บท 342: Protection of the sea
Dragonite was impressively efficient and returned with its catch before sunset.
It held two lobsters in each of its arms, a large squid clamped in its mouth, and a piece of tangled seaweed draped over the small horn on its head. Despite its slightly disheveled appearance, Dragonite was clearly proud and content.
When Naoki came out to greet it in the pasture, Dragonite let out a jubilant cry, dropped the lobsters and squid onto the grass, and embraced Naoki in its large, seawater-scented arms.
"Awoo!"
Naoki exclaimed, playfully scolding, "You big goof."
Gently, he removed the seaweed from Dragonite's horn, then picked up the lobsters and squid from the ground and headed toward the kitchen.
Dragonite plopped down on the grass with a satisfied hum, watching Naoki walk away.
"Stay put," Naoki called over his shoulder. "I'll give you a bath later!"
Dragonite waved one stubby arm in agreement. "Awoo!"
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the other working Dragonites finished their day, soaring off into the distance with their boxes of treasures.
Dragonite, still lounging in the golden rays of the sunset, waved enthusiastically at its departing kin.
Alder watched the scene with amusement. "Your Dragonite really loves you," he remarked.
Naoki chuckled as he rinsed the lobsters and squid in a basin. The creatures were still alive, wriggling slightly—a testament to Dragonite's speed and efficiency in bringing them back fresh.
Naoki shared an old story with Alder, explaining, "Once, Dragonite got jealous of the gifts the other Dragonites were bringing me. It wanted to outdo them, so it ran off without a word to catch something even bigger and better."
Alder laughed, his curiosity piqued. "What happened next?"
"Dragonite encountered a powerful Pokémon in the sea," Naoki continued, smiling at the memory. "It was outmatched and returned home defeated."
"Poor thing," Alder sympathized.
"Yeah," Naoki said, patting the basin fondly. "But it's the thought that counts. For a trainer, having their Pokémon by their side is the greatest gift of all."
Alder's expression softened as he thought of his own Volcarona. "You're absolutely right," he agreed.
Nearby, Koraidon and Cyclizar were listening. Koraidon's usually fierce expression softened, while Cyclizar's eyes sparkled with longing.
Naoki noticed and reached out to pat Cyclizar's head. "You too," he said warmly.
Though Cyclizar's role on the ranch wasn't as prominent as some others, its contributions were invaluable. As the first Pokémon to join Naoki's ranch, it had set the tone for the harmonious environment that followed.
Feeling inspired, Naoki asked Cyclizar to go and play while he prepared dinner.
"Raao!" Cyclizar chirped happily, bounding off.
Koraidon, watching the interaction, seemed lost in thought.
With dinner in mind, Naoki turned his attention to the lobsters. He decided to steam one and prepare the other with garlic sauce. The squid, being too small to divide among everyone, was set aside for another use.
Naoki lit the fire and carefully placed the prepared lobsters into the steamer. While waiting for them to cook, his thoughts drifted to Cyclizar.
Compared to the other Pokémon on the ranch, Cyclizar's strength wasn't particularly notable. Aside from the birthday cake that had boosted its base stats and its self-initiated training, it lacked any special means of becoming stronger.
As a rancher, Naoki wasn't overly interested in Pokémon battles. He didn't push his Pokémon to compete unless they wanted to. Instead, he focused on supporting them in pursuing what made them happy—whether it was lounging all day in peaceful retirement or working hard and training diligently.
This world wasn't harsh for most Pokémon that lived alongside humans. Here, Pokémon and trainers shared a reciprocal relationship. Pokémon protected their trainers with their strength, while trainers used their knowledge and tools to ensure Pokémon could live safe and contented lives.
And Naoki was committed to protecting Cyclizar.
Naoki turned to glance at Cyclizar lying contentedly by the fireplace, observing the flickering Slugma. A smile crept onto his face.
The steam began to rise from the pot, signaling that the lobsters were nearly ready. Naoki opened the lid and carefully retrieved the lobsters, their vibrant red shells glistening with steam.
Out of habit, he inspected the dish, and what he saw left him momentarily stunned.
[Steamed Lobster (A+): A special dish made from large lobsters sourced from the ocean depths. This dish retains the natural freshness and fragrance of the seafood. It is a top-tier delicacy, prized by seafood enthusiasts. The emotions infused into the cooking process have resulted in a unique effect.
Cooking Effect: "Protection of the Sea" (Exclusive to Cyclizar). A Pokémon that consumes this dish gains a protective aura. If the Pokémon encounters a life-threatening situation, this effect will automatically activate, negating all incoming damage from a single attack.
Comment: When emotions and food come together, they create unparalleled culinary masterpieces.]
Naoki blinked, staring at the description.
"Exclusive to Cyclizar?" he murmured in disbelief. "How...?"
He thought back to his earlier musings while preparing the dish. Could it be that his thoughts about Cyclizar had somehow influenced the outcome?
The effect of "Protection of the Sea" seemed like an enhanced defensive ability, capable of completely nullifying an attack in a critical moment. While incredibly valuable, he couldn't help but chuckle at how unnecessary it felt for a Pokémon like Cyclizar, who rarely faced any danger on the ranch.
Naoki's gaze shifted to the other pot, where the garlic lobster was steaming. He checked it, and another description appeared.
[Garlic Lobster (B+): A flavorful dish prepared with garlic and fresh lobster.
Cooking Effect: "Lobster Specialization." Consuming this dish slightly increases the defense and attack stats of lobster type Pokémon for 30 minutes.
Naoki couldn't help but laugh nervously at the absurdity of the situation. "Making lobsters eat lobsters... This is some kind of culinary nightmare," he muttered, shaking his head.
Standing up, he brought the day's dinner to the table and called out to the Pokémon playing outside, summoning them back for their meal.
At the dinner table, Naoki observed Cyclizar eating heartily. A question lingered in his mind, and he finally voiced it. "Mr. Alder, for Pokémon, can emotions be considered a form of power?"
"Of course!" Alder nodded confidently. He leaned back slightly and began explaining. "Some Pokémon academies even teach this concept. Beyond the elemental attributes we're familiar with, emotions can be transformed into energy."
"For example," Alder continued, "there are Normal-type moves like Return and Frustration, or Ghost-type moves like Spite. These moves are often fueled by emotional energy, but they're typically limited to specific Pokémon."
He leaned forward slightly, adding, "Take Eevee as an example. When novice trainers raise one, they often work to build a close bond with it. This bond amplifies the power of Return, allowing them to take on stronger opponents."
Hearing this, Naoki's thoughts shifted to Frustration.
Frustration: A Pokémon vents its anger on an opponent. The lower its affection for its trainer, the more powerful the move.
He furrowed his brow. "But doesn't Frustration affect the relationship between Pokémon and trainer? It seems counterintuitive."
Alder chuckled. "You're right. A move like Frustration inherently damages the bond between a trainer and their Pokémon. And because of that, it's rarely used in practice. After being captured by humans, most Pokémon have difficulty using this move effectively. Even when they do, it lacks power and rarely inflicts significant harm."
Naoki nodded thoughtfully. The explanation resonated with him. Could it be that the emotions he'd infused into the meal while thinking about Cyclizar had resulted in the Sea's Protection effect on the steamed lobster? The thought made sense. His desire to shield Cyclizar and ensure its safety had been translated into the dish.
But the effect had strict conditions—it would only activate in a true life-or-death crisis. Naoki hoped such a moment would never arise for Cyclizar.
After dinner, Alder leaned back on the sofa with a satisfied sigh, patting his stomach contentedly. "Ah, that hit the spot! Your cooking is incredible, Naoki. I think I've gained at least a few pounds during my stay here."
One of the Indeedee siblings, the younger sister, approached with a cup of tea in hand. "Ai Ai~" she said cheerfully, placing the cup on the table before stepping aside with a polite smile.
"Ah, thank you!" Alder exclaimed, quickly sitting upright to accept the tea.
As he took a sip, Alder glanced at Naoki. "So, is everything here wrapped up? When are you planning to leave for Unova?"
Naoki nodded, reflecting on the recent events. With the horse racing competition concluded, there wasn't much left to do on the ranch. The crops in the fields still needed time to mature, and the development of the new land on the other side of the river could wait until he returned.
March 25th marked the start of Naoki's plans for the coming week. Alder had mentioned that the dinner would take place on April 1st. He also promised to introduce Naoki to a Pokémon breeder who would teach him the art of making Pokeblocks, something that would likely require a good amount of time.
Considering this, Naoki thought it best to leave as soon as possible to ensure they could return promptly. He voiced his decision: "Let's leave tomorrow!"
Alder grinned broadly, his enthusiasm apparent. "Perfect! No problem for me. You've helped me so much—I'll make sure you're treated like royalty when we get to Unova!"
The way Alder spoke made it seem as though he was planning a grand tour of all the most iconic locations and scenic spots across the Unova region. While Naoki appreciated the sentiment, he found the idea a bit unnecessary.
Still, he asked tactfully, "Mr. Alder, don't you have important responsibilities with the Unova League? From what I've heard, The Elite Four are busy every single day."
Alder's face flushed a deep red. Memories of his time neglecting his duties to search for a cure for his injured Volcarona surfaced in his mind. Back then, he had been so preoccupied that he had left the League's affairs entirely in the hands of the Elite Four.
But could he admit to such irresponsibility? Absolutely not.
Clearing his throat and straightening his posture, Alder spoke with forced conviction, his dark complexion betraying a hint of embarrassment. "The Elite Four are currently managing the League's affairs. Once I return, I'll resume my championship duties in full."
Naoki looked at him knowingly but chose not to press further, letting Alder's words stand unchallenged. Alder, noticing the look in Naoki's eyes, quickly shifted the topic.
"There will be many notable figures and famous trainers attending this dinner," Alder said. "It's possible that Lance might be there too."
"Lance…?" Naoki repeated the name softly, his curiosity piqued. "I'd really like to meet him."
Alder's eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh? Are you a fan of Lance?"
Naoki shook his head and clarified, "Not quite. I've just heard of his accomplishments and reputation for a long time."
"Ah, I see." Alder nodded, his grin returning. "There will even be a sparring arena at the banquet. You could challenge him to a friendly battle. Oh, and you could bring along all your Dragonites too."
Alder chuckled at the thought, clearly entertained by the idea of Lance seeing a ranch teeming with Dragonites. It was a sight that would surely leave the Dragon Master stunned.
Naoki hesitated, briefly considering the proposal. However, practicality quickly won out. "The Dragonites have work to do," he explained. "They need to stay behind to make deliveries to the townspeople."
Alder looked visibly disappointed.
"Then..." Naoki paused thoughtfully before asking, "Will Steven, the Champion of the Hoenn region, attend?"
"Steven?" Alder considered the question for a moment before shaking his head. "Probably not. He's not the type to show up at these kinds of events."
Naoki nodded, having suspected as much. Steven was either out searching for rare stones or on another journey to find more rare stones.
"But even if Steven doesn't attend, President Stone of the Devon Corporation will be there," Alder added. "And there's also Giovanni, a prominent entrepreneur from the Kanto region."
The mention of Giovanni's name caused Naoki to stiffen slightly.
"Giovanni?" Naoki repeated a flicker of surprise in his voice.
Could it be the Giovanni he was thinking of?
The leader of the Viridian Gym. The mastermind behind Team Rocket, a notorious criminal organization. The man who orchestrated the creation of Mewtwo. A figure who claimed to be the strongest of all...
"Huh? You've heard of Giovanni?" Alder asked, clearly surprised by Naoki's reaction. "The Kanto region and Paldea are quite far apart."
"Yes," Naoki replied with a brief nod. "Before settling here, I traveled extensively through other regions."
"Ah, that explains it!" Alder said, nodding in understanding. "I don't know Giovanni personally, but he's widely known in Kanto as a successful businessman. He's also the Gym Leader of Viridian City, so he must be quite skilled in battles."
For a moment, Naoki was at a loss for words.
"Well-known entrepreneur" wasn't an inaccurate description of Giovanni, but it certainly didn't capture the full picture. While he was indeed a prominent businessman, his darker, hidden identity loomed large in Naoki's mind.
Fortunately, the Paldea region was far removed from Kanto. Team Rocket's influence had no reach here, so Naoki could at least set his worries aside for now.
...
A/N: If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 380 at patreon.com/Keepsmiling818
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