Chapter 184:
"Combusken combusken~"
Seeing Hayashi Kaede come out, Combusken was the most eager, almost rushing forward directly.
Unfortunately, it saw Gardevoir beside Hayashi Kaede.
If you asked Combusken which Pokémon it feared most in the entire Berry Plantation, aside from Hayashi Kaede and Serperior, the next would be Gardevoir.
After all, Gardevoir had raised it. Although Gardevoir was usually very gentle, it knew that if it made Gardevoir angry, there would be no good outcome.
In contrast, Hayashi Kaede was much better— Hayashi Kaede provide it with food and allow it to eat as much as it want, as long as it completed the training plan Hayashi Kaede set, he wouldn't bother it.
Looking at the group of eagerly waiting Pokémon, Hayashi Kaede took out their favorite foods from his Storage Ball one by one and placed them on their tables.
These were all ordinary, everyday foods.
So when Combusken saw these, it wasn't very excited and kept looking expectantly at Hayashi Kaede. But when it realized Hayashi Kaede was leaving without bringing out any new "food," it couldn't help but freeze.
Wasn't there very fragrant food earlier?
Why wasn't it served now?
Watching Hayashi Kaede get further away, it finally couldn't help but call out, "Combusken?"
"Huh?"
Hayashi Kaede turned back, saw the puzzled Combusken, and quickly realized it was asking about that food. He explained, "Oh that? That's for after you finish your meal."
Tea was naturally for cutting grease after a meal.
Hearing this, although Combusken was a bit disappointed, thinking it could taste the deliciousness it smelled earlier after eating, it started eating quickly.
Other Pokémon, hearing this conversation, also silently sped up their eating, curious about what delicacy Alolan Vulpix and Combusken had been discussing.
After distributing food to all the Pokémon, Hayashi Kaede went to Mewtwo.
"How do you feel? Being here?"
They'd been "staying" for several days now, and he hadn't asked Mewtwo how it felt.
"..."
Mewtwo was silent for a moment, glanced at Mew eating happily nearby, then turned back. "It feels good, just... a bit idle?"
Every day, it just watched over Salamence. Although watching Salamence's personality become increasingly stable gave it a strange sense of fulfillment. As Salamence grew calmer, Mewtwo felt lost again.
After no longer being needed to watch over Salamence, what should it do?
"Idle?" Hayashi Kaede was taken aback, then laughed. "There's a Pokémon battle competition in Nagisuna City soon. Interested in going?"
Hayashi Kaede was, of course, referring to the Junior Cup.
It was held on the 23rd of this month; it was only the 8th now, so there was plenty of time.
"Battles between Trainers?" Mewtwo nodded. "Okay."
Although it had seen many Trainer battles during its travels, it wouldn't refuse an invitation from Hayashi Kaede.
"Don't worry, you won't be idle for long. Once the road is repaired, I'll have something for you to help with~"
Hayashi Kaede patted its shoulder, leaving these words.
Lately, he hadn't been promoting challenges through his video channel because the road wasn't finished yet, making coming and going inconvenient, and some rules weren't set.
For example, challenge time limits: what could be challenged on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays? and Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays?
If slots were full, appointments would need to be made at designated times on Mondays or Sundays.
Moreover, after the house was built, he wanted to construct a flat area for future battle grounds or perhaps as a future Gym location?
If he were to open a Gym, the best location would probably be near the town entrance, where there was a large area of wasteland. But to be honest, the procedures for opening a Gym were more complicated than Hayashi Kaede had imagined.
He'd looked it up these past few days.
First, the Trainer's strength: must have at least six powerful Pokémon at gym level (40-49). Secondly, they need a specialized type... This was actually manageable; Kaede have Pokémons that are at or above gym level.
Then there were background checks, written exams, League interviews...
In addition, to qualify, one must challenge eight official Gyms, and have a top-eight certificate from a provincial competition or a top-sixteen certificate from the Pokémon League Conference.
In short, the procedures made Hayashi Kaede's scalp tingle.
The main thing was, If he really opened a Gym, Hayashi Kaede didn't really want to be stuck in the Gym every day. Because once you become a Gym Leader, you're essentially a League employee and must follow League dispatches for regional jurisdiction.
He didn't want to be constrained.
So, the best candidate for Gym Leader in his mind was actually Mewtwo.
He just wanted to make occasional guest appearances.
Although Mewtwo was a Pokémon, it could transform into a human. So, couldn't it fully handle Gym Leader duties?
As for the League wanting to dispatch it—that would be between the League and Mewtwo.
"Combusken!"
Lost in thought, Hayashi Kaede had originally planned to have a heart-to-heart with Salamence or Goodra, but halfway there, Combusken came over holding its plate.
The plate was slick and clean, as if licked. Its face was also full of anticipation. Clearly, this guy was here for the "delicacy" Hayashi Kaede mentioned earlier?
Seeing it like this, Hayashi Kaede couldn't help but play coy.
"Uh... to be honest, you might not want to drink this. But if you ask for it, you have to finish it, understand?"
"Combusken!"
Combusken nodded seriously.
With that fragrance earlier, it was sure this new "delicacy" must be delicious!
So, Hayashi Kaede didn't waste words. He looked around and saw that everyone seemed almost done eating. He then took out the thermos of tea, along with cups or other containers, and used psychic power to distribute it to each Pokémon.
He didn't forget the Combees and Miltanks either, placing some aside to bring to them later.
Then, under Combusken's impatient gaze, he poured a cup for it.
A rich aroma, even stronger than in the kitchen, immediately spread.
Hayashi Kaede's eyebrows rose.
He seemed to have forgotten a characteristic of tea: the first brew gets stronger and stronger!
So the effects should be getting better and better?!
Thinking this, his eyes lit up.
Could it be that he and Aura power were still meant to be?