Naoki was slightly surprised when he heard Eevee’s decration. He hadn’t anticipated that one of the little Eevees would have such a determined idea.

  But on further thought, it made sense. In many ways, Pokémon were not so different from human children. Just as every child in a family wants to stand out and feel unique, every Eevee also wishes to carve out its owy.

  Naoki’s gaze swept over the group of Eevees. Eae looked up at him with ear eyes, their expressions full of trust and curiosity.

  “I uand,” Naoki said with a warm smile. Exhaling softly, he added, “Alright, I’ll help you work toward yoal of being Partner Eevee. But first, you’ll all o wear this stone.”

  He reached into his bag and pulled out several Everstones. Gently, he pced one on eaevolved Eevee, tying the smooth stones securely around their necks.

  The Eevees gnced down at the stones with puzzled expressions. “Eevee?” (What’s this?)

  Naoki crouched to their level and expined, “These are Everstohey’ll prevent you from evolving actally due to enviroal factors.”

  Eevee’s geistability made them highly susceptible to evolution iain ditions. At Naoki’s ranch, there were many such ditions—areas ri energy that could trigger evolution, such as the grassy fields near Gogoat, the icy cave that housed G’s Ice Stone, or the natural deposits of elemental stones scattered across the nd.

  Without the Everstones, it was all too easy for an Eevee to actally evolve simply by wandering into the wrong area. Naoki felt the stones were a necessary precaution, especially since he wao wait until the Eevees were at least one or two years old before helping them evolve.

  For now, however, he po focus on preparing for their future evolutions. Leafeon’s evolution was straightforward, but Sylveon and Espeon required special ditions.

  “I’ll have to start teag them Baby-Doll Eyes soon,” Naoki mused. The move was a Fairy-type teique, and mastering it was one of the prerequisites for evolving into Sylveon.

  With the Eevee’s future pled, Naoki moved on to aask. He grabbed a bag of supplies a out with Dugtrio and Calyrex, heading toward the ke on the ranch.

  Passing through a shimmering portal created by Giratina, they ehe Distortion World.

  In this surreal and chaotic realm, the majestic World Tree stood tall, its lush greenery radiating a quiet, awe-inspiring power. Naoki gazed at the tree, marveling at its progress.

  More thay days had passed since Calyrex st nurtured the World Tree. Acc to Naoki’s calcutions, tomorrow would mark the scheduled cultivation.

  As his eyes roamed the massive tree, information surfaced in his mind:

  [World Tree (Mature): A seedling that has absorbed vast amounts of Grass-type energy. Enhanced by Gogoat's influe has undergone a uation, giving it immeality. Said to support aire ecosystem, it requires 64,054 years to reach full maturity.]

  Naoki let out a breath. “It’s nearly halfway there.”

  Over the past months, Calyrex had been visiting the Distortion World regurly to accelerate the World Tree’s growth. Each month, its efforts reduced the tree’s remaining growth time by approximately 4,000 years.

  At this rate, Naoki estimated, “64,054 divided by 4,000… It’ll take about 16 more months.”

  That meant the World Tree could potentially reach maturity by December of the 200th year of the Alliance dar—just over a year away. sidering the tree’s natural timelihis accelerated pace was nothing short of miraculous.

  Refleg on this, Naoki felt a deep sense of gratitude. Without Calyrex’s help, he likely wouldn’t live to see the World Tree reach its full potential.

  But Naoki wasn’t in the Distortion World today for the World Tree. Instead, he had another experiment in mind. Sihe current season iside world wasn’t suitable for cultivating Gracidea flowers, Naoki decided to pnt a batch here to see if they could thrive in the unique ditions of this realm.

  Being careful not to disturb Giratina, who was resting among the flowers, Naoki led Dugtrio and Calyrex to an untouched isnd within the Distortion World. The three set to work immediately: Dugtrio tilled the soil, Naoki scattered the seeds, and Calyrex used its powers to accelerate the flrowth.

  Before long, a breathtaking sea of pink blossoms stretched out before them.

  Dugtrio stared at the se with sparkling eyes. “Dig-dig…” (How beautiful…)

  Calyrex was equally moved. “This is the first time I’ve seen flowers as enting as these.”

  “Yeah,” Naoki agreed, smiling warmly. “After all, these are magical flowers capable of attrag mythical Pokémon!”

  While Shaymin might not be as well-known as legendary Pokémon like Mew, Jirachi, Celebi, or Dia was still a mythical Pokémon in its ht, with a special e to these flowers.

  At that moment, Giratina glided over, drawn by the spectacle. The imposing dragon-like Pokémon observed the isnd bed in vibrant pink blossoms and asked in its deep, resonant voice, “What are these flowers?”

  “They’re Gracidea flowers,” Naoki replied, turning to Giratina with a mischievous look.

  The sight of Naoki’s half-smile made Giratina uneasy. It narrowed its glowing red eyes. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  Naoki snapped out of his thoughts and chuckled. “Nothing… I just remembered something amusing.”

  “What is it?” Giratina asked, curiosity evident in its tone.

  Naoki avoided giving a direswer. “Just protect this sea of flowers well. Wheime es, you’ll uand.”

  He couldn’t help but wonder what Shaymin’s rea would be upon seeing this transformed er of the Distortion World.

  With that, Naoki left the isnd, apanied by Calyrex and Dugtrio. Giratina remained behind, gazing silently at the sea of pink flowers.

  A gust of wind swept through the isnd as Giratina moved its massive body. tless petals were lifted into the air, dang like a pink snowfall against the surreal backdrop of the Distortion World. The spectacle left Giratina momentarily awestruck.

  The mighty Pokémon leaned down, sniffing the flowers delicately. To its surprise, the blossoms carried a pleasant and soothing fragrance. Feeling uedly rexed, Giratina id down amidst the flowers, curling its massive body around the sea of pink, and soon drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

  ...

  That evening, Naoki was in the Pokémon Tavern, iing the fruit wines aging in barrels, when a distant siren pierced the air.

  Curious, he stepped outside to find Officer Jenny driving past the ran her police car, with Growlithe trotting alongside her.

  “Officer Jenny, where are you headed?” Naoki called out.

  Jenny stopped the car and got out, letting Growlithe hop down beside her. She approached Naoki with a calm but determined expression.

  “I’m leaving the patrol car here for a while,” she expined. “Growlithe and I are heading to the forested area behind the ranch for a patrol.”

  Naoki tilted his head. “Why the sudden patrol?”

  Jenny sighed, brushing her uniform absently. “It’s autumn again, and we want to prevent another forest fire like the one we had st year. The police station has stepped up patrols to monitor the backwoods.”

  Naoki nodded in uanding. “That makes sense. Would you like me to keep an eye on the car while yone?”

  “That would be helpful, thank you.” Jenny smiled. “The Fire Department is also involved this year, but the forest ranger is stretched thin. The backwoods are vast, and there’s only so mue person do.”

  “It sounds like everyone’s w hard,” Naoki said, kneeling to pat Growlithe’s head. “Thanks for keeping the area safe.”

  Jenny’s smile softened. “It’s our job. Alright, I’ll get going now.”

  Naoki watched as Jenny and Growlithe disappeared into the forest, their silhouettes fading into the golden hues of the autumn evening. He couldn’t help but admire the dedication of the polid fire department in this world.

  Naoki shook his head, turned back to the Pokémon Tavern, and refilled the empty barrels of fruit wine. He alsht out some berries and sandwiches to stock up for the evening.

  Once guests arrived, the tavern could officially begin its operations for the night.

  After setting things up, Naoki returo his home. The clock read 4:30 iernoon. As far as he knew, Officer Jenny wouldn’t return until at least 9:00 PM.

  Naoki’s thoughts wandered. It was currently summer vacation for the students of Paldea Academy, but uhe summer breaks in his past life, he doubted these students would simply stay home to rest. Most of them were likely traveling across the Paldea region, challenging gyms and honing their skills as trainers.

  After all, gym leaders in the Paldea region only got their holidays after November, following the clusion of the annual Pokémon League fere was only during this dowhat gym leaders could enjoy a well-deserved two-month break.

  Naoki sighed, shaking his head. While Geeta had always been kind to him, he couldn’t imagine ever wanting to be a gym leader himself. The life of a free man, without the straints of such responsibilities, was far more appealing.

  Smiling at the thought, Naoki pulled out a cookbook titled 300 Unique Recipes from his bag. He had purchased it earlier that m while in town, i on learning some new dishes. Cooking for his Pokémon had bee a daily routine, but he realized the meals he prepared often cked variety. Even if the Pokémon didn’t pin, he himself was growing bored of the same repetitive menu.

  He flipped through the pages, his eyes lighting up at the colorful photos of delicious-looking meals.

  “Mushroom soup... requires shiitake, button mushrooms, king oyster mushrooms, and bamboo shoots…”

  “Spicy meat broth… needs fatty cuts of meat, sad oil, minced garlid mashed ginger…”

  “Wine-braised Paldea tomatoes? Vodka-steamed Carlos eggpnt? Paldea crab meat and ham dumplings? Paldea-style seafood rice…”

  The pictures were mouthwatering, and Naoki’s enthusiasm grew. Many of the recipes seemed feasible with the ingredients he already had on hand. He decided to try the mushroom soup, spicy meat broth, wine-braised tomatoes, and vodka-steamed eggpnt first.

  However, the crab meat and ham dumplings seemed out of reach for now. The recipe required raw ham slices to repce the dumpling skin—a luxurious aravagant twist that Naoki wasn’t prepared for.

  “Let’s keep it simple for now,” he muttered, closing the book.

  Naoki stood up and began pulling ingredients from the refrigerator. With a growing sense of excitement, he set to work cooking. The warm aroma of simmering sauces and roasted vegetables soon filled the kit.

  Time passed, and as dusk began to fall, the Pokémon who had spent the day pying outside started returning home. By then, Naoki had finished preparing dinner.

  One of the dishes he’d made was the mushroom soup, a creamy co that looked inviting in its bowl. A notification in his mind popped up as he fiing it:

  [Mushroom Soup (C)]: A thid hearty soup made by blending various mushrooms into a fvorful broth. A popur specialty from a certain vilge, this dish is both f and nutritious.

  Cooking Effect: Mushroom Hunter – Pokémon with the Pickup Ability bee better at finding mushrooms after eating this dish, with a high probability ing mushrooms to their trainer.

  Naoki blinked, slightly baffled. “Mushroom Hunter? Really?”

  He gnced around the room, realizing the only Pokémon on the ranch with the Pickup Ability was Baby Bear, who had been away on aended journey for quite some time.

  “Well, that’s... oddly specifiaoki murmured, scratg his head. However, this seemingly niche dish sparked an idea.

  Naoki mused over an idea: maybe he could train a group of Pokémon with the Pickup ability ahem out to gather mushrooms and rare items. It reminded him of the Felyne expedition teams in Monster Hunter, where the hired Felyne helpers would ve to collect herbs, mushrooms, and other useful materials for hunters.

  The more Naoki thought about it, the more he felt that the Pickup ability in Pokémon served a simir purpose. This idea intrigued him.

  Setting that thought aside, he focused on the dish.

  [Spicy Meat Soup (C+)]: A hearty soup made with tender cuts of meat. Chi essend soy sauce are added to a rich beef broth, simmered slowly with mashed gio i with a robust, spicy fvor.

  Cooking Effect: Sprint Level 1 – Drinking this reduces stamina ption during running and battles for both humans and Pokémon. Effect sts for 15 minutes.

  Naoki raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Reduced stamina ption? This is perfect for interaining sessions or long treks!” He made a mental o prepare this dish during moments when endurance was key.

  , he turned his attention to the Wine-Braised Paldea Tomatoes. This dish had a simple yet entig effect: it stimuted the appetite. As the name implied, it was ideal for humans or Pokémon who had lost their appetite.

  The recipe involved simmering cherry tomatoes in white wiil they softeheir natural sweetness blending with the wine’s aroma. The result was a tangy-sweet dish that could coax even the pickiest eater into taking a bite.

  “This will be perfect for any Pokémon that’s relut to eat,” Naoki thought. He decided to save this recipe for when the need arose.

  The dish was Vodka-Steamed Eggpnt. Its effect was simir to hot soup dishes: warming up the body. While practical, Naoki found it less exg pared to the others.

  Finally, Naoki studied the most plex dish of the bunch: Pael.

  [Paldea Seafood Rice (B)]: A fragrant delicacy made with head-on shrimp, mussels, and rice that absorbs the essence of a rich seafood broth. Infused with the blessings of the sea, this dish embodies the ary spirit of Paldea.

  Cooking Effect: Blessing of the Sea – For humans, this increases the ce of catg rare fish when fishing. For Pokémon, it signifitly boosts the effectiveness of sea-based special training. Effect sts for 3 hours.

  ents: “A dish imbued with the blessings of the sea, perfect flers and sea-dwelling Pokémon alike!”

  Naoki’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Finally, a dish that bes Pokémon directly!”

  This dish was not only versatile but also incredibly useful. For humans, it enhaheir ces of catg rare fish—a boon for fishermen. In the Pokémon world, "rare fish" often referred to elusive aquation. on ones like Magikarp, Goldeen, and Finneon were easy enough to find, but rarer species like Wishiwashi, Carvanha, and Relith required effort—and a bit of luck. This dish could even improve the odds of entering powerful aquation like Gyarados or Milotic.

  Naoki chuckled at the thought. “Who knows? With enough ce and luck, maybe someone could even fish up Kyogre.”

  After all, there was that one memorable moment in the anime where Lana mao reel in a little Kyogre with her fishing rod.

  For Pokémon, the dish’s effect was equally impressive. It signifitly enhahe efficy of water-based special training, making it ideal for Pokémon like Dragonairs aiming to evolve intonites.