When Naoki sados, Teddiursa, and Mew return to the ran such a snowy day, he was both surprised and overjoyed.

  He quickly ushered the three Pokémon inside, brushing the snow off their fur ahers. Warmth enveloped them as they ehe house. Naoki prepared hot tea and served soft, sweet cookies to the trio.

  The three Pokémoled on the floor by the crag firepce. After draining their cups of hot tea, they began to feel the warmth seep bato their frostbitten limbs. Their energy slowly returned, and they began to speak.

  Teddiursa and Mew munched on cookies like two hungry squirrels, their mouths stuffed with crumbs. Meanwhile, Zapdos lowered its head into a bowl of warm snacks, sav the taste with evident delight.

  After a while, Teddiursa let out a satisfied burp and pulled something shimmering from behind its back. It was a feather, glowing with radiant rainbow hues.

  "Teddi! Teddi-Ursa!" (This is a gift for you, Naoki!) the small Pokémon decred proudly.

  Because Naoki had eateranstion seeds earlier, he could immediately uand what Teddiursa was saying. His eyes widened as he took the feather in hand, and almost instantly, information about the item appeared in his mind.

  [Rainbow Feather: A legendary artifact, this feather belongs to the mythical Pokémon Ho-Oh. It is said that when it glows with rainbow light, it brings joy and happio humanity.]

  Naoki was stunned. "This… This is a Rainbow Feather from Ho-Oh!"

  He stared at Teddiursa and Mew in disbelief. "How oh did you mao get Ho-Oh's feather?!"

  Teddiursa replied cheerfully, "Ursa-Ted! (We found it on the grass!)"

  Mew floated beside it, nodding with an i smile. "Mew~ (It's Ho-Oh's feather~)"

  Teddiursa added enthusiastically, "Teddiursa-Ursa! (Oh, and we also made friends with Ho-Oh! And Marshadow!)"

  As the two Pokémon took turns expining, Naoki pieced the story together over the five minutes.

  It turned out that during their travels, the Hero Expedition Team had stumbled upon the radiaher lying in the grass. Not long after, a majestic, lion-like Pokémon appeared before them, its mane burning like fmes.

  The Pokémoei, revealed itself to be a messenger of Ho-Oh and instructed them to follow the feather's guidao a pce called Ecruteak City.

  Upon reag the city, the townspeople directed them to The Tower, where Ho-Oh was said to reside.

  The expedition team eventually arrived at the Tower but soon entered an elusive Pokémon lurking in the shadows.

  Mew mao catch up with it, learning that the Pokémon was Marshadow, tasked with guiding those chosen by Ho-Oh to uake the test of the Rainbow Hero.

  Marshadow was visibly perplexed. "Ho-Oh's feather has only ever been given to humans," it expined. "o Pokémon."

  Teddiursa and Mew immediately protested, shaking their heads vigorously. "We're not ordinary Pokémon!" they insisted. "We're the Hero Expedition Team, traveling the world and standing up for justice!"

  Hearing their passionate decration, Marshadow seemed to sider their words before speaking again.

  "In that case," it said, its voice calm but intrigued, "pce the Rainbow Feather on the sacred stone and see what happens."

  Mew and Baby Bear did as instructed.

  As soon as they pced the Rainbow Feather oo erupted in a brilliant beam of light that shot straight into the sky. From the horizon, a radiant rainbe formed, arg high into the heavens. Moments ter, Ho-Oh, the majestig of the Skies, appeared, its feathers shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow.

  Hearing this part of the story, Naoki was stunned. "Wait, does that mean you've already bee Rainbow Heroes?!"

  In Pokémon lore, the Rainbow Hero is a title given to humans chosen by Ho-Oh. In the movie, Ash Ketchum successfully passed Ho-Oh's test and earhe title.

  Mew and Baby Bear exged a quice before shaking their heads.

  "Teddi! Teddi-Ursa!" (No, no! That Pokemon said that the Rainbow Hero is a title meant for humans!)

  "Mew~" Mew added, (The Phoenix Pokemon gave the feather to us after seeing what we aplished. It said the feather could help us in our journey.)

  Naoki sighed in relief but remained deeply impressed. For a moment, he had gehought his Pokémon panions had achieved this legendary status.

  Looking at the radiaher in his hand, Naoki asked curiously, "So, where is Ho-Oh now?"

  Mew and Baby Bear shook their heads.

  "Teddi". "We don't know. After that, it flew away."

  "Mew…" Mew looked disappointed. (We invited Ho-Oh to visit the rand py with us, but it deed.)

  Seeing Mew's dejected expression, Naoki didn't know what to say. The hero's expedition team really was something else—a gacha mae fendary enters! From Ho-Oh to the simplest Pokémon like Farfetch'd, they somehow mao cross paths with all of them.

  Naoki mused silently, It's no surprise ing from a Teddiursa blessed with perma good luck.

  "It's possible Ho-Oh has important responsibilities elsewhere," Naoki finally said to fort them.

  "Mew?" Mew's ears perked up. (Do you think Ho-Oh will visit after we finish everything here?)

  Naoki hesitated. "I'm not sure."

  "Mew…" Mew's face fell again.

  Deg to ge the subjeaoki turned his focus to the Rainbow Feather. He remembered hodos' feathers were used to create Lightning Buns and Lugia's feathers made Storm Buns. The potential of Ho-Oh's feather intrigued him.

  What kind of dish could be created from Ho-Oh's feathers? Naoki wondered, a spark of ary curiosity lighting his thoughts.

  But first, he sought firmation. "Are you sure it's okay for me to use the feather to make something special?"

  Baby Bear zily waved its paw. "Ursa!" (Of course! We brought it as a gift for you, Naoki!)

  The little bear, clearly stuffed from too many cookies, y sprawled on the wool carpet, gently rubbing its round belly.

  "Thank you," Naoki said with a warm smile. "I truly love this gift."

  Deg to aaoki sought out Calyrex. With its unparalleled psychic abilities, Calyrex could help vert the feather into powder—ideal for ary experimentation.

  Calyrex, always eager to assist, agreed immediately.

  In just three seds, the Rainbow Feather transformed into a handful of golden-red powder, resembling finely sifted flour.

  Naoki exami closely, and the information about the powder appeared in his mind.

  [Phoenix Kiher Powder: A legendary ingredient imbued with sacred power, blessings, and fiery energy. When used in cooking, it may exhibit magical effects.]

  Seeing this, Naoki chuckled and said to himself, "Just as I thought."

  With a warm smile, he patted Baby Bear and Mew on their heads and said, "Wait here. I'll go make some special buns for you!"

  Naoki headed to the kit and began preparing the dough. Meanwhile, the three Pokémon, now fully refreshed and satisfied, explored the ranch. They wandered around, happily greeting the Pokémon who lived there.

  Although many of the Pokémon were new faces to them, introdus quickly turned into friendly exges, and bonds were formed in no time.

  When Mew and Baby Bear came across the Farfetch'd they had enced to e to the ranch, both of their little faces lit up in shock.

  "Teddi-Ursa!" (S!)

  "Mew!" (What a transformation!)

  "Far-fetch'd!"

  Farfetch'd quacked cheerfully, clearly delighted to see its old panions.

  For Farfetch'd, it was a moment of gratitude. Meeting Mew and Baby Bear had been a turning point. Thanks to their encement, it had e to the rand met Naoki, who had helped it bee stronger.

  Naoki was entirely in his element as he worked i. He khe dough, let it rest, rolled it into perfect buns, and pced them ieamer.

  By the time noon arrived, the heavy snowfall outside had stopped.

  Excited by the fresh b of snow, all the Pokémon eagerly dohe scarves Naoki had bought for them and raced outside to py. Evehree members of the hero's expedition team ventured out. However, their purpose was different—they wao che the World Tree.

  As soon as they reached the grassy area where the World Tree had been pnted, Zapdos and Mew noticed something arming: the tree was gone!

  Startled, they hurried to find Naoki and tell him what had happened.

  Naoki, busy steaming buns, listened calmly to Mew's frantic expnation. With a reassuring smile, he said, "The World Tree isn't go's just grown too big for the ranch, so I moved it somewhere else."

  After asking sister Indeedee, to watch over the steaming buns, Naoki led the three Pokémon across the ranch's ke and into the reverse world.

  The moment they arrived, Zapdos, Mew, and Baby Bear stared in awe.

  In the void stood a colossal, magnifit tree, its trunk thid sturdy, its branches spreading far and wide.

  "Zap!"

  Zapdos chirped with excitement. This was the perfee it had always dreamed of.

  Mew and Baby Bear were equally astohe sheer size of the World Tree exceeded their imaginations. It was as if a living sanctuary for Pokémon had sprung to life before their very eyes.

  Finally uanding what Naoki had meant when he said the World Tree would gre enough to host all their Pokémon friends, the trio's faces lit up with joy.

  Naoki walked uhe vast tree opy.

  The excited Zapdos began s around the World Tree, its electrifying energy adding to the lively atmosphere.

  Mew squealed with delight and darted up to per one of the sprawling branches, its small frame practically glowing with excitement.

  Naoki stood at the base of the tree, holding Baby Bear in his arms as he gazed upward at the se. Judging by Mew's enthusiasm, it seemed likely that the Pokémon was already pnning to use the mystical power of the World Tree to create a secret base—a special sanctuary just for the hero expedition team.

  Naoki smiled warmly and said, "This is just the beginning. Iure, the World Tree will grow to be more thaimes its current size."

  The idea of such a colossal tree, its roots and branches creating an ecosystem all their own, filled Naoki's mind with possibilities. He had been quietly pnning the future of the World Tree for some time.

  With its vast reserves of natural energy, the World Tree was an ideal pce for pnts and crops to thrive. It could host its ecosystem, with Pokémon like Arboliva produg rich olive oil, the Gogoat fresh goat milk, the Tropius providing fruits, and the Garganacl supplying rock salt. Add in the Miltanks for milk, the bee trio for sweet honey, and Alcremie for cream and desserts, and it erfect bance of resources.

  Naoki envisioned building an expedition team guild led within the World Tree's boughs. This guild could include:

  An item shop selling essential supplies and potions. A café where Pokémon could enjoy hearty meals. An orchard filled with berries and fruit trees. Farmnd frowing wheat and other crops. Bedrooms for Pokémon to rest fortably.

  The shopkeepers, chefs, and caretakers would all be Pokémon themselves, ensuring a lively, supportive unity. With such a system in pce, even if Naoki were absent iure, the Pokémon would remain self-suffit and tio live harmoniously.

  However, Naoki khese dreams were still far off. The World Tree's growth was not yet halfway plete, and much remaio be done.

  Leaving Zapdos, Mew, and Baby Bear to explore their newfound paradise, Naoki returned aloo the ranch.

  Back at the ranch, the Eevees were pying in the snow, so Naoki joihem in building a snowman. The cold air was filled with ughter and the ch of snow underfoot as they worked together.

  Time flew by, and Indeedee came running out to annouhat the steamed buns were ready. Naoki left the Eevees to their snowy fun and hurried baside.

  As he opehe steamer, Naoki's eyes widened in surprise. These buns were unlike any he had made before. Their golden-red color shimmered with an otherworldly hue, remi of the radiant plumage of Ho-Oh.

  "Wow..." Naoki murmured.

  Naoki took a deep breath, feeling the incredible information about the Bun flow into his mind.

  [Holy Bun (SS)] A legendary dish created using the powdered feather of the mythical Pokémon Ho-Oh. It is said that ing it grants the blessings of Ho-Oh.

  Effects:

  Holy Ash:

  Instantly restores the physical strength of a severely weakened or dying Pokémon. For healthy Pokémon, it signifitly enhances physical strength and endurance, making them far stronger.

  Holy Fire:

  For Fire-type Pokémon, it transforms their internal fmes into Sacred Fire. For non-Fire-type Pokémon, the power of Fire-type moves increases permaly by 20%.

  Divine Blessing:

  Grants Ho-Oh's favor to the Pokémon that es it, greatly enhang their fortuhis effect is exclusive to Mew, Baby Bear, and Zapdos.

  ent: This is a one-of-a-kind dish. Legends say that those blessed by Ho-Oh achieve eternal happiness.

  As Naoki processed this information, he couldn't help but let out a soft whistle of amazement.

  "Wow... an SS-tier dish ihis is absurdly powerful!"

  The first effect, Holy Ash, was nothing short of miraculous. Unlike a simple healing item like MooMoo Milk or a Max Potion, this ability seemed to stem directly from Ho-Oh's legendary power—the very power said to resurrect the dead.

  Naoki recalled the Johto legend of the Burower, where three Pokémon perished in a great fire. Ho-Oh, in its passion, used its powers to resurrect them, transf them into the legendary beasts: Entei, Raikou, and Suie, who became loyal guardians of Ho-Oh.

  Though none of the Pokémon in Naoki's ranch were in dire need of resurre, the sedary boost to physical strength and endurance from Holy Ash would be immensely useful—especially for Pokémon like Freon, Jolteon, and Vaporeon, who had evolved prematurely. The buns could help make up for their developmental shortings and allow them to thrive.

  The sed effect, Holy Fire, was just as remarkable. Turning the internal fmes of Fire-type Pokémon into Sacred Fire—Ho-Oh's signature move—was a game-ger. Sacred Fire, a move of both immense power and divine significe, was a skill that only Ho-Oh and its chosen guardians like Entei could wield.

  Even for non-Fire-type Pokémon, the 20% boost to Fire-type moves was like equipping them with a perma Charcoal that didn't occupy an item slot. Naoki could already imagine Freon's fmes burning brighter than ever.

  But it was the third effect, Divine Blessing, that intrigued Naoki the most. The idea of Ho-Oh's favreatly enhang a Pokémon's fortune seemed like a perfect match for the Hero Expedition Team.

  Naoki looked over at Baby Bear, who was lying tentedly on the woolen rug, rubbing its full belly. The little Pokémon's i ability t luck to every situation was already impressive, but with Ho-Oh's blessing? That was a whole new level of potential.

  "Artificial... Luate?" Naoki murmured, half in awe and half in amusement.

  Baby Bear's natural talent for finding rare and valuable items, bined with this divine blessing, meant the little Pokémon could probably stumble upon treasures no one else could dream of—perhaps evehical Ptes of Arceus itself!

  The thought brought a smile to Naoki's face as he jokingly imagined Baby Bear casually stealing Arceus's in Pte, much like a mischievous thief in a fantasy game.

  However, it made sehat the Divine Blessing effect was limited to Mew, Baby Bear, and Zapdos. After all, the Rainbow Feather had been gifted to them by Ho-Oh. The restri ehat its power stayed true to its purpose.

  "This is a massive upgrade for the Hero Expedition Team," Naoki mused with a chuckle.