"I really didn't expect Naoki to capture such a Pokemon..." Miss Jenny murmured.
Geeta also overheard the conversation between the two. She didn't interrupt but silently pondered in her heart how they should thank Naoki.
After thinking for a long time, Geeta still couldn't come up with an answer.
After a moment of silence, she said to herself, "Forget it, I'll leave this matter to Rika afterward. She's better at these things than I am."
*
In the forest near the ranch, Naoki was bidding farewell to Koraidon and the others, along with the Greedent.
"Alright, from today on, this will be your new home," Naoki said with a gentle smile. "Pick a spot you like and settle down!"
"If you get hungry, feel free to stroll around the forest. I've planted many Berry trees here, and they're bearing large, plump Berries. You can pick and eat them as you like."
"Choo-choo!" Greedent responded excitedly.
It couldn't wait to look around, eager to find the tallest, largest tree to build its nest.
The other Pokemon were also very happy at that moment.
Seeing this, Naoki breathed a sigh of relief. Although they hadn't spent much time together, he had gotten to know the temperaments and personalities of these little guys very well.
Naoki glanced over each Pokemon and advised them one by one:
"Greedent, it's best not to stash Berries in a single hollow because if anything goes wrong, you'll end up hungry."
"Maushold, I wish that your children grow up healthy and become a strong, white Mouse, eventually finding their mate and evolving into Tandemaus."
"Wattrel, I saw some other Wattrel flying towards Casseroya Lake earlier. If you want to find companions, you might want to check there, but be careful."
"Tinkatink... Thank you so much for the hammer you made for Pawmot before. Although you've lost contact with the other Tinkaton, I believe you've made new friends by now, so you shouldn't feel lonely anymore, right? Get along well with them!"
"..."
The Pokemon listened intently to these farewell words. At that moment, they finally snapped out of the joy of rebuilding their home and realized that the time to part with Naoki had come.
The faces of the Pokemon showed reluctance and sadness.
Wattrel still remembered when it was injured and unable to fly. It was Naoki who diligently treated it every day and provided it with food.
Grafaiai also lowered its head sadly, recalling how Naoki had saved them and taken them in at that time.
If it weren't for Naoki, they wouldn't have been able to survive the cold winter.
"Waaa..."
Tinkatink held its hammer, tears welling up in its eyes as it looked up at Naoki.
Witnessing this scene, Naoki couldn't help but feel a multitude of emotions.
He comforted them by saying, "It's okay, it's not like we'll never see each other again. This place is close to the ranch, so if you miss us, you can visit the ranch anytime."
"Oh, by the way, from today on, we're neighbors! If you come to collect mountain mushrooms from the back hill in the future, I'll rely on you to help me find them!"
Hearing this, Greedent wiped away its tears, then nodded earnestly and let out a growl.
No problem, when the time comes, it will definitely lead Naoki to find all the mushrooms in the mountains!
The other Pokemon also nodded one after another.
Seeing this, Naoki smiled slightly, waved to the group of Pokemon, and said, "Well then, see you later!"
"Waaa!"
"..."
The Pokemon responded loudly.
Naoki nodded gently, then turned around and descended the mountain with Koraidon and the others, returning to the ranch.
By the time they got back to the ranch, it was already 6:30 PM.
This time had already passed Zack's regular pickup time.
Yet, neither humans nor Pokemon were present at the ranch, so Zack must have made a futile trip today.
Looking at the few buckets of milk placed under the eaves, Naoki pondered briefly, then moved them to the cellar for storage, planning to have Zack test them the next day and reprice accordingly.
Considering the Super Sheep Milk's effects, akin to a Max Potion, Naoki wondered if he should not sell it and keep it for himself instead.
But then he thought, with Gogoat producing milk every day, they couldn't possibly drink it all.
Rather than letting it accumulate in the cellar, it's better to sell it to those in need.
It might help some Pokemon in need or save severely injured Pokemon.
Just like the Champion of Unova Region, Alder.
Alder, during a period when protecting the Pokemon League, had his partner Pokemon Volcarona become severely injured from overexertion in battle, weakening it to the point that even the Pokemon Center couldn't treat it, resulting in its demise.
This also led to Alder losing interest in battling later on.
If only Alder had given Volcarona a bottle of Super Sheep Milk at the time, perhaps a miracle might have occurred, and Volcarona wouldn't have died.
Selling this milk could help many Trainers and Pokemon like Alder and Volcarona.
And for Naoki, it wouldn't hurt to earn some money, would it?
With this thought, Naoki couldn't help but feel more at ease.
Having been busy all day in the back mountains, both he and the Pokemon were quite exhausted.