“Wooom~”

  Ihe cave, Ogerpon hummed a little tune of its owion while tidying up its treasure trove.

  Well, calling it a treasure trove might be a stretch—it was more like a cluttered ste room.

  “Hmph, hmph.”

  Ogerpon picked up a stuffed toy, took a deep breath, and buried its fato the plush fabric. After a few affeate nuzzles, it gingerly pced the toy onto a spot it had meticulously ed and lined with a sheet of pstic to keep it pristine.

  Just as it was engrossed in tidying its "home," a noise from outside the cave caught Ogerpon’s attention, making it instantly alert.

  Ogerpon had alrided itself on its sharp sense of vigince.

  How had it mao live peacefully for so long? Was it because of its strength, capable of taking down a Rattata in a single swipe? Its speed, which left most Pokémon trailing in its dust? Or perhaps its cute and unassuming appearance?

  No.

  Its survival depended entirely on its keen awareness of danger!

  Croug low in a tactical crawl, Ogerpohily moved to the cave entrand cautiously peeked outside to survey the situation.

  Normally, if another Pokémon discovered its hiding spot, Ogerpon’s instinct would be to grab its belongings and bolt.

  But this time…

  Gng back at the treasures in the cave, a hint of hesitation flickered in Ogerpon’s eyes.

  Several of the items were gifts from Natsume. Taking everything would be inve, and if it ran too far, it might lose track of Natsume entirely.

  Wouldn’t that worry him?

  “Hmmm!”

  After a moment of hesitation, Ogerpon’s eyes sharpened with determination.

  Fine! If it came to a fight, so be it!

  Though it usually preferred peace, Ogerpon was no pushover.

  It would show them its strength today!

  But as it turned out, Ogerpon was overthinking things.

  Outside the cave, a group of Pokémon didn’t seem to have any iion of staying.

  “Choo…”

  About ten weary-looking Bou sat on the ground, their faces etched with sadness. In front of them, a Steenee eaking passionately, trying its best to rally the group. But uhe circumstahe speech seemed to have little effect.

  Seeing its panions so dispirited, eveeenee, who was holding strong, couldn’t help but show traces of sorrow on its face.

  They hadn’t rested properly in a long time, nor had they had a det meal. Their inal territory had been taken over by a powerful Pokémon, and the group had been scattered while fleeing for their lives.

  To be ho, Steenee felt like it was nearing its limit.

  Sniffing, it g its downtrodden panions and inexplicably felt a surge of anger.

  No reason, just anger.

  It really wao kiething.

  Turning away, it crossed its arms and sat down, stewing in its own frustration.

  “Hmm…”

  Ah, so that’s what happened.

  Having eavesdropped on the versation, Ogerpon pieced together the story.

  This sort of thing wasn’t unon in the wild.

  The world was vast, filled with unknown adventures and powerful Pokémon. Occasionally, a strong Pokémon uo hold its ground in its owory would e to weaker areas and assert dominance.

  It was just the way of nature.

  With this in mind, Ogerpon tiptoed bato the depths of the cave and rummaged through its little bag, pulling out a few pieces of Pokéblocks. After some thought, it decided t the whole bag, slinging it around its neck before dashing out.

  Ogerpon to the rescue!

  “Choo!”

  The Bou group, initially enveloped in a gloomy atmosphere, was startled by Ogerpon’s sudden appearance.

  The Steenee instinctively stepped in front of its panions, ready to protect them.

  Bou were notably okémon, g in strength, speed, defense, and stamina. Even Steenee, despite its evolution, wasn’t much better.

  This evolutionary line only experienced a true leap in strength after evolving into Tsareena, transf from a near-equal to Magikarp into a pnt version of Pheromosa (well, almost).

  Even knowing its limitations, Steeood its ground to protect the others.

  “Hump hump!”

  Sensing the tension, Ogerpon hurriedly expihat it meant no harm. It had overheard their versation and wao help.

  Ogerpon thehusiastically described Natsume’s farm, painting it as a paradise.

  In Ogerpon’s depi, Natsume was the ki person in the world—he didn’t hate Ogerpon, gave it delicious food, and even provided shelter to wandering Pokémon.

  Hearing this, Steenee raised a skeptical question.

  “Choo?”

  Then why aren’t you living there?

  Uh…

  Caught off guard, Ogerpon stammered through a series of nonsensical expnations. To divert the topic, it quickly pulled out some Pokéblocks from its bag and offered them to the group.

  Yes, Ogerpon had decided—it would help Natsume expand his roster of Pokémon!

  It had always felt a little guilty about freeloading at the farm. Helping recruit new Pokémo like a step toward repaying Natsume’s kindness.

  Watg the Bou and Steenee happily share the Pokéblocks, Ogerpon couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. Hearing them praise Natsume made its heart flutter with joy.

  Yet, amid the joy, a thought lingered.

  Why wasn’t it living at Natsume’s farm?

  Its retionship with Natsume was goht?

  Fidgeting with its paws, Ogerpo uain. This kind of introspe was a bit too plex for its little brain.

  “Choo?”

  “Choo!”

  Steenee’s call snapped Ogerpon out of its thoughts.

  Seeing the eager yet cautious look in Steenee’s eyes, Ogerpon quickly agreed to lead the way.

  The jouro Natsume’s farm was a long one, and this was Ogerpon’s first time bringing others along. The experience felt stra also satisfying.

  However, as the farm came into view, a sudden thought hit Ogerpon like a thunderbolt.

  What if Natsume didn’t want to take them in?

  Panic set in, but it was too te to turn back.

  From a distahe watightyena family was already waving iing.

  With no other choice, Ogerpon pressed forward, silently praying that Natsume wouldn’t be angry—or worse, that he wouldn’t dislike it for ag on its own.

  Gcell