"It's my turn, it's my turn, it's my turn!"

Naoki had just returned to the ranch when a message popped up on his Rotom Phone, from Giratina.

Apparently, it had been following the World Championship matches closely.

After watching Butterfree, Cyclizar, and Alcremie deliver impressive wins, Giratina could no longer hold back. It couldn't wait to take the stage itself.

It wanted to crush its opponents on the grand battlefield, just like Alcremie did, and prove that it was the strongest Pokémon in the world!

Naoki stared at the message.

[Giratina: I'm next, right?! It's finally my turn!]

He blinked.

With Giratina's overwhelming power, if it joined the tournament now, it would probably sweep the entire competition in a blink. None of the other Pokémon would even get a chance to shine.

Luckily, Naoki knew Giratina's personality well. There was one line that always worked to calm its competitive fire.

Smirking slightly, he typed out a reply:

[Naoki: The strongest champions always enter last.]

As expected, Giratina went silent after reading that.

Crisis averted.

Naoki slipped the Rotom Phone back into his pocket and glanced at the clock. It was nearly noon, just about time to prepare lunch for everyone.

Just then, several energetic young trainers arrived at the ranch, all dressed in their Naranja Academy uniforms. Their faces were lit with excitement.

As soon as they saw Naoki, they waved and called out in unison, "Mr. Naoki!"

Naoki blinked. He recognized them, they had once come to challenge one of the ranch's trials.

"What brings you all here?" he asked curiously.

One of the boys clenched his fist in excitement. "We watched your match in the World Championship! We're huge fans, Mr. Naoki! We just wanted to say good luck in your next battle!"

Naoki looked surprised for a second, then chuckled warmly and nodded. "Thanks. I'll give it my best."

"Yeah!" they all cheered. "Let's show the rest of the world just how strong Paldea trainers are!"

It was obvious from their expressions, they didn't just want to watch. They wanted trainers from other regions to experience the brutal trials of Naoki's ranch firsthand.

'Seriously? Is this some kind of 'I suffered, so now others must too' mentality?'

Still, he agreed.

After all, hadn't everyone once dreamed of setting off on a journey, traveling across the Pokémon world, battling Gym Leaders, entering League tournaments, and climbing all the way to the top?

Naoki's journey had been different. He had never challenged a Gym. Never entered a League Conference. And yet, his strength… was nothing to scoff at.

He had made a decision: once he defeated the Elite Eight, he'd retire from official battles and return to the quiet life at the ranch.

At 26, Naoki was considered a veteran among trainers. And in just a few years, he'd be 30.

'Time flies too fast, doesn't it?' he mused with a sigh.

After giving him their heartfelt encouragement, the young trainers waved goodbye and sprinted off toward Kosaji Town, brimming with excitement.

Naoki watched them go, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Just then, from the distance, a little voice called out, "Daddy!"

Naoki turned his head and saw his daughter, and a smile appeared on his face.

Elara opened her little arms wide.

Naoki smiled and scooped her up from Indeedee's arms, holding her close as he walked home.

"Did you miss Daddy?" he asked playfully.

But instead of answering, Elara clenched her tiny fists and shouted with determination, "Daddy, go get 'em!"

Naoki blinked in surprise, eyebrows raised. "Wait… did you watch Daddy's match too?"

Elara didn't really understand what a "match" meant, but Indeedee, who had been waiting at home for Naoki to return, quickly chimed in:

"Ai~ Ai~"(Everyone gathered in the living room this morning to watch your World Championship match, and Elara joined in too! She saw the crowd cheering you on, shouting 'Go get 'em!', so she started copying them!)

Not only that, during the broadcast, Elara had thought Naoki was actually trapped inside the TV! She ran right up to the screen, scratched at the glass, and pointed excitedly.

"That's Daddy! Daddy's inside!"

Naoki burst out laughing.

"Well then, Daddy will definitely go all out next time! And when you grow up, if you ever enter a competition like that, Daddy and Mommy will be in the front row cheering for you too!"

Elara didn't fully grasp what he meant, but she grinned and echoed, "Go get 'em!"

Later at lunchtime, Iono came home.

When she heard about Elara cheering on Naoki, she scooped the girl up into her arms, booped her nose, and smiled brightly. "Whose baby girl is this? She's way too clever!"

Elara giggled happily.

Iono turned to Naoki next and said,

"Oh! By the way, my parents are coming to visit the ranch this afternoon. They want to see Elara."

"Perfect timing!" Naoki nodded.

"I've got the whole day free. I'll make sure to take care of everything."

"Then I'll leave it to you~" Iono winked.

"C'mon, we're family. No need to be so formal."

With the Blueberry Academy season on break, and still a few days before his next match, Naoki was happy to spend some peaceful time at the ranch.

"Love you!" Iono beamed and leaned in, planting a kiss on Naoki's cheek before running off to grab something from the other room.

Elara, watching this carefully, looked at her mom, then at her dad. Curious and inspired, she used the couch to stand up, toddled forward on unsteady feet, and mimicked her mom's action with great seriousness.

"Mwah!"

She gave Naoki a big, wet kiss on the cheek.

Naoki blinked, now wearing a visible smear of baby drool.

"Thanks, sweetheart."

But Elara wasn't done.

She toddled right back over to Iono, wrapped her little hands around her mom, and without hesitation, wiped her runny nose across Iono's face.

Iono: "…"

Before the couple could gather their thoughts, they noticed Elara had already toddled over to where Cyclizar and Entei were resting.

With a determined look, Elara waddled up and gave each Pokémon a loud, slobbery "Mwah!" kiss, clearly making an effort to be fair and love everyone equally.

The Pokémon who received her kisses looked delighted. Even the three Legendary Beasts, Entei, Suicune, and Raikou, weren't the least bit bothered when she smeared a mix of drool and snot on their fur.

Instead, like big affectionate cats, they responded by licking Elara's soft cheeks and messy bangs with their warm tongues.

This grooming behavior was a natural instinct for feline Pokémon, a sign of deep friendliness and trust. Even though they were legendary Pokémon, the three Beasts still followed this age-old habit.

Watching the scene unfold, Naoki couldn't help but sigh softly, a proud smile tugging at his lips.

"This little one… she's definitely going to be an amazing Trainer someday."

Iono blinked. "Huh?"

Naoki gestured to the scene. "Did you see that? She treats every Pokémon the same, no matter how strong or famous. When she grows up, she'll be able to build great chemistry with any team."

Iono: "How does that even connect?"

...

At exactly two o'clock that afternoon, Naoki's in-laws, Iono's parents, arrived at Tree House Ranch.

They adored Elara. On most days when they were free, they would call through the Rotom Phone to video chat with their granddaughter, happily cooing and asking about her day.

Because of that, Elara already recognized them clearly as her loving grandparents.

When she saw the two familiar figures stepping onto the ranch, her eyes sparkled with excitement. Her mouth opened, ready to shout something, but she hesitated, seemingly forgetting what she wanted to call them.

Naoki gently reminded her with a chuckle, "Grandpa and Grandma brought you gifts again. Aren't you happy?"

"Happy!" Elara declared, the words snapping her memory back. She squealed with joy and ran toward them with her arms stretched wide.

"Grandpa! Grandma!"

"Hey there!" the two elderly Trainers beamed, scooping her up into a warm hug.

"Did you miss Grandma, Elara?" her grandmother asked.

"Yes!" Elara giggled. Grandpa and Grandma always brought yummy snacks when they visited!

Hearing her cheerful answer, the two grandparents looked utterly delighted.

Naoki smiled from the side. "Come on in, Mom, Dad. Let's sit in the living room."

The couple nodded and followed him inside, settling onto the sofa with Elara still snug in their arms.

Indeedee brought out fresh tea for the guests.