A Storm at Sea? Xiao Guang's Troubles

Chapter 89 A Storm at Sea? Xiao Guang's Troubles (3k)

Yamanashi Research Institute.

Upon hearing that Sawaki was going to leave Sinnoh temporarily, Professor Yamanashi, unusually, stopped his research and brought out many of his treasured sweets to treat Sawaki.

Without any hesitation, she squatted on the glass table laden with desserts, devouring pudding and candy one after another, her snow-white lips smeared with sweetness. She was thoroughly enjoying herself: "Ooh-ooh~"

Dr. Yamanashi didn't seem to mind, forcing a smile onto his serious face as he occasionally served Rokuo some dessert.

After all, the Six-Tails was born in his research institute, and he also loved this cute little baby.

In the distance, the noisy bird trapped in its cage watched this scene with haughty gait: "Caw~"

It had no share, but it looked disdainful; it didn't care!

But then, through the birdcage, it was slapped hard by the foam squirrel's tail, which at least smoothed out its messy feathers.

The foam squirrel, hands on its hips, began to scold the noisy bird:

"Hey hey!"

You can't pass!

"The tank skunk in the woods is still farting every now and then." With a candy in his mouth, Dr. Yamanashi pondered for a moment. "Perhaps it's still experiencing some 'aftereffects' from its depression that it hasn't quite mastered. I understand; we'll keep a close eye on it."

"If you hadn't brought it up, I probably wouldn't have noticed, because I was busy with something else."

"Just something I mentioned casually," Ze Shu said offhand. "What is this 'other thing'? Can I tell you?"

"That's exactly what I was going to bring up with you," Dr. Yamanashi said with a smile.

He put down the dessert in his hand, turned around and walked towards the research institute. After a short while, he came out holding a dark blue object that resembled a tail fin.

"A while ago, a violent hurricane struck the coast not far from Masago Town, causing considerable damage. I went there specifically to investigate, and this was the only thing I found amidst the chaos."

Hiroto Yamanashi showed the items in his hands to Sawaki.

This deep blue tail fin structure is damaged but very fresh. It seems to have broken off from the body of a severely injured but very powerful Pokémon.

"This thing—" Zeshu seemed vaguely familiar, "Do you know what kind of Pokémon it is?"

Dr. Yamanashi: "Although I'm not sure, I've reviewed a lot of information recently, and the biggest suspect that caused that hurricane is the legendary Pokémon known as the Sea God—Lugia."

As he spoke, Ze Shu also took out a deep blue feather. One could feel that the energy on it resonated with the item in Yamanashi Hiroto's hand.

"Listen—what is this?" Upon seeing this, Dr. Yamanashi was slightly surprised.

"It seems it's just as you guessed, Dr. Yamanashi," said Sawaki. "It's Lugia."

After a moment of silence, Dr. Yamanashi's voice rang out: "As expected."

"I don't know what that Lugia went through, but injuries like that don't seem normal at all. And..."

My feeling is that Lugia isn't simply going berserk, but rather being pursued? Perhaps she's protecting something.

Hiroto Yamanashi shook his head as if he were sighing.

"I wanted to investigate and offer assistance, but the hurricane that formed from Lugia didn't stop outside Masago Town. Instead, it headed straight towards the Kanto region."

"Sawaki, your next destination is also the Kanto region, right?"

"I'm taking this item out because I want to ask you, Sawaki, to give it to Yukinari for research, which is Professor Oak of Pallet Town."

Ze Shu nodded: "I understand."

"I'll talk to Yukinari." Dr. Yamanashi smiled. "Sawaki, the fact that you were able to produce this feather might mean you have a connection with Lugia. Perhaps that Yukinari guy can offer you a lot of help."

Professor Yamanashi and Professor Oak of Pallet Town are old acquaintances.

About four or five years ago, he also conducted research with Professor Oak in the Kanto region, but later he felt that the Pokémon in Sinnoh also held many mysteries, so he returned to Sandgem Town to set up this research institute. However, he has always maintained a lot of communication with Professor Oak.

After taking the items from Dr. Yamanashi, Sawaki thoughtfully put them away.

At that moment, the Six-Tails let out a big burp.

It rubbed its slightly swollen belly, looking completely satisfied. Then it jumped into Ze Shu's arms, its eyes narrowing slightly.

"Chirp~~"

I'm full~ Now it's time to snuggle up in the arms of my best trainer and sleep!

Sawaki paused slightly after being hit by the Six-Tails, and said, "...Maybe I should restrict your diet, little Six-Tails, or you'll really turn into a fat fox."

Six-Tails was shocked: "Oo Ming?!"

Holding Cha's little head, the dejected Six-Tails walked out of the research institute.

Ze Shu was slightly helpless:

"I'm just not letting you overeat, why does it seem like I'm restricting your diet?"

Six-Tails, still clutching its head, cried out, "Ominous!"

"Don't be sad." Ze Shu suddenly smiled. "Little Six-Tails, you don't want your little candy hidden under your tail to be taken away, do you?"

"Ou Ming?!"

Vulpix's eyes widened as it stared at its trainer.

How could it be discovered when it was hidden so well?

Ze Shu: "...—".

He looked at himself holding the Six-Tails.

That way, whatever it's hiding on its body will have nowhere to hide, right?

He sighed.

He ignored the six-tailed fox that had given up and was lying limply in his arms.

Walking on the streets of Zhensha Town, the green plants on both sides stand gracefully, residents stroll leisurely, and shop owners on both sides are slowly tidying up their shelves.

Smelling the salty smell brought by the sea breeze, Ze Shu gradually slowed down his pace.

He casually rubbed the little head of the six-tailed fox and strolled around, gazing at the scenery of True Sand Town, knowing he would be leaving soon.

When they reached Masago Beach, Sawaki saw Hikaru sitting in a corner of the beach with his knees drawn up, head down, staring at the sand at his feet, seemingly lost in thought.

Why didn't Dawn go to Pokémon School? Zeki remembered that today wasn't a holiday.

He stepped forward.

"What's wrong?"

"!" Hikaru was startled and turned around. "Sawaki-sensei?!"

Her initial shock quickly turned into delight.

Ze Shu smiled and said, "Is there anything you can tell me?"

Xiao Guang pursed his lips: "Chirp—"

She knew that Ze Shu had noticed her low spirits.

"......

Zeshu slowly sat down on the beach beside her. Just as he put the Six-Tails down on the sand, he heard Hikari's soft, almost murmured words in his ear:

"It's my father—"

Ze Shu was taken aback: "Father?"

"My mother told me that my father is coming back." Xiao Guang lowered his head. "I have never seen my father before, so—I am a little at a loss. I don't understand why I suddenly have a father."

Ze Shu: "Isn't it normal for a person to have a father?"

Xiao Guang: "..—"

That seems to be true.

Hikaru laughed out loud: "Sawaki-sensei, you don't seem to know how to comfort people."

But when she was interrupted from her random thoughts, she suddenly realized that her previous idea was a bit funny.

Ze Shu smiled and said, "Perhaps."

"But you don't need to call me teacher anymore. Actually, I'm not much older than you, Xiaoguang."

"Then—" Xiaoguang blinked, "Brother Zeshu?"

Ze Shu twitched the corner of his mouth: "Or tell me about your father? What's causing you so much distress?"

He was actually quite curious; it seemed like Hikaru's father never appeared in the anime, right?

"Actually, I'm not troubled anymore." Hikari pursed her lips, but she still said, "I heard that my father used to be a researcher for Professor Yamanashi, but later he apparently did something wrong and left Sinnoh. My mother also dislikes him, apparently because of something—was he two-timing?"

Xiao Guang didn't quite understand the meaning of "having two feet at once," and tilted his head slightly as he spoke, looking puzzled.

She then pointed to the west side of Zhensha Town: "I heard that the abandoned luxury house there used to be my father's house."

My mother said it seems my father will be back in about six months.

Zeki: "...—

Having two relationships at the same time?

This is Xiaoguang's family matter, and he shouldn't comment on it.

"I didn't know how to face my father at first," Hikaru smiled. "But maybe I should take my mother's advice and just ignore him. Maybe I'll go on a trip soon and become a Coordinator like my mother!"

"By the way, Ze Shu-nii-san, are you going on a trip instead of being a teacher?"

"yes."

"I'm so envious! Can you tell me about your travel stories?"

"all right."

Ze Shu thought for a moment, then opened his camera and showed Hikaru some of the photos he had taken after leaving Masago Town.

Not only his photos in Kurogane City and the True Sand Forest, but also some scenery he casually snapped along the way—the mining desert of Kurogane City, the wildflowers blooming in Hanaen Town, and the snow-capped Tenkan Mountain.

Listening to Ze Shu's detailed explanation.

Xiao Guang pursed his lips: "After hearing that, I'm even more envious. I want to travel with you, Ze Shu-gege."

Ze Shu rubbed the six tails: "You'll have to ask your mother."

Xiao Guang looked distressed: "Mom will definitely not agree—she wants me to study hard."

Ze Shu: "Then we'll have to wait until after your trip."

Xiao Guang: "Beep—"

There was a moment of silence.

"Oh, right," Ze Shu suddenly said, "Hikaru, did you skip class?"

No, no.

"I used to be a school teacher. If I didn't want my mom to know..."

"I'm so sorry!"

Xiao Guang hurriedly went back to class.

Zeki: "...—

He followed her for a while, and after confirming that Xiaoguang had safely entered the school, he shook his head with a smile: "Then I should go too."

They boarded the invisible spaceship that was parked on the outskirts of Masago Town.

After releasing Bubble Squirrel and Sudokoyaki and introducing them to Levi and Psyduck, he slowly turned around and headed south, his destination naturally the Kanto region.

About ten days later.

Quartz Plateau, Quartz Union.

This is an alliance shared by Kanto and Johto, but it is internally divided into two parts: 'Quartz' and 'Johto'.

This is a slightly old wooden building. Compared to the Sinnoh League, which resembles a Gothic castle, the Indigo League appears much more understated.

At this moment, after parking the spaceship in the suburbs, Ze Shu, with the six-tailed creature lying prone and drooping its head on his shoulder, checked the letter of introduction that Zhu Lan had given him earlier and slowly walked in.

"Hello, Sawaki."

Unexpectedly, someone was already waiting at the door with their arms crossed. Upon seeing him arrive, they immediately called out his name and met his gaze intently.

Ze Shu was taken aback.

Because he was also familiar with the man in front of him.

His red hair stood up like a hedgehog, and beneath a wide cloak, he wore thick leather clothing. He leaned against the wall with an air of arrogance. Beside him followed a large, clumsy-looking Dragonite.

He didn't even need to introduce himself; Ze Shu already knew who he was.

So Zeshu called out, "Dodo?"

The approaching Yulongdu: "..—"