"Nihilego?"
The unfamiliar name caught everyone off guard.
Even Pikachu tilted its head and asked, "Pika pi?"
Ash quickly caught on. "An Ultra Beast? So… it's also a kind of Pokémon?"
Naoki nodded. "That's right. At least, that's what I've heard. Interpol and the Aether Foundation refer to them as Ultra Beasts. As for what others call them, I'm not too sure."
Interpol? Aether Foundation?
Ash was familiar with Interpol, he'd once met an agent named Looker on his travels.
As for Lillie, she froze upon hearing "Aether Foundation."
As the eldest daughter of the organization, no one present was more familiar with the Aether Foundation than she was. After all, it was a group founded by her own mother, Lusamine.
"Lillie, does that bring anything back?" Mallow asked gently, turning toward her.
Lillie shook her head softly. "I don't know… I just remember it being a very terrifying and aggressive Pokémon."
"Huh…"
Everyone fell silent, unsure of how to respond.
But Naoki didn't seem worried. He smiled and said calmly, "Don't be afraid. Now that we've identified the cause of your fear, you'll have the chance to face it again one day, and this time, you'll be ready."
Ash straightened up, his energy returning. "Yeah! Mr. Naoki's right! As long as we keep exploring Alola, we're bound to run into that Ultra Beast again, and when we do, we'll make it pay for what it did to you!"
"That's right!" Lana added, full of determination. "We'll all help you recover your lost memories, Lillie!"
Kiawe stood with arms crossed and a serious expression. He didn't say anything, but the look in his eyes said he agreed.
Naoki glanced at Kiawe thoughtfully. It had been a few years since he'd first met him. The once-hotheaded boy had grown a lot.
Hearing everyone's encouragement, Lillie's heart swelled with emotion. "Thank you… all of you!"
Because classes at the Pokémon School would resume the next day, Ash and the others couldn't stay too long.
At three in the afternoon, they said their goodbyes to Naoki and mounted their Ride Pokémon, heading back to Melemele Island under the golden sunlight.
Naoki stood at the ranch gate, watching their silhouettes disappear into the distance, a thoughtful look on his face.
It's starting...It felt like the Alola region's main story was slowly beginning to unfold.
Ash had already received a Z-Ring from Tapu Koko. It probably wouldn't be long before they began their Island Challenge. And then… Nebby would appear. Lusamine would fall under Nihilego's control. Solgaleo and Lunala would descend from the stars…
But in the end, all of that had nothing to do with him now.
By the time the Ultra Beasts begin appearing in large numbers, Naoki's family would have already left the Alola region, returning to Paldea.
The next morning, with nothing urgent to do, Naoki decided to spend some time at the beach. Rod in hand, he returned to his favorite fishing spot.
Remembering the Popplio he'd encountered the day before, he came better prepared this time. He packed some Poké Puffs and Poffins specially made for Water-type Pokémon.
After enjoying a bowl of Paldean-style seafood rice, Naoki settled down on the shore, casting his line into the sparkling sea.
Not long after, the fishing rod twitched.
There was a bite!
Naoki's arm dipped from the weight, and with a quick tug, he reeled the catch up and out of the water.
To his surprise, the Pokémon at the end of the line was none other than the same Popplio from yesterday!
This time, however, Popplio didn't try to splash away immediately. Instead, it sat calmly on the sand, tilting its head and looking up at Naoki with big, curious eyes.
"Pop?" it chirped.
Naoki grinned and pulled out a container from his bag. Inside were bright, jewel-like Poke blocks, freshly made for Water-types.
He placed one in front of Popplio. "Here, try this!"
Most starter Pokémon are known to be friendly and gentle by nature, and Popplio was no exception.
Sure enough, the sea lion Pokémon leaned forward, sniffed the cube, then gently picked it up with its mouth. After a quick nibble, its eyes lit up. It happily munched down the treat, licking its lips with delight afterward.
"Good, huh?" Naoki chuckled. "I made it myself just for Water-types!"
"Popplio!" the little Pokémon chirped in glee.
Then it raised a flipper and licked it, before looking back up at Naoki with a curious gleam in its eye.
"Pop?"
Naoki blinked. Something about that look felt… deeper. Almost like Popplio was trying to say something.
And he was right.
He sensed a message from the Pokémon's gaze, a gentle feeling passed through the air between them:
[Just say the word. I'll help you if you need it.]
Popplio didn't mind giving this human a helping flipper, whether it was finding rare shells, diving for pearls, or guiding him to a spot full of fish.
Naoki hadn't realized the offer just yet. Still smiling, he replied cheerfully, "Thank you."
Naoki was a grown man, surrounded by powerful Pokémon. Why would he need help from a little sea lion like Popplio?
But before he could finish that thought, he suddenly remembered the real reason he had come to the beach to fish in the first place.
He paused, then smiled and said, "Actually, there is something I'd like to ask you for help with."
Popplio tilted its head, curious. "Pop?"
Then it thumped its flipper against its chest confidently. "Popplio!"
Go ahead! Ask away!
Naoki crouched down and asked gently, "Have you ever seen a really powerful Pokémon while swimming out in the ocean?"
"Pop?" Popplio looked puzzled. "What kind of Pokémon?"
Naoki described it slowly, letting the image form in the air between them. "It's called Kyogre. It looks like a massive whale, with two huge fins stretching from both sides of its body. Its back is deep blue, its chin is white, and it has red glowing lines across its body and fins."
"Poppp..." Popplio furrowed its brow, thinking hard. After a moment, it shook its head, it hadn't seen anything like that.
But right away, it puffed out its chest and gave an eager cry: "Popplio!"
Even if it hadn't seen Kyogre, it would gladly help look for it!
With that, Popplio dove into the sea with a playful splash, vanishing into the waves like a bubble riding the tide.
Naoki smiled as he watched it disappear, then sat back on his stool and returned to fishing.
This time, with no playful distractions, his morning catch went smoothly. He reeled in fish after fish. Though a few turned out to be Pokémon and were gently released back into the ocean, he still ended up with a bucket brimming with fresh sea fish.
Spanish mackerel, tiger grouper, sea bass...
He rubbed his hands together and grinned.
"A full-course fish feast for lunch it is!"
After returning to the ranch, Naoki got right to work.
The fish were plump and glistening with natural oils. Cooked fresh, they'd be smooth, tender, and full of ocean flavor. Just thinking about it made his stomach growl.
He mentally planned out the dishes as he worked:
Steamed sea bass, Dragonite's favorite!
Sour and spicy pickled fish
Chopped pepper fish head with that fiery, tingling heat
Creamy fish head soup, rich with nutrition
Crispy squirrel-shaped sweet-and-sour fish
Juicy Spanish mackerel dumplings, packed with flaky meat
One recipe after another filled his mind, and his hands moved in rhythm, slicing, seasoning, and searing with practiced ease.
The delicious aroma wafted through the kitchen.
A few curious Pokémon peeked in, drawn by the sizzling sounds and mouthwatering smells. They gathered around, tails wagging and noses twitching.
Dish by dish, the table filled.
By the time the final plate was placed, the entire fish feast came together as a glorious spread.
Fish Banquet (S-Rank): A grand meal created using a variety of fish and diverse cooking methods. With something for every palate, it satisfies even the pickiest Pokémon.
Effect – Blessing of the Sea: After eating this feast, Water-type Pokémon gain a mysterious oceanic blessing. Their natural talent, learning ability, and overall potential are significantly enhanced.
"Huh?"