Leon

Naoki inhaled sharply. 

What did it mean to control the effects of the grassy terrain, ensuring it only benefited your side while ignoring the opponent? 

It meant that unless the opposing Pokémon had overwhelming strength, their attacks wouldn't even outpace the Gogoats' regenerative abilities from the enhanced grassy terrain. 

More damage taken would simply be healed faster than it could accumulate—an unshakable stalemate favoring the Gogoats! 

Naoki's shock deepened as he realized that his three Gogoats had silently achieved such mastery over Grass-type energy. 

'Could it be the World Tree's influence, enhancing their affinity for Grass-type energy? Or was it the cumulative effects of the Leaf Cakes and other specially prepared treats they'd consumed? '

Perhaps it was a combination of all these factors, magnified by their natural abilities and the nutrients they had absorbed. 

Regardless of the cause, the results were undeniable. 

These Gogoats were terrifyingly powerful. 

And there were three of them. 

Naoki's gaze shifted to the other two Gogoats. "Can you do it too?" he asked cautiously. 

"Mehhh~!" 

The two Gogoats nodded enthusiastically, confirming his suspicions. 

"That's incredible!" Naoki exclaimed, his voice tinged with awe. 

If this level of power continued to develop, could anyone even hope to pass the Green Grass Trial? 

With near-unlimited HP recovery from the grassy terrain, colossal Vine Whips that could attack or create obstacles, and devastating ultimate moves like Leaf Blade and Solar Beam, the Gogoats seemed invincible. 

Not to mention their ability to use moves like Synthesis for Self-Resovery and Growth to boost their attack and special attack stats. Under the current battle rules set by the Pokémon League, it was difficult to imagine a scenario where these Gogoats could lose. 

Unless the challenger had a Pokémon of comparable strength with a clear type advantage over Grass types, victory seemed impossible. 

For novice trainers, like those just entering Naranja or Uva Academy, this trial would be utterly insurmountable. 

What about an elite or champion-level trainer? 

Naoki shook his head with a rueful smile.

Geeta had only tested the trial briefly before leaving. As for Rika, she had shown little interest in participating and had rushed back to work at the League headquarters instead. 

Of course, that might have been due to the overwhelming workload assigned by the Paldea Pokémon League. 

Meanwhile, Flutter Mane had exhausted itself completely during training. Once it fell asleep, Naoki gently placed its Poké Ball back in its designated spot. 

As a Ghost-type Pokémon, Flutter Mane naturally thrived at night and rested during the day. Changing such deeply ingrained habits would take time. 

But it was only Flutter Mane's second day at the ranch. Naoki smiled softly to himself. They had plenty of time to adapt to each other's rhythms. 

Back in the living room, Calyrex—the King of Bountiful Harvests—was lounging comfortably, watching television with great interest. 

A glass of tree sap juice and a small plate of desserts were placed on the table in front of him. His regal yet relaxed demeanor exuded a rare kind of peaceful satisfaction. 

Naoki didn't quite know what to say as he looked at the scene before him.

It felt like he was unintentionally transforming Calyrex, the King of Bountiful Harvests, from a regal Pokémon into a laid-back couch potato.

But, when he thought about it, Calyrex's time wandering the frozen expanses of the Crown Tundra must have been terribly lonely. 

Now, seeing Calyrex finding joy in new hobbies on the ranch—like watching television—filled Naoki with warmth. It ensured the once-solitary Pokémon wouldn't feel bored or isolated and could spend its days in peaceful contentment. 

"Caring for the elderly is everyone's responsibility," Naoki thought with a smile, suppressing a chuckle. 

With that thought, he made his way to the farmland to check on the crops. 

To his delight, the effects of the Leaf Cakes weren't exaggerated at all. 

In just half a month, the crops were already mature. 

The potato plants, their stems and leaves beginning to yellow, had tiny tubers poking out of the soft soil as if eager to be harvested. 

Grinning, Naoki grabbed a cart and began the harvest. 

Noticing the activity, Pawmot—its red cape fluttering heroically—flew over to lend a hand. 

It landed near a potato plant, grasped the root with its small, clawed paws, and gave it an enthusiastic tug. 

Unfortunately, its effort was a bit too enthusiastic. The exposed rhizomes snapped off in its grip. 

"Pawmot?" Pawmot blinked in confusion, tilting its head as it stared at the broken roots. 

"That's not quite how you do it," Naoki said, approaching with a laugh. 

He picked up a hoe and demonstrated, loosening the soil around the potato plant. With a careful tug, he unearthed a whole clump of potatoes, their roots intact. 

He shook off the excess dirt and stems, revealing a bunch of healthy tubers in varying sizes.

Watching intently, a metaphorical light bulb seemed to pop up over Pawmot's head. 

"Pawmot!" It chirped, now confident it understood. 

Just as it raised its claws to dig up another plant, Naoki gently stopped it. 

"I'll handle this," he said with a grin. "You should go play with Glaceon and the others." 

Naoki glanced toward the pasture and chuckled at the sight of Alcremie riding a Naclstack like it was some kind of steed. 

Nearby, Glaceon and Dolliv were squealing in delight as Naclstacks carefully hoisted them up onto their shoulders. 

"Go ahead!" Naoki gently patted Pawmot's little head with the back of his clean hand, careful to avoid the mud smeared across its pink fur. Cleaning it would be a hassle later.

"Pamo~!"

Pawmot chirped, its voice filled with delight, as it dashed off to join the other Pokémon playing in the field.

Naoki stood back and watched the Pokémon frolicking on the grass, their joy infectious. A soft smile tugged at his lips.

Seeing everyone living so happily here filled his heart with motivation. 

"This is life," Naoki thought to himself. 

No thrilling adventures, no cinematic moments like when a Pokémon evolves in a dire situation to protect its trainer. 

But simplicity—this peaceful coexistence—was the ultimate truth. At this moment, Naoki wholeheartedly agreed with the philosophy of his mentor, Larry. 

However, as he squatted down to dig up the next potato, something caught his eye. 

The potato in his hand looked different. 

Its texture and color had subtle, almost magical variations, unlike any potato he had ever seen. 

In an instant, Naoki realized this wasn't an ordinary potato. It had mutated. 

[Good Boy Potatoes: A special ingredient. This crop has mutated after being cultivated by the Grass-type energy of Gogoat. Dishes made with it grant the effect of "Golden Right Hand."]

"Golden Right Hand?" Naoki murmured, staring at the potato in wonder. "What on earth does that mean?" 

After a moment of thought, inspiration struck. 

"That's it!" he exclaimed. "I'll use these to make a potato stew for lunch today!" 

Determined, Naoki finished harvesting the remaining potatoes. By the time he was done, the sun was high in the sky. 

After washing his hands, he took the mutated potatoes to the kitchen and pulled out a fresh cut of meat from the refrigerator, which he had bought just yesterday in Kosaji Town. 

He diced the potatoes and meat, then added various spices to a large pot. The ingredients simmered together as he carefully monitored the heat, ensuring a perfect blend of flavors. 

Minutes turned into an hour, and soon the pot began bubbling with the unmistakable sound of something delicious in the making. 

Naoki lifted the lid, and a wave of rich, savory aroma filled the air. 

The stew was a perfect blend of soft, tender potato chunks and succulent meat, swimming in a thick, flavorful broth. 

Using a ladle, Naoki scooped a small portion into a bowl, adding a piece of potato and meat to taste-test. 

As he took a bite, the flavors exploded in his mouth. The potatoes, infused with the juices of the stew, melted instantly, while the meat was tender and savory, requiring minimal chewing. 

"This… this is amazing!" Naoki said aloud, astonished at how far his cooking skills had come over the year. 

The aroma of the stew wafted out through the open kitchen window, drifting across the ranch like an invitation. 

Before long, several Pokémon known for their love of meat began to gather, drawn in by the irresistible scent. 

"Ah, gah!"

"Gah?"

"Ooooooo?"

Koraidon, Cyclizar, Dragonite, the working Dragonites, and several Dragonairs all flew in, their eyes wide with anticipation as they frantically swallowed their saliva, staring at Naoki with pleading expressions.

Naoki couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "Wait a minute!" he said with a chuckle.

He had anticipated this, so he'd prepared a massive pot of stew from the start. With the ranch hosting so many Pokémon, Naoki always used specially customized, extra-large stewing pots, ensuring there was enough for everyone.

Paired with sandwiches and cookies for variety, every Pokémon would get a hearty, satisfying meal.

The Indeedee siblings, acting as the ranch's butlers, brought out the Pokémon-specific bowls, each uniquely sized for its owner. Naoki filled the bowls one by one, ladling generous portions of the steaming stew into each.

He set the bowls out on long tables, allowing the Pokémon to dig in with enthusiasm. The air buzzed with excitement as the Pokémon lined up, their eager chatter filling the kitchen.

Once every Pokémon had been served, Naoki finally had a moment to sit down and check the results of the potato stew.

[Potato Stew (S-Rank): A hearty dish created by stewing freshly harvested potatoes and tender meat over high heat. Eating it provides a comforting warmth that spreads through the body. Popular in colder regions for its nourishing qualities.

Cooking Effect: Golden Right Hand. "Be good, Pokémon. The bad guys have been driven away!" 

After eating this stew, the user gains the temporary ability known as the Golden Right Hand. By placing their right hand on the forehead of an enraged or out-of-control Pokémon and saying this phrase, the user can instantly calm the Pokémon. 

Note: This effect can only be activated by humans. 

Comment: Delicious potato stew, perfect choice for a chilly winter day. 

Naoki blinked, staring at the description in disbelief.

"Golden Right Hand?" he murmured, raising an eyebrow. "What… what even is this?" 

The mental image of him placing his hand on an angry Pokémon's forehead and uttering the prescribed phrase made his cheeks flush in embarrassment. 

"What kind of ability makes you say something so ridiculous?" Naoki muttered, running a hand through his hair. 

The idea of having to calm a raging Pokémon by saying, "Be good, the bad guys have been driven away!" felt unbearably awkward to him. Was he really supposed to say this out loud? 

Still, as Naoki thought about it further, he realized that this ability could be incredibly useful. Combined with his ability to understand Pokémon through Translator Seeds.

From another perspective, it was almost like receiving a divine blessing from Arceus itself.

In some scenarios, the practicality of the Golden Right Hand even surpassed the utility of superpowers. 

However, there was a catch: the ability required direct physical contact with the target Pokémon. 

Naoki's thoughts drifted to the movie Arceus and the Jewel of Life, particularly the scene where an enraged Arceus descended, ready to punish humanity. 

'Would the Golden Right Hand work on Arceus?' 

Naoki wasn't sure, but he had a strong feeling he wouldn't even get close enough to find out. The sheer power and divine presence of the Pokémon God made the idea seem impossible.

'But if not Arceus… what about Giratina?' 

His thoughts turned to his unusual neighbor, the guardian of the Reverse World. 

After finishing his bowl of potato stew, Naoki decided to investigate. He packed some specially prepared treats for the Dragonites—extra-large, honey-flavored Poffins—and made his way to the ranch's central lake. 

As he approached, the shimmering water began to ripple unnaturally. A purple vortex slowly formed, pulsating with energy. 

Taking a deep breath, Naoki stepped into the vortex, crossing into the Reverse World. 

The distorted, ethereal realm stretched before him, vast and alien. In the distance, atop a floating Flower Island, Giratina lounged peacefully amidst the vibrant blooms, its massive form basking in the golden light that filtered through cracks in the dimensional sky. 

Naoki approached cautiously. Giratina's crimson eyes opened slightly, lazily regarding him as he drew closer. 

"Hello again," Naoki said with a nervous smile, setting down the picnic basket he'd brought. 

He spread out a cloth on a patch of flowers that Giratina had unceremoniously flattened earlier. From the basket, he laid out the assortment of Poffins and other delicacies. 

Giratina huffed softly, its breath ruffling Naoki's hair, and began eating the offerings with casual indifference. 

Meanwhile, Naoki observed the Renegade Pokémon carefully. He was pondering how to test the Golden Right Hand without alarming or angering Giratina. 

'How do I even get close enough to touch its forehead without looking ridiculous?' he wondered. 

A wild idea crossed his mind. 'What if I pretended to trip and "accidentally" touched it?' 

But even as he considered it, Naoki shook his head. 'No, that's just dumb. Giratina would see right through it.' 

As he debated his options, Giratina raised its head and fixed him with a sharp glare. Its voice was deep and gruff as it rumbled, "Human… what are you staring at?" 

Caught off guard, Naoki decided honesty was the best policy. "Well… I've recently discovered a new ability," he admitted sheepishly. "It allows me to calm down Pokémon that have lost control of themselves. I thought maybe… I could test it out with your help?" 

Giratina blinked slowly, its expression unreadable. Despite its reputation for being temperamental and imposing, the ancient dragon was no fool. Its sharp mind had survived countless eons.

Giratina immediately understood Naoki's intentions. It felt an urge to lash out at him for daring to use it as an experiment subject. A fierce lesson would certainly put this human in his place.

But as it mulled over the situation, Giratina recalled the peace it now enjoyed in this serene, blooming dimension. It was all thanks to this human. Though known for its temper, Giratina was not an ungrateful dragon, nor would it ever stoop to repaying kindness with malice. Such behavior, whether from Pokémon or humans, disgusted it deeply. If it ever encountered such treachery, it would not hesitate to shred the offender to pieces.

With this in mind, Giratina let out a low snort and said gruffly, "Fine. I will mercifully allow you to try it."

"Thank you!" Naoki exclaimed, his face lighting up with genuine excitement.

With Giratina's cooperation, Naoki placed his right hand gently on the legendary Pokémon's forehead. The dragon's scales were cool and smooth beneath his touch, radiating a faint hum of power.

"Good boy, Giratina," Naoki said with a sheepish expression, his cheeks slightly flushed. "The bad guys have been chased away!"

Giratina blinked, its blood-red eyes locked onto Naoki. It didn't respond for a long moment, its imposing face a perfect mask of stoicism.

"Huh?" Naoki muttered, his confusion growing. 

Giratina didn't appear dazed, angry, or even slightly amused. Its usual composure remained intact. 

'Maybe it's because Giratina isn't angry to begin with?' Naoki wondered. 

If so, it seemed the Golden Right Hand only worked on Pokémon that were actively enraged or had lost control of themselves. Pokémon in a calm or neutral state were unaffected. 

"What a shame," Naoki murmured to himself. This realization meant that the Golden Right Hand wouldn't be effective on the wild and unpredictable Paradox Pokémon. Their violent and territorial nature stemmed from their instinctual behavior, not a loss of reason or emotional imbalance. 

Paradox Pokémon's lives revolved around primal instincts—hunting, battling, and securing territory. Their aggression wasn't the result of an emotional outburst but a way of life. Thus, the Golden Right Hand couldn't "teach" them modern Pokémon social norms or pacify them long-term. 

Still, Naoki thought, 'better than nothing'. The ability might come in handy when dealing with wild Pokémon fights in the future, providing a way to de-escalate tense situations. 

Retracting his hand, Naoki gave Giratina a respectful nod. "Thank you for your help," he said sincerely.

Giratina: "..."

Giratina remained silent, its expression unreadable as always.

However, within, its thoughts were a maelstrom of confusion and disbelief. 

'This human… this human actually said that?'

Giratina's crimson eyes widened as it mulled over the absurdity of the situation.

'Good boy Giratina, and say the bad guys have been driven away?' it thought. The realization struck like a jolt of lightning: 'Isn't the biggest "bad guy" here… me?'

The mighty dragon muttered inwardly, utterly bemused. 'What a strange human...'

---

At the Paldea League Headquarters:

A Charizard descended gracefully in front of the sprawling Paldea Alliance headquarters, its orange scales gleaming under the sun. Perched confidently on its back was Galar's Champion, Leon. 

Leon glanced around, rubbing the back of his head nervously. "I really hope I didn't mess up the directions again."

His eyes locked onto the large sign above the building, which read in bold letters: Paldea League Headquarters.

Relief washed over him as he heaved a sigh. "Finally! After being lost for half a month, I made it!"

Inside the building, Paldea's Chief Champion, Geeta, had already been informed of the visitor's arrival. She made her way to the entrance to greet him personally.

Seeing the tall, purple-haired man dismount his Charizard, Geeta approached with a polite smile. "Welcome to the Paldea region, Mr. Leon. What brings you here today?"

Leon chuckled nervously, his mind flashing back to the business tournament he attended last year. During the event, he had encountered a mysterious trainer from Paldea—one who had displayed extraordinary skill. It had been ages since Leon faced someone of that caliber. Unfortunately, the trainer withdrew midway, leaving their battle unresolved.

Determined to finish what they started, Leon had set out for Paldea right after the New Year.

"I'm here to find a trainer," Leon declared enthusiastically, his eyes brimming with excitement. "There's an unfinished match I need to settle!"

Geeta raised a curious eyebrow, intrigued by his fervor. "Oh? What kind of trainer could compel the Champion of Galar to travel so far?"

Leon nodded eagerly. "They're as strong as a Champion—maybe even stronger! I'm certain they're affiliated with the Paldea League."

Geeta's curiosity deepened. A trainer capable of catching Leon's attention had to be someone remarkable. Politely, she asked, "Do you happen to know their name? If they're part of the League, I may be able to assist."

Leon's grin widened as he replied, "His name is Naoki! He's got a Pokémon called the King of Bountiful Harvests—Calryex!"

...

(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 341 @ patreon.com/Keepsmiling818

The next goal is 2000 for a bonus chapter