Thirty minutes after Naoki ehe mountain, snow began to fall.

  White snowfkes drifted down from the peak, bing the entire mountain in a shimmering coat of white. Everywhere Naoki looked, the world was ed in a serene, silver ndscape.

  The temperature here was brutally cold, so cold that every breath he exhaled turned into a white mist and quickly dissipated into the frigid air.

  Thanks to the warmth from the hot soup noodles he had eaten earlier, Naoki hadn't yet o put on his cold-proof suit. The "cold resistance prote" effect from the meal would st for six hours, allowing him to traverse the mountain in just a thin coat.

  Koraidon, his Pokémon, slowed its glide through the sky, while Naoki sed the snowy ground below. The mountain was covered in a thick yer of snow, with only the occasional piree breaking the white expahese trees, known for their resilieo extreme cold, stood tall and straight, their dark green needles adding a spsh of color to the monoatic se. They could survive even in temperatures as low as minus fifty degrees Celsius.

  Perhaps because of the harsh weather, there were few signs of Pokémon wandering in the wild. Most of the wild Pokémon that called this mountain range home were likely led fortably in their dens. They were probably asleep, watg the snowfall from their cozy burrows, or huddling together for warmth, grooming each other's fur.

  If it were up to him, Naoki thought, he would also choose to stay indoors in such extreme weather.

  As he observed the vast expanse of white below, Naoki patted Koraidon thoughtfully and said, "Let's nd first!"

  Ice-type Pokémon often had body colors of white ht blue, making them blend in with the snow. From a high altitude, they could easily be overlooked. To avoid missing any, Naoki decided it was best to explore on foot.

  "Raao?" Koraidon received the and and immediately desded onto the snow-cround.

  Naoki dismounted and began walking alongside his Pokémon. The bck leather boots he wore made a soft g sound with each step, while Koraidon's footsteps left a trail of paw prints in the snow. Naoki gnced baotig that Koraidon's footprints were quite cute, resembling those of a dog.

  Just then, Koraidon seemed to spot something and alerted Naoki with a sound, "Raao?"

  Naoki looked up and noticed a creature wriggling in the snow not far away. It okémon that resembled a moth rva—snow-white and covered in ice crystals, slowly wriggling as it ed the snow on the ground.

  "A Snom?" Nahe Pokémon instantly.

  Snom, a Pokémon with dual Id Bug types, was known for its love of eating soft, freshly fallen snow. The more it ate, the taller the ice spikes on its back grew. Iy, Snom looked quite cute, its white body resembling a dumpling.

  "Snom won't do," Naoki muttered to himself. He had ventured out to find a Pokémon suitable for building an ice celr, but Snom wasn't a good fit, especially sihere wouldn't be enough snow for it to thrive on the ranch.

  "Let's keep moving," Naoki said, bypassing the Snom as they ventured deeper into the mountain.

  About five mier, Naoki and Koraidon climbed over a low hill and finally spotted another Ice-type Pokémoh a snow-covered piree.

  It was a group of five Snover, hopping eically uhe tree as if they were pying games.

  At that moment, one of the Snover sensed an unfamiliar prese turned around and saw a human apanied by a fearsome-looking Pokémon. The red Pokémon exuded a terrifying aura, and the Snover, frightened, leaped up and quickly scurried away.

  Seeing this, the other Snover followed suit, vanishing into the snow within seds.

  Naoki sighed, "Well, that didn't go as pnned."

  Koraidon made a soft sound of agreement, "Raao..."

  With the Snohey had no choice but to tinue searg for other Pokémon.

  After aen minutes of walking, a cold gcier loomed before Naoki.

  There, by the river, Naoki finally saw aype Pokémon suitable for the ranch.

  It was an Iceberg Pokémon, massive and turtle-like, with a body as hard and pale as an iceberg and a pair of amber pupils that gleamed in the cold light. This Pokémon could release an icy aura that instantly froze the grouh it, creating a perfect surface for an ice celr.

  "That's the one!" Naoki's heart leaped with excitement as he pulled out ay Poké Ball from his pocket, ready to make his move.

  But before he could approach, the Pokémon began to move. With heavy, icy footsteps, it stepped into the gcier, and its enormous body slowly desded into the river. The sight was like watg an iceberg colpse, sending huge waves spshing across the river.

  Wheer finally settled, the Iceberg Pokémon was floating steadily on the surface of the river. It turs head to g the riverbank, and Naoki noticed several small Pokémon on the snow nearby.

  They were a group of tiny Ice-type Pokémon, Bergmite, gleefully hopping about.

  Seeing the Avalugg safely in the river, the Bergmite quickly jumped onto its back with visible joy. Once all the Bergmites were aboard, Avalugg began to swim downstream, its body resembling a colossal ice aircraft carrier as it floated effortlessly along the river.

  Naoki watched, puzzled. 'What are they doing?' he wondered.

  "Koraidon, follow them and see what's going on!" he instructed.

  Mounted on Koraidon, Naoki tracked the group of Bergmite and Avalugg from above. Avalugg was already moving swiftly downstream, and after about thirty mihey reached the river's end.

  Before them y the North Sea of Paldea. The river, flowing down from mountain, finally emptied into the vast Paldea Sea. With the Bergmite still on its back, the Iceberg Pokémoered the sea and began to drift away, its massive fradually blending into the horizon.

  Koraidon nded on a nearby mountain peak, and Naoki watched in silence as Avalugg slowly disappeared into the endless sea.

  Koraidon tilted its head, a bit fused by the sight. "Raao?" it questioned softly, refleg Naoki's own bewilderment.

  Naoki looked just as puzzled, responding, "I'm not sure what they're doing."

  Though he could recall the name of every Pokémon, his knowledge of the specific behaviors and ecologies of some of the less popur ones was limited.

  At that moment, a voice came from behind, expining the se to him.

  "That's the Avalugg migrating."

  Naoki turned around to see a man in a down jacket approag, apanied by an Ineroar walking beside him.

  The man stared at Koraidon with keen i, cirg it before asking with curiosity, "What kind of Pokémon is this? I've never seen anything like it!"

  "Uh..." Naoki began, "It's called Koraidon."

  "Wow, look at those muscles, that powerful build—it's incredibly strong!" The man's voice was filled with envy and admiration. "Please, tell me, where did you capture this Pokémon?!"

  Naoki was taken aback, thinking to himself, 'Did I just run into a weirdo?'

  Notig Naoki's wary expression, the man quickly realized he had overstepped. He withdrew his gaze, coughed awkwardly, and introduced himself, "My name's Henry. I'm from the Alion, and I'm currently expl this snowy mountain!"

  Naoki g the fiereroar beside Henry and replied, "Naoki, from Paldea. So, what do you mean by Avalugg migrating?"

  Henry expined, "It's a on behavior for Pokémon like Avalugg. They often travel across the sea with Bergmite to find new homes."

  'Is that so?' Naoki thought, falling into ption.

  The distances between regions are vast. Wouldn't Avalugg enter dangers while crossing the sea to relocate? Like storms or tsunamis?

  Just then, Henry's gaze shifted from Koraidon back to Naoki.

  "I've been w—aren't you cold wearing so little?" Henry asked, snapping Naoki out of his thoughts.

  Naoki looked down at his outfit: a thin sports jacket, jeans, aher boots.

  He paused for a moment before replying, "Not too bad."

  "Ah, the energy of youth!" Henry said, then looked back at Koraidon with admiration. "Are you here to explore the mountain too?"

  "Something like that," Naoki replied. "I'm trying to capture aype Pokémon, but I haven't found the right ohe only Avalugg I saw has already moved on."

  Upon hearing this, Henry smiled broadly and thumped his chest enthusiastically. "I help you! I'm quite familiar with the Pokémon that live around here!"

  Sensing that Henry might have an ulterior motive, Naoki narrowed his eyes and asked, "What's in it for you?"

  Henry looked a bit sheepish, then admitted, "I'd just like to take a closer look at your Koraidon. Its muscles are fasating!"

  Naoki raised an eyebrow. "So, you like muscur Pokémon?"

  "That's right!" the man nodded enthusiastically, flexing his biceps with a gleam in his eyes. "Exerg with Pokémon is the best thing in the world! It makes me feel like I've found kindred spirits!"

  Naoki was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond to this uhusiasm.

  But he figured there was no harm iing the man admire Koraidon and perhaps exge some knowledge about Pokémon. So, Naoki nodded in agreement and then asked, "Have you seen Ice Eevee around this mountain?"

  Henry replied, "I have spotted an Ice Eevee! e with me; let's head bay campsite first!"

  Naoki nodded and followed Henry as they made their way back. Along the way, Henry introduced the Pokémon living in the area, mentioning creatures like Snom, Frosss, and Regice.

  When they passed by a cave, Henry pointed inside and said, "Pokémon often live in caves like this."

  He peered into the cave, then excimed in surprise, "This looks like where a Gight live!"

  "Really?" Naoki's i was immediately piqued.

  "Definitely! It's here!" Henry firmed, and with a reckless air, he dashed into the cave.

  Naoki was about to follow when an angry roar echoed from inside. Moments ter, Henry came running out in a panic, shouting, "Ah, sorry, Beartic! I didn't mean to disturb your rest!"

  A Beartic, baring its fangs and cws, charged out after him.

  Naoki stood there, unsure how to react. 'Is this guy really reliable?' he wondered.

  In the nick of time, Henry's Ineroar stepped between him and the angry Beartic. Sensing the heat emanating from Ineroar, Beartic paused, its expression turning serious.

  Henry quickly hid behind his Ineroar and apologized sheepishly, "I'm so sorry!"

  The Beartiorted, exhaled a breath of cold air, then turned areated bato the cave.

  Henry let out a sigh of relief. "That was close! The Pokémon around here are tough."

  Naoki watched him silently, questioning whether he should tinue following Henry.

  Notig Naoki's doubtful look, Henry quickly tried to reassure him. "I made a mistake, but I promise there's definitely a G nearby! My campsite is just ahead; let's go there first!"

  'I suppose it's worth cheg out,' Naoki thought, and nodded.

  They tinued onward until they reached a campsite at the foot of a cliff. A bonfire was crag warmly, making the area feel safe and inviting.

  Henry rexed upourning to the campsite, then took out a few Poké Balls and released their tents. A Pangoro, a Ursaring, and Throh appeared in the camp.

  Naoki gnced around, notig that all the Pokémon were heavily muscled. He couldn't help but think, 'Wow, he really likes strong, muscur Pokémon.'

  Aloud, he remarked, "All you need now is a Urshifu and a Buzzwole."

  Hearing this, Henry's i iqued. "Urshifu? Buzzwole?"

  Naoki looked at Ursaring and Throh, slightly surprised. "You've never been to the Gar region? The champion there has an Urshifu, which is also a muscle-type Pokémon. And as for Buzzwole."

  He paused, remembering that the Ultra Beasts might not be on knowledge yet, especially to someone from Alo. So he quickly ged his approach, "Both are strong, powerful Pokémon, just like your Ineroar."

  Henry hough a bit uainly, and made a mental o look into these Pokémon ter.

  Henry then pulled out a map of the mountain from his backpack, paring it to their surroundings. "Found it! G is nearby! I always mark rare Pokémon on my map. But I have to warn you, that G is very cautious and doesn't warm up to humans easily. It won't be easy to catch."

  "It's okay, I still want to try," Naoki replied. "You see, I have a goal, too."

  "Oh? What's that?"

  "I want to collect all the Eeveelutions!"

  Henry didn't seem to uand. "Those small, okémon? Wouldn't a strong, mighty one like Bziketer?"

  Naoki shook his head, smiling. "It's their small size that makes them cute! They're so fluffy—perfect for cuddling. Just looking at them makes me happy."

  But then Naoki paused, realizing that Henry probably felt the same way about his muscur Pokémon, like Ineroar.

  "Never mind," Naoki decided, ging the subject. "Tell me where G lives!"

  Henry set the map aside, then looked at Koraidon with excitement. "Of course! But first, I want to battle with your Koraidon. I want to see whose muscles are the stro!"

  Naoki was taken aback. He g Koraidon, then at Henry's Pokémon, and asked, "Are you sure?"