Chapter 792

The next day.

All Baimu went to collect the goods.

Bewear was nowhere to be seen; it had likely gone out to gather honey.

Stufful was playing with Wobbuffet, Mareanie, and Mimikyu, and let out a friendly cry when it saw him.

"Mago!"

"Alola."

He responded with a smile and walked into the tree hollow, heading straight for the second floor.

He saw Jessie sitting idly in front of the large-screen computer, lazily crossing her legs and eating pudding; Meowth was silently sewing the tear in the hot air balloon, and James was fiddling with the Z-Crystal detector.

"I'm here to get the machine."

All Baimu shouted straight to the point.

Jessie and Meowth turned their heads to look at him in unison, then turned back expressionlessly.

As the saying goes, distance makes the heart grow fonder; emotions like fear are the same. Too frequent contact made Team Rocket gradually get used to his existence.

Although it wouldn't give Team Rocket the courage to push their luck, at least the situation where their expressions twisted the moment they saw him hadn't happened again.

James scratched his head, his tone floating: "It should... be considered done, right?"

"Let's go out and test it to find out."

All Baimu urged.

Although there was plenty of time, he still hoped to collect all the Z-Crystals as soon as possible, and currently, the Z-Crystals in his hand were Normalium Z, Darkinium Z, and Flyinium Z.

He was still fifteen short of collecting all types.

The road is long and the burden is heavy.

The two came outside the tree hollow.

James took a deep breath and shouted: "Z-Crystal detector—ON!"

He pressed the red power button.

In an instant.

The two long, whisker-like antennas swung violently, then turned toward the right side, and a red dot began to flash on the small screen.

"Oh oh oh! There's a reaction! And it's very close! It's right on my right!"

James looked excitedly to the right, and immediately saw All Baimu with black lines on his face, and scratched his head guiltily again: "Uh, what's the situation? Is the machine broken?"

All Baimu replied: "It's not broken, it's my problem. Gengar! Give me the box!"

He snapped his fingers, and the Shiny Gengar emerged from the shadow.

"Gengar!"

Gengar stuck out its tongue, and a small box containing Z-Crystals was placed on its bright red tongue.

James said in surprise: "Don't tell me it's inside—"

"Want it?"

All Baimu looked at James with a smile that wasn't a smile and shook the box.

The latter gave a dry laugh and didn't dare to say more.

He had thought that if he put it in Gengar's stomach, the detector wouldn't be able to detect it; he hadn't expected the Z-Crystal detector to be even more sensitive than he had imagined.

"Take the box home."

All Baimu handed the box to Hydreigon and let it send it back to the beach house.

If Hoopa were around, he could have sent it directly to the safer Ferrum Town; at this stage, he could only put it further away to avoid interference.

"Sha-sang!"

Hydreigon carried the wooden box in its mouth and went far away.

It wasn't until James couldn't see its back that he restarted the machine in his hand, not forgetting to shout when starting: "Z-Crystal detector—ON! AGAIN!"

This guy...

Does he think he's reciting a magic spell?

All Baimu looked at James, who was having a *chuunibyou* outburst, and remembered the "Nirvana" potion that was claimed to be able to bring the dead back to life, and then thought of the Stoutland master of Ash's Litten.

It's a pity he didn't have a real Rainbow Wing on hand, otherwise he might have been able to try bringing someone back to life.

In the midst of his thoughts.

The antennas turned toward the back of the two.

"Oh oh oh oh! Got it! This one is also very close!" James looked excitedly behind him, where an ancient, towering tree stood.

His expression stiffened again.

All Baimu's mouth twitched and he said: "You guys also have Z-Crystals, right?"

Almost forgot!

Team Rocket had competed with Team Skull and obtained a Darkinium Z.

"We do have..."

James admitted with difficulty, while his gaze shifted back and forth, worried that this Z-Crystal would be snatched away.

However.

Not everyone likes to snatch things like Team Rocket.

"You should modify the machine again, make the functions more extensive, such as shielding a certain one or expanding the search range."

All Baimu felt that this entry-level version of the detector was very difficult to use, patted him on the shoulder: "Use your intelligence."

James sighed helplessly, "I, I'll try."

Although these functions sounded very difficult to do, at least it was more realistic than the Shining Stone detector.

That thing didn't have a clue.

"Give me a week this time!" James was determined to give the detector a major overhaul.

All Baimu agreed.

——

Two more days passed in a flash.

Ruins of Conflict.

All Baimu and Hala knelt on both sides of the high platform, with a huge banana leaf in front of them.

Both had solemn expressions.

"Today, I will conduct the Grand Trial battle with the challenger All Baimu; Guardian Deity of Conflict, Tapu Koko, please bestow upon us the power of the Alola islands!"

Hala whispered the prayer, and finally let out a long sigh.

He turned his head and said: "It's over, the prayer session before the Grand Trial."

"Okay."

All Baimu stood up, looked around at the primitive Ruins of Conflict, and asked: "Will Tapu Koko come to watch the Grand Trial?"

Hala smiled slightly and said: "Maybe, maybe not. Tapu Koko is a fickle guardian deity and will only do what it likes to do."

Sure enough, the local environment produces local Pokémon.

The guardian deity Tapu Koko is fickle, and Bewear and Totem Raticate being so difficult to get along with seems to have been confirmed.

Monkey see, monkey do!

All Baimu muttered inwardly.

Returning to Iki Town.

The villager serving as the referee stood in the center of the festival stage, waiting for the Grand Trial to begin.

The two came to one side respectively.

Hala stood with his back to the sun and said loudly: "Are you ready? Once the Grand Trial begins, there's no way to pause it!"

"Bring it on."

All Baimu smiled and showed the Poké Ball in his hand.

The referee shouted: "I declare! The Grand Trial battle between Melemele Island Kahuna Hala and Island Challenge challenger All Baimu—officially begins!"

It wasn't that the referee was unprofessional for not announcing the format or how many Pokémon each side could use.

The reason is that Island Challenge battles are different from regular battles; they are battles that can be changed at any time according to the preferences of the guardian deity and the Island Kahuna.

There are no Pokémon League restrictions here; the Island Kahuna serving as the examiner does as they please, and they decide who passes, even if the Grand Trial doesn't involve a battle.

Lillie was considered to have passed the Grand Trial just by using the Z-Move *Subzero Slammer*.

And generally speaking.

The default rule for the Melemele Island Grand Trial is a two-on-two single battle.

All Baimu threw the ball: "Go!"

Hala followed by tossing the Poké Ball: "Come out! Crabrawler!"

*Bang bang! *

White light flashed one after another.

"Gengar~"

Gengar emerged from a pool of shadow; directly opposite it was a strange crab with a dark purple shell and giant blue boxing-glove-like claws.

Crabrawler, the Boxing Pokémon, pure Fighting type.

"Mago!"

The purple giant crab held its guard and threw punches like a boxer, the speed of the punches causing a whistling sound.

Although it was in an unevolved state, Crabrawler wasn't necessarily weak.

After all, its evolution condition had nothing to do with energy level; what it needed was to be taken to the next island over—Mount Lanakila on Ula'ula Island.

In other words, like Eevee, it is a Pokémon that can only evolve under the influence of the environment.

Of course.

There is currently a theory online that Crabrawler can evolve into Crabominable using an Ice Stone; All Baimu thinks this is likely a patch GF made for the harsh evolution conditions in later generations.

"Ghost type? It seems you really did your homework in advance! But—"

Hala shouted: "That's not enough! Bubble Beam!"

"Mago!"

Crabrawler jumped up in response, spraying countless fluorescent blue bubbles from its claws, forming a huge bubble wall that surged toward Gengar not far away!

Sure enough.

Just looking at this Bubble Beam, one could see that Crabrawler was quite effective.

However...

To say how strong it was, it was actually just so-so.

Being underestimated.

All Baimu thought and said:

"Dodge."

"Gengar!"

Gengar rushed straight forward, as if it didn't listen to the Trainer's instructions and crashed into the bubble wall, but just when Hala was puzzled.

It suddenly dived into the shadow left by the sunlight shining on the bubble wall above its head.

That is the benefit of facing the sun.

In the blink of an eye.

Gengar moved to the back of the bubble wall, with only a few scattered bubbles bursting behind it.

It laughed incessantly: "Hehehehe!"

Hala praised: "Utilizing Gengar's special ability! Not bad, not bad! You really are an excellent Trainer, just as Kukui said!"

"But I should get serious too! Give it some color to see! Crabhammer!"

"Mago!"

Crabrawler swung its right claw toward the flying Gengar, water instantly wrapped around it, coating its large water-blue claw with a layer of shining fluorescence!

And this punch was fast and fierce; even a professional boxer would find it difficult to throw this kind of punch speed!

"Gengar!"

Who would have thought that Gengar, who was approaching, gave a wicked smile, its eyes suddenly lit up with blue light, and a powerful mental wave spread forward, causing Crabrawler's fist to stop at a distance of less than twenty or thirty centimeters from it.

*Spite*.

A Normal-type strong control move.

The disadvantage is that it is easily broken free from, and the advantage is that the starting move is fast, and the releaser can connect to other skills faster.

Huh!?

Hala suddenly felt something was wrong, his brows gradually furrowed and he shouted:

"Crabrawler, use Bubble Beam!"

While speaking.

The fluorescence on Crabrawler's fist quickly dimmed, and the move that failed to hit the opponent became ineffective.

Pity.

All Baimu saw that the battle situation was exactly the same as predicted last night, shook his head slightly and said: "It can end now."

"Gengar!"

Gengar's smile was exuberant, watching Crabrawler struggling to try to open its claws, and very kindly let the blue light in its eyes dim, making it break free from the restraint.

But the next moment.

A blinding light like the sun breaking through the dawn shone from its body!

*Dazzling Gleam*!

Countless light spears pierced through the Bubble Beam that Crabrawler had just sprayed, and the tyrannical energy impact also sent it flying fiercely after the explosion!

*Boom! *

Smoke curled!

Crabrawler's dark purple figure flew out of the dust, rolled a few times on the ground, and then lay motionless with swirl eyes.

One-hit kill!

The referee looked at Gengar in surprise.

Hala's Crabrawler was not one of those "trash fish" seen everywhere by the sea; it actually fell with one blow, even if it was a type disadvantage...

He suddenly came back to his senses, remembered his duties, and shouted:

"Crabrawler is unable to battle!"

"..."

Hala looked silently at the Crabrawler that was unable to battle, seemingly unable to accept that the Pokémon had been defeated so easily.

But soon.

His deeply furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and he said: "You have worked very hard, Crabrawler. It was my judgment that was wrong."

Hala recalled Crabrawler into the Poké Ball, looked at Gengar and All Baimu opposite, and said: "Sorry, it seems that my judgment of you was hugely wrong."

"Why do you say that?"

All Baimu asked knowingly.

Hala said: "Kukui told me you were a very excellent Trainer, so I conducted this Grand Trial at the level of an excellent Trainer... Now it seems you are not just excellent."

He stepped out with his right leg like a sumo wrestler and stomped heavily on the ground.

*Boom! *

Hala shouted: "You are worth me going all out! Come on! My old partner!"

A Poké Ball was thrown by him in a *shiko-dachi* stance.

*Bang! *

White light flashed.

The Pokémon appearing in the arena was Machamp with gray rock-colored skin and bulging muscles.

All Baimu thought this was more like it.

As an Island Kahuna, Hala should possess combat power similar to the Elite Four of the outside world, but the Crabrawler just now only had the level of a Gym Leader's Pokémon at most.

Used to tease children.

"Hypnosis!"

He took the initiative to give the order.

Gengar flew toward Machamp, its eyes glowing with purple-red light, and layers of light waves were released from its eyes, enveloping the Machamp that had just landed.

Hala shouted without hesitation: "Wake-Up Slap!"

Huh?

It was his side that initiated the Hypnosis! Using Wake-Up Slap means—

All Baimu seemed to have guessed something.

Just as he thought.

The two hands above Machamp suddenly slapped toward its own face, and two *slap-slap* sounds sent a circle of translucent ripples through the air.

A ruthless person!

It is estimated that it held back its strength.

Otherwise, Wake-Up Slap, which doubles in power in the sleep state, would be too much for Machamp to handle even if it hit itself.

What is surprising is.

Hala: "Knock Off!"

The two free hands of Machamp lit up with black light at a very fast speed, creating an almost seamless connection speed with the Fighting-type energy light that had just dimmed.

So fast!

Even All Baimu couldn't help but have this feeling.

But just like the previous bubble wall, Machamp, with its back to the sun, left a shadow on the stone slab on the ground that was enough for Gengar to dive into first.

"Dodge."

"Gengar!"

Gengar suddenly "fell" into the shadow, reacting even more agilely than Machamp.

Hala shouted without hesitation: "Stomping Tantrum!"

"Machamp!"

Machamp lifted its right leg and stomped heavily on the stone slab under its feet. In an instant, the stone slab shattered, countless stones and sand flew high, and a khaki shockwave spread from under its feet in all directions!

However.

Gengar had already emerged from behind Machamp and climbed onto its back, turning into a flash-bang grenade!

*Boom! *

The shockwave collided with the colorful light, and while the roar formed a gust of wind, it also caused the arena to be shrouded in smoke.

Hala ignored the wind and dust blowing in his face, looked up and saw Gengar flying out of the smoke, and shouted:

"Throat Chop!"

"Machamp!"

In the dust, Machamp responded to the Trainer's instruction.

It seemed to have suffered no damage in the explosion just now, jumped high and rushed straight into the sky, its lower two arms shrouded in eerie blood-red light, like two long thorns stabbing at Gengar!

Gengar had no way to dodge and was stabbed head-on by Machamp's arms flying up, its belly suddenly caving in.

As if it were about to be pierced.

"Huh?"

Hala was not happy but surprised when he saw this, and shouted: "Quickly use Seismic Toss!"

It was already too late.

The moment "Gengar" was pierced in the belly by Machamp and turned into gunpowder smoke, another Gengar flew up from below, its eyes glowing brightly at the stunned Machamp.

"Hypnosis."

All Baimu's instruction came late.

Then.

Machamp fell to the ground extremely fast like a kite with a broken string.

*Boom! *