From a distance, Kinnow Island's interior was covered in forests, and it was surrounded by cliffs of varying heights, forming a natural barrier that isolated the island from the outside world. A low mountain stood in the center of the island.
Tracey was right; it really was an uninhabited island. At least from the outside, there were no signs of human activity.
The Magikarp swam here and, without going anywhere else, entered the island's interior through a river mouth.
Natsui looked around and finally spotted the submarine from earlier in a calm bay.
However, the submarine was now docked quietly, its hatch closed and showing no signs of activity. The old man must have entered Kinnow Island, just like the Magikarp.
"What now?" Ash asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Natsui said, being the first to jump ashore as Lapras neared the coast. "Since we're already here, of course we have to go in and take a look!"
Once everyone was on the island, Ash recalled Lapras, and Sabrina had Charizard land and walked over to Natsui's side.
The group set off, following the riverbank deeper into the interior.
In the river beside them, a seemingly endless stream of Magikarp fought their way upstream. For a moment, the entire river was a dense mass of their red bodies—a truly spectacular sight.
"Wow, what a rare sight!" Misty couldn't help but exclaim, listening to the incessant splashing.
Natsui also nodded. For some reason, the scene before him reminded him of stories from his hometown about the annual migration of fish from the sea to inland rivers to spawn.
Perhaps a similar habit exists in this world as well.
With this thought, he couldn't resist taking out his phone and capturing the scene forever in his photo album.
Just as everyone's attention was focused on the river, an old man's voice suddenly came from behind them.
"I say, what are you lot doing just standing there gawking!?"
Hearing the voice, everyone turned and saw it was the old man from the submarine.
He was currently carrying more than a dozen boxes on his back, slowly approaching them. Although they had been following the old man's trail, they had no idea when he had managed to circle around behind them.
Looking at the luggage, which was piled higher than the old man himself, everyone was not only amazed but also shocked by his strength.
To think that such a small, elderly man could carry so much luggage and still move freely was truly an eye-opener.
Seeing them standing there dumbfounded, the old man, without a word, began to place his luggage into their hands, one by one. In the blink of an eye, even Sabrina and Pikachu had a small box thrust upon them.
Huh?
Natsui and the others were completely caught off guard by his overly familiar personality.
And by doing this, the old man was clearly treating them as free labor.
"Hey, old man, what are you doing?" Ash asked, completely bewildered as he held a huge box.
But the old man ignored him. Now carrying only a small backpack, he casually continued up the river, deeper into the forest.
However, after a few steps, seeing that Natsui and the others were still frozen in place, he turned, beckoned to them, and urged, "Well, don't just stand there! Let's get a move on!"
Get a move on!?
They were all confused, with no idea where they were going. But after exchanging a glance, they chose to follow the old man.
"Grandpa, please wait! Can you tell us what you're doing?!"
Ash shouted again, but the old man didn't even show any sign of stopping.
Beside them, Misty sighed helplessly. As she walked, she looked down at the box in her hands and said, half-laughing, half-crying, "Seriously, what is going on?"
"Forget it," Natsui comforted her. "We'll find out what's happening when we get to our destination. For now, let's just follow him."
After speaking, he glanced at Sabrina. Seeing her still holding the box with a calm expression, he asked softly, "How are you? You're not upset, are you?"
Sabrina shook her head lightly.
If this had been the old her, she would have definitely used her psychic powers to teach the rude old man a lesson about flying through the air. But now, such a small matter was no longer a big deal to her.
As they talked, the group followed the riverbank deeper into the forest.
The ground beneath their feet grew steeper, changing from a flat path to a sharp incline. It was clear they were now climbing the small mountain they had seen from the sea.
Beside them, as the elevation changed, the pressure of the river current increased dramatically, but the Magikarp continued to swim upstream, heading for higher ground.
Natsui now understood. If this wasn't for spawning, then something must be attracting them.
After walking silently for a few more minutes, Misty could no longer contain her curiosity. She quickened her pace and caught up to the old man.
"Grandpa, who are you exactly?"
Looking at the girl's cute face, the old man's attitude softened considerably, and he said with a chuckle, "I am a Pokémon Watcher, Dr. Quackenpoker."
A Pokémon Watcher!?
Hearing this title, the others all instinctively looked at Tracey.
But Tracey shook his head. Although this old man was also a Pokémon Watcher, he had never heard the name Dr. Quackenpoker before.
"Grandpa," Misty said, holding up the box in her hands. "What's in all these boxes?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Dr. Quackenpoker said matter-of-factly. "It's all the various equipment needed to observe the Magikarp, of course!"
"Equipment to observe Magikarp!?"
"That's right." Perhaps because the young girl was so charming, reminding him of his own granddaughter, Dr. Quackenpoker explained a bit more. "All this equipment was specially prepared to observe these Magikarp."
Hearing this, Tracey's interest was piqued. He dashed to the riverbank and took out his sketchbook. "So, just as I thought, these Magikarp must have some special ability or habit, right? Okay, then I'll observe them too."
However, he was perhaps too close to the river. A Magikarp happened to leap out, not only startling him but also splashing him in the face with water, which instantly dampened his enthusiasm.
"You fool," the old man snorted, seeing the young man's impatience. "Those are just ordinary Magikarp. There's nothing worth observing about them!"
"Huh?" Tracey said, ignoring the water dripping from him, completely baffled. "Didn't you just say this equipment was for the Magikarp? But if they're just ordinary Magikarp, why did you prepare all these things?"
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