Chapter 677 - 677: 677. Out-of-Body

Hummmm—

The massive luxury liner pulled away from the harbor, gliding toward the deep blue sea.

After boarding, Kai and Misty headed to their cabin to settle their luggage. They would be sailing for two days and two nights long, yes, but comfortable. It was the perfect opportunity to rest, train, or even battle other Trainers aboard.

Reaching the upper deck, they located their room by number.

Card swipe.

Door open.

The moment it swung inward, Misty froze.

Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed endless sky, shimmering ocean, and a full view of the outer deck.

"Wow!" She dropped her luggage and rushed to the glass. "The view is incredible!"

Kai chuckled. "It should be, I paid quite a bit for this suite."

It wasn't the most expensive on the ship but it far surpassed standard cabins. Living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, massage chair, modern appliances everything felt closer to a five-star hotel than a ship cabin.

For a two-day voyage, comfort was worth it.

After unpacking, they explored the liner.

This was easily the grandest ship Kai had ever boarded larger and more lavish than the famous S.S. Anne.

Nearly four or five thousand passengers filled the vessel like a floating city. People crowded the decks, pools, theaters, arcades, gyms—

And of course, the most popular attraction: Pokémon battles.

On the main deck, a man and woman were mid-match while a crowd cheered. Kai and Misty watched briefly but quickly lost interest their level was average at best.

Once they finished touring, Kai kept his promise from the night before.

They headed to a quiet pool on the stern deck to train.

Kai released Feebas.

Feebas splashed happily in the pool. Misty sent out Staryu, and the two Water-types swam playfully before settling into position.

"How do you want to do this?" Misty asked.

"Battle drills," Kai replied. "Feebas only knows Tackle and Splash, Have Staryu hold back and 'feed' it experience."

"Got it, I'll go easy."

---

For hours, Misty rotated her Water-type Pokémon as sparring partners.

Even while restraining themselves, they far outclassed Feebas.

By late morning, Feebas floated belly-up in exhaustion like an actual fainted fish.

Kai laughed but called it there.

Training requires balance.

After lunch, the ship had completed roughly a third of the journey.

As they stood by the railing digesting their meal, Misty noticed something in the distance.

"What's that?"

On the horizon, a ruined structure rose from the sea.

"That should be Sea Mauville," Kai answered.

"Sea Mauville? Is it connected to Mauville City?"

"Originally it was an offshore energy platform. After the New Mauville project shut down, the company collapsed and it was abandoned. Later, researchers discovered the area had developed a unique ecosystem, so it became a conservation zone."

As they spoke, a woman leaned casually against the railing beside them.

"Impressive, not many people still know that much about Sea Mauville."

Kai turned.

She wore a red leather jacket over a cropped top, shorts, and long boots. Golden curls framed her face; perfume and faint tobacco lingered around her.

"I'm Diane," she said. "My father worked there."

That explained her knowledge.

As the liner passed closer, the platform's back half could be seen submerged, while Water-type Pokémon thrived around the ruins.

Human structures reshape the sea—

And the sea reshapes them in return.

When Sea Mauville disappeared behind them, Diane smiled.

"I'm a magician's assistant. You two are Trainers, right?"

"How could you tell?" Misty asked.

"I saw you training Feebas earlier."

She gestured toward a reclining chair where a silver-haired man lay sunbathing behind oversized sunglasses.

"That's my partner. The world-renowned magician—Butler."

Butler.

The name meant little to Kai, He didn't follow stage magic.

Still, anyone called world-class must be skilled.

"I'm Kai. This is Misty, We're heading toward Sootopolis City."

"We're bound for the Fenne Fallarbor region," Diane corrected lightly. "We have a performance planned."

As Kai introduced himself, he felt it.

A glance.

From Butler.

Brief—but sharp.

Not curiosity.

Hostility.

Kai kept smiling.

Interesting.

Butler had shown no reaction while Diane chatted only when Kai stated his name.

So he recognized it.

And not positively.

Was Diane's approach intentional?

Speculation only but enough to raise caution.

They exchanged pleasantries a little longer before parting ways.

---

Back in their cabin, Kai immediately summoned Gengar from his shadow.

Gengar floated out, manga in hand.

"What?"

"You can temporarily separate a person's soul from their body, right?"

Gengar blinked.

"Sure. But it's dangerous. In daylight it's unstable. One mistake and you're actually dead."

Kai explained his suspicion.

He recalled how Ash once had his spirit separated by Haunter and Gengar inside Lavender Town's Pokémon Tower while trying to challenge Sabrina.

"If they have plans involving me," Kai concluded, "I want to know first."

Misty's eyes widened. "So that's why I felt something off about her…"

Gengar hesitated.

Then nodded.

"Fine. I'll control it carefully."

Kai lay fully clothed on the bed.

"Misty. Guard my body. And don't do anything weird to it."

She waved him off. "Just go already!"

He swore her eyes sparkled suspiciously.

Ignoring that, he closed his eyes.

Gengar hovered above him and placed a hand on his forehead.

In an instant—

Kai felt weightless.

The next second—

He was staring down at his own body from above.

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