Chapter 291:The Plan to Find the Shield

"Rotom."

Natsume called over a Rotom. "If Oranguru needs to buy anything, help it out."

"Got it, Rotom."

Rotom acknowledged and then went off to assist Oranguru.

"Natsume, your place is really amazing."

Yuki walked up to Natsume. "Even Oranguru is drawn to the atmosphere here."

Natsume smiled. "It's not enough yet. It would be even better if Oranguru decided to stay here permanently."

Yuki immediately protested, "That wouldn't do."

"If Oranguru stayed here, I'd have no place to slack off anymore."

Natsume replied casually, "That's simple. You can stay here too."

"My place is quite spacious. You can stay and help me out."

Yuki hummed thoughtfully at Natsume's words, then said, "If I could stay here, I think I'd be really happy."

Yuki glanced at Celebi perched on Natsume's shoulder.

"And I'd get to be around these legends."

"But, compared to here, I think Towada Lake needs me more."

Natsume wasn't surprised by this answer.

"Truly a ranger family through and through."

Yuki chuckled, then looked around. "By the way, where's my father?"

"He said he was going to come and greet you first."

Natsume replied, "Mr. Yuuji? He's already left."

"Huh?"

Yuki looked puzzled. "Left?"

Natsume briefly explained the situation to Yuki.

"I see."

Yuki sighed.

"My father has always been like this."

"Whenever it's about Pokémon, he just can't stay calm."

People who choose this kind of profession have already prepared themselves to give up many things.

Natsume looked at Yuki. "Come on, let me show you around."

"Alright."

"Then I'll trouble Gym Leader Natsume."

Natsume smiled slightly. "Not at all."

"Altaria~"

In the sky, two Altaria flew leisurely by.

"Altaria? They aren't the same group you met at Daxing Ridge, are they?"

Yuki, walking beside Natsume, looked up at the Altaria. "They seem so relaxed."

Natsume laughed. "You're right. These Altaria are indeed the ones we met at Oranguru's cabin."

"And they just arrived today."

"Speaking of which, where did that Swablu go?"

Natsume looked around. "Found it."

Ahead, near the farm's battle arena.

Swablu was gathered with Tinkatink and the others, watching a City-level gym battle.

The challenger's Pokémon was a level 20 Gligar, while the farm's representative was Wartortle.

"Wartortle~"

Although Wartortle didn't train and battle every day like Infernape and the others, its growth rate wasn't particularly fast.

However, Wartortle's talent was still quite high.

Especially in terms of battle awareness.

"Swablu~"

Swablu noticed Natsume approaching and immediately flew over, landing on his shoulder.

"Celebi~"

Celebi greeted Swablu.

"Swablu~"

The two little Pokémon stood on Natsume's shoulders, rubbing their heads together.

"Gligar, use Quick Attack!"

"Gligar!"

On the battlefield, the purple Gligar charged rapidly toward Wartortle.

"Wartortle~"

Wartortle immediately used Rapid Spin in place.

The challenger quickly shouted, "Stop!"

"Gligar!"

Gligar hurriedly halted its charge toward Wartortle.

However, just as Gligar stopped, Wartortle also ceased spinning.

"Wartortle!"

Wartortle took a deep breath.

Water Gun!

Boom~

A stream of water instantly blasted Gligar, sending it flying.

"Wartortle~"

Wartortle let out a triumphant cry, then formed a water orb in its hands.

Water Pulse!

Bang~

The drenched Gligar, under Wartortle's continuous attacks, was knocked out of the battle.

Rotom quickly stepped forward. "The match is over."

"Gligar is unable to battle. The winner is Wartortle."

"Wartortle~"

Wartortle, thrilled with the result, ran off the battlefield.

"Marshtomp~"

Marshtomp, who had been watching the battle, jumped up and high-fived Wartortle.

Nearby, Vaporeon wagged its tail, celebrating the victory.

"Not bad, Wartortle."

Natsume also called out to Wartortle.

"Wartortle~"

Beside Natsume, Yuki exclaimed, "Natsume, your Wartortle is amazing."

"Even without a trainer's commands, it can put on such an impressive battle."

Natsume said, "When I first met this little one, it already knew how to utilize Pokémon abilities."

"However, while Wartortle is talented, it doesn't have a strong desire to grow stronger."

"Otherwise, Wartortle could definitely become one of the farm's main Water-type Pokémon."

Yuki listened to Natsume's words and commented, "That just shows how safe everyone feels living on the farm."

"That's why they don't have such a strong desire to grow stronger."

Yuki then praised Natsume, "Gym Leader Natsume, you take great care of everyone here."

Natsume chuckled at Yuki's words. "Getting recognition from a ranger."

Yuki joined in the joke, "That's right, I acknowledge you."

"But you still need to work harder, Comrade Natsume~"

As Natsume and Yuki chatted, Tinkatink tugged at Natsume's pant leg.

"Tinkatink~"

Tinkatink looked up at Natsume with anticipation.

Natsume crouched down to Tinkatink's level. "You want me to join you in a gym battle?"

"Tinkatink~"

Tinkatink nodded eagerly.

Tinkatink was eager to grow stronger so it could go back and settle the score with that Orthworm.

Natsume checked Tinkatink's current level.

Tinkatink was already at level 23, and its experience bar was more than halfway full. If nothing went wrong, one more battle should be enough for it to evolve.

"It's almost ready to evolve."

Natsume thought as he looked at Tinkatink's stats. "Perfect timing. We can use this battle to help Tinkatink evolve, then head back to the Great Britain Islands and find the shield while we're at it."

With that in mind, Natsume smiled at Tinkatink. "Let's do it together."

Tinkatink excitedly waved its little hammer.

"Tinkatink~"