Acerola officially announced the end of the Grand Trial.
"Bzzzz—"
Regirock strode out of the pit, buzzing as though it still wanted more. Now and then, the hum broke into strange, off-key cries.
"Thanks for the effort. That was ridiculous."
Nanu recalled his unconscious Alolan Persian from the pit, full of mixed feelings.
Winning a one-against-five battle wasn't the point.
The point was that Regirock looked as if it hadn't battled at all. A more fragile trainer might have been utterly crushed.
Battling this kid was a disaster.
Fortunately, Nanu was just an ordinary retired old man. Losing a battle wasn't going to ruin his appetite.
Shuffling over in his slippers, Nanu congratulated Baimu on passing Ula'ula Island's Grand Trial and rummaged through his pocket.
"As proof you passed, here's a Darkinium Z—wait, you already have one?"
The retired detective caught the change in Baimu's expression at once.
"Yes. I got a Darkinium Z from a Totem Raticate. Could you give me an Electrium Z or a Steelium Z instead?"
Those two Z-Crystals probably weren't guarded by Totem Pokémon, which also made them harder to find. He might as well ask the Island King directly.
"I see. Sure. I happen to have a Steelium Z in my pocket."
Nanu casually pulled out a dark-silver Z-Crystal with a strange cube-shaped symbol inside.
Island Kings might have had more Z-Crystals than anyone else in the world.
Hapu over on Poni Island could even offer Ash a box containing all eighteen types of Z-Crystal and let him pick one. If Baimu had a Villain Character's instincts, stealing from them would be far more efficient.
Nanu had also prepared a Lycanroc Z especially for Ash.
"Thank you."
Baimu accepted it with a smile, then noticed Nanu and Acerola staring in surprise at the sky