Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

Do not answer!

Do not answer!

Do not answer!

Seeing that Ash didn't react, Kukui stepped forward, waved his hand, and said passionately.

"Young man, did you know that our Alola region has many Pokémon that don't exist in the Kanto region?"

He pointed to the Fiery Roaring Tiger beside him.

"Like this Blazing Roaring Tiger, don't let its current appearance fool you, its original form, the Fire Spotted Cat, was incredibly cute!"

Fiery Roaring Tiger: "Roar?"

"That's not all!"

"Our Alola region also has unique regional features. For example, your Pikachu has a different look in Alola!"

"We even have a unique Z-Move system! It's the strongest move that the trainer and Pokémon unleash through special postures and movements, when their minds are in sync! A trainer like you will definitely be able to master its essence!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhi's eyes immediately lit up.

Bonds! Ultimate! The strongest move!

Feeling that it was about time, Kukui took a deep breath and looked at Ash with anticipation.

"How about it, young man, how about you come with me for a tour of the Alola region?"

"I can be your guide and take you to see the true Alola culture!"

Xiao Zhi's eyes grew brighter and brighter, his mouth slightly open, and he was about to say the word "good"—

Xiaoxia quickly covered Xiaozhi's mouth.

She eyed the muscular man warily and whispered to Xiaozhi.

"Watch out! Ash! This guy doesn't seem very respectable!"

After all, what normal person would run around shirtless and wearing a mask?

Xiao Gang followed closely, looking wary, and stood silently beside Xiao Zhi.

“Sir, we are still traveling and have no plans to go to other regions at the moment.”

Moreover, as the most reliable member of the team, he has a responsibility to protect his companions from being kidnapped by the strange old man.

Kukui looked at the two men's wary eyes, then at Ash who was being protected by them, and sighed with some disappointment.

Why did it fail again?

How many times has this happened?

Is it really that difficult to recruit a few people back and make Alola great again?!

116. If you do not abandon me...

Kukui wanted to say something more.

But Xiaogang and Xiaoxia were already preparing to leave with Xiaozhi, who was easily fooled.

To them, this strangely dressed masked man looked suspicious no matter how they looked at him.

Maybe they're just after Xiaozhi's body and are using some new scam!

"Oh, it's alright, it's alright."

Xiao Zhi waved his hand.

He gestured for the two of them to relax.

"He is Dr. Kukui, the doctor from the Alola region!"

When he heard the Blazing Roaring Tiger call out "Kukui," the name sounded familiar.

I carefully searched my memory—

I do think I've heard Professor Oak mention this person before.

They said, "There's a young man in Alola named Kukui who is not only academically accomplished but also quite strong, showing much of his former glory..."

"The Doctor? Him?"

Xiaoxia stopped pulling and looked at the strangely dressed man with a mask on his face with suspicion.

This person looks more like an actor who wandered onto the wrong set than a PhD student, doesn't he?

Kukui straightened his back, trying to make himself look more scholarly.

"That's right, I am the professor, the Pokémon professor of the Alola region—wait a minute."

He froze suddenly.

Then he suddenly looked at Ash.

How did you know my name!?

He has never revealed his identity since he arrived here!

Even the registered name for this competition is the stage name "Royal Masked Man"!

Although the staff asked several hesitant questions during registration... that's not the point!

The key question is—how was your identity exposed?!

How did you know your name?

Xiao Zhi tilted his head.

He pointed to the large, muscular Fire-type Pokémon next to Kukui, and then said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Of course it's what my brother just said!"

The Crimson Roaring Tiger thought for a moment, then nodded to Kukui.

"roar~"

My brother is right.

I did call your name just now.

Kukui: ? ? ?

"what do you mean--"

Kukui took a deep breath.

"Can you understand what it's saying?"

He spent a lot of time with the Crimson Roaring Tiger.

By observing their eyes and body language, and considering the current context, one can roughly guess what they are saying.

But you recognized my name so accurately the moment we met... This is amazing!?

"sure."

Xiao Zhi blinked.

Kukui: "..."

Kukui: "!!!"

Kukui's gaze towards Ash completely changed.

That look in his eyes was like a boss who was short-staffed discovering an intern who could work without pay.

LSP discovered that an artist he was particularly interested in had released a new work.

The veteran pilot, after endlessly scrolling through pages of dreadful websites, finally found a video that matched his XP (Extreme XP).

In short, I was extremely excited, so excited I felt like I could take off on the spot!

"juvenile--"

He stepped forward, his voice trembling.

Kukui grabbed Ash's hand.

"We in Alola are in dire need of someone like you!"

"I promise you, as a PhD holder, that if you come, you can become a specially appointed researcher directly! No exams! No interviews! The paperwork will be completed as soon as you join!"

"Free meals and accommodation! Five social insurances and two housing funds! Triple pay for holidays! Annual academic exchange funding! Travel expenses to attend conferences in various places are fully reimbursed!"

Kukui spoke faster and faster, his spittle almost spraying onto Ash's face.

"Furthermore! The research institute will provide you with a private office, an assistant, and research funding! You can research whatever you want! You can catch whatever Pokémon you want!"

"Don't worry about housing! Housing is cheap in Alora! If you're willing, I'll apply for talent-recruited housing for you! A sea-view house! The kind where you can see the ocean and exeggutor trees just by opening the window!"

"I guarantee you won't regret it!"

Ash was a little bewildered by Kukui's sudden enthusiasm.

"Um... Dr. Kukui, calm down..."

calm?

I got the item in a single pull!

It's still an SSR!

How can I stay calm?!

"It's such a waste that someone as talented as you isn't pursuing scientific research! It's a complete misuse of talent! A gem cast before a pearl!!"

"But……"

"But what 'but'?!"

"Just name your conditions! We can discuss the salary if you're not satisfied! We can change the housing if you're not happy! As long as you come, everything is negotiable!"

"Oh, right! Weren't you interested in our Alola's Z-Moves?"

Without saying a word, Kukui took off the Z-Bracelet from his wrist and put it in Ash's hand.