https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-381-The-Four-Trials-Gruvia-s-Shock-/12537543/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-383-Ye-Ci-Speak-Your-Heart-s-Desire/12537545/
Chapter 382: Gurleton, Motosashi and the Mystical Tree
Chapter 382: Gurleton, Motosashi and the Mystical Tree
Gazing at the verdant field before him, illuminated by an ethereal glow, Gu Luxia slowly reached for a Poke Ball at his waist.
With a press of a button, the red and white ball, which had been shrunk to the size of a marble, instantly began to enlarge.
A beam of white light shot out, and a massive Pokemon with a hulking frame and rippling muscles appeared opposite the Riding Goat.
It was the Avalugg, an Ice-type Pokemon that dwelled atop snowy mountains.
The battle officially commenced.
"Haudajing, use Ice Spin!"
At Gu Luxia's command, the snowy-white body of the Haudajing began to spin rapidly, its form enveloped in a layer of thin ice as it charged towards the Riding Goat.
Where the Ice Spin passed, the grassy terrain that covered the ground was destroyed by the frigid ice.
"Is he trying to destroy the grassy field with Ice Spin?" Naoki discerned Gu Luxia's strategy, but it wouldn't be that easy!
"Riding Goat, use Vine Whip!" Naoki calmly issued the command.
"Meeaahh!"
The Riding Goat bleated, and two vines as thick as pythons suddenly shot out from its body, intercepting the spinning Haudajing and lashing at it with full force.
In the face of the Vine Whip, the Haudajing's body spun like a top, whipped into a dizzying swirl.
Witnessing this, Gu Luxia's eyes widened in astonishment.
"That move... is Vine Whip?"
No! How could there be such thick and powerful vine whips! But suddenly, Gu Luxia noticed something even more alarming.
The half of the battlefield that had been destroyed by Ice Spin was now regenerating, the grass sprouting anew!
"What in the world is going on?" Gu Luxia exclaimed, his face a mask of bewilderment as the events before him defied his understanding.
Meanwhile, the Haudajing, dazed and disoriented from the whipping, stumbled to a halt, its eyes spinning like mosquito coils, before finally succumbing to the vertigo and collapsing in a heap.
"Hang in there!" Gu Luxia shook off the strange feeling, furrowing his brow as he shouted.
But as his words trailed off, he sensed something amiss.
The grassy field wasn't restoring the Haudajing's energy!
Before he could make sense of it, he heard Naoki give the next order: "Riding Goat, show him your specialty!"
"Meeaahh!"
The Riding Goat responded with determination.
Gu Luxia paused, taken aback.
The next moment, he saw the Riding Goat lower its body slightly, its mouth aglow with frenzied green light that coalesced into a massive grass blade.
Gu Luxia's pupils contracted.
With the blade clenched in its mouth, the robust figure of the Riding Goat surged forward like a released arrow.
A flash of white light, and the disoriented Haudajing was struck in its vital spot, collapsing with a loud thud.
The Riding Goat came to a stop just beyond the fallen Haudajing.
Its stance and expression exuded sheer confidence and nonchalance.
The Haudajing had lost its ability to battle...
Gu Luxia stood rooted to the spot, unable to believe what he had just witnessed.
Kishu, who had been observing the battle, gaped in amazement, his mouth hanging open.
"I'm sorry, but you didn't pass the Grass Trial," Naoki said.
Gu Luxia remained silent, completely overwhelmed by what had just transpired.
Ai Guanshi brought out some Life Milk, healing the Haudajing's wounds.
Gu Luxia stood in a daze, his mind swirling with questions.
He wanted to know what move the Riding Goat had used, why the grassy field hadn't affected the Haudajing, and how the destroyed grass had regenerated so quickly.
His curiosity getting the better of him, Gu Luxia finally voiced his queries.
Naoki provided answers to each of his questions.
"That move is Leaf Blade, but a special version inspired by a Pokemon named Cangxiang."
"As for your other questions, it's because the Riding Goat's control over Grass-type energy has reached a level that is nearly impossible for ordinary Pokemon to attain."
"It can precisely manipulate the Grass-type energy around it, making it only effective for itself. Similarly, the Riding Goat can release a continuous flow of grassy energy to repair the damage caused by Ice Spin."
After all, these Riding Goats grew up eating the leaves of the World Tree! It was no surprise they possessed such abilities.
Hearing this, Gu Luxia stared dreamily at the three Riding Goats in the distance.
In that moment, he finally understood why the Chief had sent them, the Gym Leaders, to this ranch for special training...
Those three Riding Goats were, in every sense, Champion-level Pokemon.
Sparring with Champion-level Pokemon would undoubtedly bring about significant growth for them as Gym Leaders.
"Amazing!" Kishu's eyes shone with admiration. "Naoki, how do you usually train these Pokemon?"
"Hmm? How do I train them..." Naoki turned to Kishu and replied with a smile, "I don't specifically train them. Life itself is a form of cultivation."
"Life itself is a form of cultivation..." Gu Luxia repeated softly.
Naoki nodded, elaborating, "Integrate special training into daily life. For example, I have my Aerodactyl use Rain Dance every day for watering."
Upon hearing these words, Gu Luxia fell into deep thought, relating it to himself.
He remained lost in contemplation for a long while.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the special training field, Gurleton, along with his Hakutsuru and Motosashi companions, ran over to Naoki. They had been sparring, and one of the Hakutsurus had gotten injured due to a lapse in controlling its strength.
After understanding the situation, Naoki immediately brought out some Life Milk to heal the injured Hakutsuru.
The Hakutsuru quickly regained consciousness and slowly opened its eyes. Upon seeing Naoki, it affectionately snuggled up to him.
Naoki turned his head to check that his Aerodactyl wasn't looking their way, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
He patted the Hakutsuru's head and said, "Alright, alright, take a break for now. Why don't you go play at the Snorlax Park for a bit?"
"Wu~"
A few Hakutsurus flew off together.
Kishu looked brightly at their departing figures, and as she was about to say something, she suddenly felt an unmistakable gaze on her.
Turning her head, she saw Gurleton, Naoki's Motosashi, squatting on the grass and looking at her.
She was slightly taken aback but quickly greeted him with a lively tone, "Long time no see, Gurleton! How have you been lately?"
"Agassi~" Gurleton repeatedly nodded his large head.
Naoki noticed this interaction and looked at Gurleton, then at Kishu, suddenly realizing that his Gurleton seemed to have a liking for Kishu. Kishu, on the other hand, looked towards the nearby Motosashi.
Then, she noticed something.
"Naoki, Gurleton and Motosashi look quite similar, don't they?"
They both resembled motorcycles, with tire-like airbags on their chests...
Naoki smiled and nodded, "That's right, according to some records, Gurleton is what Motosashi used to look like, but whether it's true or not is uncertain."
"However, there are no Gurleton habitats in the Paldea region. It was discovered by Professor Olin in the Paldea Pit, and although it looks fierce, its personality is actually very gentle."
Hearing Naoki's praise, Gurleton immediately let out a happy cry.
"Agassi~"
Naoki smiled and patted its head.
The Motosashi by his side watched this with envy in its eyes.
It also wanted to snuggle up to Naoki like Gurleton...
Naoki didn't notice the expression on Motosashi's face, but Kishu did.
She narrowed her eyes, feeling like she had discovered something incredible.
Out of all the Pokemon Naoki had captured, Motosashi seemed to be neglected!
Motosashi keenly felt a gaze on it and turned its head to see Kishu looking at it.
"Gaou?"
Kishu waved at it and said, "Hey, Motosashi!"
Motosashi blinked, looking a little dopey, and replied, "Gaou..."
At that moment, Gu Luxia snapped out of his contemplation, having gained much insight. He solemnly expressed his gratitude to Naoki.
"Thank you very much. Now I understand why the Chief sent us here to you."
Gu Luxia used honorifics.
Naoki felt a little embarrassed, "It's not that exaggerated... You can just call me by my name, like Kishu does."
But Gu Luxia insisted on being polite.
Naoki: "......"
Before they knew it, it was already lunchtime, and Naoki invited the two to stay for a meal.
As lunch was being prepared, the Pokemon that had been playing outside all returned to the house.
Looking at this group of Pokemon, Gu Luxia and Kishu were once again astonished by the rare Pokemon in the ranch.
Even the King of Abundance, Rayquaza, and its two beloved steeds were there!
Sitting next to this legendary Pokemon, Gu Luxia felt a surreal sense of bewilderment.
Could it be that legendary Pokemon also watch TV like humans...?
Especially when Rayquaza kindly and amiably smiled at him, Gu Luxia was utterly shocked.
This only reinforced his belief that Naoki was a champion-level trainer with years of traveling experience.
Meanwhile, Kishu noticed something else.
She observed the way these Pokemon interacted with Naoki.
Pokemon like Gurleton, Baboong, Frostine, and Eeriepu would directly express their affection for Naoki by approaching him and letting him pet them.
However, there was one Pokemon that didn't do this. It would only stand at a distance, watching enviously.
"Motosashi is being neglected..." Kishu thought to herself.
This was a common occurrence among some trainers.
When a trainer had too many Pokemon, it was inevitable that some would be overlooked.
Kishu cheered it on, "You can also take the initiative to go find Naoki, just like Gurleton! He'll definitely notice you then!"
"Gaou?" Motosashi paused, unsure if it could become like Gurleton.
Kishu nodded earnestly, "That's right, believe in yourself!"
Motosashi hesitated, feeling a bit reluctant, but eventually, it couldn't resist the temptation and gathered its courage to walk towards the kitchen.
Naoki, who was busy cooking soup, was surprised to see Motosashi approaching him, "What's up?"
Motosashi imitated Gurleton and snuggled up to Naoki.
Noticing Motosashi's actions, Naoki was taken aback for a moment before a smile appeared on his face.
Motosashi was trying to be affectionate with him!
Naoki smiled and gently ruffled Motosashi's head, "Good boy!"
"Gaou!"
Motosashi's eyes lit up, and it became bolder.
It enthusiastically licked Naoki's palm with its tongue.
And Naoki ended up with a palm full of slobber.
Naoki: "......"
"You and Gurleton must both be dogs in your past lives." Naoki couldn't help but tease.
These two Pokemon really loved licking people with their tongues.
He had never seen a Sceptile lick a trainer like that!
Motosashi sensed that Naoki wasn't scolding it, and its happiness knew no bounds.
"Alright, go to the living room and play for now. I'm busy cooking dinner!" Naoki helplessly patted Motosashi's head.
Motosashi obediently walked away.
It returned to the living room and happily exchanged glances with Kishu.
Kishu grinned and encouragingly nodded at Motosashi.
Guruton, sitting nearby, noticed Kishu's little gesture.
He calmly looked at Motosashi, his eyes serene, and said nothing, maintaining his usual composed demeanor.
"Naoki is so gentle with his Pokemon," Kishu sighed.
Guruton lightly nodded in agreement. Although they hadn't known each other for long, he could sense the warmth that radiated from Naoki.
Guruton's gaze swept across the living room, taking in the sight of the Pokemon scattered throughout the room, chasing and playing with each other.
These Pokemon must be incredibly happy living by Naoki's side.
Guruton thought of his own companions.
He used to be as lively and cheerful as Kishu, but ever since that incident that led to his retirement, he hadn't been able to smile as brightly as he used to.
Every day at the Frostbite Gym, he struggled to suppress his emotions, often earning remarks from the gym assistants that he was as cold as ice.
His partners, Ninetales, Volcarona, Beartic, Wailord, Mamoswine, and Frosslass—they must be worried about him, right?
In the past, these Ice-type Pokemon would happily laugh and enthusiastically ski with him.
But ever since his retirement, their smiles gradually faded, and they silently remained by his side.
Thinking of this, Guruton glanced at his right leg, which had been badly injured in the accident. Although it had been saved, he could no longer ski.
"What are you thinking about?"
Naoki entered the living room with a dish in hand and noticed Guruton staring at his right leg, deep in thought.
Guruton snapped back to reality and calmly replied, "It's nothing."
"Then come and eat!" Naoki could roughly guess the reason, but he didn't ask further. Instead, he smiled and asked Ai Guanshi to lead the guest to wash up for the meal.
Guruton nodded and followed Ai Guanshi out.
Kishu, who remained, wore an expression that suggested she wanted to say something but stopped herself.
Naoki raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"
Kishu explained, "Guruton wasn't always like this. He used to be an excellent skier, but he was forced to retire due to a severe injury, and his personality changed drastically... We don't know how to comfort him."
She had tried to encourage Guruton before, hoping he could move on from the past and look forward, but it hadn't worked.
That was why Kishu had remained silent earlier.
"So, it's because of his leg injury..." Naoki nodded thoughtfully.
He suddenly remembered something.
Could the Life Milk produced by the Riding Goat be effective for human injuries as well?
However, looking at the severity of Guruton's condition, the accident must have damaged his bones.
In such a situation, he wasn't sure if Life Milk would still be effective...
After all, the milk wasn't a cure-all.
After a moment's thought, Naoki said to Kishu, "I'll think of something after we finish eating."
If Life Milk didn't work, they could try harnessing the power of Pokemon.
Ai Guanshi's Lunatone's Moonblast, the healing abilities of her Lilligant's Life-Giving Water and Healing Pulse, combined with Life Milk and some special dishes, might be able to help Guruton.
(End of Chapter)
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