Pokemon: A New Path

Chapter 409: Holy Bun

Chapter 409: Holy Bun

When Naoki saw Zapdos, Teddiursa, and Mew return to the ranch on such a snowy day, he was both surprised and overjoyed.

He quickly ushered the three Pokémon inside, brushing the snow off their fur and feathers. Warmth enveloped them as they entered the house. Naoki prepared hot tea and served soft, sweet cookies to the trio.

The three Pokémon settled on the floor by the crackling fireplace. After draining their cups of hot tea, they began to feel the warmth seep back into their frostbitten limbs. Their energy slowly returned, and they began to speak.

Teddiursa and Mew munched on cookies like two hungry squirrels, their mouths stuffed with crumbs. Meanwhile, Zapdos lowered its head into a bowl of warm snacks, savoring the taste with evident delight.

After a while, Teddiursa let out a satisfied burp and pulled something shimmering from behind its back. It was a feather, glowing with radiant rainbow hues.

"Teddi! Teddi-Ursa!" (This is a gift for you, Naoki!) the small Pokémon declared proudly.

Because Naoki had eaten the translation seeds earlier, he could immediately understand what Teddiursa was saying. His eyes widened as he took the feather in hand, and almost instantly, information about the item appeared in his mind.

[Rainbow Feather: A legendary artifact, this feather belongs to the mythical Pokémon Ho-Oh. It is said that when it glows with rainbow light, it brings joy and happiness to humanity.]

Naoki was stunned. "This… This is a Rainbow Feather from Ho-Oh!"

He stared at Teddiursa and Mew in disbelief. "How on earth did you manage to get Ho-Oh's feather?!"

Teddiursa replied cheerfully, "Ursa-Ted! (We found it on the grass!)"

Mew floated beside it, nodding with an innocent smile. "Mew~ (It's Ho-Oh's feather~)"

Teddiursa added enthusiastically, "Teddiursa-Ursa! (Oh, and we also made friends with Ho-Oh! And Marshadow!)"

As the two Pokémon took turns explaining, Naoki pieced the story together over the next five minutes.

It turned out that during their travels, the Hero Expedition Team had stumbled upon the radiant feather lying in the grass. Not long after, a majestic, lion-like Pokémon appeared before them, its mane burning like flames.

The Pokémon, Entei, revealed itself to be a messenger of Ho-Oh and instructed them to follow the feather's guidance to a place called Ecruteak City.

Upon reaching the city, the townspeople directed them to The Tower, where Ho-Oh was said to reside.

The expedition team eventually arrived at the Tower but soon encountered an elusive Pokémon lurking in the shadows.

Mew managed to catch up with it, learning that the Pokémon was Marshadow, tasked with guiding those chosen by Ho-Oh to undertake the test of the Rainbow Hero.

Marshadow was visibly perplexed. "Ho-Oh's feather has only ever been given to humans," it explained. "Never to Pokémon."

Teddiursa and Mew immediately protested, shaking their heads vigorously. "We're not ordinary Pokémon!" they insisted. "We're the Hero Expedition Team, traveling the world and standing up for justice!"

Hearing their passionate declaration, Marshadow seemed to consider their words before speaking again.

"In that case," it said, its voice calm but intrigued, "place the Rainbow Feather on the sacred stone and see what happens."

Mew and Baby Bear did as instructed.

As soon as they placed the Rainbow Feather on the stone, it erupted in a brilliant beam of light that shot straight into the sky. From the horizon, a radiant rainbow bridge formed, arching high into the heavens. Moments later, Ho-Oh, the majestic King of the Skies, appeared, its feathers shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow.

Hearing this part of the story, Naoki was stunned. "Wait, does that mean you've already become Rainbow Heroes?!"

In Pokémon lore, the Rainbow Hero is a title given to humans chosen by Ho-Oh. In the movie, Ash Ketchum successfully passed Ho-Oh's test and earned the title.

Mew and Baby Bear exchanged a quick glance before shaking their heads.

"Teddi! Teddi-Ursa!" (No, no! That Pokemon said that the Rainbow Hero is a title meant for humans!)

"Mew~" Mew added, (The Phoenix Pokemon gave the feather to us after seeing what we accomplished. It said the feather could help us in our journey.)

Naoki sighed in relief but remained deeply impressed. For a moment, he had genuinely thought his Pokémon companions had achieved this legendary status.

Looking at the radiant feather in his hand, Naoki asked curiously, "So, where is Ho-Oh now?"

Mew and Baby Bear shook their heads.

"Teddi". "We don't know. After that, it flew away."

"Mew…" Mew looked disappointed. (We invited Ho-Oh to visit the ranch and play with us, but it declined.)

Seeing Mew's dejected expression, Naoki didn't know what to say. The hero's expedition team really was something else—a gacha machine for legendary encounters! From Ho-Oh to the simplest Pokémon like Farfetch'd, they somehow managed to cross paths with all of them.

Naoki mused silently, It's no surprise coming from a Teddiursa blessed with permanent good luck.

"It's possible Ho-Oh has important responsibilities elsewhere," Naoki finally said to comfort them.

"Mew?" Mew's ears perked up. (Do you think Ho-Oh will visit after we finish everything here?)

Naoki hesitated. "I'm not sure."

"Mew…" Mew's face fell again.

Deciding to change the subject, Naoki turned his focus to the Rainbow Feather. He remembered how Zapdos' feathers were used to create Lightning Buns and Lugia's feathers made Storm Buns. The potential of Ho-Oh's feather intrigued him.

What kind of dish could be created from Ho-Oh's feathers? Naoki wondered, a spark of culinary curiosity lighting his thoughts.

But first, he sought confirmation. "Are you sure it's okay for me to use the feather to make something special?"

Baby Bear lazily waved its paw. "Ursa!" (Of course! We brought it as a gift for you, Naoki!)

The little bear, clearly stuffed from too many cookies, lay sprawled on the wool carpet, gently rubbing its round belly.

"Thank you," Naoki said with a warm smile. "I truly love this gift."

Deciding to act, Naoki sought out Calyrex. With its unparalleled psychic abilities, Calyrex could help convert the feather into powder—ideal for culinary experimentation.

Calyrex, always eager to assist, agreed immediately.

In just three seconds, the Rainbow Feather transformed into a handful of golden-red powder, resembling finely sifted flour.

Naoki examined it closely, and the information about the powder appeared in his mind.

[Phoenix King Feather Powder: A legendary ingredient imbued with sacred power, blessings, and fiery energy. When used in cooking, it may exhibit magical effects.]

Seeing this, Naoki chuckled and said to himself, "Just as I thought."

With a warm smile, he patted Baby Bear and Mew on their heads and said, "Wait here. I'll go make some special buns for you!"

Naoki headed to the kitchen and began preparing the dough. Meanwhile, the three Pokémon, now fully refreshed and satisfied, explored the ranch. They wandered around, happily greeting the Pokémon who lived there.

Although many of the Pokémon were new faces to them, introductions quickly turned into friendly exchanges, and bonds were formed in no time.

When Mew and Baby Bear came across the Farfetch'd they had encouraged to come to the ranch, both of their little faces lit up in shock.

"Teddi-Ursa!" (So strong!)

"Mew!" (What a transformation!)

"Far-fetch'd!"

Farfetch'd quacked cheerfully, clearly delighted to see its old companions.

For Farfetch'd, it was a moment of gratitude. Meeting Mew and Baby Bear had been a turning point. Thanks to their encouragement, it had come to the ranch and met Naoki, who had helped it become stronger.

Naoki was entirely in his element as he worked in the kitchen. He kneaded the dough, let it rest, rolled it into perfect buns, and placed them in the steamer.

By the time noon arrived, the heavy snowfall outside had stopped.

Excited by the fresh blanket of snow, all the Pokémon eagerly donned the scarves Naoki had bought for them and raced outside to play. Even the three members of the hero's expedition team ventured out. However, their purpose was different—they wanted to check on the World Tree.

As soon as they reached the grassy area where the World Tree had been planted, Zapdos and Mew noticed something alarming: the tree was gone!

Startled, they hurried to find Naoki and tell him what had happened.

Naoki, busy steaming buns, listened calmly to Mew's frantic explanation. With a reassuring smile, he said, "The World Tree isn't gone. It's just grown too big for the ranch, so I moved it somewhere else."

After asking sister Indeedee, to watch over the steaming buns, Naoki led the three Pokémon across the ranch's lake and into the reverse world.

The moment they arrived, Zapdos, Mew, and Baby Bear stared in awe.

In the void stood a colossal, magnificent tree, its trunk thick and sturdy, its branches spreading far and wide.

"Zap!"

Zapdos chirped with excitement. This was the perfect home it had always dreamed of.

Mew and Baby Bear were equally astonished. The sheer size of the World Tree exceeded their imaginations. It was as if a living sanctuary for Pokémon had sprung to life before their very eyes.

Finally understanding what Naoki had meant when he said the World Tree would grow large enough to host all their Pokémon friends, the trio's faces lit up with joy.

Naoki walked under the vast tree canopy.

The excited Zapdos began soaring around the World Tree, its electrifying energy adding to the lively atmosphere.

Mew squealed with delight and darted up to perch on one of the sprawling branches, its small frame practically glowing with excitement.

Naoki stood at the base of the tree, holding Baby Bear in his arms as he gazed upward at the scene. Judging by Mew's enthusiasm, it seemed likely that the Pokémon was already planning to use the mystical power of the World Tree to create a secret base—a special sanctuary just for the hero expedition team.

Naoki smiled warmly and said, "This is just the beginning. In the future, the World Tree will grow to be more than ten times its current size."

The idea of such a colossal tree, its roots and branches creating an ecosystem all their own, filled Naoki's mind with possibilities. He had been quietly planning the future of the World Tree for some time.

With its vast reserves of natural energy, the World Tree was an ideal place for plants and crops to thrive. It could host its ecosystem, with Pokémon like Arboliva producing rich olive oil, the Gogoat offering fresh goat milk, the Tropius providing fruits, and the Garganacl supplying rock salt. Add in the Miltanks for milk, the Combee trio for sweet honey, and Alcremie for cream and desserts, and it was a perfect balance of resources.

Naoki envisioned building an expedition team guild nestled within the World Tree's boughs. This guild could include:

An item shop selling essential supplies and potions. A café where Pokémon could enjoy hearty meals. An orchard filled with berries and fruit trees. Farmland for growing wheat and other crops. Bedrooms for Pokémon to rest comfortably.

The shopkeepers, chefs, and caretakers would all be Pokémon themselves, ensuring a lively, supportive community. With such a system in place, even if Naoki were absent in the future, the Pokémon would remain self-sufficient and continue to live harmoniously.

However, Naoki knew these dreams were still far off. The World Tree's growth was not yet halfway complete, and much remained to be done.

Leaving Zapdos, Mew, and Baby Bear to explore their newfound paradise, Naoki returned alone to the ranch.

Back at the ranch, the Eevees were playing in the snow, so Naoki joined them in building a snowman. The cold air was filled with laughter and the crunch of snow underfoot as they worked together.

Time flew by, and Indeedee came running out to announce that the steamed buns were ready. Naoki left the Eevees to their snowy fun and hurried back inside.

As he opened the steamer, Naoki's eyes widened in surprise. These buns were unlike any he had made before. Their golden-red color shimmered with an otherworldly hue, reminiscent of the radiant plumage of Ho-Oh.

"Wow..." Naoki murmured.

Naoki took a deep breath, feeling the incredible information about the Bun flow into his mind.

[Holy Bun (SS)] A legendary dish created using the powdered feather of the mythical Pokémon Ho-Oh. It is said that consuming it grants the blessings of Ho-Oh.

Effects:

Holy Ash:

Instantly restores the physical strength of a severely weakened or dying Pokémon. For healthy Pokémon, it significantly enhances physical strength and endurance, making them far stronger.

Holy Fire:

For Fire-type Pokémon, it transforms their internal flames into Sacred Fire. For non-Fire-type Pokémon, the power of Fire-type moves increases permanently by 20%.

Divine Blessing:

Grants Ho-Oh's favor to the Pokémon that consumes it, greatly enhancing their fortune. This effect is exclusive to Mew, Baby Bear, and Zapdos.

Comment: This is a one-of-a-kind dish. Legends say that those blessed by Ho-Oh achieve eternal happiness.

As Naoki processed this information, he couldn't help but let out a soft whistle of amazement.

"Wow... an SS-tier dish indeed. This is absurdly powerful!"

The first effect, Holy Ash, was nothing short of miraculous. Unlike a simple healing item like MooMoo Milk or a Max Potion, this ability seemed to stem directly from Ho-Oh's legendary power—the very power said to resurrect the dead.

Naoki recalled the Johto legend of the Burned Tower, where three Pokémon perished in a great fire. Ho-Oh, in its compassion, used its powers to resurrect them, transforming them into the legendary beasts: Entei, Raikou, and Suicune, who became loyal guardians of Ho-Oh.

Though none of the Pokémon in Naoki's ranch were in dire need of resurrection, the secondary boost to physical strength and endurance from Holy Ash would be immensely useful—especially for Pokémon like Flareon, Jolteon, and Vaporeon, who had evolved prematurely. The buns could help make up for their developmental shortcomings and allow them to thrive.

The second effect, Holy Fire, was just as remarkable. Turning the internal flames of Fire-type Pokémon into Sacred Fire—Ho-Oh's signature move—was a game-changer. Sacred Fire, a move of both immense power and divine significance, was a skill that only Ho-Oh and its chosen guardians like Entei could wield.

Even for non-Fire-type Pokémon, the 20% boost to Fire-type moves was like equipping them with a permanent Charcoal that didn't occupy an item slot. Naoki could already imagine Flareon's flames burning brighter than ever.

But it was the third effect, Divine Blessing, that intrigued Naoki the most. The idea of Ho-Oh's favor greatly enhancing a Pokémon's fortune seemed like a perfect match for the Hero Expedition Team.

Naoki looked over at Baby Bear, who was lying contentedly on the woolen rug, rubbing its full belly. The little Pokémon's inherent ability to bring luck to every situation was already impressive, but with Ho-Oh's blessing? That was a whole new level of potential.

"Artificial... Luck Incarnate?" Naoki murmured, half in awe and half in amusement.

Baby Bear's natural talent for finding rare and valuable items, combined with this divine blessing, meant the little Pokémon could probably stumble upon treasures no one else could dream of—perhaps even the mythical Plates of Arceus itself!

The thought brought a smile to Naoki's face as he jokingly imagined Baby Bear casually stealing Arceus's Origin Plate, much like a mischievous thief in a fantasy game.

However, it made sense that the Divine Blessing effect was limited to Mew, Baby Bear, and Zapdos. After all, the Rainbow Feather had been gifted to them by Ho-Oh. The restriction ensured that its power stayed true to its purpose.

"This is a massive upgrade for the Hero Expedition Team," Naoki mused with a chuckle.