Outside Malieu City.
The largest modern city on Ula'ula Island.
Natsuhiko and his team quietly landed here.
To avoid some unnecessary trouble, the ship carrying them didn't completely dock at Ula'ula Island.
Natsuhiko and his team flew over on their own Pokémon.
What appeared before them were two mountains.
One of them, slightly shorter, is Hikelani Mountain, with the Huiklani Observatory located at its top.
The other, towering into the clouds and covered in thick ice and snow like Celestial Crown Mountain, is the Lanakila Mountain, deeply etched in Natsuhiko's memory.
Because among the unique Pokémon forms in the Alola Region, Ice-type Pokémon can only be encountered at Lanakila Mountain.
Those are Sandshrew and Vulpix.
The Ice Attribute Sandshrew and Ice Attribute Vulpix.
Whenever he thinks of Ice-type Vulpix and Ninetales, Natsuhiko ponders something.
If Kona knew about this kind of Ninetales among Ice-type Pokémon, how would she feel?
However, Natsuhiko thinks, if Lance knew, he would surely have a lot to say.
After all.
Alola's Ninetales is not just Ice-type.
It's an Ice and Fairy-type Pokémon, the only known species in the Pokemon Realm with such an attribute combination.
It's no exaggeration to say.
When the Fairy Type awakens and the Frost Nine-Tails appears, it's a time of lamentation for Dragon-type Trainers.
This Frost Nine-Tails, in addition to humiliating Dragon-type Pokémon, causes great harm.
Especially to those that are both Flying Type and Dragon Type.
Moreover.
The most important point is, the Frost Nine-Tails looks incredibly beautiful.
It is definitely a Pokémon that can rival Milotic.
Natsuhiko chose Ula'ula Island as his landing island primarily because only here could he find Ice Sandshrew and Frost Six-Tails.
This is an extremely important factor.
However.
Natsuhiko is not in a hurry to head to Lanakila Mountain.
Ice Sandshrew and Frost Six-Tails are naturally scarce; meeting more relies on luck, so he plans to first understand the wild Pokémon distribution and strength on Ula'ula Island before making decisions.
Who knows.
Before starting operations, he might really need to deal with the competitors on the island first.
Of course, Ula'ula Island also has some troublesome issues.
That being the largest and most troublesome organization in the Alola Region, the headquarters of the Skeleton Team is also on Ula'ula Island.
But do not forget.
Natsuhiko's current identity is a prospective member of the Hunter Guild, making him somewhat of a junior leader in the underground forces.
If he could establish contact with the Skeleton Team, it would be a great help for the Hunter Guild and for him to compete for a higher position.
However.
In Natsuhiko's impression, the Skeleton Team seems to be the most unimpressive underground organization.
Calling them an underground organization is a bit of a compliment; they resemble more a gathering place for hooligans and thugs.
Temporarily, there's no rush to contact the Skeleton Team.
"Remember not to reveal your identity, go ahead." Natsuhiko gestured to a few people.
The money is held by Joanna, whom Natsuhiko trusts to use it wisely.
Led by Joanna, ten people walked towards Malieu City.
After they left, Natsuhiko again looked towards the towering mountains ahead.
Hikelani Mountain.
As the site of the well-known Huiklani Observatory in the Alola Region, there is actually a circular mountain road built on Hikelani Mountain.
By taking the Exeggutor bus, one can travel back and forth between the mountain top and the foot.
However, since Natsuhiko aims to investigate the local wild Pokémon situation, he obviously wouldn't take the bus.
After confirming no one else was around, he threw a Pokeball summoning Monferno and Latios, along with the Eevee he's been holding, and ventured into the dense forest of Hikelani Mountain.
Due to the tropical climate and minimal industrial pollution in the Alola Region, many wild Tree Fruits grow here.
In fact, Tree Fruits in the Alola Region are considered a significant feature of it.
Similarly.
The lush outdoor environment paired with abundant Tree Fruits has fostered the phenomenon where Alola's wild Pokémon are generally quite strong.
Regardless of location.
When newly discovered and not yet fully developed, the situation is always like this.
It's just that Alola Region's environment is slightly better.
"Oss~~" Latios curiously watch its surroundings with its little eyes.
It finds the Alola climate quite intriguing.
Meanwhile, Monferno thoroughly enjoys the warm environment.
Even its naturally high spirits become more vivacious.
Natsuhiko watched the three little ones adapt to the Alola Region's environment, enjoying their boisterousness, and unconsciously smiled.
"Crack!"
Suddenly.
Monferno stood up, sniffing lightly, seeming to discover something.
"Crack!"
It waved to Latios and Natsuhiko, then swiftly scurried through the woods.
Its agile figure flitted quickly between the branches.
Latios and Natsuhiko followed suit.
Soon enough.
A grove filled with bright red Tree Fruits appeared in their view.
"Oss—"
"Buyi—"
Being Natsuhiko's Pokémon, they are quite familiar with the making of Energy Blocks.
High-quality Tree Fruits are a crucial component.
And now.
A large grove is presented before them.
With a glance, there are at least a dozen trees.
Each one looks very lush, laden with fruits.
Seeing this scene.
Natsuhiko was somewhat surprised.
Although he knew beforehand that the Alola Region would have plenty of Tree Fruits, he didn't expect to encounter such a grove shortly after landing, before even fully entering Hikelani Mountain.
In the Kanto Region and Sinnoh Region, this is inconceivable.
Before the Tree Fruits even mature, plenty of people would gather awaiting their ripening.
In Alola, a grove of this size with mature Tree Fruits is quite remarkable.
"Oss~~"
Latios flew over impatiently.
However, halfway through, Natsuhiko managed to stop it in time.
"Wait, Latios!"
"Oss?" Latios looked at Natsuhiko, puzzled.
Yet.
As it turned, the ground covered with fallen leaves suddenly trembled, and then a brown Pokémon jumped out from beneath the thick leaves.
Natsuhiko's expression shifted slightly.
"Exchange Arena!"
The voice echoed in Latios's mind.
Although Latios was somewhat confused, the technique it had trained most often lately was "Exchange Arena."
Furthermore.
The momentum between Natsuhiko and it has been established over some time, and instinctively, it swapped positions with Monferno.
And Monferno, like Natsuhiko, noticed what Latios hadn't.
With clenched fists blazing with flames.
When the Pokémon beneath the ground attempted to ambush Latios, it found itself greeted by a flaming fist.
After a brief bewilderment.
Bam!!
Monferno punched it directly back down.
As swiftly as it came, back it went even faster!
Only then did Natsuhiko and the others identify the Pokémon.
Gumshoos!
A Pokémon from the Alola Region.
A highly patient Pokémon.
Upon seeing it was a Gumshoos, Natsuhiko wasn't entirely surprised by the ambushing situation.
Rustling—
With the Gumshoos exposed, the ground covered with fallen leaves around the grove emitted rustling sounds.
One by one, Gumshoos stared at Natsuhiko and his three Pokémon, crawling out from beneath the thick leaves.
Getting ambushed shortly after arriving on the island.
Seems like the Alola Region Pokémon are quite "welcoming," don't you think?
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Begging for monthly votes~~