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

With everyone working together to dig, Mamane quickly deduced the approximate size and weight of the Ironfire Kaguya and devised a plan to build a protective wall.

Once the entire Jade Serpent was excavated, he meticulously planned how to construct a wall using sand and rocks, and how to reinforce it with water and ice-type moves.

Whenever a classmate raised a question, he would patiently explain and express his gratitude repeatedly.

He has always maintained such a rigorous and grateful attitude, so his partners are naturally happy to help him.

Kukui, Ash, Sabrina, and Serena—everyone joined the excavation effort with their tools and Pokémon companions; no one slacked off.

However, this enthusiastic collaborative atmosphere did not affect Gladio; on the contrary, it made him somewhat displeased.

When he saw Lillie also pick up a shovel and get her dress dirty from digging, he almost immediately frowned.

“Lillie, stop,” Gladion said sternly. “Don’t join in their nonsense…and Magearna isn’t for that kind of thing!”

It's one thing for him to dig himself, but to make Magearna use a spiral ball to dig the ground is something Gladion finds hard to accept.

It was a legendary Pokémon sent by her father to protect Lillie...

“But brother, this is what I’m learning,” Lillie retorted softly.

"Even during class, you can't do that kind of thing..."

"What do you mean by 'that kind of thing'? It's just digging, why can't Lillie do it?" Ash shoveled the shovel into the ground, interrupting Gladion with a blank expression. "She's a student in this class, and she has to act in unison with everyone during class. What's wrong with that? Or do you think your family is born superior and shouldn't do this kind of thing?"

After being bombarded with four questions by Ash, Gladion was speechless for a moment.

But just as he was about to find a reason to refute her, Lillie picked up her shovel again and began digging diligently.

"Brother, please don't do this." She focused intently on her work, sweat pouring down her face, her hands never stopping. "I feel I've grown up enough and no longer need your constant protection. Now, I just want to work with everyone to do something meaningful!"

"During the time I've spent with Ash and everyone else, I've gradually come to understand that... no matter how much power I have, there are always some things that only I can do. I will try my best to find those things, and if I can't find them, I will work hard with everyone!"

“Lillie…” Gladio was stunned.

Looking at Lillie like this, he felt a sense of loss for a moment.

My precious little sister... does she really not need me to protect her anymore?

Has she truly become independent, or has she found a new person who can protect her...?

Gladio was troubled by this question. He neither left immediately nor humbled himself to join the crowd. He just sat there blankly to the side.

His silver companion nuzzled his shoulder gently, unsure of what to say to comfort him.

Soon it was noon, and everyone stopped what they were doing and began to enjoy the bento boxes they had prepared in advance.

"Here, have this." Seeing Gladion all alone, Serena handed him a bento box and added some Pokémon food for Silvally.

"I won't..."

Gollum~

Gladio wanted to refuse, but his stomach betrayed him, so he could only accept the bento box with a face full of shame.

"Um... thank you." Although Gladio was awkward, he was grateful that someone had kindly brought him food, and the dishes were so exquisite.

"Eat quickly, some of these dishes were made by Lillie, they taste really good!" Serena said with a smile.

“Lillie, how could she…” Gladion didn’t react for a moment.

"Don't you know? We're living together now."

"I remember now." Before Serena could finish speaking, Gladgio gritted his teeth. "Father and Mother, what were they thinking?!"

This is probably why he loses his composure as soon as he sees Ash, and it's also why he harbors so much resentment towards his parents.

What considerations led Lillie to live with a strange man?

And she's like a nanny, cooking for people every day!

“Gladio, some things might sound strange coming from me… but you are Lillie’s brother after all, and I don’t want her to be caught in the middle between you and Ash.”

Serena now possesses some ability to read people's expressions; she can roughly guess what Gladgio is thinking just by looking at the changes in his eyes.

Well... this person is very immature, even less so than Lillie now.

“You can spoil Lillie like a princess, but she never sees herself as a rich girl. She's involved in everything we do... and I must tell you, Ash has contributed even more!”

"You're projecting your own protective instincts onto Lillie, wanting to keep her away from all danger. That's just your own idea. What matters is what Lillie thinks. You can try taking her away now and see if she's willing!"

"But if you can't do that, then please acknowledge her growth and think about... what you should do!"

“I… should do something…” Gladio was a little confused by what Serena said.

"That's your own business, no one can decide for you." Having said what she wanted to say, Serena ignored him and returned to Ash's side, leaving Gladion standing there dumbfounded.

"Phew... I feel much better now." After returning, Serena smiled at Ash. "From now on, Lillie shouldn't have to worry so much."

"Maybe," Ash nodded subconsciously.

He was also quite surprised by Serena's move.

He didn't instruct the girl to do anything, but she easily defeated that awkward guy.

"So, are you satisfied with my growth?" The girl seemed to have seen through Ash's thoughts and smiled as if to take credit. "I think Lillie is right. There are definitely some things that I can do."

"Yes, it's not just a matter of being satisfied, it's an overwhelming surprise," Xiao Zhi said with a smile, offering his compliment.

Serena has indeed grown up; she wouldn't have had such sharp tongue before.

After all, the most prominent, and perhaps only, label for Serena in the anime is that she is Ash's childhood friend.

A strong and fearless female champion, and a team leader with unwavering beliefs—those are character designs from other works.

But now, while retaining her gentle and virtuous wife qualities, Serena has become increasingly strong and confident, no longer the confused and insecure woman she was when she first went on a trip with Ash.

Serena like this was enough to make Ash unable to take his eyes off her.

Time passed second by second, and the companions continued to dig. From afternoon to dusk, until a full moon hung in the sky, Tetsuka Kaguya's body was finally completely exposed to the light of day!

It was only then that they realized that the head, which resembled a mature bamboo shoot, was actually only a small part of the other party's body!

It stands ten meters tall and resembles a woman wearing a bamboo raincoat. Its arms are made of huge bamboo segments. But upon closer inspection, you will find that there are eight jet tubes that look like ink bamboo at the ends of its body and arms!

The launching Pokémon codenamed "Jeter" is Celesteela!

Chapter 769 The Fallen Starship... and Responsibility!

"This is... Starship Kaguya?"

Looking at the colossal steel structure before him, Mamane's excitement was palpable.

"It's huge!" "It's really spectacular up close."

The students were all amazed. The previous pile of stones was already enormous, but the size of the Ironfire Kaguya was even more terrifying.

However… even such a majestic Ultra Beast Rocket seems nothing compared to Ash's fifty-meter-long Steelix.

"Don't get too caught up in the sentimentality yet, we still have important business to attend to," Ash reminded us. "Since we're going to get rid of it, let's first determine exactly when it will erupt."

"I'll test it right away!" Maman responded, immediately taking out the instruments he had prepared and continuously probing around Tetsuka Kaguya.

"It has accumulated a lot of gas and is estimated to erupt soon. We must build a defensive perimeter immediately!" After some exploration, Mamane immediately called on his classmates to work together to build a protective perimeter.

He first directed everyone to use special moves such as sand and rockfall to build a wall. Then he had water-type Pokémon spray water and ice-type Pokémon freeze the walls. By reinforcing the walls layer by layer, a wall that was two meters high was quickly built!

"That should be enough, right, Starship... Look, it's smiling! I knew it would understand how I feel!" After doing all this, Mamane looked excitedly at Tetsuka Kaguya, only to find that she had revealed a gentle smile.

This discovery thrilled him, and he danced around excitedly on the spot.

The next task was to wait. Finally, when night had completely fallen and a ray of moonlight quietly shone down, Tekka Kaguya moved!

It seemed to be attracted by the moonlight, and began to move its huge body. Its extensive root system crumbled and its posture changed from leaning against the mound of earth to standing straight up.

Its three nozzles simultaneously began to glow faintly, as if preparing for ignition.

“Starship, are you leaving…” Mamane’s eyes showed a hint of reluctance, but she still waved goodbye to Tetsuka Kaguya. “Go back to your homeland. Goodbye!”

hum!

The immense energy had finally been accumulated, and a powerful jet of high-temperature air erupted from beneath Tetsuka Kaguya, propelling its body straight into the sky!

It soared into the sky like a rocket, accelerating towards the full moon!

"Let's accompany it on its final journey, as a proper farewell." Ash pointed the Shiny Metagross to Mammane, carrying it to catch up with Celestial Ember, and flew with it to the moon.

"Kaguya Hoshizuru, this time it really is goodbye."

hum~

As Mamane bid farewell, a twisted Ultimate Hole suddenly opened in front of Tetsuka Kaguya. Everyone looked up and watched it rush into the world on the other side of the Ultimate Hole like a rocket!

Ash was watching the whole scene closely, but what he cared about was Celestial's own abilities.

The space in Alola is unstable, so it's not uncommon for Ultra Beasts to occasionally wander in by mistake. However, in the anime, only Kaguya Tekkamane and Kamikatsu Shinichi have managed to leave by opening an Ultra Void on their own without relying on Barnet's equipment.

If we broaden the scope further, the Jaw-Stinger that Poison Baby brought could also do something similar.

Targeted opening of the Ultra Void... Ash wasn't sure if this was a racial talent, or if any Ultra Beast could do it if it had enough strength.

“The Starship has returned, that’s great…” After landing back on the ground, Mamane’s face showed a hint of relief at her dream coming true.

Even though the matter was over, he still looked at the moon overhead and did not intend to leave immediately.

"It should be home by now. Has it seen its companions? It..."