Since Bai Chen had given such repeated assurances, Hala finally trusted that he would not act recklessly.
He said, "If we're talking about submarine volcanoes, there are countless ones beneath the Alola region."
After all, the Alolan islands themselves had been formed through volcanic eruptions.
Hala confirmed once more, seriously,
"You really won't trigger a submarine eruption, right?"
"Before I start building the island, I'll submit a full plan," Bai Chen replied.
"I'll only proceed after it's approved by all of you."
Only after repeated confirmation did Hala point to a small island located about 50 nautical miles west of Poni Island—roughly 92 kilometers away.
Melemele Island lay in the northwest of Alola, Poni Island to the south.
The location Hala indicated was in the western sea between the two islands, roughly equidistant from both.
Hala explained,
"Long ago, scholars studied Alola's formation and terrain. This island was once called the Fifth Island of Alola."
"An island that's less than ten square kilometers?" Bai Chen asked.
"Yes," Hala nodded firmly.
"A highly active volcano has been confirmed there. Some scholars estimated that if it erupted, the landmass it formed could become the largest island in Alola."
"There's a place like that?" Bai Chen raised an eyebrow.
Hala shook his head.
"That's not a good thing. The Aether Foundation once considered building Aether Paradise there, but abandoned the plan because the volcano could erupt at any time."
Bai Chen was delighted internally.
A live volcano is perfect. Gravios needs exactly that.
Keeping his expression neutral, he asked,
"If I wanted to buy it, how much would it cost?"
"Are you sure?" Hala asked again.
"We don't know when that volcano will erupt—maybe never, maybe tomorrow."
"That's fine," Bai Chen replied calmly.
"I plan to let Legendary Pokémon live there anyway. If the volcano erupts, my partners can work together to handle the disaster."
"…That does sound reassuring," Hala said dryly, patting Bai Chen's shoulder.
"If nothing unexpected happens, purchasing it shouldn't be a problem. But there will be contracts, funding, expansion plans—many things to resolve."
Hala quoted the same price once offered to the Aether Foundation.
Despite decades passing, the price had barely changed due to the island's risks.
Bai Chen quickly calculated his current assets.
Even if I sold all the shares Lusamine gave me, I still couldn't afford this island.
Even discounted heavily due to the unstable volcano, it remained far beyond his current means.
Converted into gold, he would need 150 kilograms of gold.
"I'll ask Lusamine first," Bai Chen thought.
"If borrowing isn't enough, I'll find another way."
He remained calm.
In the past, buying an island would have been impossible.
Now, however, there were countless ways for him to earn money if he truly wanted to.
After excusing himself, Bai Chen stepped outside and called Lusamine.
Upon hearing that he intended to buy an island to build a sanctuary for Legendary Pokémon, Lusamine happily agreed to lend him the funds personally.
She even said repayment wouldn't be necessary if Bai Chen allowed her to study captured Legendary Pokémon later.
From her perspective, it was an excellent deal.
But Bai Chen declined.
He could earn money himself.
Building a home for his partners using someone else's capital felt wrong.
As for research, as long as it didn't interfere with him, he was willing to cooperate anyway.
From noon until evening, Bai Chen and Hala discussed the purchase in detail.
In the end, Bai Chen dumped all contract and funding matters onto Lusamine without hesitation.
After receiving approval from Hala and the other island kahunas, Bai Chen set off directly for the island.
At dusk, Bai Chen and Indeedee arrived on the island riding Nergigante.
"Lower altitude," Bai Chen said, patting her.
Nergigante descended to 300 meters.
From above, Bai Chen carefully surveyed the terrain.
A small volcano stood at the island's center, dense jungle covering its base.
The island measured roughly 9 square kilometers, about 3 kilometers from north to south.
After further inspection, Bai Chen noted that resources were scarce.
There were only a few dozen wild Pokémon—mostly amphibious species or temporary nesting Flying-types.
"I'm sorry," Bai Chen murmured,
"But this place will soon become a dangerous zone. For your safety, you should leave."
Both Bai Chen and Nergigante released their Ultimate Presence.
He also summoned Zinogre and Kirin.
From the air, Bai Chen ordered,
"Don't hurt them. Just drive them away."
The two lightning sovereigns moved to comply.
As they appeared, storm clouds began to gather.
Bai Chen then flew to the island's eastern side, separated from Poni Island by open sea.
He released Tinkatuff and left Indeedee and Cosmog there as well.
"Tinkatuff, I'll leave your temporary residence to you," Bai Chen said.
"If you need materials, have Indeedee and Cosmog procure them."
"Yama!" Tinkatuff thumped her chest confidently.
"I'm counting on you."
With that, Bai Chen had Nergigante carry him to the volcano's crater.
Looking down, magma bubbled and surged violently.
Even without activating Natural Vision, Bai Chen could sense the immense energy within.
The volcano alone occupied nearly one-fifth of the island.
The crater itself was over 300 meters wide.
Above sea level, the volcano stood about 1,200 meters tall.
Including its underwater base, it might exceed 10,000 meters.
Bai Chen summoned Gravios.
The massive Pokémon emerged—still sound asleep.
Bai Chen walked up and smacked its head hard.
"Wake up."
"Roar?"
"Vacation's over. Time to work."
Gravios looked confused. Hadn't he been promised a month off?
"Special circumstances," Bai Chen said.
"But I think you'll like this job."
He pointed at the volcano.
"From now on, this volcano belongs to you. The geothermal energy and magma are all yours."
Gravios shook his head, unsure whether he was dreaming.
Bai Chen patted him again.
"I only have one task for you."
He pointed toward the island's edge.
"Consume the magma and reclaim land. Expand this island."
Land reclamation normally involves endless bureaucracy.
The bad news: it was a headache.
The good news: the Aether Foundation had already conducted evaluations here.
Updating old documents and re-assessment would suffice—and Lusamine handled all of it.
Bai Chen's only responsibility was providing a viable plan.
"For now, no rush. Enjoy the magma."
Gravios walked into the crater, paused to glance back, then plunged into the molten lava.
Through the Bond Stone, Bai Chen felt overwhelming joy—like returning to a beloved bed.
Ordinary Gravios or Basarios couldn't stay in magma indefinitely.
But Bai Chen's Gravios was different.
With Rarity-9 Volcanic Body and Rarity-8 Magma Bloodline, magma felt like warm water.
Combined with Glutton's Devour ability, he could endlessly consume and store magma.
"With Gravios here, this volcano will never erupt," Bai Chen thought.
"What others fear poses no threat to me."
Bai Chen turned his attention to the thickening storm clouds overhead.
"Once Zinogre and Kirin finish their patrol, I'll begin training them to control calamities."
While waiting, Bai Chen copied the two skills obtained from Ash.
Individual 'Bai Chen' has acquired Rarity-6 skill 'Pokémon Master'.
This would accelerate the leveling of new partners.
Next came the key skill—Aura, Rarity 7.
Bai Chen already wielded many forms of energy:
Natural Force — natural energy
Battle Aura — physical stamina
Advanced Telekinesis — mental force
Elder Dragon Blood — enhanced vitality
With Elder Dragon Blood, Bai Chen estimated he could easily live centuries—perhaps even a millennium.
From the description, Aura was a form of mental energy.
"Similar to psychic power… can they merge?"
The system answered immediately.
Detected compatible skills.
Individual 'Bai Chen' has acquired Rarity-8 skill 'Ultimate Psyche'.
Bai Chen opened the details.
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