Two days later, the trees and rocks in the ranch were thoroughly cleared, leaving only a patch of uneven weeds.
Cyclizar was playing in the grass, while Koraidon stood beside Naoki.
During this time, the two had been in a state of mutual non-interference.
Because Koraidon didn't know how to face its past self, it kept a certain distance from Cyclizar.
Cyclizar was puzzled, and the occasional disdainful and envious looks from Koraidon, along with the intimidating aura it exuded, made Cyclizar hesitant to approach.
Naoki was unaware of the situation between the two Pokemon; he had been very busy in recent days, immersed in the ranch work.
At that moment, Naoki stood under the eaves, gazing at the ranch he had worked so hard to manage.
Without the trees obstructing the view, the ranch looked much more open, allowing him to take in the entire ranch from the location of the cabin.
Finally, it's time!
Naoki clicked his tongue in amazement and turned around to check the lumber behind the cabin. Seeing there was enough, he prepared to head to Porto Marinada Town to ask Keri from the carpentry shop to help build the Chicken House.
Riding on Cyclizar, Naoki looked at Koraidon beside him and said, "I'll leave the task of guarding the house to you!"
"Gawu..."
Koraidon put on a pitiful look, enviously eyeing Cyclizar.
Naoki: "..."
He reached out to pat Koraidon's head and said, "Be good, and next time I'll take you out!"
"Gaow!"
Koraidon immediately brightened up, licking Naoki's hand like a big puppy.
Leaving Koraidon to guard the ranch, Naoki gently patted Cyclizar's shoulder, and Cyclizar started to run.
Koraidon and the ranch gradually disappeared behind them, and Naoki only looked back once they were out of sight, thinking:
"Not having a Poke Ball is indeed a bit inconvenient; I can't take my Pokemon with me at all times."
Although it's not impossible to take Koraidon along, doing so would be too conspicuous. Naoki preferred to keep a low profile.
Poke Balls aren't expensive; he could buy a few as spares while in town, allowing Koraidon and the others to run freely on the ranch.
When needing to go out, they could be stored in Poke Balls and carried along.
Therefore, upon arriving in Porto Marinada Town, Naoki headed straight to a store specializing in Trainer supplies and bought a few standard red and white balls.
After that, he went to Porto Marinada Market to buy ingredients for the next period, and finally headed to the carpentry shop.
From a distance, Naoki saw the shop owner, Keri.
Today, she wore a khaki jumpsuit over a pink shirt, her pink hair tied up high, with her bangs held up by a headband, revealing a smooth forehead.
Keri's face was a classic oval shape; perhaps due to years of woodworking, she had a robust build, giving off an impression of being straightforward and capable.
Keri was sawing a wooden plank on a stump at the entrance.
Upon hearing footsteps behind her, she turned around and immediately recognized the young rancher.
"It's you? The weather is great today, how's the work at the ranch going?" Keri asked with a smile.
"It's almost done, Ms. Keri," Naoki said, explaining his purpose: "I'd like to ask for your help in building a Chicken House."
Keri looked surprised, "So soon? It seems like it's been less than a week since we last met? You've already saved up for the expansion?"
Naoki nodded with a smile, "Thanks to the help of Cyclizar and the others, so the progress was much quicker."
Keri glanced at Cyclizar, understanding, "I see, please wait a moment!"
She put down the saw and went inside, quickly returning with measuring tools and an adult Cyclizar.
"Let's go! Take me to your ranch. I need to survey the site. Once you finalize the location for the Chicken House, I'll come with a construction team to start working tomorrow morning."
"Sure."
Naoki nodded, leading the way on his Cyclizar, with Keri following behind, arriving at the ranch after about half an hour.
From afar, Naoki saw Koraidon waiting at the ranch entrance for his return.
Koraidon, who had been lying bored on the grass, jumped up excitedly upon seeing Naoki.
Keri also noticed the Pokemon, one she had never seen before.
"Is it also your Pokemon?"
Keri was not a Trainer; her knowledge of Pokemon was limited to those inhabiting the surroundings of Porto Marinada Town and the ones she occasionally saw on TV.
Therefore, Koraidon was just an unfamiliar Pokemon to her, not warranting much surprise.
"Yes, thanks to its help, I was able to gather materials so quickly." Naoki nodded with a smile.
Hearing this, Keri did not ask further questions.
They got off Cyclizar at the ranch entrance, and Naoki soothingly patted Koraidon's head, then walked alongside Keri around the ranch.
Cyclizar and Koraidon followed slowly behind them.
Admiring the scene before her, Keri praised, "You've kept this place very well!"
She fell into thought, "I visited here once when I was young. My parents specifically brought me to experience milking cows. Back then, the owner of this ranch was a kind old man who warmly welcomed us."
"He was my grandfather," Naoki said, recounting from the original owner's memories: "Because my parents had a special illness that required rest in a good environment, we moved to the Hoenn Region when I was very young."
"I see, no wonder I didn't see you then." Keri nodded lightly, then asked, "Have you chosen a location for the Chicken House?"
Naoki pointed to a piece of empty land on the west side of the farmland and said, "There."
That spot, near a river, would be ideal for enclosing with a fence once the Chicken House is built, allowing the chickens to roam and exercise on sunny days.
Keri took a glance and, from a carpenter's perspective, commented that it was indeed a fine spot:
"A great choice, besides the Chicken House, you can also build a water-powered mill by the river to grind the wheat and corn grown here using wind and water power. The resulting flour and cornmeal can be used for your own consumption or as chicken feed."
Naoki was intrigued, "A water mill?" Is that a free addition?
Seeing his thought, Keri chuckled, "That's an additional cost. Once you have enough funds, I'll come over to build it for you."
Naoki: "..."
Having confirmed the location, Keri took out her tools for measurement. After collecting the data, she wandered around the ranch with Naoki leading the way.
Since future collaboration would be necessary, an upfront survey of the ranch was crucial, and she could also assist in planning the ranch.