"Eat, eat!" Naoki said as he used a hook to pull out the scorched Berry core from Slugma's body.
Looking at the slightly narrow ventilation duct and then thinking of the vast World Tree, Naoki asked:
"By the way, Slugma, do you want to go live over at the World Tree?"
Team Magma immediately stopped eating the Berries and looked up, puzzled: "Maku?"
"Because I think this place is too small. You can only move around in the ducts every day, just thinking about it feels uncomfortable." Naoki explained.
Initially, it was alright, but now that the World Tree has grown, everyone is living there, and only Slugma remains in this place, which seems a bit unfair to it.
Moreover, with air conditioning and a fireplace at home, Slugma's heating isn't really needed during winter.
However, upon hearing this, Slugma quickly shook its head.
"Maku!"
Seeing this, Naoki was a bit surprised: "You want to stay in this place?"
Sluga happily nodded: "Maku!"
"Why? There's a lot more space to move around by the World Tree, and there are many Pokemon to befriend there," Naoki asked.
Team Magma: "Maku!"
At this moment, the Phone Rotom automatically helped with translation.
"Slugma says [Because Naoki and Pawmot are here, it wants to stay here too] Roto!"
"Maku～" Slugma happily nodded, indicating it was correct.
After a brief moment of surprise, Naoki quickly understood what Slugma meant.
He no longer mentioned living at the World Tree to Slugma, but instead smiled and said:
"Alright, in that case, let's continue living here together!"
"Maku～"
The flame on Slugma's body burned even stronger.
Naoki stood up and began to focus on cooking.
He set the Rotom Phone to airplane mode, letting it float by, playing the Paldea Region's midday news.
Just then, a message from Lono came through.
[Lono: Hello! Hehe, have you eaten yet?]
Seeing Lono's name, Naoki's heart skipped a beat, immediately recalling the words his sister Indeedee had said before.
He pondered while replying.
[Wing King: I'm in the middle of it, what's up? Suddenly contacting me at this time?]
[Lono: Well... mainly, I wanted to ask if you're available in June. There will be a super luxurious summer festival in Levincia City, and since you have always been hosting me, which makes me feel a bit guilty, I'd like to invite you and Koraidon to come over for a day!]
Invite him and Koraidon to Levincia City for the summer festival?
If his sister Indeedee hadn't told him about that, perhaps he wouldn't have felt anything.
But now Naoki suddenly had a premonition that maybe what Indeedee said was true?
Does Lono have a crush on him?
"No, it shouldn't be possible."
Naoki subconsciously denied it in his mind; if it was a misunderstanding, it would be awkward and he'd end up looking like a clueless guy.
After contemplating for a moment, Naoki decided to act as if nothing had happened and continue interacting as usual.
He calculated the timing and initially wanted to agree, but after thinking carefully, he might not be available in June.
Because by then, the World Tree would be fully mature, and he would need to help move it to the sky with Giratina and Mewtwo.
Moreover, according to the information provided by Steven, a major event might be happening in the Hoenn Region within those two months, so he needed to stay at the ranch to see if Steven needed any help.
With that in mind, Naoki replied.
[Wing King: June will be quite busy at the ranch—harvesting crops and preparing seeds for the autumn season afterward.]
[Lono: Ah... that's a pity. There's going to be a big fireworks display in Levincia City, and the Levincia Gym will be closed for a day. I really wanted to invite you and Koraidon to come and watch!]
Fireworks display?
Naoki raised an eyebrow.
[Wing King: There's also a fireworks display here in Porto Marinada Town that night. People gather by the seaside to watch the fireworks and spend the last day of summer together. By the way, is this considered a traditional festival in the Paldea Region?]
[Lono: Yes, it should be! To my knowledge, many coastal cities hold such parties. Will you bring Koraidon to participate?]
[Wing King: Of course, but the town's fireworks festival might not be as lively as in the big city.]
[Lono: I envy you! The beach in Levincia City is always packed, and last year I couldn't even get in with Bellibolt and the others. This year, I don't even want to go, ah! I'm probably going to have another boring holiday at home!]
Seeing this message, Naoki couldn't help but laugh. He could almost imagine the look on Lono's face as she said this.
Thinking about it, he replied:
[Wing King: Porto Marinada Town isn't as crowded, so if you're bored alone in Levincia, you can come join us here.]
Lono seemed pleasantly surprised.
[Lono: Eh? Really?]
[Wing King: Of course, the more the merrier.]
Lono answered very straightforwardly.
[Lono: Great! We'll definitely come to join!]
Naoki replied with a simple "Okay."
After that, Lono got busy and, after a brief goodbye, ended the chat.
Meanwhile, Naoki began to think about how he should assist Steven if needed when the time comes.
If Steven reached out to him, it meant the situation in the Hoenn Region had become something even the Champion couldn't stop.
By then, only Legendary Pokemon acting might resolve it.
Now in the internet age, with such a big event, surely some brave reporters and daring Trainers would come to report on the situation.
Naoki wasn't keen on revealing his true identity.
If he was caught on camera, it might spread across the internet overnight, and some Trainers who had seen him and challenged his Trials might recognize him.
If Calyrex and Giratina acted, then everyone would know those Pokemon are at Naoki Ranch, with him.
The ranch would then be overrun by enthusiastic people.
After a brief contemplation, Naoki had an idea.
To maintain the peace and tranquility of the ranch, he needed to disguise himself a bit.
This way, they can continue their calm life without being disturbed and prevent any ill-intentioned thoughts.
As for the method...
He had an example of a Pokemon at home that could serve as a reference.
Like Ogerpon, wearing a mask or hood to cover the face.
That way, with a mask on, he would be the Masked Man saving Hoenn from disaster.
Without the mask, he'd be just an ordinary Rancher.
Aside from some insiders, no one would be able to connect the two identities.
Much like in the anime with Blaziken Mask Meyer and Professor Kukui.
Meyer is the father of Clemont and Bonnie.
This man, who loves his children, is a store owner by day.
But secretly, he disguises himself as Blaziken Mask to fight against Team Flare's attacks.
Similarly, Professor Kukui is a Teacher and a Professor at the Pokemon School.
But secretly, he turns into the Royal Masked Man, engaging in passionate Pokemon battles at the Royal Dome.
Decided, this is how he would act outside!
Naoki decided to find someone to help custom-make a mask for disguise.
Or not, he didn't really need an outsider.
Mewtwo, maxed out with handcrafting skill points, would do just fine.
So after finishing lunch, Naoki contacted Mewtwo through the Phone Rotom and shared his plan via video call.
After listening, Mewtwo fell silent for a moment and then, after a while, responded:
"Okay, but I'll need materials."
When building the castle on New Island, Mewtwo had tried concentrating Psychic power to create objects from thoughts.
But for some reason, perhaps insufficient power or something else, it failed.
Ultimately, it had to use the materials from Team Rocket's research facility to build that high-tech castle.
With years of learning, Mewtwo had a basic understanding of human affairs.
Compared to a complex castle, using Psychic power to craft a mask seemed much simpler.