Not Being a Trainer This Time

”So weird! Why would those two Pokemon suddenly show up in a place like this?”

”No idea, hurry up and chase after them! Maybe this is a great chance to catch a Legendary Pokemon!”

A group of Kanto League Trainers sprang into action.

High in the sky, Zapdos and Articuno were flying forward at high speed, their expressions focused.

Their goal on this trip was Moltres, who roosted on this plateau.

Zapdos’s flying speed was incredibly fast; thunderclouds rolled wherever it passed, and peals of thunder rumbled across the sky.

Articuno, following behind, was deeply shaken by this sight.

This guy’s strength had already far, far surpassed theirs!

What on earth did it encounter? Was it because of that so-called human? Articuno couldn’t help thinking.

The price of becoming stronger was giving up its own feathers...

Articuno didn’t really care much about that; it was just curious what exactly Zapdos had gone through.

So it left the Seafoam Islands and chose to follow Zapdos to that ”Divine Tree” it spoke of.

Just then, a familiar presence suddenly drifted over from ahead.

Articuno’s thoughts snapped back to reality.

Together with Zapdos, it looked up and saw a Bird-type Pokemon take to the air—its whole body covered in fiery red feathers, with a sharp, straight beak, a streamlined crest, and a tail that billowed like living flames.

Its entire body was cloaked in orange fire; as its wings beat, countless sparks flared, the crimson flames among them possessing a beauty that stirred the soul.

That was... Moltres!

Just as they could sense Moltres’s presence, Moltres had also detected their arrival in advance and showed itself here to meet them!

”Oooh—!”

Moltres narrowed its eyes, constantly sizing up the other two birds opposite it.

On the Indigo Plateau, Human Trainers riding Flying-type Pokemon had already caught up.

They stood there, heads tilted back as they gazed up at the three Legendary Pokemon birds in the sky, shock spreading across their faces.

It wasn’t just Articuno and Zapdos—Moltres had actually appeared as well!

*

Early the next morning, after finishing the work at the ranch, Naoki rode Koraidon to the Alola Region.

By the time he arrived at that ranch, Kiawe was already waiting there obediently.

Seeing Naoki, Kiawe immediately greeted him: ”Good morning, Mr. Naoki!”

”Hey, Kiawe.” Naoki swung down from Koraidon’s back, then started explaining the jobs he needed Kiawe’s help with.

”Except in winter, I usually don’t stay here, so I need someone to regularly help clean the house and put things out in the sun to air out, to prevent mold.”

”Of course, you don’t have to come do this every single day; even if you only come once every week, that’s fine.”

”Other than that, there’s nothing much else. If you can handle it, I’ll transfer your monthly pay to you through my Rotom Phone.”

”No problem!” Kiawe nodded in a hurry; this amount of work was very easy for him.

”Alright then, get familiar with the place first. I’ve got something else I need to do; I’ll contact you later.” Naoki said.

It was almost time; he had to head over to the Royal Dome for his first match.

”Got it!” Kiawe said.

Naoki nodded, then left and flew straight to the Royal Dome.

After registering his player information, he received an ordinary mask to hide his identity and a set of gear specifically for Royal Battles.

Once he changed, Naoki had Koraidon wait for him in the backstage area, while he walked alone down the passageway onto the square-shaped arena.

Maybe because the battle tier was too low, there weren’t many spectators for this match.

There were only a few people scattered around the stands, looking like they’d just come to kill some time.

Naoki glanced at them, didn’t think much of it, and instead turned his gaze toward the other three passageways.

There, his three opponents for this match were standing.

”Hello, big bro! I’m Shorts Boy Jick, you must be new here, huh? I definitely won’t go easy on you!”

”Me? I’m Mini-skirt Yu Chen. Don’t you dare look down on me just because I’m young! I’ll show you how amazing my Pokemon are!”

”Hmph, Yan Mei isn’t going to lose either! Even though Yan Mei is only in kindergarten, I’ve already raised super strong Pokemon! Cleffa, let’s show them how awesome we are!”

A little girl dressed like a kindergarten kid declared this full of fighting spirit.

Seeing this, Naoki was instantly dumbfounded.

Now he finally understood why there were so few people in the audience for this battle...

Damn, this was a baby cup special!

Good thing he hadn’t asked Giratina, Rayquaza and the others to lend a hand.