Not Being a Trainer This Time

"I understand." Naoki nodded and said, "In that case, I’ll stay here with you!"

With the Power of Viridian and Gogoat’s Life Sheep Milk, plus the presence of Ho-oh, no matter how severe Kubfu’s injuries, it can recover immediately.

"Baa!" Seeing the Trainer willing to respect it, Kubfu happily nodded.

The martial artist instinct within its body made it eager to battle strong opponents!

Kubfu charged out once again.

Naoki stood behind, watching this scene. Kyogre taught Kubfu theory, helping it grasp the Mysteries of Water.

Groudon, on the other hand, honed Kubfu through practical combat, allowing it to apply the theories it had learned.

In a sense, Groudon and Kyogre, these sworn enemies, are truly the most perfect partners in this world.

It’s because of their existence that the land and ocean have evolved into their current forms, each being an indispensable part.

Without Groudon, this world would become the sea of doom.

Without Kyogre, this world would turn into an endless inferno.

Kubfu fell time and again, and rose time and again.

Naoki continuously used the Power of Viridian and Life Sheep Milk to help it regain strength.

Eventually, even Groudon’s expression changed.

It looked at Kubfu with a seriousness that wasn’t there at first.

Without a doubt, this Legendary Pokemon was moved by Kubfu’s determination.

Groudon acknowledged Kubfu.

*

In the evening, after a tough afternoon of training, Kubfu was eating the food that Naoki had prepared for it with big bites.

Its diligent demeanor shocked all the Pokemon in the ranch.

Alcremie, Cyclizar, Dragonite, Indeedee, and the Eevee gathered around the table, all eyes on Kubfu, who was eating heartily.

"Baa?"

Kubfu noticed everyone’s gaze, immediately raised its head to look at this group of Pokemon, and showed an expression of confusion.

"Eevee?" (You’ve been battling all afternoon, aren’t you tired?)

The Eevee asked curiously.

Kubfu thought carefully, then happily replied, "Baa!" (Not tired! Just really hungry! Naoki’s cooking smells great! I could eat two more bowls!)

Dragonite was shocked; this Pokemon could eat even more than it!

"Awoo..." (What an appetite...)

Kubfu earnestly replied, "Baa!" (Only by eating well can the body become stronger, and strength increase!)

Even Flutter Mane was startled by Kubfu’s appetite.

It wasn’t in the mood to float here, and quickly ran to the fridge to check the food inside, worried that there wouldn’t be enough to keep it from going hungry.

Alcremie was also shocked.

This Pokemon puzzled it deeply; Alcremie couldn’t help but ask what was unclear to it.

"Maa?" (Why do you work so hard in special training?)

"Baa?" Kubfu was drawn to this question.

It looked at Alcremie, seriously thought for a moment before responding, "Baa!" (Because this way I can become a more powerful Pokemon!)

Alcremie was even more confused, "Maa?" (Why do you want to become a more powerful Pokemon?)

"Baa?"

Kubfu scratched its head; it suddenly realized it didn’t quite know the answer to this question either...

Why become stronger?

Since it had memory, it began accumulating years of hard training and honing its moves.

After pondering, Kubfu answered, "Baa!" (Because I’ll become very strong this way!)

Alcremie: "..."

"Alright, alright." Naoki then laughed and said, "Every Pokemon in this world pursues different goals."

"For example, some Pokemon enjoy living with their Trainers, staying by their side, eating with them every day, walking together, working together, sleeping together."

"Others want to become stronger Pokemon, so they travel with Human Trainers, challenge Gyms, and reach the peak of the world."

"None of this requires any special reason, just because they like it. Kubfu works hard in training because it enjoys the feeling of becoming stronger, so it’s not afraid of hardship or fatigue."

"This kind of Pokemon is really charming!" Naoki couldn’t help but marvel as he watched Kubfu eating heartily.

Serious Pokemon are the cutest!

Kubfu happily nodded its little head, "Baa!"

Alcremie understood half and half.

After a while, it also thought of what it likes the most, "Maa!" (I don’t want to become stronger; I want to live with Naoki!)

Pawmo nodded along, "Bahmo!" (Me too!)

Cyclizar also said, "Raaow!"

"A-ga-sii!"

"Bonny~"

Seeing everyone’s antics, Kubfu looked at these Pokemon, then turned to Naoki.

"Baa!" (I want to live with Naoki too!)

"Hmm, yes, everyone lives together," Naoki said with a smile.

He glanced at Flutter Mane peeking into the fridge and couldn’t help but remark:

"Flutter Mane, don’t worry, the food hasn’t been eaten up by Kubfu. There’s plenty in the storeroom besides the fridge!"

"Moe?"

Flutter Mane withdrew its head from the fridge.

And only then did Kubfu realize it was because it had eaten too much, causing the Pokemon named Flutter Mane to worry that all the food might be gone!

"Baa!"

Kubfu sheepishly stopped its actions.

It seemed like... it didn’t eat much?

Naoki: "..."

"Eat up, I promise there’s plenty!" Naoki assured, patting his chest.

To ease Flutter Mane’s mind, he stood up and guided Flutter Mane to the home’s storeroom.

There were special foods and drinks Naoki had prepared before.

Sausages, cheese, bacon, wheat bread, pickled radishes, salted fish, dried berries, brewed wine...

"See? So don’t worry about the food running out," Naoki said to Flutter Mane.

"Moe!"

Flutter Mane nodded brightly, feeling totally reassured.

Naoki closed the storeroom door and led Flutter Mane back to the dining room.

Kubfu looked at Flutter Mane apologetically.

Flutter Mane noticed its gaze too, and remembering the storeroom filled with food, Flutter Mane said, "Moe!" (Eat up!)

After a whole afternoon of special training, even though the wounds on its body were healed by the Power of Viridian, Kubfu was left dirty and covered in dust.

After dinner, Naoki took Kubfu for a bath.

He filled the tub with warm water, placed Kubfu inside, soaked its fur, and then applied shower gel.

Finally, he rinsed off all the foam, resulting in a freshly clean Kubfu.

"All done!" Naoki patted Kubfu’s head: "Head over to the fireplace, Slugma will help dry your fur."

"Baa~"

Kubfu was a little embarrassed, but it couldn’t refuse Naoki’s bath offer.

Upon hearing this, Kubfu quickly scampered away.

Meanwhile, Naoki disposed of the dirty water, and when he walked out of the bathroom and entered the room, he discovered Koraidon there pretending to be serious.

Naoki: "?"

Seeing Koraidon’s demeanor, Naoki suddenly remembered that Koraidon had overheard him at dinner claiming that serious Pokemon are the most charming.

Although Koraidon looked silly, Naoki humorously played along like he was entertaining a child:

"Wow, which Pokemon is this? Why are you so handsome today?"

Having never heard such words from Naoki before, Koraidon immediately became embarrassed.

"A-ga-sii!" It shyly replied.

Naoki couldn’t help but laugh: "Alright, alright, play here for a moment while I go to the tavern and help Gholdengo and brother Indeedee clean up, then I’ll be back."

"A-ga-sii!"

Koraidon instantly indicated that it wanted to come along.

"Okay, let’s go together then."

One human and one Pokemon arrived at the tavern, where most of the guests had already left.

Naoki helped brother Indeedee and Gholdengo tidy up the tableware used by the Pokemon guests, and once everything was done, it was eleven at night.

Kubfu’s fur had been dried by Slugma.

It was sitting in its little nest waiting for Naoki to come back.

Everything for the day was finally finished, and it was time for bed rest!

The Eevees were already asleep.

Naoki undressed and headed to bed, wishing Kubfu, Koraidon, and the other Pokemon goodnight before turning off the lights.

Tomorrow, he’ll be heading off to Cabo Poco Town to Grasswither Shrine to release Wo-Chien’s imprison.