Not Being a Trainer This Time

”Wow! There are so many Pokemon on this ranch! And a bunch I’ve never even seen before!”

James beside her also got excited: ”If we could catch them all and present them to the Boss...”

As soon as he said that, the trio all pictured Boss Giovanni praising them in their heads, promoting them and giving them a big bonus.

”What a wonderful feeling, meow!” Meowth made up his mind on the spot: ”It’s decided, we’ll be the advance team exploring the Paldea Region, meow!”

All of a sudden, a curious voice came from the side.

”Rooaar?”

The trio turned their heads and saw several Dragonite with red satchels hanging at their sides. No one knew when they had appeared around the balloon, but they were staring at them with big, shiny black eyes.

One Dragonite with a scar on its face was glaring at them fiercely, looking anything but friendly.

”So many Dragonite, meow!” Before Meowth could finish talking, he felt a chill down his back, because for some reason those Dragonite were full of hostility toward them!

Dragonite are extremely strong Pokemon, and especially with this many of them, there was absolutely no way the trio could handle it.

Realizing this, the trio immediately dropped their binoculars and huddled together, shivering.

”Rooaar?”

”Rooaar.”

”ROOAAAR!!”

The Dragonite began to talk among themselves.

Jessie stared wide-eyed and asked, ”Meowth, what are they saying?”

Cold sweat was already beading on Meowth’s forehead: ”They heard what we just said about catching all those Pokemon for the Boss, meow!”

The next second, one of the Dragonite slashed at the hot-air balloon with Dragon Claw.

With a hiss-hiss, air spewed out from the balloon, which immediately lost its balance and went flying off into the distance.

Only the trio’s screams were left behind, fading in the wind.

”What an annoying feeling!”

After driving off the bad guys, the Dragonite happily flew back to the ranch.

By this time, Ash’s battle with Vigoroth had already ended, and the Vigoroth, having burned through a huge amount of stamina, finally calmed down.

However, only Naoki knew this was just temporary; it wouldn’t be long before Vigoroth started another round of rampaging.

Just then, Max suddenly saw over a dozen Dragonite descending from the sky into the ranch.

He immediately let out a cry of surprise: ”So many Dragonite!”

Hearing that, Brock, Ash, and the others quickly looked up at the sky as well.

Seeing all those Dragonite with satchels on their backs, Brock’s face was full of shock.

”Those are...”

”They’re the delivery staff on my ranch.”

Naoki’s voice came from the side.

”Delivery staff?!” Brock was stunned.

Using Dragonite as delivery Pokemon—this Mr. Naoki was way too extravagant, wasn’t he?

So, so incredible!

May’s face was also full of amazement.

Only Ash looked totally fired up. He was only now belatedly realizing that this rancher named Naoki might be a very powerful Trainer.

Not only had he caught Mew and Zapdos and sent them off as an exploration team to travel, he’d also captured so many Dragonite...

It was decided! He was going to have a Pokemon battle with Mr. Naoki!

Ash immediately challenged Naoki.

Naoki: ”...” Sure, that was very Ash.

But it was already eleven o’clock, almost noon, and he needed to go prepare lunch.

Thinking of this, Naoki said, ”This afternoon, okay? It’s almost mealtime. I’ll go make lunch. You can all stay here on the ranch today—feel free to look around while I’m busy.”

Naoki called over Big Brother Indeedee and said to him, ”Please show our guests around the ranch.”

”Ee-dee.” Big Brother Indeedee nodded lightly, then stepped forward and started leading the way.

”Sorry to trouble you!”

The four of them politely thanked Big Brother Indeedee.

Then Big Brother Indeedee began leading everyone on a tour of Naoki Ranch.

Ash held up his Rotom Phone the whole time, using the Pokedex to learn about all the Pokemon he’d never seen before.

Naoki, meanwhile, walked over to the resting Vigoroth and asked:

”Vigoroth, do you want to go see the outside world?”

Vigoroth: ”Roo-roo?”

”I mean going on a journey with a Human Trainer, constantly challenging Gyms and battling professionals. That way you’ll become stronger and stronger. If you’re willing, I’ll help you find a suitable Trainer,” Naoki said.

Hearing this, Vigoroth’s face showed longing.

Ever since it evolved, the blood in its body had been boiling nonstop.

That feeling made it impossible for it to stay still. It just wanted to run through the mountains and have all-out fights with other Pokemon.

Vigoroth was clearly tempted.

No good—just thinking about it was making it excited already!

The Vigoroth that had been sitting on the ground resting suddenly leapt to its feet, pounding its fists hard against its chest, letting out a passionate growl.

”Roo-roo!”

Naoki: ”...”

Alright, he’d gotten his answer.

In that case, he could ask Ash to catch it later.

Naoki turned around and went back to the house to start cooking.

He’d wanted to check on Jirachi, but discovered that all those Pokemon had run off.

He didn’t even need to think to know that Mew and Teddiursa had taken Jirachi and Absol to the World Tree to visit the Pokemon Guild.

Naoki wasn’t in a rush to call them back. Only after he finished making lunch did he use his Rotom Phone to summon them home.

By then, Ash and the others had also finished touring the ranch.

Thinking back on all the rare and unusual Pokemon on the ranch, Ash’s face was full of excitement.

When he saw the videophone in the living room, he suddenly remembered something.

”Mr. Naoki, could I borrow your videophone for a bit?”

”Of course.” Naoki nodded. He glanced at Ash’s Rotom Phone, a little puzzled why Ash wasn’t just using that.

Maybe the videophone had more of a ”feel” to it?

While Naoki was musing, Ash had already dialed the number.

Very soon, the call connected.

Professor Oak’s face appeared on the screen.

Seeing the faintly familiar background behind Ash, Professor Oak was a bit surprised: ”Hm? Ash, are you at a Pokemon Center right now?”

”No! We ended up in the Paldea Region because of something that happened on the way. Once things are settled here, we’ll go back to the Hoenn Region and keep traveling.” Ash explained.

”The Paldea Region?!” Professor Oak was quite shocked.

Ash nodded excitedly: ”Yeah, that’s right! We came to a ranch that raises tons of Pokemon!”

Just then, Professor Oak saw Naoki walking past behind Ash with plates in his hands.

”Naoki?” he blurted out in disbelief.

Naoki had already heard Professor Oak’s voice. He smiled at the screen and greeted him: ”Long time no see, Professor Oak!”

”Huh? Professor Oak, you know Mr. Naoki?” Ash was very surprised.

Professor Oak nodded with a smile: ”Yes, I’ve been to Naoki Ranch before. By the way, Naoki is a very strong Trainer. Have you had a Pokemon battle with him yet?”

Hearing that, Ash’s eyes burned with fighting spirit: ”Mr. Naoki has already accepted my challenge! We’re going to battle after lunch!”

”Ah! Then you’d better give it your all!” Professor Oak said, laughing.