Amid the chaos, Aaron had already slipped away with the money.
He was in an excellent mood.
Picking up 200,000 that easily felt incredible.
At this point, he absolutely had to treat himself to a foot massage tonight.
Aaron walked along the street with Rookidee perched on his shoulder.
SCREEECH!
Just then, a luxury car suddenly stopped in front of him.
Printed on the side was a corporate logo:
Corestone Group.
Several men in suits stepped out.
One of them respectfully opened the rear door, and a young man dressed in white casual clothes stepped down.
The moment Rookidee saw the young man, it panicked.
"R-Rookidee! Rook!"
Aaron frowned and quickly calmed it down.
The young man in white glanced at Rookidee before calmly saying to Aaron,
"That Rookidee is my Pokémon."
"I'm here to take it back."
"Hand it over."
Aaron's expression cooled slightly.
"And just because you say it's yours, I'm supposed to believe you?"
"Got any proof?"
Several burly men in suits immediately stepped forward.
"Kid... do you know who you're talking to?"
"Watch your mouth."
"Offend Corestone Group, and your future's finished."
"Don't ruin your life over something this stupid."
Aaron smiled faintly.
"I'm talking to your boss."
"So why are the guard dogs barking?"
Aaron had never lost an argument in his life.
The suited men instantly turned furious after hearing that.
Just as they were about to step forward—
"Stand down."
The young man in white spoke calmly.
The suited men immediately shut up and retreated behind him.
"Heh."
"One word from your boss and suddenly you all know how to behave."
Aaron's smile nearly made the suited men explode from anger.
The young man in white quietly looked at Aaron for a few seconds before taking out a Poké Ball.
FLASH!
A red beam shot out.
Before Rookidee could react, it was recalled into the Poké Ball.
The young man calmly held up the Poké Ball.
"This is proof enough."
"Believe me now?"
Aaron's expression shifted slightly.
He really had not expected this guy to be Rookidee's actual Trainer.
But then why had Rookidee run away?
And judging by its reaction, it clearly disliked this man.
"If it's your Pokémon, why was it alone outside town?"
"It's still weak. Any stronger wild Pokémon could've killed it."
"That's your responsibility as its Trainer."
Aaron's tone turned colder.
The area where he had found Rookidee was full of Pokémon far stronger than it.
If it had encountered an Arbok, a Pokémon known for preying on small birds, it could easily have died.
That was entirely the Trainer's responsibility.
So Aaron had no reason to be polite.
"Kid... watch your tone!"
"How dare you speak to Boss Kael like that!?"
"Believe it or not, I'll shoot you dead!"
One of the suited men finally snapped and shouted at Aaron.
BOOM!
A terrifying pressure burst out from Aaron and instantly locked onto the man.
"Ugh—!"
The suited man froze in place.
An overwhelming chill spread through his body.
Sweat instantly poured down his face as he stared at Aaron in terror, unable to say another word.
"I already told you."
"I hate barking dogs."
Aaron's voice was calm and cold.
The young man's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then he said,
"This part is my fault."
"I've been busy with work lately. Rookidee slipped away while nobody was watching."
"I've been searching for it this whole time."
"Thank you for taking care of it."
"I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."
The pressure around Aaron slowly faded.
The suited man staggered backward, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily.
When he looked at Aaron again, fear had replaced his anger.
Aaron looked calmly at the young man.
"I hope so."
Then he turned and began walking away.
"Wait."
The young man called out to him.
"This is a check for 200,000."
"Take it as thanks for helping me find Rookidee."
"What's your name?"
He held out the check toward Aaron.
Aaron did not even glance back.
"No need."
"Goodbye."
Then he left.
...
The young man watched Aaron's departing figure, his eyes turning cold.
"Investigate him."
"Find out why he came to Tidefall Town."
"Our experiment is entering a critical phase."
"I don't want anyone interfering."
The suited men immediately responded respectfully.
"Yes, boss."
The young man continued staring at Aaron's back as a cold smile slowly appeared on his face.
"I hope you really are strong."
"Otherwise..."
"I'll make you regret showing off in front of me."
...