Thirty Minutes Later, on the road leading to Naoki's Ranch

  As Leon walked along the dirt road, he absentmindedly fiddled with the small obje his hand.

  It was an intricately crafted wooden sculpture of a Pokémon, its most strikiure being a rge, dark green bud atop its head, shaped like a regal .

  Delicate patterns adorhe bud, with slender, vine-like tendrils supp it and stretg downward toward the Pokémon's petite body. The craftsmanship was remarkable—the eyes, nose, and mouth were carved with such precision that the sculpture exuded an air of majesty, capturing the essence of a true king.

  Underh the , the Pokémon's slim, graceful limbs were delicately chiseled, giving the figure a sense of eleganbsp;

  "The King of Bountiful Harvests…" Leon murmured to himself, studying the sculpture o time before tug it carefully into his bag.

  He made a mental o give it to Hop as a gift wheuro the Gar region.

  At that moment, a rge wooden sign came into view at the end of the road. The words "Naoki Ranch" were boldly painted on the doorpte.

  Seeing the sign, Leo out a deep sigh of relief. "Finally, I'm here!"

  The journey had been far from easy. After getting lost so many times, Leon had almost fotten what it felt like to arrive at his destination without any mishaps.

  Now that he had made it, it was time to challehe owner of this rand finally finish their interrupted battle!

  Just as Leon took a step forward, a shadow passed over him. He instinctively looked up to see several e Pokémon s through the sky, their forms unmistakable.

  "Dragonite?" Leon whispered in awe, watg as the majestion desded gracefully onto the ranch's pasture.

  'There were so many of them!'

  Even as a Champion, Leon couldn't help but marvel at the sight. Seeing multiple Dragonites in one pce was a rarity, even for a trainer of his caliber.

  His thoughts wandered briefly.

  'Was Naoki a retired Champion trainer, like his owor Mustard? It would certainly expin the caliber of Pokémon on the ranch.'

  Curiosity getting the better of him, Leon quied his pad approached the ranch's entrance. He stopped just outside the gate, taking in the view.

  One gnce was all it took to see that the ranch was well-maintained.

  Rows of farmnd stretched across oion of the property, brimming with various crops. One of the Dragoood he farmnd, its wings fring as it performed a Rain Dance.

  The effects were immediate. A gentle drizzle began to fall from the sky, droplets shimmering in the sunlight. The rain nourished the soil, giving life to the crops and refreshing the nd.

  o the farmnd y an expansive field of lush green grass. The grass was impeccably trimmed, appearing and orderly without a siray weed in sight.

  Dozens of Pokémon pyed freely on the grass, chasing one another in carefree joy. The se icture of harmony and warmth.

  Leon sed the lively pasture, the Pokémon as they frolicked in the grass. One by one, he tried to recall their names: "Alcremie, Dolliv, G, Cyclizar…"

  However, some of the Pokémon weren't familiar to him—likely because they weren't native to the Gar region.

  "It's so lively!" Leon thought, a grin spreading across his face. Taking a deep breath, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted toward the house:

  "Hey! Is ahere?"

  The Pokémon pying on the grass immediately paused mid-chase, turning their heads to look toward the gate.

  Among them, a small pink Pokémon with a red cape and a tiny hammer squeaked in arm. It spun around and flew off in a panic, disappearing behind the house.

  Leon blinked in surprise, scratg his head. "Huh, that's new."

  Before he could ponder further, a figure emerged from the house, stepping onto the front porbsp;

  Naoki squioward the gate, his expression shifting from curiosity to shock as reition dawned.

  "That's… Leon?"

  Naoki muttered to himself. Was he seeing things? Why would Leon—the Champion of Gar—be here of all pces?

  Leon's broad smile ahusiastic wave quickly dispelled any doubts. "Hey there!"

  Naoki blihen snapped out of his surprise. Stepping forward, he greeted his ued guest. "Hello, Mr. Leon!"

  Leon tilted his head, genuinely surprised. "You know me?"

  Naoki froze for a moment, realizing his slip-up. Of course, they'd never spoken before, and Leon wouldn't have expected him tnize him so easily.

  Thinking quickly, Naoki fshed a polite smile and replied, "Well, I saw some of the ads you were featured in back when I was visiting the Gar region."

  Leon chuckled, scratg the back of his head. "Ah, I guess those ercials did their job, huh?"

  Naoki nodded politely, though his mind was rag. 'Why was Leon here?'

  It didn't take long for him to piece it together. His thoughts drifted back to the ercial petition he had participated in during his travels through Gar. Leon had been there, and, if he remembered correctly, had watched part of his matbsp;

  Recalling what Geeta had mentioned about Leon's special request to visit the Paldea region, Naoki couldn't shake a wild idea that suddenly popped into his head.

  'Could Leon really have traveled all this way just to challenge me?'

  As everyone knows, Leon, the ued Champion of Gar until his match with Victor, had a fwless record. Not even Raihan, his fiercest rival, had ever cimed victainst him.

  This reputation had earned Leole of "The Uable Champion."

  Given that, it seemed iable that Leon would win the Rising Star Tour in Gar City. Naoki's withdrawal midway through the petition must have piqued Leon's curiosity, prompting the Champion to embark on a journey acrions to seek him out.

  The thought made Naoki freeze for a moment. 'Could this truly be why Leon was here? Surely nht?'

  But before he could dismiss the notioirely, Leon approached with his signature grin and asked enthusiastically,

  "Do you remember the Rising Star Tour in Wyndon City?"

  Naoki sighed internally. 'So it's true.'

  Hiding his surprise, Naoki smiled politely aured toward the house. "Why don't we tihis versation inside? Please, make yourself at home."

  "Thanks!" Leon said cheerfully as he followed Naoki toward the ranch house.

  The Pokémon who had been pying outside trailed after them, peeking curiously from behind the sofa. Their wide-eyed expressiorayed their intrigue about the visitor who had traveled such a long way to the ranch.

  As Leoered the cozy living room, his gaze drifted toward the Pokémon gathered on the far side. Among them was the unmistakable figure of Calyrex, seated fortably and watg TV.

  'Calyrex really is Naoki's Pokémon,' Leon thought to himself, marveling at the sere anding presence of the legendary Pokémon.

  Just then, the sister Indeedee, appeared with a tray, setting two cups of freshly brewed tea oable.

  "Thank you!" Leon said, taking a sip of the tea befetting down to business.

  "I was at the Rising Star Tour," Leon began, his tone shifting to one of earness. "I saw your match. That Koraidon of yours—it's an incredible Pokémon!"

  Naoki g Koraidon, who was lounging nearby with a tented expression, clearly pleased by the pliment. Smiling, Naoki nodded. "Koraidon has always been a reliable partner."

  "Raao~" Koraidon chirped happily, swishing its tail.

  Leon leaned forward, his expression growing serious. "After you withdrew from the petition, I faced aed all the remaining traio wiour. But the fact that I never got to battle you… it's always left me with a sense of unfinished business."

  Naoki's polite smile faltered slightly as he listened. 'So that's what this is about.'

  As a seasoned Champion, Leon could easily sehe sheer strength emanating from both Koraidon and Calyrex.

  The aura of strength radiating from Naoki's Pokémon, particurly Koraidon and Calyrex, reminded Leon of his owor, Mustard—a testament to Naoki's skill as a trainer. As the Champion of Gar, Leon had never shied away from challenges. In fact, he relished the ce to battle stroraio refine his abilities.

  "That's why I'm here," Leon decred with a determined grin. "I want to finish the match we didn't get to plete!"

  Naoki hesitated for a moment. 'Is Leon a little too obsessive?'

  He was tempted to expin that he wasn't a full-time trainer but just a rancher. However, looking at Leon's eager expression, he knew such a statement would likely fall on deaf ears. After all, who would believe that someoh a team of such strong Pokémon wasn't actively battling?

  Naoki couldn't deny that his experien real-life Pokémon battles was limited. pared to Leon's years as a champion, Naoki cked the and experienecessary to match him. On top of that, while many of the Pokémon on the ranch were strong, their levels varied widely. He wasn't eveain he could field a full team of six champion-level Pokémon.

  Yet… a small spark of curiosity flickered within him. Naoki wao see how much his Gogoats had grown.

  With the bes of the World Tree's leaves and the nourishing effects of their own Gogoat milk, his Pokémon could recover quickly from injuries. Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to test their progress in a real battle.

  Naoki made up his mind.

  He Leon and said, "Alright. But I 't field a full team of six. Let's make it a 3v3 battle instead."

  "Three-on-three?" Leoed, surprised by the proposal. He had expected Naoki to refuse entirely. Instead, relief washed over him, and his grin widened. "Alright! Let's do this!"

  "Follow me," Naoki said, standing and leading Leon outside.

  The two stepped onto the wide, open grassnd of the ranch. The air was fresh and filled with the cheerful cries of Pokémon pying nearby. Naoki gestured to a specific area, a well-maintained battlefield he had built for the Green Grass Trial.

  As Naoki prepared for the battle, the Pokémon on the ranch gathered, f a lively audience around the battlefield. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity, eager to withe rare occasion of their caretaker taking part in a Pokémon battle.

  Naoki called forward his three Gogoats, their sturdy forms exuding strength and fideurning to Leon, who was clutg a Poké Ball, Naoki offered a slight smile.

  "Before we start, there's something you should know," Naoki began. "In addition to being a rancher, I'm also a chef. My specialty is crafting dishes with unique, even magical, properties—simir to berries that heal or cure status ditions."

  Leon tilted his head, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

  Naoki tinued, "Not long ago, I established a series of trials here on the ranch. Trainers who pass these trials receive rewards—special dishes with unique effects. For example, I've created wihat boost resistao poison, lessen paralysis damage, or even gourmet meals that occasionally help Pokémon learn new moves."

  Leon's eyes widened in surprise. "Food… that enhances a Pokémon's abilities? Really?" His voice was tinged with disbelief, but his curiosity was undeniable.

  Naoki nodded, his calm demeanor unwavering. "Yes. And today, you'll face the most famous trial here—the Green Grass Trial. If you defeat my Gogoats in battle, I'll reward you with a bottle of fruit wine from the ranch as a prize."

  Leon's gaze shifted to the three Gogoats, each radiating a quiet but resolute strength. "The Green Grass Trial, huh?" he mused aloud, excitement sparking in his tone. "I'm in!"

  As Leon stepped onto the battlefield, Naoki gave a quick warning. "Ohing to here's no Dynamaxing here in Paldea. Let's see if you adjust."

  One of the Gogoats stepped forward, its hooves pressing into the lush grass. Its eyes gleamed with determination.

  Leon grinned fidently as he tossed his Poké Ball into the air. "No Gigantamax? No problem! Let's have a cssic battle! Haxorus, you're up!"

  With a burst of white light, the formidable Haxorus emerged onto the battlefield. Its armored body gleamed uhe sun, and its massive axe-like jaw glinted menagly. The dragon's tail shed eagerly, its eyes fixed on the oppo with intense focus.

  Naoki's Gogoat stepped forward, its hooves sinking into the soft earth of the field. Energy surged from the Pokémon's body, and in mere seds, a vibrant Grassy Terrain bloomed across the battlefield. The green glow spread like a wave, transf the ground into a lush meadow filled with small, glowing bdes of grass that swayed gently in the breeze.

  Leon's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Grassy Terrain? And so fast, too! That's nearly instant!" He couldn't help but admire Gogoat's skill. "But," he added with a determined grin, "Haxorus has the advantage here!"

  He pointed forward. "Haxorus, Poison Jab!"

  Haxorus roared and charged, its cws glowing with a menag purple aura as poisonous energy pulsed from its tips. Its powerful legs tore across the field, closing the distah arming speed.

  Naoki, unfazed, observed the attack calmly. He raised his hand and gave a simple and: "Vine Whip."

  With a sharp whoosh, two enormous vines as thick as tree trunks shot out from Gogoat's sides. The air cracked as the vines whipped forward, their sheer size and speed leaving ripples in the glowing terrain.

  The attack was sudden, but Haxorus's sharp instincts kicked in. With a quick pivot, it leaped into a graceful slide, narrowly avoiding the sweeping vihe force of the missed attack sent a strong gust of wind rippling across the field.

  In the moment, another Vine Whip shot out with a sharp whistle, hurtling straight toward Haxorus. This time, there was no room for escape, and the attack struck the dragon Pokémon head-on.

  The immense impact sent Haxorus flying backward, skidding across the ground before ing to an abrupt halt. The force of the blow left the Dragon-type Pokémon stunned, uo rise immediately.

  "S!" Leon excimed, his shock evident. "Was that really a Vine Whip? I've never seeh that much power!"

  But this wasn't the time for admiration. Haxorus was clearly in trouble, and Leon knew he o act fast.

  "Haxorus, hang in there!" he called, his voice carrying a sense end encement.

  Meanwhile, Naoki, who had been watg the battle with a calm and calg gaze, issued his and with steady resolve: "Gogoat, use your stro move!"

  "Meaaaa!"

  Gogoat bleated, determination shining in its eyes as it focused ily on its oppo. L its head, it prepared for a decisive strike.

  Its body suddenly glowed with a brilliant white light as it dashed forward, a streak of energy rag across the battlefield toward the struggling Haxorus.

  "Dodge it!" Leon shouted, his instincts warning him of the danger.

  However, Gogoat's precision aermination made it impossible for Haxorus to escape. As it closed the distance, a tremendous surge of Grass-type energy erupted from Gogoat, materializing into a massive, glowing bde of verdant light. The shimmering Leaf Bde was held firmly in Gogoat's mouth, radiating an aura of unyielding power.

  Leon's eyes widened in shock. "What kind of move is that?!"

  The se was awe-inspiring. Gogoat, wielding the glowing Leaf Bde, charged forward with incredible speed. The bde sliced ly through the air, striking Haxorus with precision and force.

  After delivering the attack, Gogoat skidded to a halt, gracefully turning its back to its oppo as it came to a stop. Its stance was calm and fident, its gaze fixed straight ahead.

  Behind it, Haxorus remained motionless, standing eerily still iermath of the attack. For a brief moment, the battlefield was pletely silent, the tension palpable.

  Then, with a soft thud, Haxorus fell to its knees on the grass, its energy depleted.