Early the next morning, Naoki began organizing the Pokemon on the ranch for a morning run and workout.
Even the calm Dolliv was forcibly dragged along, starting from the doorstep, passing by the Glass Greenhouse and Berry Garden, and running around the edges of the ranch.
Faced with Naoki's sudden raid, the group of Pokemon were both bewildered and confused.
Koraidon, Cyclizar, Pawmot, Gogoat, and Dragonite, who were already skilled at running, found it quite easy.
Whereas for Alcremie, Glaceon, Dolliv, Miltank, and Naclstack, who didn't get much exercise daily, it was somewhat torturous.
Miltank was so tired it was gasping for breath, eventually resorting to Rollout.
It curled its body into a ball and rolled quickly around the ranch, swiftly moving from the back of the group to a forward position.
In the horse stable, Spectrier and Glastrier watched the lively race while munching on carrots.
After one lap, Alcremie was exhausted and collapsed on the grass, with a very aggrieved look on its face.
"Mamaa..."
Naoki stood in front of the group of Pokemon and finally explained in response to their queries:
"Everyone must be wondering why I made you start exercising today, right?"
"Roar." Dragonite nodded its big head; it didn't mind working out, it was just quite surprised.
"That's because I heard that the stronger and healthier a Pokemon's body is, the more powerful it is, and the longer it can live in this world." Naoki explained.
Live longer?
Upon hearing this, Dragonite and the other Pokemon blinked, showing expressions of puzzlement.
To be honest, they didn't have much concept of lifespan.
The group of Pokemon looked at Naoki puzzled, so Naoki had to explain the specific meaning of lifespan:
"Lifespan is the time we can spend in this world. Most organisms have limited lifespans, but due to different races, there can be differences in length."
At this point, Naoki intended to explain a deeper meaning.
But he thought again, the Pokemon didn't need to know these things; even if they knew, it'd only increase their sadness.
So, he changed his words: "Once our bodies get stronger, we can keep living together."
Upon hearing this, the group of Pokemon blinked as if they understood it, though many parts of it were confusing, they understood the last sentence.
As long as they grow stronger, they can be with Naoki forever!
Naoki's gaze swept across the Pokemon in front of him.
Each Pokemon's expression was different; some looked blank, clearly not understanding.
While others had clear eyes, indicating they understood his words.
Like the Indeedee Sibling.
Naoki nodded at them, all was understood without words.
At this point, the clever Pawmot asked, "Bamor?"
The Translation Nuts Cake at home had been used up, so Naoki couldn't directly understand the Pokemon's meaning now.
Seeing this, Pawmot looked around, then quickly ran to the Glass Greenhouse to bring out Calyrex.
With Calyrex's translation, Naoki finally understood Pawmot's question.
It was asking, "How long is Naoki's lifespan?"
Naoki was slightly startled, then replied with a smile, "Me? I'll live to be a hundred!"
Seeing the Pokemon unable to understand, Naoki explained, "It means living to more than a hundred years old."
Pawmot persisted, "Bamor?" (What happens after a hundred?)
Naoki thought carefully, then said, "In human terms, it would be passing away! Passing away means dying, leaving this world."
Upon hearing this, the group of Pokemon in front of him suddenly showed sad expressions.
They knew what dying meant; they'd seen Pokemon lose their lives in a fire before.
Dying means never being able to open your eyes to speak again, forever buried in the soil.
"But no need to worry." Naoki said with a smile: "Even if I pass away, it doesn't matter; I'll become a ghost and accompany you, always be with you."
After all, in this world ghosts do exist. If Dusknoir, the gatekeeper of the Spirit Realm, comes to take him away, he believes everyone will protect him.
By then, the World Tree should have grown, and he can happily live with the Pokemon on it.
Pawmot's eyes sparkled with tears, "Bamor?" (Really?)
Naoki nodded, "Of course it's true!"
Upon hearing this, Dragonite immediately hugged Naoki tightly.
"Now we can train happily, right?" Naoki pat Dragonite's big claw, asking humorously.
"Roar!" Dragonite nodded enthusiastically.
"Then, you all keep running!" Naoki took a deep breath, said with a smile.
However, the Pokemon in front of him did not move.
They looked at each other and then let out a series of growls that Naoki couldn't understand.
Koraidon stepped forward to grab his hand, and the other Pokemon gathered around. In the company of them, Naoki was drawn into this workout activity.