Chapter 64: The Tapus Are Having an Internal Conflict!

Lunala had left, so Mamen and his two companions naturally had no intention of remaining at the Altar of the Moone.

However, before the three of them could even depart, two Pokémon had already blocked their path.

"Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu don't seem very friendly."

Lillie spoke with some caution, as the Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu blocking the way ahead looked quite aggressive.

"As soon as Lunala leaves, they rush over to question us?" Mamen smiled, not particularly surprised.

"ming?"

Tapu Koko stared at Mamen and Caitlin, emitting a low, sharp cry.

"We caught Tapu Fini and Tapu Lele fair and square; we didn't use any underhanded tricks."

Mamen said to Tapu Koko with a smile.

"ming..."

The expression on Tapu Koko's face crumpled in a human-like manner; if it really was a legitimate capture, it didn't have much to say.

But since Fini and Lele had been caught, what would happen to Poni Island and Akala Island during this time?

"Caitlin, let Lele out." Seeing that Tapu Koko was still unwilling to give up, Mamen said to Caitlin.

Caitlin nodded and opened the Poké Ball, intending to release Tapu Lele.

But when she pressed the button, the Poké Ball showed no sign of opening.

Caitlin: "..."

Well, Tapu Lele didn't want to come out of the Poké Ball.

"Lele, come out." Caitlin gave Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu an awkward but polite smile, then whispered to the Tapu Lele inside the Poké Ball.

"ming!!"

A black "hash" symbol appeared on Tapu Koko's forehead, and a cry suppressing its anger rang out.

The Poké Ball opened with a flash of white light, and Tapu Lele appeared cutely in front of Caitlin, waving its arms innocently and brightly to greet Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu.

"ming?!" Tapu Koko glanced at Caitlin and asked Tapu Lele.

It wanted to know how Caitlin had caught Tapu Lele—was it really defeated head-on, or were some despicable means used?

Seeing the three Tapu chatting away, Mamen stretched his body in a long, lazy motion.

"Mr. Mamen, what are Tapu Koko and the others doing?" Lillie asked curiously.

"Worrying about Tapu Lele and the others, I suppose. After all, they are companions who have guarded Alola together for ages," Mamen replied with a smile.

But Tapu Lele had followed Caitlin because it truly accepted its loss, so there was no need to worry.

The problem lay with Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu; if they were sensible, they wouldn't keep pestering them.

After all, Lillie was present, and Mamen didn't want to leave a bad impression of being a "robber" on his "precious daughter," so he could let Tapu Koko and the others leave.

Besides, Mamen didn't have any major plans for Koko and Bulu anyway.

But if Tapu Koko wanted to force the issue and compel Mamen and Caitlin to release Fini and Lele, Mamen would not be so polite.

However, it seemed they had started arguing among themselves?

Mamen looked toward Tapu Koko and the others in confusion, discovering that Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele were arguing quite fiercely, while Tapu Bulu tried to mediate as a peacemaker, but Koko and Lele ignored it.

The Tapu were actually having an internal conflict!

"Mr. Mamen, what are they talking about? How did it turn into this?"

Lillie was extremely astonished.

Caitlin was also very confused, already considering whether to release Metagross to back up Tapu Lele.

"Emmm... how should I put it?"

Mamen's expression was a bit strange.

To translate the conversation between Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko simply:

"You left with the humans, so what about Akala Island?"

"I don't know, I got caught, I can't help it. How about you, Koko, help me guard Akala Island, and Bulu can look after Poni Island."

"..." Tapu Bulu.

"That's your island, why should I look after it for you?" Tapu Koko was so angry it laughed.

"We've been old friends for so many years, what's wrong with you helping me for a hundred years?"

"Are you joking with me? Why don't you let your Trainer catch me, release you, and you can guard Melemele Island for me?"

"Then what do you suggest? I can't just break my word, can I? Don't I have any dignity? Let me say this first: if you guys try to force my Trainer, I, Lele, won't be polite to you."

Tapu Lele hummed, looking like a dead pig that wasn't afraid of boiling water.

"Anyway, I can't work for these hundred years. If you have the ability, come and hit me!"

"Lele, have you no shame! You go off to travel and enjoy yourself with humans, and just dump the work on us like this??"

Tapu Koko was so angry its hands were shaking. As fellow island guardians, they had guarded the islands for so many years, through wind and rain, never taking a day off.

And now two colleagues had run off, and they were gone for a hundred years! Not only did it not get a vacation, but its workload had actually increased?

What kind of nonsense is this in this world!

"Alright, alright, stop arguing, stop arguing. Koko, don't be angry anymore. Sigh~ Lele and Fini didn't do it on purpose." Tapu Bulu sighed, acting as a peacemaker, and pulled Tapu Koko away, preparing to leave.

Otherwise, it was truly afraid that Tapu Koko's blood pressure would rise and it would start fighting with Tapu Lele; after all, Tapu Koko's temper had become increasingly neurotic lately, and it might really start a fight.

It was better for colleagues to remain on good terms.

"I just can't accept this! Damn it, why do those two get to go out on vacation!"

Tapu Koko felt very indignant.

"And how am I worse than Fini and Lele! Why didn't those two humans come to catch me? Aren't they just a bit better looking? But I'm stronger!"

"Ah, yes, yes, stop talking, Koko. Things are as they are, let's go back and sleep."

Tapu Bulu dragged Tapu Koko with one hand while nodding in agreement.

Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu left, and from now on, they would each have to guard two islands simultaneously.

Well, Tapu Koko felt very frustrated.

"diedie~"

Seeing its two former colleagues leave, Tapu Lele flew down happily, circling around Caitlin, then opened its arms to hug Caitlin's neck, rubbing against her gently and emitting a joyful chirp.

So happy~

"Tapu Lele is so cute."

Lillie's eyes were sparkling; Tapu Lele was really so cute!

It must have been that Tapu Koko was too fierce just now, which made Tapu Lele angry!

Yes, it must be that.

"It seems leaving Koko and Bulu behind wasn't a bad idea."

Mamen was deep in thought; he had heard every word of the conversation between Lele and Koko just now, and he felt this was actually quite good.

After all, Ultra Beasts occasionally appeared in the Alola region, and they did indeed need the guardian deities to watch over them.

Otherwise, if the popularity of Alola were affected by Ultra Beasts, wouldn't that affect Team Rocket?

(End of chapter)