Pokemon: Rising From The Dark

The officer inserted Aoki's ID card into the scanner. A small beep sounded as the device displayed his League profile.

After carefully reviewing the information, the officer handed the card back. "Alright, no issues. Thank you for your cooperation."

Aoki nodded, took back his ID, and silently left the crowd.

With the police confirming that there was nothing suspicious about him, the onlookers gradually lost interest and dispersed. Instead of suspicion, a different sentiment grew in their eyes—a hint of respect.

His tattered clothing and travel-worn appearance told a clear story: he had just returned from a long journey. And in a world where strength was respected, such an image often carried a certain prestige.

The young officer watched Aoki leave, noting the Slowpoke following half a step behind him. His brows furrowed slightly.

Something about Aoki felt… different.

He wasn't exactly suspicious, but there was an unshakable presence about him. Like a dormant volcano, quiet on the surface yet harboring something unpredictable within.

Still, the officer didn't dwell on it. Aoki was just passing through, and there was no reason to investigate further.

—

As Aoki walked away, he subconsciously used his system to scan the Growlithe beside the officer.

Pokémon: Growlithe (Dark Green)

Gender: Male

Level: 20

Type: Fire

Ability: Flash Fire

Held Item: Kennel Collar

Egg Moves: Crunch, Double Kick, Fire Spin

Basic Moves: Bite, Roar, Ember, Leer, Odor Sleuth, Helping Hand, Flame Wheel, Retaliate

Learnt Moves: Iron Tail, Snore

TM Moves: Protect, Hidden Power (Grass), Substitute, Flamethrower

The sheer quality of Growlithe's stats made Aoki a little envious.

With strong potential, a solid moveset, and elite-level training, this Growlithe was formidable despite being only level 20. Even with Murkrow's current strength, Aoki wasn't certain he could win in a direct fight.

The Jenny family's influence within the League police force was evident.

The Jennies controlled nearly 70% of the League's law enforcement. Becoming a League officer often meant either joining the Jenny family or aligning with them as a vassal.

The power of a large family was truly terrifying.

And this was just a regular officer. If an entry-level police Growlithe was this strong, Aoki could only imagine the strength of their high-ranking trainers.

He recalled an encounter from his past life—before he had reached the level of an Elite Trainer. Back then, he had clashed with a Jenny family officer, a true city enforcer. The sheer strength of their Pokémon had forced him into retreat. If not for his own quick thinking, he might not have survived the battle at all.

Unlike the Joy family, who maintained their position through medical expertise and diplomacy, the Jennies had solidified their influence through sheer combat power.

A city's enforcers needed true strength to maintain control.

—

But right now, Aoki had more pressing matters to attend to.

Now that he was back in civilization, he suddenly became painfully aware of how sticky and uncomfortable his body felt.

He hadn't noticed it in the wilderness, but now, walking through the clean streets of Ecruteak, the contrast was unbearable.

A proper bath. That was his first priority.

While Aoki didn't care about others' opinions, he couldn't ignore the stares.

His battle-worn clothes, the dried sweat and dirt—he might as well have been a wild Pokémon himself.

He had endured a harsh life before, but if comfort was available, there was no reason not to take advantage of it.

That said, he had learned from his past mistakes.

In his previous life, he had indulged in luxury too soon, becoming complacent before reaching true power. He wouldn't make that mistake again.

Enjoyment was fine—but only if he had the strength to back it up.

—

After a short walk, Aoki found a luxury hotel in the city center.

The receptionist hesitated when she saw his rugged appearance, but Aoki ignored the look and casually handed over 3,000 Pokecoins for a high-end suite.

Ecruteak City was one of the most famous cultural centers in Johto, attracting countless tourists every year. Between the historic landmarks and the grand performances at the Ecruteak Dance Theater, the city's tourism industry was thriving.

As a result, hotels in Ecruteak were always in high demand.

—

Once Aoki entered his suite, he wasted no time.

Throwing his belongings to the side, he headed straight for the bathroom.

He had clean clothes stored in his ring—various outfits prepared for different identities. But in the wild, changing clothes was pointless. Sweat, dirt, and grime would ruin fresh clothes within minutes.

Now, though, he could finally clean himself properly.

The hot water rushed over his skin as he scrubbed away layers of dirt.

Back on Trial Island, he had lived in the wilderness for over a week without a second thought. Survival had been his only concern. But now that he was back in civilization, hygiene mattered again.

It was a strange contrast.

No matter how much he tried to deny it, Aoki had a subconscious obsession with cleanliness—both physically and mentally.

By the time he stepped out of the bathroom, he felt like an entirely new person.

Even with the mask disguising his identity, he looked far more presentable now.

At least now, people wouldn't turn their heads for the wrong reasons.

—

Next, he picked up the phone and called the front desk.

"Send up a full-course meal. Enough for six."

A cart full of food arrived shortly after.

The moment the covers were lifted, his Pokémon swarmed in, their eyes shining with excitement.

After days of foraging and eating roasted meat in the wild, the scent of professionally prepared food was irresistible.

Even Skorupi, who had been sleeping on Aoki's shoulder, woke up at the smell. The little Pokémon eagerly latched onto a bottle of milk and drank half of it in one go.

As time passed, Skorupi's appetite had grown.

Although its body hadn't visibly increased in size, its exoskeleton had become noticeably smoother and glossier. The rough shell it had upon hatching was now sleek and cool to the touch.

This was largely thanks to Miltank.

Infant Pokémon couldn't consume overly rich supplements, as premature development could hinder their potential growth.

However, Miltank's milk was different.

Not only was it safe for young Pokémon, but it also enhanced their physical conditioning.

It wasn't just Skorupi—Murkrow, Slowpoke, and even Gastly had been drinking Miltank's milk regularly, strengthening their endurance.

The most noticeable improvement was their stamina.

Long training sessions became far more efficient when their bodies could recover so quickly.

As Aoki sat back, watching his Pokémon feast, a small smirk played on his lips.

This was only a temporary stop.

But even short rests like these were essential on the path to true strength.