Pokémon: Starting as a Farmer Instead of a Trainer

Chapter 280 Ponpo has sacrificed so much for this family (Seeking monthly votes)

The beach under the night sky, the lively music, and the people and Pokémon releasing their stress at the festival create a vivid scene.

Mingyou and Xiaozhao walked side by side through the scene, but the surrounding hustle and bustle seemed to have nothing to do with them.

Since parting ways with Ponpo and the others, the two had been wandering around here for almost ten minutes without exchanging many words or showing any intention of stopping, creating an awkward atmosphere.

"Ahem, I'll say it..."

Xiao Zhao finally couldn't hold back any longer. She coughed twice, suppressing her embarrassment, and continued in a slightly complaining tone, "You're not really planning to stay here and take a walk with me all night, are you?"

She was being a bit too tactful. Although it was their first date, it was the first time she'd ever heard of a date consisting of just the two of them wandering around aimlessly.

So can't she find something else to do? Like... something's wrong, she doesn't even know.

Hearing the complaint, Mingyou smiled awkwardly, "You're right... Let's go buy some food first. I heard someone say that a circus is performing over there. Do you want to go see it?"

"I'll do whatever you say. You're the one who invited me, not the other way around... Be more proactive!"

Xiao Zhao was really having a headache. She was almost ready to drag him away on her own. Although she knew he was a bit slow-witted, she didn't expect him to be this slow. Her expectations for their first date had almost completely vanished.

But as soon as she finished speaking, she felt as if someone was gently holding her hand. Turning her head to look around, she saw that Mingyou had actually taken her hand. Moreover, after realizing that she was not resisting, a trace of tension dissipated, and she tightened her grip a little.

"Not too clueless, huh?"

Xiao Zhao parted her lips slightly, smiled calmly, and took the initiative to link arms with Ming You, gently pressing her body against his.

With a touch of first-time shyness on their faces, the two walked forward, just like any other couple passing by on the street, talking about the festival activities.

"Mmm~"

Great! That's how it should be!

No! It has to be this way!

Ponpo, hiding in the shadows, was overjoyed and continued to follow, wanting to see how things would develop.

Only then did the flapping wings that were with it finally realize what was going on.

"Candy!"

Great! I love watching this!

The sniper was also somewhat excited. After spending these days together, it also had a good impression of the gentle and generous Xiao Zhao, but it just didn't want to express it.

And now, seeing the two people who both have feelings for each other able to be together, how can one not be happy?

"Mengmeng~"

Zhenyi hugged itself with its dragon wings and floated leisurely in the air. Although Mingyou was its family, this scene must have been the thing that its deceased parents would have wanted to see the most.

Yes, so we absolutely have to succeed!

Riolu and Garchomp also expressed their support, but Meloetta still didn't quite understand. She covered her face with her little hands, her cute face full of confusion.

But as it listened to everyone's explanations, the naive little thing gradually came to understand.

"Melo~"

Is this what love is?

Meloeta watched with wide curiosity as Mingyou and Xiaozhao walked away. The two people who loved each other confessed their feelings—it sounded so wonderful!

Then it danced gently in the air, with colorful musical notes appearing around it, and it felt that it had new inspiration for musical creation!

"Melo~"

Give me some time~

After saying goodbye, Meloetta temporarily disappeared. It needed to find a quiet environment to create new music, and then...

"Mmm!"

Seeing Meloeta leave without permission, Ponpo called out anxiously, "Protecting you is also my job. I can't let anything happen to you."

But the other party did not respond, and by this time Mingyou and the others had already gone far away, which made Ponpon very embarrassed.

After hesitating for a moment, it decided to go find Meloetta first, and as for Mingyou, it would have Zhenyi and the others follow her and wait for it to go there later.

"Mmm!"

"Mengmeng!"

With clear division of labor, everyone immediately split up and took action.

Ponpo ran into the woods by the street where the sound from Meloeta had disappeared. Just as it was about to call out to the other person, it suddenly heard what sounded like talking. So it quieted down, burrowed into the bushes, and looked curiously in that direction.

Not far away, several people in black uniforms were crouching there furtively, doing something that was hard to spot without careful observation, especially since it was dark and the woods were even darker.

"Hmm?"

Ponpo glanced at it and was about to look away when one of the men in black suddenly took out a communication device and calmly transmitted a message: "Sylva, Meloetta has left the city center. The target is currently 300 meters east of your location."

"Hmm!?"

Upon hearing this, Ponpo snapped back to reality and quickly quieted down, afraid of disturbing the other person, and continued eavesdropping.

These men in black were very cautious. While one of them relayed the message, the rest of them, along with several Houndooms, remained vigilant, able to detect any person or Pokémon that approached.

Including Ponpo...

It was intently eavesdropping when suddenly a gaping maw opened from behind, its teeth covered in flames, aiming straight for vital organs with extreme viciousness.

How could Houndoom from Team Rocket not smell the tangerine scent all over him... Tangerines~ Delicious!

The attack came suddenly, but Ponpo reacted incredibly quickly, immediately pulling out a thorny vine club from her cloak and putting on the well mask. The moment the thorny vine club turned blue, she swung it backward!

Houndoom's Flame Fangs bit directly into the Thorn Vine Staff, but faced with this powerful attack, its teeth shattered instantly. Its eyes widened in disbelief as it stared, its consciousness beginning to crumble, and it was sent flying far away by the Dog-Beating Staff Technique.

"Mmm!"

That sneaky dog!

Ponpo angrily swung her thorny vine club, gazing at the Blackhide in the distance, which had already lost its ability to fight.

The sudden commotion of battle drew the attention of the remaining Team Rocket members. The one still on the comms spoke coldly, "Sylvanas, your mission is to capture Meloetta, not to deal with Naruto!"

"Who does Lance think he is? No one but Boss Sakaki has the right to give me orders!"

As Hilla's suppressed anger came through the communication device, the call was cut off. This Team Rocket executive was also filled with rage. In Team Rocket, there were no comrades, only absolute orders, and Hilla had disobeyed orders.

"Just wait to get back and face your punishment, you mere cadre of the GO branch..."

He was cursing and swearing, but as soon as he finished speaking, the commotion around him made him look up and see that all his subordinates and their Pokémon had fallen down.

"There's an enemy..."

Before he could finish speaking, the thorny vine club slammed heavily onto his forehead. Watching him fall straight down, Ponpo put away the thorny vine club, its cute face now filled with rage. It recognized the patterns on these people's bodies.

"Mmm!"

It's you bunch of bad guys again!

It knew that Team Rocket was Meiyu's enemy and had clashed with them several times, but it didn't expect that this time, Team Rocket's target was not only Meloetta, but also Meiyu.

We must inform everyone!

Ponpo overheard the phone call; it seemed Team Rocket had sent quite a few people, but...

It had just taken a step when it thought of Mingyou and Xiaozhao, who were on a date. The two of them had finally made such progress. If it was ruined because of the Rockets, when would they have to wait for the next time?

"Mmm!"

No!

We absolutely cannot let them ruin our date!

Ponpo has sacrificed so much for this family...

It decided not to notify Mingyou and the others; it would take matters into its own hands and knock down every Team Rocket member who was planning to ruin the date!

So it immediately followed the path through the woods. It remembered that Mingyou and Xiaozhao seemed to be planning to go to the circus, so Team Rocket must have gone there too.

Meanwhile, Mingyou and Xiaozhao, who had bought some drinks and snacks, were completely unaware of the Rockets' attack that night. The atmosphere between them was no longer awkward, and they had relaxed a lot, returning to their usual normal conversation.

"Wow, I see a circus!"

Xiao Zhao's gaze fell on a tent not far away, which stood tall on the beach like a giant rainbow. The red curtains were embroidered with gold patterns, and the top of the tent was decorated with beautiful, large Poké Balls, which were brightly colored like gorgeous gems. She couldn't wait to go inside and take a look.

Mingyou still held her hand, keeping an eye on the commotion, and said with a smile, "The performance seems to have already started, let's go watch it together."

"Hmm~"

The two followed the other tourists toward the circus tent, but as soon as they arrived at the tent entrance, the staff stopped everyone.

"I'm sorry, the place is full right now. To avoid overcrowding and accidents, please come back in half an hour."

"what?"

Mingyou was slightly taken aback. Don't be such a spoilsport.

But the next second, the staff member seemed to have received some information. Looking at Mingyou and Xiaozhao standing at the front, he showed a professional smile and said, "Congratulations to you two. Two guests left at the last minute, so you can go in now."

"what?"

Mingyou was stunned again. What a coincidence!

"Perhaps this is just good luck."

Xiao Zhao smiled sweetly, and together with him, amidst the envious gasps of the other guests, they entered the circus tent. But the moment they stepped inside, a staff member at the door curled up a cold smile.

"The target is already in the cage. Although we brought an extra woman, it doesn't matter."

The staff member picked up a communication device, seemingly talking to someone. After all, he wasn't just any staff member; this circus... was now Team Rocket's!

As for Mingyou, he'll never return!

"Prepare to release hypnotic gas!"

As he spoke, the staff member walked into the tent and pulled it shut completely. Then, he left through the backstage exit on the other side with several other Team Rocket members. After keeping a certain distance from the tent, he stopped and waited quietly for the next step of the plan.

……

(End of this chapter)