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When lunchtime arrived, Robin dragged all the Pokémon back one by one.
Dragging Growlithe was the most troublesome.
Robin actually had to use her Thirty-Two Fleur to catch him, and this little pup was quite good at dodging, sparring with Robin for several minutes.
It was the first time Dak saw Robin in such a disheveled state, watching from the side with great amusement.
Then, Robin pinched his waist.
It's terrifying, being pinched in the waist by a pair of hands that suddenly appear from a distance of more than ten meters.
"Alright, everyone, eat your meals obediently."
Dak rubbed his waist, sat down, and then started instructing the Pokémon next to him.
Many villagers and members of the Whitebeard Pirates spontaneously came to this area to cook and eat, making it seem like a large-scale picnic, almost making Dak forget that this was the dangerous world of pirates.
"If every corner of this world could be like this, it would be nice."
Dak looked at the scene in front of him, where humans and Pokémon coexisted harmoniously, enjoying nature, and murmured from the bottom of his heart.
Perhaps because of his longing for the world of Pokémon, Dak also wanted to make this world resemble that one.
"Is this your dream?"
Newgate was sitting next to Dak.
Despite their difference in size, Newgate still heard what Dak said.
"A dream... No, it's a goal."
Dak hesitated for a moment, then affirmed his thoughts.
"Is that so? That's very difficult."
Newgate paused in his eating, looking into Dak's eyes without seeing any jest.
But how could Newgate, who has lived through the old era, not know the difficulty of such a thing? As long as there are people in this world, it will never become that wonderful.
That's not wrong; even the world of Pokémon has its dark presences, just less so.
"It's not as difficult as you think."
Dak knew what the Mystery Hatchery House would face if it decided to take this path.
Newgate knew as well.
But what Newgate didn't know was what the Mystery Hatchery House had.
"Well, I wish you success then."
Newgate shook his head, not saying much more.
In his view, such things are too difficult, practically impossible. The Mystery Hatchery House might manage, but it would be very hard.
Bon Clay, Robin, Darkrai, and Sceptile were gathered around Dak, having heard his conversation with Newgate.
They didn't speak, just pondering as they continued to eat.
A quarter hour later.
Dak had finished eating. Some of the little ones had gone to play after eating, while others were eating slowly.
He looked at the Pokémon.
Most were playing in groups of three or two, but there were loners like too.
However, two Pokémon were different.
One was Alolan Vulpix, who no longer played with her best friend Eevee but instead went to play with Vivi.
Eevee seemed a bit sad, but that's okay, her brother Eevee would always annoy her, leaving her no time to feel sad.
The other was more surprising to Dak.
Krabby!
Yes, the very lazy one, who did nothing but eat and sleep all day.
He was playing rock-paper-scissors with a sniffling little girl, having won 12 times already.
The little girl wasn't bored by the wins, but Dak was.
Krabby's look at the little girl was full of indulgence, as if looking at a little sister.
What a domineering crab, you're just a week-old baby!
"Do you guys know what happened between Krabby and that little girl?"
Dak opened his mouth and then turned to ask Bon Clay and Robin.
"Earlier, that little girl fell into the lake, and then Krabby rescued her," Bon Clay explained, having kept an eye on the situation around them, which allowed him to witness what happened with Krabby.
"Oh, that child seems to have some issues, with a mental age lower than her physical one, often doing silly things." Newgate noticed the little girl Dak mentioned and explained her situation to him.
"I see."
Dak nodded, having thought there might have been a more interesting story behind their interaction, only to find it was a simple act of heroism.
Looking at the expressions on Alolan Vulpix and Krabby's faces, Dak pretty much had an idea.
These two little ones had likely found their trainers.
A while later, when everyone had finished eating, Dak called Alolan Vulpix and Krabby over.
"Do you want to leave with them?" Dak pointed at Whitey Bay and the little girl.
"Kra?"
"Vul?"
Alolan Vulpix and Krabby's eyes suddenly widened, filled with disbelief.
"Ah, no, it's not about driving you away, but don't you want to see the world outside? Don't you want to explore beyond that small place? If you like them, you can stay by their side and let them become your partners and family."
Dak waved his hands, hurriedly explaining before the two little ones could start crying. After a moment of silence from both Pokémon, contemplating Dak's words...
Alolan Vulpix raised its head, looking at Dak: "Vul?"
"Yes, if you wish, you can always come back to the Mystery Hatchery House to play. But by then, Eevee might not be here anymore. She might find her own partner and embark on adventures in this world."
Dak understood Alolan Vulpix's concern and nodded in affirmation.
"Vul!"
Hearing Dak's words, Alolan Vulpix made up its mind to go with Whitey Bay, expressing its fondness for her. Since it could always return home, there was nothing to hesitate about.
"Alright, I'll speak to Newgate about this. Krabby, what about you? Do you want to stay by that little girl's side?"
Dak then turned his attention to Krabby, who looked over the grassy fields and then at the somewhat dazed little girl, ultimately deciding to stay.
He was too worried about the little girl.
"Okay, leave it to me."
Dak confirmed the little ones' decisions and went to discuss the matter with Newgate alone.
Newgate had no objections; he didn't plan to interfere in such matters, so he asked Whitey Bay to come over and talk directly with Dak.
As for the money to purchase Krabby, Newgate took care of it.
Because of this, Dak didn't haggle over the price.
1 million Belly, the price during the egg stage, without any additional charges.
Since Krabby would be serving as a companion, there wasn't a need to consider too many factors.
"I knew it."
Whitey Bay swung her water-blue hair with confidence upon understanding Alolan Vulpix's decision, showing a bit of self-assurance.
She promptly paid for Alolan Vulpix herself.
The pricing for Alolan Vulpix, considering its rarity, attributes, characteristics, personality, beauty, and potential as Alolan Ninetales in every aspect, was set at 35 million Belly.
This was more than three times the price during the egg stage, a very high price indeed.
Whitey Bay didn't flinch, paying immediately without delay.
And so, 3600 Magical Coins were deposited.
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PS: The pricing of these Pokémon babies is roughly estimated by me without going into too much detail. I'm not exactly a high-level gamer, so I don't delve deeply into the value of Pokémon in combat.
(End of Chapter)