Pokemon: Rising From The Dark

Although Aoki was wearing a large black robe, the receptionist didn't react differently. This was Saffron City, and all kinds of people passed through here. Aoki was no exception.

Without speaking, Aoki pulled out a Rocket ID card from his pocket, which he had been given on the trial island. When he left the island, Shadow had arranged for him to be officially inducted into Team Rocket as a member.

When the receptionist saw Aoki's ID card, marked with the Rocket logo, her expression shifted slightly. She immediately escorted Aoki into a dark room.

Without saying a word, she swiped the ID card on a computer. After checking the information on the screen, she handed the card back to Aoki with a nod of approval. She then pressed a button under the desk, and a hidden door on the floor opened.

"Go in, and don't cause trouble or fight inside," the receptionist said flatly.

With that, she turned and left the room.

Aoki had been here many times before, so he was familiar with the process. Without hesitation, he walked toward the secret door and descended the stairs step by step.

Once fully inside, the door closed behind him without leaving a trace.

The faint hum of footsteps echoed as weak lights flickered on, barely illuminating the steps.

Aoki walked down the steps for nearly five minutes before reaching the bottom. The narrow passage widened into a large hall.

This hall was just one of many in the underground complex, leading to different areas scattered throughout Saffron City. There were as many as ten major halls in the entire black market, each with ten connecting passages.

Though Saffron City was vast, these channels allowed access to almost every corner of the city, with most routes guarded by Team Rocket.

As Aoki stepped out of the hall, he found himself on a wide street filled with people of all kinds, all with cold, unreadable expressions.

Among them were others dressed like Aoki, in black robes, so his presence didn't stand out.

This was the largest underground trading market in Kanto, a vast network beneath Saffron City, known as the Saffron Market and the Black Market.

Walking through the crowded street, Aoki saw many Rocket members moving confidently through the crowd. Their presence was respected, with others instinctively giving them space.

Although Aoki was a Rocket member, he didn't flaunt it. Being affiliated with Team Rocket granted privileges, but it didn't make him invulnerable. If he revealed weakness, desperate individuals, like those who lived by the dangers of the black market, wouldn't hesitate to take advantage.

"Come out, Murkrow!"

Aoki released Murkrow from its Pokeball, letting it perch on his shoulder.

Although Murkrow's weight had increased, Aoki's growing strength allowed him to carry it without issue. Having Murkrow on his shoulder was necessary; in the black market, displaying strength was important to avoid unwanted attention.

As soon as Murkrow appeared, those watching began to avert their eyes. Murkrow's menacing aura and faint scent of blood gave off a threatening presence, even to those who had seen it all.

Though it was Aoki's first time here, he knew the layout well. Each area in the black market specialized in different goods.

Without hesitation, Aoki headed straight for the section selling Pokémon items.

The black market had many small shops, but there were also designated streets where Trainers could sell their own items. These areas were chaotic, filled with both genuine treasures and deceptive fakes. What could be found depended entirely on the buyer's ability to spot value.

Aoki avoided these areas. He needed to earn some League currency to purchase the Pokeblock-making tools, which could only be found in larger, more reliable stores.

He walked directly into the largest store in the Pokémon item district. This store, owned by Team Rocket, had the best resources and was in a prime location.

The store was bustling with people, both sellers and buyers. There was no need to use the store as a cover for his entrance—Aoki moved through the crowd with ease, familiar with the flow of business.

He reached an empty counter marked with a sign reading "Appraisal."

There were dozens of such counters throughout the store, each manned by a Rocket staff member. These appraisers, with Rocket medals on their chests, evaluated items with mechanical precision and provided acquisition prices. Regardless of whether the seller agreed to sell, they had to pay a flat fee of 500 Union Coins for the appraisal.

Though many people came to have their items appraised, very few actually sold. The prices offered by Rocket appraisers were low. However, the appraisers' reputation was solid, as they were known for providing fair evaluations. As a result, many people used the service to get a baseline price for unknown items.

Aoki took a seat at the counter. Without speaking, he pulled out a small glass bottle from his Rocket storage belt. It contained a milky white liquid, faintly glowing under the lights.

This liquid, which Aoki had used as a means to exchange for money, was the perfect item to trade for Union currency.

Before coming to the black market, Aoki had transferred some of the liquid into a smaller bottle, now about one-twentieth of his original stock. This half-bottle would be enough to exchange for some much-needed funds.