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Naoki placed the Slugma's Poké Ball into his bag, planning to interact with it again after descending the mountain.

As he turned around, he noticed Helian staring at him with an expression of shock and disbelief.

Naoki tilted his head, puzzled. "What's wrong?"

Helian couldn't help but blurt out, "Is this how trainers from the Paldea region capture Pokémon? But… if that's the case, will the captured Pokémon even listen to your commands?"

Naoki paused, considering the question, then replied, "Not exactly. I don't really rely on Pokémon for battles. I captured the Slugma because I like it. I want to take it home, care for it, and build a bond over time."

Helian furrowed his brow, trying to process this concept. 'A collector-type trainer?'

He had met trainers like this before—those who focused more on befriending Pokémon than battling them. However, the method Naoki used was still… unconventional.

Letting a Pokémon capture another Pokémon? That was unheard of.

Seeing Helian's baffled look, Naoki chuckled and said, "You should try it sometime. Most Pokémon are kind-hearted and simple. If you show them care and offer food, there's a good chance they'll choose to be your partner."

He paused before adding, "Of course, this works best with smaller, more docile Pokémon like Slugma or Eevee. For stronger or more aggressive Pokémon like Tyranitar, you'll need to prove your strength in battle to earn their respect."

Helian listened intently, his eyes lighting up as if something had clicked in his mind. "I see! That's… actually really interesting."

Naoki smiled and turned to leave, satisfied that he had shared something useful. Helian, who had been training in Hell Valley for a month, decided to accompany Naoki down the mountain, planning to stock up on supplies in Mossui Town.

As they exited the Hell Valley area, the temperature immediately dropped, and Naoki sighed in relief. He pulled a water bottle from his backpack and took a long sip while Helian put his shirt back on.

When they passed the area where Naoki had first seen the timid green Pokémon, curiosity got the better of him. "Helian," Naoki began, "have you seen any Pokémon unique to Kitakami around here?"

Helian scratched his head. "Hmm… nothing else comes to mind. But there are plenty of Pokémon here that we don't have in Sinnoh. I've seen Mimikyu, Hatenna, and Carbink around these parts. Did you spot something unusual?"

Naoki nodded. "In the area just ahead, I saw a Pokémon I'd never encountered before."

Helian's eyes widened as he followed Naoki's gesture, but the realization seemed to spark concern instead of intrigue. "Wait… you went in there?"

Naoki frowned. "What's wrong with that?"

"That area is known as Oni Fang Cave," Helian explained. "The jagged cliffs and narrow paths make it incredibly dangerous. Locals call it that because the sharp rock formations resemble Oni fangs. People are warned to stay away because it's easy to fall."

Helian's tone grew more serious. "There's another reason people avoid it: they believe the Oni that killed the Three Loyal Pokémon resides somewhere in Oni Fang Cave. If anyone encounters it, their life is said to be at risk."

A shiver ran through Helian as he muttered, "An Oni with a mask… how terrifying. I hate folklore like this. It's too creepy."

Naoki stood silent for a moment. 'A ghost wearing a mask…' The image of the green Pokémon holding the mask flashed in his mind.

'Could that timid Pokémon really be the so-called Oni from the legends?' The idea seemed absurd. The creature had been so scared it ran away at the sight of him.

Unless… the Oni was someone—or something—else entirely.

Just then, a chilling wind howled from the direction of Oni Tooth Cave. As it swept through the valley, it produced an eerie, wailing sound reminiscent of the cries of restless spirits.

Helian shuddered, feeling the hairs on his neck stand on end. A cold sweat trickled down his back as he stammered, "L-Let's get out of here!"

Naoki sighed, bemused by Helian's fear, but decided not to press further. He led Koraidon and Pawmot back down the mountain, eventually returning to Mossui Town.

By the time they reached the community center, it was already four in the afternoon. Naoki bid farewell to Helian before heading inside to rest.

The next day, he was scheduled to visit Apple Hill with the village chief to explore the renowned apple orchards. After dinner, Naoki retired to his room to prepare for the day ahead.

Curious to learn more about his new companion, he released the Slugma from its Poké Ball. Together with Pawmot, Naoki observed the Slugma and offered it an assortment of fruits and snacks.

To his surprise, the Slugma showed no fear of him. It seemed cheerful and content as it slowly devoured the fruits, savoring each bite.

Naoki mused with a smile, watching the little Pokémon eat.

What caught his attention even more was the Slugma's natural heat. Shortly after being released, the temperature in the room began to rise, creating a cozy warmth.

"Fascinating," Naoki murmured as he watched the Slugma interact with Pawmot. An idea sparked in his mind.

"With this Slugma, I wouldn't need firewood to heat my fireplace anymore. We could even design a network of heating pipes running through the house, just for it," he mused. "It could crawl through the pipes, moving freely between rooms and keeping the entire house warm in winter."

The thought of such an ingenious heating system excited Naoki. He imagined the Slugma becoming a cherished companion in the colder months, ensuring everyone stayed comfortable.

Lost in thought, Naoki leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on Pawmot and the Slugma, who were playing together happily.

Once the Slugma Worm had eaten its fill, it seemed even more cheerful. It appeared grateful for Pawmot's warmth and friendliness and was eager to return the gesture.

Suddenly, the Slugma's joy bubbled over, and puffs of white smoke burst from its glowing red body.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Thick plumes of smoke filled the room, causing Naoki to cough and scramble to open the window. As fresh air swept in, he turned back to the Slugma, which now looked flustered and apologetic.

Naoki chuckled softly. "Why do I get the feeling this Slugma might not be the brightest?" he wondered aloud, shaking his head.

Pawmot, ever empathetic, immediately stepped in to console the Slugma.

"Pamo, Pamo!" it chirped, patting its new friend on the back.

The Slugma blinked in confusion before its expression brightened, becoming visibly happy again.

Then, the familiar bang-bang-bang sounds filled the room as bursts of smoke puffed from its body.

Naoki: "…"

Not the smartest, clearly…

But perhaps, Naoki mused, it was precisely this simple and somewhat silly nature that made the Slugmawilling to befriend Pawmot. Just like children who have just started kindergarten, innocent and eager to connect.

...

The next morning, Naoki joined the village chief on a visit to the local apple orchard.

Standing at the base of the orchard hill, Naoki took in the sight of countless apple trees stretching out in neat rows. The sunlight reflected off the apples hanging from the branches, creating a picturesque scene.

"This is the Apple Hill!" the village chief said with pride. "The hill's open landscape allows the sunlight to reach every tree, ensuring our apples grow large, round, and full of flavor."

Naoki looked closer at the apples hanging on the branches. Each one was perfectly round, with a vibrant red hue and a shiny skin that made them look irresistible.

The village chief plucked a few apples from a nearby tree and handed them to Naoki. "Here, try one! These are Kitakami's pride and joy."

Naoki accepted an apple and glanced at it. Instantly, information about the apple surfaced in his mind:

[Kitakami Apples: Renowned for their high quality, these apples are a world-famous specialty of Kitakami Township.]

He handed one of the apples to Koraidon, who eagerly accepted it, and took a bite of his own.

As soon as he bit into the apple, sweet, crisp juice exploded in his mouth, filling his senses with flavor. Naoki nodded in approval, savoring the taste.

"They're incredible!" he admitted.

The village chief beamed with pride. "Of course! We put our hearts into growing them."

Naoki turned his gaze to the apple orchard stretching out before him. The vibrant greenery, coupled with the care that clearly went into nurturing the orchard, filled him with admiration.

'This truly is fertile land,' he thought.

As with the rice fields he had seen earlier, Pokémon were actively involved in the orchard's upkeep. Naoki spotted Mightyena prowling between the trees, Seedot scampering through the grass, Bellsprout tending to saplings with their vines, and Scatterbug resting on the branches.

Kitakami Township had clearly mastered the integration of Pokémon into agricultural development.

The village chief followed Naoki's gaze and chuckled. "Those are some of the Pokémon who help us maintain the orchard."

"Mightyena protect the orchard, scaring off wild Pokémon who might damage the trees. Seedot patrols the area, warning Mightyena if something's amiss. Scatterbug keeps pests away from the trees, ensuring they grow unharmed. And Bellsprout—oh, they're particularly useful! They use their Grass-type abilities to nurture the trees and even help us harvest apples with their Vine Whip."

Naoki nodded thoughtfully, impressed by the efficient system. "Do farms in the Paldea region involve Pokémon in agriculture this much?" the village chief asked.

Naoki thought back to the few farms he had visited. Some, like Mr. Elif's cherry orchard, did rely on Pokémon, but that was largely because Mr. Elif had taken in wild Pokémon out of kindness. It wasn't the same structured approach as in Kitakami Township.

"I think this is something I'll suggest to Mayor Thomas when I return," Naoki replied. "I can share what I've seen here."

He smiled, adding, "On my ranch, Dragonite uses Rain Dance to water the fields, Diglett helps till the soil, Gogoat supports crop growth with its Grass-type energy, and Psyduck helps harvest fruits."

"That's excellent!" the village chief exclaimed. He nodded enthusiastically, his admiration clear. "Pokémon truly are magical creatures. Their contributions have made life so much better for us humans!"

Naoki smiled in agreement. "They really are."

The group wandered leisurely across Apple Hill, taking in the picturesque landscape.

Along the way, Naoki noticed several vans parked along the road. Farmers and Pokémon worked side by side, carefully loading freshly harvested apples into boxes and stacking them neatly onto trucks.

The village chief smiled warmly as he gestured toward the scene. "These apples will soon be shipped all over the world—to regions like Kanto, Sinnoh, Paldea, Unova, and Kalos—so people everywhere can enjoy the flavors of Kitakami."

"That's incredible!" Naoki exclaimed, genuinely impressed.

In an era when the Internet wasn't yet widespread and commercial promotion relied heavily on newspapers and word-of-mouth, the fact that Kitakami apples had achieved global renown spoke volumes about their exceptional quality.

The village chief continued with a nostalgic smile. "There are many delightful things about our town, but it's a shame you didn't visit during the summer. If you had, you could've joined us for our Mask Festival."

Naoki tilted his head slightly. "Mask Festival?"

The chief nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, it's an annual celebration honoring the bravery of the three companion Pokémon. People from all over the town—and even trainers from other regions—come to participate."

He chuckled as he continued, "Everyone wears masks and gathers at the shrine in the heart of Kitakami to celebrate. It's a lively event!"

Naoki's thoughts lingered on the mention of masks. It seemed like so many aspects of Kitakami's culture, from festivals to its legends, were tied to masks. The image of the green Pokémon he had encountered the day before—and the mask it held—flashed through his mind. Feeling a tug of curiosity, he asked:

"By the way, Chief, are there any Pokémon unique to Kitakami?"

The question seemed to catch the village chief off guard, but he nodded. "Of course! The most famous ones are the three companion Pokémon who gave their lives to protect the village."

Naoki listened intently as the chief listed their names: Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti.

However, the green Pokémon Naoki had seen bore no resemblance to a dog, monkey, or bird. After some thought, he asked hesitantly, "Are there any others besides the three companions? I saw a Pokémon wearing a mask in the mountains. Is it also from Kitakami?"

The moment Naoki finished speaking, the chief's expression darkened, his demeanor shifting dramatically. "A Pokemon wearing a mask, wandering in the mountains… Did you encounter the Oni?"

Naoki froze, taken aback. "Oni?"

The village chief's voice lowered, trembling with fear. "That's no ordinary Pokémon. That's the vicious Oni from our legends—the one said to have killed the three companion Pokémon!"

Naoki's mind reeled. The timid Pokémon he had seen yesterday, cowering in fear, was supposed to be the same Oni from the stories? It didn't add up.

He vividly recalled how it trembled when he approached, bolted away in panic, and left its mask behind. How could such a scared creature be a violent oni? Something about the legend didn't sit right with him.

Still, the chief's fear was palpable. "That ghost is brutal and dangerous!" he warned. "I strongly advise you to stay far away from Oni Mountain. If you provoke it, your life will be in grave danger!"

Naoki couldn't bring himself to believe the chief's words. He trusted his own observations over the tales of the townspeople. The Pokémon he saw couldn't possibly be the ruthless ghost of the legend.

Beside him, Koraidon let out an indignant growl. "Raao!"

The village chief flinched, startled by Koraidon's sudden outburst. Instinctively, he took a few steps back, his face pale. "What… What's wrong with your Pokémon? Why is it angry?"

Naoki placed a calming hand on Koraidon's side, gently soothing the Pokémon's agitation. "Easy now," he murmured. The ancient Pokémon seemed to sense that something about the chief's story didn't sit well.

Koraidon snorted but relented, shifting back into a more neutral stance. The village chief exhaled heavily, relieved. He turned his gaze up the hill and gestured forward.

"Just ahead is Loyal Three Memorial Shrine," he said, his voice steadier now. "That's where the remains of the three companions were laid to rest. Would you like to visit it?"

Naoki's curiosity deepened. "Yes, I'd like to see it."

...

Look, I've got nothing fancy to say—just hand over those stones already! 💎

Next Bonus Chapter @2500 Power Stones.

...

(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 354 @ patreon.com/Keepsmiling818