I’m the Owner of the Pokémon Day Care In the World of Pokémon

Very quickly, the flying Pokémon ridden by those fleeing people were ensnared by the plants controlled by Florges. They struggled desperately to ascend higher, but the vines entangling them only grew thicker and more numerous. In the blink of an eye, several of them were forcibly yanked down from the sky.

However, a few of them managed to break free from the vines' grip and fled rapidly into the distance.

Those people who are pulled down from the air—both trainers and Pokémon—were immediately wrapped tightly in countless creeping plants upon hitting the ground. Other than their noses and eyes, every part of their bodies was firmly bound.

In an instant, Yuga's side had subdued several people. On the other fronts, Lance and Clair had also defeated their opponents and promptly pursued the others who are attempting to escape.

Seeing that a few were about to get away, Yuga quickly turned to Nana for help. Nana ascended into the sky, then suddenly unleashed a flurry of Magical Leaves in every direction.

Countless Magical Leaves rained down like a storm, each targeting one of the escaping people. Following several pained cries, those riders tumbled off their flying Pokémon one after another.

Before they hit the ground, they were caught by wildly growing plants that cushioned their fall before binding them tightly.

Beyond the Sacred Land, the chaos had not yet subsided. Explosions continued to echo intermittently, distracting the majority of the Dragon Tamer Clan members stationed in Dragon's Den.

With all the escapees brought down by Nana, Lance was free to act. Riding his Dragonite, he descended beside Yuga. Puzzled, Yuga asked, "Who are these people? How did they infiltrate Dragon's Den?"

Lance replied grimly, "The ones who fled from the Sacred Land just now are likely members of the Black Nest Mercenary Corps. Someone infiltrated the Dragon Tamer Clan to act as their mole, letting them sneak into the Sacred Land unnoticed."

The Black Nest Mercenary Corps was a notorious organization in the Pokémon world, infamous for their heinous acts. They would do anything as long as they were paid.

As the head of the Investigation Bureau, Lance was familiar with many members of the Black Nest Mercenary Corps. Recognizing them wasn't difficult for him.

At that moment, Clair landed nearby on her Dragonite, still talking on the phone as she directed others to come and handle the captured people.

After hanging up, Clair turned to Yuga with a face full of gratitude. "Thank you so much for your help, Mr. Shimizu. Without your timely intervention, some of these people might have escaped, and the stolen items from the Sacred Land would have been lost."

"I was just doing my duty," Yuga replied modestly.

Suddenly, another explosion erupted from within the Sacred Land, followed by the roar of a Dragonite.

The three of them looked up to see a Dragonite shooting into the sky like a cannonball before unleashing a Dragon Pulse toward the ground.

Simultaneously, a beam of orange light fired upward from the ground, colliding with Dragonite's Dragon Pulse.

"That's the Old Patriarch's Dragonite!" Clair exclaimed, pointing at the Dragonite in the sky.

Yuga activated his Insight skill.

...

[ Dragonite ]

Type: Dragon/Flying

Ability: Inner Focus

Gender: Male

Potential: Indigo

Level: 98

Moves: Thunder Wave, Twister, Dragon Rage, Agility, Slam, Dragon Tail, Aqua Tail, Dragon Rush, Dragon Dance, Outrage, Hyper Beam, Hurricane, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Roar, Dragon Claw, Roost, Rain Dance, Earthquake, Thunderbolt, Giga Impact, Steel Wing, Focus Blast, Extreme Speed, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Superpower, Water Pulse.

...

As expected, the Dragonite was a Master level Pokémon with an extraordinarily high level. If not for its limited potential, Yuga suspected it would have already reached level 100.

The orange beam from the ground was obliterated by Dragonite's Dragon Pulse. Dragonite followed up with another Dragon Pulse aimed at the ground, accompanied by a cry of agony from below.

Moments later, the Old Patriarch of the Dragon Tamer Clan flew up from the same direction, holding a person in his hand. Evidently, that person was the trainer of the Pokémon that had just battled Dragonite.

The Old Patriarch looked around and, noticing Yuga and the others, immediately flew over with a cheerful expression. Upon landing in front of them, he tossed the person he was holding onto the ground at their feet.

The man had been beaten black and blue by the Old Patriarch, but Lance still recognized him at a glance.

"William, the leader of the Black Nest Mercenary Group!"

Seeing this person, Yuga suddenly realized what had been off about the situation. The ten or so people fleeing in different directions had merely been a distraction to cover for this William. The items stolen from the Sacred Land were actually on his person; the others had been decoys.

Fortunately, the Old Patriarch had already retrieved the stolen items.

Lance and Clair also realized how close they had come to being deceived. Their faces darkened immediately. If the Old Patriarch hadn't discovered this in time, they would have become the shame of the Dragon Tamer Clan.

As the disturbances within the Sacred Land settled, the chaos on the periphery of Dragon's Den was quickly subdued by the Dragon Tamer Clan.

The commotion outside Dragon's Den had been orchestrated by the Black Nest Mercenary Group to divert the Dragon Tamer Clan's attention, allowing their infiltrators to steal items from the Sacred Land undetected.

The mercenaries had sent a significant number of people to participate in the exchange event and win spots in Dragon's Den, using this opportunity to create the distraction.

According to Lance, the involvement of the Black Nest Mercenary Group implied someone had hired them. A mercenary group like theirs, motivated solely by profit, would not have taken the risk to infiltrate the Dragon Tamer Clan otherwise.

Additionally, the people disguised as ordinary trainers to participate in the exchange had their identities well-concealed. Without such careful planning, the Dragon Tamer Clan would have uncovered their scheme. This level of deception was beyond the mercenary group's usual capabilities.

Because of the incident, many trainers selected to enter Dragon's Den were affected, with some not even having the chance to capture any Pokémon in the Dragon's Den.

The Dragon Tamer Clan issued a deep apology to these trainers and promised compensation. They arranged for the remaining trainers to stay in a hotel in Blackthorn City, covering all the expenses.

As for how the Dragon Tamer Clan planned to compensate the trainers, Yuga wasn't informed. After being escorted back to the Dragon Tamer Clan's ancestral estate by Clair, Yuga was left under the care of two servants. Both Clair and Lance were busy and vanished shortly afterward, leaving only the carefree Old Patriarch, who came looking for Yuga to play.

It wasn't until the next day that Yuga saw Lance again. Clearly, Lance had been busy all night. His fatigued face made it obvious he hadn't rested well.

Interrogation of the Black Nest Mercenaries had made little progress. Despite their nefarious deeds, they had a strong sense of loyalty within their group and refused to disclose any information about their employer.

They also had their own means of ensuring silence. Ordinary interrogation techniques, including hypnosis, proved ineffective.

After discussing the mercenary group with Yuga, Lance added, "Today, the Old Patriarch plans to open the family shrine. He has extended an invitation for you to observe the ceremony."

The item stolen from the Dragon Tamer Clan had always been enshrined in their ancestral shrine. Now that it was retrieved, they needed to reopen the shrine to ceremonially return it to its rightful place.

Yuga, curious about what kind of treasure from the Dragon Tamer Clan had attracted so much attention, nodded and replied, "I understand. I'll definitely attend."

After discussing this, Lance departed again.

Around 11 a.m., Yuga was invited by the Dragon Tamer Clan to Dragon's Den, where he once again saw the Old Patriarch in the Sacred Land.

At that moment, all the key members of the Dragon Tamer Clan had gathered. They were uniformly dressed in special ceremonial attire, standing in orderly rows, their expressions devout as they gazed at the shrine not far away.

Among all those present, Yuga was the only outsider. If it weren't for his significant contribution in yesterday's events, he wouldn't have been given the rare privilege of attending this family ceremony.

Yuga's presence didn't draw any attention. Even the ten-year-old child standing next to him remained fully focused on the shrine, his expression exceptionally serious. This solemn atmosphere influenced Yuga, compelling him to feel a sense of reverence as well.

At the very front of the assembly stood the Old Patriarch and Lance. Their attire was slightly different from that of the other clan members, symbolizing their unique roles and statuses as the clan's current leader and future heir.

The Dragon Tamer Clan's shrine was neither large nor luxurious, consisting of just a single, simple room. In front of the shrine stood an enormous statue of a Dragonite.

This Dragonite statue, poised as if ready to take flight, bore a fierce expression that starkly contrasted with the jovial, gentle Dragonite image Yuga had in mind.

At precisely noon, a man stepped out from the Dragon Tamer Clan's formation and began singing a chant. Yuga couldn't understand the words, but the melody was unique and captivating.

The chant was brief, lasting less than thirty seconds. As the singing ceased, the distant sky echoed with the resonant roars of dragons.

With the first roar, Dragonite after Dragonite descended from the sky, each of them exuding an overwhelming aura. Leading them was none other than the Old Patriarch's Dragonite.

These Dragonite were all Pokémon left behind by the ancestors of the Dragon Tamer Clan, forming the core strength and legacy of the family. Each was immensely powerful, with none of them below the Elite level.

Yuga surreptitiously counted—there were fifty-six in total.

All of them were beyond Elite level strength! And all of them were pseudo-legendary Pokémon.

The Dragon Tamer Clan's might was truly staggering.

Although only Dragonite were present, it was inconceivable that the ancestors of the Dragon Tamer Clan had only left behind Dragonite. There must have been other powerful Pokémon as well.

At that moment, the Old Patriarch's Dragonite, usually carefree, stood solemn and dignified, a demeanor so transformed that Yuga almost didn't recognize it.

The Dragonite lined up on either side of the shrine, lifting their heads to sing a mystical Dragon Song. As their voices echoed, the cries of other Dragon-type Pokémon resounded throughout Dragon's Den, seemingly responding to the Dragon Song.

When the Dragon Song concluded, another person stepped forward from the Dragon Tamer Clan's formation, holding an ornate wooden box.

This person handed the box to Lance, who glanced at the Old Patriarch. Seeing the Old Patriarch give a subtle nod, Lance took the box and strode forward, stopping at the shrine's entrance.

With great reverence, Lance opened the wooden box, revealing a vibrant green orb nestled within. Under the midday sunlight, the orb refracted dazzling rays of light.

This orb bore a striking resemblance to the Jade Orb associated with Rayquaza that Yuga had seen before, though it wasn't identical. The Jade Orb had intricate patterns, whereas this one was plain.

Yuga still felt the rich divine aura on the emerald orb in front of him, a divinity uniquely belonging to the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza.

The Dragon Tamer Clan, along with the Draconid People and Village of Dragons, were remnants of the Ancient Dragon Clan. They had once worshipped the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza, but the connection between this mysterious orb and Rayquaza remained unclear.

It was undoubtedly a priceless treasure; otherwise, no one would have dared to hire the Black Nest Mercenary Corps to risk stealing it. Attempting to rob the Dragon Tamer Clan was a testament to their audacity.

The moment the box was opened, all the Dragonite present knelt, bowing devoutly to the orb. The Dragon Tamer Clan members also bent over in reverence, offering their solemn respects.

This scene underscored the orb's unparalleled significance to the Dragon Tamer Clan. It wasn't just a precious artifact but also a symbol and core of their faith.

Noticing everyone bowing, Yuga followed suit, respectfully inclining his body to blend into the ritual.

"Please return the Dragon Ball to its place!" the Old Patriarch declared loudly.

Hearing the Old Patriarch's words, Yuga learned that this orb was called the Dragon Ball.

While Dragon Ball were rare, they were not entirely unheard of in the Pokémon world. When a powerful Dragon-type Pokémon dies, there is a slim chance that a Dragon Ball will form. These Dragon Ball are immensely beneficial to any Dragon-type Pokémon. However, Yuga was uncertain if this Dragon Ball was the same as the ones he knew.

The Dragon Tamer Clan members straightened their bodies after bowing, and the Dragonite rose as well. The Ancestpr Dragonite stepped forward, took the Dragon Ball from Lance's hands, and slowly walked into the shrine. Inside, the Old Patriarch placed the Dragon Ball on the central table.

Above the table were rows of memorial tablets honoring the ancestors of the Dragon Tamer Clan.

As the Dragon Ball was returned to the shrine, a subtle and inexplicable aura began to permeate the Dragon's Den. If not for Yuga's keen senses, he might not have noticed its existence.

Perhaps this aura was the very reason the Dragon Tamer Clan's Dragon's Den had flourished for generations.

When the shrine's doors were finally closed again, visible relief spread across the faces of the Dragon Tamer Clan members. Their previously tense postures relaxed.

Yuga also felt a sense of relief. The devout attitudes of the Dragon Tamer Clan members and the solemn atmosphere had made him tense throughout the ritual.

Managing a great family like the Dragon Tamer Clan was no easy task. Even reopening a shrine involved strict rules, and the ceremony lasted for several hours. Just standing through it all was exhausting.

In contrast, Yuga's lineage with his master was much simpler. With only two people, their shrine visits involved merely paying respects to their ancestors without all the formalities.

After leaving the Dragon's Den, the Dragon Tamer Clan hosted a family banquet, which Yuga was also invited to attend. Only after the banquet did Yuga and Clair leave Celestial Dragon Town and return to Blackthorn Gym.

As for Lance, he remained in Celestial Dragon Town to handle the aftermath of the attack on the Dragon's Den. It would be a while before he could leave.

Yuga didn't stay long in Blackthorn City either. The next day, he boarded an airship and departed from the Johto region.

During this trip, he had visited the Dragon Tamer Clan's Dragon's Den, met the Old Patriarch, and participated in the Dragon Tamer Clan's shrine reopening. Having experienced everything he had set out to, it was time for him to return to Verdanturf Town.