Naoki had never noticed this antique shop before—it must have opened retly. The heavy, intricately carved wooden dave way to a wave of rustic charm as Naoki stepped ihe air was thick with an aged aroma, evoking the passage of time.

  The interior acious, with a ter directly across from the entrand rows of shelves lining the walls. Each shelf dispyed an array of antiques: worn pottery, faded scrolls, and relics from bygone eras. Behind the ter stood a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair, round-framed gsses, and an air of refi. He was dusting the ter with a feather duster while a Luxray cub snoozed zily on the bar.

  The faint creak of the door caught their attention. The man looked up, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "A er? Wele!" he said warmly.

  The Luxray cub yawned and raised its head, its pierg eyes briefly meeting Naoki's.

  "Hello!" Naoki greeted with a polite smile.

  "What brings you in today?" The shopkeeper set down his feather duster and approached with a spring in his step. "Are you looking for collectible antique paintings, or perhaps evolution tea sets for Pokémon like Sinistea and Polteageist? We carry a wide variety of treasures here!"

  Naoki blinked in surprise. He was familiar with Polteageist, but the mention of another Pokémon, Sinistcha, piqued his curiosity.

  "Sinistcha?" Naoki repeated, tilting his head.

  The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "You've never heard of it?"

  Naoki shook his head. "I only know about Polteageist."

  "Ah, that makes sehe shopkeeper adjusted his gsses and smiled. "Sinistcha and Polteageist are closely reted. Both are tea Pokémon, but Sinistcha is native to the distant Kitakami region. Like Polteageist, it requires a special tea set to evolve."

  He gestured toward one of the shelves, where an orea bowl rested. "This, for example, is a tea set needed for Sinistcha's evolution. It's said that these Pokémon form from the lingeris of tea masters who never perfected their craft. Their essence is bound to matcha, creating these peculiar beings."

  The shopkeeper leaned in spiratorially. "In Kitakami, there's a chilling legend about Sinistcha. They say, 'If you waste food, a Sinistcha will spricha on you, drain your energy, and turn you into a shriveled husk!' Terrifying, isn't it?"

  Naoki chuckled nervously, unsure how to respond. "That's… quite the story."

  While he appreciated the lore, Naoki found the description of Kitakami puzzling. He had always envisiohe region as a tranquil, agricultural haven, filled with sprawling orchards and picturesque ndscapes. The trast between its idyllic image and this macabre tale was striking.

  "I bet it's just a story to scare people," Naoki mused inwardly. "Like the rumors about Polteageist immighoul."

  Still, he hadn't e here to discuss tea Pokémon. His attention turned back to the array of antiques lining the walls. Each piece seemed to hold a story, and the shopkeeper was eager to share them.

  "That suit of armor over there," the shopkeeper began, pointing to a polished set dispyed in a er, "beloo a knight of the Paldean Kingdom. It's over five hundred years old and still remarkably preserved, with no signs of rust."

  He gestured to a stack of a books nearby. "And these? They're Pokémon observation journals penned by schors of the Paldean Kingdom. The tents might seem like on knowledge today, but back then, this information was groundbreaking."

  Finally, the shopkeeper moved to a ceramic pot. "This, they say, once beloo the king of Paldea. He drank water from it during his reign."

  Naoki: "..."

  Naoki silently regarded the pot, which, to his amusement, resembled an old chamber pot. His eyes then caught something far more intriguing—a weathered treasure chest about 30 timeters tall, sitting at the other end of the shelf. It radiated a charm that immediately piqued his i.

  The shopkeeper notiaoki's gaze and walked over. "Ah, this treasure chest," he began, "it's another reli the Paldean Kingdom era, just like the pottery jar. Over 2,000 years ago, during the Kingdom's golden age, explorers embarked on grand treasure hunts. This chest was recovered during one such expedition. Unfortunately, its treasures were removed long ago, leaving only the chest behind."

  Naoki leaned in, examining the fiails of the chest. "How much are you asking for it?" he asked.

  The shopkeeper adjusted his gsses thoughtfully. "I won't lie—there's nothing i's ay shell now. But as a historical artifact, it's still valuable. I part with it for 20,000 Poke dolrs."

  Naoki mulled it over. While 20,000 Poke dolrs wasn't a prohibitive sum—he could easily recoup it by selling a bottle of Gogoat milk—he still wasn't sure if the chest was worth the price. Moreover, such artifacts didn't have a standardized market value; prig was rgely subjective.

  Deg to iate, Naoki tapped into his limited bargaining skills. "How about 10,000?" he tered.

  The shopkeeper's expression tightened. "…You're joking, right? Even mass-produced decorations ore than that," he scoffed. "And this chest is an authentitique—over two millennia old!"

  Naoki tried again, smiling diplomatically. "How about 15,000? I'd also be open to a long-term partnership if that sweetens the deal."

  The shopkeeper's i iqued. "A long-term partnership, you say? What sort ement?"

  Naoki poio a pair of a s dispyed on a nearby shelf. "I see you have some Gimmighoul s. I'm looking to collect as many of those as I get my hands on. If you supply me with s like those, we could work together regurly."

  The shopkeeper followed Naoki's gesture, his gaze nding on the s. The s, also relics from the Paldean Kingdom, were once used as currend held historical significe. Modern collectors valued such s for their rarity, though their market price was retively modest—typically around 50,000 dolrs—far less than high-end antiques like rare tea sets.

  "You're ied in those s?" the shopkeeper asked, intrigued.

  Naoki nodded. "Yes. I retly entered a Gimmighoul at home, and it seems to have an affinity for these s. I thought that it some might help me build trust with it."

  The shopkeeper's eyebrows rose in surprise. "A Gimmighoul?"

  Naoki's i in the shop's treasures had left the owner perplexed. To the shopkeeper's dising eye, Naoki didn't seem like a collector of antiques. Priceless relics were g briefly before his attention wandered elsewhere. It wasn't until Naoki mentiohe Gimmighoul that the shopkeeper finally uood the young man's true motivation.

  "You're trying to help a Gimmighoul collect s so it evolve into a Gholdengo?" the shopkeeper excimed in surprise.

  "Huh?" Naoki blinked, equally surprised. "You know about Gholdengo?"

  "Of course! Anyone iiques business knows about Gholdengo," the shopkeeper replied. "The e between Gimmighoul and the s is well-doted. These Pokéminated during the reign of the Paldean Kingdom over 2,000 years ago, their existerinsically tied to the greed of treasure-seeking explorers."

  Naoki nodded slowly. "That makes sense…"

  The shopkeeper tinued, his tone almost reverent. "It wasn't until two turies ago that people even realized Gimmighoul could evolve. As the stoes, an antique collector befriended a Gimmighoul, which had an insatiable desire for s. To please his panion, the collector spent a fortune amassing the gold s from all over the world."

  "And then?" Naoki asked, leaning forward with curiosity.

  "With enough s, the Gimmighoul merged with them and evolved into Gholdengo—a rare araordinary Pokémon!" the shopkeeper said with excitement. "Sihen, collectors have dreamed of replig that success. But Gimmighoul are incredibly timid and flee at the sight of humans. Capturing one is a moal challenge."

  Naoki listened ily as the shopkeeper's tourned more serious. "And even if someone mao capture a Gimmighoul, colleg the necessary s is a daunting task. The s aren't easy to e by. They're scattered across ruins, tombs, and other dangerous locations. Most people give up long befathering enough."

  "Is that why no one's seen a sed Gholdengo iwo hundred years?" Naoki asked, astonished.

  "Exactly," the shopkeeper said with a nod. "The s themselves are valuable. In the market, one typically sells for around 50,000 Poke dolrs. Do the math—colleg 1,000 s would cost a staggering 50 million Poke dolrs! That's a price most people simply 't afford."

  "And that's assuming the s are even avaible," the shopkeeper added. "Many are hidden in a ruins or tombs. These pces are perilous, filled with traps and guarded by powerful Pokémon loyal to their long-dead masters. Anyone daring enough to trespass risks being chased down."

  Naoki, who had briefly sidered venturing into ruins to find s, hesitated. "…That sounds like too much trouble," he admitted. "I'd rather not get into unnecessary fights."

  The shopkeeper chuckled. "Wise choice. So, how about it? Are you taking the treasure chest?"

  "Yes," Naoki replied decisively. "I'll also take those two s. If you happen to acquire more iure, tact me directly—I'll pay a premium."

  The shopkeeper's eyes lit up. "Deal! But on one dition."

  Naoki tilted his head. "What dition?"

  The shopkeeper's expression softened with excitement. "If you ever mao evolve that Gimmighoul into a Gholdengo, you must bring it here. I want to see it with my own eyes!"

  Naoki smiled. "Okay"

  He left his taformation with the shopkeeper, paid for the treasure chest and s, and then headed to the ranch.

  As Naoki dismounted from his Cyclizar, carrying the fresh seafood he'd purchased in town, a group onites and a curious Dragonair immediately gathered around. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity as they she bag.

  "Awooo?" one Dragonite called out inquisitively.

  Naoki chuckled, gng at the bag. "Oh, this? I bought it in town—seafood."

  He had inally po let the Dragory some during lunch, but seeing their reas, he realized something. Fohat lived he sea, fish, shrimp, and other seafood were likely part of their natural diet.

  From the er of his eye, Naoki noticed a rger Dragonite approag, soon joined by even more Dragonairs. Their eyes darted between Naoki and the seafood as if a pn was f in their minds.

  "Wroo!" Dragonairs heir expression one of realization. If Naoki liked these things, they could catch more during their trips back tonite Isnd and bring them as gifts!

  Unaware of their iions, Naoki hahe seafood bag to Indeedee instrug her to steam it for lunch. Then, carrying the treasure chest and s he'd purchased earlier, he headed toward the tavern.

  The pub was quiet during the day, with sunlight streaming through the windows, revealing motes of dust drifting zily in the light. It seemed the Indeedees had just finished ing the space.

  Naoki looked around but saw no sign of the Gimmighoul he suspected was hiding there. Still, he was certain it was nearby, him from the shadows. Without making a fuss, he pced the treasure chest and the two gold s uhe bar where shadows collected.

  "Gimmighoul," he called out gently.

  "I found a treasure chest and two s today that I thought you might like. e take a look when you're ready."

  The room remained silent, with no response from the unseen Pokémon. Naoki smiled faintly, not expeg one, and turo leave. His footsteps echoed softly as he exited, growing fainter until they disappeared pletely.

  Moments ter, a small, hesitant figure peeked out from the darkness. The Gimmighoul gnced around cautiously, ensuring Naoki was truly gone before it crept toward the bar. It stared at the treasure chest and s, its glowing eyes wide with wonder. Yet, it didn't immediately cim them. Instead, it perched on the bar and gazed toward the door, fusioched on its face.

  Why had this human go of his way t it such a precious gift? It hadn't done anything to deserve this kindness.

  Meanwhile, Naoki returned home ao work preparing the seafood. By the time he finished ing the shells and ches, it was nearly noon. Just as he was about to begin steaming them, a familiar voice called from outside.

  "Naoki, are you home? Good afternoon, Cyclizar! Oh, Koraidon, hello to you too!"

  Reizing the voiaoki paused, wiping his hands on a towel. "Mayor Thomas?" he muttered to himself, w why the mayor was visiting at this hour. Setting down his work, he stepped outside.

  The mayor stood at the entrance, smiling warmly. "Good day, Naoki. May I e in?"

  "Of course," Naoki replied, motioning for him to enter. "What brings you here?"

  Once seated on the sofa, Mayor Thomas expined, "It's about an invitation we received retly. You see, st year, Kosaji Town had an excellent harvest, providing fresh vegetables and crops to many ions of Paldea. Thanks to that, our town's reputation in agriculture has grown."

  He tinued, "A few days ago, we received an invitation from Kitakami Vilge to participate in an agricultural exge event. They've asked us to send an experienced farmer to share pnting teiques and insights. After some discussion, the townspeople unanimously decided to send you."

  Naoki blinked in surprise. The name "Kitakami" caught his attention—it was the same pce the antique shop owner had mentioned earlier that day. He had been intrigued by the stories and had even sidered visiting when time allowed. Now, the opportunity had preseself naturally.

  Though Naoki wasly a seasoned farmer—he relied heavily on Pokémon like Dugtrio for tilling, Gogoat for nurturing crops, and Dragonite for watering—he felt fident enough to represent the town. More importantly, he saw this as a ce to spread awareness of Calyrex and its remarkable powers.

  "When is the event?" Naoki asked.

  Mayor Thomas smiled, pleased by Naoki's willingness. "In three days. Kitakami Vilge is quite far, so we'll o take a po get there."