Seeing that his first sneak attack didn't work, Aoki didn't rush to attack further.
This situation differed from Trial Island. On Trial Island, they knew nothing about the Team Rocket members they might encounter later, so every battle required eliminating opponents quickly, regardless of what strength they revealed. Only by seizing opportunities could they gain the upper hand step by step.
But this time on Neverland, thanks to Regis, Aoki had some information about certain participants.
Shuichi before him was one of them.
Aoki was confident he wouldn't lose. Even if the battle turned against him, he had Slowking as backup—he always maintained an escape route. With options to attack, retreat, or defend, Aoki had nothing to fear.
Yet from Shuichi's tone, Aoki sensed recognition. Though Aoki was also a Team Rocket squad leader, his reputation paled compared to others. He'd operated mainly in Hoenn under Sakaki's shadow—most ordinary squad leaders wouldn't even know of him. Even Regis had limited intel.
Yet this man seemed to recognize him instantly.
Keeping his smile unchanged, Aoki asked, "Oh? You sound like you know me, yet I don't recall our meeting."
Now that he knew who had ambushed him and stolen the ores, Shuichi's anger cooled. Enemies in the shadows were more dangerous than those in the open. With Aoki revealed and his sneak attack foiled, the advantage shifted.
The Excadrill lying wounded nearby didn't earn a second glance from Shuichi.
"Who doesn't know the famous first-place finisher of the special final trial? Team Rocket's rising star—Aoki." Shuichi's voice dripped with mocking amusement.
Aoki's frown deepened.
First place on Trial Island?
Beyond informed executives and near-cadres, who in Team Rocket would care about that? No matter how talented Trial Island graduates were, regular squad leaders wouldn't pay attention. Aside from Regis' group, who would note a newcomer like Aoki?
Furukai.
The name flashed in Aoki's mind—Furukai, elder brother to Guga.
Then: Team Rocket Officer, Renda.
Renda, direct subordinate to Executive Lunda. Yohei—another of Lunda's men—had been eliminated by Aoki himself. Though that incident shouldn't have spread, deduction pointed to Aoki. On Trial Island, besides Aoki and Regis, who else could have killed Yohei?
Both Renda and Furukai had means to learn about this mission. Though technically squad leaders, their status neared quasi-executive—a cut above the rest.
Aoki stayed silent. To learn which one was behind this, he simply needed to reduce Shuichi to a broken state and interrogate him slowly.
His gaze sharpened.
Shuichi showed no intention of backing down.
"Surprised you put it together," Shuichi continued, "but those ores are in your possession, yes? Killing you means they return to me. And..." His grin widened. "...your head's worth more than the ores."
Before arriving, someone had mentioned the bounty on Aoki. Shuichi had listened idly—with Neverland's vastness and only thirty operatives, what were the odds of meeting? Yet fortune favored him. Eliminating Aoki meant claiming both priceless ores and the bounty—making this trip worthwhile regardless of other gains.
Both men smiled. Each saw the other as a stepping stone to greater rewards.
"Didn't realize my head carried such value," Aoki mused, tapping his forehead mockingly. "Excited? Care to try claiming it?"
Shuichi remained unruffled by the taunt. To him, Aoki was already as good as captured.
A fresh Trial Island graduate—even a talented one—how strong could he be? One or two Pokémon at Elite level would be his limit. After all, how much time had passed since the trials ended?
"Gladly," Shuichi sneered.
He unclipped a Pokéball and hurled it to the ground. With a rumble, a Rhyperior materialized beside Excadrill.
Rock/Ground-types excelled at subterranean ambushes. Shuichi's team specialized in this—Excadrill and Rhyperior being his aces.
As Rhyperior appeared, Aoki's system instantly displayed both opponents' data alongside Regis' intel. While not perfectly accurate, the tactical analysis was 50% reliable.
Pokémon: Rhyperior (Light Cyan)
Gender: Male
Level: 45
Type: Rock/Ground
Ability: Solid Rock
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Block, Rock Climb, Endeavor
Basic Moves: Heavy Slam, Tackle, Bulldoze, Mud-Slap, Rock Polish, Rollout, Magnitude, Rock Throw, Smack Down, Stomp, Explosion, Stealth Rock, Stone Edge, Earthquake, Self-Destruct
Learnt Moves: Fire Punch, Iron Head, Earth Power, Snore
TM Moves: Protect, Hyper Beam, Brick Break, Sandstorm
Pokémon: Excadrill (Dark Green)
Gender: Male
Level: 44
Type: Ground/Steel
Ability: Sand Rush
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Iron Defense, Earth Power, Metal Claw
Basic Moves: Horn Drill, Bulldoze, Scratch, Mud-Slap, Rapid Spin, Mud Shot, Fury Swipes, Metal Claw, Dig, Hone Claws, Slash, Rock Slide, Earthquake, Swords Dance
Learnt Moves: Iron Head, Stomping Tantrum, Drill Run, Stealth Rock
TM Moves: Protect, Double Team, Aerial Ace, Shadow Claw
Aoki noted with surprise that both Pokémon had reached mid-Elite tier—stronger than Regis' estimates. Most of Aoki's team were newly Elite, but he held one advantage: Slowking's Water typing.
Against Rhyperior—4× weak to Water—a single hit from Slowking could decide the battle.