After boarding the boat and setting off from Melemele Island, it took about half an hour to reach Ula'ula Island.
They disembarked at Malie City, a port city brimming with Eastern charm.
Led by Kukui, they soon left the port and entered the city. Compared to Hau'oli City's tropical Hawaiian-style buildings, Malie City had a distinctly different feel.
Much of the architecture here was influenced by Johto, especially the tall tower in the center adorned with bright red Darumaka lanterns and Darmanitan decorations—it was quite eye-catching.
Lucas remembered that the place was an unofficial gym called the Kantonian Gym. He only remembered it because there was a red-and-white-haired, card-playing trainer there.
After passing through that area, the architectural style soon shifted back to Alola's original flavor. Kukui, not stopping, led Lucas purposefully in one direction.
After walking down a few quiet paths separated by wooden fences, a single-story building came into view.
Lucas squinted and carefully read the sign on the building, saying aloud, "Ula'ula Police Station?"
He felt a faint sense of familiarity with the place but couldn't recall much about it.
Kukui nodded slightly, about to introduce the place to Lucas when suddenly, a cool-looking policewoman with a police cap and greenish hair stepped out from inside. Lucas and Kukui recognized her instantly.
One of the Pokémon world's wonders—Officer Jenny, who looks almost exactly the same everywhere!
Kukui's eyes lit up when he saw her, and he hurried forward, calling, "Officer Jenny!"
Officer Jenny was smiling and talking to her partner, an Oricorio in Baile Style, at her side. Hearing Kukui's voice, she looked up in confusion, then, upon recognizing him, exclaimed in surprise, "Kukui!? Is that you!?"
"It's been two years since you last came back, hasn't it? Long time no see!"
"Long time no see! And, Alola!" Kukui seemed very familiar with this Officer Jenny, his tone warm and friendly.
After the greetings, Officer Jenny looked at Lucas, who was following behind Kukui, and asked curiously, "And this is?"
"He's a friend of mine, Lucas, from the Paldea region." Kukui, deciding not to mention his recent troubles, introduced them and then impatiently asked, "Officer Jenny, is Mr. Nanu here at the station?"
"Yes, he is. Do you need something from him?"
"It's urgent."
"Alright, then I'll head out on patrol first. We can catch up later."
With a wave, Officer Jenny rode off on her patrol motorcycle with Oricorio in tow.
"I received a lot of help from her back when I did my island challenge on Ula'ula," Kukui explained after stopping his wave.
Lucas nodded without comment.
Kukui said, "Let's go. I'll take you to meet the island kahuna of Ula'ula Island. Normally, you need his permission to meet Tapu Bulu."
"I completed the island challenge, so getting permission should be easy."
Kukui confidently swung his arm.
Honestly, Lucas thought it might not be so simple, if the island kahuna was indeed the Nanu he remembered.
At the Ula'ula Police Station, a rather disheveled man slouched in a chair, police uniform worn with a roguish air, feet on the desk—he looked anything but proper.
This man was Nanu, the island kahuna of Ula'ula, in other words, Tapu Bulu's recognized island guardian.
A crowd of Alolan Meowth lounged around him, lazing about different parts of the station. Lucas found himself wanting to pet them, curious about how Alolan Meowth felt.
With his hands behind his head, Nana spoke, "So, you guys want to go to the Ruins of Abundance to meet Tapu Bulu?"
Kukui nodded, "Yes."
Nana yawned, looked at Lucas beside Kukui, and raised an eyebrow, "I doubt Kukui's here to see Tapu Bulu, so it's this young man, right?"
Finally called upon, Lucas suppressed his urge to pet the Meowth, replying, "Yes, I need to see Tapu Bulu."
Nanu sat up, scrutinizing Lucas, then stated, "I can tell you're a Pokémon trainer, right?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Lucas' eyes.
"I am the island kahuna and a police officer, after all. I can spot a trainer."
Lucas' reaction seemed to confirm it for Nanu, who grinned, stroked his chin, and said, "I can't grant your request."
"Why not!?" Kukui asked anxiously.
"Calm down, Kukui." Nanu gestured for calm, then explained, "Since you're a trainer, you'll have to pass my trial before you can see Tapu Bulu. I am the island kahuna, after all."
Lucas wasn't surprised, nodding slightly, "So basically, I have to battle you in a Pokémon match? I accept."
"Lucas…" Kukui looked at him in surprise. In his impression, Lucas always avoided battles if possible, so this quick acceptance was a first.
But Nanu shook his head, "I'm not fighting you."
Lucas: "?"
Is he messing with us?
Nanu lounged in his chair, looking lazy, "I've got a good eye. I'd have zero chance of beating you, so why bother?"
"How about this." Nanu's eyes lit up as if he had thought of a great idea, clapping his hands, "There's been some bad rumors about a certain place recently, with people calling the police after being frightened there. If you solve that, you can see Tapu Bulu—and I'll give you a gift, too. What do you think?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow, "Alright, what's the task?"
Nanu grinned, rubbing his hands, "It's the old site of the Supermarket Megacheap, near the ruins of Tapu Village which Tapu Bulu destroyed. Kukui knows where it is, he can take you."
"Your task is to check if there are any ghosts inside the old supermarket!"
…
After leaving the police station, Kukui asked in confusion, "Lucas, do we really have to do this? Even if we don't get permission, I could just sneak you into the Ruins of Abundance myself."
"It's fine, it's just a simple task. It won't take long. It's almost dark anyway, so it's a good time to check it out."
Lucas had been planning to sneak into the Ruins of Abundance, but the mention of the old supermarket brought up a memory, so he accepted.
Ghosts, the old Supermarket Megacheap—there might be something related to Mimikyu inside.