Chapter 36:
"Pidgeotto ?"
Pidgeotto stared at the energy block in Hayashi Kaede's hand, drooling uncontrollably.
But it held back and asked tentatively, "Pidgeotto …" (Can you help me become stronger?)
"Hmm?"
That question made Hayashi Kaede pause for a moment before asking, "How strong counts as strong?"
"Pidgeotto …Pidgeotto !" (There's a Spearow in the forest that evolved into a Fearow . It's taken over our territory and hurt many of our kind!)
Pidgeotto spoke with anger.
Their home had been invaded, their kind driven away and left starving.
Hayashi Kaede nodded firmly. "Alright, I'll accept this request."
A Fearow that had just evolved—its power was probably at Gym level. The plantation currently couldn't raise Gym-level Pokémon, but Hayashi Kaede was confident.
Training Pidgeot to that level wouldn't take too long.
"Come, eat this. Then you'll know whether you can reclaim your home one day."
He pulled out a Rare Candy.
"Pidgeotto ?"
Hearing his agreement, Pidgeotto ate the Rare Candy without hesitation.
It could feel the energy surging within, and it looked at Hayashi Kaede with clear joy.
Hayashi Kaede exhaled. "Too trusting…"
When humans make promises, Pokémon believe them. When given something, they eat it immediately.
This bird seemed truly panicked, almost desperate.
"From now on, you'll stay here and protect the crops. If you're hungry, just pick some fruit yourself. Your main task is to keep Pokémon like Rattata out of the plantation."
As he spoke, the energy of the Viridian aura flowed from him, turning into specks of green light that settled on Pidgeotto.
The injuries left by Milotic's Water Gun were completely healed in seconds.
Come to think of it, this was Hayashi Kaede's first time using the healing function of the Veridian Aura.
The results were incredible.
Pidgeotto flapped its wings in shock, looking at its perfectly healed body. Then it flapped again and soared into the sky.
Hayashi Kaede didn't worry about it flying away.
The Rare Candy was key to keeping it loyal.
[Pidgeotto's happiness increased from 10% → 60%. Rewards: 10 bags of fertilizer, 3 Rare Candies, and 1 TM: Agility.]
Sure enough, after flying a few rounds,
Pidgeotto perched on a tall pine tree near the plantation, scanning the surroundings sharply—clearly alert and on duty.
"Water, land, and air—all covered."
Hayashi Kaede clicked his tongue, then turned his gaze toward the terrain of the plantation, thinking about how to arrange the fruit trees.
Soon, he had a plan.
Oran Berry trees had lush leaves and could be planted along the fence to block outside views. After all, some secrets in the plantation couldn't be exposed too early.
Sitrus trees grew tall, so he planted them along the road. In summer, they'd provide shade for anyone entering.
Both fruits restored Pokémon energy.
Sitrus yielded more fruit each year, while Oran berries had stronger effects.
Lastly, for the single Petaya Berry seed,
He chose a spot by the reservoir.
Once the locations were decided, he picked two Spelon Berries and handed them to the Sandshrew, who had been eyeing them for a while.
"Please dig holes where I've marked, Sandshrew."
"Sandshrew ~!"
Sandshrew beamed happily, placed the berries gently beside the field, and began to dig earnestly where directed.
It liked eating after finishing its work.
Hayashi Kaede didn't stop it.
Truthfully, Sandshrew was really good at fieldwork.
That probably had something to do with Takagi-ojii-san.
The old man couldn't do heavy labor anymore but didn't like being idle. So Takagi Megumi's parents had bought a Sandshrew to accompany him and help with light chores.
Hayashi Kaede joined in too, removing saplings from the storage ball—still with their soil—and planting them one by one in the holes dug by Sandshrew.
Milotic sprayed water gently, acting as irrigation.
Once the Oran and Sitrus trees were planted,
Hayashi Kaede had Sandshrew plow another plot and planted the watermelon seeds he had bought.
In return for all the hard work, he gave Sandshrew a large bag of Spelon Berries and told it to visit the breeding house anytime it wanted more.
Finally, it was time to plant the Petaya Berry by the reservoir—and fertilize it with the Super-Grade Fertilizer.
Hayashi Kaede couldn't let Sandshrew see that—it was too extravagant.
[Super-Grade Fertilizer: Accelerates plant growth by 300–1000×.]
Even at its lowest efficiency, that meant one day of growth could equal nearly a year.
Maybe the seed would sprout instantly?
He placed the Petaya seed in the soil near the reservoir under the curious gaze of Milotic, gently covered it with earth, then sprinkled the Super-Grade Fertilizer.
The fertilizer melted into the soil instantly and disappeared.
Hayashi Kaede nodded toward Snivy and said, "Alright, give it a month, and you'll be blessed~!"
"Servine?"
Servine looked at the seed-covered mound, clearly curious.
"You'll understand in a month." He gave it a mysterious smile.
After all, no need to explain everything now.
Servine's Contrary ability wasn't doing much at the moment, so letting it discover things on its own was... better.
"Servine…"
Servine gave him a look full of both suspicion and anticipation.
Its trainer was definitely the type to tease Pokémon…
"Oh, and this."
Hayashi Kaede took out a long, prismatic, pale blue crystal from the system storage.
It radiated a serene energy.
This was no ordinary item—it was the legendary Ocean Crystal, an S-tier item that once powered the Sea Temple.
"Milotic, take this to the center of the reservoir and bury it beneath the soil."
"Milotic~"
Milotic poked its head above the water, gently took the crystal, and dove.
As soon as it touched water, the entire reservoir glowed faintly, exuding rich, serene energy.
That would continue until the crystal was buried.
Hayashi Kaede nodded in satisfaction.
With this Ocean Crystal, the reservoir's water would slowly become energy-infused—perfect for nurturing Milotic.
When he looked back, Milotic had surfaced again with an almost intoxicated expression.
"Milotic~" (So soothing… such a beautiful feeling…)
"There's also a Water Stone. You can absorb that too."
Hayashi Kaede handed it a glowing blue Water Stone.
Milotic trembled with joy, clearly moved.
From struggling in muddy water to this—it was almost too good to be true.
Hayashi Kaede gently patted its head. "Life will only get better."
Milotic slipped back under the surface.
…
After wrapping up with Milotic, Hayashi Kaede turned toward a patch of overgrown grass.
He sighed. "Still have to mow the grass…"
At that moment, he was struck with the intense urge to raise a Psychic-type Pokémon.
Or even just a Scyther…
At least then, he wouldn't need to do it manually.
But despite the temptation to be lazy, Hayashi Kaede picked up the sickle and got to work.