Chapter 226:Zacian's Mission, Return to the Farm

Zacian's eyes were stunning, glowing with a golden light.

Natsume gripped his sword as he stood in the misty forest, gazing at the legendary Sword King that had awakened before him.

Whoosh~

A cold wind blew, swirling the drifting fog around.

Natsume looked at Zacian and asked, "Does pulling out the Rusted Sword mean I've earned your approval?"

"Zaciano~"

Zacian's voice echoed like a wolf's howl.

Zacian said that if Natsume could earn its approval in battle, it would willingly follow him.

Quest Triggered: Zacian's Challenge

Task Requirements: Earn Zacian's approval

Quest Reward: Zacian's allegiance; treasureDraw*3

"Are there any restrictions for the battle?" Natsume asked.

Zacian shook its head.

"In that case, let me prepare a bit," Natsume said, deep in thought. "I'll return here in a few days."

Natsume wasn't in a rush to jump straight into battle.

Zacian gave a slight nod, and then its body abruptly vanished from Natsume's sight.

Gardevoir turned to Natsume and said, "Its strength is immense."

"I know," Natsume replied. "That's why I plan to call for some backup."

"Lugia?"

"Exactly."

Natsume chuckled. "But not the little Lugia's mom. We need its dad to come."

"If its dad isn't available, we could always ask Manaphy to call Kyogre for help."

Natsume figured that if Manaphy asked Kyogre for assistance, offering it a Rare Candy would probably be enough to convince it.

"This could be an unexpected harvest. If I can truly earn Zacian's approval, the Farm's standing will be even more secure."

"Though, it seems Zamazenta isn't here."

Natsume glanced toward the stone shrine. Inside, there was only a statue of Zacian.

"Let's head back for now."

Natsume looked at Gardevoir and said, "We'll come back tomorrow."

"Come back, Perrserker."

Natsume first returned Perrserker to its Poké Ball, then picked up Tinkatink.

"Let's go."

Whoosh~

The cold wind blew again, and the people and Pokémon in the area had already disappeared.

The thick fog swirled, quickly enveloping the entire place.

"Wartortle~"

Inside the Temple of the Sea.

When Natsume and Gardevoir returned, they saw Wartortle searching around the temple for something.

"Wartortle, are you playing hide-and-seek?"

Wartortle looked at Natsume and Gardevoir as they approached, then nodded and pointed to Larvitar and Eevee sitting together on an empty plot of land.

These were the ones it had just found.

"Impressive, Wartortle."

"Wartortle~"

Wartortle puffed out its chest, looking proud.

"Wartortle?"

Wartortle suddenly noticed Tinkatink in Natsume's arms.

"This little one lost its hammer. I'm planning to go to the Farm to find a new one for it. Do you want to come back with us?"

Wartortle immediately looked conflicted.

It wanted to return, but it was still in the middle of playing the game with everyone.

Natsume said, "It's simple. Just ask Larvitar if they're willing to help you look."

Wartortle scratched its head. Could it really work that way?

Natsume smiled. "If everyone agrees, then of course it's fine."

"Wartortle."

Wartortle immediately ran over to Larvitar.

"Larvitar~"

Larvitar glanced at Tinkatink, then nodded.

"Wartortle."

Wartortle let out a happy cry, then looked at Tinkatink, waved its hand, and strode toward the teleportation array.

"Let's go, we're heading back."

Natsume and the others followed Wartortle, leaving the Temple of the Sea and returning to the Farm.

Whoosh~

The space teleportation array flashed.

Natsume and the others reappeared at the Farm.

Unlike the foggy, drizzly night on Great Britain Island, the Farm was bathed in the warm glow of sunset.

The cabin was already filled with the aroma of food.

Indeedee was busy preparing the meal.

"Meltan~"

A Meltan slowly wandered past the back of the room.

Tinkatink, still in Natsume's arms, immediately fixed its gaze on Meltan's head.

"Meltan."

Meltan, noticing Tinkatink's stare, instinctively covered its head.

"Tinkatink!"

Tinkatink jumped down from Natsume's arms and dashed toward Meltan.

"Meltan!"

Though Meltan didn't know what was happening, the excited look in Tinkatink's eyes made it instinctively bolt.

"Tinkatink~"

"Meltan!"

Wartortle quickly chased after Tinkatink, trying to stop it.

"Wartortle!"

The once peaceful courtyard was now bustling with activity.

Tinkatink chased Meltan, while Wartortle chased after Tinkatink, shouting.

Natsume watched the three little Pokémon running in circles around the courtyard and laughed. "Looks like Tinkatink wants to take Meltan's screw cap and use it as part of its hammer."

Gardevoir, standing beside Natsume, said, "Meltan obviously isn't going to give it up."

"Keep an eye on them for now."

Natsume headed toward the room. "I think we have a spare hammer somewhere."

"I just hope Tinkatink likes it."

Natsume found his toolbox and pulled out a small hammer.

"Found it."

Natsume returned to the courtyard with the hammer.

"Tinkatink."

"Meltan."

In the courtyard, Tinkatink and Meltan were about two meters apart, both panting heavily as they stared at each other.

"Wartortle!"

Wartortle quickly positioned itself between them.

"Alright, stop chasing. Tinkatink, see if you like this."

Tinkatink looked up at Natsume.

When it saw the small, Mjölnir-like hammer in Natsume's hand, its eyes lit up with excitement.

"Tinkatink!"

Tinkatink ran over to Natsume.

Natsume handed the hammer to Tinkatink.

Whoosh~

Tinkatink took it and swung it a few times.

It felt just right.

Tinkatink's gaze returned to the screw cap on Meltan's head.

"Tinkatink!"

With the hammer in hand, Tinkatink seemed to regain its energy and charged at Meltan again.

"Meltan? Again?"

Meltan jumped up, climbing onto Natsume's pants and then up to his shoulders.

"Meltan!"

Meltan hid behind Natsume's neck, pointing angrily at Tinkatink.

Meltan was really getting upset now.

Natsume stopped Tinkatink and asked, "What's wrong? Don't you like this hammer?"

"Tinkatink."

Tinkatink pointed at the screw cap on Meltan's head, then at its own hammer.

Tinkatink explained that if the screw cap were added to the hammer, turning it golden, it would look even better.

Natsume laughed. "I see. You've got high standards."

After a moment of thought, Natsume looked at Tinkatink and asked, "How about I make you a pink hammer instead?"

"Tinkatink?"