"Then let's do it, Pokémon battle!"
Even though Cyclizar didn't remember any moves, Hoshino was very confident about this; as long as he believed his Pokémon could do it, that was enough!
"Cycli?"
Hearing his call, Cyclizar stopped chasing and playing, immediately pounced over happily, and bit his head. This should be a sign of great affection, right…
Hoshino struggled free and then looked at Hala, asking, "So, who am I battling?"
"Hmm… Originally, I wanted my grandson to come. He's the same age as you and a fourth-year student at the Pokémon School. There should have been a good match between you two, but he went to play with classmates this weekend and isn't home… So I've decided!"
"Huh?"
"Then I'll be your opponent. As long as you defeat me, I'll acknowledge your strength!"
"???"
Hoshino was utterly bewildered. He thought he had misheard something, but it seemed he hadn't misheard at all. He was going to battle an Kahuna? Wait, isn't the Kahuna the strongest Trainer on this island?!
Seeing his confusion, Hala laughed and said, "But don't worry, considering you're a newcomer, I won't go all out against you!"
"That's not the point!"
Even if an Kahuna held back, he was still an Kahuna. But there was no choice; this was a necessary battle, so he would just treat it as a beginner's tutorial!
Hala led them to the celebration stage in the center of town. Hoshino looked at the white patterns around him. Apparently, this stage was also for worshipping Tapu Koko, the Guardian Deity of Melemele Island.
Slowking didn't follow them; it seemed to have other matters and left. Anyway, there was no need to worry about someone escaping…
"Let's battle here. Are you ready?"
"I'm ready!"
Hoshino looked at Cyclizar, who was wagging its tail in front of him. Although still a bit nervous, he was already calculating how to utilize the various strengths of his Pokémon to battle without using moves.
"Don't mess around. Listen to my commands later!"
"Cycli~"
Everything was ready. Hala's expression instantly turned serious. Then he threw a Poké Ball, and a Crabrawler appeared on the stage, waving its arrogant fists and beginning to provoke the Cyclizar in front of it.
"Coincidence? Or fate?"
Hoshino didn't expect it to be another Crabrawler. He had just sent one flying the night before, and now another one appeared. But it also meant he had experience.
"Go!"
"Cycli!"
Cyclizar launched itself, achieving instant acceleration, and charged forward headfirst. But at that moment, Hala suddenly widened his eyes, as if he had discovered something, then waved his hand and shouted, "Dodge to the right, then attack with Brick Break!"
Hearing the opponent's command, Hoshino immediately shouted, "Maintain this speed, and whip with your tail!"
Normally, it would be very difficult for a Pokémon to react like this, but yesterday, Cyclizar had managed to make an instant turn without any deviation while moving at full speed. Perhaps it could try!
And Cyclizar really responded. As Crabrawler dodged sideways, it suddenly made a 180-degree turn, whipping its tail across the opponent's face, instantly sending it flying over ten meters to crash into a boulder…
The battle ended in an instant. Crabrawler was directly knocked out by Cyclizar's tail whip, a complete difference in raw strength. This seemingly clumsy large lizard seemed to be quite formidable.
"We won~"
Hoshino made a V-sign. If it could knock out a Crabrawler before, it could certainly do so now, unless you brought out a Crabominable.
However, as his first battle against another Trainer, ending so easily felt a bit anticlimactic.
Watching Cyclizar, who had defeated its opponent, run back, Hoshino couldn't help but wonder what Cyclizar's strength was like before it lost its memory.
If there was a chance, he definitely had to help it regain its memory.
After Hala recalled Crabrawler, he laughed and walked forward, saying, "I misjudged you. I didn't expect this Cyclizar to be hiding its strength, and you can easily command it to act."
"So, I won, right?!"
"Of course. Your reaction speed just now was also excellent. It seems you have a high talent as a Trainer. Work hard, and this Poké Ball is my gift to you."
Saying that, Hala took out a Poké Ball and handed it over. Hoshino reached out and took it, a surge of excitement rising in his heart as he looked at the red and white ball in his hand.
"Don't just stand there, go and catch your first Pokémon!"
"Okay!"
Hoshino took the ball and went in front of Cyclizar, then held it up and said to it, "I can finally become your Trainer. Come…"
Before he finished speaking, Cyclizar suddenly bit his hand, including the Poké Ball…
"Ow, ow, ow!!!"
"This isn't for eating! Let go… Let go quickly, my hand is going to break!"
"Cycli~"
Seeing this scene, Hala suddenly burst into laughter: "You two really have a good relationship! Pokémon and Trainers should get along like this."
A moment later, Hoshino finally pulled his hand free, a helpless smile on his face, completely resigned to his big companion.
He then raised the Poké Ball again, but this time he wasn't bitten. Cyclizar happily raised its paw and suddenly slapped the Poké Ball.
Instantly, a red light flashed, and it disappeared from its spot. At the same time, the Poké Ball made a "ding" sound, and the capture success sound effect appeared without any shaking.
"Is it because of too high affection?"
Hoshino was a bit surprised, but none of that mattered anymore. On the friend app talent bar, Cyclizar's small avatar had already appeared, which proved that he had finally become its Trainer!
But just as he got excited, the Poké Ball in his hand suddenly shook, a red light flashed, and Cyclizar jumped out on its own, stretching its body. It seemed it didn't like staying inside the Poké Ball.
The battle was over, and Cyclizar was successfully caught. The rest was to handle the identity verification.
With Hala, the Kahuna, leading the way, such things should indeed be very easy to sort out… Of course, it wouldn't be that simple.
Upon arriving at the Hau'oli City Police Station, Hoshino just happened to see his wanted poster flash across the big screen, only a photo, no name.
"How did you end up wanted?"
"Yesterday, I was speeding and hit someone…"
"Who did you hit?"
"Officer Jenny…"
"…"
Hala was speechless. Could he add any more debuffs? How was he going to get out of this?
But he was the Kahuna of Melemele Island, and he would certainly be fair and just, never protecting any criminal. However, special circumstances were another matter.
He took Hoshino and Cyclizar to the Officer Jenny responsible for this area and explained the situation. Then came an hour-long lecture, which left Hoshino numb…
Finally, Officer Jenny let him go and said sternly, "Considering your special circumstances, and the fact that you are a minor and a first-time offender, you should apologize properly to the Officer Jenny you hit. Then, stay here and write a ten-thousand-word self-reflection report, and you can pretty much go home. But don't let it happen again!"
"Yes…"
"Also, Pokémon must wear a riding outfit before being allowed to ride in the city. If you don't have one, for the first time, you can use your Trainer's ID to go to the traffic management office, learn traffic laws and regulations, and then receive a set for registration."
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Hoshino finally perked up. Trainers could get a riding outfit for free? Was the welfare treatment that good?
After that, he finally completed the entire process, successfully becoming a legal resident of Alola and obtaining his identity verification.
At the same time, Hala had already completed his enrollment procedures. It was the weekend, and he didn't know why they were in such a hurry, as if they were afraid he would run away.
After the enrollment procedures were done, he also got his Trainer's ID on the spot. This could also be used as an ID card, and could be reissued if lost.
In this way, he truly became a Trainer. The level marked on his ID was "Newcomer." Hala said he could only upgrade and change it after graduating from the Pokémon School.
"Let's go home!"
Everything was settled. Hoshino was already impatient to go back and celebrate with Cyclizar, but just as he was about to leave, Officer Jenny grabbed him.
"Huh?"
"Finish writing your ten-thousand-word self-reflection report before you leave!"
"…"
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