After drinking the goat milk, the eldest brother Dragonite slowly got ba its feet. Its gaze was steady, its expression serious, and it let out a low, determined cry: "Awoo."

  The look in its eyes clearly veyed: 'From now on, you are my trainer.'

  The two younger Dragoepped up behind their leader and nodded enthusiastically. “Awooo!” (Yes, you’re our traioo!)

  Naoki broke into a nervous sweat, his thoughts rag. Why does this feel like a “buy one, get two free” deal?

  Later that afternoon, when Naoki’s own Dragouro the ranch after pleting its delivery route in KosajiTown, it was greeted by an unusual sight—a trio of unfamiliar Dragoanding in front of Naoki with wide, eager smiles.

  Dragonite’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, and it immediately swooped down to ween Naoki and the three newers, shielding him from their view.

  The eldest brother Dragoiced this defeand shifted its gaze from Naoki to his Dragohe tension in the air alpable as the twonites locked eyes, each sizing the other up.

  The eldest brother Dragonite said nothing, and Naoki’s Dragonite remained silent as well. The two stood on the grass, their expressions stern and unyielding.

  "Ahem." Naoki awkwardly cleared his throat, steppiweeo break the standoff. “These three Dragonites are here to apply for jobs at the ranch.”

  Dragonite blinked in fusion. “Awoo?” (Jobs?)

  Naoki pced a reassuring hand onite’s shoulder. “Yes, they’re here to work. And as per the usual process, it’s your job to show them the ropes. Take them to town, familiarize them with the delivery routes, ahem settle in.”

  Dragoilted its head, still puzzled. It khe eldest brother Dragonite owerful and proud—so much so that it seemed impossible for someone like it to e all the way to the ranch for simple delivery work.

  “Awoo?” (Are they really here just to work?) Dragonite asked, its tone skeptical.

  Naoki nodded with a smile. “It’s true. They’re here to work, but their real goal is to bee strohat’s why I promised to help them grow in exge for their work.”

  Dragonite’s eyes lit up in realization. 'W to bee stronger?' That sounded like a pretty good deal—and it would save a lot of resources like Poffins!

  Now uanding there was no petition for Naoki’s attention, Dragonite rexed. Its expression softened, and it nodded cheerfully. “Awoo~” (Alright, leave it to me!)

  “Great. Off you go!” Naoki said with a grin, patting its head.

  Dragouro the three newers and motioned for them to follow. Together, they flew off toward Kosaji Town, with Dragonite expining the delivery process and the areas they would be c.

  The m, the three new Dragonites officially joihe Naoki Ranch delivery team. From this day forward, the townspeople of Kosaji Town would begin to experience firsthand the unique personalities of Ranch Dragonites.

  For the most part, the Dragonites of Naoki Ranch were known for their gentle and kind demeanor. Over time, this reputatioo the assumption that all Dragonites were like this.

  However, this assumption was quickly shattered when, early that m, one of the townspeople opeheir door to receive their delivery.

  Standing on the doorstep was her than the eldest brother Dragos fierce gaze unyielding, its scar stark and intimidating, and its expression as serious as ever.

  “Ah!” A white-haired elderly woman gasped, stumbling ba shock. For a brief moment, she felt as if she had been transported back to her youth.

  During her younger years, while venturing into the wild, the elderly woman had an unfettable enter with a grumpy, ferocious-looking Ursaring. The bear caught her off guard and attacked her, leaving her severely bruised and hospitalized for several weeks. The traumatic experience left a deep scar on her memory.

  Now, seeing the stern and intimidating appearance of the Dragonite before her, those old fears came rushing back.

  The eldest brother Dragonite, notig her fear, furrowed its brow, its expression being even more serious. However, instead of reag aggressively, it quietly pced the milk on the ground and turned away, walking back toward the path it came from.

  The old woman stared at the milk on the ground, gradually realizing what had happehis Dragonite… was here to deliver milk?

  Meanwhile, back at the ranaoki kept himself busy with other tasks while waiting for the Dragoo return from their delivery routes. His nerves remained on edge, particurly regarding the three new Dragoheir naturally fierd serious expressions might give the townspeople the wrong impression.

  When all the Dragonites finally returned safely, Naoki let out a breath of relief.

  “It looks like their delivery work went smoothly,” Naoki said to himself. He had been half-expeg a flood of pint calls about the “robber-looking” Dragonites, but no such calls had e. He was impressed—and a little surprised—that the townspeople seemed to hahe enters well.

  Now, it was time for Naoki to fulfill his end of the bargain.

  As the Dragonites rested on the meadow, some chatted with each other, others dozed off, and a few feasted os with tented expressions. The two younger Dragonites, who followed their eldest brother, were particurly engrossed in their newfound love for Poffins, enjoying them with reckless abandon.

  The eldest brother Dragonite, however, remained indifferent to the food. Its focus y elsewhere, driven by a deeper desire to grow stronger. Its self-discipline and ambitio apart from its siblings.

  Naoki called the eldest Dragoo the living room. Oable was a row of fruit wines, each beled with its unique properties: resistao paralysis, poison, burns, and freezing.

  “Drink these!” Naoki said with a warm smile. “They’re my special brews made from Berries. They’ll help enhance your strength.”

  The eldest brother Dragoared at the gsses of wine skeptically. Could something like this really make me stronger? It hesitated for a moment, uain.

  'You don't o fight, just drink this to bee stronger?'

  After a moment of sile reasohat Naoki had no reason to deceive it. With that thought, it cautiously picked up a gss and took a sip.

  One gss turned into two, then three, and before long, the Dragonite had polished off over a dozen gsses of fruit wis eyes started to gze over, and a hazy, light-headed sensation washed over it. The mighty Dragonite, renowned for its stoicism, now swayed slightly, its bansteady.

  Naoki stood frozen, wide-eyed. How could this happen? The alcohol tent in these fruit wines wasn’t supposed to be that strong. To him, the drinks tasted more like juice, simir to the mild pineapple beer he’d occasionally enjoyed in his previous life.

  By looking at the patrons in the Pokémon Tavern, Naoki noticed that none of them had ever been drunk. 'Is this Dragonite's alcohol tolerance really this poor?' he wondered.

  With a resounding thud, the mighty Dragonite colpsed to the ground, sound asleep and thhly intoxicated.

  Naoki: “…”

  The otion caught the attention of the curious Eevees, who padded over to ihe unscious Dragohey prodded its rge body gently with their tiny paw pads.

  “Bu-ee?” one of them squeaked inquisitively.

  Naoki chuckled and expined, “It’s drunk.”

  Fetg a soft b, Naoki covered the Dragonite, letting it rest peacefully. The Eevees, however, didn’t uand what it meant to be drunk. Two of them cmbered onto the table, witg as they she remnants of the fruit wine in the gsses.

  Quickly stepping forward, Naoki whisked the gsses away. “No drinking for you. You’re too young. Maybe when you turn one year old,” he said, wagging his fi them.

  “Eevee!” protested one of the little troublemakers, its eyes fixed on the wihe fruity aroma was simply too entig!

  Seeing Naoki’s firm stance, one particurly ing Eevee darted its gaze toward the basement door—the pce where Naoki stored his wines. Its tiny eyes gleamed with mischief as it began to plot.

  Naoki immediately caught on. “Don’t even think about sneaking into my wine celr!” he scolded. Marg over, he securely locked the celr door.

  ...

  When Big Brother Dragonite finally woke up, the sun was high in the sky, and it was already nearing lunchtime. Stretg and blinking groggily, the Dragonite’s first sight was Naoki, who greeted it with a warm smile.

  “Awake? How do you feel?” Naoki asked, his tone lighthearted.

  The Dragonite closed its eyes briefly, fog on its body. In mere moments, it noticed subtle yet signifit ges: its muscles felt stronger, its energy reserves replenished, and there was a faint but undeniable sense of growth—both physical and internal.

  Its pupils widened slightly in amazement. 'Those drinks… were incredible!'

  Naoki noticed its expression and chuckled. “Each gss of that wine has a different effect,” he expined, outlining the bes of the various fruit wines. “But while your strength is impressive, it seems like you’re g in teique and strategy.”

  Naoki’s observation came from the Dragonite’s battle with Koraidon earlier. Big Brother Dragonite clearly subscribed to the philosophy of brute strength, charging headlong into fights without much sideration for tactics or precision. Against a seasoned oppo, such recklessness became a gring weakness.

  After lunaoki decided to help. He called over his own Dragonite and suggested a sparring match betweewo.

  The ensuing battle only firmed Naoki’s suspis. Big Brother Dragonite uself forward with raw, unbridled power, relying on sheer physicality. Meanwhile, Naoki’s Dragonite employed a well-coordirategy, using Rain Danbsp;to summon a downpour and then striking decisively with a powerful Thunder attack.

  The csh was over in moments. Big Brother Dragonite was left defeated, stunned, and sitting on the sidelines, its face a mix of disbelief and frustration. 'How could that clumsy Dragonite… surpass me?'

  Naoki carefully reviewed Big Brother Dragonite’s ret battles, identifying its strengths and areas needing improvement. Now that he had diaghe "symptoms" of the elder Dragonite’s struggles, it was time to provide the right "treatment."

  The pn was multifaceted: teag Big Brother Dragonite about type matchups, practig bination moves, refining its fighting style, and instilling the importance of oppos’ as instead of charging in recklessly.

  To achieve this, Naoki enlisted the help of Koraidon and his own Dragonite as sparring partners. Each battle was a ce f Brother Dragoo learn something new, whether it was a tactical adjustment or how to better mas immerength.

  ...

  Time passed quickly, and before long, it was September 20th of the 199th year in the Alliance dar.

  In that time, Big Brother Dragonite’s progress was remarkable. It had evolved from a reckless powerhouse into a more calcuted aile fighter. The lessons learned from Naoki had a profound impact, shaping it into a wiser Pokémon.

  But Big Brother Dragonite’s growth wasn’t limited to battle skills. Over the past month, it had experienced many things that were pletely o it, and one ge stood out more than anything else: the way the townspeople viewed it.

  At first, its intimidating appearance had frightened everyo entered during deliveries, much like wild Pokémon feared it in the wilderness. Yet, as it tinued delivering goods, the people slowly began to warm up to it. Instead of fear, they started greeting it with gentle smiles and waves.

  One i stood out vividly in Dragonite’s memory. During a delivery, an elderly woman’s Meowth had climbed a tall tree and bee too scared to e down. Before leaving, the woman had shyly asked for help. Without hesitation, Dragonite rescued the Meowth, earning the heartfelt gratitude of both the woman and her Pokémon. As thanks, they offered Dragonite a pte of freshly baked cookies, a gesture that left a deep impression on it.

  What had begun as a job driven by the desire to grow stronger had bee something more. Big Brother Dragonite realized it genuinely es role as a delivery Pokémon. The simple joy of helping others, the gratitude it received, and the sense of unity made every day fulfilling.

  It finally uood why the other Dragonites were so eager to work at Naoki’s ranch. It wasn’t just about the delicious Poffin. It was about the sense of purpose and the respeaoki showed every Pokémon under his care.

  One evening, as the moon cast its silvery glow over Dragonite Isnd, Big Brother Dragonite quietly returo its . It rummaged through its belongings until it found a precious keepsake: a shimmering scale from its own Reverse Scale.

  This was no ordinary scale. During a fierce battle in the past, the scale had been dislodged, causing Dragonite great pain. After the fight, it had kept the scale as a treasured memento, a symbol of its trials and growth.

  But now, it decided to give this cherished scale to Naoki as a token of its gratitude.

  The following m, Big Brother Dragonite approached Naoki at the ranch, carefully presenting the glimmering scale. Naoki blinked in surprise, his gaze shiftiween the Dragonite and the scale in his hand.

  “For me?” he asked, incredulous.

  Big Brother Dragonite nodded, its deep voice rumbling softly: “Awoo.”

  For a moment, Naoki and the Dragonite locked eyes. In that brief exge, Naoki uood the unspoken message: this was Dragonite’s way of saying thank you.

  A warm smile spread across Naoki’s face.

  Refleg on the Dragonite’s journey, Naoki felt his heart swell with pride and affe. Despite its fierce appearand thirst for strength, this Dragonite had a ki. It never bullied weaker Pokémon and was always ready to help those ihe phone call he’d received from the elderly woman, thanking him fonite’s assistance, echoed in his mind.

  Naoki couldn’t help but feel a deep fondness for this Dragonite.

  “I uand,” Naoki said softly, exhaling as he spoke. Then, with a warm smile, he added, “From now on, live with us on the ranch!”

  Big Brother Dragonite regarded him seriously for a moment, the out a low, resolute cry: “Awoo.”

  Without further hesitation, it turned and headed off to spar with Naoki’s Dragonite, eager to improve itself even further.

  Naoki watched it go before l his gaze to the crest-shaped scale resting in his palm. A moment ter, a familiar sensation filled his mind, and information about the scale surfaced:

  [Dragonite’s Reverse Scale: A uem imbued with Dragonite’s deep trust and gratitude. This reverse scale carries the essence of a dragon’s power. If used as an ingredient in cooking, it may grant special effects.]

  Naoki froze. "Another seal item?"

  The st time he received something simir was from the forest Pokémon he’d helped. They had gifted him berries imbued with gratitude, which, when used in cooking, signifitly enhahe quality of his dishes.

  But this... This was different. His expression grew serious as he examihe scale. This wasn’t just any ordinary item; it was a reverse scale—a piece onite’s very being.

  Fon-type Pokémon, their reverse scale was incredibly signifit, a physical and symbolic representation of their strength and spirit.

  Dragonite had entrusted something so precious to him.

  Naoki felt a mixture of awe and . "How could su important part onite have e off?"

  His thoughts quickly turo the only pusible expnation: battle.

  The idea made his heart ache. Losing a reverse scale wasn’t just symbolic; it was undoubtedly painful, a wound both physical aional. Naoki found himself imagining the agony Dragonite must have endured when it lost the scale.

  He gripped the scale tightly, his expression firm. He couldn’t bring himself to use it for cooking. This wasn’t just a tool—it was a token of trust, one he couldn’t tarnish.

  Naoki made his decision. He would keep the scale as a treasure, a reminder of the bond he shared with Big Brother Dragonite.

  Ba the living room, Naoki gently pced the scale oable. Sitting on the sofa, Calyrex, gnced up from the television, notig Naoki’s pensive expression.

  “What’s on your mind?” Calyrex asked, his tone curious.

  Naoki held up the shimmering scale. “This is Dragonite’s reverse scale. It gave it to me as a gift.”

  Intrigued, Calyrex leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly as Naoki expihe significe of a reverse scale ton-type Pokémon.

  “Under normal circumstances,” Naoki tinued, “a reverse scale doesn’t fall off naturally. The only way it could have e off is if it was forcibly knocked off during a battle. I ’t imagine how much pain Dragonite must have been in at that moment.”

  Calyrex’s expression turned solemn. Nodding slightly, he reached out toward the scale. His eyes glowed faintly with a blue light as he activated his psychic abilities, delving into the past and future of the scale.

  Images flooded Calyrex’s mind.

  In one vision, he saw Dragonite mid-battle, r in anguish as the scale was torn from its body. The pain alpable, yet Dragonite persevered, refusing to give up despite its suffering.

  In another vision of the future, Calyrex saw the scale transform into a radiant force, merging with Naoki. This newfound power enabled Naoki to help every dragon Pokémon on the ranch grow stronger, creating an unbreakable boween them.

  Calyrex looked slightly surprised. After a moment of thought, he said, “You use its power by transf it into a dish.”

  Naoki blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean by that?”

  “I’ve seen it iure,” Calyrex expined. “This scale bees your power, and you use it to help Pokémon.”

  Naoki’s expression turo one of utter fusion. 'What exactly did Calyrex mean? How could a scale bee his power? And how would that help him aid Pokémon?'

  Calyrex said no more, instead using his psychic abilities to project what he had seen directly into Naoki’s mind.

  The image that appeared in Naoki’s thoughts was vivid. He saw himself pg his haly on the scar of Big Brother Dragonite. From his hand emanated a faint, shimmering light that flowed intonite’s body. The rge Pokémon’s expression shifted to one of deep rexation and te, as if being healed or empowered.

  The vision vanished, leaving Naoki staring bnkly into space. He couldn’t fully grasp what he had just seen, but ohing was clear: the scale tained untapped potential. Whatever he created from it could be Big Brother Dragonite directly.

  After some sideration, Naoki came to a decision. He would use the scale to explore this newfound possibility.

  Naoki sought out Big Brother Drago the ranch. Holding the reverse scale reverently in his hand, he asked, “Would you mind if I used this scale of yours for something... special?”

  Dragoilted its head in curiosity before nodding solemnly. Si had already entrusted the scale to Naoki, it had no objes to how he used it.

  Relieved, Naoki returo the house, brimming with determination.

  His initial pn was straightfrind the reverse scale into a fine powder using a mortar ale. However, he quickly discovered that the scale’s hardness was beyond what any ordinary tool could handle.

  Uerred, Naoki turo Calyrex for assistance. With a wave of his hand and a glimmer of psychiergy, Calyrex pressed the scale with extreme precision, shattering it into a fine, shimmering powder.

  , Naoki prepared to bihe dragon scale powder with high-quality bck tea leaves. He brewed the mixture carefully, his movements precise, as though perf a sacred ritual. As the tea steeped, a mysterious, almost otherworldly fragrance filled the room.

  The tea was ready.

  Naoki gazed into the cup, its liquid a deep, radiant gold, exuding a strange, alluring aroma. The information about this extraordinary comediately surfaced in his mind:

  [Dragon Scale Fragrance (S+): A uea brewed from the reverse scale of a Dragon Pokémon and premium bck tea leaves. The drinker gains the ability to form unparalleled bonds with Dragon Pokémon.]

  Cooking Effebsp;The Power to and Dragons. Drinking this tea bestoecial ability to the drinker, allowing them te deep es with Dragon-type Pokémon. This ability is exclusive to humans.

  Dragon Preatly enhahe drinker’s affinity fon Pokémon, making them easier to befriend or capture. Allows the drio el this power to accelerate the growth and strength on Pokémon.

  ent: Acc to legend, only those who are deeply trusted by Dragon Pokémon acquire this ability. Those blessed with the Power ons will find all Dragon Pokémon drawn to their presence.

  Looking at the cup of tea in front of him, Naoki’s hands trembled slightly.

  "The power to trons… Wasn’t this a gift exclusive to the legendary Dragon ?"

  Even among the Dragon Bckthorn City of the Johtion, this power was sidered extremely rare. It was said that only those born with extraordinary potential could awaken su ability—true Dragon Masters, destio and the resped awe of all dragon Pokémon.

  Naoki’s thoughts turo the Dragon Johto, to Lahe legendary Dragon Master, and finally to himself and the dragon Pokémon who had bee an integral part of his ranch.

  Who were the true keepers ons?

  Dragonite wasn’t the only dragon Pokémon on the ranch. Koraidon and Cyclizar were also part of his team. This power… It wasn’t just a blessing—it portunity.

  Without hesitation, Naoki lifted the cup and drank the tea in one gulp, paying no mind to whether iing something made fronite’s reverse scale might upset his stomach. The moment the tea settled in his stomaaoki felt a surge of energy c through his body. It was as if a new, fn force had ied itself into his being—a force he could trol with a mere thought.

  The power on affinity.

  Naoki rose from his seat and headed straight for the ranch’s dragon Pokémon. He first approached Big Brother Dragonite, who had been lounging nearby.

  As Naoki drew closer, Big Brother Dragouro look at him. There was something different—an inexplicable feeling of closeness and trust radiating from the human.

  Not just Big Brother Dragohe other dragon Pokémon also began to gather around Naoki, their curiosity piqued by the strange new aura he exuded.

  Naoki gri the group, then reached out toward Big Brother Dragonite, pg his haly over the scar that marked its face.

  The power ons activated.

  The se predicted by Calyrex earlier that day began to unfold. As Naoki’s haed onite’s scar, a warm, glowing energy began to flow from him into the dragon’s body.

  Big Brother Dragonite’s eyes widened in surprise at first, but as the energy coursed through its form, it felt an indescribable fort spreading throughout its body. Strength surged in its veins, a heat built in its core, and a newfound vitality blossomed within it.

  The scar didn’t disappear, but something deeper ged. Big Brother Dragonite closed its eyes, its expressioing into one of pure te as it soaked in the power. This wasn’t just healing—it was empowerment.

  Naoki gave everything he had, p his dragon affinity into Big Brother Dragoil he felt his reserves run dry. He staggered slightly but quickly assessed his ditioe the exhaustion of his newly gained power, he felt no other disfort. It was as though the ability would replenish itself naturally over time—just like mana in a role-pying game.

  Naoki chuckled to himself, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. “How do you feel now?” he asked.

  Big Brother Dragonite’s eyes snapped open, now bzing with energy and a newfound sense of vigor. It turo Naoki, its gaze intense, almost fiery.

  Before Naoki could react, his own Dragoepped forrotectively, scooping him up and carrying him a safe distance away.

  “Awoo!”

  ...

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