Thirty minutes later, on the country road heading to Naoki Ranch.
Leon walked along, fiddling with the small object in his hand.
It was a delicate and small Pokemon wood carving, atop this Pokemon's head was a huge, crown-like dark green bud.
The tip of the bud bore beautiful patterns, with several antennae-like elements supporting the bud extending to the smaller head below, appearing as a giant crown.
Beneath the crown was a petite body, intricately carved with eyes, nose, mouth, and further down, with slender, exquisite limbs.
The craftsmanship of the wood carving was incredibly meticulous, particularly the eyes, which exuded a sense of majesty, resembling a true king.
"Calyrex…" Leon murmured to himself.
He put away the small wood carving, deciding to gift it to Hop when he returned to the Galar Region in a few days.
At this moment, a conspicuous sign appeared at the end of the road.
The sign prominently displayed the name Naoki Ranch.
Seeing this sight, Leon breathed a sigh of relief, "Here at last!"
This trip was indeed challenging! Being lost before had made him almost forget what it felt like to find a place straight away.
Next, he would challenge the owner here and continue the unfinished match!
Suddenly, a shadow was cast from above, Leon looked up and saw several orange Pokemon flying overhead, descending into the nearby ranch.
Seeing this scene, Leon was slightly dumbfounded.
Those Pokemon… are Dragonite?
So many Dragonite! Even for a Champion, witnessing such a scene still filled him with shock.
Surely as he thought, the ranch's owner must be like his mentor Mustard, a retired Champion-level Trainer?
Leon quickened his pace, arriving at the entrance of the ranch, standing by the doorway peering inside.
One glance, and Leon could see the ranch was very well kept.
The field, where various crops were growing, had one of those Dragonite land by it and use a Rain Dance Move on the field.
Soon after, a gentle rain began to fall from the sky, nourishing the crops and moistening the land.
Beside the field, was endless green grass, seemingly trimmed intentionally, appearing neat and tidy without any messiness.
Many Pokemon frolicking on the grass, the scene remarkably harmonious and warm.
Looking at those Pokemon, Leon's mind filled with their names, "Miltank, Alcremie, Glaceon, Cyclizar..."
As for the few other Pokemon not found in the Galar Region, he couldn't recognize them.
"So lively!" Leon thought to himself, took a deep breath, and shouted brightly into the ranch:
"Hey! Is anyone there?"
Upon hearing the call, the Pokemon chasing each other on the grass stopped and turned their heads to look over.
Soon after, one pink Pokemon with a red cape and holding a small hammer, anxiously turned and flew away.
Leon was a bit surprised.
But before long, he saw a familiar figure following that Pokemon out of the house.
When Naoki realized the visitor to the ranch was the one mentioned by Pawmot, he stood frozen in place.
That was… Leon?
Could he be seeing wrongly? Why would Leon come here?
Seeing him come out, Leon grinned and greeted first: "Hello!"
After a brief shock, Naoki recovered his composure: "Hello, Mr. Leon!"
"You know me?" Leon was quite surprised by the fact the other party could call out his name instantly.
Naoki: "..."
Oh no, he nearly forgot he had never interacted with Leon before!
Naoki's mind raced quickly, then smiled saying: "I saw the commercial you endorsed while in the Galar Region earlier, but, Mr. Leon, is there anything specific that brings you here?"
He remembered he hadn't disclosed the ranch location while in the Galar Region before, did he?
Could it be…
Naoki's mind flashed, suddenly recalling the commercial match he participated in the Galar Region, where Leon was present and watched his game.
With Geeta telling him Leon expressed a desire to visit Paldea Region before, Naoki suddenly had an incredible thought.
—Could Leon be wanting to battle with him?
It's widely known that since becoming Champion, Leon hadn't tasted defeat until meeting Hop, and even Raihan never defeated him.
It's precisely due to this that Leon is dubbed as the strongest Champion.
Thus, the commercial match's final winner, without surprises, would still be Leon.
His withdrawal from the match piqued Leon's interest, leading Leon to travel far to the Paldea Region…
Thinking of this possibility, Naoki was astounded, it couldn't be, could it?
Yet he saw Leon enthusiastically step forward, asking: "Remember the Rising Star Match held in Wyndon City?"
Naoki: "..." Surely.
Out of hospitality, he turned and invited Leon inside for a chat: "Let's talk in the living room!"