Chapter 53:
July 28th
The first day after the cowshed was built.
It was the second day after Pidgeotto absorbed Moltres' divine feather.
Maybe it was because of the promotion by that popular streamer a few days ago, but there had been noticeably more customers at the breeding house lately — and the Pokémon they brought were generally much stronger.
This meant the rewards Hayashi Kaede received from their Pokémon were much richer.
From time to time, he would even be rewarded with rare fruits.
Moreover, an odd piece of news had begun to spread from nowhere — and it was traveling fast.
"Are you here in Sycamore Forest looking for Gardevoir?"
"Yeah, yeah, you too? What a coincidence — me too."
"Well, I guess we're competitors then!"
"Darn it… How about a battle between trainers? Winner gets to claim Gardevoir!"
Conversations like this were now common outside the breeding house.
It seemed like someone was deliberately spreading rumors to draw Pokémon trainers into Sycamore Forest in search of Gardevoir.
Watching a middle-aged trainer hurry to buy a Physical Energy Cube, Hayashi Kaede fell into thought.
Sycamore Forest had been fully developed ten years ago. Statistics from that time showed its most common Pokémon were Beedrill and Spearow.
Especially in the central sea of flowers — that area was practically overrun with giant Beedrill, completely dominating the heart of the forest.
"The trainers do seem to be getting stronger lately… Could the rumors be true?"
As the system's notification chimed, Hayashi Kaede felt a surge of curiosity.
This was a Psychic-type Pokémon in its final evolutionary stage! Gardevoir was irresistible to almost any trainer.
For him, just a bit of training and she could easily work — strike that — join the team as a valuable partner.
Of course, that was only if she actually wanted to find a trainer.
If her heart yearned for freedom, then there was nothing to be done.
Rather than capturing Pokémon through battle, Hayashi Kaede preferred to "tempt" them with food and kindness.
Besides, in all his time in this world, he had never actually gone out into the wild to capture a Pokémon.
"Alright — let's go!"
Decision made, he headed for the plantation.
Looking up into a nearby tree, he called, "Pidgeotto!"
Compared to a few days ago, Pidgeotto was now far more confident. Its whole body gleamed, and faint traces of fire seemed to dance along its feathers.
Looking closer, those flickering flames really were there — making its golden-orange plumage look even more striking.
"Pidgeotto!"
The bird swooped down, leaving a brilliant tail of flame, and affectionately rubbed against Hayashi Kaede's head.
[Pokémon: Pidgeotto]
[Gender: Male]
[Ability: Keen Eye]
[Potential: Red]
[Individual Values: HP (24) / Attack (28) / Special Attack (27) / Defense (17) / Special Defense (17) / Speed (26)]
[Level: 24–27]
[Moves: Gust, Tackle, Quick Attack, Whirlwind, Air Slash, Steel Wing, Hurricane, Twister, Defog, Heat Wave]
[Friendship: 98 (I trust you unconditionally!)]
[Happiness: 75 (Get stronger and reclaim my territory!)]
After absorbing one of Moltres' divine feathers, Pidgeotto now bore a touch of fire on its body and had learned the move Heat Wave.
Its potential had also greatly improved.
This time's destination was Sycamore Forest — and if anyone knew the area well, it was Pidgeotto.
So for this trip, Hayashi Kaede decided to bring him along, as well as the Grass-type Servine.
"I'll need you to guide me through Sycamore Forest… your old territory. I'm looking for a Pokémon."
"Pidgeotto!"
Hearing they were headed home, Pidgeotto 's eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly.
"Well then, I'll have you go into your Poké Ball for now."
After returning Pidgeotto, Hayashi Kaede looked toward the Milotic in the reservoir.
"Milotic, I'm heading into the forest. Do you want to swim in the river outside while I'm gone?"
Lately, he'd realized the reservoir was too small, and it seemed to leave Milotic a bit listless. He made a mental note to widen the aqueduct one day so she could access the river freely.
"Milotic ~?" (Take me with you?)
"Hmm… there probably won't be any battles this time, so I won't bring you along. You can enjoy the river if you like."
"Milotic …"
Milotic gave a soft sigh, then submerged, watching him through the water. She decided she was fine staying put.
Hayashi Kaede didn't press the matter.
He glanced over at the Miltank in the cowshed — they were busy munching on green dumplings — then headed inside.
Inside his room, Servine was supervising Alolan Vulpix's training, making sure she could coat her paws with ice energy.
Hayashi Kaede didn't demand much from Vulpix.
If she liked battling, she could train and grow stronger. If not, she could simply live happily and evolve when the time was right.
Or not evolve at all.
But! She had to learn to coat her paws in ice energy — because Hayashi Kaede was tired of seeing her track dirt into the plantation, then onto the breeding house floors… and worst of all, onto the bed.
Constant mopping was not his idea of fun.
"Hmm~?"
"Vul~pix!"
Vulpix, who had been concentrating on clearing the ice from her paws, immediately brightened upon seeing him.
Look! I can take the ice off my claws now!
"Well done."
Hayashi Kaede rewarded her with an Energy Block, which she happily gnawed on.
After returning Vulpix to her Poké Ball, he explained the plan to Snivy.
But he hadn't expected Servine to reply in a dark tone:
"Servineeee~?" (So… you're going to get a new Pokémon?)