Bai Chen's blunt declaration of battle had put Hala on alert.
The Kahuna fell silent for two beats, then asked Bai Chen with a trace of seriousness.
"Mr. Bai, may I ask you a question?"
"Of course. But be gentle—if it's too difficult, I might not have the right answer."
Hala laughed softly.
"It's not a hard question. In truth, our islanders are often troubled by wild Pokémon rampages. If it were up to you to solve such a problem, what would you do?"
Bai Chen felt a flash of recognition inwardly.
So this is the question… In the original tale, Hala had asked Ash the same thing; Ash answered by calling on other Pokémon to calm the chaos. That was undoubtedly one correct answer—safe, honorable, and the sort Hala would expect.
But Bai Chen had no intention of copying someone else's words.
Reborn once, he wasn't going to live a hollow, performative life.
He met Hala's gaze steadily.
"I would fight. If necessary, I would slay those Pokémon."
The single word—slay—carried a bloody weight that made Hala's brow sweat.
Hala shook his head helplessly.
"Mr. Bai, the Island Challenge has existed in Alola for generations. The islands, the Pokémon, and the people here—everyone cherishes this place. Z-Moves were created to protect life so that it may grow and thrive."
"If your reason for seeking a Z-Crystal is to hunt—to slay for sport—then go home now. I will not sanction that."
Lillie's face drained. She hadn't expected the conversation to go this far—already, it felt like the trial was over before it began.
She glanced at her mother, silently pleading.
But Lusamine sipped her tea with an untroubled expression, saying nothing.
Hala rose, ready to dismiss them.
Bai Chen stayed calm. He returned the question with one of his own.
"But suppose the turmoil threatens to destroy the entire Alola region, and both sides are locked in a life-or-death struggle—what would you do then?"
He rose slowly from the floor and faced the Kahuna—small in stature compared to him, but older and steady-eyed.
"In my homeland, there are Pokémon so powerful they strike like natural calamities. Whenever they appear, they bring disaster. There is another kind of Pokémon there whose sole purpose is to hunt them—not out of noble protection, but because it needs vast amounts of life energy to survive. Do you see what I mean from that story?"
Hala paused—this had become a question instead of an answer. Two beats passed with no reply. When Hala faltered, Bai Chen continued, finishing the thought for him.
"That is nature. You, I, every creature—are only parts of it. Its vigor will purge whatever upsets the ecological balance."
"And how do you determine whether I am the destroyer or the guardian? By what standard do you judge?"
Hala's expression grew grave; his half-lidded eyes opened fully.
Bai Chen's voice loosened the tension with a small smile.
"Then let us learn from the Pokémon of my land: be faithful to our desires and do our part. Perhaps the rest is simply nature's doing."
Hala tilted his head.
"And what is your desire?" he asked.
Bai Chen walked to the fence and stared out.
Beyond lay endless sky and land—a vast unknown, shimmering like the half-opened lid of a treasure chest.
"Isn't this world beautiful?" he said softly. "It's like a chest left ajar—brilliant light spills from within and a magic that hooks you deep. I love this wondrous world. I want to explore every unknown place, to face every creature I've never seen. That is my desire. To do that I must grow strong—strong enough to defeat them, to clear every obstacle from my path."
When he finished, the three of them stared, struck.
The youth's eyes burned with an insatiable hunger—a fervor that seemed to scorch those who looked into it.
Then Hala laughed—a booming, honest sound.
"Hahaha. I did not expect to be schooled by you, Mr. Bai. Live with nature, be true to your desire—well taught."
The old man bowed to him with genuine respect.
Bai Chen's words and passion had swayed the island king.
"Please, don't make sport of me," Bai Chen said quickly, stepping forward to steady Hala. "I've done nothing extraordinary."
"I apologize for misjudging you," Hala replied.
"No harm done. If not for your strict guardianship, Alola wouldn't be so peaceful."
Hala nodded, touched.
A humble, courteous man who loved nature—and possessed great power—was exactly the kind of challenger fit for the Island Trials.
"Come with me," Hala said.
"Where?" Bai Chen asked.
"To the challenge. You want to grow stronger, yes? The Z-Move is a key."
Lillie's face lit up.
"Truly worthy of Mr. Bai!" she whispered, glancing at her mother—calm, composed, never revealing emotion.
Inwardly, Lillie thought: Mother must have anticipated this result. She may seem frivolous at times, but when it counts, she's steadier than anyone.
She made a quiet decision.
Not far off, Tapu Koko—the guardian of Melemele Island—watched Bai Chen with an inscrutable gaze as he fingered the Bond Stone in his palm.
Hala led them toward a tunnel and explained the rules in brief.
They didn't need to visit every island. Bai Chen only had to defeat the Dominant Pokémon Tapu Koko designated and pass the Kahuna's test to earn a Z-Move. The rule matched the old tales exactly.
Hala stopped before a tunnel mouth.
"Inside live a pair of Meowth and a Meowth boss—there's a Dominant Pokémon here. Its strength isn't to be underestimated. If you're ready, we'll go in."
"I'm ready. Let's begin."
Hala led the three of them into the cavern.
A vast chamber opened up within. Hala's voice thundered forward.
"Meowth Boss! A challenger for the Island Challenge has arrived—grant him the trial!"
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