Not Being a Trainer This Time

Before Kubfu grows up, we still need to take advantage of those trainers.

Practical training, experience in battling different types of Pokémon, and so on.

Upon hearing this, Geeta couldn’t help but praise Naoki lavishly:

”Why didn’t I think of such a good idea? Oh, with this, maybe we’ll even attract some trainers to move to the Paldea Region to live, it’s really a good idea, let’s decide on this!”

Naoki: ”...” Well, that’s just like Geeta.

After hanging up the phone, Geeta began to make arrangements for this plan.

Naoki didn’t know exactly what she did, but soon he noticed that the challengers visiting his ranch had returned to their previous numbers.

For this, Naoki was very happy.

Meanwhile, Medali Town, Levincia City, Glaseado Gym, Cascarrafa City, it can be said that every Gym in the Paldea Region welcomed a large number of challengers.

Looking at the trainers gathered in front of his Gym, Larry only felt a blackout before his eyes.

What is the team leader planning again?

Larry tiredly raised his head to look at the sky, the hair on his forehead stubbornly fluttering.

Deal with challenges as they come.

Handling challengers is just part of his social duties.

There’s no escape, no avoidance.

Larry let out a sigh, then picked up his briefcase and walked through the crowd towards the Gym.

At the same time, Clair, who had traveled from the Johto Region, landed on the runway of Levincia City’s airport.

She looked at the notice issued by the Paldea League and murmured:

”To challenge the strongest mysterious trainer in the Paldea Region, you must meet one of the following conditions; meeting any one grants the challenge qualification.

1. Possess eight Gym Badges from the Paldea Region and have participated in the Elite challenge,

2. Defeat the Paldea’s Elite Four, battle any Champion-level Trainer, and become a Champion-level Trainer.”

”Eh?” Clair was somewhat surprised to see this.

But soon, a gleam of interest shone in her eyes.

Challenge the Gym?

As a Dragon emissary like Lance, Clair considered herself the world’s greatest Dragon Type Master.

In the Johto Region, even the Elite Four weren’t her match; the only battle she lost was against the current Champion Lance.

”Hmm, interesting.” Facing a Champion Trainer with such impressive strength is a rare opportunity for any trainer.

Clair reminisced about her training from childhood and felt that just doing this to get a chance to battle that person seemed too easy!

”Collect Gym Badges by challenging Gyms?” Clair lightly sighed, ”This really brings back memories!”

She once did this with her Pokémon, achieving victory at the Silver Conference, defeating the Elite Four, but lost to the final Champion.

Now, she suddenly wants to know how much her strength has improved through her years of training.

Given that, she should start her challenge at the nearby Levincia Gym!

*

Lono recently became very busy.

Each time Naoki video-chatted with her, he could see her face full of exhaustion, resembling another Larry.

Initially, Naoki didn’t understand what was going on.

Seeing the puzzled expression on Naoki’s face, Lono spoke gloomily:

”I don’t know who reported this method of attracting talent to the team leader.”

Naoki immediately felt a bit guilty.

Seeing his expression, Lono snorted softly, then collapsed onto the sofa, weakly raising a few fingers.

”Ugh... Today Bellibolt and I dealt with a dozen challengers... now I’m too exhausted to even move.”

Naoki: ”Go have a bottle of goat milk! Then get a good sleep, and you’ll recover by tomorrow.”

Bellibolt soon came over, clutching a cup of goat milk with its short hands.

Lono reached out and took it; as she drank the goat milk, all her fatigue seemed to vanish in an instant, filling her with energy.

”By the way!” Lono suddenly remembered something: ”The team leader hasn’t asked you to buy this goat milk, has she?”

”She brought it up, but I refused.” Naoki truthfully replied: ”I can’t help but feel that if I sell a lot to the Paldea League, the team leader will make the league staff down thirteen cups of goat milk every day to work overtime.”

Lono: ”...”

The two exchanged glances and then chuckled together.

Far away, working at the Paldea League, Geeta couldn’t help but yawn.

”That’s strange, I’m not sick, right?”

Geeta was utterly puzzled.

”Oh, I might be going to the Alola Region in a few days.” Naoki said to Lono: ”If you come to the ranch and don’t find me, I might be over there, but I won’t be gone for long; I should be back soon.”

”Alola?” Lono asked, surprised: ”What are you going there for?”

”To handle some matters, I bought a ranch on Akala Island over there, so come winter, we can take Koraidon and the others there for a holiday; I’ve heard the Alola Region is like spring all year round, an excellent place for leisure vacations!” Naoki explained.

Hearing this, Lono was intrigued: ”I’ve never been to the Alola Region before!”

”So, we’ll check it out together when the time comes!”

The beautiful beach, the azure sea, tall coconut trees... and the unique Pokémon of the Alola Region.

Naoki decided that tomorrow morning, he’d go with Koraidon to explore the area and return in the night.

As for staying there, Naoki wasn’t considering it for now; the ranch had many things that required his attention, so he couldn’t leave for weeks on end.

Meanwhile, in the Johto Region.

Two identical islands sat on the azure sea, appearing like twins.

Precisely because of this, people call them the ”Seafoam Islands.”

In the sky, a Pokémon with yellow lightning feathers and sharp eyes gazed intently at the islands below.

It was Zapdos, having parted from the Heroic Expedition Team, out to handle some matters on its own.

The Seafoam Islands was its destination on this journey.

After a lengthy trek, Zapdos finally arrived here.

It sensed Articuno’s presence on the island.

Once it finds Articuno, Naoki can use its feathers to make magical buns that enhance strength!

Not just Articuno, but Moltres too.

However, Moltres was further away; Zapdos planned to find Articuno first before seeking out Moltres.

With that in mind, Zapdos swooped down towards the Seafoam Islands.

It followed the direction of Articuno’s presence, flying forward until it reached an ice-covered cave.

Zapdos flew into the cave, discovering a vast internal space that seemingly extended deep into the island.

Articuno’s aura originated from that direction.

As it ventured deeper, the surrounding space grew darker.

But none of this mattered to Zapdos; its eyes were uniquely structured, enabling it to see clearly even in the dark of night.

Gradually, it got closer to Articuno.

After passing through an ice grotto, it saw ahead a spring emanating whitish cold air,

And above the spring, a magnificent bird-type Pokémon with beautiful blue feathers looked over with cool and composed eyes.

Three deep blue rhombus-shaped feathers formed the crown on its head; compared to Zapdos, Articuno’s beak was notably shorter and grey, its transparent blue ice feathers were stunningly beautiful.

But more captivating was the slender, flag-like tail behind Articuno.

At this moment, seeing the sudden intruder Zapdos in its territory, Articuno flapped its wings, letting its long tail trail as it assumed a flight stance, its eyes calmly examining the Zapdos before it.