Pokémon: Farm Story

In the anime, making Pokéblocks is incredibly simple—just toss some Berries into a machine, press a button, and wait patiently for the process to finish.

In reality, however, crafting Pokéblocks is an intricate and painstaking process requiring great attention to detail.

Even the simplest Pokéblocks require multiple steps: washing the Berries, juicing them, allowing sedimentation, purifying to remove impurities, and carefully blending in precise proportions.

Certain Berries need to undergo repeated processing to achieve the desired effects.

And this is just for the basic Pokéblocks.

In Natsume's mind, some recipes for Pokéblocks border on the fantastical.

The ingredients range from bizarre to outright peculiar, some even requiring the intervention of psychic powers to complete.

As a result, Pokéblocks are a significant expense for Trainers in real life.

If you're not aiming to be a powerful Trainer and simply see your Pokémon as family members, then regular meals will suffice.

But if you want to grow stronger...

"Sir, would you like this Ground-type Pokéblock for 799 per bag, or this premium one for 1,288 per bag?

Or perhaps you'd prefer a specialized series tailored to a specific Pokémon?

Custom orders are also available, but there might be an additional charge~"

After all, if spending more can make you stronger, what's there to hesitate about?

Due to the complexity of crafting Pokéblocks, as well as the tradition of most Breeders to withhold key techniques from their apprentices, the price of Pokéblocks remains high.

While not entirely out of reach for the average person, they're definitely not cheap.

---

"All right, just set it down here."

Placing the recently delivered box on the floor, Natsume stood up and stretched his shoulders.

What used to be a bedroom on the first floor had been repurposed into a small workspace for making Pokéblocks.

Of course, Natsume didn't plan to use this room as a permanent workstation. Eventually, efficiency would demand a larger and better-equipped space.

For large factories, ordinary Pokéblocks are already produced through assembly-line automation.

Although Natsume didn't plan to replicate their methods, he knew he'd need a bigger room to meet the needs of the Pokémon on his farm.

"Fur."

"Brii."

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Natsume began unpacking the items from the box one by one.

Beside him, Furret and Butterfree helped organize the contents.

Apart from various Berries, there were a few strange devices and small packets.

Furret's ears twitched as its big tail swayed behind it.

It was trying its best to understand the purpose of these items.

Berries were for eating—but what about the rest?

Tableware, maybe?

Furret was completely baffled.

After unpacking everything, Natsume casually pushed the box aside.

Noticing this, Butterfree used its psychic abilities to move the empty box into the adjacent storage room while neatly organizing the Berries and equipment.

"Okay, time to make some Pokéblocks! Are you ready, Butterfree?"

Natsume glanced around the tidy room and nodded with satisfaction.

While the workspace would inevitably get messy later, a clean environment always put him in a good mood.

"Brii!"

Butterfree nodded enthusiastically, ready to assist.

It had helped Natsume with Pokéblock-making before and was already familiar with the process.

Just as Natsume was about to say something, he noticed Furret gazing at him expectantly.

Newcomers always hoped to be assigned tasks so they wouldn't feel awkward standing around.

After a moment's thought, Natsume said:

"Furret, could you do me a favor? Go tell Buneary to bring over the Berries I prepared earlier.

Then head to the farmland and let Sandshrew know the seeds have arrived."

"Furr!!"

Hearing its instructions, Furret's eyes lit up. Its ears perked like antennas receiving a signal.

With an eager cry to show its understanding, it darted out at full speed.

This is my first task from Natsume—I must do it perfectly!

Watching Furret dash off, Natsume chuckled and began preparing to make Pokéblocks.

First, the Berries were washed, chopped, and pitted.

The juice was extracted, and the leftover pulp filtered out.

The juice was then left to settle while other ingredients were prepared.

The small room buzzed with activity as Natsume worked.

---

Meanwhile, after informing Buneary, Furret ran to the farmland to find Sandshrew.

Determined to complete its task quickly, it even used Quick Attack.

In a nearby patch of grass, a Zigzagoon heard a strange sound.

Looking up, it saw a pink-and-white blur streak past like a low-flying meteor.

The resulting gust of wind swept Zigzagoon into the air.

For a moment, Zigzagoon's mind filled with a single thought:

Mom, I can fly!

Unfortunately, it was just an illusion.

With a resounding thud, Zigzagoon landed face-first on the ground.

Rolling onto its back, it stared blankly at the sky.

"What just happened?"

After a few seconds, Zigzagoon sprang to its feet.

It must've been those Poochyena again! Just you wait—I'm getting my gang!

Snarling, Zigzagoon dashed home to rally its brothers for a showdown.

Don't ask whether we can win. The important thing is that our spirit won't be defeated!

If we lose today, we'll fight again tomorrow! Always stay ready for battle!

Five versus three—we have the advantage!

---

Near the farmland, Sandshrew frowned as it examined a patch of earth.

Sure, having land to dig up was great, but wasn't this supposed to be farmland?

Shouldn't there be crops or something?

There's a saying: "No such thing as overworked land, only overworked oxen."

But Sandshrew felt that if this continued, the land might actually give out before it did.

Just as Sandshrew was lost in thought, a pink blur raced toward it from the distance.

"Fur! Fur!"

Furret arrived, shouting:

"Natsume said the seeds have arrived—he needs you to head back!"

Hearing this, Sandshrew's eyes lit up.

It curled into a ball and launched into a high-speed spin.

Furret, having stopped abruptly from its sprint, watched Sandshrew zoom past in a blur, its face full of confusion.

"Fur?"

Oh well, no time to think—I need to get back to Natsume.

Shaking its head, Furret quickly followed Sandshrew back home.

---

In the workshop, Natsume's first batch of Pokéblocks for the farm was ready.

The fragrant aroma of fresh Berries filled the room, mingling with the steam rising from the finished product.

Today's work: complete.

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