Chapter 310: Rare Berries

"I also work part-time as a teacher at the town's kindergarten," Nurse Joy said a bit shyly, her eyes filled with hope as she looked at Rex. "I was wondering if I could take the kids to visit the flower fields on your farm this weekend. Would that be alright?"

"Of course, no problem at all. I'll make sure to welcome all of you properly, Nurse Joy."

There was no way Rex would refuse her request. The flower fields on Rex Farm had already become something of a local attraction, with people visiting daily just to catch a glimpse.

However, Rex only allowed visitors to observe from the outskirts. Anyone who tried to enter the flower fields or venture deeper into the farm would be swiftly chased off by the Swellow flock.

After a few trainers were harshly taught that lesson, few dared to intrude without permission again.

Nurse Joy clearly knew this, and her direct request suggested she hoped to bring the children into the flower fields themselves. That's why she had made a point of asking Rex in person.

Rex had set those boundaries mainly to avoid disturbing Shaymin and to protect his quiet farm life. But an occasional visit—especially from children—wasn't a problem. In fact, he suspected Shaymin might even enjoy it.

After all, Shaymin loved hiding in the flower fields, quietly watching others—both people and Pokémon—go about their day.

"Thank you so much, Rex! I know the children will be thrilled for this weekend's outing!"

Nurse Joy was delighted and repeatedly expressed her gratitude. She'd treated plenty of trainers who had been attacked after trespassing in the flower fields—scenes she hadn't forgotten.

That was why she'd assumed Rex didn't want anyone near the place. She had prepared herself for rejection. Instead, Rex had agreed without hesitation.

After confirming the time and details with Nurse Joy, Rex summoned Swellow and flew back to Rex Farm.

"Machamp, go take some time to get used to your new body."

Releasing Machamp from its Poké Ball, Rex gave him a nod.

Machamp waved its four arms and dashed off at top speed toward the grove. It was eager to test its new strength after evolving.

Rex chuckled and shook his head before turning and heading into the farmhouse.

He casually mentioned the upcoming kindergarten visit to Yuli and the others, who lit up with interest and immediately volunteered to help host the group.

Leaving the preparations to them, Rex made his way alone to the man-made lake.

Ever since Celebi had accelerated the growth of the rare berry trees planted around the lake, they had begun to bear fruit. It wouldn't be long before they were fully ripe.

When Rex arrived, he saw Politoed sunbathing lazily on the water. One of the Poliwags was feeding it berries—truly the picture of leisure.

"Politoed, you sure know how to enjoy yourself!"

Rex called out with a laugh.

Politoed opened one eye at the sound of his voice, then leapt out of the water and landed near him, clapping happily in greeting. The sight made Rex smile.

"Come on, let's go check on the rare berries."

The rare berry grove had been carefully managed by Politoed and its group. Now that harvest time was near, Politoed was clearly excited.

When they arrived, Rex saw that fruit had already begun to appear on the trees. Though there weren't many compared to regular berry trees, he was more than satisfied.

The grove held three main varieties: Razz Berries, Bluk Berries, and Sitrus Berries.

Razz Berries resembled grapes, but with red skins. The red outer flesh had a spicy tinge, while the center was a bit dry. Feeding one to a wild Pokémon could increase friendliness and make capturing them easier.

That was because Razz Berries were packed with life energy and rich nutrients, helping Pokémon grow faster, gain strength, and recover from injuries.

Bluk Berries looked like pink bananas. They tasted sweet with a hint of bitterness, a flavor many Pokémon and people loved. They also helped calm a Pokémon's emotions—and were a favorite of the Slaking line, which often chose to live near Bluk Berries.

While different from Razz Berries, Bluk Berries were no less valuable and unique.

Sitrus Berries looked like pineapples, with yellow skins, spicy pulp, and a tangy rind. Compared to the other two, Sitrus Berries were the rarest. Each tree only bore a few fruits at most.

But they had the strongest effects, filled with even more energy and nutrients. A single Sitrus Berry could cause a Pokémon's strength to soar.

The entire grove was filled with a rich, fruity fragrance—even Rex found it hard to resist. And this was just the scent of berries that weren't even ripe yet.

If Rex Farm didn't have such strong defenses, wild Pokémon would've swarmed the place already, drawn by instinct to the alluring aroma.

Rex could already imagine what it would be like when the berries fully ripened. The scent would be irresistible—and who knew how many wild Pokémon might come crashing in under the pull of instinct.

He voiced his concerns to Politoed, whose cheerful face turned serious.

Even Politoed occasionally felt tempted by the aroma. If the berries had been ripe, it wasn't sure it could've resisted eating them itself.

Its fellow Poliwags and Poliwhirls often sat around the grove, staring longingly at the berries and drooling.

That was why Politoed now patrolled the grove multiple times a day. It knew exactly how many berries were on each tree, and if even one went missing, it would notice immediately.

(End of Chapter)