novelraw Chapter 790: A Cook Who Ignores Recipes Studies Military Strategy!
Chapter 790: A Cook Who Ignores Recipes Studies Military Strategy!
Chapter 790: A Cook Who Ignores Recipes Studies Military Strategy!
March 5, Tuesday, clear.
In the late morning, the sunlight was pleasant, shining over the garden in front of the treehouse, as Cutiefly fluttered among the flowers and the scent of floral healing drifted through the air.
Teacher Lu pointed at a patch of "tall grass" and explained:
"Those are Pokémon, groups of Paras. During the day they root in the soil and use the leaf on their heads to photosynthesize, then at night they come out to hunt."
Mallow propped her hands on her knees and leaned in curiously to peer; Lana crouched half-down, cradling her chin to observe; Lillie diligently took notes.
Teacher Lu continued, "They're cute, but dangerous. Their evolved form, Snapdragon, is carnivorous... technically Grass-type, but its behavior is more like a Bug-type flying mantis."
The Rotom Pokédex displayed photos of Snapdragon for the students to see.
"So beautiful..." Mallow said instinctively.
"Is Snapdragon one hundred percent female, like Lileep?" Lillie asked.
"Good question."
Lu Ye nodded slightly and answered, "Snapdragon's sex ratio is 5:5, which is within the normal range."
"By the way, Machamp and Conkeldurr's sex ratio is close to 3:7, while Gardevoir's is 5:5, so female Machamp are rarer than male Gardevoir..."
The students stared up at Teacher Lu in stunned silence.
"I have a friend who's very good at hatching eggs, that's what he told me," Lu Ye said.
Goldenrod City Day Care.
The cap-wearing boy sneezed and muttered,
"I've been sneezing a lot lately..."
After thinking seriously for a while, A-Jin gave up trying to reason it out.
He had too many enemies, he couldn't keep track of them all.
After the morning "Alolan Pokémon Basics" class ended, the students returned to the treehouse.
Nene Oak walked into the classroom and said with a smile, "The red Pokémon egg from last time hatched successfully... it's a Vulpix from the Kanto region. I brought it for you to see."
A red glow burst from a Poké Ball, and the little fox Vulpix curled up sleepily, making small whining sounds.
"How cute!" Mallow exclaimed.
"Could Lillie's egg hatch into a Vulpix too?" Lana asked.
"Yes, Lillie, remember to hatch Pokémon eggs with love—just like 'love' fish!"
Nene Oak puckered his lips and told a Pokémon cold joke.
Lillie nodded seriously. "I will, I'll hatch it with care."
"This afternoon your mother will come to the school, Lillie," Professor Kukui said.
Lillie blinked slightly and lowered her head. "I know..."
Professor Kukui scratched his head and, amid the laughter during the break, went to the corner with Lu Ye to talk:
"Lillie and her mother have never had a good relationship. Her brother Gladion also ran away from home because of their mother."
"That's thorny..." Lu Ye said, "Should I arrange for her to meet Lusamine?"
Kukui rubbed his chin. "If she doesn't want to, there's no need to force it."
Lu Ye's phone buzzed. He gestured to Kukui and then walked to the corridor.
The encrypted number was from Interpol's channel.
Teacher Lu had no idea how high a status he held within Interpol, but the only operative who could actually handle tasks for him was "Handsome Guy."
Like how Gin's subordinate list only ever really included Vodka.
A worn voice from Handsome Guy came through the Bluetooth.
"Sir, could you come to the rotating restaurant in Hau'oli City? The organization has assigned an assistant to you who needs to be handed over."
Lu Ye raised an eyebrow.
A new subordinate!
...
Hau'oli City, rotating restaurant.
On the sofa sat a man and a woman. One wore a brown trench coat, his hair greasy and messy; the other wore a neat black suit and had purple curled hair.
They stood and saluted respectfully.
"Sir," the woman said, "My name is Lila. I currently serve as Chief Staff Officer of the UB Response Unit, and I will be assisting your work together with Operative 'Handsome Guy.'"
Lila, in black clothes and gloves, composedly briefed Teacher Lu on the general situation of the UB Response Unit.
Lu Ye took a sip of coffee and asked:
"Our Earth Defense Team... I mean, the UB Response Unit, what are its specific duties?"
Lila replied, "We investigate and resolve incidents related to Ultra Beasts, such as cracking down on smuggling, repatriating Ultra Beasts, and probing illegal research."
Handsome Guy explained, "In most cases, you don't need to act personally. You just oversee the whole operation."
Lu Ye listened with only mild interest.
After all, dealing with Ultra Beasts like Necrozma would be hard with only two subordinates.
To be named head of the UB Response Unit, handling Ultra Beast crises...
Lu Ye felt this plotline was strangely familiar, very much like Ultraman.
He just didn't know whether he'd be playing Tiga or Ultraman Ace...
Having agreed with Tapu Koko to confront Ultra Beasts, Lu Ye naturally accepted the new title.
Being in this role would also grant him resources and power from Interpol.
Some trainers might appear to be hardworking teachers on the surface, but actually be the head of the Earth Defense Team, battle legends who stood against Ultra Beasts!
"How do you track Ultra Beast movements?" Lu Ye asked.
Handsome Guy said gravely, "Allow me to first explain Lila's background."
"Ten years ago, Lila passed through an Ultra Wormhole, came from another dimension to this world, and lost all her memory. Humans who traverse the Ultra Wormhole and are bathed in Ultra Power are named 'Fall' by the organization."
Lila lowered her eyelids, as if sinking into the past.
Handsome Guy continued solemnly, "'Fall' can attract Ultra Beasts and therefore be used as bait... that plan is called the 'Baiting Plan.'"
Lu Ye frowned slightly, as though recalling something.
Wasn't the Battle Tower's Grand Duke in Emerald also named Lila?
There was indeed such a plot in Ultimate Sun and Moon... the Battle Tower Grand Duke Lila crossed over and lost her memory, later becoming Interpol's Lila.
"Currently, the main strategy of the baiting plan is to find the Ultra Beasts invading Alola and return them to the Ultra Wormhole," Handsome Guy said, "For this, Lila and I conducted an investigation across Alola for a month."
"We only hand this over to you today for a reason."
Lila took over and said, "Based on our investigation, we can now determine our first operation target."
"What?" Lu Ye asked.
Lila's gaze grew deep as she slowly said:
"We suspect... the Aether Foundation—Director Lusamine and researcher Faba—are involved in smuggling Ultra Beasts and illegally keeping codename UB01: Parasite, Nihilego!"
"The Aether Foundation is heavily guarded, and Lusamine is notoriously reclusive. But today Lusamine, Faba, and their security team will arrive on Melemele Island and stay for two days... this is a rare opportunity."
Handsome Guy said sternly, "Chief Lu Ye, please approve this infiltration. I will infiltrate the Aether Foundation and investigate UB01: Parasite, Nihilego!"
Lu Ye fell into thought, remembering the Ultimate Sun and Moon storyline.
Lusamine's obsession with Ultra Beasts intensified after her husband Mohn went missing while researching the Ultra Wormhole. She tried to retrieve her husband by any means, keeping a living Nihilego at the estate, which traumatized the young Lillie and made her afraid to touch Pokémon.
Smuggling Ultra Beasts is undeniably a crime.
"I approve this infiltration," Lu Ye nodded. "Also, look into the Aether Paradise where injured Pokémon are housed, to see if illegal experiments are being conducted... and help me find a lost Pokémon."
The Rotom Pokédex floated in front of Handsome Guy and showed a photo.
"Stufful."
Lu Ye handed Handsome Guy a translucent green Z-Crystal.
"This Grass Z has a Stufful aura. With it, the Stufful will actively seek you out."
...
In the afternoon.
The Alolan trainer school held its first open day.
Cynthia, wearing a sky-blue shirt with her hands on her hips, walked through the campus with Teacher Lu, surveying the surroundings.
"Teacher Lu!" Mallow waved enthusiastically from a distance, with a green-haired couple standing behind her.
"Good afternoon to you both," Lu Ye smiled at Mallow's parents.
Mallow's father was the owner and head chef of the Aina restaurant; visibly excited, he said:
"Teacher Lu... it's an honor to finally meet you in person."
"Eh? Dad, why are you so excited?" Mallow turned her head.
"Your teacher—he's an Eastern master chef, a Kalos Head Chef... he even won a cooking duel against Siebold the Elite Four member. Those titles and feats are a chef's dream!"
Mallow had never heard these stories before and gaped. "Teacher Lu isn't a trainer?"
"No... I'm just a cook," Lu Ye replied calmly.
Mallow glanced at the beautiful blonde next to him and stammered, "Th-this is... Cynthia, the Sinnoh League champion?"
Cynthia smiled lightly. "You can just call me my wife."
Lu Ye and Mallow both froze. Haunter, hiding in the shadows, let out a mischievous Gengarrr laugh.
"Why are you blushing?" Cynthia whispered.
Lu Ye: "Xerneas-hit-a-tree—like a lovesick deer."
Cynthia rolled her eyes, and the two said goodbye to Mallow's parents and continued strolling.
By the artificial lake on campus, Lana and her parents waved.
"Teacher Lu..." Lana paused, then pointed out sharply, "And my teacher's wife! Good afternoon!"
Lu Ye nodded with satisfaction, thinking, "Lana gets +5 points!"
Lana's father, Wimpod, recognized this "Teacher Lu" as the fishing rival he'd once gone head-to-head with.
"Teacher Lu," Wimpod said excitedly but nervously, "Do you still fish?"
"Of course! I must fish—I don't come home until I get a full catch!" Lu Ye replied.
Wimpod laughed. "Then next time I'll invite you on a deep-sea fishing trip... maybe you'll catch a Sharpedo!"
To be honest, Teacher Lu, aside from Magikarp, could hardly catch other species.
Magikarp are everywhere, in lakes and seas alike...
"Stary, don't run off!"
Kiawe chased after his younger sister, the red-haired girl Stary.
Stary hid behind an old Drampa on the playground, made a face at Kiawe, then dashed away.
After a round of sightseeing, Bamboo Lan hugged Togepi and carried Meloetta balanced on her shoulder, planning to head to Hau'oli City.
"I'm going to buy ice cream... what flavor do you want?"
"The same as you."
"Mmm..." Bamboo Lan's gaze drifted.
"Let Togepi pick for you," Lu Ye said with a smile. "I don't need one—get Haunter a big malasada."
Gengarrr made a round gesture, drawing an imaginary 'big big big' malasada.
Bamboo Lan smiled softly, flicked a finger, hugged Togepi, and boarded Garchomp. A white contrail streaked across the coconut-tree-lined sky.
Lu Ye stopped and watched, when a familiar shout came from behind.
"Alola!! Teacher Lu!!"
"Pikachu!!"
Lu Ye turned and saw a boy and Pikachu running from the horizon, their clothes flapping in the wind.
A young woman followed behind.
Aunt Delia wore a shawl, and Mr. Mime wore a floral shirt.
Lu Ye put his hands in his pockets; his smile froze, stiffened, pupils contracting, cold sweat trickling down.
Ash attempted to barrel into Teacher Lu's arms with no sign of slowing down!
That momentum felt like a charging Regigigas thundering down!
Lu Ye shouted, "Rotom, Ally Switch!!"
"Beep beep... cannot comprehend, Ro-to~o(TヘTo)"
Ash skidded to a stop, raising a sandstorm, looking between the Rotom Pokédex in front of him and Teacher Lu in the distance, scratching his head in confusion.
Weird... how did Teacher Lu suddenly get over there?
Aunt Delia stepped forward and smiled, "Teacher Lu... for this semester, please take care of Ash."
"Phew, no problem... by the way, Ash, have you put on weight?"
Lu Ye exhaled and examined "Alolan-style Ash."
His facial angles were rounder, brows thick and eyes big—compared to last year's Kalos champion look, he seemed even more of a lovable goof.
"Eh, maybe," Ash scratched his head and grinned, "Maybe the home cooking was too good."
After winning the Kalos Tournament, Ash and Greninja returned to Pallet Town to rest for a while.
Noting his own deficiency in trainer fundamentals, and on Professor Oak's advice, Ash came to the trainer school for retraining.
Lu Ye rubbed his chin.
Low emotional intelligence and a younger art style. High emotional intelligence, Grandpa Ash back to ten years old!
"Let's go meet the professor... and Professor Oak's Alolan cousin."
"Eh?" Ash blinked.
"You'll see soon," Lu Ye said calmly.
Led by Teacher Lu, Aunt Delia and Ash headed to the administration building and the office.
"Hey, tournament champion!" Professor Kukui greeted Ash with a smile, "You're starting high, but basic knowledge is important too."
"Yes, Professor, please teach me!" Ash said with a smile.
Kukui put his hands on his hips and, with a slight smile, gave Lu Ye a look and leaned in to whisper:
"People from the Aether Foundation have arrived... they're in the conference room next door."
"What about Lillie?"
"I sent her with Mallow and Lana to play," Kukui frowned. "I think it would be better if her mother speaks to her first."
Seeing Lu Ye's expression, Kukui said in a low voice:
"Honestly, Lusamine... no, the Aether Foundation didn't come for Lillie—they specifically came for you."
"They overestimate me." Lu Ye raised an eyebrow.
"No," Kukui said seriously, "You are the most sought-after figure in all of Alola, no one else comes close."
The Aether Foundation almost monopolized Alola's industry.
Its founder and director, Lusamine, was a ruthless business genius comparable to Chairman Rose, and the villain in the original story.
"I'll go meet her," Lu Ye said.
"Thank you," Kukui nodded.
Administration building, conference room.
The corridor was lined with Aether Foundation employees in white uniforms, hands behind their backs, leaning against the wall.
At the doorway, a green-glassed, sly-eyed researcher with a hooked nose sized up Lu Ye and said coldly:
"Come in."
A memory of the researcher flashed through Lu Ye's mind.
Faba, the villainous scientist who invented the Ultra Ball and Attributeless Void. Compared to Professor Acerola's control of Kyurem, his abilities were unimpressive.
As Lu Ye passed, Faba's ankle was grabbed by a wrist hidden in the shadows; his body shuddered and his face went stiff, as if paralyzed.
"A small mistake."
Teacher Lu pushed open the door calmly and said, "When I come out, he'll be freed."
Faba's face darkened as he stood outside.
Click—
Teacher Lu entered.
A breeze stirred sheer curtains.
In tight white pants that hugged long legs, Lusamine sat with her legs crossed, wearing pointed high heels. She rested her chin on her hand, the other arm casually draped over the couch, and her thick blonde hair framed cyan eyes that watched quietly.
After a moment, Lusamine's lips curved into a faint smile as she said with a hint of amusement:
"I've long heard of your name... Teacher Lu."
"Lillie's parent." Lu Ye replied with a light nod. "In school performance, Lillie scores full marks in other subjects, but her battle class grades are poor."
"Why is that?" Lusamine asked pleasantly.
"Because she is very afraid of Pokémon. I suppose you know the cause."
Lu Ye studied Lusamine's cyan eyes, which reflected the black-haired young man sitting naturally on the couch, hands folded together.
A silence passed between them.
Lusamine withdrew her smile and spoke in a composed tone:
"You are just as rumored: young, handsome, responsible... Teacher Lu."
"Thank you. Helping a student's psychological growth is a teacher's duty," Lu Ye replied. "If possible, I'd like to know the cause of that incident, Mrs. Lusamine."
Lusamine frowned slightly, tired, pressing her hand to her temple.
"Could we talk about something else?"
"Like what?"
Lusamine looked Lu Ye straight in the eyes and said plainly, "Like how to elevate a battle legend to a higher realm."
Lu Ye raised an eyebrow. A subtle curve crossed Lusamine's lips.
"Pursuing powerful Pokémon is every trainer's instinct... I know this well. Ultra Beasts from the cosmos possess a very special trait, Beast Augmentation."
"Pokémon with that trait will continuously improve in battle..." Lusamine leaned toward Lu Ye and whispered, "As a battle legend, you should understand the importance of this trait."
Lu Ye kept his distance. "Continue."
Lusamine leaned back on the couch, crossed her legs, propped her chin on her hand, and produced a shrunken Poké Ball with a smile:
"Cooperate with the Aether Foundation, and we will provide you this unique ball... the Ultra Ball."
Lu Ye's gaze fell to the coffee table where an Ultra Ball rolled and spun.
Ultra Balls have a capture rate bonus for Ultra Beasts... the Aether Foundation holds the patent for this ball.
In other words, any trainer wanting to capture Ultra Beasts would consider cooperating with the Aether Foundation.
That was Lusamine's negotiating foundation.
"With Ultra Balls provided by the Aether Foundation, given your strength, you could naturally capture powerful cosmic beasts..."
Lusamine smiled confidently. "Even capturing Necrozma would not be a fantasy... You should know Necrozma, yes? Legend says it is a god even stronger than Super Demon God."
"Simple. Assist the Aether Foundation in opening an Ultra Wormhole—we hire you to find the legendary Pokémon Cosmog."
The cyan eyes beneath Lusamine's thick blonde hair flashed a hint of fanaticism before returning to calm. She spoke elegantly:
"The Aether Foundation will spare no expense to provide financial, material, and manpower support."
"When the time comes, any Ultra Beast that crosses into Alola, the Aether Foundation will assist you in capturing—this may even include Legendary Pokémon," Lusamine said softly.
This pitch worked on most villains; after all, ideals like Ghetsis, Maxie, and Archie dreamt of controlling Legendary Pokémon to dominate the world.
Lu Ye thought, can't I just call a Legendary Pokémon myself?
Rather than try to capture Necrozma, it'd be more effective to have It show up in person.
"Mrs. Lusamine..." Lu Ye began.
"Call me Lusamine," she snapped lightly.
Lu Ye looked at Lusamine. "May I ask frankly why the Aether Foundation wants to open an Ultra Wormhole?"
"To study more Ultra Beasts, and prepare Alola's defenses," Lusamine said plainly.
This was a lie.
Her real motive was to find her missing husband Mohn.
Lu Ye steepled his fingers and watched Lusamine.
She looked away, leaned back on the couch, folded her arms, and uncrossed her legs.
After a moment, Teacher Lu spoke:
"I will consider the proposal."
Joy flickered in Lusamine's eyes and disappeared when Lu Ye continued:
"On one condition: when you open the Ultra Wormhole, I must be present."
"Why?" Lusamine's eyes flickered.
"So I can be the first to capture a powerful beast... after all, I'm quite interested in Ribombee and Aegislash," Lu Ye said calmly.
Lusamine's lips quirked into a smile. "Of course."
Teacher Lu had no real intention of capturing new Pokémon—after all, the café already had a bunch of cuties to care for.
His reason for agreeing to Lusamine's proposal was simple.
Hiring a newly arrived Alolan trainer, and inadvertently hiring Interpol's leadership...
Lu Ye's gaze hardened.
When Lusamine opened the Ultra Wormhole,
that would be the day the evidence was solid and she would be arrested!
A counterintelligence plan.
A cook who ignores recipes and studies military strategy!
Lusamine's light laughter came from the conference room as the two talked happily.
Faba stood outside the door, gnashing his teeth.
Finding Cosmog would be extremely difficult; relying on Guzma's unrefined thugs was obviously unreliable.
Hiring this new teacher was a helpless choice.
"When the Ultra Wormhole opens... that's when he'll lose his value," Faba said with a sly look.
What’s the point of defeating Super Demon God?
Once I control Necrozma and absorb all of Alola's aura to evolve it into the mythical Blinding One... even Arceus would have to bow out!
Lusamine's soft laughter floated from behind the door again.
"I have a professional massage practitioner's certificate I got in Alola."
"Teacher, you really love to joke~"
Faba clenched his teeth but couldn't help glancing back.
Damn... I'm paralyzed, my neck won't turn!
...
Sunset, dusk.
The trainer school's open day concluded.
Lusamine had wanted to meet Lillie, but Lillie avoided her, so she gave up.
However, she had a pleasant conversation with Teacher Lu today and entrusted him with a matter close to her heart.
Lusamine's lips lifted—she hadn't felt so relaxed and happy in a long time...
Teacher Lu composed his expression, stood by the window bathed in the afterglow, looked down at the Aether Foundation delegation, and pressed his Bluetooth.
"How is the investigation going, Mr. Handsome Guy?"
"I went to Aether Paradise earlier... they do shelter injured Pokémon here, and the staff are very kind," Handsome Guy murmured. "Lusamine really does seem philanthropic... I found no abnormalities at Aether Paradise."
Lu Ye nodded slightly. "Anything else?"
"And I found a Stufful."
Handsome Guy held a Stufful above his head and smiled, "It seems to have been rescued by Aether Paradise staff when injured. It's healed now. Its sense of smell is excellent, it found me immediately."
"I see." Lu Ye smiled faintly, relieved that the Stufful task was completed and one concern eased.
"But..." Handsome Guy looked up at the sky, "I still need to figure out how to get the Stufful delivered away."
"That... wait ten minutes."
They ended the call. Ten minutes later.
Aether Paradise.
Handsome Guy held the Stufful above his head and looked up, eyes wide.
A massive Bewear, spinning its helicopter-like arms, became a blur in the sky and flew from the edge of the cloud sea, gradually descending!
Handsome Guy's mouth dropped open. "Holy—"
This Bewear could do Fly!
Bewear landed with a fierce expression, radiating a purple aura.
Handsome Guy trembled as he stepped forward and handed over the Stufful.
In an instant Bewear's face relaxed into pink little bubbles of tenderness, embracing the Stufful and Officer Handsome Guy.
Kala!
Handsome Guy seemed to hear his ribs crack.
The brown-trench-coated middle-aged man teared up and said:
"What does this feeling even mean!"