The moment Marshadow finished speaking—
Before Chen Mo could even react—
The previously steady ship suddenly began rocking violently.
"They're here already?!"
A pair of orange-red eyes emerged from the shadows beneath Chen Mo's feet, staring intently toward the source of the powerful energy.
Marshadow could tell.
This ocean...
Was that mysterious Pokémon's domain.
Ordinarily, Marshadow wouldn't have feared facing it alone.
But Chen Mo was still aboard the ship.
And there were countless ordinary people nearby.
If that Legendary Pokémon had really come to cause trouble...
"Calm down."
Just then—
As usual, Marshadow felt a familiar thought transmitted directly into its mind.
Looking up—
It saw the young man calmly gazing toward the churning sea.
"Don't worry."
"I don't think it has any ill intentions."
"I really don't know where you get that confidence from..."
Marshadow muttered under its breath.
Yet somehow...
Its own emotions gradually settled down.
Only then did Marshadow suddenly notice something it had never paid much attention to before.
Because it still hadn't fully mastered its innate powers, Marshadow constantly leaked traces of its energy, unintentionally stirring negative emotions in those around it.
But recently...
That had been happening less and less.
Aside from a few particularly sensitive topics...
It had become increasingly capable of controlling its own power.
"...Strange."
"It doesn't feel like anything special has happened lately..."
Shaking away its confusion, Marshadow fixed its gaze ahead.
"It's here!"
In truth...
Marshadow didn't even need to warn anyone.
Even the residents of Crescent Moon Town aboard the ship sensed something was terribly wrong.
For generations they had lived by the sea.
Even those with little sailing experience could immediately tell—
The towering waves that had suddenly risen...
Were anything but natural.
"Holy—!"
Someone in the crowd cried out.
Everyone hurriedly turned toward the source of the shout.
Only ten meters ahead of the ship—
A colossal waterspout burst violently from the sea.
Before the stunned crowd's eyes—
It exploded like a firework.
Countless droplets scattered through the air, sparkling brilliantly beneath the sunlight before raining gently down over the entire ship.
"The bubbles?!"
Another astonished cry rang out.
Only then did everyone notice—
Among the falling spray floated enormous translucent bubbles.
Carried by the sea breeze...
They drifted gently onto the deck.
Pop.
Pop.
Pop.
One after another, the bubbles burst.
Figures stepped out from within them.
They curiously looked around at their surroundings.
And beneath the sunlight...
Not a single one of them cast a shadow.
Silence engulfed the ship.
Qin Kaicheng stared blankly at the short-haired young man standing at the center of the crowd.
His voice trembled.
"...Big Brother."
The young man simply smiled warmly.
"Kaicheng."
"It's been a long time."
In an instant—
The passengers attending the ceremony were the first to panic.
The deck immediately descended into chaos.
Meanwhile, the livestream chat exploded.
[What the hell is going on?! Aren't those the people from that old photograph? Weren't they all taken away by Dusknoir? How are they all alive again?!]
[Look carefully—they don't have shadows. This definitely isn't resurrection.]
[Then why can we suddenly see them?!]
[Shouldn't the important part be Qin Kaicheng? The guy standing in front of the camera should be his spirit, right?]
[Teacher Mo, stop filming already! Let Gengar handle the camera and explain what's happening! That's your actual job! I'm dying here!]
In reality...
It wasn't that Chen Mo was deliberately refusing to step in.
He was just as confused as everyone else.
By all logic...
The Legendary Pokémon he believed to be behind everything shouldn't have possessed any Ghost-type abilities.
Nor should it have been capable of bringing back the dead.
Was my guess wrong?
With Aura constantly spread throughout the ship...
Chen Mo sensed something strange.
The "dead" before him...
Felt different from Qin Kaicheng.
Even Qin Kaicheng himself...
Now felt subtly different from before.
Just as Chen Mo began doubting himself—
Several people aboard the ship could no longer restrain themselves.
Seeing the dead return...
Naturally shocked everyone.
But...
For those who had longed day and night to see their loved ones again—
It was irresistible.
Many aboard today's ship were family members of those who had died in the disaster.
The moment they saw their spouses...
Their children...
Standing before them once again...
They broke.
Crying uncontrollably, they rushed toward them.
The next second—
Their outstretched hands passed directly through the spirits' bodies.
Ripples spread outward where flesh should have met flesh.
Like waves upon water.
"...So that's it."
Chen Mo frowned.
Almost immediately, Marshadow's voice echoed inside his mind.
"You guessed right."
"These aren't real spirits."
"That Pokémon used its powers—combined with the ocean's environment—to create special water clones."
"They're fakes."
"As for Qin Kaicheng..."
"His case is different."
"It completely wrapped his spirit inside a water clone."
"That's why ordinary humans can see him."
"But..."
"That guy was incredibly careful."
"To fool Qin Kaicheng into believing everything was real..."
"It deliberately caused all those disturbances first."
"It distracted everyone."
"Even I got tricked."
"It even fabricated their shadows."
Marshadow rarely spoke so much at once.
The technique itself wasn't overwhelmingly powerful.
But the level of control required...
Even Marshadow couldn't help admiring it.
At least...
It couldn't manipulate energy with such precision yet.
"So that's how it is..."
Chen Mo nodded quietly.
He had guessed the spirits were fake.
But while humans and Pokémon perceived energy on completely different levels...
He couldn't analyze every detail the way Marshadow could.
"So?"
Marshadow asked.
"Are you going to expose it?"
"Or stop it?"
"Marshadow..."
Chen Mo sighed helplessly.
"Do you really think I'm that heartless?"
"...Tch."
Ignoring Marshadow's snort...
Chen Mo handed the camera to Gengar.
Then he slowly walked toward the gathering of "spirits."
As the acknowledged expert aboard the ship...
His movement immediately drew everyone's attention.
Many quietly stepped in front of the spirits protectively.
Their expressions were full of anxiety.
Chen Mo couldn't help smiling bitterly.
He had always thought he seemed fairly approachable.
Apparently...
Not today.
Still...
People often overlooked reason...
Or even common sense...
When protecting those they cherished most.
"Everyone..."
"There's no need to worry."
"I know what I said during the livestream a few days ago probably frightened many of you."
"It's true."
"I'm someone who sticks firmly to principles."
"It's true that spirits shouldn't remain in the world of the living."
"That's an important principle."
"But..."
He glanced at Qin Kaicheng, who stood there completely lost.
Then smiled.
"I don't think I'm so cold-hearted that I'd ignore human feelings."
"Otherwise..."
"When I first met Brother Cheng..."
"I would've helped Dusknoir..."
"...instead of helping him."
The self-deprecating joke instantly eased the tension.
Even several ceremony staff members behind Chen Mo couldn't help laughing.
Looking over the assembled "spirits," Chen Mo continued,
"I more or less understand what's happening."
"Thanks to the help of a Legendary Pokémon..."
"The deceased have temporarily returned to the world of the living."
"But..."
"This opportunity has a time limit."
"Five minutes."
"You have no more than five minutes."
"So..."
"If there's anything you wish to say..."
"Now is the time."
The "Yu Heguang" clone looked deeply at Chen Mo.
Everything it had done...
Had been to fulfill Qin Kaicheng's lingering attachment.
To allow him to depart peacefully.
And...
To let the real Yu Heguang finally return to the temple.
Although it could control numerous water clones simultaneously...
It had underestimated how deeply the living loved the dead.
If conversations continued indefinitely...
Its disguise would eventually fail.
Yet Chen Mo's words had accomplished two things at once.
Everyone accepted the situation without question.
And...
He had bought it precious time.
Five minutes.
That should be enough.
"...Big Brother..."
"...Mom..."
Qin Kaicheng's face was filled with hesitation.
He had countless questions for Yu Heguang.
But...
There was just as much he wanted to tell his mother.
"Kaicheng."
"When we reach the Spirit World..."
"We'll have all the time we need."
"For now..."
"You should go to Auntie."
"She's waiting."
"So is Xiao Ai."
"Yu Heguang" smiled gently.
Qin Kaicheng finally nodded.
Without another word—
He hurried toward Mrs. Qin and Glameow.
The clone quietly sighed in relief.
The hardest person to deceive...
Had been dealt with first.
As for Qin Kaicheng...
It simply needed to mimic his voice through the water clone.
But...
This is way too much!
Messages flooded continuously from every other clone.
Its head practically throbbed.
After fixing "Yu Heguang" into a permanent smiling expression...
Most of its consciousness instantly dispersed into the countless other water bodies.
"Incredible..."
Watching everything unfold...
Even Chen Mo and Marshadow—the only two who knew the truth—
Couldn't help admiring it.
Judging from the original story...
This existence shared a deep connection with the embodiment of the sea—
The Legendary often called the Sea God—
Kyogre.
And judging from the Tidal Bell Qin Kaicheng had mentioned...
It also seemed connected to Lugia.
Combined with everything happening aboard the ship...
Chen Mo could only think one thing.
Its social skills are completely maxed out...
Time passed minute by minute.
"Pingping!"
"Please don't leave!"
A panicked cry suddenly rang out.
Chen Mo turned toward the voice.
An elderly woman desperately reached for the water clone she called "Pingping."
The clone smiled peacefully.
Its wish fulfilled.
Its body had already begun fading away.
At almost the same time—
The long-silent "Yu Heguang" slowly looked across the people and spirits surrounding him.
With obvious reluctance...
He quietly said,
"It's time."
"We have to go."
Immediately...
Panic spread among every family still talking to their loved ones.
Inside Chen Mo's shadow...
Marshadow burst into laughter.
"He can't hold on anymore."
Although Chen Mo had announced five minutes earlier...
Only three minutes had actually passed.
But maintaining conversations for so many different people—
Switching personalities repeatedly—
Even with unparalleled social ability...
The mysterious Pokémon had reached its limit.
Ending things early...
Was the safest option.
"..."
Qin Kaicheng lowered his head.
Five minutes...
Had been far too short.
There was still so much left unsaid.
"Go."
Mrs. Qin spoke softly.
The weather at sea changed without warning.
Dark clouds drifted overhead.
They stopped directly above Qin Kaicheng.
Like a boundary separating life and death.
Her silver hair danced in the sea breeze.
Standing in the sunlight...
She smiled gently.
"You've always worried me."
"When you reach the other world..."
"Mom won't be there anymore."
"So..."
"You have to take good care of yourself."
"..."
Qin Kaicheng inhaled deeply.
His nose stung.
After a long silence...
He nodded earnestly.
"I will."
"But you too."
"You're not young anymore."
"Get more rest."
"And the fruit shop..."
"You should close it."
"We're not short on money anymore."
"So now you're telling your mother how to run her business?"
Mrs. Qin pretended to glare at him.
"You think I'll lose money?"
"N-No!"
Qin Kaicheng hurriedly waved both hands.
"I'd never dare!"
"If you enjoy running it..."
"Keep it open forever!"
They looked at one another.
Then...
Both laughed.
Perhaps because of those special birthdays they had celebrated together every year...
Their relationship had always been a little different from most mothers and sons.
Mrs. Qin had always hoped—
Since she was raising him alone...
She could understand him as a friend.
That had remained true...
For so many years.
And now...
It was finally time to say goodbye.
Qin Kaicheng looked at the conch horn in her hands.
"I remember..."
"You taught me how to play that a few years ago."
"It was way too hard."
"I practiced forever..."
"And still couldn't play it as well as you."
"So..."
"Before I leave..."
He smiled broadly.
"Mom..."
"I'd like to hear you play it one more time."
Mrs. Qin gently gripped the conch horn.
Her eyes overflowed with tenderness.
"Alright."
Ever since the mysterious Legendary had interrupted the ceremony...
Everything had gone completely off schedule.
After hearing the conversation between Qin Kaicheng and his mother...
Everyone quickly agreed to move the final part of the ceremony forward.
Time was running out.
Deep down...
Everyone silently thanked the mysterious Legendary who had returned the dead.
Even though the promised five minutes had long since passed...
It continued sustaining Qin Kaicheng and everyone else until the final farewell.
What a wonderful Pokémon...
After scattering flowers mixed with Qin Kaicheng's ashes into the sea...
Allowing them to drift with the currents toward the ancient resting place spoken of by generations before...
Mrs. Qin raised the conch horn.
She closed her eyes.
Facing the spirits gathered at the bow...
She gently blew into it.
An ancient...
Melancholy...
Beautiful melody drifted away upon the sea breeze.
At that moment—
Qin Kaicheng finally broke.
Tears poured endlessly from his eyes.
He wiped at them again and again.
Yet his ghostly hands simply passed straight through them.
"W-Why..."
"I thought..."
"Ghosts couldn't cry..."
"So why..."
Just then—
"Meow..."
A soft cry echoed ahead.
Qin Kaicheng slowly lifted his head.
Glameow.
Just like always—
It happily ran toward him.
In that instant—
He remembered the answer Chen Mo had once given him.
At that time...
The young man—five or six years younger than himself—
Had spoken with unwavering certainty.
"Over these past few days..."
"I've investigated many things in Crescent Moon Town."
"And I discovered something very interesting."
"The government later promoted a new fishing model..."
"Cooperating with Wingull."
"But..."
"Long before that policy officially began..."
"Many fishermen here were already using that method."
"The Wingull colony chose to settle permanently near Crescent Moon Town..."
"...because they trusted its people."
He had looked directly at Qin Kaicheng.
"You..."
"And Yu Heguang..."
"You already changed this world."
Amid the sound of the conch...
One spirit after another dissolved into light.
Watching Glameow approach...
Qin Kaicheng murmured softly,
"...I see."
"So..."
"I really did it."
"Thank you..."
"Xiao Mo."
"And..."
"Thank you, everyone."
His gaze swept over Mrs. Qin...
Then Chen Mo...
Finally settling upon each of his companions.
"It's time to go."
Yu Heguang smiled.
Qin Kaicheng nodded.
"...Yeah."
Within the darkness beneath the storm clouds...
His body began emitting a gentle radiance.
Slowly...
He rose into the sky.
"Mom!"
"Take good care of yourself!"
"Keep warm!"
"Autumn's almost here!"
"Don't neglect your rheumatism!"
"And Xiao Ai!"
"While I'm gone..."
"I'm leaving Mom in your care!"
"I'll always believe in you."
"Because..."
"You're my very best partner."
Higher and higher he rose.
The people he loved drifted farther and farther away beneath him.
But this time...
He no longer felt lonely.
There was still attachment.
Still reluctance.
But...
He had already received everything he wanted.
"So..."
"You can see Crescent Moon Town from here too."
"...That's wonderful."
As he floated ever higher...
A long black line gradually appeared across the distant sea.
A smile slowly spread across his lips.
At that very moment—
A desperate shout rode upon the wind.
"Brother Cheng!!!"
Hearing it faintly...
A familiar image flashed through Qin Kaicheng's mind.
A stubborn...
Passionate...
Young man.
He grinned.
So it's Tianming...
I know all about your Top Eight finish.
With Xiao Mo's help...
I watched your matches over and over again.
Just as expected of you.
Your battles...
Always ignite people's hearts.
As his body dissolved completely into light—
Qin Kaicheng raised one arm toward the distant black line...
And gave a firm thumbs-up.
Carried away by the sea breeze...
His final whisper seemed to linger.
"...You've grown so much too."
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