Chapter 1050: Turo

"Awoo! Awoo!"

Mabosstiff barked repeatedly, its footsteps light as it picked up the Poké Ball.

Not far behind it, Arven stood with a beaming smile, half-crouched, clapping and waving as he shouted, "Go, Mabosstiff! Run faster!"

At this moment.

It was already after dinner.

The Sweet Herba Mystica had made up for the final flavor All Baimu had been missing.

Garganacl no longer had to endure the "torture" of scraping its body; it had fully healed the weakened Mabosstiff and granted Miraidon a new ability—

【High Jump】.

It had successfully achieved an evolution from a mere foot to a full yard, comparable to the land-based fighter jet, Dodrio.

However, even at this point, its fighting spirit remained extremely weak, and it couldn't maintain its battle form for long.

Just like Ultraman, it could only last three minutes at most.

Arven judged that it likely had some kind of mental block.

A mental block?

All Baimu was an expert at this!

Many of his own Pokémon had experienced similar situations.

The most severe case had been Blissey, but after evolving, it had basically returned to normal.

He guessed that Miraidon probably needed to enter Area Zero and challenge that Pokémon that had defeated it once more to successfully resolve its battle-shyness.

It just so happened that he wanted to go to Area Zero himself; what a coincidence!

"Don't worry, we'll definitely be able to cure you."

All Baimu chuckled as he stroked the top of Miraidon's head. The battle-shy lizard sat crouched, looking quite unhappy and feeling anxious about entering Area Zero.

Did he really have to go?

Yes.

Not to mention that the human beside it had already set the goal.

Just the fact that it couldn't return to its original state for long and that its power hadn't fully returned meant Miraidon had to summon the courage to return to Area Zero.

To face that guy who had defeated it.

"Gah-ss..."

Miraidon looked like a melancholic cat.

All Baimu kept smiling, soothing it: "Don't worry, I'm here to back you up. It won't be a big problem!"

How strong could the wild Pokémon under Area Zero possibly be?

Ultra Necrozma?

Uh.

If worse comes to worst, he could just invite Calyrex over!

He felt no sense of crisis, much like the Jade Emperor who, unable to handle Sun Wukong, went to the Western Heaven to invite the Buddha.

Upon hearing this, Miraidon looked at Aggron and the other Pokémon, feeling much better.

Just as All Baimu said, it wasn't alone this time.

Even if it couldn't defeat that guy, at least it wouldn't be chased around in a panic, losing all its dignity.

Nemona sat to the side, hearing the conversation between human and lizard, her expression slightly conflicted.

In principle, she didn't want to violate school rules.

But All Baimu was determined to go, and it was closely related to Miraidon's "illness"—could she really just stand by and watch?

She sighed quietly, resting her chin on her hand as she watched Mabosstiff and Arven playing.

It wasn't until recently that she learned the seemingly lively Mabosstiff had suffered severe injuries that even the Pokémon Center couldn't heal.

The Herba Mystica guarded by Titan Pokémon had become Arven's only hope, and All Baimu had generously extended a helping hand, tirelessly resolving the issue with five Titans in just a few days.

Nemona felt ashamed.

As the Student Council President of Naranja Academy, she hadn't noticed a classmate in need of help, and had even argued with Arven out of her own selfishness.

Today was truly a terrible day.

She stood up wearily, saying she was going to sleep, and All Baimu nodded in response.

Arven cast a concerned look, asking in surprise, "What's wrong with her? Was the dinner not to her taste?"

"You kid! You can eat whatever you want, but don't talk nonsense! There are many reasons for being in a bad mood!"

All Baimu laughed in annoyance, pointing his index finger repeatedly to warn him not to talk nonsense.

Arven had been striving to prove that their cooking skills were on par, but after discovering that even Mabosstiff preferred the glowing dishes over his sandwiches.

He had decisively adopted a smear tactic.

'Although my sandwiches aren't as good as your cooking, isn't there something wrong with your cooking too?'

Childish and abstract.

Arven was scolded, but he didn't mind, thinking about how to persuade Nemona to let go of her so-called school rules.

Without a doubt, he didn't intend to let go of Nemona as a source of support.

Area Zero was too dangerous; if only All Baimu were leading the charge, he would become a burden to his good friend. He had to find a way to get another bodyguard.

"... Forget it, let's talk about it when we get back to the academy tomorrow!"

Arven shrugged and said to All Baimu, "I'll have to rely on you later! I will definitely study hard!"

Finding a bodyguard was one thing, but he also knew the principle that one must be strong oneself to forge iron.

Therefore, he hoped All Baimu could teach him how to raise and train Pokémon, to cram a little before heading to Area Zero.

This small request was naturally agreed to.

——

The next day.

The three of them set off on their return journey.

While stopping in Cortondo for lunch, All Baimu received a phone call that was unexpected yet within reason.

"Caller—Professor Turo."

The Rotom Phone's voice broadcast made Arven stop chewing abruptly.

He looked up in shock, unable to believe that his good friend actually had contact with his father.

You had to know that he, the biological son, hadn't spoken to him in many years!

Nemona was equally surprised, blinking her bright eyes while drinking water.

Only All Baimu remained very calm, pointing at Miraidon, who was swallowing a sandwich whole, and said, "When I first enrolled, your father entrusted me with taking care of it. He also asked me to contact him periodically; today is the first time."

"... Oh, you should answer it."

Arven continued chewing, acting as if he didn't care, but his ears were clearly pricked up.

Seeing this, All Baimu directly put the Rotom Phone on speaker.

'Apologies, Champion from afar, for only calling you now.'

Professor Turo's voice came through, his tone as calm as a well of water. 'I have monitored that Miraidon's vital signs have fully recovered. Asking for your help was truly the right choice...'

He paused, then continued: 'I have one more thing I'd like to ask of you. Could you please go find my son, Arven?'

"Why are you always like this! Ordering people around as you please! Who do you think you are!" Arven couldn't hold back.

Professor Turo's tone rippled. 'Is that you, Arven? I have always... always wanted to get in touch with you. Only you can enter the laboratory!'

Arven: "..."

'Go with the Champion to the laboratory at the Poco Path lighthouse. Once you reach your destination, I will contact you again. Don't forget, this is very important.'

Professor Turo hung up the phone directly.

Arven was so angry he gritted his teeth, clenching his fists. "Ordering me around without saying a word!? Really! Don't mess with me!"

"Awoo..."

Mabosstiff stepped forward, looking at him with concern.

Arven gradually calmed down, sighing, "But there's no other way; I have to go."

"Arven..."

Nemona looked at him with pity. She understood Arven's mood at this moment; after all, their situations were somewhat similar.

Both were ignored by their parents, both lived alone.

Although she had long since stopped caring as she had other pursuits, it was clear Arven was still obsessed with it.

At this moment.

All Baimu suddenly turned his head and asked, "Nemona, are you going?"

On the surface, he was asking if she was going to Poco Path, but in reality, he was asking about something else. Nemona understood the meaning behind his words and nodded without hesitation.

"Going!"

She had thought about it for a whole night yesterday and finally decided to go to Area Zero with All Baimu and Arven.

As for the school rules, she had already thought it through: she would apply to Director Clavell and even the League Chairwoman, Geeta.

The main reason Area Zero was off-limits was the danger, but with enough strength to rely on, there should be nothing to fear.

After a hurried lunch.

The three of them changed direction; originally planning to return to Mesagoza, they now headed south straight for Poco Path.

To save time, they chose to ride their Pokémon—

Cyclizar, the mechanical Cyclizar, and the three-headed Cyclizar.

"Don't race it!"

All Baimu patted Hydreigon's head. The grumpy dragon, who looked down on everyone, had naturally gotten into a rivalry with Miraidon.

Seeing it running so fast, it was about to charge forward to chase it.

But even though Hydreigon was flying and Miraidon was running on the ground, the latter was clearly faster.

It was very unconvinced.

"Sha-sang!"

"There will be plenty of time for you to race later! If you dare to lose the Cyclizar now..."

All Baimu's smile was sinister, and Hydreigon shrank its heads.

Fine.

You're the boss.

It slowed its flight speed so that the Cyclizar carrying Arven could catch up.

After Miraidon ran far away and saw that Hydreigon wasn't chasing, it looked back like a silly deer. "Gah-ss?"

Hydreigon ignored it.

Cyclizar panted as it caught up, and seeing the two "Cyclizars" waiting for it, it couldn't help but look aggrieved.

When had it ever suffered such humiliation?

As a Cyclizar galloping across the wilderness, what was more humiliating than being slower than others was having the opponent stop and wait for it.

Arven didn't think that much; he was still immersed in what Professor Turo had said.

They were clearly the ones who didn't take the initiative to contact him, yet they claimed they couldn't reach him. Where could he have gone?

It was nothing more than sneaking into Area Zero to see them, only to be almost left behind by the wild Pokémon inside halfway through.

Ordering him around without saying two words was truly infuriating!

Arven thought he must confront them and tell them what mistakes they had made.

A moment later.

The three arrived in front of the lighthouse on a cliff at Poco Path.

"That's my home over there; want to go visit my place later?" Nemona invited him proactively.

Arven said, "Although I haven't been back in a long time, the laboratory is also livable!"

The two started a debate about where to stay for the night.

Finally, they decided to see how things went.

Creak—

The gate opened slowly.

In the dust-covered room, Arven stepped inside, not expecting the computer device in the back to turn on automatically.

Professor Turo appeared in the center of the screen.

He said: "You've finally arrived. I am currently in the deepest part of the Great Crater of Paldea, researching special Pokémon. I would like to ask for your help in achieving the final step of Turo's great research!"

"The final step..."

The three looked at each other.

Professor Turo said: "A key item indispensable to the research is somewhere in the lighthouse laboratory—the 'Violet Book'. I hope you can bring it in."

"The Violet Book!"

Arven took out the old book in shock.

Professor Turo's gaze fell upon it, saying: "Since it's in your hands, that makes things easier. Please bring the 'Violet Book' to the deepest part of Area Zero. Do as I say, and you will gain an experience as precious as treasure."

What kind of talk was this?

All Baimu frowned and said: "Why don't you come out and get it yourself? Area Zero is very dangerous, right?"

"Yes, it is full of ferocious Pokémon, and it is locked down by an impenetrable computer system. And due to personal reasons, I cannot leave at will, so I can only rely on you."

Professor Turo looked at Nemona and said: "You are the Student Council President, Nemona, right? A Champion-level Trainer who has emerged in the last two years."

Nemona hurriedly responded, "Hello, Professor Turo!"

"Hello! With you and Champion All Baimu, plus recruiting one more partner who understands computer technology, you can come to Area Zero."

Professor Turo waved his fingers and said: "I will wait for your arrival in the depths of Area Zero."

The communication cut off.

All Baimu really couldn't hold back and said to Arven: "No offense, but is your father always like this? Inviting people to do things without providing complete information."

Professor Turo was clearly acting secretive, no different from a major villain.

He, who was originally interested in Area Zero, now felt there was some trap there, and this Violet Book might be a tool for destroying the world?

"..."

Arven was speechless; he also had many questions.

Nemona said: "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it! Exploring bit by bit is also fun!"

"We aren't talking about the same thing... Forget it, let's stay here tonight."

All Baimu locked his gaze on the bookshelf to the side and said: "I want to see if there's anything I'm interested in among this pile of books."

She felt a bit disappointed upon hearing this, but didn't stop him.

The three began a deep cleaning.

By the time the sky outside the window darkened, the room had been tidied up, and Nemona refused to go home.

The house was big and cold; how could it compare to the liveliness here?

After dinner, they did a little Pokémon battling and training, looked through the collections of Professors Turo and Sada, and the three curled up in their sleeping bags and said goodnight to each other.

Tomorrow they had to return to school to continue the Terastal training, and besides, it was time to attend some classes.

Late at night.

All Baimu was awakened by an extremely faint tinkling sound.

He opened his eyes and found the source of the sound came from the roof...

The roof?

Wasn't this a lighthouse?

All Baimu rose quietly, took out a telescopic baton and various pellets from his pocket, and climbed all the way to the top along the outside ladder.

The 【Breath Concealment】 skill made his footsteps faint and silent.

In this somewhat eerie situation, he saw a small gray figure wriggling in front of a half-open box in the shadows of the lighthouse's observation deck.

... Gimmighoul?

All Baimu was slightly surprised.

You had to know that Gimmighoul was a relatively rare Ghost-type Pokémon that would hide in old treasure chests in remote corners, collecting various coins.

It was said that as long as it accumulated coins to a certain extent, it could evolve into a brand-new form.

But few Gimmighoul could do it.

In the wild environment, where would there be so many coins for it to pick up?

It wasn't like someone's grave had been dug up, filled with burial objects, and happened to have ancient coins.

He thought for a moment, didn't disturb this guy, and left silently.

But what he didn't expect was that not long after he lay back in his sleeping bag, Drakloak, who had also been awakened by the metallic clinking sound, followed the sound to the lighthouse.

When Drakloak saw the treasure chest in front of Gimmighoul, it turned invisible and curiously peeked inside.

Wow! So many shiny things!

Its eyes rolled, and while Gimmighoul was carefully locking the treasure chest and leaving, it pried it open, moved the coins one by one downstairs, and stuffed them into Shiny Gengar's stomach.

Gengar's eyes were tightly shut, its face showing difficulty. "Gen-gah..."

Can't, can't eat anymore...

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1051 =====