Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 703: What, What a Big Trouble! (Two-in-One - )

The next day.

Ula’ula Island.

This was the largest island in the Alola region. From a distance, you could see two towering peaks covered with thick snow, and besides the peaks, the island also had deserts, forests, and towns.

One of these two mountains was Mount Lanakila, the highest mountain in the Alola region.

It was also the location Professor Kukui had selected for the future Alola League headquarters.

The other was Mount Hokulani, which had a famous Hokulani Observatory - the only observatory in the Alola region. Its owner was Johan’s student Sophocles’ cousin, Molayne, who would become one of the Alola region’s Elite Four in the future.

"Stop taking photos and watch ahead, Rotom - there are Wailmer!"

Several Wailmer like small hills leisurely swam past the sea ahead.

Rotom immediately stopped photographing and focused on driving the speedboat.

Actually, in the Alola region, Wailmer were also excellent maritime "transportation." The Pokémon school even had specialized courses for riding Wailmer.

"No chance today, but next time I go out I can borrow one from Professor Kukui."

Speedboats had their fun - Johan could experience surfing behind them, while riding Wailmer would be another kind of experience entirely.

"Approaching destination, Rotom!"

Though the Alola region consisted of four islands, the distances between them weren’t actually far. They soon reached a port on Ula’ula Island.

However, the port they reached was much more run-down compared to Hau’oli City’s port on Melemele Island.

Because they had arrived at "Po Town Port."

"Switch to Ula’ula Island map, Rotom."

After simply docking the speedboat at the port pier, Johan said.

"Understood, Rotom! Current location: Po Town!"

Po Town was once a fairly famous upscale town on Ula’ula Island, mostly consisting of detached villas for wealthy residents.

But current Po Town had become completely rundown, with the high walls surrounding the entire town covered in messy graffiti everywhere.

The reason it became like this had to do with a gang organization in the Alola region - Team Skull!

Johan’s assessment of Team Skull was that they were the only villain organization that could compete with Team Yell in terms of embarrassment level.

Using "gang organization" was the best description for them. Even calling them an "evil organization" felt like an insult to Team Rocket.

Their leader was none other than Guzma, who had battled Johan before and had the nickname "Undefeated Emperor"!

A strong "emo family" vibe.

Guzma and Professor Kukui were both students of Melemele Island’s Island Kahuna Hala, but Guzma’s strength was much inferior to Professor Kukui’s.

Roughly speaking, he was probably a bit stronger than some Gym Leaders but weaker than Elite Four members.

With the organization’s leader having such strength, naturally the organization couldn’t be much stronger - they just emphasized being "gangster-like."

Johan felt that Flint alone could easily steamroll this so-called Team Skull.

But gangs were troublesome precisely because while they might not be able to beat you, they could definitely disgust you.

So what was once a perfectly good Po Town had now clearly become Team Skull’s territory.

"Obviously the most clearly kid-oriented first season anime, even the villain organization is so ’weak and powerless,’ yet there’s still the super-spec legendary crisis of Necrozma - this is very unreasonable..."

Johan grumbled internally while getting off the speedboat.

However, as soon as Johan disembarked, two Team Skull members wearing white bandanas, black face masks, and dressed in emo outfits immediately swaggered over.

"Hey!" One of them casually juggled a Poké Ball, saying: "Docking here costs 1,000 Pokédollars!"

Obviously, these two were specifically watching this rundown port.

1,000 Pokédollars?

Johan was amused.

He remembered when playing the games, when healing Pokémon at Po Town’s Pokémon Center, he was actually charged money!

It was the first time he’d ever paid at a Pokémon Center in any Pokémon game he’d played.

Seeing Johan not responding but laughing instead, the other Team Skull member immediately said irritably:

"What are you laughing at? If you have money, pay up. If you don’t, get lost!"

"Pay up, pay up." Johan smiled.

Dealing with gangs was troublesome.

You might easily defeat them here, but Johan could guarantee that in at most half an hour after he left, these two would definitely bring a group of small-time thugs and then...

Cover his speedboat inside and out with graffiti.

The Team Skull member who spoke first gave a "you know what’s good for you" look.

Then Johan walked forward and lightly patted the palm he held out.

"10,000 Pokédollars, keep the change."

After speaking, he brushed past, leaving a piece of seaweed in the man’s hand.

But these two Team Skull members seemed not to notice, or rather they treated this piece of seaweed as 10,000 Pokédollars.

They immediately forgot about Johan and ran off happily.

"Ka-kaah~"

After they left, Gengar leisurely floated out from the shadows, grinning and showing an evil smile.

"Mm, you look more like a bad guy than they do." Johan lightly patted Gengar and laughed, walking toward Po Town.

Johan actually wasn’t very interested in this rundown town occupied by Team Skull.

But there was no choice.

Who told him that Ula’ula Island’s Island Kahuna Nanu worked at the police station in this Po Town?

Po Town’s streets were littered with garbage everywhere, and the walls and rundown houses around were covered with random graffiti.

Everywhere you could see stray cats and dogs, as well as Alolan form Meowth and even Persian unique to the Alola region.

"Ka-kaah~"

Gengar’s eyes lit up with excitement.

It seemed to see the best breeding ground for its "outlaw squad."

It felt these Alolan Meowth and Persian were particularly endearing.

All along the way, its eyes were spinning around, plotting its schemes.

Fortunately, they didn’t encounter any more Team Skull members on the way to Po Town’s police station, saving Johan considerable trouble.

Tak, tak—

Clear "tak tak" sounds came from inside the rundown police station.

Pushing the door open.

He saw a gray-haired man in an old police station uniform and flip-flops, about forty-something with a lazy expression, leaning against the counter, listlessly playing with his kendama.

"Mr. Nanu." Johan smiled and greeted him.

This lazy middle-aged man was Ula’ula Island’s Island Kahuna, former International Police officer, Anabel and Looker’s superior - Nanu.

Nanu didn’t seem surprised by Johan’s appearance.

Supporting himself on the counter with one hand while playing kendama with the other, he slightly raised his eyelids, glanced at Johan, then jerked his chin:

"There, the materials you wanted."

On the counter lay what could generously be called a document - with sloppy handwriting, wrinkled and even yellowing paper.

Obviously, Anabel had already informed Nanu of Johan’s visit in advance.

"Thanks."

Johan didn’t mind, picking up the document and simply flipping through it.

He had to admit, there was a reason Nanu had been able to reach the rank of Chief Inspector within the International Police - his abilities were very strong.

Having lived in the Alola region for over ten years, despite appearing lazy, he had actually investigated the Aether Foundation quite thoroughly.

The materials he provided were more detailed than what Anabel gave - or rather, they involved details that others wouldn’t notice.

For example, Aether Foundation President Lusamine had undergone some subtle changes in both her working style and principles over several years.

Nanu had noticed this point.

He suspected it might be related to Lusamine’s husband’s disappearance.

Tak—

Nanu’s kendama paused as he waved at Johan.

"That’s about enough. You should hurry up and leave."

"Hm?" Johan was startled.

Nanu pursed his lips, walking toward a nearby reclining chair and saying lazily:

"According to what I’ve seen online, wherever you appear, nothing good happens."

Johan: "..."

"Though I can’t say it’s your fault, you definitely bring trouble, and I hate trouble most."

"Cough cough..."

This "incisive" summary made Johan feel embarrassed.

Did he want to encounter trouble?

Obviously trouble always came looking for him!

However, just as Johan was about to say something, he heard some commotion outside.

Nanu immediately looked at Johan expressionlessly, his gaze seeming to say "see?"

Johan looked completely bewildered.

No way, what does this have to do with me?

Nanu reluctantly stood up, playing with his kendama while opening the door, and heard:

"Old man! Can’t you control your Meowth? They stole all our food!"

"That’s right, old man, don’t think you’re so great just because you’re an Island Kahuna! On Ula’ula Island, everything still depends on our ’Emperor’!"

"Old man, we’re talking to you!"

Outside the door were clearly a group of Team Skull thugs.

On the nearby lawn, a group of gray-furred Meowth sat on the ground licking their paws, completely ignoring the shouting Team Skull members, leisurely watching the show.

Only when Nanu came out did they get up one by one, putting on harmless expressions.

Then while meowing softly, they gathered around Nanu’s feet.

This scene immediately made the Team Skull members grit their teeth in anger.

If not for Nanu’s protection, could this group of wild Meowth be so arrogant?

Regarding Nanu, though they spoke disrespectfully with unfriendly tones, they were still somewhat fearful.

They just acted tough on the surface because they felt backed by Guzma, not wanting to embarrass their "Emperor."

Nanu spun his kendama, looking at Johan.

At this moment, Johan was leaning against the doorframe with arms crossed, also watching the show.

Noticing Nanu’s gaze, he grinned lightly, raised an eyebrow, seeming to say - see, who brought the trouble?

Nanu fell silent, somewhat troubled as he scratched his hair.

If not for Po Town having the cheapest housing prices, he wouldn’t want to live here either. Team Skull wasn’t powerful, but they were just a troublesome group.

And what he feared most was trouble.

Scratching his head again, he said to Johan: "You help me solve this, and I’ll count it as passing your grand trial."

Johan pursed his lips.

"I’m not participating in any island challenge."

"I’ll introduce you to the guardian deity." Nanu said again.

"Tapu Koko already arranged that."

"I’ll tell you Anabel’s background."

"Fall, my clearance level can access that information."

Nanu: "..."

How was this person so stubborn?

Johan smiled: "I’m actually quite curious how Mr. Nanu usually handles ’trouble.’"

His tone emphasized the word "trouble."

Nanu understood this was Johan "responding" to his earlier words.

"I’ll tell you the location of the ’Never-Melt Ice.’" After a moment of silence, Nanu spoke again.

Johan raised an eyebrow.

Never-Melt Ice was a naturally formed product that worked similarly to an "Ice Stone" but was different - a creation of nature.

Some Pokémon, especially those that needed "Ice Stones" to evolve, had a chance to evolve without using an "Ice Stone" when near "Never-Melt Ice."

For many Ice-type Pokémon, "Never-Melt Ice" was quite attractive.

"Never-Melt Ice" could only be found in extremely cold places, actually existing in places like Sinnoh’s Mount Coronet and Unova’s Twist Mountain.

Mount Lanakila on Ula’ula Island naturally had some too.

This was also why many Crabrawler evolved into Crabominable after climbing Mount Lanakila.

Johan had Ninetales, and Ninetales only existed in the Alola region, even specifically only on Mount Lanakila. Nanu was betting Johan would go.

"Looks like Mr. Nanu knows me quite well." Johan said.

Otherwise he couldn’t have said that about Johan bringing trouble.

Nanu chose silence.

Johan shrugged: "Plus a Dark-type Z-Crystal."

Might as well take what was offered.

Nanu immediately glared at him irritably, then said: "Take care of these Meowth."

This was the task he used to trouble Ash in the anime.

Because this group of Meowth living in Po Town honestly couldn’t be calmed by anyone except him.

Otherwise Team Skull wouldn’t have come looking for trouble.

Johan grinned.

"Deal."

He couldn’t help muttering internally: Old fox.

Nanu was also grumbling internally: Little fox.

The Team Skull members naturally couldn’t understand Johan and Nanu’s exchange, but their behavior of ignoring them hurt these small-time thugs’ self-esteem.

"Damn it!"

"Go, Golbat!"

"Go, Ekans!"

"Show them some pain, Hypno!" freeweɓnovel-cøm

"..."

For a moment, these Team Skull members angrily threw Poké Balls.

Then a bunch of Golbat, Ekans, Alolan Rattata, Alolan Raticate, Ariados, Gumshoos and other clearly baby Pokémon were summoned.

Look at this quality - how could Team Skull get on stage?

Johan wanted to take back his earlier words about Flint steamrolling Team Skull, feeling this was somewhat "insulting" to Flint. Even a small squad of elite Team Rocket members could probably handle this.

"Tyranitar." Johan threw a Poké Ball.

Having Snivy come would probably result in Snivy pulling his hair after the battle.

"Bangi!"

Tyranitar appeared with claws and fangs bared, its feet shaking the ground, arms stirring up sandstorm, the gloom seeming to blot out the sun.

Team Skull: "..."

Team Skull’s Pokémon: "..."

We’re supposed to fight this Tyranitar?

"Quick, go call Boss Guzma!"

"Bangi!!"

In no time, most of the Team Skull members’ Pokémon were lying on the ground.

It wasn’t Tyranitar’s doing - the sandstorm alone had blown them into losing battle capability.

"Sandstorm has become a ’small fry cleaner.’" Johan rubbed his chin.

"Bangi?"

As the sandstorm faded, Tyranitar looked at Johan, scratching its head.

Still fighting?

"Not for now." Johan said.

"Bangi."

Tyranitar said "oh," nodded, sat on the ground and took out a pile of minerals, "munch munch" chomping away.

Watching from behind, Nanu’s eye twitched as he commented: "Looks like you’re not suited for Dark-types."

Great, he’d even gotten the same evaluation Nanu gave Ash.

Johan shrugged, not caring.

However, soon enough.

Surrounded by a group of Team Skull members, the imposing Guzma appeared at the police station entrance.

Seeing the mountain-like Tyranitar sitting on the ground, then the kendama-playing Nanu at the door and the yawning Johan, his expression immediately darkened.

He glanced around, then turned to leave.

"Let’s go!"

"Boss Guzma, you have to stand up for us!"

"Boss Guzma?"

Guzma’s face was dark.

Stand up for them?

Damn it, one was at least Champion level, one was at least Elite Four level - stand up for what?

If it was just Nanu, Guzma felt he could still hold his own, and he knew this "neighbor’s" temperament fairly well - as long as you didn’t go too far, it was fine.

But Teacher Johan?

Sinnoh’s Team Galactic, Unova’s Team Plasma, Kalos’s Team Flare...

He wasn’t some idiot with no knowledge of the outside world who’d never left the Alola region!

"Guzma!" Johan suddenly called out.

Hm?

Guzma stopped, frowning as he looked back.

He heard Johan say: "My boat is docked at the port. Please help keep an eye on it, thanks."

Guzma: "..."

He quickened his pace.

"He’s so polite..."

"Could this person possibly... be Boss Guzma’s friend?"

"No wonder! No wonder Boss Guzma turned and left - he didn’t want to fight his friend."

"Boss Guzma is really, I’m crying, I’ll follow Boss Guzma to the death!"

Team Skull came with great fanfare and left with great fanfare, leaving only sand and dust on the ground, and a bewildered Tyranitar.

Johan smiled lightly at Nanu, while Nanu glanced at the Meowth at his feet - the meaning was clear: there were still these Meowth.

"Gengar."

"Ka-kaah~!"

Gengar immediately floated out, giving those Alolan Meowth a very "friendly" smile.

Several Alolan Meowth immediately bristled.

Johan clearly understood these Meowth’s situation.

As they say: it takes a bad guy to deal with bad guys.

No one was more suitable for "taking care of" them than Gengar.

"Ka-kaah!!"

Gengar laughed "maniacally."

Heaven helps this old man! Let this old man establish a "base" in Po Town!

As for these Meowth being docile on the surface but causing trouble behind the scenes, that was fine - Gengar was even better at causing trouble than they were.

Soon enough.

Inside the police station.

Nanu lay on his reclining chair playing kendama, while Johan sat in a chair drinking coffee and reading documents.

Gengar swaggered in, followed like a mother hen with chicks by a line of Meowth.

"Ka-kaah~"

It waved its big hand.

Sound off!

The Alolan Meowth lined up neatly, then began calling "Meow! Meow!" in count.

Nanu: "..."

He looked at Gengar and the Meowth, then at Johan sitting in the chair laughing silently while reading materials, and took a deep breath:

"Alright, I take back what I said earlier. You’re actually... quite suited for Dark-type Pokémon."

Even though Gengar was a Ghost and Poison-type Pokémon.

Only Nanu, who clearly understood these Meowth’s temperament, could appreciate how significant it was that Gengar had "tamed" this group of Meowth in just ten-plus minutes.

This guy... wasn’t raising a group of "villains," was he? Nanu looked at Johan with endless suspicion.

Ding ling—

The door was pushed open again.

"They’re so well-behaved today!"

A girl with flowing purple hair, wearing a tattered black-purple dress and gold armlets walked in.

Acerola!

Currently the captain in charge of the "Thrifty Megamart" trial site on Ula’ula Island, and future Elite Four member of the Alola League recommended by Nanu to Professor Kukui!

"Teacher Johan?" Acerola looked very surprised to see Johan.

"Acerola, Alola."

Johan smiled and greeted her.

Though they weren’t very close, they knew each other.

In the last "Youth World Championship," Acerola had made it to the round of 16, ultimately losing to the "cheating" Caitlin.

"Alola!" Acerola bowed slightly.

Her relationship with Nanu was somewhat like master and disciple, so appearing here didn’t surprise Johan.

From her shoulder behind her, a Mimikyu wearing a small red flower cautiously poked its head out, looking at Gengar.

"Ka-kaah~" Gengar grinned and greeted it, waving.

Mimikyu immediately retreated in fear.

"I might go to Malie Library this afternoon. Will you be there, Acerola?"

In Malie Library, there were some records about Necrozma. With Acerola’s help as the librarian, he could find the documents he wanted to read faster.

"Mm!"

Acerola nodded: "After I finish asking Mr. Nanu questions, I’ll head back. I still have to tell stories to children this afternoon."

Nanu wore an expression of "more trouble coming," irritably placing a worn map and a black Dark-type Z-Crystal on the counter.

"Your map and Dark Z, hurry up and leave." Nanu urged.

"Eh?" Acerola tilted her head: "Dark-type Z-Crystal? Is Teacher Johan here for the island challenge?"

"No." Johan smiled as he collected the items.

"Then no battle needed?"

Nanu and Johan spoke almost simultaneously: "Of course not!"

Both looked at each other.

Acerola covered her mouth and laughed: "Teacher Johan and Mr. Nanu have such good chemistry."

Johan: "..."

Nanu: "..."

"I’m leaving, Gengar."

"Ka-kaah~"

Gengar waved at its newly recruited "subordinates," giving encouraging looks.

This old man is going to "recruit" from other areas - the development of the Po Town squad is in your hands!

"Meow~"

"Meow~"

The Alolan Meowth looked reluctant, following step by step until Johan and Gengar left.

"This is really the first time I’ve seen them like anyone besides Mr. Nanu." Acerola said.

Then she placed some documents on the counter, smiling with crescent eyes:

"Mr. Nanu, the materials you requested."

Near noon.

"Phew—"

Only after Acerola left did Nanu seem to deflate as he lay back on his reclining chair.

Finally he could rest properly.

Beep beep!

However, before he could fully lie down, his phone rang.

"Never ending..." Nanu grumbled while taking out his phone. When he saw the caller ID, he fell silent.

Pressing answer.

From the phone came the voice of Team Rocket’s leader - Giovanni.

"How was it?" Giovanni’s tone was like chatting with an old friend: "Did you meet him? Is he really like you?"

Nanu’s expression became serious for the first time.

After a long silence, he said: "If it’s for his own good, I’d advise you to have less contact with him."

Giovanni on the other end also fell silent briefly, his tone remaining relaxed.

"Relax a bit, Nanu. The current situation is different from before."

Then his tone gradually deepened, with some emotion.

"He changed me."

"Changed you?" Nanu narrowed his eyes: "What does this have to do with you wanting Mount Lanakila’s structural diagrams?"

"Didn’t I hear that Alola is planning to build in that dangerous place? This is one of our current target projects."

Team Rocket building the Alola League headquarters for the Alola League?

If this were a few years ago, Nanu would have couldn’t help but complain about what a century-joke this was.

But now...

"I’ve already sent it to your secretary. The rest - bidding, design and so on - depends on your own capabilities." Nanu said.

"Thanks."

The call ended.

Nanu held the phone for a long time without putting it down. After a while, he murmured:

"Like me? More like you, actually."

Ding ling—

A bicycle leisurely rode along Ula’ula Island’s highway.

"Turn left ahead, Rotom!"

Leaving Po Town and getting what he wanted, Johan headed straight for Ruins of Abundance, passing through the path between Mount Hokulani and Mount Lanakila toward Haina Desert.

"Rotom, sand bike mode."

"Super! Transform! Rotom!"

The good thing about Rotom bikes was that they could basically adapt to many complex terrains - whether mountains, desert, or ice.

Haina Desert wasn’t small, but fortunately it wasn’t very dangerous.

Besides the most common Trapinch, you could often see Alolan Dugtrio with golden mustache-like hair.

Following navigation, he arrived unobstructed at the Ruins of Abundance.

It was located in a canyon deep in the desert, surrounded on three sides by towering rock walls, with a black cave entrance directly ahead amid the howling sand and dust.

However, though Johan’s destination was the Ruins of Abundance, he had no intention of going inside.

His gaze moved from bottom to top, slowly looking toward the very top of the rock wall - at least over a hundred meters high, and almost completely vertical.

"This can really be climbed by hand?"

Johan pictured Ash climbing the rock wall bare-handed.

Shaking his head.

"Inhuman."

He threw a Poké Ball.

"Dragonite!"

"Draaa~~"

Climbing onto Dragonite’s back, riding Dragonite, he quickly reached the top of this rock wall.

This was a very flat, wide platform with not only verdant grass but also a small lake.

Since Tapu Koko had given advance notice, Ula’ula Island’s guardian deity Tapu Bulu shouldn’t be hard to find...

Johan’s gaze swept around.

"Found it!"

He quickly saw the Tapu Bulu lying by the lakeside, snoring as it rested!

It looked like a bull with only an upper body, black body, white nose ring, golden hooves like a bull’s feet, and a red shell like a straw hat with a pair of black wooden horns like bull horns.

A long black tail with a golden bell at the tip.

It was said that when its bell swayed, it could make surrounding plants grow, bursting with vigorous life energy.

Tapu Bulu maintained survival by promoting plant growth, then absorbing energy from the plants.

This technique of using energy to stimulate plant growth then absorbing energy from plants was no less impressive than any "perpetual motion machine."

It was also the ability Johan most envied.

If his Pokémon could have this ability, why would he need to run around for money? He could also treat money like dirt.

Honestly.

Among the four guardian deities of the Alola region, Johan was most interested in and wanted to contact Tapu Bulu.

If he could get it to tour his little island once, the effect would be even better than Calyrex’s cabbage head.

Not only could it stimulate plant growth, it could even make berry trees directly bear fruit - truly the number one legendary for farming!

Tapu Bulu’s personality was very similar to Island Kahuna Nanu - lazy, trouble-averse, and fond of afternoon naps.

But if you underestimated Tapu Bulu because of this, you’d be making a big mistake.

Among the four guardian deities of the Alola region, Tapu Bulu was the only one that had ever shown its fury.

On Ula’ula Island, there was once a Tapu Village, which was later destroyed due to the villagers’ contempt for guardian deity Tapu Bulu, earning its endless wrath.

Eventually Tapu Village was destroyed, and even the nearby Thrifty Megamart didn’t escape.

So.

Never casually provoke honest people, because when honest people truly get angry, they can be more terrifying than most others.

"Draaa~"

Dragonite flapped its wings, carrying Johan toward where Tapu Bulu was sleeping.

Snore—snore—

The snoring Tapu Bulu seemed to sense something, opening one eye slightly to glance at Johan landing on the soft earth, its emerald eyes particularly calm.

"Tapu Bulu."

Approaching Tapu Bulu, Johan inexplicably felt a warm, drowsy, comfortable laziness that made him want to yawn and take an afternoon nap.

[Help me solve two troubles, and I’ll agree to what Tapu Koko mentioned.]

Tapu Bulu’s steady, calm voice echoed in Johan’s mind.

Hm?

This was more proactive than Johan had imagined.

But two troubles?

He saw Tapu Bulu shift its heavy body, then flip over to lie on its stomach.

[First, help me scratch my back.]

Johan: "..."

What, what a big trouble!

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Powerstones?

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