Naoki sighed with relief as the group finally arrived back at the ranch. From the air, he could see thin wisps of smoke rising from the ey of his house. He knew immediately what it meant—Indeedee must have been busy preparing lunch for everyone.

  He couldn't help but think how much easier life was with a butler-like Pokémon at home. "Having a Pokémon like that really takes the load off," Naoki mused.

  Deg to leave lunch preparations to Indeedee, Naoki headed straight to the cupboard upoering the house. He grabbed a small bag of roasted seed crisps and munched on them as he walked back to the yard.

  "So, what did everyone gain from today's training?" Naoki asked, turning to the group of Pokémon gathered in the yard.

  Standing in front of him were the newly evolved Dragonite—whom Naoki decided to call "Dragonite Five"—and the four Dragonairs that had yet to evolve.

  Naoki had a simple naming system for his Dragonites. His inal Dragonite was Dragonite One, and the three older Dragonites who helped with deliveries were Two, Three, and Four. Now, Dragonite Five had joihe ranks. With five Dragonites and four Dragonairs on the ranch, it was an impressive lineup, even fon-types.

  pared to the others, Dragonite Five had a slightly goofy demeanor. It scratched the back of its head and proudly said, "Awoo!" (I evolved intonite!)

  Naoki smiled warmly. "I know. You did great!" He knew how much effort this Dragonite had put into training uhe guidance of Koraidon and his own care over the past months. If it had bee onite Isnd, it might have taken years to reach this stage.

  Turning his attention to the Dragonairs, Naoki asked, "And what about you?"

  In unison, the Dragonairschorused, "Woo, woo!" (We learned new moves!)

  Curious, Naoki gestured for them to demonstrate. One by ohe Dragonairs showed off their progress.

  The first Dragathered water energy on its tail and swung it powerfully, creating a torrent of water.

  "Waterfall!" Naoki identified the move immediately. "Nice work!"

  The sed Dragonair opes mouth, water swirling as it charged energy. With a loud roar, it unleashed a powerful stream that bsted forward in a high-pressure torrent.

  "Hydro Pump!" Naoki's eyes sparkled with approval. "That's a super move!"

  The third Dragonair summoned ripples of water, maniputing them into a series of focused waves aimed at an imaginary target.

  "Water Pulse. That's anreat addition to your arsenal," Naoki praised.

  Finally, the fourth Dragonair raised its body high and summoned a massive wave, which crashed down with impressive force. Unfortunately, the wave soaked Naoki and several nearby Pokémon in the process.

  "Surf," Naoki said, drenched but still smiling. "It's a fantastic move, but let's try to avoid soaking everyoime, okay?"

  The guilty Dragonair whimpered, fpping its tail nervously in apology.

  "It's fine!" Naoki reassured it, ughing. "Just be more careful. You're all doing amazingly well."

  Satisfied with their progress, Naoki turonite Five and called over Dragonite One. "Dragonite, expin the delivery routio your eammate, alright?"

  Dragonite One saluted with a fident "Awoo!" and toonite Five aside to expiies of the ranch's delivery service.

  Meanwhile, Naoki went io ge into dry clothes. Refleg oraining session, he was thrilled with how effective the Paldean Pael had been. Its ability to enhance o-based trainis was undeniable, though it was a shame that it wasn't useful for all Pokémon types.

  After ging, Naoki headed to the living room. There, a group of Eevees was chasing each other around, tumbling and yipping happily. Watg them, Naoki was struck by a thought.

  He recalled a detail from his studies: evolving Pokémon too early could sometimes prevent them from learning critical moves. To avoid that, he wao find ways to support their growth without rushing their evolution.

  Pulling out his recipe notebook, Naoki flipped through its pages. He paused at a se and muttered, "Zapdos Feather Lightning Buns for Jolteon…"

  These steamed buns could enhance Jolteoric capabilities, potentially pensating for any disadvantages of early evolution. But the recipe presented a problem: Zapdos was currently off traveling, and it wasn't easy to procure its feathers.

  "Fet it, there's o rush this," Naoki thought after some sideration.

  Eventually, Zapdos would return to roost he World Tree. When that happened, Naoki figured he could visit its regurly and might find naturally shed feathers.

  While he was at it, he could even offer Zapdos a Lightning Bun to enhas strength.

  Naoki khis particur Zapdos was just a wild Pokémon, not the legendary Thunder God referenced in myths or the oured in The Power of Os strength likely didn't pare to the Zapdos guarding the thunderous skies near Shamouti Isnd in the movie. But with the Lightning Bun, it could grow closer to that level.

  However, figuring out something simir for Freon and Vaporeoed more challenges.

  Naoki had never entered Moltres, nor did he have access to its feathers to create Fme Buns. As for Vaporeon, its unique physiology posed a different problem ehere wasn't aablished method to boost its water-based abilities with food.

  "Maybe I'll just have to experiment and e up with something simple yet effective, like Grass Dumplings," Naoki thought optimistically.

  When Indeedee called from the kit to announce lunch was ready, Naoki closed his recipe notebook. Stepping outside, he called all the Pokémon back to the house for their meal.

  ...

  That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the Dragonites and Dragonairs who had spent their day w—and occasionally napping—on the ranch returonite Isnd. Each carried a box filled with Poffins and Poké Blocks.

  They nded he tral ke on the isnd and sat in a circle, eagerly mung on the snacks. The sight of the w Dragonites feasting had bee a familiar se for the wild Dragonites living on the isnd.

  pared to these workers, the wild Dragonites were less ied in food and more focused on training. Their primary goal was to grow stronger and evolve into even more powerful Dragonites.

  However, tonight, the wild Dragonites noticed something unusual. Among the team of w Dragonites was a newer—a Dragohey didn't reize.

  Intrigued and a little suspicious, three particurly fierce Dragonites approached. They surrouhe newer, their faces full of fusion.

  "Awoo?!" (How did you evolve so quickly?!)

  Dragonite Five bli them ily. Still chewing on a Poffins, it replied through a mouthful of food, "Awoo~" (Naoki helped me train with special methods!)

  Naoki.

  The wild Dragonites were ners to the hey remembered the human who had sent Dragonite Oo their isnd aook a particurly clumsy Dragonite under his wing. Naoki had visited Dragonite Isnd several times, but they hadn't paid much attention to him back then. They hadn't sidered the human particurly remarkable.

  But now, things seemed different. This human had apparently found a way to help Dragonairs evolve intonite faster than they had ever thought possible.

  The three "Dragon Brothers" exged gheir expressions a mixture of shod awe.

  Their amazement didn't stop there. After finishing dihe remaining Dragonairs began their nightly routine—sparring with each other.

  This wasn't just casual py. Each csh was a determined effort to grow stroo push their limits, and to one day evolve intohemselves.

  Their goal wasn't just evolution—it was to bee strong enough to help Naoki mahe rand tribute to its daily operations.

  The three "Dragon Brothers," known for their intimidating presence, were aced to watg the Dragonairs spar onite Isnd. However, today's training battles were noticeably different.

  The Dragonairs were using new moves they had retly mastered.

  One of the brothers asked, "Awoo?" (Are those the new moves you just learned?)

  The Dragonairs nodded enthusiastically. "Woo!" (That's right! These moves are the result of Naoki's special training!)

  Hearing this, the three Dragonites wideheir eyes in disbelief.

  Naoki… was truly impressive!

  The Dragorio moved to the top of a nearby cliff, overlooking the waves crashing against the rocks below. They began to murmur among themselves.

  "Awoo?" (Big Brother, do you think we could also ask that human for help?)

  The Dragonite referred to as "Big Brother" had a solemn expression. A long scar ran across its face, a testament to the battles it had ehe scar was a reminder of the time it had been attacked by a Gyarados while fishing, mistaken as an intruder in the Gyarados' territory.

  At the mention of seeking help, Big Brother Dragonite hesitated. Its pride as a powerful Pokémon weighed heavily on its heart.

  It remembered the fierce battle with the Gyarados. At the time, it had only just evolved intonite and was no match for the sea serpent. But through sheer determination and an unyielding spirit, it had driven the Gyarados away, eventually g dominance over that stretch of the sea.

  From that day forward, Big Brother Dragonite dedicated itself to the pursuit of strength. It fought tless battles, sharpening its skills and building a reputation. Its unwaveriermination inspired the two younger Dragoo follow it, f a bond of loyalty and camaraderie.

  But tely, Big Brother Dragonite felt as though it had reached its limit. No matter how hard it trained, it couldn't seem to grow any strohe thought of stagnation frustrated it deeply.

  When it observed Naoki's influence—how the human had helped other Pokémon like Dragonite and Dragonairs evolve and reaew heights—it saw a glimmer of hope. Perhaps Naoki could help it break through the barriers holding it back.

  But the idea of asking a human for help was daunting. Big Brother Dragonite's pride rebelled against the notion.

  The two younger Dragonites, seeing the fli their elder brother's eyes, exged knowing looks. One of them spoke up, "Awoo!" (The's all go together and see what happens!)

  Big Brother Dragonite's resolve wavered. It was tempted but still hesitant to take the leap.

  The sun dipped below the horizon, and the three brothers remained deep in thought.

  The m, as the first rays of sunlight paihe sky, the w Dragoook flight fronite Isnd, heading toward Naoki Ranch.

  The two younger Dragonites called out to their elder brother, urging him to follow them. Finally, with a relut huff, the eldest brother Dragonite gave in and joihem.

  It wao see for itself what made this human, Naoki, so remarkable.

  ...

  Naoki Ranch, 6:30 AM

  In a world without smartphones or modern distras, Naoki had developed the habit of going to bed early and rising with the sun. After a quick breakfast, he began his daily chores at the ranch.

  His first task was to prepare the milk aables for delivery to ers in town. As the ranch grew in popurity, orders had surged—from just a handful of ers in the beginning to nearly a hundred now.

  Although the ranch hadn't expanded signifitly in size, the crops beed from the unique nurturing abilities of the Gogoats. With their help, the fields yielded mature produ just over half a month, ensuring a steady supply for the town.

  As Naoki finished pag the milk aables into crates, the familiar sight of the delivery Dragonites desding from the sky brought a smile to his face.

  "Great job as always!" Naoki greeted them warmly as he handed out the goods.

  The Dragoook their deliveries and soared off toward the town. Among them was his own Dragonite, who seemed particurly eager. It wasn't just about the deliveries; Dragonite relished its visits to town, especially to greet Mrs. Dantes, who often baked cookies for it. Naoki suspected the Pokémo Mrs. Dantes would worry if it didn't make an appearance.

  With the Dragonites off on their deliveries, Naoki turned his attention to the apple orchard across the river. Just as he was about to set out, three more Dragonites appeared, their silhouettes cutting through the m sky.

  The trio nded in the ranch, and the leader—a fierce-looking Dragoh a long scar across its face—stepped forward. Its intense gaze and battle-scarred appearance immediately set it apart.

  Naoki froze for a moment. "Who are you?" he asked cautiously.

  The scarred Dragonite narrowed its eyes, its intimidating presence amplified as it let out a low growl: "Awoo…"

  Naoki's heart skipped a beat, but as he observed their posture and expressions more closely, he realized they weren't here with hostile iions—at least not ht.

  Rexing slightly, he ventured a guess. "You're here to apply for a delivery jht?"

  It wasn't an unreasonable assumption. After all, this wasn't the first time wild Dragonites had shown up looking to join the ranch's delivery team.

  "If that's the case, it's pretty straightforward," Naoki tinued, gesturing to the crates. "You just deliver milk aables to town each m. The rest of the day is yours to do as you please. Iurn, I'll provide Pokeblocks and Poffins."

  The three Dragonites, however, didn't look like they were here for a job interview. Their inteares and domineering aura felt more suited fang of troublemakers than delivery workers. Naoki couldn't help but wonder if their fierce demeanht scare away ers.

  Behind him, several Pokémon from the ranch had gathered, curious about the new arrivals.

  The scarred Dragonite—clearly the leader—grew impatient. Seeing Naoki tinuing to expin, it shed out at a nearby fruit tree with its sharp cws, the sound of splintering wood snapping everyone's attention back to it.

  "Awoo!" (Enough!)

  Naoki's eyes widened. A sudden realization struck him, and his thoughts raced. Are they here to pick a fight?

  The scarred Dragonite's gaze swept over the Pokémon behind Naoki, its eyes brimming with fiery determination.

  Naoki, feeling the weight of that gaze, poio himself incredulously. "You… want to battle me?"

  The Dragonite's nod was slow but deliberate. "Awoo." (That's right.)

  ...

  Bonus Chapter @500 PS

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