Led by Tatsugiri taking the lead like that, the other Pokemon all chimed in: Whatever, let's just go for it, everyone charge!
Seeing this, Naoki couldn't help feeling a bit amused and helpless.
"Alright, alright, I really appreciate you all being willing to help, but with Calyrex and Mewtwo there, everything will be fine."
Then Naoki carefully explained the reason to this group of Pokemon.
"We're actually not going to fight Arceus. It's just that, for some reasons, Arceus has lost its sanity and is planning to punish humans, so we're going there together to stop It. Don't worry, it'll be fine."
"Pikachu..." Pikachu murmured.
So it was all just a misunderstanding...
Everyone turned to look at Jirachi, the one who spread the news.
Jirachi immediately panicked: "I never said Naoki was going to war!"
It had only said Naoki needed help, needed lots and lots of Pokemon to help!
Jirachi looked toward Tropius; it remembered only telling Tropius about this.
Tropius carefully thought back, and finally realized it was the one who'd gotten it wrong.
It had assumed that Naoki needing lots of Pokemon to help meant Naoki was going to start a war with other humans...
Seeing this, Naoki immediately understood what had happened.
"...Forget it, as long as the misunderstanding's cleared up, it's fine."
Though this division into a logistics group and a battle group was actually pretty interesting.
The Pokemon in the logistics group were responsible for picking Berries, preparing food, and treating injuries.
The Pokemon in the battle group were in charge of fighting and guarding the World Tree.
It was just a shame that there were no Mystery Dungeons in this world; otherwise everyone really could form a rescue team, go exploring dungeons together, and collect rare treasures.
And the Pokemon in charge of logistics would only need to stay at the Exploration Team Guild Headquarters, handle daily affairs, and post job requests.
*
League Calendar, Year 201, June 7, summer.
The weather was gradually turning hot, and this year's summer was especially scorching. Daytime temperatures reached as high as 35 degrees. Most of the Pokemon on the ranch stayed holed up at home, unwilling to go outside.
Only a small number of Pokemon who weren't afraid of heat were still dashing around the ranch like usual, running wild.
The sky was cloudless, and the dazzling sunlight baked the ground. Only by evening would the weather start to cool down.
And every time it got to that hour, the Pokemon would finally leave their air-conditioned rooms and run out to the ranch to enjoy the gentle, cool breeze.
Taking advantage of the coolness, Naoki went to the fields, directing Dragonite to use Rain Dance to help water the crops.
Dragonite gladly agreed.
As it exerted its power, a small patch of dark clouds quickly gathered over the farmland, and at once, a fine drizzle fell, moistening the fields that had been baked by the sun all day.
Naoki checked the growth of the crops by the field, planning to pick a few watermelons later to take back for the Pokemon to eat and cool off.
This year's crops were growing particularly well; in recent years Porto Marinada Town had always enjoyed favorable weather, with bumper harvests almost every year.
The townsfolk credited this to Calyrex, but Naoki knew very well that the real credit belonged entirely to that group of Dragonair and Dragonite living on the World Tree.
Toward evening, the underground Pokemon also came out to catch some breeze.
Dugtrio poked their heads out, staying by the field as they watched the dark clouds and rain in the sky.
The Garganacl huddled back-to-back under a big tree, while Alcremie sat on their shoulders, gently swaying its head, looking completely relaxed and carefree.
You could see traces of Pokemon all over the ranch.
Naoki only had to raise his head to see some Pokemon passing through his field of vision.
Everyone here lived a pleasantly carefree life—making friends, sunbathing, playing together. Just watching this scene was enough to make Naoki feel very happy.
Summer was the best season for eating watermelon, and the watermelons had just ripened yesterday, so he'd pick a few for everyone to eat!
Once Dragonite finished watering, Naoki finally stepped into the watermelon patch.
Koraidon followed behind him, ready to lend a hand, though its gaze drifted to the grassy area not far away.
Urshifu was there doing its daily training, continuing to refine its fist techniques.
"A-ga-sii..." It really was a hardworking and serious Pokemon.
Just then, Koraidon suddenly heard Naoki let out a soft "Huh?"
It immediately turned its head, just in time to see Naoki lift a large watermelon with an icy blue color from the patch.
"Did this watermelon mutate?"
Information about the watermelon immediately surfaced in Naoki's mind.
[Frozen Watermelon: Special crop, mutated from an ordinary watermelon. Once made into a dish, it may possess some mysterious effects.]
"Frozen Watermelon..." Seeing the name of this special crop, Naoki was quite surprised.
In fact, it had been a long time since any useful mutated crops had appeared on the ranch. While some had shown up before, most were relatively harmless special crops.
Like peas that would punch you, potatoes that explode, corn that glows...
"Whatever, I've got nothing else to do right now anyway, so let's see what effect this watermelon has!"
Naoki handed the watermelon to Koraidon, then picked a few bigger, more normal watermelons to take home and cut into slices.
Next, Naoki called out toward the outside, and soon a huge group of Pokemon came running.
Naoki handed them the cut watermelon, and the Pokemon sat under the eaves, happily munching away.
Seeing this, Naoki smiled slightly, then went back into the kitchen to start processing the Frozen Watermelon.
He cut off the rind with a knife and put the flesh into the juicer; after a short while, a small glass of blue-colored watermelon juice was done.
Naoki took one look, and detailed information about the juice surfaced in his mind.
[Frozen Watermelon Juice (B+): Special dish, a drink made by juicing Frozen Watermelon. The energy contained within it may possess some mysterious effects.
Cooking Effect: Dragon Type Killer. When used by Dragon Type Pokemon, or Pokemon of Dragon Type, Ice Type, or Fairy Type, the power of their super-effective Moves will be boosted to a certain degree when facing Dragon Type Pokemon.
Evaluation: Use it to deal with those troublesome Dragon Type Pokemon! Said to be a favorite of a certain Ice Elite.]
Naoki: "..."
What the hell, Dragon Type Killer! Isn't that basically War Greymon's ability from the Digimon next door?!
Looking at the description after Dragon Type Killer, Naoki was slightly stunned.
He'd originally thought this dish would only work when used by Ice Type Pokemon... but even Fairy and Dragon Type Pokemon could benefit from it?
"Looks like any Pokemon that has type advantage over Dragon Type Pokemon can use it." Naoki muttered.
The Ice Type Pokemon on the ranch were Glaceon, Glastrier, and Calyrex who rode Glastrier.
The Fairy Type Pokemon were Sylveon, Alcremie, and Flutter Mane.
There were lots of Dragon Type Pokemon: Koraidon, Dragonite, Cyclizar.
Such a big watermelon, yet it only produced two glasses of juice—kinda not enough to go around...
After a brief moment of thought, Naoki swapped them out for several smaller cups, then poured the watermelon juice into each.
He looked at his handiwork with satisfaction; this way, there'd be enough for everyone!
Though the color looked a bit scary...
Five minutes later.
Sylveon, Flutter Mane, Glaceon, Koraidon, Cyclizar, Calyrex, Dragonite, and Alcremie gathered around the dining table, staring at the few glasses of oddly colored watermelon juice on top.
Sylveon murmured: "Buii?" (If we drink this watermelon juice, can we become heroes who defeat Evil Dragons?)
Naoki blinked: "Heroes who defeat Evil Dragons?"
Sylveon immediately looked at him: "Buii!" (The story you told me before!)
It still remembered clearly: it was because it admired that Sylveon in the story—who defeated the Evil Dragon and saved the town—that it chose to evolve into what it was now!
As if afraid Naoki had forgotten, Sylveon retold the story from its memory.
"Buii buii!"
Naoki: "..."
"Of course I remember. I just didn't catch your meaning right away just now. But... this should be about the same as that Sylveon hero. After you drink this watermelon juice, your Moves will become stronger when you're up against Dragon Type Pokemon."
After all, it's a Dragon Type Killer!
Hearing this, Sylveon's eyes lit up in an instant.
"Buii buii!"