Pokémon travel photography: Starting with riding the wave of popularity.

The big, simple-minded giant and the small, cunning leader—the Saltstone Giant felt this lineup suited his role perfectly.

Therefore, he made up his mind in the Poké Ball.

I don't want to be bullied by Tirey, so... I'll respect you as I respect the leader!!

Just as the Saltstone Giant was about to treat Tiremeow with the respect due to a leader, he looked up and saw a snake-like Pokémon with its arms crossed, using a vine whip to discipline its leader.

"Meow ha meow ha!"

Seeing Tire Meow nodding repeatedly with drooping ears, the Salt Stone Giant covered its head in disbelief.

"Right?"

Who is this Pokémon?!

Does my boss have an even bigger boss?!

Just as the Salt Stone Giant was falling into self-doubt, the Green Vine Snake in the cave was still angrily scolding the mischievous kitten in front of it.

"despair!"

Where did you get this salt? Adding so much salt to the dish will make it unbearably salty! Didn't I tell you not to unleash your creativity while I'm cooking?!

The Green Vine Snake was very angry.

This wicked little cat not only snuggles up to its trainer while the owner is cooking, but it also secretly adds salt to the soup while the owner is busy...

The more Green Vine Snake thought about it, the angrier it became.

Then, Xia Mu, who was just about to step forward to persuade the Green Vine Snake, was in big trouble.

"Um, Sister Snake..."

"despair!"

And you, don't think I didn't see you sneaking food with the hand you just used to pet the cat!

Green Vine Snake unleashed its full power, giving Xia Mu and Cat Cat, this mischievous duo who were good at causing trouble but incapable of doing anything worthwhile, a thorough scolding.

Faced with the enraged Snake Sister, Xia Mu and Maomao could only huddle together, trembling, until...

"Clang clang!"

Amidst the shouts of the skilled blacksmith who was staring at the pot with drool on his face, Green Vine Snake finally withdrew his little hands that were clasped on his hips.

"despair!"

Have a meal!

……

As time goes by.

The group enjoyed a delicious lunch in the cave.

Pipa tasted the dish prepared by the Green Vine Serpent, who had challenged his own culinary club. The Salt Stone Giant, who had always lived a life of hardship and eating tree fruits, was tasting food that had been carefully prepared for the first time. Meanwhile, the Rock Wall Treasure Lord, after chewing on his crab meat, raised his remaining right pincer towards the Green Vine Serpent.

"Crunch (Delicious! Speaking of which...)"

The Lord of the Rock Wall stared at his right pincer and fell into deep thought.

Or maybe we should include this too...

However, he quickly retracted his bad idea under the expectant gaze of the skilled blacksmith.

He was worried that the pink Robudon in front of him would rush up and tear him to pieces after hearing what he said.

Seeing the Rock Wall Master immediately try to hide his large pincers behind his back after realizing something, the Skillful Blacksmith also pouted in disappointment.

"Clang! (What a pity!)"

After retracting his right hand, which was holding the sledgehammer, the skilled blacksmith glanced reluctantly at the rock wall master opposite him before continuing to feast.

In short.

Apart from three ladies—Xiaoyao, Ziyu, and Qiaoyi—who started worrying about their weight after eating, everyone enjoyed the meal.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Xia Mu and Pai Pa began to share information with each other.

"I remember there are treasure masters in Big Pot Lake and the desert, and the others seem to be in some mine and high mountains..."

Listening to Xia Mu's story, Papa had no interest in where Xia Mu's information came from; he began searching according to the marks on his map.

“That’s right, there are records of these places being planted by the Zero District expedition team in the past! And I’ve heard rumors before that residents of Ziqin Town have seen creatures they’ve never seen before in the desert, and that their stomping has caused the earth to rumble…”

Piper became more and more excited as he thought about it. With this information, he was confident that he could definitely collect all five secret seasonings.

However, he still had some worries at this moment.

“Xia Mu, you know a lot about the secret seasoning, so do you think it can cure…”

"can!"

Before Papa could finish speaking, Xia Mu nodded.

"Trust your judgment; this secret seasoning is even more potent than the resurrection herb in restoring health!"

"That's good!"

Piper breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he didn't know why Xia Mu was so confident, he inexplicably trusted Xia Mu.

Xia Mu scouted the location himself, and then took action.

The thought of his mastiff godfather recovering his health under the effects of the five secret seasonings made Pipa's lips curl into a slight smile.

"The Godfather of the Mastiffs..."

At that moment, Miss Joy, who had overheard Xia Mu and Pipa's conversation from a short distance away, suddenly brightened up.

"Is it really more powerful than the resurrection plant?"

"Hmph, I, Xia, am a man who has worked at the Pokémon Center. I've bought up countless resurrection herbs!"

Xia Mu put his hands on his hips and revealed a smug smile.

"Once I figure out a way to grow the secret seasoning on a large scale, I'll be the world's biggest pharmaceutical merchant. Then, I'll have Ah Miao massage my legs and feed me! Hehehe!"

Amidst Xia Mu's smug laughter, Joey, standing not far away, paused, momentarily stunned.

"Ah-Tiao? Natsuki? Making Pokémon cook for you... You're that Natsuki? The one who originally agreed to stay at the Pokémon Center but then made it his home after bewitching the Nurse Joys?!"

"..."

Xia Mu was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure whether to yell "Holy crap, haha!" or complain about his strange reputation among Joey.

However, Joey was very excited at this moment.

So this guy in front of me is one of our own!

"I used to be Joy from the Unova region, but I was transferred to the Padilla region for work... Anyway, I often see your name in the group chat!"

"Someone tried to buy cheap resurrection herbs, but ended up accidentally taking down a gang selling fake herbs with Officer Jenny; another got a beating from Tae for harassing Joey, who was interning in Raven City, but ended up giving Joey extremely skilled first aid techniques..."

As Joey recounted his story, everyone present stared at Xia Mu with shocked expressions.

No?

Did you have such a colorful experience at the Pokémon Center?

Especially Papa, who was meeting Xia Mu for the first time, felt an overwhelming sense of admiration for her.

"Not only did you assist Officer Jenny in arresting counterfeit drug dealers, but you also contributed to the career development of interns. As expected of you, Natsuki, you are truly amazing!!"

???

Xiaoyao and Ziyu tilted their heads, looking at Papa with particularly puzzled expressions.

No, you only listen to what you want to hear, right... Danyu No. 2?!

Chapter 263 Don't Reason with Women

In short, under these circumstances, Xia Mu and the others returned to the Pokémon Center in the South 3rd District with a wealth of spoils.

When Natsuki asked Nurse Joy to give Salt Rock Giant a physical exam, he also asked Nurse Joy in Raven City to temporarily lift the limit on the number of Pokémon he could have.

As we all know, once a trainer has six Pokémon, any Pokémon they catch next will be directly transferred to the location of their registered trainer location.

For example, Ash's Pokémon will be transferred to Professor Oak's backyard, May's will be transferred to her own gym, and Maggie's Pokémon will be transferred to her villa...

However, most novice trainers transfer their Pokémon to professors in their neighborhoods or to Pokémon Centers where they received their Pokémon, while some elite trainers will keep their Pokémon in carefully selected breeding houses.

Xia Mu used to feed the Pokémon left by novice trainers in Raven City when he was at the Raven City Pokémon Center.

but.

The number of Pokémon you can hold is not fixed.

When a trainer has a legitimate need, after being approved by Nurse Joy or Officer Jenny, the number of Pokémon they can hold will be unlocked for a period of time.

Although Xia Mu currently has only six Pokémon, he also has a Pokémon egg that could hatch at any time, meaning that Xia Mu's number of Pokémon could reach seven at any moment.

Furthermore, in Natsuki's current Pokémon...

The Green Vine Snake is inseparable from the Tilley Cat, the Flowery Sea Lion still needs training, and the Salt Stone Giant has just been tamed.

Besides, the skilled blacksmith and the clay giant can be stored away, since both of them need time and effort. The skilled blacksmith needs a lot of alloy to increase the weight of the hammer, while the clay giant just needs to find a place to slowly wait for its level to increase.

but.

Xia Mu currently only has a Claydol that can fly, and he's afraid of suddenly being burdened with a huge amount of debt if he releases the Blacksmith.

Therefore, Natsuki ultimately chose to ask Nurse Joy to temporarily limit the number of Pokémon he could hold.

When faced with Xia Mu's request, Qiao Yimiao started talking about some unrelated things.

"Speaking of which, I noticed you changed your Pokémon registration location?!"

"Okay, I've changed my destination to Ziyu's manor!"

"Oh, I see~"

Qiao Yimiao's tone was quite meaningful, which made Xia Mu's intuition start to give him a frantic warning.

"Um... let me explain. I just think that Ziyu doesn't charge money and her manor has breeders who specifically take care of elves..."

"That's it!"