Chapter 451: Paradise Island

In the center of the Alola Sea, where the four main islands are encircled, a man‑made Paradise island stands out.

It is deep night now, yet the whole island remains brightly lit; neon flickers, exuding a cold sense of technology and intimidation—this is the Aether Foundation's core base, controlling the entire Alola's governance.

In the monitoring command room deep within the island, a bald man wearing a white Researcher robe and green glasses leans over the computer screen, his fingertips hovering over the keyboard, locking onto the streaming data and island map, radiating a forbidding chill—he is Zha'aobo.

"Chairman Zha," a low voice suddenly sounded behind him, breaking the room's silence.

Zha'aobo didn't lift his head; his tone was ice‑cold, without a hint of warmth, and impatiently he said, "Speak! Don't waste my time."

Behind him, a Aether Foundation member wearing a black beret and also a white uniform bowed both hands respectfully and reported in a low voice, "The subordinate has already taken people to conduct a thorough search of the four main islands—Melemele Island, Akala Island, Ula'ula Island, and Poni Island—but found no trace of Gladio Young Master or Miss Lillie."

Zha'aobo's fingertips paused slightly, and he asked lightly, "Does the Chairperson know about this?"

"Returning, Chairman, this matter is too urgent; the subordinate hasn't had time to report to the Chairperson," the member hurriedly replied.

Only then did Zha'aobo slowly turn, his gaze sweeping over the member, his expression still ice‑cold, but without much rebuke; he simply waved his hand, "You go down first; for this matter, I will personally go to report to the Chairperson."

"Understood!" the member replied respectfully, turned and slipped out of the command room, gently closing the door.

The moment the door shut, a low, eerie laugh echoed from a corner of the command room, with a hint of mockery, "How is it, Chairman Zha? I'm not wrong, right? Even if you flip the four islands, you still can't find them."

Zha'aobo suddenly turned his head toward the corner, where darkness concealed any figure; his brows knit, he snorted coldly, his tone bearing obvious impatience and warning, "Stop the nonsense here, this is where it is. You stay honest, focus on research; as for Gladio and Lillie, and the Chairperson's side, I'll handle it, you needn't interfere."

"Hehe…" the eerie laugh sounded a few more times, then gradually faded into the air as if it had never been, leaving only a faint, lingering chill that swirled in the command room.

Zha'aobo, unwilling to probe further, withdrew his gaze, his expression once again becoming ice‑cold and resolute, and turned to walk out of the command room.

He is to meet Lusamine, the Chairperson who appears gentle but is actually obsessive and ruthless, and who still wields the core authority of the Aether Foundation.

In the top‑floor Chairperson's office, the light is soft; a woman leans against a spacious office chair, eyes half‑closed as if dozing, exuding a lazy yet unapproachable aura.

Hearing the door open, she snapped her eyes open, a sharp glint flashing in her gaze; when she recognized Zha'aobo, she softened slightly and asked puzzled, "Zha'aobo? It's so late—do you need something?"

"Chairperson," Zha'aobo's tone instantly softened, no longer ice‑cold or impatient, and he respectfully said, "We have just received word that the subordinates have conducted a thorough search of the four main islands and found no trace of Gladio Young Master or Miss Lillie."

Lusamine's eyes flashed with a sharp light, she sat upright, and with a huff said, "Hm, so they are no longer in Alola?"

Zha'aobo gently shook his head, his tone firm, "The subordinate believes they should still be on the island. After all, the entire Alola is covered by our surveillance network and technological barrier; without your and my permission, no one, no Pokemon, can enter or leave the island."

"As long as they're still on the island, that's fine," Lusamine's eyes flashed with a hint of obsession, her tone becoming forceful and ice‑cold, "Immediately dispatch more personnel, expand the search area, even if you have to dig three feet into the four islands, bring back the 'Star Child' and the 'Type: Null' for me!"

Zha'aobo paused slightly and asked in a low voice, "Then… if Gladio Young Master and Miss Lillie are found, how should they be dealt with?"

Lusamine's gaze instantly chilled, her tone filled with resolve and disgust, "They are just two things that betrayed me… Capture them, bring them back, lock them in the Confinement Room; without my order, no one may see them!"

Zha'aobo replied respectfully, "Yes, Chairperson, the subordinate will arrange it immediately."

In the office, Lusamine leaned back against the seat, eyes half‑closed, a trace of a dark predatory glint flashing in her eyes.

She will never allow anyone to betray her, nor let the 'Star Child' and the 'Type: Null' fall into others' hands, even if they are her own children.

Meanwhile, on the coast of Melemele Island, a long‑dormant Dead Volcano stood silently, its crater concealed by dense vegetation, hidden from sight.

Inside the crater, a blond man slowly retracted the telescope from his hands; the lenses reflected the faint neon glow of Aether Paradise in the distance. His expression was solemn as he silently turned and walked toward the volcano's depths.

Deep within the volcano, a weak flame flickered, dispelling the surrounding chill and darkness; beside a crude wooden table sat several steaming bowls of food.

A woman with a ponytail sat at the table, and when the man came, she whispered, "Bro, you're going to Aether Paradise again?"

The man was Gladio; he said nothing, merely gave a slight nod and walked straight to the wooden table.

"There's no point in looking around any longer, come eat first; if you don't eat now it'll get cold," a nearby man with an open shirt and dark skin laughed, holding a spoon in his hand—he was Professor Kukui.

"Professor Kukui!" Lillie frowned, her tone carrying a hint of reproach.

"Lillie, the doctor means well, don't blame him," a boy assisting Professor Kukui said with a smile; on the boy's shoulder, a yellow Pikachu wagged its tail, scanning the surroundings.

"Ash, why are you also defending the doctor!" Lillie glared at Ash with a hint of irritation, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Enough, stop arguing, eat first," Gladio interjected appropriately, his tone even yet carrying an undeniable authority, cutting off their petty dispute.

He picked up a bowl, silently filled it with food, ate without a word, his gaze occasionally drifting toward the crater.