Chapter 35: How Did Tapu Fini End Up with You?!
Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
Kukui and the others hadn't made any significant moves — merely stationing people to surveil the Game Corner and search for traces of Caitlin.
In truth, tracking her wasn't difficult. Caitlin hadn't hidden her identity, and the villa under her name had naturally been added to the surveillance list.
But all of this had been anticipated well in advance. With Teleport at her disposal, those watchers had zero hope of actually pinning down Caitlin's movements.
Those days passed in perfect calm. But it was ultimately just the stillness before the storm.
Mammon couldn't have cared less. His daily routine continued unchanged — afternoons spent sunbathing on the beach, enjoying the sea breeze, going for swims.
Afternoons training Caitlin. Evenings training Domino. Life was pleasant.
Until one day.
Caitlin, dressed in a fitted pink-and-white long dress, set out from the villa district. Upon reaching the city center, she met up with Lance, and the two of them made their way slowly toward the outskirts of town.
"Who is that man?"
Inside a certain room, Kukui and a now-discharged Hala exchanged glances as they watched the captured footage. Neither of them recognized Lance.
"Let me check."
A thought occurred to Kukui. He pulled up the files on currently wanted Team Rocket members on his phone.
Team Rocket Senior Executive. Lance.
"Another senior executive."
Kukui's expression grew grave. Yet another senior executive — and not just any. This was one of Team Rocket's notorious Four Generals, with a fearsome reputation throughout Kanto.
"Kukui, it looks like they're heading out to the suburbs. This is a good opportunity!" Hala spoke up.
They didn't know what the two Rockets were planning, but it didn't matter. If they'd stayed inside the city, moving against them would have been difficult.
Too many civilians in the city — and at Caitlin and Lance's level, if they truly went unrestrained, they could easily use those civilians to threaten Kukui's group.
Out in the suburbs, things would be much more manageable.
"Agreed. Let's notify Olivia and Nanu. We take the two of them down as fast as possible."
Kukui's brow furrowed slightly. Something felt just a touch off.
But opportunity doesn't knock twice. Capturing two Team Rocket senior executives in one operation took priority.
If they could pull it off, the Alola Team Rocket branch's threat level would plummet overnight.
"Alright. Should we notify her as well?"
Hala mulled it over before asking.
The "her" in question was none other than Cynthia — the Sinnoh Champion who had rushed in from Sinnoh just two days prior.
Honestly, Kukui had never expected Cynthia and Caitlin to be close friends. He'd originally forwarded Caitlin's file to the Sinnoh League merely hoping they'd take note and provide him with additional background information on Caitlin.
Instead…
The Sinnoh Champion Cynthia had come flying in personally.
Kukui had been stunned.
"Let's hold off for now. This is ultimately Alola's own business — what do you think?"
Kukui hesitated, but didn't decide unilaterally, consulting Hala's opinion.
He knew Cynthia bore no ill intent. She'd stated outright that she only wanted to bring Caitlin back to Sinnoh.
But this was Alola, and Cynthia was Sinnoh's Champion — her status was simply too sensitive.
Especially with Alola's own League not yet established. Team Rocket had come to Alola to expand their territory, and they'd have to rely on Sinnoh's Champion Cynthia to take down Team Rocket's senior executives?
Word getting out about that would be disastrous for Alola's reputation. Wouldn't it just confirm that Alola couldn't even handle its own Team Rocket branch and had to call in outsiders for help?
If that reached the Kanto League's ears, Alola's shot at forming its own League would probably be dead for another year.
Because of the security uncertainty posed by the Ultra Beasts, Alola was already seen as a "not particularly safe" region in the Kanto League's eyes. If their own capabilities were also perceived as weak, it would be even harder.
(ps: In both the games and the anime, the Alola League is only established after Ultra Space is explored. Kukui's earlier applications were rejected multiple times, with the threat of Ultra Beasts being a major reason.)
"I agree."
Hala nodded silently. With Kukui himself taking the field this time, subduing two Team Rocket senior executives should be a simple affair.
The fact that Team Rocket had grown this strong right under the Kanto League's nose suggested the organization might well have Champion-tier trainers in its ranks — a reasonable speculation.
But even if they did have Champion-tier operatives, those would be stationed at Kanto headquarters. There was no way a regional branch would have one, right?
"After this is settled, we'll inform Champion Cynthia. I trust she'll understand."
Kukui watched Caitlin and Lance on the video feed, his expression solemn.
Ten Carat Hill, located near the outskirts of Hau'oli City. With its pleasant scenery and sweeping views, it was a prime spot for picnics.
For example, Mammon was currently sitting on a picnic blanket right here, feeding slices of apple to Tapu Fini.
Caitlin and Lance had also just arrived.
"Who is that boy? And also… how is Tapu Fini with him?!"
Watching Mammon's trio from a distance, Olivia turned to Kukui and Hala, demanding an answer in shock.
Because from the scene she was seeing, Caitlin and Lance appeared to be treating that boy with considerable deference.
But most importantly — the Tapu Fini floating at his side!!
Tapu Fini might have been Poni Island's guardian, but that didn't stop Olivia from recognizing her on sight.
"I have no idea!"
Kukui was also momentarily stunned, replying in astonishment.
"Haaaah…" Nanu pressed a hand to his forehead with a sigh.
Hala's graying brows knit tight as he stared at Tapu Fini. That was Poni Island's guardian Tapu Fini without a doubt.
But how was she here? Had she been caught by that boy?
Alarm bells began ringing in Hala's mind. Surely… it couldn't be?
For a moment, Kukui, Hala, and Olivia all fell into silence, their minds running wild.
"He seems to have spotted us." Nanu's listless voice broke the silence.
Kukui looked — and sure enough, that boy and Caitlin were both looking in their direction.
Especially the boy. He was actually waving at them.
"Let's move."
Kukui's face hardened. He understood instantly — the other side had deliberately drawn them out here.
But they'd already come this far. They might as well go face them.
The four of them walked slowly forward, stopping a short distance from Mammon's group.
"My, my. Professor Kukui, and all three Island Kahunas. Meeting you all at once — what an honor."
Mammon remained seated cross-legged on the ground, smiling as he took a sip of coconut water. He gave a casual wave with his other hand — the picture of harmless friendliness.
Caitlin and Lance stood on either side of Mammon, flanking him as they watched Kukui's group. The hierarchy between the three was instantly apparent.
This boy's position seemed to rank above both Caitlin and Lance.
Hala narrowed his eyes, looking at the Tapu Fini floating obediently at Mammon's side, then glancing back at Caitlin and Lance.
"Comrades… they don't come with peaceful intentions." Hala said in a low voice.
At those words, Nanu's expression turned slightly odd. He scratched his head, then couldn't help responding:
"Is there a possibility that we're actually the ones who came here?"
After all, they were the ones who had come looking for trouble today.
Hala's mouth twitched. He shot Nanu a glare.