https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-541-Harvest-Returning-to-the-Ranch/12597398/
Chapter 542: Professor Oak's Summer Camp
Chapter 542: Professor Oak's Summer Camp
Professor Oak was hosting a summer camp?
Upon hearing this, Naoki immediately thought of the camp that Ash and Serena had attended in the anime.
However, Ash was currently off on his travels in the Sinnoh region, and that plotline had long passed.
From the sound of it, Professor Oak intended to hold a new summer camp at his ranch?
Seeing Naoki lost in thought, Professor Oak continued, "Of course, we'll bring our own tents and food, and we'll pay for the use of your venue as well."
Naoki snapped back to reality and laughed bitterly, "There's no need for that. It's just a summer camp, after all. You're welcome anytime, but I was just thinking that the Kanto region and the Pasio region are quite far apart, and traveling here would take a significant amount of time."
Professor Oak's face lit up with a smile. "Then it's settled! I'll be flying there with the kids, so we'll get there in no time."
In truth, he wanted to use this opportunity to observe the rare and exotic Pokemon on Naoki's ranch.
Not long ago, Professor Oak had seen a photo on Naoki's social media feed featuring four mysterious Pokemon he had never seen or heard of before, not even recorded in his Pokemon encyclopedia.
As a Pokemon researcher, nothing piqued his interest more than the unknown.
"Well, when do you plan to come?" Naoki asked with a smile.
"In a week," replied Professor Oak.
In just a week? So that would be May 27th?
"Alright, I'll make the necessary arrangements," Naoki agreed.
After finalizing their plans, the two hung up and set about preparing for the upcoming summer camp.
To avoid exposing his identity, Naoki found the Leek Duck polishing its leek in the garden and asked it to swap out its super-sized leek for an ordinary one, effectively disguising itself as a common Leek Duck.
Next, Naoki decided to temporarily close the ranch's entrance to the Reverse World and headed to the World Tree to instruct the Dragonites to commute between the ranch and Dragonite Country via the sky route.
Finally, Naoki approached the Eevees to inquire about their plans for the three days from May 27th to May 30th. Would they prefer to stay at home or play in the World Tree?
Upon hearing this, the Partner Eevee eagerly asked if there would be human children coming to challenge and train, just like the previous trainers who had taken on its trials. It was excited at the prospect of using its newly learned Technicolor Summit to showcase its power, just as it had done with challengers in the past.
Naoki: "..."
He helplessly rubbed his Partner Eevee's head and explained, "They're still just children and haven't become official Pokemon Trainers yet. They don't have their own Pokemon partners, so battling with you isn't possible."
"Eevee..." Partner Eevee's ears drooped in disappointment.
"However," Naoki continued, "I'll set up an exclusive trial for you—the 'Eevee Exclusive Trial.' Before you know it, Trainers will come to challenge you, and then you'll be able to exchange pointers with them."
At these words, Partner Eevee's ears, which had drooped in disappointment, perked right back up.
"Eevee!" it barked excitedly.
Meanwhile, back at Professor Oak's lab...
After hanging up, Professor Oak headed to the living room.
Seated on the sofa was a handsome teenager, about thirteen or fourteen years old, exuding a calm and collected aura.
"Gary, would you like to join me for this summer camp?" Professor Oak asked with a smile. "This way, you can stay by my side a little longer."
Gary looked at Professor Oak and shook his head. "As much as I'd love to stay, Professor Yew still needs my assistance."
Ever since his journey through the Johto region ended, Gary had put his Trainer's journey on hold and instead transformed into a Pokemon researcher, offering his help at Professor Yew's lab in the Sinnoh region.
This visit home was primarily to check on the Pokemon he had left in the lab's care. Now that he had seen them, Gary intended to return to the Sinnoh region to continue his researcher apprenticeship.
Hearing his grandson's words, a disappointed look crossed Professor Oak's face. "What a shame. You have no idea what we're missing out on. Do you know where we're headed for this summer camp?
That's a dream location where many rare Pokemon make their habitat!"
Oak's grandson: "......" Grandpa is trying to coax him again.
Don't think he doesn't know; the previous summer camps were all held in the forest near Pallet Town.
The rarest Pokemon one could find there would be a Farfetch'd or a Scyther.
However, Professor Oak continued without a care: "That's the Dragon Holy Land where dozens of Dragonite make their home!"
Hmm? Oak's grandson slightly raised his eyelids. Dozens of Dragonite? That's a bit too exaggerated, isn't it? I wonder if Grandpa is planning to hold the summer camp in the Dragon Holy Land of the Dragon Clan.
"Not only that, but there are also very rare legendary Pokemon and mysterious mythical Pokemon." Professor Oak continued.
A question mark appeared in Oak's grandson's mind.
"?!"
Professor Oak turned to him and asked with a smile, "So, do you want to go and take a look?"
On May 27, 201, of the Pokemon League Calendar, the summer camp team led by Professor Oak officially arrived in the Pasio region.
After a series of tedious transfers, they finally reached the ranch at 2 p.m. on the 27th.
Naoki stood in the ranch with his Pokemon, including Gurdurr and Lizardo, to welcome Professor Oak.
From a distance, he could see Professor Oak accompanied by seven or eight children around five or six years old walking towards them.
When Naoki recognized the figure beside Professor Oak, he froze in place.
It was... Oak's grandson?!
Before he could react, Professor Oak had already walked up to him and extended his hand with a smile: "Long time no see, Naoki!"
Naoki snapped out of his daze and replied, "Long time no see, Professor Oak. How have you been lately?"
"Busy, but other than that, everything's fine!" Professor Oak said.
As the two exchanged greetings, Oak's grandson also took the opportunity to observe the place his grandfather had described as filled with rare Pokemon.
But when he took in the surroundings, he, too, froze in place.
Neat fields, towering barns, vast orchards, and herds of Miltank grazing on the grass...
Grandpa was talking about a ranch?!
Oak's grandson's gaze was unconsciously drawn to the Pokemon beside the young man named Naoki.
One was a crimson, muscular Pokemon with a chest resembling motorcycle tires; it was a mysterious Pokemon he had never seen before.
The other was a lizard-like Pokemon with a green body and chest tires, also unfamiliar to him.
Both were entirely new to him, and he was astonished.
Just then, Naoki finished greeting Professor Oak.
Professor Oak stepped aside and introduced the seven boys and girls standing behind him, dressed in shorts and short sleeves and wearing sun-grass hats:
"Everyone, the Naoki Ranch is our destination for this trip. We will be holding a three-day summer camp here. This is the owner of the ranch, Mr. Naoki."
Hearing this, the curious boys and girls immediately turned their attention to Naoki.
"We're bothering you, Mr. Naoki!" said a shy girl.
"Wow, Mr. Naoki, you have so many Pokemon here! You're amazing! Are these all the Pokemon you've captured? They look so cool!" exclaimed an energetic boy, fascinated by Gurdurr.
Naoki smiled and patted Gurdurr's head, nodding. "Yes, this is Gurdurr and Lizardo. Follow me, please!"
"Remember to keep up, everyone, and don't fall behind!" Professor Oak reminded them.
"Yes!" The children's voices were filled with anticipation and excitement.
The opportunity to see so many mysterious Pokemon was truly thrilling!
Led by the ranch owner, the children eagerly explored the ranch, looking around with curiosity.
Oak's grandson also calmed down and began quietly observing the Pokemon living there, many of which he had never seen before.
At that moment, he was glad he had agreed to join his grandfather on this summer camp trip.
Suddenly, several Dragonite appeared in the sky.
One of the children from the Kanto region immediately recognized them.
"Wow, Dragonite!"
Hearing this, Oak's grandson looked up and saw the Dragonite flying overhead before slowly descending onto the ranch.
Oak's grandson: "!!!"
So... so many Dragonite!
Professor Oak smiled and glanced at his grandson, his expression seeming to say, "See? I wasn't lying, was I?"
Soon, another child noticed the bags on the Dragonite's backs.
"It looks like the Dragonite are carrying something!" one of the boys exclaimed.
Naoki glanced over and smiled as he introduced them, "Those Dragonites are couriers from the ranch. The parcels they carry on their backs are filled with fresh milk and produce ordered by our customers."
"Huh?!"
"What?!"
Two voices exclaimed in unison, one belonging to the children, and the other to Shigeru.
Naoki turned his gaze towards Shigeru.
Shigeru realized his outburst and asked, "Are all those Dragonites couriers?"
"That's right," Naoki nodded. "They currently work as couriers for the ranch."
"But..." Shigeru was at a loss for words.
Using Dragonites, a rare and powerful Pokemon, for deliveries seemed overly extravagant.
In Shigeru's opinion, Dragonites had high potential and were strong battlers...
Naoki understood Shigeru's thoughts. He recalled that Shigeru was the type of trainer who would catch every Pokemon he encountered and even catch multiple of the same species.
In the anime, in less than a year, Shigeru had caught over 200 Pokemon.
With a smile, Naoki said to Shigeru, "Rattata is a Pokemon, and Dragonite is a Pokemon too. As long as they're happy, what does it matter who does the job?"
Shigeru paused for a moment, taken aback.
This reminded him of a debate he'd once had with Satoshi.
Back then, he believed that the number of Pokemon one caught was more important, while Satoshi valued the relationship with his Pokemon above all else.
Later on, he wanted to catch every Pokemon in the world, while Satoshi wanted to be friends with all Pokemon, regardless of their strength or rarity.
Grandpa had said they were both right because everyone had their own way of interacting with Pokemon.
With a newfound maturity, Shigeru nodded gently, "I understand."
Seeing this, Professor Oak gave him an approving look.
However, the next second, Professor Oak's peripheral vision caught sight of the slowly passing Tortterra, Serperior, Emboar, and Samurott.
His gaze was instantly drawn to the four Pokemon.
"Oh my! What Pokemon are those?!"
"Wow! What beautiful Pokemon!" The children beside him were also captivated by the four legendary Pokemon.
"Those?" Naoki introduced them, "They are the legendary Pokemon passed down from ancient times in the Pardia region!"
"Legendary Pokemon?!" Everyone was astonished.
Shigeru's face was filled with surprise as well.
The rarity and power of legendary Pokemon far exceeded that of ordinary Pokemon. One was impressive, but to have so many in one ranch was astonishing!
Some trainers might not even encounter a legendary Pokemon in their entire lives!
"That's right," Naoki smiled and nodded, "Their legend is a complex tale..."
He then proceeded to tell Professor Oak and the children the legend of the Calamity Pokemon in detail.
"...Thus, the ancient kingdom of Pardia declined. The king, fearing their power, asked a Pokemon emissary to seal them away. Fortunately, an archaeologist later released them back into the world."
Hearing how the power of the Calamity Pokemon nearly destroyed a kingdom, the children's faces paled in fear.
A girl furrowed her brows, concerned, "Then, are they dangerous?"
"Yes, yes! If they stay on the ranch, won't they destroy it one day too?" another boy asked, scared.
Professor Oak and Shigeru also looked at Naoki, awaiting his response.
Amidst everyone's stares, Naoki shook his head gently.
"No, they are not inherently evil Pokemon. Their minds were influenced by the king's greed."
"The Calamity Pokemon, no, they should be called the Four Auspicious Ones now. Perhaps affected by my desire to manage the ranch well, their powers have also changed."
"Tortterra can prevent pests in the fields and bring bountiful harvests. Serperior can bless the soil with fertility. Emboar can bring good fortune to people through its flames, and Samurott can protect people and Pokemon in heavy snow," Naoki explained slowly.
Hearing this, Professor Oak's face lit up with interest:
"Legendary Pokemon that change based on the trainer's heart? I never knew such Pokemon existed in this world!"
Shigeru, on the other hand, thought: If these four Pokemon were caught by trainers who loved battles, wouldn't they become extremely skilled battlers?
(End of Chapter)
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