Cynthia remained quietly in Verdanturf Town for seven days.
During these seven days, she entrusted all her Pokémon to Aoki and spent an hour with each of them daily. The rest of her time was spent at the Pokémon Center, studying data on Pokémon to expand her knowledge.
After witnessing Cynthia's dedication, Aoki couldn't help but admire her discipline. As someone destined to become the champion of the Sinnoh region, her work ethic put Aoki to shame. His past complacency as a pseudo-Elite Trainer in his previous life had led to his downfall, making Cynthia's relentless drive all the more impressive.
While tending to Cynthia's Pokémon, Aoki also documented their details. Her team was exceptional in both aptitude and combat ability. Aside from Lucario, who had bonded closely with Aoki, her Milotic stood out the most.
Cynthia's Milotic matched the prowess of the one owned by Wallace, the future Hoenn Champion.
Pokémon: Milotic (Light Blue)
Gender: Female
Level: 49
Type: Water
Ability: Marvel Scale
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Dragon Breath, Mist, Brine, Iron Tail
Basic Moves: Water Pulse, Wrap, Water Gun, Splash, Refresh, Captivate, Twister, Aqua Ring, Attract, Dragon Tail, Recover, Aqua Tail, Charm, Safeguard, Coil, Hydro Pump, Rain Dance
Learnt Moves: Dragon Pulse, Icy Wind, Bind
TM Moves: Ice Beam, Grass Knot, Blizzard, Scald, Surf
This Milotic was one level higher than Cynthia's Garchomp and possessed a Light Blue aptitude. Aoki felt relieved he hadn't engaged in a full battle with her—while his skills were solid, the gap between him and regional elites like Cynthia, Lance, and Steven remained significant.
However, Aoki's reputation as a Breeder had already drawn attention from the League's top figures. His training talent, though noteworthy, couldn't yet bridge the gap created by their head start. But compared to his past self, he'd narrowed the distance considerably. With more time, he believed he could catch up.
On the seventh day, as Garchomp and the others finished their recovery, Steven finally arrived in Verdanturf Town. He hurried straight to the Gym's entrance, noting the bustling commercial district around it. The Devon Corporation's investment was clearly paying off.
Aoki greeted Steven at the Gym's gate. The two friends exchanged smiles. Steven hadn't changed since their last meeting—still dressed in his signature attire, exuding confidence. His Metagross's evolution had only amplified his self-assurance.
To many, Steven was the ideal: young, wealthy, handsome, and overwhelmingly strong. His financial influence alone made him irresistible.
"You've grown sharper after your training," Aoki remarked, leading him inside. The Gym was temporarily closed, with challengers queuing for scheduled matches. Since Aoki's battle video with Cynthia went viral, his reputation had soared.
Unlike Cynthia, whose battles were widely documented, Aoki had lacked public proof of his strength—until now. The duel cemented his status, earning him a wave of admirers. Meanwhile, Cynthia's fame was unmatched, her title as the "Battle Queen" reflecting her skill and ferocity.
"My strength has improved, that's all," Steven replied, surveying the Gym's facilities. "Your setup is impressive, and the commercial district is thriving. Devon will profit well, but this is a long-term venture. Verdanturf's growth means more revenue."
"I owe you thanks. Without Devon, the town wouldn't have developed this quickly. The resources from this partnership have been invaluable for my Pokémon."
"Mutual benefits," Steven dismissed. "Any company would've jumped at this opportunity."
Their conversation shifted to business, with Aoki praising Devon's influence and Steven commending Aoki's potential. Both agreed their futures in Hoenn were bright.
"Oh, one more thing," Aoki added. "There's someone here waiting for you."
Steven blinked. "…Who?"