Poliwag That Wanted to Grow Stronger

Speaking of Pokémon suitable for raising on a ranch, there were plenty of options.

First were Mareep and Wooloo, which could produce high-quality wool.

Mareep wool was widely loved for its unique ability to keep people warm in winter and cool in summer, while clothing and carpets made from Wooloo wool possessed remarkable resilience and were astonishingly durable.

Then there were Miltank, which produced Moomoo Milk, and Skiddo, which produced goat milk.

Moomoo Milk enjoyed an outstanding reputation throughout the Pokémon world. Not only was it rich, fragrant, and sweet, it was also packed with nutritional value.

Although Skiddo milk was not as famous as Moomoo Milk, it was still a rare and valuable tonic.

Mudbray and Tauros were also suitable for raising on the ranch. Mudbray's evolution, Mudsdale, could use the rare Tilling move to benefit the Farming Area, while Tauros could produce Pokémon Eggs with Miltank, hatching new Miltank or Tauros.

Tropius was not bad either. The banana-like fruit hanging from their necks tasted absolutely wonderful.

However, if he wanted to introduce Pokémon into the Ranch Area, he first had to replace all the fences surrounding the entire farm.

Sean was right. The fences here were so old and worn that even Caterpie could smash a hole through them, let alone powerful Pokémon.

Luo Mu sighed. "When I put it that way, I really need to save up enough money to buy brand-new fences for the farm first."

After doing the math, including his usual daily expenses and the money he had just earned, he had 57,350 League currency left in savings—just over fifty-seven thousand.

He had previously checked with the Machop Construction Team. Replacing all the fences would cost at least eighty thousand League currency.

"Looks like I need to work even harder to make money."

Luo Mu felt that he might as well expand the scale of his planting first, then develop the Farming Area and Lake Area.

The next morning.

Early in the morning, Luo Mu made his way to the fields as usual and began working.

His main task that morning was clearing out crops that could only be harvested once.

Tomatoes, strawberries, and cabbages could all bear fruit repeatedly. Eggplants were the only exception; while they could bear fruit a second time, their quality and size would be far inferior to the first harvest.

While he worked, Eldegoss had already brought its two newly evolved companions around to familiarize them with the farmland and their duties.

Their increased numbers had noticeably improved the efficiency of tending the fields, but once Luo Mu expanded the planting area later on, they would probably still find themselves stretched too thin.

Even so, Luo Mu had no intention of immediately adding new companions for them.

Just feeding the dozen or so mouths on the farm every day was already a considerable expense. Without a plan, blindly and endlessly increasing their numbers would only lead to a broken cash flow and the tragedy of the farm going bankrupt.

By the time he finished the farm work, it was already noon.

Without stopping, Luo Mu began preparing lunch for the dozen or so Pokémon. The dishes on ordinary days would not be as lavish as before, so it was not too difficult.

After eating and drinking their fill, Luo Mu was just about to rest and take an afternoon nap when the leader Poliwag, having finished its watering task, came looking for him.

Luo Mu glanced behind Poliwag in confusion and did not see the three Poliwag that followed it around every day. "Where are your little brothers?"

Poliwag shook its head. It had sent its little brothers back to Thunderclap Lake to rest before coming to find Luo Mu alone.

"Wurururu!"

Poliwag's gaze was solemn as it tried its best to explain why it had come through body language.

First, it moved its now-proficient legs and ran several circles around Luo Mu. Then, it opened its thick lips, sending a stream of water spraying onto the ground under its control and leaving behind a wet patch.

That was the Water Gun move.

Next, Poliwag used its round tail to fiercely strike a small stone twice. Unfortunately, it lacked the strength, and only managed to knock the stone a short distance away.

That was the Pound move.

Then, Poliwag used Mud Shot, Bubble Beam, and Mist as well, as though it were deliberately demonstrating all the moves it had mastered before Luo Mu.

Poliwag's unusual behavior made Luo Mu thoughtful. Then, after it looked at Swampert and Ceruledge sparring with envious eyes, Luo Mu finally came to a near-certain conclusion.

Poliwag seemed to want to grow stronger?

That was why it had come to Luo Mu, who had trained Swampert and the others, to seek guidance.

And this was probably not Luo Mu's imagination. While Poliwag was demonstrating its moves, he had noticed a deeply hidden trace of fear and anxiety in its eyes.

What was it afraid and anxious about?

With some guesses in mind, Luo Mu gladly accepted Poliwag's request.

After pondering for a moment, Luo Mu, already having a plan, brought Poliwag over to Growlithe, who was watching Swampert and Ceruledge spar.

Since Poliwag wanted to grow stronger, there happened to be an opponent here suitable for its training. At the same time, it could help Growlithe build resistance against Water-type moves that had a fourfold advantage over it. It was simply a win-win situation in several ways.

When Moltres saw Luo Mu arrive, it finally felt relieved enough to leave Growlithe behind and go back for an afternoon nap.

Ever since watching the Gossifleur evolve last night, Growlithe had been rather excited and had kept Moltres up all night, leaving it sleep-deprived.

Now that the kid's dad had come to take care of the child, it suited Moltres, the mother, perfectly.

The aftermath of Swampert and Ceruledge's sparring could easily injure the still-weak Growlithe and Poliwag, so Luo Mu found an open space a little farther away for their training.

As they walked, Luo Mu also considered how to arrange Poliwag's training plan.

As the leader of its little group, Poliwag had the potential to evolve into Politoed, and Politoed's most outstanding trait was its ability to control the weather.

Luo Mu had previously made a point of testing the Abilities of the four Poliwag.

Two Poliwag had the Ability Water Absorb, while one had the Ability Damp.

The leader Poliwag before him, however, possessed the Hidden Ability, "Swift Swim"!

After a Poliwag with Swift Swim evolved into Politoed, its Ability would change into the exceptionally rare Drizzle.

Just how rare was this Ability? One example was enough to make it clear.

As far as Luo Mu knew, there were only three Pokémon with the Drizzle Ability.

Pelipper, Politoed, and Kyogre, the legendary Pokémon said to have created the sea!

The weather-controlling power of Pokémon with Drizzle was simply incomparable to ordinary Pokémon that only knew the Rain Dance move.

As long as Poliwag successfully evolved into Politoed, it would become one of the core Pokémon of this farm!