Not Being a Trainer This Time

”I’m so sorry, Mr. Rancher, but we’re all out of snacks for the event...”

Naoki wasn’t really interested in capturing Bug Type Pokemon; he just wanted to join in the fun. He didn’t mind and instead looked at the Snorlax in front of him with curiosity.

”Is this Snorlax a Pokemon captured by a Trainer?” Naoki asked.

”Eh?” The girl was momentarily stunned, then shook her head and said, ”This little one doesn’t have a Trainer... it’s always lived in this town.”

As the girl spoke, she recalled, ”It was about three months ago, when it was still quite cold. That’s when this Snorlax arrived in town.”

”It was starving at the time, and the townspeople, seeing how pitiable it was, gave it lots of food. Since then, Snorlax has settled in the town, living alongside everyone, though its gluttonous nature often causes some trouble for the townsfolk almost every day.”

”We even specifically asked Trainers to see if they could capture this Snorlax, but the results were less than satisfactory...”

”Some Trainers couldn’t wake this Snorlax, even by attacking with full force; they couldn’t get it into the Poke Ball.”

”And even the Trainers who managed to capture it didn’t have enough food to feed Snorlax, so the Trainer who ran out of food ended up bringing Snorlax back.”

”Although some Trainers can provide enough food, this Snorlax sleeps for almost twenty-three hours a day and doesn’t help in battles, so...”

So that Trainer also returned Snorlax, Naoki mentally filled in the words the girl didn’t finish saying.

He looked at the Snorlax in front of him, thinking it was perfect for him.

Just so happens, while learning about Pokeblocks earlier, he got a Gluttony Pokeblock recipe from Yu Hui and developed a special treat specifically for Munchlax using that recipe.

This special Pokeblock only required one piece to satisfy a Munchlax’s hunger.

Although Snorlax is the evolved form of Munchlax, feeding it a few more should definitely fill its stomach.

Plus, he’s not a professional Trainer, just a Rancher, and he doesn’t need Pokemon for battles on the ranch.

Of course, what really attracted Naoki was Snorlax’s stomach as a Pokemon.

As a famous ’big eater’ Pokemon, Snorlax’s stomach can digest anything.

It has a sturdy stomach that can eat moldy food without a problem and without getting sick, as the digestive juices in Snorlax’s stomach can neutralize any poison, and eating things off the ground is no issue.

Even more incredibly, Muk’s poison is just like a seasoning for Snorlax’s tongue.

The ranch just happens to need a taste tester, and so, thinking about this, Naoki asked, ”Are you still looking for a Trainer for this Snorlax?”

The girl nodded, then realized, ”Are you planning to capture this Snorlax?”

Naoki nodded affirmatively, ”I want to take it back to my ranch.”

”Of course!” the girl quickly said, ”Then please take good care of it!” clearly eager to have Snorlax gone.

Naoki: ”...”

It’s understandable; after all, in ancient times, Pokemon like Snorlax were seen as natural disasters.

Because in the productivity-limited ancient times, Snorlax would suddenly appear in villages and clean out the granaries in no time.

Only now, as humans and Pokemon gradually blend and productivity has improved, there’s no longer a fear of going hungry, allowing people to start accepting Pokemon like Snorlax.

”But... how do you plan to capture Snorlax?” the girl asked hesitantly, knowing well how tricky Snorlax could be.

Naoki thought carefully before asking, ”Did those Trainers battle this Snorlax before?”

The girl nodded, ”Snorlax has thick skin, even if the attacks hit, it only tickles it. Those people used food to lure Snorlax into the Poke Ball.”

”Got it.” In that case, food temptation it is.

Naoki looked around and noticed a Berry blender nearby.

Recalling the Gluttony Pokeblock recipe he developed, Naoki asked:

”Do you have any Berries left here? I need two Pecha Berries, one Oran Berry, one Bluk Berry, two Tamato Berries, and one Nanab Berry.”

”We do!” The girl nodded quickly and went to a nearby box, rummaging around until she found the needed ingredients: ”These are leftover from making snacks.”

Naoki reached out to take them and then started making the necessary Pokeblocks.

About half an hour later, a steaming pot of fresh Pokeblocks was ready.

[Beginner’s Gluttony Pokeblock (C+): Cooking Effect, Gluttony, a Pokeblock that gives Pokemon a sense of fullness. Just one is enough to fill the stomach of a Pokemon like Munchlax.]

It’s done!

Naoki took out six Pokeblocks.

As he was about to turn around, he suddenly felt a large shadow looming over him.

Naoki turned to see that Snorlax had woken up at some point and was looking at the Pokeblocks in his hand with squinted eyes.

”Want some?” Naoki asked while offering a Pokeblock.

Snorlax looked down, took it with its paw, and popped it directly into its mouth.

Chomp, chomp.

The Pokeblock was crunched and swallowed, its compressed energy quickly expanding, giving Snorlax a satisfying feeling of fullness.

Its eyes lit up, looking at the human’s hand for more food.

Naoki, however, didn’t immediately give it more but reached his hand toward Snorlax intending to pat it.

Though lazy and gluttonous, Snorlax isn’t dumb.

Seeing this, it extended an arm and hugged the human, letting him sit on its arm.

Naoki was startled.

But soon, he realized Snorlax meant no harm.

The girl nearby laughed, ”Don’t worry. This Snorlax is very gentle, even when town kids use its big belly like a playground, it doesn’t get angry.”

”Open your mouth.” Naoki demonstrated, ”Ah!”

Snorlax opened wide.

Naoki tossed another Pokeblock in.

Snorlax continued to chew.

After a few more Pokeblocks, Snorlax felt rather full, yawned lazily, rubbed its eyes, then plopped down, lying on its back. It casually placed Naoki on its belly and drifted back to sleep.

Naoki: ”...”

While Snorlax was still drowsy, Naoki knelt on its belly and asked, ”Hey, Snorlax, do you want to come with me? Stay at my place, I’ll make this food for you every day!”

Snorlax: zzZ

Naoki teased, ”If you don’t say anything, I’ll take that as a yes, okay?”

Snorlax: zzZ

The girl, recalling Snorlax’s reaction, chuckled, ”Looks like it really likes you! Snorlax has never been like this with the previous Trainers.”

Looking at the peacefully sleeping Snorlax, Naoki felt a mix of emotions.

He took an empty red and white ball from his pocket and aimed it at Snorlax’s forehead.

The next moment, Snorlax’s mountain-like body was transformed into red light and drawn into the Poke Ball.

The Poke Ball wobbled slightly, then settled.

This indicated a successful capture.

Seeing the Poke Ball quick to stop moving, Naoki was momentarily taken aback.

Did I really just capture this Snorlax so easily?

Well, anyhow, a successful capture is what matters.

Naoki stood up, holding Snorlax’s Poke Ball.

The girl looked at the Poke Ball, a bit worried, ”Um, Mr. Rancher...”

”What’s wrong?” Naoki noticed her expression.

The girl pursed her lips then said, ”This Snorlax has a huge appetite, it might surprise you, and if you regret it, please don’t send Snorlax back to us.”

”Though it eats a lot and often causes trouble for the townspeople, even breaking into stores and eating everything, no one wants to hurt it...”

Hearing this, Naoki paused, then smiled and nodded, ”Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Snorlax!”