A flash of white light formed a gleaming "Cut" that hit the dummy.
Farfetch'd looked somewhat puzzled at the leek in its hand.
Why did it feel like... it had mastered Cut even more proficiently than before?
*
In the afternoon, Naoki was contemplating the ranch expansion. So, after lunch, he took Cyclizar to visit Mayor Thomas in town.
Naoki let Cyclizar go and talk to its parents. Cyclizar happily nodded, went up to its parents, nuzzled their necks, and told them about its recent experiences, saying it really liked its current life.
Naoki and Mayor Thomas sat down on the sofa, and Mayor Thomas's wife served them two cups of tea.
"Thank you."
Naoki politely thanked her and then inquired with Mayor Thomas about acquiring land.
Upon hearing his intention, Mayor Thomas appeared very surprised: "You want to expand the ranch?"
Naoki nodded: "Yes, more and more Pokémon have come to live at the ranch, and it's getting a bit too crowded."
"I see!" Mayor Thomas seemed very pleased and sighed: "You're much more capable than your grandfather! He would be very happy to see this day."
After all, the ranch was the old man's life's work, and Mayor Thomas believed he wouldn't want to see it abandoned.
Naoki pursed his lips and smiled lightly, without saying anything.
"Purchasing land? Of course, no problem!" Mayor Thomas asked with a cheerful smile: "Where do you plan to buy land?"
Naoki: "The piece of land across the river, it's a flat and open wasteland, very close to the ranch. Just building a bridge over the river would merge the two areas together."
Upon hearing this, Mayor Thomas immediately knew which piece of land he was referring to.
He nodded and then explained the details of land purchase to Naoki.
"Undeveloped land usually costs more than 1.2 million League coins per acre, but the Paldea League offers subsidies for agriculture and ranching, so ranchers can enjoy agricultural subsidies. It will be much cheaper, around 1.1 million."
Naoki nodded, 1.1 million League coins per acre isn't too expensive.
Over the past year, he had saved quite a bit and could purchase several acres.
"Will there be taxes afterwards?" Naoki asked again.
Mayor Thomas shook his head: "Non-city land doesn't require tax payment because such land belongs to undeveloped areas, the Paldea League won't help you develop it, nor send people to maintain it."
"After purchase, the land will entirely belong to you, including the maintenance of the land and wild Pokémon disturbances, which you will have to handle yourself."
For instance, wild Pokémon might destroy farmland, knock down fruit trees, or steal crops.
Speaking of which, Mayor Thomas cheerfully added: "However, with the strength of your Pokémon, these issues shouldn't be a problem."
Naoki nodded with a smile, thinking that was right. No matter what Pokémon came to the ranch, they would never return!
There's an old saying—Orges are never slaves, unless the food and lodging are covered!
"If you want to purchase the land, I can accompany you to the town's land management bureau to submit an application, and someone will go over to measure the land, then price it for you," Mayor Thomas said.
"There's no need," Naoki didn't want to trouble the elder: "I can go myself, and here are some fresh milk produced by Miltank at the ranch, I hope you like them."
Saying this, Naoki placed a package of MooMoo Milk on the table.
Although the milk quality couldn't surpass Wooloo milk, it was still excellent.
Over the past two years, Mayor Thomas had helped him a lot, even gifting him a Cyclizar as an assistant, it was only appropriate to give some presents.
Mayor Thomas displayed a kind smile: "You kid, you came over and even brought gifts..."
Naoki got up and called out: "Cyclizar!"
"Gao!"
Cyclizar immediately responded, then said goodbye to its parents and ran back to Naoki's side.
Naoki patted its head and then bid farewell to Mayor Thomas: "We won't disturb you anymore, see you later, Mayor Thomas!"
Mayor Thomas smiled and nodded: "Go ahead, if there's anything, come find me!"
Naoki replied and turned to leave with Cyclizar.
Mayor Thomas watched his back and couldn't help but feel very emotional.
This kid has truly grown up!
Taking a closer look, Naoki was already into his twenties. Next, if he got married and started a family, believe his parents and grandfather could rest assured in another world.
*
The land management bureau was very efficient, and upon hearing Naoki's intent, they immediately dispatched personnel to accompany him for a land measurement at the ranch.
After careful measurement, the bureau's staff explained the scope and price of the land to Naoki:
"There are a total of 7 acres of wasteland, with farmer subsidies, totaling 7.7 million League coins."
7 acres... nearly double the size of the previous ranch, he could afford that price.
Thinking briefly, Naoki nodded: "Then I'll take this one."
Joking aside, a permanent piece of land at this price, he would regret not taking it for a lifetime!
"Alright, then please follow me back to the land management bureau for registration," the staff grinned: "We will record your information and identity credentials online, and afterwards, the land will be entirely yours."
Naoki didn't say much, and immediately took his bank card and went to town for it.
Upon returning to the ranch, his bank card's balance was almost emptied.
But even so, Naoki was still very excited.
Because the piece of land across the river was officially incorporated into the ranch.
He had Koraidon carry him across the river, to where the Psyducks lived.
Standing on this vast grassy land made Naoki feel unprecedented excitement.
This place, would be his territory in the future!
Naoki didn't ride Koraidon, he joyfully dashed through the grass.
Unable to understand why Naoki was so obsessed with land, Koraidon sat bewildered at its original spot.
Unable to comprehend, so it decided not to think, it let out a joyful call and happily followed Naoki, running across the grass.
With such a large area, what should he use it for?
Create a Wooloo Ranch, establish a Tropius orchard, plant more apple trees, cultivate more farmland!
But there was one more issue...
Naoki's pace slowed down gradually, with a larger ranch area, relying solely on footwork, he would require an enormous effort to reach here.
Although he could ride Koraidon, but if he planted apple trees here, how would he transport the harvested apples to the shipping crates?
He couldn't use Koraidon like a horse or cow to pull a cart, could he?
Naoki fell into deep thought.
Then he thought about the farmers' tractors.
But he'd never driven a tractor...
Just at that moment, a more suitable Pokémon for such tasks emerged in Naoki's mind.
That would be the Steel + Poison Type Revavroom!
If he recalled correctly, in the game, Team Star Village once modified Revavroom, transforming it into their unique combat vehicle.
Then the question arises, could this type of Pokémon be modified into a tractor for hauling Berries?
Furthermore, there was another problem.
This technology was developed by Ortega in Team Star, and it utilized Armarouge and Ceruledge as power sources for the combat vehicle.
Three Pokémon at once, Revavroom, Armarouge, Ceruledge, the future seemed too extravagant...
It felt like asking Groudon as the Earth God to farm.
"Forget it, no rush on this matter." Naoki shook his head, putting aside these thoughts.
He just bought the land, hadn't even seen a shadow of apple trees yet, thinking about tractors was too soon.
Take your time, there's no hurry, as long as everyone's here, there will be bread, there will be milk.
Right now, the most important thing is to contact Keri to order wooden fences, and fence off the entire land, also to build a bridge over the river to connect the two pieces of land.