With the orchard established, the Treecko trio could now settle on the World Tree with peaind.

  However, the orchard also needed care and maintenance, which required Pokémon capable of handling the task.

  After some thought, Naoki decided to approach Arboliva, who often blended into the ranch disguised as a tree. Given her experience cultivating crops with Gogoat, she was an ideal choice to oversee the orchard. Her expertise in utilizing Grass-type energy to nurture pnts made her an invaluable asset.

  When Naoki expihe situation, Arboliva readily agreed and moved to the World Tree to take charge of the orchard. Joining her was the Tropius.

  Thus, the World Tree officially weled its first residents.

  Naoki provided a brief introdu, and soon enough, Arboliva, Tropius, and the Treecko trio became fast friends.

  The Treecko spent half a day expl the woods, familiarizing themselves with the terrain. Onfortable, they returo the orchard and eagerly began assisting Arboliva.

  As a Grass-type Pokémon, the Treecko could naturally tribute t for crops and trees. They gathered around Arboliva, learning to el their Grass-type energy into the pnts, diligently following her guidance.

  Arboliva, with her nurturing personality, took her role as a mentor seriously, teag the Treecko with patiend dedication. She emphasized the importance of colboration and mutual support, f a unity where everyone tributed to building a harmonious home.

  Meanwhile, Tropius gravitated toward the serene ke he guild. With its long neck, it often dipped down to drink the clear water. This ke served as the sole water source for the area.

  Whehe Treee to the ke to drink, Tropius enthusiastically shared the ripe bananas that grew around its neck. Thanks to Tropius's Harvest ability and the nourishing effects of dishes like Fried Banana, the fruits it shared quickly replenished.

  At first, the Treecko were shy about accepting Tropius's generous s. They were used to a unal life among their kind, but the cept of receiving gifts from Pokémon of a different species felt unfamiliar.

  However, the Treecko decided to reciprocate by berries they had discovered in the bushes. Tropius accepted the berries with delight, happily mung them down. Seeing their gesture appreciated, the Treeiled, their mutual kindness strengthening the boween them.

  The atmosphere around the World Tree grew warm and lively. Pokémon of different species found joy in each other's pany, f friendships through simple acts of sharing and cooperation.

  Kelly, this from a distance, was amazed. "These Pokémon are so harmonious with each other!" she remarked.

  Naoki smiled at her ent and said, "Most Pokémourally kied. They not only help each other but often assist humans too. I've even seen wild Pokémon go out of their way to save people in danger."

  For example Zarude from Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, who saved a human baby named Koko and raised him in the forest.

  Kelly nodded in agreement. "It's wonderful to live in a world with Pokémon!"

  Naoki gave a soft nod. "It truly is."

  ...

  March 7, Year 200 of the Alliance dar, Spring.

  This marked the day of the highly anticipated Spring Fishing petition in Kosaji Town.

  Naoki had received an invitation from Mayor Thomas two days ago. After finishing his tasks on the ranch, he prepared to ride Koraidon to the ke and join the fishing petition.

  At 7:30 in the m, Kelly and her stru team arrived at the ranch.

  Seeing Naoki with Koraidon, Kelly paused and asked, "Are you heading to the fishing petition?"

  "Yeah!" Naoki replied with a cheerful nod. "I missed it the past two years. I have some free time today, so I thought I’d check it out."

  "The of luck to you!" Kelly smiled befesturing to the truck. "Oh, by the way, the carrot house you requested the other day has been pleted. What do you think?"

  Naoki turo see two Machamps unloading a massive, sculpted carrot. They carried it carefully toward him, its vibrant e sheen refleg in the sunlight.

  The "carrot" was the oversized crop Naoki had sent to Kelly's workshop for processing. Now it had been transformed into a whimsical structure. The carrot lit into two ses, with a sturdy base beh. A small door and two circur windows were carved into the side, making it look exactly like a storybook bunny’s home.

  Naoki was delighted by the result. He called the Eeveelutions over to see their rea, but before he could ask for their opinions, he realized something wasn’t quite right.

  After their evolution, the Eeveelutions had grer, and the carrot house could no longer fit all of them fortably. At best, it could aodate two or three.

  As the Eeveelutions gathered around the carrot house, Naoki observed the se. His partner Eevee boldly entered first, g the spad sitting proudly inside. Freon and Jolteon followed, squeezing into the small space. Sylveon trailed behind, barely fitting before the interior acked to capacity.

  The remaining Eeveelutions stood outside, pag curiously around the carrot house, their witg as they exami.

  Naoki sighed. "There’s no way all of them fit in here..." After a moment of thought, he decided he would pnt some giant pumpkins ter. Perhaps he could craft a pumpkin carriage rge enough to hold all the Eevees fortably.

  "Alright, you all enjoy yourselves here," he said, addressing the pyful group. "I’m heading out for a bit."

  "Bu-ee!" The Eeveelutions, fully engrossed in their new carrot house, responded absentmindedly, indig they’d be fihout him.

  Naoki gave them an exasperated look, but Kelly chuckled softly at the se.

  Resigned, Naoki turo Kelly. "Alright, I’m heading off. Thanks for all your hard work today!"

  Kelly nodded warmly. "No problem. We’ll get started on stru."

  With that, Kelly left for the World Tree to begin work on the expedition guild, while Naoki mounted Koraidon and rode towards the Casseroya Lake.

  With Koraidon's incredible speed, the jourook only a few minutes.

  When Naoki arrived, he saw a lively crowd already gathered he ke. Many partits were dressed in fishis and baseball caps, holding rods of various sizes and designs.

  Naoki and Koraidon had just arrived at the petition grounds, and their appearance immediately drew a lot of attention.

  Even before Naoki dismouhe majestic presence of Koraidon made heads turn.

  Mayor Thomas, who had been speaking to a middle-aged man in a floral shirt, notiaoki’s arrival. His face lit up as he greeted him with enthusiasm:

  “Ah, it’s Naoki! The pride of Kosaji Town—our very own fishing expert!”

  Naoki winced slightly at the procmation, knowing it would only invite more stares.

  As expected, every angler nearby turheir gaze toward him, eyes filled with curiosity and admiration.

  Naoki: “…”

  Mayor Thomas and the man in the floral shirt approached him. The mayestured toward the stranger and introduced him with a big smile:

  “This is Sato Takeru, a renowned fishihusiast. He’s traveled all the way from Zapapipete with you!”

  Sato Takeru extended his hand fidently. “Greetings! I’m Sato Takeru—the man who tamed a Gyarados! My friend, I’m eager to test my skills against yours!”

  Naoki: “…”

  'Wasn’t this a bit much?'

  Mayor Thomas chimed in with admiration: “Mr. Sato once caught a ferocious Gyarados while fishing at sea and mao tame it with his incredible skill!”

  Naoki, feeling obligated, shook Sato’s hand. “o meet you, Mr. Sato.”

  Sato Takeru grinned. “Let’s have a fair aing petition!”

  Naoki: “…”

  Soon after, Mayor Thomas called out to the crowd. “Everyoake your pces! The petition is about to begin!”

  The mayor expihe rules: “The fishing petition will st three hours. The winner will be determined based on the quantity and rarity of the fish caught. The champion will receive the prestigious Fishing Celebrity Medal, awarded by the Fishing Association!”

  The mention of the medal sent a wave of excitement through the crowd. Naoki could see anglers of all ages—men, women, and even teenagers—getting ready with determined expressions.

  “And now,” Mayor Thomas decred, “let the Spring Fishing petition begin!”

  At the sound of his annou, the petitors hurried to the keside, each finding a suitable spot to cast their lines.

  The fishing rods, lines, and bait were all standardized and provided by the association, ensuring fairness. This meant that the oute relied purely on luck, skill, and patience.

  Naoki settled on a small bench, while Sato Takeru chose a spot a few dozeers away.

  Naoki prepared his rod, adjusted the litached the bait, and cast the hook into the water with practiced ease. Then, the waiting game began.

  As the miicked by, the petitors maintained intense focus, silently holding their breath in anticipation.

  For an outsider, the se might seem dull, and even Koraidon, standing guard o Naoki, grew bored. It let out a big yawn before curling up beside him and dozing off.

  Suddenly, ripples appeared on the surface of the water nearby. Naoki turo see Sato Takeru’s fishing rod bending sharply—something had taken the bait!

  Sato reacted instantly, reeling in the lih expert precision. The hooked fish resisted fiercely, pulling in the opposite dire in an attempt to escape.

  But Sato Takeru, a seasoned angler, was ready. He braced himself, pnting his feet firmly and keeping his bahe struggle between man and fish tinued, each testing the other’s endurance.

  The tension in the fishing line eased momentarily—a sign that the fish was tiring. Reizing the opportunity, Sato exerted a sharp pull.

  A rge spsh broke the ke’s surface, and a shimmering Qwilfish ulled from the water, its scales glistening in the sunlight.

  "It's a Qwilfish!"

  The spectathe Pokémon immediately and were all astonished.

  "As expected of a fishing master! That’s incredible! He mao cate of the bullies of Casseroya Lake, the Qwilfish!"

  Qwilfish, a Water- and Poison-type Pokémon, is known for its aggressive behavior. Often referred to as the "Lake Bully," it indiscriminately attacks any creature entering its territory.

  However, the Qwilfish that was caught didn’t submit easily.

  Its pierg gaze locked onto Sato Takeru, and in a sudden burst of motion, it uself toward him with the Tackle move.

  But Sato Takeru had anticipated this. Just as the Qwilfish was about to strike, he deftly sidestepped and swung down with a practiced chop, shouting:

  "Ha!"

  The Qwilfish was struck hard and nded on the ground, writhing. Without hesitation, Sato pulled out a Poké Ball and tossed it at the downed Pokémon.

  The ball wobbled violently at first. But after its earlier struggle with the lihe Qwilfish was too exhausted to resist further. Soon, the ball stopped moving.

  The capture was successful.

  Naoki, who had been watg the whole thing, stood there in shock.

  What did I just witness?

  Fighting a Pokémon physically? Could this be how he tamed that Gyarados too?

  As if sensing Naoki’s disbelief, Sato turoward him from a distance of about teers, grinning proudly.

  "As a true fishing celebrity, one doesn’t just reel in ordinary fish! A true master quers Pokémon as well. Only those who tame both be called legendary fishing masters!"

  Naoki: “…”

  quer all fish... Does that include Kyogre, the god of the sea?

  Before Naoki could respond, Sato Takeru added enthusiastically:

  "Show me what you’ve got, my friend! Let’s see how far you go!"

  Just as he finished speaking, Naoki’s fishing float twitched twice.

  A bite!

  Everyone nearby turheir attention toward Naoki, curiosity and anticipation in their eyes.

  Naoki quickly reeled in his line, expeg a struggle simir to Sato’s. He braced himself, only to realize that it barely required any effort to pull the fish in.

  As the transparent fishing line emerged from the water, a small Pokémon resembling a piece of sushi da the end of the hook.

  Is that… a Tatsugiri?

  Naoki gently held the e Tatsugiri in both hands, staring at it in surprise.

  The little Tatsugiri squirmed slightly, its big eyes blinking curiously at Naoki.

  Normally, a Pokémon caught like this would panid try to escape. But instead, Tatsugiri seemed calm, even intrigued by the human holding it.

  "It's a Tatsugiri!"

  Someone in the crowd immediately identified it.

  Tatsugiri, a Dragon- and Water-type Pokémon, is notoriously ing and resourceful. It is throat pouic sushi and use this camoufge to outsmart predators and prey alike.

  Despite its small size, Tatsugiri is sidered one of the most intelligent Dragon Pokémon. It is known to live ihe mouths of Dondozo, guiding them in cooperative hunts. Dondozo, in turn, respects Tatsugiri as its leader.

  "What an incredible catch!" someone excimed.

  Catg a Tatsugiri is no small feat, given its elusive nature. Even if oo catch a hundred aggressive Qwilfish, there’s no guarahey’d nd a sisugiri.

  Even Sato Takeru, who had just been boasting about his skills, looked serious for the first time.

  "As expected of the famed fishing expert of Kosaji Town!" Sato said, his tone carrying newfound respect. "I’ll o give it my all if I want to match you!"

  Naoki: “…”

  He could only offer a polite smile, unsure how to respond.

  As he g the small Tatsugiri in his hands, Naoki’s heart stirred with curiosity. Using his ability to sense Dragon-type energy, he realized something surprising.

  This Tatsugiri had bitten the hook deliberately. It wao be caught.