After defeating Captain Ember of Team Magma, Aoki glanced at the unconscious grunts scattered across the deck and took another treasure chest.
Saffron Chest.
These Team Magma captains were strong enough, but unfortunately for them, they had encountered Aoki, whose Pokémon had reached Elite-level strength.
"Ding Dong! Congratulations to the host, you have obtained the item: Focus Sash."
Aoki paused for a moment, his eyes flashing with intrigue. An in-game item?
The Focus Sash—a lifesaving tool in competitive battles—allowed a Pokémon to survive a fatal hit with 1 HP if at full health.
In a real-world battle, this item could mean the difference between victory and defeat. For example, in a mutual KO situation, where both Pokémon should faint at the same time, the Focus Sash could allow one to endure and secure the final win.
Aoki immediately opened the system interface and examined the item's description:
Focus Sash: Prevents the holder from fainting if it is at full health, allowing it to survive with 1 HP.
"This isn't as powerful as the Focus Band," Aoki muttered, "which sometimes lets a Pokémon hold on unpredictably, but at least this effect is guaranteed under the right conditions."
Unlike the Focus Band, which worked based on probability, the Focus Sash was a one-time use item, but its reliability made it invaluable. It could prevent a Pokémon from getting knocked out in a single hit—unless the opponent was a Champion-level powerhouse or used a move like Destiny Bond, which would take down its target no matter what.
Now, the question was: who should Aoki give the Focus Sash to?
His top choices were Boss Lairon or Jirachi.
Boss Lairon had immediate power, while Jirachi had higher long-term potential. After thinking for a moment, Aoki made his decision.
"For now, I'll give it to Boss Lairon. He's my ace in battle. I might get more items later anyway."
Aoki walked over and carefully tied the Focus Sash around Boss Lairon's bulky armor.
Boss Lairon gave a satisfied grunt, tapping his armored chest confidently.
"How does it look?"
Aoki smirked. "Honestly? It looks ridiculous."
Boss Lairon didn't seem to care. Instead, he puffed out his chest even more, clearly pleased with his new accessory.
Greninja crossed its arms, tilting its head as if unimpressed.
At that moment, a nearby trainer shouted, "Hey, look! There's a ship in the distance!"
Everyone turned to see an approaching vessel.
Aoki frowned. That was too fast. It couldn't be a rescue ship yet.
As the ship got closer, the details became clearer—it wasn't a normal passenger vessel.
The hull was worn out, covered in thick layers of green moss.
A ghost ship.
Aoki opened the system map, scanning for any special markers. A silver treasure chest.
Perfect.
"Flare Blitz, jump onto that ship!"
Flame Pokémon dashed across the ice-covered sea, leaping effortlessly onto the deck.
Aoki followed, landing smoothly alongside his Pokémon.
Beyond the treasure chest, this ghost ship might hold gold, silver, or other valuables left behind by its previous occupants.
"Blaziken, stay close and protect me. Greninja, watch my other side."
Blaziken cracked its knuckles, stepping to Aoki's left.
Greninja silently nodded, appearing on his right like a shadow.
The trio moved cautiously as Aoki pushed open the first door—empty.
Another door—nothing again.
"It makes sense," Aoki muttered. "Most passengers probably took their valuables when they abandoned ship."
But not everyone.
Aoki eventually found a luxury suite, its furniture covered in dust. Inside, he spotted a stack of paper currency neatly piled on a table.
"Someone left in a hurry…"
Aoki smirked as he collected the forgotten money.
He wasn't usually this excited about small amounts of cash.
But after spending a fortune on Evolutionary Stones, berries from Professor Oak, and repaying loans to Professor Birch, May, and Cynthia, he was more than happy to recover any funds.
Just then—BOOM.
A low, distant rumbling echoed through the ship.
Aoki's eyes narrowed as he froze.
Blaziken and Greninja immediately shifted into a battle stance, muscles tense.
Aoki took a deep breath. "Let's check it out."
Cautiously, he moved forward, Greninja taking the lead while Blaziken guarded his flank.
The sound grew louder.
Aoki stopped in his tracks.
Something felt off.
Why am I hesitating?
I have the system. I can check for threats.
Glancing at the system interface, Aoki scanned the area—nothing appeared on the radar.
Still, his instincts screamed danger.
Moving carefully, Aoki reached a staircase leading to the lower decks.
With Greninja and Blaziken on high alert, he descended into the darkness.
The sound was closer now.
But Aoki forced himself to focus—there could still be treasure hidden here.
Priorities.
Even as the ominous noise loomed ahead, Aoki smirked.
"Let's see what this ship has to offer."
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