After understanding the situation at the weather station, Kai and Ivy quickly departed, bidding farewell to the two researchers.
"The waters around Tangelo Island are full of whirlpools; one careless mistake could lead to a wrecked ship and lost lives," Kai said, recalling the information he had gathered on his previous attempt to reach the island. "However, there are still some relatively calm passages. But these passages change every day."
He continued, "According to Larry and Baki, with the storm intensifying, it will be very difficult to enter by air. I estimate our intruder will choose to gamble on the sea."
"Then how do we get in?" Ivy asked.
"We'll only be able to decide once we get closer. We don't yet know what the environmental conditions are like over there."
Kai led Ivy in a jog back to the beach where they had landed earlier.
"Boss, did you get all the weather data?" Al shouted loudly, seeing them approach from a distance. He and Tyrogue were waiting together on the speedboat.
"Get down first," Kai called out. "We'll push the speedboat back into the sea and quickly return to Pummelo Island. Things are a bit complicated; I'll explain on the way."
Kai released Poliwrath, Ursaring, and Quagsire, calling for Al and Tyrogue to help.
"One, two, three!" they shouted in unison, pushing the speedboat back into the sea with a collective heave. Al and Kai held onto the gunwale and, with a strong push, easily vaulted themselves aboard.
Ivy, however, struggled a bit, not being as agile. Kai reached out, grabbed her arm, and pulled her forcefully from the seawater onto the speedboat.
Seeing that everyone was aboard, Al immediately fired up the engine. With a roar, it sprang to life, and a white spray erupted from the stern, forming a long wake as it propelled the boat forward.
Al piloted the speedboat through the choppy water like a fish, his operation extremely skilled, as if he and the vessel were one. Under his control, the boat flexibly avoided each wave, steadily heading back the way they came.
The return journey took less time. Kai briefly explained the situation, and Al pushed the engine to its limit. The speedboat, like an arrow released from a bow, cut through the waves.
The children waiting at the dock quickly spotted them approaching. Al expertly maneuvered the boat into its original docking position and threw the mooring rope ashore. A green-haired boy accurately caught it and quickly wrapped it several times around a mooring post.
"Klay, where's Fergus?" Al asked, nimbly jumping onto the shore.
"He said the boss had other tasks for him and left a while ago," the green-haired boy replied.
Kai jumped onto the shore, then extended his hand to Ivy.
"Don't stare at the gap; just jump over, and I'll pull you."
Ivy, however, was much braver than Kai had imagined. Without taking his hand, she jumped over herself.
"Klay! Go find a fast boat and tell them we want to go near Tangelo Island. We can pay extra." Most people living on the nearby islands knew about the complex waters around Tangelo Island, and few were willing to take their boats there.
"Okay, I'll go find Old Man Fujii. He'll definitely dare to go, as long as the money is enough." Klay, who had been a mischievous youth hanging around the docks since he was young, knew exactly who had real skill here.
"Mention the boss's name," Al reminded him. "Otherwise, with all the trouble you've caused before, Old Man Fujii will definitely kick you out."
Klay's face turned crimson, and he muttered incomprehensible words about having turned over a new leaf.
"The plan to go to Tangelo Island has been moved up," Kai said, turning to Ivy. "Now, let's quickly go back to the base and pack our things. We might be landing directly on the island when we get there."
Ivy nodded in agreement.
Half an hour later, Kai, with his backpack and fully equipped adventure gear, led Ivy, who had changed into comfortable travel clothes, to a boat. It was much larger than the speedboat, with a streamlined hull and unique custom paintwork that was immaculately preserved.
"I'm Fujii. You must be Kai," a man in his fifties stood on the boat. He had a dark complexion and rough skin, the look of a warrior who had battled the winds and waves for many years. "Very good, very good. I followed your performance at the Silver Conference. You really brought honor to our Pummelo Island!"
"Uncle Fujii, your piloting skills are also famous on Pummelo Island," Kai said with a smile, easily climbing aboard. "Allow me to introduce you. This is Professor Ivy from the Mikan Island Research Institute."
"A Pokémon Professor?" Fujii looked shocked.
"Oh, please don't say that. I'm still a researcher," Ivy said, a little embarrassed.
"Haha, anyway, you'll be a Professor in the future. I'm just calling you that in advance!" Kai joked.
"The area near Tangelo Island is not a good place. Did you consult the weather station?" Fujii reached out and helped Ivy onto the boat.
Kai briefly explained the situation on Onami Island again.
"I see! Okay, I understand." The boat quickly departed from Pummelo Island, heading northeast.
Kai released all his Pokémon and took out the corresponding supplements from his backpack.
"Everyone, take this potion first, the same dosage as before. It can quickly relieve your training fatigue. Also, Poliwrath, come over here, you still need your ointment applied."
This potion was an improved version developed by Kai and Wood, based on a formula from a local pharmacist. They added a special ratio of concentrated Berry Juice to the original herbal juice, allowing it to quickly replenish stamina and relieve muscle fatigue. The improved potion was not only more effective but also tasted much better, though its main drawback was its expense.
The Pokémon were accustomed to taking the potion after training. They knew an urgent battle was imminent, because the potion was usually only administered after a full training cycle was complete. Taking it so early meant they needed to be in top condition fast.
Kai looked at the six empty bottles in his hand and turned to Ivy, who was watching him curiously.
"Can I see your supplement?" she asked.
"Oh! This is a concentrated recovery supplement that Wood and I improved." Kai took out another fully sealed bottle from his backpack, handed it to Ivy, and winked.
"Alright, I'll reimburse you," Ivy said, taking the supplement and examining the pale green liquid through the glass. "How is this made? It looks very pure."
"It's herbal extract and concentrated Berry Juice. We filter out impurities and suspended matter through a very fine filter," Kai explained.
Ivy nodded, returning the bottle. As a researcher herself, she knew not to press for more details.
Just then, Fujii's loud voice came from the cockpit.
"Don't stay on the deck! Get inside the cabin, I'm going to speed up!"
***
(End of Chapter)
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