With Koraidon's arrival, the battle for recognition officially began.
Skiddo bleated with determination, its eyes sharp, body slightly lowered, as two vine-like tendrils shot out from its body.
"Gaaa?"
Recalling Naoki's words, Koraidon symbolically extended its Dragon Claw.
One vine coiled around its wrist like a serpent.
Then, Skiddo abruptly exerted its strength.
"Baa!"
The vine entwined around Koraidon tightened swiftly.
This was Skiddo's most skilled move, using Vine Whip to entangle the opponent, then lifting them into the air for a slam attack.
Every part of Skiddo's body strained simultaneously, trying to lift Koraidon into the air with its Vine Whip.
However, the expected scene did not unfold.
Koraidon remained motionless, slightly puzzled as it looked at the vine on its wrist.
"Baa?"
Skiddo was taken aback.
In the next instant, Koraidon grabbed the vine and gave it a gentle tug, pulling Skiddo along.
Skiddo: =͟͟͞͞(꒪ᗜ꒪‧̣̥̇)!
"Koraidon's strength is incredible!" Yousuke widened his eyes and murmured.
Naoki: "..."
He didn't say a word, continuing to watch the battle unfold.
Due to Koraidon's immense strength, the vine snapped halfway through the pulling.
Skiddo barely managed to stop itself, standing up somewhat awkwardly.
This Skiddo had a very good physique and decisiveness; as soon as it stabilized, it launched a Razor Leaf at Koraidon.
At the same time, Koraidon moved, leaping forward, raising its right claw high, with a surge of energy transforming into a massive Dragon Claw, charging towards Skiddo amidst a flurry of Razor Leaves.
The Razor Leaves hit Koraidon but seemed so light that they barely caused any damage.
Just as Koraidon was about to strike Skiddo, it glanced at its Dragon Claw, suddenly feeling that this move might be too powerful.
So, the surging energy was withdrawn, the massive white Dragon Claw instantly shrank, and then lightly tapped on Skiddo's body.
"Baa ooh!"
Yet, Koraidon still misjudged its own strength.
With one swipe, Skiddo was sent flying and tumbled onto the grass.
Koraidon: !!!
It quickly turned to look at Naoki, with an apologetic expression, as if to say it wasn't intentional.
Naoki: "..."
"Alright, let's stop here!" Naoki spoke up at the right moment.
He and Yousuke ran over to Skiddo, and after a careful examination, found it was only knocked out, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Gaaa?"
Koraidon approached, inquiring about Skiddo's condition.
Seeing its worried face, Naoki reassured, "It's okay, just fainted."
"Don't worry!" Yousuke chimed in, "Every Pokemon is prepared for injury during battles, Naoki, you should capture it now!"
Naoki nodded, took an empty Poke Ball from his pocket, and gently pressed it against Skiddo's forehead.
In the next second, Skiddo's body transformed into a red light and was absorbed.
After a successful capture, Naoki opened the Poke Ball and let the injured Skiddo out.
With the stimulation of being captured, Skiddo had already woken up.
Its gaze towards Naoki changed, becoming much more docile.
"Baa~"
This indicated that it had recognized this human's strength, deeming him qualified to capture it.
"Please take care of me in the future!"
Naoki smiled, patting Skiddo's head, then took a Berry from his backpack and fed it.
Seeing the food, two other Skiddo wandered over foolishly.
Naoki, helpless, took out two more Berries from his backpack to feed them.
After they finished eating, he took out two other Poke Balls and captured them.
These two Skiddo didn't struggle or resist at all, and the Poke Balls only shook slightly before settling.
Watching this scene, Naoki always felt the Poke Balls shook because the Pokemon inside were turning over.
"You come back too!"
Naoki captured the last Skiddo into a Poke Ball, then stood up and looked at the shimmering Casseroya Lake in front of him.
It was already evening, and the setting sun spread its glow across the entire lake, making it look very beautiful.
The breeze blew, and Yousuke felt immensely pleased, taking a deep breath and then asked, "Is there any other Pokemon you want to capture?"
"Tropius." Naoki thought for a moment, but soon realized he seemed to be capturing too many too quickly.
Five Nacli and three Skiddo, totaling eight.
The facilities at the ranch weren't perfect yet, capturing too many at once overcrowded the ranch, making it difficult as a Rancher.
After a brief thought, Naoki decided to settle the Skiddo and Nacli before considering anything else.
Thinking of this, Naoki shook his head and said, "Forget it."
Yousuke: "Why?"
Naoki explained, "My ranch is just starting, and I can't take care of too many Pokemon yet."
Yousuke realized and laughed, saying, "I see, then next time you come, no one will guide you!"
The past few days had been very busy, and Naoki hardly rested. He twisted his neck and flexed his wrists before asking, "Where are you planning to go next?"
"Me? Maybe to the Kanto Region!" Yousuke said, "I've taken an interest in Dragonite. I've heard there's a culture surrounding Dragonite in Kanto and Johto, so I plan to visit there."
"Kanto..." Naoki said, "That's also quite a nice place!"
"Mhm!" Yousuke nodded and asked, "It's getting late, shouldn't you head back to the ranch now?"
Naoki invited, "Want to come to my ranch?"
Yousuke hesitated a bit, "Not right now, I haven't explored one area of Casseroya Lake yet. I want to document the Pokemon there before going."
"Alright." Naoki smiled and nodded, "You're always welcome."
He mounted Koraidon, waved goodbye to Yousuke, and headed back towards the ranch.
"Milk-producing Skiddo are in place, and salt-producing Nacli are in place. Next, I should solve their accommodation and food."
Naoki planned the next phase in his mind.
And just then, he suddenly thought of something.
This trip to Casseroya Lake, he hadn't captured a Pokemon that could use Rain Dance or Water Gun!
Naoki thought again about the Dragonite moon-gazing at the cliff top.
He planned to visit one last time tonight.
If it still flew away at the sight of him, it meant it really didn't want to be disturbed, and he wouldn't bother it any further.