《Pokémon: Farm Story》 Chapter 1: Starting My Life as a Farmer On a sunlit country road, an aged bus trundled slowly along the dusty path. In the nearby fields, curious Poochyenas occasionally poked their heads out, their twitching noses catching unfamiliar scents in the air, their attention drawn to this creaky, ancient bus that seemed to have traveled this road for decades. Overhead, Pidgeys spread their wings wide, basking in the sunlight. The villagers working in the fields, noticing the Poochyenas'' behavior, briefly glanced at the bus. However, they quickly lost interest, as if a passing stranger was hardly worth their attention. Maybe a newcomer had arrived, but he didnt have the time to care about such things now. With the harvest season in full swing, his focus was entirely on the crops. If there really were outsiders, news would spread quickly in this small town. After all, nothing much ever happened here. Inside the bus, a boy named Natsume gazed silently out the window, watching the scenery pass by. If everything went as expected, this small town would be where hed spend the next several years of his life. A few months ago, Natsume unexpectedly learned that he had inherited a farm from an uncle hed barely met. For Natsume, who had lived in this world for 18 years, it was a startling turn of events. His previous life as an overworked corporate drone was one thing, but even in this life, his family situation could hardly be called harmonious. If anything, he was practically alone in the world. An engineer father and a breeder mother had tragically passed away during their honeymoon, leaving Natsume to fend for himself. This kind of backstory would make him a top-tier antihero in any dystopian universe. Weve arrived, came the creaking voice of the elderly driver as the bus screeched to a stop at a crossroads. Disembarking, Natsume looked around in slight bewilderment, clutching an incubator holding a Pokmon egg while a crossbody bag hung over his shoulder. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He seemed completely out of place amidst the rustic scenery. Just as Natsume was about to take out his phone, an elderly yet energetic voice called out: Are you Natsume? Turning around, Natsume saw a lively old man with white hair standing at the crossroads. Yes, thats me. And you are? The old man, accompanied by a Mr. Mime, smiled warmly and replied, Im the mayor of this town. Your farm isnt far from here. Ill take you there. After pulling out his phone and comparing Natsumes appearance to a photo, the mayor confirmed his identity with a cheerful grin. Natsume quickly stepped forward. Thank you so much for the trouble. Its no trouble at all, the mayor waved dismissively, his friendly smile never faltering. Ive heard a bit about your situation. Youve been through a lot, havent you? Dont hesitate to reach out if you need anything. Though the farms been abandoned for a while, it should still be livable. The mayor chatted nonstop as they walked, his Mr. Mime occasionally chiming in with expressive gestures. Maybe it was just a trait of the elderlyonce they started talking, their desire to share stories became unstoppable. Whether it stemmed from years of experience or genuine care for the younger generation, the mayors words were filled with advice and anecdotes. Natsume learned a lot along the way, particularly about the state of his inherited farm. It had been neglected for years due to his uncles failing health. In its later years, the farm had been left to grow wild, practically indistinguishable from the surrounding wilderness. If anything, the mayor remarked with a chuckle, the wilderness might even look a bit better. Why does this feel like Im heading into a detective novel? Natsume mused. Then again, Ive never heard of a certain pint-sized detective bringing misfortune to his relatives. Brushing off his wandering thoughts, Natsume refocused on the mayors words. I must say, Im surprised youre willing to take on the farm, the mayor said. Young people these days all dream of becoming famous Pokmon Trainers, chasing adventure and glory. Even those with family businesses rarely stick around. I considered becoming a Trainer at first, but in the end, I decided to take over the farm. Natsume offered a small smile, choosing not to elaborate further. Heres the truth: becoming a Pokmon Trainer is expensive. Extremely expensive. The cost of Pokmon food, training facilities, medical careit all adds up to an overwhelming expense. While Natsume had some savings, it wouldnt last long if he pursued a Trainers path. And success was far from guaranteed. Becoming a strong Trainer required not just money but also exceptional Pokmon. Sure, people liked to say, There are no bad Pokmon, only bad Trainers, or point out how Giovannis Beedrill was incredibly powerful. But in reality, under equal training and resources, a Dragonite would utterly dominate a Beedrill. Taking over the farm, on the other hand, felt far more practical and reliable. Beyond that, the decision also reflected Natsumes own personality. Once the farm was up and running, he could enjoy a relaxed life, maybe even travel the world. It didnt sound so bad. And why was Natsume so confident he could restore the farm? He had his reasons. Were here, the mayor said as they stopped at a fork in the road. Following the mayors gaze, Natsume saw A desolate landscape overgrown with weeds and scattered with jagged rocks. Even the local Rattatas seemed to avoid the area. Though hed braced himself for the worst, the sight still left Natsume momentarily stunned. Dont be discouraged, the mayor said, trying to reassure him. The original layout is still intact, at least. Beside him, Mr. Mime gestured enthusiastically, as if trying to stage a comedic pantomime to lighten the mood. To be honest, even the mayor felt a bit awkward. For a young man, this would be a tough sight to facea scene as disheartening as declaring your love for a celebrity one day, only for them to announce their engagement the next. Its fine, Mayor. I came prepared for this, Natsume replied, snapping out of his daze. While the situation was a bit unexpected, Natsume remained confident. Come on out, everyone. With a tap on his Pok Balls, three brilliant beams of light erupted, and three figures emerged. Chapter 2: Pokémon in the Shrubbery A flash of white light burst forth, and three figures emerged from it. "Persian, Butterfree, Rookidee, come and check out our new home," Natsume said with a smile as he withdrew his hand. Among these three Pokmon, Persian had been left to him by his parentsa companion that had been by Natsume''s side since childhood. Butterfree was caught by Natsume himself during high school, intended to serve as both an assistant and a utility Pokmon. As for Rookidee, it had been gifted to him upon graduation, meant to be trained as his main partner. Including the incubator he carried in his arms, Natsume currently owned four Pokmon in total. After being released from their Pok Balls, the three Pokmon each reacted differently. Persian gracefully stretched its body upon landing, elegantly walking over to sit at Natsume''s feet, looking utterly disinterested in its so-called "new home." In contrast, Butterfree and Rookidee seemed brimming with curiosity about their surroundings. Especially Rookideeit couldnt stay still even near Natsume, always appearing ready to dart off and explore the world. Butterfree, by comparison, was much calmer. After its initial curiosity subsided, it quietly hovered by Natsume''s side. "They''re all such spirited little ones," the mayor said, smiling warmly as he observed Natsume''s Pokmon. The demeanor of a trainer''s Pokmon often revealed much about the trainer''s character. Seeing how relaxed and close these Pokmon were with Natsume reassured the mayor. A good sign indeed. Perhaps due to his age, the mayor no longer concerned himself with whether the younger generation achieved fame or greatness. What mattered to him now was their characterhe wished for them to be upright, kind-hearted individuals rather than prodigies. But still The mayor''s gaze lingered on Persian for a moment. He couldnt help but feel that this particular Pokmon seemed even stronger than those trained by the town''s gym apprentices. Dont ask how he knewchalk it up to a veteran trainer''s intuition. Back in the day, I too was a passionate young trainer! If Natsume could read minds, he would undoubtedly agree with the mayor''s assessment. Persian was indeed the main combatant of his team. Without Persian, Natsume might not have dared to take on the farm inheritance. After all, managing a farm required at least some basic ability for self-defense. --- "Ill give you a tour of the farm," the mayor said, leading Natsume and his Pokmon to explore the grounds. Since Natsume was to inherit the place, it wouldnt do for him to be clueless about his own farm. "That used to be the storage shed. This area was once an orchard for growing Berries. Over here, they planned to cultivate new types of crops. And this lake? It''s rumored to connect to a river underground, and sometimes wild Pokmon from the river will show up here." Meanwhile, the mayor''s Mr. Mime persistently tried to engage Natsume''s Pokmon in conversation. Persian, however, barely acknowledged it, flicking its tail with an air of disinterest and occasionally letting out a lazy yawn. Rookidee and Butterfree, on the other hand, were much friendlier and happily chatted with the enthusiastic Mr. Mime. Aside from the mayor''s explanations, the journey was filled with the chirping and calls of the Pokmonparticularly Rookidee''s loud, raspy "Caw! Caw!" Eventually, the group stopped in front of a slightly dilapidated two-story house. Sar?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This is about the state of the farm," the mayor said. "As you can see, it''s rather run-down at the moment. You could stay in the town for now until the repairs are complete." Given the farm''s condition, the mayor suggested it might be better for Natsume to live in town temporarily. Earlier, as they approached the house, they had even spotted a dark green Pokmon darting out of a second-story window. "No need, Mayor. I came prepared," Natsume replied, smiling as he politely declined the offer. Before coming here, he had already made arrangements for repairs, including hiring a construction team. He wasnt one to act rashlythis decision had been carefully planned. "Well, if you say so," the mayor conceded with a laugh. "If you need anything, don''t hesitate to find me." With his hands clasped behind his back, the mayor chuckled, while Mr. Mime mimicked his pose. After seeing the mayor off, Natsume stood before the two-story house with his Pokmon. When he opened the door, a cloud of dust rose into the air. Sunlight filtered through the glass, illuminating the floating particles, which danced like tiny fairies. "Looks like the first thing well do in our new home is a thorough cleaning," Natsume declared, rolling up his sleeves and grinning at his Pokmon. His enthusiasm was palpable. "Persian, you watch over my bag and the incubator. Butterfree, help me clean up. Rookidee, scout the area for other Pokmon nearby. And rememberno picking fights!" Pulling a variety of cleaning tools from his small bag, Natsume assigned tasks to each of his Pokmon. When it came to Rookidee, however, he hesitated slightly. He hadnt had the bird for long and, despite intending to train it as his main partner, it had only learned a few basic moves so far. Its combat prowess was nowhere near impressivehardly enough to take on even minor challenges. "Caaw!" Rookidee eagerly responded and flitted off to patrol the area. Persian gave a dismissive grunt and settled next to the incubator, lazily licking its paw. Butterfree, meanwhile, began using its psychic abilities to float cleaning tools into the air. "Thanks for the help," Natsume said gratefully. Unbeknownst to him, a small figure in the shrubbery watched curiously as Natsume and his Pokmon bustled about the house. Seeing its old territory occupied, the little Pokmon hesitated, torn between reluctance and an inexplicable yearning. "Caaw!" Suddenly, Rookidee''s sharp call echoed from aboveit had spotted the figure. "Eeek!" Startled, the Pokmon bolted into the nearby forest, leaving Rookidee tilting its head in confusion, wondering why its presence had caused such a commotion. Chapter 3: Abstraction is a Talent Youre saying a Pokmon was watching us while we were cleaning just now? Wearing an apron, sleeves rolled up, and a mask over his face, Natsume looked every bit the image of a professional cleaner as he stared in surprise at the Rookidee. Caw, caw, caw! Hovering in midair, the Rookidee nodded fervently, flapping its wings and gesturing with them in an attempt to describe the scene. Over in those bushes? Caw! Oh, and its about the same size as you? Man and Pokmon conversed seamlessly, as if there were no barriers. As a modern-day transmigrator, having a little cheat ability was practically a given. Natsume didnt have some silly AI system that could turn into his wife, nor did he gain any particularly cool powers. Instead, upon arriving in this world, he had an encounter that could only be described as divine. He vaguely remembered seeing a Pokmon, one revered as the great deity of Hisuia llama (scratched out)no, the creator Arceus. In a haze, Natsume had been drawn into a unique space. Under an infinite starry sky, Arceuss radiant form shone brilliantly. Its teal-green eyes gazed at Natsume quietly. What happened afterward was a blur, but when Natsume awoke, he found his world profoundly changed. He could understand the meanings behind Pokmon cries. By focusing intently, he could see detailed information about a Pokmon. His mind had been flooded with a vast amount of then-incomprehensible knowledge. And he felt a strange energy within him, akin to the power of Aura or Viridian energy. Natsume had come to regard these changes as blessings from Arceus. Thinking of it that way made them much easier to accept. Caw, caw, caw! The Rookidee on the ground scratched a few marks into the dirt with one claw, trying to convey some information. But I still dont understand what youre trying to say. Natsume sighed in exasperation at the abstractness of the Rookidee descriptions. What did walks on two legs like you but has a green head even mean? Could the Pokmon it saw have been something from the Ralts evolutionary line? Sear?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But when Natsume asked if the Pokmons body was white, the Rookidee shook its head. As for the patterns it scratched in the dirt, Natsume could only shake his head. Truly, abstraction was a giftone that he clearly didnt possess. Well, lets set aside that Pokmon for now. Rookidee, why dont you go check out the berry grove? Be careful, though. He gently patted the Rookidee''s head with a gloved hand before turning back to his cleaning tasks. Earlier, Natsume had checked the water and electricity in the house. Though old, everything was still functional, which made the cleaning process much easier. While this two-story house was charming in its design and would undoubtedly be comfortable to live in, it was a nightmare to cleanespecially without a Psychic-type Pokmon. Although his Butterfree had learned Confusion as part of its training, it wasnt a true Psychic-type, and levitating small objects was its limit. Precision work remained firmly in the domain of Psychic-types. The sun gradually dipped toward the horizon, tinting the sky with hues of amber. Thanks to the combined efforts of Natsume and Butterfree, the interior of the two-story house no longer resembled the neglected ruin it had been. Good work. Removing his gloves and mask, Natsume pulled a small box from his pocket. Inside were translucent, jewel-like Pokblocks. He took out two and handed them to Butterfree. Butterfrees compound eyes lit up as it eagerly clutched the Pokblocks, nibbling away happily. Natsume had made these Pokblocks himself, modifying the original recipes to suit his Pokmons tastes. Ah, thank you once again, Arceus. The knowledge that had once been incomprehensible turned out to include a treasure trove of Pokblock recipes and crafting techniques. With this knowledge, Natsume could have made a living purely as a Pokblock craftsman. He wasnt entirely sure why Arceus had given him such knowledge, but he was deeply grateful. Maybe he should build a shrine for Arceus once the farm was up and running. But what kind of shrine would the creator like? Would it appreciate something flashy, like those anime-style setups with automatic lights and speakers that played Start Dash whenever someone approached? On second thought, maybe not. You too, good work, Persian. At the doorway, Natsume scratched Persian''s head affectionately. Persian leaned into his hand, rubbing its head against him and purring contentedly as its tail swayed lazily. While petting Persian, Natsume scrolled through his phone contacts. Ah, here it is. He dialed a number labeled Moving Company. Before coming here, Natsume had arranged for his belongings to be delivered to the farm. After a brief conversation, the moving company confirmed that they would deliver his items the next morning. Thats settled, then, Natsume said with a satisfied smile. All thats left is the farm renovations and initial preparations. Since the house still smelled damp from the cleaning, Natsume sat on the ground outside with Persian and Butterfree. He flipped through a notebook filled with plans hed jotted down earlier, updating his to-do list on his phone. The notebook outlined everything Natsume believed needed doing, both before his arrival and after inspecting the farm. Next to the line Clean the house, he added a small checkmark. So, today and tomorrows goals are to finish setting up the house, contact a construction company to start the renovations, and introduce ourselves to the neighbors. Snapping the notebook shut with a satisfied grin, Natsume turned to Butterfree and Persian. Lets do our best! Brii! Butterfree responded softly, its wings fluttering gently. Persian, ever the aloof one, didnt react, though its tail swayed a little faster, softly thumping against the ground. Caw, caw! A familiar cry rang out from the sky. Looks like our little scout is back. Dusting off his pants, Natsume stood and stretched. Ah, to be young again. Even after a full day of cleaning, he still had energy to spare. If this had been his previous, overworked corporate self, hed have been completely drained just from sitting at his desk all day. Chapter 4: The First Night and a New Partner Under the night sky, the farm lay in utter silence. On the second floor, Natsume slept soundly on the mattress he''d brought along. The furniture wouldnt arrive until the next morning, so he had no choice but to make do for the night. That was the plan, at least. --- Chii? As the farm settled into darkness, many Pokmon began to stir. A curious little Rattata poked its head out from the bushes. It had noticed earlier that afternoonafter such a long time of the farmhouse being emptythat someone had moved in. This discovery left the little Rattata rather displeased. To it, the abandoned building was a well-established secret base, shared with its siblings for endless adventures. And now, a stranger had taken over. Chii! Rubbing its nose resolutely with its tiny paw, the Rattata made up its mind. It would give this uninvited guest a "special surprise"! But as the little troublemaker schemed, it failed to notice the looming shadow that had silently crept up behind it. When the clouds shifted, and moonlight bathed the scene, the silhouette of a large predator became clear. The Rattata froze, only now realizing it had been discovered. Thwack! A paw glowing with pale white energy swept through the air and smacked the Rattata with unerring accuracy. The unfortunate rodent soared in a graceful arc, bouncing a few times on the ground before disappearing into the undergrowth, dazed. Grr... The Persian, retracting its paw, cast a dismissive glance at the unconscious Rattata before turning back to its nightly patrol. Everyone knows cats are nocturnal. And for this Persian, its first night at the farm meant only one thing: establishing its territory. Its tail swayed languidly as it padded silently through the grass, its soft paw pads making no noise. The Persian largely ignored the Pokmon that resided on the farm, sparing only a brief glance. It was only when any dared approach the house that its sharp gaze locked onto them. Then, swift action was taken. Under its vigilant watch, the first night passed without incident. --- Morning As dawn broke, the farms Pokmon were greeted by an unusual sight. The human who had arrived yesterday had returned, this time leading a procession of other humans into the farm. This sofa can go in the living room on the first floor, Natsume instructed. And that small bed goes in the guest room upstairs, the one closest to the staircase. Efficiently directing a team of Machop and Machoke movers, Natsume got everything set up. Once satisfied, he paid the movers their due. With the house set up, its time to get acquainted with the farms residents. Natsume crossed off [Set Up House] on his trusty notebook and began exploring the farm with his three Pokmon: Persian, Butterfree, and Rookidee. Yesterday, during his visit with the mayor, he had only managed a quick survey of the area. Todays goal was twofold: 1. Announce his presence to the Pokmon living on the farm. 2. Recruit new partners for the work ahead. After all, this was the world of Pokmon. Who farms by hand anymore? Wouldnt it be better to have a Sandshrew dig through tough soil or a Diglett plow the land? Electric Pokmon like Magnemite or Pikachu could generate power, while the likes of Psyduck or Lotad handled irrigation. In both daily life and specialized tasks, Pokmon had become integral to human society. As a farm owner, the more Pokmon the merrieras long as he could afford to care for them. With Persian acting like a hound ready to pounce, Butterfree soaring above as a scouting falcon, and Rookidee providing a mascot-like cheerfulness, Natsume felt like a jungle hunter stalking through his own domain. Sand? As they passed a small mound of dirt, a curious Sandshrew poked its head out, its dark eyes full of curiosity. It tilted its head, unsure of the humans intentions. Hello there, Sandshrew. Im the new owner of this farm. Id like to invite you to be my partner, Natsume said, crouching down to meet the Pokmon at eye level. Sand? Sand-sand? What do I get out of it? The Sandshrew, sensing no malice from Natsume, felt oddly drawn to him but still had its reservations. Understanding its question, Natsume reached into his bag and pulled out a small container of energy cubes. These ones, earthy brown with a faint golden glow, were tailored for ground-types. Youll help with the farm work, and in return, youll get these energy cubes as payment. Sand! The Sandshrew sniffed the cubes eagerly, its eyes lighting up. Without hesitation, it grabbed Natsumes hand and started munching, devouring the cubes in no time. Sand-sand? Do I get these regularly? As long as youre my partner. Sand~ Deal. The Sandshrew even made its preference clear: it wasnt a fan of battling. Thats fine by me, Natsume replied with a smile, handing it a Pokball. The Sandshrew tapped the ball with its paw, and in a flash of light, it was captured. The ball barely wobbled before settling with a click. I caught a Sandshrew! Feeling accomplished, Natsume released the Pokmon immediately and fulfilled his promise of another helping of energy cubes. BOOM! Their bonding moment was interrupted by a loud noise from the nearby forest. Startled, the Sandshrew fumbled its energy cube, hastily scooping it up and stuffing it into its mouth. For a ground-type Pokmon, food on the ground was hardly an issue. What was that noise? Natsume asked, frowning. Sand-sand! The Sandshrew, now done eating, explained the situation as best it could. After listening carefully, Natsume nodded in understanding. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 5: Trainers and Anglers Are Cut from the Same Cloth Deep in the forest, two groups of Pokmon were locked in a tense standoff. Not far away, Natsume crouched with his Pokmon, observing the scene. "Sand-sand." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As a native of the farm, Sandshrew explained the situation to Natsume. In short, the forest''s resources were relatively richer than other areas, which had led to an ongoing conflict over territorial rights between the two groups. For wild Pokmon, this kind of dispute was perfectly natural. Whether it was for berries or shelter, strength determined ownership. "I see," Natsume murmured, stroking Sandshrew''s head as he studied the groups. Calling them groups was a bit of a stretchthis was more like a family feud. On the left were two Mightyena accompanied by three Poochyena, clearly a couple leading their pack. On the right stood a single Ursaring with five Teddiursa. A single-parent household, it seemed. As Natsume observed them, the Pokmon also noticed him. For Mightyena and Ursaring, this distance might as well not exist. Rrrr! The leading Mightyena turned its head and growled at Natsume. Its low, guttural tone was full of hostility and aggression. This is our territory! Leave at once! To the Mightyena pack, this entire forest was theirs. Neither the Ursaring group nor the human had any business being here. Ursaring, on the other hand, completely ignored Natsume, showing no interest in communication. Neither seemed inclined to back down. Rrrr! The lead Mightyena growled again, urging Natsume to leave. The other Poochyena glared at him as well, their eyes full of menace. Meanwhile, the Teddiursa began to grow restless. Known for their energetic and jittery nature, they were moments away from causing a scene. If Natsume made a wrong move now, he could find himself the target of both groups'' combined ire. That wont do, Natsume muttered, standing up. He didnt seem fazed by either sides aggression. Your territory? No, this is my land. Persian, youre up. The moment Natsume spoke, his Persian, who had been itching for action, darted forward. In some ways, Persian was no different from the Mightyenait also considered this forest part of its domain. Or rather, it viewed the entire farm as its territory. A white glow enveloped Persians bodyit was using Agility. In a flash, Persian was like an arrow released from a bowstring, shooting between the two groups. Its paw lifted, and razor-sharp claws extended, gleaming menacingly in the sunlight. Fake Out! As a priority move, it ensured Persian struck first. Thud! A dull sound echoed as Persian''s paw slammed into the lead Mightyenas head. In that instant, the Mightyena felt like the world had slowed to a crawl. The scenery before its eyes warped and blurred. Its thoughts drifted away, and its mind emptied, as if it were back in its egg. The next moment, the Mightyena was sent flying like a kite with a broken string. It collided with a tree, paused for a second, then slid limply to the ground, knocked out cold. If there had been a slow-motion camera, it would have captured the moment the Mightyenas head contorted under the impact. But no one was paying attention to the fallen Mightyena anymore. Persian had become a blur of motion, weaving through the Mightyena and Ursaring groups like a streak of light. With each pass, a Pokmon was sent flying. The scene resembled a sequence from Stephen Chows movie Kung Fu Hustle. Some Pokmon tried to fight back, but most of their attacks missed. Those that landed barely fazed Persian, as it quickly incapacitated them in turn. Woolie, A blue psychic glow shimmered as Butterfree, standing guard beside Natsume, monitored the battle. Caw! The sight made the young Rookidee''s blood boil. It flapped its wings furiously, itching to join the fray. And indeed, it tried to. But Natsume, knowing Rookidee''s impulsive nature, had anticipated this. He swiftly reached out and grabbed it. Youre not ready for this yet, he said, cradling the struggling bird in his arms and gently patting its head to calm it down. Rookidee begrudgingly settled, though its frustration was plain. I have to find a way to convince him to let me fight, it thought, already scheming. In less than half a minute, the forest was silent once more. Only Persian remained standing amidst the fallen Pokmon. It licked its paw nonchalantly and strolled back to Natsume with the grace of a cat that had merely gone for a morning jog. Now, can we talk properly? Natsume asked, crouching beside the downed Ursaring and Mightyena. The two Pokmon exchanged looks. Talk? About what? How thoroughly we were beaten? For now, they both chose to remain silent. Im Natsume, the new owner of this farm, he began. Simply put, this entire area belongs to me. The Mightyena and Ursaring exchanged glances again. Is he kicking us out? If youre willing to join the farm, you can stay, Natsume continued. But there are rules: no causing trouble, no fighting, no attacking passersby. Youll also need to help with farm duties. Can you agree to that? Natsumes explanation clarified things. He had no intention of driving out all the wild Pokmon. After all, the farm was vast. Even with Persian, Butterfree, Rookidee, and the newly recruited Sandshrew, there was only so much they could manage. Recruiting the locals would be far more practical. As Natsume spoke, the other Pokmon who had been knocked out began to recover, including the Mightyena that Persian had smacked earlier. After a group discussion, the two sides finally agreed to Natsumes terms. Great, then lets make it official. Natsume pulled out a handful of Pok Balls from his bag. Trainers might pass through the farm in the future, he explained. If youre not officially part of the farm, you might be mistaken for ordinary wild Pokmon and get captured. While the town was relatively remote and lacked convenient transportation, trainers were like anglersthey had a knack for showing up in the most unexpected places. One group scours the world for untouched fishing spots. The other searches for uncharted areas to catch Pokmon and unearth treasures. Chapter 6: Pokémon with a Cleaning Obsession After successfully capturing the Mightyena pack, Natsume quickly released them from their Pok Balls. From the very beginning, Natsume had no intention of keeping Pokmon confined in their Pok Balls for extended periods. Even if he became a full-fledged Trainer, he planned to maintain this principle. To Natsume, Pok Balls were akin to pet carriers for cats. No matter how comfortable the carrier, it was still a form of restriction. Its primary use should be for convenience in cities or during special circumstances requiring transport. A green glow radiated from Natsume''s palm, spreading like a gentle spring rain over the injured Pokmon. Their wounds healed rapidly, leaving no trace of their previous injuries. All right, Im counting on you to patrol the farm from now on. He patted the Mightyena father on the head while pulling out a roll of masking tape. Carefully, he labeled each Pok Ball and recorded which Pokmon it corresponded to. Natsume casually referred to his healing power as the Power of Viridian. The name wasnt particularly creative, but Natsume found it fitting given its versatile nature. Terms like Aura or Overpower didnt quite resonate with him, so he borrowed the name directly. By tomorrow, the farm''s renovations should begin, Natsume said, continuing to organize his thoughts. Im planning to have Sandshrew till the soil for replanting. Once the fields are ready, theyll also become part of your patrol routes. After finishing the labeling, Natsume stuffed all the Pok Balls into his bag. He planned to set up a dedicated room for storing them later. Given the number of Pokmon he expected to capture, it seemed like a necessary step. Woof! The Mightyena father had grown much more attached to Natsume after being captured. In fact, Natsume naturally exuded a warm and approachable aura. Most Pokmon found it hard to resist getting close to him. Between this natural charm and the bond formed through capture, the Mightyena father now looked at Natsume with genuine affection. When Natsume scratched his head, the Mightyenas tail instinctively rose, swaying slightly. If it werent for the judging stares from his mate and pups, his tail might have been wagging like a helicopter rotor by now. Grr... On the other side, the Ursaring family had also developed a favorable opinion of Natsume, though this affection extended solely to him. They still harbored no goodwill toward the Mightyena pack or the Persian who had thoroughly humiliated them earlier. The Teddiursa pups huddled together, whispering among themselves. Occasionally, they would glance at Natsume and then at the Mightyena family. Meanwhile, the Ursaring leader remained calm, patiently awaiting further instructions from Natsume. Ursaring. Turning his attention to the Ursaring family, Natsume laid out a simple plan for them. Given their nature, they were a perfect fit for treasure hunting. The farm still had unexplored areas, and letting the Ursaring family roam freely might even uncover hidden surprises. After explaining his idea, the Ursaring leader nodded decisively. This arrangement worked perfectly, especially since his hyperactive pups were always brimming with energy. Left unsupervised, they inevitably caused trouble. Todays conflict had started because one Teddiursa had wandered off and accidentally knocked over a Poochyena, igniting the clash between the two groups. Glancing at his mischievous pups, the Ursaring leader sighed in mild exasperation. Im counting on you all, then. Standing at the forests edge, Natsume waved goodbye to the Pokmon as they saw him off. Before leaving, he negotiated a territorial boundary between the Ursaring and Mightyena families. Both sides seemed satisfied with the arrangement. Of course, with both groups now under Natsumes command, territorial disputes held little meaning. Still, Mightyena Pokmon were known for their strong territorial instincts, so a compromise seemed necessary. Next, lets check out the small lake. Natsume envisioned dividing the farm into several distinct zones in the future: Residential Area: For everyday activities and Pokmon interactions. Production Zone: Reserved for planting and farming. Recreation Area: Equipped with fishing spots and play facilities. He also wanted to establish a Ranch Zone and a Daycare Facility for Pokmon breeding and care. Yes, Natsume planned to expand his humble farm into a comprehensive ranch. He didnt just want to raise Pokmon like Miltank or Combee, which produced valuable goods. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He dreamed of managing entire Pokmon communities and running a daycare. After all, in this world, who would settle for just farming? Even if he didnt pursue the life of a Pokmon Trainer, he wanted to stay connected to Pokmon in some meaningful way. Becoming a rancher sounded perfect to him. For now, though, those ambitions were far off. His immediate priority was fixing up the farm. --- By afternoon, Natsume had explored the lakeside. The small artificial lake wasnt teeming with Pokmon, but there were some familiar species. Magikarp and Feebas were abundant, along with solitary Pokmon like Lotad, Wooper, and Poliwag. They tended to form small clusters of two or three. On a side note, Natsume wanted to address a common misconception: Many people believed Feebas were as rare as their evolved form, Milotic. In reality, Feebas, like Magikarp, were hardy Pokmon found in many places. While not as widespread as Magikarp, they were far from rare. --- Thanks for your hard work, Sandshrew. On his way back, Natsume encountered Sandshrew, who had just finished working in the fields. Knowing that Ground-type Pokmon disliked wet environments, Natsume had sent Sandshrew to till the fields instead of accompanying him to the lake. For Sandshrew, digging in the soil was far more appealing than standing idly by the water. Ground-types were naturally drawn to burrowing, just as Water-types gravitated toward wet areas. Sand~ Seeing Natsume, Sandshrew waved its dirt-covered claws enthusiastically. It seemed to be in high spirits after spending the afternoon digging. As Sandshrew prepared to run over and show off its work, a small Pokmon suddenly darted out and blocked its path. Mimi! A Minccino? Natsume blinked in surprise at the petite gray Pokmon. Then it hit himthis wasnt unusual at all. Minccino and its evolution, Cinccino, were notorious neat freaks among Pokmon. Their obsession with cleanliness was extreme. They couldnt resist rushing to clean anything dirty, even if it meant getting themselves filthy in the process. There were even cases where a Minccino, attempting to clean a dirty Pok Ball, accidentally got itself caught. Mimimi! The Minccino ignored Natsume entirely, squeaking furiously at Sandshrew. It looked like it was ready to pounce and scrub Sandshrew clean. Chapter 7: From Today On, I’ll Be a Cold and Ruthless Pokémon There''s a saying: When you''re weak, even your anger can seem adorable to others. That perfectly described the current state of the Minccino. Though it appeared furious, its cute demeanor only made it look endearinglike something youd want to scoop up and cuddle. Sand? The unexpected situation left Sandshrew momentarily at a loss, its previously waving paw now frozen in mid-air, unsure of what to do. Meanwhile, the bushes behind the Minccino rustled, and a Buneary emerged. The Buneary ran over to its friend, grasping the Minccino''s arm nervously and whispering something to it. Judging by its expression, it was either trying to persuade its friend not to meddle or urging it to quickly distance itself from humans. Thanks to years of dedication by trainers, human Pokmon trainers now had quite a reputation among wild Pokmon. Yes, the bad kind. To wild Pokmon, trainers were often synonymous with chaos: Invading territories and attacking innocent Pokmon. Stealing treasures while Pokmon were away. Kidnapping baby Pokmon and tearing families apart. When viewed in this light, trainers must seem like the villains of their world. The appearance of Buneary seemed to calm the Minccino slightly, though it still glared at Sandshrew with evident displeasure. Hello, Minccino, and you too, Buneary, Natsume greeted them softly. Im Natsume, and Sandshrew here is my partner. Is there something you need from him? Stepping forward, he squatted down to their level, speaking in a gentle tone. From the moment the Minccino appeared, Natsume had a pretty good idea of what was going on. It was nothing more than the classic case of a clean freak encountering something dirty and losing its cool. As for Buneary, it was likely trying to calm its overly emotional friend. Mi-mi! The Minccino, previously a bit calmer, suddenly grew agitated again upon hearing Natsumes words. It pointed at Sandshrew and began chirping rapidly, clearly expressing its discontent. Beside it, Buneary looked back and forth between Natsume and the Minccino, on the verge of tears. Knowing its friends character all too well, Buneary was certain that if it didnt step in, the Minccino would launch itself forward at any moment. Not that it seemed like it could hold its friend back now, either. Alright, alright, I get it, Natsume said, attempting to placate the agitated Minccino. He glanced at Sandshrew, noting its dirt-covered fur speckled with bits of grass and roots. It was indeed quite the mess. --- A few minutes later... Mi~ The Minccino, its fur slightly disheveled, wiped sweat off its forehead with a satisfied smile, a look of pride and fulfillment on its face. It was as if a long-standing internal pressure had finally been releasedlike the joy of putting on fresh underwear on New Years Day. Behind it stood a freshly cleaned Sandshrew, utterly dazed. Compared to its earlier appearance of being literally freshly dug up from the ground, Sandshrew now looked immaculate, like it had just rolled off the production line. --- Meanwhile, Buneary, happily munching on a Pokblock, sidled up to the Minccino. Yes, it only took a short while for Buneary to be thoroughly won over by Natsume. This was partly due to Natsumes natural affinity and partly due to the deliciousness of the Pokblock. For Buneary, it was the first time it had tasted something so good. But there was another, even more critical reason. As Buneary chatted with Minccino , it stole a glance at Natsume, its eyes lingering on his face. Although still bearing the youthful features of a teenager, his facial contours already showed promise. He might not be devastatingly handsome, but he was undoubtedly one of the standouts among his peers. Sarch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even now, Natsume could easily be described as clean-cut and pleasant to look at. When Natsumes questioning gaze turned toward it, Buneary hurriedly turned away, as if startled, her cheeks faintly flushed with a hint of crimson. Yes, Buneary had been convinced primarily because it liked Natsumes face. Seeing him simply put it in a good mood. Creatures like this are often referred to as "face enthusiasts." Buneary was precisely that. Of course, it justified its choice by telling itself that Natsume was a genuinely kind person. Watching her defected friend, the Minccino seemed helpless. I know youre smitten with this humans face, but cant you show a little restraint? To this, Buneary seemed to reply, When a girl sees what she wants, she strikes first! Come on, join meyou wouldnt want to lose sight of me, would you? At least, that was what Natsume imagined based on the Pokmons conversation and body language. Though he embellished a bit, the overall meaning wasnt far off. Mi! Minccino looked at its friend, then at Natsume, and finally made its decision. If it was going to follow a human, theyd have to earn it in battle! Alright, its a deal, Natsume responded with a smile, noticing the determined gleam in the Minccino''s eyes. His gaze shifted to his team of Pokmon. Persian was outit was too strong, making the battle unfair. Butterfree was also unsuitable, as its move set wasnt friendly to Minccino. Sandshrew wasnt interested in fighting, which it had made clear when it joined the team. That left one option. Go, Rookidee! Hearing its name, the little bird Pokmon, which had been doing its best to appear indifferent to the situation, immediately perked up and flew to Natsumes side, ready for action. I knew it! If I play it cool, the boss will send me out to fight! From now on, Im going to be a cold and Ruthless Pokmon. That way, Ill get more opportunities to battle! Though its inner thoughts ran wild, Rookidee maintained a composed exterior, fixing its opponent with a sharp, piercing gaze. Starting today, Ill be a ruthless, emotionless Pokmon. With that resolution in mind, Rookidee prepared for its battle. Chapter 8: The Relationship Between Trainers and Pokémon Is Like That of Coaches and Esports Players In the clearing, the battle between Minccino and Rookidee was about to begin. "Mi!" Among the two opponents, it was Minccino who first lost patience. She didnt understand strategy or tacticsonly that gaining the upper hand at the start usually meant winning. Lowering her body to the ground, Minccino suddenly dashed forward and leapt high into the air. Her tail began to glow with a dazzling white light. Tail Whip! As adorable as Minccino looked, her early-stage move pool was limited, mostly comprising status and utility moves. "Caw caw!" Rookidee, however, remained calm. He simply chose to ascend, flying higher into the sky. Minccino''s confident strike landed on empty air. Flying Pokmon had an inherent advantage against grounded opponents. They could strike at will while remaining out of reach. Energy began to gather in Rookidee''s eyes. Leer! His sharp gaze intimidated his opponent, reducing her defense. Minccino stiffened mid-fall, nearly losing her balance upon landing. But Rookidee wasnt done yet. Circling in the sky, he alternated between Leer and Hone Claws, enhancing his own attack and accuracy. Minccino, now fuming, wanted nothing more than to pluck every single feather off this smug bird. But alas, she couldnt even touch him. From the sidelines, Natsume observed the entire match without issuing a single command. There were several reasons for his silencechief among them being the importance of fostering independent battle instincts in Pokmon. Think about this: a Dragonite can circle the globe in 16 hours. Now, how long would it take for Dragonite to cross a battlefield? Natsume didnt know the exact time, but it was certainly faster than any human could react. By the time you noticed Dragonite moving, its punch would already be planted firmly on its opponents face. This wasnt limited to Dragonite. While most Pokmon werent that fast, the difference wasnt significant. Whether a trainer couldnt react at all or could barely react but failed to give a timely command, the outcome was the same: no difference. Thus, training Pokmon to make autonomous decisions during battles was an essential skill for every trainerunless they were a psychic capable of telepathic communication or had a Pokmon with a unique battle style. In essence, the relationship between a trainer and their Pokmon was akin to that between a coach and an esports player. Pokmon fought in battles, while trainers focused on daily training, strategy development, and offering guidance during critical moments. The trainers job wasnt to micromanage every move but to provide insights and tactical adjustments. "Caw!" When Rookidee felt sufficiently powered up, he finally launched his offensive. Diving from high above, he resembled a homing missile locked onto its target. A gleaming light enveloped his beaka sign of the Peck attack. With multiple boosts to his attack and accuracy, and against a foe whose defense had been lowered, the outcome was inevitable. "Mi-mi!" Seated on the ground, Minccino waved her tiny paws and voiced her protests. To be more precise, it wasnt just a protestit bordered on outright verbal abuse. She was spouting some surprisingly colorful language. Even Natsume, busy treating her injuries, twitched at her choice of words. For a Pokmon with such a cute appearance, who wouldve guessed she had such "vocabulary." High EQ interpretation: This kid could try her luck in the verbal battlegrounds of a competitive online game. Low EQ interpretation: Shes got quite the filthy mouth. Rookidee, unimpressed by Minccino''s outburst, dismissed her tantrum with a nonchalant attitude. "You''re just bad. Practice more." This was a phrase Rookidee had picked up from Natsumes short videos. It seemed fitting, so he decided to use it. "Mi!" Minccino, glaring at Rookidee, made a silent vow: One day, you mangy bird, Ill pluck every feather off you and stuff them down your throat! "Alright, alright," Natsume said, smiling wryly as he healed her injuries. This little one didnt seem to have the best temper. "Now, as promised, were partners from now on." Taking out a Pokball, Natsume held it out to Minccino. Despite her anger toward Rookidee, Minccino held a degree of fondness for Natsume. Besides, her best friend, Buneary, had already agreed to this arrangement. Glancing at Buneary, who looked at her with hopeful eyes, Minccino sighed before slapping the Pokball with her paw, allowing its red light to envelop her. There was no turning back now. She could only hope she hadnt been tricked. The Pokball in Natsumes hand shook briefly before falling still. "Come out, Minccino." Reemerging from the Pokball, Minccino stretched her body and carefully studied Natsume. From now on, she had a trainer. Although Natsume claimed he didnt plan to be a trainer, that wasnt a big deal. If he wasnt a trainer, she wouldnt have to battle. Some Pokmon were born to fightdriven by passion, destined for glory, and craving the thrill of the stage. But Minccino wasnt one of them. At least she trusted Buneary''s judgment. Natsumes face was pleasing to look at. Satisfied, Minccino nodded to herself. Pokmon didnt just wait to be chosen by trainerssometimes, they chose their trainers too. It was a mutual decision. "Alright, lets head back," Natsume said, pocketing Minccino''s Pokball. Suddenly, Rookidee began to glow white. "Caw-caw!" Initially startled, Rookidee relaxed when Natsume reminded him it was just evolution. In the brilliant light, Rookidee''s body grew larger, reshaping itself. When the light subsided, a new Pokmon stood in his place: Corvisquire. "Caw!" The newly evolved Corvisquire spread its wings wide, its proud posture exuding confidence. It had taken the first step toward becoming a fierce aerial predator, known for its swift movements and fiery spirit In certain regions, Corviknight were used as transportation for their size and speedlike a real-life ride-share service. Just as Corvisquire was about to flaunt his presence, he noticed a gaze from below. Looking down, he saw Persian, who had been quietly lying by Natsumes feet. Instantly, Corvisquire deflated. He meekly landed next to Natsume, his previous arrogance gone. Docile mode: Activated. Minccino, observing this scene, was stunned. So, youre scared of someone too, huh? To this, Corvisquire responded with a dismissive look. Dont be na?ve. Part of his fear stemmed from Persians long-standing bond with Natsume, which granted her special status. The other reason? S~ea??h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Well, isnt catching birds just part of a cats DNA? Chapter 9: A Boy’s Room Is Always Messy but Never Dirty In Corvisquires memory, it had once been young and brash. Especially after Natsume painted a vivid picture of its bright future, Corvisquire had been brimming with confidence, certain it would one day reign supreme. Then, it got knocked flat by Persian. With a swipe of its claws, Persian made it clear who held the second spot in the household hierarchy. First place, of course, belonged to Natsume. Reflecting on its pain and humiliation, Rookidee realized that it simply hadnt "honed" itself enough. After a period of self-reflection, it challenged Persian again. And lost. A few more defeats later, Rookidee finally saw the light: as things stood, it had no hope of defeating Persian. It decided to go back and "hone" itself further. Now, as Corvisquire, it felt ready! Just a few more days of "honing," and it would challenge Persian for that coveted second-place spot! Flying beside Natsume, Corvisquire tried to keep a low profile, but it couldn''t help sneaking glances at Persian. Its intentions were written all over its face. Meow, Persian yawned, stretching luxuriously. Is this our new home? Minccino''s eyes sparkled as it gazed at the two-story house. Such a big house! There must be so many places to clean! Just imagining it filled Minccino with boundless energy. Beside it, Buneary stared curiously at the house. So this is where well live with Natsume from now on? It looks pretty nice. Just thinking about it made Buneary feel happy. Meow. Persian stretched, arching its back until its entire body was taut. It let out a long yawn before padding gracefully toward the stairs. It was sleepy and ready for a nap. After all, cats are nocturnal creatures. Butterfree and Corvisquire also retired to rest. Butterfree had its own room on the second floor, while Corvisquire had a small perch on the rooftop. Though, once it evolved into Corviknight, it would probably need to move outside. At over two meters tall, Corviknight would clearly be too large for the house. Besides, Natsume''s Corvisquire was already bulkier than its peers. Once it evolved, its size would undoubtedly be even more impressive. It seemed likely that Natsume would eventually build a bigger housebut for now, that plan was still just a thought, not something to mention to Buneary and the others. Mi-mi! Minccino darted around the house, poking its nose into every nook and cranny. With Natsumes permission, it zipped through the rooms, occasionally popping out from unexpected corners. As Natsume unpacked, he couldnt help but notice the little Pokmons expression gradually shift from joy to stern seriousness. Occasionally, Minccino would pause and turn back, giving Natsume a sharp look. It was as if to ask, Are you sure you actually cleaned this place? That look made Natsume a little self-conscious. Hed tried to clean, hadnt he? Maybe hed cut a corner or two, but overall, hed done a decent job... right? As everyone knows, a guys room is always messy but never truly dirty. But for Minccino... What was this hell on earth?! After its inspection, Minccino scrunched its little face in disapproval, looking as if it couldnt bear the sight. It concluded that while the house had technically been cleaned, it wasnt cleaned properly. It was almost as if someone had intentionally left a few dirty spots just to show how messy it had been before. What might pass unnoticed by a big, burly boy stood out glaringly to the sharp eyes of Minccino. Mi-mi! Rolling up its metaphorical sleeves, the little Pokmon was ready to go. Behind it, flames of determination seemed to flicker. Not just behindit almost seemed to have fire in its eyes, too. sea??h th n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. How about we leave it for tomorrow? Natsume suggested. Its getting late. Minccino flatly refused. It gestured with its little paws, saying Natsume should focus on his own taskscleaning was now its responsibility. Watch and learn! Seeing the spirited little Pokmon flit around with a determined "Mi-mi," Natsume couldnt help but smile. Then Ill leave it to you. Mi~ Leave it to me! It waved a paw confidently and marched into the living room, as grandly as an ancient general heading to war. --- In the misty warmth of the bathroom, Natsumes figure was blurred by steam. Hot water flowed down his well-toned frame. Ill need to repair the farms perimeter fences soon. And the warehouseits completely falling apart. The machine for making PokBlocks arrived this morning. Ill start using it tomorrow. Thatll also help replenish our supplies. As he planned out his next steps, Natsume realized his life was about to get very busy. Well, that was expected for a fledgling farm. Bun? When Natsume emerged, Buneary was standing nearby, proudly holding a blow dryer like a trophy. It seemed to have been waiting for him. Thanks, Buneary. Bun~ No problem! Need help drying your hair? Buneary scrambled onto a nearby table, looking at Natsume with eager anticipation. No need. Despite Buneary''s hopeful gaze, Natsume gently declined. Blow-drying a guys hair is quick work. Besides, if he gave in now, he might start relying on them too much. Natsume had no intention of becoming one of those famously pampered humans, utterly spoiled by their Pokmon. Bun... Though a little disappointed, Buneary''s ears twitched, and it accepted Natsumes refusal without fuss. This made Natsume breathe a sigh of relief. While he could be firm with outsiders, it was much harder to turn down his own Pokmon. He just wasnt cut out to play the role of the strict parent. After drying his hair, Natsume was ready for bed but noticed Buneary trailing behind him. Youre not going to your own room? Bun! Buneary shook its head and climbed onto a nearby beanbag chair, patting the cushion. It clearly wanted to sleep there. Alright. Goodnight, Buneary. Bun~ Goodnight, Natsume. With a soft click, the room lights went out. Outside, the world was just as quiet, the sun having long dipped below the horizon. Except... Rustle, rustle. In a bush not far from the house, something stirred. It seemed a wild Pokmon was lurking nearby. Chapter 10: Stealth Suits and the Pose of a Brooding Jock As the sun''s glow fully faded beneath the horizon, the bustling world fell silent for a brief moment. Yet it wasnt long before it sprang back to life, as if the nocturnal staff had clocked in, ready to revel in the pleasures of the night. People often imagine the night to be tranquil. But in truth, the night is always teeming with stories, and the world of Pokmon is no exception. Many Pokmon that snooze away the day in their nests stretched their stiff limbs and emerged from their cozy shelters to hunt for food. Even a bear waking from hibernation will prioritize gorging itself. After all, survival comes first. Besides the naturally nocturnal Pokmon, some others also chose the cover of night to avoid human activity. Rustle, rustle. Munya? A bush swayed gently, and a small, dark green head cautiously popped out. Its starry eyes were filled with nervousness and unease. Although it knew this might be risky and perhaps even inappropriate, it couldnt resist the allure of a certain pile of junk. Earlier that morning, Natsume had cleared out some old, unusable items. Among the pile were broken furniture, childrens toys, marbles, playing cards, and toy soldiers. If young Natsume had come across these treasures, he would have been ecstatic. But as an adult, they failed to stir any emotions in him. No nostalgic joy. No cringing embarrassment over old memories. It seemed those once-vivid and joyful recollections had quietly faded, like childhood and youth slipping away unnoticed. Perhaps that was simply growing up. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Munya. The Pokmon in the bushes tilted its head, gazing curiously at the marbles sparkling under the moonlight. Though cheap, the glass orbs took on a gem-like brilliance beneath the silvery glow, exuding an air of value. And so, they captivated the attention of a little Pokmon with no concept of worldly riches. Peering at the seemingly silent two-story house nearby, the Pokmon confirmed it was completely dark and quiet. Although Persian, being nocturnal, might still be awake, living alongside Natsume had partially adjusted its habits. After careful "analysis," the Pokmon decided the time was right to make its move. Munya-munya. It pulled out a stealth suit it had meticulously crafted earlier that day. Humming a cheerful tune, it donned the outfit. Though the melody was random and improvised, it brimmed with the whimsical charm of a childs boundless imagination. Once fully dressed, the little figures eyes turned sharp and focused. Operation Nighttime Treasure Hunt! Initiate! Mimicking a pose it had once seen somewhere, the Pokmon dived forward, flattening itself to the ground. Wrapped tightly in the stealth suit, it cautiously peered through a gap, checking the house for movement. All clear. Nodding in satisfaction, the Pokmon admired its execution. Ive got talent, dont I? Even as it stifled its excitement, it reminded itself not to get cocky. Steeling its nerves, the Pokmon resumed its stealthy crawl forward: Wriggle, sneak, roll. Stop. Peer through the suit. Repeat. The so-called stealth suit was actually just a tattered, dark green windbreaker, adorned with makeshift camouflage like grass and ragged cloth strips. Though crude, the details revealed the creators earnestness in crafting the gear. Throughout its operation, the Pokmon adhered strictly to a silent approach, making no noise at all. But it failed to notice several pairs of eyes watching from the second-floor balcony. So this is the green-headed thing you mentioned? Persian glanced at the Corvisquire crouched beside it. Though silent, its expression spoke volumes. Corvisquire, spreading its wings, was about to unleash its signature raucous cry when Persian shot it a sharp glare. The glint of claws peeking through its paw made Corvisquire gulp. The cawing sound died in its throat. Yeah, thats the one spying around yesterday! This creeps totally a pervy stalker! Corvisquire flailed its wings and widened its eyes to emphasize its point, attempting to communicate through exaggerated gestures. But the display... well, lets just say it left much to be desired. You might consider a career in pantomime or comedy. Butterfree patted Corvisquires wing with approval. This kid, it thought, could save the performing arts industry. While the others remained unbothered, Buneary appeared genuinely concerned. Nudging Persian, it whispered softly into its ear. Should we go wake Natsume? Persian tilted its head, glancing at the shadowy, wriggling figure on the ground below. After a brief pause, it nodded. Go ahead. Its worth notifying him about this. Receiving approval, Buneary leaped from the railing and trotted back inside. --- Bun. With a graceful leap, it landed softly on Natsumes bed without disturbing him. Gently nudging his face, it whispered a call. Hmm? Whats up, Buneary? Rubbing his drowsy eyes, Natsume sat up, puzzled. Though his mind was still half-asleep, his hand instinctively reached out to pat Buneary''s heada familiar motion to anyone whos ever kept a pet. Bun. Natsume, theres a strange Pokmon outside. Buneary explained the situation in detail: the Corvisquire secretly watching its phone on the rooftop earlier, dramatically posing under the moonlight to "reflect on life," and then noticing the strange creeping figure on the ground. I see. Casually dismissing the Corvisquire''s dramatic antics, Natsume quickly got dressed and headed to the roof. Lets go take a look. Remember to keep quiet, okay? Bun. Covering its mouth with its ears, Buneary nodded solemnly. Not a peep from me! Chapter 11: Ogerpon – Hello A couple of minutes later, another pair of eyes joined the rooftop spectators. Apart from the Slakoth-like Minccino, which had dozed off in its nest and couldn''t be dragged out even after two tries, and the Pokmon that claimed their own territories outside, every member of Natsume''s household had gathered on the second-floor terrace, intensely observing the spectacle below. Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Each had their own commentary on the scene: Buneary: "Looks like it''s trying hard."Persian: "Zero points. Already exposed."Butterfree: "Five points for bravery."Corvisquire: "Not even half as good as me." The Pokmon below, still painstakingly sneaking forward, had no idea that its so-called stealth mission had long been noticed. (Sidenote: These covert operations tend to end in chaotic group confrontations, dont they?) "Hmm!" After a seemingly endless "stealth approach," the small figure finally reached the pile of junk and eagerly turned its attention to the glass marbles within. Thanks to the moonlight being blocked by clouds, the marbles had lost their previous luster and allure, looking like nothing more than ordinary, cheap toys youd find discarded by the roadside. Even so, the small figures eyes sparkled as if beholding the most precious treasures in the world. "Hmmm!" With a trembling paw, it reached for the marbles, savoring the moment. Time seemed to stretch infinitely long, even for Natsume and the others watching from above, holding their breath. Finally "Hmm!" Cradling a few glass marbles, the tiny figure looked as though it held the most valuable treasure in existence. The glimmer in its eyes outshone the marbles themselves. "Hmm-hmm~" Hugging its hard-won "treasure," the small Pokmon spun around in joyous circles. A faint melody of delight seemed to drift in the wind, a clear testament to its excitement. Even the moon, once hidden behind clouds, shyly peeked out, casting its soft glow over the scene. Under the moonlight, the glass marbles regained their brilliance. The little Pokmon hopped with glee, as if it had received the doll it always dreamed of. However, happiness is fleetingfor humans and Pokmon alike. The marbles werent dropped or lost. No, the little Pokmon suddenly realizedit had been spotted. As moonlight illuminated the ground, shadows took shape, revealing outlines of everything around, including Natsume and his companions. Frozen in place, the tiny figure slowly turned around like a rusted machine, stiff and hesitant. Its mind, overwhelmed by the realization of exposure, had gone blank. For a few seconds, it stared at the rooftop figures bathed in moonlight, their sharp gazes seemingly drilling holes into its small frame. Shadowy outlines and eerie red glows flickered in the darkness. At least, that was Corvisquires imagination of the scene. In reality, upon seeing Natsume, the poor Pokmons mind crashed entirely. No thoughts of escape plans or survival tactics remainedjust one overwhelming realization: Oh no, Im done for. Its body screamed for action: Think of something! Its brain: ...Program not responding. After several agonizing seconds, it finally screamed and bolted. Beneath its tattered cloak, stubby legs churned, creating a comically frantic image as it dashed toward the forest. "Wait!" Natsume instinctively reached out, but the little figure was astonishingly fast, vanishing into the tree line with just a few strides. "Caaw!" "Should I chase it? I can catch up." Corvisquire, snapping out of its daydreams, eagerly looked to Natsume for the go-ahead. It had already visualized countless scenarios: A swift and clean takedown, followed by a cool Youve got a long way to go, before flying off triumphantly.A hard-fought victory, leading to a mutual nod of respect, leaving behind an epic silhouette.A narrow defeat, only to rally with its teammates, shouting, Never underestimate our bond! as it unlocked its hidden power to emerge victorious. The last scenariogetting crushed outrightwas, of course, excluded. But Natsume crushed Corvisquires enthusiasm with a wave of his hand. "No need." Snap. Somewhere, Corvisquires dreams audibly shattered. "Its just a bunch of old marbles. I was going to give them to the kids in town anyway. If it likes them, it can have them." These were childhood toys. Once, they mightve sparked arguments or even ended friendships. Now, they barely mattered. Natsume suddenly understood why characters in stories reconcile over lost treasures in their later years. "Hmm?" The little figure, now at the forest''s edge, noticed no one was chasing it. It hesitated, slowing its steps until it came to a stop just before vanishing into the bushes. Glancing back nervously, it saw Natsume waving at it. There was no greed, no anger in his expressionjust a calm, amused smile, as though hed witnessed something delightful. "Hmm" After a moments hesitation, the little Pokmon stepped forward, its body half-hidden in the underbrush. With one final glance, it raised a paw and waved back vigorously before disappearing into the forest. On the ground where it had stood lay a small object. Natsume, however, wasnt paying attention to that. "Was that a Ogerpon?" Although it was only a fleeting glimpse, Natsume had clearly seen the Pokmon beneath the cloak. Chapter 12: The “Gift” Left Behind and the Anxious Ogerpon In Natsumes memory, Ogerpon seemed to be a Grass-type legendary Pokmon, capable of changing its type and battle style by equipping different masks. It was likely categorized as a mythical Pokmon, though he wasnt entirely sure. Still, because of its adorable design, Natsume felt it must be a mythical Pokmon. In a northern village infamous among players for its hostile NPCs, Ogerpon was known as "the ghost." But in truth, it was just a poor child whose masks had been stolen. Its masks were taken by three Pokmon, and although it fought to retrieve them, it was reviled as an evil Pokmon. The thieves, on the other hand, were hailed as guardians of the village and affectionately called Pokmon companions. This was Natsume''s impression of Ogerpon. He also had a lingering question from the story: If Ogerpon had defeated all three Pokmon on its own later, how did it get bullied in the first place? But after thinking about it, he realized that the outcome of battles isnt just about strengthits also influenced by mindset and environment. It was like a certain warrior from Fallen Hibiscus King. Strong as they were, they often got outplayed by weaker opponents. Imagine a beginner Naruto player entering a competitive match with high-tier characters like Kizaru, only to get comboed into submission by a seasoned opponent. Ending up frustrated was only natural. Ogerpons case might have been similar. At first, it didnt want to fight, which left it vulnerable to bullying. But once its emotions erupted, it wiped the floor with those bullies. Of course, that was the original story. What the current Ogerpons situation was, Natsume had no idea. Left one for me, huh. Looking at the glass marble in his hand, Natsume couldnt help but chuckle. The little Pokmon must have thought something like, Paying to avoid trouble or Ill leave one, so dont get mad. Before running off, it had left him a single glass marble. For Natsume, these werent particularly valuable items. Even if Ogerpon had taken them all, he wouldnt have minded. But since it left one behind, he decided to keep it properly. Consider it a parting gift, maybe? Even though its technically mine to begin with. Shaking his head with a smile, Natsume turned to his companions following behind him. Alright, everyone, time to head back to bed. Weve got things to do tomorrow morning. Clapping his hands, he signaled his Pokmon to return home. Despite the interruption making him feel wide awake, he believed in maintaining proper rest. Even if sleep wasnt coming, lying in bed and resting was important. This was one of Natsumes long-held principles. Oh, and Corvisquire. Caw? Good thing you didnt chase after it earlier. sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As a legendary Pokmon, Ogerponeven if it wasnt in the mood for a fight and only focused on fleeingmight retaliate if pushed into a corner. If it had retaliated with a move like Ivy Cudgel, Corvisquire might have ended up demonstrating its ability to fall asleep on the spot. Young ones sure have it easyinstant sleep. Caw? Tilting its head, Corvisquire didnt quite understand. What do you mean its a good thing I didnt chase? Were you worried my strength might scare that Pokmon? I see. From now on, Ill need to restrain myself. Corvisquire''s thoughts had already wandered far. It was imagining scenarios of entering an anime world, strategizing how to achieve a perfect, storybook ending. Perhaps those who liked novels and anime all had this ability to multitaskresponding outwardly while pondering plots in their heads. Under Natsumes guidance, the Pokmon returned to their respective rooms. After placing the glass marble into a drawer, Natsume prepared to return to bed. Bun-Bun. The Buneary naturally climbed onto a nearby recliner, seemingly intending to sleep there from now on. Persian carried its cushion into Natsumes room, settled into a corner, and sprawled on it. Thankfully, Natsumes room was spacious enough. Even if two more Persian joined, thered still be space. Feels like my rooms going to fill up with Pokmon in the future, Natsume thought as he lay in bed, stroking Persian''s head. At least he was glad he was a quiet sleeperno sleepwalking or snoring. Even if his Pokmon didnt mind, Natsume still cared about his image. --- Meanwhile, Ogerponclutching its spoilsran all the way to a wild, overgrown field. It found its destination and dove headlong into it. The hidden cave seemed naturally formed, devoid of human interference. Deep in the cave, Ogerpon finally let out a sigh of relief. Then it gazed at its glass marbles with unrestrained joy. Even in the dark, its eyes sparkled like jewels. Mm-hmm! Playing with the marbles, Ogerpon hummed in delight. Carefully, it stashed them away with its other treasuresobjects it had worked hard to collect. Of course, they were all items nobody wanted. If someone did, Ogerpon wouldnt take them. After all, Ogerpon considered itself a good child. It plopped down on its makeshift bed of grass and rags. Though it told itself to sleep, its mind wandered. Unbidden, it thought of the human it had met earlier. Mm-hmm I left one for him before leaving. He shouldnt be mad, right? But what if he is? Should I return it? But I dont want to And he didnt chase me. He probably isnt mad right? And he didnt seem to dislike me. Was I mistaken? Everyone usually hates me No, I dont think I was wrong. He doesnt dislike me Does he? Tossing and turning, Ogerpon eventually drifted into an uneasy sleep. At the same time, it made a decision. The day after tomorrowno, tomorrow. Ill go see him again. He shouldnt dislike me. Probably --- The Next Morning Bun~! Morning!~ Mi?!?! Seeing the disheveled, bed-headed Buneary emerge from Natsumes room, the Minccino froze in shock. Did something unthinkable happen last night?! When Natsume came out to wash up, he found Minccino holding onto Buneary protectively, eyeing him warily. ? What just happened? Chapter 13: Trainers Are PUA Masters, and the Undying Loyalty of Sandshrew After a round of explanations, Minccino finally understood what had happened. And it was shocked. Such an interesting event had occurred last night, and none of you bothered to call me?! So that''s how little I mean to you all?! Nestled in Buneary''s arms, the Minccino sobbed pathetically. Bun~ Buneary wanted to explain that it had tried calling it, but the Minccino had been in such a deep sleep that no amount of shaking could wake it. But seeing its pitiful state now, Buneary swallowed its words and instead turned a pleading gaze to Natsume. Feeling Buneary''s cry for help, Natsume crouched down in front of Minccino and pulled a few pink, sweet-flavored Pokblocks from his pocket, waving them near its face. Drawn by the sugary scent, Minccino instinctively looked up, only to shake its head vigorously the next second and bury itself deeper into Buneary''s fur. Come on, dont be mad, okay? Natsume coaxed gently. Its my fault, alright? We didnt call you last night because cleaning up was exhausting. We just wanted to let you sleep peacefully. Dont be angry with me, okay? First, apologize and soothe. Then, explain and justify. Finally, apologize again while lowering ones stance. The sequence flowed seamlesslylike a textbook example of a scoundrels playbook. (Crossed out: Truly, the gold standard for manipulative charmers.) Ahem. In Natsumes defense, he had once been a hot-blooded boy with dreams of becoming a Pokmon Trainer. And for Trainers, the ability to emotionally sway otherssometimes referred to as PUA (Pick-Up Artist) tacticswas a necessary skill. Building bonds with Pokmon required not only personal charisma but also the judicious application of psychological influence. To put it simply, this world had plenty of charming manipulators. This, among other reasons, was why Natsume wasnt considering romance or marriage for the time being. (That, and he didnt feel financially secure enough yet. After accounting for the farms expenses, his remaining funds were far from abundant.) Mi~ Since you put it that way, fine. Relenting, Minccino turned with a touch of pride, taking the Pokblocks from Natsumes hand with a reluctant air. But after reflecting on its attitude, it peeked at Natsume. Seizing a moment when he wasnt looking, it lightly licked his fingertips twice before scurrying off to a corner to savor its treats. Alright, thats settled... Natsume turned, thinking the matter resolved, only to catch Buneary staring after Minccino with a stunned expression. Ive known you this long, and I never realized you were such a shameless flirt? Though Buneary didnt say a word, Natsume could practically see that thought written on its face. More work to do. After a round of chaotic appeasement, Natsume finally calmed down the emotions of his Pokmon companions. Ill be relying on you all to watch the house, okay? Waving goodbye, Natsume left with Persian and Butterfree, heading toward the town to meet the construction company hed contacted earlier. Caw! Blue Corvisquire, eyes glued to the television, absentmindedly squawked in acknowledgment. From the TV, strange lines of dialogue drifted out: Even if burdened by the heavens, I must single-handedly support the Primal Imperial City... Beware the madman sharpening his blade at night, the emperor star wavers as Mars rises... Though incomprehensible, it sounded quite impressive. Corvisquires serious demeanor suggested it was about to grab a notebook to start jotting down notes. Buneary and Minccino promised to diligently guard the house. Though Buneary wanted to follow Natsume, a few of his sweet-talking phrases had left it dazed and agreeable to staying behind. As for Sandshrew? That one had been out digging fields since morning. For a Ground-type Pokmon fond of burrowing, being assigned an entire plot of land to excavate was a dream come true. When Natsume pointed to a large, unused area and said, This is all yours to dig, Sandshrews emotions could only be described as: If you do not mind, I would gladly call you my sworn father. (Quick skip to: A true man born under heaven and earth cannot remain beneath others forever!crossed out.) ~? Humming a self-composed tune about farming, Sandshrew arrived at the field as usual. Ah, these lands. My kingdom! As Sandshrew admired yesterdays handiwork, it suddenly noticed something unusual. Tilting its head, it stared curiously at a slender hole in the ground. Sand? Did I dig this hole? After some thought, Sandshrew was certain it hadnt. For one, Natsume had always insisted it refill any holes it dug. Secondly... Measuring the hole against its claws and body, Sandshrew concluded it was far too small for it to fit through. As it puzzled over the mystery, a pink head suddenly poked out of the hole. Chirr? Sand?! Both were equally startled. Meanwhile, Natsume, strolling down a countryside path, was scrolling through his contact list. Persian lazily padded beside him, while Butterfree danced gracefully in the open air. For Butterfree, the wide outdoors offered a refreshing environment. Though life with Natsumeeven in the old dormhad been pleasant, nothing compared to roaming freely in nature. Aha, found it! Finally locating a contact labeled Miss Machamp, Natsume called the number. This person ran a small construction workshop near the town, which he had found during his search for a building company. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Though referred to as a construction company, it was more like a personal workshopa Trainer raising a Machamp and Conkeldurr team. As for the nickname Miss Machamp? When she introduced herself over the phone, she had been so enthusiastic that her words came out muddled. Plus, her social media avatar featured a Machamp carrying bricks. Hence, the name stuck. Her account name, by the way, was Machamp Construction & Renovation Team. Truly a sophisticated moniker. Hello, maam. This is Natsume, the one who contacted you earlier. Great, thank you so much. Ill head to town now and stop by your place in a bit. Elsewhere, a young woman lounging in bed suddenly bolted upright with the energy of a fish flopping out of water. Throwing open the courtyard door, she yelled loudly: Weve got work! Get ready, quick! A clients coming! In the yard, several Machamps and Conkeldurr paused mid-exercise to look at her in confusion. Clients? What clients? The realization dawned on them. Oh, right! Construction work. It had been so long since their last job that theyd almost forgotten they were a construction crew. The girls fists clenched in frustration. These guys... Chapter 14: The Most Desirable Pokémon to Marry and the Pink Adorable The townspeople are really welcoming, Natsume muttered, stroking the Persian head resting on his lap as he sat on a public bench. A hint of unease lingered in his tone. Everyone knows that the aunties at the village gates possess world-class intelligence-gathering abilities. Although Natsume had only just arrived in the town of Lianshan and had spent most of his days on the farm, it didnt take long for his basic information to spread among the older locals. What the uncles and aunties cared about, however, wasnt his Pokmon or their strength, nor his aspirations for the future. What they really wanted to know was whether he planned to settle in Lianshan long-term, whether he lived alone, and most importantly: did he have a girlfriend? That last question only became a hot topic after they had seen Natsume in person. Some of the elderly, possibly old acquaintances of his distant relatives, even grabbed Natsumes hand and recounted stories about people he didnt know, finishing with heartfelt remarks: Youve had a hard life, child. You seem like such a sensible young man. If you ever need anything, just come to Auntie! (Though that last line is best taken with a grain of salt.) While Natsume wasnt one to completely sever ties with relatives, he found relying on himself to be far more reassuring when it came to unfamiliar people. Besides, most of the time, Pokmon were more reliable than humans anyway. Loyal and kindwho wouldnt love adorable Pokmon with such virtues? Take Gardevoir, for instance, a long-time champion on the Most Desirable Pokmon to Marry list. Humanoid, beautiful, loyal, and protective of their trainershow could anyone not adore them? And not just Gardevoir. Even the regional variant, Hisuian Gardevoir, consistently ranks high on the list too. Who wouldnt like a cute little Southern lady? (Ahem.) Purr~ Persian, contentedly nestled on Natsumes lap, purred happily as he scratched behind its ears with practiced skill. It hadnt understood a single word of what those humans were saying, but since Natsume didnt seem to mind, it stayed put. As for Butterfree? It had entered a blissful daydream mid-conversation. Perhaps, Butterfree wondered, it had unintentionally learned the move Calm Mind. Could this mean it actually had a hidden talent for psychic powers? Still lost in its spiraling thoughts, Butterfree fluttered aimlessly beside them. Alright, time to find that contractor, Natsume said, snapping out of his own musings. He playfully pinched the Persian''s ears into various shapes before giving it a light tap on the head. Get up, lazybones. Persian, unbothered by the gentle smack, stretched lazily and climbed off Natsumes lap. It had grown used to this kind of teasing over the years. When it was just a little Meowth, back when Natsume was in his rebellious brat phase, the two of them had shared a chaotic but inseparable bond. Natsume, in his youth, wasnt exactly pleasant to be around, and the tiny Meowth had often found itself at the mercy of his antics. But because Natsume was its trainerand thus its source of foodit had learned to tolerate being posed in all sorts of silly positions. Also, it couldnt win in a fight back then. Young Natsume had once given Meowth an unforgettable lesson in dominance, using a well-executed sleeper hold to prove who was the boss of the house. Ah, good times. --- After following his phones navigation, Natsume arrived at a shop labeled Machamp Construction and Renovation Team (Material Wholesale). He triple-checked to make sure he had the right place. The storefront looked as if it hadnt been open for quite a while. Then again, so did most shops in town. These stores seemed to open daily despite appearing perpetually out of business. It made Natsume wonder how they sustained themselves. Were they simply hobbies to pass the time? Mr. Natsume, welcome! Just as he was about to knock, the door swung open. Out came a young woman with a somewhat shrewd expression, though her face was not unpleasant to look at. Behind her followed a crew of Machamp and Conkeldurr, all looking like seasoned construction workers. A perfect lineup for a construction company. Machamp, known for their obsessive fitness habits, saw brick-laying as just another form of exercise. Sar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, the Conkeldurr line specialized in construction, embodying their love for building and crafting. Anyone in construction usually owned at least one of each Pokmon. Hello, Im Natsume, he said, shaking hands with the young woman and briefly explaining his farms current state and his plans for it. Although they had already discussed the project over the phone, face-to-face conversations often allowed for clearer communication. He also had a few new ideas he wanted to share. No problem, boss! Leave it to me! the woman declared, thumping her chest in a show of confidence. The sound, oddly reminiscent of knocking on wood, wasnt quite as impactful as a Machamps thump might have been. But her enthusiasm was genuine. --- Upon reaching the farm, the Machamp crew wasted no time unloading supplies and getting to work. Watching the bustling construction scene, Natsume decided to fetch some water for them. But as he approached the house, he noticed something unexpected by the door. Wait, are you saying you caught this little one for me? Natsume stared at the pink, adorable Pokmon standing beside Sandshrew, who was puffed up with pride. So the meme about Pokmon taking the initiative to help trainers catch more Pokmon was real? Shrew, shrew! Nodding vigorously, Sandshrew dragged the pink Pokmon closer, as if urging it to introduce itself. The pink Pokmon nervously glanced at Natsume, seemingly worried about whether it would be accepted. Chapter 15: The Shiny Furret and “But I Was Here First!” "Chirrr~" With tiny paws clasped nervously in front of its chest, the shiny Furret lowered its head, sneaking glances at Natsume from time to time, as though trying to gauge his reaction. If Natsume showed the slightest displeasure or furrowed his brows, the poor Pokmon might decide to leave on its own. But to the Furrets relief, Natsumes expression remained calm and kind throughout. No signs of irritation or rejection could be found. "I see. I understand now," Natsume said after listening to Sandshrews explanation. "Thank you, Sandshrew." The situation was simple, and unfortunately, all too common for shiny Pokmon. This pink Furret, with its unusual coloration, had been ostracized and bullied by its peers simply for being different. Although humans might find the pink living body pillow incredibly cute, within its own species, being shiny meant being abnormala reason for exclusion. Thus, the young Sentret had been forced to leave its home, embarking on a lonely journey of exile. Who knows how far it wandered before evolving into Furret and eventually settling on Natsumes farm? Apparently, it had arrived on the very first night Natsume moved inhis first unexpected tenant. Truthfully, it was a bit of a surprise. Looking at the visibly tense Furret, Natsume spoke softly, "Hello, Furret. Im the owner of this farm. Sandshrew must have already told you about me, right?" The Furret nodded quickly, indicating it was well aware of Natsumethe kind person who provided delicious food. When introducing Natsume, Sandshrew had struggled to find the right words, eventually settling on, A really good person who gives tasty things to eat. Though the description was vague, it hit all the right notes for Furret. For a wild Pokmon, food was paramount. Questions like "Is this person nice?" or "Will they make me battle?" could only be considered once their stomach was full. As the saying goes: "Only when the granaries are full do people learn etiquette." Similarly, Furret only needed the promise of food to decide to join the farm. That, coupled with Sandshrews reassurance that Natsume wouldnt force it into battles, sealed the deal. "I wont say much more. Would you like to become my companion?" Natsume asked gently. "Im not a Trainer, so you wont have to fight, but youll need to help out around the farm." Before Natsume could finish his sentence, Furrets head bobbed up and down like a metronome. If there had been a Pok Ball in front of it, the Furret would have eagerly slapped it, happily offering itself to Natsume. A boss who offers food, shelter, and no mandatory battles? Lets put it this way: Imagine your boss telling you, "From now on, youll work at the same level as a CEO. Just show up, and well provide you with a house and a carboth in your name. Meals are free, and your workload is minimal. You might just sweep the office or walk around occasionally." To someone like Natsume in his past life, this scenario would have been too good to even dream about. But now, Furret could proudly say, "Your wildest dreams? Im living them!" "Here you go." Natsume placed a Pok Ball in front of the Furret. "Chirrr!" The Furrets eyes lit up. It immediately slapped the Pok Ball, entering it in a flash of red light. The ball wobbled twice before locking in place. "Come on out, Furret," Natsume said after the capture was complete. He gently released the Furret and carefully labeled its Pok Ball, ready to store it on the shelf later. Initially, Natsume had planned to dedicate an entire room to organizing his Pok Balls, knowing hed likely befriend many Pokmon over time. But for now, a simple shelf would suffice. After all, big goals are achieved step by stepjust like marriage comes after dating. "Chirrr~" The newly released Furret swayed slightly before gazing at Natsume with sparkling eyes. Its small paws clasped at its chest, its hopeful intentions as clear as day. Understanding the Pokmons feelings, Natsume smiled and opened his arms. Seeing this, Furret squealed with excitement and leapt into Natsumes embrace, nuzzling its soft, pink head against his chin like an affectionate puppy. "There, there." As Natsume stroked Furrets head, a smile naturally spread across his face. Spending time with Pokmon always lifted his spirits. And speaking of Furretit had the perfect texture for a body pillow. Long, soft, and incredibly warm. A natural body pillow, really. Though it might be a bit much for summer use... Meanwhile, Sandshrew crossed its arms, exuding the air of a seasoned senior. As the first Pokmon Natsume met on the farm, Sandshrew felt a deep sense of pride. Sure, Furret, you may be cuddling with Natsume now, Sandshrew thought. But when youre busy snuggling, Im out there helping him capture more Pokmon. Thats the power of being a senior Pokmon! Noticing Sandshrews smug expression, Natsume chuckled. He reached out to ruffle Sandshrews head and slipped two Ground-type energy cubes into its paws. In an instant, Sandshrews mature and composed demeanor vanished, replaced by pure delight as it munched on the cubes. Sarch* The novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Acting all grown-up, huh?" Natsume teased. "Youre still just a kid. Do you know how many adults would love to be your age again?" In the corner, a Buneary peeked out, tugging on a handkerchief it had somehow found. Its face was filled with envy, a cartoonishly dramatic scene only lacking the signature wavy, seaweed-shaped tears of a manga character. For the first time, Buneary had found a Trainer it truly likeda home it wanted to settle into. But why did it turn out like this? I was here first. I havent even hugged Natsume yet! Buneary could only stew in its jealousy, feeling completely left out. Beside it, a Minccino gently patted Buneary on the back. Though it didnt quite understand the situation, it decided that a smile and a comforting gesture were the safest responses. Chapter 16: Daily Farm Patrol and a Delivery After successfully capturing the Pokmon, Natsume took the shiny Furret on a tour around the farm, introducing it to the other Pokmon living there. This was part of his daily farm inspection. Although it was a time-consuming and labor-intensive task, it had become a necessary daily routine during the farms early days. At least until he caught a powerful Psychic-type Pokmon or a Rotom, this work had to be done by him personally. Powerful Psychic-types typically have high intelligence and can use their psychic abilities to sense and monitor the entire farm. This would allow them to assist Natsume in managing all areas of the property. As for Rotom, it was even more indispensable. In the modern era, its one of the most sought-after Pokmon, not for its combat abilities but for its utility, making it essential for large enterprises. The same goes for Porygon. However, since the family business is farming, Natsume prioritized getting a Rotom for now. Porygon could wait. Huh? Youre wondering if Natsume has enough machinery on the farm for Rotom to possess? Heh, welcome to the age of modern tech farms, kid. Woof! At the edge of the farm, the Mightyena father. excitedly nuzzled Natsumes hand, its tail wagging like a helicopter rotor. It completely ignored the disdainful looks from its mate and pup. Seriously, you''re competing with your own kid for attention? To this, Mightyena. smugly replied: Cant hear you~ After thoroughly ruffling their head, Natsume left enough Pokblocks to last the Mightyena family three days. Though he had repeatedly invited them to hang out near his residence, they still preferred their secluded spot at the farms edge, spending most of their days either patrolling or sunbathing. The Ursaring family nearby had a similar lifestyle. Unlike the close-knit Mightyena family, the Ursaring clan resembled a treasure-hunting squad that spread out across the farm. You could find Teddiursa in all sorts of unexpected places. Just this morning, while washing up, Natsume found a Teddiursa rummaging through his bathroom cabinet, its rear sticking out. He eventually hauled it out, gave it a few light taps, and left the rest to be scolded by the unimpressed Buneary. Judging by the little bears goofy grin and wagging tongue, though, it clearly wasnt listening. Natsume could only sigh. After all, most Pokmon have childlike intelligence. And children, by nature, tend to be rebellious. Scolding rarely works. --- These are for me? Natsume stood in surprise before a large tree hollow. The Ursaring family had settled in the farms orchard, choosing a spacious hollow as their home. Inside, treasures they had scavenged from the farm were piled high. Seeing Natsume arrive, Ursaring pushed out a collection of items they had clearly prepared for him beforehand. These were things they believed Natsume would like. Thank you, Ursaring. Patting its smooth fur, Natsume left plenty of Pokblocks as usual. Unlike the overly enthusiastic Mightyena father., Ursaring maintained a reserved demeanor, only gently rubbing Natsumes hand. Teddiursa! Sar?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nearby, a few Teddiursa jumped up and down, eager to show their contributions. We worked hard too! Pet us! Chuckling, Natsume patted each little bears head in turn. Energized by their reward, the Teddiursa bounced off like children at a sports festival, brimming with energy and ready to continue their treasure hunt. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Ursaring glanced at Natsume, as if apologizing for its kids behavior. Reassuring the Pokmon with a few more pats, Natsume gathered the gifts and started inspecting them on his way back. Lets see here. A Clefairy plushie, practically new. A can of unused repel? Not sure how useful thisll be. Is this a Moon Stone? Howd they even find something like this on the farm? Most of the Ursaring familys gifts were berries, though occasionally, thered be more unique items. The plushie and Moon Stone were nice finds, but the repel It just felt odd using it on a farm. For now, hed set it asidewho knows, it might come in handy someday. --- Bzzzt. Butterfrees blue eyes glowed softly as it used Psychic to carry the berries and plushie, easing Natsumes load. Furret? Following at Natsumes side, Furret tilted its head curiously. There are so many companions on this farm, and they all seem nice. And none of them give me weird looks. Except that Mightyenait seems a bit slow? After circling the farm and checking the construction teams progress, Natsume headed home to drop off his haul. With Persian supervising the workers, there shouldnt be any major issues. While he didnt think the forewoman was the type to slack off, you could never be too sure these days. As he reached his doorstep, he spotted a Delibird with a small satchel, holding up a card and repeatedly nodding and lowering its head, seemingly verifying something. Hello, are you delivering something? Natsume approached quickly. Hed ordered a batch of materials and equipment for crafting Pokblocks online recently, so the Delibird was likely delivering those. Delibird! The Pokmon perked up upon seeing him. Delibird! Delibird! Where have you been? Ive been searching for you forever! Knocked on the door, no response! And that weirdo bird on the second floor just stared at me, muttering who-knows-what like some kind of creep. Pulling out a clipboard from its uniform, Delibird presented it to Natsume while grumbling. At the same time, it efficiently pulled a package from its seemingly endless satchela box much larger than its bag. Sorry, sorry, I was out patrolling the farm. Ill make sure to give that Corvisquire a talking-to later. Signing his name on the receipt, Natsume took the package and apologized sincerely. Waving dismissively, Delibird flapped its wings and flew off to its next destination. Halfway through the flight, it paused. Wait can that human understand me? The realization that all its complaints might have been perfectly understood left Delibird mortified. This must be what they call dying inside. Another day, another social blunder. Chapter 17: Zigzagoon: Mom, I Can Fly! In the anime, making Pokblocks is incredibly simplejust toss some Berries into a machine, press a button, and wait patiently for the process to finish. In reality, however, crafting Pokblocks is an intricate and painstaking process requiring great attention to detail. Even the simplest Pokblocks require multiple steps: washing the Berries, juicing them, allowing sedimentation, purifying to remove impurities, and carefully blending in precise proportions. Certain Berries need to undergo repeated processing to achieve the desired effects. And this is just for the basic Pokblocks. In Natsume''s mind, some recipes for Pokblocks border on the fantastical. The ingredients range from bizarre to outright peculiar, some even requiring the intervention of psychic powers to complete. As a result, Pokblocks are a significant expense for Trainers in real life. If youre not aiming to be a powerful Trainer and simply see your Pokmon as family members, then regular meals will suffice. But if you want to grow stronger... Sir, would you like this Ground-type Pokblock for 799 per bag, or this premium one for 1,288 per bag? Or perhaps youd prefer a specialized series tailored to a specific Pokmon? Custom orders are also available, but there might be an additional charge~ After all, if spending more can make you stronger, whats there to hesitate about? Due to the complexity of crafting Pokblocks, as well as the tradition of most Breeders to withhold key techniques from their apprentices, the price of Pokblocks remains high. While not entirely out of reach for the average person, theyre definitely not cheap. --- Sarch* The N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. All right, just set it down here. Placing the recently delivered box on the floor, Natsume stood up and stretched his shoulders. What used to be a bedroom on the first floor had been repurposed into a small workspace for making Pokblocks. Of course, Natsume didnt plan to use this room as a permanent workstation. Eventually, efficiency would demand a larger and better-equipped space. For large factories, ordinary Pokblocks are already produced through assembly-line automation. Although Natsume didnt plan to replicate their methods, he knew hed need a bigger room to meet the needs of the Pokmon on his farm. Fur. Brii. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Natsume began unpacking the items from the box one by one. Beside him, Furret and Butterfree helped organize the contents. Apart from various Berries, there were a few strange devices and small packets. Furrets ears twitched as its big tail swayed behind it. It was trying its best to understand the purpose of these items. Berries were for eatingbut what about the rest? Tableware, maybe? Furret was completely baffled. After unpacking everything, Natsume casually pushed the box aside. Noticing this, Butterfree used its psychic abilities to move the empty box into the adjacent storage room while neatly organizing the Berries and equipment. Okay, time to make some Pokblocks! Are you ready, Butterfree? Natsume glanced around the tidy room and nodded with satisfaction. While the workspace would inevitably get messy later, a clean environment always put him in a good mood. Brii! Butterfree nodded enthusiastically, ready to assist. It had helped Natsume with Pokblock-making before and was already familiar with the process. Just as Natsume was about to say something, he noticed Furret gazing at him expectantly. Newcomers always hoped to be assigned tasks so they wouldnt feel awkward standing around. After a moments thought, Natsume said: Furret, could you do me a favor? Go tell Buneary to bring over the Berries I prepared earlier. Then head to the farmland and let Sandshrew know the seeds have arrived. Furr!! Hearing its instructions, Furrets eyes lit up. Its ears perked like antennas receiving a signal. With an eager cry to show its understanding, it darted out at full speed. This is my first task from NatsumeI must do it perfectly! Watching Furret dash off, Natsume chuckled and began preparing to make Pokblocks. First, the Berries were washed, chopped, and pitted. The juice was extracted, and the leftover pulp filtered out. The juice was then left to settle while other ingredients were prepared. The small room buzzed with activity as Natsume worked. --- Meanwhile, after informing Buneary, Furret ran to the farmland to find Sandshrew. Determined to complete its task quickly, it even used Quick Attack. In a nearby patch of grass, a Zigzagoon heard a strange sound. Looking up, it saw a pink-and-white blur streak past like a low-flying meteor. The resulting gust of wind swept Zigzagoon into the air. For a moment, Zigzagoons mind filled with a single thought: Mom, I can fly! Unfortunately, it was just an illusion. With a resounding thud, Zigzagoon landed face-first on the ground. Rolling onto its back, it stared blankly at the sky. What just happened? After a few seconds, Zigzagoon sprang to its feet. It mustve been those Poochyena again! Just you waitIm getting my gang! Snarling, Zigzagoon dashed home to rally its brothers for a showdown. Dont ask whether we can win. The important thing is that our spirit wont be defeated! If we lose today, well fight again tomorrow! Always stay ready for battle! Five versus threewe have the advantage! --- Near the farmland, Sandshrew frowned as it examined a patch of earth. Sure, having land to dig up was great, but wasnt this supposed to be farmland? Shouldnt there be crops or something? Theres a saying: No such thing as overworked land, only overworked oxen. But Sandshrew felt that if this continued, the land might actually give out before it did. Just as Sandshrew was lost in thought, a pink blur raced toward it from the distance. Fur! Fur! Furret arrived, shouting: Natsume said the seeds have arrivedhe needs you to head back! Hearing this, Sandshrews eyes lit up. It curled into a ball and launched into a high-speed spin. Furret, having stopped abruptly from its sprint, watched Sandshrew zoom past in a blur, its face full of confusion. Fur? Oh well, no time to thinkI need to get back to Natsume. Shaking its head, Furret quickly followed Sandshrew back home. --- In the workshop, Natsumes first batch of Pokblocks for the farm was ready. The fragrant aroma of fresh Berries filled the room, mingling with the steam rising from the finished product. Todays work: complete. Chapter 18: What Happens When You Eat Too Much Junk Food? A rectangular mold was carefully removed from a device resembling a steamer. Inside was a translucent, jelly-like block of energy food, glistening under the light. Phew. sea??h th Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wearing thick gloves, Natsume exhaled softly as he placed the mold aside to cool down. Once it reached the right temperature, he would cut it into smaller portionsready-to-serve pokblocks. One such cube could sustain a Pokmon for several days. Of course, this excluded Pokmon like Snorlax, infamous for their insatiable appetites. The first batch, done. Looking at the first pokblocks he had crafted since coming to the farm, Natsume nodded with satisfaction. It seemed his skills hadnt dulled. While he had only been on the farm for a few days, hands-on tasks like these always required regular practice to maintain proficiency. Buneary! Minccino! At the doorway, Buneary and Minccino sniffed the air, their eyes sparkling at the enticing aroma wafting through the room. The freshly made pokblocks emitted a warm, fruity scent unique to berriesa rare and tantalizing treat for the two little Pokmon. Seeing their eager expressions, Natsume took off his gloves and tested the cube''s temperature. Although still warm, it had cooled enough to be safe to touch. He sliced a small piece off, divided it into three portions, and handed them to Butterfree, Buneary, and Minccino. Minccino and Buneary received their portions as if they were precious treasures. Unable to wait, they immediately took a biteonly to yelp softly after burning their mouths. Fuwah fuwah! Both Pokmon instinctively blew on the food to cool it down, their reactions mirroring each other. Briii! Butterfree floated over, sensing their struggle. Its psychic powers gently lifted the freshly prepared energy cubes, while a light breeze stirred from its fluttering wings. Move: Tailwind. Minccino! Buneary! Grateful for Butterfrees help, the two Pokmon continued blowing on their portions. Once the cubes were cool enough, they popped them into their mouths, their faces lighting up with sheer bliss. Watching this, Natsume recalled a popular meme: Reporter: Do you know what happens when you eat too much junk food? Man: You smile with happiness. Of course, pokblocks were far from junk food. Turning back, Natsume began preparing the next batch. While pokblocks technically had a shelf life, no trainer ever let them go to waste. Anyone who did should consider managing a warehouse instead of Pokmon. As he washed some berries, a dirt-colored blur rolled toward the house, followed by a pink streak zipping close to the ground. Sandshrew! Sandshrew! Sandshrew rolled to a halt just before crashing into the house, expertly performing a drift and side-parking maneuver. It then trotted excitedly inside to find Natsume. Furret, on the other hand, wasnt as skilled. Although it managed to avoid a direct collision, it overshot the house by several meters before coming to an awkward stop. When Furret finally returned indoors, it saw Sandshrew receiving several pouches from Natsume. The seriousness with which Sandshrew held the bags made it look like a dedicated otaku cradling a collectors edition of rare merchandise. Furret tilted its head but didnt bother asking. It simply filed Sandshrew under the category of "odd Pokmon." The farm seemed full of quirky Pokmon, from Mightyena Sr., who acted like a goofy dad, to the Zigzagoon and Poochyena perpetually bickering. Now Sandshrew had joined the ranks, along with the Corvisquire upstairs who endlessly recited TV catchphrases. Good work, Furret. Natsume handed Furret a piece of pokblock as a reward. Taking a towel from Buneary, he wiped his hands before patting Furret on the head. Feeling the warmth of Natsumes palm, Furret closed its eyes in contentment, its tail swaying rhythmically. At that moment, it finally understood why Mightyena Sr. enjoyed these pats so much. My apologies, Mightyena Sr. I misjudged you before. You''re not strange at all. With that, Furret mentally removed Mightyena Sr. from its blacklist and continued savoring Natsumes attention. Meanwhile, Natsume discussed the days tasks with Sandshrew. These transparent bags contain regular grains, while the ones with patterns hold seeds for Prosperity Grains. Well divide the farmland into four sectionstwo for regular grains and two for Prosperity Grains. Sandshrew! Although it didnt fully grasp why there had to be four sections instead of two, Sandshrew assured Natsume it understood. Sitting on the doorstep with its pouches and an pokblock, Sandshrews excitement was palpable. Watching farming videos on the communal tablet had stirred something deep within it. Now, holding the seeds, Sandshrew felt a profound awakeningits Farming Spirit had been kindled. Upstairs, Corvisquire paced back and forth, refining its battle combosnot strategies like "Toxic Stall," but stylish moves for flair. Essentially, it was practicing taunts to mock opponents after a victory. Amid its dramatic rehearsal, the egg in Natsumes incubator wobbled ever so slightly. Inside, a small life impatiently waited to emerge, eager to experience the world. As dusk fell, the setting sun painted the horizon with hues of orange and red. Deep within its cave, Ogerpon stretched lazily and performed a series of warm-up exercises. "Hum! In a little while, it would go meet the human from yesterday. Clenching its tiny fists, Ogerpon cheered itself on. You can do this, Ogerpon. Theres nothing scary out there. Just ordinary things. Absolutely nothing to fear... But as it peeked outside, doubt crept in. Its terrifying! Why did I think I could do this?! Hmmm The cave echoed with Ogerpons panicked cries. Chapter 19: A Small Head Hanging in the Darkness Under the dim sky, Ogerpon sat quietly near the entrance of the cave, waiting for night to fall. "Hmmm..." Staring at the desolate landscape outside, Ogerpon''s mind began to wander. When exactly had it arrived here? It couldn''t remember. Perhaps it had been one or two months ago. Back then, neither humans nor Pokmon liked it in the place where it lived. For some reason, they all seemed to dislike it. After several failed attempts to make friends, Ogerpon made a decision: I''ll leave this place and start a new life somewhere no one knows me. So, on a moonless and windy night, Ogerpon packed its small belongings and set off on a journey. It had no destination or specific requirements, just an impulsive decision to leave. The journey wasn''t a kind one. Despite trying hard to stick to remote paths, it still occasionally encountered rangers. When trainers discover an exceptionally rare Pokmon they''ve never seen before, their reactions are predictable. It wasnt just humans. Even the Pokmon it encountered werent friendly. No Pokmon wanted a newcomer stealing food in their territory. Fleeing time and time again, Ogerpon eventually stumbled into the area near the farm. It found this hidden cave in a barren patch of land and decided to settle down. After arriving, Ogerpon spent some time adapting to the environment. Food was scarce, but it was safe. A few nights ago, it discovered the farm. Venturing in for a little exploration, it was accidentally spotted by a human. At that time, Ogerpon panicked. Fortunately, that human hadnt attacked it. "Hmm!" Unsure how much time had passed, Ogerpon came to its senses as the sky grew darker. It stood up, slapped its small face lightly to stay alert, and donned its carefully prepared "stealth outfit" before setting off. Just as it was about to leave the cave, something came to mind. It turned back, rummaged through the cave''s depths, and pulled out two glass marbles, clutching them tightly. "Hmmm!" Standing at the cave entrance, Ogerpon cheered itself on. You can do this! After taking a deep breath, it somersaulted forward, tumbling out of the cave and vanishing into the tall grass. A few seconds later, it cautiously poked its head up to observe. Confirming no Pokmon had noticed it, it began crawling forward in a prone position. Though crawling, its speed was surprisingly on par with a human walking briskly. Is this the power of a Legendary Pokmon? (Not really.) With its "twisted and shadowy crawling," Ogerpon managed to reach the edge of the farm just as night fell. "Woof..." Inside the newly repaired doghouse, Mightyena''s ears twitched before its eyes snapped open. This small doghouse was built by the construction team while they were repairing the fence earlier in the afternoon. Since there were leftover materials, the lead craftsman had made it for fun during his break, even hanging a sign that read "Doghouse." Mightyena quietly exited the house, its eyes sharp and alert. It had caught the scent of something unfamiliar! Its keen gaze scanned the surroundings and eventually locked onto a small figure attempting to climb over the fence. Hmm, green, wearing strange clothes, very small, and looking quite timid. Ah, now it rememberedthis was the one Natsume had mentioned. Natsume had said not to bother it if it came by and to just let it in. The vigilance in Mightyena''s eyes faded. With a yawn, it turned back to the doghouse to rest. It had the night shift later, so it needed to catch up on sleep. As for its rowdy pups whod gotten into a fight with some Zigzagoon and Poochyena earlier in the day, Mightyena decided it would teach them how to fight properly starting tomorrow. Back in the doghouse, Mightyena looked at its foolish offspring and shook its head. What could it do? They were its pups, after all. Though clumsy and dimwitted, they were still its responsibility. sea??h th N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After confirming Ogerpon had climbed over the fence, Mightyena pawed at its bedding, found a comfortable position, and lay back down. "Hmmm..." Finally, it was inside. After climbing over the fence, Ogerpon didnt linger. It leapt forward with a "belly flop," disappearing into the bushes to hide. Only after catching its breath did it notice a faint, enticing aroma. Sniffing carefully, Ogerpon realized the scent was familiar. It was the kind of smell it remembered from Pokmon that had been caught by trainers. But this aroma was much richer. Unconsciously, Ogerpon followed the scent, its feet moving as if guided by an invisible force. When it came to its senses, it was already in front of a two-story building. This seemed to be where that human lived. A shiver ran down Ogerpon''s spine, and it quickly ducked back into the bushes. Through a small gap, it peeked at the house. In its eyes, the house stood out against the night, a warm anomaly dispelling the darkness and fear. Even at this distance, it could faintly hear the lively sounds from within. Changing its angle slightly, Ogerpon managed to see through an open window. The human it had seen before was busy with something, surrounded by several Pokmon who occasionally took something from the human''s hands and eagerly ate it. They looked so happy. Ogerpon stared blankly at the scene before it. A complicated emotion welled up in its chest. "Hmm..." Clutching its chest, Ogerpon hung its small head low. What was this feeling? It was strange and unfamiliar. Am I... hungry? Having lived alone in the wild for so long, rarely interacting with humans or even other Pokmon, Ogerpon couldnt quite understand its current emotions. They were hard to describejust uncomfortable and unpleasant. --- How is it? Do you like the taste? Inside the workshop, Natsume cut off some edges from a freshly made batch of Pokblocks and handed them to his Pokmon. Hed spent the entire afternoon experimenting with various basic recipes he hadnt tried before. With so many formulas in his mind, there were still plenty left to test. His Pokmon took turns expressing their opinions. Minccino and Sandshrew found it average, while Buneary and Furret seemed to enjoy it more. Meow~ Persian, sitting by Natsumes side, perked up its ears as if noticing something. It rubbed against Natsumes hand and gestured for him to look outside. There... Following Persian''s gaze, Natsume spotted a small head hanging low in the darkness. Chapter 20: Capturing Pokémon Is Like Going on a Date In the darkness, Ogerpon''s little head drooped slightly, its silhouette faintly visible. Although it was unclear what had happened, the Pokmon seemed downcast. Perched by the window, Minccino and Buneary curiously observed the unfamiliar Pokmon from afar. They seemed to silently agree: if all went well, this little one would likely join the farm soon. Watching Ogerpon sulking alone in the shadows, Natsume decided to act. He rummaged through his cabinet and retrieved the pokblocks he had prepared earlier that afternoon. There were about twenty different types of cubes, including ones suitable for all Pokmon and several specifically for Grass-types. After all, aside from Bug-types, Grass-types were the most common Pokmon in the wild. sea??h th ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Natsume always believed in being prepared. You never knew when these would come in handy. Carefully portioning the cubes into small bags, he sealed each one neatly and placed them into a single package. When he looked up again, Ogerpon was no longer sulking but watching him with a mix of envy, unease, and longing. The moment their eyes met, Ogerpon froze. Its entire body stiffened, as if caught by a paralysis move. Then came a wave of panic, and the urge to flee took over. But as it turned to leave, it hesitated. Remembering Natsumes previous gentle demeanor, Ogerpon cautiously glanced back. Through the window, Natsume held up the small package, looking genuinely concerned. There was no malice in his gaze. Sensitive as they were, children and Pokmon alike could instinctively detect ill intentions. And Pokmon, like children, were often pure-hearted beings. After a moment of hesitation, Ogerpon turned back, inching out of the bushes. Step by step, it cautiously approached the window, all while keeping a watchful eye on Natsume, ready to bolt at any moment. Natsume noticed this and deliberately slowed his movements, ensuring he wouldnt frighten the wary little Pokmon. Hello there, Ogerpon, Natsume greeted softly as the Pokmon neared the window. The sudden sound startled Ogerpon, making it flinch. But after a couple of seconds, seeing that Natsume remained still, it timidly replied, Hmmm Hello. My name is Natsume. I run this farm, he said gently, stretching an empty hand out the window. Would you like to be friends? ... Ogerpon hesitated, but after a brief pause, it quickly darted forward to lightly touch Natsumes hand before retreating to a safe distance. Its tiny heart raced as if it had just accomplished a monumental feat. In its mind, the barrier of wariness had now largely dissolved. First steps were always the hardest. Would you like to come inside? Natsume invited. Ogerpon hesitated again but shook its head to decline. Natsume didnt mind at all. He had merely extended the offer to see what would happen. A refusal at this stage was only natural. Building trust took time, just like developing any relationship. Here, he said, holding out the small package of pokblocks. I made these this afternoon. Would you like to try them? Id love to hear your feedback. Although it felt a little awkward to say, Natsume couldnt deny ithe was quite fond of Ogerpon. Who wouldnt like a cute and tiny Pokmon like this? Yes, he admitted it openly. He was drawn to Ogerpons charm! And he was unapologetic about it. Better to be honest than to act aloof, pretending not to care while secretly longing. The era of tsundere attitudes was long over. Watching Ogerpon cautiously sniff the package, its eyes lit up with excitement. It eagerly nodded and reached out, carefully clutching the small bag to its chest. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Ogerpon pulled out two small glass beads from somewhere. Hummm! It squeaked, offering the beads to Natsume. Natsume quickly realized what Ogerpon meant. If Natsume was upset about anything Ogerpon had done before, the beads were meant to make amends. You dont have to, Natsume said with a chuckle. Didnt you already leave me one of these last time? Relieved, Ogerpons face lit up, and it quickly stashed the beads back into its bag. This human is a good person! Ogerpon gazed at Natsume with sparkling eyes, its trust solidified. It now knew, without a doubt, that this human was unlike anyone it had encountered before. Chapter 21: A Passing Trainer? Morning sunlight filtered through the glass, casting a warm glow in the room as tiny particles danced in the air currents. From the window, a heartwarming scene unfolded. A handsome boy lay fast asleep on his bed, cradling a shiny pink Furret in his arms. At the foot of the bed, a Persian slept soundly, shielding its head with its paws from the piercing sunlight. On a lazy recliner, a petite Minccino stretched languidly, loosening its tiny limbs. After rubbing the sleep from its eyes, Minccino glanced out the window at the scenery before hopping lightly onto the pillow to nudge Natsume awake. "Minccino," it squeaked softly. "Morning, Minccino," Natsume mumbled as he groggily opened his eyes. Smiling at the adorable Pokmon so close, he reached out and gently ruffled its head, eliciting a blissful expression from the tiny creature. A few minutes later, Natsume stood in the bathroom, hair a chaotic mess, brushing his teeth while scrolling through his phone. Beside him, Minccino diligently brushed its teeth with its miniature toothbrush, mirroring its trainers routine. It had been about a week since the mischievous Ogerpon had "visited" Natsumes farm. That night, Natsume hadnt captured Ogerpon, choosing instead to establish a bond of friendship. Before leaving, Natsume had told the Pokmon it was welcome to visit the farm anytime. Although it had agreed, Ogerpon had only shown up three times during the week. Each time, it would sneak in under the cover of darkness, empty its little pouch of energy cubes, and quietly refill it before skulking away. Its "stealth" efforts were far from flawless, though. Every time it climbed the fence, the Mightyena family would quietly observe from a distance, occasionally whispering comments: "Its moves are getting smoother." "But seriously, look at those stubby legsits not even trying to jump properly." Pure slander, of course. Natsume pushed open the window, and the farms lively scene stretched out before him. Compared to its neglected state when he first arrived, the farm was now brimming with life. Near the fields, Sandshrew in its straw hat strolled leisurely with a small watering can, greeting a line of passing Cottonee. In addition to the Pokmon Natsume had officially captured, the farm was also home to some "wild residents." Natsume didnt plan on catching all of themso long as they didnt cause trouble, they were free to stay. The fields, divided into neat quadrants, were lush and green. The cropsordinary grains and the specialty Gracidea grains Natsume had broughtwere growing well. Interestingly, while two fields were just sprouting, the other two were nearly ready for harvest. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This discrepancy was due to Natsume''s "experiment." Two plots were planted with regular grains, and two with Gracidea grains. For one plot of each type, Natsume had infused it with his "knockoff Viridian Force," nurturing them daily. The results were impressive: the infused crops grew significantly faster and even seemed to have mutatedthankfully in a beneficial way. Natsume planned to sell the regular crops while keeping the infused ones for personal use on the farm. He also intended to experiment with using his power to speed up the growth of berries and see if they could enhance his energy cubes. "Sandshrew~" The diligent Pokmon pulled out a large sack and used its tiny paws as makeshift scoops to sprinkle powdered remnants onto the soil. These leftovers, byproducts from Pokblock production, served as excellent fertilizer. Natsume had also saved berry seeds, experimenting with sprouting them thanks to tips hed found online. "Good morning, Furret. Morning, Butterfree. Morning, Buneary. And you, Corvisquiredid you stay up late again?" Natsume teased as he greeted his Pokmon one by one. "You know, staying up too late can cause serious feather loss for bird Pokmon." As for Persian? It had only come back to the room at dawn after patrolling the grounds overnight, seemingly treating the property as its personal territory. Thanks to Persians efforts, Natsume always slept peacefully, knowing any trouble would be swiftly detected. Just as Natsume was about to head out for his usual farm inspection, a commotion erupted in the distance. Listening closely, he realized it came from the Mightyena familyand this time, their barks carried a sense of urgency. "Whats going on?" Natsume muttered, puzzled, as he hurried toward the noise, accompanied by Butterfree and his shiny Furret. Persian, reluctantly waking from its nap, stretched and followed lazily, looking visibly grumpy from its disrupted sleep. At the farms edge, the Mightyena family had formed a semi-circle around a young boy, who stood flustered and defensive. Two Pokmon accompanied him, one on either side. "Wait, wait, I mean no harm!" the boy stammered, clearly overwhelmed as the Mightyena continued to growl and block his path. The Mightyena father, ever vigilant, had instantly deemed the boy suspicious after catching him loitering near the farms borders early in the morning. "Whats going on here?" Natsume called out, arriving on the scene. "Im the owner of this farm, Natsume. And you are?" he asked, directing a firm gaze at the intruder. "Woof, woof!" barked Mightyena senior, launching into a spirited report: This guys been skulking around since early morning. Definitely up to no good! Natsume turned back to the boy, waiting for his explanation. "My name is Fu Gu," the boy stammered. "Im a traveling Trainer. I stumbled across this place during my journey and got curious, so I stopped to take a closer look." Fu Gus nervous demeanor didnt inspire much confidence. While his intentions might have been innocent, his excessive curiosity had clearly crossed a line. Most people find overly curious individuals more irritating than endearingsomething Fu Gu had yet to grasp. Chapter 22: Dirty Tactics Are Part of Battle So much for just passing by, huh? Looking at the boy decked out with a travel backpack and a fully equipped outdoor jacket, Natsume couldnt help but inwardly ridicule him. As mentioned before, Trainers and anglers share some similarities to a degree: they both seek out uncharted territories. Only the greenest of greenhorns would obediently stick to well-trodden paths. More experienced Trainers, however, constantly search for untouched, unspoiled regions. Remote mountains, desolate wilderness, barren landscapesnone of these faze them. The fewer the people, the better. Fewer people mean more treasures and rare Pokmon. At least, thats the idea; fewer visitors usually equate to greater rewards. Whats that? You think places with bad environments might not have Pokmon? Dont underestimate the adaptability of Pokmon! Sky, land, deep sea, rainforeststheres hardly a corner of the world where Pokmon dont exist. Even space and alternate dimensions are known to harbor Pokmon. As for this kid, Fu Gu, who called himself a "traveling Trainer," it reflected one of two major classifications of Trainers in this world: Travelers and Academics. Traveler Trainers often forgo higher education after high school, embarking on journeys to explore and challenge gyms. Some even start traveling right after middle school. Of course, for safety reasons, officials recommend beginning such journeys only after completing high school. On the other hand, Academic Trainers progress through the traditional routestudying, taking exams, and pursuing degrees. Many continue into postgraduate studies before embarking on their Trainer careers. The rivalry between the two groups has always been a hot topic, with both sides exchanging plenty of derogatory nicknames over the years. While both paths ultimately lead to similar destinations, that doesnt stop the two camps from looking down on one another. This divide also shows up in competitive recruitment during college entrance exam seasonsimilar to those annoying telemarketing calls. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Natsume had been through this before. In the end, between Traveler and Academic, he chose a third option: not becoming a Trainer at all. Instead, he declared, Im heading home to inherit the farm! And as fate would have it, here we are. So, what brings you here, young man? Natsumes thoughts returned to the present as he eyed the boy in front of him, along with the Aipom and Weepinbell at his side. Judging by their overall energy, the boy wasnt bad. For context, Pokmon strength in this world is broadly categorized into six levels:This international system has some flexibility depending on the region, but it generally applies across the board. In Natsumes home region, the translations align with these levels. Based on observation, Fu Gus Pokmon seemed to hover around Level 20, marking him as a rookiebut a competent one. If possible, Id like to challenge you to a battle. Fu Gu bowed slightly, his eyes sparkling with excitement. His gaze kept drifting to the shiny Furret by Natsumes side. A shiny Pokmon! It was his first time seeing one in real life. Anyone capable of capturing a shiny Pokmon had to be strong, right? The boys thoughts were innocent enough. ... Though Natsume had already guessed as much, he couldnt help but feel a little exasperated. Trainers, after all, were like thisalways hunting for battles wherever they went. The whole our eyes met, so we must battle thing was practically a motto. Compared to Trainers, anglers seemed like a much quieter bunch. At least they stayed still while fishing. Well, except for when they got lost trying to find their way home. Natsume glanced at his own Pokmon lineup. Rookie (1C10)Standard (11C25)Elite (26C40)Gym Leader (41C55)Elite Four (56C70)Champion (71C80)Shiny Furret: Level 25, barely on par with the opponents strength. Having recently joined the farm, Furret hadnt undergone any rigorous training yet.Butterfree: Level 29, trained early on as both a mainstay and a tactical support Pokmon. It specialized in varied and... well, dirty strategies.Persian: Level 53, by far the farms strongest battler. This Pokmon had been with Natsume since childhood, benefiting from years of specially-crafted Pokblocks.Well, why not? Scratching his head, Natsume shrugged and agreed. Might as well treat it as morning exercise. Would a 2v2 battle work for you? No problem! Fu Gu nodded eagerly, ready to go. Since this wasnt an official match, the two skipped the formalities and got right to it. Aipom, prepare for battle! You good to go, Butterfree? Unlike Fu Gus enthusiasm, Natsume calmly turned to his Butterfree for confirmation. Freee~ After a moment of thought, Butterfree nodded. It had been a while since its last fighttime to stretch those wings. Alright then. Lets begin. The battle commenced with Aipom flashing a mischievous grin before letting out an ear-piercing screech. Scary Face, designed to startle opponents and make them flinch. But Butterfree remained unfazed, quickly gaining altitude. A blinding flash of light followed, leaving Aipoms vision entirely white. Screeech! Ah, crap! The sudden flash not only blinded Aipom but also Fu Gu himself, leaving him teary-eyed. By the time his vision cleared, the sight before him was... unsettling. A thick, purplish liquid coated Aipoms face. Above, Butterfrees wings glimmered, scattering a mix of glittering powdersparalysis powder, poison powder, and rage powderall drifting toward Aipom. Purple liquid? Likely Toxic. The combination of powders? A Sleep Powder + Air Cutter + Supersonic cocktail, garnished with disruption tactics. Floating leisurely in the air, Butterfree continued bombarding Aipom with poison and ranged attacks, occasionally tossing in Psybeam or Air Slash to interrupt any counter-moves. A few minutes later, Aipom lay sprawled on the ground, covered in unidentifiable purple fluids, tongue lolling out, with an oddly serene expression of relief. As Fu Gu frantically administered antidotes, he glanced at Natsume with a hint of grievance. Natsume, utterly unbothered, simply remarked, Dirty tricks are an essential part of a Trainers repertoire, young man. If this rattles you, youve still got a long way to go. Weepinbell, your turn! Taking a deep breath, Fu Gu steadied himself. Fine. You want tricks? My Weepinbell can play that game too! Paralysis Powder, Poison Powder, Growth, and Vine Whipit could outlast Butterfree through sheer attrition. That was his plan, at least. Until he heard Natsume issue the next command: Butterfree, Psychic Earth Toss. Ready. Fu Gu could only watch, dumbstruck, as his Weepinbell was lifted high into the airthen slammed down with brutal force. Fu Gu: ... Damn it! Chapter 23: The Egg is About to Hatch! A few minutes later, Fu Gu squatted on the ground with a defeated expression, spraying potion on his Weepinbell. The brief battle just now had plunged him into deep despair. Sure, the tactics Natsume used were technically things that had been taught in school, but experiencing them firsthand was a whole different level of frustration. Dirty tactics were despised for a reason: they were infuriating and often seemed impossible to counter. Strictly speaking, every underhanded strategy had been thoroughly researched, with countermeasures meticulously developed over the years. But remembering all of them? Impossible. There were simply too many strategies, and just as many counters. His brain couldnt keep up. Managing to memorize a handful of the basics already felt like an achievement. With a heavy sigh, Fu Gu sank further into his melancholy. Natsume, on the other hand, fully empathized. When he first arrived in this world, Natsume had been brimming with confidence. He thought his past-life experience with strategy games might not make him an unbeatable champion but would at least let him dominate the rookie scene. Then he opened a textbook full of complex tactics, and reality hit him like a brick wall. In hindsight, it made sense. The strategies he knew were merely the product of gaming communities, limited in scope and creativity. How could they possibly compare to the collective ingenuity of an entire world dedicated to Pokmon training for decades? A younger Natsume had been utterly demolished by his own overconfidence. The harsh realities of this world hammered humility into himfiguratively and, sometimes, literally. Natsume quickly realized that his brain wasnt cut out for intricate battle strategies. Whether it was before or after his reincarnation, complex operations were never his forte. So he decided: if finesse wasnt his game, then brute force would have to do. When raising his Corvisquire, Natsume focused entirely on boosting its size and defense. Simple. Direct. Effective. The plan was for it to become an impenetrable wall and, after evolving into a Corviknight, dominate the battlefield with powerful attacks like Brave Bird. Unfortunately, the dream was cut short when his priorities shifted from becoming a Pokmon trainer to running a farm. Life took him down a completely different path, and now the idea of returning to professional training felt like a distant memory. Still, Natsume didnt regret it. If anything, hed found a new kind of fulfillment. Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Fu Gu, meanwhile, struggled to put his feelings into words. "Master Natsume battling you was uh" He wanted to say the usual niceties: "That was such an exhilarating fight!" or "Ive learned so much from our battle!" But he couldnt. In truth, just holding back tears was a feat of emotional strength. Its okay, Natsume replied dryly, unsure how to comfort him. Dont worry, Master Natsume. Im fine. Fu Gu slapped his cheeks and forced a smile, though it didnt entirely mask his lingering frustration. Defeat was a normal part of a trainers life, after all. Failure is the mother of success, right? Well, Fu Gu felt like hed received more than his fair share of maternal affection today. Oh, by the way, Master Natsume, Fu Gu suddenly said, I have this habit of documenting my travels on the forum. Many trainers enjoyed sharing their experiences online for various reasonswhether to chronicle their journeys, brag about their accomplishments, or offer advice to newcomers. It was also a subtle way of proving they were still alive. If a trainers account suddenly went silent, especially after a post about exploring the wilderness, it usually wasnt a good sign. In the wild, going missing and dying were often one and the same, though the term "missing" gave families a small glimmer of hope. After hearing Fu Gus explanation, Natsume thought for a moment before agreeing. His farm didnt have much to hideaside from the occasional visit from Ogerpon or his secret psychic powers. A little publicity wouldnt hurt. The days of relying on quality speaks for itself were long gone. Even the best products needed online marketing these days. "Thank you so much, Master Natsume!" Fu Gu left with a spring in his step, happily clutching some energy cubes Natsume had casually handed him as a parting gift. --- Walking down a rural path, Fu Gu began updating his forum log: "Just visited a farm near Lianshan Town, run by a trainer named Natsume. Great guy! He even gave me some homemade pokblocksway better quality than the ones you find in stores." When it came to strength, Fu Gu hesitated. Thinking back to his utterly defeated Aipom and Weepinbell, he paused before typing: "Id recommend any rookie trainers challenge him. Its a good learning experience." Why should he suffer alone? Sharing the pain was the least he could do, right? Not that it mattered muchhis forum account barely had any followers. Most of the views were either his own or from bots. Thinking about it only made him feel worse. --- Back at the farm, Natsume was finally wrapping up his chores. As he approached his house, he was greeted by a cacophony of panicked cries from inside. Corvisquire, Minccino, and Buneary were all frantically shouting over one another. Corvisquire flew out from the second floor in a rush, spotting Natsume and immediately squawking in alarm: Caw! Caw! Caw! Natsume! The egg you brought backits glowing! Is it going to explode?! What?! Natsumes eyes widened as he bolted inside. Meow. Persian glanced at Corvisquire with a withering look. Fool. Its hatching. Then, with a flick of its tail, Persian followed Natsume inside. Chapter 24: A New Friend Joins the Farm Inside the incubator, a Pokmon egg with blue and red patterns shook violently, pulsing with rhythmic bursts of light resembling breaths. At a glance, it almost looked like a bomb about to explode. "Bunn!" Spinning in a panic, Buneary calmed down the moment Natsume arrived, darting to him as if seeking reassurance, waving its little arms wildly. "Relax, relax. Its fine," Natsume said soothingly. He had a pretty good guess about the egg with the blue and red diamond-shaped patterns. After all, in the Pokmon world, not many Pokmon sported this coloration. Could it be one of those jet fighters? "Buneary, could you go downstairs and grab two bottles of Moomoo Milk for me? And bring the pokblocks I packed in the pink pouch." S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "And Minccino, please prepare a clean towel and a basin of warm water." Even though he wasnt sure if hed need all of it, Natsume preferred to be prepared. Caring for a newly hatched Pokmon was entirely different from reading about it online. "Bun!" "Mi!" The two Pokmon dashed off towards the stairs to complete their tasks. Behind Natsume, Persian padded into the room. It glanced at the soon-to-hatch egg, then at Corvisquire, who was crouching by the incubator like a fool, its face almost pressed against the glass. "Meow~" Letting out a soft sigh, Persian nudged Corvisquire out of the way, completely ignoring its squawks of protest. It also herded Furret and Sandshrew out of the room for good measure. Before stepping out, Persian used its tail to gently nudge the door closed, leaving it open just a crackwide enough for the Pokmon outside to peek in without disturbing Natsume. Persian vaguely remembered reading somewhere that a newly hatched Pokmon often bonded with the first being it saw, considering them the closest presence in its life. For this reason, most trainers chose to be alone in the room during such moments, even excluding their closest companions. Where had Persian picked up that tidbit? Ah, yes. It was back when a younger Natsume had been struggling with schoolwork and dragged Persian into his studies, explaining textbook material as if it were a captive student. Peering through the crack in the door, Persian watched as Natsume calmly prepared everything. It couldnt help but feel a twinge of nostalgia. The mischievous little boy had grown up. Granted, Natsume had always seemed mature for his age, but there was a certain unchanging essence about men. High EQ phrasing: "A mans heart is forever youthful." Low EQ phrasing: "Boys stay childish no matter how old they get." "Bunn!" Carrying milk and energy cubes, Buneary handed the supplies to Natsume before retreating to sit beside Persian, peeking into the room. Minccino followed suit. Many people underestimated the strength of smaller Pokmon, assuming their petite stature meant limited power. In reality, even "small and cute" Pokmon like Buneary could knock the wind out of you with a single punch. Inside the room, Natsume carefully lifted the egg out of the incubator and placed it into a small, prepared nest. Unconsciously, sweat formed in his palms. The birth of new life always carried a sense of awe and profound emotion. Finally, a crisp "crack" sounded. The egg bathed in white light began to change. When the glow faded, a small Pokmon still mostly encased in its eggshell appeared before Natsume. It blinked its wide eyes in confusion, the hazy world around it gradually coming into focus. In its emerging vision, one figure dominated the view. "Tokii?" Guided by instinct, the tiny Pokmon reached out with its arms. Warm hands gently scooped it up. "Hello, Togepi," Natsume greeted with a smile. "Im Natsume. From now on, were family." Togepi, its tiny lips puckered, didnt quite understand the words. But the warmth of Natsumes presence and the comforting aura he exuded were enough to make it instinctively clutch his shirt. "Toki-toki!" Nestled in Natsumes arms, Togepi happily kicked its little feet, enjoying the milk Natsume fed it from a bottle. The milk, warmed to just the right temperature, was mixed with crushed energy cubes specially made for young Pokmon, giving it a sweet flavor that Togepi adored. Once its belly was full, Togepi was placed back in its nest. Curious, its tiny eyes roamed around the vast and unfamiliar world. To the newborn, everything seemed enormous. "Toki!" Gripping the corner of its blanket, Togepi attempted to roll over, but after several tries, its tiny limbs couldnt muster enough strength to accomplish the task. Squirtle could surely relate. "Mi-mi!" "Ri-ri!" Outside the door, Natsumes Pokmon waited impatiently. After Togepis birth, Persian had closed the door even tighter, wary of the groups noisy antics scaring the newborn. Persian understood this little one would be the farms center of attention for the foreseeable future. Although Natsume believed in treating all his partners equally, emotions werent always so easily controlled. It was inevitable that his focus would shift to the newcomer for a while. As the de facto second-in-command on the farm, Persian saw it as its responsibility to care for the new arrival and maintain harmony among the other Pokmon. The last thing it wanted was petty squabbles over attention. Glancing at the gathered Pokmon, Persian appeared as calm as ever, but its mind was already planning. "Meow~" Its tail swished lazily. A cats thoughts were always mysterious and difficult to discern. The door creaked open slightly. Natsume peeked out, addressing the group softly. "Togepis asleep. You can come in and see, but dont wake it up." At his words, the Pokmon quietlywell, as quietly as they couldpoured into the room. Gathering around Togepis little nest, they gazed at their new companion with curiosity and affection. "Does this make me a senior now?" Furret tilted its head, staring at Togepis sleeping face adorned with a goofy smile. Its tail swayed gently, a clear sign of its good mood. Chapter 25: The First Harvest and a Mischievous Child They say Togepi is a Pokmon that represents luck and happiness. Its eggshell is said to be filled with joy, and when it feels content, it shares the luck inside its shell with others. As the Trainer of a Togepi, one is supposedly blessed with good fortune, leading to a blissful life. Of course, theres no scientific basis for this claimjust folklore. Much like the saying, If youre single by thirty, youll qualify as a grand wizard. In short, nonsense. Togeee~ Toge! Togepi darted around the room, clutching the little blanket it had been born with. Newborns are always curious, filled with an endless energy to explore the world. From the bed to under the table, from the window to the doorwayTogepi''s enthusiasm knew no bounds. Bun bun! Buneary, holding a milk bottle, frantically chased after it. Given that Natsume often had to step out, hed entrusted Buneary with a very important task: taking care of Togepi when he wasnt home. Buneary had confidently accepted the responsibility, thumping its chest in determination. It had thought, Sure, Im small too, but looking after a baby like Togepi? Piece of cake. That confidence lasted all of five minutes after Natsume left. When Togepis "energy bar" fully charged, chaos ensued. While Natsume had been home, Togepi had been napping in its nest, already tired from earlier mischief. Now, with Natsume gone, Togepi was fully energized. Buneary had been excited at first, scrambling after Togepi in a panic. Now, it simply flopped onto the floor in defeat, utterly spent. Bun Collapsing in exhaustion, Buneary looked like it had been completely worn out. It wasnt annoyedjust utterly defeated. Forget it. Im done. Meow. Persian gracefully strolled into the room. It took one look at the disheveled Buneary and then at the hyperactive Togepi. Togepi froze instantly. Clutching its blanket tightly, it scurried over to Persians feet and nuzzled its paw in an ingratiating manner. Though still young, Togepi had already grasped the food chain of the farm. The top boss was, without question, Natsume. Just this morning, Togepi had witnessed Natsume effortlessly pin a rogue Fearow to the ground with one hand, rendering its struggles futile. After a thorough scolding, the Fearow had fled the farm in disgrace. Second in command was the farms Persiana senior member who had been with Natsume since childhood. Persians status was unshakable. According to Corvisquire, such loyalty and prestige were called "achieving greatness by following a leader." Or was it "being a big fish in a small pond?" Togepi wasnt entirely sure. The third highest-ranking member on the farm was Butterfree, who diligently assisted Natsume with crafting Pokblocks. It was always buzzing about during production sessions. As for the rest, Togepi felt they were all more or less the sameeach had their own tasks to handle. --- Elsewhere, near the farms fields, Natsume and Sandshrew stood side by side, smiling at the sight of their first fully ripened crops. The synchronized movements and expressions of the two were almost comical. Youve worked hard, Sandshrew, Natsume said. The fields are in fantastic shape thanks to you. Sand sand! Raising its tiny arms, Sandshrew struck a strong pose, clearly pleased. It had discovered a newfound love for farming. Since coming to the farm, most of its time had been spent tending to the crops. Watching the plants it cared for grow day by day brought it immense joy. New hobby unlocked: farming. The next moment, a radiant white glow enveloped Sandshrews body. Sand?! Startled, Sandshrew quickly realized what was happeningit was evolving. It cast a nervous glance at Natsume, then prepared to embrace its transformation. Why the nervousness? Well, Sandshrew couldnt deny that its first thought upon seeing the white light was, Am I being born again? But wait, wasnt I already born? Sometimes, even Pokmon have their silly moments. When the light subsided, Sandslash stood proudly in its place. Compared to its round and harmless pre-evolution, Sandslash now exuded a sharper, more formidable aura. Its longer claws, piercing eyes, and spiked back gave it a fierce appearance. Slaaash! Striking a pose, Sandslash looked quite satisfied with its new form. Congratulations, Sandslash, Natsume said with a sense of pride. No matter how many times he witnessed it, the evolution of a Pokmon never failed to amaze him. Sandslash raised its claw, looking expectantly at Natsume. After a brief pause, Natsume understood and raised his hand to meet it. Clap! A solid high-five sealed the moment. Alright, lets start the harvest! Natsume said. sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Slaaash! Man and Pokmon dove into the field, working with seamless coordination. Despite being human, Natsumes speed rivaled that of the evolved Pokmon. Unintentionally, the two turned the task into a friendly competition, racing to see who could harvest more. Meanwhile, unknown to Natsume, his farm had begun to attract some attention from the outside world. Chapter 26: Ogerpon’s Big Mission! Wooom~ Inside the cave, Ogerpon hummed a little tune of its own creation while tidying up its treasure trove. Well, calling it a treasure trove might be a stretchit was more like a cluttered storage room. Hmph, hmph. Ogerpon picked up a stuffed toy, took a deep breath, and buried its face into the plush fabric. After a few affectionate nuzzles, it gingerly placed the toy onto a spot it had meticulously cleaned and lined with a sheet of plastic to keep it pristine. Just as it was engrossed in tidying its "home," a noise from outside the cave caught Ogerpons attention, making it instantly alert. Ogerpon had always prided itself on its sharp sense of vigilance. How had it managed to live peacefully for so long? Was it because of its strength, capable of taking down a Rattata in a single swipe? Its speed, which left most Pokmon trailing in its dust? Or perhaps its cute and unassuming appearance? No. Its survival depended entirely on its keen awareness of danger! Crouching low in a tactical crawl, Ogerpon stealthily moved to the cave entrance and cautiously peeked outside to survey the situation. Normally, if another Pokmon discovered its hiding spot, Ogerpons instinct would be to grab its belongings and bolt. But this time Glancing back at the treasures in the cave, a hint of hesitation flickered in Ogerpons eyes. Several of the items were gifts from Natsume. Taking everything would be inconvenient, and if it ran too far, it might lose track of Natsume entirely. Wouldnt that worry him? Hmmm! After a moment of hesitation, Ogerpons eyes sharpened with determination. Fine! If it came to a fight, so be it! Though it usually preferred peace, Ogerpon was no pushover. It would show them its strength today! But as it turned out, Ogerpon was overthinking things. Outside the cave, a group of Pokmon didnt seem to have any intention of staying. Choo About ten weary-looking Bounsweet sat on the ground, their faces etched with sadness. In front of them, a Steenee was speaking passionately, trying its best to rally the group. But under the circumstances, the speech seemed to have little effect. Seeing its companions so dispirited, even the Steenee, who was holding strong, couldnt help but show traces of sorrow on its face. They hadnt rested properly in a long time, nor had they had a decent meal. Their original territory had been taken over by a powerful Pokmon, and the group had been scattered while fleeing for their lives. To be honest, Steenee felt like it was nearing its limit. Sniffing, it glanced at its downtrodden companions and inexplicably felt a surge of anger. No reason, just anger. It really wanted to kick something. Turning away, it crossed its arms and sat down, stewing in its own frustration. Hmm Ah, so thats what happened. Having eavesdropped on the conversation, Ogerpon pieced together the story. This sort of thing wasnt uncommon in the wild. The world was vast, filled with unknown adventures and powerful Pokmon. Occasionally, a strong Pokmon unable to hold its ground in its own territory would come to weaker areas and assert dominance. It was just the way of nature. With this in mind, Ogerpon tiptoed back into the depths of the cave and rummaged through its little bag, pulling out a few pieces of Pokblocks. After some thought, it decided to bring the whole bag, slinging it around its neck before dashing out. Ogerpon to the rescue! Choo! The Bounsweet group, initially enveloped in a gloomy atmosphere, was startled by Ogerpons sudden appearance. The Steenee instinctively stepped in front of its companions, ready to protect them. Bounsweet were notably weak Pokmon, lacking in strength, speed, defense, and stamina. Even Steenee, despite its evolution, wasnt much better. This evolutionary line only experienced a true leap in strength after evolving into Tsareena, transforming from a near-equal to Magikarp into a plant version of Pheromosa (well, almost). Even knowing its limitations, Steenee stood its ground to protect the others. Hump hump! Sensing the tension, Ogerpon hurriedly explained that it meant no harm. It had overheard their conversation and wanted to help. Ogerpon then enthusiastically described Natsumes farm, painting it as a paradise. In Ogerpons depiction, Natsume was the kindest person in the worldhe didnt hate Ogerpon, gave it delicious food, and even provided shelter to wandering Pokmon. Hearing this, Steenee raised a skeptical question. Choo? Then why arent you living there? Uh Caught off guard, Ogerpon stammered through a series of nonsensical explanations. To divert the topic, it quickly pulled out some Pokblocks from its bag and offered them to the group. Yes, Ogerpon had decidedit would help Natsume expand his roster of Pokmon! It had always felt a little guilty about freeloading at the farm. Helping recruit new Pokmon felt like a step toward repaying Natsumes kindness. Watching the Bounsweet and Steenee happily share the Pokblocks, Ogerpon couldnt help but feel a swell of pride. Hearing them praise Natsume made its heart flutter with joy. Yet, amid the joy, a thought lingered. Why wasnt it living at Natsumes farm? Its relationship with Natsume was good right? Fidgeting with its paws, Ogerpon felt uncertain. This kind of introspection was a bit too complex for its little brain. Choo? Choo! Steenees call snapped Ogerpon out of its thoughts. Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing the eager yet cautious look in Steenees eyes, Ogerpon quickly agreed to lead the way. The journey to Natsumes farm was a long one, and this was Ogerpons first time bringing others along. The experience felt strange but also satisfying. However, as the farm came into view, a sudden thought hit Ogerpon like a thunderbolt. What if Natsume didnt want to take them in? Panic set in, but it was too late to turn back. From a distance, the watchdog Mightyena family was already waving in greeting. With no other choice, Ogerpon pressed forward, silently praying that Natsume wouldnt be angryor worse, that he wouldnt dislike it for acting on its own. Chapter 27: A New Batch of Farm Residents Arrives! Huh? Youre saying Ogerpon brought a group of Pokmon here to seek refuge? By the farmland, Natsume was standing with arms akimbo, admiring the freshly harvested fields of Yache berries alongside Sandslash. Then, Mightyenas father came rushing over, urgently reporting a large group of Pokmon gathered near the farm''s edge. "Alright, thanks for the heads-up, Mightyena," Natsume said, casually tossing a few specially made energy blocks for canine Pokmon into the Mightyenas mouth. Crunching loudly, the father Mightyenas eyes gleamed with wisdom. Tasks like running back and forth between the farm''s outskirts and Natsumes house were often left to him. Why? Because each trip meant receiving these delicious, teeth-grinding energy treats from Natsume. The Mightyena had made it clearthis was non-negotiable, even for his wife and pups. His tail wagged furiously behind him, entirely at odds with his aloof and proud facial expression, resembling one of those mischievous dogs known for pointing fingers and causing chaos. Led by the Mightyena, Natsume and his companions, including the Persian, Shiny Furret, and the Mightyena family, headed toward the edge of the farm. From a distance, they could already spot a group of Pokmon gathered by the fence, peering curiously into the farm. Among them, Ogerpon stood out like a sore thumb, its face betraying guilt and unease, practically radiating "I want to run, I want to disappear" energy. It felt like dj vu from their first meeting. While I expected to eventually bring in more Pokmon, this lineup is... unique, Natsume muttered, glancing at the odd mix of Pokmon. Among them were a small group of Bounsweet, a quartet of Skiploom whispering amongst themselves, a Mudkip hiding nervously behind a Slowpoke, and two Sentret gazing in awe at Shiny Furret, seemingly envious of its pink-and-white fur. This is... something, Natsume said, walking closer to the group. Although slightly overwhelmed by the sudden influx of Pokmon, he quickly crouched beside Ogerpon. These Pokmonare they all here to live on the farm? he asked gently, signaling his companions to help maintain order in case the tension caused a chain reaction. Ogerpon hesitated, turning its head away as though trying to avoid Natsume''s gaze. After a long pause, it muttered an explanation. At first, it had only intended to bring the Bounsweet group to the farm. But as it neared the area, other Pokmon appeared, expressing a desire to join. They claimed to have long admired the farm and hoped to use this opportunity to move in. Finishing its story, Ogerpon quickly turned its head away, looking flustered and regretful for not consulting Natsume first. Feeling a warm touch on its head, Ogerpon looked up to find Natsume smiling. Thanks, Ogerpon, Natsume said, ruffling its head. The road here wasnt too dangerous, was it? Sar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ive been meaning to bring more life to the farm but kept putting it off. Youve really helped me out. Ogerpon froze, staring at Natsumes gentle smile. Then, in a flurry of emotion, it rammed into Natsumes leg and buried its face there. Before Natsume could react, Ogerpon abruptly turned away, puffing its cheeks like an angry puffball. Although confused, Natsume could tell it was fine now. As Shiny Furret ran to fetch some Pok Balls, Natsume took the time to talk with the new arrivals. Just as Ogerpon had said, most were here because life in the wild was toughfood was scarce, and survival wasnt easy. They even offered to work on the farm, feeling it would be improper to freeload. Alright, everyone, line up for registration! Natsume announced, rubbing Shiny Furrets head as it returned with the Pok Balls. He explained the process of being caught and went over a few simple farm rules, like no attacking fellow residents. After capturing and immediately releasing the Pokmon to officially register them, Natsume began planning where they would fit into the farms ecosystem. The Bounsweet could stay near the house, providing their sweet sap for collection. The Skiploom could help maintain the berry trees. As for the two Sentret, they would likely become Shiny Furrets followers, judging by their eager but nervous attempts to approach it. Then there was... Natsumes gaze met the slow, vacant eyes of a Slowpoke. Slow? Tilting its head, the Slowpoke let out a lazy, sluggish call. Chapter 28: The Clever Slowpoke and the Odd Bounsweet Slowpokea Pokmon known for being brilliantly dense. Its famous for its sluggish reactions and its unsuitability for battles. Even when attacked, it takes Slowpoke a good four or five punches to realize its being hit, and another two or three punches to think about fighting back. Though some individuals are a bit smarter, as a species, Slowpoke isnt ideal for combat, especially in its unevolved state. Their battling style is, well, lackluster. Half the time, they forget what strategy they were supposed to use. Things improve significantly once they evolve, particularly into Slowking. At that point, the difference is night and dayone is universally seen as dim-witted, and the other sees everyone else as dim-witted. That said, Slowpoke has its merits. Theyre gentle-natured and emotionally stable, even when faced with the most unruly kids. Plus, their tails secrete a sweet substance and can even detach naturally over time, making them a sought-after delicacy. Still, these qualities describe normal Slowpoke. The one standing before Natsume? Definitely not normal. At the edge of the farm, Natsume and the Slowpoke locked eyes in silence. Its dull, dead-fish eyes lacked any worldly desire. Yet, unlike other Slowpoke, it didnt exude cluelessness. If anything, it seemed more speechless. To put it another way, it was the difference between a brainless fool and someone who has simply given up on life. This Slowpokes gaze wasnt that of an idiot. It was more akin to someone who was utterly fed up. And standing behind it was a Mudkip. As one of the most popular Water-type starters, Mudkips potential was undeniable. Swampert, its final evolution, boasted a balanced stat distribution, great abilities, and broad move coverage. Water/Ground typing was only weak to Grass, and it could even Mega Evolve. Mega Swampert was the epitome of brute force among Pokmon. Ah, crap, Natsume muttered, catching himself spiraling into his old trainer mindset. He slapped a hand over his face, a wry smile creeping onto his lips. Though he had sworn off being a trainer, old habits clearly died hard. Seeing the Mudkip startled by his sudden gesture and the Slowpoke growing even more exasperated, Natsume chuckled and asked, Do you guys have any thoughts about joining the farm? Slow? Mud? Both Pokmon responded with confusionone unsure of what to do, the other wondering what it could do. Ah, right, Natsume said, scratching his head. It was a silly question. Neither of them seemed ready for anything yet. Ill take you both to the pond later, he offered. The view there is pretty nice. The pond was linked to an underground river, attracting a variety of Pokmon that came and went. Permanent residents were rare, though this had changed recently. Natsume had started tossing crushed PokBlocks into the water, essentially chumming to attract Pokmon. Naturally, the ponds population began to grow. S~ea??h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Explaining the ponds setup and safety precautions, Natsume reassured the duo, Be careful of the currents. They can be tricky. After patting the dirt off his pants, Natsume addressed the rest of the group: Alright, everyone, lets head to your new homes. Ill be around the farm most of the time, so if you have any issues, come find me. If you cant find me, one of the others will help. Behind him, a gaggle of excited Pokmon followed like students on a field trip. None dared misbehave under the watchful eye of the bossy Persian. --- Meanwhile, the Mightyena family had resumed their patrols, a duty theyd grown accustomed to. Though the area was vast, Natsumes generosity made up for it. Free food, free lodging, and even training sessions for their offspringit was hard to complain. But something wasnt sitting right with the Mightyena mother. She narrowed her eyes at a particular Bounsweet trailing at the back of the group. It wasnt the smellthat was muddled from mingling with others. No, it was something about its movements. They were strange. It felt like mixing hot tea with a splash of cold frog watersomething just didnt belong. Quietly, she called over her smartest child, a Poochyena with a red scarf around its neck, and whispered a few instructions. The pup nodded, slipping away unnoticed while the rest of its clueless siblings remained distracted. The mother sighed, glancing at her oblivious mate. He had grown duller since joining the farm. While she knew he wasnt the sharpest to begin with, this was almost too much to bear. Forget it, she muttered. Hes sleeping outside tonight. --- Back with Natsume, the journey to the pond was slow. Slowpokes pace dictated the speed of the entire group. At one point, Natsume considered carrying it, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Not because it was tiring, but because of those eyes. Looking into them stirred an inexplicable irritation in him. Something about that deadpan gaze made his blood simmer. Chapter 29: The Well-Read Boss Cat "Yaa~" By the pond, Slowpoke lazily swiped at the water with its paw, rippling the surface gently. Its dull, fish-like eyes showed a faint hint of contentment. Nearby, Mudkip crouched at the pond''s edge, looking as if it were ready to leap in and playfully splash about. Beneath the crystal-clear water, the faint silhouettes of other Pokmon could be seen moving about. The fin atop Mudkips head twitched, sensing the humidity in the air. This environment suited it perfectly. "Mud." Taking a deep breath, Mudkip plunged its face into the water, enjoying the refreshing coolness as its eyes narrowed in delight. According to the Pokmon in the pond, this body of water is connected to an underground river, Natsume explained as he sat cross-legged nearby, feeling the breeze against his face. A small smile appeared. In the future, Ill probably have to expand this pond or even create a larger lake somewhere else. Its picturesque, but the size is limiting. "Yaa~" sea??h th Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Slowpoke responded lazily, its tone as vague as its usual demeanor. It wasnt so much a genuine reply as an automatic responselike a friend absentmindedly agreeing with your long-winded conversation by muttering, "Mm-hmm, true." High emotional intelligence: It provides great emotional support. Low emotional intelligence: It didnt listen to a word you said. Well, Ill check on the other Pokmon now, Natsume said, standing up. If anything comes up, let me know. Waving without turning back, Slowpoke dramatically threw itself into the pond, letting its body slowly sink. Inspired, Mudkip eagerly followed suit, mimicking Slowpoke as it sank into the water with a blissful Mud. Closing its eyes, Mudkip reveled in the tranquil moment. This is so nice. By the way, Ill need you to keep an eye on the Bounsweet group, Natsume said, stroking Persian as it emerged from the shade of a tree. Unlike Natsume, who seemed naturally adept at bonding with Pokmon, Persian had no particular interest in such activities. It was here solely to protect Natsume from potential harm caused by aggressive Pokmonnot that it doubted Natsumes ability to handle himself. Still, as Natsumes self-proclaimed enforcer, Persian had to maintain appearances. "Meow," Persian replied flatly. Ah, more work, it thought. When new Pokmon joined the farm, it was Persians job to establish the rules and hierarchy. While Natsume preferred a gentle approach, Persian believed every group needed structure and someone to play the bad cop. It had learned this from one of the many management books on Natsumes shelfbooks that Natsume himself had never touched. Titles like Microexpression Psychology and Behavioral Management lay gathering dust, read only by Persian during its leisure time. Persian prided itself on being well-read. Not out of choice, but because Natsumes fleeting interest in unusual books always fizzled out as soon as they arrived. Woof, woof! A red-scarfed Poochyena dashed toward Natsume, barking excitedly. Oh, its you. Whats up? Natsume crouched to meet the Pokmon. Among the litter, this particular Poochyena was the cleverest, far outshining its siblingsand even its father, who had recently self-appointed himself as the Head of Security. The Poochyena glanced around warily to ensure no other Pokmon besides Natsume and Persian were nearby. Then it leaned in close to whisper in Natsumes ear. Woof, woof-woof. Oh, really? Woof! Your mom told you, huh? Woof. Natsume nodded, easily understanding the Poochyenas report. The mother Mightyena had noticed something odd about one of the Bounsweet in the group. Its scent seemed normal, but its behavior was subtly off, prompting her to send her smartest pup to inform Natsume. Good work. Natsume ruffled the Poochyenas fur affectionately before slipping a few Pokblocks into its mouth. The pup chewed tentatively, its eyes lighting up with delight at the taste. So this was why its dad was always volunteering to run errands for Natsume. Should I tell Mom about this? Poochyena wondered, deep in thought. --- After considering his next steps, Natsume decided to send Persian home to fetch Butterfree and Corvisquire while he headed toward the Bounsweet group. Meow. With a graceful leap, Persian shot off like an arrow, its speed rivaling even the farms agile Furret. --- Meanwhile, among the Bounsweet, the suspicious individual quietly nibbled on a berry, its expression emotionless. When other Bounsweet approached to chat, it responded with cold indifference. Choo. One particularly popular Bounsweet, surrounded by its peers, finally managed to break away and timidly approached the odd one. Upon seeing it, the cold Bounsweets expression transformed into a rare, happy smile. Suo! Chapter 30: The Two Little Foxes Outside the Berry Grove, the furious Ogerpon glared intently at the faintly visible group of Bounsweet. Upon hearing that a strange Pokmon had infiltrated the group he brought, Ogerpon was so enraged that he wanted to grab the culprit and smash it into pieces. It was his first time trying to do something nice for Natsume, and this happened. Unforgivable! If Natsume hadn''t held him back, Ogerpon would have barged in by now. Although it might sound arrogant, Ogerpon was confident that even if the entire group teamed up, they wouldn''t stand a chance against him. Maybe not one Bounsweet with a swing of his club... But two at a time should be doable. "Woof!" At Natsume''s feet were Mightyena''s mother and Persian, their eyes sharp and alert. Worried about misidentifying the right Bounsweet or encountering any surprises, Natsume had called in Mightyena''s mother for backup. Its worth mentioning that when Natsume found Mightyena''s family, the father was trembling under the piercing glare of the mother. In human terms, this would probably be like a married man hiding secret savings for himself, spending it all on snacks without sharing with his wife or kids. Sear?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Not exactly evil, but definitely a bit selfish. "Chuu!" A curious Steenee, led by Butterfree, emerged from the group, tilting her head as she looked at Natsume. Why had she been called out of the group so suddenly? "Heres the thing, Steenee," Natsume said, crouching down to her level, explaining the situation from the beginning. The matter wasnt too complicated. He just didnt want any misunderstandings to arise, so he thought it was better to explain beforehand, even if it was a hassle. What Natsume didnt notice was that behind him, Persian was tilting its head, staring at Natsume''s knee with an unreadable expression. "Chuu?" After hearing Natsumes explanation, Steenee fell into deep thought. After a moment of pondering, she seemed to understand something and began explaining excitedly. In short, their original habitat had been taken over by a powerful Pokmon, forcing her group to flee and gather as they traveled. Thus, Steenee wasnt entirely sure if these Bounsweet were originally from her group. However, among them, there was indeed one peculiar Bounsweet. It always sat silently in a corner, observing everythingjoy, sadness, conflictwith an air of detachment, as though it were a mere observer. "I see," Natsume nodded, indicating his understanding. "Then please lead us to them." "Chuu!" Steenee nodded firmly, a trace of indignation flashing in her eyes. At that moment, her thoughts aligned perfectly with Ogerpons: Find that weirdo and expose them! It didnt take long for Natsume to locate the odd Bounsweet. The process was surprisingly straightforward since the target made no effort to hide. The strange Bounsweet simply sat quietly to the side, keeping its distance from the others. Whenever another Bounsweet approached, it would move further awayexcept for one particularly popular Bounsweet that could get close. According to Steenee, that specific Bounsweet was the most well-liked in the group. Everyone got along with it, and even Steenee had a good impression of it. Hearing this, Persian shot a quick glance at Natsume. Another charmer, huh? "Hello there." Hearing Natsumes voice, the aloof Bounsweet lifted its head and glanced at him with its usual indifferent expression, showing no reaction to his presence, as if it had expected him. It made no move to respond, but Natsume didnt mind. He had already anticipated that this Pokmon might not want to communicate. Thats why he brought Ogerpon and Persian along, just in case things escalated. These two were undeniably the top fighters on the farm. While Ogerpon didnt often seek battles and lacked experience, his sheer power surpassed Persians. Persian was now Level 54, a level higher than before. Ogerpon? Level 61a force worthy of an Elite Trainer. Dont ask why a Grass-type mythic is only at the Elite level. Even baby Lugia wouldnt necessarily win against a certain electric rodent at birth (crossed out). Still, with this setup, they werent invincible but could certainly hold their ground. "Graah!" The furious Ogerpon stepped in front of Natsume, radiating hostility. If you dont explain yourself, youre getting a club to the head! Sensing the animosity, the aloof Bounsweet shrank back slightly, hiding behind the popular Bounsweet. "Introductions were already made," the aloof Bounsweet said. "You should already sense I mean no harm." "So, can you show me your true form?" Natsume asked calmly. Yes, two of them. Although Mightyenas mother had only detected one, Natsume was confident the popular Bounsweet was also suspicious. Why did his intuition outmatch that of Pokmon? Lets just say thats Arceus-given confidence. At Natsumes request, the two Bounsweet exchanged a glance before smirking mischievously. In unison, they leaped into the air. Their cute forms shimmered momentarily before transforming. When they landed, two small foxes stood before the groupone black, one white. "Suo!" The pair of foxes stared at Natsume with contrasting expressions. The black fox smirked slyly, as if plotting some mischief. The white fox, on the other hand, looked pitiful, almost on the verge of tears. "Oh, its you two little troublemakers," Natsume said, surprised. Zorua and Hisuian Zorua. Although he had suspected something, he was still caught off guard. "Hehe." The black Zorua covered its mouth, giggling at Natsumes reaction, while the Hisuian Zorua retreated shyly behind its counterpart. "Graah!" "Chuu!" Both Ogerpon and Steenee were furious, itching to teach the foxes a lesson. "So, you slipped away when I tried to capture you, huh?" Calming his Pokmon down, Natsume turned back to the foxes. The two Zorua exchanged a glance before the black one stepped forward to explain. "Suo suo!" Actually Chapter 31: Welcome New Friends and Strangers in Town Suosuo! You know, all of us have technically been caught. At least, weve been inside a Pok Ball. From a human perspective, that means were captured, right? With a sly smile plastered on its face, Zorua lazily explained. Though it seemed to be explaining things, that mischievous grin gave off the impression that it was up to no good, planning some prank. In contrast, the Hisuian Zorua behind it looked like a pitiful little thinga stark difference between one full of devious ideas and the other filled with grievances. This could likely be tied to the origins of the Hisuian Zorua. Zorua often conjures illusions to bewilder opponents, which led to it being shunned and driven from its habitats elsewhere. Eventually, it migrated to the Hisui region. But unable to withstand the battles with other Pokmon and the harsh natural environment, it tragically perished. Its lingering spirit, fueled by intense hatred for humans and Pokmon alike, transformed into the ghostly form it has now. Thats the backstory of the Hisuian Zorua. Thinking about it, its perpetually sad expression is understandable. By the way, Zoruas type is Dark, while Hisuian Zorua is a unique Normal/Ghost combinationcurrently exclusive to Hisuian Zorua and its evolution, Hisuian Zoroark. This exceptional typing grants immunity to Fighting, Ghost, and Normal attacks. It lacks a quadruple weakness, with only Dark-type moves hitting it for double damage. With well-distributed stats, dual offensive capabilities, excellent coverage, and a versatile movepool, Hisuian Zorua is a standout Pokmonwhether as a team cornerstone or even a Trainers ace. Unfortunately, this is Natsumes farm. So, youre part of the farm now. Well then, lets get along, okay? After a brief moment of sensing their sincerity, Natsume smiled. Although it was clear they were withholding some details, he didnt mind. As long as there was no malice involved, it was fine. After all, Natsumes primary reason for catching them was to prevent wild Trainers from wandering onto his farm, defeating his Pokmon, and taking them away. Dont talk to Natsume about Pokmon freedom. They eat his food, use his facilities, and live on his property. You think you can just call them free and take them away? If you genuinely love a particular Pokmon, come talk to Natsume. Explain your intentions clearly. Sneaking around and using force to capture Pokmon when hes not around? Thats unacceptable. Such incidents are bound to happen. With the sheer number of Trainers out there, its inevitable that some lack decency. Betting on the goodwill of others to ensure your safety is a foolish gambleone Natsume isnt willing to take. Suosuo! Zorua nodded, indicating it had no problem with this arrangement. After all, it came here for the food. And the Hisuian Zorua? It just happened to meet this pitiful fellow on the way here and decided to bring it alonglike taking in a little brother. Suosuo. With its big brother leading the way, Hisuian Zorua naturally had no objections. Food, shelter, and safetywhat more could it want? It was already content. Wooma! Sarch* The novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After hearing their explanation, Ogerpon still seemed a bit indignant. It couldnt shake the feeling it had been played. It was clear that for the foreseeable future, Ogerpon wouldnt have the best impression of these two mischievous foxes. Steenee, too, was a little upset but eventually sighed in resignation, signaling her acceptance. Chu. Even though you tricked me, thank you for teaching me all this time. Looking at the shadowy little fox, Steenee spoke earnestly. At first, Steenee wasnt particularly strong. The reason she was able to lead her kin all the way here was largely due to Zoruas guidance. From teaching moves to combat strategies, Zorua seemed to know it allan enigma in itself. Steenee had always sensed something off about Zorua, but back then, she had no choice but to trust it. Suo. Its nothing, no big deal. Zorua replied casually, sneaking a glance at Natsume out of the corner of its eye. It knew this human could fully understand what Pokmon said. But Natsume showed no reaction, only smiling at Zorua, as if silently asking, Anything youd like to share, little buddy? Faced with that smile, Zorua felt a twinge of guilt. But then it thought, I didnt even lie. Why feel guilty? With that thought, Zoruas confidence returned, and it boldly met Natsumes gaze. Natsume chuckled, ruffling Zoruas head. Then he turned to Hisuian Zorua. Why dont you both consider staying at my place? With how things are now, its probably not a good idea to keep living with Steenee and her group, right? Though the question was directed at Hisuian Zorua, it was clear the decision ultimately rested with Zorua. The two foxes huddled together, whispering to each other. Finally, Zorua made the call: Alright, well stick with you. From now on, youre our caretaker! Good, good. Natsume ruffled both their heads vigorously. Hisuian Zoruas fur was silky smooth, reminiscent of a well-groomed short-haired cat. Meanwhile, Zoruas head felt like a soft, velvety balloon, as though it might float away at any moment. Their reactions to Natsumes head rub of doom differed greatly. Hisuian Zorua, unaccustomed to the gesture, shook its head and quickly escaped. Zorua, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy it, even closing its eyes in contentment. Alright, lets head back. That day, Natsume welcomed two special new companions. The two Zorua, with their adorable appearances, were warmly received by everyone. Bun! Buneary, the self-appointed housekeeper, took it upon herself to explain the household dynamics to the newcomers: Boss Natsume, second-in-command the Persian, the Pokblock expert Butterfree, the janitor Minccino, the farming specialist Sandslash, the troublemaker Togepi, and the mysterious Corvisquire upstairs, always muttering cryptic phrases. Meanwhile, a group of youths arrived in the nearby town of Lianshan. Excuse me, is there a farm nearby? The lead boy asked the mayor while the latter was out for a stroll. The mayor paused mid-step, giving the group a suspicious look. Chapter 32: Natsume Doesn’t Have That Much Strength, You Know Were not suspicious people; were just Trainers. Oh? And what do you want? The mayor frowned slightly, pulling his Mr. Mime closer protectively. Though it wasnt polite to think this way, the mayor was well aware of Lianshan Towns circumstances. High EQ: A quaint town with stable neighborly relations. Low EQ: A place so devoid of charm that it couldnt attract visitors even if it tried. No tourist spots, no rare Pokmon, and no noteworthy training grounds. On an average day, it was rare to see any Trainers passing through, let alone someone specifically asking for Natsumes farm. And they claim to be Trainers? Thankfully, these were peaceful times. Decades ago, the mayor might have straightened his back, roared, Are you spies?! A Note on the World of Pokmon While the Pokmon world is mostly peaceful, evil organizations still exist. After all, possessing great power can lead some "ordinary people" to develop nefarious ambitions. However, this isnt the case in Jadeleaf Region, the most peaceful country in the world. There are several reasons for this: 1. Relentless Crackdowns: The authorities are ruthless in dealing with criminal organizations, conducting sweeps every five or ten days. Surprise inspections are routine, and tactical forces are deployed in overwhelming numbers. 2. Cultural Overachievement: Jadeleaf Region is an intensely competitive society. With excellent educators, open schools, and abundant resources, everyone receives quality training. The large population ensures a constant supply of talent. 3. Ubiquitous Strength: Trainers in Jadeleaf Region never retire. Even the elderly man sitting by the roadside might have been a provincial champion in his youth. If someone were to shout, That persons worth 500,000! in the middle of a crowded street, the scene would be absolute chaos. Back in Lianshan Town, the mayor remained wary of these young strangers. He didnt know their motives, but his Mr. Mime wasnt one to be underestimated. (Mr. Mime: But I really do eat berries, though.) Its like this, the leader of the group began to explain. They were students who had recently become Trainers. While browsing the web, they stumbled upon a travel blog that highly recommended Natsumes farm, claiming it was perfect for beginners. Since the farm was within their county, they decided to check it out, thinking, Why not? Weve got nothing better to do. After all, being a Trainer is about fighting or preparing to fight. Win? Great! Lose? Train harder and come back stronger! Ah, I see, the mayor nodded, though still skeptical. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ill give Natsume a call and see if hes okay with it. He pulled out his phone slowly, dialing. But let me warn you, he said, Natsume isnt a Trainer. Hes not interested in battles and doesnt have the kind of strength youd expect from professional Trainers. If youre here hoping for intense battles, youll be disappointed. Oh, we understand, the young leader replied patiently, embodying the overly polite demeanor of his generation. Deep down, he was already prepared for this. If Natsume were truly strong, why would he be running a farm instead of pursuing a Trainers career? For young people like them, having powerful Pokmon and becoming a Trainer was the dream. A few minutes later... Natsume says I can take you to him, the mayor announced, putting away his phone. Though the mayor thought it unnecessary for Natsume to bother with these kids, he wouldnt interfere with Natsumes decision. The farm owners strength should be decent at least, the young leader mused as they followed the mayor. Hed brought not only his Pokmon but also one of his fathers for extra security on the road. I should hold back during any battles. Wouldnt want to go too hard and embarrass the farmer. Maybe Ill give him some berries as a gift. Ten minutes later... Mr. Natsume, could you please go a little easier on us? The young leaders voice trembled as he watched his fathers Zangoose pinned to the ground, mercilessly pummeled by a shiny Furret. In just a few short minutes, his confidence had been shattered. First, all of his Pokmon were swiftly defeated. Then, his fathers Zangoosewhich had stepped in to avenge themwas casually knocked down by Natsumes Furret. Now, the shiny Furret, with a menacing expression, sat atop the Zangoose and rained down punches with rhythmic precision, completely ignoring its cries of pain. The young leaders mind flashed back to something the mayor had said earlier: Natsume doesnt have that much strength, you know. ...What was that again? He couldnt quite remember anymore. Chapter 33: Shiny Furret – Battle! Thrilling! "Alright, that''s enough. Come back, Furret." Hearing Natsume''s voice, the Shiny Furret, who had been relentlessly hammering the Zangoose pinned beneath it, darted back to Natsume''s side in a flash. It waved its small paws furiously, letting out a dissatisfied cry. "Furret!" What nonsense! Talking smack before the fight even began? I knocked your teeth in! The Zangoose, still sprawled on the ground after the beating, had yet to lose its ability to battle. However, no matter how hard it struggled, it couldnt get up. Its face bore remnants of frost. Yes, the punches the Shiny Furret had rained down were none other than Ice Punch. Objectively, Ice Punch wasnt a great match for Furret, whose Special Attack was a meager 45. Against most opponents, it might as well have been a tickle. Even Zangoose, with a Special Defense of only 60, barely felt it. Add in the Normal-to-Normal type matchup, and the effect was, well, negligible. This wasnt even a case of death by a thousand cuts. Strictly speaking, it was more like a cow working at a noodle shop for a year and walking away with a few bruises. But! From the beginning, Shiny Furret''s goal wasnt to defeat Zangoose quickly. It simply wanted to teach this trash-talking opponent a painful lesson. Lets begin this delightful torment, shall we? Good work. Watching the Shiny Furret shadowboxing the air as if venting its fury at the world, Natsume hesitated before offering some encouragement. "Furret!" Piece of cake! Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shiny Furret looked incredibly pleased. It silently expressed gratitude to the little Zoruaits mentorwho had taught it Ice Punch. Despite the Zorua being younger and smaller, Furret didnt mind. Power was all that mattered! Ever since it witnessed a trainer challenge the farm one day, the Shiny Furret had made a decision: I want to become stronger too! From that day onward, it trained relentlessly at the farm. Initially, it didnt know how to train systematically. After all, it used to be a wild Pokmon. So, it secretly sought advice from Natsumes original trio of Pokmon. It learned battle techniques and how to utilize its strength from Persian. From Butterfree, it expanded its move pool and learned to diversify its strategies. And from Corvisquire well, it picked up some trash talk (cough). Speaking of Corvisquire, wasnt it still reflecting somewhere? What did reflecting even mean? These questions flickered briefly in Furrets mind before being discarded. None of that mattered. What mattered was that today, Furret had fought for Natsume! Battling! Thrilling! --- Thank you for the guidance, Farm Owner Natsume. While applying potion to the Zangoose, whose face was swollen beyond recognition, the lead youth managed to force a polite smile at Natsume. His emotions had gone through a rollercoaster over the past few battles. First, his team was effortlessly swept by Sandslash, who had merely wandered over to see the commotion. Then, his Pokmon were toyed with and systematically taken down by Butterfree''s dirty tactics. Finally, his fathers Zangoose had been pinned and mercilessly pummeled by this Shiny Furret. Yet, amidst it all, an odd thought surfaced in the young mans mind: This isnt... entirely unacceptable, is it? But when he remembered that even his fathers Pokmon had been defeated, his heart sank further. What does it mean to say, just a farm owner, not as strong as professional trainers? he grumbled internally. Sure, his dad might be unreliable, lazy, and terrible at hiding his secret stash of money. But he had once been a trainer! His study was filled with trophies from county-level and city-level tournaments. And yet, this... The boy sighed, quickly adjusting his mindset. "By the way, Farm Owner Natsume, with your strength, have you ever considered becoming a trainer?" The boy looked at Natsume curiously. While it wasnt polite to question someones choices, he couldnt help but wonder. Trainer? Im not particularly interested, Natsume replied after a moments hesitation. But... most people would... Let me put it this way, Natsume interrupted, gesturing toward his farm. What do you think most people become trainers for? The boy thought for a moment before tentatively answering, To gain glory? Then, as if realizing something, he shook his head and corrected himself: No, most peoples real motivationbeyond passion or fameis to gain benefits. "Becoming stronger allows them to explore more dangerous areas and acquire rarer resources. Greater strength brings higher status, more resources, and more money. Though blunt and a bit harsh, it was the reality. Many pursued the high income that came with being a trainer. Exactly, Natsume said, pointing to his farm. I already have everything I need. Why bother becoming a trainer? "I have money, free time, and Im still strong enough to protect myself. The only thing I dont do is challenge gyms or compete in tournaments. Hearing this explanation, the boy understood but still felt there was something off about it. However, he couldnt quite articulate what it was. Oh, right. Here, take this. Natsume reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bag of Pokblocks, handing it to the boy. The transparent ziplock bag contained three or four Pokblocksjust enough for his Pokmon to enjoy as a treat. Ah, thank you, the boy replied automatically, accepting the bag. Initially, he had intended to give Natsume some Berries as a gesture of goodwill, but now it seemed he was the one being comforted. His attention quickly shifted to the Pokblocks. These are high-quality Pokblocks... and an unfamiliar type, too. He opened the bag, and a faint, refreshing aroma of berries wafted out. At his feet, his battered Bibarel perked up immediately. Could I... buy some of these Pokblocks from you? the boy asked abruptly, noticing how eager his Pokmon were. Chapter 34: A Small Burst of Fame Its widely known that handcrafted items arent necessarily the best, but they are almost always the most expensive. Their price often includes not just the intrinsic value but also the allure of being "handcrafted." However, this rule doesnt apply in the Pokmon world. Be it Pokblocks or Pok Balls, countless items are crafted by skilled artisans. Take, for instance, the Pokblocks that the boy wanted to buy just now. Due to various factors, most Pokblocks on the market are basic and unremarkable. Custom orders, on the other hand, come with a hefty price tag. For an average family, this can be quite a financial burden. It''s not that they don''t want their kids to grow strongerits just that their wallets dont allow it. I dont mind, Natsume replied after a brief moment of thought. He had already considered selling his surplus Pokblocks and was planning to look for stable sales channels soon. His original idea was to approach gyms as potential distributors. On that note, the gyms in Jadeleaf Region are divided into four levels: national, provincial, municipal, and county-level. After all, with a population in the billions, fewer than 20 national-level gyms would hardly suffice. People would be waiting months just to book a single challenge. Thank you so much, Natsume! By the way, Natsume, whats the name of your farm? the boy asked curiously. Although the farm was marked on the map, its name wasnt listed. He had initially thought it was an oversight, but upon arrival, he found that even the physical location lacked any signage or plaques. The farms name? Its Sunnyhill Farm. When I inherited it, some of the paperwork wasnt finalized yet, Natsume explained. I submitted everything later, so the map should update in a day or two. The farm had a different name before, but Natsume decided to rename it to mark a fresh start. Sunnyhill held no special meaningit just sounded pleasant to him. At first, he had toyed with quirky names like Stardew Valley or Pikapika Farm, but practicality won out in the end. With his curiosity satisfied, the boy returned to discussing the details of buying Pokblocks with Natsume. Soon, they agreed on a deal: enough Pokblocks to last the boys Pokmon for half a month, priced significantly higher than market rates. Though it wasnt exorbitantcertainly not the 10,000 per block kind of premiumNatsume was still making a tidy profit. Money, however, had never been Natsumes primary motivation. Even in terms of personal lifestyle, he lived modestly. It was only when the boy transferred payment that Natsume finally learned his name. Not that it mattered much. "I have no interest in remembering the names of defeated opponents," Natsume thought smugly. Watching the boy leave, surrounded by his classmates, with a bittersweet expression, Natsume scratched... ...his back. Why did he come here again? To get beaten up and then hand me his money? Before leaving, the boy did mention hed promote Natsumes farm on online forums. He claimed it might attract more visitors. Should I set up a proper battle area? Natsume pondered aloud. He had designated part of the farm as a recreational zone but hadnt gotten around to developing it. Who has time for leisure when things are just starting to take off? Sand...slash. "I think its a good idea," Sandslash said, waving its claws in agreement. For some reason, the Pokmon on the farm had recently become obsessed with growing stronger. From the shiny Furret to the Mightyena family, even Buneary had started secretly practicing moves at night. The newly arrived black Zorua had also been sharing its expertise, teaching several Pokmon new skills. Furret, for example, had learned Ice Punch. Had their laid-back life suddenly turned into a hot-blooded training arc? Not that it affected Sandslash muchit still loved tilling the fields the most. --- Soon enough, Sunnyhill Farm garnered a small wave of online attention. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Not because of the farm itself but due to the battle footage uploaded by the boys companions. The first half of the video was fairly ordinary. A well-trained Sandslash and a Butterfree with a surprisingly diverse move pool were noteworthy but not shocking. This world has no shortage of remarkable Pokmontheres even a five-meter-tall Tyranitar trending online. What truly captured viewers'' attention was the shiny Furret. Who could resist the charm of a pink-and-white, fluffy, oversized cuddle buddy? Certainly not the internet. The rules of online popularity are peculiar. Show off technical skills, and self-proclaimed experts will critique you relentlessly. But post something cute, quirky, or outlandish, and youre golden. Unsurprisingly, the shiny Furret gained a modest burst of fame. Some forum users even commented that they lived near Sunnyhill Farm and would visit soon. Others claimed they were already on their way. For now, though, none of this concerned Natsume. Piii! As he approached the house, he heard Togepis spirited cries. The tiny Pokmon, its eggshell stained with dirt, darted out from behind the house, its stubby legs moving surprisingly fast. Bun! Behind it was Buneary, towel in hand, looking utterly flustered. Taking care of Togepi was clearly proving to be a challenging task. Upon spotting Natsume, Buneary immediately tossed the towel aside and leaped into his arms, lamenting Togepis mischief. Togepi, on the other hand, feigned ignorance with an innocent expression. I see, Natsume said, glancing at the darkening sky. After a moments thought, he smiled and said: Lets all take a bath together tonight. Chapter 35: Hello, Lopunny In the bathroom on the first floor, warm water flowed steadily as steam began to fill the space. Outside the door, a group of curious yet hesitant Pokmon gathered, none of them brave enough to be the first to go in. The lineup included: the shiny Furret, Sandslash, two Zorua, Togepi, Persian, Butterfree, Mightyenas older brother, and even Corvisquire, who had been coaxed down from the second floor. Initially, Corvisquire had been content to stay upstairs, reflecting on life. But upon hearing there was a challenger earlier in the dayone who even trashed-talkedit was utterly flabbergasted. What? Someone dared to provoke us? Why didnt anyone call me? This is my specialty! Corvisquire, eager to prove itself, was frustrated to have missed its moment. A regret as bitter as missing out on KFCs Thursday deals. Mi? Minccino appeared, a towel draped over its shoulder and carrying its bathing supplies, looking puzzled at the gathering Pokmon outside the bathroom. What are you all doing here? Slash. Sandslash raised its paw. Were waiting for the first brave soul to step forward. Sandslash had no intention of being first, especially since it was a Ground-type Pokmon. The thought of being bathed in front of everyone? Absolutely not. The rest of the Pokmon nodded in agreement, sharing the same sense of embarrassment. After all, out in the wild, who cared about bathing, let alone queuing for it? Originally, the rest of Mightyenas family and Pangoros crew were supposed to join, but Natsume decided it was too much for one evening. Besides, those groups adamantly declared that wild Pokmon didnt concern themselves with such trivial matters. As for Mightyenas older brother? He was simply there for the spectacle but got roped in by Natsume anyway. Persian didnt mind. Having been with Natsume since it was young, it was used to this. Baths? It had even shared a tub with Natsume before. The typical feline fear of water simply didnt apply to it. In fact, Persian was already contemplating a nice soak later. Mi. After hearing Sandslashs explanation, Minccinos expression turned disdainful. A bunch of dirty Pokmon, refusing to bathe. Disgusting. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Without hesitation, it flicked its tail, turned, and walked into the bathroom. The unique warmth of the bath filled the air, prompting Minccino to take a deep breath. Ah, this is the life. First ones you, huh, Minccino? Natsume chuckled. Mi. Alright then, you go ahead. Ill deal with the others later. Minccino climbed into a specially prepared basin, relaxing as the warm water soaked its fur. The soothing sensation of the water running down its body made it close its eyes in contentment. Here. Buneary, with its ears wrapped in a special head towel, handed Natsume a bottle of Pokmon shampoo. It had volunteered as Natsumes assistant for the night. Thanks, Buneary. Natsume poured a bit of shampoo into his hand and gently worked it into Minccinos fur, creating soft white suds. Using massage techniques he had picked up, he earned a satisfied hum from Minccino. It seemed his efforts to learn were paying off. After rinsing off the bubbles, Natsume was about to apply conditioner and fur softener when Minccino insisted it wanted to soak a little longer. With a smile, Natsume set the basin aside and called toward the door: Next! From outside came a commotion before the door creaked open, and Persian sauntered in with a casual, self-assured gait. Meow. They were all hesitant, so I decided to go first, it explained as it walked to the shower, its movements practiced and precise. No one here had bathed as many times as Persian. If anything, it could lord its cleanliness over all the others. A true connoisseur. The bath routine proceeded smoothly. No Pokmon dared to resist. Even the water-averse Sandslash obediently sat on a stool, enduring the process. Togepi and the Zorua, however, proved to be mischievous. They splashed water at Natsume with their tiny paws, one of the Zorua even using Water Gun to drench him. Youre quite the troublemaker, arent you? Natsume said, wiping his face and smiling. He retaliated by ruffling Zoruas head fur playfully. Ehehehe! Zorua giggled, wagging its fluffy tail energetically. Finally, when all the Pokmon were cleaned up, it was Bunearys turn. Bun. Alright, your turn, Buneary, Natsume said, rinsing the soap from his hands. Buneary eagerly removed its head towel and perched on a small stool, patiently awaiting its bath. As Natsumes hands worked through its fur, Buneary began humming a tuneone it had heard from Natsumes phone. Natsume seemed to like the song, so Buneary had memorized the melody. Though it couldnt sing, it could hum the notes perfectly, showcasing its musical talent. All done. After rinsing the suds, applying conditioner and fur softener, and drying with a towel, Buneary looked at its reflection in the mirror. Its well-groomed appearance filled it with happiness. It was then that a soft white light enveloped Bunearys body, overtaking the glow of the bathroom lights. The transformation was impossible to ignore. The petite figure grew taller, its silhouette reshaping into something new. When the light subsided, a different Pokmon stood before them. Congratulations, Lopunny, Natsume said with a smile. The newly evolved Lopunny, now more elegant and humanoid, rubbed against Natsume affectionately. Lopunny~ Please continue to take care of me, Natsume. Chapter 36: Feathers Bathed in Moonlight Gentle moonlight blanketed the earth, soft and serene. The small town gradually quieted, and most of the Pokmon on the farm had drifted into peaceful dreams. Well, except for a few outliers. For instance, the night owl Corvisquire, the vigilant Mightyena patrolling the grounds, Persian taking a post-dinner stroll, and a Lopunny clutching her pillow, unsure of what to do. Lop~pu... In Natsume''s bedroom, Lopunny stood in front of the now-too-small beanbag chair, looking utterly lost. Just last night, she could bury most of herself in the beanbag, snuggling cozily with her favorite pillow. She would wake up in the morning, lazily gazing at Natsumes face. But within 24 hours, things had changed. The average height for a Lopunny was about 1.2 meters, but the Lopunny in Natsumes care was thriving beyond the norm, standing nearly 1.4 meters tall. Lop~pu... Her earlier excitement over evolution was replaced by a sense of regret. Maybe evolving wasnt the best idea. Now, even her sleeping arrangements had to change. She decided to move to the room next door. No need for that, Natsumes voice interrupted as he entered the room, dragging in an oversized, pumpkin-shaped beanbag chair. The chair was so large that Natsume had to tilt it vertically to squeeze it through the doorframe. This beanbag arrived earlier this morning, he explained. I left it in the downstairs storeroom and almost forgot about it. Patting the giant pumpkin beanbag, Natsume grinned at Lopunny. This should be just the right size for you. The beanbag had been intended for another part of the house, but repurposing it for Lopunny seemed fitting. The smaller chair would be moved elsewhere later. Lop~pu! Overwhelmed with gratitude, Lopunny turned and hugged Natsume tightly, rubbing her face against his chest. Alright, alright, time for bed, Natsume said, chuckling. lop~pu, she nodded, settling onto the new beanbag with her beloved pillow from her Buneary days. She even draped a small blanket over her belly. After all, no creaturePokmon or otherwisecould sleep soundly with their belly exposed. --- On Natsumes bed, the shiny Furret was already nestled in, with part of its pink body poking out from under the covers. Its glowing eyes reflected in the dim light. Pa-pa-pa, Furret patted the bed with its tiny paws, urging Natsume to join. Get on the bed already. Hugging the fluffy, pink Furret, Natsume soon fell into a deep sleep. This life was exactly what hed longed fora quiet existence free from rigid schedules and deadlines. Here, he could pursue what he loved, surrounded by creatures who werent human but could understand him. There were no exhausting social dynamics, no soul-crushing work stress, and no absurd pressures from idiots demanding the impossible. No bottled-up grievances, no fear of emotional breakdowns. What more could he ask for? As Natsume dreamed, the corners of his mouth curled into a soft smile. Sometimes, pleasant dreams attracted special visitors. A feather glowing with moonlit radiance drifted down from the sky, landing gently on the windowsill. Its luminous glow brushed against Natsumes cheek. The smile on his face deepened ever so slightly. Throughout the farm, the plants and Pokmon seemed to bask in their own serene dreams, adding to the harmonious atmosphere. --- The next morning, the farms youngest troublemaker, Togepi, woke from its plush, two-square-meter bed. Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Rubbing its sleepy eyes, it took a moment to shake off the grogginess before hopping up with gusto. Dragging its little blanket, Togepi hummed a tune it had learned from Lopunnywell, Lopunny was Lopunny now, no longer the petite Buneary. Creeping to the door of Natsumes room, Togepi peeked inside to see him still fast asleep. Without disturbing him, Togepi turned and headed downstairs. Under the morning sun, the little Pokmon stretched its stubby arms and began its morning workout. Suwo~ A slightly unfamiliar voice came from nearby. Togepi turned to see two black-and-white foxesZorua and Hisuian Zorua. These two had joined the farm just a few days ago. So, if ones called Hisuian Zorua because of its color, does that mean Furret should be called Hisuian Furret too? As a baby Pokmon, Togepi couldnt quite wrap its head around the concept of regional forms. It was like asking a three-year-old to understand time zonesnot impossible, but unlikely. Toki! Togepi waved cheerfully at the Zorua pair before heading to the small lake for its daily training. The pond, which had been recently expanded into a small lake, glistened under the sunlight. Natsume had hired a construction team to enlarge it to accommodate the growing number of Pokmon on the farm. Toki~ Tokii! Togepi greeted the Slowpoke basking by the shore and the Mudkip practicing its own morning drills. Natsume seemed to have high hopes for these two. Mudkip, in particular, often visited the main house, likely destined to become one of Natsumes battle-ready Pokmon. At least, thats what Furret had said. Togepi didnt entirely understand but enjoyed parroting the sentiment. Standing by the sparkling water, Togepi took a deep breath and wiggled its fingers. A faint light glimmered at its fingertips. Tokii! Metronome! This move stimulated the brain to randomly execute any skill. Theoretically, it could even summon moves like Precipice Blades, Spacial Rend, or Roar of Timethough their power wouldnt match the originals. As Togepi trained, a barrage of seemingly mismatched moves erupted: Whirlpool, Earthquake, Flamethrower, and Hyper Beam. Tokki, it huffed, satisfied after its exertion. Good job, me! But the little Pokmons impromptu fireworks had an unintended effect. Deep beneath the lake, where it connected to an underground river, the bombardment caused a subtle shift in the waters flow. A Pokmon egg, dislodged by the current, floated to the surface and gently came to rest on the lakebed. Chapter 37: Another Shiny Pokémon? After finishing its morning exercise, Togepi walked home with a cheerful bounce in its step, occasionally passing other Pokmon also training in the early hours. Since a few days ago, the farm had started receiving visits from challengers. While it wasnt an official gym, it had become a popular spot for trainers to check out. The scenic views combined with the opportunity for battles made it a worthwhile destination. To accommodate the influx, Natsume had designated a plot of land at the farm''s edge as a battle arena. Beyond just battles, he occasionally sold Pokblocks, and to his surprise, the farm was already turning a profit. It had only been about a month since he took over the farm, and yet, things were running smoothly. Natsume hadnt bothered with detailed accounting; as long as there was enough money to live comfortably, that was all that mattered. If funds ever ran short, he could always make and sell more Pokblocks. A lifestyle reminiscent of Yoshihiro Togashis mantra: When I run out of money, Ill just draw manga again. (Except Togashi swaps drawing for playing Mahjong...) --- Togi! Returning to the house, Togepi found Natsume already awake. From the workshop came the fragrant aroma of berries. The scent alone was enough to make anyone feel relaxed and content. It was worth noting that the farm''s environment had changed subtly due to Natsume frequently using his Verdant Power to cultivate ingredients like Berries. The residual energy not only boosted the vitality of every plant but also made the air exceptionally fresh. Visitors staying at the farm might even find themselves gradually recovering from minor ailments. Similarly, the Pokmon living on the farm were steadily growing stronger. Just yesterday, Steenee had secretly told Togepi it was close to evolving. Lucky for you, Togepi thought enviously, tugging the little blanket tucked into the crack of its eggshell. It waddled determinedly toward the Pokblock workshop. Whenever Natsume made Pokblocks, he would cut small pieces for everyone to sample. This always drew Pokmon to gather around and watch eagerly. With some effort, Togepi pushed the door open and obediently climbed onto a small stool nearby, watching Natsume intently. At the workstation, Natsume was busy making Pokblocks, assisted by Lopunny. In recent days, Lopunny had taken over the helper role from Butterfree, who had decided to focus on improving its skills. Apparently, it had even sought tutoring from Zorua. Yes, Zoruathe one every Pokmon on the farm knew was unusual. But since Natsume hadnt raised any concerns, the others were content to train with Zorua and learn its many tricks. Lopunny! Really? Ill check it out later. Lopunny, lop! Thats great! Well have our own power source soon! As Natsume chatted casually with Lopunny, she informed him about new arrivals at the farm. Last night, a flock of Pidgey had settled near the berry grove, and the previously empty warehouse now seemed to host some Electric-type Pokmon. Natsume wasnt surprised. Given the unusually high vitality of the farm, it was inevitable that wild Pokmon would be drawn to it. Without Mightyenas patrols or Persians oversight, they might have already had troublemakers barging in. In fact, that had already happened a few times. Persians sentiment was clear: Im not targeting anyone in particular; Im just saying all of you are garbage. Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Togepi, want a taste? Cutting a small piece from the batch, Natsume cooled it with a quick blow before handing it to Togepi. Sampling aside, it was mostly an excuse for him to spoil the Pokmon. Any pet owner would agree that feeding their companions is a deeply satisfying experienceprovided said pet isnt a picky eater. Togi! Taking the piece, Togepi mimicked Natsume, blowing on it briefly before popping it into its mouth. A burst of rich sweetness spread across its tongue, and it couldnt help but squint its eyes in delight. Its little feet swung happily, mirroring its mood. Togi! No more for now. Breakfast is coming up. Togi Not even a small piece. Lopunny, keep an eye on Togepi and make sure it doesnt sneak any. Natsume set the freshly made Pokblocks aside to cool before lifting Togepi and placing it on the living room sofa. Following him out, Lopunny nodded in understanding, her kind smile shifting to a blank, intimidating stare as she turned to face Togepi. Dont even think about it. Togepi froze under her gaze, then obediently sat on the sofa, focusing on the TV. As a Buneary, Lopunny had often been the target of Togepis mischief. But after evolving, her strength had skyrocketed, and she could always catch Togepi in the act. Over time, she became Togepis natural nemesis. Satisfied with Togepis behavior, Lopunny returned to assist Natsume. The Pokblocks were an integral part of his strategy when catching Pokmon. The method might be clich, but it was undeniably effectiveakin to a college freshman gifting the dormmates new gadgets and saying, If you dont like it, feel free to sell it for cash. Oh, and Ill take care of meals for the next four years. Who could resist such an offer? Lopunny! Handing Natsume his bag of Pokblocks and Pok Balls, Lopunny stood at the door like a doting housewife seeing him off. Thanks for holding down the fort, Lopunny. Lopunny. With a wave, Natsume headed toward the grove, accompanied by Corvisquire and Shiny Furret. The farm had two berry groves: one for Pecha Berries and the other for Oran Berries. The latter was tended to by the Pancham family and Ursaring. As Natsume approached the Oran grove, a dazzling golden light caught his eye. Wait a second is that a Shiny Pidgeotto?! Chapter 38: Gaining a Reputation Among the Local Pokémon Pidgeotto, the earliest of the regional birds, has a final evolution in Pidgeot with decent base stats and impressive speed. Although its overall strength is just "passable," the nostalgic attachment and its Mega Evolution potential, coupled with its ability to serve as a flying mount, have made it a frequent feature in various fan works. When Mega Evolved, Pidgeots base stat total reaches 579. To put that in perspective: pseudo-legendaries like Dragonite have a base stat total of 600. Mega Pidgeot also boasts a Speed stat of 121, outpacing most Pokmon. Of course, base stats are theoretical. After all, Dragonite, revered for its "extreme speed," has a Speed stat of only 80and yet, it''s said to circle the globe in 16 hours! Returning to the main point, when Natsume first caught sight of the golden, gleaming Pidgeotto, his brain froze for a moment. To be honest, his impression of shiny Pokmon usually involved a greenish huelike shiny Machamp, for instance. But then he remembered: the games are one thing, reality another. In reality, shiny Pokmon often symbolize strength. The reason is simple: due to their distinct coloring, shiny Pokmon are often ostracized by their groups, forcing them to survive independently in the wild. This experience cultivates strong willpower and combat abilities. In many cases, strong willpower can compensate for natural talent. To some trainers, a determined Pokmon is far more valuable than one that simply boasts good stats. Of course, there are exceptions. Shiny Pokmon also tend to have unique traits. For example, the shiny Furret at Natsumes farm is much faster than regular Furretand cuter (crossed out). Because of their rarity, shiny Pokmon are highly sought after by trainers. Even if theyre not particularly strong, their uniqueness is enough to win over most trainers. While Natsume sized up the Pidgeotto, the Pidgeotto was also assessing Natsume. A plain-looking human. No brightly colored hair, no peculiar eyes. He didnt smirk crookedly, nor did he have an unusually large head. Just an ordinary person, albeit slightly handsome. Still, the Pidgeotto was wary. This human... feels familiar. Its well-known that certain Pokmon species harbor mutual animositiesfor example, Zangoose and Seviper, or Pidgeot and Fearow. A few days ago, this shiny Pidgeotto heard from other Pokmon that a Fearow had been utterly defeated by a human. Delighted by Fearow''s misfortune, Pidgeotto had rushed over to mock it. Even though it couldnt necessarily beat that Fearow itselfand would probably lose to the same humanit didnt stop Pidgeotto from taunting Fearow. Of course, that escapade ended with a horde of Fearow chasing it down, but it was worth it. Sar?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But now? Karma? The shiny Pidgeotto glanced back at its clueless flock, then at the blue Corvisquire and shiny Furret beside Natsume. It had a sinking feeling. Hello, Pidgeotto, Natsume greeted, walking closer. Im Natsume, the owner of this farm. The shiny Pidgeotto instinctively saluted in the French style. Pidgeot! Hello! Natsume blinked, surprised by the sudden formality. This Pidgeotto didnt seem very bright. Or rather, its brain might not be entirely functional. Could this be the "shiny" part of this Pidgeotto? Its brain? Suppressing his inner doubts, Natsume continued, You must be the leader of your group, right? Pidgeot. Receiving confirmation, Natsume added, Our farm welcomes Pokmon to join, but there are rules you need to follow. The rules of the farm hadnt changed much since Natsume took over. Besides minor adjustments, one new rule stood out: "No placing your rear end on Natsumes face in the middle of the night." Dont ask why this rule exists. Every peculiar rule has a peculiar story behind it. Perched on a branch, the shiny Pidgeotto mulled over its options. Joining seemed like a good ideathis place was great, and the conditions offered were appealing. But joining outright felt undignified. Maybe... a fight first? Pidgeottos gaze slowly shifted back to Natsume. The human was out of the question. Next, its eyes landed on the blue Corvisquire. Something about that bird was irritating. Then, the pink-and-white Furret. Clicking its tongue, Pidgeotto couldnt shake the feeling that none of these Pokmon were pushovers. If it fought and lost, it would lose face entirely. If it joined without a fight, it would still lose face. Whats your decision? Natsume asked. Pidgeot! Ill join! After weighing the pros and cons, the shiny Pidgeotto decisively agreed. Welcome aboard, Pidgeotto! Natsume smiled. Pidgeot! Looking forward to working with you, Boss Natsume! Yes, this Pidgeotto seemed very aware of its place. Or perhaps it was simply well-aware of Natsumes strength. Over time, Natsume had gained some notoriety among the local wild Pokmon, known for his ability to single-handedly subdue them. This led to a personal realization: if something can be solved with his own hands, why trouble the Pokmon on the farm? Besides, there was a certain thrill to taking down Pokmon with a single punch. What is a true Hisui superhuman? (leans back smugly) For now, you and your flock can stay here, Natsume said. Help keep an eye on the orchard, and let me know if any outsiders show up. Ill bring pokblocks over regularly. After explaining the rules and handing over some Pokblocks, Natsume ignored the Pidgeottos stunned reaction ("What kind of garbage have I been eating before this?") and headed toward the warehouse at the farms edge with Corvisquire and Furret. I need to consider getting a mount Pokmon, Natsume mused as he walked. With some money saved up, it might be time to invest in some functional Pokmon. Chapter 39: The Electric Flying Squirrel Frowns and Assembles the Crowd In a long-unused warehouse, a group of Pokmon surrounded an obviously broken-down, old diesel generator. They looked as if they were overworked office employees debating overtime or students stressed about an impending exam. Zzz A large yellow spider with piercing blue eyes stared at the outdated generator. It had seen others use similar machines to generate electricity, but as for how it worked... the logic was beyond it. The Galvantula had hoped that things would work out somehow, but this contraption defied comprehension. It wanted to dig a hole and hide itself. But feeling the expectant gazes of its newborn Joltik children, it could only feign an air of intense focus, pretending to be in deep study. Above the generator sat an Electric Flying Squirrel. No, not the iconic Pikachu, but an Emolga. Despite its undeniable cuteness, Emolgas screen time in stories was surprisingly low. Yimo. So hungry The little squirrel idly scratched its paw as its stomach rumbled. Living in the wild meant most Electric-type Pokmon couldnt always find a power source, so they relied on berries to fill their bellies. But even berries had been scarce lately. Its gaze drifted to the Galvantula. Ever since meeting that spider, its luck had seemingly taken a nosedive. Behind the Galvantula, four tiny Joltik watched their father work with rapt attention. To a child, parents are often omnipotent, and for Pokmon, it was no different. Meanwhile, in a corner of the warehouse, two sluggish Charjabug huddled together, looking utterly dejected. For Charjabug, life without electricity was catastrophic. If things continued this way, they feared they might starve to death. Near the clutter, a Pokmon rummaged through a pile of junk, its face obscured. Judging from its rounded posterior, it resembled a Corgi. Emolga dangled its legs thoughtfully, considering its options. Sticking with this group didnt seem promising. They werent even friendsjust Pokmon who had coincidentally crossed paths during migration. Maybe I should find a capable Trainer to take me in, it mused. Rely on my adorable looks and live a cushy life. As it daydreamed, the warehouse doors creaked open. Bright sunlight spilled in, chasing away the gloom. Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The sudden burst of light dazzled the Pokmon, who had grown accustomed to darkness. Wow, there are quite a few new friends here, a voice called out. At the back of the group, Emolga squinted and adjusted to the light. After a moment, a face entered its viewa face it found acceptable. As a Pokmon with standards, Emolga believed that if it were to be caught, it should at least be by someone pleasing to the eye. After all, choosing a Trainer was like picking a partnertheyd be together for years. If its Trainer were unsightly, it would be miserable. This face, however, was tolerable and worth considering. The warehouse erupted into chaos. The rummaging Pokmon revealed itselfa Yamper. Its tan, white, and brown fur gleamed, and its upright ears resembled a rabbits. Its tail had a lightning-bolt shape, with a heart-shaped base right above its rear. A Yamper! Natsumes expression lit up. To him, Yampers evolution, Boltund, was the quintessential herding Pokmon. He planned to eventually raise Pokmon capable of producing resources, like Combee, Mareep, and Miltank. For herding duties, Boltund and Arcanine were ideal choices. Encountering a Yamper here was a delightful surprise. The other Pokmon werent bad either. Natsumes gaze turned to the Galvantula and its Joltik children. Electric and Bug-types that could spin silk and generate electricityperfect for solving the farms power issues. Currently, the farm had external power lines, but internal electricity production would be much more convenient. Then there were the two Charjabug. As their name suggested, they functioned like living power banks. Not only could they store vast amounts of energy, but their evolved form, Vikavolt, was an excellent turret Pokmon. Though their HP, physical attack, defense, and speed were unimpressive, their 145 base Special Attack could devastate enemies. Finally, Natsumes gaze landed on a red-hued Charjabug hiding in a corner. Unlike the usual green color, this one was shiny. Counting the shiny Pidgeotto from before, this marked the third shiny Pokmon hed encountered on the farm. His attention returned to Emolga, lingering at the back. Sensing his gaze, Emolga frowned and instinctively pulled the others forward as a shield (or so it imagined). Instead, it retreated further into the corner. Why did this humans gaze feel so intense? It was almost like the obsessive villains in TV dramas who fixated on little girls. Yes, Emolga had watched TV beforealbeit through a strangers window. Hello, everyone! My names Natsume, and Im the owner of this farm. No need to be nervous. He paused for a second, nearly blurting out something inappropriate, before continuing. Raising his hand, Natsume channeled a gentle flow of Viridian energy, subtly easing the tension in the air. It wasnt enough to brainwash the Pokmon into adoring him but helped reduce their wariness. Even Yamper, who had been prepared to bite him, started wagging its tail instead. Chapter 40: A Taste for Mature Emoji After a brief self-introduction, the Pokmon''s perception of Natsume improved significantly. Especially the Yamper, which wagged its tail incessantly at Natsumes feet, barking Woof, woof! Roughly translated, it seemed to be saying: Father! Im your long-lost son, Father! For wild Pokmon, the allure of guaranteed food, shelter, and leisure without the burden of battling was irresistible. Few wild Pokmon could refuse such an offer, particularly an affectionate species like Yamper. If the situation had allowed, Yamper would probably have taken up the role of Natsumes spokesperson, earnestly persuading the others to join. The Galvantula glanced back at its offspring, then at Natsume, before resolutely nodding. If youre willing to take us in Never mind. Lets skip the formalities. Boss Natsume, our family will follow you from now on! The two Charjabug made the same decision. After all, wild Electric-type Pokmon didnt have many choices. Most would eventually partner with trainersonly with a trainer could they feed on electricity openly. The alternative? Sneaking power and risking a beating, followed by capture or abandonment. Better to find a reliable trainer sooner rather than endure hardship. The only holdout was Emolga. Not that it wasnt temptedit found Natsumes farm quite appealing. However, this was a matter of lifelong commitment, and such decisions required caution. In its city days, Emolga had learned a lot by eavesdropping on beauty courses and lifestyle tips. It scrutinized Natsume closely, weighing its options. Hmm, he looks pretty handsome. His outfits a bit plain, lacking style, but thats not a big deal. That can be improved later. For Emolga, things like bad fashion sense werent deal-breakersthey could be corrected over time. What mattered more were the unchangeable hardware factors, like height. A bad haircut could be fixed, and poor taste in clothes could be learned. But short stature? That was permanent. Judging by what it saw, Natsume passed the test. His face was definitely within Emolgas acceptable range. Shifting its gaze from Natsume to his Pokmon, Emolga evaluated his care. The bird flying nearby looked energetic and well-maintained. The pink, long-bodied Pokmon beside him had sleek, glossy fura clear sign of good grooming. And the fox cradled in his arms was no exception. All things considered, following Natsume seemed like an excellent choice. Yimo! Pushing past the other Pokmon, Emolga stepped forward, raising its tiny hand. From now on, Ill be in your care, Natsume. You too, Emolga, Natsume said, crouching to gently tap its paw with his finger in a mock high-five. As Emolga had been assessing him, Natsume had been observing Emolga in return. Though he often appeared easygoing and patient with Pokmon who wished to join his farm, this wasnt always the case. His kindness extended only to pure-hearted Pokmon without malicious intentions. For those with disruptive tendencies or arrogant attitudes, Natsume had no qualms about rejecting them outright. Case in point: the Spearow he once had to pin down and discipline. Sarch* The n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. (Spearow: Why me again?!) If Emolga had shown an excessively rebellious demeanor, Natsume might have politely asked it to leave. Fortunately, things ended on a positive note. All done, Natsume said, completing the process. After formally capturing each Pokmon, he released them again, his thoughts wandering to the growing population on his farm. Ill need to find proper accommodations for all these Pokmon Clearly, the farm needed an expansion. With this in mind, Natsume took out his phone and messaged a familiar contact. [Why Doesnt Ultraman Seven Have Ears?]: Are you there? Are you there? [Machamp Construction and Renovation Team]: Im here, boss! What do you need? [Machamp Construction and Renovation Team]: (Serious cat face emoji) [Why Doesnt Ultraman Seven Have Ears?]: The farm needs expanding. Lets build a bigger house and renovate those old warehouses. [Machamp Construction and Renovation Team]: Got it! On my way! [Machamp Construction and Renovation Team]: (Saluting cat emoji) [Why Doesnt Ultraman Seven Have Ears?]: (Handshake) (Handshake) Meanwhile, in town, a muscular girl lounging under an air conditioner sprang off her bed. Kicking open the back door, she shouted, Works here, everyone! Get moving! Finish this job, and well upgrade the gym equipment! Maybe buy new tools too! In the backyard, Machamp and Foreman Pokmon Conkeldurr turned their heads toward her in unison. The girl felt like dozens of spotlights were glaring at her. Lets go, lets go! Watching her enthusiastic Pokmon, she nodded in satisfaction. Exactlywork hard so I can buy new bags Err, I mean, better gym equipment for you all. Looking at her phones chat log, she smiled, her heart brimming with joy. Life was tough these past months, but thanks to that young farm owner, everythings turning around. Still, Natsume sure has a mature taste in emojis, she murmured, scrolling through his messages. The handshake and flower emojis stood out among his replies, occasionally accompanied by an OK gesture. Such refined tastes! Alright, time to head out! Standing at her shops entrance, the girl prepared to leave, only to hear a crisp voice behind her. Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to Sunnyhill Farm? Chapter 41: Emolga: Why Does Everyone Seem a Bit Off? Yimo. Inside its new home, Emolga curiously inspected the space where it would be living from now on. Unlike the more people-friendly Emolga, Galvantulas family preferred the outdoors. After all, the nature of spiders meant they werent particularly fond of staying too close to humans. Downstairs, the two Joltik were feasting voraciously on electricity. Having gone so long without such indulgence, they were now practically glued to the power outlets, impossible to pull away. It was safe to predict that Natsumes electricity bill was about to skyrocket. But, it was all worth it! Maybe it was the blessing of the Alpaca Pokmon, but in just over a month, Natsume had managed to catch three shiny Pokmon. And all of them had stunning color schemes. The pink-and-white Furret, which always reminded Natsume of a certain interstellar diva. The golden Pidgeotto, whose brassy plumage gave Natsume ideas about training it to deliver sarcastic quips from streetlamps. And the red Charjabug. To most, this might not seem impressive. But its final evolution into the shiny Vikavoltsleek silver with fluorescent green patternslooked like a machine straight out of a futuristic war movie. In short, the evolution was destined to be incredibly cool. Far cooler than the green Machamp models Natsume used to see in his classmates fashion magazines. Even among shinies, there were levels to this. Yimo! Emolga raised its paw in a polite greeting as the surrounding Pokmon gathered around to observe the newcomer. Hello, everyone. Im Emolga, the new arrival. Please take care of me. The little flying squirrel Pokmon struck a well-mannered pose, as if it were a diligent student on its first day of school. Emolga understood the importance of making a good first impression. Its priority was to establish friendly relationships and understand the dynamics of its new home. By figuring out the hierarchy and pecking order, it could avoid missteps and even gain support for any future endeavors. If worst came to worst, it could always play the cute cardacting pitiful, flashing its big eyes, and calling everyone "big brother" while tugging at their heartstrings. Yes, Emolga was very confident in its charm. It silently praised its own cleverness. But... Stare Minccino was glaring at Emolga, a cleaning cloth still in its paws. The intense gaze made Emolga break into a nervous sweat. Whats going on? Did I do something wrong? Or is this just not how greetings work here? Mi! After scrutinizing Emolga for a while, Minccino nodded with satisfaction. Seems like a clean kid. Thats good. Very good. Giving Emolga a reassuring pat on the shoulder, Minccino resumed cleaning. Lately, the households chaos had increased Minccinos workload exponentially. In retaliation, the younger Pokmon led by Togepi had all found themselves pinned to the floor by Minccino at least once. It wasnt about strengthjust sheer authoritative pressure. San! S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sandslash returned to grab an pokblock for lunch. Giving Emolga a casual pat, it offered a few encouraging words. Work hard, little one. Im heading out. Carrying its meal, Sandslash left to tend to its crops, clearly more invested in its fields than in the new arrival. Tokii. Togepi mimicked Sandslashs actions, patting Emolga on the shoulder as well. Keep it up; I believe in you. Toki-toki. Work hard, thats advice from your senior. Though it had only hatched recently, Togepi insisted on playing the role of a mature mentor, much like a high schooler pondering how to save the world. Furr. Following Togepi, the shiny Furret gave Emolga a quick pat but said nothing. "Hmph, I admit youre cute. But cute Pokmon only slow me down!" Determined, Furret bolted out of the house. It had decidedtoday, it would run fifteen laps around the farm. If it couldnt finish, it would do fifty sprints instead. This was a training method it had learned from watching anime. Squeak! "My youth will never fade!" Caw! Descending from the second floor, Corvisquire fixed Emolga with a sharp gaze. "Hmph. A mere nobody. Shall I" Before it could finish its arrogant monologue, Persian kicked it aside, cutting the drama short. Youre using the wrong idiom, idiot. Acknowledging Emolga with a slight nod, Persian dragged Corvisquire into a corner, ready to discipline the TV-obsessed troublemaker. ...Yimo? Standing frozen in place, Emolga felt its brain short-circuiting. Why does everyone here seem so weird? The only seemingly normal one had been the Butterfree it met earlier. Turning to the Hisuian Zorua that had been quietly observing from the side, Emolga looked for some explanationor maybe just some comfort. But the moment Zorua noticed Emolgas gaze, it darted into the adjacent room through the wall. Now, only Zorua''s Unovan counterpart remained, leisurely swishing its tail. As for Lopunny? It had gone with Natsume to move some supplies. Though, truth be told, Zorua doubted Natsume needed any help from a Pokmon. In Zoruas experience, there wasnt a human stronger than Natsume. Even martial artists wouldnt stand a chance. Sure, "using force to overcome technique" might sound crude, but it worked. And with Natsumes ability to tank even Hyper Beam hits to the face, finesse wasnt exactly a priority. Most problems could be solved by charging straight through them. Hehe. Seeing Emolgas bewildered expression, Zorua let out a mischievous laugh. Hearing the chuckle, Emolga snapped out of its daze and turned to Zorua, its cheeks puffed in annoyance. Yimo! Yimo! For some reason, Emolga felt it shared certain traits with this black-furred fox. They locked eyesit was the look of two Pokmon who knew how to vie for attention. Faced with the agitated Emolga, Zorua tilted its head thoughtfully. Stretching lazily, Zorua leapt into the air. As its body twisted mid-flight, it transformed into... an identical Emolga. Yimo! Shock! The sudden appearance of another Emolga startled the original. Circling the doppelg?nger, Emolga inspected it closely. After a thorough examination, it reached a conclusionthis copy was identical in every way. Yimo... Pinching the fake Emolgas cheek, the real one was utterly flabbergasted. Meanwhile, Natsume, in another part of the house, was having his own share of shocking experiences. Chapter 42: An Unexpected Visitor and the Meaning of Battle Sometimes, people tend to overestimate their tolerance for surprises. Natsume had always considered himself someone hard to faze. After all, as a transmigrator who had encountered a woolly llama deity firsthand, he thought there wasnt much left to shock him in the world of Pokmon. Even if one day he woke up to find Groudon flying in the sky... Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Okay, fine, that would still be pretty shocking. Lets rephrase. If one day he woke up and found a Gardevoir lying next to him in bed, Natsume believed he wouldnt be too surprised. Hed just sigh and reflect on how his ever-evolving XP preferencesrefined through years of updateshad finally come into play. Sure, his tastes were probably a bit old-fashioned compared to trendsetters, but his good ballpark did extend to humanoid, aesthetically pleasing non-human creatures. That said, Natsume firmly believed he wasnt a furry. Sure, fluffy things were cute, and he did have a thing for humanoid forms, but he wasnt a furry. No debate about it. Natsume simply appreciated beauty in all its forms. Ahem, moving on. What Actually Surprised Natsume Hello, Natsume-san. Standing before Natsume was a teenage girl with twin buns tied atop her head and a sun visor perched jauntily. Her youthful energy practically radiated off her. If it were just another random trainer stopping by his farm, it wouldnt have been anything unusualthere had been plenty of visitors coming for photo ops and battles lately. What really surprised Natsume, however, was My name is Mei. Im a trainer who just started her journey this year. Natsumes brain momentarily short-circuited. Wait, what? Where am I? Is this Ashs world? I thought I transmigrated into a modern Pokmon setting! And these names they arent from the Pokmon Adventures manga, are they? Although momentarily startled, Natsume quickly composed himself. After all, zoning out during someone elses introduction would be incredibly rude. Nice to meet you, Mei. Looking at the girls familiar features and the smug-looking Snivy by her feet, Natsume was certain this was indeed that Mei from the Pokmon world. Yep, Pokmons Meinot Mei-nee, I dont want to die! Mei from elsewhere. Im here today to challenge you! Bowing slightly, Meis voice carried a serious tone. Though polite, the burning determination in her eyes made her resolve crystal clear. To Battle Bringing his thoughts back under control, Natsume led Mei to the battle arena he had set up on his farm. Standing on the battlefield, Meis expression turned deadly serious. She raised a hand dramatically and called out, Alright, my first choice is yougo, Snivy! The Snivy that had been swaggering by her feet raised its head confidently and sauntered onto the field. The pride in its gaze made it clear this Pokmon was used to winning its battles. If a Pokmon constantly lost, no matter how strong it was, traces of nervousness and hesitation would inevitably show in its demeanor during battles. This Snivy, however, radiated self-assurednessa testament to its frequent victories. And yet, this confidence wasnt something deliberately cultivated. Both Mei and her Snivy carried a fiery, unstoppable aura. For such a petite and adorable girl, Mei exuded an unexpectedly intense, hot-blooded energy. Alright, in that case Just as Natsume was pondering which Pokmon to choose, a Corvisquire suddenly dashed out from behind him. Its sharp gaze carried a glint of wisdom, as if to say, Leave this battle to me. Well, Ill leave it to you then, Corvisquire. Seeing the eagerness in its eyes, Natsume couldnt bring himself to turn it down. Among all his companions, Corvisquire had the strongest craving for battles. Partly, this was its natural fighting spiritfew bird Pokmon were truly mild-mannered. But mostly It was because Corvisquire loved showing off. The Audience The farms Pokmon had gathered around the battlefield to watch the match. Ever since the battle arena had opened, trainers had frequently come by to challenge Natsume. Whether they won or lost didnt matter muchit was all about gaining experience. Watching battles had even become a daily pastime for the Pokmon living on the farm. A special shoutout to the Zigzagoon squad, habitual audience members who always attempted to rummage through challengers bags when they werent looking. Theyd already been scolded multiple times by Ursaring for this, but bad habits die hard. Like calculus. Caw! Caw! Circling in the air, Corvisquire basked in the attention from the audience, feeling exhilarated. Ah, this is what battles are about. Without an audience, battles lose their meaning. Corvisquire wasnt interested in fighting over resources or territory. It fought purely for the sake of showing off. Because why else? Style, of course. Natsume was well aware of Corvisquires little motives. In fact, hed been considering taking Corvisquire and a few other Pokmon to nearby small-scale competitionsperhaps ones hosted by shopping districts. After all, several Pokmon on the farm had started training themselves, and Natsume couldnt just ignore their efforts. Caw! The winds of destiny are especially wild today. On the ground, Corvisquire mimicked Snivys haughty stance, tilting its head upward to glance at others disdainfully. This bird definitely had the potential to join the Uchiha clanits mastery of condescending stares was almost perfect. Snivy, arms crossed, snorted in response but said nothing. Idiot. Its expression said it all. Caw! Corvisquire remained unbothered, continuing its trash talk. Most of it was dramatic phrases it had picked up onlinelines so cringe-inducing even Natsume struggled to translate them into something intelligible. But as Natsume listened, an unsettling realization dawned on him. Wait a second Why does this sound so familiar? Holy crap, isnt this from the diary I wrote in middle school?! Where the heck did this bird find that?! Completely oblivious to the increasingly murderous aura emanating from behind it, Corvisquire grew even more animated with its theatrics. Someone was about to get into serious trouble. Standing silently beside Natsume, Lopunny shot Corvisquire a pitying glance. Poor thing. Your doom approaches. Chapter 43: Corvisquire’s Combos and Mei’s Curiosity Sometimes, battles reveal a Pokmons true potential. The instant the match began, the chattering Corvisquire fell silent. It spread its wings and swiftly ascended, dodging Snivys initial Bullet Seed attack. Seeds struck the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and dirt. Tsk. Snivy clicked its tongue. It had assumed this opponent was all talk, but Corvisquires quick reflexes were surprising. More importantly... Snivys gem-like red eyes locked onto Corvisquire. As much as it hated to admit it, this bird was a serious threat. Its own repertoire of moves was limited, and it lacked effective anti-air tactics. Worse still, it had no idea whether this opponent possessed long-range attacks. If it did, things could become dire. Thinking this over, Snivy launched another wave of attacks, alternating between Vine Whip and Bullet Seed. But Corvisquire evaded them effortlessly. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Snivy, dont rush, Mei called out, her tone calming and analytical. Well focus on a defensive counterattack strategy. Corvisquires special defense isnt highif our attacks land, well have the upper hand. Meis words helped Snivy regain its composure. A true trainers role in battle isnt to yell meaningless phrases like Dodge it! or Hang in there! Pokmon arent robots. If theyre in danger, theyll naturally dodge. If theres an opening, theyll naturally strike. Instead, Meis mind raced, analyzing the situation. From what Ive read online, this Corvisquire knows a lot of movesProtect, Roost, and aerial moves like Drill Peck. A prolonged battle isnt in our favor, but Snivys current tactics are all about endurance She furrowed her elegant brows, mentally noting the need to teach Snivy more moves after this battle. Still, it couldnt be helped. With Snivys Contrary ability, its potential as a future ace was unquestionable. Once it evolved into Serperior and learned Leaf Storm, its combat power would skyrocket. But until then, it was merely decent. Caw! High above, Corvisquire flapped its wings, sending several transparent blades slashing toward Snivy. It was using Air Slash, a move it had only just learned yesterday. Though its mastery wasnt high, it got the job done. Many times, proficiency in a move only needs to be good enough, as demonstrated now. Corvisquire rained down Air Slash attacks, forcing Snivy into a frenzied retreat to dodge. Occasionally, it would dive at high speed, delivering a close-range Drill Peck before retreating to safety. Ugh! Snivy narrowly avoided a Drill Peck, rising from the ground covered in dirt. Its emerald body was now stained with mud, and its red eyes burned with fury. Its own attacks had been utterly ineffective. Even its Magical Leaf, which should have homed in, was mostly blocked by Corvisquires Protect. The few hits that landed barely fazed the bird, who still looked as energetic as ever, hurling taunts with its usual fervor: Such pitiful efforts amount to nothing! Kneel and gaze up at me in awe! Realize your weakness and despair! If Butterfrees typical combo was something like Stun Spore Toxic Psybeam Air Slash, Corvisquires strategy could be summed up as: Air Slash Trash Talk High-Speed Dive Trash Talk Drill Peck Trash Talk x3 Air Slash Close-Range Trash Talk. If there ever came a rule banning mid-battle dialogue, Corvisquires combat effectiveness would be halved. Eventually, Snivy collapsed in defeat. Its attacks, though accurate, lacked impacta classic case of scratching the surface. This was understandable. While Snivys special attack stat was decent, theres a thing called level suppression. At just over level 20, Snivy had only recently learned Leech Seed, an impressive milestone for a novice trainers Pokmon. But Corvisquire was already level 35 and nearing evolution. The gap was undeniable. Defeat was inevitable, though Snivy wasnt sure whether it lost due to Corvisquires strength or sheer frustration. If it could, Snivy wouldve gladly yanked out Corvisquires beak and shoved it somewhere unpleasant. Just you wait, feathered freak. One day, Ill tear that smug look off your face and plant grass on your skull! Cradled in Meis arms, Snivy glared daggers at Corvisquire. Well stop the battles here for now, Mei said, applying a potion to Snivys injuries. My other two partners would likely fare no better than Snivy. She offered an apologetic smile to Natsume. Ill return for a rematch once weve grown stronger. Some trainers advocate for constant combat, arguing that losing builds character. But sending your Pokmon into a clearly unwinnable battle just to learn their limits is pointless. Mei had no interest in subjecting her partners to unnecessary beatings. Sorry for the trouble, Natsume, Mei said, her demeanor shifting back to that of a bright and cheerful girl. Accepting the small, resealable bag Natsume handed her, she peered curiously at the glistening Pokblocks inside. Shed heard about these onlineNatsume was supposedly a master at crafting Pokblocks, surpassing even recognized experts. But anyone with common sense knows not to fully trust online information. At best, believe 30C40% of it. The rest is likely exaggerated. Still, she couldnt deny her curiosity. Its no trouble at all, Natsume replied, waving dismissively. He wasnt particularly invested in battles. If challengers came, hed fight. If not, hed sunbathe. Most of the time, he let his Pokmon handle battles for him while he managed the farm. By the way, Mr. Natsume, Mei asked as they walked, what made you decide to take over this farm? Chapter 44: The Best Way for Students to Bond is Complaining About School Why did you choose to inherit a farm? This was a question Natsume had been asked countless times recently. The answer was always the same: Because he felt he might have some talent for it. Because it was something left behind by his late uncle. And most importantly, because there was a farm to inherit. If, back then, he had been left with a major corporation instead, Natsume would have inherited that too. After all, such companies typically have well-established management systemshed just need to avoid any catastrophic decisions and hed live comfortably. Of course, this was just wishful thinking. There was no corporation for him to inherit. Something like that, Natsume replied casually. Besides, I dont think Im smart enough to be a great trainer. As he teased the aloof, tsundere Snivy, Natsume spoke in a relaxed tone. In this world, being a top-tier trainer requires more than just passion. It demands intelligence. Type matchups, coverage strategies, the opponents potential movesets, and their lineup order all had to be calculated. Ones own team needed constant adjustment based on the enemys composition. For each battle, there was an overwhelming amount to consider. Those who charged forward with nothing but raw determination were often outmaneuvered by veteran trainers as soon as they stepped out of school. This world might lack many things, but it certainly wasnt short of people who found amusement in "camping" at beginner-level areas just to crush newcomers. Natsume had once aspired to be a scholar-level trainer, but reality said otherwise. Crossing dimensions might change your appearance or habitsturning a 1.8-meter-tall man into a 1.5-meter albino with red eyesbut intelligence? That remained stubbornly fixed. The idea of someone going from a scatterbrained university student to a calm, calculating genius plotting against brilliant minds was nothing but fantasy. Besides, Natsume had always lived by the principle that brains were meant to rust. Realizing his limitations, he decisively switched career paths. Got it. Mei nodded thoughtfully, then sighed nostalgically. Back in school, we had to memorize so much. The battle class teacher even made us watch battle videos and write analysis reports for homework. It was exhausting, especially after late-night study sessions. Exactly, right? In no time, the two bonded over shared frustrations about their school days. For studentsor recent graduatescomplaining about school is the perfect icebreaker. You think your school was bad? Wait till you hear about mine! This kind of conversation naturally pulls out all the absurd stories from ones school life, bringing both sides closer together. So long as no one insults each others alma mater, of course. After a round of shared grievances, their relationship had noticeably warmed. But Mr. Natsume, youre really amazing, Mei said with genuine admiration. In just a couple of months, you turned an abandoned farm into this. She glanced at a group of Zigzagoon scampering across the fields and couldnt help but marvel. While she lacked any farming experiencebeing the textbook example of a high schooler with zero practical life skillsstarting a farm from scratch sounded exhausting. Its nothing, really. The townsfolk were very supportive, Natsume replied modestly. A lie, of course. The truth was that after arriving at the farm, Natsume had transformed from a slightly introverted high school boy into a full-blown shut-in. If unnecessary, he wouldnt step out of the farm. Even now, most people in town barely knew who he was. Even the mayor, busy with his own responsibilities, didnt have time for idle chats. Unlike the leisurely, cane-toting village elders in anime, real-world mayors were far busier. Still, its impressive, Mei insisted. And youre doing great too, Natsume said. For a rookie trainer, youre off to a fantastic start. Their conversation naturally veered into mutual compliments. Looking at Mei, once a "protagonist" of sorts, Natsume felt surprisingly calm. He didnt feel excited, let alone overwhelmed with adoration. Instead, he saw her as an unfamiliar acquaintancesomeone interesting but not idolized. Sure, he felt some fondness toward her, but nothing so intense that hed throw himself at her. After all, Natsume was a "reserved man" (or so he claimed). By the way, Mr. Natsume, can I buy some Pokblocks from you? Mei asked suddenly. Her primary reason for visiting, besides the battle challenge, was to purchase some of Natsumes renowned Pokblocks. The forums were abuzz with praise for his creations, claiming they were even better than what some top-tier professionals could make. Of course! What type are you looking for? Natsume asked, his business instincts kicking in. I have a Snivy, Dewott, and Tepig in my team. Do you have any recommendations? Mei replied thoughtfully. As she spoke, a Zorua quietly crept up on the two of them. Zor? Seeing Natsume and Mei walking side by side, the Zorua skidded to a halt, then dived elegantly into a nearby bush before being noticed. Peeking out from its hiding spot, the Zorua studied the pair mischievously. Its expression hinted at a cheeky plan forming in its mind. Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Pink energy enveloped its small body, and in the blink of an eye, the Zorua vanished into the foliage. Hm? What is it, Mr. Natsume? Mei asked curiously. Nothing, Natsume replied, glancing back at the bush where the Zorua had been hiding. Something about it felt off, but he decided to let it go. Chapter 45: A Leisurely Stroll Around the Farm With a soft "whoosh," Zorua materialized in one of the second-floor rooms. Feeling the softness under its paws, it instinctively kneaded the surface, much like a cat making biscuits. Leaping gracefully from the bed, Zorua paused briefly before darting into the adjacent room. There, it whispered something to Corvisquire, who was engrossed in watching a movie. "Suo." "Caw?" "Suosuo!" "Cawcaw." No one knew exactly what Zorua shared with Corvisquire, but when it emerged from the room, it was carrying a smartphone in its mouth. Since the farm began turning a profit, Natsume had purchased several phones and left them around the house, anticipating that some Pokmon might take an interest in the internet. With modern networks and user-friendly devices, more and more Pokmon were becoming internet addicts. A few even became famous online, capitalizing on their tech-savvy antics. A few minutes later, Zorua, now darting about the house, finally stopped. Before it lay a pile of miscellaneous itemspokblocks, flower bouquets, ribbon-wrapped gift boxes, and more. Tilting its head, Zorua pondered for a moment, then sneakily glanced around. Seeing no other Pokmon in the living room, its small body began glowing with a faint blue energy. The scattered items were drawn toward the prepared satchel, as though magnetized. Dont question how a tiny bag could hold so much. Pokmon tech, kid. Satisfied, Zorua slung the satchel over its shoulder. Floating slightly off the ground, it clutched the smartphone with its front paws, tapping and swiping with remarkable dexterity. Just then, the door creaked open, and Persian, freshly awake, sauntered into the room. The living room was empty, but its nose twitched as it caught a familiar scent. Its tail swayed lazily, but Persian didnt dwell on it. Everyone on the farm knew that Zoruas so-called "perfectly hidden" antics were far from subtle. The last Pokmon who had been this confident about its stealth? An Ogerpon caught sneaking into the game room in full view of everyone. Speaking of Ogerpon, it hadnt shown up in a couple of days. If it didnt appear tonight, Persian decided it might be worth reminding Natsume to check on it. --- Elsewhere, Natsume was giving Mei a tour of the farm. It had all started when Snivy got flipped onto its head by a passing Zigzagoon. Unwilling to let it slide, Snivy instinctively chased after it. Mei, who had been preparing to leave, decided to stay and help sort things out. The situation ended with Snivy sulking in Meis arms while Ursaring pinned Zigzagoon to the ground. Judging by Zigzagoons playful, tongue-lolling grin, it clearly didnt take the scolding seriously. In the early days, being reprimanded by its mother would leave it nervous and upset. But now? Zigzagoon had lost count of how many times it had been pinned and scolded. To it, dodging these situations had become a gamejust a matter of perfecting its "Zigzagoon-style evasive maneuvers." Natsume, feeling somewhat responsible, offered to show Mei around the farm as an apology. Mei, considering her plans to train in the area for a while, agreed. As a new trainer, Mei wasnt in any rush to compete in regional tournaments. She knew that aiming for the Junior or Senior divisions in her first year was overly ambitious. Though she had undeniable potential as a trainer, growth and experience couldnt be rushedunless fate had a miracle in store. Jadeleaf Region was vast, and every year, a handful of lucky trainers managed to befriend exceptionally strong Pokmon early in their journeys. Such occurrences werent unheard of, but Mei wasnt counting on it. For now, her focus was on training and getting stronger. Oddish~ A line of Oddish marched past Natsume and Mei in neat formation. These Pokmon were also residents of the farm, though not as close to Natsume as his more loyal companions like Furret. While they acknowledged Natsumes authority as the farms owner and followed the rules, they preferred their own carefree lifestyle. This dynamic wasnt uncommon. Even in Steenees domain, a few Bounsweet showed little interest in interacting with Natsume. It wasnt out of dislike or ingratitudejust a lack of interest in bonding with humans. To them, their relationship with Natsume was akin to the connection between villagers and a sacred guardian spirit in some fantasy tales. The villagers offer tributes, the spirit occasionally shows up to accept them and bestows blessings in return. Good afternoon, Oddish, Natsume greeted, crouching down to gently pat the heads of the Pokmon gathering around him. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a bag of small treats and began handing them out one by one. Recently, Natsume had started experimenting with crafting Pokmon Pok Puffs. While pokblock were great, switching things up occasionally was a nice change of pace. Even the best noodles, no matter how varied, could make one crave rice now and then. So far, the results were promising, and the effort had even led to the discovery of some tasty Pokmon snacks. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maybe I have a hidden talent for this? Natsume mused, silently offering his thanks to Hisui''s deities for their guidance. After all, those blessings had been genuinely helpful. Oddish! The Oddish lined up, patiently waiting for their treats. Mei, who had crouched beside Natsume, instinctively placed her hands on her knees, watching the interaction. Glancing at Natsume and the snacks in his hand, she remarked thoughtfully, You really seem to love Pokmon, Mr. Natsume. Just call me Natsume, he replied, brushing crumbs off his hands as he stood. I think most people, even if they dont love them, dont dislike Pokmon either, he added with a shrug. Im just... normal, I guess. In a world filled with Pokmon, were there people who truly disliked them? Certainly, just as some people disliked cats or dogs. But youve done a great job caring for the Pokmon on your farm, Mei pointed out. Maybe, Natsume said nonchalantly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He wasnt one to judge others preferences. As long as they didnt cross any boundaries, even someone obsessed with pink Walmart bags would get his blessing. Alright then, let me show you the berry grove, he offered with a smile. Thats where our farms security team resides. Chapter 46: Wrote Another Chapter Out of Frustration For once, Natsume wasnt busy with farm work all day. He spent the entire afternoon chatting and strolling around the farm with Mei. Earlier, he had thought about doing something else, but whenever he wasnt busy with work, he didnt know what else to do. Training? Not really. Maybe it was because he had already decided to give up on becoming a Trainer, so he didnt want to engage in activities typical of one. Instead, he preferred lying under the shade of a tree, idly holding his shiny Furret. sea??h th n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To be fair, it was quite relaxing (not that hed openly admit it). Natsume had considered picking up some of his old hobbies but always felt unmotivated. Living alone in the mountains for so long, most hobbies had faded away, leaving only the skills essential for survival. Natsume figured he was a product of this process. Spending so much time alone, he sometimes worried he might lose his ability to interact with other humans altogether (laughs). Ah, saying it like this feels a bit depressing. That wouldnt do! A transmigrator should be brimming with energy and drive! Even when feeling down, you should shout confidently, Its not me whos wrong, its this world! Rubbing his face to shake off the negative thoughts, Natsume handed the Bounsweet in his arms to Mei. This Bounsweet was particularly fond of people. Every time Natsume visited, it would rub affectionately against him. It was hard to tell who was cuddling whom. Ah, hello there, Bounsweet! With a gentle touch, Mei carefully took the Bounsweet into her arms, her face lighting up with joy at the adorable creature. Cute appearance, affectionate personality, and a faint sweet scentwhat girl wouldnt adore such a darling Pokmon? At least Mei was completely smitten. Chuu! Nestled in Meis embrace, the Bounsweet shifted into a comfortable position, using the leaf on its head to nuzzle her arm. Ah, a sweet human girl. Time to snuggle! Girls should stick together, even if theyre from different species! It seemed the Bounsweet really liked Mei. For the rest of the walk, it clung to her, unwilling to leave. Even when placed on the ground, it would trail behind her like an elementary schooler on a field trip. Mei took a step, and it took three. Its tiny legs made that inevitable. Chuu~ The hopping Bounsweet looked like an inflated balloon, ready to float away at any moment. Natsume glanced at the Bounsweet, a thought flickering through his mind, but he chose not to say anything just yet. For now, he would observe. Besides He subtly turned his head to look at a nearby fruit tree. The leaves on its branches rustled slightly, as if something had just left. But scanning the area revealed no suspicious Pokmon in sight. Once Natsume looked away, a petite figure gradually materialized in midair. Satisfied with the photos on its phone, it nodded approvingly. Then, like a fish in water, it gracefully turned and followed after them, leaving behind a series of cat-like giggles that slowly faded into the air. --- As time passed, the sky turned a shade of golden dusk. Mei and Natsume had nearly toured the entire farm. Many areas were still under development, so they only gave them a brief look. Natsume shared some of his plans for these spaces with Meithis patch for a garden, that area for greenhouses, and so on. In short, there were plenty of ideas. The farm could undoubtedly be described as promising. High EQ: Promising, a first-rate warrior of the future. Low EQ: Nothing much right now. How do you feel? Standing at the farms entrance, Natsume smiled at Mei. Its been really fun, and also Meis gaze drifted to Natsumes knees. Natsume, your stamina is impressive. The remark was slightly ambiguous, but there was no romantic undertone between them. While touring the farm, Mei had noticed that whenever Natsume encountered small Pokmon, he would habitually squat down to make eye contact while communicating with them. This approach maximized his ability to convey goodwill without intimidating them. The advantage of squatting to interact was clear. The downside? Sore legs. Since Natsume squatted, Mei followed suit to engage with the Pokmon. At first, it was fineshe just thought, Oh, the Pokmon on the farm are so cute, This ones adorable, and That ones even cuter. But gradually, Mei realized something was off. It seemed like Natsume squatted a lot. Theyd barely walked a few steps before encountering a few Hoppip. Squat, chat, feed, bid farewell, stand. A few more steps, and there were some Poochyena. Squat, chat, feed, bid farewell, stand. Then came a chatty Corvisquire. Talk, raise a hand, andsmack! Wait, what?! According to Natsume, this Corvisquire was one of the Pokmon hed caught during his earlier goal of becoming a Trainer. He had hoped to train it into a cold, aloof powerhousethe kind that avoided chatter and delivered decisive strikes. Instead, it turned into a top-tier loudmouth. It wouldnt act unless it could taunt its opponent first. Once, it excitedly told Natsume it had found a new idol: a Korean streamer known for playing Raven and trash-talking between combos. Natsumes response? A slap that sent it tumbling. Learn something useful for once! In the end, Mei found her legs sore and her knees aching after the tour. Why did it feel like shed spent the entire afternoon doing squats at the gym? Yet, looking at Natsume, who showed no signs of exhaustion, Mei started wondering if she should step up her fitness routine. As a proper Trainer, a strong body was essential! By the way, what about this little one? Mei glanced at the Bounsweet clinging to her leg, looking distressed. The Pokmon had been feigning pitifulness since earlier, refusing to let her leave. It was clear how much it liked her. But this Bounsweet was one of Natsumes farm residents and seemed to have already been caught. Ah, thats simple. Natsume shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. He had anticipated such situations from the beginning, so he wasnt caught off guard. Chapter 47: Bounsweet: Ready to Battle! Bounsweet, do you want to see the world outside? Crouching to match Bounsweets gaze as much as possible, Natsume asked sincerely. If Bounsweet wanted to leave with Mei, Natsume wouldnt mind. To put it bluntly She used to be the heroine of the game! The goodwill bonus from the past, coupled with todays interactions, had left Natsume with a favorable impression of Mei. And aside from battling, Mei had a somewhat endearing naivety about her. The two could now be considered friends. So, if Bounsweet wanted to follow Mei, Natsume wouldnt oppose it. There were many reasons: One was that Natsume hadnt planned on training Bounsweet. She wasnt exactly a rare Pokmon. This was a pragmatic consideration. Of course, the premise was that the other party had to be someone Natsume knew and got along with. If a random trainer passing by declared they fancied a Pokmon on the farm and asked Natsume to let it go, promising theyd take it to the pinnacle of the world Natsumes likely response would be: Persian, wreck them! What pinnacle? What sacrifice? Come back after winning this years provincial Beginners Cup. Competitions like that are packed with all kinds of monsters. Watching those matches teaches humility. It motivates one to get a stable job. After a few matches, no one talks about the pinnacle of the world anymore. As for the argument that attacking a trainer with Pokmon is illegal, Natsume could only say: I can fight myself, no problem. Time to experience a punch that can shatter a Protect move. Sar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sword breaker, physical edition: Breaking your nonsense. The other reason was that Mei was a good person. If she caught Bounsweet, shed treat it well. Chuu?! The question startled Bounsweet. Meis an excellent trainer. If you go with her, youll see sights youd never experience on the farm. Youll grow stronger, defeat opponents. Youll battle alongside your companions. Those will be incredible days. But in return, you wont have a leisurely life anymore. Youll need to work hard to meet Meis expectations. You cant get arrogant when you win or discouraged when you lose. And you cant regret it, thinking you were misled. Do you understand? Natsume lowered himself further but soon realized it was impossible to match Bounsweets 0.3-meter height. He gave up and instead clarified the pros and cons. He didnt want Bounsweet to leave on impulse, only to later find life outside wasnt what she imagined. Such disappointments could lead to resentment toward the trainer who took her away. Better to address these concerns early. Mei, standing to the side, didnt interrupt. Her eyes darted between Natsume and Bounsweet. Somehow, this felt like a parent giving heartfelt advice to a child before a big journey. Chuu... Listening to Natsume, Bounsweets eyes began to swirl like spirals. So much information all at onceit was overwhelming. CPU overload. Until now, Bounsweet hadnt thought much about the future. She just liked Mei and thought it might be fun to stay close to her. Chuu! After some effort, Bounsweet finally made a decision. She wanted to go! Her gaze turned resolute. Though life on the farm was cozy and playing with friends was enjoyable, something always felt missinglike there wasnt enough excitement. Now, Bounsweet had decided. Shed leave. Shed grow stronger. Shed fight! And then, shed come back to give that Zorua who tricked her a good beating! She had cared for it, thinking it was abandoned, only to find out later it was all a ruse. Traitor! Seeing Bounsweets inexplicably fired-up expression, Natsume and Mei exchanged a look. It seemed like this little one had plenty of spirit. Great! Thats the attitude! Mei cheered. Lets work hard and get stronger together, Bounsweet! Chuu! Battle! Here, this is Bounsweets Pokball. Having anticipated this outcome, Natsume handed over the Pokball. After realizing Bounsweet might want to go with Mei, hed secretly asked Corvisquire to fetch it. Since each Pokball was carefully labeled and organized, it wasnt hard to find. Of course, all of this was done discreetly. Otherwise, it might seem like he was eager to get rid of Bounsweet. If Bounsweet didnt want to leave, hed simply consider the effort unnecessary. Thank you, Mr. Natsume. Its just Natsume. Got it, Natsume~ Mei replied playfully. Turning to Bounsweet, Mei said, Well then, Ill be counting on you from now on, Bounsweet. Chuu! The red beam of light enveloped Bounsweet, recalling her into the Pokball. Although the usual ritual of capture wasnt necessary since she was already tamed, Meis excitement wasnt diminished. Chuu! The moment Bounsweet was released again, she clung to Mei like a kitten, rubbing affectionately against her. Why compare her to a kitten? Because once grown, shed stop being clingy (tragically). Adult cats just find a quiet spot to groom themselves at their leisure. As for those cute, clingy cats seen online? Persian says thats all an act. Oh, Natsume, I just thought of something! Mei suddenly exclaimed, rummaging through her bag. Lets exchange contact information. Also, I owe you some compensation for letting me catch Bounsweet. Though Natsume might not care, Mei still felt uneasy leaving without offering something in return for a Pokmon hed nurtured. Chapter 48: Mei’s Departure and a Night Barbecue After a classic Eastern-style tug-of-war over a gift, Mei''s compensation was ultimately not accepted. Accepting compensation for Bounsweet felt uncomfortably similar to selling Pokmon, which wasnt the image Natsume wanted to convey. In the future, he might open a Day Care or a ranch, selling eggs and Pokmon to trainers. But that was a distant plan. For now, the idea hadnt even crossed his mind. Although the compensation was rejected, Mei ended up purchasing a large number of Pokblocks from Natsume instead. If you wont take compensation, Ill at least buy your goods, right? --- Bye-bye, Natsume! Mei waved enthusiastically at the farm gate. Ill visit again sometime! At her feet, Bounsweet mimicked Meis energetic farewells, hopping and calling out to its friends. Meanwhile, Snivy maintained its aloof demeanor, crossing its arms and tilting its head slightly upward. Yet, when it glanced at Natsume, its gaze softened, hinting at a subtle sense of approval. Snivy, despite its pride, had acknowledged Natsumes culinary skills, if nothing else. Earlier, during dinner, it had even reluctantly admitted that Natsumes cooking surpassed Meis by milesonly to be met with Meis furious retaliation in the form of a relentless head rub. Take care on the road! Natsume called after her. Dont worry! Mei flexed her arm confidently. Ive planned my route carefully. Every path is an official, safe trailnothing dangerous. Her confident stance didnt match her lighthearted tone, making Natsume almost expect her to exclaim, Well win! --- After seeing Mei off, Natsume turned to face the now quieter farm. Phew... It felt calmer now but also a little too quiet. Perhaps he wasnt used to prolonged interactions anymore. For someone who hadnt socialized much, having a visitor as lively as Mei was a bit nerve-wrackingespecially when she was not just any girl but a bright and cheerful one at that. Still, Natsume figured he hadnt done too badly. After all, there were plenty of people out there who couldnt even meet a girls gaze without freezing up. It''s so quiet on the farm now, Natsume mused. Caw? Corvisquire tilted its head in confusion. Quiet? Really? Looking around, it noticed the chaos: Mightyena being wrestled to the ground by its mate, a swarm of Zigzagoon tearing through the farm, and Shiny Furret leading a squad of recruits in training. Corvisquire wondered if Natsume was deaf, blind, or perhaps both. Dont overthink it. Lets head back. Natsume ruffled Corvisquires carefully groomed feathers, leaving the bird with a messy head of plumage. --- That evening, the farm Pokmon gathered on the rooftop for a barbecue party under the moonlight. Yes, a full-fledged Pokmon barbecue. Sear?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Before anyone panicked, Natsume clarified that while some Pokmon made for excellent ingredientssuch as Farfetchds leek or Slowpokes regenerative tailsthe feast didnt actually involve cooking Pokmon themselves. To ensure safety, Mudkip and Slowpoke were on standby to handle potential fire hazards. In fact, this impromptu barbecue also doubled as a welcome party for the newer additions to the farm. Lopunny, youre amazing, Natsume praised, accepting a skewer from the hardworking rabbit, who wore an apron and manned the grill with finesse. At first, everyone was supposed to cook their own food. However, after assessing the situation, Lopunny took over entirely, unable to bear the sight of others attempts at grilling. Thanks, Lopunny. Your cooking is the best! Lopunny gave him a playful side-eye. Youre just being lazy, arent you? Well... maybe, Natsume admitted, avoiding her gaze. But your cooking really is amazing! At his feet, Persian purred contentedly, nuzzling his hand before pulling away when he tried to pet it. It was typical cat behavioraffectionate one moment, evasive the next. Meow? Oh, youre right, Natsume replied, realizing something. Meow! But I dont even know where it is... Meow... Okay, fine. Tomorrow, well look for it. If we cant find it, well ask Zorua for help. Meow? No big dealjust a mischievous kid, Natsume replied, brushing it off. Finishing his skewer, he handed the stick to Lopunny for another. Cant I just enjoy myself for once? --- Meanwhile, in a distant cave, Ogerpon wrestled with its own troubles, unaware of the lively party back at Natsumes farm. Chapter 49: Ogerpon’s Handmade Project Hmm In the quiet of its cave, Ogerpon stared blankly at the scattered items strewn across the ground. It wanted to craft a gift for Natsume, but something always felt off. No matter how many versions it made, none of them seemed satisfactory. So, Ogerpon kept revising and retrying, resulting in the current mess. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Clearly, Ogerpon was deeply frustrated. Hmm Standing up, it began pacing back and forth in the cave. This habit was something it had picked up while watching TV with Corvisquire. On TV, whenever a protagonist paced around, they always seemed to come up with solutions to their problems. Ogerpon thought this method might not only aid in thinking but maybe even boost its IQ. Unfortunately, reality didnt align with Ogerpon''s expectations. Despite nearly wearing down the cave floor with its pacing, Ogerpon still couldnt come up with a good idea. Even after digging out all its precious treasures, the results were still underwhelming. To put it lightly, its creations leaned heavily into abstract art. Somewhere between "ugly" and "interesting" lay a realm Ogerpon reluctantly called hideously unique. Hmm! Clutching its head, Ogerpon let out a wail of despair. Why dont I have any artistic talent?! How do those people on TV effortlessly create masterpieces?! For the first time, Ogerpon fully understood the pain of lacking natural talent. After some melodramatic squirming, twitching, shadowy creeping, and frenzied screaming, it suddenly fell silent. Lying motionless on the ground as if in a sage-like trance, it stared blankly at the barren walls. After a moment of rest, Ogerpon flipped itself upright with a determined twist. It resumed its craftwork, aspiring to create a gift as beautiful as the ones on TV. Thats the difference between a novice and an expert. Beginnersor self-taught enthusiastsoften instinctively compare their work to masterpieces theyve seen, only to feel dissatisfied and disheartened, doubting their skills. Experienced veterans, however, focus on finding a few merits in their work, adjust their expectations, and conclude: Ignoring the ugly parts, its actually not bad. Mee? In the corner of the spacious cave, a pair of bright blue eyes emerged, observing Ogerpon''s struggles with great interest. The hidden observer pulled out a phone, snapping photos of Ogerpon hard at work. Satisfied with the pictures, the mysterious Pokmon left quietly, ensuring Ogerpon remained blissfully unaware that its secret base had been discovered. Whether it was due to Ogerpon being too relaxed or the other Pokmons excellent stealth, the visit went unnoticed. --- Thanks, Zorua. Back on the farm, Natsume browsed through the photos Zorua had taken, flipping through shots of Ogerpon in action. In the images, Ogerpon could be seen fiddling with various items, its focused profile occasionally visible. While scrolling, Natsume instinctively reached out to scratch under Zoruas chin. Suosuo. Zorua didnt resist. Instead, it tilted its head up, exposing its chin for easier access, purring contentedly as Natsumes fingers scratched with just the right pressure. It looked just like a clingy little kitten. The sight reminded Natsume of a Skitty that lived next door when he was youngeran adorable little cat he absolutely adored. The only issue was that petting Skitty in front of Persian sometimes felt a little morally ambiguous. And maybe just a tiny bit thrilling (crossed out). Now, Zoruas behavior bore a striking resemblance to that Skitty. Well, it looks like everythings fine, Natsume said, his earlier worries dissipating after seeing Ogerpon''s situation. Hmm? Whats this? His fingers unintentionally swiped to the next photo, and a new set of images appeared on the screenones unrelated to Ogerpon. Suosuo Zorua froze, its entire body stiffening as its gaze darted nervously. Just as it tried to sneak away, Natsume gently placed a hand on the back of its neck. The grip wasnt forceful, but it carried a weight of authority that made Zorua feel as if even the slightest movement would spell doom. Pinned by the scruff of fate. For feline-like creatures, no matter how strong they are, the back of their necks is often their Achilles heel. In theory, you could single-handedly take them down just by grabbing this spot (crossed out). So, care to explain this? Natsume held up the phone, showing the gallery filled with 100 to 200 photos of him and Mei, all taken from various angles. Some were close-ups that seemed almost in his face, making it clear these were candid shots taken without his knowledge. To Natsumes surprise, Zoruas photography skills were quite impressive, far surpassing his own. Suosuo? Feigning innocence, Zorua tilted its head and put on a wide-eyed, innocent expression. But combined with its naturally sly fox-like face, it didnt look entirely trustworthy. Is that so? Suosuo. Of course! Im a mature fox, and mature foxes dont lie. Well, if you say so Natsume gave Zoruas head a firm rub before scooping it up and casually tossing it onto the ground. Zorua landed gracefully, shook its tail, and sauntered off. As for the phone? That didnt matter. Since Natsume had bought it, Zorua figured it could just borrow it later. Before leaving, Zorua gave a cheeky little butt wiggle, eliciting a chuckle from Natsume. Its just like a kid, he thought, shaking his head as he pulled out his phone to browse forums. Though most posts were from trainers, occasionally thered be some on Pokmon farming and ranching techniques, which Natsume found quite helpful. Chapter 50: The Quirky Shiny Furret and Negotiating Farm Acquisitions Morning sunlight streamed through the window as Natsume groggily climbed out of bed. Since the farm had gotten on the right track, hed found himself slacking off a bit lately. After all, with a group of highly capable partners around, it was hard not to get a little lazy. Flopping back down, he stretched out on the bed, basking in the warm sunlight. He knew he should get up, but the comfort of his bed was just too enticing. The brave "Hero Natsume" had lost yet another battle against the Blanket Demon King, remaining sealed in his bed fortress. Furret must already be out training, he thought, running his hand over the cool, empty sheets beside him. Recently, the shiny Furret had developed a burning passion for training, bursting out of the house each morning, raring to go. Hed even started yelling phrases like My youth will never fade!reminding Natsume of a certain green, bowl-cut hero. Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now, Furret was the self-proclaimed boss of the farm. From Sandslash to Cottonee, every Pokmon had tasted his wrath. Even the occasional Poochyena passing by wouldnt escape a slap before scurrying off with its tail between its legs. As for Persian? Furret had tried. Once. He was promptly smacked flat to the ground with a single paw. Incidentally, Furret had also taken charge of a few Sentret from the surrounding area. Now, his inflated size and presence suggested he was growing into a formidable alpha Pokmon. If this keeps up, I might actually get my dream of sleeping on Furret like a giant pillow, Natsume mused with a grin. The shiny Furrets enthusiasm had clearly rubbed off on others. Many of the farms Pokmonlike Mudkip, Steenee, Yamper, and Zigzagoonhad joined the morning training sessions. Though, to Natsume, Yamper and Zigzagoon seemed more like they were just there for fun. Yamper, initially determined to become an excellent herding dog, had quickly been swayed by Zigzagoons carefree antics. Soon, he was racing around the farm aimlessly, simply enjoying himself. Why run? Zigzagoon had taught him. Because its fun! By the sink, Natsume splashed water on his face and lazily wiped it off with the towel Lopunny handed him. Thanks, Lopunny, he said. Lop! she replied happily, rubbing against him affectionately before heading off to tidy his room. Normally, cleaning was Minccinos responsibility, but Lopunny often helped out. The two were inseparablebest friends since their early days. Now, Lopunny could easily scoop Minccino up like a doll and play with her. At breakfast, Natsume scrolled through his phone, typing furiously. He had been negotiating with the owner of a struggling farm that specialized in wool production. The farm raised Wooloo, Mareep, and Skiddo, but poor management and issues with inheritance had led to declining profits. To keep the farm afloat, theyd resorted to selling Pokmon offspring, much to the discontent of the Pokmon there. The leaders, Ampharos and Gogoat, frequently voiced their protests. Because most Pokmon were as intelligent as seven or eight-year-old childrenand fully evolved Pokmon were comparable to adultsthere were strict regulations in place for farm management. If Pokmon reported mistreatment, authorities would step in, offering two options: fix the problems or sell the farm. Natsume had been chosen as a suitable buyer: young, capable, with a track record of reviving an abandoned farm. His reputation as a model youth made him the ideal candidate. Am I... actually becoming an outstanding young man? Natsume chuckled to himself. Currently, he was working with the farm owner to finalize the transfer. They were going over details like dietary preferences and daily routines for the Pokmon groups. Natsume carefully recorded everything in a new memo. Soon, well have a lot of new residents on the farm, Natsume said, looking at Lopunny with a smile. Ill need your help when they arrive. Lop! she replied enthusiastically. Leave it to me, Natsume! Her determined expression made Natsume chuckle. It seemed Lopunny was just as ready as he was for the new arrivals. Chapter 51: Vespiquen by the Berry Grove The negotiations with the other farm owner had gone smoothly. The owner was quite satisfied with the environment on Natsume''s side. If all went as planned, the Mareep and Wooloo herds would be delivered in three or four daysalong with seven or eight Gogoat. This conveniently solved Natsumes previous transportation dilemma. After all, the farm was a short distance from the town. Walking there for supplies wasnt a big issue on leisurely days, where he could stroll along with Persian and the others. But when something urgent arose, having a rideable Pokmon became essential. As for other means of transportation? There was a tricycle in the farms storage shed, but Natsume couldnt ride it. Yes, Natsume couldnt ride a tricycle. He was skilled with both two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles, even earning his drivers license recently. But for some inexplicable reason, he just couldnt get the hang of a tricycle. Every time he got on it, his body seemed to lose control. If he wanted to turn left, his body tilted left, but his hands stayed frozen. Initially, Natsume was determined to conquer it. After repeated practice, however Natsume learned to give up. If he couldnt learn it, so be it. At the edge of the farm, two humanoid Pokmon appeared in the forest, their crimson eyes scanning the area. This place seems decent. Still, we need to observe more. Our previous home is no longer an option. Yes, we need to find a new one quickly. Should we seek refuge with this human? For now, he seems promising, but lets keep watching. Hurry back; the others are waiting for us. Understood. With their silent conversation concluded, the two Pokmon disappeared into the woods. Clearly, they were Psychic-types. --- Persian, Butterfree, youre coming with me today, Natsume said, slinging a small bag over his shoulder. Last night, Ribombee mentioned that a group of Combee had appeared near the Berry Grove, seemingly led by a Vespiquen. Given that bee Pokmon are highly territorial and can attack unprovoked, Ribombee asked Natsume to help drive them awayor perhaps capture them. Normally, Combee are gentle Pokmon that focus solely on gathering pollen. Even when disturbed by other Pokmon, they tend to relocate to a new flower patch rather than retaliate. However, Vespiquen, as their queen, was a different story. A leader. A bee. Commanding other bees. Combine those traits, and it was easy to imagine a Vespiquen orchestrating an attack with her Combee against intruders. In certain regions, Vespiquen have even been known to control Beedrill to seize territory, using the aggressive Beedrill to fight while the obedient Combee gather honey for her. Briii~ Butterfree fluttered down from upstairs, its wings buzzing lightly. Recently, Butterfree had been busy learning new moves from Zorua. It turned out that Zorua was an exceptional teacher. Thanks to its guidance, Butterfrees skill set had expanded considerably. It was now better equipped to delightfully torment opponents (cough). Or rather, to fight more effectively. Meanwhile, Persian hadnt been focusing on learning new moves lately. Most of the time, Persian quietly stayed in a corner, sharpening its skills. A few days ago, Persian reached Level 55, standing on the cusp of becoming Elite-level. Having been fed countless Pokblocks since it was young, Persians growth was backed by ample resources. Now, it was simply preparing to step onto the next stage in the best possible condition. Persian had no intention of stopping here. Lets go! After double-checking his gear and confirming he had everything he needed, Natsume set out with Persian and Butterfree. Since the opponents were just Vespiquen and Combee, he brought only these two Pokmon. As long as Persian dealt with Vespiquen quickly, the rest would be straightforward. Bringing Butterfree was just a precaution. If it had been a swarm of Beedrill, Natsume would have brought more Pokmon. Speaking of which, he thought, maybe he should recruit more Pokmon to protect himself. The farm didnt seem to have any Pokmon specialized in defense or protection. When it came to safeguarding their trainers, Psychic-types were hard to beat. Whether it was a Gardevoir, ranked first on fan-favorite lists, or a mature and reliable Slowking, both were exceptional guardians. Psychic-types were a dream for any trainer: versatile, mysterious, and resourceful. Only Dragon-types could rival them in desirability. Psychic-types embodied versatility and mystique, while Dragon-types were the epitome of raw power. --- By the Berry Grove, a honeycomb-shaped hive was taking shape. It seemed the Combeeand by extension, Vespiquenintended to settle here permanently. Lately, theres been quite a surge in migrating Pokmon, Natsume mused. This was undoubtedly unusual. Though Pokmon possessed extraordinary powers, their behaviors generally adhered to natural laws. For territorial species like Vespiquen, migrating or relocating was nearly unheard of. Most Vespiquen rarely even left their hive, spending their days producing honey. Yet here was one, leading her Combee to the edge of Natsumes farm. Well, its not my problem for now. Sear?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shaking his head, Natsume decided not to dwell on it. Whatever the causebe it Legendary Pokmon or an evil organizationit wasnt his concern. Legendary Pokmon could handle themselves, and evil organizations were just career opportunities for law enforcement. Evil organizations? Performance bonuses! In a country as safe as Jadeleaf Region, such antics were nothing more than fodder for the search officers performance reviews. Or perhaps an extra income source for enthusiastic neighborhood volunteers. Buzz, buzz, buzz Even from a distance, the distinct droning of bee Pokmon filled the air. It was loud and grating. Time for negotiations, Natsume said. Meow. You mean time to fight? Diplomacy first, then force. Meow. Whatever makes you happy. Were going to fight anyway. Persian silently resigned itself to the inevitable. On a distant hill, a humanoid Pokmon observed Natsume quietly, as though lost in thought. Chapter 52: Vespiquen: “Do all city Pokémon eat this well?” The Combees, who had been busily building their hive, immediately grew restless upon noticing the presence of an unfamiliar figure. Sarch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Some hurriedly flew back toward the hive, while others formed a defensive wall in front of Natsume, cautiously observing the stranger. Strictly speaking, they were the intruders here. But for wild Pokmon, such distinctions might not even exist. Hello, Combee. My name is Natsume. Im the owner of this farm. Pointing to the farm behind him, Natsume spoke with a smile. As the energy of the Viridian Forest coursed through his body, a unique aura of harmony gently spread outward. The tension among the Combee eased slightly. Although they didnt exactly rush up to ask for a hug, they no longer seemed on the verge of biting him with Bug Biteone of the few moves Combee could learn. Combee, as a species, was relatively weak. With a base stat total barely over 200 and a move pool limited to less than ten, even Magikarp might mock them as amateurs. When a Combee evolves into Vespiquen, though... Well, its still just okay. Despite decent defenses, its Bug/Flying typing comes with multiple weaknesses, including a quadruple weakness to Rock. At best, its passable. Most of the time, it serves as a utility Pokmon, setting hazards like Toxic Spikes. A few braver Combees cautiously approached Natsume, seemingly testing his intentions. At the slightest movement from Natsume, they quickly fled back, giving him no chance to get closer. A sharp buzzing echoed through the air. As if receiving a command, the Combee dispersed, creating a path as if welcoming their queen. And indeed, they were. In a Combee colony, there was only one queen: Vespiquen. The Vespiquens appearance resembled a regal figure in a voluminous gown. Her two pairs of small insect wings seemed far too tiny to support her imposing form. Hello, Vespiquen. Faced with the leader of the swarm, Natsume remained relaxed. This is the confidence bestowed by the miraculous Hisuian superhuman physiqueor so he liked to think. If they both traded punches, it wasnt clear who would end up on the ground. After introducing himself and the farm, Natsume extended an invitation to Vespiquen. Would you like to join the farm? Her crimson eyes reflected Natsumes image as she pondered his offer. From the start, Vespiquen didnt have much of a choice. The farm was the only area in the vicinity with an ideal environment. There was an almost imperceptible energy lingering in the air. After just two days, Vespiquen felt her fatigue from leading the colony on a long journey dissipate significantly. The constant exhaustion that had her on the brink of collapse vanished completely. So yes, she was inclined to stay. But if not here, where else could she go? Abandon the fledgling hive, take the colony, and continue searching for another potential home? That was an absurd idea. Leaving wasnt an option, so why not stay? Besides, she couldnt win in a fight. Vespiquen glanced at Natsumes Persian and Butterfree, her thoughts heavy with resignation. Yesterday, she had sent her Combee to secretly scout the farm. The results were clear: if it came to a battle, her colony would be crushed in no time. The Vespiquen had seen a group of Furret repeatedly charging at incredible speeds. Leading them was a pink Furret, so fast her keen Bug-type eyes almost couldnt follow. She had also witnessed Butterfree showcasing its devastating Solar Beam, chilling her heart. Its subsequent skill demonstrations only made Vespiquen question her very existence. Arent we both Bug-types? Why does it feel like your Bug-type is on an entirely different level? How did you learn all those moves? Could you teach me? (Zorua, meanwhile, gave a smug thumbs-up and happily munched on an energy pokblock from Butterfree.) Ill join! Without hesitation, Vespiquen followed her instincts. Pokmon never yield! ...Unless theres free food and shelter. These terms were simply too good to refuse. Placing her hand in Natsumes, Vespiquens eyes shone with determination, filled with longing for the promised food and comfort. Ill joinright now! Ah? Oh, okay. Vespiquens decisiveness left Natsume momentarily stunned. That was... quick. Had she already made up her mind beforehand? Still, a peaceful resolution was always welcome. After all, Natsume considered himself a pacifistat least when unprovoked. Welcome to the farm, Vespiquen. With practiced ease, Natsume completed the process of recruiting Vespiquen. The queen extended her hand againnot to shake it but to eagerly accept another pokblock. The moment she tasted it, her eyes lit up. Wow, do all city Pokmon eat like this? The delectable treat left her envious. From now on, she was determined to enjoy the finer things in life! Persian and Butterfree exchanged glances from their spot by Natsumes feet. No battle today? How surprising. Still, it wasnt a bad thing. Later, Ill expand the fence outward slightly, Natsume said. That way, your hive will be included within the farms boundaries. Initially, Natsume had planned to relocate the hive near the Berry Grove. But since Vespiquens hive was already partially constructed, he couldnt realistically move it intact. Expanding the fence was the simpler solution. Besides, the area was already part of the farm, so it wasnt technically a violation. --- On a nearby hillside, a humanoid Pokmon silently observed Natsume. It could sense that he wasnt a bad person and harbored a sincere love for Pokmon. A pure, selfless affection with no ulterior motives. Gallade, it murmured. Turning away, the Gallade disappeared from the hillside in an instant, preparing to discuss matters with its sister. At the same time, Natsume turned toward the hill, sensing something unusual. His gaze found only an empty slope. An illusion? No, there was definitely a Pokmon watching just now. Natsume was certain of it. Chapter 53: The Forest of Death In the dim forest, a Gardevoir stood silently with several Ralts, waiting. About a month ago, the forest they lived in underwent a sudden and eerie transformation. From the forest''s heart came an indescribable presence, an oppressive aura that lasted only a moment but was enough to unsettle every Pokmon in the areaespecially the Psychic-type Gardevoir. Had it not been for their ancestral ties to the forest, Gardevoir would have instantly teleported away with her younger siblings. And thats precisely what she had done initiallyrushing home with Teleport to gather her Ralts siblings. As for her Gallade brother? Hed manage. Probably. But for various reasons, they hadnt been able to leave immediately. Troubled by this growing unease, they stayed a while longer. It wasnt long before the forest began to die. Starting from the central spring, death quietly spread. Trees turned an ashen gray and withered, crumbling to powder at a mere touch. The ground cracked and became barren, while the once-clear spring transformed into a stagnant, turbid pool. The Pokmon residing near the center visibly aged at an alarming rate. Within just days, those closest to the source became frail and decrepit. Muscles atrophied, bones weakened, and even minimal movement inflicted severe damage upon their bodies. Fleeing wasnt an optionthey could only lie helplessly, waiting for death to claim them. Their clouded eyes reflected no trace of hope or will to live. Gallade had witnessed all of this firsthand during his reconnaissance. That moment, he wholeheartedly agreed with his sisters initial instinct. We should have fled this place ages ago! Luckily, their home on the forest''s outskirts had spared them from the worst effects. Even so, fatigue weighed heavily on Gardevoir and her siblings. Their psychic powers grew dull, and their internal energy became sluggish and unresponsive. Given time, they, too, would succumb to the same fate as those at the forest''s center. Determined to protect his family, Gallade had quickly whisked his siblings away from their long-time home. Leaving behind the memories of their years there was painful, but their lives were far more valuable. You can rebuild a home, but theres no coming back from death. Gallade! A sudden ripple in the air heralded Gallades arrival in front of Gardevoir. Sis? His psychic link reached out, connecting their thoughts. Gallade began relaying everything he had observed and the conclusions hed drawn. First, his assessment of Natsume: this human seemed trustworthy. Not only was Natsume kind, but he also had the resources to care for their family. The Pokmon living on his farm were healthy and thriving. Moreover, Natsume wasnt an ordinary human. There was something about himan energy within him that resonated deeply with Gallades Psychic senses. This mysterious energy was the Viridian Force, an innate gift Natsume had struggled to control in his youth. Back then, it had made him a magnet for Pokmon, much like a walking treasure trove. Even now, Natsume was still like catnip to certain Pokmon. The neighbors Glameow, for instance, practically turned feral every time she saw him. I think we should approach him. He seems reliable, Gallade concluded confidently, seated cross-legged. Despite being the elder sibling, he had no qualms about deferring to Gardevoirs judgment. After all, his analytical skills left much to be desired. Why stress myself when I have an external brain to do the thinking? sea??h th novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After a moment of thought, Gardevoir made her decision. Well meet him. Even if they ultimately chose not to stay, they could always retreat if necessary. This was no small step for Gardevoir, given her acute awareness of how humans often coveted her kind. To most humans, Gardevoir was irresistiblea combination of power, elegance, and allure. Whether they sought strength, beauty, or companionship, there was no reason to reject her species. Even for those with niche tastes, the male Sirknight form offered its own appeal. Gallade, meanwhile, had always been a little less popularthrough no fault of his own. It wasnt about strength or appearance; it was just human preferences. The human psyche truly is a strange and terrifying thing... --- Unaware of the impending arrival of a Gardevoir family, Natsume was busy reviewing his farm''s layout. Natsume spread out the farm''s blueprints, gesturing as he spoke. Beside him stood muscular girl Miss Machamp, who had been overseeing the farm''s construction. Thanks to her efficient work and agreeable nature, Natsume saw no need to hire another construction team. After all, horror stories about dishonest contractors were rampant online. He''d even considered capturing a few Pokmon specialized in construction to handle things himself. Leave it to me! The muscular girl slapped her chest with a resounding thud, brimming with enthusiasm. As she took the blueprints, she couldn''t help but marvel at Natsume''s progress. Now, Natsume was even expanding his Pokmon population, bringing in entire families. Her own life had transformed alongside the farm''s growth. No longer teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, she could finally afford small luxuries: Grabbing street snacks without checking prices, adding sausage and eggs to her instant noodles.... Just keep working hard! Next month, maybe I''ll myself to something even better! Work hard, everyone! she rallied her Machamp crew. Lets do this! Behind her, the team of Machamp and other muscular Pokmon raised their fists, their spirits ablaze with determination. Watching this display, the shiny Furret lounging by Natsumes feet gave an approving nod. Good energy. Nice! Just as Natsume was about to head off to prepare pokblocks, a Mightyena wearing a red scarf dashed toward him. Woof! Woof! The recently evolved Mightyena skidded to a dramatic stop, wagging its tail as he delivered an urgent message to Natsume. Chapter 54: Hello, Gardevoir Three or four days ago, Poochyenas older brother successfully evolved into Mightyena. While Natsumes care and feeding played a big part, his own natural talent also contributed to the achievement. The newly evolved Mightyena was noticeably taller than his unreliable father, towering over him like a true wolf rather than a mere dog. When they stood side by side, it was hard to tell who the real parent was. Since arriving at the farm, Mightyena had been especially lively, dutifully fulfilling his responsibilities while often wandering around various corners of the property. The red scarf tied around his neck was a gift from Natsume, who had personally put it on him. Good, well-behaved Pokmon always hold a special place in peoples hearts, and Natsume was no exception. Although, truth be told, the ones who cry and make a fuss often seem to get more attention. Whats the matter? Woof! Woof! Oh, I see. After crouching down and communicating with Mightyena, Natsume understood the situation. A Gardevoir was waiting just outside the farm. She wanted to meet him and discuss moving her family onto the farm. Unsure how to handle this alone, Mightyena had come to report it to Natsume. For now, Gardevoir was being watched by Mightyenas parents. As Dark-types, Mightyena and his family could counter Psychic-types like Gardevoir effectively. Psychic-type attacks would barely affect them. Although Gardevoirs ability to use Teleport could prove tricky in a fight, at least they werent completely powerless against her. Side note: In games, certain matchups are absolutely immune. For example, Ground-type moves deal zero damage to Flying-types, regardless of level differences. This means, theoretically, even if Groudon used Precipice Blades on a Pidgey, the damage would be... zero. But in reality, immunity isnt absolute. It exists only when the strength gap isnt significant. If the disparity is vast enough, even Lightning moves can kill Ground-types. Immunity translates to minimal damage rather than none at all. Otherwise, people could simply swarm Groudon with Pidgeys. After all, its Ground-type moves would be useless, and it cant even fly. Of course, Groudon knows more than just Ground-type moves. --- Garde... Gardevoir, waiting quietly outside the farm, raised her head at some point. Her crimson eyes reflected Natsumes approaching figure. Just as her brother had described, this human radiated an inexplicable sense of warmth and comfort. The closer he got, the stronger this feeling grewlike lying in a sunlit meadow on a lazy afternoon. Pure bliss. Except, perhaps, for those allergic to pollen. For them, this would be hell on earth. Hello, Gardevoir. My name is Natsume. Garde. Hello, Natsume. Nodding slightly, Gardevoir initiated communication. Her psychic tendrils extended and linked with Natsumes mind, allowing him to hear her voice clearly in his head. Her tone resembled that of a quiet, aloof girl who prefers solitudedistant even during rare moments of interaction. Id like to bring my brother and sisters to live on the farm, Gardevoir stated plainly. Is there anything we need to do? Battle? Or something else? She got straight to the point. Gardevoir found human conversational tactics baffling, so she avoided unnecessary pleasantries. Her brother, however, seemed oddly comfortable with them. Gardevoir neither understood nor wanted to understand. Something to do, huh? Natsume mused, tapping his chin. Id say helping out around the farm is the main thing. Since youre Psychic-types, I might rely on you for security and occasionally managing certain areas. He had no objections to Gardevoir and Gallade joining the farm. After all, no one transported to the Pokmon world can resist the allure of Gardevoir. Its like Yu-Gi-Oh! players during the GX erathey cant resist using banned cards. Why not bring a touch of chaos to this otherwise orderly world? That said, Natsume wouldnt tolerate freeloaders on his farm. If they joined, they had to contribute in some waynothing too strict, just a general understanding. If even this was unacceptable, then Natsume wouldnt accept them. After all, Pokmon were like children; excessive pampering would only spoil them. Understood. Gardevoir nodded. To her, these conditions were negligible. If Natsume had demanded nothing at all, she wouldve been suspicious. So far, her impression of him was excellent. Using her psychic abilities, she could sense no malice, greed, or other dark emotions from him. sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Can I take a tour of the farm? she asked after some thought. Although she had observed it from afar, Gardevoir preferred to inspect the place openly and formally. Of course! Natsume replied, recognizing her interest. Turning to Mightyenas parents, he patted their heads and handed each a few Pokblocks before addressing Gardevoir: Allow me to be your guide. Garde. Thank you. Chapter 55: Little Green “Watermelon Heads”—Ralts How are you feeling? Standing on a small hill on the farm, Natsume glanced at the Gardevoir beside him. Its a very nice place, Gardevoir responded earnestly after a brief two-second pause. It wasnt just the environmentit was the Pokmon here too. Each one seemed happy, with something meaningful to do. The shiny Furret was busy training, while the Sandslash in the fields leisurely tended the crops, occasionally parting stalks to check on the growth of the Wattmel Berries. On the second floor of Natsumes house, the recluse Corvisquire was absorbed in binge-watching shows, while Minccino hummed a tune as it cleaned the windows. Meanwhile, Emolga perched on a Zigzagoons head, venturing across the farm, and near the lake, Mudkip trailed behind a Slowpoke, jogging laps around the water, as if working on their fitness. Every single one of them looked genuinely happy. By all accounts, this was an excellent farm. Gardevoir thought life here would be very comfortable, and her younger sisters would surely enjoy it too. So, whats your decision? Would you like to stay? Without hesitation, Gardevoir placed her hand in Natsumes outstretched one. Thank you for having us, Natsume, she said. As the decision-maker of her family, Gardevoirs choice would naturally be accepted by everyone. And before this, her not-so-reliable elder brother Gallade had already scouted the farm and proposed joining. In this rare instance, Gardevoir begrudgingly acknowledged Gallades judgment. For a brief ten minutes, he truly seemed like a competent big brother. But only ten minutes. No more. Gardevoir knew very well her brother wasnt the most dependable. Most of the time, it felt like he had dumped all his intelligence points into combat skills, leaving him woefully lacking in other areas. Even a zombie prying open his skull would walk away disappointed. Pulling out a Pok Ball, Natsume held it in front of Gardevoir. She extended a hand and lightly tapped the button. A beam of red light enveloped Gardevoir, and in the blink of an eye, she was drawn inside. The ball gave a token wobble before settling into stillness. Ive caught Gardevoir! In that moment, even Natsume, who had already caught numerous Pokmon, couldnt help but feel a surge of excitement. After all, it was Gardevoira dream Pokmon! To be honest, Natsume had become rather indifferent to the act of catching Pokmon. Many of the farms Pokmon werent even formally caught; they simply stayed. For example, the horde of Combee under Vespiquen. On one hand, their sheer number was impractical, and on the other, no typical trainer would be interested in Combee anyway. S~ea??h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But Gardevoir and Ralts? They were exceptions. Who could possibly resist these adorable, psychic powerhouses? The Pok Ball opened automatically, and Gardevoir reappeared before Natsume in a burst of red light. Most of the farms Pok Balls had been modified by Natsume to allow the Pokmon inside to enter and exit at will. The standard design locked the ball externally, preventing Pokmon from leaving on their own. Removing this mechanism was a common skill among traveling trainers, saving valuable time in emergencies. Thank you, Gardevoir said, nodding to Natsume. Her form glowed faintly with psychic energy before she disappeared, teleporting away. She had gone to fetch her brother and sisters. Well, looks like Ill need to make some new kinds of Pokblocks, Natsume mused. Since the farm had never housed Psychic-type Pokmon before, there hadnt been any need to prepare Pokblocks tailored to them. While visiting challengers occasionally brought Psychic-types, Natsume hadnt felt it necessary to craft special treats for temporary guests. Lets see, Gardevoir and Ralts should be fine with the same formula, he muttered. But Gallade will need a separate batch. Ralts, Kirlia, and Gardevoir were classic mage archetypeshigh special attack and special defense but lacking in physical stats. Gallade, on the other hand, was a dual-blade fighter with high physical and special attack but weaker defenses, essentially trading special defense points for attack power. Gallade! Ralts? While Natsume pondered the recipes and materials needed, Gardevoir returned, accompanied by a Gallade and four timid Ralts peeking out from behind their elder siblings. Though a bit shy, their curiosity got the better of them, and they couldnt help but sneak glances at Natsume. Is he really as nice as big brother said? Big sister said the same thing. He gives off such a warm and comforting vibe. I feel it tooits really nice. The four little green watermelon heads huddled together, whispering, occasionally raising their ruby-red eyes to steal glances at Natsume. Their tiny, curious faces peeked through their green hair, their expressions a mix of curiosity, worry, and hesitation. Clearly, the young Ralts were still a little uneasy about their new surroundings. Hello there, Ralts, Natsume greeted them warmly. Im Natsume, the owner of this farm. Somehow, this opening line had become his go-to phrase. Like an NPC in a game with fixed dialogue, it set the stage for what was to come. Your siblings have probably already told yousoon, youll be joining the farm too. Simply put, well be partners from now on. Natsume chose his words carefully, avoiding phrases like becoming family, which felt too heavy and imposing. Imagine meeting someone for the first time and being told, Were family now. The pressure would be immense. Ralts? Ralts, Ralts! The little Ralts exchanged glances. Finally, one of them stepped forward bravely, looking Natsume in the eye and extending a tiny hand. Hello, Ralts, Natsume said with a soft laugh, gently tapping its hand with his finger. Chapter 56: True Social Anxiety Is About Being Invisible The hardest part of communication is often the initial step of establishing a connection. Most people aren''t inherently lacking in the ability or talent to communicate. Yet, they appear unskilled at conversation because they falter at building that first bridge of communication. This is especially true for Ralts, a Pokmon that can sense human emotions and flee at the slightest hint of unease. However, for Natsume, this wasnt much of a challenge. With a calm mindset and a touch of psychic power, earning the trust and affection of Ralts was an effortless task. After all, Natsume had earned the nickname "Little Charmer of Daitaka Preschool" for a reason. Ralts, Ralts! Before long, the little green Ralts were crowding around Natsume, chattering away non-stop. They eagerly shared their curiosity about the farm, their experiences so far, and even whispered complaints about their older siblings. The last part, in particular, gave them the vibe of classic backstabbers. Selling out their older siblings right after meeting someone newwhether it was out of naivety or genuine affection for Natsume, who could say? Even though people say the eldest brother is like a father, Gallade didnt seem to hold much authority in the family. Alright, alright, lets go meet the others on the farm, Natsume said with a chuckle, scooping up a Ralts that had climbed onto his head and cradling it in his arms. Turning to the observing Gallade and Gardevoir, he added, Shall we? Gallade! Gallade raised an arm in agreement. Since the newcomers didnt have gifts prepared, at the very least, they should introduce themselves. After all, it would be awkward if, after living on the farm for a while, they were mistaken for outsiders due to their low profile. Gardevoir, on the other hand, remained indifferent. It didnt particularly care as long as no one forced it to bond with others. True social anxiety. Gardevoir embodied the essence of true social anxiety: not announcing it to the world, not retreating to a corner to stand out, nor engaging in eccentric behavior to attract attention. Real social anxiety involved blending seamlessly into the crowd, minimizing ones presence. Laugh when others laugh, cry when others crythus the origins of delayed laughter and delayed tears (or so it claimed). After formally capturing Gallade and the Ralts group, Natsume released them again and began the walk back to the house. Not capturing them wasnt an option; leaving them unregistered on the farm made him uneasy. Believing in the inherent goodness and moral integrity of humanity often left people vulnerable to malice. Natsume had no intention of becoming the protagonist of a melodramatic tragedy. No misunderstandings, no slapping contests. He had neither the need nor the patience for such nonsense. Hed rather spend that time napping with his shiny Furret. Speaking of which, due to its intense training regime lately, Furret was no longer as soft and plush as beforeits once-cuddly body had hardened slightly. A pity. But no matterthere were plenty of other Pokmon on the farm to cuddle. Take Lopunny, for instance. Though Lopunny had yet to share Natsumes bed, it was tempting. While its fluffy, humanoid form was undeniably adorable, something about it still felt a bit... awkward. Perhaps one day, when Natsume decided to embrace his inner "Dark Emperor," hed proudly step into the world of furry fandom. Everyone, we have new friends! Pushing open the door, Natsume was greeted by a flurry of Pokmon scurrying out from all corners of the house. Minccino was the first to hop down from a windowsill, inspecting the Ralts group hiding behind Natsume, as well as the flanking Gardevoir and Gallade. Satisfied, it nodded approvingly. Diligent newcomersgood, good. For Minccino, cleaning wasnt the issueit had to do that anyway. What it couldnt stand were Pokmon that lacked motivation. It particularly disapproved of Togepi and Hisuian Zorua. Hisuian Zorua, a perennial wallflower in the household, had recently teamed up with the troublemaker Togepi. Now the duo spent their days causing chaos across the farm. Stealing eggs, sneaking into storage, and yesliterally petting the dog. A Mightyenas rear was nearly rubbed bald. From a distance, the shiny patch of fur on its hindquarters gleamed conspicuously. Mimi! After a brief introduction, Minccino happily returned to its cleaning duties. Another satisfying day. Following Minccino, Lopunny, Emolga, Butterfree, Zorua, and Persian all came forward to greet the newcomers. As for Shiny Furret and Corvisquire? Furret was outside training tirelessly, only returning for meals and rest. Corvisquire, on the other hand, had become a recluse, binge-watching shows upstairs in increasingly unhealthy positions. Its once-fit frame was growing rounder by the day. Unable to stand it, Natsume assigned Furret the task of dragging Corvisquire out daily for training. Do what you mustjust dont overdo it. At this rate, Corvisquire might soon turn into a feathery ball, unable to fly. The thought of it rolling around on the ground, frantically flapping its wings, was both amusing and tragic. But space is becoming an issue, Natsume mused, glancing at the crowded living room. When he first moved in, it had just been him, Butterfree, Persian, and Corvisquire. Back then, the space was more than adequate. Now, however, with the growing number of Pokmon in the household, the space was feeling cramped. Sure, they could all technically fit, but comfort was another matter. If fitting was all that mattered, a cramped internet caf booth would suffice. Thankfully, the new home under constructiona spacious three-story villawas nearly complete. It boasted plenty of rooms, more than enough for the current Pokmon. By the time space became an issue again, the farm would have reached a new level, complete with facilities like breeding houses. So, Natsume wasnt too worried. Gardevoir. Gallade. The two Pokmon introduced themselves warmly, only to discover, to their surprise, that many Pokmon on the farm shared similar stories of having fled from hardship. Sar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 57: The Arrival of Mareep and Wooloo Herds Much like how Stand Users are drawn to one another, those with similar experiences often resonate with each other and become fast friends. Many of the Pokmon at Natsumes farm were forced to leave their original homes due to unexpected disasters. The Gardevoir family lost their forest when it died off. The Emolga were displaced after a sudden rise in temperature made their habitat uninhabitable. As for the Bounsweet herd, their plight was even more tragic. A powerful and mysterious Pokmon claimed their entire forest, driving all its inhabitants away to seek refuge elsewhere. Alright, thank you so much. While the Gardevoir family shared their experiences, Natsume ended his phone call. The platform had just called to confirm some basic details and the farms location. They informed him that by the afternoon, the two Pokmon herds he had purchasedalong with a few Gogoatwould be delivered to the farm, along with various supplies hed ordered. Since the Ampharos herds original farm was shutting down, they decided to sell everything off, including all their equipment. Natsume had picked out and bought some of it. Having familiar items from their old home would help the Ampharos feel more at ease. As for the Wooloo, caring for them was no simple task. Beyond dietary needs, their daily care required regular inspections and adjustments. It wasnt an easy job. Fortunately, the farm now had a team of psychic prodigies. With the help of the Gardevoir family, everything should go much more smoothly. This is what it means to finally be on the right track. Now with berry orchards, crop fields, and Pokmon capable of production, the farm felt complete. Before, it always felt like something was missing. From now on, Ill be counting on all of you. Natsume turned to the Gardevoir family, who were still chatting with their new friends. No problem at all, Gardevoir nodded, finding it a trivial matter. For others, being put to work right after arriving at the farm might have been unpleasant. But for Gardevoir, it was fine. To truly belong here, they needed to show their value. She didnt want her sisters and herself to be seen as dispensable. Even if they disappeared one day, she wanted their presence to matter. --- By the afternoon, the farm was bustling. Just moments ago, a large group of new residents had arrived. Lets see here Holding a thick stack of documents, Natsume checked the numbers for the two herds. The Ampharos herd consisted of one leading Ampharos, three additional Ampharos, and a large group of Mareep and Flaaffy. Considering that Mareep lose their wool as they evolve, most of the Mareep in the herd were relatively low-leveled. The Ampharos among them were older and had grown into their roles over time. In terms of strength, they werent particularly formidable. The Wooloo herd, however, had no such limitations. Whether Wooloo or Dubwool, their wool was of excellent quality, both in texture and quantity. Touching it felt soft and warm. A gentle squeeze would sink your fingers into the fluffy wool, warmth seeping through your fingertips, making it hard to let go. Given enough time, you might even lose yourself in the sensation. Baaah... The leading Ampharos was instructing its herd, emphasizing the importance of staying low-key in their new home. If anyone faced grievances, they were told to hold back and report it to their leader, who would handle it with Natsume. The Mareep and Flaaffy listened attentively, occasionally bleating in response. For some reason, the scene appeared oddly amusing. Perhaps it was because Ampharos and Mareep looked nothing alike. Sear?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A sheep that evolved into a dragonwhat a peculiar transition. Even if it was technically a pseudo-dragon with just the name, its Mega Evolution did grant it the rare Electric/Dragon type. Aside from Ampharos, very few Pokmon shared this unique typing: Zekrom, Dracozolt, Miraidon, and Iron Jugulisthe last rumored to be a Paradox form of Raikou. Meanwhile, the Dubwool leader was having a similar talk with its herd. Their previous farm had been fraught with conflict with the owner. What began as tolerable tensions had eventually escalated into irreconcilable disputes. Knowing this, the Dubwool leader emphasized the importance of behaving well, at least during the early days at the new farm. Even if they were merely pretending, it was crucial to start off on the right foot. Along with the Ampharos and Dubwool herds, several Gogoat were also delivered. These Pokmon were not known for their combat capabilities. Instead, their endurance was remarkable, having served as mounts and beasts of burden. From now on, Ill be counting on you too. After giving the Gogoat a quick health check, Natsume patted each one on the head. Gentle in nature, highly resilient, and sturdy enough to carry an adult human over long distances, it was no wonder they earned their title as dependable mounts. In this regard, only Cyclizar could rival them. Although Cyclizar looked like the ideal ride, it was actually a noble Dragon-type Pokmon with base stats exceeding 500. Unlike Gogoat, Cyclizar came with no evolutions or pre-evolutions and boasted decent combat capabilities right from the start. Its versatility and strong traits made it a luxurious choice, far removed from the simplicity of Gogoat. --- Back to the main story: after settling in the two herds, the farm became livelier than ever. With so many new residents arriving at once, the prospect of making new friends thrilled everyone. Togepi was particularly excited. But the most elated of all was Yamper. Arf! Arf! Arf! At the sight of so many sheep, Yamper felt an instinct awaken within him. He zipped around the herds like a flying loaf of bread, barking energetically, as if herding them. Unfortunately, his cute appearance lacked the authority to match. Most Pokmon simply stared at him with curiosity, and a bold Wooloo even approached to nudge him with its head. This left Yamper flustered. Hey! Thats not how youre supposed to react! Couldnt you at least play along a little? Chapter 58: Zorua’s Sudden Revelation For Yamper, becoming a proper herding dog still seemed like a distant goal. At least until it evolved into Boltund, it was missing something crucial. But that didnt matter; the farm had the Mightyena family to help out as well. As the parents and elder sibling, Mightyena focused most of its energy on patrolling the farm. Meanwhile, its younger siblings, Poochyena, showed an unexpected enthusiasm for herding duties. Perhaps it was a canine thing, but the two Poochyena got along very well with Yamper. Unlike their calm elder sibling and meticulous mother, the younger Poochyena had inherited their fathers rather unreliable traits. In short, the Husky genes had taken over. Many joked that while other large dog breeds might be labeled as fierce, Huskies would probably be classified as defectiveunpredictable in both intelligence and behavior. And it seemed the father and younger siblings of this family were prime examples of this stereotype, much to the eldest Poochyenas occasional dismay, making it feel somewhat out of place. Bark, bark, bark! The three mischievous pups darted around the two herds, filling the farm with lively commotion. While the farm already housed many Pokmon, most were reserved and kept to themselves for various reasons. The only exception was the shiny Furret, who had recently taken to leading its gang around in a showy display. But starting today, the farm would clearly be much livelier. Alright, everything seems to be in order. After cross-checking the list in his hands, Natsume gave his shoulder a pat, satisfied. To be honest, it had been quite the task. The previous farm owner had been meticulous, keeping records for every Pokmon, and Natsume had instinctively followed suit, checking on each one individually. By the time he realized what he was doing, he figured he might as well finish the job. This was all with Gardevoirs help, too. Otherwise, it mightve taken him until nightfall. Meow. Lying at Natsumes feet, Persian let out a long yawn, showing no reaction to his antics. Persian had long known its trainer wasnt the brightest bulb in the boxsomething it would only dare mutter internally. Saying it aloud would invite fatherly love, as Natsume called it. Persian agreed, primarily because it couldnt win a fight against him. And even if it could, what then? Would it cook its own meals? No one messes with their meal ticket. After a brief chat with the leaders of the Ampharos and Dubwool herds, Natsume asked Gardevoir to bring over the Pokblocks hed prepared. Garde. With a nod, Gardevoirs eyes glimmered with a soft blue light. In the blink of an eye, it disappeared, only to reappear moments later with a large bag in hand. The bag was slightly open, revealing Pokblocks that sparkled like gemstones under the sunlight, their alluring sheen enough to make any Pokmon salivate. Thats exactly what happened with the Ampharos and Dubwool leaders, who eagerly dug into their portions. Forget their herds; their first priority was to enjoy the feast themselves. The Pokblocks made by Natsume werent just deliciousthey were extraordinary. Even for seasoned Pokmon who had lived on farms and eaten their fair share of treats, this was a whole new level. As a warm energy coursed through their bodies, the leaders exchanged satisfied glances. This farm owner? Fantastic. They could settle here without a second thought. All right, Ill leave you to it. If theres anything you need or any suggestions about the environment, let me know, Natsume said, leaning against a newly built fence. The gate to the enclosure remained opennot to restrict the Pokmons movements but to remind them to return to the enclosure at night. Wandering too far wouldnt necessarily be dangerous, but it could attract trouble. Take Hisuian Zorua, for example. After hearing from its Unovan counterpart that Ghost-type Pokmon thrive by scaring others, it had recently taken to planning pranks. Unfortunately, its kind nature made it hesitate, worried about actually frightening or harming anyone on the farm it was close to. As a result, it often missed the perfect moments for mischief, leaving it frustrated. But with so many new Pokmon, Zorua felt it had a golden opportunity. It didnt know them yet, so thered be no guilt. Determined, Hisuian Zorua set off to embark on its prankster career. Meanwhile, its Unovan counterpartrevered on the farm as a teacher, mentor, and master of skillswas searching for something. Zorua? For a while now, it had sensed a familiar presence. Initially, it thought it was just its imagination, but the feeling had grown stronger recently. Eventually, Zorua stopped by the small lake, tilting its head as it peered into the water, its gaze piercing through to the lakebed. An egg? Zorua? Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Its head tilted further, showing a thoughtful expression. After swiping at the water with its paw, Zorua intercepted a passing Goldeen and started a conversation. Zoru-zoru? Goldeen! Zorua. Ah, so thats what it was. Nodding in understanding, Zoruas expression lit up with sudden clarity. What had it realized? That remained a mystery. Chapter 59: Found an Egg? As night fell, Natsume, having worked tirelessly all day, decided to order takeout for himself. Tonight, he didnt feel like cooking. Making Pokblocks was enjoyable, but cooking Well, everyone knows that cooking involves far more than just frying up a dish. Buying ingredients, washing, prepping, frying, plating, and cleaning up afterwardfrying is merely the easiest part, while the others are the real time and energy drain. Since hed been busy all day, Natsume just didnt feel like going through all that tonight. Thanks, Delibird. Taking the delivery from the Delibird, Natsume waved at it in thanks. The Delibird perched on his windowsill gave him a polite wave in return. Unlike the courier Delibird from before, this one wasnt carrying a large bag. Delibirds tail doubles as a pouch, though its capacity is somewhat limited. Thats why the previous Delibird needed to carry a bigger bag for extra items. Watching the Delibird disappear into the night sky, Natsume sighed in reflection. Working late delivering food must be tough. He suddenly regretted not offering the Delibird a Pokblock. When it came to Pokmon, Natsume had always been forgiving and fond. Even for Pokmon just passing by, he wouldnt hesitate to show them kindness. Humans, however? Natsume wasnt nearly as patient or kindhearted. Its like how the faults of humanslaziness, obesity, round faces, or small eyesmight annoy people, but those same traits on animals? Theyre endearing. A lazy cat gets cuddled, a chubby dog gets hugged... but no one hugs you (strikethrough). Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Natsume placed the steaming takeout on a small round table. Leee. Nearby, a shiny Furret, having just finished its daily training, lay sprawled comfortably on the floor. Its body curled into a perfect C shape, making it the perfect makeshift couch for Natsume to lean against. Youve grown bigger, havent you? Leaning against the shiny Furrets fluffy body, Natsume rubbed its fuzzy head. It seemed noticeably larger than when it first arrived at the farm. By now, its body length had exceeded the norm for its species by at least half. Despite its increased size, the Furrets speed hadnt dropped at all. In fact, it was so fast that it could now rival Persian for the title of the farms swiftest Pokmon. Leee? Have I? The shiny Furret tilted its head in puzzlement. It wasnt entirely sure. Maybe? Growing bigger didnt feel as obvious to it. After all, who really notices themselves getting taller day by day? But it did notice that it had been getting faster lately. In fact, it could now outrun most of the Pokmon on the farm during their training sessions. Great! The trainings working! Sar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Tomorrow, Ill train even harder! Resolved, the shiny Furret silently vowed to keep pushing itself. --- After quickly finishing his meal, Natsume followed his usual routine of checking on the Pokmon around the house. The Minccino, fresh from cleaning, was taking a bath. Lopunny was tidying up. The Hisuian Zorua was playfully chasing Togepi. Corvisquire was engrossed in watching videos on its Pokphone, occasionally mimicking lines it found amusing. Persian and Butterfree were deep in conversation, as usual, sharing topics they always seemed to have in common. Then there was Zorua playing some sort of wobble game on top of an egg? Wait a second Natsume stared at the scene, dumbfounded. Where did you get that egg? He didnt recall any Pokmon on the farm laying an egg recently. Surely, no Pokmon would secretly lay an egg, abandon it, and disappear, right? That seemed way too far-fetched. Suo suo! Perched atop the egg, Zorua raised a paw, as if trying to explain. It wasnt stolen! Zorua found it at the bottom of the lake. It was just doing a good deed! Found it? Suo suo! Zorua nodded enthusiastically. It had sensed a familiar presence and followed it to investigate. What do you mean by a familiar presence? Suo. You know, like someone I know! Zorua scratched its head, struggling to articulate. It had never been great at explaining things, and being asked to do so now felt awkward. It was like asking Togepi to explain why it always demanded a friendship fee from its Lopunny seniorsome things were just hard to put into words. Even after hearing that, I still dont get it, Natsume muttered, scratching his own head in frustration. One was bad at explaining; the other was bad at understanding. Both sides found the conversation exhausting. Finally, after some back-and-forth, they reached a conclusion: Forget it. Lets not overthink it for now. Natsume decided to let it go. The egg was here, so it was here. Just make sure you take care of it properly. He trusted Zorua enough to handle the responsibility. Suo suo! Zorua eagerly nodded. It was thrilled with this arrangementno need to explain further! While it didnt particularly enjoy babysitting, playing with the egg was fun. For now, Zorua lay atop the egg, wobbling back and forth like it was on a rocking horse. Alright, enough for today. Time to sleep, Natsume said. He retrieved Togepis old incubator, filled it with nutrient fluid, and carefully placed the egg inside. Behind him, a large crowd of curious Pokmon gathered, all eager to see the mysterious egg. Tomorrow, Ill need to buy more nutrient fluid... and some berries too. Looking at the egg soaking in the green fluid, Natsume began planning tomorrows errands. With his schedule set, he slung an arm around the shiny Furrets neck and dragged it upstairs like a giant sack of fluff. The Furret, utterly spent from the days activities, didnt resistit was like a soft, furry pillow being dragged along. Following them upstairs were Togepi, clutching its blanket, and Lopunny, carrying its pillow. These two insisted on sleeping with Natsume every night. Lopunny had its own pumpkin-shaped beanbag chair to sleep in, while Togepi and the shiny Furret always nestled in bed with Natsume. At least, that was the current arrangement. Togepi might change its mind after evolving. Chapter 60: A Journal and Prepared Gifts [Natsumes Notebook] October 24th "Its been a week since the two groups moved into the farm.""Theyve more or less gotten used to it.""The egg that Zorua picked up hasnt shown any changes. Still the same.""Spent the afternoon sunbathing with Furret. It was very warm." October 25th "This morning, Ogerpon stopped by to borrow a bottle of glue and some card stock.""It looked very secretive. Didnt say what it was doing, no matter how much I asked.""Spent the afternoon sunbathing with Togepi. Still very warm." October 26th "The garden is in shambles. Should I try to get a Roselia or Florges to help out?""Although I can make flowers bloom myself, Im hopeless at maintaining a garden.""Spent the afternoon sunbathing with Persian. Today wasnt as warm." October 27th "Nothing happened today. Spent time fishing by the lake with Lopunny using a homemade fishing rod.""We didnt catch much, but Air Cutter scooped up a Mudkip before leaving, so at least that counts as a catch.""Clearly, fishing requires professional gear.""But the gifts Ive prepared for everyone on the farm are already on their way." Closing the notebook, Natsume glanced at the budding garden, feeling a little conflicted. Technically, the farm didnt need a garden. But Natsume insisted on building one, taking care of most of it personally. Psychic powers made things much easieroccasionally using Verdant Force ensured the flowers bloomed brilliantly. Even without tending to it, the garden easily surpassed what most people could achieve in years. But that would be boring. It had been less than half a year since Natsume took over the farm, but he already felt that the initial excitement was fading. At first, there were so many things to dofixing the house, tilling the fields, and countless other tasks that had to be done. Now, there didnt seem to be any pressing matters left, and life was slowing down. If things continued like this, he felt he might age prematurely. And that was absolutely unacceptable. He was barely 20! Natsume refused to become someone who aged before their time. Mudkip. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mudkip, trotting along by Natsumes feet, let out a little croak. For the past few days, Mudkip had been sticking close to Natsumenot just to bond with him, but also to get extra snacks. To the Pokmon on the farm, Natsume was like that kind relative youd visit during the holidays, always ready to hand out candies and treats without you even asking. If Slowpoke werent so lazy, Mudkip would have dragged it along too. Unfortunately, Slowpoke preferred lying by the lakeside, seemingly contemplating life. Unlike other Slowpoke, this one had a very peculiar air. In human terms was it wise in foolishness or foolish in wisdom? Mudkip didnt quite understand. It was just a simple Mudkip, after all, and such profound concepts went over its head. Oh, the gift I promised you is on its way, so look forward to it, Natsume said, patting Mudkips smooth head. A while ago, Natsume conducted a small survey among the farms residents, asking what kind of gifts theyd like. The responses varied widely. Persian wanted a larger, sturdier scratching post. Butterfree wanted a forced training device. Natsume readily agreed to most of their requests. Even for Slowpoke, who couldnt think of anything, Natsume prepared what he deemed fitting. Of course, not all requests were accepted. For example, Shiny Furrets desire for a green bodysuit was immediately vetoed. And then there was Corvisquire, who asked for a 1:1 replica of Frostmourne. What was it planning, a coup? Natsume gave them both a stern "fatherly glare." In the end, under his watchful gaze, the two revised their choices to something more reasonablethough the gifts were still unmistakably their style. The exact nature of their gifts? That would remain a surprise for now. Mudkip! Hearing that the gifts were arriving soon, Mudkip nuzzled against Natsumes pant leg, expressing its affection and joy. It wasnt just the giftsit was also because Natsume had promised to one day take Mudkip and its fellow refugees back to their homeland if the chance arose. That promise meant a lot to them. Just like humans, Pokmon carried a deep attachment to their homes, no matter where they went. --- Meanwhile, deep in the forest where Mudkip once lived, a massive creature was moving with heavy steps, each one shaking the ground. The once-thriving forest was now a desolate wasteland. Most of the Pokmon had fled, leaving behind only a few who refused to abandon their "home." If this ruined land could still be called a home. Fallen trees, dried-up water sources, and cracks etched across the ground. A low, guttural roar echoed, like a proclamation of its presenceor a call to something. The air trembled with the sound. Through the gaps in the remaining trees, a faint glimmer of bronze could be seena massive cauldron inscribed with mysterious symbols. It carried a weight of history, but also an unsettling aura that sent chills down ones spine. Normally, ancient relics like this would evoke awe or admiration for the craftsmanship and stories they held. But this bronze cauldron only inspired revulsion, a primal urge to flee. It was the kind of dread one might feel when encountering statues in the wildernesswhere reverence gave way to fear. Roar Amid the ruins, a pristine white figure glared at the colossus with eyes full of hatred. Its crimson gaze reflected the image of the cauldron. After a moments hesitation, the figure turned and left without hesitation, as if making a resolute decision. It would return. No matter what, it would return. Chapter 61: Corviknight – Sweating Profusely On the farm''s battle arena, Corvisquire was locked in combat with a Pokmon belonging to a young trainer from the nearby town. After the initial buzz surrounding Natsumes farm subsided, life gradually returned to its peaceful daily routine. Now, only a handful of trainers who had already planned to travel through this area stopped by for casual challenges and to restock their supply of Pokblocks. The farms Pokmon participated in battles purely out of interest. If they wanted to fight, they joined; if not, they stayed away. Most of the time, a Mightyena would inform Natsume if someone came to challenge, and Natsume would relay the message to Pokmon interested in participating. The top three Pokmon with the most battles were the shiny Furret, Corvisquire, and Gardevoir. Yes, Gardevoir often joined battles as well. In contrast, her older brother Gallade wasnt particularly fond of fightingespecially these seemingly meaningless skirmishes. If Gardevoir hadnt joined the farm later than the others, she would likely hold the record for the most battles. Additionally, after arriving on the farm, Gardevoir secretly picked up a trick from Zorua: the "Farmers Triple Punch." When faced with an opponent she didnt like, she unleashed a seamless combo of status-reducing moves followed by a barrage of Fire Punch, Ice Punch, and Thunder Punch to grind down her opponent. It was unclear if this devious streak was part of Gardevoir''s personality or if shed picked up bad habits from others on the farm. After all, the farm was home to many mischievous troublemakers. Natsume wanted to claim they were all well-behaved, but even he couldn''t say that with a straight face. At the edge of the battle arena, Gardevoir was currently watching Corvisquires fight while accompanying her younger siblings. She originally planned to use the match to teach them battle strategies. However, after a while, Gardevoir realized she might have made a mistake. Why does this bird talk so much?! Caw, caw, caw! Corvisquire flapped through the air, chattering incessantly. To the opposing Gloom, Corvisquires endless banter was more damaging than the physical attacks. This was no longer a Pokmon battleit was personal harassment! Enduring the pain from its wounds, Gloom inhaled deeply, its mouth puffing up before firing a flurry of glowing seeds. Bullet Seed! The seeds, sharp and fast, shot at Corvisquire like a machine gun firing at an airplane. Corvisquire dodged gracefully, carving elegant arcs in the air. At the same time, it unleashed multiple Air Slashes, each one slicing through the air toward Gloom. Dark blue wings glowed as Corvisquire dived. Caw! Aerial Ace! Cry for your weakness! Laughing maniacally, Corvisquire rocketed toward Gloom like a firework. Its glowing wings slammed into Glooms face, leaving its already battered features further distorted. The direct hit sent Gloom flying like a kicked ball, bouncing across the ground before it struggled to stand. I surrender! The young trainer, clearly worried, ran over to call off the fight. Though he was concerned, he hesitated to step into the arena. Unlike Pokmon, humans couldnt shrug off a few Air Slashestheyd be in serious trouble. Hearing the word "surrender," Corvisquire ended its assault and landed gracefully. Strutting like a proud rooster, it tilted its head and gave Gloom a condescending sideways glance. Occasionally, it added a smug caw or two. Its language was too offensive to translate, but Gardevoir was already regretting bringing her siblings to watch. If any of them picked up these habits, Gardevoir might actually kill Corvisquire. One of her younger siblings seemed particularly intrigued. Gardevoir quickly pressed her hand against the curious Raltss head. Garde! Dont learn that! Forget everything you just saw! Ralts? But it seems really useful. Ralts, chewing on her tiny hand, found the trash talk intriguing. Gloom had started off composed, but by the end, it had completely lost its cool. This seemed like a skill worth mastering. Ralts silently decided to practice in secret later. Satisfied with Ralts''s apparent compliance, Gardevoir finally relaxeduntil commotion broke out behind her. Turning around, Gardevoir saw Corvisquire enveloped in a dazzling white light. Garde?! Now? Of all times?! Panicked, Gardevoir teleported to find Natsume. After quickly explaining the situationthough it sounded more like wa-wa-washe grabbed Natsumes hand and teleported them both back. Sar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Whats going on? Still holding a box of supplies, Natsume barely had time to react before being teleported to the battlefield. The sight of Corvisquire glowing with evolution energy immediately made the situation clear. Oh, so Corvisquires evolving. Setting the box aside, Natsume walked over. Even in the middle of its evolutionone of the most critical moments of its lifeCorvisquire couldnt keep quiet, endlessly spewing its signature trash talk. If its current power level had been higher, it mightve already declared something outrageous like, "I reign supreme across time!" When the light faded, Corviknight stood proudly before Natsume. Its indigo-blue body gleamed with a metallic sheen, each feather resembling finely forged steel. It looked like a majestic knight clad in armor, exuding strength and authority. Corviknight lifted its head high, its gaze embodying the aloofness of a tyrantpart disdain, part smugness, part mockery, and a small hint of panic. Darn it! I didnt expect to evolve so soon! Corviknight had planned a dramatic line for this moment, but now it couldnt decide which one to use. "From this day forth, I shall soar above the heavens!"? Or maybe "I am the God of a new world!" Shoot, this was harder than expected. For the first time, Corviknight felt sweat dripping down its steel feathers. Chapter 62: No Man Can Resist Something Big "Congratulations, Corviknight." As Natsume approached the silent and brooding Corviknight, he couldn''t help but crane his neck higher with every step. This guy''s height was... a bit beyond expectations. Looking up at Corviknight, Natsume couldn''t stop thinking: This kid''s growth spurt must have been off the charts. A typical Corviknight stood about 2.2 meters tall and weighed around 75 kilogramsa towering and imposing figure. At over two meters tall and with a weight of 150 kilograms, Corviknight''s proportions might seem lean on a human, but for a bird Pokmon, it was... acceptable? Still, Natsume''s Corviknight had clearly gone above and beyond. Its height easily exceeded 2.5 meters, and while they hadn''t measured its weight yet, judging by its appetite, it was definitely not light. "CAW!" Corviknight spread its wings, fidgeting as it tried to adjust to its new body. It was clearly uncomfortable with its evolved formwhether it was the steel-like feathers or the suddenly massive frame, everything felt unfamiliar. Adding to its woes, the increased size and weight had noticeably slowed it down. For Corviknight, its next tasks were clear: One, adapt to its evolved body. Two, refine its battle strategy to suit its new physique. Fortunately, Corviknight didnt need to stress much about the latter. From the moment he captured it, Natsume had already planned out a fighting style tailored to Corviknight. It revolved around two core moves: Iron Defense and Body Press. One raised its defense, while the other dealt greater damage the higher its defense was. Combined with Corviknight''s size and weight, these moves were a perfect match. Simple, efficient, andmost importantlyit left plenty of time for Corviknight to spout trash talk. Corviknight was overjoyed. "Alright, time to head back." Natsume reached out, intending to pat Corviknight''s head. But after a few failed attempts to reach the top of its head, he settled for tapping its forehead instead. Corviknight, realizing this, lowered its head slightly so Natsume could pat it properly, then eagerly nodded its massive head, signaling its hunger. Even though Pokmon biology often defied logic, certain basic rules still applied. The sudden growth from evolution had drained Corviknight''s energy, leaving it ravenously hungry. It felt like the time Natsume had skipped dinner and breakfast while binge-watching a showso hungry hed almost eaten the soap in the bathroom. Right now, all Corviknight wanted was a hearty meal and a good nap. Adjusting to its new body? That could wait. It had already done enough for the day. Corviknight, now resembling an oversized terrestrial chicken, awkwardly followed Natsume back to the farm. It flapped its wings experimentally a few times but quickly gave up on flying, opting to walk instead. Though it was trying to maintain its pride, the sight of the massive bird plodding along on foot was undeniably comical. If it clucked while walking, itd be the perfect image of a giant free-range chicken. Despite the amusing display, Corviknight held its head high, refusing to bow its proud neckreminiscent of the haughty air of the Uchiha clan. Its majestic, armored exterior clashed with its cheeky demeanor, creating an odd mix of grandeur and mischief. Anyone watching would be tempted to land a punch on its smug face. As Corviknight strutted behind Natsume, it looked like a king parading in his new robes, showing off its evolved form with no small amount of pride. This is it, Corviknight thought, admiring its reflection in a puddle. From now on, Ill be the farms poster Pokmon and undisputed top-tier looker. While most of the Pokmon on the farm merely glanced at Corviknight''s new form before losing interest, one Pokmon was visibly stunned. "Pi!" The shiny Pidgeotto, who had been strolling around the farm with a group of the flock''s most beautiful female members, froze in its tracks. As the flock''s leader, the shiny Pidgeotto naturally enjoyed certain privileges. What was wrong with taking a few ladies out for a walk? It wasnt like it was neglecting its duties. But the sight of Corviknight brought its good mood to an abrupt halt. We''re both birdsyoure a crow, and Im a sparrow. Why is the size gap so huge?! To most Pokmon, bigger was better. Large Pokmon were seen as stronger and more desirable. And in that moment, shiny Pidgeotto couldn''t help but feel a pang of jealousy toward Corviknight''s massive frame. It even fantasized about swapping Corviknights protein powder with something less effectiveif it had access to such things. "Pi!" Shiny Pidgeotto fluttered down in front of Corviknight, curiously and somewhat enviously asking how it got so big. In response, Corviknight proudly declared, Through hard work and effort! And, well... Natsumes feeding. The shiny Pidgeotto ignored the boastful first part, focusing instead on the latter. So, it all comes down to Natsume, huh? Previously, the shiny Pidgeotto had been content to simply enjoy its food and lead the flock. Building a closer relationship with the farms owner hadnt seemed necessary. Sarch* The N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It had its pride, after all. Fawning over Natsume felt beneath it. But now, looking at Corviknights imposing form, the shiny Pidgeotto realized: Maybe lowering my head a little isnt so bad. Its not about sucking up; its about becoming stronger and bigger. Yeah, thats it. After all, who could resist the allure of becoming bigger and better? And by big, of course, it meant something impressive. Like a Gundam. Chapter 63: A Casual Chat with Mei What the Shiny Pidgeotto was pondering could wait. At the moment, Natsume was busy setting up a new nest for Corviknight. Previously, Corviknight had been living in a second-floor room but sometimes slept in a rooftop nest. Back then, sleeping outside was more about enjoying the night breeze and indulging in its dramatic fantasies. Under the deep night sky, it would imagine itself as a being of immense power with a tragic past, lamenting how the world was fundamentally flawed. Of course, the details of these tragic backstories were updated every few days, depending on the anime it had recently watched. But now, Corviknight had no choice but to live outside. At its current height, getting through a door was almost impossible. Even if they widened the doorway, there wasnt a suitable room where Corviknight could comfortably live. Looks like the plan to build a breeding facility with simulated natural environments needed to be prioritized. Caw, caw! Can we put a cushion over there? Corviknight voiced its opinion about the new nest, offering suggestions about its placement and size. Since the nest was being set in a new location, Natsume enlisted Gardevoirs help. As for Gallade? Natsume had sent it to watch over the flock of Mareep. Until Yamper could fully assume the role of a herding Pokmon, Gallades assistance was essential. Gallade had no complaints about the arrangement. It could relax in the sun and avoid being on the receiving end of its sisters deathly stares for idling about. What a life, Gallade mused contentedly. With Gardevoirs help, Corviknights new nest was soon completed. Corviknight wasnt entirely satisfied with it, though. If possible, it wanted to decorate its nest with some game and anime merchandise. Unfortunately, it was broke. It was infuriating! How could the farms dialogue coach, ambassador, and sole airborne combat unit not even afford a figurine? This put it at a natural disadvantage during online arguments. It desperately needed to earn some money to buy those collectibles. But, on this farm, there didnt seem to be many opportunities to make that happen. Corviknight fell into deep thought. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. --- That night, Natsume lay in bed, leaning against his Shiny Furret while texting. His conversation partner had an avatar of a Servine and was listed as Mei in his contacts. [Mei]: Corviknight looks huge after its evolution! [Natsume]: It eats a lot. Sometimes it even cons other Pokmon into giving up their Pokblocks. Before Mei left, they had exchanged contact information and would occasionally chat. At first, their conversations were formal, mainly discussing Pokblocks. Natsume would ask about Meis experiences using them, and Mei would share her feedback, including details about flavor and texture. Over time, their discussions extended to life on the farm. Natsume would send Mei photos, and she would kindly respond with positive comments. Gradually, Mei began to open up, sharing stories from her travels, the Pokmon and people she met, her thoughts on battles, and her future plans. The two had grown quite familiar with each other. Though not to the point of complete transparency, they both had a well-rounded understanding of one another, evolving from a surface-level impression to something far more vivid and personal. [Mei]: Your farm feels livelier every day. Thats so nice! In her room at the Pokmon Center, Mei sat at the bedside in loose pajamas, towel-drying her damp hair. Behind her, Servine climbed onto the bed with a hair dryer in its vines, preparing to dry her hair properly. After Mei caught it, Servine had taken over the task of hair drying. Though Mei owned a Tepig, its personality made it ill-suited for such workit might accidentally singe her hair. So, Servine handled the job, even more adept now that its vines had grown longer and more agile after evolving. As Mei scrolled through the photos Natsume had sent, her eyes sparkled with a hint of envy. Life on the farm seemed so wonderful, surrounded by adorable Pokmon every day. If only I could live on a farm too, she murmured to herself. Then again, the workload might be overwhelming for her. Still, Natsume is amazing, Mei said softly. Managing the farm seemed exhausting even in her imagination. While she loved the idea of a peaceful and relaxing life, running a farm required an entirely different level of effort. It reminded her of a saying: Occasionally visiting the countryside feels romantic, but for those living there, its all about the harvest. Mei felt that Natsume was incredible. Despite being her age, he had transformed an abandoned farm into what it was today. Even his skills as a trainer seemed on par with, if not better than, a city gym leaders. Whether in terms of work ethic or strength, Natsume truly impressed her. The phone chimed, and a new message popped up. [Natsume]: Come visit when you have time. [Natsume]: Oh, and bring back Bounsweet. The group here misses it. Reading the message, Mei smiled faintly. [Mei]: Sure! But will you give me a discount on Pokblocks? [Natsume]: Ill try? [Mei]: Why does that sound uncertain? [Natsume]: Its a long story. Hard to explain over text. [Mei]: Then dont bother explaining, thanks. [Natsume]: (Psyduck tilting head) [Mei]: Stop stealing my reaction images! In the quiet night, the glow of their phones illuminated two smiling faces in separate places. Chapter 64: Natsume: Want to Try Entering a Tournament? Early in the morning, Natsume woke naturally from his sleep and stretched lazily before climbing out of bed. His hair was a chaotic mess, resembling a bird''s nest. Since taking over the farm, the biggest change in Natsumes lifestyle was that he no longer needed an alarm clock. Every day, he could sleep as long as he wanted, with no worries about oversleeping. He could go to bed whenever he liked at night without needing to fret about being too tired the next morning. Work and school? Those didnt matter anymore. The only priority was sleeping comfortably. Somehow, we ended up chatting until late, he murmured. I hope Mei didnt oversleep. Looking at the last message on his phoneGoodnight sent at 1:30 AMNatsume felt a tinge of concern. If he hadnt noticed how late it was and stopped their conversation, they could have easily chatted for another hour or two. Normally, Natsume wouldnt mind extending the conversation. After all, who would turn down the chance to chat with a like-minded, beautiful girl? But Mei had mentioned that she was planning to challenge a gym today, so she had to wake up early. Unlike in anime where gym challenges could happen at any time, real-life Pokmon gyms operated quite differently. Apart from the standard 18 type gyms, every major city had its own provincial and municipal gyms. However, the number of gyms wasnt enough to meet the overwhelming demand from trainers. Most gyms required challengers to book an appointment on their official website. Depending on the number of challengers, the wait time could extend to one or two weeks. Missing an appointment was a hassle. But it should be fine, right? Meis Servine is reliable enough to keep her on track. Although Mei could be a little absentminded at times, her Servine was a dependable and composed presence in her team. Most trainers had at least one Pokmon in their party that acted like a responsible parentor perhaps a nurturing mother. These Pokmon were typically among the strongest in the team, with keen minds and the ability to maintain harmony among the rest of the group. S~ea??h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They also tended to look after their trainers. This dynamic was especially noticeable in teams belonging to less reliable trainers. Meis Servine and Natsumes Persian played these roles well. However, while Servine had to balance its duties as Meis caretaker and oversee the recently captured Bounsweet, Persian had it relatively easy. Compared to Servines meticulous work, Persian mostly focused on disciplining new and unruly Pokmon by smacking them into line. Lopunny! The door creaked open, and a Lopunny wearing an apron walked in, carrying a fresh set of clothes for Natsume. After slipping into his usual black jacket, white T-shirt, and black trousers, Natsume was ready to start another day. Meanwhile, his shiny Furret, who shared his bed every night, had long since started its morning routine. If Natsume stood by the window now, hed see the shiny Furret leading a whole gang of Furret in a chaotic charge. The shiny Furret had become the unchallenged ruler of the farm, with sheer numbers to back its dominance. While only the shiny one could actually fight, there were so many Furret that it didnt matter. They were second only to the farms many Grass-type Pokmon in numbers. Given that it was a farm, it naturally attracted a wide variety of Bug- and Grass-type Pokmon. Fortunately, the shiny Furret was well-behaved and kept its gang in check, so no major conflicts had broken out. Caw! Ah! The sun shines upon my majestic form! Ah! Praise the sun! On the rooftop, Corviknight spread its wings, basking in the morning sunlight. Its dark feathers gleamed like polished metal in the light, making it look less like a living Pokmon and more like a finely crafted statue. After a while, it sighed softly. Being invincible is so lonely. Although it hadnt yet issued its 78th challenge to Persian, based on its experience of losing 77 times, Corviknight felt optimistic. I may not have won yet, but Im a three-stage evolution Pokmon, and Persians only a two-stage! Im still youngthe odds are in my favor! The previous night, unable to sleep after its evolution, Corviknight had scoured the internet for information about itself. While many claimed that Corviknight was just a utility bird rarely used as a Champions main fighter, Corviknight proudly declared: Youre right, but thats the beauty of Corviknight! With a base stat total of 495, 98 HP, and 105 Special Defense, I can take hits! With a Hidden Ability, Protect, Iron Defense, and Brave Bird, plus Gigantamax potential, Im unstoppable! Flying/Steel typing? No quadruple weaknesses, only two doubles! Four double resistances and five singles, including Dragon and Psychic! Immunity to Poison and Ground? Yes, please. Of course, when it came to actual battles... AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!! The previous night, Corviknight had gotten into an online argument and became so worked up that its screams woke up Persian, who promptly beat it into submission. Even Gardevoir had to set up a psychic barrier to prevent the noise from disturbing Natsume. When Persian learned of this, it hit even harder. Still, Corviknight refused to count this as its 78th loss, insisting it was an unfair sneak attack. As a frequent visitor to online forums, Corviknight often borrowed strategies and tactics from other users to try in battleswith some success. Most Pokmon who battled Corviknight ended up at least slightly tilted. Morning, Corviknight! You seem lively today, Natsume called out from the window. From his angle, all he could see was Corviknights slightly round belly. Lately, it seemed to be eating a bit too much. I might need to find more things to keep you occupied, Natsume mused, eyeing Corviknight thoughtfully. Caw! Good morning, boss! Todays another great day! Corviknights cold, aloof demeanor vanished as it chirped enthusiastically, its dark face suddenly looking rather ingratiating. It wasnt afraid to push back against Persian, but it couldnt afford to upset Natsumewhat if he cut its food rations? So, how about entering a tournament? Natsume suddenly asked. Caw? Lop? Corviknight, basking in the sun, and Lopunny, tidying the room, both blinked in confusion. Had they misheard? Chapter 65: Avoiding Competitions Because Losing Is Unacceptable On the farm, those Pokmon close to Natsume were well aware that his interest in participating in competitions had always been minimal. S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Becoming a professional trainer to gain fame and fortune? That idea held zero appeal for Natsume. After all, he had already achieved financial independence. He could wake up whenever he wanted, sleep whenever he pleased, and live life exactly as he liked. Becoming a professional trainer? That sounded neither interesting nor meaningful to him. For this reason, Natsume had never been particularly inclined toward competitions. And, well... If you lot cant even beat me, what makes you think youd fare better in a competition? (crossed out in his mind). Comparing ordinary Pokmon to a Hisuian superhuman like Natsume felt a bit unfair. Why do you look so surprised? Youre acting as if Ive said something unthinkable. Looking at the incredulous expressions on Lopunny and Corviknights faces, Natsume chuckled softly. Ive actually thought about this quite seriously. It probably started when his shiny Furret began its rigorous training. Natsume had realized that many of the Pokmon on his farm had a strong desire for battle. There were peaceful Pokmon, but there were also those who craved combat. Taking them out occasionally to participate in some matches wouldnt be a bad idea. It would serve as a change of pace for both him and the Pokmon on the farm. That said, Natsume had no intention of entering highly competitive formal tournaments. Such competitions required not just the Pokmons and trainers on-the-spot performance but also meticulous preparation beforehandresearching opponents, devising strategies, deciding the battle order, and analyzing attributes and movesets. And if things didnt go according to plan, youd need contingency strategies. All of it sounded like way too much effort. Instead, Natsume preferred the straightforward overpowering force approach. However, he wasnt yet at the level where he could crush all trainers with ease. Since he lacked the power to dominate effortlessly, there was no point in aiming for world champion titles or the like. Natsume disliked the feeling of failure. If he attempted something, he wanted to succeed. The idea of failing and just brushing it off with a better luck next time didnt sit well with him. Perhaps it was a bit of cowardice or double standards, but Natsume was perfectly fine with that. The frustration and reflection that came with failure? Totally unnecessary, in his opinion. Loo. After listening to Natsumes reasoning, Lopunny nodded in understanding. It shared his distaste for failure. For wild Pokmon, failure often meant deathfailing to find food meant starvation; failing to hide meant being hunted; failing to escape meant death. Even after living on the farm for a long time, that instinct to avoid failure was ingrained in its very being. By not attempting risky endeavors, you eliminate the chance of failure entirely. Lopunny wholeheartedly agreed with Natsumes philosophy. Caw! From the rooftop, Corviknight also voiced its approval. After hearing Natsumes plan, it picked up on two key words: easy wins. Say no morethis was right up its alley! Corviknight was a master at defeating weaker opponents. With its simple yet effective strategy of combining Iron Defense and Brave Bird, it was a nightmare for Pokmon less powerful than itself. Opponents couldnt break through its defense, while its retaliatory strike could strip them of their dignity. Lopunny, are you going? Loo. Lopunny shook its head, expressing no interest in battles. It was perfectly content with a peaceful life on the farm, occasionally entertaining itself with a smartphone. Yes, Natsume had bought phones for many of his Pokmon. Pokmon like Lopunny and Zorua were particularly fond of them. Corviknight, on the other hand, was a full-blown internet addict. If not for its physical structure being ill-suited for esports, it wouldve considered going pro. After all, it believed it was far superior to the incompetent players it saw online, whose absurdly bad gameplay made them seem almost inhuman. Back to the matter at hand. Though Im thinking about entering competitions, its not happening anytime soon. Natsume chuckled as he patted Lopunny on the head. For now, it was just an idea. Of course, he did intend to participate eventually. First, he needed to decide which Pokmon to bring along, and second, he had to select an appropriate competition. His plan was to start with a small-town or county-level tournamentessentially, starting in a small pond to build confidence. Once he gained some momentum, he could consider bigger competitions. Loo. Lopunny nodded before hopping off to handle some chores. Usually, Minccino was in charge of cleaning. It enjoyed housekeeping and initially took on the role because it couldnt stand Natsumes habit of stuffing clothes haphazardly into his wardrobe. After kicking him in disapproval, it began tidying things itself. In short, Natsume had been deemed unworthy. As a single guy living alone, he couldnt be expected to meet high standards. In his mind, he was already doing his best. But nowadays, Lopunny had taken over many of the household chores. For some reason, seeing Lopunny stealing Minccinos job made Natsume think of certain fantasy novel concepts. For instance, how a divine being of fertility might carve out a fragment of authority from another deitys domain. Perhaps Lopunny had claimed a portion of Minccinos housekeeping authority? The sudden shift in tone felt oddly jarring, almost surreal. Oh, right. Make sure Minccino tidies up the living room. The gifts for everyone will arrive soon. When they do, Ill need everyones help to sort them out. Corviknight, dont think you can slack off. As if remembering something, Natsume called out to Lopunny as it headed out. Loo loo. Lopunny nodded and hopped away. Hearing the word gifts, Corviknights eyes lit up. A present! When it arrived, it would make sure to stand out and leave everyone in awe! Its usually stoic bird face was now filled with uncharacteristic anticipation and delight. For a creature with such a majestic appearance, its demeanor often felt like a waste of its good looks. Chapter 66: Zorua: Go Eat Dirt When do people usually feel like they''ve grown up? Graduation? Falling in love? Or the first time they receive a paycheck after starting work? For Natsume, the first time he realized hed grown up was when he noticed that the older sisters and aunts in those easily captivating "big truck crushing little pony" stories were now younger than him. In that moment, he didnt just feel like hed grown uphe felt old. Nowadays, Natsumes realization of maturity often came with the need to keep certain things private. Not everything could be shared so openly. And with that, he felt like hed grown just a little more. Though he also felt a little more exhausted. Right now, several Pokmon were gathered in front of him, all staring at him with expectant eyes. It hadnt even been half an hour since the idea of entering battles with his Pokmon first occurred to Natsume, but already the entire farm knew about it. That big-mouthed Corviknight. When it came to spreading information, Corviknight was practically on par with the neighborhood gossip crew. The bird had single-handedly spread the news far and wideimpressively, without even exaggerating it. Should I actually praise it for not twisting the facts? Covering his face, Natsume wasnt sure whether to be angry or amused. Though hed intended to share the news with everyone eventually, the sudden reveal still caught him off guard. Now, gathered in front of him were not only Pokmon genuinely interested in battling but also a few with their own ulterior motives. There was the diligent, battle-loving shiny Furret; Gardevoir, eager to prove her worth; Gallade, dragged along by Gardevoir; the shiny Pidgeotto, hoping to curry favor with Natsume for extra Pokblocks; and a curious Mudkip, who didnt seem to understand much but wanted to join in anyway. And, of course, Zoruahere to stir up troubleand Corviknight, looking guilty but still reporting for duty. Faced with their eager eyes, Natsume sighed and said: Dont get too excited. Were not entering any battles just yet. If youre interested, let me know. When the time comes, Ill make sure to tell everyone. Once he finished speaking, the gathered Pokmon muttered among themselves before dispersing. But not before each of them brushed against Natsume, one after another, as though marking himor maybe just being affectionate. You look like youre having a great time watching the show, dont you? Natsume grabbed Zorua by the scruff of the neck just as the mischievous Pokmon was about to sneak away after giving him a playful nuzzle. With Corviknight still adjusting to its evolved form and unable to fly smoothly, Natsume doubted it could have spread the news so quickly without help. He was sure Zorua had played a part. Zor? Tilting its head and sticking out its tongue, Zorua gave him an innocent look. What are you talking about? I dont understand a thing! Im just a sweet, innocent little fox, incapable of such schemes! You, my little troublemaker, might have what it takes to become a follower of Aha. Natsume ruffled Zoruas fur until it was a complete mess, then casually tossed the Pokmon aside as if it were a cat. Zorua landed nimbly, twisting in midair to execute a perfect landing. Anyone whos ever had a cat would recognize this move. After playing with their cat, theyd often toss it gently to the floor, knowing the cat would land just fine. But dogs? Thats a different story. A dog would face-plant in a disaster of flailing limbs. A word of advice to anyone with both cats and dogs: be careful. A cat might forgive you after a treat, but a dog? Youll be footing some hefty vet bills. Zor. Shaking its head, Zorua shot Natsume a sassy go eat dirt look before scampering off, its short legs moving in a zigzag to avoid any further attacks. Just as Natsumes foot swung toward its retreating backside, Zorua dodged with precision, leaving his kick to hit empty air. Its quick reflexes saved its butt from disaster. You think you can kick me? Dream on, buddy. Go eat dirt back there! With its zigzagging serpentine moves, Zorua quickly disappeared from sight. Perhaps it was off to its favorite sunbathing spotor maybe looking for other Pokmon to scam with its usual spiel: Listen, Im not saying youre bad, but your technique needs work. Give me some Pokblocks, and Ill teach you a thing or two. Despite sounding like a con artist, Zorua was undoubtedly skilled. Many Pokmon on the farm willingly offered up their Pokblocks in exchange for its advice. Skipping a few treats was no big dealthey could always try other flavors later. But the chance to improve their skills? That was priceless. Because if you missed the opportunity to grow stronger, you might just end up... lying around. And theres nothing more infuriating than watching someone laze about happily while you struggle. Its like when people say: Im not jealous if you have a girlfriend. Im fine on my own. sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Im not jealous if youre rich. Im getting by just fine. Im not jealous if youre successful. Some people are just destined for greatness. But if youre lying around carefree while Im struggling? Now Im jealous, you jerk! This little rascal Watching Zorua disappear, Natsume sighed in exasperation. It was a great Pokmonjust a bit too mischievous. Lets go, Corviknight. Help me move these boxes. Natsume gave Corviknight a kick, nudging it forward as he picked up a box of miscellaneous items. You talk too much, so now youve got work to do. Caw! Im on it, boss! The oversized bird hopped along behind Natsume, looking like a wind-up toy as it waddled forward with its peculiar, bobbing gait. Caw? So, what are we doing now? To pick up the gifts. Your figurine has arrived. Caw! Gifts! At the word gifts, Corviknights excitement surged. It instinctively spread its wingsonly to knock over the box in Natsumes hands, almost toppling him in the process. Turning stiffly to look at the mess it had caused, Corviknight froze, realizing its mistake. Well, looks like Im getting scolded again today. Chapter 67: Natsume the Gift Distributor Done. In the living room, Natsume straightened his back after setting down a pile of boxes on the floor, casually wiping away imaginary sweat from his forehead. Behind him trailed Corviknight, who had its neck tucked low, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. It was still reeling from the thorough scolding it had just received for its earlier carelessness. If it had been another Pokmon doing the scoldingsay, even Persianit might have tried to fight back, though such resistance would likely end in a comically tragic defeat. But against Natsume? Sorry, theres no chance. Any attempt to rebel would only invite harsher punishment. For instance, having its supply of Pokblocks confiscateda consequence Corviknight absolutely couldnt bear. Anything else, though? It could manage. Go call everyone over. Its time to hand out gifts, Natsume said, glancing at the sulking bird. With Corviknight, it was hard for Natsume to maintain his usual calm demeanor. When it was younger and freshly caught, it had seemed like a normal, reliable Pokmon. But somewhere along the way, it had started to grow crooked, walking further down the path of chaos with each passing day. Sometimes Natsume wondered if, should Corviknight ever become famous, it would need a fitting title. How about "Warhawk"? It felt appropriate on multiple levels. Caw-caw!! The moment it received its orders, Corviknight transformed from its previous timid state, puffing out its chest and energetically flapping its wings before bolting out the door. As it dashed outside, Corviknight began a running takeoff, flapping its wings with great effort. After several attempts, it finally managed to get airborne. Its awkward, flapping gait before liftoff made it look more like a village goose than a majestic bird Pokmon. If only its combat ability could match that of a feisty goose. Or at least, it could work on fixing its personality. With that thought, Natsume sighed deeply. Im starting to sound more and more like a nagging parent. Furrr! Not long after Corviknights departure, a flash of pink bolted toward the house, stopping dramatically at the doorway with a quick tail flick before trotting inside on excited little steps. Furret! Without hesitation, the shiny Furret leapt into Natsumes arms, nuzzling and squirming as if to demand attention before its gaze shifted to the pile of boxes on the floor. Fur? Is there a gift for me in there? Its sparkling eyes and the wagging of its fluffy tail made it almost impossible for anyone to refuse. Even if there werent a gift prepared, anyone on the receiving end of this kind of look would feel compelled to rush out and get one immediately. Of course there is. Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Here, this ones for you. Natsume retrieved a small gift box from the pile and handed it to Furret, motioning for it to open it up. Instead of unwrapping the gift himself, Natsume preferred to let his Pokmon experience the joy of opening their own presents. Even though he personally found opening packages tedious, he had read online that many people found it oddly satisfying. Maybe the farms Pokmon would enjoy the experience, too. Or maybe not. Who knew? Furret! Furret eagerly took the box in its little pink paws, rubbing against Natsume one last time before setting to work on the wrapping. When the packaging came off, the gift inside was revealed: a peculiar item resembling a restraint device. (Some enthusiasts with unique tastes might have been especially thrilledcrossed out, moving on.) Next to the device was a small white card that read: [Power Bracer] A hard and heavy training tool. While it reduces speed, it significantly enhances growth during training. This was the gift Furret had been yearning for. Initially, it had wanted a green bodysuit as a tribute to its idolthe "Green Beast of the Konoha," a certain watermelon-haired ninja with dazzling white teeth. That idea, however, had been vetoed by Natsume almost instantly. After much deliberation, Furret had settled on a tool that could improve its training results, leading Natsume to select the Power Bracer after careful consideration. Unlike ordinary weights, this special item offered noticeable results. The exact mechanics behind it were beyond Natsumes understanding, but as he wasnt a researcher, he didnt feel the need to dig too deep. Furret, however, was thrilled. Not only would it help with training, butit was green. In a way, it still honored its idol. Wearing the Power Bracer, Furret couldnt wait to start training. My youth will not allow me to slack off here! Radiating a fiery determination, the shiny Furret dashed outside, ready to embrace its rigorous training regimen. After Furret left, other Pokmon from the farm began arriving one after another. Calm down, calm downone at a time, Natsume said, trying to reassure the crowd while sifting through the pile of gifts. Everyone will get something. He handed out each gift like a diligent deliveryman: Here you go, Persianyour catnip chew stick and silk scarf. Lopunny, heres your full grooming kit. Its highly rated online. Sandslash, this is for you. Aside from the seeds you wanted, I also got you some Stardust. Hope you like it. One by one, Natsume distributed the gifts. While not all of them were rare or extravagant, each one had been chosen with care to suit the recipients preferences. After all, most of these gifts had been decided upon after in-depth discussions with his Pokmon, like Lopunnys grooming kit. It was something it had seen online recently and had been longing for, so Natsume made sure to get it. The same went for Persians silk scarf. (The catnip chew stick, however, was Natsumes idea. He was curious to see how Persian would react to an item supposedly irresistible to cats.) For now, Persian seemed indifferent, but who knew? Perhaps it would secretly play with the chew stick in private, embracing its inner playful kitten. After a while, nearly all the gifts had been handed out, but a few boxes remained. Hmm, still a few left... Natsume frowned, deep in thought. Some of these were deliberately set aside for later use. Others were for Pokmon who hadnt shown up to claim them yet. Chapter 68: Every Team Needs a Villain Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Natsume casually sorted through the remaining packages. Aside from the regular gifts he had prepared, most of what was left were little surprises hed put together. For example, the Shiny Stone he bought for Minccino. If Minccino wanted to evolve, it would need a Shiny Stone; otherwise, it would remain a Minccino forever, regardless of its strength. Its like how WarGreymon needs MetalGarurumon to become Omnimon. No matter how hard it tries, it would only remain WarGreymon. Of course, theres also the possibility of becoming VictoryGreymon. Apart from Minccino, he had also prepared gifts for other Pokmon. Some might ask: wouldnt those Pokmon who didnt receive special gifts feel unbalanced or upset? Well, theres no helping it. Natsume could only strive to treat his closest Pokmon fairly. Anyone with two kids or even just one cat at home could relate to this. Even if you aim to treat both children equally, a little favoritism is inevitable. After all, humans arent machines; its impossible to divide love or care perfectly into equal portions. If any of his Pokmon did feel unhappy, Natsume would just have to make it up to them later. As for Pokmon he wasnt particularly close to, like the Oddish on the farm that he rarely interacted with? Natsume naturally wouldnt prepare gifts for them. A head rub and a couple of Pokblocks during a walk would be more than enough. He wasnt some overly generous tycoon handing out evolutionary stones and rare items to every Pokmon he met. Even if he had the money, he wouldnt spend it like that. Or rather, maybe he wasnt wealthy enough yetcompared to an oil baron, anyway. These can wait; no rush to deliver them now, Natsume said. First, I need to check on Ogerpon. After packing up the remaining gifts, he called Persian over to watch them, intending to take a few Pokmon to look for Ogerpon. He wouldnt feel comfortable leaving the packages with just any Pokmon. It wasnt that he worried theyd steal anything but rather that they might give in to the persistent pleading of other Pokmon and sneak a peek at the gifts. Like kids with new toys, who often cant resist opening them before they get home. But if Persian was in charge, Natsume had complete peace of mind. Every team needs someone to play the bad guysomeone who can step in when necessary to refuse unreasonable demands. It sounds simple, but not everyone can do it. If someone youre close to tugs at your sleeve and begs for a small, seemingly insignificant favor, would you refuse? Most people find it difficult. But Persian could. Not only could it refuse, but if Corviknight came over and started pestering, Persian might even throw in a Power Gem to teach that fool a lessonlet it experience the might of the farms second-in-command. Hmm Something about that sounded off. Lets go with vice leader instead. Ill leave these here for now, Natsume said as he shoved the unopened packages into Persians nest under its disapproving gaze. You didnt even ask me! Persian opened its mouth as if to meow a complaint but ultimately let it go. It rarely said no to Natsume anyway. And so, with its tail flicking in resignation, Persian decided to find another sunny spot to nap in, leaving the pile of gifts behind. Next up, lets find Ogerpon. Scratching his head, Natsume pondered which Pokmon to bring along. According to Zorua, Ogerpons little hideout was quite a distance from the farm. There was also a path leading to a water source nearby, where wild Pokmon occasionally passed throughsome of them even aggressive. So Natsume figured hed better bring two Pokmon with him, just in case. If some battle-hungry wild Pokmon or Trainer challenged him to a fight, he couldnt exactly yell, I choose you, Natsumemon! and jump in to brawl with them himself. That would be a bit much, no? Although those Trainers who lock eyes and immediately demand a battle arent exactly calm either. Who should I bring? Muttering to himself, Natsume absently toyed with Persians tail. When he turned around, he found a large black figure blocking the doorway. With its back to Natsume, Corviknight had been silently crouching there, waiting for him to notice. Wow, what a floorboard this floorboard is, thought Corviknight, deeply focused on the step below. It stared intently, as if studying the patterns on the doorstep. What was so fascinating about that step? After watching the back of Corviknights head for a few seconds, Natsume seemed to understand. This time, Ill need a mature and steady Pokmon, he said loudly, ensuring Corviknight could hear. The bird remained motionless, only shifting its gaze. Hmm, what lovely grass this grass is. Preferably one thats strong and reliable, Natsume continued. Corviknight raised its head slightly. The wind today is particularly noisy. Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Better yet, a Flying-type Pokmon. Corviknights beak twitched into a barely contained grin, harder to suppress than recoil on an AK. With that in mind, the choice is obvious. As Corviknight prepped its pose, Natsume said, Ill bring the shiny Pidgeotto! CAW?! Corviknight squawked, utterly shattered. CAW! CAW! CAW!! It flapped wildly, rushing over to Natsume like a tantrum-throwing llama, tears and spit flying everywhere. If not for Gardevoirs timely Psychic barrier, Natsume wouldve been drenched. Calm down! Natsume barked, smacking Corviknight on the head. It wasnt anger; it was just that without the slap, the dizzy bird probably wouldnt hear him clearly. CAW Corviknight sat dazed on the ground like a duck, stars spinning around its head. It gazed at Natsume with newfound reverence. No wonder hes the bosswhat terrifying strength. Compared to him, even Persian seemed insignificant now. Thinking this, Corviknight felt its odds of taking the vice leader position improve significantly. Alright, get up, Natsume said, exasperated. Ill take you along this time. The birds antics made it seem like Natsume was some cruel Trainer who mistreated his Pokmon. Chapter 69: Natsume: Is Ogerpon Home? The ancients once said: Buy fine horses in the east market, saddles in the west, bridles in the south, and whips in the north. Natsumes current situation wasnt far from this. At the entrance, he had Corviknight and Gardevoir. From the farm, he brought along the shiny Furret. By the lake, he picked up Zorua, who was hanging out with Slowpoke. The reasoning behind this team was quite simple. Corviknight and Gardevoir happened to be nearby. Plus, Gardevoirs Psychic abilities were exceptionally useful for wilderness exploration and locating things. Poor Butterfree had just lost its role as the groups utility tool. As for Zorua, it was necessary for finding Ogerponafter all, Zorua was currently the only one who could track Ogerpon. And the shiny Furret? It was purely because Furret and Ogerpon had always gotten along well. After all, those with similar personalities tend to click. Simply put, substitute users are destined to attract each other! It didnt hurt to bring it along anyway, so Natsume casually included Furret before leaving. At the moment, Natsumes party consisted of four Pokmon, leaving two spots open. Of course, this was only relevant to Trainers. Natsume wasnt a Trainer. If he wanted to, he could bring along dozens of Pokmon without issue. The six-party limit was merely the official recommendation for the optimal team size. Six Pokmon were enough to form a balanced team without significant weaknesses while also remaining manageable for a Trainers resources and energy. In addition to his four Pokmon, Natsume carried a small bag containing gifts for Ogerpon, Pok Puffs, and a few Pok Balls. Dont ask whyjust in case he came across a Pokmon he liked. A couple of days ago, Natsume had seen an adorable Alcremie online. The comments mentioned that Alcremie was theoretically the Pokmon with the most formsseven decorations multiplied by nine flavors made 63 combinations. Including shiny forms and Gigantamax, there were 128 variations in total. This reminded Natsume that some Pokmon indeed had numerous forms or distinct traits. Take Vivillon, for instance. Natsume had started entertaining the idea of capturing more Pokmon like thismaybe he could achieve the title of a master collector someday. But that was a matter for another time. For now, Ill leave it to you to guide us, Zorua. Seated atop his Gogoat, Natsume addressed the Zorua perched on the goats head. Zorua haughtily nodded in response. Hmph, in the end, you all still need me. This house would fall apart without me. Take care of the egg you brought back first before making such claims. Natsume ruffled Zoruas fur so vigorously it looked like he might rub a hole in its head. Ever since Zorua had brought back that egg, it hadnt done much to care for itjust occasionally glanced at it and played for a bit. Suo! Thats not my child! Shaking off Natsumes hand, Zorua stuck out its tongue before signaling Gogoat to move forward with a couple of taps on its head. Initially, Natsume had thought of walking to their destination. But Zorua protested, not wanting to waste too much time outdoors. It had plans to sunbathe with Slowpoke later that afternoon. (Slowpoke, still processing the idea: Sunbathe? Sure!) However, Gogoat remained motionless, as steady as a mountain, completely ignoring Zoruas signals. It slightly tilted its head toward Natsume, waiting for his command. Lets go, Natsume said. At his word, Gogoat finally moved, starting with small strides that quickly transitioned into a gallop. Despite the abrupt acceleration, the ride felt smooth and comfortable, with no hint of jolts. If not for the rushing wind in his ears, Natsume might have thought they were still ambling leisurely along. As expected of a Pokmon famed for its riding capabilities. Much better than the shared Dodrios Natsume had ridden to school in the past. Suo, suo. Though annoyed at being ignored, Zorua dutifully pointed the way for Gogoat. Now wasnt the time to act upNatsume would be upset if they delayed. And an upset Natsume meant no tasty treats. Zorua understood priorities well. As for stealing other Pokmons food? Zorua wasnt the type to stoop so low. Suo, suo. Following Zoruas guidance, Gogoat quickly brought Natsume to a desolate plain. Apart from scattered rocks and withered weeds, there was nothing. It was so desolate that not even Trainers bothered coming here. This barren land was only appealing to Ghost Pokmon. Even Pokmon that could endure harsh environments wouldnt like it here. After all, while they might tolerate harsh conditions, who would choose to sleep under a bridge if a warm bed were an option? Unless they were streaming for sympathy, of course. Suo. Here we are. Standing majestically on Gogoats head like Simba from The Lion King, Zorua indicated the destination to Natsume. Looking in the direction of Zoruas tail, Natsume saw... Weeds. It really looks like theres nothing here. Dismounting from Gogoat, Natsume sighed. No wonder Ogerpon chose this spot to hide. Even at such a close distance, the hiding place was flawless. If not for Zorua, Natsume doubted he couldve found it himself. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ogerpon, are you home? Ive come to see you! Crouching down, Natsume called into the seemingly small cave ahead. His voice echoed through the tunnel, eventually reaching Ogerpon deep within. Mmmph! Ogerpon froze in place. Like a rusty machine, it slowly turned around, step by hesitant step. That voice... It was Natsume! Natsume was here! Mmmph! But my gift isnt ready yet! Or rather, it feels like Ill never be ready! Clutching its head, Ogerpon looked like the famous painting The Scream come to life. Its entire demeanor radiated anxiety, unease, and a desperate urge to escape reality. Ogerpon? Mmmph... Hearing Natsumes voice from the cave entrance, Ogerpon hesitated briefly before deciding to respond. Picking up a gift it wasnt satisfied withone it even dislikedOgerpon began trudging toward the entrance, taking one hesitant step at a time. Each step felt as heavy as lifting a mountain, requiring immense courage. As it neared the entrance, Ogerpon paused, placing its unwanted gift on the ground. It decided not to bring it out after all. Its not anything important anyway, just like my other collections. Lets just leave it here. Ogerpon resigned itself to the thought, feeling a hint of self-abandonment. Chapter 70: Natsume: Would You Like to Be My Partner? At the entrance of the cave, Natsume and Zorua watched as Ogerpon reluctantly shuffled out of the dark depths step by step. Its unwillingness was written all over its face. "Am I that hard to deal with?" Sharing a glance with Zorua, Natsume, who already understood the situation, feigned a hurt expression. Though he pretended to be upset, the corners of his mouth couldnt help but curl up slightly. Mmmhm! Hearing this, Ogerpon, who had been hanging its head low, immediately perked up and frantically tried to explain to Natsume. It wasnt that it didnt want to see himabsolutely not! It was something else entirely. It definitely wasnt because it disliked Natsume. In its anxious state, Ogerpon didnt notice the faint smile on Natsumes lips or the mischievous glint in Zoruas eyes. Seeing Ogerpons panicked look gave Natsume a slight pang of guiltlike teasing a curious child during the holidays by asking endless questions just to see their flustered reactions. "Alright, alright, I know you dont dislike me." Noticing how close Ogerpon was to tears, Natsume quickly tried to comfort it. Although Zorua had mentioned that Ogerpon wasnt in a great mental state lately, Natsume hadnt expected it to be this sensitive. A single sentence nearly brought it to tears. Feeling the warmth of Natsume''s hand on its head, Ogerpon sniffled and forced its emotions back down. Then, as if embarrassed by its behavior, it tilted its head away, refusing to meet Natsumes eyes. It didnt want anyone, especially someone it cared about, to see such a vulnerable side of itself. After all, crying in front of someone you hold dear feels deeply embarrassing, regardless of age, gender, or species. Ogerpon cared too. "Alright, dont be mad now." Here, I brought you a gift. After calming Ogerpon down, Natsume reached into the small satchel he carried and pulled out a large gift box. Inside was a gift he had prepared especially for Ogerpon. Holding the box, which was almost bigger than itself, Ogerpon hesitated, unsure of what to say. It glanced at the box in its arms and then at Natsume. Suddenly, it felt its tears welling up again, barely under control. For a child accustomed to being alone, the smallest acts of care could unravel them. They might normally be calm, even indifferent in the face of adversity, but when someone extended genuine kindness, it was overwhelming. Do you want to open it and take a look? Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Noticing how Ogerpon used the gift box to hide its face, Natsumes voice instinctively softened. It was hard to be stern with such an endearing Pokmon. If it were Corviknight, Natsume wouldve probably just given it a swift kick to make it act normal. (Corviknight: Why am I always the target?!) Mmmhm! Nodding enthusiastically, Ogerpon set the gift box on the ground and quickly unwrapped it. Inside the large box were two separated compartments. One contained two stacked masks, and the other held an ornate incense burner. As Ogerpon examined the masks, Natsume explained: These two masks are something I found online. Theyre not the ones you lost originally, but their designs are quite similar. I thought you might like them, so I bought them for you. And the other item is a Rose Incense. It not only enhances Grass-type moves but also smells great. The masks had been an unexpected find when Natsume was shopping for gifts. Of course, they werent the original masks Ogerpon had lost. But in the age of the internet, anything was possible. These masks were advertised as replicas of the ones Ogerpon had supposedly lost, and their designs were strikingly similar. As for the Rose Incense, it was exactly as Natsume saidpleasant and functional. Among the many items that boosted Grass-type moves, this one stood out for its aesthetic appeal. After all, a gift should be presentable. It wouldnt make sense to say, Heres a gift, and then pull out something unrecognizable from your pocket. That would be downright bizarre. Do you like it? Watching Ogerpon, who seemed lost in thought, Natsume asked nervously. The truth was, he wasnt very experienced with gift-giving. Back in school, his classmates often seemed to form inexplicably close bondssuddenly staying over at each others houses, becoming best friends, and then just as suddenly drifting apart. Natsume had never really understood those dynamics. Birthday parties? Holiday gifts? Those werent part of his world. He didnt even celebrate his own birthday. Humans were complicated. Compared to them, interacting with Pokmon was much simpler. Mhhmmh! Ogerpon hastily wiped at its face, grabbed one of the masks, and placed it over its own, hiding its current expression. Then it nodded firmly. It loved the gift. As long as it was from Natsume, it would love it. Thats great. Seeing Ogerpons face obscured by the mask, Natsume didnt press further about why it hadnt visited the farm lately. Instead, he started chatting about recent events on the farm. The storage shed where Ogerpon used to play hide-and-seek with Shiny Furret had been renovated. Flowers had been planted around the lake, though it wasnt clear if theyd survive. Sandslash had bought a pack of giant pumpkin seeds online and was eager to plant them. Togepi had gotten itself covered in mud yesterday, leaving footprints all over the house, and ended up being chased down by Minccino. In the end, Minccino had dragged Togepi into the bathroom for a real cleaning sessionwith a showerhead and a scrub brush. True combat bathing. As for why Ogerpon hadnt visited, Zorua had already explainedit had been obsessing over creating the perfect gift for Natsume, only to end up stuck in an endless loop of self-doubt and frustration. Sitting on the ground with Natsumes gift in its arms, Ogerpon quietly listened to his stories. It nodded vigorously and let out little sounds of agreement, showing its complete support for everything Natsume said. No matter what Natsume said, Ogerpon wholeheartedly agreed. So, Ogerpon. Would you like to be my partner? Suddenly, Natsume extended his hand toward Ogerpon and asked. Mhhmm mah?! Ogerpon, who had been nodding absentmindedly, froze in shock. What was going on? It felt like a casual conversation about dinner had suddenly veered into, I want to become a magical girl. This was completely unexpected! Well? What do you say? Would you like to be my partner? Natsume repeated the question, watching the stunned Ogerpon intently. Chapter 71: Looking Forward to Working Together, Ogerpon Throwing a straight balldirect and straightforwardis a high-level yet incredibly effective strategy. Though simple and lacking intricate techniques, mastering this skill isnt common. In countless romance anime, there are only a handful of characters who can wield this approach effectively. Rather than directly expressing feelings, many seem to prefer engaging in a game of back-and-forth probing. Even when a straightforward confession would guarantee success, they insist on dragging it out. Its like fencing, like dancing a tango. Or like playing Nasus in top lane and being kited endlessly by a Vayne. The renowned love theorist Kaguya Shinomiya, who once said, "Love is warwhoever confesses first loses," would argue that the key to winning lies in making the other party confess first. To put it plainly, the one confessing first is essentially offering themselves up as prey for taming. Based on this theory, we often see characters in anime saying things like, Shes cute, but I dont like her, or Id never be with him, only to end up eating their words or crying in a corner, lamenting, I was here first! To such losers, we can only say: Please calm down. Its not the season for White Album anymore. Eris Sawamura, a poster child for such characters, would likely have a lot to say. If necessary, she could write a 100,000-word dissertation titled A Hundred Ways to Lose Despite a Perfect Start. In contrast, theres the straight ball faction. Instead of intricate maneuvers and convoluted tactics, they believe in boldly laying their emotions bare, presenting their feelings openly, and ensuring the other person understands. Love should be shouted out loud! Denji, the uneducated but straightforward protagonist, once declared, "I want to be Miss Makimas dog." He got his wish, being turned into her literal plaything. And then he inherited her dog. Its like a dog owning another doglayers of irony. Anyway, back on topic. Though Natsume lacked romantic experience, his extensive anime-watching history had taught him a vital truth: Hesitation leads to defeat. sea??h th N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thus, he was firmly in the "straight ball" camp, much like how certain generals families have unwavering loyalty to triangular underwear. ...Suo... An unexpected turn of events. Zorua, observing from the sidelines, found the scene utterly riveting. If only there were snacks to munch on while watching this drama unfolditd be perfect. Umma The sudden invitation left Ogerpon flustered. When someone is moved, their judgment often falters. Its akin to proposing marriage when emotions are hightheres a good chance of success. Wait until theyre calm, though, and the odds arent as favorable. Like a four-panel comic where a knight proposes with a ring labeled INT-7. The girl, touched, says, Yes. But after wearing the ring and gaining intelligence, she rethinks and promptly declines. Mhmm, mmm Covering her face, Ogerpons mind raced at unprecedented speed. This was her peak performance, even if her thoughts were absurdWhat pose should I use to say yes? Would accepting immediately seem too eager? If I agree, should I move in with Natsume right away? Amidst the chaos, a shred of logic prevailed. Do I like Natsume? Yes. Is Natsume a good person? Yes. Would joining Natsume bring any downsides? None. Would Natsume treat his Pokmon well? Absolutely. So Is there any reason to refuse? None. Mhmm! The answer was clear! Behind her mask, Ogerpons gaze firmed up, radiating determination. Mhmmm! I pledge my loyalty! (Or something like that.) Im willing to become Natsumes partner! With that, Ogerpon reached out her small hand. Seeing her response, Natsume smiled and extended his hand as well. A large hand and a small hand lightly met in the air. With that, their bond was sealed. If this were a game, youd probably hear some narrator declaring the partnership formed. But this wasnt a game. Here, both humans and Pokmon were alive and real. They werent just cold data or NPCs acting on pre-set logic. When faced with living, breathing Pokmon in this world, even the coldest person would inevitably change. Even the antagonists of the Pokmon world rarely aim for outright destruction. Giovanni sought to overturn the League and reshape the world. The goals of Team Aqua and Team Magma were to expand the sea and land, respectively. By the time of Sword and Shield, Team Yell was just Marnies passionate fan club. Their so-called evil deeds often boiled down to blocking the protagonists journey and creating minor inconveniences. Some even helped people. Thats the kind of villains we have in the Pokmon world. Pulling out a Pok Ball from his bag, Natsume held it up toward Ogerpon. Before he could say anything, Ogerpon took the initiative to press her hand against the button, letting the red light envelop her. The Pok Ball wobbled slightly before clicking into place with a soft chime, signaling a successful capture. Though it was just an ordinary Pok Ball, it now held a mythical Grass-type Pokmon. It felt surreal, like a tabby cat falling for a pure white one. (For those unfamiliar with the analogy: a tabby cat is like Liu Yifei, while a white cat well is like you, dear reader. Crossed out.) Poof! In a flash of light, Ogerpon emerged from the Pok Ball. For her, the Pok Ball wasnt restrictive at all. She had to be careful not to accidentally break the delicate device. Pok Ball: Im full! I cant take it anymore! (Crying). Feeling better? Natsume asked with a smile, watching Ogerpon, now lively and spirited. Mhhmm! Brimming with energy! Good, then lets get along well from now on, Ogerpon. Mhmm! Clutching her precious gift tightly, Ogerpon nodded enthusiastically. Chapter 72: Ogerpon’s Gift Mhmm. After being captured by Natsume, Ogerpon immediately decided to move into the farm. This desolate place was too barren and boring. When it first arrived here, it had chosen this location because it was safeonly a fool would willingly stay here otherwise. People change over time. So do Pokmon. When Ogerpon had first arrived, this place seemed perfect in every way: safe, secluded, and undisturbed. Even if danger arose, it could always dart into the nearby forest to hide. But now, no matter how it looked at this place, Ogerpon couldnt stand it. Barren, remote, with no other Pokmon to talk to. And, worst of all, it was far too far from Natsumes farm! This was the biggest issue for Ogerpon. The rest? Tolerable. But this one thing was absolutely unacceptable. It didnt matter anymore, thoughbecause now it was moving into Natsumes farm! But before that, there was one last thing to do. Moving out. Um-mah! Watching Gardevoir use Psychic to carry out its collection, Ogerpon couldnt help but feel a bit embarrassed. It was like having someone else see your browser history. No, waitmaybe not that bad. To be more precise, it was like being caught by a friend after sending your goddess an essay-length confession in the middle of the night, only to get a red exclamation mark in response. Wait, isnt that about the same? Hmm Mhmm! At Ogerpons insistence, Gardevoir placed its treasures off to the side, letting Ogerpon sort through them itself. Gardevoir was more than happy to comply. If it didnt need to organize them, all the better. Honestly, Gardevoir had no clue how to even begin categorizing those things. Ill help. Natsume knelt beside Ogerpon, offering to help organize the items. Among Ogerpons collection, most were things humans had discarded as trash. Yes, trash. To Ogerpon, though, these discarded items were treasures. Colorful but cheap-looking glass cups, shiny hairpins, a broken and non-functional Pokdexthese human trash items were the centerpieces of Ogerpons collection. Having spent so long avoiding humans and other Pokmon, Ogerpon had no idea whether these things were valuable or even useful. To Ogerpon, they were shiny, interesting, and, therefore, treasures. They were some of the only things it could find without having to get too close to humans. Like the glass bead it had taken from Natsume earlier. Back then, among all the items in that pile, there had been things of actual value. But Ogerpon had still chosen the glass bead that sparkled in the moonlight. At that time, in its eyes, that bead was the most precious treasure. However, after getting to know Natsume, Ogerpon began to understand more about the human world. Through Corviknight, it even got to use a smartphone. Originally, it just wanted to learn some crafting techniques to make a gift for Natsume, but in the process, it accidentally stumbled upon the rich and colorful world of the internet. To be honest, the moment Ogerpon saw the internet, its worldview was completely shattered. It never imagined that the world wasnt limited to forests, villages, or crocodiles baring their teeth by the lake. The world could be so vibrant, so vast. It was then Ogerpon realized it had never truly understood the worldit didnt even feel like it belonged. It was unfamiliar, foreignentirely so. Everything about it screamed of a world that Ogerpon didnt know, a world it could never truly enter. It was like a child from the mountains stepping into a bustling city filled with neon lights for the first time. To see a world it could neither belong to nor tread upon was overwhelming. The shock, coupled with the deep-seated sense of inferiority, could crush a person in an instant. Ogerpons recent slump likely stemmed from this realization: that the treasures it once held dear were nothing more than discarded garbage to others. All done. After helping Ogerpon tidy up its treasures, Natsume stood and dusted off his pants. Ogerpon, meanwhile, silently stared at the objects it had once cherished. Then, without much thought, it stuffed them all into the bag Natsume had brought. Perhaps it would use these items to decorate the room waiting for it at the farm. Or perhaps it would abandon them altogether. But that wasnt for Natsume to meddle in. It was like raising a teenagerthey had their own thoughts. As a parent, your role wasnt to force them to act according to your ideals, but to ensure they didnt stray off the right path while granting them the respect and freedom they deserved. Oh, right. Zorua mentioned you prepared a gift for me. Can I see it? Mhmm! Ogerpon froze, its eyes darting wildly behind its mask. Sar?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ah, the gift. Right, there was that. But it was terrible! So bad that Ogerpon didnt even want to show it! Mhm Mhhmm! Frantically waving its arms, Ogerpon tried to change the subject, diverting Natsumes attention from the utterly embarrassing gift. But no matter what it said, Natsume just smiled patiently and waited. Once Ogerpon finished rambling, Natsume simply added, I see. So, wheres my gift? Um-mah! Finally, Ogerpon gave up. Feigning anger, it lightly kicked Natsumes shin before turning and diving into its den. After a brief rustling, it emerged with A handmade poster? A piece of white paper larger than Ogerpon itself, with wobbly cartoon figures scrawled on it using colored markers. Judging by the colors and distorted outlines, it seemed to depict Natsume and several Pokmon from the farm with whom Ogerpon was close. The poster was decorated with a variety of shiny trinkets. Judging from the creases and marks on the paper, Ogerpon had originally planned to make a pop-up book but had given up due to technical and material limitations. Mhhm! Avoiding Natsumes gaze, Ogerpon raised the poster with a feigned nonchalance. See? This is your gift. Not that its any good, though. Thank you, Ogerpon. I love it. But then, that familiar, comforting hand landed on Ogerpons head again. Peeking up, Ogerpon saw Natsumes usual gentle smilewithout a hint of displeasure. Oh, right. Natsume had always been kind. Watching Natsume carefully tuck away the poster it had poured its heart into, Ogerpon hesitated for a few seconds before suddenly lunging into his arms. Resting its head against Natsumes chest, it stayed there quietly for a few seconds before quickly pulling away. Mhmm. So, what are we doing next? Looking at the nonchalant Ogerpon, Natsume couldnt help but chuckle. How could a gift made with such care ever be disliked? Chapter 73: A Call with Mei and Corviknight’s Spoils Mhmm~ Mhmm~ Leading the way like a small, enthusiastic captain on a school trip, Ogerpon marched at the front of the group. One mask adorned her face, another strapped securely to her back, and she hugged a bundle of fragrant flowers close to her chest. Although Natsume had offered to carry them for her, she refused without hesitation, declaring these were gifts from himpriceless treasures she had to hold herself. This, despite the fact that all her other "treasures" were unceremoniously stuffed into the bag Natsume was carrying. Fur-Furr~ Beside her, the shiny Furret matched her stride, humming an improvised, nonsensical tune. No melody, no rhythm, just a carefree expression of joy. Earlier, when Natsume was talking with Ogerpon, Furret had been watching from the sidelines. Although it had tried to approach several times, Zorua had firmly held it back. This is good drama; dont ruin it, Zorua had warned. Despite Zoruas small frame, its strength was unexpectedly impressiveit pinned Furret to the ground with one paw. Darn it, guess I need to train harder when we get back, Furret had thought bitterly. Looks like everythings okay now, Natsume thought, following behind Ogerpon with a noticeable sense of relief. Before this trip, hed been quite worried about her. Like a teenager stuck in a bout of self-doubt, Ogerpon had been isolating herself, unreachable by others. In such cases, the only thing one can do is gently guide them, hoping they find their own way out. Thankfully, Ogerpon''s condition wasnt too severe. Sure, the colorful, dazzling world shed glimpsed had overwhelmed her. But so what? To her, that world was distant, out of reach, and irrelevant to her present. Right now, the only thing she cared about was living with Natsume. The rest could wait for another day. It wasnt something she needed to concern herself with right now. Zor. Perched smugly atop Gogoats head, Zorua looked utterly satisfied. What a great day. A heartfelt story about a kind-hearted farm boy and a wandering mythical Pokmonit felt like a TV drama brought to life. Now, Zorua had even more tales and gossip to share with the other Pokmon back at the farm. Maybe it could score a few extra Pokblocks while it was at it. The thought filled Zorua with glee. Of course, if Zorua had wanted Pokblocks, it couldve just asked Natsume. He would never refuse. But wheres the fun in that? Conning Pokblocks out of others? Now that was satisfying. You should move around more, you know, Natsume said, poking Zoruas head twice with his finger. At this rate, youre going to get fat. Even Im walking on foot, he thought, and yet this supposedly energetic Pokmon seemed determined to laze around all day. Even now, Zorua was riding on Gogoats head, letting it do all the work. Zor! Zorua protested indignantly. Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Me? Fat? Impossible! My figure is perfectly proportioned. Even if I do gain a little weight, it just means the perfect Pokmon body proportions have changed. Yes, thats it. Perfect proportions are based on me! Zorua thought confidently. Like those debates over the "proper" way to hold a wine glassdidnt Queen Elizabeth once silence the argument with her unique grip? Caw! Corviknight, circling above Natsume, landed gracefully on the ground. It strutted behind him like a rooster, occasionally muttering under its breath. This trip had felt utterly pointless for itno action, no excitement, nothing to do but watch. I even prepared some cool lines... wasted! Still, Natsumes earlier words about heartfelt gifts not being rejected sounded pretty cool. Maybe I should write that one down, Corviknight thought. It decided to add the line to its phones notes later. One more line for the stockpile, it thought, feeling slightly better about the wasted trip. Gardevoir, on the other hand, stayed silent. Using her psychic abilities, she expanded her perception, carefully scanning the surroundings. No movement, no disturbance would escape her. Such was the power of a Psychic-type Pokmon. At the same time, Gardevoir began pondering gifts for her younger sisters back at the farm. If not for Natsume, she mightve forgotten about preparing something for them entirely. As for that idiot brother of hers Gardevoir hesitated. She felt she should prepare something for him, but whenever she thought of his leisurely lifestyle, she grew inexplicably annoyed. Each morning, hed wake up naturally, exercise a bit, then spend the rest of the day in retirement modepatrolling the berry orchard, chatting with Sandslash, fishing by the lake. How irritatingly carefree! she thought. Perhaps... his gift could wait. Its fine, youll have your moment, Natsume reassured Corviknight, who seemed eager for a role. Just as he was about to continue, he felt his pocket buzz. His phone had received a message. Natsume used to keep his phone on silent 24/7there wasnt much point in sound notifications when no one messaged him. Most of the time, it was just ads or spam. But things were different now. There were people and messages he cared about. Caw? Corviknight cocked its head, curious about Natsumes reaction. Whats this? Is Natsume finally falling in love? Was it that girl from before? Because Corviknight spent most of its time watching anime in its room, it was always behind on the latest farm gossip. Yep, you guessed right, Zoruas smug glance seemed to say, as it confirmed Corviknights suspicions. But seriously, get with the times, birdbrain. This 2G internet lifestyle of yours is getting old. Oh, sorry, I got distracted. Snapping out of it, Natsume smiled apologetically and scrolled through his contacts. He found Meis number and dialed. Hello, good afternoon, Mei. His voice was light and relaxed as the call connected. Chapter 74: Next Week’s Guest and Heading Home "Suo?" Watching Natsume step aside to make a phone call, Zorua tilted its head in confusion. Do you think our Pokmon hearing is bad? At this distance, even if you step ten meters farther away, we can still hear every word loud and clear. It wasnt just Zorua. The other Pokmon nearby also had their ears perked up, secretly eavesdropping on Natsumes conversation. Leading the group of snooping Pokmon were Ogerpon and Corviknight. Ogerpon, having just been captured and still very curious about Natsume, wanted to know more about him. As for Corviknight... it was purely driven by gossip and curiosity. This bird had an insatiable appetite for gossip and loved sharing rumors. Whenever it caught wind of juicy news, it couldn''t resist spreading it around. No worries, no worries. It was just a minor setback, Natsume said. Youve already surpassed so many others. Although the Pokmon couldnt hear the entire conversation, Zorua managed to piece together the gist: It seemed like that girl, Mei, had lost a battle and called Natsume to vent her frustration. Well, that was pretty normal. When people fail, they often need someone to talk to. Expressing oneself is just one way of dealing with setbacks. When faced with frustration or failure, everyone has their own way of coping. Some choose to vent, others opt for a trip, while a few might simply sleep it off. For Zorua, its method was a bit unique. Last week, it played chess with Togepi. Upon realizing it was on the verge of losing, it "accidentally" flipped the chessboard in a single swift move. Not only did it avoid losing, but it also relieved its stress. Two birds with one stone! Of course, Zorua explained the incident as a mere slip of the pawnot because it couldn''t handle losing. Me? A proud Pokmonno, a proud fox! How could I possibly be a sore loser? Alright, alright, dont be upset. Get stronger, and then give them a good thrashing next time. The Gym isnt going anywhere. Natsume clumsily tried to comfort Mei on the other end of the call. He knew he wasnt great at consoling people. Everyone has things they arent good at, and for Natsume, comforting others was definitely one of them. Whenever he had to cheer someone up, he felt like tying himself to a lamppost out of sheer embarrassment. I mean, do I really give off the vibe of someone whos good at comforting people? Why does everyone come to me with their problems?! sea??h th N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Natsume just couldnt figure it out. Got it, Mei replied on the other end, nodding vigorously. After wiping her nose, she made an effort to pull herself together. Honestly, it wasnt just the loss that upset Mei so much. As a Trainer, losing to someone stronger is par for the course. Its the same with Gym battles. Its not like she was some invincible prodigy, guaranteed to win every match. But still... losing stung. By the way, Natsume, I was hoping you could do me a favor, Mei hesitated, sounding a little embarrassed. Id like Corviknight to help train my Pokmon, especially in terms of mental toughness and handling pressure. Apparently, the trash talk during her battle had really gotten under her skin, leaving her feeling defeated and frustrated. No problem at all, Natsume agreed without hesitation, glancing at Corviknight, who was still busy eavesdropping. He had been looking for something to keep this lazy bird, who spent all day binge-watching anime upstairs, occupied. This seemed like the perfect opportunity. After all, theres nothing more exhausting than babysitting. Meis team lineup, Natsume recalled, consisted of several challenging personalities. Servine was aloof and composed, so it wouldnt be much trouble. But Tepig and Dewott were a different story. Tepig was overly energetic and loved to recklessly spit flames everywhere. Dewott, on the other hand, kept to itself, training silently and barely interacting with others. The last member, Steenee, who had recently evolved from Bounsweet, seemed easygoing enough. However, Natsume predicted that the moment Steenee arrived at the farm, it would rush to reunite with its old friends in the Steenee group. Trying to enforce strict training under such circumstances would be tricky, especially in front of its family. Even with the excuse of its for your own good, it wouldnt go over well. Caw? Corviknights expression froze mid-eavesdrop. Wait, what? How did this become my responsibility?! Im just here for the gossip! But then it reconsidered. Mei had specifically asked for its help, which was a clear sign of trust and recognition. Training Pokmon, trash-talking them, and keeping them on their toes? That was right up its alley! Corviknights mood flipped instantly, and a sly grin spread across its beak. Caw, caw, caw! Its mischievous laugh, however, wasnt exactly a crowd-pleaser. Alright then, see you next week, Natsume said before hanging up the phone. Turning around, he noticed the Pokmon behind him awkwardly pretending not to have been eavesdropping. When Natsumes gaze landed on them, Corviknight and the others quickly averted their eyes, avoiding eye contact. Getting caught snooping was just a little too embarrassing. Zorua, however, stared back at him boldly, its expression saying, Yeah, I listened. So what? What are you gonna do about it? But because Zorua was perched on Gogoats head, when Gogoat turned its head, Zorua was forced to turn away as well, breaking eye contact. Suo? Zorua spun back around to face Natsume, looking curious. So, whats the deal? Mei will be staying at the farm next week for some special training, Natsume explained. Not sure how long shell stay, though. When we get back, lets make sure the guest room is cleaned up. Smiling, Natsume didnt dwell on the topic. Instead, he turned his attention to Ogerpon, who was happily gesturing with its mask up ahead. Earlier, Ogerpon had mentioned that Ghost-type Pokmon like Phantump, Misdreavus, and Yamask tended to show up in this area at night. Although Ogerpon didnt know their exact names, its descriptions matched these Pokmon closely. Among them, Natsume was particularly interested in Misdreavusfor no other reason than its cuteness. In this world, cuteness is justice. Adorable Pokmon always get preferential treatment. He planned to return at night and see if he could catch some Ghost-types. But for now, it was time to head home. Alright, everyone, lets go home. Chapter 75: Ogerpon Joins the Farm and Cinccino’s Evolution After returning to the farm with his Pokmon companions, Natsume quickly gathered everyone to announce the addition of Ogerpon to the farm. Hmm, the phrasing felt oddly reminiscent of clickbait headlines like XXX joins Platform Y! that frequently trend online. Those are usually a dead giveaway that some platform spent a hefty sum to invite a celebrity or influencer no one has really heard of. Much like those comments reading xx, xxxxxxxx, which always mean another top-lane player has lost their cherished account. The arrival of Ogerpon was warmly welcomed by the farm''s residents. After all, they were already quite familiar with one another. Shiny Furret and Togepi, in particular, had built a good rapport with Ogerpon. Well, at least Togepi thought they had. The mischievous little Pokmon often tried to drag Ogerpon into its pranks. But despite Togepi''s enthusiasm, Ogerpon wasnt particularly fond of mischiefit simply didnt know how to say no, so it kept getting dragged along. On the other hand, Shiny Furret genuinely shared a great bond with Ogerpon. Though calling them two little ones felt misleadingShiny Furret was now taller than Natsume when standing upright, starting to resemble a certain blue weasel from next door. "Brother, you smell amazing." Meow~ As the farms second-in-command, Persian was the first to welcome Ogerpon. Being second only to Natsume, Persian was undoubtedly the leader among the Pokmon on the farm. Partly due to its special place in Natsume''s heart, but also because of its strength. Previously, Persian was unquestionably the strongest on the farm. It could easily handle any challenger lining up for a fight with a single swipe. However, Ogerpon''s arrival had altered that dynamic. Though they hadnt battled, Ogerpon, being a mythical Grass-type Pokmon, clearly outclassed ordinary Pokmon in stats and raw physical prowess. Even pseudo-legendary Pokmon would seem frail compared to Ogerpon. Yet Persian didnt appear to mind at all. With Persian setting the tone, the other Pokmon naturally had no objections. Emolga. Just then, Emolga returned from an outing, clutching several berries in its paws. These berries were gifts from its admirers on the farm. Though there had been many more, Emolga had carefully picked out only a few that suited its taste. Of course, it told its suitors, "These are enough for me. You can keep the rest; no need to go out of your way." The poor Pokmon were so moved they nearly handed over their entire stockpile, including their last reserves. To welcome the new addition, Emolga chose its favorite berry and offered it to Ogerpon, signaling for it to have a taste. Ogerpon accepted the berry and took a tentative bite. The sweet flavor exploded on its tongue. Delicious. Its eyes squinted in delight. Seeing Ogerpons reaction, Emolga was pleased as well, and the two quickly became good friends. Watching the two chat happily on the couch, Natsume turned and began rummaging through the gifts he had tucked away in Persians den, preparing to hand them out. Minccino! Holding a smaller gift box, Natsume called out toward the attic. At this time of day, Minccino was probably upstairs cleaning. Natsume had even heard the distinct tap-tap-tap of its footsteps earlier. By now, Natsume could proudly say he could recognize his Pokmon by their footsteps. Before Lopunny evolved, he could easily distinguish between Minccino and Bunearys footsteps simply from the subtle differences. It wasnt a talentjust something he picked up from listening to them so often. Thud. Tap-tap-tap Mi? After a heavy object hit the floor with a thud, there was a series of light, rapid steps. Minccinos little gray head peeked out from the attic entrance. This is a little gift for you, Natsume said, holding up the gift box and beckoning Minccino over. Mi-mi? Another gift? Didnt you already give me one? Minccino tilted its head in confusion. Not that it was complainingit loved the previous gift. Was this an extra one? How generous! This is a special surprise gift for you, Natsume explained. Come check it out. Hearing this, Minccinos eyes lit up instantly. It bounded down the stairs, skipping steps as it went. Mi! As usual, it nuzzled against Natsumes wrist before eagerly accepting the gift box and tearing it open. Inside, under the wrapping, was a transparent case holding a shimmering gem. This is a Shiny Stone, Natsume explained. It will allow you to evolve into Cinccino. If you want to evolve, just touch it. He hesitated for a moment before adding, But Natsume originally wanted to remind Minccino to think carefully before deciding to evolve. After all, evolution was irreversible. Many Pokmon chose not to evolve, and while Natsume had subtly confirmed that Minccino wasnt against evolving, it was still better to double-check. Before he could finish his sentence, however, Minccino had already ripped open the case and slapped its paw on the Shiny Stone without a moments hesitation. The next second, a radiant white light enveloped its small frame. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Shiny Stone gradually shrank, dissolving into energy that fueled Minccinos evolution. When the light faded, a new Pokmon stood before him. So youve been waiting to evolve for a while, huh, Cinccino? Natsume chuckled as he observed the newly-evolved Cinccino examining its body with curiosity. It looked like a taller, more elegant version of Minccino, with longer, more luxurious fur. Its long tail was covered in fine, silky hair, and two tufts of fur draped over its head like a scarf. It resembled an aristocratic lady, brimming with elegance and charm. The internet had always said Cinccinos fur felt exceptionally smooth to the touch. Natsume could now confirm that this was absolutely true. Cinno. Feeling its newly-evolved form, Cinccino was clearly delighted. This newfound power! Its intoxicating! How could anyone not adjust to their evolved form? Right, Corviknight? After cuddling with Natsume for a while, Cinccino darted off to share the joy of its evolution with its friends. Moments like these deserved to be shared immediately! Once Cinccino left, Natsume dug out another box. This one contained a gift for Slowpoke. All right, time to find Slowpoke, he said. Chapter 76: The King’s Rock and the Wild Shellder Appears! The Pokmon on Natsumes farm were always a bit peculiar, with distinct personalities and strong opinions. This was something Natsume had long come to understand. Even Slowpoke, typically known for being slow-witted, sometimes displayed remarkable wisdom. One sunny afternoon, Natsume was lounging by the lakeside with his shiny Furret in his arms, basking in the sun. Out of boredom, he struck up a conversation with Slowpoke. To call it a conversation was a bit of a stretchNatsume was mostly talking to himself. After all, one couldnt realistically expect to have a smooth exchange with a Slowpoke. Even though Natsume could understand Pokmon speech, that didnt mean the Pokmon could always understand him. Slowpokes general response seemed to be: What youre saying is too profound; I dont quite get it. Whenever Natsume started a new topic, it usually took Slowpoke a good while to process what he had said. But when Natsume casually brought up Slowpokes potential evolution, it showed a surprisingly excited reaction. Slowpoke, do you think youll evolve into a Slowking or a Slowbro in the future? Natsume had asked lazily, his shiny Furret resting in his lap. If you want to become a Slowking, Ill need to get you a Kings Rock. If Natsume had to choose, hed definitely prefer Slowking. With its sharp rise in intelligence, communication would become much easier. He hadnt expected Slowpoke to respond. Typically, it would take another minute or two for Slowpoke to even realize what was being discussed. But to Natsumes surprise, Slowpoke responded almost instantly. Slow~ I want to evolve into a Slowking, it said, lying calmly beside Natsume. Huh? Startled, Natsume sat up and removed his Psyduck-themed sleep mask, staring at Slowpoke. Slowpoke, in turn, gazed back at him with an unusually wise and serene expression. Slow. Slowking, the smart one, it clarified after a few seconds, as if afraid Natsume didnt understand. Sear?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sometimes I really dont know what to make of you... Natsume sighed, unsure how to respond. He had noticed early on that this Slowpoke was different from others of its kindparticularly when it came to intelligence. Most of the time, it behaved like a typical Slowpoke: slow to react, seemingly clueless, and prone to bizarre actions, like fishing with its tail only to have it yanked into the water by the fish. It had plenty of antics that could make your blood pressure spike. But occasionally, it displayed behavior that was far from slow. Like now. Fast forward to today, Natsume walked toward the lake, carrying a small gift box. The contents were obviousit could only be a Kings Rock. This particular Kings Rock hadnt been easy to acquire. Unlike evolutionary stones like the Dawn Stone, the Kings Rock also served as a held item. Its Pokdex description read: When held, it may cause the target to flinch after being hit. In simple terms, it granted a chance to inflict a flinch status on opponents, and with multi-hit moves, each hit had its own probability of triggering the effect. I wonder if Slowpoke is ready to evolve, Natsume mused. To evolve, Slowpoke not only needed the Kings Rock but also a Shellder. If its tail was bitten, it would evolve into Slowbro. If the Kings Rock was equipped and its head was bitten, it would evolve into Slowking. Both evolutions had a base stat total of 490, with Slowbro excelling in physical defense and Slowking in special defense. Before the introduction of Mega Evolution, most trainers favored Slowking due to its higher intelligence and overall utility in both battles and daily life. However, after Mega Evolution became a thing, Slowbros Mega Form earned it more fans. Good afternoon, Mr. Slowpoke. Your package has arrived! Natsume called out to Slowpoke, who was lazily fishing by the lakeside. Package? What package? Drowsy from basking in the warm sunlight, Slowpoke was momentarily dazed. Then, as if struck by a sudden epiphany, its eyes lit up. The package! It must be the Kings Rock! Realizing this, Slowpoke shot up and sprinted toward Natsume with a speed that seemed entirely uncharacteristic of its species. It looked almost like a Husky dashing toward its owner. Alright, alright, here you go. Amused by Slowpokes eager expression, Natsume couldnt help but laugh. It was the first time hed seen such emotion in Slowpokes usually vacant eyes. Normally, it wore an expression that seemed to say, Oh, youre so smart, good for you. But now, it seemed genuinely invested. Slow. Slowpoke plopped down on the ground and began tearing into the gift wrap, its tail wagging faintly behind it. Dont litter. Slow. Dont worry, Ill clean it up later. Really? Slow. Nope. After unwrapping the box, Slowpoke stared at the somewhat cheap-looking crown inside. For a moment, its emotions seemed to fluctuate, but it quickly regained composure. Carefully placing the crown on its head, it stood up, as though trying to sense some new power. Do you feel anything? Natsume asked curiously. Slow. Not really, I just wanted to change my pose. It glanced at Natsume with an expression that was either exasperated or sarcastic, as if to say, How could you expect me to feel anything? Its just a crown, not actual royalty. Youre really dropping the act now, huh? Natsume chuckled. Slow? I have no idea what youre talking about. Crown on its head, Slowpoke tilted its head and stuck out its tongue, fully adopting its usual dimwitted persona. Seeing Slowpokes playful antics, Natsume didnt press further. Well, now that youve got the Kings Rock, you just need a Shellder to complete the evolution. Do you need my help? Slow. No need. Im ready for this. Shaking its head, Slowpoke signaled for Natsume to follow it to the lakeside. Once there, Slowpoke slapped the waters surface with its tail. Slow~ Its drawn-out call echoed as if summoning something. Moments later, ripples spread across the water, and a wild Shellder leaped out! Chapter 77: Slowpoke and Uxie After leaping out of the lake, the Shellder scanned the shore. Upon spotting the Kings Rock atop the Slowpokes head, its expression shifted to one of understanding. So thats how it was. Clacking its shell, the Shellder hopped to Slowpokes side and quietly awaited its destined moment. After evolution, it would become part of another Pokmon. Though it would retain its own thoughts, it could no longer move, speak, or express emotions. It would exist like a repulsive parasite, growing by siphoning nutrients from the Slowpoke. No longer an independent being, but a mere component of another creature. Such a future felt suffocating just to imagine. Yet the Shellder seemed utterly calm, as if it had long prepared itself for thiseven welcoming it eagerly. So youve already made arrangements and even convinced it willingly. Natsume watched the Shellder lingering near the Slowpoke, seemingly in a daze, and felt surprised. He knew this Slowpoke was clever, but hadnt expected it to procure its own Shellder for evolution in advanceand to tame the creature into willingly becoming its component. Yes, component. No matter how kindly phrased, Slowpokes evolution required a Shellders cooperation. All the Shellders past joys, sorrows, and efforts would vanish the moment evolution took hold. No one would remember the Shellder; theyd only think of Slowking. Thus, trainers rarely allowed their own Shellder to evolve their Slowpoke. Even wild Shellder avoided this fateunless driven by insatiable hunger (scratch that). Of course, in some ways, this might be a good outcome for the Shellder? After evolving into Slowbro, it would no longer hunt or struggle to survive, instead waking daily to savor sweet secretions from Slowbros tail. Slow. I simply explained the situation. Perhaps because evolution neared, Slowpoke shed its usual vacant demeanor. The act was no longer necessary. Alright. Noticing Slowpokes disinterest in conversation, Natsume stepped back to give it space. The Slowpoke, adorned with the Kings Rock, glanced at the Shellder at its feet. Slow? Do you have any last wishes? The Shellder shook its head calmly. It had none. Even before drifting to the farms lake and meeting Slowpoke, its days had been meaningless: eating seaweed, hiding, sleepingan endless cycle of survival for survivals sake. Now, at least, it had found purpose. Slow. Then let us evolve. Slowpoke lowered its head, offering it to the Shelldera gesture that left it visibly uneasy. This felt like surrendering its life to another creature. Uncomfortable. CRACK! Without hesitation, the Shellder clamped onto Slowpokes head. In the next instant, evolutions radiant light erupted Natsumes second evolution witnessed that day. No matter how often seen, this brilliance never lost its awe. Perhaps this is lifes true miracle. Within the light, Slowpokes face flickered with rare excitement. It had waited so long for this moment. Finally evolution! Memories surged Slowpoke had always been unusual. It knew this well. While others in its tribe mindlessly fished with their tails by the lake, it had pondered its future. But it hadnt always been special. Once, it was just another Slowpoke in the herd, waking daily to scavenge berries, following the crowd, its mind a fog. That era was one it preferred to forgetnot because of its peers, but because it couldnt bear remembering its own past idiocy. Like humans cringing at their teenage selves, it refused to revisit those dark ages. Everything changed one midnight. Hunger drove it into a canyon, where Psychic-types gathered Lunatone and Solrock most numerous. Bathed in moonlight, they performed an eerie ritual, as if summoned by unseen forces. In the canyons heart, Grumpig danced strangely, Meowstic chanted, Musharna exhaled pink mist. Sigilyph guarded the rite, while Reuniclus ferried materials. Under the guidance of Lunatone and Solrock, moonlight and other unseen forces coalesced into nearly tangible rays of light, funneling into a gemstone at the valleys heart. All proceeded orderly until the brainless Slowpoke blundered in. Uncomprehending, it spotted berries and lunged. Under the hollow gazes of the Psychic horde, it devoured a berry and kicked aside a frozen Reuniclus blocking its path. Then It remembered little. Only that the ritual spiraled out of control. Agony seared its bodyas if bursting. Something flooded into it; something else drained out. Warmth spreadBlood, it realized belatedly. Am I dying? That was its final thought before darkness took it. Yet upon waking, it lay unharmed by a mirror-clear lake. Slow? Confused, it discovered newfound Psychic power: a crushing telekinetic force erupting at will uncontrollable, destructive. Attempting to pluck a berry obliterated the entire tree. As it rampaged, a breeze stirred. A small Pokmon emerged from the lakea gray-bodied, red-gemmed creature resembling a mythic lake sprite. Slow? Who are you? Slowpoke tilted its head. So tiny. Cant see clearly. Unleashed Psychic energy surged toward the creature. Disaster! Slowpoke panicked but couldnt stop ityet the energy dissolved upon contact, vanishing like snow in sunlight. I am Uxie. The voice resonated in Slowpokes mind. The floating Uxie drew near. You disrupted a ritual last night. The surge nearly destroyed you. I brought you here. Now, youll learn to control this power. Without awaiting consent, Uxie lifted a paw. Slowpoke floated helplessly into the air, its Psychic abilities inert despite its thrashing. I considered sealing your power until you evolved into Slowking, Uxie mused, but teaching you now will save future trouble. Stay here. Youll be fed. Slowpoke scratched its head. Howd you know I was hungry? Can you read minds? Uxie didnt answer. (Of course it could.) Lonely from silence, Uxie began sharing countless tales during their time together. Thus, Slowpoke pieced together the truth: A Pokmon named Deoxys sought to awaken its kin, hypnotizing Psychic-types to fuel a ritual. Slowpokes interruptionkicking a crucial Reunicluscombined with Uxies clash against Deoxys, had funneled the rituals energy into Slowpoke. Uxies ally had barely stabilized it. In the end, Deoxyss rage forced Uxie to flee with help from friends. The hypnotized Psychic-types remained in the energy-rich canyona minor paradise for their kind. Through Uxie, Slowpokes intelligence grew. So itchy feels like Im growing a brain. Life was peaceful, idyllic. Slowpoke cherished it. Uxie once described its possible evolutions: four forms, including regional variantsa promising future. Slowpoke resolved to become Slowking: not just for its latent power, but because Uxie called it the wisest form. Uxie is wise. I want to be like Uxie. It had come to view Uxie as a dear friend. But one day, tranquility shattered. Uxie urgently spouted incomprehensible words, sealed Slowpokes unstable power, and flung it far away, saying, The seal breaks upon evolution. Slowpoke tried returning, but found only scorched earthcracked ground, dried lake. After a month, it accepted Uxies absence. Leaving a crude marker of stones and twigs, it embarked on a journey, seeking Uxie while chasing evolution. Along the way, it met a homeless Mudkipa tiny refugee. Slowpoke took it in, mirroring Uxies kindness. Later, they encountered a human: Hello. Im Natsume, the owner of this farm. Initially, it planned to leave Mudkip at the farm and resume its quest alone. But circumstancesand Mudkips attachmentkept it there. Guess Ive grown attached too. Besides, wandering aimlessly seemed futile. Maybe this human, Natsume, can help. When Natsume later discussed evolution, Slowpoke doubted hed procure the rare Kings Rockyet he did. Now, as the evolution glow faded, Sar?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Natsumes voice rang out: Congratulations Slowking. Eyes opened, Slowking made its grand debut. Chapter 78: Slowking: Power Surge! After evolution, Slowking looked quite different from before. It now stood on two legs, with an orange-and-white umbrella-like structure around its neck and its hands clasped behind its back, giving off the air of a supervising leader. The Shellder on its head had its eyes on the back, near the base of Slowkings skull, while a red gem adorned the front. If pre-evolution Slowpoke was the type that seemed clueless and foolish to everyone, post-evolution Slowking was the type that seemed to regard everyone else as fools. After all, research showed that evolved Slowpoke possessed intelligence rivaling that of top human scientists. It also boasted extraordinary wisdom and creativity. Many leading scholars in various fields today had Slowking as partners. Whether battling as a trainers Pokmon, managing industries, or conducting scientific research, Slowking excelled. However, owning a Slowking came with a downside: daily intellectual disdain. Not directed at any one personSlowking disdained everyone equally. Slow. Its cry now carried a sense of gravitas, like a wise sage brimming with knowledge. In ancient tribes, Slowking was indeed revered as a prophetthough Slowking itself disliked such treatment. After all, being seen as a prophet by a bunch of monkeys wasnt exactly flattering (scratch that). Congratulations, Slowking. Natsume offered his congratulations, to which Slowking responded with a nod before closing its eyes again. It focused inward, sensing the power within. Its hands, previously behind its back, now extended forward as an overwhelming surge of psychic energy erupted. Even pure Psychic-types specializing in mental power would find this staggering. The energy manifested as a visible blue glow, enveloping the farm in an instant. Under this power, every corner of the farm became clear to Slowkings vision. The training Shiny Furret, the Corviknight hiding figurines in its room, the Tidy Up-loving Cinccino, and a Zorua floating in the living room, eating chips and reading manga? What the heck is that? Before Slowking could figure out this peculiar Zorua, another Pokmon appeared before it. Gallade! Radiating a sharp aura unlike its usual calm, Gallades arm glowed with the light of Sacred Sword, ready to strike at the first sign of hostility. Its raised arm paused upon seeing Natsume. This brief hesitation gave Gallade time to assess the situation. Hmm, Natsume and a bipedal Slowpoke. Is this the evolved form of that Slowpoke? Whats that on its head? A seashell? Isnt that going to cause neck problems? And whats that around its neck? A lifebuoy? A bib? An Elizabethan collar? In that brief moment, countless questions flooded Gallades mind. But one thing was clear: this Pokmon wasnt an enemy. After all, it hadnt restrained Natsume with Psychic power, nor had Natsume beaten it to a pulp. So, peaceful coexistence? With that thought, Gallades sharp aura softened slightly. But the glow of Sacred Sword remained, ready to slice this pink creature into sashimi and serve it in its own shell at the first sign of trouble. Relax, Gallade. This is Slowking. Seizing the moment, Natsume quickly explained. As he spoke, Gardevoir teleported to his side, and a small gray fox emerged from the bushes. Natsume took the opportunity to explain to all three. After hearing the explanation, the Pokmon relaxedexcept Zorua, who had been relaxed from the start. Gallade dispelled the glow from its arm. Still, this guys Psychic power is insane. Is it some Legendary or Mythical Pokmon pretending to be ordinary? Gallade couldnt help but suspect, given how absurd it soundedthough not entirely unprecedented. Not my problem, though. Shaking its head, Gallade returned to its usual lazy demeanor. Gardevoir. Got it. Ill head back to training now. With a nod to Natsume, Gardevoir teleported back to the small workshop. Natsume had since moved his workspace next to the new house, leaving the old one for Gardevoir to practice making Pokblocks. Yes, Gardevoir was learning to make Pokblocks from Natsume. That way, it could make its favorite flavors whenever it wanted. Gardevoir claimed it was to help Natsume share the workload. Natsume was fine with Gardevoir using the workshop, especially since hed asked Butterfree to keep an eye on things. Slow. After Gallade and Gardevoir left, Slowking opened its eyes. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It had already adapted to its new power. After all, this energy had always been within it, and it had practiced controlling it under Uxies guidance. Now, with evolution, it had fully mastered it. The delay was due to a message from Uxie that surfaced alongside the unsealed power. After digesting the message, Slowking fell silent for a moment before refocusing. Slow. Natsume, can you assign me some tasks? Managing the farm or handling accountsanythings fine. Hands still behind its back, Slowking glanced at the Zorua playfully crouching at Natsumes feet before asking softly. Despite the immense power it had gained, Slowkings demeanor seemed unchangedat least on the surface. Sure. Ive been feeling a bit overwhelmed managing the farm lately. Ill be counting on you, Slowking. Natsume agreed without hesitation. He trusted Slowking to handle farm management. Slow. Dont worry, Natsume. With a slight bow, Slowkings tone remained as calm as ever. Uxie, it seems Ill be staying here for a long time. I hope the next time we meet, Ill surprise you. Chapter 79: Is Your Persian Even Legal? And Mei’s Arrival After evolving, Slowking felt as if a switch in its brain had been flipped. Its thoughts were much clearer, and its reactions were noticeably faster. It was as if a foggy pane of frosted glass had been replaced with a perfectly clear one. Everything in its vision became sharp and distinct. This newfound clarity also allowed Slowking to perceive things it couldnt before. Take that clearly abnormal Zorua, for instanceno need to mention its oddities further. Then there was that Ogerpon that came by today, a Pokmon that seemed incredibly powerful. Whats more, there was a faint sense of something about Ogerpon that resembled Uxie, which left Slowking with a favorable impression of it, even though Ogerpon didnt yet know Slowking personally. And then there was the one standing right before it. Slowkings signature everyone looks like an idiot to me gaze locked onto the cat-like glare of a Pokmon with an air of feline superiorityone that naturally regarded everyone else as beneath it. For a brief moment, neither Slowking nor the Persian said a word. It felt like the two were engaged in some sort of staring contest. Finally, Slowking broke the silence. Slow. Meow. The tension between the two Pokmon quickly dissipated as Slowking took the initiative to speak. The two began chatting away, utterly ignoring the humans around them. Their conversation? It was mostly mutual praise: Ill be counting on you in the future, No, no, I should be saying that to you, and other such trivialities. Nothing of much substance, honestly. Afterward, Slowking turned to look at Natsume beside it. Since Natsume had said hed help familiarize Slowking with the farms management, they were currently doing a tour of the area. Slowking listened intently as Natsume explained the key points to running the farm. Managing a farm was a first for Slowking, so it figured it had better take the time to learn. Naturally, that also meant interacting with the other Pokmon on the farm. The ones it had seen so far hadnt made much of an impression on it. To be fair, they were all ordinary Pokmon, nothing particularly remarkable. Even the shiny Pokmon were treated by Slowking with a calm indifference. That was, until it saw Persian. Hold on a second. Is this Persian even legal? Slowking, whose evolved form had left it feeling a little self-important, suddenly felt grounded as it laid eyes on Persian. Just looking at Persians stance, it was obvious how absurdly strong it was. It wasnt joking. At first glance, Slowking didnt think much of Persian. Oh, just a normal Pokmon, it thought. Persiana second-stage evolution, Normal-type. Nothing flashy about it. Sure, it was fast, but its other attributes Average. Even as a high-speed attacker, it would struggle to excel. Its move pool was decent, offering good coverage, but it lacked a defining, decisive move. That was Slowkings initial assessment. As such, it didnt pay Persian much attention at first. It only gave Persian a second glance because it happened to be Natsumes earliest companion. And then, Slowking noticed something was off. Wait a minute. This Persian doesnt feel entirely legal. Through its psychic perception, Slowking became certain that, purely in terms of physical condition, Persian was unparalleled among the Pokmon on the farm. Even Ogerpon might only barely hold its own in a contest of strength. Seriously, is this Persian even legal? Youre the last Pokmon qualified to say that, Natsume remarked. Slowking glanced at Natsume, feeling wronged. It wasnt wrongWater/Psychic-type Pokmon or not, its psychic powers were leagues beyond anything Natsume had ever encountered. The moment it evolved, its mental energy expanded to cover the entire farm. Youre the least legal one here, okay? As for Persian? Having followed Natsume for over a decade, Persian had been fed a variety of Pokblocks for just as long. This included the highly experimental batches Natsume made during his edgy phase when he aspired to become the worlds greatest Pokblock craftsman. Under such nurturing conditions, wasnt it only natural for Persian to be incredibly strong? Yadon. No way. This thing isnt just strongits downright terrifying. Its HP and SP stats are off the charts. While replying to Natsume, Slowking absentmindedly scrolled through information on its phone. It was studying human knowledge. Based on something it just read online, this Persian was like a character from a martial arts comic. It had abandoned fancy techniques and special moves, focusing instead on building up raw strength and endurancemaxing out its HP and SP bars, then relying on basic attacks and sheer willpower. Yadon? Slowkings fingers froze mid-scroll as it raised its head to glance toward the farms entrance. What is it, Slowking? Natsume, who had been explaining details about the berry grove, looked at Slowking curiously. He couldnt figure out what was on its mind now. Honestly, Natsume missed the pre-evolution Slowpoke. It had been much cuter. Now, after evolving, Slowking was distinctly less adorable. Worse, it kept asking questions he couldnt answer. Like: Whats the meaning of life? How do you survive the heat of the Big Bang? Why are human preferences so bizarre and varied? Could a nuclear explosion perfectly cook a pizza in a specific spot? Do dogs think theyve met a cop when they see a police dog? Natsume couldnt answer a single one. It felt like Slowking was constantly exposing the gaps in his knowledge. Slow. Slowkings psychic senses picked up someone approaching the farm. Its a visitora very cute girl. Scratching its chin, Slowking casually mentioned this while wondering if it should create a forum account for itself. Sure, it could use telepathyand now, after evolving, it was getting pretty good at it too. But telepathy required effort, and since Natsume understood its speech just fine, Slowking didnt see the point in overexerting itself. Sear?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yes, Slowking had quickly embraced Natsumes philosophy of Why use your brain if you can let it rust? Doubt! Understand! Transcend! A girl? Oh, its Mei. Mei had mentioned earlier that shed be coming to train at Natsumes farm for a while. Slow? Do you need me to come with you? Are you sure you wont get nervous? Slowking looked at Natsume with concern. Based on what it had read online, boys like Natsumewho had never dated, had few female friends, and small social circlestended to get nervous around girls. They were also easily manipulated by them. Just look at Denji from Chainsaw Man. Slowking worried that its new trainer might get deceived by a bad woman. Ill be fine. But if youre really that worried, you can come along. Natsume couldnt help but laugh at Slowkings concern. What kind of image do you have of me, anyway? Slow? A shy, innocent country boy who blushes when talking to girls? The type youd see in manga, with an untainted smile unspoiled by knowledge? Youre overthinking it. Slow. I think it fits pretty well. Meanwhile, Mei was at the farms entrance, chatting with a Servine. Chapter 80: Mei Refuses to Comment on Natsume’s Taste "Servine, this is where we''ll be staying for a while," Mei said, pulling her small suitcase and looking at the farm before her with a mix of nostalgia and surprise. It hadnt been that long since shed left, yet the farm seemed to have undergone significant changes. Even from this distance, she could spot Wooloo and Mareep leisurely wandering around. Overhead, a shiny golden Pidgeotto soared, leading a flock of Pidgey and other Pidgeotto. The last time Mei had visited, the Mightyena family was just the parents and three rambunctious Poochyena pups. Now, the pups had all grown into Mightyena themselves, with two clearly inheriting their fathers chaotic, husky-like demeanor. "Hmph." The Servine at Mei''s feet crossed its arms, wearing a sullen expression. Ever since its loss during a gym battle, it had been sulking. It wasn''t just the loss that stungit was also realizing that the carefully crafted taunts it had prepared for the enemy were ineffective. To be fair, Mei had always shielded her Servine from harsh realities. As a result, it had little experience with biting comebacks. Its attempts at "trash talk" were more like harmless remarks compared to the razor-sharp retorts of Pokmon like Corviknight. This realization had fueled Servine''s resolve. It was determined to seek out that foul-mouthed "junkyard bird" for guidance. Not that it liked the bird or anythingthis was purely a practical decision. For the time being, it begrudgingly decided to view Corviknight as a fellow Pokmon rather than the annoyance it usually considered it. "Let me call Natsume and let him know we''ve arrived," Mei said, pulling out her phone with a sly smile. She messaged Natsume every day, so by all logic, he shouldve known she was coming today. However, Mei had kept her actual arrival date a secret, planning to surprise him. "Hmph," Servine huffed, choosing not to comment on her antics. The call connected, but before Mei could hear Natsume''s voice, a peculiar ringtone echoed nearby. "Ribbit-ribbit-ribbit" A bizarre, almost comically absurd sound rang out. Looking up, Mei saw Natsume standing right in front of her, with a Slowking by his side. "Natsume!" "Long time no see, Mei." "Cant you please change that ringtone?" Mei asked, exasperation evident in her tone. She had wanted to complain about it for ages. The "music" wasnt music at allit sounded like a frog being pummeled. For all his qualities, Mei found Natsumes taste in certain thingslike his ringtone and even his fashion choicesutterly baffling. "Lets move on from the ringtone topic," Natsume said, swiftly deflecting. "Youre not even letting me start, huh?" Mei sighed, realizing there was no point in pressing the matter. "This is Slowking," Natsume introduced, gesturing to the Pokmon beside him. "Mei, meet our farms new overseer. During training sessions, Slowking will be helping out." "Slowking," Mei greeted politely, her thoughts spinning. Was this the same Slowpoke shed seen lounging by the lake last time? ''Good day, Miss Mei. Im the bosss newest underling,'' a voice suddenly echoed in Meis mind, startling her. "Huh?" Mei froze for a moment before responding, "Ah, hello, Slowking. I look forward to working with you!" She quickly masked her surprise. When did this Slowpoke evolve? And since when could it use telepathy? More importantly, underling? Why did that sound like something out of a mafia movie? Mei had heard plenty of stories about the farm from Natsume during their nightly chats. She felt like she was playing a "cloud farming" game, enjoying the vicarious experience of managing a farm while traveling. But this Slowking seemed extraordinary. Telepathy and Teleport? That sounded a bit too overpowered for a Slowking. Before Mei could dwell on it further, Natsume spoke. "Come on, Ill show you to your room," he offered, hesitating slightly before reaching out for her suitcase. Wasnt it standard for guys to help with this sort of thing? Not having much experience in relationships, Natsumes knowledge mostly came from online advicewhich, as everyone knows, often ranges from terrible to downright ridiculous. "Ah, thank you," Mei said after a moments hesitation, handing over the suitcase. She wasnt one to fuss about these things, but since Natsume had offered, it wouldnt be polite to refuse. As the two walked ahead, chatting and laughing, Servine and Slowking trailed behind them. "Slow," Slowking mused. "Ah, youth. Such a sweet time in life. Is this what young love looks like?" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For someone who had only recently evolved, Slowking sure sounded like an old soul. Chapter 81: The Return of the Dragon King and the First Night on the Farm The room Natsume prepared for Mei was on the second floor of the new house. Natsume himself usually stayed on the second floor, while the first floor was mostly reserved for the Pokmon on the farm to use as a lounge and recreation area. There was a playroom for Togepi, a screening room for Corviknight and Butterfree, and so on. Natsume had even thought about setting up an esports room in the future if more Pokmon joined the farm. After all, while he wasnt good at gaming himself, he figured that with so many Pokmon around, at least one of them had to be skilled. Yes, Natsumes gaming skills were quite poor. His level of proficiency was such that even a Golem might outperform him in understanding the mechanics. Gaming, like many things, required a certain degree of talent. If the average persons talent level was a 10, and professional players were at 60 and above, Natsumes talent hovered somewhere around a 5. He had long since given up on making any notable progress in gaming and now just played casually to relax. After all, wasnt that the whole point of gaming? If you obsessed over ranks and stats, wouldnt that strip the activity of its original purpose? Or so Natsume, the subpar gamer, liked to reason. Wow, this room is huge! Thank you so much, Natsume. Meis eyes lit up as she saw her new room. As a novice Trainer, Mei was already used to roughing it out in the wildsleeping in a cramped tent was an everyday affair. Only those Trainers who had already made a name for themselves could afford the luxury of staying in grand hotels and enjoying a life of comfort. New Trainers, in contrast, would spend most of their time camping out in the wilderness, catching Pokmon, and honing their skills. This was said to cultivate both mental and physical resilience. Well, at least thats how the story went. Whether or not this claim had any basis was debatable, but it served as a convenient justification. It was not unlike how middle school teachers would tell students, This topic will be covered in high school, and high school teachers would say, You should have learned this in middle school. They didnt know for sure whether anyone would actually teach it but said it anyway to save themselves the trouble. Returning to the topic, while Mei had grown accustomed to sleeping in tiny tents, no one would ever turn down a larger room if given the choiceespecially one so clean and cozy. Thanks to the diligent efforts of Cinccino and Loppuny, the guest room was in excellent condition. In anticipation of Meis arrival, they had gone the extra mile to ensure everything was spotless, even replacing the bedsheets and blankets with fresh ones. Incidentally, Natsume had already decided to permanently give Mei this guest room. If another guest room was needed in the future, they could simply clean and prepare another space. After all, land was one thing the farm had in abundance. No need to thank me. As long as you like it, Natsume replied with a wave and a smile. When setting up the room, Natsume had done his research, reading countless online posts for inspiration. After all, he knew nothing about decorating a girls room. In terms of understanding romance and girls, Natsume was about on par with Ash Ketchum. He had put a lot of thought into the rooms design, but in the end, it turned out fairly basic. Natsume figured it was better this wayhe left room for Mei to decorate the space as she saw fit after moving in. After helping Mei unpack, Natsume took her on a tour of the farm. Although they had talked about doing special training, there was no rush. It was better to take the first day to relax and unwind after her long journey. Even if Mei insisted on starting right away, Natsume would have found a way to convince her to rest for the day. As they unpacked, Mei released her three other Pokmon from their Pok Balls. Tepig, Dewott, dont wander too far, she cautioned. She didnt add the part about them getting into trouble, but Mei was acutely aware that few Pokmon on this farm were what one might call "normal." Take Corviknight, for instance. Since evolving, it had developed a fondness for sparring with weaker opponents, relishing the thrill of overpowering them. Then there was the previously adorable shiny Furret, which had turned into a training fanatic. If it encountered a new Pokmon, it might very well issue a challenge and go all out in battle. As for Steenee, it immediately dashed off to reunite with its old tribe. Mei could understand the feelingit was only natural to miss ones family after being away for so long. Of course, there was also the possibility that Steenee just wanted to show off its newfound strength. After all, it had long noticed how the rest of its tribe had grown complacent, enjoying a laid-back life on the farmeating, sleeping, and occasionally providing juice for Natsume. That kind of life wasnt for Steenee. It had always felt there was something off about it, which is why it had decisively left with Mei in the first place. Now, three months later, it was time for the Dragon Kings triumphant return! Smirking arrogantly, Steenee radiated an air of dominance, as if ready to unleash a barrage of dramatic comebacks and commands. Meanwhile, Dewott had found its own target. Hmm? It locked eyes with Gallade, who was leisurely fishing by the lake. This guy is strong. Dewott could sense the aura of a fellow swordsman emanating from Gallade. My blades are itching for a fight. However, remembering Meis insistence on a day of rest, Dewott reluctantly suppressed its excitement. Tomorrow, it thought. Tomorrow, Ill challenge that Gallade. As for Tepig, it had no immediate goalsthere werent any strong Fire-type Pokmon on the farm for it to seek out. This area will be designated as the pasture in the future, Natsume explained as they strolled. Right now, the Mightyena family and Yamper help manage it, with Gallade occasionally pitching in. Although Mei had already learned about the farm through Natsumes descriptions and photos, seeing it in person was an entirely different experience. --- That night, Mei lay in her soft bed, hugging her Servine as she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. Servine... Servine stretched out its tiny arms, pushing against Meis face in irritation, its displeasure written all over its face. Ah, sorry, Servine, Mei said sheepishly. We need to get some sleep. Training starts tomorrow. Servine... Then let me go already! And so, Meis first night on the farm quietly came to an end. S~ea??h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 82: The Fall of the Dragon King and the Shiny Furret Coach The next morning, Mei slowly opened her eyes, half-buried in a soft, oversized pillow. Shed stayed up late last night, brimming with inexplicable excitement, and by the time she realized she should sleep, the wave of drowsiness hit her all at once. In an instant, she was swallowed by the tide of sleep. Mmm, what a good sleep, Mei murmured, sitting up groggily. She rubbed her face haphazardly, her long hair sticking messily to her cheeks. Before going to bed, Mei had made an effort to tidy her hair properly. However, her restless tossing and turning had undone all her work, leaving her in her current disheveled state. Servine... Lying belly-up on the bed, Servine rolled over, burying its face into the pillow. It was far too comfortable to even think about getting up. Oh, right, this is the farm, Mei muttered, still half-dazed, sitting on the bed in a stupor before finally realizing she was at Natsumes farm. She hadnt slept this well in ages, and for a moment, shed forgotten where she was. On the floor by the bed, Tepig and Dewott were still sound asleep. Dewott lay with its arms crossed in a pose resembling a down-and-out swordsman, though its utterly peaceful expression and the telltale glimmer of drool at the corner of its mouth betrayed it. A would-be hero... but still just a child. As for Steenee? The Pokmon was asleep on the table, for some strange reason. Despite having a bed and a cozy little nest, it stubbornly insisted on sleeping on the hard tabletop. Time to get up, Mei said, slapping her cheeks lightly to wake herself. Her bare feet touched the soft carpet as she tiptoed carefully around Tepig and Dewott, doing her best not to make a sound and wake her Pokmon partners. On the bed, Servine stirred at the sound of Mei getting up. The Grass Snake Pokmon struggled to open its eyes, wobbling and tumbling off the bed in an attempt to follow her to the bathroom. It nearly face-planted onto the floorif not for Mei catching it in time. Otherwise, poor Tepig might have suffered a rude awakening via a falling Servine. You dodged a critical hit there. Thankfully, the guest room had its own en suite bathroom, sparing Mei from any awkward early-morning encounters. Those classic light-novel scenarios? They werent happening here. After all, neither Mei nor Natsume had the trip over nothing skill unlocked. And no one had the bizarre habit of running around in their underwear. Who even does that, anyway? This isnt a diving club or something. Fully recharged! Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Freshly washed and groomed, Mei gave herself a satisfied nod in the mirror. Dressed in her usual sporty attireshort-sleeved top, skirt, and... ...black tights and sneakers? It was a bit of a puzzling combination. (A quick side note: pairing black tights with sneakers often results in... less-than-pleasant foot odor. Fans of such a look? Definitely the niche crowd.) Snort, snort! An energized Tepig darted around the room, exploring every corner with boundless curiosity. Though it had already scouted the room the previous night, its enthusiasm remained undiminished. Meanwhile, Dewott and Servine donned their usual aloof expressions, as if trying to distance themselves from any association with drooling in their sleep or nearly face-planting. Alright, everyone, today marks the start of our special training! Tepig! Steenee! Unlike the stoic duo, Tepig and Steenee were full of excitement. Tepigs eagerness stemmed from its naturally lively personality and insatiable curiosity. As for Steenee... It was motivated by revenge. Yes, revenge. Last night, Meis Steenee had proudly returned to its old group, brimming with confidence after countless battles and grueling training sessions. Surely, with all it had endured, it would now be the strongest in the group. After all, back then, even the big sister of the group hadnt been as strong as Steenee was now. Steenee had imagined showing off its growth, shocking everyone with a dazzling display of strength. Instead, it got spanked by the group leader. The so-called "Dragon Kings Return" ended in a crushing defeat at the hands of some random street thug. The sheer humiliation! Why? Steenee couldnt comprehend it. But no matter! Ill train harder than ever and surpass her one day! Meis Steenee resolved. --- Good morning, Natsume! Coming downstairs, Mei caught sight of Natsume placing breakfast on the table. Living alone for so long, Natsume had picked up some cooking skills over the years. While he wasnt exactly a master chef, his meals were decent enoughand definitely not life-threatening. Morning, Mei. Just in timebreakfasts ready. Come eat, Natsume said as he tidied up the kitchen and took off his apron. Hed even considered asking Gardevoir to go wake Mei earlier. Thanks! Ill dig in, then. Oh, and Ill do the dishes after, no arguments! Otherwise, Ill feel bad, Mei said cheerfully, clasping her hands behind her back as she leaned closer to Natsume. For a fleeting moment, it felt as though a gentle breeze carried her fragrance toward him. ...Except there wasnt one. Mei didnt have any noticeable scentcertainly not the kind that cosmetics or perfumes might provide. Shed mentioned before that she never paid much attention to skincare or beauty products, yet her skin had always been flawless. A statement that would likely spark envy among many girls. After a simple yet hearty breakfast, Mei couldnt contain her excitement any longer. She eagerly requested to begin the days special training. Despite Natsumes repeated claims that he wasnt particularly skilled at training Pokmon, Mei merely dismissed his modesty as humility. After all, every Pokmon on the farm seemed anything but ordinary. Not to mention Natsumes own main team. From Persian, Butterfree, and Corviknight to Slowking and even the Steenee tribe leader that had overpowered her own Steeneeevery one of them was exceptional. Alright, alright, Natsume clapped his hands, stepping toward the window. Furret! Youre up! Before Mei could process what youre up meant, an oversized Shiny Furret barreled into the living room with boundless energy. Furrrrret! Coach Furret reporting for duty! Who needs training? Seeing the determined look on the Shiny Furrets face, Mei suddenly had a strange, indescribable feeling. It seemed... her Servine and the others werent in for an easy time. Chapter 83: The Trash-Talking Shut-In Bird: “Who Are You?” Fur fur!! Run, run, run!! Furret!! Keep running!! On the open field, a shiny Furret led a group of Furret and Sentret in a chaotic sprint, yelling out strange slogans about youth and bonds that nobody else in the farm quite understood. The Furret pack ran like it was some sort of competition, with no care for keeping formation. If one of them fell, no one stopped; the fallen simply scrambled to their feet and continued the chase, eyes locked on the figure ahead. Servine At the tail end of the pack, Servine struggled to keep up, gasping for breath. Its body was drenched in sweat, as if it had just been fished out of a river. And it wasnt just ServineTepig, Dewott, and Steenee were all putting every ounce of energy into staying in the race. At first, they had felt confident, thinking, This training isnt so bad after all. But as their stamina drained away, they naturally fell to the back of the pack. Now, they werent even close to catching up with the shiny Furret. Just keeping pace with the reckless runners was taking everything they had. Do these guys never get tired?! Servine thought bitterly, glaring at the energetic Sentret running alongside it. Half an hour earlier, when Natsume had mentioned that the farms Pokmon would serve as the trainers, Servine had been skeptical. Could this kind of training really be effective? After all, if Pokmon could train themselves, what was the point of trainers? Were they just there to sign up Pokmon for competitions? The truth was, one reason Pokmon chose to partner with human trainers was because trainers helped them grow stronger. If Pokmon could achieve that on their own, why would they bother getting captured? For fame and glory? Dont make me laugh. But now, just thirty minutes into this training, Servines perspective had completely shifted. Running with this group, one thing became clear: At the very least, my stamina is definitely going to improve. No matter what kind of base stats or strategies a Pokmon had, stamina was the foundation. You could have the most brilliant tactics in the world, but without the endurance to execute them, it was pointless. Even high-burst attackers like Weavile needed enough stamina to set up and strike decisively. If a Pokmon was too exhausted to take a hit, no strategy could save them. Phew Tepig, the weakest of the bunch in terms of stamina, felt like it was teetering on the edge of collapse. Its vision began to blur, and it thought it saw a river ahead. On the far bank, something seemed to be waving at it Slow Standing on the sidelines, Slowking lazily opened its eyes. With a casual wave of its hand, a surge of psychic energy caught the stumbling Tepig, gently laying it down beside the Slowking. Slow Your stamina is terrible, Slowking muttered, scratching the back of its head in mild annoyance as it looked at the utterly spent Tepig. Dressed like a proper coach, Slowking held a tactics board in one hand and a pen in the other, occasionally jotting down notes. After recording Tepigs training results, it tossed the board and pen into the air, where its psychic energy kept them floating. It rummaged through a nearby box, eventually pulling out a few vials of medicine and a bag of Pokblocks. Technically, the vials were just energy supplements, similar to glucose but more effective. Slow After giving Tepig the medicine and setting it aside, Slowking continued its coaching duties. Natsume had promised to prepare more Psychic-type Pokblocks soon, even developing a custom recipe tailored specifically for Slowking. Champions and Elite Four Pokmon have entire teams of experts collecting data and designing Pokblocks for them, Slowking mused. And now Im getting the same treatment? Thats amazing. I have to work hard to repay Natsumes efforts. (Though, to be fair, the Pokblocks are still in the concept stage whispered a tiny voice in Slowkings head.) As it reminisced, Slowking casually caught the collapsing Steenee with its psychic power. Slow Its good to push yourself, but you need to know your limits. Its immense psychic power allowed Slowking to multitask effortlessly, keeping tabs on Servine and the others without even glancing up. Servine! Compared to Tepig and Steenee, Servine and Dewott were performing significantly better. Though they were straining at the back of the pack, they hadnt fallen behind completely. Which made sense. While Servine and the others were battle-oriented Pokmon trained by a human trainer, their practice time was limited. In the wild, they had to stay alert and cautious, never able to train at full intensity. In cities, time spent outside their Pok Balls was restricted, and training facilities had time limits. All these factors meant they could never train as much as they wanted. How could they compare to this group of Pokmon, who spent all day running wild on the farm? Someone who occasionally jogged for fitness couldnt hope to match someone surviving on a deserted island. They were on completely different levels. Slow Alright, time for a break. Lunch is ready, Slowking called out, pulling a pocket watch from behind its back. (Why a pocket watch? Because its stylish, obviously.) The watch was something Natsume had bought during his edgy teenage years, thinking it looked cool. After sitting in a drawer collecting dust, it was finally dug out last night and claimed by Slowking. Servine. Servine plopped onto the ground, glancing up at Slowking. This Pokmon was something else. Its psychic power was leagues beyond anything Servine had ever seen. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Servine. Whats next on the schedule? Slow Trash-talk resistance training, followed by skill and combat drills in the afternoon. Before dinner, more trash-talk resistance. After dinner, free time. Flipping through its tactics board, Slowking added, Your trash-talk resistance training is pretty interesting. If I knew how to trash-talk, Id join in myself. Servine? Is Corviknight in charge of that part? Slow Yep. The trash-talking shut-in bird. Servine. Got it. Clenching its tiny fists, Servine radiated determination. This time, Ill show that bird how much Ive grown. Im not the same weak Snivy I used to be! However Caw? Wait, who are you? Tilting its head, Corviknight stared blankly, its bird face full of confusion. Snap. In that instant, something broke inside Servines mind. Chapter 84: I Completely Understand! On the spacious battlefield, Servine glared furiously at Corviknight, as if itching to tear a chunk of flesh off it. Meanwhile, Corviknight looked utterly confused. Waitwhy are you mad? Corviknight genuinely didnt get it. From its perspective, all it did was ask a simple question. Then suddenly, this little grass snake just lost its temper. Whats going on here? Are you picking a fight with me? At that thought, Corviknight''s eyes sharpened instantly. Normally, it didnt care much about trivial things, but provocation? Now, that was unacceptable. Guess there was no choice but to go all out now. In a flash, Corviknight had already planned out its victory lines, post-battle poses, and the perfect expression to strike after winning. As for battle tactics? Yeah that was a bit too complicated for Corviknights brain. Back when it was still a Rookidee, it had to think about keeping its distance, kiting opponents, and all that. But after evolving into Corviknight, its defense skyrocketed, and with it came overwhelming confidencealong with a noticeable drop in strategic thinking. Now, its battle plan boiled down to one thing: Iron Defense + Brave Bird. Any remaining brainpower was dedicated to memorizing dramatic catchphrases and yesterdays anime episodes. There just wasnt enough space left in its memory to remember past opponentswhether they were ones it defeated or the rare few that had defeated it. Corviknight had its own philosophy: Why bother remembering the ones you already beat? No point in that. And as for the ones that had beaten it? S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Why relive painful memories? Shouldnt happiness be the priority in life? On that, Corviknight felt it had a pretty solid understanding. "Servine!" Go ahead and laugh while you can! I''m gonna beat you so bad you wont even be able to cry! Servine huffed, trying its best to look intimidating. Unfortunately, despite its furious expression, it still looked adorable. Not threatening at all. "Caw, caw!" Come at me, all of you. Im on a schedule. "Caw, caw, caw!" Bring as many as you want, it''s not gonna change the fact that youre all first-rate weaklings. "Caw!" And after Im done, make sure to run back to your Trainer and whine about how mean I was. Before the battle had even started, Corviknight had already turned its trash-talking up to max volume. This was exactly what Mei had asked of it. After the Gym Battle, Mei suddenly realized somethingforget power levels for a second, her Pokmon were lacking in mental resilience. This was a common problem for rookie Trainers. They focused entirely on making their Pokmon stronger but overlooked other important factorswillpower, move mastery, and battle awareness. These were all crucial for a truly strong Pokmon. Of course, Meis request was just a suggestion. At the end of the day, Corviknight still listened to Natsume. And Natsume had told it: "Take it slow. Dont pressure them too much at the start." "Youll break the poor kids." Corviknight nodded in understanding. So basically, hold off on the insults for now, right? Got it. I completely understand. "Servine!" You damn feathered freak! Just waitI''m gonna pluck you bald! Fuming, Servine unleashed its moves in rapid successionBullet Seed, Magical Leaf, and Vine Whipall firing at Corviknight one after another. It tried to remind itself to stay calm, but when emotions ran high, logic wasnt exactly the first thing that kicked in. "Caw, caw, caw!!" Pathetic! Weak! Your attacks are as soft as your vines! You need me to teach you how to scream like a real warrior?! With a single powerful flap, Corviknight lifted off, keeping its distance while spamming Iron Defense. By the time it had stacked five layers of Iron Defense, its physical defense had maxed out. Even when Servines attacks did land, they barely left a scratch. Now, it was time to turn the tables! With a mighty beat of its wings, Corviknight revealed its full, imposing form Then plummeted from the sky, diving toward Servine like a shadow blotting out the sun. Under the sheer pressure of Corviknight''s descent, Servine froze on the spot. It wasnt from any move effectthis was pure, primal fear. A reaction hardwired into its genes when facing something massively larger than itself. BOOM! Corviknight crashed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and debris. Mei and Natsumes vision was instantly obscured. "Servine!" Mei called out in concern, unable to see through the thick smoke. "Slow." Standing at the sidelines in a referee uniform, Slowking nonchalantly raised a hand and waved. A psychic pulse swept across the field, blowing all the dust away in an instant. Normally, referees werent supposed to interfere, but heythis was pressure training, not an official match. When the dust settled, the battlefield became clear once more. Standing tall, Corviknight folded its wings, while Servine sat on the ground, still visibly shaken. If that attack had landed, it wouldve been game over. Was this damn bird trying to kill me?! "Caw." Hmph. Thats all youve got? "Caw, caw, caw." Seems like you forgot one thingyou are the challenger here. "Servine!" You bastard! Servine furiously scrambled to its feet, but its anger was nothing more than powerless frustration. Truthfully, right before Corviknight had landed, Servine had just managed to break free from its fear and react. In a desperate move, it threw itself into a roll to the side, barely dodging the full impact of the attack. Even so, the sheer force of Corviknights wing sent it tumbling across the field. In those final moments, Servine had launched a Leech Seed, Giga Drain, and a Leaf Bladeprobably the best Leaf Blade it had ever performed in its life. And yet It didnt even break through Corviknights defenses. Meanwhile, Corviknight had swatted it aside without even thinking. That was the reality of their strength difference. Now, Mei and Natsume could see it clearly. "Caw." Alrightwhos next? Completely ignoring Servine, Corviknight turned its gaze toward Dewott and Steenee at the edge of the battlefield. As for Tepig? Yeah, Corviknight didnt even acknowledge it. That thing was still recovering from the mornings training. "Dewott!" Ill take you on! Dewott stepped forward, gripping its scalchops tightly, eyes full of determination. "Caw, caw!" Then let me show you just how far apart we are! Meanwhile, hidden in the bushes at the edge of the battlefield A disguised Ralts watched the fight with shining eyes, occasionally jotting down notes in a tiny notebook. "Lalu, lalu." So thats how it works! I completely understand! Chapter 85: The Departing Zorua Hidden in the bushes, Ralts cautiously observed the ongoing battle, occasionally jotting something down with a small pencil. That tiny hand struggled to grip a pencil thicker than its own wrist, scribbling down words that, aside from itself, only Natsume could decipher. At some point in the past, Ralts had developed a peculiar habitspecifically, it had discovered that trash talk was ridiculously effective. Not only did it break an opponents mental defenses in battle, but it also made itself feel great. As the saying goes, "Let the curses out, and the heart stays clean." Ralts deeply agreed with this sentiment. Every time it watched Corviknight battle, Ralts felt like that was the kind of battle it aspired to. Unfortunately, its sister didn''t approve. She always warned it to stay away from Corviknight and not to be led astray. Ralts couldnt understand why. But it didnt matterI can just watch in secret! To avoid getting caught by its sisters search operations, Ralts had trained itself to be the second-fastest Teleport user on the farm. In terms of just Teleport, Ralts was confident it ranked in the top three on the farm. Even its sister and brother could only eat its dust! Sensing something, Ralts abruptly closed its notebook. A brilliant blue glow flashed under its mushroom-like head. The next momentRalts vanished. Shortly after Ralts disappeared, Gardevoir arrived at the same spot. She narrowed her eyes and scanned her surroundings. She was certain her little sister had just been here, secretly watching the battle. But She got away again!!! Gardevoir slapped her own face, frustration written all over her expression. Her little sister clearly had a remarkable talent for teleportation. That kind of talent was supposed to be a good thingnormally, it should be something to celebrate. But for the love of Arceus, dont waste it on sneaking around learning that damn couch-potato birds trash talk! At least use it for something productive! Even delivering food would be better than this! If she were teleporting food deliveries, maybejust maybeGardevoir could accept it. (Okay, no, that would still be bad. But less bad than this.) Garde. Gardevoir sighed. A moment later, she teleported away. Even though she knew the chances were slim, she had to at least try catching that troublemaking little sister. She couldnt just stand by and let her go astray. She also needed to visit that oddball Zorua for lessons soon. Otherwise this was getting way too embarrassing. The moment Gardevoir vanishedpoof!a tiny mushroom-headed figure reappeared in the bushes. Pencil in hand, Ralts resumed scribbling in its notebook with great focus. Nothing can stop me from learning trash talk. Nothing. (shrug) sea??h th ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, in Natsumes house, a small black fox stealthily nudged open his bedroom door. Suo. Zoruas ears flicked as it scanned the room. After making sure the coast was clear, it leapt onto the desk, pulled open a drawer, and took out a fresh notebook. Then, with a serious expression, it started writing. The way it sathunched over, scribbling awaymade it look less like a Pokmon and more like a little kid. Everything from its posture to its expression was downright adorable. Suo. Just as Zorua was writing, a small, hesitant voice spoke up. Zorua turned its head. At the doorway, Hisuian Zorua crouched low, gazing at it with reluctant, almost pleading eyes. Suo. Whats with that look, little bro? Suo suo. Come on, Im still right here, arent I? Im not dead, lighten up! With an effortless hop, Zorua landed on the floor and, in a wise older-brother manner, patted Hisuian Zorua on the shoulder. Suo. I just dont want you to go. Hisuian Zorua mumbled, looking as if it had just been abandoned. Zorua could only sigh. Why is this kid so attached to me? It wasnt like Zorua was particularly nice to it. If anything, it was pretty mean most of the time. Recently, it had barely even acknowledged him. Wait. Was he M? A weird thought popped into Zoruas head. It immediately shook it off. No. Nope. Cant go there. If it let that thought linger, its brain would get contaminated. Forget it. Forget it. Suo. Come on, lets go for a walk. Without waiting for an answer, Zorua trotted out the door. Hisuian Zorua followed. The notebook Zorua had been writing in remained spread open on the deskuntil a Lopunny, tidying up the room, discovered it. --- "Thanks, Lopunny." Taking the notebook from Lopunny, Natsume chuckled and gave its head a fond pat. Lopunny happily rubbed against his hand, just like a cat. As he absentmindedly stroked Lopunnys fur, Natsume flipped through the notebook. The handwriting was messy, the letters crooked. But the message was clear: Dear Natsu, By the time you read this, Ill have already left the farm. (Oops, forgot the intro. Forgot the middle. Forgot the end. Thats what Genshin Impact does to me. (crossed out)) Anyway, Ill be gone for a while, but dont worryIll be back soon. I took the Pokblocks you stored in the warehouse since they were just sitting there. Consider it helping you clear out inventory. No need to thank me. Doing good deeds without seeking creditthats me, the worlds cutest Zorua! P.S. By the time Im back, that egg should be hatching. Take good care of it for me! Love, (crossed out) Suo After finishing the note, Natsume couldn''t help but laugh. This little brat Even when leaving, it had to take some snacks, huh? And that egg? It was your egg, you take care of it! Why had the responsibility somehow shifted to him? And really"the worlds cutest Zorua"? The first half of that sentence was up for debate, but the second half was an outright lie. Even though he had plenty to complain about, Natsume still took note of the important details. Thanks for bringing this to me, Lopunny. Lopunny~ Not a problem, Natsume. Lopunny hugged his arm before happily hopping away, looking every bit like an energetic little rabbit. --- Far from the farm, deep in the wilderness, a white Pokmon staggered through the barren hills. Its breathing was weak. Its conditiondire. Yadon? Now dressed in a training bodysuit instead of referee attire, Slowking suddenly looked up. It had felt something. Something importantsomething urgentin that direction. Chapter 86: Slowking – You Just Cheated Death, Absol Slowking paused for a few seconds as it trained Servine, then casually left behind the words, Train on your own, before vanishing from sight. When it reappeared, it was already at the farms entrance. Looking down at the unconscious Pokmon lying on the ground, Slowking fell into deep thought. What the heck? Is this some midday scam attempt? Of course, that thought only flashed through Slowkings mind for a brief moment. From the numerous wounds covering the Pokmons body, it was clear this guy had been through a lot. Yadon. Tilting its head, Slowking wondered if it should inform Natsume first. After all, it was now officially one of Natsumes subordinates. No matter what it did, it had to report to the boss first That was a rule Slowking had learned from last nights yakuza novel. As for the Pokmon on the ground? It wasnt going to die immediately, so whatever. Slowking had always been rather indifferent toward other Pokmon. To Slowking, all living beings could be categorized into a few groups: Very important, just okay, and dead or alive, doesnt matter. The only Pokmon in the very important category were Uxie and Mudkip. Natsume? Maybe half a point. The just okay ones included Pokmon like Persian and Corviknightrelatively close acquaintances. They didnt interact much, but at least they recognized each other. If they died, Slowking might feel a bit sentimental. Everything else? Dead or alive, doesnt matter. Like this unfamiliar Pokmon in front of it. And honestly, a lot of Pokmon on the farm fell into that category too. At best, they were just neighbors. If your neighbor died, would you really be that upset? In fact, how often did you even interact with them? Geniuses in many fictional works were often portrayed as emotionally distant, appearing indifferent to everything around them. That was inevitable. With great intelligence came highly logical thought processes, which sometimes made them seem cold. And as a fully evolved Slowking, its intelligence was no joke. It surpassed the vast majority of humans and was among the smartest Pokmon in existence. If this Absol had collapsed somewhere else, Slowking probably wouldve ignored it. Every second, somewhere in the world, someone was getting hurt. Pokmon were being killed. Am I supposed to save them all? Yeah, no. Yadon. Closing its eyes, Slowking Removed the crown from its head, reached inside, and pulled out a smartphone before casually placing Shellder back on top. Did you think Slowking would use its psychic powers to search for Natsume? Not a chance. Unless it was an emergency, Slowking wouldnt bother. Sure, psychic abilities were convenient. With its mental reach, it could instantly perceive everything happening nearby. But that was also highly disrespectful. Think about it Youre just a normal high school guy, showering while singing dramatically, admiring your reflection in the mirror, thinking, Damn, I look good today. Meanwhile, an unseen Psychic-type Pokmon is watching you lose your mind. Now, thats a social death scenario. Out of respect for privacy, Slowking generally avoided scanning for people or things unless absolutely necessary. Besides, modern technology worked just fine. Why rely on psychic power when you could just use a phone? Most people wouldnt even get past bending a spoon in their entire lives. This was something any functioning adult could do. Pulling up Natsumes contact, Slowking dialed. Dooooo... doooooo... S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Listening to the odd ringtone from the other end, Slowkings expression remained neutral. But internally, it was troubled. Natsume always had the strangest hobbies and obsessions. Just yesterday, he was talking about collecting coins. How was that any different from people who collected bottle caps for necklaces? Slowking just didnt get it. Much like it didnt understand why Corviknight enjoyed browsing anti-fan forums and internet drama. Even with its ability to master an entire language overnight, it still couldnt quite wrap its head around that one. Slowking preferred the regular forums Everyone there was a talent, capable of continuing any conversation no matter how obscure. Slowking loved that atmosphere. Whats up, Slowking? Yadon yadon. Absol? I see. Ill be right there. Keep an eye on it for me. Yadon. Hanging up, Slowking looked down at the unconscious Pokmon. You just cheated death, Absol. From the very start, Slowking had recognized this Pokmon An Absol, a species that even now was still labeled as a bringer of disaster. Despite modern research proving Absol were actually gentle Pokmon who could predict calamities and warn humans, old prejudices were hard to change. Like how, despite being strong enough to take down a pack of wolves, pandas were still seen as cute and weak. Or how, no matter how much you explain that this character is biologically male, some people will still insist on treating them like a delicate wife who just happens to be infertile. Yeah, that was another thing Slowking couldnt understand. Removing Shellder from its head, Slowking reached inside and pulled out A bottle of hyper potion and a bag of Pokblocks it had planned to eat later. Looking at the bag of Pokblocks, Slowking hesitated for a moment Then ate half of them itself. The rest, it crushed with telekinesis and mixed with the healing liquid before feeding it to Absol. Later, it would have Natsume reimburse it. Yep, definitely claiming a full bag. After administering some basic first aid, Slowking waited quietly. Not even a minute later, Corviknight descended from the sky, carrying Natsume and Mei. Caw, caw! Skybus Corviknight Airlines has landed! Oddly enough, despite this being its first time carrying passengers, Corviknight seemed to take to it instinctively. Thanks, Slowking. Yadon. No problem. Just remember to reimburse me for that bag of Pokblocks. Ill give you two bags. Yadon. Deal. Stepping off Corviknight, Natsume quickly examined Absols condition. On the surface, the wounds werent too severe, and Slowking had already provided some basic treatment. But still Natsume couldnt help but frown. Is something wrong with this Absol? Noticing Natsumes reaction, Mei softly asked after he finished his examination. Its injuries are a little strange. Chapter 87: Natsume, the Born Farming Prodigy, and Mei’s Curiosity At some point during school, everyone has likely encountered a certain type of math problem: A swimming pool is being filled with water while simultaneously being drained. How long will it take for the pool to be emptied? The first time Natsume came across this kind of question, he was genuinely curiousjust what kind of lunatic would come up with such an irrational scenario that defies normal human logic? Now, it seemed like he was facing a real-life version of that problem. Its injuries are severe, no doubt about that. But more importantly, theres a strange energy wrapped around it, continuously dragging its condition down. To Natsumes eyes, this Absol was just like that swimming poolbeing healed and drained at the same time. With the combined effects of hyper potion sprays, pokblocks, and nutrient supplements, its condition shouldnt be this bad. It might not make a full recovery instantly, but at the very least, it should have regained consciousness by now. Yet, instead of improving, the Absols condition was still deteriorating. Its expression remained twisted in pain, showing no signs of waking up. Should we take it to the Pokmon Center in town? Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mei, feeling a little helpless, suggested the most logical course of action. After all, none of the Pokmon in her current team had healing abilities, nor did she carry any particularly potent medicine. She had seen the medicine Slowking used earlierit was a high-quality type, similar to what she usually used herself. And yet, even after Slowking generously emptied an entire bottle onto Absols wounds, it had no effect. If that wasnt working, then Mei truly had no idea what else to do. At this point, she figured it was best not to interfere. Many situations escalate because someone decides to act without fully understanding the problem. Like attempting CPR on someone with a punctured chest wound. Are you trying to save them, or finish them off? Ill give it a try first. Natsume neither agreed nor refused Meis suggestion. As blunt as it might sound, the Pokmon Center in town wasnt exactly top-tier. It was just a standard facility in a small, ordinary town. The fact that it even had a Pokmon Center at all was a testament to Jadeleafs well-developed infrastructure. For routine check-ups and minor injuries, it was fine. But for something like this? The medical staff there might not have any better solutions than he did. So, he decided to try first. If it didnt work, they could always take Absol to the center and let someone else figure it out. At least he would have done his best. Try? Mei tilted her head slightly, confused but intrigued. She watched as Natsumes sapphire-blue eyes began to shimmer with a soft green light. The power of Viridian gathered in his hands, its emerald glow radiating an aura of pure life energy. Under its influence, the grass around them flourished at an unnatural speed. Tiny blossoms sprouted among the weeds, unfolding their petals in silent bloom. This is Mei instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes wide with astonishment. She knew psychics existed, of course. But this was the first time she had ever seen one in real life. And wasnt it a universal rule that all psychics started by bending spoons? So why did Natsumes abilities look more like something out of Green Lantern? Or was he some kind of born-to-farm divine prodigy? A dozen questions swirled through her mind at once. But beyond curiosity, there was also a subtle, indescribable feeling in her heart. After all, Natsume had chosen to reveal his abilities in front of her. Did that mean he trusted her? Girls tend to be sensitive to these things. But Natsume was too focused to notice. Encased in the green glow, his hand slowly reached out toward Absol. The infusion of life energy stabilized the worsening condition almost instantlybut that was merely a side effect of what he was trying to do. He cleared his mind of distractions, focusing entirely on searching Absols body for what he knew must be there. There it is. At that moment, Natsume felt it. A deep, lingering resentment mixed with fear. This energy wasnt particularly strong, but its nature was unmistakable. It clung to Absols body, gnawing away at its vitality. Preventing it from healing. Dragging it further into decline. But this was as far as it would go. With a final surge of Viridians power, the curse-like presence quietly dissipated. Hah As the green light faded, Natsume wiped at his foreheadthough there wasnt any actual sweat. For him, this wasnt any more exhausting than rolling around in bed with his shiny Furret after a meal. Not tiring at all, really. Is it better now? Mei hesitated, glancing at Absol. There was something almost eerily peaceful about it now. Under the influence of Viridians power, all external injuries had vanished. Its previously pained expression was now completely serene. At the same time, the surrounding grass had grown so tall that it was nearly burying Absol. Delicate white flowers swayed in the gentle breeze, standing proud. It looked Like one of those scenes where a hero, having fulfilled their final wish, passes away peacefully in a forest. Surrounded by flowers and the people who cherished them. Youre searching for Himmel, arent you? (Redacted.) Its fine now. It should wake up soon. There was a curse-like force on it earlier, but Ive dispelled it. Natsume offered Mei a simple explanation. She nodded, half-understanding. Dispelling curses So Natsume was actually a Digimon? Mei was about to ask more about his powers when Absol suddenly stirred. Then, it slowly opened its eyes. Sol It blinked in confusion, its crimson gaze still dazed. What happened? It felt strangely comfortable. Before Absol could make sense of its situation, it noticed Natsume and Mei standing nearby. And, further back, Slowkingwho had been diligently playing the role of an invisible background character. Sol? Did you save me? For a moment, Absol was surprisingly calm. It seemed like the type to have a naturally steady temperament. Yes. My name is Natsume, and this is Mei. Did something happen to you? You were in pretty bad shape just now. Natsume studied Absol curiously. Earlier, Slowking had secretly told him through telepathy that there was something unusual about this Absol. So, he was more than willing to hear what it had to say. Chapter 88: The Stubborn Absol Refuses to Accept Defeat Absol didnt immediately answer Natsumes question. Instead, it stood up and began checking its own body. The injuries it had sustained seemed to have completely healed. The strange energy that had been preventing its recovery had also vanished along with them. Its body felt better than everalmost as if it had just come fresh out of the factory. Was it these two humans who had saved it? Absols gaze lingered on both Natsume and Mei for a moment before finally settling on Natsume. It should be this human. Absol wasnt entirely sure, but there was something about Natsume that made it feel an inexplicable sense of closeness. If it were a Pokmon like a Glameowone naturally inclined to be affectionateit would probably already be lying on its back, showing its belly, begging Natsume for pets, hugs, and to be lifted high into the air. Plus, in its unconscious state, Absol vaguely remembered hearing Natsumes voice. So Absol figured it must have been Natsume who saved it. As for the human female next to him? She was probably just there for decoration. Absol had encountered human Trainers before. It seemed like quite a few of them enjoyed bringing along a "flower vase" or some sort of "accessory" on their travels. Not sure about their actual strength, but at least they provided some emotional support. And when trouble came, they acted just like NPCs in a gamespouting the same few lines over and over again. At this moment, Mei, completely unaware that Absol had mentally categorized her as a decorative companion, was looking at it with concern. "Sol." Thank you for saving me. Though Absol had a lot of thoughts swirling in its mind, it didn''t show any of them on the surface. It simply lowered its head slightly toward Natsume and Mei in gratitude. This was quite different from the usual aloof and proud demeanor of Absols, which took Mei by surprise. Natsume and Slowking, however, remained unfazed. For Natsume, it was simply because, since childhood, he had never met a Pokmon that stayed "cool and distant" around him. He could even turn a stern police officers Houndoom into a playful goofball. As for Slowking, it was probably the Pokmon on the farm that best understood just how unusual Natsume was. When it evolved into Slowking, the seal placed by Uxie had dissolved. Along with the surge of power that returned to it, a flood of knowledge left behind by Uxie had also rushed into its mind. It was as if a parent, worried their child might go hungry while traveling, had left them with an excessive amount of money and food. Uxie, the god of wisdom, had left behind a great deal of information. As a self-proclaimed wise mushroom (scratch that)as the embodiment of wisdom, Uxie possessed knowledge beyond what ordinary beings could comprehend. And after receiving this sudden info dump, Slowking spent days sorting it all out. With this knowledge, Slowking understood better than anyone just how abnormal Natsume was. To Slowking, this farm was filled with unnatural occurrences. That mysterious Zorua, always scheming and knowing far too muchnot normal. That Persian, with an absurdly powerful physique and energynot normal. That Corviknight, whose size and defensive capabilities were off the chartsnot normal. Even the farm itself seemed to be evolving in strange ways. But among all these abnormalities, Natsume was the most abnormal of them all. This was one of the main reasons Slowking had decided to stay. Maybe it wanted to find Uxie again. Maybe it just wanted to witness something different. Either way, Slowking had chosen to remain here. Helping Natsume manage this farm that, in its view, made no logical sense. Not that it was complaining. Work was work. Who actually likes working? But then again, how many things in life do people really do just because they like them? People dont necessarily go to school because they like itits just something they have to do, because everyone else does. People dont study for exams out of love for learningthey do it because they dont want their years of effort to go to waste. People dont work because they enjoy itits just that, well... they need money. Slowking never resented its life. It knew that compared to most Pokmon, it was already living quite well. And so, it was content. But if there was ever an opportunity to nudge things along, to stir up the status quo just a little... Slowking wouldnt mind at all. Sarch* The novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That was why it had called Natsume over to heal Absol in the first place. As the blue glow in its eyes faded, Slowking returned to its usual calm expression. The ability to foresee the future was a signature skill of the Lake Guardians. And Slowking had picked up a thing or two. Watching Natsume communicate effortlessly with Absol, Slowking silently stepped back behind Mei and Corviknight. Now then... what should I eat tonight? Maybe Ill try that barbecue Natsume mentioned yesterday. Slowking, lost in thought once again. "I see. Thats what happened." After a brief exchange with Absol, Natsume had a general grasp of the situation. Its home forest had been taken over by an unknown Pokmon, forcing many of its original inhabitants to leave. And this Absol, apparently possessing quite the stubborn streak, had refused to leave. Instead, it had relied on its speed and agility to launch a guerrilla-style resistance, striking at the intruder and retreating immediately after. But as everyone knows, people who love to tempt fate often dont live long enough to regret it. The more the forest was destroyed, the fewer places Absol had left to hide. Eventually, it had no choice but to leave. But running away just like that didnt sit well with Absol. So, before leaving, it had tried to deliver one last big attack And completely failed. It had barely escaped with its life. In its last moments of battle, all Absol remembered was the enemy lowering its head to the ground. Then, the earth itself had split open, forming a bottomless chasm. Everything after that was a blur. It only recalled fleeing in an incredibly sorry state. And the rest of the story was straightforward Absol had pushed through its injuries, made it all the way here, and finally collapsed, where it was found by Natsume. Of course, what Absol didnt admit was that it had no particular attachment to that forest. It simply couldnt stand the Pokmon that had taken it over. "Huh... that sounds kinda familiar." For some reason, Natsume found this story oddly reminiscent of something. Like hed heard it before. Who was it again...? "Oh, right! The Bounsweet group!" Natsume snapped his fingers in realization. Hadnt Steenee mentioned something similar before? Its group had also fled their habitat after a powerful Pokmon had taken over. "?" Beside him, Mei looked completely lost. She couldnt understand what Absol was saying, nor did she know about the Bounsweet groups situation. Right now, she was just in a state of total confusion. Fortunately, Natsume quickly explained the situation, allowing Mei to finally understand what was going on. Chapter 89: Welcome, Absol—And the Watched Forest "You''ve been through a lot, Absol." Watching the obediently crouched Absol, Mei felt a mix of emotions. Somehow, this Pokmons personality didnt quite match its appearance. Normally, Absols were known for their aloof and dignified nature. They would appear before humans briefly before vanishing just as quickly. Even when captured by trainers, they tended to maintain a certain level of reserve. But this one felt a little strange. It repeatedly challenged an obviously stronger opponent out of sheer stubbornness. Then, in a final act of defiance, it tried to go bigonly to nearly get itself killed. In short, it really shot itself in the foot. Honestly, the fact that it was still alive was kind of impressive. "Sol?" Tilting its head, Absol didnt quite understand why Mei seemed so sentimental. It felt fine. More than fine, actually. Sure, it almost got obliterated this time, but regret? Not a chance. Well, okayif it had to reflect on anything, maybe it should have planned its attacks better. In hindsight, it shouldve stayed far away, built up its power, and only moved in to strike at the perfect moment before making a quick escape. Yeah that was the way to do it. Lowering its head, Absol was already constructing a brand-new battle strategy in its mind. Though, to be fair, calling it a "battle strategy" was a bit of a stretchit was more like imagining itself utterly thrashing that Pokmon. A lot of people have probably had a similar experience: Arguing with someone, only to stew in frustration afterward, feeling like they hadnt responded as well as they could have. Then, in their head, they replay the scenario, thinking of all the perfect comebacks, imagining themselves verbally destroying their opponent and finally, satisfied, drifting off to sleep. That was exactly what Absol was doing right now. "Absol, what are your plans from here?" Watching Absols contemplative expression, Natsume asked the question softly. He didnt mind taking in another Pokmon for his farmthere were plenty already, so one more wouldnt hurt. If Absol wanted to stay, it was welcome. If it wanted to leave, he would let it go without hesitation. "Sol." Plans? None, really. "Then how about joining my farm?" "I actually own a pretty big one nearby." "Sol?" A farm? Absol thought for a moment and realized there was no real reason to refuse. After all, Slowking had already subtly worked on convincing it. For example: Natsume is an amazing guy. Free food, free lodging, and guaranteed work. Everyone on the farm is talented and interesting. They all speak well, and the vibes are greatI totally love it here. Okay, maybe the wording was a bit off, but that was the gist of it. At least, thats how Absol interpreted it. "Sol!" I''m in! Absol made the decision without hesitation. Seriously, where else would it find such a good deal? As for becoming a trainers Pokmon? Absol had no interest in that. Sure, it wanted to grow stronger and didnt mind battling, but there was a key difference I want to get stronger because I want to, not because you told me to. If I slap a passing Mightyena, its because I felt like it. If you tell me to fight another Pokmon, thats your problem, not mine. And if you like battling so much, why dont you fight yourself? Youve got hands and feet, dont you? In short, this Absol had a bit of a rebellious streak. But it liked Natsume, so listening to him didnt seem so bad. Natsume shall be protected! Maybe. Glancing at Slowking, who was lost in thought, Absol hesitated. Something told it that fighting this guy wouldnt end well. And that high-and-mighty black bird behind him? Also felt out of its league. As Absols gaze landed on Corviknight, it had a realization. This bird radiated cold, steely energycompletely unreadable. Coincidentally, Corviknight was thinking the exact same thing. Since they hadnt interacted much yet, and Corviknight had been standing further away, it hadnt caught most of Natsume and Absols conversation. So from Corviknights perspective, Absol seemed just as cold and aloof as any other of its kind. Tch, I dont really get along with this type. Both of them, simultaneously. "Alright then, Ill be counting on you, Absol." Natsume pulled a shrunken Pok Ball from his pocket, enlarged it, and set it down in front of Absol. Without hesitation, Absol lightly tapped it with the blade-like horn on its forehead. As the red light flashed, it remained perfectly calm, letting the Pok Ball pull it inside without resistance. Seeing this, Corviknight became even more convinced Yep. Definitely one of those cool and aloof types. But in reality, Absol was just thinking Damn. Human technology is insane. Absol couldnt even begin to wrap its head around how Pok Balls worked. Even with all its knowledge, it was completely beyond comprehension. So, Absol had to admithumans were impressive. And Natsume was impressive. He could do things even Pokmon couldnt. No wonder Slowking calls him Boss Natsume. In Absols mind, a simple equation took shape: Natsume can heal me, but Slowking cant. So Natsume > Slowking. I cant beat Slowking, so Slowking > Me. Therefore: Natsume > Slowking > Me. Perfect logic. With that realization, it felt even more at ease about being captured. "Sol." Nice to meet you, Boss Natsume. Emerging from the Pok Ball, Absol greeted him naturally. "Huh?" Natsume stiffened mid-motion as he put the Pok Ball away. Where did it learn that? He didnt exactly dislike the title, but it was a little embarrassing. "Ya-don!" sea??h th novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Rejoice! Out of nowhere, Slowking, who had been spacing out for a while, suddenly pulled out a brand-new, unopened notebook and raised it high in the air. For a moment, four pairs of eyes locked onto Slowking. And then "Ya-don." Uh forgot the next part. After a brief pause, Slowking quietly put the notebook away. Yeah, no, that was way too embarrassing. I should never have trusted that Zorua. Decision made: the moment it got back, it was eating Zoruas dinner. "You this ugh, forget it." Watching Slowkings completely unbothered expression, Natsume began to doubt his own hearing. Had he imagined it? But judging by Mei and the others reactions no, Slowking definitely spoke. After mulling it over, Natsume decided to drop it for now and turned back to Absol. "Absol, was this the forest you used to live in?" Pulling out his phone, he displayed a map for Absol to see. Ever since hearing Steenees story, he had been keeping an eye on this place. Chapter 90: The Two Growing Closer Sol Fixing its gaze on the map displayed on Natsumes phone, Absol looked as though it was trying to pierce through the screen with sheer focus. But I cant understand it. Unknowingly, a bead of cold sweat rolled down Absols forehead. Human technology was still somewhat of a mystery to it. Fortunately, after a few adjustments and explanations from Natsume, Absol managed to grasp the basics of the map and even recognized the forest it once called home. Seeing its former home again through satellite imagery stirred up a mix of emotions within Absol. It wasnt just nostalgiait was also the place where it had nearly lost its life due to an unfortunate misstep. A black mark on its history Sol. This is the place. Even though it wasnt exactly thrilled to recall its past failures, Absol still gave Natsume a clear answer. Its fine. As long as I dont mention it, no one will know about my embarrassing history. Except Natsume. As for that girl? She cant understand me anyway. Wait a second. How does Natsume understand me? A belated realization struck Absol. Hiss Something about this guy isnt quite right. So, it really is the same place where Steenee and the others come from. Putting away his phone, Natsume frowned slightly. Normally, Pokmon have their own habitats. Just like in gamesLevel 60 monsters dont usually show up in beginner zones, and Level 10 critters dont spawn in final boss areas. Its not just a matter of habit; its about resources. Scarce resources lead to Pokmon that are weaker and lower-leveled. Abundant resources create strong Pokmon, and the weaker ones get wiped out. But now, theres an abnormality. A powerful Pokmon appeared in the same forest where Steenee and the others live. Its like one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon Lords Army camping at the newbie village gates. No, wait. The Four Heavenly Kings usually camp there to wipe out heroes before they grow stronger. But whats this Pokmons reason? It doesnt seem to have any purpose beyond sheer destruction. Almost as if its gaining something from its rampage. Natsume, are you planning to go there? Seeing the look on his face, Mei asked with some concern. Not that she could be blamed for thinking that. Trainers were just that kind of creaturealways eager for excitement, adventure, and pushing their limits. Even the most extreme athletes sponsored by Red Bull couldnt match the sheer recklessness of Pokmon trainers. The more dangerous and unexplored a place was, the more trainers youd find there. This world had many well-known "forbidden zones" where life was practically unsustainable. Some were due to the powerful Pokmon residing there, while others had impossibly harsh environments. But how did people even discover these zones? The answer: a bunch of fearless or overly confident trainers throwing themselves into danger, proving the credibility of these forbidden titles with their own lives. To this day, many trainers still sought out such places. Even if you told them, Theres an Entei in thereit breathes fire on sight and is extremely aggressive, most trainers would react like this: What? That sounds intense! I gotta check it out. A few might even rally others: Brothers, lets charge in together! Thats just the way trainers werefull of confidence (or arrogance). But Natsume wasnt a trainer. Right now, he was just a farm owner. He didnt have the boundless energy or reckless curiosity of a trainer. At this moment, all he wanted was to take care of his farm. Of course not. Waving a hand dismissively, Natsume made it clear he had no interest in getting involved. That didnt mean he would ignore the issue, though. After all, Natsume had always been the kind of guy who would help an old lady cross the street. Why brave young man instead of good young man? Well, considering his familys financial situation back then, taking that risk was a bit reckless. In a way, Natsume was definitely qualified for a Courage Badge. Hello, is this the Ranger Union? Soon, Natsume dialed a number. The person on the other end was a dispatcher from the Ranger Union. In games and anime, this organization didnt seem particularly prominent. But in reality, it was a major entityone with broad authority, handling a wide range of matters, and, most importantly, being incredibly strong. While the Union promoted peaceful solutions between humans and Pokmon, everyone knew that such organizations were often the ones with the most firepower. Why did trainers always behave when facing a Ranger? Was it out of politeness? Out of respect? No. It was because theyd get their asses kicked otherwise. If you dont understand words, I can explain with my fists. After a brief explanation, the Ranger Union assured Natsume they would dispatch a team immediately. If the situation was confirmed, Natsume would even receive a commendation for reporting it. Before hanging up, Natsume made sure to give them a heads-up about the Pokmons massive size and abnormal durability. The sheer mention of its size alone was enough to make the Rangers take it seriously. Unlike in the games, where Groudon was a massive 3.5 meters tall, the real Groudon was a true colossus. Most Legendary Pokmon were genuinely massive. Even among non-Legendary Pokmon, a large-sized one going berserk was enough to cause disaster. All done. Hanging up, Natsume clapped his hands, looking quite pleased. Leave professional work to professionals. A farm owner like him had no reason to stress over this. This left Mei a bit dumbfounded. Wait, what? She gestured in the air with both hands as if trying to articulate something. But after a moments thought, she realized this was actually the normal reaction. So why did it feel so off? For a moment, Mei fell into deep thought. Why, though? Maybe because, in her mind, Natsume was more of a powerful trainer who just happened to run a farm. Even if he didnt challenge Gyms or enter tournaments. The stereotypical image of a farm owner wasnt exactly glamorous. A middle-aged man, straw hat on his head, smelling of the farm, not particularly friendly, and sometimes downright grumpy. That was the common perception of farm owners. But Natsume? Young, strong, gentle with Pokmon, and even patient when talking to her. He could make Pokblocks, and no matter what he did, he always showed great care. Handsome, yet not the type to flirt around. sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Actually, that last part might be the real reason. Though stereotypes often came from general trends, individuals could still break the mold. Like how many Pokmon Breeders were gentle, mature big sisters. From the moment they started their profession, interacting with cute Pokmon daily, handling things with care, and being around similar people, they naturally became those familiar, kind-hearted big sisters. On the flip side, the trainer community had plenty of daredevils. After all, the best rewards came from unexplored territories. A place a million people had already scoured? Thered be nothing left but scraps. Alright, lets head back. Standing up, Natsume turned to Mei. Alright, alright! Mei bounced up energetically. Even though she still had unanswered questions, she figured they didnt really matter. If Natsume wanted to tell her, he would. So, dont overthink it Nope, still thinking about it. Even as she sat on Corviknights back, Mei couldnt stop wondering. This wasnt the first time shed been caught off guard at Natsumes farm. Back then, when he got that call from Slowking Wait, Slowking making a call? And Natsume understanding every Yadon perfectly? What the hell?! And now, she was about to learn the truth. Natsume Was a real-life psychic. Meis mind was still reeling as she found herself gripping Natsumes outstretched hand, letting him pull her onto Corviknights back. It wasnt that she was short-circuiting because of some incomprehensible sight this time. No, it was the casualness of it allthe way Natsumes hand reached out, and without a second thought, shed taken it. Then her brain went blank again. As for everything that happened afterward? Yeah, she didnt get any of it. Whether it was Natsume healing Absol with a simple touch of glowing green light, or how easily he communicated with both Slowking and Absol, or how smoothly he captured what looked like a cool, aloof Absolnone of it made sense to Mei. Is catching a wild Pokmon really this easy? She felt like her worldview as a trainer was crumbling. Today, shed witnessed so many things that completely defied her understanding. Feeling the wind rushing past her ears, Mei stared ahead, lost in thought. At that moment, her expression looked more like a Slowpokes than Slowkings ever did. Meanwhile, Slowking was sifting through its crown storage space. In simpler terms, it was treating the space under its Shellder crown like a bag, stuffing in all sorts of thingscell phones, half-eaten Pokblocks, photocopies of Corviknights script notes All neatly tucked away. Mei, were you curious about how I healed Absol earlier? Natsumes sudden question pulled her from her daze. Huh? What? She snapped her head around to face him, eyes wide. Is he really going to explain it? Just like that? The psychics shed read about online were always so secretive. Theyd make a big show out of something as small as bending a spoon, like they were about to save the world or something. I noticed you seemed curious earlier, so I thought Id explain. If Im wrong, just forget it! Seeing Meis stunned look, Natsume quickly added, trying to avoid any misunderstanding. One of lifes great misunderstandings: She likes me. Or in this case, Shes interested in me. People who think like that often end up embarrassed when reality hits them. Natsume wanted to avoid that kind of awkwardness. After all, he and Mei were still just friends, and it was too soon to assume anything deeper. No, no, no! Im super curious! Mei waved her hands frantically, eager to dispel his worries. She was genuinely curious! Shed never seen a real psychic before, and Natsume wasnt just bending spoonsthis was real power. Who wouldnt be curious about that? I see. Natsume let out a small sigh of relief, then carefully chose his words. Around when I was three or four, I started noticing it. I was different from other kids. I had a stronger body and a kind of natural affinity that most people dont understand. For example, Mightyena, which could easily shatter a grown mans ribs, was nothing to meI could pin it down with one hand. And that Houndoom from next door, the one that didnt like anyone, not even its trainer, would roll over and act all silly for me. With a wave of my hand, itd do tricksrolling, backflips, even a Thomas Flair. In short, they listened to me. Hold up! Thats way beyond just listening! Mei had so many questions, but she didnt know where to start. Over the next few years, I learned to control this affinity. And gradually, I discovered my true power. As he spoke, Natsume extended his hand, and once more, that vibrant green light filled the air. I call it the Power of the Viridian. No special reason for the nameit just felt right. With this power, I can communicate effortlessly with any Pokmon. And I can heal, transfer life energy, things like that. Its more of a support ability, really. I see. Mei nodded thoughtfully, trying to process everything. Before long, they let the conversation drift away. Neither of them dwelled on it, as though theyd just been chatting about what they had for dinner yesterday. It felt like nothing had changed, yet somehow, there was a subtle shift between them. Unconsciously, they seemed to have drawn a little closer. Elsewhere, the massive Pokmon that had been ravaging the forest looked around at the devastation it had caused. After a moment, it lowered its head, then moved on, seemingly losing interest in this ruined area as it searched for a new target to destroy. Chapter 91: The Accusations of Tepig and the Tournament Registration A sudden gust of wind swirled through the open space of the farm. A vast shadow stretched across the ground, growing larger by the second as a massive figure descended gracefully from the sky. Strange as it might sound, despite its enormous size, Corviknight landed with remarkable lightness. Perhaps this was simply a natural gift of its speciesan innate talent as an airborne taxi. Just like how some people are born with a knack for flipping woks, some excel at smoothing plaster, and others are just naturally introverted. Boof boof! The moment Mei dismounted from Corviknight, she saw her Tepig rushing toward her, its little face full of grievances. With its short, stubby forelegs, it clung tightly to Meis shin, launching into an impassioned tirade against the alleged "atrocities" committed by the shiny Furret. Watching her indignant Tepig, Mei found herself in a bit of a predicament. I have no idea what youre saying. Perhaps, in some distant future, Mei would achieve the legendary ability to communicate with Pokmon on a deeper level. To understand their thoughts with just a glance at their gestures and seemingly nonsensical cries, even discerning their exact desires. But for now She was nowhere near that level. So she could only stare at Tepigs righteous indignation with a helpless look. "I really cant understand you!" Somebody save me! Natsume! With no other options, Mei turned her pleading gaze toward Natsume. Right now, all she could do was hope that he could help. Whats wrong, Tepig? Natsume, who had followed Mei off the Caw Caw Express, crouched beside her, temporarily assuming the role of interpreter. Boof boof! The moment Tepig saw Natsume, it immediately abandoned Mei and directed its complaints toward him instead. Not that it necessarily preferred Natsume over Mei I mean, sure, Tepig liked Natsume a lot, but not that much more than Mei right? Its just thatwell, Natsume was way too generous. Pokeblocks? He handed them out like candy. Every Pokmon on the farm was well-fed and chubby. There was even a rumor that one of the farms Furret had been trying to go on a diet for ages but never managed to lose any weight. But back to the point. The real reason Tepig got so worked up upon seeing Natsume was simply that He could actually understand what it was saying. And that was incredibly rare. At least, in Tepigs short Pokmon life, Natsume was the only human it had ever met who could communicate with Pokmon without barriers. I see, I think I got it, Natsume nodded after listening to Tepigs complaints. Then he turned to Mei and summarized, In short it got mentally broken by Shiny Furret. Boof?! Tepig gasped in horror. Oi, oi, did you really have to spell it out like that?! Sure, it wasnt exactly wrong, but I still have my dignity, you know! Huh? Hearing Natsumes words, Mei was momentarily stunned. What the heck does "breaking through defenses" even mean? It seems that Shiny Furret was trying to teach Tepig a move, so it made Tepig experience it firsthand. If he couldnt learn it, he just kept getting hit. Furret! At some point, the shiny Furret had appeared beside Natsume and added its own explanation. It had noticed that Tepigs motivation to get stronger seemed weaker than the other Pokmon. So, it opted for a simple and direct teaching method Letting Tepig remember the feeling of getting beaten. That should help him learn, right? After all, Take Down is just a straightforward charge attack. At least, thats how Furret saw it. Tackle? Just ramming into something. Take Down? Ramming even harder. And Take Down with full force? That means charging in without caring about defense, aiming straight for the opponents weak spot. A rather simple and direct way of understanding it. I see. Glancing at the somewhat guilty-looking Tepig, Mei decisively turned to the shiny Furret. In that case, Ill be counting on you to take care of him from now on. Without hesitation, she grabbed Tepig by the scruff of his neck and shoved him toward Furret. Mei was well aware of her Pokmons personalities. The one that gave her the biggest headache was undoubtedly Tepig. Servine and Dewott? No need to even mention them. They were both diligent and hardworking. Even if Mei didnt push them, they would train on their own. Steenee, who joined later, was playful and curious about everything, but with a little encouragement, she would train seriously. Only Tepig was the problem. He was lazy, playful, and even slacked off during training. Scolding him didnt really work. If she was too harsh, she would feel guilty herself. So, Tepig had been living in a relatively relaxed state. If he were content with staying like that forever, Mei wouldnt mind. She could just let him be the teams mascot, cheering everyone on from the sidelines. As long as it didnt affect the teams overall atmosphere, it was fine. But sometimes, Tepig would suddenly become motivated. Like after a battle lossespecially when Mei lost a match. He would get really upset and enter a short-lived determined training phase. But it never lasted. To put it simply, he wasnt content being lazy, but he also didnt want to work too hard. Caught between anxiety and slacking off, he ultimately chose anxious slacking. He would stand up and train for a bitonly to start looking for excuses to rest again. Just like you in front of the screen. So, Mei decided she needed to put some pressure on him. Since she couldnt bring herself to be strict, she might as well let someone else do it. Furret! Leave it to me! No problem at all! Catching the tossed Tepig, Furret threw him over its shoulder and gave Mei a thumbs-up. Ignoring Tepigs frantic struggles, Furret adjusted its posture, standing upright on its hind legs, and carried Tepig off for more training. Boooor!! A heart-wrenching wail echoed across the farm, carrying far into the distance. Servine and Dewott, who were in the middle of training, nodded approvingly. Nice. Someone finally put that lazy, orange pig in his place. In fact, both of them had been annoyed by Tepig for a while now. They just hadnt said anything out of respect for Mei. Now, they had even more respect for Natsume. As expected of the human they acknowledged. Not bad at all. For now, Dewott was very satisfied with farm life. And more importantly Glancing over at Gallade, who was leisurely fishing by the lake, Dewotts eyes burned with admiration. Ever since witnessing Gallade in battle, Dewott had become completely captivated. The fluid movements, the clean and efficient attacks And the way Gallade casually turned away after the fight to chat with the others. It was exactly the kind of battle style Dewott dreamed of. With Slowking, the coach, and the ever-durable training partner Corviknight back on the farm, the training routine had returned to normal. By the way, when Mei first requested special training, she didnt think too much about it. But later, she felt like she might have been taking advantage of the situation. So, in classic university-student fashionnever haggling when shoppingshe bought a massive supply of Pokblocks. Enough to last her Pokmon a whole month. Dont ask. It was necessary. At the very least, Mei had full confidence in Tepigs appetite. So, all she could do was entrust everything to her teams biggest eater. If Natsume knew what Mei was thinking, he would probably just laugh and say it wasnt necessary. At first, sure, the special training was just for Meis Pokmon. But now, it had evolved into a full-fledged farm-wide boot camp. Since he was already training his Pokmon, adding a few more didnt make a difference. Might as well get everyone involved to make the atmosphere even livelier. That was how Slowking, the stand-in coach, saw it. At this point, most of the Pokmon who were close to Natsume had joined in. Even the ones who usually kept their distancelike Charjabug, the shiny Pidgeotto, and the Hisuian Zorua who always lurked in the shadows watchinghad joined. The training grounds were buzzing with energy. S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After a quick scan of the training site, Natsume headed back to his room for a break. He hadnt rested much since morning. Originally, he planned to make more Pokblocks for the Pokmon. But before he could, Slowking dragged him off to check on Absol. And, well, the rest was history. Mei, on the other hand, didnt follow him back. She decided to stay and cheer on Servine and the others. At least this way, she could contribute in some way. Otherwise, it felt like leaving them to train while she went off to relax Like putting a game on auto-mode. Mhmm? At the end of the second-floor hallway, a small head peeked out from a room, sensing Natsumes presence. When it saw him, its eyes lit up, and it immediately dashed toward him, leaping into his arms. Good afternoon, Ogerpon. Did you stay up late again last night? Catching the airborne Ogerpon, Natsume chuckled and gave its head a gentle rub. Mhmm. Nestled in his arms, Ogerpons eyes darted around evasively. Ever since arriving at the farm, it had spent a few days setting up its room. At Natsumes suggestion, Ogerpon decided to keep the trinkets it had originally planned to throw away. They were treasures from the past, after all. Then came the process of adjusting to the new environment. Overall, it had been getting along with the other Pokmon well enough. Not exactly friendly, but at least they coexisted peacefully under the same roof. Not that Ogerpon cared too much about them. As long as Natsume was there, that was enough. At first, thats what it thought. Then Corviknight dragged it into an all-night anime binge. And just like that, it got sucked in. Now, Ogerpon even greeted the other Pokmon occasionally. Among its closest friends on the farm were Shiny Furret and Corviknight. With Shiny Furret, it was a natural connectionthey were both cute, so they clicked. As for Corviknight, well It was just an extroverted otaku. Yes, that sounded odd. But somehow, Corviknight balanced being a hardcore anime nerd with an incredibly outgoing personality. It loved recommending anime to everyone. And occasionally, it even acted out dramatic scenes. Unfortunately, most of the farms Pokmon werent interested in anime. But Ogerpon was. Because it had once seen Natsume watching anime while lounging on a bean bag after a bath And figured this was a great way to get closer to him. Since there was nothing else to do, might as well pass the timeso, together with Corviknight, he started watching an anime. And then he got hooked. "Staying up late is fine, but remember to show some restraint." After giving it a firm rub, Natsume set Ogerpon down on the floor. This little one had always been quite clingy. Good thing he was raising a Ogerpon and not a Grass Cat. Sprigatito, being one of the highly popular starter Pokmon, was an extremely rare feline species and a textbook example of an adorable cat Pokmon. Not the fancy-pants, gas-tank-looking kind of cat, though. Its final evolution was a graceful, humanoid big catdecent stats all around. But the downside? Grass Cats were incredibly jealous creatures. If you got too close to other Pokmon, Sprigatito would get really jealous. Natsume had originally considered raising one, but after thinking about it, he decided against it. Still, having a Grass-type Ogerpon now wasnt much different. Just as cute, just as strong, and without that over-the-top jealousy issue. Wooma wooma. Nodding firmly, Ogerpon signaled its understanding. It would definitely be staying up late again. A classic case of acknowledging a mistake but having zero intention of changing. Lately, Ogerpon had been obsessed with a new anime, and it had already made plans with Corviknight to marathon the remaining episodes tonight. "Ahh, finally lying down." Sinking into the beanbag chair, Natsume let out a long breath as his body relaxed. That feeling of finally having solid support from the waist to the shoulder bladesno matter how many times he experienced it, it was always satisfying. "Wooma." Taking advantage of the moment, Ogerpon handed Natsume a glass of water it had just fetched, then climbed onto the backrest of the beanbag chair, gently tapping his shoulders. From this angle, it happened to catch a glimpse of the screen on Natsumes phone. "Wooma?" Was Natsume signing up for that tournament? Looking at the registration page on the screen, Ogerpon tilted its head in curiosity. It had overheard some Pokmon at the farm mentioning that Natsume was thinking about entering a town-level or county-level competition. Just for fun. So naturally, Ogerpon was a little curious. But only a little. It knew full well that Natsume wouldnt sign it up for something like this. "More or less. Interested, Ogerpon?" "Wooma." Not really. Feeling the warmth of the hand on its head, Ogerpon answered, sounding thoroughly disinterested. What would it even do in a competition like this? Speedrun the whole thing and grab the prize? "Alright then, if youre not interested, Ill have someone else enter." Natsume smiled as he finished filling out his registration details. Chapter 92: A Ghost-Type Pokémon Snuck In? After completing the registration, Natsume quickly put the matter out of his mind. He just couldnt muster much enthusiasm for this tournament. He wasnt a trainer seeking fame through battle, nor one of those hunters who frequently participated in small competitions for prize money and rare items. The only reason Natsume signed up was simplehe just wanted his Pokmon to get out and have some fun. For most trainers, letting their Pokmon relax meant skipping training and going out to play. For Natsumes Pokmon, "relaxing" meant entering a tournament. In a way, they were a particularly hardworking bunch. As for the team hed enter? Natsume already had a lineup in mind. One thing was certain: his Shiny Furret and the others, who trained hard every day, were definitely coming along. They had been looking forward to standing on a real battlefield for a long time. The small-scale sparring matches on the farm were no longer enough to satisfy their competitive spirits. "Wooma." Perched on Natsumes shoulder, Ogerpon rubbed its cheek against his before hopping down onto his lap. It curled up in a comfortable position and peered at his phone with curiosity. Ogerpon actually had a phone of its own. But it only ever used it for watching anime. Anything else? Not interested. If all the apps on its phone had physical buttons, the video apps would be visibly worn out from overuse, while everything else would still look brand new. Ogerpon might occasionally check out other apps when it first downloaded them, but after that? Nothing. Well, except for the rare moments when it called Natsume. "Do you want anything, Ogerpon?" Sear?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Holding the phone in one hand, Natsume supported Ogerpon with the other, cradling it like a small child. He rested his chin on its head. Right now, Ogerpon looked just like a plush toy. "Wooma." Nope. You already bought me so many things. Ogerpon shook its head, making it clear that it didnt need anything at the moment. In a way, Natsume was quite the extravagant spender. When it came to himself, he barely spent money beyond the basicsfood, clothing, and shelter. Aside from the occasional interest in something weird, his personal expenses were minimal. But when it came to his Pokmon? That was a different story. He bought them tons of stuff. Just because. Like that time he went on a shopping spree for Persian. He bought several different kinds of scratching posts. Only for Persian to completely ignore them. "Do you seriously think I need these?" With a single slap, Persian shattered a scratching post. It didnt say anything, but its actions spoke volumes. Those were supposed to be premium scratching posts designed specifically for feline Pokmon. But in Persians hands, they were as fragile as a college students health. It was the same for the other Pokmon. Corviknights room had practically turned into a shrine of collectible figurines, and its collection of electronic gadgets was ridiculous. Not that Natsume minded. He wasnt exactly strapped for cash these days. His Pokblock sales were doing greatmost of his customers became repeat buyers, providing a steady stream of income. His Viridian Force-enhanced fruits and berries were also wildly popular. At this point, Natsume could confidently say he had basically achieved financial freedom. He wasnt quite at the level of never work again wealth, but if he wanted something, he could buy it without thinking twice. What? Youre saying there are problems money cant solve? Well, if you have enough money, most problems stop being problems. Take home renovations, for example. If youre broke, you have to consider material costs, labor, inspections, and all sorts of details. But if youre rich, you just hire a high-end renovation team with great reviews and let them handle everything. Thanks to that, Natsume didnt have many worries in his daily life. Any farm upgrades? He could get them done immediately. Need new equipment? He could order it without hesitation. "Alright, if you dont need anything, I wont buy anything for now." Since Ogerpon said it didnt want anything, Natsume wasnt going to force it. It was like giving gifts in a relationshipthoughtful gestures were nice, but if a girl explicitly told you she didnt want something and you still bought it, she might just get annoyed. Closing the shopping app, Natsume casually opened the Trainer Forum. The Trainer Forum was a wild place. A chaotic mix of casual travelers, professional trainers competing on the international stage, hobbyists, and even armchair experts who definitely werent just bluffing. People there prided themselves on being all-knowing. Even if you started a discussion about Arceus, theyd somehow have something to say. Of course, whether they were actually right was another matter entirely. "Suo." Just as Natsume and Ogerpon were scrolling through the ridiculous forum posts, Hisuian Zorua suddenly dashed into the room. "Whats up?" Natsume raised an eyebrow at the little fox peeking around the door. Even though he had caught it, Zorua had never been particularly close to him. Most of the time, it just followed regular Zorua and Togepi around, playing pranks on other Pokmon. This was the first time it had come looking for Natsume on its own. Even when it wanted to play with Steenee and the others, it never approached him directly. It had a natural wariness of humans. Not that this was a problem for Natsume. "Suosuo?" Are there any other Ghost-type Pokmon on our farm? I think I caught a whiff of something... Upon seeing Natsume, Zorua instinctively shrank back a little. To be honest, it had actually wanted to get closer to him before. But ever since that one timewhen Natsume had ruffled its fur so much it ended up looking like a goofy huskyit had been keeping its distance. It had zero desire to go through that again. Natsumes ability was just too unfair. "A Ghost-type Pokmon?" "Aside from you, there shouldnt be any others." The farm had a huge variety of Pokmon, covering almost every type. But as far as Ghost-types went, Hisuian Zorua was the only one. "You smelled a Ghost-type?" "Could it be that one snuck in?" That wasnt impossible. In fact, it was highly likely. Ghost-types were notorious for their stealthy, mischievous nature. If weird things started happeninglike objects constantly disappearing when you needed them, only to reappear later in their original spot That was classic Ghost-type behavior. "Lets go check it out." "Wooma!" "Suo!" Chapter 93: The Ghost Pokémon in the Treasure Chest "Suosuo." Hisuian Zorua took the lead, sniffing around as it followed the scent it had picked up. To Hisuian Zorua, the scent was fairly distinct. However, because Natsume''s farm was quite large, the owner of the scent seemed to have been wandering around for quite some time. Moreover, with so many Pokmon on the farm training and moving about, the air was filled with a mix of different smells. Not to mention... it''s not like I''m a canine Pokmon or anything. I''m just a cute little fox. And if you''re about to say that foxes are also part of the canine family There''s no need to be so pedantic about Pokmon classifications. (Indifferent face.) "Garde?" Gardevoir, who was in Natsume''s old workshop learning how to make Pokblocks, curiously looked toward the rather unusual team entering the room. sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Natsume and Ogerpon teaming up was a common sight. Natsume and Hisuian Zorua, while not seen together as often, was still a familiar pairing. But Natsume, Hisuian Zorua, and Ogerpon all together? That was a first. A rather rare sight indeed. "Garde." What''s going on, Natsume? Gardevoirs voice rang directly in Natsume''s mind. At first, Gardevoir wasnt exactly skilled at telepathyit could barely manage broken phrases when focusing with all its might. Both Gardevoir and its intended recipient found the process frustrating. Initially, Gardevoir didnt think much of this ability. After all, as a Psychic-type, simply linking mental energy was enough to convey meaningwho needed telepathy? It wasnt until it arrived at the farm that Gardevoir began to take this skill seriously. Even though Natsume could understand it just fine, Gardevoir felt it should do something more to show how much it valued him. Even if it turned out to be pointless, effort mattered most. That was Gardevoirs philosophy. Because of this, Gallade often teased it. To Gallade, this whole thing was utterly meaningless. Natsume was a good personhe wouldnt dislike Gardevoir over something like this. But Gardevoir fiercely refuted that claim, and in doing so, it also suffered relentless ridicule from its own younger sister. Something along the lines of: "Foolish, shortsighted, destined to be a fishless fisherman." Yeah that last part seemed to have the most impact. After being told that, Gallade instantly sank into a state of deep self-doubt, questioning its entire existence. If there had been a trash can or an empty box nearby, it probably would''ve crawled inside. "A Ghost-type Pokmon seems to have sneaked in. Hisuian Zorua is leading us to find it now." "Garde?" Do you need my help? Gardevoir set down the Pokblocks it had been working on, grabbed a towel from the table, and casually wiped its hands before asking. "Oh? You want to help? Thatd be great." Psychic-type Pokmon were useful in all sorts of situations. From daily life to wild expeditions, their abilities were invaluable. Just the move Psychic alone could solve a ton of problems in the wild. For many trainers, Butterfreeone of the most common Pokmon capable of learning Psychicwas an essential capture. That was exactly why Natsume had caught a Butterfree back then. And now? That same Butterfree had become his dedicated Pokblock assistant. Occasionally, it would help out around the farmlike managing all the butterflies drawn in by the flowers. "Garde." Its fine. If I can help you, Natsume, Id be happy to. Gardevoir untied its apron and placed it on the rack. Its eyes suddenly shone with a bright blue glow. A vast surge of psychic energy spread out, sweeping across the farm like a radar. It was on par with Slowkings abilities. Which made senseafter all, Gardevoir was known as the "Psychic Queen." This level of power should be perfectly normal Or not. Wasn''t this already way beyond the usual range of a normal Pokmon? Slowking, who had been explaining move techniques to a Servine nearby, let out a quiet sigh. Was there even a single normal Pokmon on this farm? His own abilities were thanks to a special opportunity and training from Uxie. But what about Gardevoir? Was it really just natural talent combined with a diet of high-quality Pokblocks and a unique training environment? "Garde." Found it. The blue glow faded as Gardevoir turned to Natsume. Just as he suspected, there was indeed a foreign presence on the farmsomething they hadnt encountered before. Though Gardevoir wasnt sure exactly what Pokmon it was, the Ghost-type energy it gave off was unmistakable. "Garde." Ill take you there. "Then Ill be counting on you, Gardevoir." "Garde." Its no problem. A blue psychic aura enveloped Natsume and the two smaller Pokmon as Gardevoir activated Teleport. In the blink of an eye, the group appeared in front of the warehouse. "Garde." Gardevoir clutched its chest, breathing in small, measured gasps. What shouldve been a routine teleport had unexpectedly taken a toll on it. Normally, just bringing Natsume along would have been manageable. But this time, Ogerpon was part of the group. The stronger the Pokmon, the more energy was required to teleport them. This time, the energy consumption had been several times greater than usual. The moment the teleportation activated, Gardevoir had realized the issue. Luckily, everything went smoothly in the end. Gardevoir let out a quiet sigh of relief. "You worked hard, Gardevoir." Noticing its exhaustion, Natsume quickly extended his hand, and the radiant glow of Viridians Blessing washed over Gardevoir. Bathed in its light, Gardevoirs energy rapidly recovered. "Garde." Thank you, Natsume. "Its nothing." Natsume waved it off before turning toward the warehouse. Why did it feel like weird things always happened here? Did warehouses naturally attract Pokmon over time? As he pushed open the door, he flicked on the lights. The moment the warehouse lit up, something in the corner twitched slightlyjust enough to catch the edge of Natsumes vision. Following that subtle movement, his eyes landed on an old, somewhat worn-out treasure chest. "A treasure chest?" The moment he saw it, a possibility crossed his mind. And moments later, that guess was confirmed. A small figure timidly peeked out from inside the chest, cautiously staring at Natsume. Chapter 94: Gimmighoul’s Resolve A small Pokmon peeked out from the treasure chest, its two coin-like eyes filled with tension and unease. Strange as it may sound, that expression of nervousness was unmistakable. Two antenna-like appendages protruded from its head. "Gimmighoul?" Seeing the tiny figure, Natsume was somewhat surprised. Gimmighoul was a slow-moving Ghost-type Pokmon that wasn''t particularly adept at mobility. It typically lived inside treasure chests and was naturally timidwhenever it sensed the presence of humans or Pokmon nearby, it would immediately hide, ensuring it remained undiscovered. Gimmighoul generally had two forms: Roaming Form and Chest Form. There was no fundamental difference between them. sea??h th novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If anything, their behavior patterns varied. Roaming Form Gimmighoul wandered around, seemingly in search of its original treasure chest, hiding the moment it encountered humans or Pokmon. Chest Form Gimmighoul, on the other hand, often lurked in warehouses, item shops, or other places where few people or Pokmon ventured. If an unsuspecting human or Pokmon wandered too close, it would take control of them. And if someone attempted to steal its treasure, it would drain their life force. The one before Natsume was unmistakably a Chest Form Gimmighoul. At first glance, it instinctively attempted to control Natsume. Now that it had found its treasure chest, there was no need to stay here any longer. It was best to leave as soon as possible. However, before it could act, three piercing gazes locked onto it simultaneously. The sheer pressure from those stares froze Gimmighoul in place. Its attempt to raise a hand was abruptly interrupted, leaving it in an awkward and somewhat comical posture. Gardevoir and Hisuian Zorua stared at Gimmighoul coldly, ready to strike at the first sign of trouble. As for Ogerpon? It had already pulled out a thorny club from somewhere. If not for Natsume holding it back, that club would have smashed down onto Gimmighouls head by now. @#% (Pokmon profanity) You dare make a move on Natsume? You think you have enough lives for that? "Gimmighoul..." Snapping back to reality, Gimmighoul shrank further into its chest, terrified that it might get its head smashed in the next second. That green Pokmon over there radiated a murderous intent so intense that it was practically blinding. It actually wanted to kill me just now. Terrifying. Waitwasnt there a saying that Grass-type Pokmon were supposed to be gentle? Then why was this green one so aggressive? Could it be that this green Pokmon wasnt actually a Grass type? Like those Pokmon that looked like dragons but werent Dragon-types? "Hello, Gimmighoul. Im the owner of this farm." Natsume wasnt particularly bothered by Gimmighouls attempt to control him. For one, it was simply an instinctual behavior of its species. For another Even if I stand here and let my mind go blank, do you really think you can make me flinch for even a second? This is the confidence given to me by Arceus (crossed out) This is the blessing bestowed upon me by the great Hisui. Natsume could proudly claim that he was a man who could walk unscathed through every hypnosis-based anime. Of course, just because he wasnt holding a grudge now didnt mean he wouldnt later. Whether he let it slide depended on Gimmighouls cooperation and attitude. If it behaved well, Natsume could overlook the incident. The farm was big enoughone more Pokmon wouldnt make much of a difference. Besides, it could help with the night shift. After all, Ghost-types were naturally more active at night. And Gimmighoul was no exception. But if it refused to cooperate or showed hostility again Then sorry, not only will I beat you up and toss you out, but Ill also break your treasure chest. "Gimmighoul." Hello, Natsume. Sensing the kindness in Natsumes aurawhile also noticing the If you dont cooperate, Ill send you straight to Arceus look on Ogerpons face Gimmighoul immediately decided to behave. To show its sincerity, it even set down the coin it had been clutching in its tiny hands. It was genuinely afraid of dying. After traveling across mountains and rivers to finally find its treasure chest, it barely had time to settle in before being discovered by humans. Being discovered wasnt the worst partat least it could try running away with its chest. But it nearly got obliterated instead. What kind of nightmare scenario was this? It had worked so hard to find its treasure chest. It had even found two extra coins inside. These should have been two joyous occasions, and yetwhy did things turn out like this? Gimmighoul was feeling a little melancholic. After going through the standard round of introductions, Natsume pulled out a thermos from his small satchel and took a sip of water. To be honest, he was starting to feel like an NPC in some game. The Pokmon were the players. Every time a new player encountered him, it would trigger a scripted conversation sequence. Followed by the inevitable Capture Event. Though, seriously, what kind of game protagonist gets captured? Its not like this was that kind of game. "So, do you want to join the farm?" NPC Natsume extended his invitation to Gimmighoul. Gimmighoul hesitated for a brief moment. But even that fleeting hesitation was enough to earn a sharp glare from Ogerpon. THUD! The thorny club slammed against the ground with a dull impact. Ogerpon didnt say a word, but somehow, it spoke volumes. "Gimmighoul!" Yes, I accept! Please spare my life, thank you very much. Gimmighoul nodded decisively. As if I had any other choice. If I refused, that green menacewho was already itching to swingwould probably pummel me into Gimmighoul paste on the spot. Damn it. I still have big dreams to achieve! Like collecting all 999 coins to evolve! Gimmighoul had a rather unique evolution methodgathering 999 of its own species coins before evolving into Gholdengo. A Pokmon that gleamed like pure gold, radiating wealth and prosperity. By the way, Gholdengo had one of the most underwhelming shiny forms in all of Pokmon. The only difference was that a few thin red lines on its body turned silver. If you didnt look closely, youd never notice. Most people, upon seeing it, would be too dazzled by its golden sheen to realize it was shiny at all. "Then welcome to the farm, Gimmighoul." Natsume took out a Pok Ball and held it out to Gimmighoul. Without hesitation, Gimmighoul obediently pressed the button. As the red light enveloped it, Gimmighoul stole one last glance at Ogerpon and made a solemn vow in its heart. Someday one day I will rise up and defeat that guy. In front of everyone, I will take him down with my own strength! Chapter 95: Lost in the Sound of “Senior” The Pok Ball on the ground shook a few times before finally settling, signaling a successful capture. Judging by the way it trembled, Gimmighoul was still a little reluctant. After all, their initial encounter had been far from friendly. Ogerpon was practically itching to smash Gimmighouls head in. If it had a helmet, it would have put it on by now. "Bang." The Pok Ball cracked open, and Gimmighoul emerged in a flash of white light. Landing on the ground, Gimmighoul glanced at Natsume. "Gim." Sar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What do I need to do? Or rather, whats my role on this farm? What tasks am I expected to handle? Gimmighoul asked directly. "Work? Not really." "What, are you some kind of workaholic?" Natsume looked at Gimmighoul in mild surprise. Most of the Pokmon on the farm were carefree and playful. In shortsimple, sweet, and a little naive. Aside from Gardevoir, Gimmighoul was the first one to proactively ask for work. Gardevoir had her reasonsshe lacked a sense of security and wanted to prove her worth, to show that she had a meaningful place on the farm. Even if she wasnt irreplaceable, she wanted to at least be helpful to Natsume. But Gimmighoul "Gim?" No work? You mean you dont expect anything from me? Like battling, or something else? Hearing Natsumes response, Gimmighoul was the one who looked surprised. In its understanding, humans captured Pokmon for only a few possible reasons: One, to have them fightpushing them into endless battles to bring honor and status to their Trainer. Two, to put them to worklike those Caterpie farms where people caught Caterpie to harvest their silk. So naturally, Gimmighoul assumed Natsume had a similar reason for capturing it. Even though it had no idea what exactly it could do. Gimmighoul was well aware of its own shortcomings. Production work? Forget it. It couldnt produce anything. On the contrary, it needed Natsume to collect coins for it. As for battle? It wasnt completely useless, but it was weak. Aside from being a bit sturdier than average, it had no real advantages. Surely, Natsume didnt capture it just to use it as a punching bag right? Because if that was the case Then Gimmighoul had no choice but to accept its fate. It couldnt fight back. It couldnt run away. What else could it do? Die dramatically on the spot? "Of course not." "This is a Pokmon farm, not a Pokmon factory." "We dont do that here." Natsume couldnt help but chuckle at Gimmighouls assumption. It was such a classic impression of humans. Many Pokmon who had never interacted with humans before tended to have these exact stereotypes. And honestly? It made sense. It was just like how many students'' perceptions of society were entirely shaped by what they heard from others. Which often led to misunderstandings. Even after graduating, many people still carried those misconceptions. It was simply a matter of perspectivepeoples views were shaped by their experiences, or lack thereof. For those who had always lived in peace, peace was something taken for granted. For those who had grown up in war, life-and-death struggles were just part of everyday reality. "Gim?" You serious? Gimmighoul eyed Natsume suspiciously, clearly not convinced that a human could be so kindhearted. Its eyes still held the cautious distrust common among Ghost-type Pokmon. If Natsume werent actively suppressing his aura, Gimmighoul would probably already be clinging to his arm, begging for head pats like a loyal pet. "Youll see for yourself." Natsume didnt bother explaining further. Words were meaningless in this situation. No amount of eloquent speech could compare to real experiences. No matter how beautifully something was described, it could never replicate the emotional impact of seeing it firsthand. Once Gimmighoul saw the farm for itself, its opinion would naturally change. Natsume didnt expect Gimmighoul to immediately fit in or get along with the other Pokmon. That was unrealistic. Even on the farm, there were still Pokmon who preferred solitude. Forcing everyone to interact in the same way would be arrogant and unreasonable. On the way back, Natsume introduced Gimmighoul to the farms layout and the different groups living there. Trailing behind him, Gimmighoul half-listened, half-drifted in its own thoughts. The cheerful atmosphere and warm sunlight felt unfamiliar. Something about this place didnt seem suited for a Ghost-type like itself. Previously, Gimmighoul had insisted on living in the warehousedark, isolated, and rarely disturbed. A perfect habitat for an "edgy" Ghost Pokmon. But Natsume refused. Spending too much time in darkness could lead to a darkened heart. He didnt expect Gimmighoul to become some radiant, cheerful optimist. But at the very least, it shouldnt turn into a brooding recluse filled with nothing but negativity. "From now on, youre a senior now, so take good care of the newcomers, alright?" Hisuian Zorua recalled what Natsume had told it earlier. Wait, does this mean Im a senior now? Still thinking of itself as a child, Zorua suddenly felt a strange sense of responsibility. But at the same time, it was exciting. Im a senior! "Zor." Call me senior. Zorua glanced at Natsume before scooting over to Gimmighoul and whispering. "Gim!" Senior! Gimmighoul immediately complied. Hearing the word "senior" sent a pleasant shiver through Zoruas body. Even better than one of Natsumes massages. "Zor." Again. "Gim." Senior. And so, with every enthusiastic "senior," Hisuian Zorua gradually lost itself. It completely forgot about the responsibilities Natsume had given it. Well not completely. At the very least, it made sure to explain the farms food chain properly. First and foremostthe supreme ruler of the farm, the undisputed strongest, the unbeatable Lord Natsume. This was the guy who could single-handedly pin down any Pokmon on the farm. Then, second-in-commandPersian, the true boss cat. Unlike Natsume, Persian played the role of enforcer, keeping order among the Pokmon. But overall, the cat wasnt too bad. As Zorua continued explaining, Natsume, walking ahead, posted a request on the Trainer forums to buy Gimmighoul Coins. Evolution would happen naturally when the time was right. At that moment, Natsumes real focus was elsewherethe competition he had signed up for. "Registration confirmed, huh?" Seeing the official message asking him to finalize his team details, Natsume decided that once he got back, hed pick his roster for the upcoming tournament. Chapter 96: The Contesting Pokémon and the Full-Power Corviknight "Well, that''s about the situation." "There''s still one slot left. Does anyone else want to join?" Sitting on the steps, Natsume looked at the gathered Pokmon and asked. The upcoming competition followed a 3v3 format. The event was relatively short, with a modest prize of 5,000 yen and a special commemorative Pok Ball. Normally, such meager rewards wouldn''t attract many participants. However, since the entry requirements were loweven amateur trainers like Natsume, who had never seriously pursued a Trainer''s path, could jointhe competition still had a decent turnout. The first two slots had already been taken by Corviknight and the shiny Furret, both of whom had been eagerly awaiting an opportunity like this for a long time. It was their first time showcasing themselves in an official match, so it seemed fitting to let them have the stage. "Cino?" "Lopuu." Cinccino and Lopunny exchanged glances before opting out of the selection. They had never been particularly interested in battling. When they first arrived at the farm, they had made it clear to Natsume that fighting wasnt their thing, so they wouldnt be much help in that regard. Next to withdraw were Persian and Butterfree. Persian, having grown up alongside Natsume and roamed the wilds with him, neither loved nor disliked battling. Whether it competed or not didnt really matter. As for Butterfree, it had already settled into a peaceful retirement. These days, it resembled an old government official enjoying post-retirement lifehelping Natsume make Pokblocks, wandering around the farm, chatting with new Pokmon to help them settle in. After Persian and Butterfree declined, many of the other Pokmon followed suit. Sandshrew, devoted to farming, Yamper, busy learning herding techniques, and Mightyenas pack, responsible for patrolling the farm, all stepped back. While some were somewhat interested in the competition, none felt strongly enough to participate. That left Togepi, the mischievous little troublemaker; a shiny Pidgeotto, who didnt really understand what was happening but was there for the excitement; and a Mudkip that had somehow tagged along unnoticed. Speaking of Mudkip, ever since Slowpoke evolved into Slowking, it had been spending a lot of time alone, lost in thought. Natsume wasnt sure what was on its mind. Occasionally, it would show a look of determination as if it had made an important decision, only to clam up and change the subject whenever it tried to talk to him. Natsume was curious, but he couldnt read minds. Understanding what Pokmon were thinking was often tricky. Some might wonder why Natsume didnt just use his Viridian powers to "turn on the idiot filter" (not really), but truthfully, he preferred to let things unfold naturally. As long as there were no major problems, he wanted to respect the Pokmons privacy. Its like when youre chasing someone who clearly likes you backwould you really use a hypnosis app to force a confession? Thatd be like taking off your pants just to fart. "Do all three of you want to go?" Seeing the trio''s eager expressions, Natsume looked a bit troubled. If they just wanted to tag along for fun, he could bring extra Pokmon along. But for actual competition, only one more could enter. And since registered Pokmon had to be officially listed before the match, a decision needed to be made soon. "Toki?" "Mud?" Togepi and Mudkip exchanged glances and started whispering to each other. Seeing this, the still-clueless shiny Pidgeotto was pulled into the discussion as well. Under Natsume''s watchful eye, the three Pokmon reached an agreement. "Mud." They decided to let Mudkip have this chance. But next time, Togepi and Pidgeotto would get to go! Waving its tiny fingers, Togepi declared their pact. Meanwhile, the shiny Pidgeotto looked a little disappointed. Even though Togepi had promised to share some Pokblocks as compensation, it still felt a little down. After all, it had wanted to show off its dazzling golden feathers to humans. Showing off to fellow Pokmon was getting oldno one in its flock was that impressed anymore. Even the most brilliant golden plumage lost its charm after being admired for too long. Oh well next time. With a glance at Mudkip, which was now walking toward Natsume, Pidgeotto shook its head. That little guy sure was determinedespecially when it came to getting stronger. "Mud." Standing before Natsume, Mudkip let out a soft cry and sat obediently at his feet. "Then Ill be counting on you to bring me victory, Mudkip." Natsume chuckled, gently stroking its smooth head. Feeling the warmth on its forehead, Mudkip instinctively nuzzled against Natsumes hand. It had to work hard. That thought echoed in Mudkips mind. When it first arrived at the farm, it had lived a carefree, happy life. Lounging by the lake, chatting idly with Slowpoke, feeling the cool breezeit had been a peaceful existence. Whenever it got hungry, it could go to Natsume for Pokblocks. Fresh berries were always within reach. Mudkip had loved that life. But then Slowpoke evolved into Slowking. And that peaceful life disappeared. Slowking had found its own path and its own purpose. Every day, it was busy. And Mudkip? At first, it had vowed to train seriously and become stronger. But it had been too easy to get swept up in the farms relaxed atmosphere. Before it knew it, it had fallen far behind its only friend. Slowking had tried to be considerate, never making it feel left out. But for someone as sensitive as Mudkip, the more Slowking tried to accommodate it, the worse it felt. This couldnt go on. It had to get stronger. That was the only way. "Alright, then the lineup is decided." "Corviknight, shiny Furret, and Mudkip." "By the way, does anyone want to come along just to watch?" Standing up, Natsume announced the final roster, then turned to ask if anyone wanted to tag along. sea??h th n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As expected, the moment he finished speaking, a wave of soft, fluffy, and slippery bodies swarmed him. Even Emolga had somehow climbed onto his head, chirping and rubbing against him affectionately. "Wait, wait! Give me a second!" "I cant breathe!" Buried under the excited Pokmon, Natsume barely managed to stick out a hand. But in the next second, Yampera true Husky at heartleaped at him, flattening him completely. "Lopunny!" Natsume!!! Lopunny, looking flustered, anxiously watched the chaotic scene before It leaped in as well. Dont get the wrong ideait was trying to rescue Natsume. Though its method seemed a bit off. Pinned beneath the playful pile of Pokmon, Natsume felt like hed been tossed into a ball pitexcept instead of plastic balls, it was full of restless, energetic kids. Though he couldve easily shaken them all off with his strength, that wouldve spoiled the fun. After much effort, Lopunny finally managed to drag Natsume out, grumbling at the other Pokmon in exasperation. Then, it handed him a clean towel to wipe his face. After all that roughhousing, Natsumes clothes were a mess. Luckily, ever since moving to the farm, he mostly wore dark-colored or work-style outfits, so it wasnt too noticeable. If anything, a little dirt made them look even more authentic. "Alright, alright, its fine, Lopunny." Lowering the towel, Natsume ruffled its head. "Lopp." Pouting, Lopunny still looked a bit huffy. If Natsume hadnt stopped it, it probably wouldve started knocking heads like a wooden fish. There was no doubt about itLopunny could absolutely pull this off. Not liking battles had nothing to do with strength. More often than not, those who preached peace were the ones who could fight the hardest. "Cino..." Cinccino, crouched beside Natsume, looked at his clothes with a conflicted expression. They were filthy. Should it clean them? But Natsume had just said he would change once they got home. Cleaning them now would be a waste of energy. Maybe it would be better to just toss everything into the washing machine laterthat would save some effort. But if it didnt clean them now, it would feel unbearably uncomfortable. Cleaning them now would be a hassle, but leaving them dirty made its fur crawl, like ants were running all over its body. In the end, Cinccino couldn''t fight its instincts. Leaping onto Natsume, it began its cleaning ritual. For Cinccino, its tail was the best cleaning tool. Of course, most of the time, it preferred using actual cleaning suppliesgetting itself dirty was a hassle. Too many baths werent good for its fur. Cinccino had learned that from the internet. Determined to master the art of cleaning, it had seriously studied various cleaning techniques online. It had even bought a bunch of cleaning tools. All with the allowance Natsume had given it, of course. "Alright, alright, come down now, Cinccino." The constant swishing of that fluffy tail was making Natsume squirm with laughter. But Cinccino refused. It wasnt coming down until the job was done. After some playful tussling, the Pokmon eventually scattered. Aside from a few who decided to tag along to watch the action, the others had things to do. "Oh, right! I need to tell Mei." Handing Lopunny a towel, Natsume suddenly remembered the guest he had unintentionally left hanging. Mei had come as a guest, yet he had completely forgotten about her. That was pretty rude of him as a host. "Lopu." Alright then, Cinccino and I will head back first. Nodding, Lopunny picked up Cinccinowho was wiping imaginary sweat off its foreheadand headed home. At this point, those two had basically become the households cleaning crew. They handled everything from top to bottom. Whether it was cleaning or other chores, Lopunny and Cinccino took care of it. Otherwise, just keeping up with basic tidiness would be a nightmare for Natsume. "Huh? Natsume is joining the tournament too?" Mei blinked in surprise. From what she remembered, Natsume had never been the type to care about competitions. Even when there was a tournament with incredibly generous prizes, he had barely glanced at his phone before setting it aside. "Yeah, a lot of the Pokmon at the ranch want to battle." "Keeping them cooped up in the ranch, only training among themselves, isnt ideal." Natsume, sitting beside Mei, explained as they watched Corviknight unleash a torrent of trash talk while ruthlessly drilling Meis four Pokmon. Among them, the one performing best was Dewott. Technically, Dewott and Servine were about the same in strengthif not slightly weaker. But Corviknight''s Flying and Steel typing gave it a quadruple resistance to Grass-type moves. With an existing gap in power, plus the type disadvantage... Servines attacks werent just ineffectivethey barely even registered. At best, they were an annoyance. "It feels like Servine and the others are getting used to this level of trash talk." Watching her Pokmon maintain their composure, Mei sighed in amazement. Previously, Servine had always reacted emotionally to taunts. But now, it had learned to ignore them and focus on the battle. "Want to add some more pressure?" "Huh?" "Corviknight! You can step it up a notch now!" Cupping his hands around his mouth like a megaphone, Natsume called out to Corviknight, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. "Caw!" Got it! Corviknights eyes gleamed with excitement. Natsume had warned it earlierif it went all out from the start, it might completely crush Servine and the others. So Corviknight had been holding back, both in battle and in trash talk. But now that they were adapting, it was time for the next stage. "Caaaw kak caw!" Go home and cry to your mom, loser! With a powerful beat of its wings, Corviknight soared into the sky. Earlier, it had been carefully watching its words because of Natsumes restrictions. Normally, its trash talk would be something like: "Youre lucky to last a minute against meyour dead ancestors must be watching over you." Stuff that was way too brutal to say out loud. Even in a place like Zaun, its words would still be considered pretty aggressive. Natsume had strictly forbidden it from saying things like that. But now, Corviknight felt like it was finally free! "Eh?! Eh?!" Since Mei couldnt understand Pokmon speech, she had no idea just how vicious Corviknights words were. But she could tell that her Pokmon had suddenly snapped. They looked like they wanted to tear Corviknight apart on the spot. Chapter 97: The Wailing Serperior and Chief Translator Natsume From Corviknights perspective, the Pokmon below suddenly became inexplicably fired up. They charged forward, shouting about their bonds, Meis trust, and dreams of the future. Who even understands this kind of thing? Corviknight certainly didnt. And in the end, nothing changed. Even giving it their all, they still couldnt break through Corviknights defensesneither with attacks nor with trash talk. Others in Zaun have to find ways to protect their families. To do that, they train their aggression and develop lightning-fast reflexes. But if Corviknight were to go to Zaun, it would be its teammates and opponents trying to protect their families from it. Servine... Servine knelt on the ground, its eyes filled with frustration. Why? It had already worked so hard. So why was it still unable to catch up to that guy? This time, just like last time. Forget winningit couldnt even leave a real mark. Looking up at Mei, who was running toward it with a hint of worry on her face, Servines emotions churned. Unwillingness, pain, and a touch of sadness welled up in its chest And finally, turned into anger. Pokmon are highly idealistic creatures. Sure, this world has science, but there are many things that science simply cannot explain. Take the move Return, for example. That move is essentially the embodiment of a Pokmons bond with its trainer The closer the bond, the stronger the attack. Beyond just Return, many Pokmon push themselves beyond their limits simply to meet their trainers expectations. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Perhaps because of sadnessno, because of humiliation That feeling acted like a catalyst, pushing Servine past the final threshold standing between it and evolution. Servine! A white light, burning as intensely as its emotions, erupted around it Brighter than the sun in the sky. Servine! Mei, holding a potion, gasped in delight as she watched. Servine had already been on the verge of evolving for some time. But for some reason, it always felt like something was missing, preventing the final step. Yet today, under Corviknights pressure, Servine finally took that step. A crucial step One that would elevate it from an ordinary starter Pokmon to the very pinnacle of its kind. Inside the blinding light, Servines silhouette stretched and expanded. Servine still had a bit of cuteness to it before But Serperior? Serperior was a symbol of regal elegance and authority. And one of the most fearsome special attackers among starter Pokmon. Before learning Leaf Storm, different tactics might be necessary. But after learning Leaf Storm? With the Contrary ability, Serperiors battle strategy boiled down to one thing: Leaf Storm. Leaf Storm. More Leaf Storm. Just like Corviknight. Before evolution, it had all sorts of flashy maneuvers. After evolution, it was like it traded its brain for sheer physical might Now, all it had left was Iron Defense and Brave Bird. Hopefully, Serperior wouldnt turn into a Leaf Storm spamming machine. Ser... As the white light faded, a massive serpent, as elegant as if it were draped in a tuxedo, appeared before Mei. It slowly opened its eyes Deep crimson, like rich red wine, with a flicker of confusion. The changes in its body left it momentarily disoriented. Where are my arms? Wait. My arms were gone?! All thoughts of celebrating its evolution vanishedSerperior was in total shock. It turned its head slowly, looking at Meis joyous face, its mouth twitching slightly. Then Serperior!!! My arms and legs are gone!!! It burst into wails. The sudden loss of limbs was just too much to process. Then again, snakes dont usually have arms or legs... Mei scrambled to comfort the Serperior pressing its head against her, looking utterly lost. This wasnt how she had imagined its evolution at all. The Pokmon that had been preparing to celebrate also came to a halt. Uh... why was it crying after evolving? Serperior!! Not only had it lost its limbs, but it had also grown so big Now, it wouldnt be able to sleep in Meis bed anymore! Serperior!!! And to make things worse, it still hadnt learned Leaf Storm after evolving! That meant it probably still couldnt beat that dumb bird! Caw? Corviknight tilted its head, puzzled as it landed on the ground. What was this all about? Back when it evolved, it had been over the moon After all, evolution meant getting stronger. A straight-up stats boost. Like in a game, no matter the meta, mechanic-heavy Pokmon always had a place But top-tier Pokmon were always just raw stat monsters. And if you could overpower your opponent purely with numbers, who would bother training for skill? Corviknight certainly didnt. Maybe its just... a bit overwhelmed? Having listened to Serperiors entire breakdown, Natsume was probably the only one present who truly understood its thoughts. He could empathize. It would take time for Serperior to come to terms with its sudden lack of limbs. There, there, its okay, its okay. After much effort, Mei finally managed to calm Serperior down. Ser... Coiling its body, Serperiors emotions settled But it still looked grumpy. Was it dissatisfied with its new form? Or was it still mad at Corviknight? Probably both. After some thought, Corviknight decided to go and comfort it. After all, Serperior was probably just struggling to adapt, much like it had when it first evolved. This was a job for a psychology expertself-proclaimed, of course. So, brimming with confidence, Corviknight strode up and offered some encouragement. Caw. Hang in there, little bro. ...Ser. Im a girl, thanks. A vein bulged on Serperiors forehead. It wanted nothing more than to slap this idiot across the face with its tail. You didnt even know my gender?! Just wait. One day, Im going to beat you to a pulp. With Serperiors evolution as the turning point, the afternoons training session came to an end. Sitting beside Natsume, Mei spoke with a hint of envy. I wish I could understand Pokmon like you do. If she could, things wouldnt be so troublesome. Serperiors reaction had really given her a scare She had worried something had gone wrong with the evolution. Its fine. Ill translate for you from now on. That way, its basically the same as you understanding them yourself. Natsumes voice was relaxed. Then Ill be counting on you, Chief Translator Natsume. Mei responded with equal lightheartedness. Did you just make up that title on the spot? Pretty much. So... does this Chief Translator position come with a salary? Ill consider giving you a reward. Well, I wont hold my breath. Chapter 98: Respecting Your Opponent Means Beating Them with Everything You’ve Got! For Natsume, Mei was the first friend he made after taking over the farm. And, at this rate, she might just become his only friend. After all, ever since he took over the farm, Natsume had lost contact with his former classmates. He had always been the type to disappear as soon as vacation started and go completely off the grid after graduation. After elementary school, he vanished from his classmates radar. After middle school, no one could find him anymore. After high school? Even more so. To Natsume, being in the same class as someone was a kind of fate. But whether that turned into friendship was a different matter entirely. The same applied to dormmates. Just because they ended up in the same room due to some random dorm assignment didnt mean they had to be friends. Everyone came from different places, grew up in different environments, and had different values. If they got along, that was great. If they didnt, well, that was just how things were. No need to feel bad about it or wonder if you were the problem. Honestly, Natsume considered it a win that he hadnt become one of those novel protagonists who single-handedly isolated everyone around them. Not everyone could maintain a calm mindset and interact with a bunch of kids using the rational thinking of an adult. It had been pretty rough for him, to be honest. Not that he hated kids or anything. But seeing them go through their cringey, edgy phases made him recall his own dark history. Just watching them made him want to curl his toes so hard he could dig a hole through the floor. My embarrassing past is currently delivering flying elbow strikes to my soul. On the flip side, Natsume was also an important friend to Mei. With her bright and cheerful personality, it was no surprise that she had a lot of friends. Back in school, plenty of girls were happy to befriend her. What? Bullying? First, youd have to beat Mei in a fight. She was never the type to just take a hit and cry about it. Whether it was Pokmon battles or actual combat Mei, 18 years old, a genius fighter who could throw hands. For now, both Mei and Natsume had a pretty good impression of each other. As friends, sure. As members of the opposite sex? Also, sure. Honestly, love at first sight and whirlwind romances were overrated. Most relationships started with two people thinking the other seemed decent, dating to see how it went, and just continuing from there. Not that many made it to the finish line, though. "Delicious~!" Mei beamed, happily munching on a skewer of grilled meat. For the first time in a while, the farm''s open space was hosting a barbecue party. The last time had been shortly after Natsume moved in. Since then, he hadnt bothered doing it again. Not because of his cooking skills or a lack of ingredients Just pure laziness. After all, barbecuing wasnt just about grilling food. It meant prepping ingredients, setting up the grill, getting skewers ready, and worst of allcleaning up afterward. More importantly, barbecuing was about the atmosphere. Even with Pokmon around, eating alone just felt... off. But now that Mei was here, Natsume had finally dug out his neglected barbecue set from the storage. "Right? I do have some confidence in my cooking skills," Natsume grinned from behind the grill. Beside him, Lopunny carefully wiped the sweat off his forehead with a small towel. Compared to the barbecue itself, Lopunny was more concerned about Natsume. As long as the other Pokmon were having fun, that was good enough. "Natsume, you''re really amazing. It feels like you can do anything," Mei said, watching him work with admiration in her eyes. To her, Natsume was the definition of an all-rounder genius. Pokmon battles, training, Pokblock making, everyday lifehe seemed to excel at everything. Compared to that, Mei felt like a brainless brute who only knew how to fight. Especially when it came to daily life skills. Sure, traveling had forced her to pick up a few things here and there, but Compared to Natsume, she might as well know nothing. Better not to compare. Otherwise, shed start feeling self-conscious. Her brown eyes reflected Natsumes face, illuminated by the firelight. For a moment, Mei found herself staring absentmindedly. Whats wrong? Placing a freshly grilled skewer on the tray, Natsume turned his headonly to see Mei watching him, completely lost in thought. Her expression was like he had flowers growing on his face or something. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Huh? Nothing, nothing!" Mei quickly waved her hands, snapping out of it. Her fair cheeks seemed to have taken on a slight red tintprobably from the firelight. "Right, about that tournament you mentioned before." "I actually signed up for it, too." After a brief pause, Mei awkwardly changed the subject. Though, to be fair, she had wanted to tell him this earlier. Shed just been too distracted by Serperiors evolution. Now was as good a time as any. "Oh?" "That means well be opponents then, Mei." Natsume didnt seem too surprised by the news. Handing Mei and the Pokmon their grilled skewers, he wiped his hands on his apron and smiled. "Opponent? Yeah, no, I have zero chance of winning." Mei accepted the food with a helpless smile. At this point, she couldnt see any way to beat him. Earlier, Natsume had mentioned his tournament team: Mudkip, a shiny Furret, and Corviknight. Mudkip was one thing. But the other two? Straight-up powerhouses who could solo entire teams. "Just go easy on me, alright, Natsume?" Mei grinned playfully, putting her hands together in a pleading gesture. She even leaned in slightly, giving his shoulder a light squeezelike she was trying to butter him up. "Got it. Full power, no mercy." Without hesitation, Natsume declared that hed give it his all. "Eh?! Youre my official translator! Shouldnt you at least let me save some face?!" "Giving my all to defeat my opponent is the greatest form of respect!" "I dont need that kind of respect!" Mei huffed and gave his shoulder a hard squeeze in protest. Would it kill him to be a little gentler with girls?! Looking at Natsumes face, Mei suddenly had the urge to bite him. Just a tiny little shock to his system. The barbecue party celebrating Serperiors evolution and their first day of special training wrapped up in a lively atmosphere. Back in her room, Mei instinctively reached for her phone to send Natsume a goodnight message. Then, she suddenly remembered They were only separated by a single wall. Barefoot, she padded across the floor and knocked on the door next to hers. "Hm? What is it, Mei?" "Nothing much. Just wanted to say goodnight." "Well then, goodnight, Mei." "Mm-hm. Goodnight, Natsume." That night, Miss Mei slept very well. Chapter 99: A Morning with Two People and Absol’s Unease Morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting a soft glow on Meis face and bringing a hint of brightness to the dimly lit room. Mm Feeling the warmth on her skin, Mei groggily opened her eyes, still somewhat dazed. These past few days on the farm had given her a rare taste of a relaxed daily life. The barbecue party a few nights ago had been especially enjoyable. Since becoming a Trainer, she hadn''t experienced such leisure for a long time. Every morning upon waking, she had to consider a whole list of thingsher Pokmons training progress, the day''s training plan, remaining funds, supplies needed before heading to the next city, and various other tasks. Trainers were supposed to train while traveling. But in this fiercely competitive world, "training while traveling"? That was just a polite way of saying "intensive training, just in different locations." Every day was spent in a state of high tension, keeping herself in peak condition, engaging in battles, and even providing psychological support for her Pokmon. Yes, that was another essential skill for a Trainer. Which was why most Trainers were incredibly good at talking. Not necessarily with peoplebut definitely with Pokmon. Life here is nice Mei rolled over, wrapping her arms around Serperior, who was curled up beside her, and buried her face in its soft, warm belly. Unlike typical snake-like Pokmon, Serperiors body wasnt cold or slimy. Instead, it carried a fresh, plant-like warmthprobably because it was a Grass-type Pokmon. Feeling the smoothness of Serperiors scales, Mei suddenly understood why Natsume liked to sleep while hugging his shiny Furret. Because it was just too comfortable! That being said, Natsume had recently mentioned that he wasnt doing that as much anymore. Which was strange. Even in the summer heat, when the air conditioning was on full blast, he still hugged Furret while sleeping. Yet now, with autumn setting in and the nights growing cooler, he had stopped. Really weird. Shed have to ask him about it later. As she was mulling over this, a soft hissing sound came from beside her. Sssah? Serperior opened its eyes and glanced at Mei, sensing her movements. Not waking up early again today? These past few days, Mei had been sleeping in quite a bit. Just a little longer Just a little bit Her voice was muffled as she pressed her face against Serperiors belly. Ever since she became a Trainer, truly relaxed days like these had been rare. All of her classmates, as well as the Trainers she had encountered, were relentlessly pushing themselves, as if something was constantly chasing them. This made Mei instinctively tense up, pushing herself to grow stronger. Traveling, special training, encountering new companions, growing stronger, and challenging Gyms. After battles, reviewing strategies, replenishing supplies, traveling, training, fighting, growing stronger. Day after day of training could make one lose themselves. At some point, she even forgot why she had set foot on this path in the first place. The passion and excitement that once fueled her seemed to be wearing down bit by bit. Mei had shown signs of this before. Sometimes, she didnt even understand why she was working so hard. Maybe it was just because everyone else was doing it, and she was unconsciously swept along. But now, she felt much more at ease. "Mmm." Having spent the second half of the night sleeping against the wall, Dewott stretched its stiff body. It stole a glance at Mei, and upon seeing that she hadnt noticed, it carefully, ever so quietly, lay down on the floor, pretending it had been in that position all along. Dewott thought sleeping against the wall looked really coolsuper cool. But Mei never liked it when it slept that way. So, during the first half of the night, Dewott would sleep properly, lying down like it was supposed to. Then, in the second half, it would secretly get up and switch to leaning against the wall. Muscle soreness? That was just another part of training! As long as Mei didnt catch on, it was fine. Just a few more minutes of rest, then it would head out for training. That was Dewotts plan. Lately, though, it had been considering whether it should just sleep normally. Waking up sore every morning and then pushing through a full day of training... That was practically torture. "Pupu!" "Chuu!" Compared to their two seniors, Pignite and Steenee were brimming with energy. Yes, in the past couple of days, Tepig had evolved into Pignite. Unlike its previous small, Holland pig-like form, Pignite now had a more imposing presence. It had grown in many ways, even showing a slight change in willpower after evolving. Though it still had a lazy streak, at least it no longer collapsed in despair after just a few minutes of training. Now, it actually completed its training sessions properly. And, following Slowkings advice, it even focused on strengthening its weaknesses. "Pupu!" Glancing at the still-sleeping Mei, Pignite and Steenee, now quite used to this, quietly left the room, carefully shutting the door behind them. It was rare to see Mei so relaxed. Letting her sleep in a little longer wouldnt hurt. They could handle their morning training on their own. About half an hour later, Mei finally summoned enough willpower to free herself from the clutches of her blanket. Sun-dried blankets had an almost magical grip. No matter who lay on them, theyd find themselves tightly bound. And since Cinccino was a cleaning enthusiast, it always made sure to air out the blankets on sunny days. "Morning, Natsume." Still a little groggy, Mei came down the stairs in her pink pajamas. But upon spotting Natsume, she immediately woke up. Not because of her own pajamas. No, strictly speaking, not because of what she was wearing. After staying here for several days, she had gradually relaxed, no longer as self-conscious as she had been at first. Sometimes, she even wandered around in her pajamas without a second thought. Besides, her pajamas were quite modestlong-sleeved and full-length. Wearing them at home wasnt a big deal. What woke her up was Natsumes pajamas. "Natsume..." "What is it, Mei?" "You actually look... kinda cute right now." Mei covered her mouth, giggling as she looked at Natsume in his shark-patterned pajamas. Two nights ago, Natsume had mentioned wanting to buy some pajamas. So, with the guidance of the modern, fashion-conscious Mei, he ended up getting this. Well, to be fair, Natsume did have a soft spot for quirky pajamas. When he showed Mei his top picks, they included a dinosaur onesie, a green frog pajama set, and... a sleeping bag. Why was a sleeping bag among the pajama options? Simplebecause Natsume liked it. Thats just how guys are. When buying things, they either prioritize practicality or pure amusement. And in this case, Natsume had clearly gone with amusement. As long as it was wearable, that was good enough. "Really? I actually like this pajama set." Pulling at the hem of his pajamas and adjusting his apron, Natsumes tone carried a hint of something hard to describe. This was the first time he had dressed like this in front of a girl. It felt... weird. But seeing that Mei didnt seem to find it strange, he let out a quiet sigh of relief. In truth, he really did like this ridiculous little shark pajama set. "It actually looks pretty nice." "Natsume, you look really cute like this." Mei grinned, quickly sitting down at the table. It was quite a sight. Guys liked looking at pretty girls. But girls also enjoyed looking at handsome guys. Natsume simply smiled at Meis comment, not offering any particular response. Theres an old saying: If a girl says youre handsome, she might just be being polite. But if guys say youre handsomebro, you really are. "Alright, alright, enough flattery." "Hurry up and eat, our beautiful, kind, gentle, elegant, generous, and considerate Mei." "Oh my god, stop! Thats so embarrassing!" This time, it was Meis turn to feel shy. For some reason, she felt a mix of embarrassment and an inexplicable urgean urge to smack Natsume. And so, she did. Her hand, no longer as delicate after all the training and traveling, lightly patted Natsumes arm. Not in angermore like a playful gesture between close friends. But the moment her hand withdrew, she suddenly realized that, given their current relationship, that might not have been entirely appropriate. She quickly withdrew her hand and sat quietly at the table. Fortunately, Natsume remained as oblivious as ever, seemingly unfazed by her actions. Mei let out a long sigh of relief. Thank goodness. If Natsume had reacted with surprise, she mightve had to crawl into a hole and disappear. "Weird. I dont usually act like this." Mei lightly patted her own cheeks, confused by her emotions. Something felt off about herself today. Her actions, her feelingsnone of it seemed like how she normally behaved. If this had happened any other day, she probably wouldnt have reacted at all. She also wouldnt have any physical contact with a guy. After all, Mei was a completely inexperienced, hopeless romantic. Just a few months ago, she was still a lively, innocent high school girl. Wait... that phrasing sounded a little weird. "My face feels kinda hot." "Did I catch a cold last night?" Pressing the back of her hand to her cheek, feeling the warmth, Mei silently pondered. For modern people, whenever they feel unwellwhether its a headache, stomachache, sore feet, aching waist, or even just general discomfortthe default explanation is always: "Mustve caught a chill from not covering up properly last night." Of course, going to the hospital was still necessary. Pain has a way of humbling even the most stubborn people. Whats wrong? Noticing Mei acting strangely, Natsume found it odd. Whats up with this kid? Its nothing, nothing. Mei waved her hands repeatedly, working hard to control her emotions before quickly changing the topic to brush past it. Good, Natsume didnt notice anything unusual. Watching him clear the dining table, Mei let out a sigh of relief again. It was really great that he hadnt noticed anything. But what Mei didnt realize was that Natsumes gaze had been sweeping over her, lingering on her cheek for two full seconds before he thoughtfully nodded, as if something had just clicked in his mind. It had been mentioned beforeNatsume was a pure-hearted boy whose single status had lasted as long as his lifespan. No dating experience, no galgame experience. The only unrelated female he had the most contact with was his teacher. Whether his mind was pure was debatable, but his body certainly was. However, that didnt mean he was the typical dense protagonist. Many anime leads have a special kind of obliviousness, especially when it comes to romancethey hesitate and remain frustratingly unaware. Unfortunately, Natsume wasnt like that. He was the type who gave love-strategy advice to his dormmates, the tactical mastermind behind their relationships. Even though this was his first time being so close to a girl himself, Basic analysis was still within his skillset. Romance required brainpowerthis much, Natsume understood. About half an hour later, both Natsume and Mei were ready to go, having changed into their outfits for the day. The special training will last for another two or three days. After that, well need to report to the competition venue. Dressed in his usual style, Natsume looked at Mei, who was sitting obediently on the sofa. Though calling it his "usual style" wasnt entirely accurateit was more like his recent usual style. In the past, he had been too lazy to bother coordinating his outfits. As a result, his wardrobe had been a chaotic mixeither all black or a random combination of cargo pants and sports T-shirts. But lately, there had been some changes. Under Meis suggestions, Natsume had started experimenting with different styles. Today, he wore a white mandarin-collar shirt layered with a beige wool cardigan, paired with pure black suit pants. The overall look was relaxed and casual. Mei approved of his top, But as for the pants, she thought a matching color scheme might be better. Unfortunately, Natsume still preferred black pants. Maybe a pair of gold-rimmed glasses would complete the look? Mei had actually suggested he try a more trendy style before, But Natsume had firmly refused. When it came to clothing, he had his own principles. Flashy outfits were absolutely unacceptable. Natsume preferred solid-colored clothes. At least for now. Back in his chuunibyou phase, he had loved shirts with cat motifs on the back. And jackets with mismatched colors on both sides. Mei had no particular comment on that. Sometimes, saying nothing was already saying a lot. Mm-hmm. When the time comes, well be rivals. Mei nodded firmly, eyes burning with determination. A flame called fighting spirit. She had said before that she couldnt imagine winning against Natsume. Even if she sent out all her Pokmon at once, theyd be wiped out togethershe had witnessed that scene many times recently. But! A true Trainer never gives up so easily. If she didnt even dare to challenge him, then victory would never be possible. Besides, her Serperior and the others had been training incredibly hard. Even if she doubted herself, she had to trust in them. Last night, Mei had held Serperior close, chatting with her partners for a long time. They talked about their hopes for the future, about the upcoming battle. Compared to her own uncertainty, her Pokmon were brimming with confidence. Whether they could win was uncertain, but they were eager to test the fruits of their training. Just training alone wasnt enough to satisfy Pokmon who had already tasted victory. Though it might not sound nice to say That moment when an opponent falls, when their dreams and goals are shattered The exhilaration and fulfillment from that moment are unparalleled. Once youve experienced it, you cant help but crave more. Call it crushing someone elses dreams, or whatever else. It didnt matter. At the end of the day, battle is a cruel thing. No matter how many dreamers step forward, there will only ever be one champion. The rest will become stepping stones beneath the victors feet. Thus, the hunger for victory was completely justified. There was nothing shameful about it. Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Every Trainer knew and believed in this truth. After a long talk with her Pokmon, Mei fell asleep feeling content. She knew the chances of winning were slimprobably impossible. But that was something to worry about after the fight. Lets go see how their training is going. Natsume and Mei each mounted a Gogoat and headed toward the training grounds. Sure, teleporting there instantly with Gardevoir or Slowking would have been more convenient. But life isnt all about efficiency, is it? If sightseeing was just about the view, you could just look it up on your phone. Yet people still choose to travel in person. Seeing a beautiful sight is the goal, but the journey itself is just as important. Theyre probably already going at it full force. Mei could already picture Serperior and the others training with burning intensity. Aside from the more playful trash-talk endurance training, There was plenty of serious practice too Physical conditioning, move proficiency, new battle techniques, move combinations, simulated emergency responses in battle. They were training diligently in all aspects. Not just Meis Pokmon, but also the ones at Natsumes farm. Take that shiny Furret, for example. Rather than helping Serperior and the others with special training, It was more like it had simply included them in its own daily routine. Whether they could keep up was another matter entirely. Upon arriving at the training grounds, they were met with an unsurprising scene of intense action. Serperior was working hard to adjust to its evolved body. With the change in size, its fighting style had naturally shifted as well. Its improved stats and new moves from evolution had opened up a range of new combat possibilities. Pignite was going through the same process. As their Trainer, Mei had spent the past few days refining battle strategies for them. She had considered their evolved battle styles before, But those were just general guidelines taken from online research. Every Pokmon was uniqueno two fought exactly the same way. Personality, habits, physique, battle preferencesthese all played a role. So, the battle plans had to be adjusted accordingly, tailored to their natural growth and available moves. Mei had been completely swamped with all this. Normally, Slowking was very considerate and helped with everything, But in this case, he showed no intention of interfering. Im just a regular old Pokmon, man. Not my job to do a Trainers work. That was Slowkings official stance in Coach Mode. In reality, he just didnt want to get involved in such a hassle. At the end of the day, he wasnt even Meis Pokmon. Jumping into another Trainers battle planning seemed inappropriate, And it would probably lead to all kinds of future complications. After all, devising strategies for ones own Pokmon was a deeply personal task. It required revealing all their strengths, weaknesses, and growth plans. Asking someone else to do it was essentially handing over all your battle data. Stepping into that space uninvited? Yeah probably not a great idea. Although there had been some subtle signs, Slowking still preferred not to get involved. Not just signsso what if they actually got married? Marriage was never the end, but rather a new beginning. The days ahead were long. Who knew what would happen? "Absol?" Just as Mei and Natsume were discussing the upcoming tournament, Absol suddenly appeared before them, its face filled with unease and urgency. "Absol?" Natsume was a little surprised. In truth, ever since being captured, Absol had never been particularly close to him. It wasnt that it disliked Natsumeit simply preferred being alone. Much like some people who dont necessarily dislike their classmates and can get along just fine with them, but when it comes to gatherings, they''d rather skip and enjoy a quiet meal alone. Most of the time, Absol roamed the farm on its own, wandering around in deserted areas and putting on an aloof demeanor as it pondered life. It only showed up when Natsume specifically sought it out. Even during mealtimes, it preferred to find its own berries to eat. Taking into account the eating habits of certain Pokmon, Natsume had set aside a section of the berry grove as a self-service dining area for the Pokmon on the farm. The rest of the berries were sold outsidethis portion would simply be for internal consumption. That was the plan at the time. "Did something happen?" Crouching down, Natsume gazed at Absol seriously. Even if this Pokmon had some personality quirks, it was still an Absol. And Absols never joked about things like this. "Absol," it murmured. Something is coming from the north. That presence it feels familiar. Its the Pokmon that destroyed the forest. Lowering its head, Absol spoke in a hushed voice. No matter how much it might despise that creature, there was no denying its power. Right now, Absol was deeply unsettled.