Chapter 89: Night Sky

The next day.

The direct flight from Paldea to Alola operated by Yici Ding will begin check-in at 5 p.m. and depart punctually at 5:30 p.m.

Luo Mu and Kukui had only slightly more than half a day to prepare.

“I’ll go buy enough Pokémon food and Power Items first!”

Kukui mounted the back of Brave Eagle, adjusted his hat brim, and waved farewell to Luo Mu with a carefree gesture—but Luo Mu’s reply nearly made Kukui lose his balance and fall off Brave Eagle’s back.

Luo Mu grinned: “Be careful not to get into trouble again!”

Kukui couldn’t hold back a bitter smile: “The weather’s fine today—I won’t!”

Luo Mu looked up at the sky and nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, the weather was fine—most of Paldea had a cloudless sky; storms and thunderstorms simply didn’t exist.

Once Kukui’s silhouette on Brave Eagle’s back vanished into the distance, Luo Mu stretched, raised a hand to shield his eyes from the dazzling sunlight, and muttered to himself: “Time to get my own preparations done.”

The farm lacked the livestock and lake zones that normally required heavy management, so arranging things was not difficult.

Luo Mu had already chosen the Pokémon he would take to Alola.

Ordinary new Trainers are limited to carrying six Poké Balls, mainly because beginners are thought unable to care for too many Pokémon—six is just right.

As a Champion-level Trainer, Luo Mu has no upper limit on how many Pokémon he can carry, but he couldn’t possibly take every Pokémon from the farm—he had to make choices.

First was Dragonite: to ensure mobility, Dragonite would always be Luo Mu’s first choice for travel.

Called out, Dragonite was ecstatic, exhaling gusts from its nostrils and raising its arms to display its strength.

Next came the main stars of this short trip: the three White Fluffies and Kingdra, targeted to learn Grass Terrain.

The White Fluffies bounced around excitedly, clearly looking forward to the trip, but Kingdra’s enthusiasm was low—after learning Grass Terrain countless times with no results, it had little hope for this journey.

For the sixth Pokémon, Luo Mu chose Mimikyu. Though Mimikyu were common in Paldea, their origin was unquestionably Alola, and Luo Mu wanted to bring it along to see the scenery along the way.

For the seventh, he chose Mudsdale. This one grew calm and steady when no mud was around to play in—perhaps it would get along with Kapu-Mo’o and learn the essence of the Plowing move from it.

Tired of the system’s constant nagging in his mind about needing to develop his strength during travel, Luo Mu chose Cattiva as the final Pokémon.

These were the Pokémon Luo Mu planned to carry. Minifur had spent this time learning from the White Fluffies and could still manage the farmland fine.

As for farm security, even if Luo Mu was away for a week, Riolu, Blaziken, and Swampert would guard the place. As for Flareon—well, it couldn’t even fly anymore; the best hope was that it wouldn’t eat through all seven days’ food supply.

“Riolu, Blaziken, and Swampert—I’m leaving the farm in your care. Protect the companions above all else.”

Luo Mu summoned the three Pokémon left behind, who looked slightly downcast. After all, this week might be the first time they’d been separated from him for so long—it was natural they felt disappointed.

Thinking of this, Luo Mu gently patted each of their heads. Though the three male Pokémon were embarrassed, they didn’t pull away.

Wimpod, with Wimpod, Smoochum, Pupitar, and Minifur, gathered around. They too were unsettled by Luo Mu’s sudden departure; helplessly, Luo Mu had to comfort each one, promising to bring them souvenirs back from Alola.

Though comforting each Pokémon individually was tedious and draining, Luo Mu enjoyed it.

Unconsciously, he had grown so many attachments on this farm—he cherished this feeling.

Flareon waited for a long time without receiving any instructions from Luo Mu, its gaze shifting constantly between Luo Mu and the empty air. Though not captured in a Poké Ball, it was still part of the farm—would Luo Mu say nothing to it at all?

Flareon’s gaze was too obvious for Luo Mu to ignore; he chuckled: “I’m counting on you too, Flareon, to keep the farm safe.”

Flareon puffed out its chest, declaring that with it on guard, any ghost or demon daring to intrude would be reduced to charcoal!

Luo Mu winced: “Charcoal’s not necessary—just catch any humans and hand them over to Officer Jenny.”

He didn’t want to receive a call from Officer Jenny while he was in Alola.

Kukui returned quickly, loaded down—enough Pokémon food and Power Items for all the farm’s Pokémon to eat for two weeks had been air-delivered back.

Kukui explained: “Better safe than sorry—preparing only enough for a week invites trouble.”

Luo Mu agreed.

Time slipped away swiftly; soon it was time for departure. Luo Mu repeated the food storage locations to Riolu, Blaziken, and Swampert for the umpteenth time, then boarded Dragonite, joining Kukui on Brave Eagle, and set off toward Naranja City, watched by the unblinking eyes of the farm’s many Pokémon.

Even after Luo Mu’s figure vanished completely, the Pokémon remained seated in place for nearly half an hour before slowly beginning to stir.

Riolu increased the frequency of its patrols; Swampert stayed in Thunder Lake to guard the lake and pasture zones; Blaziken, like a silent knight, watched over the young Pokémon playing carefree in the shadows.

Even Flareon flew up to the rooftop of the small villa, closed its eyes to rest, and kept watch from the best possible vantage point.

This lineup—even Hunter J wouldn’t stand a chance.

Deep night. Luo Mu, aboard the direct Paldea-to-Alola flight, leaned against the cabin window, listlessly staring at the “clear” starry sky.

The cabin lights were off; the surroundings were dark, visible only by the faint glow of the stars.

This was his first time flying in the Pokémon world. Whether he worried the plane might be shot down by a passing Rayquaza, or simply couldn’t adjust to not having Pokémon beside him, he was now having trouble sleeping.

Nearly all passengers had fallen asleep—even Kukui beside him drooled softly, soundly slumbering.

(End of chapter)