Although Naoki haderanstion seed crisps he imagined, his uanding of Teddiursa told him that the little bear was eagerly introdug him to a newfound friend.

  A good friend.

  That "friend" stood nearly two meters tall, looming behind Teddiursa—a Zapdos, the legendary Thunder Pokémon. Known for ing within stormy thunderclouds, this Pokémon was a symbol of might, capable of summoning and trolling lightning with ease.

  While it might not truly be the Thunder God Zapdos of legend, its rarity far exceeded that of any on Pokémon.

  A, such a Pokémon had been invited here by Mew and Teddiursa. Naoki couldn't hide his shobsp;

  He had assumed it would take much longer for the two t a Pokémon of this caliber to the ranch, but their success was astonishingly swift.

  However, there was still a signifit problem. The World Tree wasn't ready!

  Teddiursa notiaoki frozen in thought and tilted its head quizzically. "Ursa?"

  Naoki snapped out of his daze, shifted his gaze to Zapdos, and offered a warm greeting. "Hello, Zapdos! Wele to the ranch. I'm Naoki, Teddiursa's trainer."

  Zapdos fixed its sharp gaze on Naoki, scrutinizing the human carefully.

  This human looked like the o had entered at the power pnt—two legs, two arms, and a head. Typical.

  But this one was different. Uhose humans who had tried to battle and capture it, this human didn't seem remotely ied in throwing a Poké Ball or initiating bat.

  On the journey here, Mew and Teddiursa had expihe ran detail, painting a vivid picture of its peaceful, joyous atmosphere. They described the many Pokémon living harmoniously, the delieals shared, and the fun games pyed.

  Most notably, they spoke at length about Naoki.

  Acc to the duo, Naoki was no ordinary human. He cooked treats, brought back toys duriivals, and ensured every Pokémon had a cozy pce to rest. Most importantly, he never fined his Pokémon to Poké Balls unnecessarily. To Teddiursa and Mew, Naoki was the best human they had ever known.

  Zapdos, naturally skeptical, had thought the cims too good to be true. In its experience, humans captured Pokémon for battle—nothing more.

  But now, standing in the heart of the ranch, Zapdos saw something different.

  Dozens of Pokémon roamed freely, pying and ughing on the grassy fields or flitting among vibrant flowers. None were fio Poké Balls, and their happiness seemed genuine.

  When the Pokémon noticed Zapdos's arrival, they didn't scatter or act defensively. Instead, they looked on with weling curiosity, smiling at the newer.

  Zapdos's skepticism began to waver.

  Naoki, oher hand, felt increasingly self-scious under Zapdos's pierg gaze. He cleared his throat awkwardly, turning toward Mew and Teddiursa. "The World Tree still isn't ready to house Pokémon!" he remihem helplessly.

  It was true. As of today—February 11th, Year 199 of the Alliance dar—the World Tree was still far from mature. The current tree was only about three meters tall, barely reag four. It was nowhere near ready to provide shelter for Pokémon.

  "Mew?" Mew tilted its head, visibly fused.

  Sighing, Naoki gestured for everyoo follow him. "e o me show you."

  Together, they headed toward the World Tree.

  The opy of the tree spread wide, shading the ground below and casting dappled shadows across the grass.

  As the gentle breeze rustled through its leaves, eae shimmered uhe golden sunlight, glowing with a vibrant green hue, brimming with life.

  Upon seeing the World Tree, Mew and Teddiursa excitedly began introdug it to Zapdos. "Mree!" (This is the World Tree!)

  Zapdos turs sharp gaze toward the "tree" iion, its expression visibly puzzled.

  This tree? With a trunk barely thicker than its own leg? Could something so small really support it? Zapdos had its doubts.

  Sensing Zapdos's hesitation, Mew gave a small, embarrassed chirp. "Mew!" (It might not be habitable now, but one day the World Tree will grow much bigger!)

  Teddiursa chimed ihusiastically. "Ursa!" (Exactly! And Naoki knows how long it'll take to grow!)

  Both Pokémon turheir bright eyes toward Naoki, as if waiting for him to firm their cims.

  Naoki hesitated for a moment. "…"

  Calg mentally, he realized that today happeo be the annual day when the Calyrex nurtured the World Tree. This presented a perfect opportunity for Zapdos to witness its growth firsthand.

  After lunch, preparations were plete.

  Every Pokémon on the ranch gathered around the World Tree, f a rge circle as they eagerly awaited the event.

  H above them all, the King of Bountiful Harvests began eling its energy. It raised its arms, and an immense surge of power flowed toward the World Tree.

  In an instant, a brilliant light engulfed the tree, radiating an intense glow that illumihe entire ranbsp;

  Uhe watchful eyes of Naoki and the Pokémon, the World Tree began to grow.

  Its truended upward at an astonishing rate, its bark thiing, its branches spreading wider.

  Boom!

  The ground rumbled faintly, and a strange, resonant hum filled the air.

  Naoki watched closely, marveling at the transformation before him.

  [World Tree (Juveage): A sapling infused with immense Grass-type energy. Nurtured by the King of Bountiful Harvests and Gogoats and influenced by the surrounding enviro, it carries a boundless vitality capable of sustaining life. Legend says it will one day gre enough to support aire world. Time to full maturity: 91,220 years.]

  Naoki blinked as the numbers began to shift rapidly.

  [90,530 years...]

  [89,650 years...]

  [87,600 years...]

  Finally, the tdowled at 87,600 years.

  When the radiant glow surrounding the tree dissipated, what remained was no longer a mere sapling.

  The World Tree now stood proudly, its height reag nearly eight meters. Its trunk was thicker, its ore lush and vibrant, and its presence radiated vitality.

  Naoki let out a breath of relief. The World Tree had successfully transitioned from its sapling stage to its juveage. With this transformation, its growth would accelerate signifitly.

  "It worked..."

  Naoki's mind raced. He recalled the leaf cakes he had prepared, which had been infused with special nutrients. "The growth was reduced by 3,620 years," he muttered to himself. "That's twice as much as before!"

  But then a thought struck him.

  "No… it might not have been just the leaf cakes," Naoki murmured, his brows furrowed in ption.

  Naoki reflected on the rapid growth of the World Tree and realized something signifit. The collective belief and reverence from the people of Paldea had provided an immense reservoir of energy for Calyrex. This widespread faith had amplified its power, surpassing previous limits and reag unpreted heights.

  Additionally, the establishment of the King of Bountiful Harvests Shrine had attracted numerous visitors and trainers. As more people learned about the legendary Pokémon, their admiration further strengthes abilities.

  With such a steady influx of support, Naoki calcuted that the World Tree might achieve its ultimate form within just four years—a cause freat celebration.

  Looking at Calyrex, Naoki couldn't hide his excitement.

  Calyrex o him, speaking telepathically: "The power I've gairuly allows me to nurture the World Tree. It is an honor to tribute to its growth."

  The surrounding Pokémon, including Koraidon and the others, shared in the joy of this moal moment.

  Among them, Zapdos was the most visibly affected.

  The Electric/Flying Pokémon raised its head, gazing at the World Tree in awe. As a Pokémon attuo the forces of nature, it could feel the incredible energy radiating from the tree.

  Zapdos stood frozen, overwhelmed by the sheer vitality emanating from the World Tree. It now fully believed that this tree would one day bee a sanctuary for tless Pokémon.

  As the celebration tinued, Mew and Teddiursa turned eagerly to Zapdos.

  "Mew?" (See? We weren't lying)

  "Ursa!" (Stay with us—it'll be so much fun!)

  Zapdos shifted its gaze from the World Tree to the two small Pokémon, who had traveled great distances just to i. Their genuiement touched Zapdos deeply.

  With a nod, it let out a cry. "Chiu!" (I'll stay. Please take care of me.)

  Pah!

  Mew and Teddiursa jumped into the air, high-fiving each other in delight. They then began chatteriedly with Zapdos, expining all the fun activities they could do together on the ranbsp;

  Seeing this se, Naoki turo Calyrex and asked quietly, "Did Zapdos really agree to stay?"

  Calyrex responded with a knowing smile. "I believe it had already decided to stay before arriving here."

  Naoki was momentarily taken aback but then nodded in agreement. Of course, a Pokémon like Zapdos wouldn't have e all this way unless it had already made up its mind.

  Now that Zapdos had decided to live at the ranaoki e a suitable temporary residence for it until the World Tree was fully grown.

  From what Mew and Teddiursa had shared, Zapdos preferred quiet, secluded areas, far from disturbahis preference was why it had chosen to inhabit an abandoned power pnt in the past.

  With this in mind, Naoki sidered building a small power supply room on the ranot to harness Zapdos for electricity—the ranch's energy needs were already met by Dragonite and Pawmot—but to create a fortable space that would mimic the enviro Zapdos was aced to.

  It seemed fitting for the ranch to have a dedicated power room anyway.

  With this thought in mind, Naoki approached Mew, Teddiursa, and Zapdos to discuss the idea.

  Naoki paused, watg as Mew and Teddiursa unicated animatedly with Zapdos. Calyrex stepped forward, its aura calm and reassuring, to traheir versation.

  "They said Zapdos feels the World Tree isn't fully grow," the King expielepathically. "It pns to travel with them aurn ohe tree has matured."

  Zapdos, standing tall and proud, gave a soft cry to affirm the King's words. There was a rare gentleness in its usually sharp eyes as it g Mew and Teddiursa. Like them, Zapdos had decided to embrace the life of a wanderer. Once a Pokémon aided by the legendary heroes, Zapdos now wished to pay it forward—traveling, helping Pokémon in need, and proteg them wherever it could.

  Naoki finally uood. His initial shock melted into admiration as he asked, "So, when are you pnning to leave?"

  Mew and Teddiursa exged gnces before responding together with excited cries.

  "Miu!"

  Calyrex transted once more: "Tomorrow."

  Naoki nodded with a smile. "The here at the ranch tonight and enjoy yourselves."

  "Ursa!"

  "Mew!"

  The two Pokémon cheered in unison, while Zapdos gave an approving nod. Naoki chuckled softly. "I'll prepare some snacks for you all. Take some time to rex and py here in the meantime."

  As the Pokémon dispersed to explore and enjoy the ranaoki returo the kit. Opening the fridge, he retrieved honey and redients—Teddiursa's favorite. As he worked on preparing the snacks, his thoughts drifted to the duo's adventures.

  They truly worked fast, Naoki mused. Within a short span, they'd already befriended a Pokémon as rare and powerful as Zapdos. And if history were any indication, this was just the beginning. He recalled the tales Mew and Teddiursa had shared about the Pokémon they entered during their travels.

  The two had eagerly mentioned potential friends they might bring to the raneday: a cheerful Farfetch'd, Scrafty, Crabrawler.

  Judging by their charm and iious energy, it was unlikely any wild Pokémon would refuse their invitation. Naoki chuckled to himself, realizing that this "Great Hero Expedition Team" might just bee a Pokémon lottery of sorts—bringing bapaniing from legendary birds to mischievous crabs.

  But this thought also raised a logistical challenge. If Mew and Teddiursa entered rger Pokémon like Aggron, Nidoking, or Snorx, it would be impossible for Zapdos to transport them. Even Zapdos' impressive strength had its limits.

  As Naoki kneaded dough, aruck him.

  What if he equipped the expedition team with Poké Balls?

  Modern Poké Balls had a shrinkiure, making them small and easy to carry—even for Pokémon like Mew and Teddiursa. If they entered a Pokémon that wao join the ranch, the Pokémon could simply enter a Poké Ball for easier transport. Zapdos—or another flying Pokémon—could then deliver these "friends" back to the ranbsp;

  This idea seemed practical, especially with Zapdos now part of the team. The legendary bird could carry a sturdy shoulder bag—like Dragonite's satchel—filled with emergency supplies such as life-saving Gogoat milk aoxifying Pecha fruit.

  When delivering Pokémon to the ranch, Zapdos could replenish its supply of provisions, ensuring the expedition team always had what they needed for their journeys.

  But Naoki hesitated. While the pn sounded effit, he wondered if it was fair to Zapdos. Turning the legendary Pokémon into a delivery bird might not sit well with it. He decided to discuss the idea with all three members of the hero's expeditioer. Their approval and willingness were essential for this pn to succeed.