Chapter 559: Tapu Fini's Request

Even though his stamina was rapidly recovering under the effect of the scales' powder, Tapu Koko closed his eyes in even greater despair.

Being defeated by the trainer one had raised oneself could be said to fit the plot of a classic shonen battle work.

But flying tens of thousands of miles from Melemele Island just to pick a fight, only to get knocked down and then caught red-handed by his colleague Tapu Lele—it was too much.

He could already imagine the future: during their Tapu family meetings, Tapu Lele would share his embarrassing mishap with the other two Tapus with an innocent, naive expression.

Compared to the mentally shattered Tapu Koko, Luo Mu watched warily as Tapu Lele approached him, taking small steps backward to avoid the scales' powder drifting down from Tapu Lele.

In his view, even though this scales' powder possessed remarkable effects for healing injuries and restoring stamina,

once one came into extensive contact with it, the body would become unable to endure the changes it caused and would be left gasping for life.

In Luo Mu's opinion, it was better to minimize contact with this substance, after all, no one knew what the standard for "extensive" actually was.

Fortunately, Tapu Lele seemed to have come merely to watch the show; circling around Luo Mu once, as if confirming he recognized this person, he nodded at Tapu Koko before flying straight into the depths of Akala Island.

As he departed, a crystal-clear gemstone fell as if accidentally dropped, landing right in front of Luo Mu.

Picking it up, a look of surprise flashed in Luo Mu's eyes as he stared at the silver-white diamond-shaped crystal and murmured, "A Normal-type Z-Crystal?"

What was this? A "reward" from Tapu Lele for putting on a good show?

At this moment, seeing Tapu Lele depart, Tapu Koko, who had actually recovered quite well, rose again and flew in front of Luo Mu.

"Puka-lo—"

From within its closed-then-opened shell claws, another bright yellow diamond-shaped crystal dropped, landing precisely on the palm where Luo Mu was examining the Normal Z-Crystal.

This time, it was an Electric-type Z-Crystal.

Behind them.

Gladio, who had already undergone who-knew-how-many shocks today due to Tapu Lele's sudden intrusion, stared in slight disbelief at the "spoils of war" that the two Tapus had successively tossed to Luo Mu.

This was the first time he had ever seen an Island Guardian personally bestow a Z-Crystal.

Even the Z-Crystal on his own person had been obtained only after completing the Island Challenge and defeating a Totem Pokémon in a Grand Trial!

"This is for me?"

Stroking the Electric-type Z-Crystal, which was surprisingly emitting a faint warmth, Luo Mu looked at Tapu Koko with confusion.

Having been brutally beaten by him and now even dropping equipment as loot—was Tapu Koko really this generous?

"Puka."

Tapu Koko nodded, now displaying somewhat of the solemn demeanor expected of an Island Guardian.

Just as he loved battle, if any person or Pokémon could impress him with sheer strength, or even defeat him,

he would certainly not be stingy in rewarding such a warrior.

Tapu Koko's gaze fell upon the Swampert, who had already exited his Mega Evolved form.

According to his previous spying—oh no, observation.

Swampert could already use the Ground Z, and Luo Mu already possessed a Z-Ring, so there was no need for him to make another trip to the Island King's house to steal a freshly made Z-Ring.

Tapu Koko had originally intended to give a Water-type Z-Crystal, but he only had an Electric-type Z-Crystal left on hand; moreover, based on his observations throughout the entire day yesterday, Luo Mu seemed to have an Electric-type Pokémon that he found somewhat inscrutable.

This Electric Z should be put to good use by the other party.

Luo Mu was not the type to be coy; since both Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko had already placed them in his hands, what reason could there be to push them away and refuse?

"Then I will accept the Z-Crystals. Thank you."

Tapu Koko nodded lightly, at this moment abandoning his plan to use his own abilities to send Luo Mu to another world.

He feared that if he suddenly sent the other party over, once they returned, they would hunt him down.

Anyway, that other world should be able to hold out for quite some time, and as long as he could maintain contact with his counterpart in that other world, he could send people over anytime.

It was better to wait until later, find some soft persimmon to cultivate, and then deal with it.

Thinking this, Tapu Koko was just about to fly away

when Luo Mu opened his mouth and called out to stop him.

"Wait a moment!"

"Seeing Kapu?"

Tapu Koko halted his movements, looking at Luo Mu with a mixture of shock and suspicion.

Could this human be so perceptive? Had he actually discovered Tapu Koko's plan to go back, rest a bit, borrow some local specialties from the Island King and Totem Pokémon, and then come back tonight to continue fighting his Pokémon? Fortunately, after Luo Mu explained the reason for calling him back, Tapu Koko breathed a sigh of relief.

What was this? He just wanted to ask Tapu Fini for help.

But immediately after, Tapu Koko's eyes narrowed again.

The competitive spirit belonging to an Island Guardian made him curious about what matter Luo Mu could possibly have that absolutely required seeking out Tapu Fini, rather than asking for help from him, a Guardian who was right here.

But under the two points Luo Mu successively raised, Tapu Koko fell silent.

This... indeed, only that colleague had a way.

"The mist that allows one to see the departed" and "the clear water that purifies all filth"—only Tapu Fini could accomplish both of these things simultaneously.

It was just that nowadays, Tapu Fini rarely appeared due to his reclusive nature.

At most, he could only take Luo Mu to actually meet Tapu Fini; whether the other party would agree to Luo Mu's two requests was something beyond his control.

Under the translation of Oranguru, Luo Mu learned the other party's opinion from Tapu Koko.

Without the slightest hesitation, he nodded lightly and said, "As long as you take me to see Tapu Fini, whether it succeeds or not has nothing to do with you."

Perhaps appreciating this human, the usually capricious Tapu Koko displayed a generosity and patience that, if known by the Island King Hala, would leave him utterly astonished.

After Luo Mu instructed Oranguru to stay behind at the villa, wait for Urshifu and the others to return, and told Gladio that he could seek help from Oranguru for anything, he released his Dragonite and, under Tapu Koko's guidance, flew toward Poni Island, located in the western part of the Alola region.

As one of the four major islands of the Alola region, Poni Island was, however, the slowest to develop.

The tourism industry that was flourishing on the other islands simply could not take root on Poni Island.

Most areas of the entire Poni Island maintained a quite primitive appearance; human development seemed to be blocked from entering by some mysterious force.

Luo Mu felt this was probably related to the policy of action adopted by Tapu Fini, the Island Guardian.

It is the guardian deity within the Seeing Kapu family least tolerant of human development on the islands.

From its perspective, humans are simply destroying the natural landscape and establishing their own territories atop their graves.

This is likely the reason why developed areas on Poni Island are so scarce.

However, Poni still holds important locations such as the "Poni Grand Canyon," the "Sun Altar," and the "Moon Altar"; Luo Mu was also very interested in the "Battle Tree" built on the island, though he likely wouldn't be able to visit it today.

After completing the two objectives that brought him to the Alola region, perhaps he could still pay a visit to the future Island Queen, Hapu, and purchase some of Poni Island's native specialty, the "Poni Giant Radish," from her.

Once relations were established, he might even obtain the relevant cultivation methods and some seeds, allowing him to bring them back to the farm and prepare to sow and plant them when spring arrives!

Seeing Kapu Koko knew clearly where Seeing Kapu Fini usually stayed; as soon as it entered Poni Island's range, it flew straight toward the southeast direction of the island.

From time to time, it would stop and look back to see if Luo Mu had fallen behind.

It could be said to be quite responsible; in the southeast corner of Poni Island lay ruins that the Alolans of the past called the "Land of Life's End."

Just like Tapu Tapu Moumou's Ruins of Abundance and Seeing Kapu Koko's Ruins of Conflict.

Those ruins, named "The Other Shore," served as the occasional dwelling of the Island Guardian Deity Seeing Kapu Fini, and were also the area where altars were established for sacrifices by the Island King or Island Queen.

Luo Mu knew about matters of this degree, and indeed, if he were willing to expend some effort, he could even find that place himself.

Yet he still chose to seek help from Seeing Kapu Koko.

This was solely because even if he found that place, if Seeing Kapu Fini was unwilling to appear, trying to corner it within the vast Alolan seas would likely prove extremely troublesome.

Not to mention that after being surrounded, pursued, and blocked, Seeing Kapu Fini would probably be even less willing to offer assistance.

"Boooom—"

Maintaining a steady flight speed, a trace of unease flashed through Emperor Yan Di's eyes.

At this point, it actually felt a slight fear and resistance at the prospect of meeting Seeing Kapu Fini soon.

Organizing and uploading~~

Over the course of nearly a year, Mother's condition had improved considerably.

Although an invisible "human" that it couldn't see always accompanied Mother, and it often had to prepare double portions of food, that second portion would remain untouched even after cooling down.

Yet it truly had managed to establish some communication with the outside world; accompanied by its three godmothers, it had recently even attempted to deliver Tapu Moumou Fresh Milk for the farm a few times.

What if this operation not only failed to cure it but instead worsened its condition? Perhaps this anxiety over gains and losses described Emperor Yan Di's current state perfectly.

Previously, it had hoped Mother could emerge from the shadows of the past, yet now that the moment had arrived, it felt somewhat hesitant.

At that moment, a pair of warm hands rested upon its back.

Emperor Yan Di looked back, and what met its eyes was Luo Mu's gentle smile, meant to soothe.

"Everything will be fine, trust me."

The trust forged over a long period caused Emperor Yan Di's heart to calm down with strange rapidity.

Before long, the destination was already within sight.

Churning waves rolled endlessly, crashing against the cliffs, raising layers of white foam and emitting a deafening roar.

If Luo Mu remembered correctly, beneath these surging ocean waves lay the venue where the Island Kings or Island Queens of past generations would initiate the Grand Trial, testing trainers undertaking the Island Challenge.

This place was the Poni Coast, and just ahead lay the location of the cave housing the Ruins of the Other Shore.

"Puka!"

Seeing Kapu Koko halted its flight, hovering in mid-air, and cried out toward Luo Mu and Emperor Yan Di.

It was telling itself and Emperor Yan Di to follow it closely inside.

Understanding Seeing Kapu Koko's intent, Luo Mu looked forward and indeed spotted the entrance to a hidden cave.

Seeing Kapu Koko flew straight into it, with Emperor Yan Di following closely behind.

After entering the cave, the sound of waves crashing against rocks diminished greatly, and the surroundings seemed as if a mute button had been pressed, falling into complete silence.

After venturing deeper for a while, an altar came into view, covered in various strange and seemingly valuable corals, surrounded by accumulated water that seemed connected to external waters, appearing full of ancient traces.

"This is the Ruins of the Other Shore—"

After setting foot on solid ground, Luo Mu did not recall Emperor Yan Di, but instead looked around to confirm their location.

Seeing Kapu Koko also seemed not to have visited this place for a long time; after sneakily plucking a few pieces of attractive coral to pack away, it finally began attending to serious business.

Luo Mu, who saw everything clearly: "."

Your hands as an Island Guardian Deity are truly not clean.

But the next instant, he had no leisure to concern himself with Seeing Kapu Koko's behavior.

Seeing Kapu Koko let out a loud cry, as if calling out to someone.

"Seeing Kapu—gah!"

The calm water surface around them instantly rippled; both Emperor Yan Di and Luo Mu sensed a strange aura rushing swiftly from beneath the water.

Within a short while, accompanied by splashing water, a black shadow broke through the surface, appearing within the Ruins of the Other Shore.

Flowing water-blue long hair, a mermaid-like black body residing within a shell resembling a clam spirit from mythological tales.

It was precisely the last of the four Island Guardian Deities of the Alola region, Poni Island's guardian deity, Seeing Kapu Fini.

Summoned by Seeing Kapu Koko's call, it appeared before Luo Mu.

Regarding Luo Mu, this human, Seeing Kapu Fini naturally noticed him immediately.

Although slightly wary, with Seeing Kapu Koko present, Seeing Kapu Fini ultimately did not turn and leave, but instead questioned Seeing Kapu Koko.

"Puka-rai—"

Facing its colleague's questioning, Seeing Kapu Koko narrowed its eyes and conveyed everything to Seeing Kapu Fini through the unique method of communication among the Seeing Kapu family—ancient sacrificial dances.

Also known as awkward dancing.

Although watching two legendary Pokémon engage in awkward dancing was somewhat hard to keep a straight face about.

But when Seeing Kapu Fini, having understood everything, looked over, Luo Mu still spoke: "Honorable Island Guardian Deity Seeing Kapu Fini, please grant my request, allow the one seeking an important person to meet them once more through the mist, and bestow clear water that purifies all filth, thoroughly washing away past curses and desires."

Seeing Kapu Koko, listening on the side, silently turned its head away.

"Fickle human, why have I never seen you show me such respect!" Having learned Luo Mu's request, Seeing Seeing Kapu did not immediately express its stance but closed its eyes, as if communicating with someone.

A human possessing the power to defeat Seeing Seeing Kapu might be needed by another version of itself.

A moment later.

Seeing Seeing Kapu opened its light-blue eyes, looked at Luo Mu, and a gentle, loving voice rang out.

"Lai Xi—"

It was willing to help Luo Mu.

But on the condition that Luo Mu needed to complete one task for it.

Only then would it unfold the mist that allows one to see the departed and bestow the clear water that purifies all filth.

"Complete one task?"

Repeating the words several times, Luo Mu, who felt as though some trap had been dug right in front of him, narrowed his eyes.

After deep thought, Luo Mu still nodded and said, "I agree to your request; what task must I complete?"

"Puka Lai."

Seeing Seeing Kapu smiled lightly and slowly spread its hands.

Once they arrived there, Luo Mu would naturally know.

Following Seeing Seeing Kapu's movements, a milky-white mist, as if connecting to another world, gradually enveloped the entire Other Shore Ruins.

(End of Chapter)