https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-387-An-Urgent-Request-from-Eliv-Thicket/12537549/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-389-Beneath-the-Sand-an-Intense-Chase-in-the-Desert-/12537551/
Chapter 388: The Part-Time Job of a Mantyke
Chapter 388: The Part-Time Job of a Mantyke
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Seeing that the Mantyke was unharmed, Anna immediately started applauding.
Her father, Eliv, wore an exasperated expression, unable to share in her joy. The Mantyke had just chopped down several mature cherry trees that he had painstakingly planted.
But seeing his daughter's happiness, Eliv couldn't bring himself to say anything negative. He could only hope that the now-healthy Mantyke would leave soon.
After calming down, the Mantyke noticed the fruit trees it had damaged surrounding it.
It had done that when it was injured and on guard, as a bluff to warn others not to approach.
Now it seemed that its actions had caused quite a bit of trouble for these two humans.
"Chatter!"
The Mantyke felt deeply apologetic for its behavior. It glanced at the humans in front of it and then turned and flew away.
Anna waved her little hand and bid farewell to the Mantyke, "Goodbye, Mantyke!"
Naoki and Garchomp stood by, watching this heartwarming scene.
As the Mantyke flew away, Eliv heaved a sigh of relief. He then invited Naoki, "Thanks to you, Naoki. Please come and sit with us for a while. I'll get you some of the cherries we picked the other day."
With nothing else planned, Naoki took Garchomp to Eliv's house to chat and relax.
Beyond the cherry orchard, a two-story mansion came into view, nestled amidst the grass.
Undoubtedly, this was Uncle Eliv's home.
The house was built entirely of wood, with a stack of logs piled outside the door. Next to a wooden stake was an axe, presumably used for chopping wood.
As the two entered the house, Eliv's wife, Mana, greeted them warmly, serving Naoki a cup of tea and a plate of fresh, red cherries. She also offered Garchomp some Pokemon snacks.
"Sorry for the intrusion!" Naoki said.
Mana smiled at him, "Don't mention it. Make yourself at home. Living alone on the ranch must be boring, isn't it?"
"Not really," Naoki laughed, "I have a lot of Pokemon to take care of, and with them around, I hardly feel lonely."
Mana nodded gently and then excused herself to go upstairs and tidy up.
Eliv sat on the sofa with Anna cuddled in his arms.
Little Anna seemed fascinated by Pokemon.
She crouched on the wooden floor, watching Garchomp devour the cherries. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she asked, "Big brother, this Pokemon is so strong! What's its name?"
"It's Garchomp," Naoki replied with a smile, "a Dragon-type and Fighting-type Pokemon."
"Wow, amazing!" Anna exclaimed, and then asked, "Are you a Trainer too, big brother?"
"Sort of," Naoki replied, "but my main job is running the ranch."
Hearing this, Anna turned and snuggled into her father's embrace, pouting, "Daddy, I want to be a strong Trainer like big brother when I grow up!"
Eliv tickled his daughter's nose, teasing, "And who was it that said they wanted to stay in the cherry orchard forever and keep their parents company?"
Little Anna quickly covered her mouth, shaking her head, "It wasn't me, Anna!"
Eliv burst into hearty laughter.
Naoki sat on the sofa, a smile on his face as he watched this heartwarming family moment.
Eliv's family also kept several Pokemon.
A Aipom was busy sweeping the stairs with its tail.
A snoozing Snorlax lay by the sofa; its age was apparent, and it seemed to lack energy.
There was also a Chatot perched on a lamp stand and a Cherubi nestled in a Pokemon bed.
Eliv's family lived together with these Pokemon in the cherry orchard.
At that moment, Naoki's gaze landed on a photo hanging on the living room wall.
It was a family photo of Eliv, his wife, and their two children, happily posing with their Pokemon. They looked incredibly happy.
Naoki's mind drifted to what Zach and Mayor Thomas had said about finding a wife to help run the ranch, care for Pokemon, and have children to carry on the ranch's legacy. A twinge of envy stirred within him.
Family... In his previous life, he had been a corporate slave, toiling away in a concrete jungle, earning a meager salary that couldn't even buy him a house, let alone think about marriage.
Back then, he often thought that it was fine to live that way, unmarried and alone.
But now...
Those old beliefs seemed to be wavering. Watching little Anna cuddle with her father, Naoki wondered what it would be like to have a child of his own.
If the child didn't want to travel, he would teach them how to manage the ranch.
And if they did want to explore the world, he would pass on the legacy of his Dragonites, gifting them a baby Dratini to embark on their journey with.
Eliv noticed Naoki's gaze.
"You two had a big fight, didn't you?" Naoki asked with a smile.
"News travels fast, huh?" Eliv exclaimed, letting out a helpless sigh. "I didn't plan on letting Gina leave so early because it's dangerous out there, but she locked herself in her room and cried her eyes out..."
"Why not send her to the Pokemon Academy in Pallet Town?" Naoki asked curiously.
Eliv grimaced. "Gina didn't want to go to school. She thought it would be more meaningful to experience things firsthand rather than learn boring theories in a classroom."
"No wonder," Naoki said, understanding.
Eliv wanted to say more, but a knock on the door interrupted him.
Little Anna, who was sitting on the sofa, eagerly ran to open the door.
However, to everyone's surprise, the visitor was not a human but a Mantyke holding some tree fruits and looking apologetic.
Naoki and Eliv were both taken aback by this sight.
They watched as the Mantyke offered the fruits to Anna.
"Are these fruits for me?" Anna asked, her eyes sparkling with delight.
"Chatter!"
The Mantyke nodded.
Anna cheered and hugged the Mantyke's waist.
"Anna!" Eliv exclaimed, his heart leaping into his throat.
The Mantyke was startled but then looked a little embarrassed. However, it didn't make any aggressive moves.
Anna loved Mantyke Pokemon because she thought they were super cool. Perhaps influenced by her sister, she eagerly asked, "Mantyke, do you want to be my Pokemon?"
Hearing this, both Naoki and Eliv were stunned.
The Mantyke looked down at the little human girl.
It already felt apologetic for damaging the family's farm, and the encouragement it had received from Anna earlier had touched its heart. Now, it happily nodded in agreement.
"Chatter!"
It wanted to stay and work to make up for the cherry trees it had chopped down.
"Yay!" Anna cheered, turning to her father. "Dad, I've caught a Pokemon! From now on, I'm a Trainer just like my sister!"
Eliv's expression was one of disbelief, as if he had just seen a ghost.
On the other hand, Naoki was more accepting of the situation, having grown up with Pokemon. These magical creatures often surprised people in unexpected ways.
"Congratulations, Anna," Naoki said. "Mantyke is a powerful Pokemon, and it's great at clearing grass and chopping firewood. It will be a big help to you."
"Yes! Starting today, Mantyke and I will take care of chopping firewood!" Anna declared, her face serious as she patted her chest. "Then Dad can finally get some rest!"
The Mantyke nodded. "Chatter!"
Eliv covered his chest with his hand, looking bewildered. "Naoki... Is this for real?"
Naoki nodded, having a better understanding of the situation. "That Mantyke probably feels sorry for chopping down the fruit trees, and it's trying to make amends in its own way."
"Whoosh..." Eliv let out a bitter laugh. "I've never experienced anything like this before."
Perhaps wanting to prove its worth, the Mantyke followed Anna outside and started chopping firewood with fervor.
Two flashes of white light later, a log had been cut into four pieces, ready to be used as firewood.
Eliv watched, his mouth agape in astonishment. "Wow... That's incredible!"
By the firewood pile, the Mantyke tirelessly continued its task while Anna watched from the sidelines.
Only when all the logs had been turned into firewood did the Mantyke finally stop, its forehead glistening with sweat and its breath coming in ragged gasps.
Anna rushed back into the room and returned with a paper towel and a cup of water. She stood on her tiptoes to offer the water to the Mantyke and then gently wiped the sweat from its forehead.
The Mantyke had never received such treatment before, and its heart warmed to the little human girl.
"It seems everything is fine now," Naoki said with a smile.
And so, to make up for the trouble it had caused, the Mantyke stayed and worked at the cherry orchard.
Naoki and Garchomp bid farewell and returned to the ranch. Before leaving, Uncle Eliv gifted Naoki several bottles of cherry wine and a large bag of fresh cherries as a token of his gratitude.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
