Pokemon: A New Path

Chapter 437: Dragonite Island’s New Beginnings

Naoki discovered that the World Tree, which had mutated from the Grass-type energy of his Gogoat, was incredibly unique. Unlike the legendary World Tree in the Kanto region, this one had an extraordinary ability to perform photosynthesis and provide sunlight to its internal areas.

Its interior was a self-contained space—an intricate Pokémon ecosystem simulator. The World Tree could replicate external environments within itself and infuse them with vitality and energy.

For instance, the sea that Calyrex had transferred to the World Tree was now flowing with life, as the tree injected natural energy into it, making it vibrant and dynamic.

Standing on Dragonite Island, Naoki surveyed the surrounding waters. This otherworldly space sparked a cascade of ideas for his next steps.

With the abundance of water resources, Naoki envisioned turning this area into a haven not just for Dragonites but also for Water-type Pokémon like Corsola, Luvdisc, and Starmie. He could create a thriving aquatic ecological zone.

“If only I could get in touch with Groudon and Kyogre,” Naoki mused wistfully.

He imagined the possibilities: Kyogre, the legendary ruler of the seas, could bring endless vitality to the waters by creating new ocean currents. Partnered with the World Tree’s life-giving energy, it could make the sea an even more vibrant ecosystem. Meanwhile, Groudon, the legendary master of land and magma, could shape a fiery ecosystem. Its presence could create a haven for Fire, Rock, and Ground-type Pokémon, centered around lava flows and rugged terrain.

But Naoki knew the odds of contacting those two were slim. Moreover, Groudon and Kyogre’s legendary rivalry was infamous. If both were to inhabit the same space, chaos would surely ensue.

Shaking off the ambitious thought, Naoki refocused on his immediate priorities. With Dragonite Island successfully relocated, the next step was stocking the waters with fish to sustain the Dragonites.

The ranch hadn’t ventured into aquaculture yet, so it couldn’t supply fish directly. Naoki decided to head to town and consult Zack.

It was March—a time when the World Tree needed ripening. After bidding farewell to the Dragonites, Naoki took the World Tree elevator to leave the realm. Driving his pickup truck, he made his way to the bustling marketplace in Kosaji Town, where he found Zack.

When Naoki explained his plan, Zack raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“Fish? Are you starting a fish farm?” he asked.

Naoki nodded. “Sort of. But it’s not for commercial farming. The fish are meant to feed the Dragonites, so I don’t need aquatic Pokémon, just plain fish.”

“Got it!” Zack chuckled knowingly. He was familiar with the Dragonite delivery team from Naoki’s ranch. “Leave it to me. I’ll contact the nearby fish hatchery this afternoon.”

Naoki handed Zack two cans of rock salt harvested from the ranch as a token of appreciation. “Thanks for helping out. I didn’t want to trouble you for nothing.”

Zack grinned and handed Naoki a bag of ripe cherries in return. “Here, these cherries are fresh from the Elif Cherry Orchard—big, sweet, and perfect for the Cyclizar to snack on!”

Spring was in full bloom, and the cherries from Elif Orchard were renowned for their size and sweetness, a delicacy of Kosaji Town.

Naoki thanked Zack and headed back to the ranch. Upon arrival, he found Calyrex and Koraidon waiting for him by the lake at the heart of the ranch.

Together, they ventured into the Reverse World, where Calyrex used its immense power to help the World Tree grow.

The next moment, the colossal World Tree in front of Naoki began to radiate a brilliant green light. The leaves on its crown swayed gently in the breeze, creating a soothing rustling sound that echoed through the surroundings.

At the same time, within the World Tree itself, Kelly and the Pokémon working at the construction site paused as they noticed the change. They gazed upward in amazement at the leaves glowing softly above their heads. The light seemed to resonate through the surrounding vegetation, which began to grow even more lush and vibrant.

In the orchard, the Treecko trio had just harvested a batch of fruit and were preparing to transport it to the storage areas with Tropius. Before they could leave, a shimmering green light enveloped the entire orchard.

To their astonishment, the fruit trees began producing new fruit at a speed visible to the naked eye. In mere moments, the once-empty branches were heavy again with ripe, sweet fruit.

“Treeeck!” one of the Treeckos exclaimed, startled by the miraculous sight. In its surprise, the leaf it had been using to carry fruit slipped from its grasp, sending a cascade of berries rolling to the ground.

Another Treecko stared at the orchard in disbelief, murmuring, “Treeck…” (There’s too much fruit—we can’t eat it all!)

Arboliva, who was nearby, observed the scene calmly. Unlike the shocked Treeckos, it was used to such wonders.

Turning to the others, Arboliva suggested gently, “Oliv, Oliv~” (If there’s too much, why don’t we share it with the Dragonites?)

Tropius and Milotic immediately agreed with the idea, nodding their approval.

Meanwhile, the Dragonites that Arboliva mentioned were also witnessing the changes brought about by the World Tree. On Dragonite Island, the gathered Dragonites gazed up at the sky, watching as the green light bathed their surroundings.

Some looked around in confusion, sensing that something was subtly changing.

Curious to investigate, a particularly bold Dragonite dove into the glowing waters with a loud splash, disappearing beneath the surface.

As it swam deeper, it noticed the seabed undergoing an incredible transformation. The barren underwater terrain had been replaced by patches of vibrant seaweed, lush kelp forests, and stunning coral reefs.

“Woo!” the Dragonite exclaimed in amazement. It grabbed a strand of kelp with its chubby claws and surfaced to show its companions.

The other Dragonites quickly gathered to examine the kelp, their excitement growing as they realized the profound changes taking place in their aquatic home.

...

Outside the World Tree, the glowing leaves began to dim, signaling the end of the process.

Naoki turned his gaze back to the World Tree. Information about the tree appeared in his mind:

[World Tree (Mature Stage): The World Tree is thriving and nearing the end of its growth phase. It is transitioning into a new life form, capable of sustaining an entire ecosystem and nourishing all life within it using natural energy.

Estimated time to full maturity: 27,198 years.]

Naoki let out a low whistle. “Shortened by another 10,000 years. At this rate, it’ll be fully matured in another three months.”

It was March now, which meant by June, the World Tree would reach its final growth stage.

Turning to Calyrex, Naoki smiled gratefully. “Thank you for all your hard work.”

Calyrex offered a warm smile in return and looked up at the towering tree. “I sensed something unusual inside the World Tree during the ripening. You should investigate—it feels different from before.”

“Different?” Naoki asked, intrigued. “What kind of change?”

Calyrex shook its head. “I can’t be certain, but the energy inside has definitely shifted.”

Nodding thoughtfully, Naoki decided to take a closer look.

Accompanied by a group of Pokémon, Naoki entered the World Tree and took the elevator to Dragonite Island.

Naoki was greeted by an unexpected sight. On the beaches surrounding the island, groups of Dragonites were playing with seaweed, corals, and kelp. Some clumsily tangled themselves in the strands, while others proudly showed off their findings to their friends.

Naoki blinked in confusion. “Where did they get seaweed and coral? There wasn’t anything like that here before.”

He glanced at Calyrex, who followed close behind. Calyrex tilted its head and responded, “I didn’t move these. They must have appeared naturally.”

Naoki’s curiosity deepened. “In that case, I need to see for myself.”

Without hesitation, he set his jacket aside and dove into the water.

Seeing Naoki plunge into the sea, the Dragonites panicked. They immediately assumed that Naoki had fallen in and sprang into action. With splashes and roars of determination, several Dragonites dove in after him.

Before Naoki could figure out what was happening, several Dragonites came up behind him. One of them grabbed him with its two chubby claws and tried to drag him out of the sea.

Naoki: “?”

Through his dragon power, he quickly sensed the thoughts in the Dragonite's mind.

Naoki sighed internally, finding himself once again surprised by the Dragonites’ instincts. Wild Dragonites, known for their kind hearts, often rescued humans who fell into the sea. It was no wonder ships crossing the ocean often used Dragonite imagery as a symbol of good fortune and protection.

He gently patted the Dragonite’s arm, using his dragon power to convey his thoughts.

[I didn’t fall into the water—I came down on purpose to see what’s changed beneath the surface.]

The Dragonite tilted its head in confusion and examined Naoki closely. Seeing that he was indeed uninjured and not struggling, the Dragonite loosened its grip with a soft grunt of understanding.

[Do you know what happened down here?] Naoki asked, hoping the Dragonite could provide some insight.

Since his own Dragonite and the other delivery team members were out working, Naoki decided to seek answers from the Dragonites currently living in the World Tree.

Hearing Naoki’s question, the Dragonite perked up, happy to help. It grasped Naoki firmly yet gently and swam with him to the seabed, where other Dragonites followed closely.

Pointing at the lush seaweed and vibrant algae swaying with the ocean currents, the Dragonite exclaimed, “Awoo!” (These just started growing!)

Naoki’s eyes widened in amazement. The seabed, once barren, was now teeming with life. Long strands of green seaweed danced with the water’s rhythm, and a vibrant coral reef glimmered in the distance.

“What in the world…?” Naoki muttered, his voice muffled underwater.

Could it be that when Calyrex ripened the World Tree, its powers had merged with the seawater, creating a self-sustaining underwater ecosystem? The timing and transformation seemed too perfect to be a coincidence.

“That must be it,” Naoki thought. His mind raced with wonder at the sheer capability of the World Tree.

The realization filled him with awe. This was more than he had ever anticipated—the World Tree wasn’t just an ecosystem; it was alive and evolving in ways that defied logic.

However, Naoki’s lungs burned from the effort of holding his breath. Reluctantly, he gestured for the Dragonite to take him back to the surface.

Breaking through the water’s surface, Naoki inhaled deeply, savoring the fresh air. Exhausted, he flopped onto the sandy shore of Dragonite Island, allowing himself a moment to recover.

A group of curious Dragonites gathered around him, their large, expressive eyes peering down with concern.

“I’m fine,” Naoki assured them with a chuckle, brushing off their worries. “I just held my breath too long.”

One of the Dragonites lowered its head, nuzzling him affectionately. Naoki smiled and stroked its smooth forehead, earning a happy cry of “Awoo~!”

After resting a bit, Naoki stood up and approached Calyrex and Koraidon, who had been patiently observing from the shore. Turning to the Dragonites, he spoke with a warm smile.

“The sea has fully merged with the World Tree. From now on, you can live here peacefully without worry.”

The Dragonites erupted into joyous cries of “Awooo~!”

Naoki looked around Dragonite Island, searching for open spaces that could be cultivated into farmland. He envisioned creating a fruit orchard there, allowing the Dragonites to become more self-sufficient.

By summoning rain to water the crops and using dragon energy to nourish them, Naoki believed Dragonite Island could quickly transform into a paradise for its inhabitants.

It didn’t take long for Naoki to find a suitable piece of land. He decided that once Zack delivered the fish, he would bring saplings and enlist Dugtrio to help establish the orchard for the Dragonites.

Having sorted out the changes with the Dragonite Island, Naoki turned his attention to the Expedition Guild.

Waving goodbye to the Dragonites, he stepped into the World Tree Elevator and ascended to the top floor.

Upon arriving, Naoki was greeted by the sight of Treecko carrying large piles of berries, clearly on a mission.

Surprised, he stopped them and asked, “Where are you going?”

“Treeck!” one of the Treecko chirped.

The nearby Calyrex, standing serenely, translated for Naoki. “They said the orchard has produced so much fruit that they couldn’t possibly eat it all. Even the tree holes are full. They want to share these fruits with the Dragonites.”

Naoki blinked in surprise. While he knew the fruit trees in the orchard had an unusually high yield, this level of abundance was unexpected.

“Well, go ahead! The Dragonites are on the island now,” he encouraged.

“Treeck~” the Treecko responded happily and waddled off with their fruits, taking the World Tree Elevator to the next floor.

Naoki, curious about the changes in this area, decided to take a closer look.

As he wandered, he observed that while the vegetation had become more vibrant and lush, the changes weren’t as dramatic as those on Dragonite Island. Nonetheless, the enhanced natural atmosphere gave the area a soothing and lively vibe.

He paused to greet Machamp, who was busy with construction work. From their conversation, Naoki learned about the extraordinary phenomena that had occurred earlier.

"Champ" “The trees above emitted a brilliant glow, and the grass began growing rapidly,” Machamp explained. "Champ" “Even the fruit trees in the orchard were producing fruit at an incredible rate.”

Hearing this, Naoki raised an eyebrow. Fruit trees bearing fruit like crazy?

Intrigued, he continued his exploration, heading toward the orchard with his Pokémon. When he arrived, the sight before him left him speechless.

The orchard was bursting with fruit—trees laden with plump, juicy berries, their branches sagging under the weight.

Nearby, Arboliva was tending to the fruit trees, its grassy energy flowing gently into the soil. Upon noticing Naoki, it stopped and greeted him warmly.

“Arboliva, are these fruits freshly harvested?” Naoki asked, still stunned.

Arboliva nodded and began explaining the recent events. When Calyrex had enhanced the World Tree, the orchard had been affected as well. The trees had produced fruit so rapidly that the Treecko couldn’t keep up with the harvest.

"Oliv" “Every time they picked a batch,” Arboliva explained, “another batch would immediately grow to replace it. This went on for several rounds before the trees finally stopped. The poor Treecko were exhausted.”

Arboliva led Naoki to see where the harvested fruits were stored. They arrived at a massive tree with hollowed-out sections acting as makeshift storage spaces.

The sight was astonishing. The tree holes were filled to the brim with fruit, with some even spilling onto the grass below.

“…”

Naoki finally understood why the Treecko had been giving fruit to the Dragonites—there was simply too much to eat.

“Don’t worry; the warehouse will be completed soon. Once it’s ready, we won’t have to worry about running out of storage space.”

Construction was progressing rapidly. With Machamp and other Pokémon lending their strength, the warehouse was nearing completion. Once it was finished, the team would move on to building the guild headquarters and additional facilities for Pokémon.

"Oliv~," Arboliva nodded gently, pleased with the progress.

Having finally figured out the changes happening within the World Tree, Naoki sighed with relief. Everything was heading in a positive direction.

Before leaving, Naoki decided to visit the lake where Milotic and other Water-type Pokémon resided.  

When he arrived, Milotic was gracefully swimming across the serene lake, its movements as fluid as the water itself. On the shore, three Tatsugiri basked lazily in the sunlight, enjoying the safety and tranquility of the World Tree, free from worries of being captured or threatened.  

Meanwhile, Slowpoke lay on the shoreline, gazing blankly at the water, completely lost in thought.

Seeing the relaxed atmosphere, Naoki couldn't help but chuckle. He approached Slowpoke and gently lifted it under its arms, holding it up.

Slowpoke didn’t react at all.

Naoki shook his head in amusement, then turned to greet Milotic and the others. “How are things? Are you getting used to living here?”

“Wooo~,” Milotic trilled melodiously, its tone brimming with contentment. It loved the idyllic and peaceful environment of the World Tree.

Naoki smiled, happy to hear that.  

Nearby, the tiny Tatsugiri were bouncing playfully, trying their best to catch Naoki’s attention.

“Tats!” they chirped enthusiastically.

Naoki crouched down and asked with a smile, “And how about you three? Are you enjoying it here?”

“Tatsu, Tasts!” The Tatsugiri jumped with even more energy, their excitement clear.

Calyrex, observing the interaction, translated casually, “They’re saying they want to become the managers of a sushi restaurant and work hard to run it.”

Naoki blinked in disbelief. “What? You want to manage a sushi restaurant?”

“Tats!” The Tatsugiri nodded eagerly, their enthusiasm unwavering.

Naoki stared at them for a moment before joking, “Well, you’d better be careful not to stand too close to the sushi. Someone might mistake you for actual sushi and eat you.”

The Tatsugiri, particularly the orange-yellow one resembling a piece of salmon nigiri, shook their heads vigorously. “Tatsu, Tats!” they cried, clearly alarmed by the idea.

Naoki laughed. “Alright, we’ll sort out the details when the sushi restaurant opens. For now, enjoy yourselves.”

Turning his attention back to Slowpoke, Naoki noticed that the Pokémon still hadn’t reacted to being picked up earlier. After what felt like an eternity, Slowpoke finally turned its head toward Naoki—but it did so at an agonizingly slow pace. Its dull eyes seemed to stare straight through him.

“Stupid?” Slowpoke muttered.

Naoki repeated the sound, “Stay?”

Slowpoke said nothing further, simply maintaining its blank stare.

“…”

Naoki sighed. He had the distinct impression that if he remained still, Slowpoke would continue staring at him for days on end.

He reached out and gave its curly ear a light rub, earning no reaction.

When thinking about Slowpoke, Naoki couldn’t help but ponder its two unique evolutionary paths—Slowbro and Slowking.

Unlike most Pokémon, Slowpoke required a partner Pokémon, Shellder, to evolve.

When a Shellder bites Slowpoke’s tail, the two Pokémon form a symbiotic relationship, resulting in Slowpoke evolving into Slowbro.

However, if the Shellder bites Slowpoke’s head instead—and a special item called the King’s Rock is involved—Slowpoke evolves into Slowking.

As its name suggests, Slowking is considered the "king" of the Slowpoke evolutionary line. Research conducted by Pokémon scholars has revealed that Slowking possesses an incredibly high level of intelligence, comparable to the world’s most brilliant scientists.

Thinking of this, Naoki felt a flicker of inspiration.

He had always wanted to hire a highly intelligent Pokémon to help manage a shop at the World Tree. He’d even issued a request to the Hero Expedition Team to find a suitable Pokemon for the task. However, there has been no success in locating one so far.

That brought him to Slowpoke. Could he assist this Slowpoke in evolving into a Slowking and let it take on the role he had envisioned?

However, evolving Slowpoke into Slowking required two key elements: Shellder and the King’s Rock. Neither of these was currently available at the ranch.

After some thought, Naoki decided he would search online to see if anyone was selling a King’s Rock. As for Shellder, it would be much simpler—he just needed to take Slowpoke to the coast, where Shellder naturally lived. One would surely come along and complete the evolution process.

...

That afternoon, Zack called with good news: he had secured a deal with a fish breeding base.

After hanging up, Naoki met Zack at the base, located south of Kosaji Town. There, he purchased several types of fishes, including sea bass, yellow croaker, and saury, investing in a sustainable food source for Dragonite Island.

Next, Naoki visited the local seed store, where he bought a variety of fruit tree saplings.

With his supplies ready, Naoki returned to the ranch, gathered the Dugtrio and Calyrex, and made his way to Dragonite Island.

The tasks ahead felt manageable thanks to the Dugtrio’s expertise. It had worked with Naoki on similar projects before, and after he marked the designated area, the Dugtrio immediately got to work. Using its remarkable digging abilities, it transformed the empty plot into fertile farmland.

As the Dugtrio dug, several Dragonites gathered nearby, curiously watching their progress.

Meanwhile, Naoki mounted his own Dragonite and began releasing the fish into the sea, ensuring they were evenly distributed throughout the water.

Once that was done, Naoki approached the elder Dragonite and the giant Dragonite, who had taken on leadership roles within the group.

“I’ve just released fish fry into the sea,” Naoki explained. “It won’t be long before they grow, and you’ll have plenty of fish to eat here.”

The elder Dragonite let out a pleased rumble, and the giant Dragonite nodded its gratitude.

Naoki smiled but added a word of caution. “However, you must be patient. Don’t eat the fish before they’ve had time to grow. If you deplete the population too soon, there won’t be enough fish to sustain the ecosystem.”

The elder Dragonite, with its wisdom and experience, nodded solemnly. It understood the importance of maintaining balance, as even in the wild, Dragonites avoided catching small, juvenile fish to ensure future abundance.

“I’ll leave it to you to explain this to the others and keep an eye on things,” Naoki said.

“Awoo!” The elder Dragonite nodded firmly, agreeing to the responsibility.

With the aquatic part of the ecosystem set up, Naoki turned his focus to the orchard. By the time he returned to the cleared farmland, the Dugtrio had already finished its work. They squeaked excitedly, clearly proud of their efforts, while the gathered Dragonites observed with wide-eyed fascination.@@novelbin@@

Without wasting time, Naoki teamed up with Cyclizar and Koraidon to plant the fruit tree saplings in the freshly dug plots. The Dragonites, inspired by Naoki’s dedication, even began to help by gently patting the soil around the saplings with their claws.

The final step in the process belonged to Calyrex.

Under the watchful eyes of the gathered Dragonites, Calyrex gracefully floated forward.

As Calyrex raised its right hand, a brilliant light spread across the orchard. The fruit saplings began to grow at a rapid pace, their transformation v wasisible to all. Within moments, the barren plot had become a lush orchard filled with fruit-laden trees.

The Dragonites stood in stunned silence, their wide eyes reflecting admiration for Calyrex.

"This Pokémon is incredible!" their expressions seemed to say.

Calyrex, accustomed to such reactions, simply smiled modestly and stepped back to stand beside Naoki.

“All right,” Naoki said with a warm smile. “Now you can pick fruits from these trees whenever you like.”

“Awoo~!” the Dragonites chorused joyfully.

They hadn’t imagined fruit trees could grow so quickly. To them, this was nothing short of a miracle.

Naoki stayed on Dragonite Island for a while longer, watching as the Dragonites adapted to their new orchard. They flitted from tree to tree, picking fruits and sharing them with the younger Dragonairs and Dratini.

The sight warmed Naoki’s heart. It was part of Dragonite’s nature to care for their young, a habit that persisted even after they reached adulthood. The harmony and affection within their tribe made Dragonite seem even more endearing to Naoki.

Compared to the intimidating Hydreigon clan from a neighboring region, the Dragonite family was the epitome of warmth and friendliness. Their chubby paws, round bodies, and big, soulful eyes made them look like living embodiments of joy.

Before leaving the World Tree, Naoki asked the Dragonites to bring some berries to Giratina outside.

Though puzzled, the Dragonites complied. Each one carried a bundle of berries in its arms and flew to the Flower Sky Island, where Giratina resided.

Giratina greeted them with a satisfied growl, clearly pleased by their thoughtfulness.

“Good, my little brothers,” Giratina rumbled, its tone brimming with pride. “From now on, you’ll be under my protection.”

Watching from below, Naoki smiled. With Giratina watching over them, he no longer needed to worry about his Dragonite employees encountering danger during deliveries.

March 15, Alliance Calendar Year 200

That morning, Naoki sat at his desk, browsing the internet for information about the King’s Rock, the rare item needed to evolve Slowpoke into Slowking.

According to online sources, the King’s Rock was a symbolic item of great power, frequently in high demand. It was said to be crucial not only for evolving Slowpoke into Slowking but also for evolving Poliwhirl into Politoed.

Despite its popularity, the King’s Rock was rarely available for sale and was often snapped up as soon as it appeared on the market.

Naoki sighed as his search yielded no results. Undeterred, he opened his Rotom Phone and typed “King’s Rock” into the search bar of an online shopping app.

Unfortunately, no listings appeared.

Just then, a video call notification popped up. The caller ID read Geeta.

Naoki blinked in surprise. “Why is Geeta calling me?” he muttered, before pressing the answer button.

Geeta’s smiling face appeared on the screen. “Long time no see, Naoki! How have you been?”

“Pretty good,” Naoki replied, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t a casual call. “What’s going on?”

Geeta chuckled. “You know me too well. I do have something to ask.”

Naoki groaned internally. “Of course,” he thought. “Here it comes.”

Geeta continued, “In recent months, several Champion-level trainers have joined the Paldea League. As you know, it’s challenging to make significant progress once you’ve reached this level.”

Naoki raised an eyebrow. “And?”

“So,” Geeta said with a grin, “I’ve recommended your ranch as a training ground for them. They might come to challenge you soon. Take good care of them, will you?”

Naoki: “…”

Naoki couldn’t help but grumble, “I feel like I’m working for the Paldea Alliance in some indirect way… and without any salary to boot.”

“Oh, don’t say that!” Geeta replied with a laugh. “If you ever need anything, you can always ask the Paldea Alliance!”

She continued, her tone lighthearted but sincere, “Even though you’re not officially part of the Paldea Alliance, everyone here already considers you one of us. You’ve earned the nickname ‘The Extraordinary Champion’ among the members.”

Having grown familiar with Geeta’s ways, Naoki decided to skip the pleasantries.

“All right then, help me find a King’s Rock, and I’ll gladly welcome those champion-level trainers!” he declared confidently.

Geeta raised an eyebrow in surprise. “A King’s rock? Isn’t that the item used to evolve Poliwhirl into Politoed?”

Naoki nodded. “Yes, but I’m looking for it to evolve a Slowpoke on my ranch into a Slowking.”

“Ah, I see,” Geeta responded thoughtfully. “All right, it’s a deal! I’ll track down a King’s Rock for you, and you’ll handle those trainers.”

“Deal!” Naoki replied, already thinking ahead.

Champion-level trainers, huh?

The trials on his ranch had gained some popularity recently. For those interested, it wasn’t hard to find strategies online detailing how to clear them.

For example, to beat the Green Grass Trial, you just needed to send out a Pokémon with a type advantage against Gogoat, let it build up its power, and deliver a decisive blow to secure victory.

For champion-level trainers, this wouldn’t be much of a challenge. After all, every champion had earned their rank through countless battles, mastering the ability to adapt and devise strategies. They only needed one attempt to figure out the mechanics of the trial and overcome it.

But Naoki wasn’t worried. Even if someone managed to clear the Green Grass Trial, they would still have to face the Ancient Double Trail with Koraidon and Flutter Mane that awaited them in the later challenges.

After the call ended, Geeta wasted no time and contacted Larry.

It didn’t take long for the call to connect. With a cheerful tone, Geeta greeted him, “Larry, I’ve got a new assignment for you! Complete this task, and I’ll grant you three days of paid vacation.”

Meanwhile, in Mesagoza, just outside the gates of Paldea Academy…

A teenager, no older than fifteen or sixteen, was staring intently at a special mission issued by the Chief Champion.

[Mission: Travel to Naoki’s Ranch in Kosaji Town and complete at least one trial. Rewards will be issued by the Paldea Alliance based on your performance.]

The boy’s name was Miguel, and he had only been promoted to champion-level trainer in the Paldea League a week ago.

Since his promotion, he hadn’t been assigned any special tasks—until now.

Looking at the mission, Miguel’s brow furrowed in confusion.

“Naoki’s Ranch? What kind of place is that?” he muttered to himself. “A trial at some ranch in the countryside?”

The young trainer, who had achieved the prestigious rank of champion at just sixteen, couldn’t help but feel a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

Despite his initial doubts, Miguel decided to accept the mission and set off for Naoki’s Ranch.

At that moment, Miguel’s Rotom Phone buzzed again.

When he opened it, he saw it was a message from a friend asking what he was up to.

Miguel didn’t hesitate and replied honestly, explaining that he’d received a mission to participate in a trial at a ranch.

Almost immediately, he received a string of exclamation marks in response.

[Jasper: Naoki’s Ranch?!?]

[Miguel: Yes, do you know about it?]

[Jasper: Of course! You’ve been traveling, so you probably haven’t been keeping up with the school forums. That place is super famous!]

Along with the message, Jasper sent a forum link. Curious, Miguel clicked on it, and bold text immediately caught his attention.

"The Hidden Boss of Campus Legend"

"Hidden Boss?" Miguel frowned and continued reading.

[Every trainer in the Paldea region must know this: challenging all gyms, earning every badge, and even becoming the Paldea League Champion doesn’t necessarily mark the end of your journey.

Legend has it that somewhere in Paldea, there exists a mysterious and powerful trainer. Only by challenging and defeating this individual can you truly claim the title of the strongest trainer in the region.]

The article revealed that the so-called "Hidden Boss" of Paldea was none other than Naoki, the ranch owner of Naoki’s Ranch.

According to the post, Naoki was a mysterious and formidable champion-level trainer with over 20 years of travel experience. His extensive battle expertise and incredible strength were the stuff of legend.

After retiring from competitive battling, Naoki returned to his hometown of Kosaji, where he started a ranch and created trials for passing trainers to challenge. These trials were designed to hone their battle skills and provide invaluable experience.

The trials included:

The Green Grass Trial featuring Gogoat. The Lightning Trial featuring Pawmot. The Storm Trial featuring Dragonite.

Additionally, there was even a "Metronome Trial" to test the luck of the challengers.

The more Miguel read, the more serious his expression became.

This rancher was clearly no ordinary rancher.

The post detailed some of the trials:

The Green Grass Trial featured a Gogoat that could manipulate Grassy Terrain to heal itself while simultaneously preventing the opponent from utilizing the field's benefits. Its powerful Vine Whip technique resembled a massive python constricting its prey, and its Sacred Sword attack was described as devastating.

The Lightning Trial showcased a Pawmot that not only wielded electrical power but also had a surprising ability—it could fly. Using a hammer-like tool charged with electricity, it could strike opponents from unexpected angles or even send currents through the hammer for devastating rear attacks.

The Storm Trial involved a Dragonite capable of summoning massive typhoons. Trainers faced this challenge under extreme stormy weather conditions while Dragonite unleashed a barrage of thunderous attacks. The storm enhanced the accuracy of its Thunder move, making it almost impossible to avoid. Even Pokémon with high-level durability risked being overwhelmed.

Miguel’s face grew more serious as he continued reading. He immediately decided to avoid the Storm Trial—it was a clear mismatch for his team. His strongest Pokémon, a Venusaur, was Grass/Poison, making it particularly vulnerable to Dragonite’s powerful Thunder and flying moves.

That left the Green Grass Trial and the Lightning Trial.

After weighing his options, Miguel felt both seemed manageable. Venusaur’s Poison-typing gave it an advantage over the pure Grass-type Gogoat, while its natural resistance to Electric moves made it a good counter for Pawmot.

Additionally, Venusaur’s ability to channel lightning into the ground through its vines gave it an edge against Electric-type opponents.

After some deliberation, Miguel made his choice.

“I’ll take on the Lightning Trial,” he thought confidently. “I’ve trained Venusaur specifically to handle Electric-types, so I’m 70% sure we can win.”

The stakes were high. Geeta herself had stated that any trainer who successfully completed a trial would receive a generous reward from the Paldea Alliance.

Being rewarded by the Chief Champion—the most respected figure in the Paldea region—was an honor Miguel could not ignore.