..." Slowpoke's hesitant telepathy echoed in Aoki's mind.

Something in the water that he needed?

Aoki immediately understood.

"Come out, Slowpoke." Now that no one was around, there was no reason to hide his Slowpoke anymore.