"Punching through several centimeters of thick glass and taking out two people in the process?!"
Hoshino didn't know what to say; this Trainer's combat power was too terrifying. That old man was practically on his deathbed; even a last burst of energy couldn't be this outrageous.
Seeing his shocked expression, Jenny was not surprised. She waved her hand and continued, "So, it's quite absurd. He ran pretty fast too. If you happen to encounter him, remember to let us know."
"Alright…"
Seeing Jenny leave, Lillie stood by, her expression equally shocked. Then she quietly asked, "What she just said couldn't be…"
"It is the old man. He must have been so angered by those unfilial descendants that he came back to life. Retribution has arrived. It doesn't matter, he'll handle it himself!"
Hoshino was silent for a moment, then made a decision and said, "Let's go. The quest has DLC."
"Huh?"
"The quest isn't over yet. First, we need to find Decidueye, so your trial is still ongoing."
He really wanted to see what that old man, suddenly running out of the ICU, intended to do. Was it simply a last burst of energy, or did he have some unfulfilled obsession?
Decidueye should be looking for the other party now. The relationship between this Pokémon and Trainer is really quite interesting.
Hearing that it wasn't over, Lillie, whose mood had been somewhat low, instantly perked up: "So, we need to find that old man, right? Then leave it to me. People of that age love to wander around old places."
"Hmm? Hau'oli City should be quite new, right? Are there such places?"
"Hau'oli City has only been built for less than thirty years. The former City was long ago covered by the City and no longer exists, but there is one place…"
Lillie turned around, pointed her finger towards Mahalo Trail, and continued, "Iki Town is the only human settlement on Melemele Island that still exists and is well-preserved!"
"It is the Guardian Deity's place of worship. Every resident of Melemele Island must remember it. Whether it's the New Year's sacrificial activities or the selection of the Kahuna, they all take place there!"
Listening to her words, Hoshino pondered for a moment. It made a lot of sense. Most old people like this are traditional and nostalgic. Choosing to return to their hometown to live out their old age also illustrates this point.
"Let's go, we're going to Iki Town!"
Although he wasn't sure if the old man, with such good legs, could climb halfway up the mountain, but since he had transformed into a Super Alolan, nothing was impossible.
Hoshino walked towards the small forest, about to call Cyclizar, but suddenly saw it playing rock-paper-scissors with a Dugtrio whose muscular arm extended from the ground. However, the arm suddenly retracted the next second.
"Hmm? Must be an illusion… We need to go."
"Cycli~"
After confirming the route, Hoshino put on his gear, then turned to Lillie, who was sitting behind him, and said, "Gengar is yours to hold."
"???"
"You treated it like a doll before, didn't you? You can hold it. Then you can continue to treat it as a doll and adapt to it. If you're afraid, just get more exposure, otherwise you'll always be afraid."
"Gengar~"
"Even if you say that…"
Looking at the doll-like Gengar floating in front of her, Lillie's expression once again showed fear. Her body had already felt fear before her brain.
But the next second, Gengar showed a mischievous smile, directly moved closer, and hugged her shoulder.
"!!!"
Hoshino didn't pay attention, but instead said, "Hold on tight. Cyclizar will speed up after leaving the City. Don't get thrown off by the speed."
"???"
"Gengar~"
…
Although the shortcut required climbing directly up the mountain, Cyclizar could run on any terrain. Even a vertical cliff, it could carry people up.
It could be said that besides not being able to fly or dive, it was almost an All-Rounder. It was never stuck in traffic while delivering food. There's a good saying:
We all ride Koraidon, Miraidon. What are you riding, Tauros, Stoutland, Wyrdeer? No wonder you're stuck in traffic. If you ride other Pokémon, you're not even qualified to deliver food in Hau'oli City!
Iki Town was reached quickly. It was as calm as ever, but a battle was taking place on the stage in the middle of the City.
An Alolan Raichu was fiercely battling an Incineroar. Kahuna Hala was acting as the referee nearby. Cyclizar's sudden arrival caught their attention.
"We have a rather rare guest."
Hala saw Hoshino. Although he had often heard about him, this was only the second time he had seen him since he left the police station.
Hoshino dismounted from Cyclizar, then looked at Lillie, somewhat speechless. After telling Gengar to leave, he said, "You really sat like that the whole way."
"I know you're helping me, but… I can't help it!"
Lillie looked as if someone had bullied her, almost on the verge of tears. Getting along with Pokémon was really difficult…
"Eh? It's Lillie, and that… what the heck! How are you two together?!"
"Hey! You're bullying her, aren't you?!"
Two familiar voices suddenly came from not far away. Lillie turned to look, somewhat surprised, "Sun, Hau, you're here too."
The two classmates were battling, taking advantage of their vacation time to improve their strength through battles.
They interrupted their battle, then ran over and shielded Lillie behind them, but Hoshino completely ignored them, and the scene instantly became a bit tense and awkward.
"Although it's a bit troublesome to explain, he really isn't bullying me…"
Lillie explained from behind, but Sun and Hau clearly didn't quite believe her. However, Hala over there laughed and walked over.
"You're all classmates, there's no need for this. As Trainers, even if there's any conflict, just resolve it through a Pokémon battle. It can even strengthen relationships."
Hearing this, Sun immediately shouted, "Then let's battle! You cheated to win against Moon before, so this time I'll get justice for her!"
"Roar! Roar, roar!"
His Incineroar also let out a growl.
However, Hoshino continued to ignore them, observing his surroundings while responding, "No, I'm busy."
As soon as his words fell, to avoid escalating the conflict, Lillie quickly reacted and hurriedly explained for him: "We really have other matters. An old man ran away from the hospital, and we're looking for him."
"Is… is that so?"
Sun calmed down, somewhat embarrassed, and pushed down the brim of his hat. But Hala on the side suddenly asked, "So who are you looking for? An old man?"
"Yes, an old man named Mairin. He left the ICU, and we don't know where he went."
"Mairin?!"
"Uncle, do you know him?"
To Lillie's curiosity, Hala laughed and replied, "I am the Kahuna. There's no one on this island I don't know. However, Mairin's youth was during the time of the previous Kahuna, so it's normal for you children not to be familiar with him."
"That fellow, decades ago, when the Pokemon League was established, he participated in the Kanto region, but he narrowly lost to Oak, who is now Professor Oak, in the semifinals."
"Hmm?"
Hoshino looked over curiously, not expecting that old man to have such an experience. This meant that the other party must have been a very strong Trainer in the past.
Noticing that all the children around were looking at him, Hala smiled and continued to explain, "In that era, Pokémon battles weren't as popular as they are now, and Pokémon Centers hadn't been established yet. But he insisted on this path, traveling through one region after another with his Pokémon, and finally seemed to settle in Sinnoh."
"More than ten years ago, after Alola was recognized as a proper region, he returned, wanting to help build his hometown. The construction of the Pokémon School actually had his donations and help. After that, he brought a Decidueye and lived permanently in Alola, but he didn't want anyone else to disturb him."
After listening to Hala, the others finally understood how formidable this old man was. Hoshino also never expected such a powerful person to be so low-key, and his ending so tragic…
Amidst her shock, Lillie curiously asked, "Was Decidueye the old man's first Pokémon?"
"Yes, I heard that Decidueye used to be one of the Totem Pokemon of Mahalo Trail. Its ferocity even made other Totem Pokemon bow down, causing many people headaches. However, after it ambushed and injured Mairin, he took notice of it, coming over to fight every few days. As a result, they ended up becoming friends and eventually traveled together."
"Absurd… No Poké Ball, no Pokémon, just fighting with his bare hands…"
Now Hoshino seemed to suddenly understand why the other party could run out of the hospital. Trainers in the past actually fought in this way.
"I have to say, it's really impressive."
"How can I be that impressive? I'm just an old man… about to go to my grave…"
"Hmm?"
A sudden voice interrupted everyone's conversation. Everyone simultaneously looked in one direction, only to see an old man in a hospital gown, barefoot, slowly walking out of the forest.
"!!!"
Hoshino was startled. The old man actually appeared, and he seemed quite robust, completely unlike his previous state in the hospital bed.
Mairin's sudden appearance surprised even Hala, who opened his eyes. He was about to step forward, but the other party waved him off, "Kahuna, let me take one last look at the island's scenery here, see how Alola has changed over the years…"
"…"
Since he said that, everyone else also looked solemn, consciously making way and watching him leave. This was a sign of respect for an elder who was about to depart.
But Hoshino seemed to have seen something. Not only did he not remain solemn, but he even walked into the other party's path, blocking him, and said with a smile, "If you simply leave like this, wouldn't it be too tragic for a Trainer who once loved battling?"
"???"
"What are you doing?!"
Lillie's expression was completely stunned. She didn't expect Hoshino to act up at this moment. Wasn't he usually a man of few words? Did he take the wrong medicine just now?
However, Mairin showed no particular expression and said, "You're the fellow who was talking outside the ward. Decidueye actually sent you to investigate me. You really are a strange fellow. So, how do you think I should die?"
Hoshino smiled, not expecting the other party to have actually heard him. He then waved his hand and replied, "Does that even need to be said! At least in the last moment of your life, as a Trainer, and with your Pokémon, have one last Pokémon battle with me, the Trainer blocking your path!"
As soon as his words fell, a bird's growl suddenly came from the sky, followed by the sound of air being torn apart.
Accompanied by falling feathers, a Decidueye landed in the center of the battle stage, its eyes sharply looking this way, attracting everyone's attention.
"As long as I haven't fully delivered to the client and received payment, my quest isn't over. As for how much DLC content to extend, that's naturally up to me to decide!"
This was indeed Hoshino's own initiative, but after hearing the story of the old man and Decidueye, he wanted to leave no regrets, whether for the Pokémon or the Trainer!
Looking at the Decidueye not far away, Mairin suddenly cursed loudly, "How many times have I told you to get lost! Not only do you send people to investigate me, but you've also been following me in the sky? This old man isn't as fragile as you are! Cough, cough…"
"Goo…"
After coughing twice, Mairin's body swayed slightly, but he didn't care. After a few seconds of pause, he seemed to have made a decision, suddenly changing his tone and showing a sneer as he looked at Hoshino in front of him.
"However, there's an ignorant kid blocking our way… It seems he doesn't know how powerful we are. Then let me give you one last warm-up…"
"Goo!"
Hearing this, Hoshino squeezed the Gengar in his arms and also smiled in response, "Don't underestimate me, old man. Kids nowadays are very capable of fighting. Let them see, Cyclizar!"
"Cycli!"
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