Pokemon: A New Path-The expedition guild has been completed[445]

Litleo's eyes blinked in confusion, clearly surprised by its sudden recovery.

The boy holding it had a look of astonishment frozen on his face.

"Huh? Litleo's wounds… they're healed?!"

The boy glanced up at the man driving the pickup truck, his expression filled with disbelief.

That was when he noticed the man wasn't traveling alone—his car was filled with Pokémon.

A group of Eeveelutions crowded the window beside the man, their curious faces pressed against the glass as they observed the boy and Litleo.

In the back of the truck sat two large Pokémon. The boy recognized one immediately—it was a Cyclizar, the well-known transportation Pokémon of the Paldea region.

Since they were too big to fit in the cab, they had been seated comfortably in the back.

"You're welcome," the man's calm voice broke the boy's stunned silence.

Naoki smiled and glanced at Litleo. "Is it your Pokémon?" he asked casually.

The boy quickly shook his head. "No, it's not! I just found it in the wild. It was attacked by a Scovillain, so I stepped in to help!"

"I see," Naoki nodded thoughtfully.

Litleo, realizing it had been saved by this human, nuzzled the boy's cheek gratefully.

"It seems to like you a lot!" Naoki said with a warm smile.

The boy couldn't help but smile back. Gently, he patted Litleo's head, feeling a sense of joy as it responded affectionately.

Watching the boy and Litleo interact, Naoki couldn't help but think of all the young trainers like Ash in the Pokémon world—kindhearted, brave, and full of potential.

Without saying anything further, Naoki pressed the accelerator and prepared to leave.

As the car began to pull away, the boy realized he hadn't thanked the man yet.

He ran a few steps after the truck, calling out, "Wait, sir! Thank you so much!"

But Naoki's voice drifted back to him from the driver's seat.

"No need to thank me. Just take good care of yourself and Litleo!"

With that, the pickup truck drove off, leaving the boy and Litleo standing by the roadside.

The boy watched the truck disappear into the distance before looking down at the Litleo in his arms.

"Well, you're all better now. It's time for you to head back home," he said gently.

But Litleo didn't move.

It remembered the way the boy had saved it from the fierce Scovillain and sought help to heal its injuries. It wasn't ready to leave.

Litleo looked up at the boy and let out a determined cry.

"Rawr!"

The boy blinked in surprise as Litleo jumped out of his arms, pawing at the Poké Ball on his belt.

The red-and-white ball fell to the ground, and Litleo stared at it, then back at the boy with pleading eyes.

"Rawr!"

An incredible thought crossed the boy's mind.

"Wait… do you want to come with me?" he asked, stunned.

Litleo nodded enthusiastically.

With trembling hands, the boy picked up the Poké Ball and gently tapped it against Litleo.

The Poké Ball wobbled once, twice, and then clicked shut.

The boy stared at it in amazement, barely able to believe what had just happened.

"Litleo, please take care of me from now on!" he said with a wide smile.

Back on the Road

Naoki was in a cheerful mood after helping the young trainer.

Humming a tune, he drove leisurely along the countryside roads leading back to Kosdaji Town.

The Rotom Phone in his pocket suddenly rang, interrupting his quiet drive.

Naoki shifted to steer with one hand while pulling out the phone with the other. The screen showed that it was a video call from the Hero Expedition Team.

"Huh?"

Answering the call, the screen lit up with the familiar faces of Teddiursa and Mew.

"Teddi!" Teddiursa cried out excitedly.

"Miu~!"

As soon as the call connected, Naoki heard Pokémon cries from the other end of the line.

Before he could say anything, the Rotom Phone's transcoding translation activated, interpreting the meanings of the two Pokémon's words.

Teddiursa: "Naoki! We've got new companions coming to live on the World Tree!"

Mew: "Yes, a lot of new companions this time!"

"Huh?" Naoki immediately perked up, intrigued. "What Pokémon are they?"

Nearby, a group of Eeveelutions poked their fuzzy heads closer, curious about the conversation.

Teddiursa: "It's Mewtwo!"

Mew: "And there's Charizard, Golduck, Pikachu, Meowth, and others!"

"Pfft!" Naoki nearly spit out his water. He stared at the screen in disbelief. "What did you just say?!"

Teddiursa repeated with excitement, "Mewtwo and Pikachu are going to live with us on the World Tree!"

The camera on the other side shifted, revealing a new angle.

Standing there, calm and composed, was none other than Mewtwo.

Behind Mewtwo stood a group of Pokémon—Pikachu, Meowth, Charizard—all with distinct dark markings on their bodies.

Naoki immediately recognized those markings.

"They're cloned Pokémon…" he muttered.

The iconic scenes from the movie Mewtwo Strikes Back flashed through his mind.

If he remembered correctly, that Pikachu was a clone of Ash's Pikachu, and that Meowth was a clone of Team Rocket's talking Meowth.

Wait! Weren't Mew and Teddiursa supposed to be traveling in the Hoenn region? How did they end up meeting Mewtwo there?

The Rotom Phone's camera returned to focus on Mew and Teddiursa.

Mew floated happily and said, "Mewtwo is bringing Pikachu and the others to the ranch soon!"

Naoki blinked, then nodded slowly, trying to process everything. "Alright… I understand. I'll make sure to give them a warm welcome."

In response, Mew let out an excited, happy sound: "Miu~!"

"What about you two?" Naoki asked. "Are you coming back to the ranch with Mewtwo?"

Mew shook her head. "No! We still have a mission to complete—the one you gave us, Naoki!"

Naoki immediately understood. "Is it about Jirachi?"

Mew nodded again. "That's right! We've already heard about Jirachi's location from Pokémon we met along the way!"

"Next, Teddiursa, Zapdos, and I are heading there to find Jirachi and bring it back to the ranch. Naoki, have you figured out a way to help Jirachi yet?"

Naoki sighed and shook his head. "Not yet. I'll need to assess the situation once Jirachi is here and make a plan from there."

Hearing this, both Mew and Teddiursa nodded in understanding.

Helping Jirachi was a priority. First, however, they needed to locate the elusive Pokémon.

Jirachi's story was so heartbreaking—a Pokémon that sleeps for a thousand years and wakes up for only seven days. The thought of such loneliness made them determined to bring it back to a safe and loving home.

After explaining their plans to Naoki, the call ended.

Mew and Teddiursa turned to look at Mewtwo, who stood quietly with its group of cloned Pokémon.

Mewtwo nodded slightly at the two Pokémon.

After a brief reunion, it was time to part ways again.

Mewtwo and its companions prepared to fly to the other side of the world, carrying the hopes and dreams of finding a peaceful sanctuary.

Meanwhile, the Hero Expedition Team—Mew, Teddiursa, and Zapdos—continued their journey, their eyes filled with determination.

As they watched Mewtwo and its group fade into the distance, they couldn't help but look forward to their next meeting.

...

The old pickup truck came to a stop in the pasture.

The Pokémon, one by one, lined up and jumped out of the truck bed. Naoki waited until they were all safely out before shutting the door behind them.

To be honest, Naoki couldn't help but feel confused about Mewtwo's decision to settle on the World Tree.

Although he'd casually mentioned the idea to Teddiursa and Mew in the past, he never expected them to encounter Mewtwo so soon. And not only that—they went ahead and extended an invitation!

Now, not only was Mewtwo here, but it had also brought an entire group of Pokémon to live on the World Tree.

Naoki felt a pang of worry. Could Mewtwo and the cloned Pokémon integrate smoothly with the Pokémon already living on the tree? Would any conflicts arise?

However, he quickly realized there was no use in overthinking it. He resolved to help ease the situation by taking active steps to foster a sense of community.

One idea was to have Arboliva and the others organize a welcome ceremony for the new arrivals—a gathering that could bring everyone together and help them bond.

That evening, after supervising the completion of construction on the World Tree, Kelly and her Machamp-led construction team returned to report their progress to Naoki.

"Well, everything you requested is finally done," Kelly said with a satisfied grin. "All the facilities you mentioned have been built."

Naoki raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Already? That's fast!"

But as he thought about it, he realized it made sense. With the combined effort of Pokémon like Machamps the speed was nothing short of impressive.

"Great work," Naoki said sincerely, handing over the remaining payment. Though the project had been costly, Naoki knew it was worth every penny. The dream of creating an expedition guild was now a reality.

After seeing off Kelly and her team, Naoki asked Indeedee to prepare dinner, while he headed to the World Tree to check out the newly constructed facilities.

Using the World Tree's unique elevator, Naoki ascended to the top floor. He stepped into a wooden corridor that glowed faintly with an otherworldly green light.

The top floor's appearance had completely transformed.

In the open grassy area, various wooden buildings were now scattered across the landscape, each with its own unique design and purpose. The signs on the buildings made their functions clear even at a glance.

For instance, the Pokémon Item Shop had a sign decorated with cartoonish depictions of Moomoo Milk, assorted berries, and various small tools.

Naoki took a moment to study the items.

Moomoo Milk—a classic recovery item for restoring Pokémon's energy. Berries—each offering unique effects, such as status healing or move enhancement. And other tools like the Everstone to prevent evolution, Fire Stones to unlock new potential in certain Pokémon, and Miracle Seeds to strengthen Grass-type moves.

The thoughtful sign designs ensured Pokémon could instantly recognize what the shop offered, even without the need for words.

Nearby, there were also restaurants, sushi bars, cafés, dormitories, and practice arenas.

The restaurant's sign depicted food like sandwiches, pancakes, and Pokéblocks.

The dormitory, with a sign featuring a simple bed illustration, caught Naoki's curiosity, so he decided to take a closer look.

Inside, he found something truly remarkable.

The dormitory wasn't just a generic sleeping area—it had been custom-designed with the specific needs of different Pokémon species in mind.

For small Pokémon like Minccino, there were cozy tree holes. For larger Pokémon like Charizard, there were sturdy stone platforms to lounge on. For Pokémon like Eevee, there were plush nests filled with soft cushions.

Each habitat was tailored to ensure every Pokémon felt at home, no matter their size or preferences.

Naoki couldn't help but smile at the sight. It wasn't just functional; it was heartwarming. The space radiated a sense of care and comfort that any Pokémon—or even humans—would find appealing.

This cozy little nest, filled with a sense of security and natural charm, looked incredibly inviting!

If Naoki were a Pokémon, he would absolutely choose one of the tree holes as his home.

Each tree hole was lined with a soft, furry blanket, making it feel both safe and extraordinarily comfortable.

After admiring the dormitory, Naoki stepped outside once more.

The layout of the area was beautifully designed. The buildings were arranged in a circle around an open space, with the center hosting a Pokémon park. The park featured benches, streetlights, and even a fountain, creating a serene atmosphere.

Stone paths wove through the area, connecting the facilities to the park and tying everything together seamlessly.

But what caught Naoki's attention most was the headquarters of the expedition guild located at the heart of the area.

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The guild building was grand and spacious, exuding an air of importance. The first thing visitors would notice upon entering was a large commission board. In the future, anyone could post a request there to seek help from other Pokémon.

Of course, Pokémon couldn't exactly read…

But Naoki thought this wouldn't be a problem. With the help of Rotom phones, translations and updates could be made easily.

As this thought crossed his mind, Naoki began to consider ordering another batch of Rotom phones to support the guild's operations.

At that moment, the Pokémon already living on this floor started to notice the new buildings and hurried over, curiosity gleaming in their eyes.

A lively group of Pokémon gathered: Treecko, Tropius, Tatsugiri, Milotic...

Tropius arrived carrying the three Tatsugiri on its back. The little Tatsugiris immediately noticed the sushi restaurant's sign and froze in awe—it featured an image that looked almost identical to their kind!

"Tatsu?" The Tatsugiri turned to Naoki, tilting their head as if asking, What's this place?

Naoki chuckled and explained, "That's the sushi restaurant."

"Tatsu?!"

Hearing this, the Tatsugiri squealed with joy.

They bounced happily toward the restaurant, hopping up and down on the counter in excitement.

Curious, Naoki followed it inside.

The restaurant was simple yet well-equipped. There was a clean kitchen, a counter for taking orders, and tables and chairs arranged for customers to dine comfortably.

The ingredients for making sushi were neatly organized: seaweed, rice, carrots, cucumbers, and more.

The seaweed for sushi could be sourced from the waters around Dragonite Island, located on the lower level of the World Tree. Meanwhile, rice, carrots, and cucumbers could be grown on the tree itself through careful cultivation.

Naoki pondered the logistics of running the sushi restaurant. The next steps would involve hiring Pokémon employees and teaching them how to grow crops and process the ingredients. Only then could the restaurant officially open for business.

But as Naoki thought about it, the challenges seemed daunting.

Could Pokémon really learn how to grow rice, process it, and ensure its consistent availability?

To keep the sushi restaurant running smoothly, Pokémon would also need to learn how to preserve seeds, plant seedlings, and properly harvest the crops.

Naoki sighed softly. It wasn't just about planting crops—there was also the matter of teaching Pokémon how to prepare sushi and clean up afterward.

Careful, intelligent Pokémon would be needed to handle sushi preparation, while Water-type Pokémon would be ideal for washing dishes.

Running the World Tree's facilities truly relied on Pokémon cooperation.

Yet, Naoki realized that the current number of Pokémon on the tree wasn't enough to support the full operation of the expedition guild.

With only this small group of Pokémon, it was nearly impossible to sustain everything.

Fortunately, the World Tree would soon welcome a new group of residents, which would provide some much-needed extra help.

Charizard, Ninetales, and Rapidash could assist with fire-related tasks, while Blastoise and Golduck could use their Water Gun to clean dishes. Venusaur and Skiddo could help cultivate crops and maintain the fields.

Sandshrew, Bunnelby, and Mudbray could dig and plow the soil efficiently.

Pikachu and Mareep could generate electricity to power the guild's facilities.

Oh, and there was also a Wigglytuff!

Naoki suddenly remembered that there was a Wigglytuff among Mewtwo's group of Pokémon!

This sparked a memory of the Mysterious Dungeon: Explorers of Time game, where Wigglytuff became the president of the guild.

"Maybe I could replicate that idea," Naoki mused. "Wigglytuff could serve as the guild leader here."

Naoki paused, imagining the scene.

"…It really does feel like I'm playing house in real life."

Well, Kelly hadn't misunderstood him after all—he just wanted to play house with Pokémon.

While the imagination was certainly beautiful, reality would depend on how things turned out.

All these ideas would have to wait until Mewtwo and the others arrived.

With Mewtwo's incredible flying speed, they should reach the ranch by noon tomorrow, right?

Before their arrival, however, Naoki still had a few things to prepare.

The Next Morning

After finishing his chores on the ranch, Naoki drove into town.

He roamed through the streets, visiting various stores, and didn't finish his shopping until almost noon.

He had purchased a wide variety of supplies: different crop seeds, fruit tree saplings, pots and pans, blankets, mats, quilts, clocks, large-scale power generation equipment, processing machines, and more.

Kelly had already constructed a mill next to the barn where the harvested crops could be stored. Pokémon simply needed to place the harvested wheat into the mill to produce a heap of flour.

With the flour, they could use the newly purchased oven to bake bread.

"Hmm… it seems the World Tree needs more 'production' Pokémon too," Naoki thought to himself.

Pokémon like Nacli to help with salt, Appletun for baking pies, Miltank for fresh milk, and Sawsbuck to help harvest tea leaves, berries and plants.

Oh, and there was Shuckle, also known as the "automatic juicer."

By feeding berries to Shuckle, it could produce magical juice that helped restore energy and strength.

Interestingly, Shuckle also secreted a sticky, honey-like substance that, when mixed with its juice, made an even more potent restorative drink.

While Naoki was lost in thought, his Rotom phone buzzed.

Naoki glanced at the screen to see a message from Calyrex.

"Mewtwo and the others have arrived at the ranch."

Naoki blinked in surprise.

"They got here so quickly? As expected of Mewtwo."

Setting aside his thoughts, Naoki loaded the truck with the supplies he'd purchased and started heading back to the ranch.

Ten minutes later, Naoki's pickup truck rolled to a stop on the grassy field of the ranch.

Before he could even step out of the vehicle, he noticed Mewtwo standing calmly nearby.

Behind Mewtwo was a large group of Pokémon.

Around them, Naoki's Pokémon—Pawmot, Cyclizar, Koraidon, Gogoat, Garganacl, and Alcremie—had gathered, curiously observing the newcomers.

Meanwhile, the cloned Pokémon and those rescued by Mewtwo appeared a bit uneasy in the unfamiliar environment.

Only Mewtwo remained calm, its expression unreadable.

As Naoki stepped out of the truck, Mewtwo's piercing eyes shifted toward him.