Chapter 163: The Visitor

"Hmm, there's still quite a bit of supplies left; no need to restock for now." Luo Mu checked the Messenger Bird's luggage, confirming everything he had prepared for it was present. Watching the Messenger Bird tidy its tail feathers in preparation for departure, Luo Mu asked with concern, "Are you really not coming back with us?"

"De-li!"

The Messenger Bird nodded firmly; its cultivation was not yet complete.

Luo Mu helplessly patted the Messenger Bird's head. "In that case, you must prioritize safety during your cultivation. Do not overexert yourself; act within your limits. Absolutely do not repeat reckless behavior like this incident ever again."

The Messenger Bird first expressed embarrassment, promising not to be so impulsive in the future, then spoke with concern: "De-li-li?" (What will happen to the Dragonite Leader afterward?)

Mewtwo, standing nearby, had intended to help translate, but unexpectedly, Luo Mu accurately understood the Messenger Bird's meaning. Soothingly, he said, "Leave its problem to me. Just as I treated your psychological trauma, I will also find a way to help it."

Luo Mu made a promise to the Messenger Bird: just as the Messenger Bird wished to help the Dragonite Leader, he too would help it.

After bidding farewell to the Messenger Bird, Luo Mu turned to Mewtwo beside him. Meeting its gaze, he said, "Then I'll trouble you to send me back."

Mewtwo nodded slightly. "I leave it in your hands. After I have settled the cloned Pokémon, I will visit Asertia Island."

Having spoken, Mewtwo raised its right hand, which bore three paw pads, toward Luo Mu. Vast psychic power began to operate, precisely crossing space to lock onto the farm in the Paldea region. Space began to warp and fluctuate.

Luo Mu naturally knew who "it" referred to in Mewtwo's words. He patted his chest, smiling with confidence. "Just as I promised the Messenger Bird, I will find a way to resolve its regrets. If you have the chance, you must come visit my farm."

Luo Mu's figure slowly vanished after these words. Feeling the significant depletion of psychic power within himself, Mewtwo chuckled lightly. "I will."

"De-li!" (Then, I shall depart as well!)

The Messenger Bird raised its wing in a saluting gesture to bid farewell.

Mewtwo's impression of the Messenger Bird was fairly good; at least it was far better than that Mew, who appeared innocent but was actually willful and more scheming than anyone else.

Mewtwo proposed, "Shall I give you a ride? I plan to erase all traces on New Island first, then take the cloned Pokémon to the Johto region to settle them, before heading to the tropical Orange Islands."

Facing Mewtwo's invitation, the Messenger Bird pondered for a moment. It reasoned that traveling on its own would only mean returning to the Old Coast Pier, an area it had already thoroughly explored while Ash and his group were lost. It might as well accept a ride from Mewtwo.

Having made its decision, the Messenger Bird nodded readily.

Meanwhile, upon returning to the Paldea region, Luo Mu looked up at the sky and found it already pitch black.

Sighing, Luo Mu realized today's plan to go out and purchase fish fry was ruined.

Dragonite and Luxray, having left their Poké Balls, also stared at each other in confusion due to the changed sky. Only now did they finally understand why Luo Mu had said there was a time difference between the Paldea and Kanto regions.

One side was daylight; the other side was night.

Luo Mu stretched lazily and called out to the two Pokémon, "Let's go. We can only return to rest for now. We've been gone for several hours; Serperior and the others are probably worried sick."

"We'll tell Hakuryu and the others about the Dragonite Leader's situation first thing tomorrow morning."

The next day, at Thunderclap Lake.

Feeling that today's outing plans would likely be interrupted again, Luo Mu simply asked Peter from Jones Farm to contact a fish fry supplier on his behalf. The supplier recommended several fish species suitable for his pond farming, and Luo Mu ordered a batch of each.

However, the supplier needed to personally travel to a hatchery in a larger city to procure the fry, so they would deliver them in a few days. Luo Mu was not anxious about this; it actually gave him time to prepare.

After having Serperior lead the Grass-type Pokémon in weaving a sturdy isolation net from vines and placing it by the lakeside, and entrusting Swampert, Politoed, and Poliwag to install it in a corner of Thunderclap Lake, Luo Mu gathered the three Hakuryu with a serious expression.

"Wu?"

The Shiny Hakuryu tilted its head, seemingly puzzled by why Luo Mu and Dragonite looked so serious. Standing in the distance with Politoed and the others, Swampert felt that Luo Mu's group returning late last night must be related to this matter.

Luo Mu got straight to the point: "I found the Dragonite Leader. No, to be precise, the Messenger Bird found it."

The Hakuryu were momentarily stunned, then joy instantly flooded their dragon eyes. They looked excitedly at Luo Mu.

"However, it is currently in a certain condition. Do not get excited when you see it."

Luo Mu's tone was extremely heavy. Without needing his reminder, Dragonite stepped forward to accompany the Hakuryu, ready to soothe them immediately.

As the Hakuryu's expressions shifted from surprise to tension, Luo Mu took out the Poké Ball containing the captured Dragonite Leader, lightly pressed the button, and released it.

Carrying a black satchel, the Dragonite Leader appeared before the Hakuryu, its expression and demeanor unchanged by the shift in environment.

The Hakuryu were momentarily stunned, then detected a familiar aura from the Dragonite Leader. Extremely excited, they surrounded it, emitting light, ethereal dragon cries, as if worriedly asking where the Dragonite Leader had gone.

Perhaps because it had encountered familiar Pokémon, the Dragonite Leader reacted this time. It communicated normally with the Hakuryu, introducing their existence to an empty space.

This behavior stunned the Hakuryu. Sensing something was wrong, they cast hesitant glances.

Luo Mu let Dragonite interact with the finally responsive Dragonite Leader, while pulling the Hakuryu aside. In a few brief words, he explained the situation to them. Under their tearful, worried gazes, he once again promised he would devise a solution.

The three Hakuryu, now understanding the circumstances, looked with deep concern at their Leader interacting with Dragonite, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

Luo Mu had intended to discuss further details with the Hakuryu, but his phone suddenly vibrated several times. Picking it up, he discovered a message from Geeta had arrived at this very moment.

【Luo Mu, the inspector from the Pokémon Butler Academy will arrive at your farm shortly. Just receive them normally. Given your farm's environment, there is no reason for them not to pass.】

"They're coming this quickly?"

Staring at his phone, Luo Mu was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected the academy to operate with such efficiency. It couldn't have been long since he replied to Geeta about that matter; had they already arrived in the Paldea region?

To secure a capable Butler Pokémon for his farm, he would definitely need to entertain the visitor well.

(End of Chapter)