On November 15, Year 203 of the League Calendar, it had been a month since Naoki and his family moved to the Paldea region for a vacation.
As time passed, they gradually adapted to life in Alola, a region known for its year-round spring-like climate, warm weather, and breathtaking scenery.
Even Pokémon like Gogoat and Miltank found the environment ideal. The abundant, fresh grass that grew all year long made it a perfect place to graze and relax.
One sunny morning, as Naoki watched the Miltank lazily munching away in the pasture, he found himself considering a big decision, should they make Alola their permanent home?
But the thought didn't last long. He soon shook his head and dismissed the idea.
Alola was beautiful, yes, but also a little... monotonous. Whether it was spring, summer, autumn, or winter, every season in Kosaji Town had its own charm.
In spring, the snow would melt and green shoots would burst from the thawing earth, bringing new life to the land.
Summer might be hot, but nights by Firefly Lake were magical. Sitting by the shore with a slice of watermelon or a popsicle in hand, watching fireflies flicker above the water, that was something you couldn't find in Alola.
Autumn transformed the hills into a sea of amber and gold, with wild herbs and mushrooms, like the rich, nutty Hazel Shroom, sprouting in the forest behind the house.
And winter? That was the season of snowball fights and building snowmen alongside Pokémon, laughing and tumbling in the powdery white.
These were the little joys that Alola couldn't offer.
Naoki let out a soft chuckle and gave up on the idea of moving. He brushed the dirt off his hands, returned to the kitchen, and started preparing a classic Paldean dish, seafood rice, using the fresh shrimp and mussels he'd picked up in Konikoni City.
Seeing him busy again so soon, Iono blinked and asked in confusion, "Didn't we just have breakfast?"
Naoki grinned and replied playfully, "Keep it secret."
"You're impossible," Iono muttered, giving him a flat look.
Naoki carefully placed the prepared seafood into a bubbling pot of seasoned rice. Before long, a rich, mouthwatering aroma began to waft through the air.
The scent was irresistible, a fusion of the ocean's essence with the comforting warmth of steamed rice, full of Paldean flair.
Iono sniffed the air curiously. "That smells amazing!"
Naoki lifted the pot lid, letting a wave of fragrant steam escape. As he gazed at the finished dish, a familiar glow flickered in his mind.
[Paldean Seafood Rice (B-Rank): A regional delicacy made with whole shrimp and mussels. The rice fully absorbs the rich seafood broth, creating a dish brimming with the ocean's grace. A culinary specialty of Paldea.
Effect: Grace of the Sea – After consumption, humans have a greatly increased chance of catching rare Water-type Pokémon while fishing. For Pokémon, it enhances the efficiency of aquatic training for three hours.
Rating: A beloved, ocean-blessed specialty of Paldea!]
It was a dish Naoki had once used to help a Dragonairs successfully evolve into a Dragonite through intense underwater training.
Naoki glanced over and asked, "Wanna try some?"
"No thanks, I already ate a lot this morning," Iono replied, waving him off.
"Alright then!" Naoki smiled and scooped a generous portion of the seafood rice, rich with broth, out of the pot. He packed it neatly into a lunchbox, sealed the lid, and slid it into his backpack.
Next, he grabbed his fishing rod and bait bucket from the utility room and called out, "I'm heading out!"
Only then did Iono realize what he was up to.
"You're going fishing!"
She couldn't help but muse inwardly, was fishing just one of those universal hobbies for guys?
It reminded her of those comments during her livestreams. Wives from all over would complain about their husbands spending hours out fishing and sometimes not even returning home until late at night.
Thankfully, Naoki wasn't like that.
As long as he didn't neglect his family or Pokémon for his hobbies, she fully supported him.
"Alright, alright, go already!" she said, playfully shooing him away.
Naoki turned toward Elara, who was sitting on the carpet building towers with colorful blocks alongside her friend, Larvesta.
"Daddy's heading out. Be good and listen to Mommy, okay?" he said warmly.
Elara barely looked up, too focused on stacking the blocks. She simply waved her tiny hand, gesturing with a casual "Gooo, go!"
She wasn't clinging to him today, which was rare. Taking the opportunity, Naoki shouldered his rod and bucket and slipped out of the ranch quietly.
The rest of the Pokémon were still playing in the fields, and he didn't want to disturb their fun. Instead, he gave a quick whistle, summoning Koraidon, who had been sunbathing nearby.
With a growl of acknowledgment, Koraidon swooped in, and Naoki hopped on. The two soared through the Alolan skies, heading toward the coast of Akala Island.
Eventually, they reached a secluded bay with gentle waves and visible schools of fish darting just beneath the surface.
Naoki landed, unpacked a small folding stool from his bag, and took a seat. He baited the hook, set up his rod, and took a few bites of the Paldean seafood rice, its effect would boost his chances of catching rare fish today.
Then, he cast his line and waited.
Koraidon lounged nearby, resting on the warm sand, occasionally yawning as it looked out over the vast ocean.
The Alolan sky was stunning as always, a deep, endless blue with soft clouds drifting lazily overhead. A gentle breeze stirred the surface of the sea, causing the waves to glimmer like sapphires.
Naoki sighed contentedly. The calm atmosphere was perfect.
His thoughts wandered… until the fishing rod suddenly jerked hard in his hands.
Something had taken the bait!
Snapping to attention, Naoki pulled with swift, practiced motion. The line whipped up in a splash, sending droplets into the air. A small, blue creature emerged, flipping into the sunlight before landing near his feet.
Naoki's eyes sparkled with recognition.
A petite Pokémon, its body a smooth sky blue, with a round pink nose, white mouth, and a frilly light blue collar around its neck.
That was...Popplio!
'What a luck!'
Naoki grinned. 'So the Paldean Seafood Rice really is effective. To reel in a Pokémon like this on the first try... amazing.'
The Popplio on the hook squirmed and splashed, clearly not thrilled.
Naoki quickly stepped forward, gently removed the hook from its mouth, and greeted it warmly.
"Hey there, little one!"
Popplio, one of the three starter Pokémon in Alola, is known for its friendly nature and determination. It's no wonder it's given to new Trainers when they turn ten as their first partner.
And, just like many starter Pokémon, Popplio has great potential.
Its evolved form, Brionne, becomes even stronger in battle. Brionne dodges attacks with a fluid, dancing motion and crafts powerful water balloons that it launches at enemies for considerable damage.
And its final evolution, Primarina, merges elegant voice and water power into devastating soundwave-based attacks. Graceful yet strong, it's a force to be reckoned with.
"Poppp!" the little sea lion Pokémon cried, glancing at Naoki for a moment.
Then, with a splash of its tail, it dove back into the sea.
Naoki blinked, but didn't look disappointed. He wasn't a kid anymore who felt the need to catch every new Pokémon he saw. If anything, he was amused.
He reset the bait, smiling as he cast his line back into the sea.
His real target today wasn't Popplio, it was Kyogre.
Naoki had a theory.
While the games usually portray Kyogre as a one-of-a-kind legendary, he believed that wasn't the full story. In the broader Pokémon universe, the anime, manga, and even some lore entries, there were hints that legendary Pokémon like Kyogre weren't truly singular. They were rare, immensely powerful, and sacred, yes, but not necessarily unique across all worlds and regions.
After all, if multiple Trainers in different timelines or realities could encounter or catch a Kyogre, didn't that imply there were several?
And more than that, he had inspiration.
In the anime, Lana had once hooked a Kyogre with nothing but her fishing rod.
That moment had stuck with Naoki.
If Lana, with calm patience and guts, could reel in the embodiment of the ocean…
Then maybe with his super high luck, he can catch the Kyogre that Lana caught in the anime.