"It's incredible! Absolutely incredible!"

  Holding the leaf that glowed with a soft green light, Naoki was filled with awe.

  A mythical item—on par with the likes of Dialga's Adamant Orb and Palkia's Lustrous Orb!

  He gazed at the leaf in his hand, realizing what this meant: the World Tree was giving back to them!

  Nearby, the three Gogoats were chewing their leaves tentedly. They g the snowy ndscape and then at the vibrant green circle of life that surrouhe tree, filled with lush, soft grass as if spring had arrived.

  The Gogoats' eyes sparkled with delight before they settled down around the World Tree, basking in its life-giving energy.

  Naoki couldn't help but watch the Gogoats. They were clearly the first Pokémon to receive the World Tree's nurturing energy.

  His mind drifted to the guardians of the Tree of Beginning: Regice, Regirock, aeel.

  'Could his Gogoats one day reach that level of power?'

  For now, it was a mystery without an answer.

  After lingering by the World Tree, Naoki headed to the gss greenhouse, carrying the snacks and the precious leaf he'd brought for Calyrex.

  He pced the treats on the wrought iroable and presehe leaf to Calyrex.

  "Calyrex, you sense anything unique about this leaf?" Naoki asked.

  Calyrex leaned closer, eyes widening in surprise. "Such potent natural energy! Where did you find this?"

  The moment he asked, a look of realization dawned on his face. "Wait, this aura… it's the World Tree!"

  Naoki nodded. "Yes. Just as I assing by, the World Tree dropped this leaf for me. It eves leaves to feed the Gogoats."

  Hearing this, a thought sparked in Calyrex's mind: "A gesture of gratitude?"

  "Exactly!" Naoki firmed.

  "No wonder…" Calyrex murmured, lost in thought.

  Naoki's curiosity grew. "Did you sense something as well?"

  Calyrex houghtfully. "When I infused my energy to help the tree grow, I felt a natural essence flowing bato me."

  "At first, I thought it was just my imagination, but over time, I noticed my power had strengthened. Now, I see why!"

  Naoki's eyes widened in amazement. "So it wasn't just an illusion?"

  "Not at all," Calyrex affirmed.

  "I see…" Naoki murmured to himself.

  He thought back to when the Gogoats had first teo the World Tree. 'Could it be that the World Tree had been giving back to them ever since?'

  'Incredible.'

  Who would have thought that Naoki, whinally brought the Gogoats from Casseroya Lake to serve as dairy Pokémon, would end up witnessing something much greater? He could hardly imagine how much these Gogoats might evolve alongside the World Tree in the years to e!

  Stunned, Naoki looked at Calyrex and murmured, "What will this World Tree bee iure?"

  Calyrex shared Naoki's curiosity. In response, he once again summoned his power to foresee the future, p every ounce of his energy into the vision.

  In an instant, Calyrex's gaze spahousands of years, witnessing a world transformed. He saw the World Tree rise majestically, floating above the ground, casting its influence over a world full of life. The earth below was a lush, vibrant paradise, teeming with Pokémon running freely across fertile fields and valleys filled with bountiful fruit.

  Slowly opening his eyes, Calyrex shared his vision with Naoki. "I saw the World Tree being the heart of this world. Its power will extend across the p, giving rise to more Pokémon and enrig nature. The nd will flourish like never before."

  'Did that mean the World Tree would elevate life on this po new heights?'

  Naoki envisiohis future. At the current rate, it would take another four years for the World Tree to fully mature.

  Four years… he was lucky to witness its growth firsthand.

  However, as a transmigrator, Naoki khat the universe held tless worlds, other realms, and even parallel dimensions. Outside this world, there were other universes, each with its own mysteries. And then, there was Arceus, the Creator, who existed beyond these worlds, silently watg the lives of humans and Pokémon unfold.

  This raised a question in Naoki's mind: 'Could their as draw the attention of Arceus itself?'

  After p, he cluded that such matters were beyond him. The thoughts of the Creator were too vast for an ordinary human to uand.

  Right now, Naoki was more curious about what effects food made with a World Tree leaf might have.

  With a pn f, he thanked Calyrex and quickly returo the kit.

  "Dishes made from World Tree leaf…"

  Perhaps scrambled eggs with World Tree leaf, or a special leaf cake, simir to grass cakes?

  After a bit of deliberation, Naoki decided on the leaf cake.

  Excited, Naoki called over Alcremie, his trusted kit helper, and together they headed to the baking workshop t this recipe to life.

  Naoki carefully blehe leaf of the World Tree into a fine paste, then added eggs, Moo Moo Milk, and redients. After mixing thhly, he poured the batter into a mold and pced it in the oven to bake.

  When the cake was nearly done, he took it out, spread a yer of butter over the top, and cut it into small, bite-sized pieces.

  With that, the leaf cake was ready.

  Eager to know more, Naoki examihe cake's information.

  [Leaf Cake (Inplete Version) (S-): A cake crafted from the leaf of the World Tree, blended with eggs, Moo Moo Milk, and redients. If you listen closely, you feel the subtle breath of nature emanating from it.

  Cooking Effect: Breath of Nature

  1. Permaly boosts the power of Grass-type moves by 20%. This effect is exclusive to Grass-type Pokémon and ot be stacked.

  2. Allows Grass-type Pokémon to ect with nature's rhythm. When using grass energy to cultivate crops, the growth time for those crops is slightly reduced. This effect is limited to Grass-type Pokémon and ot be stacked.

  Additional Effect: Lord of the World Tree. Naoki, as the caretaker of the Gogoats who have nurtured the World Tree, has been granted access to all areas within the World Tree iure. This effect applies only to Naoki.

  ent: Listen to the breath of nature! When the World Tree matures, recipes crafted with its leaves may yield even more remarkable effects.

  Naoki stared at the description, stunned.

  "Wait… does this additional effect mean only I access all areas within the World Tree?" he muttered, trying to process what it meant.

  Refleg on the journey of his Gogoats, Naoki realized he'd assumed they were simply helping to cultivate the World Tree. But the effects of the leaf cake hi something more.

  'Could it be that the World Tree viewed his Gogoats as parental figures?'

  And sihe Gogoats poured their grass energy into nurturing the World Tree, wasn't that akin to "feeding" it?

  "So… is it possible that thanks to the Gogoats, the World Tree sees me as its guardian?" Naoki pondered. Or, perhaps, it's "grandfather"?

  The more Naoki thought about it, the more absurd it all seemed.

  If this is true, then wasn't he, along with his Gogoats, essentially being from the "nurturing" of their "child," the World Tree? It felt like a bizarre reversal of roles, like parents relying on their own child's support.

  Naoki quickly shook his head, dismissing the straion. After all, the World Tree represehe pure essence of nature. Surely, it wasn't anything quite that fantastical.

  Of course, all of this was just specution, and who could say what the World Tree's iions truly were?

  Pushing aside the odd thought, Naoki refocused owo specifiefits of the leaf cake.

  The first effect boosted the power of Grass-type moves by 20%.

  "A 20% boost… that's parable to some of the held items Pokémon carry," Naoki mused.

  And this was only from the immature leaves of the World Tree. Ohe tree fully matured, the enha would likely be even more potent.

  The sed effect, which allowed Grass-type Pokémon to reduce crop growth time, articurly valuable for the ranch's needs.

  Whether it was vegetables and fruits for daily ption, carrots for his Pokémon like Gstrier and Spectrier, or even the World Tree itself, this ability would be incredibly useful.

  In Naoki's eyes, the sed effect might actually be more important than the first. Iure, the ranch couldn't always depend on the Calyrex's powers. With this ability to hasten crop growth, they could rely on Pokémon like the Gogoats and Dolliv to maintain the ranch's productivity—much like how Shaymin could make flowers bloom with its abilities.

  If Calyrex ate the leaf cake, it could likely accelerate the growth of the World Tree even further.

  "When the World Tree is fully grown, it'll probably improve crop growth even more, increasing from a minor boost to a signifit one," Naoki thought.

  All in all, the bes of the leaf cake far exceeded his expectations.

  He decided to taste a piece himself first, sav the subtle, natural fvor. Then he pced the remaining five pieces on a pte and headed to the pasture to offer them to his three Gogoats, Dolliv, and the Calyrex.

  After eating the leaf cake, the Pokémon didn't show any immediate or dramatic ges—no glowing auras or sudden bursts of energy. They carried on as usual, pying aing just like any other day.

  Only Calyrex seemed to sense something different.

  After eating the leaf cake, he immediately felt a subtle shift within himself.

  "Is this another one of yical dishes?" Calyrex asked, intrigued.

  Naoki grinned, "Yes, it's a leaf cake made from the leaf of the World Tree. It enhahe power of moves used by Grass-type Pokémon and even help reduce crop growth time when they cultivate pnts."

  "To think such a dish exists…" Calyrex murmured, clearly moved. With a warm smile, he added, "Thanks to you, my strength has grow again."

  He had e here from Gar, hoping to explore a new way of life and perhaps support his devoted follower in any way he could. Yet, it seemed that rather than him providing help, his young friend had tinuously shared tea, snacks, and tless treats that somehow enhanced his strength in subtle, ued ways.

  "You've done so mue," said Calyrex, humbled. "And I've hardly done anything iurn. It's a little embarrassing."

  Naoki shook his head with a gentle smile. "That's not true at all. You've done plenty for me."

  After all, Calyrex had shared the Spectrier and Gstrier, assisted in nurturing the World Tree, and even explored the Reverse World of Giratina alongside him.

  But to Calyrex, these tributio modest at best.

  Sensing his thoughts, Naoki reassured him, "There's o feel that way. You've already helped me in so many ways. True friends help each other without keeping score."

  Calyrex looked at him in surprise, then his expression softened into a look of calm uanding.

  "You're right. We're friends. I uand now, Naoki. No more doubts—I am grateful for our friendship!"

  Naoki smiled, touched by his words.

  And as they shared that moment, Calyrex looked at his kied young believer with a serene smile, feeling truly grateful for the bond they had formed.

  At this moment, Calyrex's favorability towards Naoki increased wildly, and it did not stop until it reached the max.

  ---

  The st day of the year arrived swiftly.

  That evening, Naoki started preparing the New Year's Eve feast i with sister Indeedee.

  He made grass dumplings and grass cakes, the favorite treats of his Gogoats.

  For Koraidon and Cyclizar, he whipped up juicy fried steaks.

  Dragonite had Poffins and sandwiches ready for it.

  F, he prepared a creamy smoothie.

  Teddiursa's favorites—honey pudding and honey lemonade—were on the list too.

  And for the Naclstack, he made pickled salted fish and fried rock chips.

  …

  Naoki made a little of everything, w steadily until after dark.

  The Pokémon Tavern was closed that day, and with the help of Koraidon, Naoki wheeled a cart den with food around the ranch, sharing dishes with eaon one by one.

  "Happy New Year!" he said to the Pokémon on the ranch.

  Though the Gogoats didn't quite uand, they felt the warmth and joy in the air and gathered eagerly around the feeding trough, happily mung on their food.

  The Miltank, aware it was New Year's, beamed happily.

  One Miltank mooed appreciatively at Naoki.

  Naoki was surprised, then quickly munched on a handful of transtion seed crisps.

  He heard the Miltank expressing its gratitude.

  The Miltank shared how much they loved living here with Naoki and hoy they were to have found such a g home. They hoped to stay with him forever.

  Naoki's heart swelled with emotion.

  Taking a deep breath, he patted each Miltaly. "Let's make the year just as wonderful together."

  "Moo~"

  In the underground cavern, Naoki stacked salted fish into a small mound. These were all prepared by him and were a favorite of the Naclstack.

  The pile of salted fish and fried rock chips formed a small hill. Seeing this, the Naclstacks were overjoyed, pyfully nudging Naoki with their heads iement.

  "Easy now!" Naoki chuckled, patting eaaclsta the head in turn.

  The Bellibolt, who lived nearby, looked on enviously.

  Hearing the otion, Diglett also waddled over.

  Seeing their eager faces, Naoki stepped out from the group of Naclstad fetched the food he had prepared for them from the cart.

  "Diglett, Bellibolt, these are for you! Happy New Year to you too!"

  The Diglett and Bellibolt were surprised and thrilled, their eyes lighting up with joy.

  "Enjoy!" Naoki said with a smile. "I still have more food to deliver, so I'll see you ter!"

  Leaving the underground cavern, Naoki weo the orchard.

  Whetle Tinkatuff and Mino saw Naoki and Koraidon, they came running out of their burrows with delight.

  Koraidon carefully hahe food over to them, while Naoki stroked the fluffy tail of Mino and said, "Spring will be here soon, and I'll be able to help rebuild your homes. Don't worry, the hills will look just like they used to!"

  Hearing this, the Pokémon's eyes sparkled with hope.

  Naoki smiled softly, thehe orchard and headed to the area where the Psyduck lived.

  He shared some fruit with the ever-fused Psyduck before finally turning to head home with Koraidon.

  The snowy night was quiet, and a gentle warmth seemed to fill the ranch.

  Looking back at the glowing lights of the ranch house led in the snow, Naoki felt an overwhelming peace.

  He khat inside, a group of his beloved cute Pokémon were waiting for him to return and share the New Year's Eve diogether.