[Ding! Perfect Capture Mission: Capture 30 Pokémon within three days of arriving at the Safari Zone!]
[Mission Rewards: Experience Boost Potion — When used, a Pokémon gains 10% more experience.
Dragon Fang — Boosts the power of Dragon-type moves by 20% when held.]
[Bonus Objective: If among the captured Pokémon there are a Dratini and a Dragonair, the mission rewards will be upgraded!]
[Upgraded Rewards: Special Grade Experience Boost Potion — When used, a Pokémon gains 20% more experience.
Top-Grade Dragon Fang — Boosts the power of Dragon-type moves by 40% when held.]
Another mission with bonus upgrade rewards.
Kazuki began reading it carefully from the top.
Capturing thirty Pokémon in the Safari Zone wasn't exactly difficult.
He could just toss a bunch of Poké Balls into a herd of Tauros.
Though that meant poor old Professor Oak back in Pallet Town would have a lot of sorting to do.
But the upgraded reward required capturing a Dragonair and a Dratini!
According to the original story, there was a mysterious pool within the Safari Zone that housed a mother Dragonair and her child.
These rare Pokémon were already one of Kazuki's goals in coming to the Safari Zone.
Now, with the added boost of a mission incentive, it was like icing on the cake.
Another Special Grade Experience Boost Potion!
The last one had gone to Pikachu and had helped raise its level quite a bit.
As for this one, Kazuki would decide later who to give it to.
The Top-Grade Dragon Fang was clearly intended for Dragonair and Dratini—or even their final evolution, Dragonite.
A 40% boost to Dragon-type moves was excellent.
Still, Dragon-types, while seeming noble and powerful, had few resistances and plenty of weaknesses.
But their high base stats and rarity continued to make them fan favorites among Trainers.
That mother-and-child Dragonair pair in the Safari Zone... I definitely have to get them.
Ah!
Just as Kazuki accepted the mission and began walking with Misty and Suzie—
Before they had even taken a few steps, a girl riding a Ponyta came galloping toward them.
She had long, deep-blue hair the color of the night sky, neatly tied behind her head. A warm orange bandana atop her head added a playful and energetic touch to her look.
Her face was delicate and petite, with big, glistening eyes that held a hint of wildness.
She wore a refreshing light-green short-sleeved top, with a red accent at the collar like the glow of dawn, adding brightness to her outfit.
She paired it with a deep-blue skirt that showed off her long, sun-kissed legs—no doubt a result of years of horseback riding.
The Ponyta beneath her was also strong and spirited, galloping with unrestrained vigor.
But perhaps too unrestrained—Ponyta showed no signs of slowing down as it approached Kazuki and the others.
However, the girl had excellent riding skills. With a quick tug on the reins, she got Ponyta to rear up and stop right in front of them.
Misty and Suzie both jumped back in surprise, but Kazuki stood his ground, completely unfazed.
"Sorry about that! I saw you heading forward and were just about to enter a dangerous area, so I rushed over!" the girl explained.
As she looked at Kazuki, calm and composed, she couldn't help but think: What a powerful presence! So attractive!
"Dangerous area? What do you mean?" Misty asked in confusion.
"Dangerous area is... right there!" The girl pointed to a cloud of dust not far away.
The three of them followed her finger and saw a herd of rampaging Tauros charging in their direction.
If they hadn't stopped when they did...
Once the Tauros had completely passed, the girl dismounted. Up close, her legs really could kill—killer curves and all.
She had a slim waist too—probably on par with Misty.
"Hello! I'm from the Laramie Ranch that protects this area. My name is Lara!"
Maybe it was because of her nomadic background, but Lara had a bold and forthright personality.
The moment she found Kazuki attractive, her gaze never left him.
"Hi! I'm Misty!" Misty suddenly tilted her head into view, cutting off Lara's intense gaze at Kazuki.
She didn't mind Kazuki attracting other girls, but flirting with her boyfriend right on the first meeting? Misty had to assert her rightful place.
"He's Kazuki, my boyfriend! And this is Suzie. We're all just passing Pokémon Trainers!"
"Boyfriend, huh? So both of you are Kazuki's girlfriends?" Lara asked, and instead of backing off, her eyes grew even more intrigued.
"Ah! We… I mean, I…" Suzie blushed, flustered at being called Kazuki's girlfriend.
"No worries! Strong men often have many partners—I totally get it!"
Lara's voice held a hint of excitement, and her eyes began to size up Kazuki's physique.
"Looks like you're quite the strong Trainer, Kazuki!
Otherwise, these two lovely girls wouldn't be following you around, would they?"
"Traveling with Kazuki is so much fun!" Misty chimed in cheerfully, quickly warming up to Lara.
"Hahaha, it is fun! But sometimes Kazuki can be a real tease—he bullies me all the time!"
"Tease? Bully?" Lara's eyes lit up as she caught those keywords. She gave Kazuki a meaningful look—who would've thought this upright-looking guy had a playful side with his girlfriend?
Judging by Misty's half-teasing smile, they must've taken things pretty far...
Lara lowered her gaze slightly and murmured, "That kind of intensity… makes things a lot more fun."
"Huh? Fun? I mean… I guess?" Misty laughed nervously. "Oh, this is Suzie—she's our team's cook! She takes care of all our meals!"
As Misty linked Suzie and Lara into the conversation, she leaned in close to Kazuki and whispered, "Hey, this Lara's intentions are pretty clear!"
"Did you see those smoldering eyes?"
"Even someone as emotionally dense as me could tell!"
"She seems to really support… y'know, the idea of a man having multiple partners."
"What do you think of her?"
"What do I think?" Kazuki glanced over at Lara, who was chatting with Suzie.
"Healthy complexion, plenty of vitality."
"Her curves are about the same as yours—"
"Not bad! Bet she'd feel great when—"
Misty's eyes widened in shock: "???!!! What the heck?! I meant her personality!"
"Why are you already thinking about taking off her pants?!"
"Didn't I use my mouth for you the other night after Suzie fell asleep? You're the one with the insatiable appetite, you perv!"
Kazuki chuckled and gently brushed some hair behind her ear. "Hehe, well you didn't specify! I was giving a full evaluation!"
"Personality-wise, she's lively—kind of like you—but a bit more straightforward. And yeah, I saw the look in her eyes."
"As for all that other stuff, come on, we just met! I was obviously joking."
"I don't even know if that's how she treats everyone or if it's just me."
"If I misjudge and act on it too soon, we might get into trouble. Nomads tend to be wild!"
"If she punches me, we're both screwed!"
"'We'?" Misty raised an eyebrow. "Why 'we'? I'm not the one trying to take off her pants. You'd enjoy it, and I'd get hit?"
"Aren't you my official girlfriend?" Kazuki pulled her into his arms and gave her soft cheek a squeeze.
"You even want me to take a beating with you? Geez!" Misty leaned into his face. "I'll help you figure her out too!"
"Just make sure you understand her customs first—don't cause any misunderstandings!"
"If it really comes to something, I'll help you bring her in!"
While Kazuki and Misty discussed Lara's personality, Suzie was also being drawn in by Lara's bold and energetic vibe.
Lara was so confident, so fearless...
I really need to learn from her. My special time of the month just ended, and seeing Kazuki and Misty cuddling like that… my heart and body feel all tingly.
"Kazuki, Misty! Suzie! Our tribe's holding a festival right now!"
"You guys came at just the right time!"
"The day after tomorrow, we're holding a Pokémon race!"
"A race? What kind of race?" Misty's eyes lit up at the mention of a competition.
"It's a Pokémon speed race!"
"We mainly use it to evaluate the growth of our Laramie Village's Pokémon!"
"The champion Pokémon will get a long period of special training!"
"And the winning Trainer gets a big cash prize and official recognition from our tribe as a top Pokémon Trainer!"
[Ding! Mission Triggered!]
Just as Lara finished explaining, Kazuki's system activated a new mission.
[Help Lara's Ponyta win the championship and punish Dario, who's colluding with Team Rocket.]
[Mission Rewards: Friendly Minor Champion Aura — All Pokémon in your team gain 10% more experience.
Justice Reputation +1]
Oh? A friendly Champion Aura, and I can choose when to activate it!
I'd been wondering how to grind EXP in the Safari Zone since battles are restricted in protected areas.
Now I've got an EXP-related reward to make up for it! And I can activate it whenever I want!
Everything's falling into place.
Kazuki scanned the mission details again.
Help Lara's Ponyta win the race and deal with Dario.
In the original script, Dario was an egomaniac.
To win the race, he teamed up with Team Rocket—injured Lara's arm, and had them sabotage the course, causing chaos and badly injuring many Pokémon.
Now that Kazuki knew what was coming, stopping Dario and Team Rocket would be easy.
But whether Lara could win the race with her Ponyta on her own—that was the real wild card.
Kazuki reread the mission description and spotted the loophole.
Wait a sec—it says help Lara's Ponyta win, not that Lara herself has to race.
If I ride Ponyta instead, and with my Beginner Lightning Speed Aura increasing speed by another 10%—
That championship is as good as mine.
Now I just need to figure out how to get Lara to let me ride her Ponyta.
"Hey Lara, I've got a question! Doesn't the fire on Ponyta's back burn your thighs?" While Kazuki was thinking, Misty started making small talk with Lara to build rapport.
"Hahaha!" Lara laughed heartily. "You're not wrong—when I first started riding, I totally burned my butt!"
"But I tamed her eventually!"
As she spoke, she gently stroked Ponyta's flaming mane.
"Ponyta's been training hard every day to win the race!"
"But I'm not the best rider in our tribe—I'm a little worried I won't be able to help her win."
"And she's so spirited—no one else has been able to ride her but me!"
"So I've been training extra hard to improve my riding skills!"
As Lara's hand slid through the flames, Misty's curiosity flared too.
"Hey, Lara, can we try petting your Ponyta?"
"Sure! Just be careful—it's really hot!" Lara patted Ponyta gently and let the others know it was safe.
Misty and Suzie reached out to touch the flames, but the heat was intense—they quickly pulled their hands back.
"Yeah, no way—it's too hot! Only Lara can handle it!" Misty said with a laugh.
"Hey! Kazuki! You try it!" Misty grinned and pulled Kazuki over.
Kazuki looked at Ponyta and recalled Lara's words: She really wants Ponyta to win, but she's not confident.
No one else has been able to ride this Ponyta.
But if I don't get burned...
That might plant the idea in Lara's mind that I'm the one who can tame Ponyta.
And then, if I create the right opportunity, maybe I can ride her in the race.
I've got that ability that boosts wild Pokémon affection by 50%—and this Ponyta is no different from a wild one.
Plus, with my Aura Power, I should be able to synchronize with her emotions…
Kazuki slowly raised his hand. His Aura Power radiated outward, resonating with Ponyta's feelings...
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