Chapter 87: Battlefield of Love

Night, after dinner had ended.

The weather was gradually warming up; in recent days, Luo Mu had not asked the Flame Bird to replenish the sacred fire for the fireplace, and so, surrounded by many Pokémon, he sat opposite Kukui and asked, "When do you plan to return?"

Kukui answered swiftly, "Tomorrow; I intend to leave tomorrow."

Luo Mu's motion of stroking the fur of the Growlithe on his lap halted; frowning, he said, "So soon?"

Kukui's Incineroar and Lucario were very efficient at their work; leaving so quickly, Luo Mu felt a tiny bit reluctant to part.

Kukui looked at the Growlithe on Luo Mu's lap, lying on its back and thoroughly enjoying its Trainer's touch; although curious about what the Growlithe's belly felt like, Kukui said with an unchanged expression, "I can't wait to return and develop the Alola region."

"But, have you considered the matter I proposed this afternoon?"

Luo Mu handed the Growlithe to the Flame Bird, crooked a finger, and the Luxray calmly paced over to lie down beside him; while skillfully stroking the Luxray's comfort zones, Luo Mu nodded and said, "You mean going to the Alola region to learn about Grassy Terrain?"

Kukui nodded in affirmation; the Serperior, lazily coiled up, slightly raised its body and began eavesdropping.

Luo Mu paused, then said, "Before I answer, I have a few questions I'd like you to address."

"The one you said could teach Serperior and Bai Bai Pengpeng Grassy Terrain... is it a Trainer, or a Pokémon?"

"The latter."

Luo Mu lowered his head and asked in a deep voice, "Tapu Tapu Moumou?"

Kukui was utterly shocked that Luo Mu even knew about their Alola region's Island Guardians; nodding, he said, "That's right; I want to take you to meet Tapu Tapu Moumou, the Island Guardian of Ula'ula Island; when it comes to Grassy Terrain, it is an absolute expert."

Receiving Kukui's affirmative reply, Luo Mu, who had already suspected as much, thought silently, "Just as I thought"; his motion of stroking the Luxray paused due to his contemplation, at which point the Serperior seized the opportunity to hook Luo Mu's finger with the tip of its tail.

Lost in thought, Luo Mu did not notice the Serperior's little maneuver, and slowly recalled in his mind what he knew about Tapu Tapu Moumou.

Tapu Tapu Moumou, the Land Spirit Pokémon, the Island Guardian of Ula'ula Island in the Alola region, with Grass and Fairy types, and the abilities Grassy Surge or Telepathy.

Previously, while developing his farm, Luo Mu had also wondered if he could lure Tapu Tapu Moumou to his own farm; after all, like Lei Guan Wang and Celebi, this Pokémon was extremely well-suited for farming.

He recalled that Tapu Tapu Moumou's prototype seemed to be Lono, the Hawaiian mythological god of agriculture and peace; its design elements resembled an ox, and both its abilities and legends were closely tied to agriculture.

Tapu Tapu Moumou possessed the ability to control the growth of plants and trees, a capability far surpassing that of ordinary Grass-type Pokémon; Luo Mu remembered that in the anime, Tapu Tapu Moumou caused several Oran Berry trees to sprout, grow, and bloom within a few breaths, completely transcending the limits of time, truly a miracle.

Tapu Tapu Moumou's personality was steady and lazy; as long as one did not cross its bottom line, its aggressiveness was nearly zero.

In the entire Pokémon world, there were probably few Pokémon whose mastery of Grassy Terrain exceeded that of Tapu Tapu Moumou; if Luo Mu wanted to find a teacher for Bai Bai Pengpeng and Serperior, compared to the elusive Celebi and the uncertain Lei Guan Wang, Tapu Tapu Moumou was indeed the best choice.

Kukui added fuel to the fire: "In the Alola region, there is a ritual called the Island Challenge; you can think of it as something similar to Gym Challenges; during the challenge on Ula'ula Island, I met Tapu Tapu Moumou and know clearly where it usually stays."

"I have a hundred percent certainty that I can take you to meet Tapu Tapu Moumou, but after that..."

Luo Mu lifted the Mimikyu, which had jumped onto his shoulder at some unknown point, down; ignoring the sparks flashing between its eyes and those of the Serperior, he interrupted, "After that, how to get Tapu Tapu Moumou to agree to teach Grassy Terrain is something I must rely on myself for, right?"

Kukui nodded, asserting confidently, "Even the former me could pass Tapu Tapu Moumou's trial; you will definitely have no problem."

After a moment of silence, Luo Mu removed the Milcery that had slapped onto his face with a 'plop' like a facehugger, held it up toward Kukui, and said, "As you can see, I still have many Pokémon here that need my care, not to mention the farm..."

Kukui lowered his head in regret; however, Luo Mu then continued with the second half of his sentence: "However, since a problem has appeared, there must be a way to solve it."

"Pokémon meals, farm care—mere one week! Relying on those I trust, they can absolutely hold the fort!"

"Since you have already extended such an invitation, what reason do I have to decline? Let's conquer Tapu Tapu Moumou within a week and learn its special Grassy Terrain from it!"

Luo Mu's impassioned tone infected Kukui; he nodded heavily several times, clenched his fist, and said, "Let me prepare the Pokémon food and Energy Cubes sufficient for a week's consumption!"

Luo Mu could not wait for someone to save him money, so he readily accepted Kukui's offer, while simultaneously pouring cold water on the situation: "That said, nothing is certain yet; let me call Principal Mu Fei to see if I can take a week's leave."

"Don't forget, I am still a teacher."

Kukui: "......."

Stroking the berry on top of the Minccino's head, Luo Mu hung up the phone; under Kukui's expectant gaze, Luo Mu spoke: "The principal said he would ask if there is a substitute teacher available and will call back immediately."

Kukui nodded nervously; before he could speak, Luo Mu's phone ringtone sounded quickly.

"So fast..." Luo Mu muttered as he picked up the phone; seeing the caller, he asked in confusion, "Hmm, Chairwoman Geeta?"

Connecting the call, Geeta's voice came from the receiver: "I've heard everything from Mu Fei; your leave is approved."

Luo Mu raised an eyebrow and said, "A substitute teacher was confirmed so quickly?"

Geeta laughed: "Of course; for your next two classes, I've asked Brother Brother Qingmu to fill in during his spare time; rest assured."

Luo Mu: "........" Repentance. jpg

Big Brother Brother Qingmu, I'm so sorry to you!

"By the way, there's no problem with leaving the booking of flights to the Alola region to me, right?"

Geeta tapped the corner of her desk; her tone was cheerful, sounding as though she was in a very good mood.

"Ah, then I'll trouble you, Chairwoman."

Luo Mu's expression was peculiar; he felt Geeta seemed overly proactive—was this his illusion?

As if guessing Luo Mu's confusion, Geeta smiled and said, "Don't overthink it; as the Chairwoman of the Paldea region's League, developing the strength of our members is what I value most; I highly approve of your trip to Alola for training."

"If your strength improves, the overall strength of Paldea will also rise; although Mr. Kukui did not accept my invitation, your journey to Alola to learn their strengths and bring them back will benefit Paldea with no harm; in fact, if there's a chance, I think you could try bringing back some promising talents..."

Before Geeta could finish speaking, Luo Mu hung up the phone; after all, the adult dirty thoughts Geeta was about to express were not suitable for broadcast on a children's channel.

Glancing at Kukui, whose face showed anticipation, Luo Mu breathed a sigh of relief; fortunately, he hadn't put the call on speaker earlier, or that would have been awkward.

Helplessly separating the Mimikyu and Serperior, who were nearly fighting over possession of his left and right hands, Luo Mu said to Kukui, "The academy side is settled."

"That's good." Kukui nodded blankly; looking at the Mimikyu and Serperior secretly competing behind Luo Mu's back with Shadow Claw and Frenzy Plant, he said in bewilderment, "Speaking of which, you've been incredibly busy since just now..."

"Just daily routine; don't mind it."

Kukui: "......."

What a terrifying battlefield of love; it sends chills down my spine.