What kind of Pokémon enthusiast doesn't love Divine Beasts and Phantom Beasts? At the very least, he especially loves each and every one of them.
End of practice.
Blissey hurriedly ran to the drowsy Lei Gong's side.
"Happy~"
"Roar?"
Ignoring Lei Gong's confusion, it started to remove the dirty and messy bandages on the latter. This big cat liked to take unconventional paths, and given its size, it inevitably scraped against branches and rocks. Half a day and the bandaging was ruined no matter how well done.
Plus, the medicine needed to be changed.
Unable to refuse the assertive Blissey, Lei Gong had no choice but to let it handle its wounds.
What kind of misfortune had led it to encounter such a pair? The key was that they had him completely wrapped around their fingers, unable to muster any anger.
"Roar!"
Suddenly, it widened its eyes and shouted at Blissey, who wanted to flip it belly up.
Showing its belly—absolutely not allowed!
This was the dignity of the Ho-oh Guard!
It turned its head to the sneaky Baimu approaching nearby and bared its teeth, "Aow..."
"Just assisting, just assisting, don't get excited."
Baimu said with a smile.
He planned to take advantage of the time when Blissey was changing Lei Gong's medicine to rub it under the guise of assisting, but unfortunately, it was immediately discovered by this guy.
"Roar!"
Lei Gong firmly did not allow him to get any closer, at least not today.
"Alright then..."
Baimu sighed regretfully, his eyes skimming over Lei Gong's chin and forehead. It's a pity those spots couldn't be touched. Otherwise, it could definitely make this guy roll around in bliss.
He was extremely confident in his Pokémon soothing techniques derived from Uncle Ranch's nurturing skills.
Speaking of which, he wondered if he could find some Cat Mint or Wooden Daylily along the way. Rubbing them on his hands could surely make Lei Gong drop its current pretense.
He did not believe that Lei Gong was an unyielding rock that couldn't be broken even with a hammer.
Before sleep, Baimu extended an invitation to the big cat, "Want to come into the tent? It's more comfortable inside than outside!"
Lei Gong responded with a cold stare.
Only a madman would go inside.
——
Morning.
Lei Gong awoke very early, rising before dawn, took a stroll through the woods, ran to a high place to roar a few times, and stretched its muscles.
It felt its wounds were healing quickly.
Was it the medicine Blissey applied?
Lei Gong didn't know.
But when it returned to Baimu's camp, it discovered that he was already awake and had prepared breakfast.
"Oh, you're back? Come and have breakfast, the conditions are a bit tough since we don't have much food left, we'll gather some on the road today." Baimu waved to it.
"..."
Lei Gong ambled around, observing the bustling camp.
It thought that after it returned, these guys wouldn't be awake yet, but it turned out they were all awake, and breakfast was already done.
"What are you waiting for, come eat, after which we continue on the road. At our pace, it will still take several days to reach Lavaridge Town!" Baimu urged Lei Gong, seeing it moving slowly.
Upon hearing this, Lei Gong simply leaped over directly.
A distance of over ten meters was crossed just like that.
"Wow! That leap!"
Baimu looked at it in surprise, placing the food bowl in front of it, "Eat as much as you want. Made a lot today, definitely enough."
"..."
Lei Gong said nothing, just quietly lowered its head and began to eat.
The food was as delicious as ever.
Baimu watched it with a smile, believing that if they continued at this pace, Lei Gong would gradually become accustomed to it, just like the Galarian Corsola.
At that point, wanting to rub wherever would be a breeze, right?
Indeed.
Just as he thought.
In the ensuing days of travel, Lei Gong went from initially resisting his touch to gradually not caring and even enjoying and looking forward to it a little.
Additionally, it would wait for meals on time and even request certain dishes.
That's right.
This big majestic cat had started to pick its preferred foods.
Baimu watched Lei Gong, his lips unconsciously curling upward.
And finally.
After several days of crossing mountains and ridges, with the sulfur-scented breeze brushing their faces, they arrived near the Hoenn Region's largest volcano—
Chimney Mountain.
Lavaridge Town was just within sight.