https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-262-Your-Teapot-Has-Long-Legs-and-Ran-Away-/12537329/
Chapter 263: A Bountiful Haul
Chapter 263: A Bountiful Haul
"I am a Wreath Crown, there is no need to be afraid."
The Wreath Crown, known as a Reishi in English, looked down at the teapot before it, its voice gentle and reassuring. It projected as much goodwill as it could towards the Pokemon dwelling within the teapot.
The Sinistea, whose English name was indeed a play on the words 'sinister tea', felt a wave of warmth wash over it. It pushed the lid of the teapot up with its head, cautiously eyeing the unfamiliar Pokemon before it.
Reishi offered it a slight smile.
Sinistea's eyes lit up, clearly less fearful than it had been moments ago. It sensed that this Pokemon meant it no harm.
Not far from them, Naoki and Mack watched this exchange, the latter with a broad grin on his face.
"Looks like Sinistea really likes Reishi! In that case, you don't have anything to worry about. Once we're back, let Reishi spend some time with them, and they'll settle into their new home in no time!"
At that moment, Reishi had picked up the Sinistea with its hand. The Sinistea was initially a bit uneasy, but then it heard Reishi say, "Come with me for now."
Sinistea paused, then happily agreed. It twisted its body and extended two pairs of small purple legs from the bottom of the teapot, freeing itself from Reishi's grip. It floated obediently beside Reishi's massive crown.
It looked like an expensive, decorative teapot accessory that Reishi might have splurged on.
Naoki raised an eyebrow, surprised at how well Sinistea seemed to suit Reishi.
"Now, it's time to bring out the Poke Balls and capture them!" Mack said. "However, I'm not very familiar with these two, so I can't get them to listen to me. You'll have to do the capturing yourself."
Naoki nodded; that was only natural.
He took out two Poke Balls from his bag and threw one towards the Indeedee on the table.
The Poke Ball hit its mark, and with a click, Indeedee's small body transformed into a red light that entered the Poke Ball.
The Poke Ball wobbled a few times before settling down. Whether it was because Indeedee had accepted Naoki or because it lacked the strength to break free of the Poke Ball's confines, Naoki couldn't be sure.
Just like the peculiar capturing methods of the ancient Washi Region, most of which didn't involve Pokemon battles.
There were all sorts of creative ways to capture a Pokemon: sneaking up on them from behind and throwing a Poke Ball when they weren't looking, engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the Pokemon to tire them out before throwing a Poke Ball, or using a variety of items like Mud Balls, Smoke Balls, Glue Balls, and Berries.
After a moment's thought, Naoki tucked away the Poke Ball containing Indeedee.
Then, he walked up to Sinistea and attempted to communicate with it.
"From now on, we're going to start a new life together. I'll take you back to my home, a place where you'll be safe and no Pokemon will harm you. I can also prepare delicious tea for you."
Sinistea looked at him with its coiled-incense-like eyes, its expression seeming to judge the truth of his words.
At that moment, Reishi gently nodded as well, adding, "I will also be going to this place with Naoki."
Sinistea thought about it for a moment, its tiny head processing the information, before finally nodding in agreement.
It chose to trust this human and this Pokemon.
"Then, I look forward to our time together, Sinistea!" Naoki smiled gently and held out the Poke Ball in front of Sinistea, which was still floating in mid-air.
Sinistea eyed the Poke Ball curiously, then tentatively reached out with its small hand to press the button on the ball.
As soon as Sinistea's hand touched the button, its body, along with the teapot, was pulled into the Poke Ball.
The button on the Poke Ball flashed a couple of times before going still.
This indicated that the capture was successful!
With a genuine Indeedee and Sinistea teaset now in his possession, Naoki was in high spirits.
Now, they could return to the Paldea region with their bounty!
Although he had anticipated this moment, Mack still felt compelled to extend an invitation, "Would you be willing to stay in the Galar region? If you're interested, I can offer you a very generous annual salary."
A trainer of this caliber would be incredibly popular no matter where they went. If their company could sign such a talented trainer, the potential profits were unimaginable.
For their company, this was an opportunity sent from above.
Naoki understood Mack's intentions and politely declined with a smile, "Thank you so much for the offer, but I prefer my current lifestyle."
Hearing this, Mack knew they had missed their chance. He felt a deep sense of regret, "Do you work for the Paldea League?"
Surely the Paldea League wouldn't pass up the opportunity to recruit such a talented wild trainer?
But the next second, Mack heard an answer that left him stunned.
"No," Naoki shook his head. "Actually, I'm a ranch owner. I manage a ranch with my Pokemon, growing crops to sell to big cities."
What?!
Upon hearing this answer, Mack was left dumbfounded. "A ranch owner?" Did he hear that right?
"Yes," Naoki confirmed, "the kind that raises Pokemon and grows crops to sell to large cities."
Mack's mind was in disarray, but as he looked at the Pokemon beside the young man before him, a bold guess formed in his thoughts.
Was it possible that this man had once been a formidable Champion-level Trainer who, after a long career, found this life unfulfilling and so gave it all up to return to his hometown and tend the fields?
A retired Champion's new life in the countryside.
This was truly... something that left one at a loss for words!
To give up fame and status, one must have an incredibly resolute heart to choose such a path!
Indeed, a Trainer with such a steadfast heart would not be swayed by shallow wealth.
His forfeit at the All-Star Competition was proof of that.
At that moment, Mack completely abandoned the idea of recruiting Naoki and could only sigh in regret, "If only I had met you sooner!"
Naoki: "..."
Why couldn't he understand what this person was saying all of a sudden?
After a moment of silence, Naoki gave up trying to understand and instead bid farewell, "We must be going. If you have the time, feel free to visit the Naoki Ranch in Shiku Town in the Paldea region. We'll make sure to treat you well when you come."
Paldea region... Shiku Town's Naoki Ranch...
Mack quietly committed this location to memory.
Without saying much more, Naoki nodded at him, then turned and left the building with his Golurk and Reishi in tow.
Golurk, of course, took it upon himself to carry the large bag of Steelix feathers.
This was simply because Naoki didn't have the strength to carry it himself.
Every time this happened, Naoki couldn't help but marvel at how reliable Golurk was!
Before nightfall, they arrived at the Palace Gate Station.
To return to the Paldea region, they would first need to head to Waterwheel Town to transfer to a ship.
The steam trains of the Galar region were incredibly fast, and it only took four hours to reach the Waterwheel Town Station.
By the time they arrived, it was already 5 pm, just in time for the last ship departing for the Paldea region.
With Golurk and Reishi in tow, Naoki quickly purchased tickets.
By the time they ran up to the deck, the sun had begun to set, and the sky was awash with the hues of dusk, reflecting off the surface of the sea.
The ship's horn sounded a melodious note as it sailed into the distance, as if chasing after the sun.
Behind them, the Galar region gradually faded from view, and as the ship sailed on, the streets, port, scenery, pedestrians, and lighthouse of Waterwheel Town also began to blur.
Naoki stood on the deck, gazing at the fading landscape, with Reishi and Golurk by his side, as they bid farewell to the direction of Galar.
"This trip to Galar has been truly bountiful!" Naoki thought with a light heart.
Not only had he captured the Snowstorm Horse and Spectral Steed he had longed for, but even the Bountiful King, Reishi, had chosen to leave with him.
Moreover, he had also encountered the legendary Pokemon, Cobalion and Terrakion, and acquired a complete set of genuine Lachryma and Sinistea tea sets.
It was truly exhilarating!
However, what brought Naoki even greater joy was the fact that he could finally go home and see everyone at the ranch again.
He had been away for quite some time, and he wondered how everyone was doing back at the ranch.
Had any challengers come to take on the Sitrus Berry Trial with Goat Rider?
Had the Little Blacksmith finished forging the hammer?
Had Salazzle evolved into a Golurk yet?
During the winter, when there was no fresh grass, had Dairy Queen gotten used to eating preserved grass?
Had any new Pokemon guests visited the Pokemon Tavern they had built together?
Had Mew and Teddiursa sent new postcards and gifts from their travels?
With the weather getting colder, had Combee and Volcarona taken refuge in the warm glass greenhouse?
Naoki eagerly sought answers to all these questions.
He missed everyone at the ranch, just as they were surely missing him.
Reishi, too, gazed at the receding Galar region.
Scenes from the past once again surfaced in its mind.
The once-prosperous land of Galar, the humans who worshiped it and offered sacrifices, the disaster that engulfed the entire region, and the coronation ceremony at the Crown Shrine.
Then came its exhaustion and subsequent slumber, the departure of its beloved steed, and upon waking, its forgotten memories due to the over-exertion of its powers, leaving it alone and wandering in the vast snowy fields.
Reishi's gaze was calm as it looked into the distance, resembling a wise sage who had weathered many storms.
In its early life, it had experienced countless events, and even the cruelest of times had not erased them from its memory, just like the bricks and stones of the Crown Shrine, which remained steadfast despite the trials they had endured.
And what happened after that?
More scenes flashed through Reishi's mind.
One day, it suddenly sensed a faint thread of faith emanating from a distant land.
At first, it was perplexed and uncertain.
But as time passed, that thread of faith grew stronger, evolving from a small spark into a brilliant and majestic flame.
Naoki asked for their opinion, and Polteageist's reaction surprised him. It seemed to prefer the bitter tea, as it began to pour the tea into its body, infusing its power into the beverage.
As Naoki watched, fascinated, Polteageist's mood suddenly took a turn for the worse. Its expression became forlorn, as if it had tasted the bitterness of life. It sighed and sunk into its teapot, looking dejected with its arms draped over the rim.
"What's the matter?" Naoki and Reishi asked in unison, curious about the sudden change in Polteageist's demeanor.
Naoki racked his brain, trying to recall any relevant information about Polteageist. Then, a bizarre hypothesis formed in his mind.
"Could it be... that Polteageist's mood changes depending on the taste of the tea in its body?" he wondered aloud.
(End of Chapter)
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