Naoki asked Leon to wait in the living room while he went to the wine celr. After a short while, he returned with a tray carrying three bottles of fruit wine and carefully pced them oable before Leon.

  Leon's eyes were immediately drawn to the vibrant bottles, their fruity aroma filling the air.

  "Is this the magical wine you make?" he asked.

  Naoki nodded and began expining. "The bottle on the left tains Pecha Fruit Wine. When a Pokémon drinks it, their resistao Poison-type moves increases signifitly."

  He gestured to the bottle. "The middle one is Cheri Fruit Wine, which boosts resistao paralysis. After drinking it, a Pokémon is less likely to be affected by moves like Thunder Wave or Stun Spore."

  Finally, he poio the st bottle. "This one is Sitrus Fruit Wi keeps a Pokémon's body warm, making them much less likely to bee frozen during battles."

  Leon's eyes widened in surprise. "These wines really do that?" he asked, astonished.

  Naoki nodded, smiling. "Yes, they do. As the first traio successfully pass the Green Grass Trial, you've earhese rewards."

  Leon's disbelief lingered. He'd seen fruit wines sold in Gar before, but hat offered bes as unique as these. In Gar, trainers often relied orous training regimens to build their Pokémon's resistao status effects. The idea of achieving simir results through something as simple as drinking a wine seemed almost too good to be true.

  He recalled stories of trainers putting Fire-types through water training or deliberately exposing Pokémon to toxins to build their resistance. Yet, here was a far gentler alternative, promising the same results.

  Leoated for a moment before speaking. "Does today's trial really t, though? You mentioned before that the Green Grass Trial usually involves battling ohen two, and finally three Gogoats."

  Naoki sighed thoughtfully. "I've been residering the inal rules. They were perhaps a bit too ambitious. I'm pnning to revise the trial so that challengers earn rewards for pleting each level separately. If they defeat one Gogoat, they'll qualify for the sed level, where they face two, and so on. Rewards will scale with each level, being rarer as the challenges increase."

  Leon nodded in uanding. "That sounds more approachable for most trainers. And it makes the rewards feel ear every step."

  Naoki smiled. "Exactly. But you've already proven yourself here today, so you've earhese."

  He handed Leohree bottles. "They're yours now. You decide which of your Pokémon to use them on."

  Leon accepted the wines eagerly and offered them to his Pokémon, including Charizard, Dragapult, and Haxorus. The Pokémon she bottles curiously before drinking.

  Seeing the Pokémon had fully rejuvenated, Leon was once again astonished by the effects of the Gogoat's milk.

  "Is this milk really produced by yoats?" Leon asked, still in disbelief.

  "Yes," Naoki replied with a slight nod. "Here in the Paldea region, it's known as 'Milk of Life.'"

  He tinued, "This milk has the extraordinary ability to instantly restore a Pokémon's stamina. Even injuries that the Pokémoer might struggle to heal, like deep-seated fatigue or hidden wounds, be remedied with Life Milk."

  Leon's eyes widened. "I never imagined something like this existed in the world!"

  At this point, Naoki suddenly recalled something. "Mr. Leon," he asked casually, "are you familiar with Alder, the Champion of the Union?"

  "Alder?" Leon echoed, slightly caught off guard.

  Naoki expined, "I heard from someohat Alder's Vola became extremely weak after pushing itself too hard in battle. I believe this Life Milk could help it recover."

  Leon immediately uood what Naoki was implying. After a brief pause, he grinned. "Although I don't know Alder very well, I'll reach out to the Unova League when I return to Gar. I'm sure they'd be gd to send Alder your way."

  Naoki smiled, appreciating Leon's willio help. "Thank you for doing that."

  "Not at all," Leon replied, his trademark grin lighting up his face. Then, his expression turned more serious. "If, one day, one of my Pokémon suffers an injury that's hard to heal, would you help me, too?"

  Naoki paused briefly, then offered a kind smile. "You're always wele here at the ranch."

  Leon's grin widened. "I'll hold you to that!"

  The versation shifted as Naoki and Leon began discussing other topics, including the shrine on the mountain behind the rand the legendary Pokémon, Calyrex.

  At one point, Leon reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wooden carving. "This is a souvenir an old man iown reeo me when I first arrived. Holy, I was surprised to see how well-known Calyrex is in Paldea!"

  Naoki g the intricately carved figure, momentarily unsure of how to respond. Finally, he expined, "That's because Calyrex performed a miracle on the mountaily. In gratitude, the Paldea League structed a shrine for it up there."

  "Amazing!" Leon said, his admiration for Calyrex clear in his tone. He carefully tucked the carving bato his pocket, making a mental o buy more as gifts for Hop, Sonia, Chairman Rose, and his former mentor's family. "These will make perfect souvenirs t back to Gar!" he thought.

  Their versation soon turo the various trials offered at the ranch. Leon's curiosity was immediately piqued.

  "There are currently four trials at the ranch," Naoki expined. "The Green Grass Trial focuses on the Gogoats. Then there's the Storm Trial fohe Lightning Trial for Pawmot, and the Metrorial for Alcremie."

  "Metrorial?" Leoed, intrigued. "The first three make sense, but why does the st one sound so… unusual?"

  Naoki chuckled. "Because it's exactly as it sounds. Only Pokémon that use Metronome are eligible to participate, and they're limited to using that move alone. pared to the other trials, this os luck more than skill. But those who pass still earn a reward."

  "A test of luck, huh?" Leon mused. "It sounds like a bst! But, unfortunately, none of my Pokémon know Metronome."

  Though disappointed, Leon couldn't hide his excitement at the variety of unique challehe ranch offered. With all his Pokémon now fully recovered, he began to feel an irresistible urge to try arial.

  Leon seemed eager to take oorm and Lightning Trials, a glint of determination in his eyes. However, just as he was about to voice his iion, a sudden beeping sound interrupted him.

  Naoki turned his attention to the noise and saw Leon pull a small, fiery-red device resembling a pager from his pocket. Leon pressed a button, and a youthful, slightly impatient voice came through:

  "Brother! Where have you been? The Gar League has been looking everywhere for you! They even came to the house!"

  Leon's fident demeanor wavered slightly. Clearing his throat, he replied with a mix of guilt and bravado, "I'm heading baow! I'll get in touch with Chairman Rose and everyone else ter. Oh, and Hop—I've got an amazing gift for you this time!"

  "Really? What is it?" The voice brightened with excitement.

  Leon grinned. "It's a secret."

  "Aw, e on!" Hop's disappoi was evident, his tone practically begging for more information.

  "You'll find out when I'm back. Alright, that's enough for now—I'm hanging up!" Leon ehe call with a quick press of the button.

  Naoki, intrigued, asked, "That was your brother?"

  Leon nodded. "Yeah, that was Hop. He be a bit reckless sometimes, but I'm sure he's been worried while I've been away."

  Naoki smiled knowingly. It was clear that Leon and Hop shared a close bond.

  Leon straightened up, gng at the time. "I o get back. This trip took lohan I expected, and there's still so much waiting for me in Gar."

  As he prepared to leave, Leon turned his gaze to Koraidon and Calyrex standing in the distance. Regret flickered across his face before he turned back to Naoki.

  "ime," he said firmly, "you've got to go all out. I'm looking forward to battling your stro Pokémon."

  Naoki hesitated but nodded. He silently vowed to help his Gogoats master Rock Slide and recim their fidence against Charizard before their enter.

  Before departing, Leon purchased a few bottles of Life Milk, calling them treasures he po take back to the Gar region. With Charizard ready and waiting, Leon climbed onto its back.

  As Charizard's wings beat against the air and it asded into the sky, Naoki watched the figure of Gar's ued Champion grow smaller and smaller in the distance. A silent wish crossed his mind: 'Please don't get lost again.'

  By the time Leon had disappeared pletely from view, the sun was already high in the sky. Realizing it was lunchtime, Naoki headed baside to prepare food for everyone on the ranch. But as soon as he stepped through the door, the sound of the video ph out.

  Curious, Naoki approached and answered the call. The s lit up, revealia's fa the other end.

  "Leon has already arrived at your ranch, hasn't he?" she asked.

  Naoki: "He just left. Apparently, the Gar League has been looking for him."

  Geeta smiled slightly, her curiosity evident. "So, how was it? Did he battle you? Who came out on top?"

  "Leon won," Naoki admitted with a sigh. "He challehe Green Grass Trial here at the rand ultimately defeated my two Gogoats with his Charizard. It has such a strong type advantage against them."

  Geeta nodded knowingly. As a trainer who owned a Gogoat herself, she was well aware of their vulnerability to Fire-and-Flying Pokémon like Charizard.

  "Even so, you did remarkably well," Geeta said with a smile of genuine appreciation. "Defeating two of the Gar Champion's Pokémon is no small feat. You're certainly living up to the potential I saw in you."

  Naoki paused, uain how to respond. Why did it sound like Geeta had already decided he art of the Paldea League's team?

  Geeta's thoughts seemed to wander as she sidered the Green Grass Trial at Naoki's ranch. She had experie herself and ks potential to help challengers grow stronger. An idea began to take shape in her mind.

  "Perhaps," she began thoughtfully, "we should send all the gym leaders in the Paldea region to your ranch for special training. What do you think?"

  Naoki blinked, caught off guard. "Aren't the gym leaders incredibly busy?" he asked, recalling how overworked some of them seemed. "I saw Larry juggling multiple responsibilities, and it looked like the stress was getting to him—his hairline ractically giving up."

  Geeta coughed lightly, trying to maintain her posure. "Yes, they're busy most of the time," she admitted. "But every year, gym leaders are allowed to take a short vacation. During that time, they don't have to stay at their gyms to accept challengers."

  Naoki gave her a pointed look. "So, you're suggesting that they spend their vacation time here, training?"

  The Paldea League's level of resourcefulness—or exploitation—was remarkable. Even during their time off, the gym leaders wouldn't get much of a break.

  "I 't make decisions about this," Naoki said carefully.

  In truth, the idea intrigued him. The strength of trainers visiting Paldea Academy varied widely, and many of the newer ones couldn't provide much of a challenge for his Pokémon, like Pawmot and Dragonite. But if the gym leaders came...

  It would be perfect fiving his Pokémon experience against seasoned, high-level oppos. The potential bes for their training were undeniable.

  With that thought in mind, Naoki added, "But I'm happy to wele challengers here anytime."

  Geeta's smile widened. "Then it's settled," she said. "We'll treat it as a special mission for the gym leaders."

  The two reached an agreement, aa ehe call with a satisfied expression.

  Perhaps this initiative could signifitly boost the overall strength of Paldea's gym leaders. And with strym leaders, visiting trainers from ions might leave with the impression that Paldea was home to the most talented and formidable trainers.

  As for Naoki and his ranch... Geeta mused, it could serve as Paldea's "hidden boss," a secret challenge for trainers daring enough to seek it out. She felt pleased at the thought of trainers from ions flog to test their skills at the ranch.

  Although Naoki wasirely sure what Geeta nning, he could guess at her iions. But he was just a small-town rancher—hardly in a position to ge the champion's mind.

  After the call ended, Naoki decided to che his Gogoats, offer them some encement, and discuss how they could grow stronger. As he stepped outside onto the grassy field, he suddenly noticed a shadow passing overhead.

  A rush of wind swept across him, apanied by a series of sharp cries: "Chiu!"

  Startled, Naoki tilted his head upward just in time to see a massive bird Pokémon desd. Its pierg gaze, regal posture, and lightning-charged feathers radiated an air of poride.

  "Zapdos?!" Naoki excimed, his eyes widening in disbelief.

  Riding on the back of the Legendary Bird of Thunder were her than Mew and Teddiursa. The duo leaped off Zapdos as soon as it nded.

  Teddiursa ran toward Naoki with a gleeful cry of "Ursa!", jumping into his arms with boundless energy.

  This must be the same Zapdos the heroic expedition team had entered at the power pnt, Naoki realized, still trying to process what he was seeing.

  After giving Naoki a warm hug, Teddiursa hopped down, joining Mew near Zapdos. The two Pokémon beamed with pride, their excitement bubbling over as they introduced their new panion.

  Mew floated upward with a pyful "Mew!", while Teddiursa enthusiastically added, "Ursa! Ursa!" 'We've invited our new friend to e live with us on the ranch'.