Aoki was acutely aware of his Tyranitar's formidable strength. Although its current level was only 58, its combination of various advantages and conditions meant that ordinary Champion-level Pokemon might not be able to defeat it. There was indeed a gap between the Champion level and the upper echelons of power, but Tyranitar had accumulated so many overwhelming advantages that this gap was not an insurmountable one. This assessment, of course, did not factor in the potential of Mega Evolution, given Tyranitar's own inherent power. Yet, this Vigoroth was able to fight Tyranitar on equal terms, even gaining a slight upper hand. The reason for Aoki's surprise was precisely because it was a Vigoroth and not a Slaking. Had it been a Champion-level Slaking, Aoki would not have been surprised at all, as that would be expected. Aoki admitted to feeling a little tempted by this Vigoroth. Even though it had reached the Elite Four level and its aptitude was only blue, Aoki was still tempted.

As stated before, when capturing Pokemon, most trainers prioritize aptitude because it determines the amount of resources, time, and effort required for a Pokemon to reach a certain strength. However, aptitude is not the sole determining factor. There are situations where aptitude can be ignored to a certain extent as a primary indicator, and that is due to some special, unique features of the Pokemon itself. For example, rare and special abilities, unique combination techniques, or a Pokemon's sheer perseverance and willpower... The specific circumstances depend on the individual needs of each trainer. According to Aoki's current standards, Pokemon that had already reached a certain high level, or those with an aptitude lower than dark blue, could no longer be included on his list of potential captures. But this Vigoroth had managed to capture his attention. This Vigoroth still possessed a certain degree of plasticity; it had one more chance to evolve. More importantly, it exhibited an extremely powerful willpower. Aoki truly wanted to see what this Vigoroth would become if it evolved into a Slaking.

Did you know why Norman of Petalburg City caught the attention of Adams and other League leaders, and why Adams even asked Norman if he wished to become one of the Elite Four? Norman's strength was indeed considerable, but his strongest and most famous asset was a Slaking that could overcome its Truant ability for a period of time! Without using skill-swapping moves to eliminate its ability, this was a Slaking with the Truant ability that had successfully overcome the adverse effects of its trait. A Slaking that was not lazy. A Pokemon comparable to a pseudo-legendary, or even rarer and more powerful than a pseudo-legendary Pokemon. This was Norman's trump card, a fact known only to some high-ranking League officials. Consequently, they held high expectations for Norman, and to a certain extent, Adams had even considered having Norman eventually succeed him as Champion. The gap was still significant now, but there would be opportunities in the future. However, Norman's pursuit of pure strength was greater than his pursuit of authority, so he declined Adams's offer. This also illustrates that in this world, as long as one possesses sufficiently formidable strength, one will be respected anywhere.

Aoki did not know exactly how Norman had trained that Slaking, but he had some ideas regarding the Vigoroth before him. Just like Norman's Slaking, it might not be a consistent, reliable combatant, but it could serve as a short-term burst trump card, a surprise weapon that could catch opponents off guard—a nuclear option that everyone else would fear. He just didn't know if his hypothesis would prove successful. If it failed, it might mean wasting such a Vigoroth with extraordinary perseverance. Since it wasn't a Pokemon he had raised from the beginning, Aoki felt it was feasible to attempt it. Moreover, even if such an attempt was not made, the skills mastered by this Vigoroth, its control and application of strength, and its development and understanding of its own body could all make it an invaluable teacher for Aoki's team of Pokemon. Didn't you see the thoughtful look in Blaziken's eyes, standing behind Aoki, after witnessing the battle just now?

Whether it was Blaziken, Tyranitar, Aggron, or even Swampert, none of them fully utilized their physical potential. Perhaps Blaziken was the most developed in this regard, but compared to this Vigoroth, the gap was still enormous. Therefore, even if Aoki's attempt failed, he could still have the Vigoroth teach its techniques to his Pokemon. The improvement and assistance in terms of raw power and efficiency would definitely be significant, not just minor. Furthermore, Aoki also had Pokemon like Bagon and Riolu, which would rely heavily on their physical capabilities to a certain extent in the future. The advantages definitely outwe the disadvantages. But now was not yet the time for capture; the battle still needed to be finished. At the very least, he needed to make the opposing party aware of his true strength.

"Tyranitar, release your control over the sand and let it fly freely," Aoki commanded Tyranitar. Hearing this, Tyranitar grinned fiercely. From the moment it had evolved until now, this was the first time it had been allowed to fully utilize its advantages in battle without restraint. After Tyranitar released its conscious control, a massive amount of sand suddenly materialized out of thin air across the entire battlefield, as if blown by a ferocious, unnatural wind. The sand grew denser and thicker, and a Sandstorm formed in an instant. Under Tyranitar's innate influence, the area where Aoki and his Pokemon stood became a calm vacuum zone, while the entire surrounding forest was engulfed and shrouded in the raging sandstorm. The Vigoroth and its tribesmen on the opposite side were obviously also caught within this devastating environmental attack.

"Dragon Dance!" Aoki ordered again. After Tyranitar completely released its innate command over the Sand Stream ability, the sky was instantly filled with blinding yellow sand, and visibility dropped sharply to almost zero. Only Tyranitar, who was at the heart of the sandstorm, could perfectly sense the specific conditions within the entire maelstrom of sand. Its body began to sway rhythmically in place, and its massive tail swept like a powerful broom from left to right and then right to left. As the sandstorm grew ever more intense and violent, its body slowly lifted off the ground. It wasn't high, but it was indeed hovering, presenting a dance with a very peculiar and potent frequency. Tyranitar's Attack stat was further heightened and strengthened.

However, the Vigoroth, which had somewhat adapted to the effects of the sandstorm, charged directly into the blinding, abrasive tempest, rushing headlong toward Tyranitar. Given the current intensity of the sandstorm, if Tyranitar were allowed to continue its dance unimpeded for much longer, their entire territory would likely be completely buried under yellow sand. The several other Vigoroth and the Slaking had already retreated outside the sandstorm's main fury with the Slakoth and other weaker tribesmen. They could withstand the impact of the sandstorm, but those Slakoth could not. In just a few seconds, nearly half of the Slakoth had lost their ability to fight and fainted. Simultaneously, some of the weaker Vigoroth also succumbed and lost their ability to move. Even though Tyranitar was no longer actively controlling the sandstorm, its power was still terrifyingly lethal to lower-level Pokemon. Moreover, Tyranitar had initially controlled the sandstorm and accelerated its formation. The Sand Stream ability was a powerful weapon against armies of weaker foes. Any Pokemon without a certain level of strength and endurance that appeared within the sandstorm wouldn't even be able to withstand its relentless assault, let alone mount any form of resistance. The lead Vigoroth was growing anxious. If Tyranitar wasn't stopped immediately, their territory would be in genuine peril. The sandstorm was already actively and rapidly changing the very environment itself.