In the warm breeze, Mayor Thomas stepped up to the judging ptform, holding a microphone. His face beamed with a weling smile as he addressed the townspeople and nearby ranchers gathered below the stage.

  His kind voice echoed through the microphone, reag everyone's ears:

  "I'm very gd that you all have takeime to participate in this year's Spring Sheep and Cattle petition."

  "We are also grateful to the ranchers and farmers who provide us with such excellent milk, vegetables, and Pokémon. Your hard work in breeding these outstanding cattle and sheep Pokémon is deeply appreciated."

  "Now, I officially decre the 21st Spring Cattle and Sheep petition open!"

  "First, please wele our distinguished guest, the renowned senior breeder, Mr. Eric! Mr. Eric will be serving as the judge for this petition!"

  A wave of warm cheers erupted from the audience as a middle-aged man, around thirty years old, with gsses, casual attire, and a gentle expression, walked onto the stage.

  Seeing him, a murmur of excitement spread through the crowd.

  "It's Mr. Eric!"

  "He's a very famous breeder! They say all the Pokémon he raises are top-notch."

  "I didn't expect the town would invite someone of his caliber to judge this time."

  A breeder's profession is somewhat simir to, but distinct from, that of a trainer. While trainers focus on training Pokémon for battle and anding them in bat, breeders are dedicated to the care and nurturing of Pokémon. They use meticulous care and professional breeding teiques to help Pokémon grow strong ahy, ofteing in shiny fur and robust physiques.

  Being a trainer has no specific requirements, but to bee a skilled breeder, one must not only have a deep love for Pokémon but also master extensive knowledge in areas such as "Nutrition," "Herbology," "Pharmaceuticals," and "Basic Chemistry."

  The excitement wasn't limited to the townspeople; even the ranchers were abuzz with discussion.

  Naoki, curious, cast a g the man. Since arriving in this world, he had met many trainers, but this was his first time entering a breeder.

  'I wonder how a Gogoat raised by a breeder differs from the ones I've raised,' Naoki thought, gng down at his three Gogoat. Then, he shifted his gaze to the Wooloo being led by the rancher o him.

  'Hmm. I 't see any difference.'

  Naoki realized that uanding such subtle distins required the eye of a professional breeder.

  Eric stepped up to the stage, gave a brief introdu of himself, and then hahe microphone baayor Thomas.

  The two o each other, and Mayor Thomas officially announced, "Now, the petition begins! First, please welr. Ren from Red Rock Ranch!"

  Soon, Naoki saw a young man step onto the stage, leading a Miltank. Eric walked forward, his demeanor shifting to one of intense focus as he began to carefully observe the dition of the Miltank, making his professional assessment through toud observation.

  "Hmm, a very sturdy Miltank," Eric remarked, his tohoughtful. "It looks like it's been well cared for!"

  He tinued, "It's in good spirits and seems very tent. You tell it's been given excellent care."

  As he spoke, Eritly squeezed one of the Miltank's teats, and a stream of fresh milk flowed out. He caught the milk in a cup he had prepared in advance, first smelling it, then taking a small sip, sav the taste.

  "Hmm... The aroma is rich, with a wonderfully mellow taste. It seems the grass at Red Rock Ranch is of very high quality—this is excellent!"

  Mayor Thomas, standing nearby, asked, "So, how would Mr. Eric rate this Miltank?"

  Without hesitation, Eric decred, "96 points!"

  The audience reacted with a collective gasp, followed by murmurs of surprise and admiration.

  "96 points! If I remember correctly, st year's champion also scored 96 points, didn't they?"

  "Yes, it seems Red Rock Ranch has a strong ce of winning the championship!"

  "But don't fet, Light Green Ranch is also peting this year. I wonder how they'll score."

  With a pleased expression, the rancher from Red Rock Ranch led his Miltank off the stage, clearly satisfied with the high score.

  , another rancher walked up, this time with a Wooloo. Eric observed the Wooloo carefully, running his hands through its wool, and then provided his evaluation.

  "The wool is very smooth and fluffy, and feels incredibly soft—perfeaking clothing. However, the wool is a bit messy, which affects the overall appearance. I'll have to give it 93 points."

  The rancher, visibly disappointed, stepped down from the stage, his Wooloo following closely behind.

  As the petition tinued, several more ranchers brought their Pokémon forward for assessment. However, because they weren't professional breeders, the Pokémon they had cared for exhibited various minor fws, leading to lower scores.

  Eric's scores mostly hovered between 87 and 91 as he evaluated the various ehat was until a green-haired girl fidently stepped onto the stage, leading a Faffy, the evolved form of Mareep.

  "Light Green Ranch—this must be st year's champion!" Naoki thought as he watched the girl. He immediately reized her as his main rival in the petition.

  In just a year, the Mareep had evolved into a Faffy, and from the way it moved, it was clear that it had been exceptionally well cared for. Naoki couldn't help but feel the pressure, but he also felt a surge of determination.

  As soon as Eric id eyes on the Faffy, his expressihtehe Faffy was lively and cheerful, even giving Eric a happy smile and waving its little arms enthusiastically.

  "Wow! It looks like this Faffy is i spirits!" Eric began his assessment with visible excitement.

  "The wool is soft and smooth, the body is healthy and eic—this Faffy has been exceptionally well taken care of!"

  He then added, "Let's test your trol over electricity. Don't be nervous; just give me a small dose of electricity—let's say a ten-volt shock."

  The Faffy obediently released a trolled stream of electricity. Eric touched it with his palm, feeling the energy with a keen sense of appreciation.

  "My goodness, its trol over energy is superb! When it evolves into Ampharos, it's going to be incredibly powerful!"

  He smiled widely. "Not bad at all, I give it 97 points!"

  The audience buzzed with excitement. A score of 97—the highest in the petition so far. If nothing ued happened, Light Green Ranch was likely to take the championship.

  The green-haired girl beamed with happiness, giving her Faffy a loving pat on the head before leading it off the stage.

  The petition was heating up.

  Mayor Thomas took the microphone, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "What aing petition! Light Green Ranch has earned a high score of 97 points, eveer than st year's performance."

  He tinued, "So, will Light Green Ranch win the championship this year? Up , let's wele our final testant—Naoki Ranch!"

  Naoki blinked, a bit taken aback. 'Wow, they really saved me for st', he thought, taking a deep breath.

  Turning to his Gogoat, Naoki said, "This is it, let's go!"

  The Gogoat seemed to sehe iy of the moment. Their eyes burned with determination, their wild energy almost palpable.

  "Baa..."

  Mayor Thomas introduced him, "I believe many of you have heard of Naoki Ranch. The magical goat milk sold exclusively at the market is produced by the Gogoat of Naoki Ranch!"

  The urmured with i as Naoki made his way to the stage.

  Mayor Thomas o Naoki, stepping aside to let Eric take over.

  Eric adjusted his gsses, carefully the dition of Naoki's Gogoat. He reached out to toue, his eyes widening in surprise.

  "Incredible!" he excimed. "The smoothness of their fur, their sturdy bodies, and those eyes—full of fighting spirit. These Gogoat are even more impressive than Pokémon raised by professional breeders!"

  After pleting his external iion, Eric looked at Naoki. "Now, let's see some Grass-type energy."

  At Eric's and, the Gogoat didn't hesitate.

  "Mehhh..."

  A surge of powerful Grass-type energy burst from their bodies, rapidly spreading across the entire celebration square. In just a few seds, the area was enveloped in a vibrant, shimmering green field, as if thousands of tiny bdes of grass, each emitting a faint glow, were swayily in the breeze.

  The audience was stunned into sileheir eyes wide with amazement at the sight.

  Even the mysterious Pokémon watg from the tree was startled, actally dropping the fruit it had been holding with a quiet "Mew?"