Chapter 178:Kiko’s Journal! Manaphy Hatching!

Kiko felt that her stay at the farm for the past few days was like visiting a countryside resort.

She experienced a completely different lifestyle from that of the city.

In the morning, the alarm named "Dodrio" always rang on time.

After getting up, if she walked up to the Bamboo Grove, she could see the first rays of sunlight illuminating the farm, watching the sun rise slowly from the east.

Meanwhile, a lively Noivern and Woobat dove into an underground cave that Sandslash had helped dig out.

Lombre returned to the riverbed.

The glowing Morelull each found their own shaded spot out of the sunlight and drifted off to sleep.

As the sun climbed higher, the Fighting type Pokémon that had gathered together would start running around the farm.

Every day it was like this.

Kiko ran with them once, but she felt disheartened that she couldn't keep up with her running Torchic.

So, halfway through, she leaned against the shade of a tree and picked a perfectly ripe Berry to eat as a post-exercise breakfast.

Eating fruit in the morning and having a glass of fresh milk was enough for Kiko.

Gym Leader Natsume's waking hours were not very fixed.

Sometimes he got up early to go jogging with Infernape and train in Tai Chi.

Natsume said this was to cultivate resonance with everyone.

Trainers who use Z-Moves practice like this.

After morning exercises, the farm's Miltank came out.

The Meltan lined up with metal buckets to help Miltank milk the cows.

Their movements were very organized, as if they had undergone military training.

At this time, the sightseeing bus from Morimachi to the farm also began to depart.

Most tourists would take the bus to the farm gym.

However, some hiking enthusiasts chose to walk from Morimachi to the farm.

In the afternoon, the farm gym was at its busiest.

The battle arenas were filled with people.

Pokémon battles for practice between the farm's Pokémon.

Challenges from gym challengers.

Occasionally, tourists would engage in battles for various reasons.

It was bustling, almost like a fair.

Sometimes, Gym Leader Natsume also took the stage.

Everyone said that Natsume was favored by the forest.

He could heal Pokémon and had a pair of eyes that could see into people's hearts.

No matter what tactics were used, it seemed that Gym Leader Natsume always anticipated them.

As the heat of the day gradually faded and the twilight appeared, Kiko loved sitting on the field ridge, feeling the breeze, and watching the Eevee and Larvitar running in the fields.

The farm tourists lined up to board the bus and left.

The farm returned to tranquility.

And so, the day came to an end.

Pop~

Kiko closed her diary.

“Noivern~”

Under the moonlight, Noivern flew by the window.

“Good evening, Noivern.”

Kiko stood by the window watching Noivern flying in the sky and asked, “Where are you off to?”

“Noivern~”

Noivern pointed outside the farm.

Noivern wanted to go out and play.

“Jigglypuff~”

Jigglypuff jumped onto the windowsill and waved at Noivern.

“Noivern.”

Noivern flew over to the window, and Jigglypuff happily jumped onto Noivern's back.

“Jigglypuff, don’t cause any trouble for Noivern, okay?”

“Jigglypuff~”

Jigglypuff waved its little hand and then rode on Noivern as they flew away from the farm.

They were off to explore other places outside the farm.

After watching Noivern's figure disappear, Kiko murmured, “I should go soak in a hot spring~”

Thinking this, Kiko changed into her swimsuit, put on a yukata, and walked out of her room.

In the living room, two Lopunny were sitting at the table, playing chess.

Natsume was lying on Gardevoir's lap, reading an ancient book.

The TV was on, but the volume was low.

“Are you all going to the hot spring together again?”

“Lopunny~”

One Lopunny replied and then jumped down from the chair.

“Lopunny~”

The Lopunny pulled Natsume up from Gardevoir's lap.

Natsume closed the book and smiled, “Alright, alright.”

“Let’s go together.”

Usually, when Natsume went to the hot spring, he preferred to relax completely.

However, since Kiko was accompanying him, he wore clothing today.

Kiko stepped into the hot spring water.

She leaned back, feeling completely relaxed.

Kiko's skin was already nice.

Soaking in the hot spring water, it had a glowing and tender look.

Kiko gazed at the rising steam and the moon above.

“Time really flies.”

Natsume lazily stretched his body.

“Are you leaving tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I’m going home for a meal tomorrow, and then school is officially starting.”

Kiko discussed her plans after starting school with Natsume: “After classes start, I plan to take the professional breeder certification exam.”

“I also want to encounter new Pokémon in college.”

“Then, I’ll bring them to the farm.”

Natsume smiled at Kiko and said, “Looks like you really see this place as a vacation spot.”

“Hehe~”

“To be honest, if you opened a resort here, I’m sure it would be a huge hit! But then again, it might be too crowded.”

Kiko gently waved away the warm air; “Then I definitely wouldn’t be able to get a room.”

Pat~

Just as Kiko was chatting with Natsume, she suddenly felt raindrops fall.

The rainwater landed in the hot spring, creating ripples.

Natsume looked up at the sky and said, “It’s raining.”

“Let’s head back.”

“Okay~”

Kiko stood up from the water.

Raindrops flowed into her fair skin.

Although her size was much smaller compared to Misaki, it didn't have that delicate barely-there appearance.

It was just the right size to fit in one hand.

The raindrops trickled down her thighs, flowing back into the water along her straight calves.

Kiko returned to her room and closed the window.

Rumble~

Thunder roared, and the rain outside grew heavier.

“I hope Jigglypuff is okay with Noivern running outside.”

Kiko felt a bit worried about Jigglypuff being outside with Noivern.

However, Noivern was quite strong.

Thinking this, Kiko lay down beneath the covers on her bed and browsed her phone.

Mikoharu sent Kiko a message.

They say that girls from Xiang are affectionate and fiery.

Kiko could feel it.

She was quite curious about her and Natsume’s business.

The things she said made Kiko's heart race and her cheeks flush.

During high school, Kiko had focused entirely on her studies, maintaining good relationships with her friends, but she didn't have any particularly close friends.

This was the first time someone talked to her about adult topics.

Kiko: “Stop, stop! No more chatting, time to sleep!”

Mikoharu: “Are you really going to sleep by yourself?”

Kiko: “Goodbye!”

Kiko turned off her phone and then looked out the window.

Rain pattered against the glass, leaving trails of water marks.

She felt a bit sleepy.

Rainy days always made her drowsy.

Kiko pulled up the covers, thinking, “Jigglypuff should be back by now.”

Meanwhile, inside the secret realm.

“Phione!”

Phione gazed excitedly at the Pokémon egg glowing with red light.

At that moment, heavy rain began to fall in the ocean of the secret realm.

Gyarados, Kingdra, and other ocean Pokémon surfaced from the water.

They surrounded Manaphy’s Pokémon egg.

The prince of the ocean was about to be born!

Phione hugged the Pokémon egg excitedly and swam toward the exit of the secret realm.

All the Gyarados followed along.

Even the Golisopod from the seabed came up.

In the farm's river water, a school of Wishiwashi was a bit restless.

“Mudkip~”

“Squirtle.”

Mudkip and Squirtle jumped into the water.

At the exit of the secret realm, Phione pushed Manaphy’s Pokémon egg and swam out.

“Roar~”

The Gyarados stood like giant stone pillars in the farm's stream.

The emotional shift of the Water type Pokémon was immediately sensed by Gardevoir.

“Natsume, Manaphy is about to hatch.”

Natsume stood by the window, looking at the group of Water type Pokémon gathered in the stream behind the house.

Notice: A new task has been triggered.

Task Name: Manaphy and the Temple of the Sea

Task Requirements: Protect Manaphy as it returns to the Temple of the Sea.

Quest Reward: Unlock temple teleport point; Master Origin Pulse; Increase all Farm Pokémon levels by one; treasure draw *3.

“Origin Pulse?”

Natsume looked at the Quest Reward in surprise: “Isn’t that Kyogre’s signature move?”

In the guest room, Kiko had a nightmare.

She dreamed that she was surrounded by a group of Gyarados.

Rumble~

Thunder roared.

The roar of Gyarados echoed in her ears.

“Ah.”

Kiko gasped, startled awake, sitting up straight in bed.

As she opened her eyes and realized she was still in her room, she sighed in relief.

“How is this possible?”

Kiko chuckled to herself. “There’s no way there would be Gyarados here.”

“This is a farm, after all.”

“But where’s Jigglypuff? Hasn’t it come back yet?”

Kiko looked around and then turned to the window.

Thunder rumbled~

Lightning illuminated the world.

Outside the window, several huge, menacing Gyarados were staring at her.

Kiko's face went pale.

“Ah!”

This scream was louder than before.

Natsume heard Kiko's shout and instantly appeared at her window.

Kiko looked at Natsume and immediately jumped into his arms, holding him tightly.

“Natsume, look outside!”

Natsume gently stroked Kiko's long hair to calm her. “Don’t be afraid; those Pokémon are also from my farm.”

“Huh?”

Kiko was momentarily taken aback.

Upon hearing they were farm Pokémon, she felt herself calming down.

“But how is that? I haven’t seen them around for the past few days.”

Natsume smiled. “Even though they are farm Pokémon, they don’t often come out.”

“Because they live in a secret realm.”

“Ah?”

Kiko was instantly confused.

“A secret realm?”

“You mean there’s a secret realm on the farm?”

Natsume nodded. “That's right.”

“Also, you’re in luck.”

“Today, you’ll witness the birth of legends.”

Natsume walked toward the outside.

Kiko hurriedly grabbed some clothing and followed behind Natsume.

By the riverbank.

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite moved aside for Natsume.

At that moment, the entire river was enveloped in a red glow.

This light came from Manaphy's Pokémon egg.

The red glow gradually gave way to white light as Natsume retrieved Manaphy’s Pokémon egg from the water.

Two antennae slowly grew from Natsume's hand, and then a bright white light burst forth!

The Pokémon surrounding Natsume covered their eyes from the brightness.

These glowing orbs transformed into blue mist, sparkling in the rainy night.

“Manaphy~”

In Natsume's hand, a blue Manaphy slowly opened its eyes.

Manaphy looked at Natsume.

Natsume smiled and said, “Welcome to the farm, Manaphy.”

“Dragonite~”

“Awooo.”

Dragonite and the approaching Arcanine howled excitedly as they saw Manaphy successfully hatch.

“Wishiwashi~”

The Wishiwashi leaped out of the water's surface, making cheerful sounds.

Phione and the Squirtles pushed forward, wanting to get a close look at Manaphy.

“Manaphy.”

Seeing so many Pokémon suddenly surrounding it, Manaphy pouted.

“Wah~”

Manaphy started to cry.

Natsume quickly swayed back and forth like a caregiver trying to soothe a baby.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry.”

Eternity Power flowed from Natsume’s body toward Manaphy.

“Wah.”

It didn't work.

“Ugh.”

Natsume immediately felt anxious.

This was even more nerve-wracking than being in a championship battle.

“Squirtle!”

Seeing Natsume seemingly unsure of how to calm a child, Squirtle panicked too.

Although it didn’t know why it was anxious, it nervously ran back and forth around Natsume.

At that moment, Gardevoir suddenly reached out and a water ball floated up, enveloping Manaphy.

Soaking in the water ball, Manaphy felt much more comfortable.

“Manaphy~”

Manaphy looked at Natsume and slowly closed its eyes.

Manaphy fell asleep.

Natsume sighed in relief.

Squirtle wiped its forehead, relieved for itself.

Once Kingdra and Gyarados saw Manaphy quiet down, they slowly submerged and returned to the secret realm.

“This is Manaphy; it looks so cute.”

Kiko leaned in to gaze at Manaphy.

“I can’t believe such a small Pokémon has the power to command the sea.”

Natsume looked at Manaphy’s data.

Name: Manaphy  
Type: Water  
Level: 1v112/75  
Ability: Hydration  
Individual Values: HP 31, Attack 31, Defense 31, Special Attack 31, Special Defense 31, Speed 31  
Moves: Water Gun, Tail Glow, Heart Swap  
Potential: Godly Level  

Natsume noticed that even though Manaphy was currently level one, the experience bar behind it was inexplicably increasing.

Natsume believed that Manaphy would quickly increase its level while swimming back to find the Temple of the Sea.

Natsume brought Manaphy back to the room.

Lopunny brought over a wooden bucket filled with water.

Natsume placed Manaphy into the bucket, and as soon as he let go...

“Wah!”

Manaphy began to cry again.

Seeing this, Gardevoir used Psychic to wrap around the water, causing it to sway gently.

Manaphy slowly stopped crying.

Natsume looked at Gardevoir.

“Is there something on me?”

Noticing Natsume staring at her, Gardevoir asked in confusion.

Natsume smiled, “Yes, there is.”

“You have the look of the perfect wife and mother in my heart.”

Gardevoir's face turned red as she looked down, tending to sleeping Manaphy.

“Even though it's a mythical Pokémon from legends, it’s just like an ordinary baby.”

Natsume gently poked Manaphy’s cheek with his finger.

“Born and crying, then sleep once it’s done.”

Gardevoir looked at Natsume and softly said, “You’re going to wake it up.”

Natsume withdrew his finger.

After Manaphy fell back asleep, Gardevoir released her Psychic.

This time, Manaphy didn’t cry out again.

Natsume poured himself a glass of water, then poured one for Kiko.

“It’s already quite late; you should rest early.”

“Okay~”

Kiko took the hot water Natsume gave her and returned to her room.

Natsume then carried the wooden bucket upstairs.

Natsume placed the bucket where Manaphy would sleep and then looked at the Celebi Pokémon egg by the bedside. “Now that Manaphy is born, you should also do your best, Celebi.”

Shake~

The Pokémon egg of Celebi emitted a faint green light.

Celebi responded.

“Natsume.”

Gardevoir suddenly looked at Natsume and said, “Kiko is feeling scared right now.”

Natsume glanced at the heavy rain outside. “I think it’s because the last experience inside the space-time distortion left her with a shadow.”

“Seeing the group of Gyarados again today must have reminded her of that fear.”

Gardevoir softly said, “Go keep her company for a while.”

“She trusts you a lot.”