Pokémon: Starting as a Farmer Instead of a Trainer

Chapter 140 Saying goodbye to Ash, information about Meloetta (4000 words)

As night fell, the venue was filled with a lively atmosphere and applause, illuminated by dazzling fireworks blooming in the night sky.

On the high platform beneath the swaying Ho-Oh flame, Champion Cynthia is presenting the tournament trophy to Ash, who won the Lily of the Valley Tournament.

All the excitement now belongs to him in the center of the stage and the Pokémon he battles alongside. In the audience, all his friends are happy for him as he finally takes the first step toward his dream.

"It's really not easy..."

Mingyou smiled and clapped, witnessing the end of the conference with everyone, watching the sacred flame that had burned for so many days slowly go out.

Of course, this is not the end.

The winner of the tournament will have the right to challenge the Elite Four. Once the Elite Four are defeated, the winner will face Cynthia in the Sinnoh League for the championship battle. The winner will become the new champion of the Sinnoh region.

Mingyou believes that Xiaozhi will definitely continue to play, but as for how far he can go, he has no ability to predict the future and naturally doesn't know.

After all, that's all he could do to help; the rest of the journey is up to the other person to walk...

The closing ceremony ended just like that, and Ash fulfilled his promise to Naruto after the competition, which was basically just a GG (Gap) game. But as the winner of the highly anticipated tournament, this GG effect was extraordinary.

In less than a day, Mingyou's shop on "Salted Fish King" has already gained over 10,000 followers and countless inquiries about related fruits, but that's a story for another time...

Mingyou originally wanted to wait until he came out to congratulate him, but seeing so many media interviews, she decided not to bother him for the time being.

Just then, a slightly helpless voice suddenly rang out from behind him: "I lost... You really do have a good eye for people."

"These are all due to his hard work and ability, and have little to do with me."

As she spoke, Mingyou turned around and looked at Dakdo standing not far away. He had already packed his things and seemed to be planning to leave tonight.

"Perhaps..."

Dakdo chuckled and didn't continue the topic. Although he lost, the final was still a pleasant surprise for him.

Although she hadn't confronted Mingyou, her presence here was naturally for this very reason. She then said, "The information I'm about to tell you concerns a Mythical Pokémon. I originally intended to capture it, but the difficulty was too high, so I gave up..."

He believed that since he saw a legendary Pokémon by Naruto's side, Naruto must also have the strength to deal with the mythical Pokémon. It would be a good thing to let someone he trusted take it away.

"A mythical Pokémon?"

Mingyou did indeed become somewhat interested.

Darkdoll nodded and replied, "Have you heard of Melody Pokémon Meloetta?"

"Could it be...?"

"That's right. Three months ago, I received some information that there seemed to be Pokémon hunters in the Unova region trying to capture it. However, it boarded a passenger ship bound for Blueberry Academy and then hid there. Although it's unclear whether it's still there after all this time, those people still haven't given up on capturing it."

Dakdo explained the situation. He was very interested in Meloetta, but ordinary people couldn't enter places like Blueberry Academy because the procedures were too complicated. Besides, Meloetta had the ability to become invisible. After thinking it over carefully, he finally gave up.

After saying this, he waved and prepared to leave, as he still had to catch a ship to go elsewhere.

But before leaving, he couldn't help but add a reminder: "By the way, those Pokémon hunters who captured Meloetta, according to rumors, are likely from Team Rocket. If you're really planning to catch it, you'd better be careful of them..."

"..."

After watching Dakdo leave after giving her this information, Mingyou stroked her chin and fell into deep thought.

"Meloeta... It's still at Blueberry Academy. Although I can't go there for the time being, I can ask Xiaozhao to keep an eye out for it."

Business is about to take off, so he doesn't have much time. He also needs to collect more cards, especially rare ones, to help Meloetta. It might not be a bad thing.

"Mmm~"

Ponpon listened intently from the side, curious to know what kind of Pokémon Meloetta was.

"Meloeta... I've never seen it either, but I've heard that it sings beautifully, like heavenly music, and everyone who hears it sing falls in love with it."

"Mmm~"

Ponpo looked curious, was it Zun Du or a fake Du?

"Of course it's true. If you happen to meet it, ask it to sing for you."

"Mmm~"

He said a few more things to make Ponpo look forward to it. Seeing that the interview with Satoshi seemed to be coming to an end, he decided to go over and say goodbye.

There's a boat at the dock right now, otherwise it would definitely be crowded tomorrow morning. After all, I have luggage, and it's inconvenient for Latias to carry it...

A moment later, Ash and Pikachu left the crowd looking exhausted. They had finally won, but why couldn't they be happy? It seems that fame isn't always a good thing.

You'll get used to it.

Xiao Guang laughed and joked, saying that as a Coordinator, she was used to this kind of thing.

Just as Xiao Gang was about to say something, he suddenly sensed something, looked up, and said with a smile, "Mingyou is here."

Hearing this, Ash's tired expression vanished, and he ran over. Naruto also stopped and greeted him with a smile, "Congratulations on winning! It seems I'm a little late; there were too many people over there... You're probably going to challenge the Elite Four next, right?"

"Yes, Miss Cynthia said she will go to the Sinnoh League headquarters to take on the challenge in three days."

Xiao Zhi's tone was full of anticipation.

Mingyou nodded gently, then asked curiously, "So, have you decided where you're going to travel next? Even though you won the competition, I'm sure your journey isn't over yet."

"Well, I haven't decided yet. I plan to go back to Pallet Town to rest for a few days before deciding to travel to other areas."

"That's good too. Even though I travel a lot, I should still go home and spend time with my family from time to time."

As he spoke, Mingyou also mentioned that he had come to say goodbye. He had been away for more than half a month and it was time for him to return to Beishang Township.

"Is that so..."

Hearing that he was leaving, Xiaozhi and the others were a little reluctant to part with him. After all, they had spent so many days together and had become friends. But parting is also for a better reunion next time.

"Have a safe journey, and I hope your fruit business continues to thrive!"

"Haha, thank you for your kind words."

The group chatted and laughed, completely unaware that a massive machine was secretly watching them from the nearby woods. The Team Rocket trio had changed back into their original clothes and were piloting the robot they had retrieved from Mingyou, which they had then reinforced and modified.

"Hehe, while they're all distracted right now, let's quickly grab the adorable Ponpo and Pikachu, and then we'll run!"

"Now!"

"Let's get started, meow!"

The moment the words left his mouth, the robot burst out of the forest at incredible speed, extending its modified mechanical tentacles and aiming directly at Ponpo and Pikachu.

"...What?!"

Ash and his friends were caught off guard by this sudden turn of events, but Latias could sense it the first time, so it could sense it the second time as well, and had already told Naruto that the robot was here.

A slight smile played on his lips as he murmured, "The Employee of the Year wants to personally see the boss off, huh? How can I not give you all a big bonus for your hard work these past few days? Let's send them off with a blood moon!"

"Awooo!"

Suddenly, Ursaring appeared, a flash of red light, and a Blood Moon Shot shot out, suspending the robot in mid-air. Ash, realizing what was happening, immediately waved and shouted, "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

"Pikachu!"

Sparks flew everywhere, converging into a ball of lightning that struck the robot directly. With a deafening boom, the purple, DICK-shaped robot was reduced to ashes, leaving only the Team Rocket trio with their afro hairstyles, who were propelled into the night sky by the blast, their familiar lines echoing through the air.

"This feeling is awful!!!"

Watching Team Rocket transform into starlight across the night sky, becoming one of the many stars, Dawn crossed her arms and complained, "Those guys are so annoying!"

"I actually find it quite interesting."

Mingyou smiled, then formally said goodbye to Xiaozhi and the others and left. Although they had only spent a few days together, he believed that they would meet again in the future.

After packing their things, they arrived at the port, with Leorio still by their side, as they still had to take care of his affairs before returning to Kitakami Township.

Before boarding the ship, Mingyou's expression returned to calm. Looking at Riolu, who had been keeping his head down and not daring to utter a sound these past few days, he sighed softly and said gently, "Go, go and apologize properly. Your companions... are still waiting for you."

"Leo?!"

Upon hearing this, Riolu was immediately startled. How did the other party know that he had companions?

"You'll find out when we get to Binhai City."

Mingyou didn't elaborate on these matters, as some things needed to be understood by the other party personally. Afterwards, they boarded the ship together and embarked on their journey to Binhai City...

Several hours later, it was already three in the morning, and the lighthouse that was spreading light and guiding everyone forward could be seen in the distance.

Binhai City was just ahead, and as Leo, who had been standing on the deck, grew increasingly uneasy as the distance drew closer.

As the ship docked, the moment it followed Mingyou off the ship, it finally couldn't resist trying to escape, but was stopped by Pengpeng.

"Mmm!"

Stay with us, don't wander off!

"Leo!"

Riolu didn't care about any of that. Even if it meant breaking his own arm, he had to go back and check on things.

but……

With a clang.

Ponpo took out the thorny vine club and gently tapped Riolu on the head. Riolu instantly felt dizzy and sat down on the ground, whereupon Snorlax picked it up.

"Let's go."

Although she was feeling a bit sleepy, Mingyou used the Owl Fruit to try and finish this quickly so she could rest when she got back...

Arriving at Block Nine, although it was the early hours of the morning, the rest of Binhai City was still brightly lit, and many people were just beginning their nightlife.

But here, it felt like another world. As far as the eye could see, only the streetlights and some houses were lit up. It was cold, deserted, and lifeless.

"I wonder if it's been half a month and it's been discharged from the hospital yet..."

Naruto was curious about Arcanine's condition. Although he had given it a Mandarin Orange back then, who knew how it was doing now, given how much time had passed.

As they arrived at the street opposite the Pokémon Center, just as they were about to cross over, Naruto happened to see two Bibarel running inside, and Riolu, who was being carried by Munchlax, also saw it.

"Leo..."

It didn't quite understand why the big-toothed raccoons were here; weren't they supposed to be in the basement?

Without explaining, Mingyou walked over there. The doors of the Pokémon Center opened automatically to both sides. There were no customers inside. Chansey wearing a nurse's cap was sitting next to the sofa reading a book, while Nurse Joy was sleeping at the front desk.

Chansey only looked up instinctively when it heard the door open, and when it saw someone coming, it went over to wake up the sleeping Nurse Joy.

"What's wrong... You were sleeping so soundly, and we're about to have a big meal..."

Miss Joy rubbed her eyes groggily, and only after seeing Mingyou did she snap out of it, laughing awkwardly, "Haha... Trainer, is there anything I can help you with... Hmm? Aren't you the trainer who brought Arcanine here for treatment before? I thought you had already left."

"Leo?"

Riolu looked at Mingyou in surprise, but the other party didn't explain anything, only nodding slightly in response: "I just happened to be passing by after the Lily of the Valley Tournament. Has Arcanine recovered by now?"

He asked curiously, but in fact, the Miss Joey in front of him was not the one who had greeted him before, but one of the sisters who worked the night shift. However, they all looked the same, and Mingyou couldn't tell them apart at all.

Miss Joey nodded slightly and replied, "I've recovered a long time ago. I don't know what I ate, but I was so badly injured and had an infection. I didn't expect to be fully recovered in just one week."

"Haha, it's good that you've recovered."

Mingyou was finally relieved. She then looked around and asked curiously, "Where are they? I think I saw the Big Tooth Bichon Frise and the others come in."

"We've put them here temporarily behind the Pokémon Center. It's very difficult for stray Pokémon to survive in Coast City these days, like that Arcanine... Although it's a policy from above and we don't have the power to manage it... But as a doctor, I still help take care of them when I see them."

Miss Joy said helplessly. She seemed to know the reason why Arcanine was injured, but it was not convenient to explain in detail. However, Mingyou roughly guessed that it was the policy of driving away all stray Pokémon, just like cleaning up stray cats and dogs.

"..."

This is indeed difficult to manage. Even Mingyou is well aware that most stray Pokémon pose a significant threat; occasionally stealing things is a minor issue.

But if they attack other Pokémon or even humans for food, then that's a big problem.

"It's all for the sake of survival..."

Mingyou shook her head, and Riolu beside her also looked bitter. But just then, Nurse Joy suddenly said, "Actually, we planned to build an orphanage here to take care of these Pokémon, and we received a lot of support. We had even raised enough money, but..."

"What's wrong?"

"The higher-ups won't approve it, and they even want to drive out all the stray Pokémon living in this area. Now that the Lily of the Valley Conference is over, it will start again in the next few days."

Hearing this, Mingyou was surprised: "So fast? Didn't you say you were just rushing here and that it wouldn't affect the city's appearance?"

"Well... I heard from a friend who works at the police station that they discovered a series of thefts that happened in the coastal city were committed by a stray Pokémon, so..."

"..."

……

I've finished the Crimson Purple DLC. The next chapter will be updated tomorrow morning.

(End of this chapter)