Chapter 53: Isn't It Just Skipping Work for a Hundred Years?

"As expected of you, Caitlin, that was excellent."

After hearing Caitlin's account of the capture, Mamon couldn't help but reveal a smile of relief.

He had always felt that the trainers in this world were a bit 'too simple.'

Things like capturing Pokémon in the wild, they even pursue a righteous one-on-one; isn't it better to use a few small tricks?

Moreover, battles between trainers in this world don't seem to value strengthening particularly, especially among low-to-mid-tier trainers.

Strengthening a Pokémon's power is still very intuitive for boosting strength, especially moves like Swords Dance or Nasty Plot that can directly raise physical attack and defense by two stages.

In evenly matched battles, if one side successfully strengthens, the advantage in the exchange of moves will be particularly prominent.

However, in intense and tight battles, finding the right moment to successfully use a strengthening move is not such a simple matter.

But this can be figured out, especially in wild capture battles; for instance, using Light Screen or Reflect to reduce damage, then tanking the opponent's attacks to sacrifice some stats in exchange for strengthening, thereby gaining a battle advantage.

Of course, this method depends on the opponent; if the other side launches a Brick Break, it won't go well. (Brick Break can shatter the 'walls' of Light Screen and Reflect.)

"It was you, Mamon, who taught me." Caitlin was clearly in a good mood now, after all, she had successfully captured Tapu Lele.

This is a Legendary Pokémon, after all! And one that fits her Psychic-type legend so perfectly.

"But did Tapu Lele really agree so readily to be your trainer?"

Mamon rested his chin on his hand, curiously examining the listless Tapu Lele.

Although it looked like a dazed state of doubting life itself, Tapu Lele indeed seemed to have acknowledged Caitlin as its trainer.

This is way too different from Tapu Fini; back then, after being captured, Tapu Fini was still muttering about wanting Mamon to let it go.

It still had to guard Poni Island and such and so on.

Tapu Lele: "..."

"Because Tapu Lele and I made a promise from the start; if I could defeat it, it would follow me."

Caitlin explained the reason with an awkward yet polite smile.

How can it be the same?

Mamon, how did you force Tapu Fini back then? You really had no sense of propriety at all.

Tapu Fini didn't even want to battle you; it wanted to leave, but you made Gengar forcibly use Mean Look to lock onto Tapu Fini and force it into battle, okay?

Tapu Lele is even sadder; it already regrets it, stop talking about it.

But if it really wanted to go back on its word, Tapu Lele doesn't have that thick of a skin; it is, after all, an Island Guardian, okay?

Besides, it actually doesn't dislike this Psychic-type human girl.

But if it follows this girl, what will happen to Akala Island later?

In short, Tapu Lele is very annoyed and conflicted right now.

"I see, it seems Tapu Lele is a very trustworthy good child, unlike Fini who..."

Mamon sighed, but before he finished speaking, one of the Poké Balls on his body opened, and after a flash of Bai Guang.

Miss Shell floated beside Mamon, gazing at him eerily; how to describe that look?

"Diedie??" Tapu Lele shook off its lethargy, staring at Tapu Fini with widened, shocked eyes.

Wait, sister, you're here too? When were you captured? How did I not know?

Tapu Fini remained silent in response.

"Oh, Fini, you're so cute today too; come eat an apple."

Seeing Tapu Fini run out on its own, Mamon felt a bit awkward; he took a big, bright red apple from his bag and handed it to Tapu Fini.

"Qiqi!!"

Miss Shell was very unhappy; she had just heard everything!

Damn, this stinky man who played with her feelings; he clearly said things like 'even without Poni Island, she still has him,' and how many days has it been?

And he's badmouthing her right in front of her former colleague! And it's Tapu Lele, this pink-to-black one!

"It was all a joke just now, don't be angry, okay? I'll buy you an extra portion of cupcakes tonight, how about that?"

"Qi!"

"Five portions is too much, right? You don't bargain like that, okay? And you've gotten rounder recently; eat less sweets, okay?"

"Qi?"

Tapu Fini fell into deep thought, looking at its belly; it did seem to bulge out a bit.

Tapu Lele: (⊙. ⊙)

It seems Fini gets along pretty well with this human? Tapu Lele thought for a moment.

Come to think of it, since Tapu Fini has already run off with a human, then it should be fine for me too; I wasn't the first to run away.

Besides, Akala Island's Island Queen Olivia is still young; she shouldn't die for several decades, so there's no need to rush the selection of the next Island King.

By then, at worst, I'll just tell Caitlin to take me back to Akala Island once, and we can just pick a new Island King.

Tapu Lele felt its One's Own Thoughts were completely flawless! It has been the Island Guardian for so long; what's wrong with going out to relax and enjoy itself for a few decades?

Anyway, human lifespans are only a hundred years; isn't it just skipping work for a hundred years?

When Caitlin dies of old age, I'll just return to Akala Island; yes, that's it!

I suppose Tapu Fini thinks the same way, right?

Tapu Lele convinced itself; it was a perfect reason.

With Caitlin capturing Tapu Lele, her strength undoubtedly received a major boost.

Mamon was very happy about this; he felt it wouldn't take long before Caitlin could officially become a Champion-level trainer.

Although Tapu Lele acknowledging Caitlin means she can barely be considered Champion-level, ultimately, her current ceiling is just Tapu Lele and the Metagross forcibly boosted up by various strengthenings.

Only when Caitlin possesses a full team of Champion-level mainstays will she truly step into the Champion level.

Team Rocket is about to welcome its third Champion-level trainer; Mamon was in a very good mood.

Thus, in the afternoon, they arrived at Aether Paradise.

"Why have you come again?"

Lusamine, who had barely recovered from her rest, saw Mamon appear in the mansion and felt completely undone.

It was a mix of shame, anger, and fear; she felt Mamon's energy seemed a bit too vigorous!

"I missed you," Mamon blurted out, stepped forward, and embraced the president of the Aether Foundation, skillfully grabbing a handful of her bosom.

Lusamine's bosom was not actually large, fitting perfectly in one hand.

Lusamine's cold, glamorous face flushed slightly; she gave a token push, then let Mamon do as he pleased.

"Mamon, don't do this, I haven't even eaten yet..."

Lusamine was quite flustered and angry, mainly because she truly couldn't hold out against him.

At her age, she should have been very vigorous, but Mamon was simply even more so.

"It doesn't matter, we'll eat together later; I brought you new clothes."

And then...

"Call me Father!"

The youth held the golden reins, riding with unrestrained abandon, his momentum overwhelming.

"Fa... b..."

(End of this chapter)