May 20th, Year 201 of the Unified Alliance Calendar – Early Summer
Since his last journey to Alola, Naoki's life had returned to its usual peace and quiet.
Today was a special day—Chansey was returning from her studies.
After several months of training at the Pokémon Center, she had fully mastered the art of identifying Pokémon injuries and matching them with healing berries.
Early that morning, with a hopeful heart and a cheery wave goodbye to Naoki, she set off for the Expedition Guild, ready to begin her new career as a Pokémon field medic.
After sending Chansey off to the World Tree, Naoki returned to the ranch.
Summer had arrived, the weather was heating up, and it was time to get back to work—as a rancher, after all, that was still his main job.
The fields had already been planted with heat-loving summer crops. Dragonite hovered nearby, summoning gentle rainclouds to help water the soil.
Naoki gazed across the thriving fields with a deep sense of satisfaction.
This… this was what life should be.
"Dugtrio, great job today!" he called out to the Dugtrio helping plow the land. "Anything you'd like to eat? Name it! I'll make it right now!"
"Squeak squeak?!" The Pokémon lit up with joy. Their request? Three extra-large sandwiches—so that each head could have its own serving!
"You got it. Coming right up!"
Still chuckling, Naoki walked back to the house. But just as he opened the door, the old video phone began to ring.
"Huh?"
He was surprised. In this day and age of Rotom Phones and smart devices, he hardly ever used the video phone anymore.
Although this line was technically the official contact number of the ranch, the locals were all familiar with Naoki, and most orders were placed through their usual direct channels.
Curious, he walked over and answered.
The screen flickered to life, and to Naoki's astonishment, the familiar face of Professor Oak appeared.
"Hello? Is this Naoki's ranch?" Oak asked cheerfully.
"Professor Oak?!" Naoki blinked. "Why are you calling this number?"
The professor chuckled sheepishly. "Ahaha… my Rotom Phone's missing, so this was the only number I had on file for you."
Naoki: "…"
"Anyway, I actually called for a reason," Oak continued. "I'm organizing a summer camp for some young trainers, but I haven't decided on a location yet. Then I thought of your ranch. With so many Pokémon living there, it seems like the perfect setting. Do you have space and time to host the kids for a few weeks?"
'Professor Oak's Summer Camp?'
When Naoki heard those words over the phone, his mind instantly wandered back to a nostalgic memory from the Pokémon anime — the summer camp that Ash and Serena had once attended together.
He remembered the cheerful banter, the outdoor games, the campfire stories, and the strong friendships that bloomed between both Trainers and Pokémon. That iconic scene had left quite the impression on him. Now, hearing Professor Oak mention a summer camp again felt like a dream turning into reality.
But then he shook his head and smiled to himself.
That particular arc in the anime was long gone. Ash had already embarked on his journey through the Sinnoh region. The cheerful, adventurous boy who once attended that summer camp had grown into a seasoned Trainer, and that chapter of carefree camp days was firmly in the past.
So... was Professor Oak organizing a brand-new summer camp? And this time, at Naoki's very own ranch?
As Naoki sat there, still a little stunned by the idea, Professor Oak's voice crackled through the video phone again, full of enthusiasm. "Of course, we'll bring our own tents and supplies. Don't worry about logistics. And we'll make sure to pay a proper venue fee!"
That snapped Naoki out of his daze. He chuckled warmly, shaking his head.
"There's really no need for that, Professor. It's just a summer camp. You and your group are always welcome here." He paused, tilting his head slightly. "Honestly, I was just surprised. The Kanto region and Paldea are quite far apart. I thought it might be a hassle to fly everyone out here."
Professor Oak laughed heartily. "I appreciate the hospitality, Naoki. Don't worry, we'll take a direct flight. Shouldn't take long at all."
But the truth behind his excitement wasn't just the camp itself. Ever since he had seen the photos Naoki had casually shared on social media, pictures of four mysterious Pokémon he had never seen before, and ones not even recorded in the Pokédex, Professor Oak had been itching for a visit.
For a man who had devoted his life to the study of Pokémon, the idea of discovering new species was irresistible. It was the kind of opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime.
"So, when were you thinking of coming?" Naoki asked, already making a mental checklist of preparations.
Professor Oak replied, "One week from now."
Naoki raised an eyebrow. "That would be… May 27th?"
"Exactly," the professor confirmed.
"Alright then," Naoki nodded. "I'll get everything ready on my end."
After the call ended, Naoki wasted no time. The thought of kids arriving at his ranch for an official summer camp lit a spark in him. He wanted to make sure everything was perfect.
First, he visited the ranch's onion garden, where his Farfetch'd was diligently slicing vegetables with its leek like a master chef. Naoki asked it to swap its signature super leek with a common wild leek for the time being. The goal was to help it blend in with the rest of the Pokémon and avoid drawing attention to its special strength.
Next, he temporarily sealed off the entrance to the Distortion World hidden within the ranch. While it was safe, he didn't want any curious children wandering somewhere they shouldn't.
For transportation between the ranch and Dragonite Island, Naoki reached out to the Dragonite clan on the World Tree. He asked them to temporarily travel using sky routes instead of the interdimensional portal.
Finally, he gathered all the Eeveelutions on the ranch. With the summer camp happening from May 27th to May 30th, he gave them a choice: would they prefer to stay at home during the camp, or go spend a few relaxing days playing at the World Tree?
The group of Eeveelution siblings exchanged looks, ears twitching curiously.
"Buyi?" one of them asked, tilting its head. (Why, what's happening?)
Naoki smiled and explained, "A group of kids will be coming here. They'll be visiting the ranch to meet Pokémon and learn about life on a farm."
As soon as he finished the sentence, his partner Eevee leapt to its feet with wide eyes and trembling excitement.
"Bu-yi bu-yi?!" it exclaimed. (Really? Humans? Like those Trainers who came for the trial challenges?!)
In its mind, it imagined rows of challengers lining up one by one, eager to battle. It pictured itself standing tall, harnessing the rainbow-colored energy of the Z-Move Ninefold Sublimation, defeating them in dramatic fashion. A proud Eevee warrior!
It vibrated with excitement just thinking about it.
Naoki blinked in disbelief, watching his partner almost bounce with anticipation.
"You're way too excited about this," he muttered, gently patting its head.
He smiled and explained patiently. "These aren't battle-hardened Trainers. They're just kids, most haven't even received their first Pokémon yet. They're not here to challenge you."
"Buyi…" The little Eevee's ears flopped down in disappointment, its enthusiasm instantly deflating.
Seeing this, Naoki gave a small chuckle and scratched behind its ears.
"But don't worry," he said. "Next time, I'll organize a special event, an exclusive [Eevee Trial Challenge] right here at the ranch. You'll be the star. Trainers will come from all over to battle you."
At once, Eevee's ears perked back up and its eyes lit with excitement again.
"Bu-yi!"
It pranced around in a circle, already imagining its future glory.
...
Meanwhile, back in Pallet Town, inside Professor Oak's laboratory, the old man had just returned to the living room.
Sitting neatly on the sofa was a young teen, calm, composed, and sharp-eyed, around thirteen or fourteen years old. Tousled brown hair framed his thoughtful face. Despite his youth, he carried himself with the confidence and poise of someone who had already seen much of the world.
It was none other than Gary Oak, Professor Oak's grandson.
"Gary," Professor Oak said with a warm smile, "how about coming along on this summer camp trip? It'd be a nice chance for us to spend some time together before you head back to Sinnoh."
Gary looked up and shook his head gently. "I'd love to, but Professor Rowan still needs me at the research lab. I promised I'd return soon."
After concluding his journey as a Pokémon Trainer, Gary had chosen a different path — becoming a Pokémon researcher. He now worked under Professor Rowan in Sinnoh, helping with studies related to evolution, energy signatures, and ancient Pokémon behavior. His visit to Kanto was brief, just to check on the Pokémon he had raised here.
Hearing Gary's response, Professor Oak let out a sigh of regret.
"What a pity," he said. "You know, the camp's not just anywhere. The destination this time is truly special — a dreamland, where rare and mysterious Pokémon roam freely."
Gary raised an eyebrow.
He'd heard this kind of pitch before. Usually, it led to a modest forest filled with Bug-types and maybe a Scyther or two. His grandpa had a way of hyping up even the most ordinary places.
But Oak wasn't done.
"This place is home to dozens of Dragonite," he said.
Now Gary sat up straighter. 'Dozens of Dragonite? That was definitely unusual.'
Was Professor Oak planning a camp at the Dragon Sanctuary of the Dragon family?
"And that's not all," Oak added, eyes twinkling. "There are reports of legendary Pokémon, and even mythical ones residing there."
"...?"
Gary blinked, taken aback.
Professor Oak leaned forward with a smile. "So? What do you think? Want to come see it for yourself?"