Chapter 557: Tapu Koko's Challenge

Luo Mu, who had innocently become a collateral victim, immediately glared at Gladio.

So this is how you are, Gladio—

I feed you and house you, and this is how you repay me!?

Gladio also seemed to realize that by not informing Luo Mu beforehand, the "reason" he had hastily concocted based on the current situation was somewhat rude.

He could only subtly cast a glance at Luo Mu containing both "apology" and "plea."

For now, he just needed to muddle through; he certainly didn't want to return with his Silvally to a place where danger might arise.

Although he claimed to be learning from Luo Mu, having been bedridden the whole time, Gladio wasn't entirely sure just how strong Luo Mu actually was, and with his limited knowledge, he couldn't discern the true capabilities of Luxray and the others.

Once he survived this ordeal, he definitely wouldn't bother Luo Mu anymore.

Not only that—

Gladio also informed Lusamine, through a mix of falsehoods and truths, about how he had fallen ill in the rain, encountered the kind-hearted Luo Mu who "rescued" him, and how the other party had taken care of him for two days.

Gladio had a clear understanding of his family background and didn't mind utilizing the benefits it brought.

Since he temporarily lacked the ability to "repay the kindness" himself, he could simply let his mother, Lusamine, "repay the kindness" on his behalf.

In this way, he could actually fill most of the loopholes in his story.

As expected.

Upon hearing that Gladio had actually developed a high fever, Lusamine immediately panicked.

She wanted to step forward to check on Gladio's condition but worried he would reject her, so she could only stand in place, hesitating to move.

This left Gladio somewhat puzzled.

In his view, a mother busy with work was equivalent to neglecting her children; why, then, was she displaying such an anxious expression now?

Gladio became increasingly confused.

But James did not share Lusamine's many concerns; as the old butler who had raised both Gladio and Lillie, he was, to the two of them, equivalent to a grandfather without blood ties.

James first tested Gladio's temperature, then carefully examined him, before reporting to the anxiously waiting Lusamine: "Lady, the young master's fever has mostly subsided; judging by his spirit, he seems to have largely recovered."

"Is that so? That's wonderful."

Lusamine, whose concern had thrown her into disarray, breathed a sigh of relief; unsure how to communicate with Gladio, she chose to look toward Luo Mu instead.

"This... Mr. Luo Mu, thank you for taking in my son."

"I am Lusamine, Chairman of the Aether Foundation; if you have any needs while in the Alola region, please contact me anytime via this business card, and the Aether Foundation will spare no effort to assist you."

Lusamine shoved the gift and business card she held into Luo Mu's hands all at once; without waiting for him to refuse, she pulled Burnet, who seemed to want to say something, and turned to leave.

James, slightly slower than her, removed his monocle, wiped the lens with a handkerchief, put it back on, and then looked at Gladio, saying with earnest gravity: "Young master, do not be misled by the Lady's demeanor; in truth, she cares deeply for you and spent the entire night searching for your whereabouts."

"I shall remain at the mansion; if the young master has any needs, please feel free to return."

Under Gladio's complex expression, James bowed slightly to Luo Mu and Oranguru to express his gratitude, then performed the same bow toward Gladio before stepping back and departing.

Gladio watched their departing figures, and soon after heard the sound of helicopter rotors spinning, pondering whether reality might actually differ from his imagination.

Once the surroundings fell quiet again, Oranguru shook its head, raised its spatula, and returned to continue preparing breakfast.

As for Luo Mu, he paid no attention to Gladio, who stood aside seemingly contemplating some major life issue, and first picked up the exquisite gift Lusamine had thrust into his hands to examine it.

Inside the gift box was a set of exquisite stamps.

The stamps were jointly produced by Alola's four islands and the Aether Foundation, featuring Alola-exclusive Pokémon such as Rowlet, Popplio, Litten, and Stufful, looking quite adorable.

Luo Mu remembered that these items were supposedly limited edition, and their price had already been bid up to the skies.

Lusamine was indeed thoughtful.

For a traveler like himself who had come to the Alola region for tourism, such a gift was far more satisfactory than any amount of cash.

As for the other business card, it was simply one bearing Lusamine's private contact information; nothing significant.

Luo Mu directly stuffed it into his pocket, then turned his gaze to Gladio.

Next, it was time to discuss this fellow using him as a shield.

But before that, breakfast first.

His stomach was nearly starving flat.

He instructed Gladio to go to the dining room to set out the bowls and chopsticks, while Luo Mu went upstairs to wake up Pecharunt and the others.

After a simple yet sumptuous breakfast, looking at Gladio sitting obediently and upright as if he knew he had done wrong, Luo Mu felt somewhat amused.

"Do you admit your mistake?"

"I-I admit my mistake."

Gladio nodded obediently, then lowered his head again, awaiting Luo Mu's judgment.

He thought he would probably have to move out.

Who would have expected Luo Mu to place a hand on his shoulder and say with great magnanimity: "Alright, admitting your mistake is enough; for today, I'll forgive you."

He was still considering whether to pull some strings to get hold of the stamps Lusamine had given him.

Since he had already received the "reward," being used as a shield by this young master just once caused no substantial loss, and he had even obtained Lusamine's contact information.

Wasn't this all good news? What did Luo Mu have to be angry about?

Gladio had still underestimated the flexible bottom line of a profit-seeking adult.

Dazedly, he was tricked by Luo Mu into washing dishes, and when he nearly shattered the third bowl because his ten fingers had never touched spring water, the forbearance of Oranguru reached its limit; it took over the work from his hands and chased him out of the kitchen.

The kitchen door might as well have had a sign posted saying "Gladio and Feng Su Gou Not Allowed."

Seeing there was nothing left for him to do, and glancing at a box of Pecha Berries and honey sitting on the table, Gladio, confused, hesitated for a moment before finally heading outside the villa.

At this time, Luo Mu was instructing the Eevee sisters and Pecharunt on certain precautions, and had also prepared a small bag purchased just yesterday for them, filled with various items, the most important being a positioning chip and a phone number to contact him.

After completing all this, he let the three Pokémon hop away excitedly to explore, while simultaneously whispering to the shadow beneath his feet: "If any problems arise, I'll trouble you to step in."

Spectrier, lurking within the shadow, nodded gently; it was not a horse incapable of bending its mind, and just like its flexible and changeable bottom line, its thinking was by no means rigid.

Although the King had ordered it to protect Luo Mu, with Luxray and the others always accompanying Luo Mu, Spectrier figured it might as well help Luo Mu in other aspects; with a ripple beneath Luo Mu's feet, the shadow quickly flashed into Pecharunt's shadow, completing Spectrier's transfer.

After watching their figures disappear into the forest for quite a while, Luo Mu, having taken all necessary precautions, finally turned around only to discover Glazio standing there without him noticing when.

Just as Luo Mu was about to say something, a loud, piercing cry suddenly rang out from the distant seaside.

"Seeing Kapu—ko!"

Hearing this sound, Luo Mu froze mid-motion, now wanting nothing more than to curse.

Seriously, do all you troublesome beings have to flock together first thing in the morning? From the distant coastline, a figure swift as lightning flew low across the sky, skimming over the sea surface at astonishing speed like a rapidly flying missile, kicking up countless sprays of water and causing ripples to spread across the sea.

Moments later, under Glazio's astonished expression.

A Pokémon with a black body, adorned with intricate patterns on its golden shell shaped like a bird's head, appeared in the open space before the villa.

Its orange hair, standing high like a rooster's comb in a flamboyant style, and its eyes with blue sclera stared unblinkingly at Luo Mu.

It was precisely Tapu Koko, the island guardian of Melemele Island that Glazio had heard about since childhood! "Why has Tapu Koko appeared here?"

But what happened next allowed Glazio no time for further thought; in Tapu Koko's gaze directed at Luo Mu, something seemed to be brewing.

Glazio remembered that Tapu Koko was a rather capricious guardian deity; no one knew whether its appearance meant bestowing blessings or unleashing divine punishment.

Tapu Koko might even be unleashing divine punishment one second and granting the treasure known as a "Z-Crystal" the next.

Glazio's expression immediately turned Solemn, his hand gripping the Poké Ball trembling slightly.

But before he could act, Luo Mu stepped forward to stand before Tapu Koko and asked aloud, "Following me silently yesterday and suddenly showing up today, my lord guardian of Melemele Island, what exactly do you intend to do?"

For Luo Mu, not only did the hint system inform him of Tapu Koko's location, but also the reminder message Kukui sent late last night after much hesitation, which Luo Mu saw upon waking this morning.

This made him realize that Tapu Koko had already set its sights on him back when he was at the Pokémon School.

However, Luo Mu had no interest in why Tapu Koko targeted him; he merely found it puzzling why Tapu Koko would make such a conspicuous appearance early in the morning, so unlike its secretive spying last night—had it developed a battle fever?

From the ruins where the various guardian deities resided, one could roughly discern their tendencies.

For instance, like Tapu Tapu Moumou's Harvest Ruins, its representative ability was making the land fertile.

Meanwhile, Tapu Koko's dwelling, the "War Ruins," blatantly revealed its inclination.

This guardian deity greatly enjoyed battle.

Setting out early this morning from its home at the War Ruins to come here, a flicker of surprise flashed through Tapu Koko's blue eyes.

Clearly, it had assumed Luo Mu hadn't noticed its presence last night.

However, such matters were unimportant to the capricious Tapu Koko.

It directly forgot its original intention of observing Luo Mu to determine whether he possessed the qualification and ability to resolve the incident.

After a night passed, Tapu Koko's heart, boiling with hot blood and growing even more fervent, gazed intensely at Luo Mu as electric currents began to permeate the surroundings, crackling loudly in the air.

The beak at the tip of its intricately patterned shell, resembling half a bird's head, pointed directly at Luo Mu.

"Seeing Kapu—koko-oo!"

Fight! Luo Mu, who somehow intuitively understood Tapu Koko's meaning, nearly laughed in anger.

Very well, this island guardian truly acted on whim, doing whatever it pleased.

In a certain sense, the people of Melemele Island tolerating Tapu Koko for so many years was not only because it was an object of faith and a totem but also largely due to Tapu Koko's strength.

"This place isn't suitable; let's move elsewhere, and I'll fight you!"

Although he had planned to seek out Tapu Tapu Moumou, since Tapu Koko had conveniently delivered itself to his doorstep, Luo Mu didn't mind sparing a little time to beat it until it cried.

Beating it into Tapu Whimper and then having it lead him to Tapu Fini would achieve the same result.

As long as there was fighting to be done, Tapu Koko was quite tolerant in other aspects.

Obediently following behind Luo Mu, they arrived at an open area far from the villa with ample space.

Tapu Koko could no longer restrain its impulse; centered on itself, a wave spread irresistibly outward, dyeing the surroundings into a dazzling golden field crackling with electric sparks.

Ability: "Electric Surge"! The effect was quite straightforward, identical to Tapu Tapu Moumou's "Grassy Surge," except the terrain deployed upon entry was Electric Terrain.

While sending out Luxray for a fair duel would have been good, Luo Mu already had a candidate in mind for this battle.

"It's your turn to appear, Swampert."

A flash of red light appeared, and a Swampert more robust than its ordinary kin materialized.

It glanced around at the surrounding environment, displaying a satisfied expression.

Near the sea, with the ground feeling reasonably stable, it was very suitable for its performance.

At this moment, Oranguru, who hadn't even had time to remove its apron and was holding a half-squeezed Pecha Berry, hurried over as well.

Standing in a safe position, Glazio asked Oranguru with some concern, "Will Mr. Luo Mu be alright? The opponent is that Tapu Koko!"

Oranguru glanced at Glazio.

Come to think of it, this kid hadn't yet seen the young master in action, so such concerns were quite normal.

In response to Glazio's worry, Oranguru gave only a vague answer.

"Just keep watching, and you'll see."

Without a referee, a battle akin to a street fight naturally had no referee or whistle.

After Tapu Koko's loud cry announcing the start of the battle, splashing electric lights once again appeared across the surrounding ground.

Meanwhile, Tapu Koko itself became enveloped in energy shimmering with dazzling colorful light, charging bravely and fearlessly toward Swampert.

Dazzling Gleam!

In response, Luo Mu merely stroked the Key Stone in his hand and whispered, "Swampert, Mega Evolve!"

Under Glazio's incredulous and shocked expression.

Amidst surging waves of air, the light representing evolution enveloped Swampert, and at the instant Tapu Koko attacked, it shattered into countless fragments like broken glass scattering everywhere.

The transformed Mega Swampert extended its arms, swollen to more than double their size, from within, forcibly catching Tapu Koko's surprise attack purely through sheer strength! (End of Chapter)