Circle Throw is a Fighting-type move. By using sheer brute force to grab the opponent, the user hurls them high and away.
Its effect is similar to moves like Dragon Tail, Whirlwind, and Roar in that it can force an opponent out of the battle.
For a Kangaskhan, however, Circle Throw isn't a move learned through normal means.
It is a Heritage Move, also known as an Egg Move.
There is only one way to master it: Inheriting it from the parents at birth.
Usually, a Pokémon might inherit one or two, for instance, this Kangaskhan had previously inherited the move Dizzy Punch.
Now, Natsuki understood even more clearly the power of cooking, especially dishes with special added effects.
These effects were potent, and every single one was worth researching deeply.
They were far from as simple as they appeared on the surface.
The Pan-Seared Steak was a perfect example.
This sparked another thought in Natsuki's mind: 'If I had a true Fighting-type Pokémon and fed it Pan-Seated Steak every day, could it master every single Fighting-type move?'
It was certainly worth a try.
"Kangask-han!"
Lost in thought, Natsuki was suddenly snapped back by Kangaskhan's urgent cry.
She was calling for him, something unexpected had happened.
Natsuki quickened his pace. He swung his axe firmly into a tree stump to secure it and navigated through the fallen logs to reach her.
From a distance, he saw Kangaskhan lowering her head, seemingly in a standoff with another Pokémon.
"Ci-no!"
As he drew closer, he heard a low, wary cry. Natsuki finally saw the Pokémon facing off against Kangaskhan.
It was none other than the Minccino he had glimpsed once before.
Its large ears were pinned high, and its tiny body was stiff with fear. Its round, dark eyes were filled with dread, and a hint of tears glistened within them.
Its long tail flicked back and forth, the fur standing on end to make itself look larger, as if trying to tell the big monster in front of it that it was also very tough.
Seeing this, Kangaskhan grinned, revealing a row of chillingly white teeth.
She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling as her throat rumbled.
"ROAR!"
Kangaskhan released her aura, a thunderous roar blasting directly toward Minccino.
The roar was tangible, leaves on the surrounding branches rustled and fell like snow.
Looking back at Minccino, the little creature let out a tiny "wu" and fell over stiffly.
Its eyes had turned into characteristic spirals, it had lost the ability to move, fainting into a brief state of apparent death.
"Ah... well..."
Feeling helpless, Natsuki gave Kangaskhan a playful, exasperated tap on the head before reaching down to pick up the Minccino.
His "big girl" didn't have the gentlest temperament.
Especially lately, as she approached adulthood and began to view the ranch as her future territory, she had developed a natural hostility toward any intruding Pokémon or humans.
This was a natural reaction for the Kangaskhan species— an explosion of maternal instinct as they prepare to have offspring.
The fact that Minccino had just "provoked" her made this outcome hardly surprising.
"Woo woo..."
"I'm not blaming you," Natsuki said, gently stroking and comforting Kangaskhan.
The "big girl" was quite sensitive.
"But you need to restrain your temper a bit. It's impossible for the ranch to just be the two of us. In the future, more companions will join us and become family."
Natsuki carried the Minccino back to the campsite. After a quick check to confirm it had simply fainted from fright, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He left Kangaskhan to watch over it and returned to his work.
Logging didn't just involve felling trees, there was also the trimming. He had to cut away all the branches except the main trunk to create a relatively uniform log.
Natsuki didn't let the trimmed branches go to waste, since they were high-quality wood. He stacked them together, securing fuel for winter heating.
'If only I had a Slugma on the ranch', he thought. 'Winter heating wouldn't be such a chore, just having a Slugma stay in the fireplace would make the whole house incredibly warm.'
Meanwhile, as Natsuki worked up a sweat, things back at the camp were a bit tense.
The Minccino slowly came to and opened its eyes, only to find itself staring directly at the terrifying big monster again.
It nearly fainted a second time. It was truly scared to death.
Kangaskhan, having been scolded by Natsuki, sat obediently.
However, her eyes kept darting toward Minccino.
'So tiny... so cute... I want to put it in my pouch.'
Thinking this was one thing, but Kangaskhan acted on it. She reached out a wicked hand and, despite Minccino's frozen expression, tucked the little mouse into the pouch on her belly.
With the empty pouch now filled with life, a motherly smile bloomed on Kangaskhan's face.
She radiated a shimmering, maternal glow.
As for Minccino? Its stiff, terrified body suddenly relaxed.
The pouch was warm and cozy, and it let out a contented purr.
When it looked at Kangaskhan again, the fear was gone, replaced by curiosity.
Thus, when Natsuki returned, he was greeted by this scene: Kangaskhan was lying blissfully on the grass, letting Minccino hop around on her, using its tail to give her a cleaning spa.
It was very harmonious.
Sometimes, the feelings between Pokémon are just that pure.
"Kangask-han!" Kangaskhan greeted Natsuki lazily.
Minccino wagged its tail politely, though still a bit timidly.
Natsuki smiled at them.
He took off his straw hat, washed his face, and shook the dust off his clothes.
Then, he picked up a few Berries. He figured the best way to bridge the gap was through fine food.
Ten minutes later, a fruit platter was placed beside Minccino.
"Little one, this is an apology. Kangaskhan didn't mean it earlier," Natsuki said softly.
Minccino looked at Kangaskhan, then at the human.
With a couple of tiny chirps, it reached out a small paw, grabbed a piece of fruit, and popped it into its mouth.
Instantly, Minccino let out a cry of pure bliss, its round eyes lighting up.
'So delicious!!!'
Abandoning all pretense of being a "proper lady," it hovered over the fruit plate, eating with both paws.
With every bite, it was so good that its little feet kicked the air. The fragrance of the Berries mixed with the sweetness of honey made Minccino gorge itself.
This was the best food it had eaten since the day it was born.
Simultaneously, its affection for the human shot up.
'Human = Delicious Food. Delicious Food = Like. Human = Like.'
Seeing Minccino lick the plate clean, Natsuki smiled and reached out to stroke its large ears, causing the little creature's face to turn slightly red.
'So soft! It would definitely be comfortable to hold while sleeping.'
With that in mind, Natsuki's eyes twinkled as he extended an invitation to the Minccino.
"Minccino, was the fruit platter good?"
Minccino nodded without hesitation, licking its lips.
"Then, would you like to join the ranch? You can have a fruit platter every day, and in the future, you'll get to eat dishes even more delicious than this."
Natsuki coaxed it enticingly.
"Chiu-chiu!!!" Its eyes widened, and its tail stood straight up.
Daily fruit platters and even better food? Minccino's mouth began to water.
Under the temptation of gourmet food, Minccino made its choice.