For Yamper, being a proper herding dog still seemed like a distant goal. At least until it evolved into Boltund, it was missing something crucial.

  But that didn’t matter; the farm had the Mightyena family to help out as well.

  As the parents and elder sibling, Mightyena focused most of its energy on patrolling the farm. Meanwhile, its younger siblings, Pooa, showed an ued enthusiasm for herding duties.

  Perhaps it was a e thing, but the two Pooa got along very well with Yamper.

  Uheir calm elder sibling aiother, the younger Pooa had ied their father’s rather unreliable traits.

  In short, the Husky genes had taken over.

  Many joked that while e dog breeds might be beled as fierce, Huskies would probably be cssified as defective—uable in both intelligend behavior.

  And it seemed the father and younger siblings of this family were prime examples of this stereotype, much to the eldest Pooa’s occasional dismay, making it feel somewhat out of pce.

  “Bark, bark, bark!”

  The three mischievous pups darted around the two herds, filling the farm with lively otion.

  While the farm already housed many Pokémon, most were reserved ao themselves for various reasons. The only exception was the shiny Furret, who had retly taken to leading its gang around in a showy dispy.

  But starting today, the farm would clearly be much livelier.

  “Alright, everything seems to be in order.”

  After cross-cheg the list in his hands, Natsume gave his shoulder a pat, satisfied.

  To be ho, it had been quite the task. The previous farm owner had beeiculous, keeping records for every Pokémon, and Natsume had instinctively followed suit, cheg on eae individually. By the time he realized what he was doing, he figured he might as well finish the job.

  This was all with Gardevoir’s help, too. Otherwise, it might’ve taken him until nightfall.

  “Meow.”

  Lying at Natsume’s feet, Persia out a long yawn, showing ion to his antics.

  Persian had long known its trainer wasn’t the brightest bulb in the box—something it would only dare mutter internally. Saying it aloud would invite “fatherly love,” as Natsume called it.

  Persian agreed, primarily because it couldn’t win a fight against him. And even if it could, what then?

  Would it cook its own meals?

  No one messes with their meal ticket.

  After a brief chat with the leaders of the Ampharos and Dubwool herds, Natsume asked Gardevoir t over the Pokéblocks he’d prepared.

  “Garde.”

  With a nod, Gardevoir’s eyes glimmered with a soft blue light. In the blink of a disappeared, only to reappear moments ter with a rge bag in hand.

  The bag was slightly open, revealing Pokéblocks that sparkled like gemstones uhe sunlight, their alluring sheen enough to make any Pokémon salivate.

  That’s exactly what happened with the Ampharos and Dubwool leaders, who eagerly dug into their portions.

  Fet their herds; their first priority was to enjoy the feast themselves.

  The Pokéblocks made by Natsume weren’t just delicious—they were extraordinary.

  Even for seasoned Pokémon who had lived on farms aen their fair share of treats, this was a whole new level.

  As a warm energy coursed through their bodies, the leaders exged satisfied gnces.

  This farm owner? Fantastic.

  They could settle here without a sed thought.

  “All right, I’ll leave you to it. If there’s anything you need or any suggestions about the enviro, let me know,” Natsume said, leaning against a newly built fence.

  The gate to the enclosure remained open—not to restrict the Pokémon’s movements but to remind them to return to the enclosure at night.

  Wandering too far wouldn’t necessarily be dangerous, but it could attract trouble.

  Take Hisuian Zorua, for example.

  After hearing from its Unovan terpart that Ghost-type Pokémon thrive by sg others, it had retly taken to pnning pranks.

  Unfortunately, its kind nature made it hesitate, worried about actually frightening or harming anyone on the farm it was close to.

  As a result, it often missed the perfeents for mischief, leaving it frustrated.

  But with so many new Pokémon, Zorua felt it had a golden opportunity. It didn’t know them yet, so there’d be no guilt.

  Determined, Hisuian Zorua set off to embark on its prankster career.

  Meanwhile, its Unovan terpart—revered on the farm as a “teacher,” “mentor,” and “master of skills”—was searg for something.

  “Zorua?”

  For a while now, it had sensed a familiar presence. Initially, it thought it was just its imagination, but the feeling had grown stronger retly.

  Eventually, Zorua stopped by the small ke, tilting its head as it peered into the water, its gaze pierg through to the kebed.

  An egg?

  “Zorua?”

  Its head tilted further, showing a thoughtful expression.

  After swiping at the water with its paw, Zorua intercepted a passing Goldeen and started a versation.

  “Zoru-zoru?”

  “Goldeen!”

  “Zorua.”

  Ah, so that’s what it was.

  Nodding in uanding, Zorua’s expression lit up with sudden crity.

  What had it realized? That remained a mystery.

  Gcell