After a long conversation.
Anthea and Concordia fell into a heavy silence.
Kashiwagi watched them with a hint of trepidation. While these two weren't as radical as N, they were steadfast "Pokémon Saviors" who had protected countless injured Pokémon.
"I see... so this region has similar technology as well..."
The pink-haired Anthea let out a weary sigh.
"It is nothing new for people with ill intentions to dream of usurping the power of Pokémon," Concordia, with her rabbit-ear hairstyle, remained much calmer. "However, in this world, there are just as many people who truly love Pokémon and value their feelings."
She bowed her head slightly toward Kashiwagi in thanks. "We are very grateful that you told us this. However, it would be much more effective if you told N yourself, rather than having us relay the message."
"Yes, we beg of you," Anthea added, also lowering her head.
This...
Kashiwagi scratched Mawile's head. Amidst her impatient squirming, he sighed, "Alright, I'll go."
He stood up decisively, placing Mawile back in her spot.
"Maw-wile!"
Mawile furrowed her brow. Though she wanted to keep learning from Anthea and the others, she was genuinely concerned about her trainer's state of mind. After a moment of thought—
"Maw-wile!"
She bowed politely to the sisters and their Pokémon to take her leave, then chased after Kashiwagi.
Watching this scene, smiles broke out on the faces of Anthea and Concordia. What was the reason they persisted in trying to build an ideal kingdom for humans and Pokémon?
It was right here in front of them.
Humans and Pokémon relying on each other, understanding each other—could there be anything more beautiful than this?
-----
In the backyard.
N was communicating with a large group of Pokémon.
These weren't Kashiwagi's, Takeshi's, or even N's own Pokémon, but rather those N had spent money to "rescue" from the Underdome just yesterday.
In principle, N loathed the idea of trading Pokémon as commodities for money. However, to avoid causing trouble for Kashiwagi, he had chosen to buy them out.
He wasn't short on cash. After the collapse of Team Plasma, much of their assets were seized by the police, but a significant portion had been left to N as the foster son of the leader. N used these funds as the starting capital for his relief efforts—money made from Pokémon being spent on Pokémon felt like a proper return to the right path.
As a man who could understand the language of Pokémon and peer into their hearts, N only needed a few short sentences to establish a deep rapport with them. Fortunately, Kashiwagi had obtained more keys to neighboring Snagem Executive villas from Ryuka, preventing the house from becoming overcrowded.
Of course, N wasn't foolish enough to just keep buying endlessly. He stopped once they reached the limit of how many they could properly care for, telling Kashiwagi that these Pokémon would become the strength that would make Orre a better place.
"N."
Kashiwagi interrupted N's conversation with the group.
Seeing his arrival, the rescued Pokémon let out joyful cries and lunged toward him. Thanks to N's explanation, they understood exactly where the delicious food they had been eating came from. Thus, the moment Kashiwagi returned home, they couldn't wait to act spoiled and beg for treats.
"It's not mealtime yet! Not yet!"
Kashiwagi was pinned down by several fluffy Furret and couldn't get up for a long time. His hands and feet were occupied by other Pokémon as well. He laughed helplessly, calling out for help, "Oh my! "Big Brother"! Lend a hand!"
"ROAR!"
Aggron, who had been watching from the side, immediately split the crowd upon hearing Kashiwagi use his "nickname." He rescued Kashiwagi from the swarm of living food-processors.
Mawile, who had been about to step in, puffed out her cheeks when she saw Aggron beat her to it. She pouted and hopped up onto Aggron's shoulder instead. This was currently her "exclusive throne," and luckily, the big monster was large enough to accommodate her.
"Hahaha, it looks like everyone really likes you," N said, looking genuinely happy. He could feel the pure goodwill radiating from the Pokémon.
"Cough... sometimes they're a bit too enthusiastic."
Kashiwagi brushed the fur off his clothes. "Anyway, I have some serious business to discuss. Let's go over there."
He pointed to two chairs under the trees. The two moved to the shaded spot.
"Yamamino might have told you who our enemies are, but he might not have detailed the technology they possess..." Kashiwagi took a deep breath and told N everything about the Shadow Pokémon.
N's brow began to furrow the moment he heard about using technology to seal a Pokémon's heart and turn them into soulless fighting machines. It didn't stop furrowing. When he heard that the Shadow Pokémon technology had appeared on this land for the third time, he clenched his fists tightly.
"...That's the situation."
Kashiwagi watched N cautiously.
N's expression shifted through a kaleidoscope of emotions: hatred, hostility, pain. Finally, he let out a melancholy sigh, turning his head to stare blankly at the sky. "When it comes to persecuting Pokémon, humans can always dream up new methods."
"Yes."
Kashiwagi had to admit that even in the Pokémon world, there was no shortage of people who enjoyed tormenting them. They usually appeared in various regions as Ash's enemies.
"Do you think an ideal kingdom where humans and Pokémon coexist in harmony can really be built?" N rested his chin in his hand. Perhaps due to his lineage, his skin was incredibly pale—so white he seemed to glow.
"Of course it can."
Kashiwagi didn't hesitate. "Because in that ideal kingdom, scumbags aren't included, nor are they invited to join."
"Scumbags, huh..."
N smiled. "It seems that in this regard, you are much more steadfast than I am."
"That's because I don't carry a burden as heavy as yours. My wish is just to see Orre move toward a better future so I can go out and travel without any worries."
Suddenly, Kashiwagi saw Chansey walking over with two cups of juice. He hurried forward to take them, preventing a nearby Exeggutor from accidentally knocking her over. "The world is vast and wide. The internet says humans have stepped across almost every inch of this planet, but I don't believe it."
"Indeed, the world is vast."
N took the drink from Kashiwagi and thanked him, then patted Chansey on the head. "Thank you."
"Lucky~"
Chansey gave a cheerful cry.
N took a small sip of the drink. He wasn't a glutton by nature, but he didn't want to disappoint a Pokémon expecting feedback. "Mm~ it's delicious."
"Lucky!"
Chansey's smile brightened. When she looked at Kashiwagi, she received his familiar "head-pat technique". N's touch was gentle, but it only felt right when her own trainer did the patting!
A satisfied Chansey turned and ran off, followed by a swarm of Pokémon—in their memories, Chansey was also the one in charge of feeding them.
"Don't feed them yet!"
Kashiwagi shouted, hoping that Chansey wouldn't cave to their pestering. His shout caught the attention of Deino, who came running from across the yard and leapt into Kashiwagi's arms, immediately latching onto his palm and licking it.
A smile had appeared on N's face at some point. He spoke softly:
"Why don't we start with Orre?"
"Huh?"
Kashiwagi looked back, confused.
"The ideal kingdom of coexistence between humans and Pokémon—let it start here, on this land with no native Pokémon."
N said quietly, "It is barren, yes. But the population is sparse, and there are vast stretches of land we can build upon. It can be a place for Pokémon who have suffered at the hands of humans to rest and recuperate."
Kashiwagi asked tentatively, "Are you serious?"
"I am," N replied. "Properly settling rescued Pokémon has always been a challenge. Many nature reserves in other regions are already saturated, and we cannot simply release them anywhere. Orre is good. It can give those saved Pokémon a place to belong. They... they can't go back anymore."