Chapter 184:Manaphy's Song, the Call of the Sea

Boom~

Hakamo-o held Cinderace tightly in its grasp.

The shockwave from Dragon Breath seemed like it would knock Cinderace's head right off.

“Cinderace!”

Cinderace lost its ability to battle while caught in Hakamo-o's grip.

“Hakamo-o.”

Hakamo-o released its hold.

Cinderace's body slumped down.

With this victory, Hakamo-o gained 3,221 experience points, leveling up to Level 39 with 421/73,232 experience.

“Come back, Cinderace.”

Ashin recalled his Cinderace.

“Hakamo-o, you truly live up to being a battle Pokémon from the Farm.”

Ashin pulled out two new Poké Balls.

He glanced at them, hesitating for a moment as he clearly considered which Pokémon to send out.

“I’ll leave it to you.”

“Let’s go, Silicobra!”

Silicobra, a Ground-type Pokémon.

Natsume took a quick look at its data.

Name: Silicobra  
Type: Ground  
Level: 35  
Ability: Sand Veil  
Moves: Sand Rush, Wrap, Brutal Swing, Bulldoze, Headbutt, Glare, Dig, Sand Tomb, Mud Shot, Rock Tomb.

Natsume remembered that Ashin also had a Grass and Dark-type Pokémon, Cacturne.

However, both of these types had resistance to Hakamo-o’s moves.

Ashin ordered, “Silicobra, use Dig!”

Silicobra immediately burrowed underground.

“Hakamo-o!”

Hakamo-o looked around.

Natsume calmly said, “Silicobra has to make a move eventually, just wait for the right moment to attack.”

“Right now, use Work Up.”

“Hakamo-o!”

Hakamo-o's scales began to rattle.

Work Up was a move that could increase a Pokémon's Attack and Special Attack.

Below the ground, Silicobra was silent for the moment.

Thinking for a moment, Natsume suddenly said, “Hakamo-o, charge forward!”

“Hakamo-o!”

Hakamo-o rushed forward.

At the same time, the ground where Hakamo-o had been standing suddenly collapsed.

This was Silicobra's Sand Tomb.

Silicobra emerged at the center of the Sand Tomb.

Clearly, Silicobra had just used Dig and directly tunneled under Hakamo-o.

Ashin said in frustration, “Darn, it was so close!”

“I was completely seen through.”

Some of the watching Trainers gasped in awe, saying, “I see, no wonder he suddenly told Hakamo-o to run forward. He predicted Silicobra's tactics!”

“With such tactical ability, you must have an in-depth understanding of Pokémon. No wonder he's a gym Trainer,” they said.

Natsume could see the data on Silicobra's moves.

Thus, he could deduce the challenger's tactics based on the situation in the arena.

This was not too difficult.

After all, Silicobra was underground, and it couldn't use a move like Rock Tomb.

Of course, even if he guessed wrong, it wouldn’t have been a big deal.

Ashin quickly composed himself and ordered, “Silicobra, use Rock Tomb this time!”

A large number of rocks condensed in front of Silicobra and rapidly descended upon Hakamo-o.

Natsume calmly instructed, “Dodge!”

Hakamo-o evaded the falling Rock Tomb while quickly charging toward Silicobra.

“Dig!”

Silicobra immediately burrowed back into the ground.

“Hakamo-o!”

Natsume said directly, “Hakamo-o, use Dragon Breath right into the hole!”

Hakamo-o crouched down.

A shockwave blasted into the hole.

“Silicobra!”

Silicobra hurriedly emerged from the other side.

“Hakamo-o!”

Hakamo-o rushed toward Silicobra.

“Silicobra, use Brutal Swing!”

“Silicobra!”

Silicobra swung its tail at Hakamo-o.

“Hakamo-o!”

Hakamo-o took two hits before extending its claws to grab Silicobra's tail.

Natsume praised, “Good job! Now use Counter!”

“Hakamo-o!”

With a roar, Hakamo-o swung Silicobra and slammed it against the ground repeatedly.

Silicobra tried hard to coil up and bite Hakamo-o.

However, at that moment, it had completely lost its ability to resist in Hakamo-o's grip.

Seeing the dire state of Silicobra, Ashin quickly pulled out a Poké Ball.

“Come back, Silicobra.”

Since it was a 2v2 battle, recalling Silicobra with one of his Pokémon already unable to battle meant Ashin had effectively surrendered.

Thus, Rotom announced the match results directly:

“The match is over; Hakamo-o wins!”

“Manaphy~”

As soon as Rotom announced the outcome, Manaphy and the others cheered happily.

“Manaphy~”

Manaphy waved at Natsume, then jumped from the vines created by Serperior, arms outstretched toward Natsume.

Natsume reached out to catch Manaphy and smiled. “Hakamo-o was impressive, right?”

“Manaphy~”

Ashin sighed in frustration. “I lost again.”

“Darn it, I really wanted to battle that Eevee that can evolve multiple times.”

Natsume looked at Ashin and asked, “So, did you come with the belief you were guaranteed to lose?”

Ashin scratched his head.

“I actually hoped to win, but Natsume, the gym leader’s Pokémon are really strong.”

“But I will challenge you again.”

“One day, I’ll earn the Farm gym badge!”

Natsume replied to Ashin, “Then keep working hard.”

“The children in the Farm are all looking forward to your next challenge.”

Natsume's words were, of course, directed at everyone present.

From the crowd, someone excitedly shouted, “Alright, I’ll step up next!”

“If you come to the Farm gym, you definitely want to experience the battle atmosphere here!”

“Before the challenge, don’t forget to follow Sandslash Teacher to do some work in the fields.”

“Please spare me; I don't want to work today.”

Natsume smiled at the nearby Sirfetch'd and said, “I’ll leave it to you.”

“Sirfetch'd.”

“Let’s go, Manaphy.”

Natsume, carrying Manaphy, slowly walked out of the crowd. “Let’s continue looking for the hidden Larvitar.”

“Manaphy~”

Manaphy pointed to a Mudkip lying by the field's edge.

Mudkip also seemed to have been attracted by the battle.

“Mudkip.”

Mudkip turned to run away.

Manaphy called out again.

Mudkip sheepishly turned back around.

Mudkip had been found.

When they found Bulbasaur, it was already asleep against a tree branch.

The sunlight must have been quite comfortable.

As they were searching for Larvitar, they discovered a large hole where an empty plot of land with stacked wood had been.

Larvitar had dug quite a big hole while waiting to be found.

The Eevees were the easiest to find.

When Manaphy entered the Farm cabin, it heard the Eevee hiding under the sofa burst into laughter.

Laughter is indeed contagious.

Thus, the day ended with the joyous laughter of the Pokémon and Manaphy's victory.

As evening approached, the sky was painted with hues of dusk.

After a day of play, Manaphy and the others were tired, clutching the balloon blown up by Primarina and lying in the river water.

The balloon floated gently on the surface of the water.

At that moment, a campfire had also been lit at the Farm.

The aroma of food wafted through the air.

“Noivern~”

Noivern woke up.

It flapped its wings and flew over.

“Good morning, Noivern.”

Natsume smiled at Noivern. “I’ll grill you a skewer of pineapple in a bit.”

“Noivern~”

Many fruits can be grilled, and they taste quite good.

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite approached, carrying a gigantic Springy Mushroom, then sat on the riverbank to start cleaning it.

“Dragonite, are you going to grill this yourself?”

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite eats Springy Mushrooms every day, so it is quite experienced at preparing a delicious one.

At the entrance to the secret realm, Skrelp and two Horsea cautiously peeked out, looking around carefully.

“Phione~”

Phione greeted them cheerfully and led them toward Manaphy.

“Manaphy~”

Manaphy waved at them and then pushed its balloon towards them.

With Manaphy around, these Water-type Pokémon from the secret realm naturally began playing with the Pokémon from the Farm.

Before they knew it, the sky gradually darkened.

The stars began to twinkle.

At that moment, the Morelull began to emerge.

They sparkled as they bounced around.

“Sandslash~”

Sandslash approached Natsume, accompanied by Kecleon.

“Kecleon.”

Kecleon looked dirty and appeared very tired.

It nervously glanced at Natsume and the other Pokémon.

Natsume smiled at Kecleon and asked, “Did you work hard today?”

“Kecleon.”

Kecleon nodded repeatedly.

“Sandslash.”

Sandslash raised its arm in affirmation.

“Good job today, Kecleon.”

Natsume handed Kecleon a fruit that was next to him.

“Kecleon~”

“Kecleon, do you want to join the Farm?” Natsume asked.

Although Kecleon had been helping Sandslash today, it also learned a lot more about the Farm from Sandslash.

Kecleon felt like this place was a dreamlike world!

“Kecleon~”

Of course, Kecleon wanted to join.

Natsume took out a Poké Ball and said, “Then come on in, Kecleon.”

Shake~ Ding~.

Onami looked at Natsume, who had captured a new Pokémon. “I feel like one day, we’ll see all the Pokémon in the world here.”

“When that time comes, visiting your Farm will let us encounter all kinds of Pokémon.”

Natsume released Kecleon once again.

“That’s not an easy thing to achieve.”

“But we can certainly try.”

While Natsume was chatting with Onami, a beautiful singing voice suddenly floated through the air.

“La la~ La~ La la~”

It was Manaphy’s voice.

Manaphy was singing about the life in the sea.

In the melodious song, the lively Eevees quieted down and turned to watch Manaphy.

By the riverbank, Petilil swayed its body to the music.

The leaves on its head danced gently.

At that moment, Primarina also opened its mouth to sing.

It harmonized, enriching Manaphy’s music even more.

Lilligant began to play a grass flute.

The Meltans were also drawn over.

They danced on the empty plot of land.

The Meltans moved in unison, like a patch of seaweed swaying in the wind.

Simple yet incredibly joyful.

“Pidgeot~”

Pidgeot and Pidgeotto landed on the eaves.

They quietly groomed their feathers.

Exeggutor wandered over for no apparent reason.

It sat on the empty plot of land and dozed off.

Bulbasaur squatted underneath it, as if resting beneath a coconut tree.

Natsume glanced around.

Victreebel, Shiinotic, and Morelull, along with Houndoom, were all drawn to Manaphy's song, gathering around.

A breeze rustled through the Farm.

It fluttered the sleeves of Natsume's shirt.

Natsume sat in a chair, stretching his legs out in front of him, holding a glass filled with a refreshing drink.

Onami raised her glass to clink with his.

Listening to Manaphy’s song, Natsume felt as if he were swimming in the ocean.

Manaphy was the gentleness of the sea.

“Sylveon~”

Sylveon jumped into Natsume's lap.

Natsume let Sylveon take a sip from his glass.

Natsume chuckled, “Is it good?”

“Sylveon~”

The moon in the sky grew brighter.

The campfire at the Farm gradually dimmed.

Suddenly, a loud rumble echoed.

With a crash of thunder, lightning illuminated the darkened earth.

Natsume opened his eyes and sat up.

Gardevoir sat beside him and said, “Manaphy is on the roof.”

“On the roof?”

Natsume looked out the window.

The wind whistled through the open window, causing the curtain to rustle.

The window had been left open because the unreliable weather forecast claimed this week would be sunny.

Natsume got up from the bed and said, “I’ll go check it out. Please close the window.”

As soon as Natsume finished speaking, he appeared instantly on the roof.

Manaphy was sitting alone on the tiles, gazing into the distance.

"What’s wrong, Manaphy?"

Natsume sat down next to Manaphy and followed its gaze.

Rumble, rumble~

With the sound of thunder, a heavy rain began to fall.

“Manaphy.”

“The sea is calling me.”

Manaphy looked into the distance. “I need to return to the sea to calm the storm god's anger.”

Natsume, confused, asked Manaphy, “The storm god?”

“Are you referring to Lugia?”

“What’s going on with it?”

Manaphy shook its head.

“Manaphy.”

Manaphy didn’t know what was happening with Lugia.

It could only feel the anger within the storm and rain.

“Lugia, huh? Alright.”

Natsume said, “Then let’s prepare.”

“We’ll set out tomorrow.”

Manaphy looked at Natsume and asked, “Will you come with me to the sea, Natsume?”

Natsume smiled, patting Manaphy’s head. “Of course I will.”

“Not just me, but also Dragonite and the others.”

“By the way, Manaphy, legends say there is an island in the sea called Dragon Island where many Dragonite live.”

“Can you find that place?”

Manaphy nodded. “If it’s in the sea, I can definitely find it.”

“Then there’s no problem.”

Ding dong~

Onami sent Natsume a message.

Onami: Are you asleep?

Natsume put down his phone and looked at Manaphy. “Let’s get some rest now.”

“Manaphy~”

Natsume took Manaphy back to his room and then headed downstairs.

Onami was standing at the window in the living room.

Onami looked at Natsume as he came down the stairs. “It’s really raining heavily today.”

“It seems like there have been quite a few rainy days this year.”

Onami was wrapped in a light blue robe.

Embroidered on it was a Primarina blowing bubbles.

The robe was loose, and the light from the living room illuminated her exposed skin beneath the fabric.

Natsume said, “Manaphy just told me that today’s heavy rain is related to Lugia.”

“Lugia?”

Onami asked in confusion, “What’s wrong with Lugia?”

Natsume shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“I suppose someone has stirred it up again.”

Onami nodded slightly. “Speaking of which, there have been rumors lately about Lugia having a child.”

“Could it be that someone is after its child?”

“Maybe, after all, no one dares to go after a legendary Pokémon like Lugia during normal times.”

Natsume looked at Onami and said, “Also, Manaphy just told me that the sea is calling for its partner.”

“I plan to accompany Manaphy to the sea tomorrow to search for the Temple of the Sea from the legends.”

Onami blinked in surprise. “So soon?”

“I thought Manaphy would stay here for a few more days.”

Natsume chuckled. “It has to leave eventually.”

“That’s true.”

Onami nodded. “Then I’ll let my uncle know.”

“If we’re leaving tomorrow, we’ll head out to sea directly from Minato-machi.”

“He's already prepared the boat.”