Xia Huanao, a student, successfully used Diancie’s powerful gem control to secure all genuine gems for himself. As for the fakes, Xia Huanao declared he would take them to the Pokémon Center tomorrow to be pulverized in a training ground. Afterward, he would simply toss them into some obscure corner, known only to heaven, earth, himself, and the gems.
As time ticked by, after dealing with the last potential source of trouble, Xia Huanao also began preparing to return to the island and continue his battles.
It’s worth mentioning that Xia Huanao’s training over the past few days had significantly improved his Pokémon’s attack power. After all, even less sturdy imitation gold would require considerable force to be turned into powder.
To get back to the point, one day, Xia Huanao was tossing an empty Poké Ball while arguing with the leader, Fensher: “Look, I really have to leave today. If I leave tomorrow, I might miss the competition. Are you guys really okay with that?”
The leader of Fensher sat in his chair, a bottle of strong liquor placed on the desk before him. He shook the bottle and said, “Originally, we were going to send you back, but what you did was a bit… unseemly.”
Xia Huanao looked at the bottle and asked, “What happened? I haven’t caused any trouble recently. While I do interact with the police often, I’m just cooperating with them on cases.”
The leader slammed the bottle on the desk: “You know I’m not talking about that. Don’t try to sidetrack the issue I’m raising.”
Xia Huanao blinked innocently and then, with feigned realization, clapped his hands: “Ah, I completely forgot about that. But wasn’t that primarily Mu Zhishui’s doing? Besides, helping Fensher eliminate pirates is a noble humanitarian act, no matter how you look at it.”
The Fensher leader frowned: “Yes, eliminating pirates is fine, but it would have been even better if the matter had ended there.”
Xia Huanao spread his hands: “No, you guys wouldn’t have encountered people impersonating our Minglong country’s flag to stir up trouble, would you? There are so many people like that in the world.”
The Fensher leader’s eyes darted left and right: “Heh, you can find out the specifics yourself. Regardless, Fensher needs to express some indignation. Therefore, we cannot send you back. You can choose any other means you can arrange, and we won’t consider it illegal departure.”
Xia Huanao found Fensher’s reaction rather childish. However, this outcome was likely a result of various negotiations and a minor concession, so he couldn’t say much. Fortunately, Xia Huanao had many ways to handle things and didn’t care how he left Fensher. He could always borrow the spatial abilities of a legendary Pokémon.
While legendary Pokémon like Xerneas, with temples dedicated to them, would likely have a fixed portal within their shrines, appearing like a bound spirit, Mew and Mewtwo had no such constraints. They could create a portal wherever they pleased.
However, before staging a “feigned retreat to attack the enemy from within,” Xia Huanao was more interested in the current situation of the pirates.
Thus, Xia Huanao took out his phone and called Meng Tianya in the distance, hoping to inquire about the pirates' whereabouts.
According to Meng Tianya, the situation had developed as follows: Although Minglong country had gathered many trainers, they had opted to use the ships of the Rainbow Star Group for the cleanup operation. In essence, it was a Minglong country expansion movement disguised under the Rainbow Star Group’s banner. Both Rainbow Star and Minglong country got what they needed, resulting in a world where only the pirates and Fensher were harmed.
Although no unexpected events like last-ditch counterattacks occurred during the cleanup, according to the指认 of Mu Zhishui, the instigator of this encirclement, the leader who wielded two malnourished bird Pokémon had not been apprehended and his whereabouts were unknown. However, it was of little consequence. Ling Yaoxing was vast; one wouldn’t be that unlucky to run into him.
Xia Huanao, on this end of the call, hung up and began contacting Mewtwo, intending to use her and Mew’s spatial abilities to return to the island. Meanwhile, in a hot spring in Minglong country, Shen Yu was soaking in the pool, looking at Tong Ruo: “Sister Ruo, it’s almost March. Aren’t you worried about going back to prepare for the next semester’s teaching plan? Your assistant tutor has gone missing; I can’t even reach him by phone.”
Tong Ruo remained indifferent to Shen Yu’s concern: “It’s fine. Sister Xiaoxiao has already made all the arrangements. We have new battle classes in March. Do you want to join? You’ve already been internally recommended.”
Shen Yu shook his head and took a towel from Xiao Meng, who was beside him: “No, our school also sent a notice saying there will be short-term new courses next semester…”
Tong Ruo stood up and pulled Xiao Meng, who was standing nearby, into the hot spring pool: “Then forget it. By the way, why is Xiao Meng at your house?”
Shen Yu explained: “What else could I do? Uncle Xia and the others returned a week ago after finishing their latest research, so they brought Xiao Meng back. Then, a few days ago, Uncle Xia and the others got another urgent research mission and couldn’t bring any Pokémon. So, they had to leave Xiao Meng with us for a while. Although I say this, Xiao Meng doesn’t seem very happy without Xia Huanao.”
Xiao Meng stood up from the hot spring pool, shook the water from her head, and began playing with Tong Ruo.
As everyone knows, soaking in a hot spring for too long isn’t advisable, so Shen Yu and Mu Zhishui soon emerged from the pool and went to the backyard to rest. In the backyard, the mischievous Zorua was chasing the poor Buneary around the yard, while a Delphox was sleeping on a nearby swing.
Shen Yu took out a Poké Ball and recalled the Delphox, then went to stop Zorua from chasing Buneary: “Alright, alright, why do you always bully Buneary? Can’t you find another hobby?”
“That might be a bit difficult, considering Zorua’s past behavior.”
Hearing this voice, Shen Yu and Tong Ruo froze. They looked around and then saw Xia Huanao on the rooftop. He was sitting on the edge, his legs dangling as he greeted Shen Yu: “Yo, Xiao Yu, long time no see.”
“Where have you been all this time?”
Xia Huanao glanced down and said, “Uh, never mind that for now. Can you guys figure out a way for me to get down?”
After a ladder was brought to help him down, Xia Huanao, holding Zorua, sat on the swing: “We’ve been conducting ecological research on a secret realm, and we’ve made some progress recently, which is why we’re back for a break.”
“Then how did you get onto the roof? You should have used the front door if you were visiting. You were planning a night raid on Shen Yu, weren’t you? In that case, I won’t be a third wheel and will leave now.”
Tong Ruo looked at the two youngsters with a playful expression, then moved closer to Xia Huanao: “You two are childhood sweethearts, yet after all this time, there’s still no progress. Xiao Yu is still…”
Xia Huanao impatiently pushed Tong Ruo aside: “What nonsense are you talking about? I have no plans for a night raid. I won’t be staying here long anyway. Our vacation isn’t long, and I hitched a ride with Mew to come back. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have stopped on the rooftop. Alright, I’m leaving. However, we should be able to use communication devices occasionally from now on.”
Saying this, Xia Huanao scurried up the ladder to the rooftop again and disappeared. Shen Yu and Tong Ruo were left standing there, bewildered.
Xia Huanao was also quite annoyed. The space was controlled by Mewtwo and Mew, so why couldn’t they just open a portal there after he landed? Why did he have to climb back onto the roof?
As for Xia Huanao’s question, Sister Meng’s explanation was that it consumed less energy. Although most top-tier Pokémon could have their own space, only the omniscient and omnipotent Arceus and the space god Palkia truly possessed spatial abilities. Other Pokémon could traverse to a certain extent, but the energy consumption was considerable.
However, Xia Huanao, as a passenger, had no right to complain about the driver. He had to accept whatever Mewtwo decided. Fortunately, this super experience didn’t last long, and Xia Huanao successfully returned to the island.
After reporting his return to Meng Tianya, the first thing Xia Huanao did was not to rest, but to call the Officer Jenny he had recently met in Fensher.
The call was answered after a few rings. Seeing Officer Jenny’s valiant expression on the video, Xia Huanao smiled: “Hello, Officer Jenny. I’ve successfully reached my destination, so I’m calling to report my safety and thank you for your care during my time in Fensher.”
Officer Jenny was also happy. Although they hadn’t known each other long, as a police officer, it was exciting for someone to think of her, even a foreign citizen. However, the chief behind her seemed to be in a bad state, his trembling visible. Xia Huanao couldn’t resist adding a provocative remark: “Please send my regards to your chief. I’m not cooperating with his investigation anymore, but it was Fensher’s officials who asked me to leave.”
Xia Huanao didn’t speak the truth. He said this merely to provide a reason for his sudden disappearance. In his opinion, the chief who had issues wouldn’t bother the officials to cause trouble for him.
After a few more pleasantries, Xia Huanao hung up and decided to go for a walk.