After dropping Lana off at home, Peter and Whitney continued north toward Lush Jungle.
According to Olivia's information, the Totem Pokémon here was a Lurantis.
Roto floated beside them and explained, "Lurantis, the Bloom Sickle Pokémon and evolved form of Fomantis. The petal blades on its arms are both thin and incredibly sharp—powerful enough to slice thick steel plates in half. Because of its vivid colors and graceful movements, it's known as the most elegant Grass-type Pokémon, Rotom~"
Whitney's eyes sparkled.
"The most elegant Grass-type Pokémon? I really want to see it~"
Peter smiled.
"You'll see it very soon."
As he spoke, he took out various ingredients.
"Babe, make a pot of food. Use a Grass Gem, Sweet Honey, Oran Berries… and add a cup of MooMoo Milk like this."
"Okay~"
Whitney immediately got to work.
Before long, a rich and lingering aroma spread through the forest.
Once Peter judged the timing was right, he had Arboliva use Sunny Day and Sweet Scent.
The sunlight instantly intensified.
The forest Pokémon began gathering one after another, drawn by the fragrance. Grass-types made up the majority.
After all, both the Grass Gem and bright sunshine were irresistible to them.
But the most eye-catching of all—
was the enormous Lurantis.
[Lurantis Lv.58 (Advanced Gym-tier • Totem)]
Ability: Contrary (Stat changes are reversed. Increases become decreases, and decreases become increases.)
Description: The Lurantis guarding the Grassium Z. Possesses a special Totem aura that raises all stats by one stage and can command nearby Castform and Toucannon.
"Lura…"
Lurantis stared at the pot in Whitney's hands with obvious longing.
Whitney smiled and set the pot down.
"Of course. If you like it, eat as much as you want~"
"Lura…"
Totem Lurantis nodded and called over its allies.
In no time—
the entire pot was cleaned out.
Without hesitation, Whitney cooked another one.
"Lura~"
This time Lurantis' attitude became noticeably friendlier.
After the meal, it handed over two Grassium Z crystals to Peter and Whitney.
A perfect demonstration of what it meant to soften up after being fed.
Less than two hours later—
their Lush Jungle trial was complete.
Whitney looked delighted.
"Honey, are we heading to Wela Volcano Park next?"
Winning recognition through cooking—
she felt this challenge was ridiculously easy.
Peter shook his head.
"No. We're going to Ohana Ranch."
Just moments ago, after reporting their progress to Olivia, she had suddenly changed the trial requirements and asked them to head there.
Riding on Braviary, Peter and Whitney flew toward Ohana Town.
North of the town stood Ohana Ranch—
the ranch operated by Kiawe's family.
From above, rolling green forests opened into massive grasslands where countless Miltank and Tauros ran freely.
"Waaah~ Miltank! There are so many!"
Whitney lit up immediately.
Come to think of it—
she hadn't gone back to her own ranch in quite a while.
Peter glanced at her.
"Babe, once our journey ends… how about we go back to Goldenrod City and run the ranch together?"
Whitney's eyes widened.
"Really?! Thank you, Honey~"
The Miltank girl stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
He always seemed to understand what she wanted.
And he always respected and supported those wishes.
Peter rubbed her head and smiled.
"Dummy~"
A few minutes later, Braviary landed.
Olivia and Kiawe walked over.
Behind them followed a thin curly-haired man with glasses, a curvy dark-skinned woman, and a blue-eyed little girl with the same complexion.
"You're here~" Olivia greeted.
Kiawe stepped forward.
"Good to see you again, Professor Peter, Miss Whitney! These are my dad, Rango, my mom, Sima, and my little sister, Mimo."
Sima smiled warmly.
"Alola~ Welcome to our ranch!"
Peter and Whitney nodded.
"Alola~ Sorry to trouble you."
Peter looked toward Olivia.
"Miss Olivia, did you call us here because there's a new trial?"
Olivia nodded.
"Right. Here's the situation…"
It turned out—
Kiawe's grandfather, the previous Island Kahuna, had left instructions before passing away.
Once Kiawe completed his trial—
he could inherit the bracelet and Z-Crystal left behind.
After meeting Peter yesterday—
Kiawe naturally developed the desire to challenge the grand trial himself.
Olivia clapped her hands.
"So I thought—why not let you battle each other? Two birds with one stone~"
"That really sounds like something Miss Olivia would do…" Rango sighed.
At that moment—
Mimo ran over with her star-shaped bangs bouncing.
She clasped her hands together.
"Please, big brother and big sister—go easy on my brother later!"
Kiawe immediately grabbed her and dragged her back.
"Mimo! What are you doing? This is a sacred trial! How can you ask people to hold back?!"
He turned awkwardly.
"Sorry, Professor Peter. My little sister doesn't know better…"
Peter smiled awkwardly.
"N-No problem…"
Behind him—
Mimo muttered quietly:
"Having such a competitive big brother is exhausting…"
"Mimo!!!"
"Ah! I just remembered my Tomato TV cartoon is starting! Bye!"
Kiawe: "…"
Soon afterward, everyone gathered at an open field.
Olivia stood in the center.
"The participants of this grand trial—Peter from Goldenrod City versus Kiawe from Ohana Town. Battle format: 2-on-2. Begin!"
Peter and Kiawe looked at each other and threw their Poké Balls simultaneously.
"Go, Turtonator!"
"It's your turn, Eevee!"
Light burst forth.
A massive turtle Pokémon appeared, clad in a fiery six-pointed shell covered with spikes. A star-shaped indentation sat in the center of its chest.
Roto introduced:
"Turtonator, the Blast Turtle Pokémon! Its shell is packed with explosive spikes, and the star-shaped depression on its chest is its weak point, so it usually battles while facing away from opponents, Rotom~"
[Turtonator ♂ Lv.41 (Low Elite)]
After seeing the level—
Peter exchanged a glance with Eevee.
Both gave the slightest nod.
This battle—
he wanted to test silent combat.
Kiawe clenched his fist.
"Turtonator! Whether I inherit Grandpa's bracelet and crystal depends on you!"
"Baku!"
Kiawe's eyes ignited.
"Take the initiative! Flamethrower!"
"BA… KUUUU!!"
A torrent of scarlet fire surged forward.
Yet Peter gave no command.
He simply stared at Eevee.
His consciousness seemed to slip into Eevee's perspective.
Just as the flames blocked the opponent's line of sight—
Eevee moved.
White light flashed.
Quick Attack.
It slipped past the fire and appeared beside Turtonator.
Kiawe reacted instantly.
"Use Body Slam!"
Turtonator leapt into the air and crashed downward.
Boom!
Dust exploded.
Olivia's expression shifted slightly as she glanced at Peter.
The next second—
Turtonator cried out in pain and was launched backward.
As the dust cleared—
everyone finally saw what had happened.
Eevee stood safely in place.
Behind it—was a freshly dug tunnel.
It had used Dig to avoid the attack—then struck Turtonator's chest weak point with super-effective damage.
And Eevee didn't stop there.
Quick Attack activated again.
Closing the distance instantly—it unleashed Hyper Voice at point-blank range.
Turtonator let out a miserable cry—before collapsing heavily onto the field.
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T/N:
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