https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-384-Yaozi-s-Talent-Recruitment-Plan/12537546/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-386-Oh-No-I-m-Surrounded-by-Eevees-/12537548/
Chapter 385: Bonds of the Forest
Chapter 385: Bonds of the Forest
In the middle of July, 199 AL, the cool breeze from Big Pot Lake brought the first signs of autumn to Zichin Town.
The leaves on the hills behind the town began to turn yellow, and the branches bowed under the weight of ripe, plump berries. Outside Zichin, the farms were a golden expanse of wheat fields as far as the eye could see.
It was a beautiful season, and the farmers' faces were filled with the joy of the coming harvest.
One afternoon, Naoki, with nothing much to do at the ranch, took a basket and headed into the hills.
This was the season when the forest bore the richest fruits.
Around this time last year, the hills had been filled with all sorts of chanterelles and wild berries. He had picked quite a lot and made a delicious stew with them for his Pokemon.
Unfortunately, the subsequent fire had devoured everything in its path, turning mushrooms, berries, flowers, and grasses to ashes.
Fortunately, Re Crown had lent its power to help restore the forest.
Now, after more than half a year, Naoki wondered if the chanterelles and berries had grown back.
With this in mind, he ventured into the hills.
It had been a long time since he last visited, but it was clear that the vegetation and flora were even more lush and vibrant than they had been the previous year.
This was a result of the forest fire.
The flowers, grasses, and trees that had been reduced to ashes had returned their nutrients to the earth, rejoining the natural cycle.
Naoki sighed as he remembered the events of last year, his thoughts going to the wild Pokemon who had perished.
From the depths of the forest, the calls of wild Pokemon could be heard from time to time.
As Naoki walked, he noticed that the number of wild Pokemon he encountered had decreased significantly.
It was probably because the Pokemon ecosystem, disrupted by the fire, had not yet fully recovered.
Soon, Naoki arrived at the patch of forest where he and his Pokemon had planted trees together in the spring.
Here, Naoki spotted several familiar faces.
There were Hoardurs, a Klink, and a family of Patrat...
A Hoardur was busy picking berries from a tree, using its fluffy tail to hold the fruit it had plucked. It scurried nimbly about the tree, filling its cheeks.
Only when it returned to its den did the Hoardur carefully store away the berries it had collected. Its little face beamed with satisfaction as it surveyed its hoard.
Under a large tree, the Klink was polishing its gear-like body with steel-type energy, only stopping when its body shone brightly.
The diminutive Patrat family was standing before a pile of fallen leaves. The parent Patrat were using the leaves as a blanket, gently covering their two young.
Witnessing this heartwarming scene, a smile appeared on Naoki's face.
Just then, the Hoardur, taking a moment to rest, spotted Naoki with its keen eyes.
The Hoardur immediately let out a series of startled "Churus!"
Then, it scurried down the tree trunk and, with its tail held high, ran over as fast as it could.
"Churu!" it called.
"Long time no see, Hoardur!" Naoki greeted it with a smile.
"Churu!" it replied.
The other Pokemon, alerted by the noise, gathered around as well.
Naoki's gaze swept over them one by one.
The family of four Patrat were as they had always been, with the two young ones holding their parents' paws.
The Electrike had grown more robust and was noticeably larger than it had been last year; it looked like it wouldn't be long before it evolved into a Manectric.
What surprised Naoki the most, however, was that the Klink had evolved.
"Klink, you've evolved!" he exclaimed.
"Wa-wah!" Klink nodded happily, brandishing its hammer with newfound confidence.
Now, it was the guardian of this patch of forest!
The Pokemon that Naoki had rescued last year had formed deep bonds at the ranch, and even after returning to the wild, they had stayed together, living in this very place.
They were like a family, the best of friends.
Unexpectedly, several Pokemon eagerly patted their chests, offering to help upon hearing Naoki's intentions.
With the help of the Hoardurs, who were extremely familiar with the mountains, Naoki effortlessly gathered a large pile of fresh wild mushrooms and berries.
Eventually, Naoki's basket was overflowing, and he could fit no more.
"Alright, that's enough for today. You've all worked hard, so take some rest now!" Naoki said.
But the Pokemon didn't seem tired at all. Cheerfully, they ran around Naoki, bringing him berries and mushrooms to express their gratitude for his rescue.
Naoki's heart was slightly touched by their actions.
Just then, several new Trainer apprentices who had come to visit the rear mountain's Re Crown shrine noticed the unusual scene.
They exclaimed in surprise, "Pokemon gathering mushrooms for a person!"
Hearing the voices, Naoki turned and spotted a group of three young Trainers—two boys and a girl—standing at a distance, watching them.
They didn't seem much older, probably around twelve years old at most.
The girl in the group asked curiously, "Are those Pokemon specially trained to gather mushrooms?"
"No!" Naoki answered with a smile, "They're wild Pokemon that inhabit these mountains. I helped them in the past, and they wanted to show their gratitude by helping me gather these forest treats."
"Wow!" The three young apprentices exclaimed in awe.
One of the boys, with a sturdy build, looked amazed and asked, "Wild Pokemon can be this friendly to humans?"
"As long as you Trainers treat your Pokemon with sincerity, whether they're wild or not, they will feel your heartfelt intentions." Naoki replied with a soft laugh.
The three apprentices paused, their faces reflecting their thoughtful expressions.
Naoki smiled and prepared to head back to the ranch with his bounty.
Just as he was about to leave, one of the boys called out, "Hey, mister, wait!"
Naoki turned around. "Yes?"
"Are you... a forest ranger who lives around here?" one of the boys asked.
"No," Naoki shook his head. "I'm a ranch owner."
"A ranch owner..." The boy's eyes lit up, and he asked further, "Have you seen Re Crown? Is this mountain forest truly where Re Crown revived? Did it really appear here?"
Hearing this question, Naoki paused for a moment, then asked, "Are you a fan of Re Crown?"
The boy nodded vigorously. "Yes! Re Crown is so amazing! Its power is incredible, and it has helped so many Pokemon!"
"Well," Naoki smiled, "Re Crown did indeed appear in this place, and many people witnessed its miraculous deeds."
"Wow!" The three new Trainers couldn't believe that the legends were true, and their eyes sparkled with excitement.
"If you want to see it," Naoki continued, "you can come to Zichin Town on the last day of autumn. There will be a harvest festival in the town, and people will visit the Fertility Shrine for blessings. Perhaps Re Crown will make an appearance then!"
Naoki planned to invite Re Crown to the festival.
If Re Crown appeared during the celebration, the townspeople and tourists might believe that the Pokemon sensed their sincerity and would enthusiastically spread the word about the 'Fertility King.'
Furthermore, the story of Re Crown appearing before its believers, touched by their devotion, would become a heartwarming tale of mutual affection between humans and Pokemon.
A new legend would be born and passed down in this place forever.
(End of Chapter)
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