Kukui's explanation perked up Lucas' ears, sending him into deep thought.
A typhoon—could it be the typhoon that formed a few days ago in the South Paldea Sea?
Did Kukui actually encounter the typhoon directly at sea and, together with his Braviary, managed to overcome the threat and escape to the outskirts of this Los Platos?
It's worth noting that typhoons unimpeded by land are much more terrifying at sea than after they make landfall!
Should I say Braviary truly deserves its title as the Warrior of the Sky in the Alola region and Sky Warrior in Unova?
Thinking of this, Lucas spotted a blind spot and asked in confusion, "If you encounter a typhoon, couldn't you just temporarily dive underwater to avoid the waves and strong winds?"
"I noticed you carry a set of small underwater gear. With those oxygen tanks, you could stay underwater for at least half an hour, plenty of time to move somewhere with weaker winds."
Hearing this, Kukui shook his head helplessly. "You should know that none of the Pokémon I carry with me can help me dive. Relying on my own strength, I'd be swept away by the waves before reaching any depth."
Lucas stroked his chin, recalling Kukui's Pokémon: Incineroar, Braviary, Venusaur, Lucario, Lycanroc (Midday Form), and Snorlax.
Not one could swim. Where did Kukui get the courage to cross the sea so directly?
As if remembering something, Lucas said seriously, "By the way, Kukui, while you were unconscious these past few days, I've been taking care of your Pokémon."
"Huh?"
Kukui was stunned, not understanding why Lucas brought this up suddenly.
Lucas smiled kindly. "Your Snorlax is great—healthy and with a huge appetite, it eats a lot!"
Kukui: "..."
A few moments later, Kukui asked weakly, "What about the Pokéblocks I had with me?"
"They must've gotten lost, right?"
Lucas looked at the Dragonite behind him. Understanding, Dragonite nodded and left the room.
Soon after, Dragonite returned with a freshly cleaned backpack and handed it to Kukui.
Kukui was taken aback, but under Dragonite's urging gaze, he took the backpack and checked its contents.
After a while, Kukui breathed a slight sigh of relief. Although some items were missing, those were consumables; all the important items were still there.
However, all the Pokéblocks he had prepared for Snorlax were gone.
Snorlax's appetite is incredible. If it only ate regular food, each Snorlax would need to eat over 400 kilograms a day to be full.
This terrifying appetite is due to Snorlax's tough stomach and extraordinary digestion. Whether it's moldy food or Muk's poison, Snorlax can digest it all. In reality, as long as it's fed nutrient-rich food, it doesn't need to eat 400 kilograms daily.
Pokéblocks, though small, are highly concentrated in nutrients, making them the best food for a trainer with a Snorlax.
So, while Kukui was unconscious these past few days, this farm owner must've been troubled about feeding Snorlax.
After putting away his backpack, Kukui looked apologetically at Lucas. "I'm sorry. How much food did Snorlax eat from your farm? I'll compensate you."
"And by the way, after chatting so long, I still don't know the name of my savior."
Lucas smiled. "I'm Lucas, just an ordinary farmer. As for compensation, your Pokémon have been helping with the farm work these days, so let's call it even."
Though Snorlax ate a lot, after Lucas sent his Pokémon out to gather some high-energy food, feeding Snorlax for two or three days was manageable.
Kukui felt a bit embarrassed. Lucas not only saved him but was also so generous. As someone from Alola, Kukui felt he should repay Lucas somehow.
If he asked directly, Lucas would definitely decline.
After thinking for a bit, Kukui decided to accept Lucas' kindness for now, but during his recovery, he would observe if there was any way he could help Lucas.
Not long after, a small bowl of light rice porridge was brought over. Starving, Kukui wanted to gulp it all down in one go.
The Dragonite, left by Lucas to watch over Kukui, grumbled in dissatisfaction, reminding Kukui to chew slowly or else it would burden his stomach.
Kukui could only laugh awkwardly and slowly sip the bland rice porridge.
Even after finishing the porridge, his empty stomach kept grumbling in protest. To distract himself, Kukui asked Dragonite to open the window and help adjust his sleeping position so he could see outside.
Opening the window, the first thing he saw was the endless sky and rolling earth. Looking down, he saw fields neatly divided by irrigation ditches.
Most of the fields had already been planted, with many figures busy working.
Besides Lucas, whom he had chatted with before, Kukui also saw his own Pokémon working in the fields.
Venusaur's vines were inserted into the soil, providing nutrients together with three Eldegoss. Lucario and Incineroar were expertly sowing seeds into prepared holes. Braviary and Lycanroc were helping move supplies—everything looked well-organized.
Well, if you ignored the Snorlax snoring not far away, that is.
Further away, he could see the outline of either a pond or a lake, and an open pasture with lush grass.
From what he could see, this farm looked like it had just started out.
Kukui's Pokémon soon noticed his gaze, stopped their work and excitedly looked over at him.
Feeling his strength returning after the porridge, Kukui tentatively raised his hand.
Smooth—no more weakness like before.
Kukui slowly waved his right hand toward his Pokémon, a bright smile on his face.
Lucas saw all of Kukui's actions. Watching as the Pokémon worked even harder after seeing their trainer awake, Lucas smiled. Looks like with Kukui's Pokémon, the spring planting in the farm's cultivation area would get finished in the next few days.
Compared to hiring labor, Pokémon that only needed some food and had much greater strength and stamina were far more useful.
Kukui's Pokémon could easily work from dawn to dusk. If it were Lucas's own Pokémon, he'd be heartbroken to push them so hard, but with Kukui's, it was different.