Chapter 58: New Members Move In

"Buyers?" Upon hearing these words, Kawaki was momentarily taken aback.

Officer Jenny nodded and said, "That's right. Some people have extremely perverted obsessions. They purchase Pokémon and collect them like collectibles."

"However, this behavior is strictly prohibited by League law, so these people resort to Pokémon poacher organizations and black markets to purchase the Pokémon they desire."

As a police officer, Officer Jenny had witnessed and heard of many such cases.

Some wealthy tycoons, in order to fulfill childhood dreams of collecting rare Pokémon, spend vast sums of money purchasing exotic and precious Pokémon to hoard.

Some people become obsessed with Gardevoir and forcibly capture them, marry them, and engage in such illicit relationships through theft and coercion.

There are even those who force Ditto to transform into the shape of people they fancy, then do unspeakable things to it.

In short, these are all extremely perverted and illegal behaviors.

"These people offer prices that can't be refused. A rare Pokémon can fetch over a million, even tens of millions, on the black market."

As she said this, Officer Jenny's expression turned to disgust. "One day, we'll eliminate every Pokémon poacher organization in this world!"

Kawaki fell silent.

Though he'd had some expectations, actually hearing these things made even someone as desensitized as him think they were too perverted.

Officer Jenny composed herself and turned her attention back to the six imprisoned Pokémon. She spoke again, "I'm entrusting the care of these six Pokémon to you. However, helping them emerge from their trauma will likely require considerable effort..."

Kawaki looked silently at the six Pokémon and replied, "Leave them to me, Officer Jenny."

The Daycare currently didn't have too many Pokémon, so they had plenty of time to care for these few.

"In that case, I'm counting on you!" Officer Jenny said.

Although these six Pokémon were extremely rare to the poachers, to Officer Jenny and her colleagues, the wellbeing of the Pokémon themselves was far more precious.

Generally, rescued Pokémon like these faced two options.

One was to find a suitable environment for release into the wild.

The other was to find a nearby Daycare or a researcher's laboratory where they could be cared for.

Since Fallarbor Town had no research facility—the only one, Professor Solan's lab, specifically researched meteorites—Kawaki's Daycare became the best option for these Pokémon.

This was because every Pokémon living here showed visible signs of happiness and contentment.

As a beginning-level Pokémon Breeder, Kawaki had the ability to care properly for every Pokémon here.

Officer Jenny nodded to Kawaki, then left the Daycare to handle matters back at the station.

In moments, only Kawaki and the six rescued Pokémon remained in the Daycare.

Chansey still maintained a protective stance, shielding the other five behind her.

Officer Jenny had explained that these Pokémon were all wild and rarely saw humans. The first humans they likely encountered were those two Pokémon poachers.

As a result, they easily viewed any other humans they encountered as threats.

Seeing their wary expressions, Kawaki tried his best to radiate kindness, offering a gentle smile as he spoke soothingly, "Don't worry, Chansey. This is a Daycare. I'm Kawaki, the owner here. Relax. The bad people have all been caught. No one will hurt you anymore."

Ralts, Bulbasaur, Gastly, Chansey, Abra, and Ditto.

These six Pokémon were all extremely rare in the Hoenn region!

True to form for Pokémon poachers, they only targeted the rarest specimens.

Kawaki spoke, and nearby, Growlithe earnestly barked a couple of times at them.

Bewear, Chingling, and the Clefairys all watched the six wary Pokémon.

Seemingly sensing the kindness radiating from the human before them, Chansey's face showed hesitation.

"Lucky..."

The five Pokémon hiding behind her reacted differently. Ralts didn't dare peek out, Bulbasaur seemed tense, Abra's body went rigid and didn't dare move, Ditto's slime-like form trembled slightly, and even Gastly only dared show half its face, peeking furtively at the human.

Kawaki noticed Gastly's gaze and looked up. The moment their eyes met, Gastly made a whooshing sound, quickly retracting its head and not daring to peek again.

Kawaki: "..."

Just as Officer Jenny had said, all these Pokémon had suffered varying degrees of psychological trauma.

Under normal circumstances, Pokémon like Gastly are typically mischievous, outgoing types that love playing pranks on people.

But now they seemed timid as mice.

Kawaki turned his gaze to Chansey.

From their appearance, it wasn't hard to guess how this kind-hearted Chansey had comforted and protected them during their time imprisoned in that underground sewer.

Likely because of this, these Pokémon had become so dependent on it.

Kawaki couldn't make them immediately escape their current state. After a moment's thought, he continued speaking to them, "You'll be staying here at the Daycare for a while."

"These are all Pokémon living with me. They won't hurt you. If you have any questions, you can ask them." Kawaki said to Chansey and the others while gesturing to the Clefairys.

"Please follow me. I'll show you where you'll be living."

Rather than placing them in the backyard, Kawaki settled them in the courtyard with the fruit tree orchard.

The shelters where the Miltank were supposed to live stood empty and could accommodate them for now.

Without him being present, these Pokémon should feel somewhat safer and wouldn't become rigid and panicked at the sight of humans.

Besides, that area was the normal living space for Oddish, Clefairy, and Ditto, so it wouldn't feel too desolate.

Kawaki led the way forward.

Chansey hesitated briefly, then carefully led the other Pokémon after him.

They passed through a small wooden door in the corner, and suddenly their view opened up.

Before their eyes lay a thriving area.

A fruit tree orchard bearing large, round berries, fields growing various crops and vegetables, and a vast, lush grassland dotted with small colorful flowers in full bloom, looking absolutely charming.

Having been confined to the sewers for nearly a week, these Pokémon, who hadn't seen the outside world in so long, stood frozen in place as they took in everything before them.

They hadn't appreciated it before, but now, after everything they'd been through, they realized their former lives had been so happy and beautiful.