I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Chapter 783: Full-Power Festival, Tapu Koko

When Pupitar appeared, the townsfolk let out a chorus of gasps.

Pseudo-legendary Pokémon were synonymous with power, and Johto region pseudo-legendaries were especially rare in Alola.

From a visual perspective, the flying sand within the hemispherical light barrier was even more spectacular than the previous flames!

Two Pokémon stood facing each other within the swirling sand.

Lu Ye stood in the command area beside the light barrier, his eyes thoughtful.

Crabrawler was a dual Fighting and Ice-type Pokémon that lived in snowy mountains, its appearance resembling a crab covered in white fur.

In moments of crisis, Crabrawler could break off its own pincers and launch them like rockets, which would slowly regenerate later.

Like Pyukumuku and Clobbopus, Alola was rich in these delicious seafood ingredients! (Just kidding)

Teacher Lu suppressed his Master Chef's instinct for identifying ingredients, cleared his throat softly, and carefully assessed the opponent's strength.

As Island Kahuna Hala's main Pokémon, Crabrawler possessed Elite Four level strength, making it the perfect opponent for Pupitar."Pupitar," Lu Ye reminded, "Be careful of its Close Combat."

Pupitar had a quadruple weakness to Fighting-type moves, but having regularly eaten Lotus Reed Fruits (Endure Fruits), it could still put up a fight even against type disadvantage.

"Bangii!"

Pupitar opened its large mouth, the sharp spikes on its arms and back gleaming with a metallic coldness, its eyes looking down with disdain.

Old Man Hala wore a yellow haori, a folding fan tucked at his waist. He narrowed his eyes, grinning widely, unable to hide his fighting spirit.

A very powerful Pupitar...

But the fighting spirit of me and my Crabrawler is as unwavering as the towering Mount Lanakila, not slackening in the slightest!

"Island Kahuna, go for it!"

"You can do it, big brother on the bike!"

The townsfolk cheered with fiery enthusiasm. Lillie looked around but couldn't see Professor Kukui anywhere.

Suddenly, a hearty laugh came from the sky as a dark figure leaped down from a tall tree.

"Alola~~ I'll take it upon myself to serve as the referee for the match between the Island Kahuna and the battle legend!"

'Royal Mask,' wearing a red and black mask, bare-chested with only athletic shorts, grinned confidently, thumb pointing at himself.

"Absolutely fair and impartial refereeing!"

The townsfolk cheered wildly. Kiawe exclaimed excitedly, "Even Royal Mask showed up!"

"You're his fan?" Hau asked.

"Of course! He's the Royal Dome's gold belt champion!" Kiawe said.

Island Kahuna Hala slightly opened his eyes and smiled, "In that case, I'll trouble you."

Lu Ye's mood was complex, staring at the masked, philosophical Professor Kukui.

No wonder Professor Kukui didn't want people to know his other identity.

If his cover was blown, it'd be pretty much social suicide...

Kukui looked at Lu Ye, paused for a moment, then laughed heartily, "Haha, honored guest, no need to be surprised. I just happened to be traveling here!"

Lu Ye: "..."

Kukui: "..."

Teacher Lu probably doesn't know my identity... otherwise, it'd be way too embarrassing...

"Then, I shall officiate this match—"

'Royal Mask' raised his arm high, then suddenly swung it down:

"Battle begin!"

Island Kahuna Hala opened his eyes wide, stretched his palm forward, and shouted loudly:

"Crabrawler, Close Combat!"

Crabrawler's fists lit up with brilliant white light, like an unstoppable explosive boxer charging recklessly into the heart of the sandstorm. The yellow sand hampered its speed, leaving room for Pupitar to counterattack!

"Pupitar, Stone Edge!" Lu Ye commanded.

Pupitar slammed its fist heavily into the ground. Rows of stone pillars erupted from the earth, the wooden stage shattering into pieces in an instant, wood splinters flying alongside the sandstorm. Stone spikes continuously erupted in front of Crabrawler, the ground rumbling 'boomingly' beneath, terrifying explosive energy surging from underground!

"Get away from there, shatter the stone pillars!" Island Kahuna Hala ordered.

Crabrawler curled its claws and 'whooshed' backward with a leap. Its fists glowing white, it met the rising stone pillars with a continuous barrage of punches.

Boom boom boom!!

The stone pillars collapsed, rubble flew everywhere, and dust billowed.

Kiawe and Hau stood with mouths agape, eyes glazed over.

Just one exchange, and the perfectly fine stage from moments ago was completely destroyed in the collision of moves!

This is the Island Kahuna, battles at this level!

Crabrawler stood in a boxing stance, looking at the half-erected stone spike. The stone pillar gradually dissipated into light particles as Pupitar charged forward with large strides, its right fist burning with blazing flames.

"Fire Punch!" Lu Ye shouted loudly.

Crabrawler's iron fists blocked the Fire Punch, but the flames 'whooshed' upward, the force suddenly exploding. Pupitar roared, its burning flame fist breaking through the block and smashing Crabrawler away with a heavy blow.

Boom!!

Black smoke billowed as Crabrawler flew out of the explosion, 'thudding' onto the ground.

The townsfolk looked stunned. This was the first time the Island Kahuna had been pushed back during the Battle Royal festival.

Hala stretched out his palm and shouted:

"Use Bulk Up!!"

The black smoke cleared, the two Pokémon creating distance. Crabrawler steadied itself, using "Bulk Up" to raise its physical defense by one stage. Its body gleamed with an oily sheen, its fists taking on a metallic matte finish.

"Rock Slide!" Lu Ye continued the pursuit.

Pupitar's body was surrounded by a ring of earthy yellow energy, coalescing into large swirling rocks. The rocks suddenly shot into the sky like catapult projectiles, blotting out the sky and raining down on the opponent!

"Continuous Ice Hammer!" Island Kahuna Hala roared.

Crabrawler's fists condensed large blocks of ice, like natural shields. It raised its fists high, swinging the ice blocks to meet the falling rocks. Rubble and ice shards flew everywhere, cold air spreading!

The audience cheered continuously, Hau unable to contain his excitement.

"Ice Hammer is Crabrawler's signature move!"

"Quadruple type disadvantage, with strength not being overwhelmingly different..." Kiawe's eyes flickered, "Pupitar can still suppress its opponent. So strong!"

Lu Ye glanced at the battlefield, then looked at his fingerless glove.

Tapu Koko still hasn't appeared...

Then I'll have to use this method.

Behind the mask, Professor Kukui's eyes kept flickering as he looked at Island Kahuna Hala's arm.

Teacher Lu's command skills were exceptionally profound, controlling distance perfectly, giving Crabrawler no chance to get close.

But Island Kahuna Hala was also battle-hardened... Moreover, for this battle, he was even wearing a Z-Ring!

At some point, the island deity Tapu Koko floated in the night sky above the town, overlooking the fully absorbed audience and the intensely battling pair.

Its eyes reflected the face of the black-haired young man, inexplicably feeling a slight palpitation.

As the island guardian deity of the Ruins of Conflict, Tapu Koko was particularly combative. It could also sense the 'Victory Star' aura on that human, as if he had personally experienced myths, fought powerful beings, and survived.

Suddenly, a flicker of surprise crossed Tapu Koko's face, covered in totemic patterns.

The town erupted with dazzling rainbow light. It wasn't the "Ultimate Power" of a Z-Move, but rather the "Bond Power" originating from the legendary Prismatic Meteor!

"Pupitar—"

Lu Ye raised his hand high. The Keystone emitted rainbow light, tidal waves of iridescent radiance enveloping the town. Brilliant evolution light wrapped around Pupitar.

"Mega Evolution!!"

The townsfolk erupted in an uproar. Mega Evolution was already rare in Alola.

Those who had witnessed Mega Pupitar with their own eyes were even fewer.

Kiawe's expression turned serious, his heart shaken.

Besides Z-Moves, there's still so much about being a Trainer that I don't understand...

Lillie looked slightly surprised. Although she had heard about Mega Evolution from her mother, observing it up close was a first.

Her small face serious, she looked around, took out a notebook from her handbag, and muttered to herself:

"I need to record this for the Doctor..."

As the light receded, Mega Pupitar's back formed six irregular sharp spikes on both sides, like an emperor's cape. The horns on its head became more prominent, its body armor covered in spikes. The pattern on its abdomen changed from blue to red, resembling a monster's ferocious face.

Suddenly, the sandstorm raged, 'crackling' against the hemispherical light barrier, continuously creating cracks!

The wooden stage inside the barrier was already shattered. The raging sand obscured vision, nearly swallowing Crabrawler whole.

Island Kahuna Hala's gaze froze.

What a savage energy! It reminds me of the thunderclouds Tapu Koko summons when enraged!

"Lord Lu Ye, for this battle, I will give it my all!"

Hala laughed heartily, planted his feet in a horse stance, his narrowed eyes suddenly opening wide. He stretched his palm toward the sky, clenched his fist, pulled it back, and punched forward from the center. The Fightingium Z embedded in his Z-Ring emitted golden light, enveloping Island Kahuna Hala.

"That's!" Kiawe's eyes widened in shock.

"Grandpa's Fighting-type Z-Move!" Hau excitedly pumped his fist, "Go for it, Crabrawler!"

The townsfolk were equally excited. This was the Island Kahuna showcasing a Z-Move's brilliance again after many years!

The golden aura triggered by Hala's Z-Move poured into Crabrawler's body. The aura enveloped its entire form, and sharp golden light surged around Crabrawler's fists!

"Z Close Combat—"

Island Kahuna Hala roared:

"All-Out Pummeling!!!"

Instantly, the golden Ultimate Power aura illuminated the night sky. The sandstorm was suppressed by the aura, temporarily ceasing its fury.

Bathed in the sharp aura, Crabrawler charged straight at Pupitar. Its fist's momentum was firmly locked onto Pupitar, leaving no possibility of avoiding the Z-Move!

Professor Kukui inwardly marveled.

Hala truly lived up to being a veteran Island Kahuna. With the Z-Move's boost, his strength had nearly increased by an entire tier!

The townsfolk didn't understand Mega Evolution well, but they held Z-Moves in the highest regard.

In Alola, Trainers who could perform Z-Moves were synonymous with strength!

Lu Ye let out a soft sound of surprise.

Pupitar had a quadruple weakness to Fighting-type moves. It wasn't that this Fighting Z-Move couldn't be tanked, but there was a risk of injury.

"Stop it, use—"

In that split second, Lu Ye made a decision. While sensing, he commanded:

"Precipice Blades!!!" (Hold back a bit, don't wreck Heahea City!)

During the Donghua League finals, Pupitar had already displayed this non-standard move. By stomping the ground heavily, it conducted energy underground, then raised earth blades. Sword-like stone peaks would pierce the opponent.

Since Precipice Blades required predicting the opponent's movement path, with some lead time, its accuracy was concerning. It wasn't a good choice against fast-moving enemies.

But the Fighting Z-Move "All-Out Pummeling" came straight on. "Precipice Blades" could stop it before it reached Pupitar!

Following Teacher Lu's loud command, Professor Kukui's eyes widened, his expression strange.

Primal Groudon's signature move...

Who knows why Teacher Lu's Pupitar also knew this move!

Or was this psychological warfare, calling "Stone Edge" "Precipice Blades" to disrupt the opponent's mind?

That was also Teacher Lu's signature trash talk tactic!

"Bangiras!!"

Pupitar, like a desert tyrant, stomped the earth and roared ferociously. The island trembled 'boomingly,' the aura actually becoming chaotic. The townsfolk looked around in confusion.

Tapu Koko, floating in the sky, trembled, bewildered.

Why could this Pokémon's move disrupt the island's aura!?

It's not like it's the power of a Legendary Pokémon... This is completely unreasonable!!

Explosive power surged underground. The ground rose like a long snake meeting the charging Crabrawler. The next moment, the earth's power transformed into vermilion stone blades erupting from the ground. The tips pressed against Crabrawler, the stone pillars continuing to rise while sending it high into the air, then violently exploded!

Boom!!

The townsfolk looked up at the vermilion stone blades under the night sky, mouths agape, watching as Crabrawler fell from the sky and was recalled into its Poké Ball by Island Kahuna Hala.

The scene was too shocking. The town fell silent.

Kiawe and Hau were petrified, both stunned.

"The Fighting Z-Move didn't even hit... and Crabrawler was instantly defeated?"

"What kind of move is this! No Island Kahuna could withstand this!"

Behind the mask, Professor Kukui's expression was complicated. This was the genuine "Precipice Blades," even more shocking than Rockium Z or Groundium Z!

"A tremendously powerful move! I am defeated, Lord Lu Ye." Island Kahuna Hala laughed heartily.

Lu Ye looked around, "This damaged battlefield..."

"Don't worry, I'll have people repair it!" Island Kahuna Hala laughed heartily.

Lu Ye nodded lightly, seeing Island Kahuna Hala turn to face the townsfolk, smiling as he announced:

"Tonight's Battle Royal festival continues! Everyone, please cheer for the victor!!"

The townsfolk applauded enthusiastically. They had witnessed an eye-opening spectacle tonight, and the scene of vermilion stone blades rising from the ground left a deep impression.

However, throughout the entire night, Tapu Koko never appeared.

Professor Kukui speculated this had some connection to Tapu Koko foreseeing a risk or threat...

"Lord Lu Ye."

As the festival neared its end, Island Kahuna Hala found Teacher Lu and offered the Z-Crystal in his hand, "Please accept this Fightingium Z."

"Tapu Koko never even showed up. Let's forget about this Fightingium Z." Lu Ye declined.

Hala shook his head, his expression serious, "As far as I know, you are also skilled at performing Z-Moves."

"You possess a very strong aura... This is also why you can perform Z-Moves in regions outside Alola without relying on the island's aura."

Lu Ye was slightly taken aback.

Ultimate Power aura was unique to Alola, but Ash had performed Z-Moves in other regions too. It seemed this was connected to the Trainer's physical constitution.

"Therefore, I believe you will definitely be able to make proper use of this Fightingium Z." Hala offered the Z-Crystal.

Just as Lu Ye was about to speak, he sensed a peculiar fluctuation.

Both men looked up at the night sky. Tapu Koko floated under the star-studded night, its silhouette indistinct, silently gazing at Lu Ye.

"The island guardian deity?!" Hala exclaimed in surprise.

Lu Ye glanced at Hala. It seemed Tapu Koko's telepathy could only be heard by me.

『Outsider, what business do you truly have with me?』

『I want to make a deal with you.』 Lu Ye's "Power of Transcendence" communicated.

『A deal?』 Tapu Koko's eyes showed confusion.

『You assist Sylveon in absorbing Melemele Island's Ultimate Power aura.』

Lu Ye contemplated:

『In return, I'll help you deal with the Ultra Beasts invading Melemele Island... such as Guzzlord.』