Ursaluna lowered its head and carefully sniffed around the area, initially showing some hesitation.
After all, the lingering scent of Growlithe was quite prevalent nearby.
However, after repeatedly comparing the scent on its fur and searching the area bit by bit, Ursaluna gradually identified a scent leaving the area.
"Roar!"
Ursaluna raised its head, then lowered it again, following the scent forward.
To avoid missing lingering scents in complex areas, it did not rush forward as it usually would.
Ash and Cynthia, leading Wyrdeer, followed Ursaluna, with Palina accompanying Growlithe.
Although the tracking was slow, the route became increasingly clear.
Occasionally, Ursaluna would stop to recheck directions and then continue following the lingering scent.
About half an hour later, the familiar sound of waves reached their ears once more.
Ash's expression grew perplexed.
This direction... why were they heading back to Ginkgo Landing?
Soon, Ursaluna pushed through the last patch of grass and its massive body returned to the coast.
Then it stopped.
"Roar..."
Ursaluna dipped its head, repeatedly confirming at the edge of the beach, and finally lifted its gaze toward the sea.
The scent of the Growlithe did not extend any further along the land.
Palina's expression changed dramatically.
"How could this be..."
If Growlithe had been moving along the coast, its scent should extend in other directions.
But the route Ursaluna tracked stopped right at the seaside.
This meant... that Growlithe most likely left the land from here.
Ash lifted his head.
The distant Firespit Island stood quietly on the sea.
"Sis."
"Yes." Cynthia, too, looked at Firespit Island: "It seems our earlier guess wasn't off mark."
It would be hard for Growlithe to cross this sea by itself.
But if someone brought it here and then left the coast by other means, it made complete sense.
The large land area that Cobalt Coastlands had easy access to had already been searched by the Pearl Clan.
The scent Ursaluna tracked stopped conveniently facing the open sea towards Firespit Island.
Thus, Firespit Island naturally became the place most worthy of inspection.
"But... that's where the previous King used to live."
Palina still found it hard to believe: "The Pearl Clan folks don't usually land on the island casually. How could someone take Growlithe there?"
Ash scratched his face.
"Warden Palina, isn't it possible that the culprit who took someone else's cared-for Growlithe isn't someone who follows the Pearl Clan's rules?"
Palina: "..."
She couldn't counter this statement at all.
She had always viewed Firespit Island from the perspective of a Pearl Clan member.
Out of respect for the King, they wouldn't enter the King's former dwelling area casually.
But if the person didn't care about the Pearl Clan's rules at all...
This restriction didn't exist from the start.
"Let's head over to Firespit Island and see."
After Cynthia spoke, she turned her gaze back to the wide sea.
There was only one problem now: how to get there?
Ginkgo Landing was not close to Firespit Island.
Cynthia's Samurott had Water Attributes and could move in the sea, but having it carry several people across such a wide sea wasn't suitable.
However, she also had Garchomp.
Garchomp could fly, and taking them across the sea that way wouldn't be an issue.
As Cynthia considered releasing Garchomp, Ash asked from beside her: "Warden Palina, how did you previously reach Firespit Island?"
"When the previous King was alive, the Pearl Clan arranged boats for travel. However, after the King passed and the island became uninhabited, the boats are rarely used."
Palina paused and then her eyes lit up: "But Iscan will surely have a way. He is the Warden responsible for the special Mount Pokemon of the Cobalt Coastlands in the Diamond Clan."
Ash and Cynthia's eyes lit up simultaneously.
Mount Pokemon!
When they arrived at Cobalt Coastlands, they were already planning to find the Mount Pokemon blessed by the Venerable Sinnoh.
They didn't expect the lead to fall into their laps before even starting to investigate.
Hearing this, Cynthia decided against using Garchomp.
Otherwise, they'd miss the opportunity to interact with the Mount Pokemon.
"What kind of Pokemon is it?"
"Basculegion."
Palina said a name completely foreign to them.
Ash: "?"
Cynthia: "?"
Pikachu: "Pika?"
Another one they hadn't heard of!
Since arriving in Hisui, they'd lost count of how many times this scenario played out.
Sometimes, Ash suspected that their modern Pokedex had skipped an entire batch of Pokemon.
"Basculegion is the evolved form of Basculin, possessing Water and Ghost Attributes, with distinct gender differences. Iscan cares for the male Basculegion."
"The evolution of Basculin?!"
Ash and Cynthia were once again taken aback.
In the modern world, no evolutionary form of Basculin was known to exist.
Coming to Hisui a thousand years ago, they uncovered a modern-day lost evolutionary path.
And it was a Water and Ghost Attribute form!
"Basculegion can carry people over water, and with its approval, traveling from here to Firespit Island wouldn't be difficult."
Palina was about to direct them where to find Iscan.
Just then, a deep male voice suddenly came from behind them.