Chapter 40: Salt Stone Treasure, Moving In!

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Lunchtime.

Naoki propped his chin up, watching the few Pokémon in front of him enjoy their lunch.

Creamy and Minccino ate as they usually did, chewing slowly and taking small bites.

Gurdurr and Goomy (Pokémon) were as rough as usual.

After finishing a few large bones, Gurdurr picked up the bowl of Black Truffle Milk Porridge and gulped it down, swallowing it whole like a horse eating hay.

"It's a pity that Gurdurr and Goomy (Pokémon) can't produce milk."

Watching this scene, Naoki couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.

Although Creamy could spray cream, cream is not milk, and the two are quite different, like water and ice.

Minccino, on the other hand, produced olive oil, which had nothing to do with milk.

In the afternoon, Kiri arrived with the construction team on time.

Naoki told her the location he had chosen in advance and then rode Gurdurr towards Big Pot Lake.

Today, he wasn't there to fish but to check on Yosuke and the five Halcyon.

Seeing that he didn't have a fishing net or rod in hand, Yosuke seemed a bit surprised.

"Not fishing today?" he asked.

Naoki shook his head: "Sometimes you need to relax."

Yosuke: "You didn't say that a few days ago."

Naoki: "...Alright, I've saved enough money to build the Pokémon house, so I'm taking a break until the project is finished."

"I see!" Yosuke said with a wink. "I have some good news for you too."

Naoki was taken aback: "What?"

Yosuke turned and clapped his hands: "Everyone, come out!"

As he spoke, the five Halcyon ran out of the cave, huddling together.

"Salt~ Salt!"

Yosuke smiled: "They've made their decision. They want to leave here and live with you on your ranch!"

Hearing this, Naoki was pleasantly surprised: "Really?"

Yosuke didn't answer, but the group of Halcyon responded in unison: "Salt~"

Naoki felt very happy: "That's great!"

Yosuke: "What are you standing there for? Quickly, take out your Poké Balls and catch them! They've been looking forward to it for a long time!"

"Oh, right!" Naoki hurriedly took out five Poké Balls from his blue work pants pocket.

He squatted down, placing the Poké Balls on the ground, and the five Halcyon lined up and approached one by one.

With a gentle touch of their heads, their small bodies transformed into red beams of light and were absorbed into the Poké Balls.

The Poké Balls shook slightly and then settled down.

One after another, the second and third Halcyon were caught.

When the last one was captured, Naoki held the five Poké Balls in his hands, filled with joy.

"Congratulations!" Yosuke said with a smile.

Naoki put away the five Poké Balls and thanked Yosuke: "I should be the one thanking you. You've been a great help these past few days."

Yosuke waved his hand dismissively: "It was just a favor. I also needed to investigate the Pokémon ecology around here. By the way, have you been watching that Dragonite at night?"

Naoki nodded: "Yes, I have."

While fishing with Gurdurr, they would also take some time to check on the Dragonite.

"But... it still ignores us, just like the first time. It sighs and leaves, as if it doesn't like being disturbed."

Yosuke, chin in hand, looked thoughtful: "Is that so?"

He then shared his findings over the past few days.

"According to my investigation, there are no Dragonite in the vicinity of Big Pot Lake. Considering that it flies in from the Sipadian Sea and flies back into the deep sea, I suspect its nest is not around here but far out in the ocean."

Hearing this, Naoki's heart stirred.

This reminded him of the huge Dragonite that appeared near the Sakura Lighthouse in the Kanto Region.

He asked: "By the way, Yosuke, have you heard of the legend of The Giant Shadow on the Sea?"

"No," Yosuke replied curiously. "What is it?"

Naoki: "It's said that deep in the sea, there is a Dragonite of enormous size, several dozen meters tall, like a monster, wandering and calling out on the sea."

Yosuke was shocked: "A Dragonite several dozen meters tall? That's impossible! It only exists in Pokémon Hollywood monster films!"

Naoki: "...Never mind."

Yosuke didn't pay much attention and continued thinking: "However, I have heard another rumor about Dragonite. Do you want to hear it?"

"Hmm?"

Yosuke didn't keep him in suspense and continued: "It's said that somewhere in the vast sea, there is an island inhabited only by Dragonite."

"A ship's crew was sailing on the sea when they encountered a storm. A man who survived the shipwreck was drifting on a piece of wood when a Dragonite saved him and took him to that island, a paradise for Dragonite."

"That could happen," Naoki said.

After all, most Dragonite are kind-hearted Pokémon.

In any place, there are frequent reports of them rescuing people or Pokémon who have drowned in the sea.

If a Dragonite discovers a ship in distress during a storm, it will guide it to land. That's why many ships sailing on the sea have a Dragonite statue on the bow, praying for a safe return.

So, the question is, did that Dragonite come from the Dragonite island?

At this moment, the same question arose in both Naoki's and Yosuke's minds.

They looked at each other, and Yosuke's eyes sparkled with interest. He said excitedly: "Does such an island really exist in the sea?"

An island, unique and beyond the world, where countless Dragonite live.

"It should exist, right?"

Naoki thought of the island in the anime where Ash went and caught a Dragonair, which later evolved into a Dragonite that helped Ash win the Elite Eight.

Hearing this, Yosuke grabbed Naoki's shoulder.

Naoki was startled.

"Naoki, let's go on an adventure together!"

Yosuke's eyes shone with longing.

An island inhabited only by Dragonite! How exciting! If he could see such a sight...

Naoki pushed his face away speechlessly: "You don't even know the exact location of that island."

Yosuke's face fell: "You're right."

But he quickly perked up, full of energy: "But I won't give up! As long as I keep traveling, I'll find that Dragonite island one day!"

"Good luck!" Naoki encouraged him and waved. "I have to go."

Yosuke asked hurriedly: "Where are you going?"

Naoki put away the Poké Balls containing the Halcyon and looked at the other empty Poké Balls, saying: "To see if I can catch other Pokémon to bring back to the ranch."

For example, Ride Sheep, Tropical Dragon...

(End of Chapter)