The iations with the other farm owner had gone smoothly. The owner was quite satisfied with the enviro on Natsume's side.

  If all went as phe Mareep and Wooloo herds would be delivered in three or four days—along with seven ht Gogoat.

  This vely solved Natsume’s previous transportation dilemma.

  After all, the farm was a short distance from the town.

  Walking there for supplies wasn’t a big issue on leisurely days, where he could stroll along with Persian and the others. But when something urgent arose, having a rideable Pokémon became essential.

  As for other means of transportation?

  There was a tricycle in the farm’s ste shed, but Natsume couldn’t ride it.

  Yes, Natsume couldn’t ride a tricycle.

  He was skilled with both two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles, even earning his driver’s lise retly.

  But for some inexplicable reason, he just couldn’t get the hang of a tricycle.

  Every time he got on it, his body seemed to lose trol.

  If he wao tur, his body tilted left, but his hands stayed frozen.

  Initially, Natsume was determio quer it.

  After repeated practice, however…

  Natsume learo give up.

  If he couldn’t learn it, so be it.

  At the edge of the farm, two humanoid Pokémon appeared in the forest, their crimson eyes sing the area.

  “This pce seems det.”

  “Still, we o observe more.”

  “Our previous home is no longer an option.”

  “Yes, we o find a new one quickly.”

  “Should we seek refuge with this human?”

  “For now, he seems promising, but let’s keep watg.”

  “Hurry back; the others are waiting for us.”

  “Uood.”

  With their silent versation cluded, the two Pokémon disappeared into the woods. Clearly, they were Psychic-types.

  ---

  “Persian, Butterfree, you’re ing with me today,” Natsume said, slinging a small bag over his shoulder.

  Last night, Ribombee mentiohat a group of bee had appeared he Berry Grove, seemingly led by a Vespiquen.

  Given that bee Pokémon are highly territorial and attaprovoked, Ribombee asked Natsume to help drive them away—or perhaps capture them.

  Normally, bee are gentle Pokémon that focus solely on gathering pollen.

  Even when disturbed by other Pokémon, they tend to relocate to a new flower patch rather thaaliate.

  However, Vespiquen, as their queen, was a different story.

  A leader. A bee. anding other bees.

  bihose traits, and it was easy to imagine a Vespiquen orchestrating an attack with her bee against intruders.

  Iain regions, Vespiquen have even been known to trol Beedrill to seize territory, using the aggressive Beedrill to fight while the obedient bee gather honey for her.

  “Briii~”

  Butterfree fluttered down from upstairs, its wings buzzing lightly.

  Retly, Butterfree had been busy learning new moves from Zorua.

  It turned out that Zorua was an exceptional teacher.

  Thanks to its guidance, Butterfree’s skill set had expanded siderably.

  It was now better equipped to delightfully torment oppos (cough).

  Or rather, to fight more effectively.

  Meanwhile, Persian hadn’t been fog on learning new moves tely.

  Most of the time, Persian quietly stayed in a er, sharpening its skills.

  A few days ago, Persian reached Level 55, standing on the cusp of beie-level.

  Having been fed tless Pokéblocks si was young, Persian’s growth was backed by ample resources.

  Now, it was simply preparing to step onto the stage in the best possible dition.

  Persian had no iion of stopping here.

  “Let’s go!”

  After double-cheg his gear and firming he had everything he needed, Natsume set out with Persian and Butterfree.

  Sihe oppos were just Vespiquen and bee, he brought only these two Pokémon.

  As long as Persia with Vespiquen quickly, the rest would be straightforward.

  Bringing Butterfree was just a precaution.

  If it had been a swarm of Beedrill, Natsume would have brought more Pokémon.

  Speaking of which, he thought, maybe he should recruit more Pokémon to protect himself.

  The farm didn’t seem to have any Pokémon specialized in defense or prote.

  When it came to safeguarding their trainers, Psychic-types were hard to beat.

  Whether it was a Gardevoir, ranked first on fan-favorite lists, or a mature and reliable Slowking, both were exceptional guardians.

  Psychic-types were a dream for any trainer: versatile, mysterious, and resourceful.

  Only Dragon-types could rival them in desirability.

  Psychic-types embodied versatility and mystique, while Dragon-types were the epitome of raw power.

  ---

  By the Berry Grove, a honeyb-shaped hive was taking shape.

  It seemed the bee—and by extension, Vespiquen—inteo settle here permaly.

  “Lately, there’s been quite a surge in migrating Pokémon,” Natsume mused.

  This was undoubtedly unusual.

  Though Pokémon possessed extraordinary powers, their behavienerally adhered to natural ws.

  For territorial species like Vespiquen, migrating or relog was nearly unheard of.

  Most Vespiquen rarely eveheir hive, spending their days produg honey.

  Yet here was one, leading her bee to the edge of Natsume’s farm.

  “Well, it’s not my problem for now.”

  Shaking his head, Natsume decided not to dwell on it.

  Whatever the cause—be it Legendary Pokémon or an evil anization—it wasn’t his .

  Legendary Pokémon could hahemselves, and evil anizations were just career opportunities for w enfort.

  Evil anizations?

  Performance bonuses!

  In a try as safe as Jadeleaf Region, sutics were nothing more than fodder for the search officers’ performance reviews.

  Or perhaps ara ine source for enthusiastieighborhood volunteers.

  “Buzz, buzz, buzz—”

  Even from a distahe distinct droning of bee Pokémon filled the air.

  It was loud and grating.

  “Time fotiations,” Natsume said.

  “Meow.”

  You mean time to fight?

  “Diplomacy first, then force.”

  “Meow.”

  Whatever makes you happy.

  We’re going to fight anyway.

  Persian silently resigself to the iable.

  On a distant hill, a humanoid Pokémon observed Natsume quietly, as though lost in thought.

  Gcell