The Indeedee sibling has already prepared breakfast.
Naoki took Koraidon and Cyclizar to wash up, then joined everyone for breakfast.
After breakfast, snowflakes began to fall outside again.
Naoki had nothing to do, so he moved a rocking chair in front of the fireplace, sat there warming himself while reading a book.
The Pokémon also stayed inside, having nothing to do, they joined Naoki to rest fireside.
Snow fell outside the window, while the fireplace warmed the room, even the air was cozy.
Naoki glanced at the group of Pokémon beside him, his lips curling into a slight smile.
This feeling… truly wonderful!
"The New Year is just days away; oh, how time flies!" Naoki mumbled to himself.
Unknowingly, this year has almost passed.
The first New Year in the Pokémon World holds special significance for Naoki.
He thought hard, wishing to do something special for the Pokémon to remember in the future.
But after thinking for ages, he was stumped.
The only thing he could do was to personally prepare a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner for the Pokémon around him.
"Luckily, the house still has ample ingredients; since that's the case, I might as well remake all the dishes from this year!"
*
In the afternoon, Calyrex appeared before Naoki.
With excitement, it said to Naoki, "My strength has returned, I can start the Second Nurture!"
Hearing this, Naoki's eyes lit up and, despite the snow outside, hurriedly went with Calyrex to the World Tree.
Seeing them seemingly about to do something to the World Tree, Mew and Teddiursa curiously followed.
Koraidon, Cyclizar, Pawmot, Alcremie, Dolliv, Glaceon, Gogoat, Indeedee Sibling...
A group of Pokémon surrounded the World Tree in the center.
Naoki and Calyrex stepped forward, Calyrex glanced around with a smile, and then a powerful aura erupted from it.
Vital energy swept outwards, forming a hemispherical shield covering the World Tree.
In the next moment, the snow on the ground melted completely, sprouting tiny green grass from the vibrant energy storm.
The World Tree began to change along with it.
Its trunk grew thicker, reaching higher, sprouting more green leaves on its previously bare branches.
Naoki's gaze locked onto the World Tree in front of him.
Before his eyes, the tree's growth rate visibly accelerated!
[World Tree Seedling: A seedling absorbing significant Power of Grass, altered by Gogoat during growth, brewing immense Life Force, ready to emerge, needing 97995 more years to mature.]
[97980 years.]
[97500 years.]
[96980 years.]
…
[96001 years.]
[95995 years.]
Finally, the number settled at 95995 years.
And before them, the World Tree had grown into a tall, human-sized tree reaching about 1.8 meters!
The tree's branches were laden with lush, dense leaves, with the gentle flow of luminous green energy, just by looking, one could sense the tree's extraordinary nature.
The Pokémon nearby noticed this scene.
Mew and Teddiursa's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Eee!" (The leaves are glowing!)
"Mew!" (Calyrex is amazing!)
Calyrex smiled, looking at the tree before it with satisfaction, then marveled:
"Unbelievable! In just over four thousand years, this World Tree has grown into such a form, who knows what it will become in ten thousand years, it really is intriguing!"
Naoki recalled the theatrical version of the World Tree, and using it as reference, replied: "Probably a few hundred or even thousand meters tall, right?"
But after speaking, Naoki suddenly realized something.
If this World Tree could grow that tall, the ranch might be engulfed by it!
That's not good news.
Naoki couldn't help but ponder.
"Several hundred meters, even thousand meters..." Calyrex compared this with the future premonition it had seen, intending to say something but saw Naoki troubled with a furrowed brow.
"Why are you worried?" Calyrex asked puzzled.
Naoki glanced at it and shared his concerns:
"I'm thinking, if the tree grows that big, the ranch will be doomed by then."
This place is his home, he doesn't want it to vanish...
Upon hearing this, Calyrex recalled the future scene it had seen through time.
"You needn't worry," Calyrex said, "I foresaw the future of this tree, after a long time, it will leave the ground, soar to the sky, and finally float above the clouds."
"What?" Naoki was taken aback.
The World Tree... flying?
"How does that work?" he asked in astonishment.
Calyrex shook its head gently: "I don't know, Future Sight only lets me see the outcome, not the process."
Just like when it foresaw Eternatus descending upon the Galar region.
"Alright..." Naoki was still baffled.
How does such a huge tree fly to the sky?
It's so unscientific, doesn't it fall due to gravity? Or has someone installed an anti-gravity device on it?
In his contemplation, Naoki noticed fatigue on Calyrex's face.
"Oh well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it, since that's the future, we'll surely discover how," Naoki said to Calyrex. "You've worked hard, quickly go rest! I'll prepare Grassy Seed and Green Grass Cake for you!"
Calyrex nodded slightly, and then vanished from sight, returning to the Glass Greenhouse.
Naoki, along with a group of Pokémon, returned to the living room; he let some Pokémon play on their own while he went to the kitchen to prepare energy-restoring snacks and afternoon tea for Calyrex.
On the way to deliver the snacks to the Glass Greenhouse, Naoki saw three Gogoat surrounding the World Tree, resting on the grass germinated by Calyrex, chewing something unknown.
"...What are you eating?" Naoki couldn't help but ask.
"Meee~"
Upon Naoki's inquiry, one Gogoat opened its mouth, revealing a vibrant green leaf inside.
Naoki's eyes widened immediately.
Oh no! Gogoat is starting to munch on the World Tree!
Just as he thought Gogoat was attracted by the World Tree, actively munching on its leaves, three leaves unexpectedly fell from the lush green foliage.
The three leaves glittered with green gleam, spiraling down to the Gogoat's feet.
"Mee!"
The Gogoat's eyes lit up, lowering their heads to eat the leaves.
Naoki: "?"
What's going on?
Naoki stared in astonishment at the scene.
Does the World Tree possess consciousness? Is it the will of nature? Or perhaps the will of the world? Has it chosen Gogoat?
Naoki pondered deeply; soon, he remembered the World Tree in the theatrical version.
It was equipped with a defense system, deploying the Guardian Three Pillars to halt intruders when sensing external invasion.
"Could it be?"
Naoki approached closer, getting to the World Tree.
Then, the World Tree seemed to sense something.
Suddenly, another leaf slowly fell from the tree.
Witnessing this, an unbelievable thought sprang to Naoki's mind.
He used to water the World Tree with Gogoat, fertilizing it too! So, the World Tree considers him friendly!
Thinking this, Naoki instinctively reached out to catch the leaf.
He looked down, the next moment, information of the leaf surfaced in his mind.
[Unripened Tree of Beginning Leaf: Mythological item, a leaf containing Nature Power, a coveted treasure for Grass Type Pokémon, extraordinarily rare, specific effects unknown.]