With his newfound power to cultivate dragon-type Pokémon, Naoki set his sights on the four Dragonairs at the ranch that had yet to evolve.
The power to control dragons was a unique and special ability, functioning almost like the energy transfer seen in fairy tales—consuming one's own energy to imbue dragon Pokémon with enhanced growth potential.
Combined with the incredible training benefits brought by Paella, the Dragonairs quartet finally evolved into Dragonite just three days before the end of autumn.
With this accomplishment, Naoki's ranch became home to a significantly stronger Dragonite team. Including his original Dragonite, the eight delivery Dragonites, and the three Dragonites led by Big Brother Dragonite, the ranch now boasted twelve Dragonites in total.
Wait, no—make that thirteen. A Dragonite egg still rested safely in its incubator, waiting to hatch.
As Naoki surveyed the group of powerful dragons spread across the ranch, he couldn't help but grin. "Dragon Ranch" might be a more fitting name for the place now.
"If I round up… I could practically call myself the Dragon King," Naoki joked to himself.
In fact, the pure dragon squad could now be divided into two formidable teams:
First Team: Koraidon, Cyclizar, Dragonite 2, Dragonite 3, Dragonite 4, Dragonite 5.
Second Team: Naoki's Dragonite, Dragonite 6, Dragonite 7, Dragonite 8, Dragonite 9, Dragonite 10.
But with the growing numbers came a new challenge: feeding them all.
The twelve Dragonites consumed a significant amount of food each day, particularly Poffins and Pokeblocks. While Pokeblocks were relatively easy to prepare thanks to Naoki's automated fruit mixer, which could churn out large batches in an hour, Poffin preparation was much more labor-intensive.
Every step—cooking the berries, blending ingredients, and molding them into shape—had to be done manually. When there were just a few Dragonites, Naoki managed fine, but with so many now, he was struggling to keep up.
Just as Naoki was feeling overwhelmed, sister Indeedee approached him with a confident smile.
"Ai Ai~" (Maybe I can help, Naoki~)
Naoki popped two pieces of his translation seed crisps into his mouth, tilting his head in surprise. "You can make Poffins?"
Indeedee shook her head but quickly added, "Aiya!" (Not at first, but after watching you every day, I memorized all the steps!)
Naoki blinked, both impressed and relieved. If his Indeedee could handle some of the workload, things would get much easier. Psychic Pokémon like her could complete tasks far more efficiently than a human.
"Alright," Naoki said with a grin. "Let's see what you can do. Show me."
Indeedee nodded eagerly and led him to the kitchen workshop, where Alcremie's cream recipes were typically prepared.
A blue psychic glow enveloped her eyes, and immediately, the kitchen came to life. Pots and pans floated into the air, eggbeaters whirred on their own, and the refrigerator opened, releasing its bounty of fruits and eggs.
Naoki watched, wide-eyed, as the ingredients peeled themselves, eggs cracked perfectly into bowls, and flour sifted itself into a mixing pot.
The psychic choreography continued seamlessly: fruits were cooked, blended, and folded into the dough. Finally, the mixture was poured into molds and placed into the oven using telekinesis.
Indeedee's display of efficiency had him thinking of wizards conjuring feasts in fairy tales.
After about thirty minutes, the oven chimed.
Indeedee opened the oven and brought out a large tray of sweet-smelling Poffins.
Naoki eagerly picked one up and took a bite.
"Ai eh?" (How is it?)
Indeedee asked nervously, her eyes filled with anticipation. It was her first time making Poffins, and she worried they might not turn out well.
"It's delicious!" Naoki exclaimed, his face lighting up with excitement. "It's even better than the ones I make!"
"Aiya!" (Great!)
Indeedee clapped her hands in joy, clearly pleased with herself.
Naoki was equally thrilled. With Indeedee's help, he wouldn't have to worry about running out of Poffins to feed the growing number of Dragonites on the ranch.
In fact, there was another potential solution to this problem: giving the Dragonites money to buy their own food in town.
However, the idea wasn't exactly practical at the moment.
Dragonites didn't understand how prices worked, and shopkeepers couldn't interpret their roars.
"A Rotom Phone would really come in handy," Naoki thought aloud.
A Rotom residing in a phone could act as a translator and even assist the Dragonites with purchasing and paying for items.
"I wonder how Nemona's father's research on that is progressing," he mused, making a mental note to check in on it later.
...
It was a beautiful day, with the sun shining warmly over the ranch. After lunch, Naoki decided to take the Eevees to the grassy meadow for some sunshine.
He spread a picnic blanket over the soft grass and set out an assortment of snacks for the Eevees to nibble on if they got hungry.
For now, the Eevees were far too busy darting around and playing joyfully, their laughter-like cries filling the air.
Naoki sat amidst the lively group, using his newfound power of dragon control to nurture Cyclizar.
With the Dragonairs having already evolved into Dragonite, Cyclizar was next in line to receive special training.
Naoki had noticed how Cyclizar's eyes would gleam with envy whenever Dragonite munched on Storm buns or Pawmot enjoyed Lightning Buns.
He hadn't had the opportunity to help Cyclizar before, and that guilt weighed on him. Now, with the power of dragons, he was determined to make up for it.
While the exact mechanics of Dragon Power were still unclear, its effects on Dragon Pokémon were undeniable.
With consistent care, Naoki was confident that any Dragon Pokémon nurtured with this power could one day reach the ranks of a King-tier or even Champion-tier Pokémon.
Beyond its growth-accelerating properties, Dragon Power also enabled a deeper mental connection with Dragon Pokémon.
Naoki recalled how Iris from the anime used a similar ability to understand and bond with Pokémon, often sensing their emotions and intentions
Therefore, when Naoki felt guilty, Cyclizar felt it immediately.
"Gah…" Cyclizar's voice trembled, and its eyes glistened with emotion.
For the first time, it fully understood—Naoki had never ignored it. He had always cared.
Naoki gently patted the Cyclizar's head and said with a warm smile, "Believe in yourself. One day, you'll become even stronger than Koraidon!"
The Cyclizar's eyes lit up with determination. It responded enthusiastically, "Gaaao!" Then, unable to contain its excitement, it affectionately licked Naoki's hand with its large, wet tongue.
Naoki froze for a moment, blinking at the unexpected gesture. "…Thanks, I guess?"
Meanwhile, not far away, Koridon lay sprawled on the grass, enjoying the warm afternoon. But suddenly, it sneezed, its eyes fluttering open in mild confusion.
"Ah gah?" Koridon looked around as if sensing someone had just spoken about it.
Its attention was quickly diverted to a sleek, jet-black luxury car slowly pulling into the ranch. Naoki noticed it too, and the Eevees, who had been chasing each other around him, stopped to curiously observe the new arrival.
"Who could that be?" Naoki wondered as the car came to a halt.
His question was answered almost immediately when the car door opened, and an excited Nemona leapt out, practically bouncing on her feet. From across the ranch, her cheerful voice rang out, "Mr. Naoki! I'm back to take on the trial again!"
The front door of the car opened next, and Nemona's father, Nikar, stepped out alongside a distinguished-looking elderly butler, both impeccably dressed.
"Long time no see, Naoki!" Nikar greeted warmly as he walked over, carrying a small box in his hand.
"Mr. Nikar! This is a surprise," Naoki said, pleasantly surprised. Nemona's visit wasn't unexpected—her love for Pokémon battles often brought her to the ranch—but seeing her father was another matter.
"I have something important to discuss with you," Nikar explained with a smile.
Nemona, however, was too captivated by her surroundings to pay much attention. "Wow!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she spotted the Eevees. "So many Eevees!"
Before she could take a step closer, Gholdengo and Ogerpon darted past, their swift movement catching her eye. Her attention shifted instantly. "Oh my gosh, it's Ogerpon! Wait, what's that golden one?"
She gasped when her eyes landed on Dragonite. "Mr. Naoki, you've got another Dragonite? That's so cool!"
Naoki chuckled, understanding her excitement. After all, no child—or adult—could resist being awestruck by such rare and magnificent Pokémon.
Turning to Pawmot, Naoki called, "Pawmot, could you give Nemona a tour of the ranch?"
The little Pokémon looked up at Nemona and seemed to recognize her from a previous visit.
With a proud "Pamo!" it puffed out its chest and gestured for Nemona to follow.
"Yay! Thank you, Mr. Naoki!" Nemona cheered, skipping after Pawmot, her excitement infectious.
Watching her enthusiasm, Nikar shook his head fondly. "She's so energetic, isn't she? I apologize if she's being too forward."
Naoki waved it off with a smile. "Not at all. She's just comfortable around me now. When she first came, she was very polite."
"Haha! It seems Nemona likes you a lot," Nikar said with a laugh.
Naoki turned the conversation toward business. "So, Mr. Nikar, what brings you here today?"
At this, Nikar's grin widened. He held up the small box and handed it to Naoki. "See for yourself."
Naoki took the box, his eyes catching the Rotom Technology Corporation logo stamped on the top. His heart skipped a beat as a thought crossed his mind.
'Could it be what I think it is?'
Naoki opened the box to reveal a Rotom Phone with a sleek design resembling a crocodile. It lay quietly inside, exuding a faint technological glow.
"A Rotom Phone!" Naoki exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Has the research finally succeeded?"
Nikar nodded with a proud smile. "That's right! After months of dedicated work by our team of researchers, we've finally brought your vision to life. The device you're holding is from the very first batch of Rotom Phones. We plan to release it to the public by the end of the year. I believe this marks the beginning of a new era!"
Naoki gently lifted the Rotom Phone from the box, its lightweight and ergonomic design fitting perfectly in his hand. Since he had contributed to the phone's conceptual design, its structure and button layout felt instantly familiar.
Pressing the power button, the screen flickered to life. Naoki unlocked the device with a simple swipe, revealing a clean and intuitive main interface featuring five core apps: Map, Messaging, Phone, Camera, and Pokédex.
Curious, Naoki tapped the Pokédex app. Immediately, a list of Pokémon native to the Paldea region appeared on the screen.
"These are just the basic apps we've developed so far," Nikar explained. "Several tech companies have already started working on additional apps specifically designed for this phone. Once they're ready, users will be able to download and install them through the internet."
Nikar paused for emphasis, then added, "The Pokédex app is especially noteworthy. It's a collaborative effort between our company and Professor Jacq from Paldea Academy, incorporating the latest Pokémon research."
Naoki nodded in appreciation. Testing the Pokédex's scanning feature, he pointed the phone's camera at the Cyclizar lounging beside him.
A cheerful, electronic voice chimed, "Cyclizar, the Mount Pokémon. It can travel at speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour while carrying a person. It uses body heat to warm its back, restoring vitality. Ancient murals from 10,000 years ago depict humans riding Cyclizar, suggesting this bond has existed for millennia."
Naoki flipped the phone over to examine its sleek back, where a small Rotom emblem was etched. He couldn't help but smile.
Nikar, seeing Naoki's curiosity, elaborated, "Each Rotom Phone contains a Rotom inside. Think of Rotom as an intelligent assistant. It can guide you through the Pokédex, report the weather, provide navigation, and even answer your questions. If you don't want it to narrate, you can simply ask it to stop."
However, Nikar's expression turned slightly hesitant, drawing Naoki's attention. "Is something wrong?" he asked.
Nikar sighed. "It's nothing major, but we've noticed something peculiar. Unlike the Rotom found in traditional Pokédex devices, the Rotom inside these phones rarely interacts with users beyond its programmed voice commands. It doesn't engage in casual conversation or show much personality.
Naoki thought about it carefully and realized that the same situation had occurred in the Pokémon anime, but he had no idea why Rotom behaved differently when integrated into phones. Still, he set the thought aside, as there was something else he was curious about.
"How many Rotom Phones did you produce in the first batch?" Naoki asked.
Nikar smiled and replied, "About 100,000! But not all of them have Rotom inside. It's impossible to catch that many Rotoms."
Naoki nodded in understanding. A smartphone without Rotom would still function perfectly well, except it wouldn't have voice broadcasts or real-time navigation. From this perspective, the Rotom in the phone acted very much like a smart AI.
Nikar continued, "Is there anything else you want to know? Thanks to you, the Rotom Phone became a reality and helped our company dominate so much of the market. If you need anything, just say the word. As long as it's within my power, I'll make it happen."
Naoki chuckled. He didn't lack money or resources, so there wasn't much he wanted. After a brief pause, he made a request. "Could I pre-order a batch of Rotom Phones from your company?"
He had plans to give these Rotom Phones to the Pokémon on his ranch. For instance, Calyrex, Giratina, the expedition teams, and the Dragonites could all benefit from having one. With Rotom Phones, Dragon Express could be officially established, with deliveries tracked and navigated using the phones. It would allow Naoki Ranch's goods to be delivered to every corner of the Paldea region, realizing Naoki's long-held dream.
Additionally, Naoki could make video calls to check in on Baby Bear and other Pokémon traveling far from the ranch, keeping everyone connected no matter where they were.
"Of course!" Nikar said enthusiastically. "How many do you need? I'll have them sent over as soon as I return."
Naoki mentally calculated the number of Pokémon that would need a Rotom Phone and answered, "Fifty should be enough."
"Consider it done," Nikar replied with a grin. He planned to select fifty phones pre-installed with Rotom and personally ensure their delivery.
But Nikar had another reason for visiting the ranch today. He wanted to discuss the future of the mobile application market and gather ideas from Naoki about potential app development.
Though surprised by the request, Naoki willingly shared what he knew. He suggested apps for online shopping, streaming TV shows, live broadcasting, video communication, electronic payments, global news aggregation, and even social networking.
'It would be great to create something as simple and user-friendly as WeChat,' Naoki thought.
'That way, I could help Pokémon like Baby Bear, Calyrex, and Giratina create accounts, and we could even form a group chat with all the legendary Pokémon."
He chuckled at the thought, 'I just hope the legendary Pokémon don't start arguing in the group chat.'
Nikar listened intently, his expression growing more excited with each suggestion. His eyes sparkled with the realization of the potential.
"If these apps become a reality," Nikar said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm, "they will connect people across the globe. The Internet industry will enter a truly transformative era!"