After preparing everything for Professor Oak's visit, Naoki turned his attention back to the growing popurity of Calyrex on the Forum. With every new follower, the faith directed toward Calyrex grew stronger.

  Though Calyrex's calm demeanor betrayed no outward ge, Naoki could sehe surging power of faith c through the Pokémon. It was as if the strength of over 100,000 believers had densed into an unstoppable force.

  If Calyrex unleashed its full strength now, Naoki had little doubt it could rival even Giratina. Such was the might of collective faith.

  That afternoon, Naoki gathered his ranon ahem, along with Calyrex, to the base of the World Tree.

  The once-barren void had transformed into a lush paradise, with the colossal World Tree standing as its terpiece. Its t seemed to touch the heavens, spreading green leaves that shimmered with an otherworldly light. The tree's vast trunk, encased in golden sunlight, was as wide as half the ranch itself. Rivers flowed down from the sky-high opy, nourishing the earth below.

  Naoki looked up at the tree in awe. Just a few months ago, it had been a mere seedling. Now, it was a mo of life and vitality, a bea of nature's power.

  The sight reaffirmed its legendary status—a tree capable of sustaining the world itself.

  Naoki cast his gaze towards the World Tree, and the information of the World Tree was fully dispyed in front of him

  [World Tree (Mature Stage):

  inally a small seedling infused with immense Grass-type energy. Due to care from Gogoat during its growth, it underwent a uation. It now radiates vitality and holds the potential to sustain life worldwide.

  Time to full maturity: 48,054 years.]

  Before, Naoki estimated the tree would reach full maturity by the year's end. Now, with faith fueling its power, Naoki had a hunch that timeline would shrink drastically.

  "Let's begin, Calyrex," Naoki said with anticipation. He couldn't wait to see how much power those 100,000 believers had grahe King of Bountiful Harvests.

  "Very well," Calyrex replied softly.

  Uhe watchful eyes of the ranch's Pokémon, Calyrex raised its hands gracefully. A tranquil blue light enveloped its body, radiating warmth and serenity. The light gathered into ahereal river of energy, eg Calyrex to the World Tree in a dazzling dispy.

  As the energy flowed into the tree, ripples of power spread across its massive trunk and opy. The leaves began to shimmer, emitting a gentle rustling sound as though responding to the surge of life.

  "Rustle... rustle..."

  The energy resohrough the tree, its shadows shifting like living creatures. The Pokémon watched in awe as the World Tree seemed to breathe, its vitality intensifying with each passing moment.

  Uhe watchful eyes of Naoki and the gathered Pokémon, a peculiar transformation began to unfold before them. A gap appeared ohick, tarunk of the World Tree, exposing arahat seemed to lead into its depths.

  As Naoki observed, the trunk of the tree began to shift. What once appeared to be simple bark started to resemble a hybrid of roations and crystalliructures, while still maintaining the essence of a tree.

  "What's happening?" Naoki murmured, perplexed.

  Gring at the phenomenon, Koraidon tilted its head curiously and approached the roots alongside Naoki. The massive roots extended across the ground like a, gnarled veins of the earth. Koraidon s the roots but seemed uo dis anything unusual.

  Naoki, however, was deep in thought.

  His mind wao another World Tree mentioned in legends: the Tree of Beginning in the Kantion, located near Kingdom of Rota. Unlike ordinary trees, that World Tree was a crystalline life form. Though it resembled a tree, it was made of rock-like structures and relied on sunlight for energy and sustenance.

  "Could it be?" Naoki mused aloud. "Is this World Tree also evolving into something simir?"

  If so, it would solve a major . Even if this World Tree eventually took to the skies or lost access to soil nutrients, it would remain alive and thriving, sustained by sor energy.

  Naoki then turned his attention back to the information, which had automatically updated the World Tree's description:

  [World Tree (Mature Stage):

  The World Tree is thriving. Its growth is nearing pletion as it transforms into another life form, strug a self-tained internal enviro. A magical tree capable of sustaining a world and nourishing all life with natural energy. Time to full maturity: 38,198 years.]

  The redu in growth time was startling.

  Naoki performed a quick calcution:

  48,054 - 38,198 = 9,856 years.

  "Nearly 10,000 years shaved off…" Naoki murmured in astonishment. "That's almost double the progress from st time."

  He recalled the earlier stages of the World Tree's growth, when Calyrex's powers were just beginning to flourish. Initially, Calyrex could reduce the growth cycle by roughly 2,000 years with each effort.

  As more people in Kosaji Town and visiting travelers began to believe in the King of Bountiful Harvests, His prew stronger, allowing it to shorteree's growth cycle by more than 4,000 years in subsequent sessions.

  Now, with the faith of over 100,000 people fueling Calyrex, the time redu had skyrocketed to nearly 10,000 years in a siempt.

  Calyrex beside Naoki appeared weary, but his expression remained serene ale. "This is the extent of my strength right now," he said softly.

  Looking up at the t World Tree, Calyrex's heart swelled with a mix of pride and anticipation.

  "Do you want to rest for a while?" Naoki asked, his voice filled with .

  Calyrex shook his head firmly. "There's no need. Like you, I'm eager to explore the inside of the World Tree."

  Naoki nodded, uanding the resolve in the Calyrex's gaze. "Alright, the's go see it together!"

  Several curious Eevees g to Naoki, peekiedly at the entrance of the cave. Holding the pink Dratini close, Naoki took the first step inside, followed closely by his Pokémon panions. Koraidon, Cyclizar, Pawmot, the Gogoat herd, Alcremie, Pawmot, Butterfree, Gholdengo, Garganacl, Dugtrio, and the diverse Eeveelution group—Vaporeon, Freon, Jolteon, G, and Umbreon—all followed in a lively procession.

  The passage beyond the entrawisted and turned, its yout deliberately intricate, as if desigo fuse intruders.

  Despite his determination, Naoki soon found himself lost in the maze-like interior. Staring at the dead end before him, he turo Calyrex. "Could you use your telekiic powers to guide us?"

  Calyrex nodded, his eyes glowing faintly as he cast his powers outward. With his help, the group navigated the fusing pathways and finally arrived at the World Tree's core.

  At the ter of the World Tree, they discovered a unique vertical passage resembling ahereal elevator. A soft, green light encircled the area, and shimmering bubbles floated zily upwards through the space. The bubbles seemed to be the key to reag the upper levels.

  Curious, Naoki extended his hand toward the glowing ring of light and watched in amazement as his hand passed through effortlessly. The Eevees, ever curious, jumped down from their perd s the light film cautiously.

  One Eevee, actally nudged by a panion, tumbled forward into the light.

  "Ee-vuiii!" the startled Pokémon squealed, but before panic could take over, a bubble gently enveloped it, lifting it skyward.

  Naoki blinked in surprise as the bubble asded, carrying Eevee effortlessly upward.

  Koraidon, ever perceptive, poi the floating bubble with its d let out ahusiastic cry, signaling the group to follow. Naoki quickly caught on. "Alright, let's go!"

  Naoki stepped into the light film with his Pokémon. Immediately, several bubbles formed, enveloping him, Koraidon, Cyclizar, and the rest of the group. They began to rise swiftly, asding through the World Tree's interior.

  Through the translut bubbles, Naoki could see glimpses of various floors withiree. Each level seemed unique, brimming with lush greenery and shimmering light.

  "Is the World Tree's interior this vast?" Naoki murmured, marveling at the size and plexity of the space.

  Before he could t the floors, the bubbles reached the top. With a soft pop, the bubbles burst, gently releasing Naoki, Koraidon, and the others.

  When Naoki and his Pokémon panions fully took in the se before them, they were left in awe.

  The nd was lush and vibrant, with fertile soil and soft grass stretg across the terrain. A tranquil ke rested among the dense woods, shrouded in a thin mist that gave the area ahereal, dreamlike quality. Moss-covered trees framed the ke, with long, green vines draping elegantly from their branches. Brightly colored flowers adorhe grassy patches he ke, their sweet fragrance blending with the natural energy of the enviro, creating an atmosphere that was both rexing and invigorating.

  This was the summit of the World Tree. Through the thick opy above, Naoki could see the dark void of the Reverse World beyond. If they were in the real world, he imagihe se would be framed by a brilliant blue sky or a shimmering starry night. The thought of such beauty made him smile.

  "Pawmot…" Pawmot murmured softly.

  Even without transtion from Rotom, Naoki uood its se. The little Pokémon's wide-eyed gaze said it all.

  "It's beautiful…" Pawmot veyed.

  "It really is," Naoki agreed.

  Nearby, the Eevee that had been carried to the summit by the bubble stood transfixed, its astonished gaze sweeping over the breathtaking ndscape. Naoki decided to take a moment to rex and sat down on the soft grass, watg his Pokémon explore and py with unbridled joy.

  The Gogoat herd and the Tropius stood on the lush grass, their bright eyes shining with excitement as they grazed on the vibrant greenery. The Eevees darted through the grass, pying ahusiastic game of hide-and-seek, their ughter-like cries adding to the harmony of the se.

  Vaporeon was drawn to the ke, where it curiously examis refle oer's surface before leaping in with a graceful spsh. It swam eically, its tail cutting through the water i arcs.

  Butterfree perched atop a tree branch, its wings catg the sunlight. Meanwhile, Pawmot flitted excitedly through the woods, expl every er of the new enviro.

  Cyclizar and Koraidon sat beside Naoki, watg their friends with te. Calyrex, serene as ever, floated beside him.

  Naoki turo Calyrex and said, "When the World Tree is fully grown, this be your home. I want to turn this pto a paradise for Pokémon."

  Naoki's mind brimmed with ideas. During their ast, he had noticed the various levels within the World Tree, each with a distinviro. Grassnds, forests, valleys, and caves—each space seemed tailor-made for different types of Pokémon.

  "We create habitats for every type of Pokémon here," Naoki tinued. "The grassnds and forests be frass-types, the caves for Rock-types, and the kes for Water-types. I build an expedition guild, a supply store, a restaurant, a tavern, a dessert shop, and even a café."

  He chuckled at the thought of his Pokémon taking on these roles. "Pawmot's parents could run the supply store. Tropius supply fresh produce for the restaurant. Alcremie could make desserts, and Rotom could mahe guild and hand out issions."

  Although this world cks mysterious mazes or hidden dungeons, issions could focus on simpler, yet equally rewarding tasks: pnting fruit trees, cultivating crops, harvesting fields, and maintaining the lush enviro around the World Tree.

  With the secret base of the Hero's Expedition Team established, the infrastructure on the World Tree was finally plete.

  Now, Naoki could focus on inviting more diverse Pokémon species to join the unity and live on the World Tree. pared to Professor Oak's research b, the World Tree offered a far grander and more dynamiviro—a perfect haven for Pokémon.

  Naoki eagerly shared his future pns with Calyrex, who listened ily. The noble Pokémon occasionally whispered, "I look forward to that day."

  Beside them, Koraidon nodded enthusiastically, its cheerful demeanor iious. "Raao~!" it cried, its energy refleg its faith in Naoki's vision. The Pokémon could sehat all of Naoki's dreams would one day bee a reality.

  Suddenly, Koraidon's expression shifted as it remembered something important. As the World Tree grew closer to full maturity, it would iably draw the attention of a powerful entity. This figure, whose strength was terrifying, would one day "invite" Naoki to assist in opening portals to other worlds atop the World Tree. These portals would allow the Pokémon of the Expeditioo veo different realms, aiding Pokémon in need and saving worlds in turmoil.

  Although Koraidon itself had stayed with Naoki, Farfetch'd, who had ventured into those portals, often shared tales of incredible adventures and other heroion teams in distant worlds.

  ....

  That night, Naoki and his Pokémouro the ranch from the World Tree. With Calyrex's strength, the time needed for the World Tree to reach full maturity had been drastically reduced—it was imated to take just four months.

  Naoki was filled with anticipation but couldn't shake a lingering worry. He had promised Giratina to help deal with Arceus. Only after keeping this promise would Giratina assist in raising the World Tree into the sky, allowing it to flourish as a bea of life.

  Earlier that afternoon, Naoki had researched online using his Rotom Phone and firmed the current era by examining the list of partits from the Silver ference. He deduced that Ash Ketchum, known in this world, had retly pleted his Johto journey and peted in the Silver fere year. This year, Ash would be traveling to the Hoenn region.

  Naoki realized this timeli Ash would veo the Sinnion the following year—precisely when Arceus would awaken, seeking vengean humanity.

  The thought of Arceus, a being heralded as the Creator of the Pokémon world, was daunting. Naoki could only imagihe immense power it wielded. From what he recalled in Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life, even the bined efforts of Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina weren't enough to subdue Arceus. It had taken Ash and his panions traveling ba time to rewrite the course of events.

  Naoki's mind lingered on a critical factor: the Ptes. These elemental artifacts granted Arceus immunity to corresponding types, making it nearly invincible when equipped.

  "It all es back to those Ptes," Naoki murmured to himself. Without them, Arceus might not be so untouchable.

  Even though Pawmot had gained some of Calyrex's power, Naoki felt uneasy about relying solely on it.

  He pondered an alternative: Could they turn their attention to Arceus's Ptes? The thought of Baby bear's unique ability, paired with its fortune and Run Away effect, sparked an idea.

  "Maybe I could send Baby Bear to 'Pick Up' Arceus's Ptes," Naoki mused to himself. "If it grabs one and bolts, the Run Away effect might es escape, and that could effectively limit Arceus's strength."

  The idea was bold and risky, but Naoki began drafting a tingen in his mind, just in case the unthinkable happened.

  Later, dinner repared by sister Indeedee. The warm, homely meal brought everyoogether, and after eating, the Pokémouro their respective s for a well-deserved rest.

  Naoki headed back to his room, intending to wind down with his Rotom Phone. However, as he scrolled, he felt a gaze b into him.

  He turo find Koraidon watg him ily, its big eyes filled with an unmistakable look of longing.

  "Alright, alright," Naoki relented with a small ugh. He set his phone aside and patted the bed, motioning for Koraidon to e closer. "e on, then."

  Koraidon perked up instantly, bounding over with excitement. It nuzzled Naoki affeately, its rge tongue brushing against his fa a wet, slobbery show of gratitude.

  "Ugh, Koraidon!" Naoki excimed, grabbing a nearby towel to wipe his face . "Do you have to do that?"

  "Raao~" Koraidon cooed, utterly uant.

  Naoki sighed, his exasperation quickly melting into fondness. "Fine, fine. No more phoonight. Let's just sleep, okay?"

  Koraido out a happy trill, curling up beside him on the bed. Despite its size, it somehow mao fit snugly without taking up too mu.

  As Naoki closed his eyes, he couldn't help but think about how attached his Pokémon had grown to him. If Professor Sada were to see this side of Koraidon, she'd probably surprised.

  With a final chuckle at the thought, Naoki drifted off to sleep.