The as once said: Buy fine horses in the east market, saddles in the west, bridles in the south, and whips in the north.

  Natsume’s current situation wasn’t far from this.

  At the entrance, he had Corviknight and Gardevoir. From the farm, he brought along the shiny Furret. By the ke, he picked up Zorua, who was hanging out with Slowpoke.

  The reasoning behind this team was quite simple.

  Corviknight and Gardevoir happeo be nearby. Plus, Gardevoir’s Psychic abilities were exceptionally useful for wilderness exploration and log things.

  Poor Butterfree had just lost its role as the group’s utility tool.

  As for Zorua, it was necessary for finding Ogerpon—after all, Zorua was currently the only one who could track Ogerpon.

  And the shiny Furret?

  It urely because Furret and Ogerpon had always gotten along well.

  After all, those with simir personalities tend to click.

  Simply put, substitute users are destio attract each other!

  It didn’t hurt t it along anyway, so Natsume casually included Furret before leaving.

  At the moment, Natsume’s party sisted of four Pokémon, leaving two spots open.

  Of course, this was only relevant to Trainers.

  Natsume wasn’t a Trainer. If he wao, he could bring along dozens of Pokémon without issue.

  The six-party limit was merely the official reendation for the optimal team size.

  Six Pokémon were enough to form a baeam without signifit weaknesses while also remaining manageable for a Trainer’s resources and energy.

  In addition to his four Pokémon, Natsume carried a small bag taining gifts ferpon, Poké Puffs, and a few Poké Balls.

  Don’t ask why—just in case he came across a Pokémon he liked.

  A couple of days ago, Natsume had seen an adorable Alcremie online.

  The ents mentiohat Alcremie was theoretically the Pokémon with the most forms—seven decorations multiplied by nine fvors made 63 binations.

  Including shiny forms and Gigantamax, there were 128 variations in total.

  This reminded Natsume that some Pokémon indeed had numerous forms or distinct traits.

  Take Vivillon, for instance.

  Natsume had started eaining the idea of capturing more Pokémon like this—maybe he could achieve the title of a master collector someday.

  But that was a matter for aime.

  “For now, I’ll leave it to you to guide us, Zorua.”

  Seated atop his Gogoat, Natsume addressed the Zorua perched on the goat’s head.

  Zorua haughtily nodded in response.

  Hmph, in the end, you all still need me.

  This house would fall apart without me.

  “Take care of the egg yht back first before making such cims.”

  Natsume ruffled Zorua’s fur so vigorously it looked like he might rub a hole in its head.

  Ever since Zorua had brought back that egg, it hadn’t done much to care for it—just occasionally g it and pyed for a bit.

  “Suo!”

  That’s not my child!

  Shaking off Natsume’s hand, Zorua stuck out its tongue before signaling Gogoat to move forward with a couple of taps on its head.

  Initially, Natsume had thought of walking to their destination.

  But Zorua protested, not wanting to waste too much time outdoors.

  It had pns to sunbathe with Slowpoke ter that afternoon.

  (Slowpoke, still processing the idea: Sunbathe? Sure!)

  However, Gogoat remained motionless, as steady as a mountain, pletely ign Zorua’s signals.

  It slightly tilted its head toward Natsume, waiting for his and.

  “Let’s go,” Natsume said.

  At his wogoat finally moved, starting with small strides that quickly transitioned into a gallop.

  Despite the abrupt acceleration, the ride felt smooth and fortable, with no hint of jolts.

  If not for the rushing wind in his ears, Natsume might have thought they were still ambling leisurely along.

  As expected of a Pokémon famed for its riding capabilities.

  Much better than the shared Dodrios Natsume had ridden to school in the past.

  “Suo, suo.”

  Though a being ignored, Zorua dutifully poihe way foat.

  Now wasn’t the time to act up—Natsume would be upset if they deyed.

  And an upset Natsume meant no tasty treats.

  Zorua uood priorities well.

  As for stealing other Pokémon’s food?

  Zorua wasn’t the type to stoop so low.

  “Suo, suo.”

  Following Zorua’s guidance, Gogoat quickly brought Natsume to a desote pin.

  Apart from scattered rocks and withered weeds, there was nothing.

  It was so desote that not even Trainers bothered ing here.

  This barren nd was only appealing to Ghost Pokémon.

  Even Pokémon that could endure harsh enviros wouldn’t like it here.

  After all, while they might tolerate harsh ditions, who would choose to sleep under a bridge if a warm bed were an option?

  Uhey were streaming for sympathy, of course.

  “Suo.”

  Here we are.

  Standing majestically on Gogoat’s head like Simba from The Lion King, Zorua indicated the destination to Natsume.

  Looking in the dire of Zorua’s tail, Natsume saw...

  Weeds.

  “It really looks like there’s nothing here.”

  Dismounting from Gogoat, Natsume sighed.

  No werpon chose this spot to hide.

  Even at such a close distahe hiding pce was fwless.

  If not for Zorua, Natsume doubted he could’ve found it himself.

  “Ogerpon, are you home?”

  “I’ve e to see you!”

  Croug down, Natsume called into the seemingly small cave ahead.

  His voice echoed through the tunnel, eventually reag Ogerpon deep within.

  “Mmmph!”

  Ogerpon froze in pce.

  Like a rusty mae, it slowly turned around, step by hesitant step.

  That voice...

  It was Natsume!

  Natsume was here!

  “Mmmph!”

  But my gift isn’t ready yet!

  Or rather, it feels like I’ll never be ready!

  Clutg its head, Ogerpon looked like the famous painting The Scream e to life.

  Its entire demeanor radiated ay, unease, and a desperate urge to escape reality.

  “Ogerpon?”

  “Mmmph...”

  Hearing Natsume’s voice from the cave entrance, Ogerpoated briefly before deg to respond.

  Pig up a gift it wasn’t satisfied with—o even disliked—Ogerpon began trudging toward the entraaking oant step at a time.

  Each step felt as heavy as lifting a mountain, requiring immense ce.

  As it he entrance, Ogerpon paused, pg its unwanted gift on the ground.

  It decided not t it out after all.

  It’s not anything important anyway, just like my other colles.

  Let’s just leave it here.

  Ogerpself to the thought, feeling a hint of self-abando.

  Gcell