Ditto doesn't move

Xia Ming, the Martial God, seemed to be giving an irrelevant answer, and then asked the very question that had just occurred to him and filled him with dread:

"What is it about this unknown animal shelter that attracts you to keep Mighty here?"

The fighting king was stunned for a moment.

As if she had never expected the other party to ask such a question, she turned her head and looked around in confusion.

His gaze swept over the old man in the animal husbandry, whose brows were still furrowed, and then over the little girl clutching the hem of his clothes and hiding behind Xia Ming, the martial god. A thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

"You ask me why I entrusted my superhuman strength to this place?"

Isn't the answer quite simple?

"The shop owner loves Pokémon like he loves his family."

"Rather than that, there's nowhere else I could entrust my Pokémon to someone else for temporary care without feeling guilty."

The logic is sound and it aligns with the Pokémon universe.

It was so reasonable that Xia Ming couldn't find any reason to refute it, so he said to the old man:

"My solution is this: due to personal reasons, I don't have the energy to take care of my partner's daily life at the moment."

"Do you agree to let me leave a Pokémon here?"

P.S.: A bold idea...

Before you traveled through time, you, Ditto...

What have you done?

Book 1 The Happy Little Ditto: Chapter 41 Reunion with the Professor

"So you found a place to stay? That's really efficient."

Dr. Kukui snapped out of his reverie after Xia Ming's description and put down his coffee cup.

Riolu, on the other hand, was taking care of the professor's Rockruff with a very big sister-like demeanor.

Despite both being canines, one was squatting on the ground, wholeheartedly licking sweet milk, while the other held its own cup and occasionally turned its head to eavesdrop on the trainer's conversation.

The scene is inexplicably hilarious.

"I originally planned to rent a house, but plans never go as expected, I'm used to it. The old man promised me that when the construction team comes, he will build me a small wooden house. The breeding house can also be used to level the land and build a dedicated battleground."

"But you can't live in the breeding center forever, right? The trainer problem still isn't solved, is it?"

"It's resolved, it's resolved. Xiao Xiang is already eight years old. It is said that in the Padiya region, there is a child of the same age named Bo Pi near the neighboring Qi (Nine) Junyang. He is already almost the king of the alliance at the age of eight."

"Ahem, let's leave that aside for now." As a fellow Pokémon school teacher, Professor Kukui wiped his mouth guiltily. "Orange Academy is a prestigious school that was established hundreds of years ago. I would like to build an Academy City, but it's not something that can be done simply by having money."

Seeing his embarrassed expression, Xia Ming didn't press the matter further. Instead, he casually asked, "Let's not talk about that for now. Doctor, you called to say you needed to speak with me about something. What is it?"

Today should have been his second day at work. No matter how respected he is, skipping work is not a wise move.

However, the senior police officer, who was not Junsa, was impressed by his extraordinary wisdom and assured him that handling disputes and the follow-up issues caused by the Alliance Regulations was also part of her job.

He immediately informed the branch leader and easily moved the training and patrol to the afternoon.

As it turned out, the discussion about staying with someone and finding lodging didn't take too long.

After clarifying the fundamental principles of "you'll provide food and lodging, and I'll take care of things at the venue," the remaining details will need to be handled gradually in our daily interactions.

Because he didn't know that Xia Ming was the Ditto, the old man was quite embarrassed at the time.

When Xia Ming said that he saw that Xiao Xiang had the talent of a trainer, the old man immediately perked up and stopped refusing to go, even though he was embarrassed.

I'd be willing to pay my granddaughter to become a trainer, such a promising career!

So when Xia Ming received Dr. Kukui's call, the sun had just risen.

"There's no rush to talk about business. After all, I'm your introducer, so I need to keep an eye on your every move."

Dr. Kukui paused for a moment before saying with a slightly teasing tone:

“Young people are so energetic. Putting aside the fact that you were on TV because of the wolfhound, Officer Jenny has been very impressed with your tactical guidance.”

"The island king, Mr. Hala, and Elite Four member Shiba are both asking me about you. Ash and the others are also very curious about you. Even Principal Oak of our Pokémon School wants to invite you to try teaching a class."

"Given what happened this morning, I wouldn't be surprised if you caught Tapu Koko tomorrow."

Hearing him say that, Xia Ming himself felt that the past few days had been far too fulfilling.

Dr. Kukui's words only cover a portion of what happens to humans; Ditto forms have encountered just as many challenges.

The last time I was this busy was probably right after I graduated and was kicked out of the school.

With only a pittance in their pockets, they could only afford to eat vegetarian noodles, while simultaneously renting and looking for apartments, submitting resumes and going to interviews, and facing questions from their families.

Seeing his wistful expression, Dr. Kukui smiled:

"So do you remember what I told you before? After living in Alola for a few days, have you gained any new insights into this place?"

"It's alright." Xia Ming glanced at Riolu:

"Although I knew the people of Alola were kind and simple, this still surprised me a little. But, how should I put it... Dr. Kukui, do you feel the same way?"

"Oh? What does it feel like?"

"It's wonderful to be able to spend every day happily, but will becoming too immersed in this happiness make one complacent and unambitious?"

This is truly the happiest kind of trouble.

They've been living too comfortably, so they've become complacent and lack ambition. Is this even human language?

Because he hadn't experienced such a comfortable life since starting school, Xia Ming easily noticed things that the local residents of Alora couldn't.

Hahaha.

Dr. Kukui laughed heartily, pointing to the sea outside the window:

"You can say this to me, but if you say it outside, you'll definitely get a lot of eye-rolls. But to me, what you're describing doesn't sound like a complaint; it sounds more like a compliment."

"Although I think so myself."

Dr. Kukui said with a relaxed expression:

"To be honest, before becoming a Pokémon Professor, I was also a Pokémon Trainer. I embarked on a journey to the outside world simply because I was interested in Pokémon moves."

"Do you know which region, out of all the places I've visited, left the deepest impression on me?"

I don't even know where the end of the universe is, how could I possibly know what you're thinking?

Nevertheless, Xia Ming still cooperated and asked:

"What region is it? Kanto? Sinnoh?"

"No, no, no, that's not it. That region is a very remote and impoverished area that even the Elf League has difficulty governing."

"Gallar?"

“More remote than Galer.”

Dr. Kukui seemed to recall some memories at this point, and sighed:

"The name of that region is, Ore."

Ore region.

Xia Ming was stunned. Good heavens, there's even a circular arena area here?

Professor Kukui, judging from how vividly you remember it, could it be that someone stole your Pokémon?

That's right. As a spin-off title in the Pokémon series, the protagonist of the game in the Orei region has a unique Poké Ball that can steal Pokémon that others have already caught and make them his own.

This game's main focus isn't catching wild Pokémon, but rather stealing other players' Pokémon.

Seemingly oblivious to Xia Ming's change in expression, Dr. Kukui recalled with a sigh:

"Born in the Alola region, I never imagined that there were places like this in the world."

"The wilderness is only desolate beaches and deserts, so scarce that wild Pokémon are almost extinct."

"For a clean drinking water, people can rob, beat, and even kill without any scruples..."

Book 1 The Happy Little Ditto: Chapter 42 Let's Do Something Big! Let's do something big! GO!

"If it's just a lack of resources, if it's just a lack of Pokémon help, ordinary people can probably live a good life if they unite."

As if mocking himself, Dr. Kukui said:

"I once went to the Ore region with this naive idea to find out what was going on, until I survived there for several months before I learned why it was 'cursed'."

"The cities and settlements are managed by conglomerates and their affiliated gangs. According to subsequent statistics from the alliance, 80% of the lifetime income of ordinary people living in the Ore region is taken away by gangs under the guise of protection money."

"Ordinary people either pay protection money or join a gang; there is no other way."

"But even if you join a gang, it doesn't mean you'll have an easy time. The struggles inside and outside the gang are extremely brutal. It's common for several people to die in the fight for resources and Pokémon."

At this point, even someone as good-natured as Dr. Kukui couldn't help but laugh in exasperation:

"Speaking of which, aren't you curious because the Orei region is so barren that it doesn't even have Pokémon?"

No, I'm not curious at all; in fact, I've already guessed what might happen.

“Pokémon hunters.” Professor Kukui calmed himself down and said, “I used to wonder why such a profession existed, but I later learned that despite being the most remote region, the Orei region handles 90% of the Pokémon hunter business.”

"The money they made by selling local mineral resources and exploiting the people was used to buy Pokémon, so that ordinary people would no longer be able to resist them who had mastered the power of Pokémon."

“There, Pokémon are simply tools for killing. Ironically, because there is no entertainment, watching battles has become a habit.”

"However, such battles usually end with the death of one side's trainer and Pokémon."

"The most despicable thing is that in order to prevent information from the Orei region from reaching the outside world, they also blocked the borders and the internet, until a hero risked his life to escape, which brought the terrible situation in the Orei region to the table of the Alliance."

At this point, Dr. Kukui relaxed a little, seemingly finding the situation too heavy, and chuckled:

"Fortunately, the Ore region is not entirely beyond saving. With their own efforts and the assistance of the alliance, all the gangs and corporations have been wiped out."

"You'd never guess how many champions gathered here for the final battle. Just thinking about it gets my blood pumping!"

"It is said that even the mythical beast Phoenix, which symbolizes life, appeared there, giving the land new life."

Xia Ming nodded with interest: "So Dr. Kukui, it seems that your desire to establish a league region was also influenced by this incident?"

“Hmm. To be honest, I was completely disillusioned with the place during the months I lived there.” Dr. Kukui shrugged and said half-jokingly, “But as it turns out, even the most barren desert will eventually bloom.”

"Later I went to the Galer region and had a long talk with Guild Master Loz."

It seems Dr. Kukui has a high opinion of Chairman Loz, stating directly:

"I remember one sentence that woke me up when I was feeling lost because the trip was over."

He said that placing one's hopes for a better life entirely on the pity of others makes one seem like a child who can't live without his mother. (The phrase "留邻鸸珊死VI II罢师" appears to be unrelated and likely a separate, incomplete sentence.)

“I think he’s right. Alora’s wealth is entirely built on the mercy of a few island gods and nature. While we are grateful for their protection and help, if children don’t embark on a journey, they will never grow into reliable adults and will never see the scenery along the way.”

"So, although I gave up my journey as a trainer, my journey as a Pokémon professor, my journey in Alola, has only just begun."

"Oh, really?"

Xia Ming glanced at Riolu, who was already infected by Dr. Kukui's current emotions and looked like he had been injected with chicken blood.

Still too young.

"Is it possible that Dr. Kukui, you feel extremely resentful because 'he is so miserable yet still works so hard,' which makes me seem like a rich second-generation who just lives off others?"

Cough cough cough cough...

Dr. Kukui, who had just finished speaking and was about to take a sip of water to moisten his throat, choked on a mouthful of water and then looked at Xia Ming with a very resentful expression.

This child is good in every way, except for having a mouth.

"In short, I understand your thinking completely." Xia Ming waved his hand dismissively: "Simply put, you're planning to establish a league region because you don't want the Alora people to just rely on the weather, but rather you're thinking about economic independence, right?"

"That's about it," Dr. Kukui said with a wry smile. "Actually, I've thought about repaying the island god and the others who helped us after we succeed."

This time he learned his lesson and simply said what he really thought.

"However, establishing an alliance is really, really troublesome. Resources are relatively easy to deal with, but the most critical issue is the lack of talent!"

As he said this, Dr. Kukui's gaze never left Xia Ming.

It's like saying, "Let's do something big! Let's do something big! GO!"