Chapter 1175

Ma'ao agreed.

The speed was so fast it exceeded Baimu's expectations.

"You can take your time to consider."

He looked at the juice in front of him, only half-drunk.

Ma'ao's father cheerfully said: "Going out to train to improve culinary skills is indeed our fine tradition at the Aina Cafeteria!

"And besides, her brother should be returning soon; Ma'ao has helped out so hard for so many years—it's his turn to pitch in!"

"Dad! There's no such thing as hardship or not—you're the one who suffers the most!" Ma'ao pouted.

The sweet cold queen elegantly swayed her thick leafy hair, "Ah~"

Baimu said: "Putting it that way, the Aurou region is indeed very suitable for you. I remember you like to explore various ingredients and create new dishes, right?

"Coincidentally, the Aurou region has many plants rarely seen in the outside world, even some that are already extinct."

Extinct plants!

Ma'ao exclaimed in amazement, "How amazing! How were they revived? Through some kind of technology?"

"Through……the power of Pokémon."

Baimu smiled.

As a mummy from ten thousand years ago, Queen Leiguanwang naturally created plants that included products from her era.

Ten thousand years—long or short, it's neither particularly long nor short.

Upon hearing this, Ma'ao grew increasingly eager for the unfamiliar Aurou region.

And after Baimu left the Aina Cafeteria, he was quite surprised to find he had actually managed to lure someone in.

If Ma Ma Nei agrees, we could even get another teacher for information technology.

Water Lily……

Fishing class? Swimming class?

Alola has so many wild talents; they'll surely find their rightful places.

Being young is no problem—once hired, they'll grow into the role as they work.

Baimu returned to the seaside wooden cabin in a cheerful mood.

"Has everyone come back yet?"

Since coming to Alola was for vacation, he didn't bring too many Pokémon to Ula'ula Island.

Earlier, choosing Galarian Solar Coral for battle against Gardevoir was also because it was too lazy—it would curl up and sleep wherever it went.

Baimu thought: You sleep wherever you are, so why not just sleep inside the Poké Ball?

So he packed it up and took it along.

What a coincidence!

"Hmm……"

The polished solar coral rolled onto the bed, thinking: At least before I go back, I'd rather die than leave this bed.

If you've got the guts, move the battlefield into the bedroom!

It clearly knows trainers have slight cleanliness obsessions—any Pokémon touching the bedding must be cleaned thoroughly.

In the living room, Baimu counted his Pokémon one by one.

"Several still haven't come back! Are they all at the Forest Inn?"

"Tsk~"

The big-mouthed child eating an ice pop nodded.

It seems the place where Smart Swing Ape lives truly has some kind of magic.

Baimu washed his face, refused to keep flying on the Triple Evil Dragon flight: "Flying you around all day, my legs are stiff."

"Hiss……"

The Snarling Dragon beast looked wronged—obviously the saddle has a problem!

It muttered as it flew to the bedroom, and when feeling down, it bites two mouthfuls of solar coral; being poked by the tentacles twice helps relieve its mood.

Outside the wooden cabin.

The differently colored Menas sang loudly toward the sea tide.

Its alluring posture in the night appeared hazy and indistinct, like a deep-sea mermaid, drawing countless water-type Pokémon to gaze in admiration.

Baimu paused to listen for a while, then told the coiled Steel Snake not to disturb the neighbors at night, and headed straight for the Forest Inn.

Just stepping into the jungle.

Kapu·Tiktik suddenly appeared ahead, a pair of colorful eyes fixed on him.

"Wow! You scared me!"

Baimu wore a look of being startled.

Kapu·Tiktik looked at him, then toward the seaside wooden cabin, its small eyes filled with great confusion.

How did this bunch become strong again?

The original Bossagora already made it feel troublesome and wary; now similar beings have increased by a whole group!

Could it be that I slept too long last night—slept for over ten years?

Kapu·Tiktik has raised countless generations of Island Kings, and clearly knows it's nearly impossible to train a group of Pokémon to Baimu's level—

Basically impossible!

If it weren't for knowing Baimu means no harm, it would probably already be thinking of ways to summon its other three siblings to secretly deal with these uninvited guests.

The threat is too strong—it can't help but stay alert!

"Ooh!!"

It let out a low growl, which continued for a while before it turned and vanished into the night as a flash of lightning.

Baimu: "……What the hell."

Hmm, this island deity is a bit off.

He walked deeper into the jungle, where he encountered several clusters of black balls darting about; upon closer inspection, he found they were groups of Alolan Rattata.

This reminded Baimu of that dominant Rattata that had taken quite a dislike to him.

I wonder how it's doing now?

"Tch!"

In the mountain hollow, the dominant Rattata, lying on its back eating tree fruit, let out a mighty sneeze, spraying fruit pulp onto its underlings.

It scratched its nose, looking slightly puzzled, and let out a soft "Huh?"

Which damn bastard cursed it from behind again?

Forget it.

I'll eat, sleep, and think about it later.

The dominant Rattata lazily rolled over, but before it could even fall asleep, it was awakened by the charging Alolan Rattata.

"Huh?!"

At first it was furious, but once it figured out what was going on, it immediately shuddered.

Ah, now I see—it said that's why it suddenly sneezed.

That demon's back!

"Squeee—!!"

The dominant Rattata let out a piercing shriek, calling its underlings to retreat.

It was going to flee, heading to neighboring Akala Island to lie low for a few days before returning—

Better to swim a few nautical miles without a boat than let that bastard have a chance to find it!

In the city at night.

Amidst the bewildered expressions of many passersby, a wave of Alolan Rattata surged past, heading straight for the seaside.

Miss Junsha arrived first, and many off-duty officers were also forced to report for duty.

And the mastermind behind all this, the dominant Rattata "Assassin" Baimu, was now walking toward the Bostoncola in the vegetable garden.

"What are you doing here?"

"Grrr~"

The giant monster indicated it had no interest in the grievance meeting, having come out to see these vibrant, lively plants, which could bring it pleasure.

Seeing this, Baimu smiled and patted its arm, "You haven't changed in this regard at all."

Bostoncola had always loved plants since it was young.

I remember when we moved house, it dug up all the trees from the old yard and transplanted them to the new home.

The Steelix even, while practicing magnetic levitation, lost control and accidentally crushed Bostoncola's bushes, earning it a furious beating.

Nowadays, Bostoncola's temper isn't nearly as bad as it used to be.

Baimu followed the wooden stairs straight into the forest tavern and greeted the Machoke behind the bar.

"Ah golah~ Good evening."

"Yah leh yah leh~"

The Machoke nodded, signaling him to take away the two drunks at the bar—

Dugtrio 2 and the Shiny Gengar.

One lay face-up on the table, snoring loudly, while the other slumped forward, head resting on the bar, eyes glazed.

Baimu stepped closer, sniffing what they had been drinking.

【Signature Pineapple Juice】.

He gazed at the two Pokémon, gently stroking their faces, "You two idiots."

How could drinking juice normally get you drunk?

Only when one fully vents their inner anguish and becomes completely relaxed does a drunken-like state occur.

Just as Baimu had anticipated.

These two indeed bear the greatest psychological burden in the entire team.

Happiny, Menas, and the like had also briefly shut down, but after achieving their life goals or having their purposes fulfilled, they became much more sunny and confident.

Especially Menas.

Previously, it had been crushed in spirit by Ke Li's Menas, but now it's brimming with confidence, ready to reclaim its honor.

"Papari?"

Dugtrio 2 blinked dazedly, trying to clear its vision, when warm hands covered its eyes.

"Sleep, you need proper rest."

Baimu spoke softly, pulling out a Poké Ball to recall it and the Gengar.

He deeply felt that sneaking out to Alola was the right decision, "Thanks! Machoke!"

"Yah tah~"

The Machoke smiled back, seeming to say, "Welcome back anytime."

Only after the young human had fully exited the tavern did its smile fade, and it sighed wistfully while fanning itself.

"Yah leh~ yah leh~"

Most Pokémon who come to the tavern and have trainers complain about being neglected, arguing with their trainers, or trainers being too strict—trivial matters like that.

But these two, worried about their own inadequacy dragging their trainer and partners down in future battles, are different.

Especially as important matches draw nearer, their sense of crisis grows stronger.

It's so unsafe!

—This is two Pokémon capable of bullying most of the Four Heavenly Kings back and forth, yet they act like elementary school students about to take an exam.

Smart Strike Ape listened, speechless.

Fortunately, it only has to listen and doesn't need to solve problems for these two.

Close the shop, close the shop!

"Yah~"

It thanked the few lamp shades—night mushrooms and sleepy mushrooms serving as table lamps—hanging in the side basket.

Outside the tavern.

Boss Cudwait waited calmly, "Guhou?"

Baimu said: "Nothing much, got drunk on pineapple juice."

"Guhou~"

Boss Cudwait couldn't help but smile; these two Pokémon—one the smartest, one the cleverest and quirkiest.

Who would have thought they'd lose to pineapple juice in the hands of a novice?

Baimu smiled slightly, then sighed.

"Sometimes discovering situations as a trainer that I'm powerless to change feels quite sad."

I thought I could care for my Pokémon perfectly, but reality is often far less simple than imagined.

Though Pokémon depend on trainers, they fundamentally remain independent individuals.

They cry, laugh, argue, and make noise.

There are always a few things I am powerless to do.

"Guhou~"

Boss Cudwait gently patted the trainer's shoulder to comfort him; in its view, no one could be more capable than Baimu.

Under the clear moonlight, in the dense jungle.

The entire Melemele Island lay as if asleep, utterly silent—no wild Pokémon moving along the way, not even insect chirps or bird calls.

On the rugged road.

Baimu and Boss Cudwait followed each other closely.

They often go out late at night, walking under the moon, enjoying the tranquil night.

Even if silent from head to toe, they still clearly sense each other's presence through footsteps and breathing.

It's as if an invisible bond tightly ties me to the great monster.

Without doubt.

This is our moment alone.

Approaching the coastline, accompanied by the sound of waves, the brightly lit seaside villa came into view.

Inside, black shadows occasionally passed by, emitting familiar roars.

Before the beach, the giant Iron Snake raised its chin as if sensing something, softly calling: "Suo?"

As soon as it spoke, the wooden house instantly stirred with commotion.

In an instant, the Pokémon rushed out one after another, joyfully greeting Baimu's return home.

Various cries rose and fell.

"..."

While he stood beneath the tall coconut tree, watching his companions run toward him, a deep warmth filled his chest.

"Whenever this happens, I think—'Being able to live in this world, to meet you all, is truly wonderful!'"

"Guhou~"

Who says it isn't?

Boss Cudwait laughed in response.

The luckiest moment of its life was undoubtedly the day it met Baimu.

—

Poni Island.

In front of Hapu's hut.

Baimu and the Great Monster each held a white radish, chewing with crunching sounds.

"Do I really not need to help?"

"Just sit there and eat properly! We can handle it ourselves!"

The dust-covered Hapu wiped sweat, dissatisfied: "Are you looking down on us?"

This island queen is actually one year younger than Acerola, but she's quite skilled at farm work, with Mudsdale and Mudbray helping, so it doesn't look too strenuous.

Baimu replied: "You're overthinking it; I just think as a friend, I should lend a hand."

"Friends? Lend a hand?"

Hapu froze, then sharply turned her head, muttering: "Well, well, you help then!"

Starting to act tsundere at such a young age—she'll suffer for it when she grows up.

Baimu finished chewing the Poni radish, then went to help Hapu.

Coming to Poni Island, on one hand to see Hapu, on the other to snatch someone from the Battle Tree—

Hawk.

According to Mokudon, this one is lurking in the Battle Tree.

What mission exactly?

He was genuinely curious about Hauke's situation.

However, this kind of covert intelligence — let alone that he wasn't a member of the International Police, even if he were, most likely he couldn't have found out.

After a while, Baimu helped Hapu finish the farm work, enjoyed a wave of simulation cooldown time, and left satisfied.

Hapu stomped her foot angrily, "Villain! Next time I'll definitely beat you!"

"Next time we'll see!"

Baimu waved his hand without looking back.

This morning I went for a stroll near the Pokemon School and met Kukui, Burnet, and their child.

From this I learned Mallow is out traveling, Lana went out to sea fishing for Gyarados...

This little miss has been spouting things off the cuff for more than a day or two.

Battle Tree.

He had just arrived at the base of the tree when he suddenly saw a familiar figure, "Hau?"

"I'm here!"

Hau poked his head out from a corner, and the moment he saw him revealed a delighted expression, "Big Brother Baimu!"

"Why are you here too?"

Baimu asked strangely.

The grandson of Poni Island's Island Kahuna hanging around Poni Island all day?

Hau chuckled, "I'm cultivating, aren't I? Today it's my turn to guard the gate!"

He even patted his chest a bit proudly.

Baimu sized him up, "... Is Hauke here?"

He originally wanted to extend an olive branch to Hau, but thinking carefully about their past interactions, he really didn't seem like the type to teach others.

Observe a bit more.

"Big Brother Hauke isn't here, he hasn't come back for many days." Hau shook his head.

A wasted trip?

Baimu looked up at the towering tree soaring into the clouds.

"Forget it, just treat it as coming to grind experience." He decided to beat the Battle Tree trainers thoroughly once more.

Meanwhile, in the Altar of the Sunne.

Beside Zilan stood a Kommo-o, firmly pinning down another individual larger than itself.

"This guy is the Totem, right?"

Guadelia asked curiously.

"Roar!"

The Totem Kommo-o let out a humiliated low roar.