Underwater sound effects: "Gurgle gurgle gurgle~"
(So it's a Pyukumuku!)
Reaching out and poking it with a finger, Silas found that the Pyukumuku's body was exceptionally soft. Its surface was coated in a layer of sticky, slimy fluid, which honestly looked quite disgusting.
No wonder there were jobs specifically for clearing Pyukumuku off the beaches—having them around seriously affected people's enjoyment.
Although the mucus secreted by Pyukumuku had a sunscreen-like effect, aside from the local Alolan residents, very few visiting tourists actually liked them.
One thing worth mentioning was that even if a Pyukumuku was thrown far away, it would still make its way back to its original spot.
Silas didn't mind at all. He poked the Pyukumuku again and, seeing that it showed no reaction whatsoever, gently lifted it up in his palm.
Then he signaled to Veluza to rise to the surface.
"Vee~"
Veluza spat out a stream of bubbles and rapidly ascended, bringing Silas back up to the surface of the sea.
Once he broke the surface again, Silas gulped down several quick breaths of air.
He looked around and saw that he was still at the edge of the bay.
Turning his gaze toward the vast, azure ocean not far away, Silas swung his arm and hurled the Pyukumuku with force, tossing it deep into the blue waters.
Pyukumuku: "Why are you so selfish? Ptoo! Ptoo! Ptoo!"
From afar, one could still see Pyukumuku extending its white internal organs to form fist-like shapes, weakly punching at the air.
"Hahaha~"
Seeing this scene, Silas burst into laughter.
Coming to an Alolan beach without throwing a Pyukumuku just wouldn't feel complete. His mood instantly improved.
Just as Silas was about to dive back down again, a small Popplio nearby chased after a lone Wishiwashi and leapt out of the water.
While still in midair, it spat out a series of bubbles that trapped the Wishiwashi. Then it darted forward, took a bite, and swam straight toward Silas.
It climbed up beside the submarine-like device behind Veluza, wearing an all-too-familiar, friendly expression.
Noticing that Silas was staring at it curiously, the little Popplio glanced at the Wishiwashi in its mouth.
Got it, it seemed to think. He must be hungry.
"Lio~"
(I'll share half with you! This wasn't easy for me to catch, you know.)
Popplio, the Alola region's Water-type starter Pokémon.
Seeing that Silas still didn't make a move, Popplio grew puzzled. It swam even closer, hopped right in front of him, and dumped the entire fish into his arms.
Silas stared blankly at it. This little guy was way too familiar with strangers, wasn't it?
Popplio clapped its front flippers together, producing a "pa pa pa" sound, and cried out, "Lio!"
After that, Popplio jumped back into the sea.
Its small eyes darted left and right, and soon it spotted another Wishiwashi that had strayed from the school not far away.
This time, luck was on its side. The bubbles Popplio spat out hit the Wishiwashi squarely, leaving it dizzy and disoriented.
Before it could even react, it was already caught in Popplio's mouth.
"This one's for me, that one's for Veluza—what about yours?"
Holding two Wishiwashi that were still flopping around energetically, Silas asked with a smile.
Popplio raised its front flippers slightly and patted them together as it replied, "Lioo!"
(I can catch fish. I can eat anytime.)
"Really?"
Silas smiled as he looked at Popplio. After catching two Wishiwashi in a row, the little guy was so tired it flopped down flat—yet it was still stubbornly putting on a brave front.
Shaking his head, Silas handed the two Wishiwashi back.
If he took them, Popplio would very likely go hungry today.
In its current exhausted state, there was no guarantee it could catch another Wishiwashi.
"You eat them yourself. Veluza and I aren't hungry right now."
"Lio?"
Popplio tilted its head, looking at the Wishiwashi it had caught, then at the human and the large fish beneath him.
It finally understood—apparently, the fish it offered were too small and wouldn't even be enough for them to take a single bite.
For a moment, Popplio felt troubled. With its small body, it could only catch the smallest-sized Wishiwashi.
Anything bigger, and it would be the fish chasing it instead.
Sensing Popplio's dejected mood, Silas explained gently, "If we eat them, you won't have anything left today. You'll go hungry."
"Lio~"
(That won't happen! I'm really strong, you know.)
Popplio remained stubborn, insisting that Silas and Veluza take the Wishiwashi.
Seeing that they still wouldn't accept them, Popplio steeled itself, flopped once, and plunged straight back into the sea, diving beneath the surface.
Putting on his goggles and holding his breath, Silas instructed Veluza, "Let's follow it."
Veluza slowly dove down, accelerating as it swam in the direction Popplio had gone.
After passing a coral platform that blocked their view, Popplio's pleading cries echoed throughout the surrounding waters.
"Lioo! Lioo!"
(I was wrong, I was wrong! I won't eat you anymore!)
Chasing right behind Popplio was a large fish with dazzling colors and sharp, menacing teeth.
Wherever this colorful fish passed, other Pokémon and fish scattered away, unwilling to provoke it.
It was a ferocious fish Pokémon native to the Alola region: Bruxish.
The reason other Pokémon instinctively avoided it was because of its racial talent.
By grinding its teeth, Bruxish stimulated its brain to generate psychic power, forming a mental pressure field around itself. Anyone who intruded would suffer intense headaches, or even be knocked unconscious.
Silas signaled Veluza to speed up. As they drew closer, the harsh sound of teeth grinding became painfully clear—even underwater.
Silas waved his hand on Veluza's left side and patted it three times. This was their agreed-upon signal.
Veluza instantly accelerated, surging forward like an arrow released from a bow.
Aiming straight at Bruxish's rear, it clamped down with a Psychic Fang.
"Graaah—!"
Bruxish let out a miserable cry, the pain overwhelming.
The bite landed on its body, but the pain shot straight to its soul.
Even Silas instinctively clenched his legs and pulled them back, feeling a phantom ache down there.
Bruxish twisted its body, fled in a zigzag, and hid within the coral reef, licking its wounds.
Popplio, which had fled during the clash, cautiously swam back, wearing a frightened, shaken expression.
It had nearly been caught by that huge thing just now—getting bitten would probably hurt for a very, very long time.
The fear only lasted a brief moment. Soon, Popplio circled around Veluza excitedly, its eyes filled with admiration.
"Lioo!"
(You're amazing! You scared off the bully in one move!)
Veluza offered no response.
"Lioo~"
(How did you chase the bully away? Can you teach me? Then it won't be able to bully me anymore.)
Veluza still did not respond.
Silas scooped Popplio up, signaling it not to bother Veluza any further.
He then brought Popplio back to shore with him.
After two fish made it into its stomach, Popplio regained some of its energy.
It followed closely behind Silas, curiously watching the people and Pokémon coming and going along the beach.
This was its first time coming to this area.
So many unfamiliar Pokémon—and so many humans!
Walking ahead, Silas turned around and asked, "Popplio, didn't you used to live in this part of the sea?"
Noticing Popplio's curious expression, Silas had asked the question on a whim.
"Lioo~"
Popplio shook its head, indicating that it used to live on other nearby islands and had been brought here by a ship.
It vaguely remembered that it had been extremely hungry at the time and had stolen a fish from a human's fish container.
What shocked it was that the fish inside the tank were getting smaller and smaller.
Because of that incident, it came to believe that humans were pitifully weak at catching fish—which was why it had tried to feed Silas.
After figuring it all out, Silas smiled helplessly.
The ship Popplio encountered was probably a fishing boat. Humans' reputation among wild Pokémon had been thoroughly ruined by those empty-handed anglers.
(End of Chapter)