Chapter 160: The Sudden Appearance of a Pokémon

"Who are you? Why have you come to our village?"

Just as Ryo was lost in thought, an elderly man emerged, his frail body trembling slightly as he gripped a wooden staff, looking at Ryo with wary eyes.

As soon as the old man spoke, people began appearing from the run-down wooden houses—mostly elderly and children.

There weren't many—just around ten people in total—but each one held onto makeshift weapons like brooms and sticks, their eyes filled with vigilance.

Even the young children, barely five or six years old, stared at Ryo, their fear evident, yet their gazes firm.

"Sir, you misunderstand me. I'm just passing through."

Noticing their hostility, Ryo spoke gently, hoping to ease their concerns.

The elderly man, who had first stepped forward, furrowed his brows upon hearing Ryo's words.

He scrutinized him for a few moments, then waved his hand, lowering his staff.

"Passing through? If that's the case, you'd best leave as soon as possible. This place isn't safe."

With that, the other villagers also lowered their weapons, though their guarded expressions remained.

Ryo raised an eyebrow.

"Not safe? Sir, what do you mean?"

The elder gave Ryo a brief glance before explaining:

"This village is located between Konohagakure and Sunagakure. There are bandits roaming the area. Judging by your clean clothes, you'd do well to leave before they notice you. Otherwise, if you get targeted, it'll be trouble."

As he spoke, the old man turned away, seemingly uninterested in further conversation.

Just then, a young child pointed at Diancie in Ryo's arms and Hoopa, who was floating beside him.

With curious eyes, the child asked,

"Big brother, are those Pokémon?"

At the mention of the word Pokémon, the villagers immediately turned to stare at Ryo.

Even the elder, who had started walking away, stopped in his tracks and looked back at him.

Ryo's eyes widened in surprise.

He nodded at the child.

"Yes, they are Pokémon. But... how do you know that?"

Could it be… Pokémon have already spread this far?

Even a small village, this far from Konoha, has heard about them?

"Big brother, our village also has Pokémon—"

"Enough!"

Before the child could finish, the elder abruptly interrupted, his tone sharp.

He then cast an even more guarded look at Ryo.

The sudden shift in atmosphere caught Ryo off guard.

Just a moment ago, things were fine…

Why did their attitude suddenly change?

"My apologies, young man."

The elder forced a smile as he spoke.

"The child is just talking nonsense. There's no way we'd know about Pokémon."

Ryo's eye twitched slightly.

Really?

The kid clearly recognized what a Pokémon was.

And now you're pretending you don't know anything?

"Sir, I really mean no harm. There's no need to be so defensive."

Ryo sighed, feeling somewhat exasperated.

However, despite his reassurances, the villagers remained on high alert, watching his every move.

It was clear they still didn't trust him.

Ryo couldn't help but feel a little frustrated.

Do I really look that much like a bad guy?

Come on, someone as handsome as me—shouldn't I be the main protagonist type?

Just then, a voice called out from behind him.

"Hey! Why is everyone gathered outside? Did you all know we were coming back?"

Upon hearing this voice, the villagers' expressions changed immediately.

A look of relief and joy spread across their faces as they rushed past Ryo.

Ryo turned to see a thin, dark-skinned young man standing at the entrance of the village.

The elderly man, the village chief, immediately walked up and grabbed the youth's hands.

"Akio! You're back! No one was hurt, right?"

Akio shook his head.

"Village Chief, we're fine. We got lucky today—we managed to take down a wild boar, so we came back early. No one was hurt, you don't have to worry."

The village chief patted his shoulder, nodding.

"Good, good… That's a relief."

Meanwhile, the other young men who had returned with Akio noticed Ryo.

Curious, they turned to the villagers and started asking questions.

When Akio finally noticed Ryo, his eyes lit up in excitement.

"Boss! It's really you!"

With a look of pure joy, he rushed toward Ryo.

Ryo frowned slightly.

"Wait, do we... know each other?"

Akio was completely unfamiliar to him.

After all, he met so many people every day—it was impossible to remember them all.

Akio shook his head, still beaming.

"I know you, Boss, but you don't know me.

I once went to your place and caught a Pokémon. Look!"

With that, he pulled out a Poké Ball and released his Pokémon.

When the Pokémon appeared, Ryo's eyes lit up in surprise.

"Weepinbell!"

He hadn't expected to see a Pokémon way out here!

"Bo-bo~!"

Weepinbell noticed Ryo and immediately leaped toward him, eyes gleaming with joy.

Ryo caught it in his arms, gently stroking its leaves.

But after a moment, his expression changed slightly.

He frowned.

"Why does Weepinbell seem… so weak?"

Hearing this, Akio lowered his head.

"I'm sorry, Boss… I haven't taken good care of it."

"Weepinbell~"

Weepinbell shook its head as if trying to say that's not true.

The village chief walked up beside Ryo and let out a deep sigh.

"This… isn't Akio's fault."

Ryo turned to him, curious.

The elder continued.

"Our village is very poor.

Akio goes out hunting every day just to get enough food to feed Weepinbell.

Even then, he still struggles to provide enough Pokéblocks."

Ryo frowned slightly.

Before he could ask further, the elder continued.

"Our village is too far from any market. Even when we catch prey, it's hard to sell it.

Plus, with bandits lurking nearby, Akio can't afford to leave too often—if he takes Weepinbell with him, the bandits will surely attack the village to steal our food and money."

Upon hearing this, Ryo finally understood.

Because of Akio and Weepinbell, the village had been able to survive.

And thanks to Weepinbell's strength, the bandits hadn't dared to attack.

But if Akio left the village, the bandits would come immediately.

"Village Chief, there's no need to say all that."

Akio shook his head, smiling.

"If it weren't for all of you, I might not even be alive today."

>>>>><<<<<>>>>><<<<<

follow my patreon.com/Yueru1 for more advanced chapters