At the entrance to the road, a carriage pulled by an Arcanine slowly came to a stop.
"Sir, we've arrived at Royal Avenue. That'll be 200 Poké Dollars."
"Thank you~"
Peter paid, then stepped onto the bustling avenue with Eevee and Pidgeotto.
Royal Avenue—
a district built around the Battle Royal Dome.
At the same time, it was the most prosperous commercial area on Akala Island.
Besides the Battle Royal Dome itself, there was the famous bargain shopping destination Thrifty Megamart, the well-known dessert chain Malasada Shop, and numerous scenic attractions popular with tourists.
(Note: Malasada is Alola's beloved specialty—a deep-fried sweet bread.)
Peter headed straight toward the Battle Royal Dome.
The enormous stadium was roaring with excitement.
From the outside, the upper half resembled a massive metal dome, while the lower structure stood as towering vertical walls. Above the main entrance was a giant Poké Ball emblem.
Since a Battle Royal match was currently underway—
entry wasn't allowed.
But spectators outside could still watch through the giant display screens.
On the screen—
a shirtless man wearing a horned bull mask with a lightning emblem was enthusiastically performing the unmistakably awkward choreography of a Z-Move.
"Go, Incineroar!"
"Burn the arena down with the flames of victory!"
"Malicious Moonsault——!!!"
BOOOOOOM——!!!
The screen shook violently.
A pillar of crimson fire exploded upward.
When the flames faded—
three charred silhouettes slowly collapsed.
Only The Masked Royal and Incineroar remained standing.
They struck their signature pose.
"Enjoy! (Let's battle together!)"
Peter shook his head.
From a certain angle—
Professor Kukui really knew how to have fun.
And with popularity spread across all of Alola—
it was no surprise he could later establish the Alola League.
Just as Peter was sighing—
a dark-skinned boy suddenly sprinted over.
When he saw the battle had already ended—
his face instantly filled with disappointment.
"Ah…"
"What a shame…"
"It's already over…"
He bent over with both hands on his knees and started gasping for breath.
Clearly—
he'd run here at full speed.
Peter glanced at him.
That tuft of hair sticking up like a flame made him recognize him instantly.
"You're…"
"Kiawe, right?"
The boy looked up in surprise.
"Huh?"
"Professor Peter?! What a coincidence~"
His eyes immediately flicked toward Peter's Z-Ring.
A trace of admiration flashed through them.
Back when Peter battled Ilima—
Kiawe and Mallow had watched together.
So he recognized him.
Kiawe himself was a passionate Fire-type Trainer and held deep reverence for Alola's guardian deities.
Because of that—
he respected all Trainers who possessed Z-Rings.
Raised under the guidance of his grandfather, an Island Kahuna—
Kiawe had grown into an upright person.
Hot-blooded.
Earnest.
And more than a little dramatic.
Which earned him the nickname—
The Fiery Volcano.
After chatting briefly—
they learned more about each other.
Kiawe's family operated a large ranch.
Their main products were Moomoo Milk and related dairy products.
After school—
he always helped deliver goods to ease the burden on his parents.
This time—
he happened to be delivering to the Malasada Shop and wanted to use the opportunity to catch The Masked Royal's match.
"I see…"
"So you're here looking for Professor Burnet."
Kiawe suddenly remembered something.
He took out a voucher and handed it over.
"This is a special coupon from the partnership between the Malasada Shop and our ranch."
"You can grab some while you're there~"
Peter smiled.
"Then thank you."
"If I have time, I'll bring Whitney to visit your ranch."
"We also run a Moomoo Farm in Johto, so maybe we can exchange some experience."
Kiawe immediately brightened.
"You'd really come?!"
"You're always welcome!"
After saying goodbye—
he took off running again.
…
Peter shook his head.
Kiawe's younger sister was Mimo—
and Kiawe himself was famously a serious little sister enthusiast.
Putting away the voucher—
Peter looked toward the stadium.
The crowd had begun pouring out.
"Pidgeotto."
"Fly up and help me look for Professor Burnet."
Peter showed a photo.
Pidgeotto nodded and shot into the sky.
Not long after—
it returned.
Leading a woman with short white hair and tanned skin.
She wore a sleeveless top and diving leggings.
Beautiful.
Confident.
And instantly recognizable.
Professor Burnet.
Seeing Peter—
she flashed him a bright smile.
"So this Pidgeotto belongs to you, Professor Peter~"
Peter smiled politely.
"Professor Burnet."
"I hope meeting like this didn't interrupt your plans."
Burnet crossed her arms and thought for a second.
"Hm…"
"If I'm being honest?"
"It did a little."
Then she pointed toward the special voucher in Peter's hand.
"But if you buy me a Malasada…"
"I think I'll forgive you completely~"
Peter laughed.
"Deal."
So—
the two headed together toward the Malasada Shop.
As one of Alola's most beloved specialties—
the store already had a long line despite nearing mealtime.
But for someone holding a special supply voucher—
that wasn't a problem.
They walked straight to the counter.
Peter glanced at the neatly arranged pastries.
[Malasada (Sweet / Sour / Astringent / Spicy / Bitter / Miracle): Suitable for Pokémon with different tastes. Can effectively increase a Pokémon's friendship with its Trainer. Miracle Malasada satisfies all Pokémon preferences.]
Peter showed the voucher.
"Hello."
"I'd like five of each flavor, please."
"Certainly~ Please wait a moment."
But suddenly—
the middle-aged man at the front of the queue panicked.
"Wait!"
"I need three Sweet Malasadas!"
He stared at the last five sweet ones being packed into Peter's bag.
The clerk apologized.
"Sorry sir."
"The remaining Sweet Malasadas have already been purchased by this customer."
The man frowned.
"But…"
"I was waiting in line first…"
Then—
his gaze shifted to Peter.
And stopped.
On Eevee.
He froze.
Then narrowed his eyes.
"Kid."
"You look like a pretty capable Trainer."
"How about we battle?"
"If I win…"
"You give me three Malasadas."
Peter immediately shook his head.
"Uh…"
"We actually have somewhere to be…"
He still needed Burnet's help finding Type: Null.
The middle-aged man brushed dust from his worn suit.
"Don't judge me by appearances."
"When I was younger…"
"I completed the Island Challenge."
"A veteran Trainer."
For a brief moment—
it felt like dazzling light shone behind him.
Peter blinked.
"…Don't tell me…"
The man struck a dramatic pose.
"That's right!"
"I am!"
"The Eevee Master!"
"The undefeated warrior who traveled Alola at eighteen!"
"The legend who fought three days straight in Battle Royal without defeat!"
"The nightmare of all opponents—"
"Kagetora!!!"
Burnet spread her hands.
"…Never heard of you."
Kagetora collapsed instantly.
A girl in line asked curiously:
"Then Mr. Kagetora…"
"What do you do now?"
He slowly climbed back up.
Straightened his old suit.
And answered solemnly.
"Now…"
"I'm a husband."
"And a father."
"Fighting the greatest Grand Trial of all…"
"…life."
His eyes softened.
"Sweet Malasadas…"
"…are one of the few treats I can still afford."
"My child likes sweets."
As he spoke the image of his child's smile seemed to appear in his eyes.
The crowd fell silent.
From this ordinary man—they saw something shining.
Responsibility.
Peter looked at him for a moment.
Then smiled.
Patting his shoulder—he took back the bag.
"Alright."
"I'll only take two Sweet Malasadas."
"The remaining three…"
"Please sell them to this gentleman."
He didn't choose to give them away.
Because he understood.
A man's pride.
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T/N:
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