chsdbacks Chapter 154 Second Generation; Land of the Cave
Chapter 154 Second Generation; Land of the Cave
Chapter 154 The Second Generation; The Cave of the Land
"Thank you, could you please pack up all ten hot spring tubs I booked?"
"Okay, okay..."
Under the sign that read "Guoweng Hot Spring Inn", Sawaki finished talking with the front desk staff and then sat down in the inn's lounge area.
Holding Gu Niu Niu, Xi Jiana said in disbelief:
"Why are you packing up so much hot spring water? It'll cost a lot of money!"
"Could it be..."
Ze Shu casually replied, "I'll use it as bathwater for you."
Higana hesitated for a moment, then simply scratched her head and said, "Oh, I really can't... But my sticky dragon might really like it, thank you!"
She should thank us...
After all, Ze Shu felt embarrassed to accept the "rent" of one super stone per month.
Ze Shu smiled but didn't say anything. He just rubbed the Growlithe with its square ears, which had been slumped over ever since he heard him say "pack ten tubs of hot springs".
Growlithe knew that the hot spring water was packaged specifically for it.
"Woof..."
"Sigh..." Ze Shu sighed, "I've been soaking in the hot spring for so long, I could practically swim, but I still get goosebumps as soon as I get in the water. Hmm... Growlithe, do you think it's a psychological or physical problem?"
Ze Shu felt that Growlithe was going to develop "hydrophobia".
The Growlithe looked aggrieved: "Woof..."
Could it be that there are both physical and psychological problems?
It feels like it's been soaking in water for a while...:
Before its hind leg injury even heals, the dog might melt into the hot spring!
"But after trying so many methods, only the hot springs in Fubuki Town are effective for your hind leg injury. Perhaps there are other methods? Why did it have to be Chimney Mountain?"
Ze Shu hesitated for a moment, then grabbed Growlithe's hind leg, making it assume an awkward pose.
"Look, it doesn't feel soft and squishy like before; it's clearly stronger. You should be able to feel it too, right?"
"Woof!"
"Right? After you've soaked in these ten tubs of hot spring water, your hind leg might be completely healed!"
"Woof..."
Just thinking about soaking in so many hot springs...
Growlithe's eyes looked as weary as a Nidoran thinking about having to bear a dozen or so children for Nidoking.
The little cat monster standing to the side looked completely puzzled:
"Hamako..."
It couldn't understand why just a little "water" could scare its good friend Growlithe like this...
Surely not?
With this in mind, the little cat decided to do something for its good friend who fought alongside it.
The little cat thought for a while, then thought again, using its little brain that hadn't been used in a long time.
Finally, it came up with a way to help its good friend!
It rolled over.
She also exposed her belly without any defenses.
Hmm, is this setting an example for Growlithe?
"Giving up is the best way to face difficulties"—that's the cat monster's philosophy of life. Yes, that's it!
The kitten squinted contentedly, thinking this, and almost fell asleep.
Carrying ten tubs of hot spring water, followed by a sleepy-eyed cat and a dejected, desperate dog, Sawaki walked out of the Wokoo Onsen Ryokan.
The Kama-en Hot Spring is said to have "ten tanks". But in fact, there are special containers in Kama-en town that can hold water. They look like water bags and are so light that they can be lifted with one hand.
After all, the hot springs here have miraculous effects, and it's common for wealthy people to "take it all" when they come here.
The unique smell of volcanic ash emanates from Yanlu Mountain.
Higana looked around, then quietly asked, "Now that your problem is solved, can you take me to find the Dragon God...?"
Ze Shu said, "No."
Higana pressed, "Why?"
Because there's still the meteorite from Solans that we haven't taken.
That was the answer Ze Shu had intended to give.
But suddenly, his gaze locked onto a shadowy figure in Fuyan Town.
This is a chubby man dressed in "red clothes". He is carefully holding something in his arms and walking step by step up the bumpy mountain path leading to Chimney Mountain.
The Bumpy Mountain Trail connects the outskirts of Blazetown with Smoked Meat Mountain. As its name suggests, this trail is full of steps and uneven rocks. In the game, players cannot ascend it without a mountain bike.
But clearly this person was prepared.
His chubby figure displayed extraordinary agility, like a "jumping pig." It seemed that there were springs installed under his shoes, allowing him to leap from one step to another with a single bound. The difficult terrain of the mountain path could not stop him at all.
Zeki vaguely remembered that the chubby man seemed to be "Himura," a member of the Lava Team.
Ze Shu asked Xi Jiana, "Do you know what he's holding?"
Higana looked completely bewildered: "How should I know? You're testing me like this, do you actually know what it is?"
Ze Shu said, "I don't know."
Higana retorted angrily, "You don't know, yet you ask?"
Ze Shu said speechlessly, "I only asked because I didn't know!"
"Hmm..." Higana hesitated for a moment, then suddenly realized, "It seems that's really the case."
Is this person an idiot...?
Ze Shu said, "You infiltrated Team Lava, you should know who he is, right?"
Higana asked, "I don't know, who is he?"
But Ze Shu didn't answer her. He just gestured for her to follow him and then got to work. She could only scratch her head, exchange a glance with the baby in her arms, snort, and quickly follow.
The chubby lava team leader "jumped" very fast across the bumpy mountain path.
It moved nimbly and hopped along, quickly reaching an inconspicuous rock wall in the middle of the uneven mountain path. With practiced ease, it tapped the rock wall, sending out a Morse code signal, and the rock wall suddenly opened, revealing a metallic inner wall.
This is a Lava Team base.
Zeshu thought to himself upon seeing this scene.
Higana followed, looking completely bewildered. After a moment's look, she exclaimed, "So there's a base here too!"
Ze Shu smirked and then asked, "Judging from your question, do you know where the other base is?"
When Higana was finally asked a question she could answer, she immediately said triumphantly:
"I know! It's right here...::"
As she was speaking, Ze Shu covered her mouth.
Because the door to Team Lava's base had opened again, from the inside. The chubby man from before came out, accompanied by two of Team Lava's underlings, and kept saying:
"Yes, Boss Himura. But Meteor Falls can no longer be dug. I'm willing to try using this stolen meteorite, just in case. If it can awaken the legendary Earth God, then we won't have to continue digging for that meteorite under the threat of the Hoenn Champion."
"This meteorite possesses the aura of the Earth God. I'm sure I can do it, trust me, Boss Fire Village!"
After saying that, there was a "whoosh" sound from the walkie-talkie.
He turned off the walkie-talkie.
He fiddled with the spring mechanism on the sole of his shoe again and continued jumping up the bumpy mountain path.
"Judging from what he said, it seems he's confident that the meteorite can replace the 'natural meteorite' you mentioned and awaken Groudon," Ze Shu said thoughtfully.
Higana shook her head, saying, "It's not that easy!"
But the chubby man said there was "the aura of the earth god" and that he wanted to "awaken" it.
Ze Shu chuckled and said, "Let's follow them and see. With so few men, the Lava Team seems to think the entire Smoked Brine Mountain is their 'home,' able to roam freely."
"You, stay here!"
"Be careful not to let anyone disturb my awakening of the 'Earth God.' This is extremely important; even the slightest mistake will significantly slow down the earth's recovery!"
"yes!"
At the top of Chimney Mountain, "Fire Village" turned around after saying that.
But as soon as he turned around, the two men who had just loudly responded with "Yes!" suddenly went limp, fainted, and collapsed to the ground. A white shadow flashed as they hit the ground, and the fall was completely silent.
"Himura" did not notice this.
At this moment, the meteorite in his arms was truly revealed; it was a "burnt" meteorite.
The countless holes everywhere bore the marks of a raging fire, enough to give anyone goosebumps.
I am filled with disgust.
But he didn't care; instead, he stared at the meteorite with fervor.
"This is the result of my 'hard work'..."
"The meteorite in the Water Lily City Museum is said to be a remnant from the collision of 'earth' and 'ocean' about a thousand years ago. Hmph, 'This is a familiar power to it; it will surely awaken it!'"
"Really?" But then, a voice suddenly rang out from behind him.
After saying that, "Fire Village" was visibly stunned for a moment.
Ze Shu could see his thick neck, and goosebumps rose on his skin.
He turned his head instantly:
"Who...who?!"
But when it comes to the second "who".
He suddenly felt a heavy drowsiness wash over him, his body went limp, and he almost collapsed to his knees. Before he fell, he could only rely on his subconscious to hold the meteorite tightly in his arms and protect it. But soon, the meteorite was pulled directly from his arms.
His blurry, closing eyes could only vaguely make out that the person pulling the meteorite away from him was a man holding a bottle.
"Who...who are you...?"
He asked angrily.
No matter how angry he was, he felt weak and powerless.
Ze Shu ignored him.
He looked at the bottle in his hand and chuckled, "I didn't expect that after so long, these mushroom spores would still be effective. I was worried they'd expire... I'll ask Paras for more when I have time."
The bottle in her hand contains mushroom spores that Sawaki obtained from Paras, her helper at the time, after the "Power Plant Incident" in Sinnoh where she dealt with Hunter J's horde of Pokémon Hunters and "took away" her spaceship.
It's been sitting for a long time, and I'm only using it now.
But the results were actually pretty good?
Ze Shu smiled.
Then I looked down at the summit of this mountain of bacon. It was a crater, and looking down from the crater, I could see some still-boiling lava. But not much, probably not enough for a few lava worms to eat.
Clearly, Chimney Mountain is a "dormant volcano".
At the top of the crater, there is a device that is clearly designed to contain meteorites.
"Is this the place where your Team Magma summoned Groudon?" Ze Shu asked casually.
But "Himura" persisted, asking, "Who...are you...and why...were you able to find me?"
Ze Shu paused for a moment before saying, "Because I have an undercover agent."
Himura asked, "Who is it?"
Ze Shu pulled the bewildered Xi Jiana over and said, "Now you see clearly what this undercover agent looks like."
Himura said, "Look carefully, I will tear this undercover agent to pieces..."
In his heavy, drowsy state, he stared intently at Higana.
Higanbana: "?!"
Her eyes widened instantly, and she stared at Ze Shu in disbelief.
How could this person be like this?!
Ze Shu said, "This is to prevent you from going back to Team Lava as an undercover agent. You don't still want to continue your..."
"A failed plan."
Anyway, with Higana's silly appearance, she would be exposed in no time if she went back to be an undercover agent.
It was only six or seven years after the events of Ultimate Emerald, when Crimson Mist was missing and Team Magma was on the verge of collapse, that the now-mature Sidgard was able to lead the remaining members of Team Magma.
But even though she took the lead, she didn't do anything wrong.
Higanbana: "Ugh!!!"
But Zeki ignored her and continued to look at "Himura".
"I just heard you say 'Himura-sama' on the walkie-talkie, so that means you're the second generation, right? There's also a first generation Himura in this base on the rugged mountain path."
"Himura," confused, asked, "What... is the Second Generation?"
Ze Shu did not answer.
After all, the storylines of "Emerald" and "Queen Ruby or Alpha Sapphire" are separated by several years. During this period, the executives of Team Magma and Team Aqua underwent drastic changes, and it is clear that most of these executives were replaced for various reasons.
The code name just hasn't changed.
The "Himura" that Zeki is facing is the future second-generation Jiro's Himura. He is not yet a member of Team Lava's "Three Flames" and has not yet been given the title "Himura".
For example, the Hokage, a member of the Magma Team, whom Sawaki captured at Meteor Falls, was the First Hokage.
There might even be a young Hokage, a second-generation Hokage, in the Magma Team.
"Sawaki...look!"
After her initial frustration, Higana suddenly pointed towards the crater of Chimney Mountain.
Where the lava was rising, a cave entrance was faintly visible emerging from it. From this angle on the mountaintop, one could also see diagonally deeper into the cave entrance, where red inscriptions covered the cave walls.
Higana seemed thoughtful and said, "Could this be...?"
Ze Shu pondered for a moment before saying, "This is the cave that seals the sleeping Groudon, the Cave of the Land."
He weighed the meteorite he had just acquired in his hand and suddenly said, "Why don't we go take a look?"
Higanbana: "?!"
She looked at Ze Shu in utter shock.
I thought she was already pretty reckless, but I didn't expect Ze Shu to be even more reckless at this moment.
"What if Groudon is accidentally awakened..."
"If it awakens without Kyogre and we fight it, perhaps the Dragon God won't stop it!"
Ze Shu said, "I'm confident, and I'll just take a look."
"besides....""
"If Groudon were so easy to awaken, why would you bother searching for natural meteorites?"
"Go find this charred meteorite I have?"
Higana scratched her head:
"That seems to be true..."