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

However, Ash was completely unfamiliar with the technical terms used by the Water People, such as "the weeping of the sea."

"The ocean is just a collection of water, so of course it can't cry, but the prince of the ocean can convey his emotions through the seawater... All living things in the ocean, including Mr. Ash and humans like myself, can sense it as long as they are near the ocean."

Yu Kang's explanation should refer to Manaphy's signature move—Mind Swap—and its effects outside of combat.

However, for the time being, this ability does not provide any guidance.

The ocean's emotions were transmitted intermittently. According to Yu Kang's deduction, Manaphy was probably not yet hatched from the egg, but had just cried while having a nightmare.

To be honest, this explanation left Xiaozhi speechless.

Just because it's an egg, he's dreaming about calling me and Rika all the way here...

However, considering his identity as a Water People, Ash could understand it.

After all, it concerns faith, and Yu Kang cannot take it lightly.

"Sigh... Manaphy is actually crying out of fear inside the egg, it must be in trouble..." The old man was already sighing deeply.

"Mr. Yukang, did you call us here hoping I would protect Manaphy?" Ash, of course, couldn't let him continue to be swayed by his emotions, and asked directly.

“That’s right!” Yu Kang nodded hurriedly. “According to my family’s records, Manaphy’s eggs will appear in the deep sea at a specific time, and after hatching, they will spontaneously search for the location of the Sea Temple. As the most noble being in the sea, the Pokémon in the ocean will not pose a threat to it… The only thing that can make it afraid is someone with ill intentions!”

Someone with ulterior motives... Ash does remember that the villain in the Manaphy movie was called something like 'Ghost'.

A bearded man dressed as a pirate is piloting a ridiculously designed submarine, and there seem to be quite a few flying machines as well…

In the original anime, he might be a rather troublesome villain... but in today's Sekito, sending two or three mid-level investigators along with a squad of coast guard officers should be enough to wipe him out.

Ash is now in a bind because, apart from sensing the ocean's emotions like Ukon, they have no other way to find Manaphy's egg.

Furthermore, he felt that this matter would not be as simple as in the original story.

The clues related to the Water People led from Hoenn to Kanto, and finally circled back to Manaphy... It would be a waste of all the previous intelligence if the Aqua team wasn't involved.

"Mr. Yukang, do you have any specific methods to find Manaphy's egg?" Lijia asked with a stern face.

She was indeed a little unhappy. Although the island had a great environment, if Yu Kang couldn't come up with any more clues, it would be a waste of Xiao Zhi's time!

“I’m not sure… but we can try this.” Yu Kang took out a bracelet he carried with him. It seemed to be made of some kind of special sea-blue stone. Although the design was simple, it was quite exquisite.

“This is a token of the Water People. I have come into contact with the indigo orb before, so I can activate it with my own power to listen to the emotions of the sea,” Yu Kang explained. “In my opinion, Mr. Xiao Zhi might get a more accurate response if he activates it with the power of Poseidon.”

"Is that so..." Ash took the bracelet and, with some doubt, infused it with the power of Poseidon. The entire string of gems immediately lit up with a crystal-clear blue light.

But apart from that, there was absolutely no guidance.

“No… Manaphy might not be able to receive my signal while it’s sleeping in its egg.” Ash shook his head helplessly as he withdrew the power of Poseidon.

Yu Kang's guess might have some merit. When Xiao Zhi activated the bracelet, he did feel that it radiated its power into the sea.

Even if he could make a call, Manaphy was constantly out of service.

It's estimated that Ash will only be able to locate Manaphy once it awakens and provides feedback.

"I am truly ashamed to have made you both come all this way for nothing." After realizing that he had made a mistake due to excessive worry, Mr. Yu Kang was so embarrassed that his forehead turned red.

However, Xiao Zhi didn't mind. He had something to discuss with the other party anyway, so it was actually better to come over earlier.

I can chat with the old man about the history of the Water People, and maybe even get a symbolic emblem. Once Manafi wakes up, I can just go there directly without wasting any time.

"People of water... our ancestors once had a very glorious time, but unfortunately, they all declined later..."

When Yu Kang mentioned the history of the Water People's rise and fall, he couldn't help but sigh again.

Ash made a mistake before: the Water People don't live on the Hoenn continent; they actually live at sea!

According to Yu Kang's understanding of history, at their peak, their activities covered almost the entire surrounding waters of the four major regions of Seki, Shiro, Toyo, and Shin, including the Seven Islands and the Orange Islands further south, where they were also active...

It is no exaggeration to say that the Water People were the main characters of that era.

They worshipped the three sea gods and devoted themselves to building underwater wonders like the Temple of the Sea God, while also working for peace that surrounded the vast ocean and land.

Indeed, the people of the water at that time, in addition to protecting the ocean, also recognized the importance of the land, which was far more enlightened than the narrow-minded ideas of the naval fleet.

What Ash admires most is that they revere Kyogre as the embodiment of the sea, but they don't fanatically support his ambition to expand the ocean... and have even tried to stop him several times!

Some ancient books passed down in the Yu Kang family record that the Canghai Prince appeared eight out of ten times to suppress the troublemaking fathead fish.

That explains why Kyogre was so obedient in the original manga/movie... it's because he was tortured so much in the past!

"The people of the past were truly admirable," Ash exclaimed earnestly.

The rationality of daring to seek unity in opposition with one's own beliefs and the legendary gods made Xiaozhi feel like he had found a kindred spirit, and even the power of Poseidon within him cheered with joy!

“Yes, everything was fine back then… but a single wrong decision later led to the contamination of the entire Water People, which then fell apart!” As he said this, Yu Kang’s tone gradually became heavy.

He was referring to the history of the appearance of the red and blue orbs. Hoenn was invaded by an enemy, who quickly controlled Groudon by suddenly pulling out the red orb and helped it regain the power of Primal Reversion.

Unable to cope, the Water People took a desperate gamble, using their advanced manufacturing technology to replicate an indigo jewel, which also unleashed the full power of Kyogre... resulting in mutual destruction!

It was after that that the Water People gradually declined until they disappeared from the stage of history.

"Mr. Yukang, who exactly invaded Hoenn back then?" Ash asked, puzzled. "And... when Groudon and Kyogre were fighting, why didn't Rayquaza come to their rescue?"

“I don’t know…” Yu Kang shook his head and sighed, “This part is almost entirely blank in history, as if it’s been erased. We don’t know why Rayquaza didn’t appear, nor do we know who the enemy was… We only know that they taught Groudon its signature moves…”

"Cliff Sword?"

Chapter 1027 VS Yu Kang, Using Stillness to Control Movement

The fact that they could teach a top-tier move to a legendary player made Ash deeply wary of this invading force hidden in the mist.

Not only are they capable of crossing oceans, but they can also create special orbs that control first-level gods, and even, as invaders, they suppressed the Water People at their peak...

Unfortunately, the records of the Yu Kang family are vague and incomplete, making it impossible to confirm their true identities.

Moreover, Xiao Zhi suspects that that period of history, including the memories of many of those involved, was indeed deliberately erased!

His first suspicions were the three Lake Gods. After the Mew incident, Ash had come to a profound understanding of their ability to manipulate minds.

The question is, why would they do that...?

Ash can't figure out the answer right now, and he'll probably only have a chance to get results after those three are taken prisoner.

After revisiting this part of history, Ash talked to Ukon about other things and learned more about the Water People.

This race is indeed remarkable, possessing high attainments in construction, invention, and art; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to build such a magnificent temple.

This seems to be an instinct flowing in their blood; even though the historical tradition of the Water People has been severed, they are still more skillful than ordinary people.

According to Yu Kang's speculation, some relics and artifacts related to the sea god were likely made by the descendants of the Water People.

For example, the Sea Bell that Ash obtained may have originally been made using a technique passed down from the Water People.

Even if the Water People, who are still active and have preserved their traditions, have lost some of their manual dexterity, they would still be able to create the token bracelet on their own.

Hmm... from the Temple of the Sea to a bracelet... I have to say, it's quite a shabby decline.

However, Ash has already started to imagine that among the girls around him, there might also be descendants of the Water People.

Thinking about it carefully, it's quite possible. For example, Ryukia, who comes from the Ryukiya clan, is from such an artistic clan that she might have been born through intermarriage with the Water People.

Another one is Blue. This is just a guess by Xiaozhi, but Blue's family, and going back a generation, do seem to be very good at scientific research and invention.

In any case, whether it is true or not, Xiao Lan now carries the indigo blue orb with her, making her more orthodox than Yu Kang, a descendant of the Water People.

Even if it's just to help her completely control Kyogre, Ash has to find Manaphy!

...

"Now, let's begin the pioneering battle between challenger Ash and palace guardian Ukon. Each of you may use three Pokémon, and the battle area will be the entire Metal Island!"

On a clear day, the referee's flying vehicle and the sightseeing hot air balloon took off at the same time, and Yu Kang and Xiao Zhi, the old and the young, were already ready at the edge of the forest.

Since we're already here, let's make the best of it. Manaphy is still asleep, so Ash doesn't need to worry about it too much. Let's finish our battle with Ukon first.

Yu Kang's proposed fighting style is similar to that in the anime, except that the scope has been expanded to the entire island.

He also thoughtfully prepared a hot air balloon for Miss Lijia, so she could track the progress of the competition in real time from the sky.

"Mr. Ash, let's have a full-on battle! Strider, run!" The old man's first one was a Hoenn Grass/Dark Strider, which immediately leaped into the dense canopy as soon as it appeared.

The old man himself started running wildly, carrying his cane. When he started running, Xiao Zhi could even see the veins bulging on his calves.

He's a sprightly, muscular old man...

Generally, in this situation, you would need to send out a highly agile Pokémon to take advantage of the complex environment of the dense forest to speed up your movements and keep fighting your opponent.

Ash Ketchum also considered this when he sent out the Lizard King, who had just emerged from the shadow of heartbreak.

However, Ash wanted to try a different strategy.

"Giant Geranium, it's up to you to start!" Ash sent out the Peacock from its Sweet Ball. After cuddling with Ash for a while with its petite body, it transformed into its final form and leisurely strolled through the forest with Ash.

Sometimes they blink their flirtatious eyes, or sometimes they simply lower their heads and gently rub their necks against each other... Anyone who sees this would think that these are Pokémon with unusual intentions interacting intimately with their trainers, and would never think that they are battling!

Yu Kang was also very puzzled. He had been running for so long, and the cunning Tengu had even activated its chlorophyll property by taking advantage of the natural sun, but his opponent still hadn't arrived!

Helpless, he could only send his partner back to ambush Zhi Kui on her inevitable path...

"Now's the time! A surprise attack!"

call out!

Smelling a sweet fragrance, the cunning tengu swiftly leaped down from the tree, flashing past the giant geranium that had just stepped out of the grass like a black streak, severely injuring it before fleeing in terror.