Although Naoki hadn't eaten the translation seed crisps he imagined, his understanding of Teddiursa told him that the little bear was eagerly introducing him to a newfound friend.
A good friend.
That "friend" stood nearly two meters tall, looming behind Teddiursa—a Zapdos, the legendary Thunder Pokémon. Known for nesting within stormy thunderclouds, this Pokémon was a symbol of might, capable of summoning and controlling lightning with ease.
While it might not truly be the Thunder God Zapdos of legend, its rarity far exceeded that of any common Pokémon.
And yet, such a Pokémon had been invited here by Mew and Teddiursa. Naoki couldn't hide his shock.
He had assumed it would take much longer for the two to bring a Pokémon of this caliber to the ranch, but their success was astonishingly swift.
However, there was still a significant problem. The World Tree wasn't ready!
Teddiursa noticed Naoki frozen in thought and tilted its head quizzically. "Ursa?"
Naoki snapped out of his daze, shifted his gaze to Zapdos, and offered a warm greeting. "Hello, Zapdos! Welcome to the ranch. I'm Naoki, Teddiursa's trainer."
Zapdos fixed its sharp gaze on Naoki, scrutinizing the human carefully.
This human looked like the ones it had encountered at the power plant—two legs, two arms, and a head. Typical.
But this one was different. Unlike those humans who had tried to battle and capture it, this human didn't seem remotely interested in throwing a Poké Ball or initiating combat.
On the journey here, Mew and Teddiursa had explained the ranch in detail, painting a vivid picture of its peaceful, joyous atmosphere. They described the many Pokémon living harmoniously, the delicious meals shared, and the fun games played.
Most notably, they spoke at length about Naoki.
According to the duo, Naoki was no ordinary human. He cooked treats, brought back toys during festivals, and ensured every Pokémon had a cozy place to rest. Most importantly, he never confined his Pokémon to Poké Balls unnecessarily. To Teddiursa and Mew, Naoki was the best human they had ever known.
Zapdos, naturally skeptical, had thought the claims too good to be true. In its experience, humans captured Pokémon for battle—nothing more.
But now, standing in the heart of the ranch, Zapdos saw something different.
Dozens of Pokémon roamed freely, playing and laughing on the grassy fields or flitting among vibrant flowers. None were confined to Poké Balls, and their happiness seemed genuine.
When the Pokémon noticed Zapdos's arrival, they didn't scatter or act defensively. Instead, they looked on with welcoming curiosity, smiling at the newcomer.
Zapdos's skepticism began to waver.
Naoki, on the other hand, felt increasingly self-conscious under Zapdos's piercing gaze. He cleared his throat awkwardly, turning toward Mew and Teddiursa. "The World Tree still isn't ready to house Pokémon!" he reminded them helplessly.
It was true. As of today—February 11th, Year 199 of the Alliance Calendar—the World Tree was still far from mature. The current tree was only about three meters tall, barely reaching four. It was nowhere near ready to provide shelter for Pokémon.
"Mew?" Mew tilted its head, visibly confused.
Sighing, Naoki gestured for everyone to follow him. "Come on, let me show you."
Together, they headed toward the World Tree.
The canopy of the tree spread wide, shading the ground below and casting dappled shadows across the grass.
As the gentle breeze rustled through its leaves, each one shimmered under the golden sunlight, glowing with a vibrant green hue, brimming with life.
Upon seeing the World Tree, Mew and Teddiursa excitedly began introducing it to Zapdos. "Mree!" (This is the World Tree!)
Zapdos turned its sharp gaze toward the "tree" in question, its expression visibly puzzled.
This tree? With a trunk barely thicker than its own leg? Could something so small really support it? Zapdos had its doubts.
Sensing Zapdos's hesitation, Mew gave a small, embarrassed chirp. "Mew!" (It might not be habitable now, but one day the World Tree will grow much bigger!)
Teddiursa chimed in enthusiastically. "Ursa!" (Exactly! And Naoki knows how long it'll take to grow!)
Both Pokémon turned their bright eyes toward Naoki, as if waiting for him to confirm their claims.
Naoki hesitated for a moment. "…"
Calculating mentally, he realized that today happened to be the annual day when the Calyrex nurtured the World Tree. This presented a perfect opportunity for Zapdos to witness its growth firsthand.
After lunch, preparations were complete.
Every Pokémon on the ranch gathered around the World Tree, forming a large circle as they eagerly awaited the event.
Hovering above them all, the King of Bountiful Harvests began channeling its energy. It raised its arms, and an immense surge of power flowed toward the World Tree.
In an instant, a brilliant light engulfed the tree, radiating an intense glow that illuminated the entire ranch.
Under the watchful eyes of Naoki and the Pokémon, the World Tree began to grow.
Its trunk extended upward at an astonishing rate, its bark thickening, its branches spreading wider.
Boom!
The ground rumbled faintly, and a strange, resonant hum filled the air.
Naoki watched closely, marveling at the transformation before him.
[World Tree (Juvenile Stage): A sapling infused with immense Grass-type energy. Nurtured by the King of Bountiful Harvests and Gogoats and influenced by the surrounding environment, it carries a boundless vitality capable of sustaining life. Legend says it will one day grow large enough to support an entire world. Time to full maturity: 91,220 years.]
Naoki blinked as the numbers began to shift rapidly.
[90,530 years...]
[89,650 years...]
[87,600 years...]
Finally, the countdown settled at 87,600 years.
When the radiant glow surrounding the tree dissipated, what remained was no longer a mere sapling.
The World Tree now stood proudly, its height reaching nearly eight meters. Its trunk was thicker, its canopy more lush and vibrant, and its presence radiated vitality.
Naoki let out a breath of relief. The World Tree had successfully transitioned from its sapling stage to its juvenile stage. With this transformation, its growth would accelerate significantly.
"It worked..."
Naoki's mind raced. He recalled the leaf cakes he had prepared, which had been infused with special nutrients. "The growth was reduced by 3,620 years," he muttered to himself. "That's twice as much as before!"
But then a thought struck him.
"No… it might not have been just the leaf cakes," Naoki murmured, his brows furrowed in contemplation.
Naoki reflected on the rapid growth of the World Tree and realized something significant. The collective belief and reverence from the people of Paldea had provided an immense reservoir of energy for Calyrex. This widespread faith had amplified its power, surpassing previous limits and reaching unprecedented heights.
Additionally, the establishment of the King of Bountiful Harvests Shrine had attracted numerous visitors and trainers. As more people learned about the legendary Pokémon, their admiration further strengthened its abilities.
With such a steady influx of support, Naoki calculated that the World Tree might achieve its ultimate form within just four years—a cause for great celebration.
Looking at Calyrex, Naoki couldn't hide his excitement.
Calyrex nodded to him, speaking telepathically: "The power I've gained truly allows me to nurture the World Tree. It is an honor to contribute to its growth."
The surrounding Pokémon, including Koraidon and the others, shared in the joy of this monumental moment.
Among them, Zapdos was the most visibly affected.
The Electric/Flying Pokémon raised its head, gazing at the World Tree in awe. As a Pokémon attuned to the forces of nature, it could feel the incredible energy radiating from the tree.
Zapdos stood frozen, overwhelmed by the sheer vitality emanating from the World Tree. It now fully believed that this tree would one day become a sanctuary for countless Pokémon.
As the celebration continued, Mew and Teddiursa turned eagerly to Zapdos.
"Mew?" (See? We weren't lying)
"Ursa!" (Stay with us—it'll be so much fun!)
Zapdos shifted its gaze from the World Tree to the two small Pokémon, who had traveled great distances just to invite it. Their genuine excitement touched Zapdos deeply.
With a nod, it let out a cry. "Chiu!" (I'll stay. Please take care of me.)
Pah!
Mew and Teddiursa jumped into the air, high-fiving each other in delight. They then began chattering excitedly with Zapdos, explaining all the fun activities they could do together on the ranch.
Seeing this scene, Naoki turned to Calyrex and asked quietly, "Did Zapdos really agree to stay?"
Calyrex responded with a knowing smile. "I believe it had already decided to stay before arriving here."
Naoki was momentarily taken aback but then nodded in agreement. Of course, a Pokémon like Zapdos wouldn't have come all this way unless it had already made up its mind.
Now that Zapdos had decided to live at the ranch, Naoki needed to arrange a suitable temporary residence for it until the World Tree was fully grown.
From what Mew and Teddiursa had shared, Zapdos preferred quiet, secluded areas, far from disturbances. This preference was why it had chosen to inhabit an abandoned power plant in the past.
With this in mind, Naoki considered building a small power supply room on the ranch. Not to harness Zapdos for electricity—the ranch's energy needs were already met by Dragonite and Pawmot—but to create a comfortable space that would mimic the environment Zapdos was accustomed to.
It seemed fitting for the ranch to have a dedicated power room anyway.
With this thought in mind, Naoki approached Mew, Teddiursa, and Zapdos to discuss the idea.
Naoki paused, watching as Mew and Teddiursa communicated animatedly with Zapdos. Calyrex stepped forward, its aura calm and reassuring, to translate their conversation.
"They said Zapdos feels the World Tree isn't fully grown yet," the King explained telepathically. "It plans to travel with them and return once the tree has matured."
Zapdos, standing tall and proud, gave a soft cry to affirm the King's words. There was a rare gentleness in its usually sharp eyes as it glanced at Mew and Teddiursa. Like them, Zapdos had decided to embrace the life of a wanderer. Once a Pokémon aided by the legendary heroes, Zapdos now wished to pay it forward—traveling, helping Pokémon in need, and protecting them wherever it could.
Naoki finally understood. His initial shock melted into admiration as he asked, "So, when are you planning to leave?"
Mew and Teddiursa exchanged glances before responding together with excited cries.
"Miu!"
Calyrex translated once more: "Tomorrow."
Naoki nodded with a smile. "Then rest here at the ranch tonight and enjoy yourselves."
"Ursa!"
"Mew!"
The two Pokémon cheered in unison, while Zapdos gave an approving nod. Naoki chuckled softly. "I'll prepare some snacks for you all. Take some time to relax and play here in the meantime."
As the Pokémon dispersed to explore and enjoy the ranch, Naoki returned to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, he retrieved honey and other ingredients—Teddiursa's favorite. As he worked on preparing the snacks, his thoughts drifted to the duo's adventures.
They truly worked fast, Naoki mused. Within a short span, they'd already befriended a Pokémon as rare and powerful as Zapdos. And if history were any indication, this was just the beginning. He recalled the tales Mew and Teddiursa had shared about the Pokémon they encountered during their travels.
The two had eagerly mentioned potential friends they might bring to the ranch someday: a cheerful Farfetch'd, Scrafty, Crabrawler.
Judging by their charm and infectious energy, it was unlikely any wild Pokémon would refuse their invitation. Naoki chuckled to himself, realizing that this "Great Hero Expedition Team" might just become a Pokémon lottery of sorts—bringing back companions ranging from legendary birds to mischievous crabs.
But this thought also raised a logistical challenge. If Mew and Teddiursa encountered larger Pokémon like Aggron, Nidoking, or Snorlax, it would be impossible for Zapdos to transport them. Even Zapdos' impressive strength had its limits.
As Naoki kneaded dough, an idea struck him.
What if he equipped the expedition team with Poké Balls?
Modern Poké Balls had a shrinking feature, making them small and easy to carry—even for Pokémon like Mew and Teddiursa. If they encountered a Pokémon that wanted to join the ranch, the Pokémon could simply enter a Poké Ball for easier transport. Zapdos—or another flying Pokémon—could then deliver these "friends" back to the ranch.
This idea seemed practical, especially with Zapdos now part of the team. The legendary bird could carry a sturdy shoulder bag—like Dragonite's satchel—filled with emergency supplies such as life-saving Gogoat milk and detoxifying Pecha fruit.
When delivering Pokémon to the ranch, Zapdos could replenish its supply of provisions, ensuring the expedition team always had what they needed for their journeys.
But Naoki hesitated. While the plan sounded efficient, he wondered if it was fair to Zapdos. Turning the legendary Pokémon into a delivery bird might not sit well with it. He decided to discuss the idea with all three members of the hero's expedition team later. Their approval and willingness were essential for this plan to succeed.
...
(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 348 @ patreon.com/Keepsmiling818
The next goal is 3500 for a bonus chapter