Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!

"Home visit..." Kukui echoed Luo Yuan's words, his tone carrying hesitation as he tried to dissuade him.

After all, no one could predict what might happen at Aether Paradise. If something went wrong with Luo Yuan in Alola, Kukui would have a hard time explaining it to both Johto and Lance.

Moreover, the Aether Foundation issue was Alola's own problem. Having someone like Luo Yuan step in to help might make the Alola League look incompetent.

"It's not just about the 'home visit,' actually," Luo Yuan said. "Aside from cultural exchange, I had another purpose for coming to Alola."

"Another purpose?" Kukui asked curiously.

"I received an invitation from the Aether Foundation beforehand."

Luo Yuan pulled out the invitation and showed it to Kukui.

"Silph Co.!" Kukui exclaimed, recognizing the sender's name on the invitation.

During his time training in Kanto, Kukui had learned about Silph Co., a corporate giant in the region. Their latest product, the holographic communicator, had been a massive hit in Alola.

But why had an invitation addressed to them ended up in Luo Yuan's hands?

"I'm a shareholder of Silph Co. and currently act as their spokesperson," Luo Yuan explained casually. "This is part of my duties, so I have a solid reason to visit Aether Paradise."

Kukui was momentarily stunned by the nonchalant tone with which Luo Yuan mentioned Silph Co., as if he were discussing what to have for lunch. It was a perfect display of humblebragging.

Even so, Kukui recognized that Luo Yuan had a legitimate reason for going.

The words of protest that had been on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back.

While he couldn't help worrying, Kukui's rational mind told him that no one in Alola could possibly rival Luo Yuan in strength—especially since he had single-handedly defeated Tapu Koko using only a Slowbro.

Surely, nothing could go wrong.

Just as this thought crossed Kukui's mind, Tapu Koko, which had been unconscious before Luo Yuan, suddenly stirred.

Its body shuddered slightly, and its eyes slowly opened.

Realizing it had lost and that Luo Yuan had healed its injuries, Tapu Koko gave Luo Yuan a look of gratitude. It then glanced at Hala, and finally... at Slowbro.

Its gaze locked onto the dazed and utterly indifferent Slowbro.

After a brief exchange of looks, Tapu Koko, its pride shattered from the battle, took off and flew away.

It couldn't comprehend how it had lost to that Pokémon.

"Uh..." Kukui, who had been about to greet Tapu Koko, froze mid-motion, his hand awkwardly suspended in the air.

"Maybe it felt staying here would be too embarrassing," Luo Yuan remarked, casting a glance at Slowbro. The Pokémon basked lazily in the sun, its expression one of pure satisfaction.

That Slowbro is definitely doing this on purpose, Luo Yuan thought.

He sighed inwardly, suspecting his Pokémon was becoming more and more conniving. Perhaps, like they say, pink on the outside, black on the inside.

---

Once Luo Yuan finished healing Tapu Koko, Hala finally snapped out of his daze.

"Thank you for treating Tapu Koko," Hala said sincerely.

As the Kahuna chosen by the guardian deity, it was his duty to express gratitude on Tapu Koko's behalf.

"It's nothing... After all, I was the one who injured it in the first place," Luo Yuan replied.

Hearing this, Hala's mouth twitched uncontrollably. He forced himself not to glance at Slowbro.

"Regardless, you helped heal Tapu Koko. I don't have much to offer, but if you need anything in Alola, just let me know!" Hala declared, thumping his chest.

As the Kahuna of Melemele Island, Hala's word carried considerable weight in Alola.

Help? Luo Yuan raised an eyebrow.

While such an offer might be useful to others, it didn't hold much significance for him.

For one, he wouldn't be in Alola for long.

Moreover, Team Rocket had already begun infiltrating the region. With Alola's nascent League still in its infancy, it was effectively defenseless against them. Alola's future was destined to fall under Team Rocket's control.

In time, Hala's influence might pale in comparison to Luo Yuan's.

Still, Luo Yuan decided it wouldn't hurt to cash in on this favor before it expired.

"Mr. Hala, you may have overheard my conversation with Professor Kukui earlier. As a shareholder of Silph Co., I'd appreciate it if you could help promote our newly released holographic communication devices in Alola."

Before coming to Alola, the president of Silph Co. had asked Luo Yuan to keep an eye on their business here.

However, Luo Yuan couldn't be bothered to manage it himself.

Having Hala handle it seemed like the perfect solution.

Without hesitation, and entirely unaware of the implications of his agreement, Hala replied, "Leave it to me!"

Unknowingly, Hala's casual promise effectively handed Alola's communication market to Silph Co. on a silver platter.

Luo Yuan smiled faintly at Hala's agreement.

After briefly discussing the upcoming festival in Iki Town and accepting an invitation to attend, Luo Yuan watched as Hala and Kukui departed.

He then turned his attention to his students, who were surfing on Gyarados out in the ocean.

"Oh? Still surfing for fun? It seems you have plenty of energy left. Alright, break time's over—training resumes now."

"Nooo!"

Amidst cries of despair, another round of rigorous training began.

---

Perhaps out of consideration for Tapu Koko's reputation, news of Luo Yuan's victory over the guardian deity only spread in small circles and wasn't widely publicized.

Luo Yuan didn't care either way.

After all, he had subdued Groudon and Kyogre in front of large audiences before. Defeating Tapu Koko was hardly worth bragging about.

Time passed quickly as Luo Yuan focused on his teaching.

But as the weekend approached, Lillie's expression grew increasingly tense.

"Lillie, you don't need to look so worried. I'm not going there to fight—I'm just having a conversation with your mother to confirm our suspicions," Luo Yuan said, exasperated by her nervous demeanor.

"M-Mmh..." Lillie nodded while clutching Nebby tightly, but her anxious expression remained unchanged.

"..."

Seeing that his words had no effect, Luo Yuan turned to Sabrina.

"Sabrina, are you coming with me?"

---

...

Huh. You really stuck it out all the way to the end.

Didn't think you had the patience. Guess I was wrong.

WiseTL's the one who actually made all this come together. I'm just here putting a bow on it... or, well, shoving it in a backpack and calling it a day. Same thing.

If you had fun, you know what to do:

👉 [patreon.com/WiseTL]

Heads up—Patreon's 50% off for all tiers during May. So if you were on the fence? Now's the time.

And if you're the social type, there's a Discord too. Pretty decent spot to hang out—no battles required.

👉 [discord.gg/wisetl]

Alright. That's enough standing around. Go on—before you make it weird.

—Leaf