Chapter 65: Mamen, I Want to Challenge the Kanto Elite Four

Originally, before leaving the Alola region, Mamen had planned to capture Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele.

But now that he thinks about it, that would truly be a case of gaining little and losing much.

Capturing Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele would merely add two legendary Pokémon to the organization's reward list, after all, Mamen himself did not intend to raise them.

In that case, he would have to keep them fed in the ordinary course of things and also guard against their escape; it would be better simply not to catch them at all.

For one thing, having Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele manage the four islands of Alola respectively could reduce the backlash from Kukui and the others, since people always seek compromise.

Compared to all four Tapu being "snatched" by Team Rocket, the psychological threshold for snatching only two clearly has not yet reached that point, and would not cause Kukui, the Island Kings, and the others to explode directly against Team Rocket.

For another, it must be mentioned that Ultra Beasts do indeed appear randomly throughout Alola, and with wild Tapu Koko and the others guarding, the casualties and destruction caused by Ultra Beasts to the Alola region would be greatly reduced.

Because Tapu Koko and the others would step in to resolve the matter.

After all, Ultra Beasts damaging Alola's interests is, when rounded up, damaging Team Rocket's interests, isn't it??

"Tsk~ Good thing I didn't act, otherwise I would have had to release them again, wasting all that effort."

Mamen clicked his tongue and gave himself a thumbs-up for his wit.

After Tapu Koko and the others departed, Mamen and the other three descended from the Moonlit Altar; since the sky was already late, they naturally prepared to rest for one night on Poni Island.

"Mr. Mamen, you know the current form of Cosmog, don't you?"

On the road, Lillie asked Mamen.

"Mm." Mamen nodded.

'Lunala, Psychic/Ghost type, the Moonlit Pokémon

Ability: Shadow Shield

Known as the 'Beast that Draws the Moon,' it sustains life by converting all light into energy.'

Mamen briefly recited Lunala's Pokédex entry; speaking of this point, before leaving Alola he would have to go talk with Kukui.

"'The Beast that Draws the Moon,' this is a legendary Pokémon of the Alola region, right?"

Caitlin, hearing this, fell into thought; although she was not particularly familiar with the history of the Alola region, she had heard of this point.

"That's right, 'The Beast that Draws the Moon,' 'The Beast that Devours the Sun,' these are all legendary Pokémon recorded in ancient texts."

Lillie nodded silently, her eyes carrying a trace of confusion; she truly never expected that Cosmog was actually the 'Beast that Draws the Moon' recorded in ancient texts!

'Since ancient times, it has been highly revered as the messenger of the moon; the ancients, with hearts of awe, called it the Beast that Draws the Moon.'

What kind of existence had I... been taking care of?

Although both are called legendary Pokémon, the four Tapu deities and Lunala are legendary beings on completely different scales.

To put it simply, Lunala's significance to the Alola region is equivalent to Ho-Oh and Lugia in Kanto, and Dialga and Palkia in Sinnoh.

This refers solely to the historical weight and ancient text significance for the region, not comparing combat power.

"Did Mr. Mamen know Cosmog's origins from the very beginning?"

Lillie suddenly realized.

"Not at all; actually, I didn't think in that direction at first, but after Cosmog evolved once, its appearance was so similar to the 'Star Cocoon' in the ancient texts that I roughly guessed."

Mamen shook his head and denied it.

Hearing this, Lillie fell silent, yet she breathed a sigh of relief in her heart; otherwise, even if she was unwilling to think in that direction, she would still have to suspect whether Mamen had deliberately approached her and Cosmog.

The three chatted idly as they arrived at a nearby town, found a homestay, and booked three rooms.

"Hey, Dad."

After finishing his bath, Giovanni's call happened to come through.

"The three Legendary Birds have been captured; do you want to raise one?"

Giovanni said calmly, as if he were speaking of three Pidgey having been captured.

"Oh? The speed of Nasa and the others is truly fast."

Mamen raised an eyebrow; the three Legendary Birds of Kanto naturally referred to Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.

And entrusted by Giovanni with this heavy task were the three top executives of Team Rocket.

"My hand slots are full; let me think... I'll keep Zapdos and Articuno, and send Moltres to the breeding farm to be raised."

Mamen pondered for a moment before speaking; regarding the three Legendary Birds, his interest was actually not particularly great.

"You want to send one to Mizuki?"

Giovanni saw through Mamen's intention in an instant, after all Mamen had deliberately kept two legendary birds.

This thought was simply too easy to guess; this fellow was never stingy toward Mizuki.

"Ha~ As expected of you, Dad."

"Mamen, are you sure Mizuki can accept your identity?"

Giovanni sighed lightly; after all, he had taken Mizuki under his wing for several months last year, so Giovanni also deeply understood how excellent this girl was.

Without exaggeration, Giovanni felt Mizuki's trainer talent was simply no worse than Mamen's, and even surpassed him in certain aspects.

The appearance of the two 'monsters,' Mamen and Mizuki, made Giovanni feel as if common sense had been fed to a dog.

But the good news was, one was his son, and the other was his prospective daughter-in-law.

Giovanni quite liked this child Mizuki, but the key point was, would Mizuki accept Mamen's Team Rocket identity?

If she couldn't accept it, then Mamen would have personally cultivated a super boss.

"Dad, you don't understand; this is the bond between us." Mamen shook his head; he had absolute confidence in Mizuki.

Even if his identity were exposed, Mizuki would only firmly believe that the Pokémon League forced the warrant for Mamen's arrest, so the Pokémon League must be evil!

"Alright then." Giovanni let out a wry laugh.

"By the way, Dad, I have captured many Ultra Beasts; do you want to raise two? The strength of Ultra Beasts is quite good."

"Do you have any Ground-type ones?"

"No."

"I'll wait until I find a suitable Ground-type." Sakaki sipped his tea; his in-hand team had long been full.

Moreover, he was rather fond of Ground-type Pokémon, and had little real interest in Pokémon of other typings.

Even an ordinary Legendary Pokémon — a Legendary on the level of Moltres, for instance — held no appeal for him.

He was quite confident that the main force he had personally raised would be no worse than a Legendary like Moltres.

The "Artificial God" originally produced by the organization's genetic research had been prepared for himself, but since Mammon seemed to like it as well, Sakaki had handed it over to Mammon.

"Alright." Mammon said nothing more; he already had an idea of what Pokémon to prepare for Sakaki.

"The Alola side here is basically wrapping up now; I'll head back to Kanto in a while." Mammon said after a moment's thought.

"Mm." A faint smile crossed Sakaki's mature, somewhat shadowed features.

"Mammon, I've applied for the Kanto Elite Four Challenge at the end of the year."

Mammon was taken aback.

"Dad, you're serious?"

(End of this chapter)