"Dratini~"
The water sphere in Dratini's mouth shot towards Sandshrew.
"Sandshrew!"
Sandshrew reacted quickly.
It immediately used Dig to dodge the Water Pulse.
Boom~
With a muffled sound, the water ball splashed down, sending up a wave of water.
Natsume watched Dratini looking around anxiously and reassured, "Don't rush. While charging Water Pulse, climb up the bamboo."
"Dratini~"
Natsume's command was somewhat challenging for most Pokémon.
However, Dratini exhibited excellent control over its energy.
The water sphere formed again in its mouth, and at the same time, its petite body quickly climbed up the bamboo.
Rustle~
The soil shifted.
Sandshrew burrowed up.
"Sandshrew!"
Sandshrew looked at Dratini winding around the bamboo and took a deep breath, ready to use Swift. Natsume quickly shouted, "Now, attack!"
"Dratini~"
Water Pulse shot out, directly hitting Sandshrew.
Boom~ Boom~
Two explosive sounds echoed.
The first explosion was the damage from Water Pulse striking Sandshrew.
The second explosion came from Sandshrew attempting to unleash half of its Swift.
"Dratini!"
Dratini let out an excited cry at seeing Sandshrew dizzy on the ground.
Natsume immediately pulled out a Poké Ball: "The dream is becoming a reality."
"Go, Poké Ball!"
Natsume threw the Poké Ball towards Sandshrew.
This scene was something Natsume had imagined countless times.
Bang~~
The Poké Ball hit Sandshrew with a flash of red light.
Sandshrew was sucked into the Poké Ball.
Shake~ Shake~
The Poké Ball wobbled on the ground.
Natsume and Dratini nervously leaned closer, watching it intently.
Ding~
The Pokémon stopped moving.
"Great job, Dratini!"
Natsume happily extended his palm.
"Dratini~"
Dratini jumped up, gently slapping its tail against Natsume's hand.
Smack~
First Battle on the Farm: Task Complete.
First Capture on the Farm: Task Complete.
Natsume pulled out an Exp. Candy.
"Dratini, you should eat one first."
"Dratini~"
Dratini immediately opened its mouth and devoured the Exp. Candy.
Dratini consumed the candy, which provided a small amount of experience, and its level increased by 13,423/1,762.
Dratini's level rose from 10 to 13.
"Not bad."
Natsume quickly gave Dratini the remaining two candies.
Dratini consumed the candy, raising its level to 15, with 1,423/2,162.
Dratini consumed another candy, raising its level to 16, with 923/2,862.
"Level 16 already; if it were one of the starter Pokémon, it would be ready to evolve by now."
Natsume thought to himself.
"Dratini~"
At that moment, Dratini suddenly began to rub its body against the ground.
"What's this?"
Natsume asked as he watched Dratini, "Are you shedding skin?"
Dratini nodded.
From the moment it was born, Dratini's life energy had been continuously expanding.
As a result, it needed to shed its skin to allow its body to grow.
Soon, a shed skin appeared beneath Dratini.
Natsume picked up Dratini's discarded skin and looked at the Dratini on the ground: "You look a bit bigger now, Dratini."
Dratini let out a happy call.
Natsume rubbed Dratini's head and smiled: "Alright, let's meet a new friend next."
"Come out, Sandshrew~"
At this point, Sandshrew was still quite weak.
Natsume took out the Medicine Spray and sprayed it twice on Sandshrew's front and in its mouth.
"How are you feeling, Sandshrew?"
Sandshrew began to recover quickly.
It stood up, cautiously glancing at Natsume from the corner of its eye.
"Don't be afraid, Sandshrew."
Natsume gently cradled Sandshrew, "From now on, we are family."
"By the way, I brought some snacks; would you like some?"
As he spoke, Natsume opened his backpack.
He hadn't brought much with him today.
Just some food for feeding Pokémon, along with his own lunch and a few bottles of water.
The Pokémon food was freeze-dried and made from Berries.
"Want to give it a try?"
Natsume took out a piece and offered it to Sandshrew.
Sandshrew carefully took it and tasted a bite.
Its eyes immediately lit up as it devoured the freeze-dried food.
"Chirp chirp~"
Sandshrew thought this human was quite nice.
Not only did he help heal its injuries, but he also gave it something delicious to eat.
What bad intentions could he possibly have?
Pokémon are such simple creatures.
Sandshrew's calls became lighter and more cheerful.
"Baa baa~"
Not far away, Skiddo came running quickly toward them.
It had a shovel, rake, sickle, and other farming tools strapped to its back.
Natsume approached and unfastened the tools from its back.
"Thanks for your hard work, Skiddo."
Natsume fed Skiddo a piece of the freeze-dried food.
"Baa~"
"Chirp chirp~"
Sandshrew looked like it wanted more food as it bit its own finger, staring eagerly at the freeze-dried snack in Natsume's hand.
Natsume squatted down and patted Sandshrew's head, smiling: "Do you want more?"
"Chirp chirp~"
Sandshrew nodded quickly.
Natsume looked at Sandshrew and smiled: "No problem."
"But first, we need to clear this patch of land."
Sandshrew gazed at the wasteland ahead, raising its little arms.
"Chirp chirp~"
Sandshrew was full of energy and ready to go.