Pokémon: Starting with a Pokémon Ranch.

Chapter 164 Departure, Forest Camping

"By the way, Drummy Mouse, do you want to come with me?"

After packing his things, Su Yu went to the flat area in front of his new home. At this time, almost all the Pokémon in the ranch were gathered here playing.

But Su Yu hadn't forgotten... Drummer's incredible luck. When they were out and about, they could easily find things like Life Water and Mega Stones.

"Knock knock, knock knock?" Is it me?

At that moment, Dongdong Mouse was playing with Patchlitz and the others. It hadn't expected that Su Yu would specifically come over to invite it. However, it accepted almost without hesitation.

It just so happens that after living on the ranch for so long, it also wants to go back to the forest.

……

And after everything was ready.

Time flew by, and the day of departure arrived in the blink of an eye.

"Alright, it's time to get ready to go. Caterpie, Alcremie, Tropius, Deddle, let's go."

"Squirtle, remember to guard the house well while I'm gone, and don't wander off unless necessary."

After waving goodbye to the Pokémon, Su Yu went outside to meet up with Ke Rui.

Both of them were carrying large bags, but Su Yu's bag was even bigger because he had more things to carry.

Fortunately, Su Yu's physique is now very strong, so carrying this amount of stuff is quite easy for him.

Behind them, the Pokémon gathered at the entrance, watching Su Yu leave.

After walking for a short while, they entered the Chimney Mountain Forest.

The last time Su Yu came here was when he had just arrived in the pastoral area. In the blink of an eye, more than three months have passed.

Upon entering the forest, Kerry released his Delinquent to guard against possible attacks from wild Pokémon.

Su Yu, on the other hand, had a Caterpie hanging on his shoulder. After releasing the Caterpie from its Poké Ball, it immediately climbed onto its "exclusive spot" on Su Yu's shoulder.

Deddle was inside Su Yu's backpack, peeking out to look around. Since Su Yu hadn't captured it, there were no Poké Balls for it to stay in.

Seeing this, Ke Rui asked in surprise:

"You're only releasing one Caterpie? There's a powerful Pokémon like Tropius..."

Because he hadn't spent much time at the ranch, and Caterpie hadn't shown any particular talent in front of Kerry, Kerry simply considered Caterpie an ordinary Pokémon.

Su Yu shook his head and smiled.

"No need, the caterpillars are perfectly sufficient."

After all, the mere name of Caterpie is enough to make the bird Pokémon on Mt. Chimney tremble, so why would they need to take action themselves?

After walking for a while, Ke Rui was quite surprised.

"That's strange. We haven't encountered a single attack from wild Pokémon today. Usually by this time, my Croagunk and I would have dealt with at least two or three Bug-type Pokémon blocking our way."

"That's strange, I didn't spray any insecticide spray."

I don't have any wild Pokémon... How do I level up my Croagunk?

When Su Yu came last time, he also sprayed insect repellent to drive away the wild Pokémon along the way.

Upon hearing this, Su Yu smiled and said:

"Perhaps... it's because of our Pokémon's aura that wild Pokémon back down when they see us."

"...Probably." Ke Rui couldn't think of any other reason.

The two continued walking, and gradually entered the core area of ​​Chimney Mountain.

They ate some food that Su Yu had brought from the ranch for lunch, as their focus during the day was on traveling. After a quick meal, they continued on their way.

Along the way, Su Yu encountered many friendly Pokémon. For example, there was the babysitter that would cut clothes for other Pokémon with leaves, and the fake mantis that disguised itself as a grass and buried itself in the soil.

"Last time I came, I didn't dare to go too deep, so I didn't pay attention. Now it seems there are quite a lot of different kinds of Pokémon in Mt. Chimney?"

Seeing the sheer number and variety of Pokémon, Su Yu couldn't help but marvel.

Upon hearing this, Ke Rui nodded and explained:

"Yes, there was a period when many secret realms descended here in the past, and many secret realms fell here."

"It's because so many secret realms have appeared here that the League has designated this area as a habitat for wild Pokémon, prohibiting ranches from expanding here, and has also dispatched corresponding rangers."

Oh, I see...

No wonder the Drum Mouse was able to find so many good things here; it turns out that so many secret realms were once hidden here.

As they walked, the sky gradually darkened. Seeing this, Ke Rui said:

"Let's just set up camp here for today, it's about time."

"If possible, it's better to have a hot meal tonight. I just saw some mushrooms over there; I'll go pick some later to see if they're edible."

"Mushrooms...aren't they poisonous?" Su Yu asked worriedly. It's best not to eat wild mushrooms casually.

Upon hearing this, Ke Rui burst into laughter:

"Why do you think my first Pokémon was Croagunk? Don't worry, Poison-type Pokémon have their own way of identifying toxins, so you can eat it without worry."

"Besides... I'm a seasoned camping enthusiast. I've traveled for so long and have a lot of experience, so just listen to me."

As he spoke, Ke Rui took off his backpack and set up a tent on the spot.

Seeing this, Su Yu also released Alcremie and Tropius from their Poké Balls.

"We've arrived. We'll camp here tonight. You're free to do whatever you want."

Su Yu was genuinely worried that keeping the Pokémon cooped up in its ball for a whole day would make it suffocate.

After being released, Alcremie helped Su Yu set up a tent, while Tropical Dragon flew into the air to look around.

Dongdong Mouse also wanted to explore the surroundings. Seeing this, Su Yu said:

"Caterpie, you go with Drummy. If anything happens, you'll have to protect it."

"Hiss."

Upon hearing this, the green caterpillar immediately followed.

After setting up the tent, Su Yu also set up a pot. At this time, Ke Rui had finished picking the mushrooms, and after bringing them over with the Bad Frog, he released a Mosquito Coil.

"Another frog-type Pokémon?" Su Yu asked, puzzled. Poliwag is a tadpole-like Pokémon, so strictly speaking, it's related to frogs. Meanwhile, Ke Rui already has a Delinquent.

Could it be... a frog enthusiast?

At this moment, Ke Rui said:

"Mr. Mosquito Coil, I'll leave the water for making the soup to you."

"Yo-bo~!"

Upon hearing this, Mosquito Coil responded and then created a pot of water with his hands.

As for cooking, Ke Rui entrusted the task entirely to Su Yu. Before long, a pot of mushroom soup, emitting a rich aroma, was ready.

"Your cooking skills... are truly amazing, every time I eat here I'm blown away."

After drinking a bowl of mushroom soup, Ke Rui exclaimed in surprise. Beside him, the Bad Frog and Mosquito Coil were eating the energy cubes that Ke Rui had brought.

In response, Su Yu humbly replied:

"It's all about practice. When I used to cook, it was pretty bad."

"Moreover, this is all thanks to Alcremie's teaching. It's thanks to her that my cooking skills have improved so quickly."

Just then, the Drummer and the Tropical Dragon returned. The Tropical Dragon somehow brought back a branch full of tree fruits, while the Drummer and the others, having been gone for so long, had come back empty-handed.

Seeing that Dongdong Mouse was a little dejected, Su Yu comforted him:

"It's okay, no one's luck can always be this good. If we didn't find anything good this time, maybe we'll find something next time."

"When you get to a new place, try looking for it again."

"Thump, thump!" The thumping mouse nodded.

Just then, a noise suddenly came from the bushes nearby. Hearing the sound, Su Yu and Ke Rui immediately looked towards the bushes.

"Who?" Ke Rui asked in confusion, but there was no response from the other end.

Just as Su Yu was wondering if some Pokémon was hiding inside, a blond boy dressed in somewhat tattered clothes walked out from inside.

"This...Gargio?"

Upon seeing the blond-haired boy, Su Yu was taken aback. Wasn't this the young master of the Ether Foundation? He hadn't seen him for a few days, so why did he look so disheveled?

(End of this chapter)