Chapter 79: Kukui's Observations on the Farm

On the second day after Kukui awakened, his robust constitution as a super Alolan began to take effect, manifesting specifically in his ability to consume more food and his initial capacity to walk on the ground.

After managing to walk, he could not restrain himself and went near the farming area to observe what Luo Mu usually did and whether there was any help he could offer.

During the day, Luo Mu spent most of his time staying at the farmland.

Apart from Kukui's own Pokémon, these were basically the only Pokémon appearing in the farming area.

Three Bai Bai Pengpeng were the main force cultivating the soil on this farm; trailing behind them was a Minccino, but this Minccino was still very weak and basically unable to help with anything, capable only of cheering from the rear.

Occasionally, a small dog-like Pokémon that Kukui did not recognize would play nearby with another Pokémon he remembered being called a Fidough, while the Pokémon ostensibly managing this farmland was a Serperior.

To be honest, the moment Kukui first saw that Serperior, he knew the opponent was likely very strong; having such a powerful Pokémon yet still making several Bai Bai Pengpeng cultivate the soil through the inefficient method of scattering cotton fluff left Kukui quite baffled.

Since the matter could be resolved simply by having that Serperior use the Grassy Terrain move, why make things so complicated?

Kukui temporarily noted this point, preparing to observe further.

During rest intervals between sowing, Luo Mu would often gather some Pokémon that still appeared very young and begin leading them in training.

Based on this, along with those few Pokémon that immediately filled him with a desire to battle, Kukui judged that Luo Mu must be an excellent Trainer.

There were several Pokémon undergoing training, such as Poliwags conducting Water Gun training under the leadership of a particularly intelligent Poliwhirl.

These Poliwags each possessed different Abilities: two had the Ability Damp, one had the Ability Water Absorb, and regarding that Poliwhirl which had not revealed either of those two Abilities, Kukui judged its Ability was likely the rare Swift Swim.

These Pokémon usually lived in the lake on this farm; during a casual chat with Luo Mu, Kukui learned that lake was called Thunder Roar Lake, though he had not yet seen it in person, and he was also very curious about the reason for its name.

During rest intervals, those Bai Bai Pengpeng would often gather around Luo Mu together with the Minccino, obediently listening to his lectures, and their cute appearance of half-understanding struck a chord with Kukui.

Besides this, Kukui also learned the name of that small dog-like Pokémon accompanying the Fidough from Luo Mu's own mouth.

Growlithe.

Upon hearing this name for the first time, Kukui was undoubtedly shocked; the Growlithe he knew was not like this, and certain Miss Miss Junsha in the Alola region were also equipped with Growlithe, such excellent police dog Pokémon.

Unfortunately, even though Kukui's curiosity was bursting, Luo Mu merely smiled and deflected the topic, so Kukui could only temporarily treat this "Growlithe" as a regional form similar to the Exeggutor and Raticate of the Alola region.

In Kukui's view, that Growlithe undoubtedly possessed extremely excellent talent; occasionally, a Lycanroc would be invited by Luo Mu to teach that Growlithe Rock-type moves, which led Kukui to judge that this Growlithe's type was very likely Fire combined with Rock.

The Growlithe learned truly quickly; according to Luo Mu, the Growlithe had already studied under the Lycanroc for several days, and judging solely by Rock-type moves, it had now mastered the moves "Rock Throw," "Rock Tomb," and "Stealth Rock."

In Kukui's view, that Growlithe was undoubtedly a Pokémon very suitable for cultivation as a main combatant; although its actions were often still immature, whether in terms of obedience to commands, battle instinct, or the talent to absorb nourishment like a sponge, this Growlithe was absolutely no weaker than his own Incineroar.

Usually, these were the only Pokémon Luo Mu personally trained; according to Luo Mu's intention, other Pokémon that had not yet evolved had only recently entered the farm and still needed some time to adapt, so he was not rushing to make them join in immediately.

Kukui greatly agreed with Mu De Xiang Fa; for Pokémon possessing evolution abilities akin to miracles, the childhood of the juvenile stage was often very brief.

Because his body had not yet fully recovered, Kukui often stayed outside only for a short while before being taken back to that three-story wooden villa by the Dragonite that Luo Mu had assigned to stay by his side to assist in his care.

The Pokémon inside the small villa also opened Kukui's eyes wide; he had the fortune to taste once the fresh cream produced by the Milcery living in the cabinet, and regarding that sweetness and texture, Kukui could already imagine how delicious it would be if the filling inside a Malasada were made of this.

After observing these Pokémon that had not yet completed their evolution, Kukui's gaze shifted again toward those few Pokémon that were clearly Luo Mu's main forces.

It was also through these few Pokémon that Kukui once again confirmed that Luo Mu must have once been a powerful Trainer.

That Luxray often patrolled near the farm, just like guarding its territory, and occasionally would come to the room where Kukui resided to observe his condition, showing at a glance a heavy sense of responsibility.

That Pokémon called Cangyan Cangyan Rengui loved cooking very much; Kukui often saw it holding two aprons of different patterns, seemingly liking these two aprons very much, but unfortunately, Kukui had never tasted the cuisine made by this Cangyan Cangyan Rengui.

Cangyan Cangyan Rengui occasionally fought with that rarely appearing Swampert downstairs, and through the collision and force of their moves, Kukui could see that they had never slackened, always maintaining their combat strength.

Once his condition improved a bit, Kukui still planned to try issuing a battle challenge to Luo Mu.

Luxray, Serperior, Cangyan Cangyan Rengui, Swampert, and Dragonite were probably Luo Mu's main Pokémon, but as for the final main Pokémon... Kukui felt somewhat shocked and uncertain.

In the fireplace of the first-floor living room of this small villa, there often lay a Pokémon with a somewhat rounded body, and if Kukui had not mistaken that Pokémon... it was the legend of the region where that Dragon Emissary resided, the source of the sacred fire—Moltres.

It was also because of this Moltres that Kukui became convinced that Luo Mu must be a powerful Trainer.

People capable of capturing legendary Pokémon were rare.

Kukui felt very fortunate that during his journey after failing to challenge the Kanto Elite Four, by a twist of fate he had arrived at Luo Mu's farm; here he saw another way of life between Trainers and Pokémon, and the farm they built together made people feel extremely warm.

Perhaps, he could not only serve as a Trainer but also play a role in other places... for example, helping his hometown Alola establish a Pokémon League belonging solely to the Alola region!

During his observations while recuperating, Kukui also became certain of one thing: if he, a Trainer who had fallen before the Elite Four, could help Luo Mu with anything, it would probably only be that one thing.

According to his observations, none of Luo Mu's few Grass-type Pokémon knew the "Grassy Terrain" move, but for just an ordinary "Grassy Terrain" move, Kukui felt it was somewhat beneath him to offer.

Coincidentally, Kukui himself knew a rather special method for learning the Grassy Terrain move in the Alola region, and if Luo Mu was interested, Kukui wanted to contribute this effort to repay the other's life-saving grace.