The next day.
At the altar in the Ruins of Conflict, Bai Shi finally faced his final Grand Trial after completing the prayer ceremony.
He would face Island Kahuna Hala in a two-on-two battle.
As long as Bai Shi won, he would receive the Z-Ring he had dreamed of.
Notably, Kukui, a former student of Hala's, had also been invited to serve as the guest referee for this match.
"I think I saw some of this Pokémon Trainer Bai Shi's matches on a live television broadcast a while ago."
"He showed considerable strength at the Vertress Conference and ultimately took the championship."
"Still, Mr. Hala is a long-established Island Kahuna. His strength far surpasses that of ordinary Pokémon Trainers."
"With the strength Bai Shi showed back then, he might not be able to get past Mr. Hala."
Watching Bai Shi step into the command area, Kukui unconsciously rubbed his chin, a thoughtful look crossing his face.
Though he wasn't quite sure why Hala had suddenly invited him, he was still eager to watch the match.
"Come out, Crabrawler!"
With a serious expression, Hala sent out a blue-purple, crablike Pokémon.
Judging by Crabrawler's appearance alone, some might assume it was a Water-type.
That wasn't the case, however. Crabrawler was a pure Fighting-type Pokémon.
Only after evolving into Crabominable would its typing change to Fighting and Ice.
"Ariados, I'm counting on you!"
Bai Shi followed suit, choosing his Shiny Ariados for the battle.
As a Bug- and Poison-type, Ariados had a clear type advantage against the Fighting-type Crabrawler.
"Oh? Bai Shi's Ariados is actually a Shiny Pokémon?"
Seeing an Ariados with a different coloration from others of its species, Kukui's eyes lit up.
As a Pokémon professor and a teacher at the Alola school, he naturally had a keen interest in such