Pokémon, Ash is going to become a perfect man from now on.

The main reason I came here before was to keep an eye on the Aether Foundation's research on the Ultimate Cave, but now that the progress is slow, I really can't wait any longer.

Rather than sticking to this place, she might as well go back and try other avenues...

“I’ve been thinking about that too.” Ash looked at the girl with a strange look in his eyes, but he managed to hide it well. “Perhaps… you can leave first, but I’ll stay a little longer.”

One of the main reasons he left Osaka this time was to lure out the snakes out of their holes. He wanted to take advantage of his absence from Osaka to draw out all sorts of monsters, including Sakaki!

Now that he's basically settled in Alora, it's time for him to proactively implement his subsequent plans.

If this drags on any longer, Mewtwo might go crazy!

"Satoshi, that Giovanni... are you sure he'll take the bait?" Misty asked with some concern.

"The chances of success are still quite high; after all, he only has this one chance." Xiao Zhi nodded confidently. "If he keeps dragging his feet, I'm really going back."

To put it simply, what Ash needs to do next is to create a sense of tension for Giovanni, who is hiding in the shadows.

He will indeed stay in Alora a little longer, but he will always make it look like he is about to leave, forcing Giovanni to act hastily!

Soon, Xiao Zhi had completed the entire plan.

"So let's go in batches... Xiao Lan and Xiao Gang will be the first to leave. I will use official channels to fly directly to Quartz Plateau and escort Zaobo to the Alliance headquarters for further interrogation!"

"Lila, Xia, you're in the second group. You'll be taking a cruise from Haole City to Chengdu. It doesn't matter where you disembark along the way, the important thing is to continue your trip to Chengdu... Also, don't forget to buy my tickets."

"Next up is Bea. You stay here and complete the remaining challenges." Ash knew Bea didn't like giving up halfway, so he didn't intend to delay her island trek.

“Okay…” Cai Dou paused for a moment, but finally nodded slightly.

She could actually be one of the two groups of mystery, but before she could say it, Xiao Zhi stopped her.

"I'll complete the Island Tour as quickly as possible, and then head to Johto!" After a moment's thought, Aya said seriously, "We can meet at the Azure Gym."

“That’s great.” Ash smiled and nodded. “Mr. Si is your senior brother, and you can also challenge the Johto League… There are still more than half a year until the League Conference, so collecting eight badges shouldn’t be too difficult.”

"Okay, I'll give it my all against you at the League Tournament!" Cai Dou said with unwavering determination, as if making a promise.

"I'm really looking forward to it!" Ash smiled even more happily.

In this way, the two waves of fog are arranged... Of course, Ash actually has a third wave of fog.

Kukui had expressed this intention before, so Ash didn't mind being his and his students' guide.

In short, with these three waves of mystery released one after another, even if Giovanni is cunning, he may not be able to figure out his own movements!

If he doesn't want his plan to fail before it even begins, he'll have no choice but to take the initiative and confront Ash!

Hopefully everything will go smoothly... Ash secretly cheered himself up.

Unbeknownst to him, while he was discussing the itinerary with his companions, his classmates were also planning an event about him.

...

"Alola, Ash!" The next day at the Pokémon School, as soon as Ash entered the classroom to complete his leave of absence procedures, Mallow immediately greeted him.

"Good morning, Alola, Mallow!" Ash replied with a smile. Hearing such a warm greeting so early in the morning really makes you feel energetic all day long.

"Ash, are you free after school? I'd like to invite you and Misty to my house," Mallow suddenly extended an invitation.

"Are we just visiting... for another tasting event?" Xiaozhi asked, puzzled.

"I guess so..." Mao nodded hesitantly. "Anyway, you guys have to come after school."

"No problem~" Xiao Zhi readily agreed.

...

For the rest of the day, everyone in the class seemed a little distracted.

Kukui witnessed this scene and knew their reasons for doing so, but she didn't interfere. She simply kept a secret with great interest... and watched the show.

As soon as school ended in the afternoon, several students immediately surrounded Xiaozhi, as if worried that he would run away, and escorted him toward the direction of Aina Restaurant.

They stopped at the Hao'ao Market along the way and picked up Xiaoxia and the others who were waiting there... So, there were a few more 'hostages'.

When Ash arrived, he discovered that Mallow had made meticulous preparations for this dinner party!

Not only did he make his father close the shop to only serve Xiaozhi and his group, but he also personally cooked every dish, creating delicious and visually appealing dishes.

"Mao, you don't need to be so busy." Seeing the girl going back and forth between the restaurant and the kitchen, Xiaozhi quickly called out to her, "What exactly is the purpose of today's gathering?"

“Ash…we all want to see you off.” Lillie said, blushing.

"Practice it, for me?" Xiao Zhi was completely bewildered.

"Here, this is for you. It's a wreath we made together." Lillie timidly approached Ash and placed a brightly colored wreath around his neck.

This wreath is probably woven from flowers of five colors: red, yellow, blue, green, and white, which obviously represents the unique characteristics of each person.

"Ash, I'm so happy to have met you! I'll definitely work hard so I can touch Whitey soon." Lillie said, crossing her arms over her chest with immense gratitude.

"Satoshi, you must come back to visit more often when you have the chance," Mamane said reluctantly.

“And there’s my big test… I know that with my current strength, it’s completely impossible for me to succeed,” Kachi said, head bowed. “But in the coming days, I will hone my skills even more, and then I will challenge you again!”

"I didn't expect you to leave so soon. I wanted to learn more about the Power Cubes..." Mao said, a little disappointed.

"Have a safe journey and smooth sailing." Water Lily's blessing was concise and to the point.

"Uh...you guys came here for this?" Ash was speechless for a moment, and rolled his eyes at Kukui helplessly.

"They beat me to it, so I haven't had a chance to say it yet." Kukui laughed heartily and finally told the truth, "Actually, Ash has a lot of things to take care of, so he has to stay in Alola for the time being. He's just taking a break from school."

"But there's another surprise! We have an upcoming outdoor learning trip planned, and I've already discussed it with Principal Oki. We'll be going to the Kanto region... So, this meal is actually a farewell dinner for you all!"

"What?!" After a chorus of screams, the Alola Five simultaneously glared at Kukui with displeasure.

"That's how it is. Anyway, you guys might get to Kanto before Ash," Kukui said with a nonchalant smile.

The students, meanwhile, began to dream about their upcoming trip to Kanto!

Chapter 447 Meeting in the Mist…

After learning that they were going to Kanto, Ash's classmates immediately began making intensive preparations.

Over the next few days, the word that came up most often was "Kanto," and everyone was wondering what kind of place it was.

But when they remembered they could ask Ash for help, they learned that he had already gone to Poni Island…

"Hey, what's the purpose of this trip? Why did you only bring me and Lila?" Xiao Lan asked, puzzled, as they crossed the islands.

She probably sensed that Xiaozhi's purpose for this trip was definitely not ordinary, otherwise he wouldn't have temporarily left the other three behind.

"I'm going to find Tapu Fini..." Ash gave Blue a deep look. "You two, do you know anything about Tapu Fini's mystery?"

"How could that be..." Xiao Lan was taken aback.

Little Blue knows that the mist released by Tapu Fini can reveal the faces of deceased loved ones.

But why would Ash suddenly think of this...?

"I'm hesitating. Do you want to verify... the situation of your parents?" After a long silence, Ash pursed his lips and said, "I confirmed with Tapu Fini before. As long as there is longing in one's heart, even a life that perished in another world will have its soul appear in the mist..."

"Can...we confirm the parents' situation?" Lila's eyes widened in surprise.

To be honest, she was indeed a little tempted.

Lila passed through the Ultimate Hole when she was three years old, and has lost all her memories since then... Her only impressions of her parents, besides the name they gave her, are a pair of blurry shadows.

More than her parents' life or death, she cared about their very existence.

Who exactly are they? Do I look like them?

Therefore, even if Lila did see her parents in the fog and learn of their deaths in this way, she wouldn't feel very sad.

Conversely, if we don't see it... it's not bad to keep a sliver of hope.

"Why...why did you suddenly think of this?" Compared to Lila's anticipation, Xiao Lan seemed a little conflicted.

"I'm also worried that your expectations won't be met," Ash said sincerely. "The research on Ultra Dimensions is progressing slowly, and it's unknown when we'll be able to accurately open the Ultra Vault. What if... I mean, what if your parents really do appear in the mist? Then we won't have to worry about this research anymore..."

Upon hearing this, both women fell silent.

Ash's words actually make a lot of sense. If the people are really gone, there is no need to be so eager to continue researching the Ultra Void, and they naturally do not need to be tormented by their own expectations.

"So... what are your opinions?" Xiao Zhi asked the two girls seriously.

“I…” Lila hesitated and glanced at Xiao Lan.

"Of course I have no problem~" Xiao Lan said nonchalantly, waving her hand before Lila could finish.

She could tell that Lila really wanted to explore the fog, and considering Ash's feelings... she had to agree in the end!

This is the motto that Xiaolan set for herself. She will never oppose any decision that Xiaozhi has made since he was five years old!

Even if this illusionary fog allows her to see through her thoughts and leads to Ash forcibly stopping her in the future... she'll accept it!

With their own thoughts, the three quickly arrived at the Ruins of the Other Shore, where Tapu Fini was swimming in the pool.

After hearing Ash's purpose, Tapu Fini's eyes darted around, and suddenly it raised its hands, instantly filling the entire ruins with thick fog.

Ash and his friends' vision gradually blurred. As the fog continued to spread, the three of them were shocked to find that they could no longer see their companions' faces, which were right next to them. All around them was a vast expanse of white!

Soon, the three of them were separated in the fog.

In this small, cramped ruin with no forks in the road, Ash and his friends wandered further and further away under the influence of the mist.