Chapter 448: Long-Awaited Homecoming

"Why aren't you here yet? Why aren't you here yet!"

In front of the League Gate, Kikuko paced back and forth rapidly, her brows tightly knit, her hands unconsciously clenched together, her gaze fixed on the sole path to the League from start to finish, the burning anxiety in her eyes nearly spilling over, and even her steps carried a hint of panic.

Standing nearby with his hands behind his back, Professor Oak wore a rare air of composure, and, watching Kikuko's agitation, he slowly spoke soothingly: "Kikuko, rushing won't help; Huo La and the others are already on the road, nothing will go wrong."

"Pah! You old geezer, you still have the nerve to talk to me?" Kikuko snapped her head around, her tone full of mockery yet unable to hide her inner urgency, "When we first learned Huo La was still alive, you were the most anxious; now look at you, putting on airs!"

Professor Elm, standing beside the two, watched the old acquaintances sparring, his face full of helplessness; he opened his mouth but ultimately lacked the nerve to interject.

On one side was the hot‑tempered Kikuko, on the other the deliberately composed Professor Oak; whichever side he tried to counsel, he feared getting burned, so he could only stand silently aside, waiting quietly.

Fortunately, that anxious waiting didn't last long.

At the far end of the road, a car slowly rolled in, cutting through the dust, finally coming to a steady stop at the League entrance as its engine faded away.

As soon as the door opened, Bilan rubbed his temples and stepped out, his face full of grievance as he complained, "With Palkia around, we could have just opened a Spatial Gate, but we had to take the car; the whole bumpy ride almost made me dizzy."

Huo La followed closely out of the car, hearing that, he gave a helpless smile.

It wasn't just Bilan; Huo La himself hadn't ridden in a car for years, and the jostling made him a bit dizzy and his steps feel unsteady.

Xiao Gang stepped down from the driver's seat, simultaneously closing the car door, and patiently explained, "The League isn't what it used to be; the situation is chaotic. If we just opened a Spatial Gate and barged in, it might trigger the League's defense mechanisms, provoke a counterattack, and end up being counterproductive."

He paused, then added, "Besides, driving from Kanto to Chengdu is actually more convenient; many routes along the way have no checkpoints, saving a lot of trouble."

Leaning against the car door, Xiaoyin kept his defiant demeanor, eyebrows slightly raised, silent, his gaze lightly sweeping over the three before the League Gate, his expression showing a touch of aloofness yet hiding a barely perceptible caution.

Huo La steadied himself, inhaled deeply, suppressing the lingering dizziness, and lifted his eyes toward the three standing not far away at the League entrance.

When he recognized Kikuko and Professor Oak's familiar figures, his eyes instantly grew moist; all fatigue and tension vanished in that moment, his steps quickened involuntarily as he rushed toward them, finally standing steadily before them.

"Grandma, Professor Oak, I'm back."

His voice wasn't loud, but carried a hint of choking, holding the longing and grievance of years apart.

Kikuko looked at the now‑mature, steadier Huo La before her, tears flashing at the corners of her eyes, her lips trembling slightly, yet she didn't step forward, instead murmuring repeatedly, "It's good you're back, it's good you're back… being back is better than anything."

Professor Oak, however, stepped forward, gently patting Huo La's shoulder, his tone warm yet firm: "It's good you're back; don't just stand here, the wind is strong. Let's go inside and talk; whatever it is, we can discuss it inside at leisure."

As he spoke, he turned his head to point at the beside Professor Elm, smiling as he added, "Oh, right, I forgot to introduce you; this is Professor Elm, who's always cared about you and has helped us a lot."

Professor Elm gave Huo La a gentle nod, a friendly smile on his face, and said, "Hello, Huo La, I've heard of your great name for a long time, and have been looking forward to meeting you."

Huo La quickly composed himself, solemnly nodding to Professor Elm, his tone respectful: "Hello, Professor Elm, thank you for your trouble."

The group entered the League Conference Room, the heavy doors closing slowly, completely sealing out the outside clamor.

【5】 Huo La sat in the chair, speaking slowly, recounting his four‑year experience in full detail.

Huo La sat on the seat, spoke slowly, and recounted his four years of experience in meticulous detail.

The hardships of wandering, the companions he met, the crises he faced, and his resolve to return to this world, told in his own voice, were far more moving than the fragmented accounts previously translated clumsily from Deoxys via Meowth.

However, Huo La deliberately omitted the core details about Ma Shu Mu and Arceus, only briefly mentioning that Arceus sent him back to this world, and his sole purpose in returning was to quell the current chaos.

"Ah…" Professor Oak sighed heavily after listening, his face full of emotion, brows tightly knit, his tone heavy as he asked, "So, in the end Liu Bo did manage to capture Lugia, and now no one knows where he took Lugia?"

Liu Bo had been his longtime partner; the two had served the League side by side for countless years. Now, having become so obsessive and mad, Professor Oak felt a deep sigh, at a loss for what else to say, left only with endless melancholy.

Huo La was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, his tone grave: "Yes, Chi Hong Ge has already gone after them, but no news has come yet. However, Ho‑Oh and Lugia are both in Liu Bo's hands… I think he's definitely plotting something."

In fact, he already knew Liu Bo's intentions, but he ultimately chose not to voice them.

"I understand." Professor Oak rose slowly, his tone solemn, "I'll immediately discuss this with Dande and the current League administrators. You've been traveling and exhausted; first, rest well and regain your strength."

As he spoke, he quietly gave Professor Elm a subtle glance, signaling the two to leave first, giving Huo La some private space.

Professor Elm understood, also rose, straightened his coat, and prepared to depart together with Professor Oak.

At that moment, Huo La suddenly spoke, his tone tinged with urgency: "Professor Oak, Professor Elm, wait a moment."

"Hm?" the two halted, turning slowly; Professor Oak's face full of puzzlement, he asked softly, "Anything else?"

Huo La lifted his gaze, his eyes sincere: "I'd like to ask about Neimu Boshi's current situation."

Professor Oak and Professor Elm exchanged a glance, a flash of surprise in their eyes; evidently they hadn't expected Huo La to suddenly inquire about Neimu Boshi's whereabouts, but after a moment's recollection, Professor Oak spoke slowly, "I once contacted her; she said she was on an island in the Alola Region, focusing on studying Pokémon's ecological environment, and nothing major had happened."

Huo La, hearing that, lightly nodded, offering no further questions.

Seeing Huo La had no intention to continue, Professor Oak and Professor Elm no longer lingered, gently closing the conference room door, leaving the space entirely to Huo La and Kikuko, the grandmother‑grandson pair.

"Grandma…" Huo La looked at Kikuko beside him, his voice soft, countless words jammed in his heart, unsure where to begin.

Kikuko lightly nodded, her eyes full of tenderness, without probing his past hardships, and softly said, "Since you're back, we'll go see your mother soon. She's also in the League now, but ever since you disappeared she's been working with Li Jia, focusing on breeding new Grass-type Pokémon for the League, almost sealing herself in the lab and avoiding much contact with people."

"Mm." Huo La nodded heavily, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

Regarding his mother in this world, his heart was full of longing, yet thinking of the years he vanished, which must have dealt a huge blow to her, he felt uneasy and guilty, even hesitant to see her.

"As for your father… haha." Kikuko mentioned Huo La's father, her tone instantly laced with mockery, she smirked and said, "He's now busy with BuLaTaNuo Bo Shi, trying to rescue the chaos in the Kalos Region; you can't even spot his silhouette, not even know where his soul is."

Huo La, hearing that, shook his head helplessly, realizing— from Granny Kikuko's tone, she clearly held strong opinions about his father, who's been constantly absent and only busy.

After a moment of silence, Kikuko seemed to recall something, her expression shifting slightly, and she said, "There's another matter I need to tell you…"

Huo La immediately lifted his gaze toward Kikuko, his eyes full of puzzlement, waiting for her to continue.

But Kikuko hesitated, ultimately shaking her head, her tone softening: "Never mind, let's not discuss that now."

Huo La's confusion deepened, yet seeing her unwillingness to elaborate, he still didn't press further, merely giving a gentle nod, temporarily shelving the doubt in his heart.