Chapter 113: An Old Friend [444]
It had been several years since they last met.
The first time they encountered one another was on the Island, during a time when Mewtwo was still lost in its search for meaning. To uncover the purpose of its existence, Mewtwo had transformed the ruins of Team Rocket's former research lab into a grand castle. It invited powerful humans to this eerie banquet as part of its plans to prove the superiority of its kind.
It was during this fateful gathering that Mew appeared, breaking into the castle.
Mewtwo, created from Mew's own genetic material, engaged Mew in a fierce battle to prove that the clone was superior to the original. The fight quickly escalated, dragging in the Pokémon and Trainers who had been lured to the island.
Amid the chaos, a young Trainer named Ash stepped in to stop the clash, only to be caught in the crossfire and turned to stone. The Pokémon present cried out in anguish, their tears combining to miraculously revive Ash.
Witnessing this act of love and unity between humans and Pokémon deeply moved Mewtwo. It abandoned its plans for revenge and led the cloned Pokémon away from the Island in search of peace.
The second time they met was on a cliffside.
It was there that Mewtwo learned of the Great Hero Expedition Team and came to better understand Mew—the being it once saw as its "mother." At Mew's invitation, Mewtwo brought its group of cloned Pokémon to Naoki Ranch, where Naoki welcomed them warmly.
At the ranch, Mewtwo noticed how Naoki treated the cloned Pokémon no differently than any other. To Naoki, they were all living creatures with their own place in the world.
Perhaps out of gratitude—or perhaps for some other reason Mewtwo couldn't quite identify—it chose not to erase Naoki's memory of their visit, something it usually did for those who encountered it.
After leaving the ranch, Mewtwo and its companions traveled the world, searching for a sanctuary where they could live in peace.
But even after years of wandering, Mewtwo still hadn't found that place.
Yet, it didn't feel disheartened. Along the way, it met countless Pokémon and had ample time to reflect on life.
The human DNA within its body gave it intelligence and emotions beyond those of ordinary Pokémon. This journey of self-discovery had profoundly changed it.
Mewtwo's current state of mind was a stark contrast to the turmoil it experienced on New Island. It had grown from a creature filled with anger and resentment to one that understood the value of coexistence.
Through its travels, it had witnessed Pokémon treating it as an equal, not as something "other." For the first time, it felt like a part of the world—a being who had entered life as any other and would eventually leave it in the same way.
Now, reuniting with Mew, Mewtwo felt a surge of emotion. It found itself looking forward to sharing its experiences and hearing about Mew's own journey.
Suppressing its immense psychic power to avoid startling the forest's inhabitants, Mewtwo approached with its group of cloned Pokémon and called out telepathically:
"Mew."
Mew, napping beneath the shade of a towering tree, perked up at the familiar voice.
Still slightly groggy, it glanced toward the source and immediately recognized the figures in the clearing.
It was Mewtwo, along with the cloned Meowth, Pikachu, and others!
"Mi-u!" Mew chirped joyfully, springing into the air and darting over to greet them. It flew in circles around Mewtwo and its group, radiating excitement.
The commotion woke up Teddiursa and Zapdos, who were resting nearby.
Teddiursa's eyes lit up, and it rushed over to greet Mewtwo and its companions. "Ursa!"
Zapdos, unfamiliar with Mewtwo, seemed confused by its teammates' enthusiasm. Teddiursa quickly introduced the psychic powerhouse: "Ursa!" (This is Mewtwo, a good friend we met before!)
Realizing this, Zapdos relaxed. It nodded slightly at Mewtwo, acknowledging its presence.
Mewtwo returned the gesture before turning to Mew and Teddiursa.
"Long time no see," it said telepathically, its deep voice resonating in their minds.
"Mi-u!" Mew nodded enthusiastically, agreeing it had been far too long.
Curious, Mew tilted its head and asked, "Mi-u?" (Are you traveling too?)
Mewtwo nodded.
The Pokémon settled into the clearing, and Teddiursa brought out snacks made by Naoki from Zapdos's travel bag to share with the group.
Mewtwo glanced at the meticulously crafted treats, clearly made with care, and turned to Mew.
"Yes," Mewtwo said. "I wanted to see the world—and I'm searching for a place where the cloned Pokémon can live in peace."
Mew tilted its head and asked, "Mi-u?" (Have you found such a place yet?)
Mewtwo shook its head. "Not yet."
It explained that while the world was vast, many places were already occupied by humans, making them unsuitable. Mewtwo preferred a quiet, secluded valley—one untouched by humans, with a beautiful environment and abundant resources.
Of the three criteria, the availability of resources was the most important.
Initially, Mewtwo hadn't considered this, but as it traveled, it began to understand a fundamental truth: Pokémon needed food to survive.
For Mewtwo itself, finding food was no issue, but the companions it led were not so self-sufficient.
Every time they stopped to rest, Mewtwo's priority was finding a safe place for the group and then searching for food.
As it reflected on its journey, Mewtwo let out a rare sigh. "So, this is what life is. This is the life of humans and Pokémon born into this world."
Hearing this, Mew and Teddiursa exchanged a meaningful glance.
Both Mew and Teddiursa liked Mewtwo very much and already considered it a good friend.
In the past, when the night was quiet and everyone else was asleep, Mew would sometimes think about Mewtwo—wondering where it was and how it was doing.
That feeling only grew stronger after the World Tree began to flourish.
It would be wonderful if Mewtwo, Pikachu, and Meowth could come live on the World Tree with us.
Then we'd never have to be apart again!
Mew imagined the joys of seeing each other whenever they wanted, sharing fruit from the trees, stargazing, playing games, or inviting friends to explore secret bases.
Just thinking about it made Mew's heart feel light and happy.
Determined, both Mew and Teddiursa decided to extend an invitation.
Teddiursa stepped forward and said excitedly, "Ursa!" (Mewtwo, why don't you come live with us on the World Tree?)
Hearing the unfamiliar term, Mewtwo looked puzzled.
"The World Tree?" it repeated, its voice laced with curiosity.
Teddiursa nodded enthusiastically. "Ursa!" (That's right! The World Tree!)
Mew chimed in with a playful laugh. "Miu~" (Yes, it's a huge tree planted by Naoki! Many of our good friends live there now.)
Teddiursa's eyes sparkled as it added, "Ursa!" (If you come too, we can always be together!)
Naoki…
At the mention of that name, Mewtwo's mind wandered back to its last visit to Naoki Ranch. It recalled how the human had shared fruit wine with it and treated its group of cloned Pokémon with kindness.
"Naoki planted the World Tree?" Mewtwo asked.
Teddiursa nodded firmly. "Ursa!"
Mewtwo looked back at the group of cloned Pokémon that had been following it for years—Pikachu, Meowth, Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur, Sandslash, Gyarados, Golduck, Ninetales, Nidoking, Vaporeon, Rhyhorn, Flareon, Rapidash, and wigglytuff.
Over time, the group had grown to include even more companions: a Mareep, a Purrloin, a Bunnelby, an Eevee, a Mudbray, and a Skiddo.
These Pokémon had all faced hardship at the hands of humans, and Mewtwo had stepped in to rescue them. They had been with it ever since, relying on its strength and guidance.
Mewtwo's gaze softened as it observed its companions. It knew it wasn't making decisions just for itself anymore—there were others who depended on it.
Mew and Teddiursa watched as Mewtwo's thoughtful silence stretched on.
"Miu?" Mew tilted its head, sensing the hesitation.
Meanwhile, Teddiursa looked disheartened, unsure why Mewtwo wasn't immediately agreeing.
"Ursa…" (It would be so nice if we could all live together…)
Mewtwo's silence lingered, but it wasn't dismissive—it was contemplative.
At that moment, Mew's expression brightened as an idea came to mind.
"Miu!" (I've got it!)
Mew flew up to Mewtwo, its face glowing with excitement.
Startled, Mewtwo looked at Mew quizzically.
Mew curled its body, concentrating intensely, and a magical blue aura began radiating outward.
The air around them shimmered, and the forest clearing transformed into a breathtaking new scene.
In the blink of an eye, they were no longer surrounded by trees, but instead floating above an enormous, towering World Tree.
Almost in the blink of an eye, all the Pokémon noticed the massive tree towering before them.
Their faces lit up with surprise.
"Pika!"
"Meow?"
"..."
Even Mewtwo, who rarely showed emotion, was visibly taken aback. However, it quickly realized that this wasn't real—it was a projection of the World Tree created by Mew's memories!
"So, this is the World Tree?" Mewtwo gazed forward, a trace of curiosity in its voice.
In comparison to the enormous tree, they seemed so small and insignificant.
"Miu!"
Mew nodded enthusiastically, its tail curling in excitement.
With a wave of its telekinesis, Mew gently carried everyone forward through the scene.
They floated above the dense, vibrant treetops of the World Tree, revealing an expansive area below that left even Mewtwo stunned.
From above, the size of the World Tree's ecosystem rivaled that of a human-built metropolis.
There were lush forests, rolling green meadows, clear streams winding through the foliage, and a sparkling circular lake in the center of an open clearing.
This was only what they could see from their vantage point—there was surely more beyond the horizon.
As they soared over the treetops, Mew took the lead in introducing the World Tree:
"Miu~" (This is the World Tree. Don't worry, it's very quiet here. Except for Naoki, who occasionally visits, no other humans come here. The tree is a sanctuary for Pokémon. Naoki even promised to help us build a headquarters for our Expedition Guild right here!)
Teddiursa chimed in enthusiastically: "Ursa!" (That's right! There will also be a Pokémon Tavern, Pokémon Café, Pokémon Restaurant, and even a Pokémon Hospital—all run by Pokémon!)
"Miu!" (And Naoki will plant lots and lots of fruit trees, so no one will ever have to worry about being hungry again!)
Teddiursa's eyes burned with determination as it added: "Ursa!" (We want the name of the Great Hero Expedition Team to be known across the world! We'll help every Pokémon in need!)
Hearing this, the group of cloned Pokémon behind Mewtwo gazed at the scene before them with awe.
Even before Mewtwo could respond, they looked visibly moved.
If they could have a home like this—where endless fruits grew, where they could play with their companions upon waking, and where they wouldn't have to wander aimlessly—it would truly be paradise.
Most importantly, it would be a place they could share with Mewtwo.
After introducing the World Tree, Mew and Teddiursa didn't press further.
They simply stood back, watching Mewtwo and the other Pokémon quietly, leaving the decision in their hands.
Although Mew and Teddiursa dearly wished for Mewtwo and its companions to stay, the choice had to be made by them.
Mewtwo turned to face the cloned Pokémon that had followed it for so long.
As its gaze swept over them, it could already see their answer written in their eyes.
"Do you want to live here?"
Pikachu, cloned from Ash's Pikachu, was the first to respond: "Pika-pi!" (Only if you're coming with us.)
The cloned Meowth, originally part of Team Rocket's experiments, gave a soft, thoughtful response: "Meow."
Mewtwo's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of emotion crossing its face.
Its sharp, glowing eyes scanned the faces of the other Pokémon.
Mewtwo noticed Pokémon such as Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise nodding to it in unison.
Closing its eyes for a moment, Mewtwo whispered, "I understand."
When it reopened its eyes, it turned to the expectant Mew and Teddiursa.
"Thank you, Mew, Teddiursa," Mewtwo's deep voice echoed in the minds of the two Pokémon. "We'll set out together to see the place you mentioned."
"Miu!" Mew let out a joyful cry, spinning in the air with delight.
Teddiursa nodded excitedly, adding, "Teddi!" (You'll love it there! Once you stay, you won't have to wander around outside anymore!)
Seeing how much these two Pokémon cared, Mewtwo felt a twinge of emotion it rarely allowed itself to feel.
"Alright," Mewtwo said with a faint smile. Then, looking at them, it asked, "Will you come with us?"
Mew and Teddiursa shook their heads.
"Ursa!" (Not yet. Naoki gave us a few missions to complete. Right now, we're helping a Pokémon named Jirachi!)
"Miu!" (But we'll be back by winter. Then, I'll show you my secret base—it has lots of toys!)
Seeing Mew's playful innocence, akin to that of a human child, Mewtwo couldn't help but smile.
Could this truly be the Pokémon it was cloned from?
Their personalities were as different as night and day.
The human DNA within Mewtwo had taught it what a mother was, and in a way, Mew was its "mother."
Yet, looking at the carefree, childlike Mew in front of it, Mewtwo pushed the thought aside.
"Very well," it said softly. "We'll wait there for your return."
Later That Afternoon
After delivering the apples to his customers, Naoki began the drive back to the ranch.
The earthy scent of the country road filled the air as Naoki drove his old pickup truck at a steady pace.
A group of Eeveelutions had claimed the passenger seat, pressing their fluffy faces against the window, eagerly watching the scenery roll by.
In the back of the truck, Koraidon and Cyclizar rode along, enjoying the breeze.
From time to time, Naoki passed trainers with backpacks, some battling wild Pokémon in the tall grass while others hurried along.
Watching these scenes, Naoki couldn't help but feel like a background NPC in a game, living a simple life—driving his truck, working with Pokémon, and running errands.
"Ordinary people in the Pokémon world must feel like this," he mused, chuckling to himself.
Suddenly, Naoki noticed a young trainer standing on the roadside, frantically waving for help.
Raising an eyebrow, Naoki pulled over and leaned out the window.
"Hey, what's going on?"
The boy's expression was filled with urgency. "Sir, please help me! This Litleo is hurt and needs treatment immediately!"
Naoki glanced at the Pokémon in the boy's arms.
The Litleo looked frail and weak, its fur disheveled, and its body covered in scars. Its eyes were shut tightly, and its breathing was shallow.
"Don't worry—hold on!"
Naoki reached into the back of the truck and pulled out a bottle of Life Goat Milk.
"Feed this to Litleo. It'll feel better right away."
The boy hesitated for a moment before taking the bottle and gently feeding it to the injured Pokémon.
The next moment, something magical happened.
The milk glowed faintly, turning into a soothing energy that coursed through Litleo's body, healing its wounds at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Within seconds, Litleo's fur regained its luster, its wounds disappeared, and its breathing steadied. Slowly, it opened its eyes.
Chapter 114: The expedition guild has been completed.[445]
Litleo's eyes blinked in confusion, clearly surprised by its sudden recovery.
The boy holding it had a look of astonishment frozen on his face.
"Huh? Litleo's wounds… they're healed?!"
The boy glanced up at the man driving the pickup truck, his expression filled with disbelief.
That was when he noticed the man wasn't traveling alone—his car was filled with Pokémon.
A group of Eeveelutions crowded the window beside the man, their curious faces pressed against the glass as they observed the boy and Litleo.
In the back of the truck sat two large Pokémon. The boy recognized one immediately—it was a Cyclizar, the well-known transportation Pokémon of the Paldea region.
Since they were too big to fit in the cab, they had been seated comfortably in the back.
"You're welcome," the man's calm voice broke the boy's stunned silence.
Naoki smiled and glanced at Litleo. "Is it your Pokémon?" he asked casually.
The boy quickly shook his head. "No, it's not! I just found it in the wild. It was attacked by a Scovillain, so I stepped in to help!"
"I see," Naoki nodded thoughtfully.
Litleo, realizing it had been saved by this human, nuzzled the boy's cheek gratefully.
"It seems to like you a lot!" Naoki said with a warm smile.
The boy couldn't help but smile back. Gently, he patted Litleo's head, feeling a sense of joy as it responded affectionately.
Watching the boy and Litleo interact, Naoki couldn't help but think of all the young trainers like Ash in the Pokémon world—kindhearted, brave, and full of potential.
Without saying anything further, Naoki pressed the accelerator and prepared to leave.
As the car began to pull away, the boy realized he hadn't thanked the man yet.
He ran a few steps after the truck, calling out, "Wait, sir! Thank you so much!"
But Naoki's voice drifted back to him from the driver's seat.
"No need to thank me. Just take good care of yourself and Litleo!"
With that, the pickup truck drove off, leaving the boy and Litleo standing by the roadside.
The boy watched the truck disappear into the distance before looking down at the Litleo in his arms.
"Well, you're all better now. It's time for you to head back home," he said gently.
But Litleo didn't move.
It remembered the way the boy had saved it from the fierce Scovillain and sought help to heal its injuries. It wasn't ready to leave.
Litleo looked up at the boy and let out a determined cry.
"Rawr!"
The boy blinked in surprise as Litleo jumped out of his arms, pawing at the Poké Ball on his belt.
The red-and-white ball fell to the ground, and Litleo stared at it, then back at the boy with pleading eyes.
"Rawr!"
An incredible thought crossed the boy's mind.
"Wait… do you want to come with me?" he asked, stunned.
Litleo nodded enthusiastically.
With trembling hands, the boy picked up the Poké Ball and gently tapped it against Litleo.
The Poké Ball wobbled once, twice, and then clicked shut.
The boy stared at it in amazement, barely able to believe what had just happened.
"Litleo, please take care of me from now on!" he said with a wide smile.
Back on the Road
Naoki was in a cheerful mood after helping the young trainer.
Humming a tune, he drove leisurely along the countryside roads leading back to Kosdaji Town.
The Rotom Phone in his pocket suddenly rang, interrupting his quiet drive.
Naoki shifted to steer with one hand while pulling out the phone with the other. The screen showed that it was a video call from the Hero Expedition Team.
"Huh?"
Answering the call, the screen lit up with the familiar faces of Teddiursa and Mew.
"Teddi!" Teddiursa cried out excitedly.
"Miu~!"
As soon as the call connected, Naoki heard Pokémon cries from the other end of the line.
Before he could say anything, the Rotom Phone's transcoding translation activated, interpreting the meanings of the two Pokémon's words.
Teddiursa: "Naoki! We've got new companions coming to live on the World Tree!"
Mew: "Yes, a lot of new companions this time!"
"Huh?" Naoki immediately perked up, intrigued. "What Pokémon are they?"
Nearby, a group of Eeveelutions poked their fuzzy heads closer, curious about the conversation.
Teddiursa: "It's Mewtwo!"
Mew: "And there's Charizard, Golduck, Pikachu, Meowth, and others!"
"Pfft!" Naoki nearly spit out his water. He stared at the screen in disbelief. "What did you just say?!"
Teddiursa repeated with excitement, "Mewtwo and Pikachu are going to live with us on the World Tree!"
The camera on the other side shifted, revealing a new angle.
Standing there, calm and composed, was none other than Mewtwo.
Behind Mewtwo stood a group of Pokémon—Pikachu, Meowth, Charizard—all with distinct dark markings on their bodies.
Naoki immediately recognized those markings.
"They're cloned Pokémon…" he muttered.
The iconic scenes from the movie Mewtwo Strikes Back flashed through his mind.
If he remembered correctly, that Pikachu was a clone of Ash's Pikachu, and that Meowth was a clone of Team Rocket's talking Meowth.
Wait! Weren't Mew and Teddiursa supposed to be traveling in the Hoenn region? How did they end up meeting Mewtwo there?
The Rotom Phone's camera returned to focus on Mew and Teddiursa.
Mew floated happily and said, "Mewtwo is bringing Pikachu and the others to the ranch soon!"
Naoki blinked, then nodded slowly, trying to process everything. "Alright… I understand. I'll make sure to give them a warm welcome."
In response, Mew let out an excited, happy sound: "Miu~!"
"What about you two?" Naoki asked. "Are you coming back to the ranch with Mewtwo?"
Mew shook her head. "No! We still have a mission to complete—the one you gave us, Naoki!"
Naoki immediately understood. "Is it about Jirachi?"
Mew nodded again. "That's right! We've already heard about Jirachi's location from Pokémon we met along the way!"
"Next, Teddiursa, Zapdos, and I are heading there to find Jirachi and bring it back to the ranch. Naoki, have you figured out a way to help Jirachi yet?"
Naoki sighed and shook his head. "Not yet. I'll need to assess the situation once Jirachi is here and make a plan from there."
Hearing this, both Mew and Teddiursa nodded in understanding.
Helping Jirachi was a priority. First, however, they needed to locate the elusive Pokémon.
Jirachi's story was so heartbreaking—a Pokémon that sleeps for a thousand years and wakes up for only seven days. The thought of such loneliness made them determined to bring it back to a safe and loving home.
After explaining their plans to Naoki, the call ended.
Mew and Teddiursa turned to look at Mewtwo, who stood quietly with its group of cloned Pokémon.
Mewtwo nodded slightly at the two Pokémon.
After a brief reunion, it was time to part ways again.
Mewtwo and its companions prepared to fly to the other side of the world, carrying the hopes and dreams of finding a peaceful sanctuary.
Meanwhile, the Hero Expedition Team—Mew, Teddiursa, and Zapdos—continued their journey, their eyes filled with determination.
As they watched Mewtwo and its group fade into the distance, they couldn't help but look forward to their next meeting.
...
The old pickup truck came to a stop in the pasture.
The Pokémon, one by one, lined up and jumped out of the truck bed. Naoki waited until they were all safely out before shutting the door behind them.
To be honest, Naoki couldn't help but feel confused about Mewtwo's decision to settle on the World Tree.
Although he'd casually mentioned the idea to Teddiursa and Mew in the past, he never expected them to encounter Mewtwo so soon. And not only that—they went ahead and extended an invitation!
Now, not only was Mewtwo here, but it had also brought an entire group of Pokémon to live on the World Tree.
Naoki felt a pang of worry. Could Mewtwo and the cloned Pokémon integrate smoothly with the Pokémon already living on the tree? Would any conflicts arise?
However, he quickly realized there was no use in overthinking it. He resolved to help ease the situation by taking active steps to foster a sense of community.
One idea was to have Arboliva and the others organize a welcome ceremony for the new arrivals—a gathering that could bring everyone together and help them bond.
That evening, after supervising the completion of construction on the World Tree, Kelly and her Machamp-led construction team returned to report their progress to Naoki.
"Well, everything you requested is finally done," Kelly said with a satisfied grin. "All the facilities you mentioned have been built."
Naoki raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Already? That's fast!"
But as he thought about it, he realized it made sense. With the combined effort of Pokémon like Machamps the speed was nothing short of impressive.
"Great work," Naoki said sincerely, handing over the remaining payment. Though the project had been costly, Naoki knew it was worth every penny. The dream of creating an expedition guild was now a reality.
After seeing off Kelly and her team, Naoki asked Indeedee to prepare dinner, while he headed to the World Tree to check out the newly constructed facilities.
Using the World Tree's unique elevator, Naoki ascended to the top floor. He stepped into a wooden corridor that glowed faintly with an otherworldly green light.
The top floor's appearance had completely transformed.
In the open grassy area, various wooden buildings were now scattered across the landscape, each with its own unique design and purpose. The signs on the buildings made their functions clear even at a glance.
For instance, the Pokémon Item Shop had a sign decorated with cartoonish depictions of Moomoo Milk, assorted berries, and various small tools.
Naoki took a moment to study the items.
Moomoo Milk—a classic recovery item for restoring Pokémon's energy. Berries—each offering unique effects, such as status healing or move enhancement. And other tools like the Everstone to prevent evolution, Fire Stones to unlock new potential in certain Pokémon, and Miracle Seeds to strengthen Grass-type moves.
The thoughtful sign designs ensured Pokémon could instantly recognize what the shop offered, even without the need for words.
Nearby, there were also restaurants, sushi bars, cafés, dormitories, and practice arenas.
The restaurant's sign depicted food like sandwiches, pancakes, and Pokéblocks.
The dormitory, with a sign featuring a simple bed illustration, caught Naoki's curiosity, so he decided to take a closer look.
Inside, he found something truly remarkable.
The dormitory wasn't just a generic sleeping area—it had been custom-designed with the specific needs of different Pokémon species in mind.
For small Pokémon like Minccino, there were cozy tree holes. For larger Pokémon like Charizard, there were sturdy stone platforms to lounge on. For Pokémon like Eevee, there were plush nests filled with soft cushions.
Each habitat was tailored to ensure every Pokémon felt at home, no matter their size or preferences.
Naoki couldn't help but smile at the sight. It wasn't just functional; it was heartwarming. The space radiated a sense of care and comfort that any Pokémon—or even humans—would find appealing.
This cozy little nest, filled with a sense of security and natural charm, looked incredibly inviting!
If Naoki were a Pokémon, he would absolutely choose one of the tree holes as his home.
Each tree hole was lined with a soft, furry blanket, making it feel both safe and extraordinarily comfortable.
After admiring the dormitory, Naoki stepped outside once more.
The layout of the area was beautifully designed. The buildings were arranged in a circle around an open space, with the center hosting a Pokémon park. The park featured benches, streetlights, and even a fountain, creating a serene atmosphere.
Stone paths wove through the area, connecting the facilities to the park and tying everything together seamlessly.
But what caught Naoki's attention most was the headquarters of the expedition guild located at the heart of the area.
The guild building was grand and spacious, exuding an air of importance. The first thing visitors would notice upon entering was a large commission board. In the future, anyone could post a request there to seek help from other Pokémon.
Of course, Pokémon couldn't exactly read…
But Naoki thought this wouldn't be a problem. With the help of Rotom phones, translations and updates could be made easily.
As this thought crossed his mind, Naoki began to consider ordering another batch of Rotom phones to support the guild's operations.
At that moment, the Pokémon already living on this floor started to notice the new buildings and hurried over, curiosity gleaming in their eyes.
A lively group of Pokémon gathered: Treecko, Tropius, Tatsugiri, Milotic...
Tropius arrived carrying the three Tatsugiri on its back. The little Tatsugiris immediately noticed the sushi restaurant's sign and froze in awe—it featured an image that looked almost identical to their kind!
"Tatsu?" The Tatsugiri turned to Naoki, tilting their head as if asking, What's this place?
Naoki chuckled and explained, "That's the sushi restaurant."
"Tatsu?!"
Hearing this, the Tatsugiri squealed with joy.
They bounced happily toward the restaurant, hopping up and down on the counter in excitement.
Curious, Naoki followed it inside.
The restaurant was simple yet well-equipped. There was a clean kitchen, a counter for taking orders, and tables and chairs arranged for customers to dine comfortably.
The ingredients for making sushi were neatly organized: seaweed, rice, carrots, cucumbers, and more.
The seaweed for sushi could be sourced from the waters around Dragonite Island, located on the lower level of the World Tree. Meanwhile, rice, carrots, and cucumbers could be grown on the tree itself through careful cultivation.
Naoki pondered the logistics of running the sushi restaurant. The next steps would involve hiring Pokémon employees and teaching them how to grow crops and process the ingredients. Only then could the restaurant officially open for business.
But as Naoki thought about it, the challenges seemed daunting.
Could Pokémon really learn how to grow rice, process it, and ensure its consistent availability?
To keep the sushi restaurant running smoothly, Pokémon would also need to learn how to preserve seeds, plant seedlings, and properly harvest the crops.
Naoki sighed softly. It wasn't just about planting crops—there was also the matter of teaching Pokémon how to prepare sushi and clean up afterward.
Careful, intelligent Pokémon would be needed to handle sushi preparation, while Water-type Pokémon would be ideal for washing dishes.
Running the World Tree's facilities truly relied on Pokémon cooperation.
Yet, Naoki realized that the current number of Pokémon on the tree wasn't enough to support the full operation of the expedition guild.
With only this small group of Pokémon, it was nearly impossible to sustain everything.
Fortunately, the World Tree would soon welcome a new group of residents, which would provide some much-needed extra help.
Charizard, Ninetales, and Rapidash could assist with fire-related tasks, while Blastoise and Golduck could use their Water Gun to clean dishes. Venusaur and Skiddo could help cultivate crops and maintain the fields.
Sandshrew, Bunnelby, and Mudbray could dig and plow the soil efficiently.
Pikachu and Mareep could generate electricity to power the guild's facilities.
Oh, and there was also a Wigglytuff!
Naoki suddenly remembered that there was a Wigglytuff among Mewtwo's group of Pokémon!
This sparked a memory of the Mysterious Dungeon: Explorers of Time game, where Wigglytuff became the president of the guild.
"Maybe I could replicate that idea," Naoki mused. "Wigglytuff could serve as the guild leader here."
Naoki paused, imagining the scene.
"…It really does feel like I'm playing house in real life."
Well, Kelly hadn't misunderstood him after all—he just wanted to play house with Pokémon.
While the imagination was certainly beautiful, reality would depend on how things turned out.
All these ideas would have to wait until Mewtwo and the others arrived.
With Mewtwo's incredible flying speed, they should reach the ranch by noon tomorrow, right?
Before their arrival, however, Naoki still had a few things to prepare.
The Next Morning
After finishing his chores on the ranch, Naoki drove into town.
He roamed through the streets, visiting various stores, and didn't finish his shopping until almost noon.
He had purchased a wide variety of supplies: different crop seeds, fruit tree saplings, pots and pans, blankets, mats, quilts, clocks, large-scale power generation equipment, processing machines, and more.
Kelly had already constructed a mill next to the barn where the harvested crops could be stored. Pokémon simply needed to place the harvested wheat into the mill to produce a heap of flour.
With the flour, they could use the newly purchased oven to bake bread.
"Hmm… it seems the World Tree needs more 'production' Pokémon too," Naoki thought to himself.
Pokémon like Nacli to help with salt, Appletun for baking pies, Miltank for fresh milk, and Sawsbuck to help harvest tea leaves, berries and plants.
Oh, and there was Shuckle, also known as the "automatic juicer."
By feeding berries to Shuckle, it could produce magical juice that helped restore energy and strength.
Interestingly, Shuckle also secreted a sticky, honey-like substance that, when mixed with its juice, made an even more potent restorative drink.
While Naoki was lost in thought, his Rotom phone buzzed.
Naoki glanced at the screen to see a message from Calyrex.
"Mewtwo and the others have arrived at the ranch."
Naoki blinked in surprise.
"They got here so quickly? As expected of Mewtwo."
Setting aside his thoughts, Naoki loaded the truck with the supplies he'd purchased and started heading back to the ranch.
Ten minutes later, Naoki's pickup truck rolled to a stop on the grassy field of the ranch.
Before he could even step out of the vehicle, he noticed Mewtwo standing calmly nearby.
Behind Mewtwo was a large group of Pokémon.
Around them, Naoki's Pokémon—Pawmot, Cyclizar, Koraidon, Gogoat, Garganacl, and Alcremie—had gathered, curiously observing the newcomers.
Meanwhile, the cloned Pokémon and those rescued by Mewtwo appeared a bit uneasy in the unfamiliar environment.
Only Mewtwo remained calm, its expression unreadable.
As Naoki stepped out of the truck, Mewtwo's piercing eyes shifted toward him.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
1,388 Power
stone 
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