Chapter 36: Kukui, The Situation Is Urgent!

"Why so serious, everyone? How about relaxing a bit?"

Seeing Kukui and the others remain silent, Mamon tilted her head.

"After all, you are famous figures in the Alola region, right?"

"Who are you?"

Hearing this, Kukui broke his silence and asked Mamon.

"How should I answer that?" Mamon chuckled softly, took another sip of coconut juice, and thought for a moment.

"Mamon, a high-ranking officer of Team Rocket, the leader of Alola's Team Rocket. Are you satisfied?"

Mamon?

Kukui recalled carefully, confirming that this name was indeed absent from his memory.

Although Mamon was the champion of last year's Shi Ying Conference, the victor of such a tournament naturally did not warrant Kukui's special attention.

But there was another key point: this person named Mamon is the leader of Alola's Team Rocket!

In other words, Alola's Team Rocket is under his command!

"Is there anything else you want to ask? I'm in a good mood today, so I can answer a few more of your questions."

Mamon basked in the sun, her right hand gently stroking the smooth, gray-blue long hair of Tapu Fini.

"If not, let's discuss business next."

"You seem to know we would come?" Hala asked in a deep voice.

"Isn't that obvious?" Mamon raised an eyebrow, looking at Hala with a strange gaze.

"Your subordinates were practically stalking and spying on Caitlin in plain sight; their professionalism is truly average."

Mamon sneered, causing Hala to fall into a long silence.

"Why is Tapu Fini with you?" Lillie asked in a harsh tone.

As if hearing her own name, Tapu Fini raised her head and looked at Lillie in confusion.

"Tapu Fini is my Pokémon, Queen Lillie. Why can't Tapu Fini be with me?" Mamon asked strangely in return.

This reasonable counter-question instead left Lillie stunned.

"Tapu Fini is the guardian deity of Poni Island!"

But Lillie quickly recovered, frowning as she replied.

"Yes, and then what?"

"How can you capture it?!"

Hearing Lillie's words, Kukui and the other two remained silent; although her words were very domineering, the significance of Tapu Fini to them was indeed too great.

Yet Mamon could not help but laugh upon hearing this.

"Heh~ Island Queen Lillie, what a mighty presence."

Lance could no longer hold back, sneering sarcastically.

"You..." Lillie's eyebrows shot up.

"No need for 'you, you, you', Queen Lillie. May I ask when did the Alola region ever have a rule that Tapu cannot be captured?"

Mamon casually interrupted Lillie's words.

Lillie's entire speech was directly choked off by Mamon's single sentence; yes, the Alola region had never had a rule stating that Island Guardians could not be captured.

If that were the case, why couldn't Tapu be captured?

Lillie pressed her lips tightly, her face looking somewhat ugly.

Although the Alola region had no such rule, it was because the importance of Tapu to Alola was self-evident; outsiders with the strength to capture Tapu would not offend the entire Alola region over a single Tapu.

Just like Cynthia; with Cynthia's strength, wanting to defeat a wild Tapu and capture it would absolutely not be considered a difficult task.

But after understanding the significance of Tapu to Alola, Cynthia's character would absolutely prevent her from capturing Tapu, because she is Cynthia.

As for those without strength, wanting to make a move on Tapu would only result in being taught a lesson by Tapu, so there was no need to worry.

"Since ancient times, Tapu Fini has been the guardian deity of Poni Island; for the people of Poni Island, Tapu Fini is not merely a Pokémon, but their spiritual symbol and spiritual totem."

Kukui spoke in a low voice, pleading with Mamon.

"Lord Mamon, please do us a favor and release Tapu Fini."

Kukui knew that doing this was somewhat shameless, especially since the other party was a high-ranking officer of an evil organization; he also felt quite embarrassed.

But the problem was that Poni Island truly could not be without Tapu Fini!

The Island King of Poni Island is currently vacant; without Tapu Fini, what will happen to Poni Island? The Island King of Poni Island must be selected by Tapu Fini!

Seeing Kukui bow his head for the sake of Poni Island, Hala and the other three all frowned tightly.

"Oh?"

Mamon looked at Kukui with interest; one had to say, was he not a man who poured his heart and soul into the development of Alola?

Tapu Fini understood human language, so naturally she understood what these humans were saying.

This Young Lady of the shell remained silent, merely eating fruit, while her peripheral vision cautiously watched Mamon.

"Truly moving, Doctor Kukui; your determination is admirable, but sorry, although I am a terrible person, I will not abandon my partners."

Mamon slowly stood up, smiling as she looked at the four people ahead.

"Even if you beg me, it is useless; Tapu Fini is already my Pokémon."

"Also... let me give you a heads-up first."

Ignoring the expressions of the others, Mamon continued speaking with a smile.

"Not just Fini, but the other three Tapu as well; our Team Rocket will capture them all."

"What kind of joke is this? A mere Team Rocket!"

Lillie could not hold back and spoke in anger first.

Dammit! These Team Rocket guys are way too arrogant! Saying right in front of the Island King that they're going to capture the Tapu on his island?

How is that any different from saying to a man's face that you're going to his house to sleep with his wife?!

This is too much!! They're really pushing it too far!

At Lizzie's fierce glare, Mamen smiled nonchalantly—this woman clearly had never been properly beaten down.

But that's fine, she'll get to feel it soon enough.

"Kukui, the situation is urgent right now. Let's capture these three guys first and get Tapu Fini back, then we'll talk."

Lizzie could no longer hold back. She swept a cold glance over Mamen's group of three and said to Kukui.

But wouldn't that also be stealing someone else's Pokémon?

Kukui hesitated for a moment. After all, from the looks of it, Tapu Fini didn't seem all that resistant toward this Team Rocket high-ranking executive called Mamen.

But thinking of Melemele Island, Kukui still went along with it.

Alola was what mattered most!

"You hear that, Fini? These people want to take me down and rescue you back."

Mamen was amused. He spoke to Tapu Fini with a half-smile.

Tapu Fini: (°ｏ°)

"Tsk~ Honestly, I don't know whether to praise you for your courage, call you fearless out of ignorance, or just say you're flat-out stupid?"

Mamen straightened his black coat, a mocking curve lifting at the corner of his mouth as he glanced sidelong at Lizzie.

"With the few of you, you want to take my Tapu Fini? Did you get your brains squeezed in a door?"

"Hmph! What arrogant brats. Right now we have the numerical advantage!"

Lizzie let out a cold snort. She didn't think for a second that their four would lose.

Not to mention the other side only has three people—Kukui is a Champion-level Trainer!

(End of chapter)