"e in, Audino. Just make sure the other kids don't follow."

  Hearing Audino's voice outside, Natsume beed toward the door, where a small gap had been pulled open just enough for Audino to peek through.

  With Natsume's permission, Audino quickly slipped inside, shutting the door behind it—effectively blog a group of nosy Pokémon eager te in and watch the otion.

  "Chaki! Chaki!"

  Togepi, who had bee outside, was visibly displeased.

  e o me see my little underling!

  In Togepi’s mind, both it and this newborn Pokémon were farm-born. Si had hatched first, it was naturally the senior.

  And logically, that made the newer its underling!

  A simple, albeit fwed, equation took form iogepi's little head.

  Which was why it articurly upset about being shut out.

  It had made plenty of preparations to wele its new underling, all set to impart its "senior wisdom."

  Unfortunately, objes were futile.

  Togepi, still boung up and down in protest, was swiftly scooped up by sey, who had appeared unnoticed.

  Looking at sey's ever-so-gentle smile, Togepi suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

  Ihe room, Audino busied itself preparing for the newborn Pokémon.

  A soft, b. Warm Moomoo Milk. A fragrant inse that helped Pokémon rex.

  For the record, the b’s material came from the Wooloo on the farm.

  "Phi~"

  After drinking to its heart’s tent, Phio out a tiny burp and shifted into a more fortable position, curling up in Natsume’s arms.

  They say newborn Pokémon tire easily, but Natsume had never seen one doze off immediately after hatg.

  A bit caught off guard, he turo Audino for reassurance.

  In respoo Natsume’s unspoken , Audino softly expined:

  For newborn Pokémon, breaking out of their eggs es a signifit amount of energy. That’s why many hatgs tire out so quickly—it’s pletely normal.

  Simply put, the effort spent breaking out left Phione exhausted. It just needed some rest.

  Hearing this, Natsume sighed in relief.

  Sure, he could always use his Viridian Power to help stre if necessary, but who would want their child to be born with health issues in the first pce?

  Looking down at the peacefully sleeping Phione in his arms, Natsume instinctively reached out and lightly tapped its little head with his fiip.

  Even in its sleep, Phione instinctively reached up with its tiny hand, seemingly trying to swat away Natsume’s finger.

  Unfortunately, it cked the strength, so instead, its tiny hand simply rested atop his finger.

  Meanwhile, deep beh the o, a small, elegant Pokémon stirred awake, a hint of fusion in its eyes.

  "Mana?"

  A small Pokémon stirred, a puzzled expression on its face.

  Just now… it had felt something.

  What was that?

  A strangely familiar sensation.

  Should it go take a look?

  Still chewing on a mouthful of food, its round cheeks puffed out like a pufferfish.

  Deade—it would go check it out.

  With that, the tiny Pokémon swam off in the dire of the sensation it had perceived.

  Perhaps, in the near future, the farm would be weling a new guest.

  But for now, Natsume was pletely unaware of this.

  Because at this moment, he was busy roughhousing with Zorua.

  ---

  "This is the surprise you were talking about?"

  In the hallway, Natsume held Zorua in one arm, vigorously ruffling the little fox's fur.

  Zorua, its face torted from the relentless head rubs, protested in a muffled voice.

  You call this a surprise?!

  "This is a shock, okay? I mean, I'm just an ordinary farm owner, and somehow, I end up pig up a Legendary Pokémon egg?"

  "Isn't that just way too weird?"

  Hearing this, Zorua immediately shot Natsume a look of utter disdain.

  What the hell?

  Ordinary farm owner?

  Do you even hear yourself?

  art of you is ordinary?

  Yender?

  With a disdainful snort, Zorua wriggled free from Natsume’s grasp with a forceful twist.

  Leaving behind only a cool parting silhouette, it trotted off.

  No more talking. Time to grab some food first.

  "Alright, alright, everyone, head back for now."

  "I'll bring Phioo meet you all o wakes up."

  At Natsume’s words, the Pokémon gathered in the hallway began to disperse.

  Even though they were all curious about their new friend, there would be plenty of ces to meet it ter. o rush.

  "Meow."

  The st to leave ersian, rubbing affeately against Natsume’s leg. As it turo go, its long tail brushed lightly against his wrist before it walked off.

  "Wu-mah!"

  Call me if you need anything!

  At the top of the stairs, Ogerpon waved a tiny hand at Natsume before boung doweps.

  It had made pns with Hisuian Zorua and Mightyena to head out today.

  During a previous outing, it had spotted traces of Ghost-type Pokémon activity in a certain area.

  At the time, it hadn't paid much attention sihe pce was still quite far from the farm. It hadn't even bothered to mention it to Natsume.

  After all, Ghost-type Pokémon usually didn’t stray far from their territories.

  But now that the farm had expahat area ractically b their nd.

  So Ogerpon figured it was time to check it out.

  Bringing Hisuian Zorua along made sehey were both Ghost-types, so maybe they could talk things out first.

  And if that didn't work… well, they’d just fight their way through.

  Simple as that.

  Wild Pokémon followed a straightforward rule—whoever had the bigger fists made the rules.

  Even if the stro easy, that was already sidered mercy.

  Not that Ogerpon thought any of the Ghost-types there could actually beat it.

  Normally, anyone who made bold cims like this was just setting themselves up for failure.

  But Ogerpon wasn’t worried.

  There was no way it would lose.

  "Something on your mind, Mudkip?"

  With the other Pokémon gone, only Audino and Mudkip remained.

  Audino stayed to look after Phione in case it woke up.

  As for Mudkip…

  "Mud."

  After a moment of hesitation, Mudkip finally looked up at Natsume.

  It wao ask about the tour he had mentioned before.

  Lately, with so much happening on the farm, the tour had almost slipped Natsume's mind.

  To be fair, this petition had never held much real significe for him.

  At best, it was just a way for the farm’s Pokémon to get out, rex, and experience a ge of sery.

  But to Mudkip, this petition seemed to mean a lot.

  "The tour is in three days."

  "I’ll take everyoo the venue a day in advance."

  "So, you take it easy for the couple of days."

  Croug down, Natsume gently ruffled Mudkip’s smooth, round head.

  Somehow, at some point, he had grown quite fond of this head-pattiure.

  Every Pokémon had a differeure when patted.

  Furret’s head was fluffy and soft.

  Mudkip’s was smooth and sleek.

  Holy, Natsume used to dislike this kind of sensation.

  Especially with snakes and lizards—anything covered in scales, with that cold, slippery texture, made his skin crawl just thinking about it.

  But now… Mudkip had softened his view a little.

  Only Mudkip, though.

  As for snake Pokémon, unless it was the Serperior line, he still wasn’t a fan.

  Seviper, Sandada, all of them…

  Just no.

  "Mud!"

  Mudkip nodded vigorously, eyes gleaming with determination.

  Ihem was the anticipation aement for battle.

  It wao grow stronger.

  Natsume had once described to it the kind of strength it could achieve iure—

  A powerful body.

  Devastating strength.

  The ability to crush all enemies head-on.

  That was the future Mudkip wanted.

  At the very least, it had to be able to stand on equal footing with Slowking.

  They used to be just two friends zing around by the ke.

  But now, Slowking had bee one of the stro Pokémon oire farm.

  That gave Mudkip a sense ency.

  It had to get stronger.

  It didn’t expect to transform into some powerhouse ht.

  That was unrealistic.

  After all, it was just an ordinary Mudkip.

  So, step by step, it would work hard.

  That was Natsume’s expectation for it as well.

  First things first—evolution.

  At its current stage, any specialized training was meaningless.

  Based on Natsume and Rotom’s analysis, the bat style of its final evolution would be vastly different from what it had now.

  Training like this wouldn’t help.

  Natsume had also mentioned something about every Pokémon needing its own battle system, with a core aspect to focus on.

  But Mudkip couldn’t remember the rest—it was too plicated.

  It didn’t really get the teical details.

  All it o know was that it could bee stronger.

  That was enough.

  Everything else? Mudkip didn’t really care.

  "Mud."

  With a cheerful wag of its tail, Mudkip trotted off, its steps noticeably lighter.

  Watg it go, Natsume found himself refleg.

  Had he been ing some of the farm’s older Pokémon tely?

  If he had paid a bit more attention, Mudkip might have already evolved by now.

  After a brief moment of self-refle, Natsume turo Audino.

  "I’ll be ting on you for a while longer."

  For the time being, Natsume wouldn’t be able to step away much.

  After all, newborn Pokémon needed care and attention.

  They might not be much different from human children in intelligence, but they were still babies.

  And if a newborn woke up with no one around, g and fussing was iable.

  In that sehey really were just like human kids.

  They’re all the type that isn’t great at verbal unication.

  Like a group of outws—(scratch that).

  “Audino.”

  Waving a hand, Audino sighat it had everything under trol.

  Taking care of children? That’s my specialty!

  pared to the patients I used to ha the Pokémoer, looking after a kid is a walk in the park.

  In fact, back at the Pokémoer, babysitting ractically sidered break time.

  “ht, speaking of the petition, I should let Mei know.”

  Suddenly, Natsume thought of Mei.

  Both of them had been busy with their own things over the past few days.

  Everyone was w hard in their own way.

  Even though it seemed like they hadn’t been talking much, they were actually spending a lot of time together every day.

  They had even made pns before—if there was a petition, they would go together.

  After all, having Corviknight arou they could save on travel costs.

  Yep, that’s how young people are these days.

  They scrimp and save in the oddest pces, yet splurge recklessly in others.

  “At this hour, Mei should still be in training, right?”

  Retly, Mei’s training iy had increased signifitly.

  Probably because Natsume had unknowingly pushed her.

  She never said it out loud, but deep down, she had definitely felt the pressure.

  Her peer had already soloed a Legendary, while she had just been crushed by a Gym Leader not too long ago.

  The gap between them was so wide, it felt almost impossible to catch up.

  Fortunately, Mei had a strong mi.

  Even now, she wasn’t shaken.

  At most, she just felt that sisume had already e so far, she had to work even harder herself.

  “Phi~.”

  Just as Natsume was about to head out, the drowsy-looking Phione lying on the cushion slowly opes eyes.

  The very first thing it did after waking up was search for Natsume.

  “What’s wrong, Phione?”

  Natsume’s pns to leave were immediately put on hold as he quickly returo Phione’s side.

  That’s the trouble with having kids.

  No matter what you do, you have to take them into sideration.

  Sometimes, it feels like being bound by invisible s.

  “Phi?”

  Tilting its head, Phione curiously stared at Natsume.

  Its gaze seemed to be asking: Are you my Master?

  Ahem. That might’ve been a bit of a crossover.

  But to Phiohe first person it saw upon opening its eyes was naturally the closest.

  “Hello, Phione. My name is Natsume.”

  “Do you want to be my partner?”

  Even though Phione had been born for a while now, this was the first time Natsume had formally introduced himself.

  It couldn’t be helped—this kid had been sleeping since birth.

  Wake up, drink milk, then ght back to sleep.

  It was only now that it was truly awake.

  “Phi!”

  Phione didn’t quite uand artner meant, but it instinctively chose to trust Natsume.

  After all, his presence was just too f.

  Feeling his warmth, Phione squinted in te, as if it was about to doze off again.

  But this time, it gently patted its own cheeks, trying to stay awake.

  Seeing the light-blue Poké Ball Natsume offered, Phione instinctively gave it a little sp.

  The ball absorbed Phione, wobbled slightly, then stilled.

  Phione, captured!

  If this were an anime, Natsume might’ve struck that cssic pose.

  But unfortunately, this wasn’t.

  He simply released Phione from the Poké Ball with a calm expression.

  Holy, he felt pretty indifferent about capturing Phione.

  Whether it was a Mythical or not, it didn’t make much of a differeo him.

  There was no overwhelmiement.

  At most, he just held Phione for a while.

  “Phi?”

  Lying on the cushion, Phioilted its head and yawned.

  It looked like it was getting sleepy again.

  “I’m heading out for a bit. I’ll be back ter.”

  “If you need anything, just ask Audino.”

  Natsume spoke like a parent leaving instrus before heading out.

  What’s allowed, what’s not.

  If something happens, call for help—bh, bh, bh.

  “Phi.”

  Phione waved a small hand, signaling that it uood.

  Then it shifted positions, burying half its fato the cushion, ready to sleep again.

  If nothing ued happehis cushion would likely bee Phione’s dedicated “sleep mat” from now on.

  Just like how the bogepi had been ed in at birth had now bee its treasured possession, something it carried everywhere.

  Most of the time, Togepi would carefully fold it and tuck it is eggshell.

  Occasionally, it would drape it over its back like a cape, running around as if fantasizing about being a superhero.

  Closing the door quietly, Natsume put away the Poké Ball a.

  At this point, the farm was nearly overflowing with Poké Balls.

  Which meant Natsume had to ask o to help anize and keep an eye on things.

  After all, Natsume was zy.

  That was something he openly admitted.

  The moment he pleted a goal, he would instantly enter a state of wanting to sck off.

  Wanting to sck off, not actually sg off.

  Because Natsume was the type who couldn’t fully ze around, yet also didn’t want to push himself too hard.

  Cheg the Poké Ball iory on a while? No problem.

  But making it a daily or weekly routine?

  Natsume felt like he might just drop dead on the spot.

  But hey, that’s okémon are for.

  Tasks like these were best left to them.

  No, this wasn’t sg—it was making sure everyone had something to do. (Dubious logic detected.)

  —

  Oraining field, Mei was busy training with her Pokémon.

  Aside from the ones she already had, she had retly caught a gling.

  It okémon she entered while battling outside the farm with her Serperior and the others.

  Si had a good personality and Psychic-types helped expaeam’s offensive ce, she decided to capture it.

  But looking at gling’s skill pool and its evolution into Chimecho, it would probably end up as a support Pokémon.

  One g Chimecho and you could tell—it wasn’t the battling type.

  Most likely, it would serve as a support role in double battles.

  But that was for the future.

  Right now, gling’s abilities and skillset weren’t even enough to be sidered support.

  At best, it could be the team’s cheerleader.

  “Dewott, hang in there a little longer.”

  Dressed in sportswear, Mei jogged alongside Dewott.

  The Pokémon, equipped with weights, panted lightly as it tried to keep up its pace.

  Some Trainers liked to exercise alongside their Pokémon during training.

  They believed it helped streheir bond.

  Plus, it was a great way to stay in shape—who needed a gym membership?

  Of course, that was for academic Trainers.

  For traveling Trainers, gyms were pointless.

  Climbing mountains and trekking long distances wasn’t enough exercise already?

  “Mei.”

  From a distanatsume called out.

  Although the weather was getting cooler, Mei’s clothes were already drenched i from training.

  Her flushed cheeks made her look quite alluring.

  But Natsume only gave her a gnce before looking away.

  Not because he wasn’t ied in girls or anything.

  He just found it impolite to stare at someone like that.

  Some might call that fake propriety.

  But that’s just who Natsume was.

  He hought staring directly at a girl's body was something worth praising.

  Even if one cimed to be appreciatiy, it was still the same.

  “Ah, Natsume!”

  Upon seeing Natsume, Mei wiped the sweat from her forehead.

  Only after Natsume’s reminder did she betedly realize her current state. She casually grabbed the jacket beside her and draped it over her shoulders.

  “The petition starts in two or three days.”

  “Are you ready?”

  “Of course! I’m fired up and ready to challenge you, Natsume.”

  The special training on the farm had been an unfettable experienei.

  She had entered incredibly powerful and astonishing Pokémon.

  She had seen a real-life Psychi a.

  She had even witnessed Natsume bring back a defeated Legendary Pokémon.

  Holy, even though her time on the farm hadn’t been long, she still felt as if her horizons had been inexplicably broadened.

  Her onewhat narrow worldview had expanded tinuously after meeting Natsume—so much so that now, it seemed to have taken on Natsume’s shape (fog).

  Back then, failing a Gym Challenge had felt devastating to Mei.

  She had eve like the sky was falling.

  She had gathered information in advance, analyzed it carefully, devised a battle strategy, and even started specialized training more than ten days ahead of time.

  A, she was still mercilessly defeated.

  Defeated swiftly and decisively. It would be a lie to say it didn’t hurt.

  But now?

  A Gym Challenge?

  It didn’t seem like such a big deal anymore.

  Of course, it was still important—after all, she o keep challenging Gyms to earn a spot iional tour.

  But Mei no longer felt crushed by a single loss.

  “Alright, I’ll be looking forward to seeing how you perform, Mei.”

  Seeing Mei so full of fighting spirit, Natsume couldn’t help but smile.

  He had been watg Mei’s efforts all this time.

  Her determination even made him feel a bit ashamed.

  Thinking about it, he had never worked this seriously toward anything before.

  He always had a “things will work themselves out” attitude, only putting in effort at the st minute.

  When it came to training, his philosophy was to let Pokémon choose their own path.

  In short—free-raraining.

  Thanks to Mei, Natsume had started to ge his zy habits—at least to some extent.

  Lately, he had been paying much more attention to the training on the farm.

  For the Pokémon that enjoyed a leisurely life, he wouldn’t force them to train.

  But if it was something like his Shiny Furret, then he would seriously analyze and create a training pn for it.

  “I’ll make sure you see our progress, Natsume!”

  Hands on her hips, Mei decred fidently.

  And so, time passed.

  When one is focused on something—or simply enjoying life—time seems to fly.

  Though a long time had passed, it felt like only a brief moment.

  Before they k, it was time for the petition’s che.

  Acc to the rules, all partits had to arrive at the venue in advaister.

  The anizers would then duct a preliminary grouping, which would determihe order of the uping match draws.

  “All set.”

  After pag up briefly in his room, Natsume was ready to head out.

  Sihe tour wasn’t particurly rge, the matches should clude quickly.

  If things went smoothly, the results would likely be decided by the afternoon.

  “Besides Corviknight, Shiny Furret, and Marshtomp, there are also some little troublemakers who just want to watch the show.”

  Walking toward the room where he kept his Poké Balls, Natsume mentally went over his lineup.

  That’s right—within the past three days, his Mudkip had evolved.

  Now, it had bee a Marshtomp with the same world-weary gaze as a Slowpoke.

  One of them looked at everyone as if they were idiots.

  The other stared at people like they were illusions jured from the void.

  A perfect duo.

  “Zorua, Togepi, Gardevoir, and Ogerpon.”

  That was the cheer squad he was bringing to the tour.

  Gardevoir and Ogerpohere as a safety measure.

  Even in a city, he couldn’t always rely on others to ensure his security.

  He trusted his own strength more.

  Zorua and Togepi, oher hand, were just there to watch the chaos unfold.

  Those two were born troublemakers.

  Wherever there was mischief, they had to be part of it.

  Thanks to their shared love for chaos, they had hit it off instantly—almost like long-lost brothers.

  Acc to Zorua, it had all started on a zy afternoon.

  It had been lounging under a tree, getting ready for a niap before dinner.

  Suddenly, a fluffy little egg covered in a b had zoomed past.

  The turbulent air currents pletely messed up the hairstyle Zorua had spent five whole minutes fixing before its nap.

  Perhaps realizing that it had disturbed someoogepi stopped and turned back to look at Zorua.

  The moment their eyes met, they both sensed a deep familiarity in each other.

  A resonance from the very core of their troublemaking souls!

  From that moment on, the two became the best of mischievous friends on the farm.

  Yes—best friends who specialized in pranking others.

  They had boundless energy and an endless supply of pranks.

  And as a result, they were frequently chased across the entire farm by their unfortunate victims.

  Judging from their reas, they actually seemed to enjoy the whole being-chased part.

  Acc to Zorua, “Getting caught aing chased is part of the fun. Even if we get pranked iurn, that’s still fun.”

  “Anyone who dish it out but ’t take it isn’t worthy of being called a true troublemaker.”

  Holy, Pokémon logic was hard to uand sometimes.

  After finding Ogerpon’s Poké Ball and the others, Natsume recalled all the little troublemakers into their Poké Balls.

  “Time to go.”

  Outside, Corviknight was already waiting—ready for takeoff at any moment.

  Gcell