Pokémon: Starting as a Farmer Instead of a Trainer

Chapter 129 Ponpo's Past, Mingyou's Plans for the Manor's Future

After being treated to dinner at a restaurant by Chih-lan, Ming-you did not immediately return to the hotel, but instead went to Team Rocket's place, which was packing up.

"The boss is here, meow~"

Meow Meow, with her sharp eyes, instantly spotted Naruto approaching and alerted Musashi and the others. The group immediately stepped forward, excitedly recounting their day's achievements. Then, seemingly prepared, they bowed deeply and said, "Here's today's bill. Please take a look, boss!"

"No need, I can see everything."

Mingyou waved his hand, and at the same time sincerely sighed. He did not expect to sell so many. He originally expected that he could only sell more than half of the quantity at most by the end of the Lily of the Valley Tournament, but he did not expect that he had sold half of it in just one day.

The fruit for learning hand gestures was almost completely sold out; everything on display was sold out immediately. Snacks were the next most popular items.

However, he taught them how to handle these situations, and then the Rockets players did it themselves. It didn't have much to do with him, but the fact that they sold well speaks volumes.

He then regained his serious expression, put his hands behind his back, and said, "You did a good job today. You don't need to come here tomorrow..."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, the Rockets' trio was taken aback. Were they going to be fired?

No!

Even if they only take 20% of the profits they make today, it's enough for two months of their daily expenses, and they want to earn even more.

"Let me finish!"

Seeing their anxious expressions, Mingyou liked employees like that, so she continued, "Due to certain reasons, your stall will be moved to a more lively location tomorrow."

"Huh? Could it be...?"

"Yes, I got these for you guys, so do your best. I'll restock if we run out. Keep up the good work, and maybe we can even get into the venue and sell from the audience during the quarterfinals!"

"Yay!!!"

The Rockets' trio excitedly hugged each other. Hard work really does pay off; that's for sure.

Mingyou didn't bother them any further, then said goodbye and left before returning to his hotel. He had some important things to do...

In the living room of the hotel room, everyone gathered together. Ponpo had something to say to Mingyou, but it didn't mind everyone listening.

"If you have anything that makes you sad or upset, just tell us. Or if you have any problems, we'll all help you solve them."

Mingyou let Ponpo sit on her lap and spoke softly. Her companions around her immediately responded, saying they would help no matter what.

"Mmm~"

Ponpo smiled and showed its little tiger teeth. It was very grateful for everyone's company. Then it took out the Green Grass Mask... The mask was an important prop that carried its memories. Now that it saw the Moon Bear and the tombstone in the back mountain, it had recalled many memories.

But these memories weren't as pleasant as I had imagined...

"Tell me about it, I'm here for you."

Mingyou gently stroked Ponpo's head, so it could continue talking in peace...

In fact, hundreds of years ago, Ponpo had someone who took care of it for a long time. Although it can no longer remember what the person looked like, that person was indeed its companion.

They came from a very far place to settle in Beishang Township, but they can't remember what happened in between, and it wasn't a very pleasant experience either.

But a kind-hearted mask maker made four masks for them, allowing them to enter the village and interact with everyone during lively events like the Masked Festival.

However, the mask also brought disaster... The mask's preciousness and the power it contained attracted three evil legendary Pokémon.

In order to obtain the masks, they broke into the residence while Ponpo was out fetching water by the waterfall, killed Ponpo's companions, and stole three masks. Only the Green Grass Mask, which was protected by its companions with their lives, was not taken away.

Seeing this scene, Ponpo couldn't remember what had happened, but when it came to its senses, it was already in the village, with the three legendary Pokémon that it had beaten to death with its thorny vine club in front of it.

This was the first time Ponpon had harmed other lives, even taking their lives directly. It was terrified, curling up in a ball with its head in its hands. The villagers threw stones at it, leaving it covered in injuries, and it cried out of the village.

"And from that day on, you became that demon... and the three Pokémon that were killed became heroes who protected Kitakami Village, affectionately called Pokémon, right?"

Mingyou softly shared her guess, then hugged Pengpeng in her arms, comforting her. Just hearing about such a thing would make it impossible to remain calm, let alone someone who had experienced it firsthand.

Latias blushed upon hearing this.

What an incredible birth! Not just those three legendary Pokémon, but also the humans in Kitakami Township back then!

"..."

The Moon Bear fell silent for a moment. It too had experienced being misunderstood and driven away; this was firsthand experience.

"Gambit~"

The little Snorlax grinned. It had been kicked out of the village for eating three of the birth offerings, and now it had gotten revenge for Ponpo.

"Mommy~"

Simocha twirled the tea scoop in his hand. It was something that the people of Beishang Township avoided like the plague, always playing pranks there. It seemed like he was doing a good deed!

"shark……"

Hearing them say these things, the gible shark, clutching its belly, was stunned.

Oh no, it seems like I'm the only one who didn't do anything...

This won't do. I have to do something about it when I get back! I have to stand up for Ponpo!

"Hmm..."

Thinking about these things now makes Ponpo very sad. She feels that it was all her fault, and if she hadn't left back then... none of the tragedies that followed would have happened.

"How could that be? It's not your fault. Does that mean good Ponpo should be held at gunpoint?"

Mingyou's tone was very calm, because she was also suppressing her anger. Then she gently touched Ponpo's face and said, "Then I will uphold justice. It's about time..."

He smiled, because the booming business this time was something he had never expected. But if things continued like this, he believed that with his savings and the money he had accumulated, he would be able to pay off all the debts his grandfather had incurred.

But that's not enough, because the land lease on the estate is about to expire, and he wants to renew it... no, he should say he'll just buy it outright, so that he can own the land himself, and he also wants to buy the surrounding land, including the pond in the backyard, to do other things!

Doing all this will inevitably lead to some conflict of interest with the people in Beishang Township, which is his opportunity to bring about a change in Beishang Township!

"We just need to wait a few more days!"

"Hmm..."

Ponpo nodded gently. There was no need to doubt it, because it would always believe that Mingyou could do it. However, there was still one problem.

That was it back then. It was terrified after killing three Pokémon. Before it could retrieve the masks, those people chased it away with stones. These masks also carried its memories, and Ponpo wanted to get them all back.

"So all three of your masks are in Beishang Township?"

"Mmm!"

"I'll get it back for you... I promise!"

Mingyou said firmly, this was his promise and agreement to Ponpo!

……

Soon, three days had passed in the blink of an eye. The Lily of the Valley Tournament was proceeding smoothly and had already reached the round of sixteen.

In the audience, Ponpo, holding a bucket of popcorn, sat obediently on Mingyou's lap, watching the final match of the top 16 below, Ash vs. Kaoping, which had entered the final crucial stage.

As for Darkrai, his opponent had already advanced. Darkrai defeated three opponents in a row, ending the battle in just two and a half minutes – a complete and utterly crushing victory with absolutely no entertainment value.

"Haha, tactics are useless. When facing opponents with a high degree of unpredictability, it's better to just play freely. It's much more reliable than using tactics."

Seeing Kaoping's Dusknoir get its fist bitten by Ash's Gible, Naruto burst out laughing, and Ponpo couldn't help but chuckle softly as well.

Their sitting posture made Hikari, who was cheering for Ash next to them, feel ashamed. What else could it be but a sister complex or a daughter complex?

However, compared to siblings, their relationship does seem more like that of a father and daughter...

Soon, the Round of 16 ended, and Xiao Zhi successfully won, advancing to the quarterfinals.

"He played beautifully, but his next opponent is... Shinji? It's a pity that the players will have two days to rest and prepare before the quarterfinals, so it's really hard not to see him right away."

This feeling is like following a comic book to the climax, only to turn to the last page and see the words "No Publication Next Week" printed in big, conspicuous letters in the bottom left corner, and you instantly feel deflated.

However, there was no more comics to read, but there were still games to play. Just as Mingyou was about to leave, she suddenly received a message from Zhulan and instantly understood.

"Is the fishing finally about to begin?!"

……

(End of this chapter)