After boarding the ferry, they departed from Melemele Island.
The journey to Ula'ula Island took roughly half an hour.
The ship docked at Malie City, a port town rich with an Eastern aesthetic.
As Kukui led the way out of the harbor, they quickly stepped into the heart of the city.
Compared to Hau'oli City, which was filled with Hawaiian-inspired tropical architecture, Malie City had a completely different charm.
Many of its buildings bore clear influences from Johto, especially the tall pagoda at the city center, decorated with Darmanitan statues and red Darumaka lanterns.
It was an eye-catching landmark.
Kai vaguely remembered hearing about it—
An unofficial gym known as the "Kanto Dojo."
Apparently, a Trainer with spiky red-and-white hair—who had a habit of playing card games—ran the place.
That was the only reason the location had stuck in his memory.
As they moved beyond this area, the architecture gradually shifted back to Alola's signature style.
Kukui, without stopping, led Kai forward with clear determination.
After passing through several quiet paths, separated by wooden fences and lush greenery, a modest single-story building came into view.
Kai narrowed his eyes, carefully reading the sign above the entrance.
He murmured aloud:
"Ula'ula Police Station?"
He felt like he had seen it before, but…
His memories of it were vague.
He just couldn't recall the details.
Kukui nodded slightly, about to explain, but before he could—
The station doors swung open.
A tall, sharp-eyed officer stepped out, her crisp uniform and signature police cap instantly recognizable.
And her greenish-blue hair was unmistakable.
Kai and Kukui immediately recognized her.
One of the wonders of the Pokémon world—
Officer Jenny, whose countless identical relatives somehow served in every region.
Kukui's eyes lit up the moment he saw her.
He quickly stepped forward with a grin.
"Officer Jenny!"
She had been casually chatting with her partner Pokémon, a Sensu Style Oricorio, when she heard Kukui's voice.
Startled, she looked up in confusion, eyes scanning toward them.
The moment she recognized Kukui, her expression shifted from surprise to delight.
"Kukui?! Is that really you!?"
She gave him a once-over, then let out a playful huff.
"You haven't been back in two years! It's been forever!"
Kukui chuckled.
"Long time no see! And—
Alola!"
His tone carried the warmth of old acquaintances catching up.
It was clear that he and this particular Officer Jenny were on very good terms.
After exchanging greetings, Jenny's gaze shifted to Kai, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"And this is…?"
Kukui quickly introduced him.
"A friend of mine—Kai, from Paldea."
He thought about mentioning the trouble he had narrowly avoided back in Paldea—
But ultimately, chose not to.
After the introductions, Kukui wasted no time.
Eagerly, he asked:
"Officer Jenny, is Elder Nanu at the station today?"
Jenny nodded.
"He is. Why? Need something from him?"
Kukui grinned.
"Yeah—kind of urgent."
Jenny didn't press for details.
"Got it. I'll leave you to it, then."
She swung a leg over her patrol motorcycle, her Oricorio gracefully perching behind her.
"We'll catch up later—I've got my patrols to do."
With a quick wave, she revved the engine and sped off.
As they watched her disappear down the road, Kukui lowered his hand, his expression soft with nostalgia.
"Back when I did my island challenge here on Ula'ula, she looked out for me a lot."
Kai nodded silently, offering no particular comment.
Kukui turned back to him, then gestured toward the police station entrance.
"Come on, let's go meet Ula'ula's Kahuna."
"Normally, if you want to seek out Tapu Bulu, you need his approval first."
He grinned confidently, rolling his shoulders.
"But since I completed the island challenge here, getting that approval should be easy."
With undeniable confidence, he pumped his fist.
Kai said nothing.
He simply followed Kukui inside.
Their next challenge was about to begin.
---
To be honest, Kai had a bad feeling about this.
If the Kahuna of Ula'ula was really who he remembered…
Inside the Ula'ula Police Station, a man lounged lazily at his desk, his legs propped up, giving off a completely unbothered attitude.
Despite wearing a police uniform—a symbol of justice and authority—he managed to make it look utterly unprofessional, exuding a laid-back, almost rogue-like aura.
This man was Nanu, the Island Kahuna of Ula'ula—
The one recognized by Tapu Bulu as the guardian of the island.
Surrounding him was a small army of Alolan Meowth, lazily sprawled all over the police station.
Some curled up on desks, others stretched out across benches, their sleek fur glistening under the dim lighting.
The sight made Kai's fingers itch—
He couldn't help but wonder how soft an Alolan Meowth's fur would feel.
Nanu let out a yawn, scratching the back of his head before lazily muttering:
"So… you two wanna visit Tapu Bulu at the Ruins of Abundance?"
Kukui nodded firmly.
"That's right."
Nanu glanced over at Kai, raising a brow.
"I don't see why you would need to meet Tapu Bulu, Kukui."
"The one looking for it is this kid, right?"
Finally dragged into the conversation, Kai pushed aside his urge to pet a Meowth and responded:
"Yes, I'm the one who needs to meet Tapu Bulu."
Nanu sat up slightly, now studying Kai with a more serious gaze.
After a moment, he nodded knowingly.
"Yeah… I can tell. You're a Trainer, aren't you?"
Kai's eyes flickered with slight surprise.
"Hey, don't look so shocked." Nanu smirked.
"I might not look like much, but I am an Island Kahuna. And a cop."
"I do have an eye for these things."
Kai's reaction was as good as confirmation in Nanu's eyes.
The older man chuckled, rubbing his chin in thought.
Then, in a flat, almost indifferent tone, he said:
"I can't approve your request."
"What?!"
Kukui's expression tightened with frustration.
"Why not!?"
Nanu held up a hand, motioning for Kukui to calm down.
Once the professor settled, he explained:
"If you're a Trainer, then you should know the rules."
"You want to meet Tapu Bulu? Then you have to pass my trial first."
"I am an Island Kahuna, after all."
Kai wasn't surprised by this.
He simply nodded in understanding.
"So that means I have to battle you in a Pokémon match, correct?"
"I accept."
Kukui blinked, looking at Kai with visible shock.
The Kai he knew wasn't enthusiastic about battles—
He usually avoided them if possible.
To see him agree so readily…
That was a first.
But then—
Nanu shook his head.
"Nah. I'm not battling you."
Kai: "?"
Was he messing with them?
Still slouched in his chair, Nanu gave a half-hearted shrug.
"Look, I've got a good eye for these things."
"There's not a chance I'd beat you in a battle."
"Why would I put myself through that?"
Kai was speechless.
Nanu's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he'd thought of something amusing.
"Tell you what—"
He clapped his hands together, a grin creeping onto his face.
"There's been some weird stuff happening at an old abandoned site lately."
"People keep getting spooked and calling the cops about it."
"If you check it out and solve the problem, I'll give you permission to visit Tapu Bulu."
"Oh, and I'll even throw in a little reward of my own."
Kai raised a brow.
"Fine. What's the task?"
Nanu let out a chuckle, rubbing his hands together like a shady salesman.
"The place is called the Old Thrifty Megamart."
"It's not far from the ruins of Tapu Village—you know the one, right, Kukui?"
Kukui nodded hesitantly.
"…Yeah, I know where it is."
Nanu leaned forward, his grin widening.
"Your job's simple—go in there and find out if it's haunted."
Outside the Police Station
As they stepped out, Kukui let out a deep sigh, looking at Kai with concern.
"Kai… are we really doing this?"
"Even without Nanu's approval, I could still take you straight to the Ruins of Abundance."
Kai shook his head, unbothered.
"It's fine. It's just a small task."
"It won't take long."
"Besides…"* he glanced up at the darkening sky.*
"The sun's about to set. It's the perfect time to check it out."
Truth be told, Kai had originally planned to just sneak into the Ruins of Abundance.
But when Nanu mentioned the Old Thrifty Megamart—
Something in Kai's memory stirred.
Ghosts.
The Old Thrifty Megamart.
If there were Ghost-types lurking inside…
There was a chance he might find something connected to Mimikyu.
And that alone made it worth the trip.
---
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