《Shadow Champion》 Chapter 1 Will¡¯s eyes fluttered open to an unfamiliar ceiling of dark, lacquered wood, carved with intricate symbols of ancient Pok¨¦mon lore. His ears were filled with a soft, melodious language that danced around him like an unseen breeze. A woman, with tanned skin, dark green hair cascading over her shoulders, and deep brown eyes, was leaning over him, a gentle smile on her lips. Her words were tender, yet alien to his ears. For a moment, confusion reigned. The last thing Will remembered was the dim light of his small apartment, the TV droning on about adventures in the Kalos region, and the stifling grief that had become his constant companion. Then, sleep had claimed him, heavy and devoid of dreams - or so he had thought.
Confirmed.
''Huh?''
Champion''s System Has Been Activated.
''The Fuck!!''
Name: Will Ranger/Ishi Sukauto
Level: 1 0/100 Exp
Class: N/A
Sub-Class: N/A
Strength: 1
Dexterity: 2
Constitution: 1
Aura: N/A
Mana: N/A
Abilities: Appraisal - Multilingual
Available Points: 0
''Ah I get it this is a game, why else would this suddenly appear in front of me?!'' The shock jolted him into action, his voice escaping in a high-pitched scream that seemed to surprise him as much as it did the woman. She simply laughed - a warm, enveloping sound - and soothed him in her strange tongue, her hands comforting as they brushed his hair back. *** Ishi Sukauto awoke not to the familiar hum of technology but to the soothing whispers of the wind dancing through the leaves of Ninja Mountain. He had long ceased to be Will Ranger, the technical engineer whose world had crumbled back on Earth. Five years had passed since he found himself reborn in this hidden village, cradled by mountains that harboured secrets as old as time. His back was slightly aching from the familiar hardness of the wood and straw bed. Despite years in this new world, some mornings reminded him of the soft mattress he had left behind. He stretched, feeling the pull of muscles already quite used to the rustic sleeping arrangements, and turned to look out the small window next to his bed. Dawn had not yet broken over Ninja Village, but the community was already alive with activity. The first hints of daylight filtered through the dense foliage that surrounded the village, casting a mystical glow on the paths below. From his vantage point, Ishi could see the villagers moving about - trainers with their Pok¨¦mon, elders heading towards the communal hall, and children sneaking in a few moments of play before their chores. The village was a cradle of ancient traditions, built from stone and wood, nestled within the embrace of a dormant volcano. Life here thrived on harmony with nature - no electricity, no modern conveniences, just the essence of survival and the mastery of the elements. The architecture of Ninja Village was a harmonious blend of nature and craftsmanship. Buildings were constructed from the local wood, their roofs thatched with straw, each structure perfectly integrated into the mountainous landscape. Small streams trickled through the village, and the air was filled with the fresh, earthy scent of morning dew and pine. Pok¨¦mon from the Kalos region were integral to village life, though there were a few from other regions he had met like Darmanitan that lived a few houses down or the grumpy old Swampert that never let you play with it, without them the village would fall apart. As if to prove this a group of Pancham helped organise goods in the market area, showcasing their strength under the watchful eyes of a Pangoro and his trainer. Overhead, a Fletchinder soared through the cooling air, its keen eyes scouting the surroundings, while a Meowstic played a silent guardian, watching over the children with a serene yet alert gaze. From his window, Ishi watched a pair of elderly trainers practising their morning routines with their Pok¨¦mon, a slow, graceful dance that seemed part meditation, part battle training. Their movements were synchronised with their Pok¨¦mon, each gesture a silent command responded to with precise actions. As the sky brightened, the sound of wooden flutes and drums began to rise, the traditional music marking the start of another day. Ishi¡¯s heart is filled with a mix of nostalgia for a lost world and love for the one he had found. This was his home now, a place where every day was a new lesson in the art of living harmoniously with nature and Pok¨¦mon. Feeling a surge of energy, Ishi threw off his blankets and prepared for the day. With thoughts of Pok¨¦ball crafting and adventures yet to come, he stepped out of his room, eager to join the rhythm of Ninja Village life. His first order of business ¡®Status¡¯ he thought and in a flash the screen that had been his constant companion appeared in front of his eyes.
Name: Will Ranger/Ishi Sukauto
Level: 3 150/400 Exp
Class: N/A
Sub-Class: N/A
Strength: 5
Dexterity: 7
Constitution: 3
Aura: N/A
Mana: N/A
Abilities: Appraisal - Multilingual
Available Points: 9
He went through his status and smiled, his five year old body wasn¡¯t up for any rigorous training as of yet but his daily hanging with his friends playing tag and a few other games had netted him a few points in Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. He had also been able to level up this way as the system had given him experience for each game he¡¯d won, with this he also learnt that each level gives him exactly five points and he can use these points to boost the other available points (he''d tested this by boosting his dexterity by one when he was younger). Each of his stats gave pretty much what you would expect; Strength made him stronger, Dexterity made him quicker and more flexible, and Constitution made his body able to adapt faster and fight off illness and injuries. His ''Abilities'' Appraisal and Multilingual also did as one would expect; Appraisal allowed him to analyse people, pokemon, materials, food, clothes basically anything he looks at can be appraised, and Multilingual also does as advertised and allows him to understand all languages, the only drawback is he is still unable to understand Pokespeak. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Feeling satisfied with his stats he closed the screen and got himself dressed for the day, he wore a traditional ninja outfit tailored for a child but with modifications for functionality and style. The base of his outfit is black, helping him blend into shadows during his stealthy and often naughty escapades. Dark blue accents line the edges of his attire, adding a touch of vibrant contrast that ties to his unique hair and eye colour. Around his waist, he wore a utility belt that held various ninja tools, signalling his readiness for any challenge. His footwear consists of lightweight, durable boots suitable for silent movement. In short he wore his signature ninja wear that he¡¯d had to bug his parents about to have them tailor it to his requests. In Ishi¡¯s new life he is under the care of Haku and Shion - his parents in this world. Haku was the right hand of the village chief, Hanzo, a stern yet wise leader, while Shion taught at the Ninja Academy, training young minds in the arts that blended Pok¨¦mon training with ancient ninja disciplines. As Ishi descended the wooden stairs, the savoury aroma of breakfast filled the air. His parents, Haku and Shion, were already in the midst of their morning routine, but they paused as he entered the kitchen. ¡°Ah, there he is! The young master finally awakens,¡± Haku teased, his eyes twinkling with mirth. Shion, stirring something in a pot, shot a playful glance over her shoulder. ¡°I was beginning to think we¡¯d need to send Talonflame to wake you, Ishi. The sun¡¯s nearly a hand above the horizon!¡± Ishi rubbed the back of his neck, grinning. ¡°I would¡¯ve been up sooner, but someone forgot to invent the alarm bell in Ninja Village.¡± ¡°Oh, is that a challenge?¡± Shion quipped, her hands on her hips. ¡°Perhaps you can create one. Just make sure it¡¯s not too loud, or you¡¯ll scare off the Panchams outside.¡± Haku chuckled, covering his mouth with his hand to hide his laughter. ¡°Your mother¡¯s got a point. We wouldn¡¯t want to disrupt the peace. How about something that wakes you with a gentle breeze instead?¡± ¡°Or maybe a small electric jolt?¡± Shion suggested, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she gently clipped Ishi behind the ear. ¡°Hey!¡± Ishi exclaimed, ducking away with a mock scowl. ¡°With you around, who would even need a bell?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, you keep that in mind,¡± Shion laughed, her tone light and affectionate. ¡°Now sit down and eat. You¡¯ll need your strength if you¡¯re going to be revamping the village.¡± Ishi joined his parents at the table, the playful banter continuing. ¡°So, what¡¯s on the agenda for today¡¯s world-saving?¡± he asked, spooning some eggs onto his plate. Haku, still smiling from the earlier exchange, grew a bit more serious. ¡°The chief has called a meeting. There¡¯s talk of a storm coming through the mountain pass. We might need to check on the village defences, to make sure everything is secure.¡± As Haku spoke, Ishi received a new quest from his system.
Confirmed. Quest Has Been Created: Haku And The Chief have important work They Need To Complete To Protect The Village. Stay Out Of Their Way!
Reward: 50 Exp
Accept: Y/N
Ishi quickly accepted, there was no way he¡¯d turn down what was basically free experience. Shion reached out to ruffle his hair, smiling warmly. ¡°Just try to keep out of trouble, Ishi.¡± As they finished their breakfast, the laughter and light-hearted teasing provided a warm, loving start to the day. Ishi felt energised and ready to tackle whatever challenges came his way. As Ishi left he kept an eye out for those he shared his adventures with. Two inseparable friends - Senpei, a spirited boy with a knack for mischief, and Ivy, the group¡¯s voice of reason, sporting vibrant pink hair and a stern frown that barely concealed her affection for her friends. They were a trio bound by a promise to stand by each other, come what may, they also absolutely loved to sneak up on each other and prank one another. He hadn''t gone far when he heard the familiar shouts and laughter that signalled the approach of his friends. ¡°Wait up, Ishi!¡± called a breathless voice. Turning, Ishi saw Senpei sprinting towards him, a wide grin plastered across his face. His steps were uneven, dodging a playful Pancham that seemed determined to trip him up. ¡°Slow down, would you? You¡¯re going to startle the Pidgeys again!¡± came another voice, smooth and admonishing. Ivy walked more calmly, a serene contrast to Senpei¡¯s chaotic energy. Her pink hair was pulled back in a practical braid, swaying gently with each step. Catching up, Senpei clapped Ishi on the shoulder, nearly knocking him off balance. ¡°Guess what? I¡¯ve perfected the new stealth move I was telling you about!¡± Ivy rolled her eyes. ¡°If you spent half as much time on your studies as you do on your pranks, you might actually pass Mrs. Tanoshi¡¯s tests without cheating off Ishi.¡± Senpei stuck his tongue out at her. ¡°What¡¯s the point of being a ninja if you can¡¯t disappear when it counts?¡± Ishi laughed, feeling the familiar warmth of friendship wash over him. ¡°Let¡¯s see this move then. Maybe you can disappear before Mrs. Tanoshi notices you¡¯re late to her class again.¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to see that,¡± Ivy chimed in, her voice laced with amusement. ¡°Come on, we¡¯d better hurry. We don¡¯t want to be late, and I don¡¯t fancy running.¡± The trio quickened their pace, their steps synchronising as they navigated the winding paths of Ninja Village. Around them, the village was coming to life; the sounds of morning activities mingling with the calls of wild Pok¨¦mon. Overhead, a Fletchinder with a few Fletchling soared through the clear blue sky, a reminder of the freedom and adventure that awaited them beyond the day¡¯s lessons. Mrs. Tanoshi, the village assigned teacher of kids who were too young to join the academy but too old to be contained by their parents, was a figure of great authority to the trio. Her silver hair was always pulled back into a tight bun, accentuating her sharp, thoughtful eyes that seemed to miss nothing. Her traditional robes, often in shades of deep blue and green, swirled around her as she moved with quiet grace through the classroom. Her presence was calming, and her voice carried a melody that held the attention of every student. Today was special. Ishi had zipped through his morning lessons of maths and writing, he also gained Exp for this and while it was appreciated it was only a minimal amount so he didn¡¯t really feel bothered by it, eager for the afternoon¡¯s unique lesson. Mrs. Tanoshi, their teacher, had announced a guest lecturer on ancient crafting techniques - specifically, the art of making Pok¨¦balls from natural materials found in the mountain and in the village. As the children gathered in the classroom, Mrs. Tanoshi introduced the guest, Mr. Suru, a master craftsman known for his Pok¨¦balls that were rumoured to bond more deeply with Pok¨¦mon. Mr. Suru, the guest lecturer for the day, contrasted sharply with Mrs. Tanoshi¡¯s serene demeanour. He was a burly man, with a broad smile framed by a thick black beard that seemed to hide half his face. His arms, as thick as tree trunks telling stories of his travels and experiences. His voice boomed through the classroom, filled with enthusiasm and a deep passion for his craft. As Mr. Suru was introduced, Ishi received a notification signalling a new quest.
Confirmed. Quest Has Been Created: Mr. Suru is a renowned master craftsman and is willing to impart his knowledge. Absorb and note down all of his teachings.
Reward: 100 Exp, Mr. Suru crafting techniques
Accept: Y/N
Ishi quickly accepted and prepared to take down all the notes he could and absorb all he could from this master craftsman. And once Mr. Suru began his speech and demonstration Ishi had also begun scribbling notes furiously, his mind whirring with the possibilities. His engineering background mingled with newfound knowledge, sparking ideas of innovation in Pok¨¦ball design.
Confirmed. Quest Has Been Completed!
Reward: 100 Exp, Mr. Suru crafting techniques
Received!
After the class, while others hurried home, Ishi lingered, his curiosity getting the better of him. ¡°Mrs. Tanoshi, could I really make my own Pok¨¦ball if I gather the right materials?¡± he asked, barely containing his excitement. With a knowing smile, she replied, ¡°It requires patience and precision, Ishi. But I see that spark in your eyes. Why don¡¯t you try? Talk to your parents about gathering acorns and minerals from the mountain paths.¡± Bolting out of the classroom, Ishi¡¯s mind raced with plans. He barely noticed Senpei leaping out from behind a bush, intent on scaring him. Ishi¡¯s startled yelp turned into a laugh as he tripped and rolled, plotting his playful revenge. Ivy, quick as ever, caught them both by the ears, her stern look dissolving into giggles as she towed them back towards their homes. As they parted ways, Ishi¡¯s thoughts returned to the Pok¨¦balls. This was more than a craft to him; it was the beginning of a journey. He might have been reborn into this world as a child, but his ambitions and dreams were as vast as ever. With a determined grin, he whispered to the wind, ¡°This is just the beginning. I will be ready, for whatever comes my way.¡± With his heart set on mastering the ancient craft, Ishi didn¡¯t just prepare for a journey - he prepared to change the world, one Pok¨¦ball at a time. Chapter 2 Energised by Mrs. Tanoshi''s encouragement, Ishi bounded towards the door of the classroom, his mind buzzing with plans and possibilities. He was so focused on the ideas swirling in his head that he missed the mischievous glint in Senpei and Ivy''s eyes as he approached the classroom door. Just as Ishi stepped through the threshold, there was a sudden whoosh above him followed by a cold splash. A bucket, precariously balanced on top of the door, tipped over, drenching him from head to toe. For a moment, the world seemed to pause as Ishi stood frozen, water dripping down his face and soaking into his clothes. Then, the silence was broken by peals of laughter. Turning his head, Ishi saw Senpei and Ivy hiding around the corner, unable to contain their giggles. The sight of their laughing faces and the absurdity of the situation cracked Ishi''s initial shock, and a wide, mischievous grin spread across his face. "Oh, you two are going to get it now!" Ishi exclaimed, his tone playful yet feigned outrage. With a spirited yell, he launched into a chase, water squelching in his shoes with every step. Senpei and Ivy squealed with delight and dashed away, their laughter echoing down the hallway. The chase was spirited and full of twists and turns. Ivy was quick, darting behind columns and blackboards, while Senpei used his longer legs to try and outpace Ishi. But Ishi, fueled by a mix of mock anger and genuine amusement, was relentless. His recent lessons in agility and speed at the Ninja School served him well, allowing him to close the gap. Finally, after several minutes of playful pursuit, Ishi managed to corner them at the end of a hallway. They stood there, panting and laughing, their earlier mischief replaced by a shared camaraderie. "Okay, okay, you got us!" Senpei managed between breaths, raising his hands in surrender. "Yeah, truce?" Ivy added, her eyes sparkling with fun. Ishi paused, pretending to consider their offer, then burst out laughing. "Truce," he agreed, and they all collapsed into a giggling heap, their earlier run leaving them breathless but happy. As they walked back towards their homes, clothes still damp and spirits high, Ishi couldn''t help but feel a warmth that went beyond the water soaking through his clothes. It was the warmth of friendship, the kind that made every adventure, every mishap, something to cherish. And as they discussed plans for the next day, with promises of more pranks and laughter, Ishi knew that these moments with his friends were just as important as any lesson learned in the classroom. The door creaked softly behind him as Ishi stepped into the quiet of the house. The usual bustling energy that filled the space when his parents were home was absent, replaced by a calm stillness. He shrugged off his small satchel and made his way to the kitchen for a quick snack - some dried berries and a slice of honeycomb, remnants of this morning''s market visit. Satisfied, Ishi trotted up to his room. His small room was adorned with various Pok¨¦mon carvings, a stark contrast to the traditional Ninja Village decor elsewhere in the house. He cleared a small area on the floor and began his daily exercise routine. Careful not to overexert his young body, he started with raised push ups, using his bed frame for support, followed by decline pushups with his feet elevated on a low stool. After a series of sit-ups and squats, Ishi felt a pleasant warmth in his muscles, a gentle reminder of his growing strength and agility. Although this was not enough to warrant him gaining a point in his stats, he liked to believe it would still add to them at some point and be beneficial to him in the long run. Breathing evenly, Ishi walked over to his wooden desk where the parchment lay rolled out, the ink of Mr. Suru¡¯s teachings still stark against its weathered surface. He unrolled it carefully, his eyes tracing over the detailed instructions for crafting an acorn Pok¨¦ball. These ancient tools, he knew from his video game experiences back on Earth, were precursors to the modern Pok¨¦balls. Legends Arceus had hinted at their origins, but Mr. Suru''s explanations had filled in many gaps, giving Ishi a tangible connection to his beloved franchise¡¯s deeper lore. As he reviewed the steps, Ishi imagined himself crafting multiple Pok¨¦balls, not limited by the conventional six-Pok¨¦mon team. The freedom to capture and interact with more Pok¨¦mon was exhilarating to consider, promising a broader adventure than most trainers ever even dreamt of. Lost in thought, Ishi was suddenly pulled back to reality not by a sound, but by a subtle shift in the air - a warmth that signalled someone¡¯s presence. Curiosity piqued, he crept downstairs. In the kitchen, his mother, Shion, was humming a tune, her figure silhouetted against the evening light spilling through the open window. Her smile widened as she noticed Ishi on the stairs. ¡°There¡¯s my little ninja,¡± she called out, her voice rich with affection. ¡°Come here, you. Did you conquer any grand quests in your room?¡± Ishi grinned and bounded down the last few steps. ¡°Maybe,¡± he replied playfully. ¡°I was learning how to make Pok¨¦balls. Mr. Suru¡¯s method - it¡¯s really fascinating!¡± Shion wiped her hands on her apron and knelt to be at eye level with him. ¡°That sounds wonderful, Ishi. You¡¯ll have to show me once you¡¯ve made one. I bet they could even capture a clever boy like you.¡± Laughing, Ishi nodded eagerly. ¡°It¡¯s a deal! I¡¯ll make the best Pok¨¦ball ever, just you wait. Maybe I¡¯ll catch a Pok¨¦mon to help around the house, too.¡± ¡°That would be a sight, though you know you aren''t allowed to have a pokemon until your coming of age ceremony¡± Shion chuckled, ruffling his hair affectionately. ¡°Now, how about you help me with dinner? We can catch up more over the stove.¡± As they set about preparing the evening meal together, Ishi felt a comforting sense of home envelop him. Shion''s eyes twinkled with pride as she watched Ishi expertly handle the kitchen knife. "So, you were serious about making your own Pok¨¦ball, weren¡¯t you? Mr. Suru¡¯s teachings must have really inspired you.¡± Ishi nodded enthusiastically, carefully placing the chopped vegetables into a bowl. "Yes! He showed us the whole process, and it¡¯s fascinating how people used to make them. I¡¯ve written down everything. I think I can actually do it, make one myself.¡± "That''s quite the ambition," Shion said, stirring the pot before her. "And what will you do once you¡¯ve made your Pok¨¦ball? Start catching Pok¨¦mon all on your own?¡± "Maybe," Ishi mused, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "But I think my first try will just be about getting it right. Maybe I can catch something helpful, like a Pok¨¦mon that could make gardening easier for Dad or help fetch things for you.¡± Shion laughed, the sound echoing warmly through the kitchen. "Always thinking of others, aren¡¯t you? Just remember, every Pok¨¦mon you catch is a new responsibility. You¡¯ll need to care for it just like it helps us." This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Ishi paused, his expression turning thoughtful. "I know, Mum. I want to be ready for it. I think it¡¯ll help me grow, too, by taking care of someone else.¡± "Well," Shion said as she added a pinch of herbs to the pot, "speaking of caring, how about you take care of setting the table? Dinner¡¯s almost ready.¡± "Can do!" Ishi chirped, wiping his hands on a cloth before gathering plates and cutlery. As he set each place at the table, his mind raced with possibilities of which Pok¨¦mon might one day be sitting with them, a direct result of his crafting efforts. Shion watched him for a moment, her heart swelling with a mixture of pride and a touch of sadness at how quickly he was growing up. "You know," she began, her voice softening, "whatever you decide to do, whether it¡¯s crafting Pok¨¦balls or something else entirely, your father and I will always support you. We believe in you, Ishi.¡± Ishi looked up from the table, his brown eyes meeting her gaze steadily. "Thanks, Mum. That means a lot to me. I really want to make you both proud." "You already have," Shion replied, reaching out to squeeze his shoulder. "Now, let¡¯s finish up here. I¡¯m hungry, and your father will be home any minute. He¡¯ll want to hear all about your Pok¨¦ball plans, too.¡± As Ishi finished setting the last plate on the table, he paused, looking back towards his mother with a thoughtful expression. "Mum, even if I learn to make a Pok¨¦ball, I can''t officially have my own Pok¨¦mon until the coming of age ceremony, When I turn eight, right?¡± Shion nodded, placing a steaming dish of stew in the centre of the table. "That''s right, Ishi. It''s an important tradition in Ninja Village. Owning a Pok¨¦mon is a big responsibility, and the ceremony is our way of recognizing when a young ninja is ready to start that journey." Ishi¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. "But if I can make a Pok¨¦ball earlier, could I still practise? Maybe help out with the Pok¨¦mon the village already cares for?¡± "That sounds like a reasonable request," Shion mused, considering his words carefully. "You could learn a lot by helping others with their Pok¨¦mon. It would give you a sense of what¡¯s involved, without breaking our traditions." Excitement flickered across Ishi''s face. "Really? Do you think Dad would be okay with that?" "I''m sure he would," Shion replied with a reassuring smile. "But you''ll need to show him and the other elders that you''re serious about this, that you''re committed and respectful of our ways.¡± Ishi nodded eagerly. "I will! I can start by showing that I can craft a Pok¨¦ball. It could be a way to show everyone that I''m ready to learn more about Pok¨¦mon, even before I''m old enough to have one of my own." Shion watched him for a moment, pride shining in her eyes. "I believe in you, Ishi. Just remember, being a ninja isn''t just about the skills you learn - it''s also about the wisdom to know when and how to use them.¡± As they heard the familiar footsteps of Haku returning home, Ishi¡¯s heart swelled with determination. Tonight, he would share his plans with his father, hoping to gain his approval to move forward with his idea. His father, Haku, barely had time to set down his things before Ishi launched himself into his arms with a joyful tackle-hug. "Whoa there, champ!" Haku laughed, steadying himself and returning Ishi''s enthusiastic embrace. "Seems like someone missed me today!¡± Ishi grinned up at him. "I''ve got so much to tell you, Dad! You won''t believe what I learned today!" Without waiting for a response, Ishi grabbed his father¡¯s hand and tugged him towards the dining room. Shion looked up from where she was setting the last of the dishes on the table, her face lighting up at the sight of her husband. "Welcome home, love," she said, walking over to give Haku a quick kiss. "Dinner''s just ready.¡± As Haku took his seat at the table, Ishi practically bounced in place next to him, the dishes of steaming food momentarily forgotten in his eagerness. Shion served the food, and the family began to eat, the familiar, comforting aromas filling the room. Catching his mother¡¯s knowing smile and subtle nod, Ishi took a deep breath and turned to his father, his voice bubbling with excitement. "Dad, I learned how to make Pok¨¦balls today! From scratch, like the ancient ninjas did with acorns and stuff. Mr. Suru taught us, and I wrote it all down!¡± Haku raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued even as he continued to eat. "Is that so?" he asked, shooting a quick, amused glance at Shion, who responded with a slight, encouraging smile. "And what do you plan to do with this knowledge, hm?" Haku continued, his voice mixing curiosity with a hint of challenge. Ishi rushed into his explanation, outlining his plan to practise crafting Pok¨¦balls. As he spoke, Haku interjected occasionally, his tone practical yet gentle. "But, Ishi, do you even have the materials you need for this?" he asked at one point, exchanging a more serious look with Shion, who subtly furrowed her brows in concern but remained silent, letting Haku lead the questioning. "Crafting Pok¨¦balls is a skilled job. Are you sure you''ll have the knack for it?" Haku added, his gaze flicking back to Shion, who gave a small nod, signalling her trust in Ishi¡¯s determination. Both questions made Ishi pause, but he addressed each concern with thoughtful consideration that impressed his parents. "I can gather the materials, and I can start small, maybe just try making one to see if I can do it. Mrs. Tanoshi said it takes patience and practice." When Ishi finished, Haku leaned back, sharing a long, evaluative look with Shion, who nodded subtly. "Well," Haku finally said, turning back to Ishi with a decision in his eyes, "I can see you''ve thought about this quite a bit. I¡¯ll discuss it with your mother tonight, and if we agree, I''ll speak to Chief Hanzo about it. But it will have to wait until after the storm passes. We don''t want to add more to his plate right now.¡± Ishi¡¯s face lit up with hope. "Really? You¡¯ll talk to him?" Haku smiled, ruffling his son''s dark blue hair. "Yes, I will. But only if we decide it¡¯s the right step forward. For now, let''s focus on getting through the storm safely, and then we can think about Pok¨¦ball crafting, alright?" "Alright, Dad," Ishi agreed, his heart swelling with gratitude and excitement. The meal continued amidst discussions of the upcoming storm preparations, but Ishi¡¯s mind was already dancing with possibilities, his dreams of crafting his own Pok¨¦ball inching closer to reality. *** The house was quiet, the only sounds were the soft whispers of wind against the shutters and the distant call of a Noctowl. Haku and Shion lay in their room, the glow from a single candle flickering shadows across the walls. Haku turned his head to look at Shion, his voice low and concerned. ¡°The storm is likely to hit us hard in a couple of days. Hanzo plans to notify everyone tomorrow. We¡¯ll need all hands on deck to secure the village.¡± Shion nodded, her eyes reflecting the flicker of candlelight. ¡°I know. It¡¯s going to be a tough few days. The children will need to stay indoors. It could be a good time for Ishi to work on his crafting inside.¡± A sigh escaped Haku as he considered their son¡¯s request earlier that evening. ¡°About that - do you really think we should encourage him? He¡¯s so young, and yet he¡¯s diving headlong into these crafts. It¡¯s not usual for someone his age.¡± Shion shifted slightly, turning to face her husband. ¡°I think it¡¯s good for him, Haku. He¡¯s curious and intelligent, and he needs something to keep his mind engaged, especially with the storm coming. Besides, crafting his own Pok¨¦ball could be a constructive way to learn responsibility.¡± Haku was silent for a moment, the weight of his role as both a father and an elder in the village pressing on him. ¡°It¡¯s not just about him crafting a Pok¨¦ball, though. He wants to interact more with Pok¨¦mon, learn the ways of a trainer before he¡¯s even of age. That¡¯s going to take some convincing with the elders. They¡¯re traditionalists, you know that.¡± ¡°But they also respect initiative and skill,¡± Shion countered gently. ¡°If Ishi can demonstrate that he can craft a Pok¨¦ball responsibly, it might sway them. It shows respect for our traditions and the creativity to adapt them.¡± ¡°True,¡± Haku conceded, running a hand through his pale blue hair. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to Hanzo after the storm, see if we can arrange a small demonstration or something. If Ishi can prove his ability, I don¡¯t see why they wouldn¡¯t consider it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s all we can ask for,¡± Shion said, reaching out to squeeze his hand. ¡°Let¡¯s support him in this. It could be the making of him as a ninja and a trainer.¡± Haku nodded, the lines of worry easing slightly on his face. ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll prepare for the storm first, then tackle this challenge. Ishi has a bright future ahead. We need to nurture that light, not hide it.¡± the irony of a ninja saying this was not lost on him as he chucked at his own statement. As they lay back down, the conversation shifted to more immediate concerns about securing their home and helping their neighbours. But underneath the talk of the storm, there was a current of excitement for their son¡¯s potential, a shared belief in his unique path. Chapter 3 The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of dew-covered leaves and the distant echo of morning birdsong. Ishi, clad in his dark blue and black ninja garb, melded seamlessly with the shadowy underbrush of the forest path that led to their usual meeting spot. He moved silently, a grin spreading across his face as he closed in on his unsuspecting friends. Senpei and Ivy were deep in conversation, oblivious to Ishi¡¯s approach. "He¡¯s late again," Senpei grumbled, pacing back and forth. "Ishi knows weekends are for fun. The sooner we start, the longer we can play." Ivy, arms crossed, was just about to respond when Ishi decided it was the perfect moment to strike. Springing from his cover with all the dramatic flair he could muster, he shouted, "MWAHAHAHA!!¡± With pinpoint accuracy, his head connected with the small of Senpei''s back, sending the boy tumbling forward into a heap of leaves. Ivy, startled by the sudden chaos, let out a yelp and tried to leap away. But Ishi was already on the move, his laughter bubbling up as he spun around and swept his leg in a quick, fluid motion, knocking Ivy¡¯s feet from under her. She landed with an oof on her back, staring up at the sky in disbelief. Standing triumphant, Ishi lifted his chin to the sky and called out, "Ahhhh, revenge! This is life!" His laughter filled the air, contagious and bright. He glanced back at Senpei and Ivy, both of whom were now sitting up with disgruntled looks plastered across their faces. "Come on," Ishi called over his shoulder, already jogging backward down the path. "The sooner we get going, the sooner the fun starts!" His words sparked a pair of outraged cries from his friends as they scrambled to their feet and gave chase. Ishi¡¯s maniacal laughter echoed through the village, turning the heads of amused villagers as the trio raced past. After their raucous start in the village, Ishi, Senpei, and Ivy made their way to the sprawling hay fields that bordered the Village centre. The wide, open space was a perfect playground for young ninjas to hone their skills away from watchful eyes. The air was filled with the rustle of dry hay as the three friends set up their informal training ground. Senpei, always eager to showcase his flair, took the lead. ¡°Watch this,¡± he said, his voice thick with excitement. He performed the ''Ninja Leaf Shroud'' with a flourish, vanishing momentarily in a swirl of leaves that seemed to conjure from nowhere, only to reappear several feet away, grinning triumphantly. Ivy rolled her eyes playfully at Senpei¡¯s antics but was quick to demonstrate her own specialty. She focused intently, her expression one of deep concentration. With a swift gesture, she executed a ''Ninja Body Switch,'' her form blurring momentarily before swapping places with a nearby scarecrow. ¡°Efficiency and surprise,¡± she declared, her tone proud but composed as she rejoined the group. Ishi watched his friends, a mixture of admiration and resolve lighting his features. He knew his own skills were more rounded but less spectacular. Taking a deep breath, Ishi moved to a clear spot and started with the ''Ninja Water Spout.'' With a series of hand signs, he managed to summon a small column of water from a nearby bucket, though it was significantly less impressive than what his friends were able to achieve.
Confirmed. Quest Progression: You have been born into the Ninja Village, Learn And Master All Ninja Nature Tricks!
Rewards: 50 Exp Per Learned Trick, 1000 Exp per Mastery, Sub-Class (One-With-Nature).
Progress: Ninja Water Spout - 10% Ninja Flicker Step - 9% Ninja Dust Storm - 7% Ninja Wind Rush - 7% Ninja Fire Ball - 9% Ninja Body Switch - 5% Ninja Leaf Shroud - 8%
He then transitioned into ''Ninja Flicker Step,'' a rapid movement technique. Ishi¡¯s form blurred slightly as he moved, not nearly as fast or as stealthy as he would have liked, but enough to draw a nod from Senpei. "Not bad, Ishi," Senpei called out, ¡°But watch your form on the landing!¡± Ishi tried a few more: ''Ninja Dust Storm'' stirred up a cloud of dust that was more a puff than a storm; ''Ninja Wind Rush'' generated a gentle breeze rather than the powerful gust he intended; and his ''Ninja Fire Ball'' was more of a spark than a blaze. Despite the modest outcomes, Ishi remained undeterred. As he practised, Ishi explained his philosophy to his friends. ¡°I know it''s not as flashy as focusing on one and making it perfect. But by learning a little of each, I¡¯m building a foundation. One day, I¡¯ll be able to combine them, make something new, something uniquely mine.¡±
Confirmed. Quest Created: You have Acknowledged Your Philosophy To Those You Cherish, Prove Yourself And Be One Of The Elite Ninja To Create Their Own Ninja Trick! (Requires full Mastery Of All Ninja Nature Tricks)
Rewards: 1000 Exp Per Newly Created Trick, 10000 Exp Per Mastered Created Trick.
Accept: Y/N
Ishi read through the new quest that had flashed in front of his eyes and couldn''t help but grin, even his eyes were smiling. He quickly accepted the quest and thought how useful this quest would be once he had mastered all ninja nature tricks. Though it wouldn¡¯t help him at the moment it will definitely help him immensely in the long run, which was perfect for Ishi¡¯s goals. Senpei slapped him on the back, mirroring his grin and replying "That¡¯s the spirit, Ishi! Being a jack-of-all-trades isn¡¯t bad. It¡¯s like being ready for anything! Although I¡¯m still gonna focus on my favourite." Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Ivy nodded, her expression thoughtful. "It¡¯s true. Versatility could be just as powerful as specialisation, in the right hands. It Just happens that you¡¯re both the wrong hands!¡± punctuating her statement with a playful tongue poke. This lightened the mood considerably as both Ishi and Senpei took offence to this furiously denying her with Ivy just sticking her fingers in her ears and running off saying ¡°Can¡¯t hear you! Can¡¯t hear you!¡± *** Hours of relentless practice and playful challenges later, Ishi, Senpei, and Ivy lay sprawled across the soft, sun-warmed grass of the hay fields, their bodies spent but spirits high. They stared up at the sky, watching the clouds drift lazily above them, shapes morphing slowly as they floated by.
Confirmed. Rigorous Training Has Been Witnessed!
Rewards: +1 Dexterity
Catching his breath, Ishi dismissed the notification with a smile and turned his head towards his friends, his voice filled with determination. ¡°One day, I¡¯m going to stand at the top of the world, as a Champion, and I¡¯m going to protect everyone from the shadows.¡± Senpei followed this declaration with his own ¡°One day, I¡¯m gonna be strong enough to stand beside my brothers, defending our village. I want to be someone they can rely on in times of crisis, someone who doesn¡¯t back down.¡± Ivy smiled, her gaze still fixed on a particularly fluffy cloud. ¡°I want to explore, see what¡¯s beyond our village. My mom¡¯s travels always sounded so exciting. I hope to meet lots of different Pok¨¦mon and maybe find a few that can become part of our village life, help out like mom¡¯s partners do.¡± The clouds seemed to spark inspiration in Ishi as he listened to his friends. ¡°I want to travel too, but all around the world. Learn everything I can about being a ninja and a trainer. I want to catch a whole family of Pok¨¦mon to share the journey with. I¡¯m going to become the strongest,¡± he declared with a grin, his eyes twinkling with the vastness of his ambition. Ivy giggled at his fervour, while Senpei sent him a challenging glare, the competitive spark clearly ignited. ¡°You¡¯ll have to get past me first,¡± Senpei retorted with a mock growl. The friendly banter was a comfortable rhythm, but Ishi was eager to share more. ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve got a plan to start on that path sooner than later. I¡¯m going to make my own Pok¨¦balls. Just like Mr Suru showed us in school. I want to prove to the elders that I¡¯m ready to start interacting with Pok¨¦mon¡­ And hopefully get my partner sooner.¡± His announcement was met with a moment of stunned silence. Senpei sat up, his previous fatigue forgotten, his expression a mix of surprise and intrigue. ¡°Seriously? That¡¯s... actually really cool, Ishi.¡± Ivy¡¯s eyes widened with admiration. ¡°That sounds amazing, Ishi! But it¡¯s going to be hard, you know. The elders are strict about the traditions.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Ishi nodded, sitting up and meeting their gazes with a fierce determination. ¡°But I¡¯ve got to try. It¡¯s the first step to realising my dream.¡± Moved by his resolve, Senpei clapped a hand on Ishi''s shoulder. ¡°Then you¡¯ll have our help, right, Ivy?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Ivy agreed readily, her usual calm demeanour brightened by excitement. ¡°Whatever you need, we¡¯re with you.¡± Grateful for their support, Ishi felt a rush of warmth for his friends. ¡°Thanks, you guys. I¡¯m really gonna need it.¡± They spent a while longer under the sky, talking excitedly about the future, each dream weaving into the next. As the shadows lengthened and the first stars began to twinkle in the evening sky, they made their way back to the village, their hearts full of plans and promises. *** Ishi burst through the door of his home with the boundless energy that only a day filled with adventure and dreams could bring. His mother, Shion, was in the kitchen, the sounds and smells of dinner preparation filling the warm space. "Hey, Mum!" Ishi called out, dropping his gear by the door and rushing over to where she stood by the stove. "Hello, Ishi," Shion said with a smile, turning from the pot she was stirring. "How was your day?¡± "It was awesome! We practised our ninja techniques, and I even told Senpei and Ivy about my Pok¨¦ball plan!" Ishi''s enthusiasm was palpable as he helped himself to a piece of chopped vegetable and popped it into his mouth. Shion laughed softly, her eyes crinkling at the edges. "I¡¯m glad you had fun. And I have some good news too. Today I was in the village square, where Chief Hanzo was announcing the storm coming tomorrow, and I made sure to gather all the materials you''ll need to make your Pok¨¦balls. This way, you''ll have plenty to keep you busy while the storm passes.¡± Ishi''s eyes lit up as he turned to see a satchel resting on the nearby chair, bulging with various materials. Rushing over, he peeked inside, his imagination already running wild with the possibilities.
Confirmed. Quest Created: The Materials have been Collected By Your Loving Mother, Put these Materials to good use!
Rewards: 100 Exp Per Created Pokeball, Unlocking Of The Aura Stat.
Accept: Y/N
As he read through the new quest that had appeared in front of him he was shocked and delighted by what he saw for the rewards, ¡®Unlocking Of The Aura Stat!!?¡¯, ¡®I¡¯ve been trying to unlock that ever since I came to this world with absolutely no luck!!¡¯ He quickly accepted the quest. In ishi¡¯s first years in this world, where he had been confined to his cot, he had tried all he could; meditation, training his spacial awareness, even that one near death experience when he¡¯d climbed over the side of his cot and fallen over the edge only to be caught by his mums ninja reflexes hadn¡¯t unlocked his aura stat. And when he had gotten old enough to be taught the ninja nature tricks by Mrs Tanoshi he had thought that he would unlock the stat as these may require him to use aura, unfortunately he had no such luck with this either. So to suddenly see the reward for this quest to be the unlocking of the stat he was absolutely elated. The only thing that confused him was how the creation of pokeballs even related to aura in the first place, although he didn¡¯t dare question it for fear that the Champion''s system would take it back. "Mum, you¡¯re the best!" he exclaimed, wrapping Shion in a tight hug. Shion hugged him back, her heart full at her son¡¯s happiness. "Anything to help you follow your dreams, my dear.¡± Together, they set about finishing the dinner preparations. Not long after, Haku walked in, greeted by Ishi¡¯s excited chatter about the materials and his plans for the next day. "Look, Dad! Mum got everything I needed! I can¡¯t wait to start!" Ishi beamed, holding up pieces of apricorn shells and other crafting essentials such as tumblestones and various pliable metals that are used to create the contraption inside the pokeballs. Haku exchanged a knowing smile with Shion over Ishi''s head, pride and a hint of amusement mingling in his expression. "Well, it sounds like you¡¯re all set for a productive day tomorrow, Ishi. I look forward to seeing what you create." The family sat down to dinner, filling the room with laughter and stories of their day. Ishi talked animatedly, his energy seemingly endless until the plates were cleared and bedtime neared. By the time Ishi climbed into bed, his body was exhausted from the day''s activities, but his mind buzzed with anticipation for the crafting he would begin tomorrow. As he was falling to sleep he quickly checked his status screen and the rewards he had yet to accept.
Name: Will Ranger/Ishi Sukauto
Level: 3 150/400 Exp
Class: N/A
Sub-Class: N/A
Strength: 5
Dexterity: 7 -> 8
Constitution: 3
Aura: N/A
Mana: N/A
Abilities: Appraisal - Multilingual
Available Points: 9
Rewards: +1 Dexterity
He accepted the reward and saw his Dexterity increase and felt his body change slightly to accommodate his new found flexibility, smiling at this he closed his status along with his eyes. And as sleep finally claimed him, his last thoughts were of Pok¨¦balls and the adventures they would one day enable. Chapter 4 The storm hit with a ferocity that made the sturdy walls of Ninja Village shudder. Outside Ishi''s window, rain lashed against the glass, and lightning streaked across the dark morning sky, illuminating his room in brief, stark flashes. Despite the tumult, Ishi awoke seamlessly, his heart racing not from fear but from excitement. Today was the day he would begin crafting his own Pok¨¦balls.
Confirmed. Quest Progression: Haku And The Chief have important work They Need To Complete To Protect The Village. Stay Out Of Their Way!
Reward: 50 Exp
With a brilliant smile breaking across his face, Ishi leaped out of bed. He hurriedly dressed, eager to start his day, and even used his rudimentary ''Ninja Flicker Step'' to speed up causing him to move in a blur of movement, appearing downstairs in a fraction of the usual time. The house was still quiet; the rest of his family hadn''t stirred yet, no doubt lulled by the rhythmic drumming of the rain. Seizing the opportunity to surprise them with a prepared breakfast, whilst also using it as an opportunity to not so subtly thank them for the materials they got him the day before at the village market, Ishi set to work in the kitchen. He moved around with practised ease, pulling ingredients from shelves and preparing dishes. He knew exactly what everyone liked, including the family Pok¨¦mon. Although he wasn¡¯t officially allowed to have his own personal pokemon partner, interacting with his family¡¯s Pok¨¦mon was perfectly allowed and he knew exactly what they enjoyed eating and couldn¡¯t resist the chance to take care of them. For his mother¡¯s Talonflame, he laid out a mix of spicy berries that would invigorate its fiery nature. For his father¡¯s Bisharp, he prepared a hearty bowl of iron-rich nuts and small metallic bits that helped sharpen its steel body. His parents also had several other pokemon but he rarely got to interact with them as they were usually helping around the village or off in the village catacombs with the rest of their kind and family. Once the Pok¨¦mon''s food was set aside, Ishi prepared omletets for the family, humming a tune to match the rhythm of the rain. With breakfast ready and waiting on the table for his parents, he grabbed a quick bite for himself, his mind already racing ahead to the Pok¨¦balls. With his stomach filled and his energy replenished, Ishi snatched up the satchel full of materials his mother had gathered and raced back up to his room. The storm outside seemed to mirror the whirlwind of activity inside him as he laid out everything on his desk: Apricorns shells, tumblestones to reinforce the pokeballs exterior and interior, and the various strips of pliable metal. He sat down, took a deep breath, and began. His hands were steady as he followed the instructions Mr. Suru had given, his mind focused solely on the task. Each component was handled with care, each step meticulously followed. Ishi was determined to make his first Pok¨¦ball not just functional but a testament to his capabilities and his dedication.
Confirmed. Quest Progression: The Materials have been Collected By Your Loving Mother, Put these Materials to good use!
Rewards: 100 Exp Per Created Pokeball, Unlocking Of The Aura Stat.
Progress: Pokeball - 2%
Outside, the storm raged on, but inside Ishi''s room, there was only the quiet concentration of a young ninja set on forging his path, one careful, crafted piece at a time.
Progress: Pokeball - 3%
*** As Haku and Shion descended the stairs that morning, they were greeted by the comforting sight of a well-prepared breakfast waiting on the table, and their Pok¨¦mon contentedly munching on their favourite foods. Ishi¡¯s attention to detail and care, even in small matters, brought smiles to their faces. ¡°Talonflame, Bisharp, come looky what we have here¡± Haku called gently after taking a moment to appreciate the scene. The Pok¨¦mon obediently moved to his side, showing their respect and affection towards their owners. The family sat down to eat, the sound of the storm''s fury a stark contrast to the warmth inside their home. They dug into their prepared meal heartily whilst Haku began outlining his day to his most beloved wife. ¡°I¡¯ll need to assist Chief Hanzo today. We have to ensure the village¡¯s safety and manage any issues the storm might cause.¡± His voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of concern given the storm¡¯s intensity. Shion nodded, understanding the weight of his duties. ¡°And I¡¯ll take the chance to catch up on some housework. Once the storm clears, I¡¯ll need the kid genin at the academy to help with recovery efforts. It¡¯ll be good for them to contribute, learn about responsibility.¡± She then returned to enjoying her breakfast and began planning her lessons in her head for when the storm passed, thinking up ways of integrating real-life skills with academic learning. Their conversation gradually shifted to their son, Ishi, busy in his room with his ambitious endeavour to craft a Pok¨¦ball. ¡°He¡¯s probably up there right now, trying to figure it all out,¡± Shion said with a mix of pride and worry. Haku sighed, his utensil pausing mid-air. ¡°It¡¯s going to be tough for him. The first few tries might not go well. We should prepare ourselves to console him.¡± His tone was sombre, acknowledging the hard road ahead for their son. Shion¡¯s expression softened as she considered the challenges Ishi faced. ¡°It¡¯s true. Making a Pok¨¦ball isn¡¯t just about following steps. It requires channelling raw energy, something Ishi hasn¡¯t learned yet. Without that knowledge, his success is unlikely.¡± They shared a look, a silent communication filled with understanding and mutual concern. ¡°It feels cruel to let him struggle¡­ but it is a necessary part of learning,¡± Shion continued. ¡°He needs to realise on his own when to ask for help. It¡¯s something he¡¯s always resisted.¡± Haku nodded in agreement. ¡°Yes, and learning to ask for help is as important as trying to do things on his own. This experience, while difficult, will help him grow. It¡¯s about finding balance.¡± This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Their breakfast finished, they stood and shared a quick kiss, a promise of affection and mutual support amidst the challenges. ¡°Be safe today,¡± Shion murmured, her eyes conveying the depth of her concern given the storm outside. ¡°Always,¡± Haku replied with a reassuring smile, before each headed off to their respective tasks, ready to face the day¡¯s demands, all the while keeping an ear out for the sounds of success or struggle from upstairs. *** In the quiet sanctuary of his room, Ishi sat hunched over his desk, his face a mask of intense concentration. The storm outside seemed to mirror his inner turmoil as he meticulously followed the instructions Mr. Suru had provided. Despite his efforts, the object taking shape under his hands was distinctly different from the flawless example their guest lecturer had demonstrated.
Progress: Pokeball - 89% Failed!
Dismissing the notification with a frustrated huff, "This isn''t right," Ishi muttered to himself, his brows furrowing deeper into frustration. He had been working for hours, far longer than Mr. Suru had taken. "No matter," he whispered, steeling himself with determination. "Perseverance is what''s going to make or break this."
Progress: Pokeball - 1%
With renewed focus, he continued, assembling the pieces, carving the delicate designs, and polishing the exterior. Time seemed to blur as he worked, his entire world narrowing to the materials in front of him. Finally, he placed the last piece, stepping back to survey his work. The item looked like a Pok¨¦ball, its surface smooth and the seams nearly perfect. Yet, as he picked it up, Ishi felt the hollowness inside. It was just a shell, devoid of the energy and functionality of a true Pok¨¦ball.
Progress: Pokeball - 90% Failed!!
Brushing his hands through his deep blue hair in vexation, he sighed deeply. "I must have gone wrong somewhere," he conceded, scrutinising the shell. "I followed the instructions to the letter, but there must be something I missed or did wrong.¡± Setting the incomplete Pok¨¦ball to one side of his desk, Ishi stood and stretched, his muscles stiff from sitting too long. Resolved not to dwell on his frustration, he decided to clear his mind with some exercise. He performed his routine of incline and decline push-ups, followed by sets of sit-ups and squats, allowing the physical activity to soothe his restlessness. Feeling refreshed but still hungry for success, Ishi made his way downstairs to grab a quick snack and a drink. The house was quiet, the storm''s rage having settled into a steady patter against the windows. He quickly ate, his mind already racing with ideas on how to improve his next attempt at the Pok¨¦ball. With a glass of water in hand, Ishi returned to his room, his determination renewed. "I''ll figure this out," he affirmed, looking at the Pok¨¦ball shell. "If it¡¯s not perfect this time, I¡¯ll just keep trying.¡± The hours slipped by as Ishi toiled in his room, the storm outside waxing and waning as it mirrored the tumult of his efforts. By the time the rain began to ease and the clouds started to part, Ishi had produced not one, but three more shells of what were supposed to be Pok¨¦balls. Each one lay on his desk, a testament to his dedication - and to something elusive that he had yet to grasp.
Confirmed. Quest Has Been Completed: Haku And The Chief have important work They Need To Complete To Protect The Village. Stay Out Of Their Way!
Reward: 50 Exp
Although he recognised the notification in front of him he continued to stare at his desk, finally letting out an exasperated breath, he picked up each shell in turn, rotating them over in his hands. They were perfect in form, smooth and well-crafted to the eye, yet hollow and lifeless in function. A string of curses slipped from his lips, his usual patience worn thin by the repeated failures. "I don¡¯t understand what I¡¯m missing," he muttered to himself, pure frustration and annoyance evident on his face. He had pored over Mr. Suru''s instructions countless times, each step meticulously followed, yet the outcome was always the same. It was as if there was a vital piece of the puzzle just out of reach, something fundamental that he was not aware of. The realisation that he might be missing a crucial piece of knowledge was disheartening, he had really been looking forward to unlocking his aura stat. But he knew that continuing to use up materials would be futile, like trying to solve a riddle without all the clues. With a heavy sigh, Ishi stood up, the excitement and energy that had fueled his morning now replaced by a weary resignation. He shuffled dejectedly downstairs, where the comforting smells of dinner and the soft sounds of his mother moving in the kitchen greeted him. The contrast between his failed attempts and the normalcy of home was stark, and for a moment, Ishi felt the full weight of his disappointment. "Hey, Mum," he greeted softly as he entered the kitchen. Shion looked up from where she was stirring a pot on the stove, immediately noticing the slump in his shoulders and the downcast expression on his face. "Oh, Ishi," she said, her voice full of concern. "How did it go?" Ishi managed a small, resigned shrug. "Not good," he admitted, unable to mask the annoyance in his voice. "I made five shells, but that¡¯s all they are - shells. They¡¯re not real Pok¨¦balls. There¡¯s something I¡¯m not getting, something I¡¯m missing.¡± Shion wiped her hands on her apron, moving over to give him a comforting hug. "You¡¯re learning, Ishi. That¡¯s what matters. These things take time and yes, sometimes they take a bit of failure to see the way forward." Ishi leaned into the embrace, grateful for the support. "I guess I need to figure out what I¡¯m missing," he mumbled into her shoulder. "And you will," Shion reassured him, pulling back to look him in the eyes. "You¡¯ll find the missing piece. And remember, it¡¯s okay to ask for help. Maybe find some time to talk to Mr. Suru or Mrs Tanoshi.¡± Ishi slumped into a chair at the kitchen table, his spirits as deflated as the storm clouds outside. Noticing his mood, Shion decided to lighten the atmosphere with tales from her day. ¡°So, there I was, facing the biggest pile of debris you¡¯ve ever seen,¡± she began, her eyes twinkling as she saw Ishi''s attention pique. ¡°And just as I was about to start, a giant gust of wind swept it all away... into the neighbour¡¯s yard!¡± Her playful exaggeration brought a reluctant grin to Ishi¡¯s face. ¡°Really, Mum?¡± Ishi laughed, his earlier failures momentarily forgotten. ¡°Well, maybe it wasn¡¯t all that dramatic,¡± Shion confessed with a laugh. ¡°But it felt like it! Tomorrow, I¡¯ll have to organise a cleanup effort. It''s going to be quite the task.¡± Ishi, now smiling more genuinely, was quick to offer his and his friends'' help. ¡°Senpei, Ivy, and I can come help too. It¡¯ll be fun!¡± Shion shook her head, her smile affectionate. ¡°That¡¯s sweet of you, but no need, Ishi. The kid genin in my class will handle it. It¡¯ll be good training for them, help them practise their Ninja Tricks along with giving their partner pokemon a workout.¡±
Confirmed. Quest Created: Your wonderful mother has decided to enlist your village''s kid genin to the cleanup crew. Help them with the task of boosting morale the way you do best!! ;)
Rewards: 50 Exp
Accept: Y/N
Ishi almost wanted to burst out laughing at the notification in front of him, ¡®The system is practically telling me to prank the hell out of my seniors!¡¯ he thought with an internal chuckle followed by a sigh and he accepted. Returning back to the conversation with his mum, Ishi nodded, impressed by his mother''s approach. ¡°That sounds great, Mum. Maybe I should talk to Senpei and Ivy about my Pok¨¦ball troubles too. They might have some ideas.¡± ¡°Talking it through can help,¡± Shion agreed, stirring the pot on the stove once more. ¡°But for now, why don¡¯t you take it easy? Relax a bit before dinner. Your dad will be home soon, and you can talk to him too.¡± Accepting her advice, Ishi stood up. ¡°Thanks, Mum. I think I¡¯ll do just that.¡± He headed upstairs, feeling a bit lighter. The thought of discussing his challenges with his friends¡ªand possibly gaining new insights - rekindled his optimism. As he settled into his room for a short rest, the sounds of the settling house around him, Ishi felt reassured. The day hadn¡¯t gone as planned, but tomorrow was another chance to try again, bolstered by the support of his friends and family. Chapter 5 The morning sunlight streamed softly through the overcast clouds and through the curtains as Ishi woke up, the new day wiping clean the slate of yesterday''s frustrations. He rolled out of bed, not quite with the same fever as the day before but still with a sense of purpose fueling his movements, as he got himself dressed and readied for the day. His eyes briefly caught sight of the five Pok¨¦ball shells from the previous day¡¯s efforts, resting silently on his desk. On a whim, he scooped them up and tucked them into his satchel''s inner pocket. ¡®Perhaps Senpei and Ivy could offer a fresh perspective,¡¯ he thought, recalling his mother¡¯s advice about talking through the issues sometimes with those who would offer sympathy and their honest thoughts. With the Pok¨¦balls safely stowed, Ishi made his way downstairs, finding his home buzzing with the urgency of the day¡¯s responsibilities. His parents were already preparing to head out, each focused on their part in the village''s recovery efforts. "Morning, Ishi! Eat up and take care today," his dad said, giving him a quick pat on the head before grabbing his tools and heading out the door. His mom was close behind, her face set in determination as she reviewed a list of tasks on a scroll where she had set up a plan for her students. "See you tonight, honey. Help out where you can," she said, kissing him on the forehead before following Haku out. Ishi nodded, feeling the weight of the day ahead. He quickly ate his breakfast, the house strangely quiet without the presence of his parents. Once done, he grabbed his things and stepped outside, ready to meet up with his friends.
Confirmed. Quest Created: Your wonderful mother has decided to enlist your village''s kid genin to the cleanup crew. Help them with the task of boosting morale the way you do best!! ;)
Rewards: 50 Exp
As he walked through the village, he was just reading the quest he¡¯d received and thinking up all the pranks he and his friends could pull off, with an evil grin. When he looked around he noticed the aftermath of the storm was evident, the paths were waterlogged, leaving the earth soft and muddy beneath his feet. Debris littered some corners of the village - broken branches, scattered leaves, and the occasional piece of damaged thatch from the roofs. But despite the mess, the rising sun promised a swift return to normalcy, its warm rays slowly drying the dampness and highlighting the resilient spirit of the village. The air was fresh, washed clean by the storm, and as Ishi made his way to their usual meetup spot, he could see small groups of villagers beginning the cleanup. There was a sense of community and cooperation that filled the air, everyone pitching in to restore the village. Reaching the spot, Ishi found he was the first to arrive. He took a moment to appreciate the peace of the early morning, the sun¡¯s warmth slowly erasing the chill of the night. Soon, Senpei and Ivy would arrive, and he could share his attempts and gather their insights. The freedom of an unsupervised day stretched before them, full of potential for adventure and perhaps a bit of mischief. The evil grin returned to his face. As he waited, Ishi fingered the Pok¨¦ball shells in his satchel, hopeful that today would bring him closer to solving the puzzle of their creation. Ishi hadn¡¯t been waiting long when he saw Senpei approaching, a bounce in his step and a mischievous grin on his face that promised tales of adventure - or at least, antics - meh who can tell. ¡°Hey, Ishi!¡± Senpei called out as he jogged the last few steps, shaking off the last of the morning¡¯s dampness. ¡°You should¡¯ve seen what I got up to yesterday. The storm was howling like a Exploud, but me and my brothers took that as a challenge to outloud the loudness!¡± Ishi¡¯s curiosity piqued, he leaned in. ¡°Oh? And how did you ¡®out loud the loudness¡¯? You didn¡¯t like¡­ destroy your entire house or anything¡­ right?¡± With a flourish typical of his dramatic nature, Senpei launched into his story. ¡°We played Pok¨¦mon Pictionary and guess which Ninja trick! It was epic. Every time the thunder cracked, we¡¯d jump, and whoever was drawing had to add a random line to their drawing. Made for some pretty weird Pok¨¦mon guesses! And sometimes the thunder would make our tricks go a little wonky so we kinda have a new entrance to our place now¡­¡± with a sheepish grin he rubs the back of his head looking as bashful and proud as can be. Ishi laughed, imagining the chaos, picturing the house full of Senpei¡¯s energetic brothers and their competitive spirit. ¡°Sounds like a lot of fun. Did you learn anything new while playing?¡± ¡°Oh, definitely!¡± Senpei said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. ¡°I¡¯m almost sure I¡¯ve figured out what Pok¨¦mon my brothers have. I think Ippei¡¯s got a water type, and Nihei¡¯s definitely got something grassy. But man, figuring out which ones they are is harder than I thought.¡± Ishi nodded, keeping his expression carefully neutral to hide his knowledge of Ippei¡¯s Greninja and Nihei¡¯s Venusaur. ¡°That¡¯s pretty cool. It must be tricky trying to guess without them outright telling you.¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a real ninja challenge,¡± Senpei agreed with a laugh as he saw Ishi cringe at what he¡¯d just said. ¡°But I¡¯ll crack it one day. Just you wait.¡± The conversation drifted then to other things - plans for the day, what they hoped to get up to with no classes and minimal supervision. But as they talked, Ishi couldn¡¯t help but admire Senpei¡¯s determination and the fun he¡¯d had with his family. It reminded him of the importance of those close to him, not just in sharing successes, but in enjoying the simple moments together. As they waited for Ivy to join them, the village was slowly coming back to life around them, Ishi felt a renewed sense of purpose. Whatever today held, with friends like Senpei by his side, it was bound to be memorable. The evil grin came back with a vengeance. Ivy arrived a few moments later, her cheeks flushed from rushing. As soon as she appeared, Senpei couldn''t help but tease her. "Look who''s late! The one who''s always on our case about being on time!" Ivy rolled her eyes but her smile betrayed her amusement. "Oh, quiet you two. If I recall, I''m usually waiting on both of you!¡± Their playful banter quickly gave way to a chase, laughter echoing off the trees and puddles they splashed through as they darted around, the damp earth soft under their feet. When they finally settled down, breathless and giggling, they continued toward their usual hangout spot. Ivy shared her own storm day story. "My mum and I raced around the house using the body switch technique. We jumped from object to object, and let''s just say, we caused a bit of chaos for dad!" The image had both of her friends laughing as they imagined the look on her dads face. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. By the time they reached their spot, a comfortable area surrounded by large trees and patches of soft grass, they were ready to relax. It was then that Ishi decided to share his own activities from the previous day. He reached into his satchel and pulled out the five Pok¨¦ball shells, handing one to each of his friends while he studied the other three. "This is what I got up to," Ishi said, a hint of disappointment threading his voice as he watched their reactions. Senpei and Ivy examined the shells closely, their expressions turning to frowns. "This isn''t right," Senpei commented, turning the shell over in his hands. Ishi nodded, his face solemn. "Wooow what would i do without you, Mr captain feckin obvious over here!¡± that got a scowl from Senpei and a giggle from Ivy, but Ishi just continued ¡°I followed the instructions to the letter. The appearance is just as I wanted, but the core, the part that actually makes it a Pok¨¦ball, it just didn¡¯t work.¡± The trio sat in thoughtful silence for a moment, each pondering the problem. After a series of questions that only circled back to their initial confusion, Senpei shrugged. "There''s obviously something missing that Mr. Suru didn''t tell us during the demonstration." Ishi sighed, looking between his two friends. "Yes, but what is that thing? Any ideas?¡± Both shook their heads, their own curiosity piqued yet stumped. "Figured I''d ask anyway," Ishi continued, "Looks like I¡¯m going to have to ask Mrs. Tanoshi tomorrow and maybe go looking for Mr. Suru to try and get them to tell me."
Confirmed. Quest Created: You And Your Friends Have Come To The Correct Conclusion That The Sneaky Adults Of Your Village Have Hidden Something From You. Search And Find Both Mr. Suru And Mrs. Tanoshi And Have Them Tutor You!
Rewards: Completed Knowledge on Mr. Suru¡¯s Crafting Method, Knowledge of Pokemon Medicine.
Accept: Y/N
Reading through the new quest he realised that the quest had only been created after he and his friends had agreed on the same course of action. When he alone had come to this conclusion the System hadn¡¯t offered any kind of quest to him ¡®there must be some specific conditions that the system needs before it can create a quest for me, I¡¯ll need to keep this in mind and consider it later¡¯. He accepted the new quest and returned his focus to his friends. The mystery was still clearly hanging over them so Ishi tucked the shells back into his satchel. Shifting the mood, he asked brightly, "So, what are we going to do with the rest of the day then?¡± At that, Senpei''s eyes sparkled with mischief, and Ivy rolled her eyes, already anticipating the kind of trouble the boys might be plotting. Whatever the rest of the day held, it was clear they would make the most of their unexpected freedom, diving into whatever adventures or mischief lay ahead in the still recovering village. ***
Confirmed. Quest Completed: Your wonderful mother has decided to enlist your village''s kid genin to the cleanup crew. Help them with the task of boosting morale the way you do best!! ;)
Rewards: 50 Exp
Standing in a line, heads bowed in collective guilt, Ishi, Senpei, and Ivy faced their moment of reckoning. Before them, Mrs. Tanoshi and Shion, Ishi¡¯s mother, stood with hands on their hips, their expressions stern and tinged with disbelief. ¡°What made you think that was a good idea?¡± Mrs. Tanoshi¡¯s voice was sharp, cutting through the tense silence. She looked each of them in the eye, searching for an answer. When none came, her tone grew even more exasperated. ¡°Why on earth would you use Ninja signs to terrorise the cleanup class?¡± Her disappointment was palpable, and it hung heavy in the air. Beside her, his mothers glare was enough to make Ishi shrink back. At the mention of Ninja tricks, a stifled chuckle escaped both Senpei and Ishi, earning them another fierce glare aimed at them from Ivy, who was clearly not amused. Just then, his mum stepped forward and clipped Ishi¡¯s ears sharply. ¡°Hey!¡± he yelped, more from surprise than pain, but a quick look at his mother¡¯s face stopped any further protest. The vein throbbing on her forehead was a clear indicator of her barely contained annoyance. ¡°As punishment for what you¡¯ve done, you will all help remove the water from the paths, I want them Bone Dry¡± Mrs. Tanoshi declared, her voice brooking no argument, and the way she had said ¡®Bone dry¡¯ sent chillies down each of their spines. ¡°No Ninja tricks allowed - only your hands and a bucket for you three.¡± The trio groaned aloud but began shuffling down the path to gather their equipment, their mischief momentarily curbed by the gravity of their situation. The only solace for Ishi was the fact he had completed his quest. They passed a group of teenagers from the cleanup class, drying off with towels and picking mud from their hair, the comedic sight proved too much. Laughter bubbled up among Ishi, Senpei, and Ivy, despite the stern circumstances. ¡°Worth it,¡± Senpei whispered with a mischievous grin, earning a nod and a chuckle from Ishi. Ivy, however, was not quite so tickled. Grabbing both boys by the ear, she dragged them forward, her look stern. ¡°Come on, you two. Let¡¯s get this over with,¡± she scolded, though the corners of her mouth twitched, betraying her amusement. Their amusement faded when they reached the waterlogged paths, buckets in hand, ready to start their punishment. Despite the hard work ahead, the shared experience of getting into trouble - and now paying for it together - somehow brought them closer. Exhausted and still damp from the day¡¯s labours, Ishi crept back home, hoping to sneak upstairs for a quick rest before dinner. His plan, however, was quickly thwarted as he was promptly swept up under his dad¡¯s strong arm and plopped onto a chair in the kitchen. As Ishi tactfully avoided his parents'' gaze, looking off to the side, Haku and Shion exchanged a knowing look before turning their narrowed eyes back to their son. "What do you have to say for yourself?" Haku asked, his tone stern yet tinged with a hint of curiosity about his son''s misadventures. Ishi sighed, a sheepish grin spreading across his face despite the gravity of the situation. "It was really funny - you should have seen the aftermath. They thought a freak weather event had occurred!" His voice carried a note of pride for the chaos he¡¯d conjured, but it faltered as he remembered the consequences. "If only Senpei hadn''t been so loud in his laughter, we would never have been caught," he grumbled. Both parents raised an eyebrow at that, and while Ishi was busy studying his now extremely interesting fingernails, he missed the amused glance they shared over his head. Clearing his throat to regain a semblance of parental composure, Haku responded, "That may be, but the lessons your mother was trying to teach the class have gone to waste. They had to go home to clean up, which slowed down the cleanup process considerably.¡± Ishi nodded, understanding the impact of his actions. ¡°I promise not to do it again,¡± he said sincerely, the weight of the day¡¯s events settling on him. Just then, Shion stepped forward and clipped him gently behind the ear - a definite reminder of her love¡­ yeah that''s what it was, he definitely didn¡¯t feel any hostility coming from her whatsoever... "Go on up to your room, Ishi. We''ll call you down for dinner in a little while." Relieved to be dismissed and grateful that the repercussions weren¡¯t harsher, Ishi scampered up to his room. Lying on his bed, he couldn¡¯t help but think about the day. It had been fun, yes, but it had also been a lesson in responsibility. As he lay there, waiting to be called to dinner, he pondered the fine line between mischief and disruption. All things considered, Ishi thought it could have gone a lot worse. Contented with the outcome and the chance to reflect, he waited quietly, the events of the day slowly turning over in his mind. Chapter 6 Ishi''s internal alarm clock had him stirring before dawn, the quiet of the house wrapping around him like a familiar blanket. Determined to make amends for yesterday¡¯s mischief, he slipped out of bed and into his ninja outfit, the fabric feeling like a second skin after so many years of wear and adventure. He headed downstairs to the heart of his home, the kitchen, with it still only dimly lit only by the light of the sun''s early peeking over the horizon, and filtering through the windows. Ishi moved around the kitchen with ease, preparing breakfast as head the day before only as an apology this time as opposed to a thank you, with careful attention to each of his family¡¯s preferences. By the time the aroma of cooking filled the air, everything was nearly ready. As he was finishing up making his own breakfast he chose this time to check his status as over the past few days he had completed a few minor quests and he could almost feel his stats on the brink of rising.
Name: Will Ranger/Ishi Sukauto
Level: 3 350/400 Exp
Class: N/A
Sub-Class: N/A
Strength: 5
Dexterity: 8
Constitution: 3
Aura: N/A
Mana: N/A
Abilities: Appraisal - Multilingual
Available Points: 9
He sat down to eat and mulled over the implication that he was only 50 Exp away from the next level, ¡®I just need to complete even one of my current quests to level up, wonder which one I should focus on¡¯ tapping the table as he thought and came to the conclusion that the one that would be the most beneficial would be Mrs. Tanoshi and Mr. Suru¡¯s tutorship. Both of them had wealths of knowledge he would need to fulfil his dream, as well as the fact that the knowledge Mr Suru had would be the key to unlocking his aura. Coming out of his thoughts he heard the familiar barely audible creak of the stairs and looked up to see his parents descending. The surprise on their faces, with this being the second day in a row they had their breakfast made for them by their son, quickly turned to smiles at the sight laid out before them. ¡°I love you,¡± Ishi chirped brightly, his way of saying sorry without the words. Haku chuckled as he ruffled Ishi''s hair, teasing, ¡°You¡¯re such a suck up.¡± Pouting just a bit for effect, Ishi continued eating, but his mind was already on the next part of his plan. Once breakfast was finished, he darted upstairs to grab the failed Pok¨¦ball shells from his room. Holding them in his hand, he returned to the kitchen, where his parents were still enjoying their morning coffee. ¡°Mum, Dad,¡± he started, a bit hesitant, ¡°do you think it would be a good idea for me to ask Mrs. Tanoshi and Mr. Suru for tutelage on the Pok¨¦ball problem?¡± Both Shion and Haku exchanged a look before smiling warmly at him. ¡°Yes, that sounds like a very good idea,¡± Shion encouraged, her voice soft yet earnest. ¡°And we¡¯re proud of you for asking for help,¡± Haku added, his pride evident. The praise made Ishi blush, and he quickly changed the subject. ¡°Okay, I better get going then,¡± he said, rushing toward the door as laughter followed him out. He ignored it, his heart light and his steps quick as he made his way towards the school. On the path, he met up with Ivy and Senpei, who, to his surprise, were actually on time. Ishi briefly wondered if his early start had somehow influenced their punctuality, but he dismissed the thought with a shake of his head. It was surely a coincidence. He was far too responsible to be the cause of their usual tardiness. The walk through the village to school was a quiet one, with each step taking them closer to the inevitable confrontation with Mrs. Tanoshi. As Ishi, Senpei, and Ivy entered the classroom, they braced themselves for the cold stares they were sure to receive. Mrs. Tanoshi did not disappoint, her gaze sharp enough to cut brick and even had Senpei wince slightly. However, as the class began, the familiar rhythms of lessons and learning gradually softened Mrs. Tanoshi''s demeanour. Ishi and his friends threw themselves into their studies with added zest, perhaps as a way to make amends for their previous mischief. They volunteered to read aloud, helped distribute materials for activities, and were particularly active in discussions, answering questions with an eagerness that was hard to ignore. Ishi, always curious and keen to understand the world, engaged fully with the lesson content, answering any questions Mrs. Tanoshi posed with thoughtful insights. His hands shot up so often to answer questions or to volunteer assistance that even Mrs. Tanoshi¡¯s stern features softened into what could almost be described as a smile. By the end of the class, the normal classroom dynamics seemed restored. Mrs. Tanoshi¡¯s initial frostiness had thawed considerably, replaced by the usual, more neutral expectation of diligent work and respectful behaviour. As the bell rang signalling the end of the school day, most students hurriedly packed their bags, eager to enjoy their freedom. Ishi, however, lingered behind, gathering his courage just as he had done on the day Mr. Suru had visited. He approached Mrs. Tanoshi¡¯s desk slowly, rehearsing his questions in his mind. ¡°Mrs. Tanoshi,¡± he began, his voice steady but showing a hint of nervousness, ¡°Can I ask you something about making Pok¨¦balls? I¡¯ve tried to make some based on Mr. Suru¡¯s instructions, but... something¡¯s not working.¡± Mrs. Tanoshi looked up from her papers, her expression turning inquisitive. ¡°I see. And what exactly seems to be the problem?¡± Ishi pulled out the shells from his bag, displaying them on her desk. ¡°They look right on the outside, but they don¡¯t function. They¡¯re just... shells. I think I¡¯m missing something important, something not in the instructions.¡± If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Observing the shells and then Ishi¡¯s earnest face, Mrs. Tanoshi¡¯s demeanour softened further. ¡°I¡¯m glad you came to me,¡± she said, pushing her glasses up her nose. ¡°Making a functioning Pok¨¦ball isn¡¯t just about following physical instructions. There¡¯s an element of channelling energy, something that isn¡¯t easily conveyed through words. It¡¯s something that must be taught directly.¡± Ishi listened intently, his earlier discouragement morphing into a focused interest. ¡°Could you teach me?¡± he asked, hopeful. Mrs. Tanoshi considered him for a moment, then nodded. ¡°Yes, I think we can arrange some extra lessons especially if you show these too Mr. Suru. You¡¯ve shown a lot of initiative, Ishi. It¡¯s important to guide that properly.¡± Feeling a surge of relief and excitement, Ishi thanked her profusely before finally packing up his things to leave, a smile spreading across his face. In the quiet of the now empty classroom, Ishi and Mrs. Tanoshi discussed the details of their upcoming tutoring sessions. The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow that seemed to underscore the importance of the moment.
Confirmed. Quest Progression: You And Your Friends Have Come To The Correct Conclusion That The Sneaky Adults Of Your Village Have Hidden Something From You. Search And Find Both Mr. Suru And Mrs. Tanoshi And Have Them Tutor You!
Progress: 50%
¡°So, we¡¯ll meet every other day after school for the sessions,¡± Mrs. Tanoshi explained, her tone serious but encouraging. ¡°This arrangement will, of course, depend on you staying out of trouble and showing a genuine eagerness to learn. Do you think you can manage that, Ishi?¡± Ishi¡¯s response was immediate and enthusiastic, his face lighting up with a beaming smile. ¡°Yes, Mrs. Tanoshi! I¡¯ll do my best. I really want to learn how to make a working Pok¨¦ball, but I''m also eager to learn pokemon medicine and even medicine in general if you could tutor me in that as well.¡± Mrs. Tanoshi nodded, pleased with his commitment. ¡°Good. Run along then, and we¡¯ll begin after school tomorrow. Please let your parents know about our arrangement.¡± ¡°Will do! Thank you so much!¡± Ishi said, his gratitude evident. With a respectful bow, he turned and left the classroom, his steps quickening with excitement as he thought about sharing the news with his friends. Outside, the school grounds were bustling with students enjoying the last few moments before heading home. Ishi scanned the crowd and soon spotted Senpei and Ivy waiting for him by the school gates, their expressions curious. ¡°Hey, guys!¡± Ishi called out, rushing over. Their heads turned, and they immediately noticed the excitement in his stride. ¡°What happened? What did Mrs. Tanoshi say?¡± Ivy asked, her voice full of anticipation. Ishi couldn¡¯t hide his grin. ¡°She agreed to tutor me! We¡¯re going to have sessions every other day after school to work on making a real Pok¨¦ball and she also said she¡¯d give me a few lessons on Pokemon medicine. I just have to stay out of trouble and be really eager to learn, which won¡¯t be hard!¡± Senpei slapped him on the back, laughing. ¡°That¡¯s awesome, Ishi! But staying out of trouble? That might be your biggest challenge yet!¡± Ivy elbowed Senpei playfully. ¡°Don¡¯t jinx it! This is a big deal. Congratulations, Ishi! We knew you could do it.¡± As the trio walked away from the school, chatting excitedly about the future, Ishi felt more determined than ever. *** Within the dimly lit chamber where the village elders gathered, Haku stood respectfully before Chief Hanzo, his posture firm yet deferential. The atmosphere was heavy with tradition and the weight of many decisions that had shaped their community through the years. "Chief Hanzo, esteemed elders," Haku began, his voice steady despite the sea of sceptical faces before him. "I come before you today to discuss a matter concerning my son, Ishi.¡± Murmurs filled the room, a mix of curiosity and doubt. Haku continued, undeterred. "Ishi has embarked on a project to craft his own Pok¨¦ball, a feat he believes will demonstrate his readiness to interact with his very own partner Pok¨¦mon, even at his young age." A round of scoffs rippled through the chamber, scepticism evident in the dismissive shakes of heads. However, Chief Hanzo, seated at the head of the table, remained silent, his expression thoughtful. "The rules are in place not only because of tradition but also because of safety," Hanzo finally spoke, his voice carrying a calm authority that quieted the room. Nods of agreement followed his statement, the principle of safety resonating with everyone present. Haku nodded in acknowledgment. "Yes, Chief. Safety is paramount. However, it seems that Ishi is on a path to becoming a great Ninja. If - and only if - he is able to create a working Pok¨¦ball, one that is uniquely his own, and proves without a doubt that he made it, might there be a consideration for him to interact with his very own Pok¨¦mon under supervision?¡± The chamber fell silent, the elders looking to Hanzo for guidance. After a moment, the Chief let out a thoughtful "hmm," the sound seeming to weigh the potential risks and benefits. "If your son can meet these conditions, prove his capability and responsibility, I will permit him to interact with more Pok¨¦mon only under strict supervision, but he will still only be allowed his own partner the same age as the rest of his class" Hanzo decided, his decision clear and firm. "This is to ensure the boy''s safety and to maintain the integrity of our traditions.¡± Relief and gratitude washed over Haku, he knew that this was as good as he would get with Ishi not having proved himself fully to the elders yet. He bowed deeply, his respect for the chief and the traditions of their village evident. "Thank you, Chief Hanzo, esteemed elders. I assure you, Ishi will understand the seriousness of this opportunity and the conditions attached to it." With his part in the meeting concluded, Haku left the chamber, his heart lighter than when he had entered. As he made his way home through the quiet village paths, lit by the soft glow of lanterns, he rehearsed in his mind how he would share this news with Ishi. The challenge was great, but he knew his son¡¯s determination and creativity would likely rise to meet it. Arriving home, he found Ishi eagerly awaiting any news. Seeing his son¡¯s expectant face, Haku couldn¡¯t help but smile broadly as he relayed the Chief¡¯s conditions and his permission. Ishi¡¯s reaction was everything he hoped for - excitement, determination, and a deep appreciation of the trust being placed in him. *** Ishi¡¯s eyes lit up with a mixture of surprise and delight as his father relayed the news from Chief Hanzo. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he rushed forward, throwing his arms around his dad in a tight hug. ¡°Thank you, Dad! Thank you!¡± he exclaimed, his voice muffled against Haku¡¯s shirt. Haku chuckled, returning the hug with equal warmth. ¡°It¡¯s all you, Ishi. You¡¯ve earned this chance. Just remember, it comes with big responsibilities.¡±
Confirmed. Quest Created: You Have An Extremely Loving Father Who Has Convinced The Chief Of The Village To Bend The Rules Slightly Just For You. Take Advantage Of This As Much As You¡¯re Able!
Rewards: 20 Exp Per New Pokemon Appraised Within The Village!
Accept: Y/N
Pulling back, Ishi nodded seriously, fully aware of the weight of the opportunity. ¡°I know, Dad. I won¡¯t let you or Chief Hanzo down.¡± His mind raced with the possibilities now open to him especially with the quest that had popped up in front of him. It wasn¡¯t a complete game changer though as Ishi had gone around the village when he was younger, using appraisal on anything and everything including Pokemon, so there wasn¡¯t likely many new pokemon within the village he was unable to appraise. He still accepted it as every little bit helps¡­ ¡®Heh references¡¯. He then remembered his own news he was yet to share. ¡°Oh! Mrs. Tanoshi is going to give me extra tutoring sessions after school to help with making the Pok¨¦ball and pokemon medicine¡± he added the last part with less eagerness than the first part but still excited as he was able to see his father¡¯s reaction. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful news!¡± Haku beamed, genuinely pleased. ¡°It sounds like you¡¯re putting in the effort needed to meet this challenge at every angle you can, very ninja-like of you.¡± With pride and excitement filling the room, Ishi and his dad joined Shion at the dinner table where she had prepared a meal that filled the kitchen with inviting aromas. As they settled in to eat, the conversation flowed easily, filled with Ishi¡¯s plans and the support of his parents. ¡°So, when do these sessions start?¡± Shion asked, passing Ishi a dish of his favourite food. ¡°Tomorrow after school,¡± Ishi replied, his enthusiasm barely contained. ¡°And I can¡¯t wait to learn what I¡¯ve been missing and actually make a working Pok¨¦ball from Mr. Suru, I¡¯m gonna track him down and have him tutor me as well!¡± Haku exchanged a smile with Shion. ¡°Just remember to balance your studies and your ninja training too,¡± he advised, though his tone was light and teasing. ¡°I will, Dad. I¡¯ll manage everything, don¡¯t worry,¡± Ishi assured him, though he knew the challenge would be steep. Dinner continued with more light banter, the family enjoying this rare moment of collective relief and anticipation. After the meal, Ishi helped clear the table quickly, eager to get upstairs and prepare for the next day, his mind buzzing with the tasks ahead. ¡°Don¡¯t stay up too late!¡± Shion called after him as he took two stairs at a time. ¡°I won¡¯t!¡± Ishi called back, though they all knew he was too excited to think about sleep just yet. Once in his room, Ishi tried to settle down for bed, his thoughts racing. The possibility of interacting with Pok¨¦mon, crafting his own Pok¨¦ball, and learning directly from both Mrs. Tanoshi and Mr. Suru all swirled in his mind, blending into dreams of what might come as he finally drifted off to sleep. Chapter 7 Weeks of dedication go by. Ishi completed his Quest to have both tutor him in their respective fields, it hadn¡¯t been easy locating Mr. Suru in the days following his first tutor session with Mrs. Tanashi but he¡¯d eventually wrangled the information out of her and once he showed him his failed Pokeballs Mr. Suru had readily taken him on. Though as he¡¯d found out the rewards for the quest didn¡¯t immediately just implant all of their knowledge into his head as he¡¯d expected but had given him an affinity for learning and understanding anything they taught him only after a rudimentary explanation. The guidance from his sensei¡¯s, and relentless practice, had led to this moment in the quiet classroom. The air was thick with concentration when the click of a perfectly sealed Pok¨¦ball echoed through the room. Ishi, who had been holding his breath in anticipation, finally let out a whoop of delight, leaping from his seat.
Confirmed. Quest Progression: The Materials have been Collected By Your Loving Mother, Put these Materials to good use!
Progress: Pokeballs Made - 1
Rewards: 100 Exp Per Created Pokeball, Unlocking Of The Aura Stat.
Received! Unlocking The Special Stat Aura Has Been Accomplished, A Special Bonus Stat Point Has Been Awarded To All Stats!
Congratulations!! You Are Now Level 4!!
He danced around the room, unable to contain his joy. As the number of notifications and the additional stats flashed across his vision and made his body feel slightly lighter "I did it! I actually did it!" His voice was a mixture of triumph and disbelief. Both his Sensei¡¯s were present, standing by the side with wide smiles, Mrs. Tanoshi began clapping, "Congratulations, Ishi," she said warmly. "You''ve really surprised me. Only a few weeks into this and you''ve already made a fully functional Pok¨¦ball." this eared a grunt of assent from Mr. Suru who had proven to be a man of few words ever since beginning to teach Ishi, preferring to show him and have him learn by observing. Although she had kept her tone measured, internally she was astounded. ¡®Ishi, your talent is astounding,¡¯ she thought, watching him celebrate. But she chose to keep these words to herself, knowing that the journey of learning was far from over and wanting to keep Ishi focused and humble. Gradually, Ishi''s exuberance settled, and he returned to his desk to take a closer look at his creation. The Pok¨¦ball sat there, in all its splendour. The top half was a deep dark blue, vivid like the colour of his hair, he had chosen to use a Blue Apricorn and Tumblestone for the exterior. It was to symbolise his personal touch and identity, also as this was his first Pokeball he was definitely going to use it on his starter and he hoped it would match. The bottom half was a stark, polished black, adorned with circles of white spaced out evenly, giving it a distinctive, stylish flair. The overall effect was striking - uniquely Ishi, yet unmistakably a tool of a skilled and knowledgeable trainer. His eyes sparkled with stars as he picked up the Pok¨¦ball, turning it over in his hands reverently. "Sensei, may I...?" Ishi began, hesitantly, not wanting to break the spell of the moment yet eager to move forward with his next steps. "Of course, Ishi," she nodded, understanding his request. "You may go ahead." With a grateful smile, Ishi clutched the Pok¨¦ball tightly. He then activated his Ninja Flicker Step, disappearing from sight in an instant, leaving behind a slight rush of air and a very impressed teacher. *** Mrs. Tanoshi watched the space where Ishi had been moments before, her thoughts filled with admiration. "What monstrous talent," she mused quietly, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she pondered the potential of her young student. "Truly, he is one to watch.¡± ¡°Agreed¡± the gruff voice of Mr. Suru spoke beside her, still staring at the desk where he¡¯d witnessed something he thought was impossible. ¡®Was that aura I felt from him? But how he definitely didn¡¯t have it before, I would have noticed for sure¡­ I can¡¯t be getting that old.. Hmph!¡¯ shaking the thoughts from his head he took his leave. *** Outside, Ishi raced towards his usual meeting spot with Senpei and Ivy, eager to share his success and the tangible result of his hard work. His heart raced as fast as his feet, the thrill of achievement and the excitement of what lay ahead fueling his every step. While on his way he reviewed the notifications that had popped up when he¡¯d finally completed his first Pokeball.
Congratulations!! You Are Now Level 4!!
It had been a long time coming, weeks of effort for this notification, the extra stats he had felt getting added to his bodies physique were welcome as he was feeling like he had begun stagnating a little as it had been over five years since he had gotten the system but at last things were ramping up. This feeling increased with the next notification.
Progress: Pokeballs Made - 1
This confirmed for him that he would receive 100 Exp per pokeball he made, which as he was now starved for ways to earn this experience was a welcome addition to his schedule as he would be able to continuously level up. Although this was a short term solution as he had noticed that the experience per level was seemingly doubling per level. Now as he ran he checked what was possibly the biggest notification he would receive in his Champion¡¯s System career.
Received! Unlocking The Special Stat Aura Has Been Accomplished, A Special Bonus Stat Point Has Been Awarded To All Stats!
His eyes suddenly misted a little for some weird unknown reason and with a quick wipe was able to remove whatever had irritated them so suddenly. The implications of this notification stood for themselves. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Heart still pounding with excitement, Ishi darted through the familiar paths of the village, the Pok¨¦ball secure in his satchel. He approached the usual meeting spot, and he could already see Senpei and Ivy waiting for him. They were chatting idly, but their conversation paused as they noticed Ishi''s approach, his face alight with an unmistakable glow of triumph. "Hey, you guys won''t believe what I''ve got!" Ishi exclaimed the moment he was within earshot, barely containing his enthusiasm. Senpei raised an eyebrow, grinning. "What did you do this time, invent a new type of berry?" an inside joke that had both Ishi and Ivy rolling their eyes. "No, better!" Ishi reached into his pocket and pulled out the Pok¨¦ball, holding it up for them to see. The light blue and black design sparkled under the sun, drawing a collective gasp from his friends. Ivy stepped closer, her eyes wide with admiration. "Ishi, you made that? It looks... it looks professional!¡± "Yeah, my senseis helped me and taught me what I was missing. And today, I finally did it! It works and everything!" Ishi''s voice was filled with pride. ¡°Though of course I haven¡¯t tested it with the whole ceremony tradition deal.¡± Senpei clapped him on the back, laughing. "Man, that''s awesome! So, what are you going to do with it? Have you thought about sneakilly catching your first Pok¨¦mon?" Ishi shrugged, a playful spark in his eye. "Maybe. But first, I thought we could head to the hay fields, train a bit, and just hang out. You know, celebrate a little.¡± With no hesitation, the trio set off towards the outskirts of town, where the vast hay fields lay under the open sky. The fields were their haven, a place where they could train their ninja skills, discuss their dreams, and now, celebrate Ishi''s achievements. As they walked, Ishi explained more about the crafting process and the critical insight his sensei¡¯s had provided. The conversation then drifted to what types of Pok¨¦mon each of them would like to encounter someday, their chatter blending with the sounds of the village fading behind them. Reaching their spot, a clearing surrounded by tall stalks of hay that swayed gently in the breeze, they set down their things. Ishi took a moment to activate the Pok¨¦ball, demonstrating its functionality. The device opened and closed smoothly, its internal mechanisms working flawlessly. "Okay, now for some fun," Ishi declared, setting the Pok¨¦ball aside for the moment. The friends spent the next few hours practising their Ninja tricks, play-fighting, and attempting new acrobatic tricks they''d seen older ninjas perform. As the sun began to dip towards the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, they lay back in the hay, catching their breath. Laughter and light-hearted teasing echoed around them, the bonds of their friendship strengthened by another shared adventure.
Confirmed. Quest Progression: You have been born into the Ninja Village, Learn And Master All Ninja Nature Tricks!
Rewards: 50 Exp Per Learned Trick, 1000 Exp per Mastery, Sub-Class (One-With-Nature).
Progress: Ninja Water Spout - 15% Ninja Flicker Step - 13% Ninja Dust Storm - 9% Ninja Wind Rush - 12% Ninja Fire Ball - 11% Ninja Body Switch - 8% Ninja Leaf Shroud - 11%
Ishi dismissed the notification, "I''m really lucky to have you guys," Ishi said sincerely, watching a particularly bright star begin to twinkle in the evening sky. "Right back at you," Ivy smiled, and Senpei nodded in agreement, the trio content in their camaraderie. As Ishi, Senpei, and Ivy parted ways at the edge of the hay fields, Ishi''s steps slowed, allowing him to savour the cool evening air that settled over Ninja Village. His mind, ever active, drifted towards the future, particularly to the coming of age ceremony that lay a few years ahead. It was a significant milestone for every young ninja, marking the moment they received their first Pok¨¦mon partner - a companion to aid in their continued growth both as a ninja and as a person - and were given the rank of Kid Genin by the village Chief. The path home was bathed in the gentle glow of lanterns hanging from the eaves of neatly thatched houses. Their soft light cast a warm, golden hue over the cobblestones, making the shadows dance lightly around his feet. The Ninja Village was serene at night, its beauty quiet and undisturbed, a stark contrast to the lively training and playful mischief of the day. Ishi''s heart swelled with pride and affection for his home, a place steeped in tradition yet brimming with the quiet promise of future adventures. As he walked, Ishi imagined the Pok¨¦mon that he was thinking of as his starter during his ceremony. His mind had conjured images of various Pok¨¦mon over the years, each with unique abilities and temperaments. Would he bond with a Pok¨¦mon that mirrored his energy and enthusiasm, or one that complemented his deeper, more thoughtful side? The possibilities seemed as vast as the star-filled sky above him. Ishi¡¯s anticipation grew with every step towards home. He couldn''t wait to burst through the door and share his success with his parents - the fully functional Pok¨¦ball, his progress with the sensei¡¯s as he called them, and his dreams for the future. He knew they would share in his excitement and offer their wisdom and support for the steps he planned to take next. He turned onto the street where he lived, the familiar outline of his house coming into view, its windows aglow with welcoming light. Tonight, he had much to celebrate and even more to look forward to. Finally reaching his doorstep, Ishi paused, taking a deep breath to steady his yet again bubbling excitement. He pushed the door open, stepping into the light and the waiting arms of his family. The warm light of the kitchen enveloped Ishi as he burst through the door, his face alight with excitement and triumph. His parents, already sensing his ebullient mood, turned to greet him with expectant smiles. ¡°Mom, Dad, I did it!¡± Ishi exclaimed, barely able to contain his excitement. ¡°I made a fully functional Pok¨¦ball!¡± He quickly pulled the beautifully crafted ball from his satchel and presented it for their inspection. Shion and Haku exchanged a look of pride and joy, their eyes reflecting the gleam of success in the Pok¨¦ball Ishi held out. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful, Ishi!¡± his mum cried, her voice warm with pride. Haku nodded approvingly, his eyes studying the craftsmanship. ¡°This is excellent work, Ishi. Clearly, you¡¯ve learned a lot from your sessions with the senseis.¡± Riding the wave of his success, Ishi then shared his next ambitious plan. ¡°There¡¯s more,¡± he began, his voice brimming with determination. ¡°I want to go in front of Chief Hanzo and the elders to prove that I¡¯m worthy of interacting with Pok¨¦mon. If I can show them this Pok¨¦ball, maybe they¡¯ll set up a system where I can have access to them more officially. And let me get my starter pokemon a few years in advance.¡± Haku raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the proposal. ¡°That¡¯s a big step, Ishi. It sounds like you¡¯ve really thought this through, although I have to say you¡¯ll likely be disappointed.¡± ¡°Yes, I have. And I want to keep making and crafting Pok¨¦balls. I¡¯m even thinking of making one for Ivy and Senpei as gifts, but I really just want to meet my future friend and family as soon as possible ya know,¡± Ishi added, his thoughts already racing ahead to future creations. Shion¡¯s smile broadened. ¡°That¡¯s very generous of you, Ishi. It shows responsibility and gratitude - qualities that will serve you well in front of the elders. Although that bit of selfishness probably won¡¯t go over as well, best not mention that part to them.¡± The family spent the rest of the evening discussing strategies for presenting Ishi¡¯s case to the village leaders. They agreed on a day to approach Chief Hanzo, and Haku offered to speak to some of the elders beforehand to gauge their openness to the idea. The delicious aroma of dinner filled the cosy kitchen. Ishi and his parents gathered around the table. The evening¡¯s earlier excitement had given way to a warm, jovial atmosphere as they settled in for their meal. ¡°So, Ishi,¡± Haku began with a twinkle in his eye, ¡°now that you¡¯re becoming such an expert Pok¨¦ball craftsman, does this mean you¡¯ll be too busy to help with the dishes?¡± Ishi grinned, playing along. ¡°Hmm, I might have to consult my busy schedule,¡± he teased, making a show of pondering his burgeoning responsibilities. Shion laughed, passing Ishi a serving dish. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure you can squeeze in some chores between your crafting sessions. After all, a true ninja knows how to balance all his duties.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Ishi retorted, his eyes bright with amusement. ¡°Plus, crafting more Pok¨¦balls means more practice. Maybe I should start taking special orders. What do you think, Dad? Want one in your favourite colour?¡± Haku chuckled, serving himself. ¡°Only if you can make one that cooks dinner so your mom can take a break now and then.¡± Shion playfully swatted at Haku with her napkin. ¡°Oh, stop it. As if I¡¯d trust a Pok¨¦ball with my kitchen. But seriously, Ishi, we¡¯re really proud of how much you¡¯ve learned and grown. Just remember, being great at something also means being responsible with it.¡± The conversation flowed easily, with gentle teasing and laughter mingling with the clink of dishes and the sizzle from the stove. Ishi shared more about his plans and what he hoped to achieve in the coming weeks, his parents listening intently, offering advice, and occasionally marvelling at their son¡¯s ambitions. Finally, as the meal came to an end and they began clearing the table together, Ishi felt a profound sense of gratitude. The support and love of his family not only fortified him but also reminded him that no matter the challenges ahead, he wouldn¡¯t face them alone. ¡°Thanks Mum, Dad,¡± Ishi said sincerely as he stacked the last of the dishes by the sink. ¡°For everything.¡± Haku ruffled Ishi¡¯s hair affectionately. ¡°It¡¯s what a family of Ninjas do. We support each other.¡± ¡°And we couldn¡¯t be prouder of you, Ishi,¡± Shion added, giving him a warm hug. ¡°Now, off to bed. Big day tomorrow!¡± With a final laugh and a goodnight hug, Ishi headed upstairs, the echoes of his family¡¯s encouragement and laughter accompanying him as he prepared for bed. Chapter 8 The morning air was crisp, tinged with the anticipation of the pivotal day ahead. Ishi awoke earlier than usual, his mind buzzing with the thoughts of what was to come. Today wasn¡¯t a typical day at school; instead, it marked the first step toward realising a dream that had been brewing ever since he had crafted his first functional Pok¨¦ball. Clad in his ninja garb, which seemed to feel more official this morning, Ishi checked his appearance in the mirror. His outfit was meticulously arranged, the fabric smooth and the seams perfectly aligned, befitting the gravity of the day. He patted the pocket where his newly crafted Pok¨¦ball was safely tucked away, its presence reassuring against his side. Descending the stairs, Ishi found his father, Haku, already in the kitchen, preparing a light breakfast. The usually casual morning atmosphere was replaced by a sense of purpose and slight tension. Haku looked up and offered a reassuring smile as Ishi entered. ¡°Good morning, Ishi. Ready for the big day?¡± Haku asked, placing a plate of steamed rice and a few slices of fruit on the table. ¡°Yeah, I think so,¡± Ishi responded, trying to keep his voice steady despite the nerves. ¡°It feels different from going to school, doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°It certainly does,¡± Haku agreed, sitting down across from him. ¡°But you¡¯re prepared. Just remember to speak clearly and confidently. Show the elders the same dedication and passion you¡¯ve shown at home and during your sessions with Mrs. Tanoshi.¡± Ishi nodded, taking a few bites of his breakfast, though he found he wasn¡¯t as hungry as usual. The excitement mingled with nerves made it hard to focus on eating. After a few moments of silent eating, Haku stood up, collecting the dishes, and Ishi checked the quest that had appeared a few days prior after his father had told him about the meeting he had set up for him with the elders and chief of the village.
Confirmed. Quest Created: Your Adoring Father Has Put A Lot Of Faith In Your Abilities. Make Sure To Prove Him Right And Gain The Respect And Permission You Desire From The Chief!
Rewards: 20 Exp Per Elder You Convince, 50 Exp If Given Permission Directly From The Chief.
He had of course accepted it and began preparing his reasoning and playing how the interaction could go in his head. Now that he had unlocked the aura stat he believed he had another hidden card to play but he still wanted to keep this card close to his chest just in case. Another reason for this is he had been unable to practise and see its uses at all since unlocking it. ¡®The Exp isn¡¯t bad either so win win¡¯ he thought with an internal shrug. ¡°Let¡¯s not linger too long. We want to be on time and ready to present your case to Chief Hanzo and the council,¡± Haku said, washing the plates quickly. ¡°Make sure you have everything you need.¡± Ishi patted his satchel again, feeling the contours of the Pok¨¦ball. ¡°Got it right here,¡± he said, his hand resting over his side where the Pok¨¦ball lay safely stored. They left together, after a quick call over each of their shoulders to his mum about being off and seeing her later, father and son walking side by side through the quiet streets of Ninja Village. The village was just waking up, with the soft light of dawn casting long shadows on the path ahead. As they walked, Haku offered last-minute advice, mostly reminders to keep calm and to be articulate about his achievements and his aspirations. The path to the council chamber was familiar, yet it felt entirely new with the day''s purpose, he seemed to remember a few times early in his childhood when his dad had brought him to where he worked and introduced him to some of the elders. In Ishi¡¯s oh so humble opinion the gloomy old buggers could use a drink and to remove the obvious rods they¡¯d got stuck somewhere, but given he was a kid he had just acted all sweet and innocent. As the building came into view, Ishi felt a surge of determination. This was his moment to show not just his skill but his readiness to take on greater responsibilities. Reaching the entrance, Haku placed a hand on Ishi¡¯s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. ¡°You¡¯ve got this, Ishi.¡± With a deep breath, Ishi stepped forward, ready to make his case, his heart pounding with the promise of new beginnings. Haku gently pushed open the heavy wooden door to the council chamber, a hush fell over the room, drawing the attention of all present to the newcomers. Ishi stepped through the threshold behind his father, his heart thumping in his chest as he entered the solemn space. The eyes of Chief Hanzo and the gathered elders immediately fixed on him, their gazes sharp and assessing, scrutinising his every movement as he moved forward.
Confirmed. Quest Progression: Your Adoring Father Has Put A Lot Of Faith In Your Abilities. Make Sure To Prove Him Right And Gain The Respect And Permission You Desire From The Chief!
Progress: Chief - 2% Number of Elders Convinced - 0
Ishi''s eyes briefly wandered around the room, ignoring the messages that had popped up in front of him, taking in the setting that reminded him starkly of a Japanese-style dojo from his previous world. The chamber was spacious and austere, with polished wooden floors that gleamed under the soft lighting from overhead lanterns. The walls were adorned with scrolls and weapons, each item telling a story of the village¡¯s rich history and traditions. At the far end of the room, a raised platform held a long, low table where the chief and the elders sat kneeling, their seating arrangement reflecting their hierarchical status within the council. ¡®Three on each side, so six elders and the Chief¡¯ looking over each one he zeroed in on their facial expressions noting that more than one was showing at least polite interest while others were completely neutral or indifferent, as if this meeting was unnecessary. ¡®Hmm seems doable¡¯ he thought with an internal nod. Turning his attention back to the centre, Ishi and his father approached the chief, stopping a respectful distance away. Together, they bowed their heads deeply, showing their deference to the council''s authority and the seriousness with which they approached the meeting. As they straightened up, Haku began the introductions. "Honourable Chief Hanzo, esteemed elders, thank you for granting us this audience today. I am here with my son, Ishi, who seeks your permission to advance his training and interactions with Pok¨¦mon, based on his achievements and capabilities.¡± At his father¡¯s cue, Ishi nodded firmly towards Chief Hanzo, his expression composed despite the nerves fluttering in his stomach. A brief flicker of amusement crossed the chief¡¯s stern features at Ishi''s solemn nod, softening the tense atmosphere slightly. With the introductions complete, the meeting formally began. Chief Hanzo leaned forward, steepling his fingers and addressing Ishi directly. "Ishi, we have heard much about your recent accomplishments from your father. Today, we are here to listen to you. Tell us about what you have learned, and show us what you have created.¡± Drawing a deep breath, Ishi reached into his satchel to retrieve his meticulously crafted Pok¨¦ball. Stepping forward, he prepared to present not only his creation but also the dedication and passion that had driven him to this point. This was his moment to shine. Ishi stood somewhat nervously before the council, his small hands clutching the Pok¨¦ball. Chief Hanzo leaned forward, giving him a gentle, encouraging smile to help ease his nervousness. "So, Ishi," Chief Hanzo began, his voice kind yet clear, "can you tell us about making your Pok¨¦ball?¡± Ishi nodded eagerly, taking a deep breath, his voice bright with excitement. "I tried lots and lots of times. First ones didn¡¯t work. They were just shells," he explained, holding up the Pok¨¦ball slightly so they could see. ¡®Arceus I can¡¯t wait to grow up a little more and begin acting my actual mental age instead of this facade¡¯. He cringed at himself but didn¡¯t let his outward appearance change. "And how did you finally make one that works?" Chief Hanzo asked, genuinely curious about the young boy¡¯s process. "Mr. Suru helped me," Ishi said, looking towards his Pok¨¦ball with pride. "He showed me how to make it right. We worked after school. It was hard, but I did it!" He tried to let himself be viewed as humble to allow the elders see him as a good kid and not a rule or tradition breaker ¡®Every little bit helps with a snicker. The message in the corner of his eye showed his progress with his presentation was so far going well at least. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Progress: Chief - 37% Number of Elders Convinced - 2
Chief Hanzo nodded, impressed by the young boy¡¯s tenacity, and seemingly humble behaviour. "What did you do when it didn¡¯t work the first time? Clearly you kept trying but what was your reason for doing so in such a determined manner? You could have always continued by yourself or given up until you were taught firsthand in the Ninja Academy." Ishi thought for a moment, then answered, "I kept trying, because my goal is to be as versatile as I can be in all aspects available to me. I think it¡¯s gonna be my ninja path, oh and my friends and parents helped me feel better when I was sad. We played, and then I tried again!¡±. He had gotten a little serious to show some of the less convinced elders to see him in a different light ¡®Jeez it¡¯s like walking a tightrope to much weight one way and you fall off¡¯.
Progress: Chief - 79% Number of Elders - 3
The Chief smiled, his eyes twinkling. "That¡¯s very good, Ishi. And does your Pok¨¦ball work now?" "Yes!" Ishi replied enthusiastically. "I can show you if you want!" "That might not be necessary right now, Ishi," the Chief chuckled, appreciating Ishi''s readiness. "I believe you. It¡¯s clear you¡¯ve worked very hard. You should be proud.¡± "Thank you, sir!" Ishi said, a big grin spreading across his face. Chief Hanzo then turned to the other elders, speaking softly but firmly. "It seems young Ishi has indeed shown both dedication and learning. Perhaps it¡¯s time we considered his request more seriously.¡± As some of the elders murmured in agreement, Ishi¡¯s dad, Haku, placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, proud of his son¡¯s achievement and his courage in front of the council. The meeting continued with the elders discussing the possibilities, while Ishi waited patiently, his initial nervousness replaced by a growing sense of accomplishment and hope. The chamber was filled with the low murmur of the council as Chief Hanzo and the village elders deliberated Ishi¡¯s case. Each elder weighed in, their voices blending in a careful discussion of tradition, safety, and the remarkable exception they were considering. Finally, Chief Hanzo raised his hand, calling for silence. The room settled as all eyes turned to him, awaiting his decision. "It is clear to us that Ishi has shown exceptional dedication and skill for someone so young," he began, his voice resonant with authority and consideration. "However, we must balance this with our duty to ensure safety and uphold our traditions.¡± He paused, looking around at the other elders, who nodded their agreement. "Therefore, we will grant Ishi limited access to interact with Pok¨¦mon under controlled conditions. We will select a few of our calmer, more even-tempered Pok¨¦mon whose trainers will be present at all times. This is a unique arrangement, made in recognition of Ishi¡¯s potential and commitment." The room filled with a mixed response; most nods of approval, there was one murmur of dissent quickly quelled by looks from more senior members. Chief Hanzo continued, "This decision is made with the understanding that Ishi¡¯s interactions will be closely monitored, and any sign of issues will lead to an immediate reevaluation.¡±
Confirmed. Quest Completed: Your Adoring Father Has Put A Lot Of Faith In Your Abilities. Make Sure To Prove Him Right And Gain The Respect And Permission You Desire From The Chief!
Progress: Chief - 100% Number of Elders - 5
Rewards: (20 Exp ? 5) + 50 Exp
¡®Awsome, gimme all that Exp¡¯ His eyes sparkling as he dismissed the notification. The evil grin may or may not have appeared, if only for a brief moment, before he controlled himself again. Haku, standing beside Ishi, squeezed his shoulder gently, a silent expression of pride and gratitude towards the council. Ishi himself felt a thrill of excitement - his dream of interacting with Pok¨¦mon was finally becoming a reality. He understood the conditions and the responsibility that came with this privilege and was more than ready to agree. "Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!" Ishi piped up earnestly, his voice filled with joy and determination. "I promise I¡¯ll be very careful and listen to all the sensei¡¯s!" Chief Hanzo smiled at Ishi¡¯s enthusiasm. "We believe you will, Ishi. And we hope that this experience will continue to guide you towards becoming a responsible and skilled ninja and Pok¨¦mon trainer.¡± ¡®You can bet your ass all the Exp shall be mine!¡¯ Ishi thought with a pleasant smile plastered on his face. As the meeting concluded, Ishi and Haku thanked each elder personally, even the grumpy old coot who had disagreed with the decision, before leaving the chamber. Once outside, Ishi couldn¡¯t contain his excitement any longer. He jumped up and down, beaming up at his father. "I can¡¯t wait to meet them, Dad! I¡¯m going to learn so much!" Haku laughed, his heart light with joy for his son. "You sure will. Let¡¯s go home and tell your mother the good news." They walked home under the just, beginning to head on back towards the horizon, sun with the village peaceful but full of motion around them. Ishi¡¯s mind raced with the possibilities ahead, imagining all the Pok¨¦mon he would meet and the adventures that lay in store. This was just the beginning, and he was ready for whatever came next. As they approached their home, Ishi''s excitement was palpable; he practically bounced along the path, eager to share the news with his mother. The door had barely closed behind them when he rushed into the kitchen, where Shion was preparing dinner. ¡°Mum, Mum! Guess what?!¡± Ishi exclaimed, his face alight with enthusiasm. Shion looked up from her cooking, her eyes immediately catching the joy in her son''s expression. ¡°What is it, Ishi? Tell me!¡± ¡°They said yes!¡± Ishi blurted out, unable to contain his glee. ¡°Chief Hanzo and the elders - they agreed! I can meet and learn about Pok¨¦mon under supervision!¡± Shion¡¯s face broke into a wide smile, and she wiped her hands on her apron as she moved to embrace Ishi tightly. ¡°Oh, Ishi! That¡¯s wonderful news! I¡¯m so proud of you!¡± Haku joined in, wrapping his arms around both of them. ¡°He did great, Shion. Spoke like a true young ninja up there. The Chief was quite impressed.¡± The kitchen filled with laughter and excited chatter as Ishi recounted every detail of the meeting, from entering the council chamber to the elders¡¯ deliberations and Chief Hanzo¡¯s final decision. His parents listened intently, sharing his excitement and pride in every word. ¡°To celebrate,¡± Shion announced, turning back to the stove with renewed vigour, ¡°we¡¯ll have something special for dinner tonight . Your favourite, Ishi - grilled Magikarp with spicy berry sauce! Though you''ll have to wait for now and have a quick lunch and go about whatever you have planned till I have it all ready for this evening.¡± Ishi cheered, his earlier anticipation shifting to the upcoming meal and what it represented. As dinner was always a lively affair, filled with discussions about which Pok¨¦mon Ishi might get to meet first and how he would handle his interactions. His parents offered advice and shared their own experiences, ensuring Ishi felt supported and prepared for his new adventure. Ishi Had gotten used to the Idea of eating Pokemon in his years in this world, though at first he¡¯d found it wrong and disgusting after he¡¯d tried his first magikarp and the flavours in his being as divine as they were he had revised his opinion. He still found it weird that there were some regular animals from his old world like chickens, some livestock including sheeps and cows, even pigs, and even normal fish. How they survived in the wild was an absolute mystery for him but meh it didn¡¯t really affect him all that much so he didn¡¯t really question it. With an afternoon now free after he finished his lunch he headed up to his room to check out his rewards and finally get a feel for his new unlocked aura. The first thing he did was pull up his status window.
Name: Will Ranger/Ishi Sukauto
Level: 4 200/800 Exp
Class: N/A
Sub-Class: N/A
Strength: 6
Dexterity: 9
Constitution: 4
Aura: 1
Mana: N/A
Abilities: Appraisal - Multilingual
Available Points: 14
The boost in his stats when he had unlocked his aura stat had boosted them all by one and the numbers before him brought a smile to his face. He sat down, on the floor in between his bed and desk, in the position he had seen many times in his past life when someone wanted to meditate or cultivate or whatever. ¡®Right so I have to clear my mind and breath in through the nose and out through the mouth¡¯ ya see the thing was as he was sitting there he found that he couldn¡¯t keep track on what came next and kept reverting to his normal breathing style and began thinking about how he wasn¡¯t focusing. In conclusion he was an absolute mess at this meditation shit. Giving up on the exercise he sat at his desk and began writing all he could remember about all his favourite stories and how they had cultivated, he was trying to find one that fit to his specific temperament cause this sitting and doing nothing BS just isn¡¯t cutting it. After combing through his admittedly fuzzy memories of his past life after close to six years had passed a smile bloomed across his face when he remembered one of his favourite reincarnation stories and how he was able to stand atop the world and was even able to stand up to bandits at the mere age of 3 or something. The Evil grin was showing on his face as he found a new scroll and wrote down everything with unsurprising accuracy considering he had reread the story so many times. ¡®Thank you King Grey you have my sincere thanks¡¯ *** ¡°MWAHAHAHAHAHAHa!!!¡± The noise sent shivers up both his parents'' spines as they mingled downstairs on their own separate projects. ¡°Our son is up to something again,¡± Shion said with a sigh, ¡°Uh huh,¡± was Haku¡¯s only reply. With neither of them making any move to go investigate the uneasy feeling somewhat subsided and they gingerly went back to what they were doing. *** As the evening wound down, Ishi went to bed full of his favourite meal and dreams about the Pok¨¦mon he would soon meet, his heart full of gratitude for his parents¡¯ love and the village elders¡¯ trust. This day, marked by celebration and new beginnings, was one he knew he¡¯d remember forever. But most of all he couldn''t wait to wake up tomorrow to try out his theory. Chapter 9 In the early morning light, Ishi stirred awake, blinking against the soft glow filtering through his window. His heart pounded as fragments of the previous night''s excitement surged back into his consciousness. With a jolt, he sat up, fearing that what he had written on the parchment was just a dream. Throwing off his blanket, Ishi rushed to his desk, his feet barely touching the floor in his haste. His hands trembled slightly as he reached for the parchment, half-expecting it to be blank or filled with the scrawls of a tired mind. But there it was, clear as day, an exasperated sigh left him as he thought about his own antics. He lightly snickered to himself as he went through his notes and his memories that were now seeming even more far fetched. ¡®Heh farfetch''d more like¡¯ Ok that one made even him cringe so with a cough he acted like he hadn''t thought up his first pokemon dad joke and moved on. His sensei was the living embodiment of "don¡¯t judge a book by its cover." She had taught the art of meditating while moving to a certain MC, and even speculated that one could meditate while fighting, if skilled enough. Her first bit of advice was to begin with small, menial tasks and work up from there. Mastering this skill meant being able to fight proficiently while maintaining a steady flow of inward aura. ¡®Or at least that''s what I¡¯m going for,¡¯ he thought as he didn¡¯t really have any proof that this technique would work in any shape, manner, or form, just a feeling. Ishi couldn''t recall how long it took that certain King to learn the technique, but he remembered that the King had extensive martial knowledge from his past life. Ishi, on the other hand, only had the training from this life. This got him thinking about the various ninja tricks and whether he could maintain a steady inward flow of aura while using them. The most basic one to try this with would be the Ninja Flicker Step, a burst of speed and motion. Determined to put it to the test, Ishi then realised a vital flaw in his logic, he still hadn''t really gotten a feel for aura and that would most definitely be important for this technique. He decided that the best course of action would be to increase the amount of aura he had, hoping it would help him better understand it. ¡®Status¡¯ he thought.
Name: Will Ranger/Ishi Sukauto
Level: 4 200/800 Exp
Class: N/A
Sub-Class: N/A
Strength: 6
Dexterity: 9
Constitution: 4
Aura: 1->3
Mana: N/A
Abilities: Appraisal - Multilingual
Available Points: 14->10
The immediate effect was noticeable with Ishi feeling more connected to the space around him. His eyes glowed dark blue for a second before returning to their original colour, going unnoticed as there was no reflective surface in his line of sight. Ishi grinned and the feeling ran through him like a shiver, but also noticed that his stats had only gone up by 2 even though he had used 4 points.
Congratulations On Improving The Special Stat Aura! You May Have Noticed The Fact That It Takes Two Stat Points To Raise It Once, Those Are The Rules Don¡¯t Question It. :)
Reading the message made Ishi want to revisit the thought that the system was most assuredly sentient but the thought would likely open a huge can of worms that he really just didn¡¯t want to get into at the moment. ¡®Refocusing¡¯ he thought, shaking himself back to his body''s current state. The new feeling in his body would take time to get used to. Ishi moved slowly as he allowed himself a few minutes to get comfortable with the new sensations of his heightened sense of self. Once he grew accustomed, he began trying the technique he remembered, beginning with trying to draw his aura to his hand while clenching and unclenching his right fist. He was trying to gather any aura around him into his opening and closing fist ¡®Almost like a gravitational or magnetic effect¡¯ he mused. Suddenly, a quest notification popped up startling him out of his concentration and his brain wandering over the mechanics of it. But when he read it the Evil grin turned even more sinister in his joy.
Congratulations! You Have Learnt The ¡°Otherworldly Aura Cultivation Technique¡±
Confirmed. Quest Created: You Have Used Your Previous Lifes Knowledge To Give Yourself A Boost In Strength. Master The ¡®Otherworldly Aura Cultivation Technique''!
Progress: Otherworldly Aura Cultivation Technique - 0.06%
Rewards: + 1 Stat Point To Aura Every 10% Mastery, Sub-Class Aura-Ninja When Mastered Completely.
Accept: Y/N
Feeling absolutely moved by this scene he will quickly accept the quest, Because ya know duuuuh, but also he began to wonder what will happen when he completes this quest along with his other quest with a reward of a Sub-Class. ¡®Meh not my problem, that''s future me¡¯s issue,¡¯ mentally tossing the proverbial ball and hoping his future self caught it. *** In the fresh light of morning, the village was alive with the usual bustle of daily activities, but for Ishi, this day held a special significance. He rushed to find his friends, Ivy and Senpei, at their usual meeting spot, his news too good to wait. ¡°Guys, guys!¡± Ishi called out as he spotted them near the old oak tree, where the leaves cast dappled shadows on the ground. ¡°What¡¯s up, Ishi? You look like you¡¯ve caught a Legendary Pok¨¦mon or something,¡± Senpei jokes, noticing Ishi¡¯s barely contained excitement. Ivy elbowed Senpei playfully before turning her attention to Ishi. ¡°What happened? Tell us everything!¡± ¡°They approved it! I can start learning about Pok¨¦mon directly!¡± Ishi burst out. He recounted the entire meeting with the elders and Chief Hanzo, not missing a single detail. ¡°And there¡¯s more - I¡¯m meeting one of the elders this morning. She was at the meeting and she¡¯s going to teach me the basics about Pok¨¦mon behaviour and stuff. It¡¯s just a trial for now, but it¡¯s a start!¡± ¡®I¡¯ll keep my aura shenanigans to myself for now, I can never be too careful.¡¯ If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Ivy¡¯s eyes widened, and a broad smile spread across her face. ¡°That¡¯s amazing, Ishi! You¡¯re actually going to work with a real Pok¨¦mon trainer!¡± Senpei looked impressed. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s really cool. You have to tell us everything later, okay? Don¡¯t leave out a single detail!¡± ¡°Promise!¡± Ishi replied, his voice firm. He checked the small clock at the town square. ¡°I¡¯ve got to go now, or I¡¯ll be late for my first session. I¡¯ll meet up with you guys right here this afternoon and tell you all about it.¡± ¡°Go on, then. Don¡¯t keep the elder waiting!¡± Ivy said, shooing Ishi away with a laugh. ¡°And good luck, Ishi!¡± With a wave and a grin, Ishi dashed off, his heart racing with anticipation. As he headed towards the elder¡¯s home, he had been given directions before he left, his mind buzzed with questions and possibilities. What would the elder be like? What Pok¨¦mon would he meet? Today marked the first real step into a broader world, one filled with the mysteries and wonders of Pok¨¦mon. The house was simple, nestled against a backdrop of blooming trees. Ishi took a moment to steady his breath before knocking gently on the door. The elder, a wise and kindly woman named Elder Tama, answered the door with a warm smile. "Ah, you must be Ishi," she said, her voice soft yet carrying an undercurrent of authority. "Come in, come in. We have much to discuss and learn today.¡± As Ishi stepped inside, he took in the sight of various Pok¨¦mon-themed items and pictures decorating the small living room, each telling a story of Elder Tama''s long history with these creatures. His eyes widened in awe, and his mind raced with questions and curiosity about what the day would hold. Elder Tama led him to a small study where they would begin their session. "First, we''ll start with the basics of Pok¨¦mon behaviour and how to approach them safely," she explained, motioning Ishi to take a seat. *** The morning passed in a blur of learning, with Ishi absorbing every word and eagerly participating in the discussions. He felt like he was opening a door to a whole new world - a world he had dreamed of for so long. The session wound down, and Elder Tama praised his attentiveness and quick learning. "You did very well, Ishi. I look forward to our next session.¡± As Ishi prepared to leave, feeling accomplished and eager to share his morning¡¯s adventures, Elder Tama stopped him with a gentle, "Wait, Ishi. There''s someone I''d like you to meet as a reward for your hard work today." Her eyes twinkled with a hint of surprise. She led Ishi to the back of her house, where a lush garden bloomed vibrantly. There, lounging beneath a flowering tree, was a Simisage, its eyes observant and posture relaxed. Ishi''s mouth dropped open in awe, and his eyes sparkled as if stars had settled into them, reflecting the depth of his wonder and excitement. "This is Simisage," Elder Tama introduced. "Simisage, this young ninja is Ishi." ¡®Damn I¡¯ve already appraised a Simisage when I was younger, no free Exp for me,¡¯ though that negative was quickly banished from his mind as he looked at the Simisage closer. Simisage eyed Ishi with a discerning gaze, its expression one of mild curiosity. Ishi, momentarily stunned by the presence of such a cool Pok¨¦mon, quickly regained his composure. Remembering the lessons from earlier, he cautiously stepped forward. "Hi, Simisage! I learned a lot today about Pok¨¦mon, and I hope we can be friends," Ishi said earnestly, extending his hand towards Simisage in a gesture of friendship. Simisage glanced at Elder Tama, who nodded encouragingly. With a gentle smile breaking across his face, Simisage reached out, ruffling Ishi''s hair playfully before firmly shaking his hand. The gesture was both an acceptance and a sign of trust, something Ishi felt deeply. "Thank you, Elder Tama, for introducing me to Simisage," Ishi said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. The elder smiled warmly, pleased with the behaviour of both the boy and the Pok¨¦mon. "You''re very welcome, Ishi. Remember today''s lessons well. They will serve you as you continue on your path," Elder Tama advised, her tone both kind and instructive. As Ishi waved goodbye to Simisage and Elder Tama, his heart was full of joy and his mind raced with excitement about telling his friends. "Oh, they''re going to be so jealous!" he thought with a grin. The walk back to his usual meeting spot with Ivy and Senpei felt shorter than ever, buoyed by the thrill of his first real Pok¨¦mon interaction and the anticipation of sharing the news. Today wasn''t just another step in his journey; it was a leap towards his dreams, and Ishi couldn''t wait to see where the path would lead him next. Ishi found Ivy and Senpei exactly where he thought they''d be, lounging near the edge of the hay fields, their expressions eager and full of curiosity. As soon as they spotted him approaching, both of them jumped up, bombarding him with questions before he even had a chance to catch his breath. "Tell us everything, Ishi! Did you get to see any Pok¨¦mon?" Senpei asked, barely containing his excitement. "What was it like? Did you learn lots of new stuff?" Ivy chimed in, her eyes wide with anticipation. Grinning broadly, Ishi launched into his tale. "Oh, it was amazing! Elder Tama taught me so much about Pok¨¦mon behaviour, and guess what? I met a real Pok¨¦mon!" His voice was filled with pride and excitement. "A real Pok¨¦mon? Which one?" Senpei leaned in closer, his curiosity piqued. "It was a Simisage!" Ishi exclaimed. "He¡¯s so cool! He even shook my hand and ruffled my hair!" Ishi demonstrated the handshake dramatically, waving his arms with exaggerated motions. Ivy giggled at his antics. "That sounds so fun! Simisage, huh? They''re supposed to be really smart and tricky.¡± "Yeah, and Simisage looked super smart. His eyes were like, ''I know all sorts of things,''" Ishi said, narrowing his eyes and putting on his most ''wise'' expression, which only made his friends burst into laughter. "Bet you can''t wait to meet more Pok¨¦mon and learn from them! I¡¯m so incredibly jealous" Senpei said, still chuckling. "Definitely! And when I''m a great trainer, I''ll catch all sorts of Pok¨¦mon. Maybe even a Simisage!" Ishi¡¯s imagination was already running wild with possibilities. The conversation turned into playful banter, with each child boasting about the type of Pok¨¦mon they would like to meet or catch. Ivy claimed she would find the most beautiful and elegant Pok¨¦mon, while Senpei insisted he¡¯d go for the strongest ones. Their playful arguments led to a game of pretend Pok¨¦mon battles. They ran around the fields, mimicking different Pok¨¦mon moves they''d seen in battle held in the Academy or heard about from their parents or older ninjas. Ishi pretended to summon Simisage, using exaggerated ninja moves as his ''attacks,'' while Ivy and Senpei countered with their imaginary Pok¨¦mon allies. Though it looked like he was just purely goofing off he was still trying to use his aura technique whenever he moved, especially in his hands. He got Mixed results but he didn¡¯t mind all that much, there was plenty of time. They darted through the tall grass and hay barrels, their laughter and shouts filled the air, echoing across the fields. They took turns ''battling'' and ''training'' their Pok¨¦mon, their games only limited by their imaginations. After a while, exhausted but happy, they collapsed onto the grass, looking up at the sky and discussing future adventures. "One day, we''ll have real Pok¨¦mon battles," Ishi declared, still catching his breath. "And we''ll be the best trainers in the village!" Ivy added, her enthusiasm undiminished. "Yeah, and we''ll explore new places and meet all kinds of Pok¨¦mon," Senpei said dreamily, his mind already wandering to distant lands and epic journeys. As the afternoon sun began to dip lower in the sky, they knew it was almost time to head home. But the day''s adventures had only fueled their dreams further, each child more determined than ever to make those dreams a reality. For now, though, they were content to share these moments, their friendship strengthened by shared aspirations and playful escapades in the fields of their quiet village. As the trio lay sprawled on the grass, their chatter about future Pok¨¦mon adventures paused momentarily as they watched the clouds drift lazily across the sky. Ishi, ever brimming with ideas and enthusiasm, turned to his friends with a mischievous grin. "Hey, you know what? I can make each of you a Pok¨¦ball, if you want" he offered suddenly, the idea sparking into his mind as vividly as if he''d planned it all along. Senpei and Ivy turned to him, their expressions a mix of surprise and excitement. "Really? You can do that?" Senpei asked, his eyes wide with anticipation. "Yeah, Mr. Suru is still teaching me more about making them. I want to make one for each of you," Ishi explained, proud to share his new skills. "What colours would you like?" Ishi prodded, eager to start planning their custom designs. After a moment''s thought, Senpei''s face lit up with a clear vision. "I want mine to be blue and white," he declared, imagining how cool it would look. "Like the sky and clouds!" Ivy, with her usual flair for more vibrant aesthetics, chimed in with her own choice. "Can I have green and orange? It would look like a sunset behind the trees. That would be so pretty!" Ishi nodded enthusiastically, his mind already picturing how he would craft each one. "Blue and white for Senpei, and green and orange for Ivy. Got it!¡± The revelation that Ishi could actually create something so meaningful and personalized left his friends momentarily stunned but deeply impressed. Their shock quickly morphed into a flurry of questions about how he would make them and when they could expect their unique gifts. "I''ll start working on them as soon as I can. It might take a little time to get them just right," Ishi explained, his tone serious to match the importance of the task. "But I promise they¡¯ll be worth the wait!¡± Senpei punched the air with a whoop. "This is going to be awesome! We''ll have the coolest Pok¨¦balls in the village!" Ivy nodded, her smile bright. "Thank you, Ishi. It''s going to be so special having something you made." Their conversation drifted to possible adventures they might have with their new Pok¨¦balls, each scenario more elaborate and exciting than the last. As they talked, the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the field and painting the sky in hues that matched the Pok¨¦balls they had just dreamed up. Bursting through the door with his usual enthusiasm, Ishi found his parents in the living room, winding down after their day. "Mom, Dad, you won''t believe how cool Kiri the Simisage was!" he exclaimed before regaling them with every detail of his interaction. He described Simisage¡¯s intelligent gaze, the way the Pok¨¦mon had ruffled his hair, and how he had learned to understand a bit about Pok¨¦mon behaviour. Shion and Haku listened intently, sharing looks of amusement and pride as Ishi animatedly talked about his experiences. When he finally paused for breath, Haku leaned forward with a twinkle in his eye. "It sounds like you had a fantastic time, Ishi. Speaking of Pok¨¦mon, would you like to go hang out with Talonflame and Bisharp?¡± Ishi''s excitement momentarily halted, his brain needing a full second to process the offer. "Absolutely!" he shouted, his voice echoing slightly in the cosy room. His response was so swift and loud that it drew a hearty laugh from both his parents. "Alright, let¡¯s go to the backyard then," Shion said with a smile, leading the way. Ishi followed, practically bouncing with each step. In the backyard, Shion called softly to her Pok¨¦mon, and with a majestic flutter, Talonflame swooped down from its perch, landing gracefully near them. Its fiery plumage glowed under the backyard lights, and its sharp gaze assessed Ishi curiously. Nearby, Bisharp stood stoic and imposing, its metallic body catching the light as it turned to face the young boy. Ishi''s eyes were wide with awe as he took in the sight of the two powerful Pok¨¦mon. "Hi, Talonflame! Hi, Bisharp!" he greeted, his voice a mixture of excitement and a touch of nervousness. "Talonflame, Bisharp, come say a proper hello to Ishi," Haku introduced. "Ishi has been learning a lot about Pok¨¦mon, and he''s very eager to get to know you both much more deeply." Talonflame let out a soft chirp, which Ishi took as a greeting, and Bisharp nodded slightly, the movement precise and dignified. Encouraged by their responses, Ishi stepped a little closer, still respecting their space. "You can pet Talonflame, just be careful of her feathers, they can be quite warm," Shion advised gently. Ishi reached out slowly, and under Shion''s watchful eye, he gently stroked Talonflame¡¯s feathers, marvelling at their warmth and texture. Bisharp, observing quietly, allowed Ishi a close look, though it remained still, its sharp edges a reminder of its battle capabilities. "Thanks, Mom and Dad," Ishi said, his voice full of wonder and gratitude. "This is the best day ever!" Chapter 10 The following morning dawned bright and clear, well as clear as you would expect in the Kalos region especially with their village located closeish to snowpoint city from what he remembered from the anime and with the season heading towards a cold autumn again, but still signalling another day full of potential for Ishi. He jumped out of bed, energised by the thought of his upcoming session with Mr. Suru where he would start crafting the promised Pok¨¦balls for Ivy and Senpei. The idea of actually creating something that his friends would use was thrilling. As he got dressed and packed his school bag, his mind raced with the designs he had in mind, thinking about the colour combinations and the technical adjustments he would need to make. Today was going to be special - not just another day of learning, but a day where he would bring his friends'' wishes to life. Mr. Suru had all the materials readily available for use so he didn¡¯t need to worry about that, just making them would be the only challenge. Bounding down the stairs to grab a quick breakfast before school, Ishi halted abruptly at the sight of his parents sharing a quick, affectionate kiss in the kitchen. "Ewwww!" he exclaimed instinctively, scrunching up his face in mock horror. ¡®They¡¯re trained ninjas and I wasn''t exactly quiet coming down the stairs. They can at least think about how I feel in these situations.¡¯ At his outburst, Shion turned away with a blush and a laugh, while Haku just grinned broadly and shrugged apologetically. "Sorry, Ishi, didn''t know you were coming down just then," he chuckled. ¡®Yeah right old man.¡¯ Ishi thought with a pout. Trying to shake off the image and clear his still foggy morning brain, Ishi grabbed a piece of toast and, remembering something he had read the night before and the thoughts of the quest involving appraising new pokemon within the village, turned to his dad with a curious question. "Dad, why have you never fully evolved your Bisharp?¡± ¡®Oh boy is that an expression I''m gonna remember for a long time!¡¯ he thought with the Evil grin flashing briefly across his features. The kitchen went quiet for a moment. Ishi realised this might not be common knowledge, but still believed that this would be beneficial for the village and his own future goals so it was worth the gamble. Haku looked at him with a puzzled expression. "What do you mean, Ishi? Bisharp doesn''t evolve. What are you talking about?" ¡®Oh ho, imma bout to change your whole world old man¡­ and bisharps i guess.¡¯ "Yes, it does," Ishi insisted, confidence building as he recalled the details. "It evolves into a Pok¨¦mon called Kingambit if it holds a ¡®Leader¡¯s Crest¡¯ and beats three other Bisharp that are leading a pack of Pawniard.¡± ¡®Oh the delectable expressions.¡¯ suddenly a wash of aura flowed through his mind calming his admittedly less than friendly thoughts. ¡®Interesting¡¯ he thought ¡®This will be helpful in future, no panic for me I guess, but come on my thoughts weren''t that devious.¡¯ not displaying any change in demeanour he still internally pouted at his own aura. Haku laughed softly, shaking his head in amusement at his son''s vivid imagination. "Ishi, where did you hear that? Bisharp¡¯s evolution into this Kingambit Pok¨¦mon isn¡¯t something I''ve seen or heard of. It sounds like something out of an old Pok¨¦mon tale." Ishi, a bit deflated but still convinced of his knowledge, sighed. "Maybe it''s just really rare or something. I heard about it from Mr. Suru in his mutterings when his own Bisharp was being unhelpful with his work." ¡®A complete bald faced lie, but leveraging his name might give me an edge.¡¯ Seeing his son''s genuine belief, Haku placed a hand on Ishi''s shoulder, smiling warmly. "Well, if it''s true, that¡¯s pretty interesting! But for now, let''s focus on what we know for sure. You¡¯ve got some Pok¨¦balls to make, right? How about you go off and focus on that challenge?¡± Reinvigorated by the reminder of the day¡¯s important tasks, Ishi nodded vigorously, his momentary distraction fading. "Yeah, I¡¯m going to make the best Pok¨¦balls for Ivy and Senpei!" ¡®Seed successfully planted!¡¯ he thought. The grin returned. But with his seed planted he moved back to his more pressing task and the surefire Exp he would be granted for completing it. Ishi finished his breakfast quickly and, with a final goodbye to his parents, he headed off to school, his mind once again filled with plans for the Pok¨¦balls. *** Ishi disappeared out the door, and a heavy silence fell over the kitchen. Ishi''s mention of "Kingambit" had stirred a hint of curiosity in his parents. Haku turned to Shion, his brow furrowed slightly in thought. "Have you ever heard of this Kingambit Pok¨¦mon Ishi was talking about?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of amusement and genuine intrigue. Shion shook her head, chuckling lightly as she put away the breakfast dishes. "No, never. It must be one of those things he picked up from his books or maybe just his imagination running wild again. What could a five-year-old know that we don¡¯t, right? But then again if he heard it from Mr. Suru that''s a completely different story, he¡¯s a close confidant to the chief after all." Ishi didn¡¯t know this as when he had first appraised Mr. Suru had shown that his title was master craftsman and mentioned nothing of this relationship. His use of name dropping had inadvertently given his parents much more to think about than he had bargained for. Haku nodded, agreeing outwardly while a tiny seed of doubt took root in his mind. Shion continued tidying up, subconsciously reached into his pocket, fingers brushing against a small object he¡¯d kept with him for years - a trinket he had found during one of his first journeys as a young trainer. Pulling it out, he examined the item more closely. It was a small, intricately designed crest, metallic and cool to the touch. The crest was composed of a central, shield-like emblem surrounded by what looked like rays or blades emanating outward, giving it a regal and formidable appearance. Its design was strikingly similar to the descriptions Ishi had excitedly shared about the "Leader''s Crest" needed to evolve a Bisharp into Kingambit. Haku''s eyes narrowed as he turned the object over in his hand, contemplating. The coincidence was uncanny. Could there be truth to Ishi''s claims? He remembered the day he had obtained it - after a challenging battle with a particularly fierce Bisharp that seemed to command others. At the time, he hadn¡¯t thought much about the significance of the crest, seeing it as just another curious but mysterious artefact from his adventures. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Shion," Haku called out, holding the crest up for her to see. "Remember this? Remember what I told you about how I found it years ago after defeating that wild Bisharp leader. It¡¯s never been anything terribly important? But now¡­ Maybe Ishi isn¡¯t just making things up." The last part of the sentence trailed off into barely a whisper. Shion approached, peering at the crest with a sceptical but intrigued expression. "It does look special, always has in my opinion, but surely it¡¯s just a coincidence. Still, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to look into it a bit more, just in case.¡± Both knew the world of Pok¨¦mon was vast and full of mysteries, some of which even seasoned trainers like themselves hadn''t fully explored. With a thoughtful nod, Haku pocketed the crest again. "Maybe we should start paying a bit more attention to what Ishi finds," Haku suggested, a smile creeping across his face as he thought about his son''s potential to uncover something new. "Who knows? He might be onto something we adults have overlooked.¡± Shion agreed, her earlier dismissal giving way to a flicker of pride in their son''s curiosity. "Let¡¯s see where this leads. Ishi might just surprise us all." With that, the couple went about their day, the morning''s conversation lingering in their minds, a reminder that the world of Pok¨¦mon always held more secrets to be discovered, perhaps now by the next generation. Haku approached Chief Hanzo later that day, the raw curiosity gnawing at him after the morning''s discovery and Ishi¡¯s unexpected knowledge. He found the Chief overseeing some archival work in the council chamber, an opportune moment for a private conversation. "Chief Hanzo," Haku began, his tone respectful yet tinged with urgency, "have you ever heard of a Pok¨¦mon called Kingambit?¡± Chief Hanzo paused, his fingers halting over the document he was examining. He looked up slowly, a hint of hesitation in his eyes. "Kingambit? Where did you hear that name?" he asked, his voice low and far more serious than Haku expected when he¡¯d asked. Haku, slightly taken aback by the Chief''s reaction, pressed on. "It was Ishi, my son. He told me about it this morning, mentioning a specific method for evolving Bisharp into one. It involves a ¡®Leader¡¯s Crest¡¯ and some kind of ritual battle among Bisharps. Apparently he heard Mr. Suru muttered about it to his partner when the bisharp was being lazy and not helping him.¡± The Chief¡¯s expression shifted from curiosity to shock, then intrigue. After a few moments of silence, he stood up. "Follow me," he said curtly. Curious and slightly anxious, Haku followed Chief Hanzo through the familiar parts of the chamber and then to a less frequented section where a small, nondescript door was nestled. The Chief produced a key, unlocking the door to reveal a secret room filled with ancient artefacts and scrolls. They stepped inside, and Chief Hanzo began rummaging through a stack of old, dusty scrolls. After a few minutes, he pulled out a half-burnt scroll, the edges charred and fragile. The word "Kingambit" was visible at the top in faded ink. Haku accepted the scroll carefully, unrolling it to reveal a simple drawing in charcoal of a formidable-looking Pok¨¦mon, along with a few cryptic symbols next to it. The rest of the scroll was too damaged by fire to be indiscernible, the text lost to time. "What is this?" Haku asked, looking up at the Chief with a mixture of confusion and awe. ¡®No way Mr. Suru must have figured out the method somehow. But how though this scroll is illegible!¡¯ he thought waiting for the Chief to enlighten him. The Chief watched him, his face thoughtful. "It''s the only record we have of this Kingambit," he admitted. "I had forgotten about it, considering it a legend or a myth that didn¡¯t warrant attention." Shaking his head tiredly, even though it wasn¡¯t even midday yet. ¡°I¡¯m definitely going to have to question my old friend about this¡­ but I suppose that can wait a while until we confirm this tale.¡± a long sigh escaped him at the prospect of more work. A rare look of uncertainty crossing his features. ¡®If Ishi has stumbled upon this information, and even I was unaware of its significance, and if that old bugger even spoke about it around him before even telling me¡­¡¯ with a rub on his temple he continued, trying to put those thoughts behind him "This act of vandalism on one of our ancient texts may have hidden a truth now surfacing through a child.¡± Haku nodded, still processing the revelation. "Ishi is very curious and determined. If there''s a way to uncover more about this Kingambit, he might just be the key." "Indeed," Chief Hanzo agreed, a spark of respect for the young boy evident in his eyes. "Keep this scroll safe, Haku. Let¡¯s see if this young curiosity of yours can lead us to something the elders have overlooked.¡± Haku left the secret room, the scroll secure under his arm, his mind racing with possibilities. As he walked home, he contemplated the mysterious connection between his son¡¯s newfound knowledge and the village''s forgotten lore. *** Ishi, his mind buzzing with thoughts of Pok¨¦ball crafting techniques learned from Mr. Suru, was not prepared for the sombre atmosphere that greeted him as he pushed open the front door. The house was unusually quiet, the air thick with a seriousness that immediately piqued his curiosity and concern. ¡°I¡¯m home!¡± he called out, his voice echoing slightly in the stillness. Walking into the kitchen, Ishi was surprised to find only his dad at home. Haku was seated at the kitchen table, an expression of contemplation on his face, and before him lay an old, burnt scroll. Ishi¡¯s eyes widened in recognition. ¡°Hey, that''s Kingambit!¡± he exclaimed, his surprise making him momentarily forget the unusual mood. ¡°I thought you said you¡¯d never heard about it,¡± he questioned, his tone a mix of excitement and confusion. Haku looked up, his face softening into a smile at Ishi¡¯s enthusiasm. He nodded slowly. ¡°Yes, about that... why don¡¯t you tell me more about this evolution method you mentioned?¡± he suggested, his voice gentle to encourage his son to open up. ¡®The Chief is probably questioning Mr. Suru as we speak but it¡¯s best to keep that from Ishi.¡¯ Eager to share his knowledge, Ishi clambered onto a chair opposite his dad, his initial reservations forgotten as he thought about Bisharp¡¯s potential transformation. ¡°Okay, so Bisharp can evolve into Kingambit, but it needs a Leader¡¯s Crest, and it has to beat three other Bisharp that lead packs of Pawniard. It¡¯s really rare!¡± Ishi explained, his hands moving animatedly as he visualised the process. As Ishi spoke, Haku began to jot down notes, his pen scratching across the parchment steadily. He listened intently, occasionally nodding or murmuring a thoughtful ¡°hmm¡± as Ishi detailed each step required for the evolution. Once Ishi finished, Haku set down his pen and looked at his son with a mixture of pride and admiration. ¡°I won¡¯t ask how you know this, but just know I am very proud, you are my kid after all¡± he said sincerely. Ishi blushed, unaccustomed to such direct praise, and pouted slightly, feeling a little embarrassed. ¡°Dad...¡± he mumbled, his cheeks still tinged with red. Haku¡¯s laughter broke the serious atmosphere, lightening the mood instantly. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s start preparing dinner before your mom gets home. She¡¯ll want to hear all about this too,¡± Haku suggested, standing up and ruffling Ishi¡¯s hair affectionately. Together, father and son moved around the kitchen, Haku guiding Ishi through the steps of preparing their meal even if he didn¡¯t particularly need it. As they set the table, Ishi¡¯s thoughts returned to Kingambit and the adventures that awaited, but for now, he was content to share a quiet evening with his family, surrounded by the comforting smells of home-cooked food and the soft murmur of familiar voices. ¡®Oh the Exp Imma bout to get!¡¯ he thought internally elated with his choice of telling his father about Kingambit. Chapter 11 A few weeks passed as Haku diligently prepared for the significant challenge ahead. He had gathered all the necessary instruments, including the mysterious Leader¡¯s Crest. He had also negotiated the terms for a unique sparring session among the few Jonin Ninja with Bisharp as partners who have become leaders of a group of chunin and kid gennin with a Pawniard as their starters. The stakes were not all that high, for his Bisharp that is as he had grown accustomed to his current level of strength and body, but for the potential discovery and confirmation of a new evolutionary form within their community that his son had revealed to him - though admittedly he had heard it from Mr. Suru, a far more reputable source. Without Mr. Suru¡¯s backing of Ishi¡¯s story none of this would have gone forward at all, Ishi is still five years old afterall. When Haku had met privately with the squad leaders from several divisions who led Bisharps and Pawniards they had been somewhat sceptical until he had mentioned Mr. Suru, respected members within the village who were known for their loyalty and discretion were always given the benefit of the doubt before being questioned. He had continuously explained the purpose of the challenge and secured their agreement to participate in the controlled sparring session under the observance of Chief Hanzo. The session was framed as a routine test of strength and leadership among the Bisharps, but the underlying goal was to see if the evolution into Kingambit could indeed be triggered. Because even though he had known about it first it was still possible for any of the other Bisharp to earn the Leaders Crest and meet the requirements to evolve. The Chief and the elders were informed of the potential significance of this event, they had a multitude of reactions ranging from disbelief and denial to eagerness and greed. If successful, it would be a monumental discovery for the village, and future generations would know of this possibility as well so if their descendants could obtain this pokemon then they may be able to hold more sway in council talks. Once they had discussed and agreed to keep the matter confidential until they could confirm the results and understand the implications fully, and to have the edge over others in the village. Haku had internally sighed when he saw how the elders tried to mask their feelings on the matter, but he was a trained Jonin level ninja so discerning this much was nothing for him, but anyone who was anyone could also tell this especially the Chief whom had met his eyes briefly as if trying to convey his apology. Haku was honestly more sorry for the Chief who had to deal with them day in and day out. The event was set up with the utmost secrecy to ensure that if Bisharp did evolve into Kingambit, the information could be managed carefully and disclosed at the appropriate time. Moreover, it was decided that Ishi, whose curiosity and knowledge had sparked this exploration, would be rewarded. However, the rewards would be discreet to ensure his safety and prevent any undue attention that could endanger him. It was also agreed that Ishi¡¯s family would be allowed to house a few more Pok¨¦mon from their old teams. This move was officially to increase Ishi¡¯s exposure to and interactions with Pok¨¦mon as previously arranged, but unofficially, it would also enhance the family¡¯s security, safeguarding them against any potential threats or repercussions from the discovery. The Chief could be devious when he wanted to, he was a master of conveying the unsaid word, ¡®He¡¯d have to be to survive in his role¡¯ Haku mused. On the day of the sparring session, the village¡¯s training grounds were unusually tense, the usual excitement was overshadowed by what could potentially transpire today. The selected Bisharps, along with each a leader of their respective squads, were brought forward. Haku¡¯s Bisharp stood among them, the Leader¡¯s Crest discreetly attached to it, with Haku standing proudly next to him. Even though he had been the lead organiser, he had also been training the rust out of Bisharps moves and getting his battle spirit all fired up in his off time. Chief Hanzo, along with a select few elders, observed from a distance, their expressions a mix of anticipation and concern. The battle commenced with a bit of a stand off and was eventually broken with Haku ordering Bisharp to ¡°Get this Done!¡± The Bisharps demonstrated their prowess, clashing with strategic finesse and raw power. Haku watched intently, pride and hope mingling in his chest as his Bisharp held its own against the formidable opponents, his partner was clearly the main focus of his opponents but he¡¯d trained for these types of situations so he didn¡¯t feel all that panicked. Each clash and manoeuvre was a test not just of strength but of leadership and survival - the very qualities said to trigger the evolution - thoughts in attendance seemed to hold their breath at the sight. Finally, when the dust settled and the final bisharp fell defeated, the outcome of the sparring would reveal more than just a winner. It would potentially uncover a new chapter in the understanding of Pok¨¦mon evolution, driven by the curiosity and persistence of a young boy named Ishi, whose innocent question had set it all in motion. *** Ishi''s life in Ninja Village had transformed into an adventure beyond his wildest dreams. Each day brought new experiences and interactions that any young Pok¨¦mon enthusiast would cherish. Ever since his initial meeting with Simisage, Ishi had been introduced to an array of Pok¨¦mon, each encounter fueling his passion and expanding his understanding of these incredible creatures. And yes he¡¯d even met a few pokemon he¡¯d never appraised before netting him a small bit of Exp that had him all the more eager to meet every pokemon he could. He had met the entire Fletchling line, from the tiny, chirpy Fletchling to its majestic final form, Talonflame. The sight of Skarmory, with its metallic feathers and imposing presence, had left him in awe. Simipour brought a playful mischief to their meeting, splashing water with a laugh that echoed Ishi¡¯s own delight. The encounter with an old Greninja had been particularly thrilling; ever since he had seen Ash''s Greninja in his favourite Pok¨¦mon episodes, he had dreamed of partnering with one himself. The sleek, ninja-like Pok¨¦mon had a mystique that resonated deeply with Ishi¡¯s own aspirations. He had also come across Marill and Azurill, their bubbly and cheerful demeanour making each interaction a joyous occasion. The Pawniard he met were more reserved, their sharp gazes assessing Ishi¡¯s every move, yet they offered him a glimpse into the disciplined life of a Pok¨¦mon with a clear hierarchy. And then there was the eerie yet fascinating encounter with Ariados, its webbing a marvel of natural engineering that captivated his young mind. But¡­ the giant poison spider definitely hadn¡¯t been his favourite interaction, the shivers down his spine had lasted for hours after the pokemon had left. Each Pok¨¦mon had left a distinct impression on him, teaching him new aspects of Pok¨¦mon behaviour and the diversity of the world he was so eager to explore further. But among all, Greninja stood out as a symbol of what Ishi aspired to be: agile, strong, and enigmatic - qualities that resonated with his ninja training. Plus¡­ Ash Greninja. Ishi looked forward to the Coming of Age ceremony, his impatience grew; time seemed to crawl too slowly for his liking. He often lay awake at night, imagining the day he would be allowed to choose his first official Pok¨¦mon partner. The thought filled him with an indescribable excitement. He daydreamed about the adventures they would have, the battles they would face together, and the bonds they would forge. In the meantime, Ishi continued to make the most of his days, learning from each Pok¨¦mon he met and every lesson he attended. His life in Ninja Village was a tapestry of encounters that enriched his understanding and deepened his resolve to become not just a Pok¨¦mon trainer but a great one. He had been spending less time with Mr. Suru as he had been fairly busy with the Chief for some reason, and had been learning all he could about pokemon medicine, diet and care from Mrs. Tanoshi. Of course he still set out to make the pokeballs for his friends, he¡¯d just have to rely a little less on his sensei and create them to the best of his abilities. He also figured it would be best for him to be as high a level as possible before the ceremony in a few years so set out to focus a lot of time into his ¡°Otherworldly Cultivation Technique¡±. ¡°I wanna be the very best, Like no one ever was, To catch them is my real test, To train them is my cause, I will travel across the land, Searching far and wide, Teach Pok¨¦mon to understand, The power that''s inside¡­Pokemon!!¡± he would hum to himself whenever he had got too lost in thought about the future, or when he was swamped with all the ideas he couldn¡¯t wait to try. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. *** The tension in the air was palpable as Haku''s partner faced off against one of the other squad leaders'' Bisharps in a pure power display of a sparring session. Each clash of blades echoed through the makeshift arena, watched closely by Chief Hanzo and a select group of elders and squad leaders. Their faces bore expressions of intense concentration and curiosity, each aware of the potential significance of the event. As the battle reached its climax, Haku''s Bisharp, adorned with the Leader¡¯s Crest, stood victorious after defeating the three formidable opponents. The last one had been particularly tough as it had bided its time taking pot shots whenever it could until it was just a one on one to try and get as much advantage as it could. And yet still it had been unsuccessful. The air around them seemed to pulse with anticipation. Suddenly, the Bisharp began to glow intensely. The light was blinding, and when it faded, a new form stood where Bisharp had been. The Pok¨¦mon had evolved into Kingambit, a majestic and imposing figure, its stature and demeanour radiating authority and power. The newly evolved Kingambit let out a powerful cry, a sound that resonated with such authority that the other Pawniards and even the lower level Bisharps, who had watched but hadn¡¯t qualified to participate, instinctively knelt down acknowledging the birth of a new leader among them all. The sight was awe-inspiring, and for a moment, the arena was cloaked in a stunned silence. Unbeknownst to anyone, the prospected next Chief of Ninja village - Kagetomo - had witnessed the scene with his own recently evolved Bisharp and clenched his jaw and fist and he stared at the pokemon in front of him, ¡®I must have this power for myself, with it my Ninja Village could rule the world!¡¯ Haku, overcome with pride and a touch of awe, stepped forward towards his Pok¨¦mon. With a mixture of reverence and camaraderie, he lifted his fist in a gesture of respect and partnership. Kingambit responded by touching his fist with its own now completely golden fist, affirming their bond in this new form. This simple act marked a new chapter in their journey together. The hall then erupted in cheers and adulation, the atmosphere electric with excitement and shock. Some lower kid genin and chunin squad members gasped and looked from their Bisharp or Pawniard and back to the Kingambit with stars in their eyes, others shouted their approval, and a few simply stared in disbelief at the evolution they had just witnessed. Amid the tumult, Chief Hanzo stood, raising his hands for silence. His voice, when he spoke, carried across the noise, commanding and clear. "Let us calm ourselves," he began, his eyes sweeping over the crowd. "Congratulations are indeed in order for Haku and Kingambit. This is a momentous occasion, and it speaks volumes of the possibilities that still lie within our understanding of Pok¨¦mon.¡± He paused, ensuring he had everyone''s attention. "However, I must insist that none of this leaves this hall until we have fully understood and planned for the implications of this discovery. We must move carefully, to protect not only Kingambit but our village as well." With his directive clear, Chief Hanzo gestured for the assembly to disperse. People began to leave the hall, murmuring among themselves, their voices a mix of excitement and speculation. Haku, now accompanied by Kingambit, made his way to the chief''s hall to continue the conversation. They needed to discuss the aftermath of the evolution, how to introduce Kingambit to the village, and the measures to ensure the safety and privacy of their new discovery. The weight of the day¡¯s events hung over them, but so did a sense of incredible achievement and potential. As they walked, Haku looked at Kingambit, feeling a profound connection and a renewed sense of purpose. They were stepping into uncharted territory, and together, they were ready to face whatever came next. *** Ishi made his way home, his mind still swirling with the day''s adventures and the Pok¨¦mon he''d met, he could hardly have anticipated the scene that awaited him. As he rounded the corner to his house, his steps quickened when he spotted his father standing outside. But it wasn''t just Haku waiting for him; beside him stood a magnificent and imposing figure - Kingambit. Ishi''s eyes widened in astonishment, the sight nearly knocking the wind out of him. Yet before he could react further, Haku spotted him and grinned widely. With a burst of excitement, Haku reached down, scooped Ishi up, and playfully tossed him into the air. Ishi''s initial shock turned into peals of laughter, the thrill of the surprise catching him in a fit of giggles that echoed around the yard. The joyous noise seemed to soften the formidable aura of Kingambit, who watched the father and son with a stoic yet attentive gaze. Just then, Shion stepped out of the house, drawn by the sounds of laughter. Her eyes immediately landed on Kingambit, and she froze, stunned by the Pok¨¦mon''s noble presence. It took a moment for her to process the sight, but the sounds of her husband and son playing pulled her back to the moment. With a warm smile, she called out, "Why don''t we take this party inside?¡± Both Haku and Ishi agreed, still chuckling as they followed Shion into the house, their spirits high with the excitement of the day''s revelations and the unexpected family reunion. As they moved inside, the house quickly filled with the sounds of an impromptu party. To Ishi¡¯s delight, a few other members of his parents'' old Pok¨¦mon teams joined the celebration. A sleek Weavile, a mischievous Croagunk, and a playful Sudowoodo made their way into the lively gathering. Ishi wasted no time making friends with them, especially drawn to the Croagunk, whose playful antics matched his own sense of humour. ¡®Ok first things first,¡¯ Ishi thought before returning his gaze to the Kingambit standing in the back garden getting all the attention from the other pokemon in the house ¡®Appraisal!¡¯
Appraisal: Kingambit (Male) - Can form its prehensile hair into spikes to strike its foes with. Commanding many colonies of Pawniard and Bisharp as its personal army, Kingambit is a powerful force in battle. It has a battle-hungry disposition, and will not stop until it gets what it desires. Nature: Bold Ability: Pressure, Supreme Overlord This Kingambit is recently evolved and is yet to be fully used to its new body!
Confirmed. Quest Progression: You Have An Extremely Loving Father Who Has Convinced The Chief Of The Village To Bend The Rules Slightly Just For You. Take Advantage Of This As Much As You¡¯re Able!
New Pokemon Appraised: Kingambit
Rewards: 20 Exp
¡®Hell yeah!!¡¯ Ishi thought grinning maniacally as he read through all the notifications in front of him, he especially paid attention to the ¡®Appraisal¡¯ results and was interested to see the last sentence ¡®This Kingambit is recently evolved and is yet to be fully used to its new body!¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s given me a weakness to exploit if I was to battle it!¡¯ he mused, ¡®This will be incredibly helpful if I am in a battle with someone, and coupled with my aura ability to remain cool headed¡­¡¯ The Evil grin returned. "Okay, I wish you both were allowed to see it," Haku started, his voice animated and full of wonder trying to ignore the sweat that had formed on the back of his neck when he had glanced at Ishi. "There we were in the training grounds, and the air was just charged with tension. All the Bisharps lined up, each looking more formidable than the last. But ours, oh, he stood out with that Leader¡¯s Crest glinting." Ishi leaned in, his eyes wide. Shion smiled, watching her husband transform into a storyteller, his enthusiasm infectious. "Then the battle started, and it was like nothing I¡¯ve ever seen," Haku continued, gesturing with his hands to mimic the clash of the Pok¨¦mon. "Our Bisharp moved with such precision and power, each strike deliberate and fierce. The other Bisharps were tough opponents, but ours... he was in a league of his own." "The moment he defeated the third Bisharp, the air around him began to shimmer," Haku said, his voice dropping to a hush, drawing Ishi and Shion further into the narrative. "It was like the air itself was holding its breath. And then, he started to glow. It wasn¡¯t just a faint glow; it was blinding - like the sun had decided to shine right there.¡± Ishi''s mouth hung open, picturing the scene in his mind''s eye, while Shion''s expression mixed awe with a touch of pride. "The light was so bright we all had to shield our eyes," Haku added with a chuckle. "When it finally faded, there stood Kingambit. He was majestic, towering over the others, with a presence so commanding that, I swear, the other Bisharps and even the Pawniards instinctively knelt. It was as if they recognized a new king among them.¡± "Wow..." Ishi breathed out, completely caught up in the story. "What did it feel like, Dad, seeing Bisharp evolve like that?" Haku paused, his face reflecting a mix of emotions. "It was inspiring, Ishi. It reminded me of why I love being a Pok¨¦mon trainer. It''s not just about battles and strength; it¡¯s about witnessing moments of real change, of growth. Seeing Bisharp evolve... it was like watching a new chapter begin right in front of my eyes.¡± As the night drew on, laughter and chatter filled the house, echoing the bonds that tied them all together - bonds of adventure, discovery, and an unwavering love for the Pok¨¦mon that shared their lives. It was a night to remember, marking the beginning of new adventures and the deepening of old connections. Chapter 12 Ishi lay in his bed, on the eve of his Coming of Age ceremony, and found himself reflecting on the whirlwind of growth and change that had defined the last few years of his life. The village around him, once a sprawling maze of mysteries and adventures, now felt like a familiar embrace, each corner filled with memories of his journey from a curious child to a skilled young ninja. *** His journey through junior ninja school, for him it was the equivalent of his years in reception and nursery all the way up to year 3 in his past world and he could say with full confidence he had spent his time in those years a hell of a lot better than last time, crossed his mind with a sense of pride and accomplishment. He wasn''t just at the top of his class academically; he had become a cornerstone of support for his friends and classmates. Though he had predominantly spent most of his time hanging out with his two friends, he still did try to spend a little time with the rest of the class. He knew he would never be overly close with any of them, they were just way too immature for him and made him feel like an old man in comparison. But he had made the effort, which was a win in his book, and no it wasn¡¯t just because of the quest to ¡°Better Your Peers¡± he had received a few months after Kingambit had evolved and the villages outlook on pokemon and the ancient scrolls left behind by their ancestors were scoured through to try and find other hidden gems. They hadn¡¯t been successful, but when Ishi had met back up with Mr. Suru, he had been questioned on where he had actually come across his knowledge. While Mr. Suru had covered for me for the most part he had displayed keen interest in him afterwards and Ishi would find him watching him far closer than before. It had taken him a few more level ups and points in his aura stat to figure out the possible reason why¡­ Mr. Suru had aura¡­ and I mean A LOT of it. When Ishi had first sensed it it felt so overwhelming it had brought him to his knees. Only when Mr. Suru had controlled his expelling aura had he been able to recover, but the shock was so great that he passed out a few moments later. He remembered waking and seeing the old man''s face staring down at him with an appraising eye, ¡°Aura!¡± Ishi had croaked out of his dry throat. This had caused Mr. Suru¡¯s eyebrows to rise in surprise, ¡®Still the most emotion I''ve seen off the guy¡¯ he mused, and then turned serious asking Ishi where he had heard about that information as it was not common knowledge. He had told Mr. Suru the word just felt right to him, a half truth but he couldn¡¯t exactly reveal everything to the guy, and this had elicited a scoff at that but he hadn¡¯t asked for more details. Ishi then remembered how his days spent with Mr. Suru in the workshop had changed and how he had been taught the basics of aura manipulation. He had noticed that even though Mr. Suru was extremely aura sensitive he couldn¡¯t sense when Ishi used his ¡°Otherworldly Aura Cultivation Technique¡± which had made him extremely happy considering he would have absolutely no idea what to tell the old man. The lessons had exponentially sped up his mastery of the technique and now after just over two and a half years he was nearly 40% mastery in the technique. He pulled up the quest just to see just how close he was.
Progress: Otherworldly Aura Cultivation Technique - 39.92%
Oh boy did that bring a smile to his face thinking of the rewards he would be getting in the morning. You see Ishi had gotten to the point where he could literally instinctively use the technique in his sleep, so every morning he was greeted with a tiny bit of progress ranging from 0.01% - 0.1%. He was sure that the following morning he would be able to claim the rewards for the 40% mastery, the only problem was he just couldn''t get to sleep at all. As his mind continued to wander he pictured the countless afternoons spent helping Senpei grasp complex ninja strategies, or guiding Ivy through the intricate details of stealth techniques. His ability to explain concepts in a way that made sense to his friends not only bolstered their skills but also deepened their bond. ¡®Though admittedly they were a little tedious at times,¡¯ he thought to himself ¡®This grown man in a kid''s body shtik could be a pain in the ass at times.¡¯ His parents and teachers often expressed their pride in his academic achievements and his generosity in helping others, this had been a main driving factor because he knew first hand what it felt like to have your parents taken from you too soon and just seeing their pleased faces gave him all the warm fuzzies he could wish for. His mum would smile at him across the dinner table, her eyes sparkling with pride as she talked about the feedback from his teachers, praising his leadership and empathy. His dad would in turn often clap him on the back, telling him that a true ninja was not just skilled but also honourable and supportive of his community. Ishi¡¯s own skills in ninja signs had flourished remarkably. Where once he struggled to perfectly execute the Ninja Water Spout or the Ninja Leaf Shroud, he now demonstrated them with a fluidity and precision that impressed even the seasoned instructors. His dedication to practise and his keen understanding of the physical and tactical applications of each sign had made him a standout student, one who not only excelled personally but also lifted up those around him. They still weren¡¯t mastered but oh was he close to gaining all that delicious Exp, and he would finally be able to get a Sub-Class. With no reason not to he also pulled up his other progression quest.
Progress: Ninja Water Spout - 79% Ninja Flicker Step - 63% Ninja Dust Storm - 58% Ninja Wind Rush - 72% Ninja Fire Ball - 70% Ninja Body Switch - 60% Ninja Leaf Shroud - 74%
Oh they were getting close and would net him a thousand Exp a piece. The Evil grin returned to his face, but luckily his parents and most of their pokemon were asleep. Weavile however glowered at Ishi¡¯s room, it was on watch and did not appreciate the wickedness that seemed to come rolling off Ishi. Adding to that bundle of future Exp, the creation of the custom Pok¨¦balls for his friends was another milestone that had filled Ishi with a sense of accomplishment. He had taken great care in designing each Pok¨¦ball to suit his friends'' personalities and potential Pok¨¦mon partners. For Senpei, he crafted a Pok¨¦ball with a vibrant blue and white pattern, mirroring the energy and spirit of his friend. Ivy¡¯s was adorned with a soothing blend of green and orange, reflecting her love for nature and vibrant life. When he presented the Pok¨¦balls to them, the gratitude and joy in their eyes were unmistakable. Senpei had laughed, punching the air in excitement, claiming that he had the coolest Pok¨¦ball in all of Ninja Village. Ivy had hugged Ishi tightly, thanking him for such a thoughtful and beautiful gift, whispering about how it was just perfect for her future Pok¨¦mon partner. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Each acknowledgment from his peers, each nod of approval from his elders, and each smile from his parents were reminders that his path was true, not just as a ninja or a Pok¨¦mon trainer, but as a valued and beloved member of his community. He had set out to make a pokeball for all other members of his class that wanted one, most had agreed but some had told him that their parents had it covered and not to bother. Though he was fine with that as it still gave him cause to go see Mr. Suru and perfect his aura and crafting skills. Pok¨¦mon had also become part of his daily life. Living in a house filled with such diverse creatures, from the majestic Kingambit to the mischievous Croagunk, offered Ishi invaluable lessons every day, not just in care but in understanding the unique personalities and needs of each Pok¨¦mon. Learning about each of their diets from his parents and the help of Mrs. Tanoshi, Ishi had immersed himself in the preparation of ninja recipes that could increase energy or heal poison. His mother taught him how to mix herbs and natural ingredients to create effective remedies for her team members specific typings of Ice and Dark as Weavile was an especially picky eater. This knowledge not only deepened his bond with the Pok¨¦mon but also prepared him for any challenges he might face on his journey. Ishi also discovered that each Pok¨¦mon with its own palate and dietary requirements were essential to keep them strong and healthy. This understanding was crucial, Ishi realised, for anyone aspiring to be a great Pok¨¦mon trainer. Knowing what each Pok¨¦mon needed could give a huge advantage with; aiding in their recovery, and overall, enhance their well-being. ¡®Damn Ash, always having a rich gym leader with him to create all the food his pokemon could ever want, Brocks the real MVP not you!¡¯ His thoughts wandered back to his parents, especially concerning his dad. For his dad, the evolution of his Bisharp into Kingambit marked a significant milestone in his career as a trainer. It elevated his reputation and instilled a renewed sense of pride and responsibility. He was now seen as a pioneer, someone who had ventured into the unknown and emerged with a discovery that challenged the village''s understanding of Pok¨¦mon evolution. This recognition brought Haku not just acclaim but also a deeper commitment to explore further possibilities in Pok¨¦mon training and care, setting an example for his son and other trainers. Particularly impactful were the Bisharp evolution ceremonies. Following the precedent set by Haku''s Bisharp''s evolution, these ceremonies had become highly anticipated events. They were not only a test of strength and leadership among Bisharps but also a celebration of the village''s rich culture of competitiveness and excellence in Pok¨¦mon training. Each ceremony drew large crowds, filled with spectators eager to witness another potential evolution into Kingambit. The competitive spirit fostered by these events had also led to an increase in trainers seeking out the elusive Leader¡¯s Crest, the key item needed for the evolution. This quest had injected a vibrant, albeit competitive energy into the village, as trainers undertook missions and expeditions to locate such rare items, each hoping to replicate Haku''s success. The village itself buzzed with a newfound enthusiasm for Pok¨¦mon training. Kingambit''s presence was a constant reminder of the potential that lay in further exploring Pok¨¦mon evolution. Trainers, both young and old, were motivated to delve deeper into their training techniques, hoping to unlock other possible evolutions or strengthen their bonds with their Pok¨¦mon. The elders and the Chief of Ninja Village, recognizing the importance of this discovery, had instituted more structured competitions and training sessions. These events were designed not just to harness the competitive spirit but also to foster a community that thrived on shared knowledge and mutual growth. The discovery had opened up new dialogues about traditional practices and modern approaches to Pok¨¦mon training. For Ishi, this change in the village atmosphere was both inspiring and motivating. Seeing his father respected and celebrated as a leader and an innovator pushed him to dream bigger and work harder. He absorbed the lessons of dedication, strategy, and persistence demonstrated by the community around him, applying them to his studies, his crafts, and his interactions with Pok¨¦mon. The competitive yet communal spirit of the village shaped Ishi''s approach to becoming not just any Pok¨¦mon trainer but a trainer who thrived on challenges and was driven by a deep love for Pok¨¦mon and his community. As Ishi stood on the threshold of his own journey, the transformed village - with its heightened focus on discovery, competition, and collective growth - served as the perfect backdrop for the next chapter of his life. The legacy of Kingambit and the vibrant culture of Ninja Village promised to propel him into a future rich with possibilities and adventures. The moon was almost full, painting the sky in hues of cool blues and pale whites, the peaceful rustling of the hay and the familiar, comforting presence of the tree provided a perfect backdrop for reflection. Startled, Ishi blinked and focused on the small pink cat he could see in the distance that seemed to be staring at the moon. It seemed surreal to him what was Mew doing all the way out here? The swirling questions in his head only quieted as Mew vanished in a blink of teleport. Once it did, he answered without hesitation, ¡°A Froakie.¡± His voice held a note of longing; Froakie, with its potential to evolve into the formidable Greninja, had captured his imagination since he first learned about them. The answer brought him back to the conversation he had had with Ivy and Senpei the day before. Senpei, had chimed with enthusiasm, ¡°I think a Froakie would be awesome, I mean you¡¯ve heard the legend of the Greninja who saved the village!¡± Ivy, on the other hand, had different preferences. ¡°I¡¯m leaning more towards a grass type starter,¡± she said thoughtfully, imagining a partner that would complement her calm and nurturing nature. He hadn¡¯t really contributed to the conversation at the time as he was undecided, but not anymore he would do anything to find his future partner that was somewhere in the catacombs on the other side of the village. He remembered what had happened after his time with his friends had come to an end. Walking home, Ishi''s thoughts had churned with excitement and a hint of anxiety. He rehearsed the steps he might take in the catacombs, imagined the puzzles he would solve, and fantasised about the Pok¨¦mon he might meet. By the time he reached his house, the butterflies in his stomach were fluttering wildly. As he had opened the door, he was immediately greeted by the warm and comforting presence of his family and their Pok¨¦mon. Talonflame was perched near the entrance, its fiery feathers glowing softly in the dim light, while Kingambit stood majestically a little further inside, offering a reassuring nod as Ishi entered. "Back from strategizing with your friends?" his dad had asked with a smile, watching his son kick off his shoes and join them in the living room. "Yeah, trying to guess what kind of puzzles and challenges will be in the catacombs," Ishi replied, sinking into a comfortable chair. "It¡¯s kind of nerve-wracking, thinking about tomorrow." Sensing her son¡¯s growing anxiety, chimed in cheerfully. "Just remember, whatever happens, you''ve prepared as much as you can. And no matter what, we¡¯re all proud of you.¡± Croagunk hopped over to Ishi, playfully nudging his leg, while Sudowoodo mimicked a comforting pat with its branch-like arm, causing Ishi to chuckle. "Thanks, guys. I guess I have a whole team backing me up, huh?" "You sure do," Haku agreed, sitting down next to him. "Besides, I bet those catacombs haven¡¯t seen a ninja as clever as you in a long time. Those puzzles won¡¯t know what hit them." Their light-hearted banter had continued, with each family member and Pok¨¦mon contributing to the relaxed atmosphere. Weavile, always more reserved, sat close to Ishi, its presence a silent support. As the evening wore on, the family shared a light meal, laughter mingling with the clatter of dishes and the occasional chirp from Talonflame. As bedtime approached, Shion had given him a warm hug. "Get some good rest tonight. Big day tomorrow," she whispered. Ishi then nodded, feeling the knot of nerves in his stomach loosen thanks to his family''s encouragement. "Good night, everyone," he called out as he headed to his room, feeling more prepared and supported than ever. *** In his room, surrounded by the quiet of the night and the steady breathing of his family and their Pok¨¦mon friends who chose to sleep nearby, Ishi felt a peaceful calm settle over him. His mind finally quieted as he drifted off to sleep, dreams of Pok¨¦mon and adventures filling his thoughts, ready to face whatever the ceremony would bring. He steered his thoughts back to the specifics of the ceremony. Over the past few years, he had pieced together bits of information from overheard conversations and subtle hints dropped by elders and past participants. He knew that the ceremony was not just a formality but a true test of a young ninja¡¯s skill, intellect, and compatibility with Pok¨¦mon. The ceremony would begin with each participant entering the catacombs beneath the village, one at a time. These catacombs, a network of ancient, stone-laden paths filled with challenges and mysteries, were designed to test the mettle of the village¡¯s youth. Participants would need to navigate physical obstacles and solve puzzles, using both their ninja training and their sharp minds to move forward. Once they located the Pok¨¦mon they hoped to make their partner, they faced a trial. Much like the trials in the Alola region, these tests were meant to prove if the young ninja was worthy of the Pok¨¦mon¡¯s partnership. Success meant impressing or besting the Pok¨¦mon, which would then grant an egg to the trainer - a symbol of new beginnings and mutual respect. Holding the egg of his chosen Pok¨¦mon would mark the start of Ishi¡¯s journey as a Pok¨¦mon trainer. As he contemplated this, excitement bubbled within him, mixing with nerves and anticipation. The challenge of the catacombs, the mystery of the trial, and the chance to finally meet his first Pok¨¦mon partner - it all seemed like the culmination of every lesson, every dream he had nurtured since childhood. ¡®Tomorrow Finna be Awesome!¡¯ he thought before peacefully drifting off to sleep. Chapter 13 The morning of the Coming of Age ceremony dawned, a perfect day for new beginnings. Ishi woke up early, the excitement buzzing through him like electricity. Today was the day he had been dreaming of for years. He quickly dressed in his ceremonial garb, a sleek, ninja-inspired outfit that represented his transition from student to young adult. His new trainers and arm straps had been added to his attire once he¡¯d begun going through the motions of learning some basic self-defence from his parents'' insistence just over a year ago. He¡¯d grown accustomed to their feel, and now thought of them as an extension of his style, he also realised their usefulness when wearing protective gear so that you can securely fasten then at it not irritate the skin. Though of course with his enhanced physique due to his aura it was less of a concern and more a way of making wearing them more amenable. Once he had gotten ready, he found no excuse to wait and decided to finally check on his overnight progress and rewards for his aura cultivation technique.
Progress: Otherworldly Aura Cultivation Technique - 40.01%
Rewards: + 1 Stat Point To Aura
¡®Excellent!¡¯ he thought with considerable relief, he hadn¡¯t been sure he would acquire it considering he had sometimes gotten as low as 0.01% progress before. But As he¡¯d hoped he was able to obtain another free stat point. ¡®Status,¡¯ over the past years, with all the additional physical training and sparring with his friends coupled with his growing body, he had gained several stat points whilst refraining on falling back on using the available points.
Name: Will Ranger/Ishi Sukauto
Level: 7 3060/6400 Exp
Class: N/A
Sub-Class: N/A
Strength: 13
Dexterity: 17
Constitution: 9
Aura: 6->7
Mana: N/A
Abilities: Appraisal - Multilingual
Available Points: 25
¡®Now''s as good a time as any to use a few of them,¡¯ he mused. ¡®lets bump em all up to double digits, this is an important day after all.¡¯ He allocated the necessary points into constitution and aura bumping them both up to ten, he felt the immediate increase in his aura the most with his now constant cultivation method increasing in efficiency immediately that he had to consciously tone it down until he got used to it. He also noticed his body''s subtle change from his improved constitution. Constitution had had various effects he¡¯d found, it was basically the median in how effectively he could use his other stats, for example his stats in strength and dexterity didn¡¯t rise but he felt that the amount of strength and dexterity available to him was improved allowing him better control. This further linked to aura as well as it helped his control and how aura interacted within his body. When he¡¯d gotten used to the boosted stats and the changes that came along with it he focused on the screen that had popped up in front of him.
Achievement! You Have Raised Your Basic Stats All To A Value Greater Than Or Equal To 10!
Rewards: A 5% Increase In All Current Progression Quests
¡®Oh ho, a five percent increase huh don¡¯t mind if I yes.¡¯ That small increase brought Ishi ever closer to his goal and further strengthened his Ninja tricks which had begun stagnating recently. ¡®An achievement huh, haven¡¯t seen one of them before¡­ or at least I can''t remember if I have.¡¯ he mused, rubbing his chin in thought. ¡®If achievements work by giving benefits in reaction to the action achieved, and I''m assuming that much, if you look at the wording it only mentioned the basic stats. And I distinctly remember the system telling me that aura was a special stat, so maybe if I somehow unlocked mana and got that up to double digits as well I could receive an even bigger reward for that achievement.¡¯ Feeling confident in his deductions he moved to leave his room, after triple checking there was nothing he could have forgotten, the evil grin plastered to his face. Descending the stairs to join his parents, Ishi was greeted by the familiar faces of their Pok¨¦mon. Talonflame perched regally on the back of a chair, its fiery plumage catching the early morning light, while Kingambit stood by the door, its imposing figure a silent testament to the journey Ishi¡¯s family had undergone since its evolution . The pressure it still exuded sent a few less chills down his spine than usual, Ishi attributed this to his recent increase in stats and thought he saw a spark of recognition in the powerful pokemons eyes. Croagunk hopped excitedly at Ishi¡¯s approach, seeming to sense the significance of the day, while Sudowoodo and Weavile watched with quiet dignity from their respective spots in the living room. ¡®Well as dignified as a Sudowoodo can look,¡¯ he chucked to himself at the pokemons antics in trying to act like Weavile. His parents were already waiting for him, their faces glowing with pride. "Today''s the big day," Haku said, clapping Ishi on the back. "Yeah, I can''t believe it''s finally here," he replied, his stomach fluttering with nerves and excitement. "You''re going to do great," Shion assured him, adjusting his hood that had come askew under Kingambits pressure, with a gentle touch. "Just remember, no matter what happens in those catacombs, we''re proud of you." With a deep breath to steady his nerves, Ishi nodded, feeling a rush of gratitude for his parents'' unwavering support. Ishi grabbed a quick breakfast, but the nerves in his stomach didn''t allow him to eat much, and with a knowing smile his parents stood. "Let¡¯s get going then," Haku said, clapping Ishi on the shoulder and guiding him towards the door. Shion followed, her hand lightly touching Ishi¡¯s back, a reassuring presence as they stepped out into the cool morning air. Walking towards the village square, Ishi felt a surge of gratitude for the life he had led up to this point. If he hadn¡¯t done enough reminiscing the night before he would have continued to play the last few years in his head over and over constantly thinking, surrounded by family and friends, both human and Pok¨¦mon. Today he would face the catacombs, and whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew he wasn''t facing them alone¡­ well technically he was but that wasn¡¯t what he meant. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. *** Senpei was surrounded by his brothers, each of them imposing and accomplished in their own right though their pressure was far nicer than Kingambit¡¯s. ¡®Just thinking of that time is enough to give him the heebies.¡¯ Their home was filled with the low hum of excitement as they helped him prepare for the ceremony. As the youngest child, Senpei had always felt a bit overshadowed, but today he felt their respect as an equal or at least a future equal. "You''ve come a long way," Ippei, the eldest, said giving Senpei a firm pat on the shoulder. "We''re proud of you, little brother.¡± Senpei grinned, a fire of determination lighting in his eyes. "Thanks. I''m not going to just participate today; I''m going to surpass you all and stand with you to protect our village." His brothers laughed, but there was approval in their eyes. They recognized his spirit and his strength, and they had no doubts he would achieve his goals. *** Ivy and her mother were up to their usual antics, chasing her father around the house with playful threats of ninja tactics they''d use on him if he didn''t cheer the loudest for Ivy at the ceremony. Underneath the giggles and playful chases, Ivy felt a swell of emotions; pride, excitement, and a bit of nerves. Her mother caught her in a hug, squeezing tightly. "You''re going to be amazing out there," she whispered. Ivy nodded, her heart full. "I know, Mom. I just... want to make you both proud." "We already are, sweetheart. No matter what," her father added, having finally been ''captured'' in their playful game. His eyes twinkled with pride and love for his daughter, reinforcing the courage in her heart. *** Haku and Shion accompanied Ishi as they walked toward the village square where they would meet with his friends and the rest of the young candidates. The village was alive with the buzz of anticipation, decorations adorning the paths and the sounds of the villagers gathering to witness the ceremony. "Remember, Ishi, this is more than just finding a Pok¨¦mon. It''s about proving to yourself what you''re capable of," Haku said, his voice both serious and encouraging. Shion smiled, taking Ishi''s hand for a moment and squeezing it reassuringly. "And no matter what happens, we love you and we''re here for you, always." As they approached the square, Ishi saw Senpei and Ivy waiting, their faces alight with their own mix of nerves and excitement. The parents exchanged smiles and nods, a silent acknowledgment of the shared pride and hope they held for their children¡¯s futures. Together, the families joined the larger crowd, blending in with the sea of faces all turned towards the centre of the village where the ceremony would soon begin. The air was thick with anticipation, each breath laden with the weight of imminent change and the promise of new adventures. The centre of Ninja Village had been transformed into a festival ground, resonating with the energy and anticipation of the entire community. The village square, usually a bustling hub of daily activity, was now neatly arranged to accommodate the Coming of Age ceremony. Ishi and his classmates stood in the heart of this assembly, symbolising their transition from students to budding Kid Genin and trainers. Ishi found himself at the forefront of the group, a position that reflected his academic achievements and leadership throughout his training. Flanking him on either side, but a small step behind him were his closest friends, Senpei and Ivy. They, along with the rest of their class, were arranged in neat rows with each student wearing a blend of excitement and nervousness like a badge of honour for the day¡¯s rites. Chief Hanzo stood a few paces ahead, his presence commanding the attention of every eye in the square. He was dressed in traditional chief ninja robes, the garments rich in symbolism and embroidered with intricate patterns that told stories of the village¡¯s heritage and values. As he began to speak, his voice carried clearly across the crowd, touching every ear with the weight and wisdom of his words. ¡°Today, we gather to witness a rite of passage that has been the cornerstone of our community for generations,¡± the Chief began, his gaze sweeping over the young faces before him. ¡°The Ninja Way is not just about skill and knowledge; it''s about courage, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. As you each step into the catacombs today, remember that this journey is both a beginning and a test - a test of your will, your heart, and your bonds with the Pok¨¦mon you will encounter.¡± As the Chief spoke of futures and journeys, Ishi¡¯s thoughts drifted to the immediate challenges ahead. While the Chief¡¯s words were meant to inspire and commemorate, Ishi found himself internally rehearsing the steps he would soon take into the catacombs. His heart raced with the thought of finally meeting the Pok¨¦mon that might become his partner, picturing the trials and the moment he would prove himself worthy. Surrounding the ceremony were rows of onlookers - proud parents, siblings, and friends - each with faces bright with pride and emotion. There were a few artists painting the scene, capturing moments of solemnity and celebration. Among them, Ishi could feel his own parents, their emotions were a complex tapestry of pride and hope, and a whole lotta love. When he had first unlocked the ability to sense others emotions he had thought it fairly invasive and had tried not to use it too much, I mean who would want to know what someone thought about you all the time, but now he couldn''t be more appreciative of the ability. And they weren''t the only ones with these heavy emotions, their attention fixed on the figures of their children. Ishi felt the waves of intent of all of them, including the young ninjas at his back, all standing on the brink of a life-changing event. It was almost too overwhelming. The Chief concluded his speech with a call to embrace the path ahead with bravery and honour, applause broke out across the square, echoing off the village buildings. Ishi clapped along, his mind racing with strategies and scenarios, barely keeping his excitement contained. As the applause and ceremonies formalities concluded, Chief Hanzo beckoned Ishi and his classmates to gather closer. The excitement in the air was palpable as they prepared for the next part of their journey - the descent into the catacombs beneath the village. Together, they followed the Chief, weaving through the village pathways that grew narrower as they approached the outskirts. The atmosphere changed as they moved away from the familiar centre of the village, the air growing cooler and the sounds of village life fading into a hushed silence. Soon, they stood before a large cave entrance, carved into the side of a mountain, an imposing sight that seemed both ancient and mysterious. The stone around the entrance was marked with old carvings, symbols that spoke of the village¡¯s rich history and its deep connection with Pok¨¦mon. Chief Hanzo turned to address the group, his voice echoing slightly against the rocky walls. ¡°This place was built by the first generation of ninjas who settled here with their Pok¨¦mon,¡± he began, sweeping his hand toward the shadowy entrance. ¡°It was their partnership, their unity of purpose and trust, that laid the foundations of our village. Without either one, the other would not be possible.¡± He paused, allowing his words to sink in, emphasising the symbiotic relationship between the villagers and their Pok¨¦mon that had enabled their survival and prosperity. ¡°As you enter these catacombs, remember, you are walking the paths forged by those who came before you, seeking a partner that will join you in continuing our legacy.¡± Turning to a scroll he had extracted from his robe, Chief Hanzo unrolled it and read aloud the first name. ¡°Ishi Sukauto.¡± As the Chief said his name a system notice popped up in front of him.
Confirmed. Quest Created: You Have Been Granted The Right To Enter The Ancient Ninja Catacombs! Explore The Tunnels And Locate Your Future Partner(s)!
Rewards: ??? Egg, ???, Class Kid Genin
Accept: Y/N
¡®Huh?? TF is ???!¡¯ he thought quickly ¡®And why is there an s in brackets? Does that mean I could get more than one partner out of this?!¡¯ these thoughts fired across his mind ¡®the ??? Egg reward must mean the potential species of the egg is unknown and will depend on what I find and choose but the complete ??? and nothing else! Pssssshh, whatever¡¯ with a final internal shrug he accepted the quest and refocused on his surroundings. The internal debate had taken less than a second so his indecision wasn¡¯t noticed by anyone. With his heart pounding in his chest, Ishi stepped forward, acknowledging the Chief with a nod. He could feel the eyes of his friends and classmates on him as he approached the entrance to the catacombs. Taking a deep breath, he crossed the threshold into the dimly lit passageway. Just as he moved forward, he heard Hanzo¡¯s voice continue to call out, ¡°Senpei Takahiro... Ivy Shinobu...¡± But with each step he took, the sounds from outside grew fainter, and when he turned back, the entrance had vanished, obscured by the peculiar design of the catacombs or some clever ninja trickery. ¡°Well, that isn¡¯t creepy,¡± Ishi muttered under his breath, a wry smile flickering across his face despite the adrenaline coursing through him. His eyes adjusted to the lower light levels, and he took in his surroundings by spreading out a thin line of aura to tell him his surroundings. The walls of the catacombs were lined with an extremely faint glowing moss, casting an eerie yet beautiful light over the ancient stones. Realising there was no way but forward, Ishi squared his shoulders and started down the passageway. Each step echoed softly in the cavernous space, a constant reminder that although he entered alone, the spirits of those who had navigated these paths before him were with him, guiding him towards his future partner and the destiny that awaited him. As Ishi ventured deeper into the catacombs, the air grew cooler and the silence around him more profound. His senses were on high alert, his training kicking in instinctively as he navigated the shadows and echoes of the ancient space. With each step, the history of the catacombs seemed to seep into his bones, whispering secrets of the ninja ancestors who had once walked these same paths. His eyes scanning the dimly lit corridor, Ishi proceeded cautiously, aware that the trials would not be straightforward. The faint glow from the moss on the walls provided just enough light to avoid complete darkness, casting eerie patterns on the floor. As he moved, his foot brushed against something unusually smooth - a stark contrast to the rough, uneven stone floor he had been treading upon. Freezing in place, Ishi slowly squatted down to examine the object. His fingers traced over its surface, confirming his suspicions: it was a round, smooth rock, deliberately placed. His heart rate quickened as he recognized it for what it was - a trap. In the world of ninjas, such setups were common, meant to test the alertness and agility of those who dared the catacombs'' challenges. Using appraisal he confirmed his suspicions and smirked at how his friends would probably fall prey to the trap. Barely allowing himself another breath, Ishi activated his ninja flicker step, a technique he had nearly perfected over countless hours of practice. In a blur of movement, he was several feet away, just in time to hear the whizzing sound of a projectile striking the wall where he had been moments before. A sigh of relief escaped his lips, but it was cut short by the sudden shift beneath his feet. The ground, destabilised by the trap''s activation or perhaps by design, crumbled without warning. His eyes widened in shock as the floor gave way, and he found himself plummeting into the darkness below. "Shiiiiiiit!!" Ishi yelled, his voice echoing up the shaft as he fell. Chapter 14 Ishi''s adrenaline was spiking as he continued to plummet through the darkness. The rush of air and the deafening sound of his own heart pounding in his ears accompany his rapid descent. But as a ninja in training along with his aura naturally quelling his panic, Ishi quickly overcame the initial shock, orienting himself to his surroundings. His eyes, adapting to the dim lighting, caught a glint of light below - a large pool of water just out of the path of where he was falling. Realising he has mere seconds to react, Ishi summons all his concentration and prepares to utilise one of the ninja tricks he was most in tune with and would likely master first, ¡°Ninja Water Spout!¡± he yells in clear desperation. His training under the vigilant eyes of his mentors had prepared him for moments like this, though he never imagined it would be under such extreme and sudden circumstances. As he neared the pool, Ishi¡¯s channel of energy from the ninja trick coupled with his infusion of aura, whipped out from deep within him. The familiar rush of extending his aura to manipulate the elements around him brings a momentary relief from panic. He directs the water to swirl upward, crafting a spout that spirals toward him. The energy expenditure is immense, and Ishi feels a significant drain, a testament to the power and scale of the technique he''s compelled to use. The water responds to his command, enveloping him in a swirling column. The force of the fall is still great, but as he hits the water, the spout he created cushions his impact, swirling around him like a protective cocoon. Water splashes everywhere, and the sound of the tumultuous entry echoes off the cavern walls. After a few disorienting seconds submerged in the cold pool, Ishi surfaces, gasping for air. He takes a moment to orient himself, treading water as he scans the cavernous space he''s landed in. The walls are damp and covered in the same luminescent moss, except in far larger quantities than when he¡¯d first entered the catacombs, casting an eerie pale glow that gives the cavern a haunting beauty. Stalactites hang from the ceiling, some dripping with condensation into the pool that just saved his life. He also notices the hole he¡¯s just fallen down but even when he strained his eyes he couldn¡¯t see the top, it just looked like an engulfing darkness above him. ¡®Well that''s not creepy at all..¡¯ he thought for the second time since beginning. Even with the eerie surroundings, he pulsed out a thin ring of aura, relief washed over him as he realises he¡¯s safe for the moment. His relief is quickly replaced by wariness though. He knows this is just the beginning. The catacombs are designed to test a ninja¡¯s skill, resilience, and adaptability to the unexpected. With the initial shock of the fall behind him, he swam to the edge of the pool, pulling himself out onto a rocky ledge. He takes a moment to wring out his clothes and gather his thoughts. He used a low level ninja fire ball to quickly dry his rung out clothes as he figured walking around damp down here would only slow him down. Once he¡¯d reclothed himself and standing at the edge of the water, Ishi looks deeper into the cavern. The path forward is not immediately clear, and he understands that this trial will require more than just physical prowess - it will demand sharp wits and a keen intuition about the natural world around him. Still he believed with his makeshift echo location active he wouldn''t be caught off guard by anything Determined, he set off to explore the cavern, his senses heightened and his mind alert for any further traps or challenges that lie ahead. As he carefully moved in the dimly lit cavern, Ishi¡¯s attention was drawn to a slight movement at the edge of his vision. Turning towards it, he noticed a small, hurt Scatterbug struggling against the cold, damp floor of the cave. Its movements were sluggish, and it seemed in distress. Knowing how vulnerable Pok¨¦mon could be when injured, he approached slowly, making sure to keep his movements gentle and non-threatening. "Hey there, little one," Ishi whispered softly, projecting calmness. "I''m not going to hurt you. I just want to help.¡± The Scatterbug paused, its tiny eyes wary but watching Ishi¡¯s approach. As he got closer, he could see the tremor in its little body, partially from the cold and partially from fear. Squatting down, he continued to speak in soothing tones, telling the Scatterbug about his family''s own Pok¨¦mon back home, hoping to forge a connection through his voice and demeanour. He¡¯d learnt a lot from his sensei¡¯s and one of the most reinforced was the idea of showing a pokemon you had no ulterior motives. Once he felt the Scatterbug had grown somewhat accustomed to his presence, he gently examined it. He noticed that the damage was localised near one of its sensitive antennae, likely causing it significant discomfort. "Looks like you''ve got a little wound here," Ishi noted, his voice still low and steady. "I¡¯m going to clean it up and put a bandage on it, okay? It''ll feel better soon.¡± ¡®That was probably somewhat my fault with the floor collapsing beneath me. Some of the rocks must have fallen and hit this little guy.¡¯ he thought to himself feeling a little guilty. Retrieving a small first aid kit from his satchel - a standard issue for all young ninjas during the ceremony - he carefully cleaned the wound. He then took out a bandaid, explaining each step to the Scatterbug to keep it reassured. "This might feel a bit strange at first, but it¡¯ll help protect your antenna while it heals." As Ishi was focused on gently applying the bandage to the delicate antenna, unbeknownst to him, a pair of observant eyes watched from the shadows of the cavern. The observer, hidden from view, scrutinised every move Ishi made, their gaze intense and calculating. The situation seemed to be more than just a simple test of survival skills; it was also a test of compassion and empathy, crucial traits for any who aspire to be both a ninja and a Pok¨¦mon trainer. Ishi finished bandaging the Scatterbug, who now seemed much calmer and more comfortable. "There you go, all better," Ishi smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment at being able to help a Pok¨¦mon in need. He watched as the Scatterbug tested its antenna gently, then looked up at him with what seemed like gratitude in its tiny eyes. With the Scatterbug''s antenna now carefully bandaged, Ishi felt a renewed sense of purpose. He knew he needed to continue his quest to find his own Pok¨¦mon partner, but first, he wanted to ensure the little creature beside him was safe. "Hey, do you know where your family and friends are?" Ishi asked gently, hoping the Scatterbug could lead him. "Scat scatter," Scatterbug responded, nodding vigorously. He felt the emotions pulse off the little bug pokemon in the affirmative. "Good," Ishi replied with a smile. "Let¡¯s get you back to them safe and sound." As they began moving, with Scatterbug leading the way, Ishi''s thoughts returned to his own mission. The idea of finding a Froakie filled him with excitement, so he decided to ask, "Do you know if there are any Froakie, Frogadier, or Greninja living around here?" Scatterbug paused, seeming to consider the question carefully before nodding again and uttering, "Bug." Ishi¡¯s heart leapt with hope. "Awesome! Let¡¯s get you back to your friends, and then maybe you could point me in the right direction?" "Bug bug scatter!" Scatterbug replied enthusiastically, appearing relieved. He felt a wave of anticipation and eagerness flow off the little guy and couldn''t help but smile at it. Ishi chuckled softly, realising why Scatterbug had hesitated. "You thought I might leave you behind if I knew about the Froakie, huh?" He shook his head. "Don¡¯t worry, I wouldn¡¯t do that. We¡¯re in this together." ¡®Besides it''s kinda my fault you got hurt in the first place.¡¯ he internally winced at that particular thought. Their journey through the tunnels was cautious but steady. Ishi kept a gentle pace to accommodate his small guide, and as they walked, he tried to engage Scatterbug in conversation to learn more about her. "So little guy, how did you get lost down here?" he inquired. Scatterbug was silent for a moment before uttering a soft, plaintive "Scatter." Confused, Ishi watched her, trying to interpret her signals. Then, as a realisation dawned on him, he blurted out, "Oh! You¡¯re a girl, aren¡¯t you?" Scatterbug huffed, a small nod confirming his guess. "Sorry about that," he apologised sincerely. "I should¡¯ve asked sooner. Thank you for helping me get through these caves, and for putting up with me.¡± Scatterbug seemed to accept his apology, and they continued on their path. The tunnels were winding and complex, lined with the bioluminescent moss that cast an otherworldly glow on their surroundings. Every so often, Scatterbug would stop to ensure Ishi was still following, or to sniff the air, her instincts guiding them through the less travelled paths of the catacombs. As they moved, the bond between Ishi and Scatterbug grew. His initial mission to find a Froakie was still important, but helping Scatterbug return to her family had given him a profound sense of responsibility and camaraderie. It wasn¡¯t just about finding a Pok¨¦mon partner; it was about making a difference in these Pok¨¦mon¡¯s lives, however small. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Finally, after navigating through a particularly narrow passage, they emerged into a larger cavern that buzzed with the sounds of various Bug-type Pok¨¦mon. Scatterbug''s pace quickened as she recognized her surroundings, and soon, a group of similar bugs gathered around her, chirping and touching her with their antennae in clear displays of relief and welcome. Ishi watched the reunion with a warm feeling spreading through his chest. He had done something good here, something meaningful. The heartwarming reunion of Scatterbug with her kin was brief, yet filled with warmth and mutual relief. However, it seemed that Scatterbug had more to show him. After a few chirps and an affectionate nuzzle, she motioned for him to follow her. Curious and grateful, Ishi complied, his excitement about what she might lead him to rekindled. As they continued though the small cave, which was obviously a nesting area for the Scatterbugs, he received several curious and questioning glances. This also gave him some time to appraise a new species, he had never met a Spewpa he¡¯d only seen a couple Scatterbugs and Vivillon back in the village, and hell no was he unpleased about the free Exp. When the two of them reached a small indent in the wall where the moss was far thicker than anywhere else he¡¯d seen, the Scatterbug cried out a couple times as if to get someone''s attention. After a few beats the moss seemed to come alive and peeled to either side of the indent. Momentarily stunned at the sight, he stood there in wonder as a pair of Vivillon drifted majestically. Vivillon''s body was primarily dark grey with a small, round head and large, expressive eyes. Its antennae were thin and had pale tips. But their main feature that caught his breath were their wings. They were both jungle variants, with a primarily muted green colour scheme, mimicking the colours of a dense jungle canopy. The wings had a pattern of darker green and brown bands near the bottom, with smaller, lighter green squares dotting the upper parts of the wings. The edges of the wings are outlined in black, with the top edges having a slightly jagged, pixel-like design. He knew that the combination of colours and patterns on Vivillon''s wings in this variant are designed to help it blend into forested and jungle environments, providing camouflage from predators and aiding in surprise attacks. And after picking his jaw up, from where it had fallen on the floor, he greeted them both with a certain degree of reverence. ¡®I didn¡¯t even sense them with my aura pulses, how is that even possible?¡¯ As if reading his mind they both giggle and a few ¡°Viv Vivillon¡± come from the two of them and all at once he can feel their immense pressure coming off of them. ¡°Holy shit!¡± Ishi cried and stumbled back. A few of the other pokemon now joined the two Vivillon in their laughter. Muttering to himself about not questioning it and moving on he stepped back beside the Scatterbug that had brought him here. After a few minutes of explaining, what had happened to Scatterbug and the fact he was looking for a partner Froakie to team up with, to the two matriarch and patriarch, he assumed at least that''s what they were, Vivillon turned an motioned for him to follow them. Shrugging and thinking ¡®What''s the worst that could happen, not like they could probably release their presence and render me catatonic again¡­ right?¡¯ with a small gulp at that he followed the two of them into the small indent. What surprised Ishi the most was the sheer size he¡¯d taken for granted that the small indent was, the inside seemed to continuously expand and the amount of glowing moss and other flora dotted about the place made the place feel somewhat homey in his opinion. He appraised a few of them and got a variety of notifications about some of them being used in medicines and the like, which considering where he was made a sorta sense to him. It didn¡¯t take long for them to reach a small outcropping of stones that made Ishi do a somewhat anime-like double take as he glanced at them. ¡®Fossils!! No way, why would fossil pokemon be here? This village isn¡¯t that old is it?¡¯ These thoughts raced across his mind and the two powerful pokemon seemed to sense his agitation. ¡°Illon?¡± one said tilting its head ¡°Ah, well you see these are a lot more special than you probably realise¡± the pair of pokemon seemed to stare at him wanting him to continue, so after collecting his thoughts he did just that ¡°Err so, well they are what you call fossil pokemon, if you take them to a special place they can be revived and brought back to our time¡± he took a breath ¡°They were ancient pokemon that died a long time ago when the world nearly ended, and depending on the amount of DNA left in the fossil the higher the chances of revival.¡± ¡°Interesting¡­ child you do not speak a lie¡± ¡°Huh?¡± The shock of someone speaking directly into his mind left him dumbstruck with awe as he just stared at the pair of variant Vivillon. ¡®I thought they could only learn Psychic through TM though?¡¯ so many possibilities ran across his head it gave him a headache. ¡°My question is¡± Vivillon continued, clearly ignoring the thoughts going on inside his head ¡°How and where did you get this information? You are barely eight years old from what I can tell?¡± ¡°Ah¡± was the only sound that came out of his mouth ¡®Oh shit! Wait they can hear that.. Or read that.. Or whatever it is they can do!¡¯ The internal monologue as he thought of what to say continued for a short moment. After glancing around, as if weighing up his options, he said ¡°I don¡¯t want to tell you.¡± The stunned silence that followed was what he figured would happen. ¡°You.. Don¡¯t want to tell us??¡± and so commenced a tense staring contest between Vivillon and Ishi. The small Scatterbug was frozen, as it had never seen someone refuse its parents. ¡°Bwahahahaha¡± ¡®Wow laughing in my mind and not outloud is an interesting feeling¡¯ Ishi thought with a small wince at the strain the laughter was putting on his mind. ¡°Haa.. You are right you do not need to tell us, and I can tell you did not come across it via nefarious methods.¡± Ishi nodded confirming this ¡°Alright, I will allow you to pick just one of these fossils for you to use on your team and to help you achieve your dream!¡± Bowing at a ninety degree angle Ishi couldn''t believe his luck, and that''s when the system notifications came flooding in. But thinking he had more important things to concern himself with he dismissed them and instead turned to the small group of gathered fossils. ¡®Hmm¡¯ he thought, ¡®I wonder if I can use appraisal on these?¡¯ It turned out he absolutely could use appraisal. And after doing just that he found there were a number of fossils that didn¡¯t contain enough DNA to be revived, which was sad but there was nothing he could do about it so he decided to move on promptly, but there were also a couple he definitely wanted on his team. ¡®Hmm, so the fossils that are viable are a Claw Fossil, Jaw Fossil, a large piece of Old Amber, and lastly a Root Fossil. Decisions decisions¡¯ Ishi sat there for over half an hour weighing up the pros and cons of each, ¡®Honestly I always wanted a fossil pokemon anyways so anything I choose will be a boon. Ahhhh I can¡¯t decide!¡¯ ruffling his hair in frustration he used his aura to calm down his emotions and calmly looked at the options in front of him ¡®Ok, let''s think about the potential of each of these if we are looking at base stats then from what I remember it was Tyrantrum with the higher base stats¡¯ thinking he had finally come to a decision he reached out his hand to pick up the Jaw Fossil. Suddenly as if lightning struck his dumb as a dodo brain he thought about the very gimmick that made the Kalos region so special, ¡®Mega-Evolution! Oh For fuck sake Ishi how the hell did you ever get first in your class!¡¯ And with that mental kick he immediately switched to the large piece of Old Amber. ¡®Oh yes this ancient flying demon is definitely gonna be mine!¡¯ ¡°I see you have made a decision at last. Took you long enough we were both getting bored watching your thought process.¡± That dimmed some of the evil laughter that was playing in his head as he stared at the fossil in his hand. ¡°Kmm, yes well¡­¡± feeling the heat rise to his cheeks he stood up and bowed again to the pair of pokemon. ¡°Well I appreciate this very much, I¡¯ll treat it well.¡± With a nod from both of them they pointed him in the direction of the Froakie that was a little further away and told Scatterbug to accompany him and make sure he arrived in one piece. Thanking them again he stored the fossil in his satchel at his side and turned to ask the Scatterbug to lead the way. ¡®Might as well check these messages now, hmm lets see what we have here.¡¯
Progress: Ninja Water Spout - 90% Ninja Flicker Step - 68% Ninja Dust Storm - 63% Ninja Wind Rush - 77% Ninja Fire Ball - 75% Ninja Body Switch - 65% Ninja Leaf Shroud - 79%
Congratulations! Ninja Water Spout¡¯s Progress Had Risen Significantly Due To An Extremely Stressful Experience.
Confirmed. Quest Progress: You Have Been Granted The Right To Enter The Ancient Ninja Catacombs! Explore The Tunnels And Locate Your Future Partner(s)!
Congratulations! Progress: You Have Gained The Right To Accept The Reward (???), You Have Chosen A Large Piece Of Old Amber.
Confirmed. Quest Created: Due To A Powerful Existence Speaking Into Your Mind The First Condition Has Been Fulfilled In The Unlocking Of The Mana Stat. Complete The Other Two Conditions And Unlock Your Mana Stat!
Rewards: Unlocking Of The Mana Stat, Sub-Class Psychic Ninja
Accept: Y/N
¡°Woah, that''s a lot of notifications. Haaaaah, note to self don''t let them pile up in the future.¡± Chapter 15 Whilst he was busy with all the notifications and their implications, he followed his little Scatteerbug buddy as she guided him to the far side of the cavern. ¡®Ok so first off it''s basically rewarded me for surviving a dangerous situation, hmm I wonder if there¡¯s a way to utilise this for the other ninja tricks? Stuff for future Ishi to think about.¡¯ He mentally chucked the issue up to the reliable future Ishi in his ever increasing wisdom. ¡®Ah I¡¯m glad I now know that the (???) reward was the ancient amber, huh so the system knew I was possibly going to be rewarded one of those but didn¡¯t know which one. Interesting.¡¯ And then of course after reading the final one and learning he was one step closer to unlocking mana, which had evaded him ever since getting the system, he quickly accepted. The walk with the Scatterbug was rather uneventful and only took a minute or two. They were now in front of a small opening where the rock wall gave way to a narrow, almost hidden crawlspace. Ishi glanced at the small opening, then back at Scatterbug. "Are the Froakie this way?" he asked, pointing towards the hole. Scatterbug nodded vigorously, and Ishi smiled. "Thank you," he said sincerely, and then got down on his stomach to start crawling through the tight space. The tunnel was narrow and the air grew damp as he moved forward. Sounds of running water and splashing began to echo around him, growing louder with each inch he progressed. Driven by the noises, Ishi quickened his pace, driven by both curiosity and a surge of hope. Eventually, the crawlspace widened and opened into yet another vast, awe-inspiring cavern. ¡®Jeez it feels like Every one of these caverns are a whole new ecosystem spending on the pokemon in them¡¯ he mused as he took in his surroundings. The ceiling was adorned with glowing rocks, ¡®no moss this time huh just glowing rocks, neet¡¯ he thought, that cast a magical light across the cavern, illuminating a large pool of water in the centre. Ishi paused just inside the entrance, taking in the scene before him. Froakie were hopping around playfully, splashing each other in the pool, their blue skin speckled with white like sea foam, exuding playfulness and intelligence. They were under the watchful eyes of a Frogadier, its form sleeker and its skin a darker blue, adorned with a foamy scarf that added to its distinguished appearance, conveying readiness and protectiveness. The atmosphere was lively and filled with cheerful croaks. ¡®Huh they must be newborns, I wonder if there are any eggs left to hatch for me.¡¯ that sent a bit of doubt into his resolve but he was still happy with his fossil so if it wasn¡¯t to be it wasn¡¯t to be. His gaze then drifted to a pair of Greninja standing a bit apart from the rest, their presence commanding and their eyes sharp. ¡®Wow those Vivillon lose out to these two for sure!¡¯ Although he couldn''t sense them at all even with his aura he, every one of his instincts told him to stay away. They were the epitome of ninja grace and power, with slim, toned bodies ideal for stealth. Their deep, midnight blue skin blended into the shadows, and their pink tongues that they used as scarves covered their faces like ninja masks, the serene yet intense light in eyes seemed to be piercing through the dim light. Both of them seemed to be assessing him, gauging his intentions. He took in the scene, and was struck by the evolutionary beauty of these creatures, each stage perfectly adapted to their lives of aquatic agility and stealth. ¡®Hah and then there¡¯s the next stage of their evolution with the Bond-Phenomenon, oh I can¡¯t wait! Ash may have his MCness but I have a system, my cheat hacks won¡¯t lose out at all!¡¯ Quelling his anticipation and remembering his training and the customs of respect among Pok¨¦mon, especially those as noble as Greninja, Ishi bowed his head deeply, showing deference. "My name is Ishi," he introduced himself in a clear, respectful tone. "I came here hoping to find a Froakie to partner with. I mean no disturbance to your home.¡± The Greninja regarded him silently for a moment longer, then the one that appeared to be the leader nodded slowly. "Gren... Ninja," it finally spoke, its voice low and contemplative. It then gestured towards the group of Froakie. Ishi looked up, meeting the Greninja¡¯s gaze, which had softened slightly. And with no feeling of hostility directed at him he bowed again and moved closer. Taking the invitation, he followed as the Greninja led him closer to the pool. The Froakie, now aware of his presence, paused their play to watch him curiously. While he approached, his heart was full of excitement and a deep sense of honour. The prospect of having his own Froakie partner was a childhood dream of his, even including his past life. To start his journey as a Pok¨¦mon trainer with such a spirited and beloved creature, felt like the fulfilment of a dream and all the effort he had been putting in all these years since coming here. Each step he took towards the pool, watched over by the protective Greninja, felt significant - like walking into a new chapter of his life, one that promised adventures and bonds that would define his future. Greninja had led Ishi toward the pool where the younger Froakie frolicked under the watchful eyes of their evolutionary kin. The cavern, bathed in the soft glow from the luminescent rocks above, felt like a hidden sanctuary, a secret world of water and shadow. Ishi introduced himself to the assembly of Pok¨¦mon, barely containing his excitement. His eyes sparkled with the kind of enthusiasm that only a true Pok¨¦mon enthusiast could muster. Observing Ishi¡¯s glee, the Greninja couldn''t help but let out a soft, amused chuckle. Seeing the genuine joy in the young ninja''s eyes, Greninja gave a gracious wave of its webbed hand, granting Ishi permission to join the Froakie in their aquatic playground. Without a moment''s hesitation, Ishi dove into the water, splashing into the midst of the playful Froakie. The initial shock of the splash was met with laughter, in the form of happy croaks from the little Pok¨¦mon, who quickly retaliated, diving after Ishi and splashing him back. The Frogadier, who had been closely monitoring the interactions, glanced at the Greninja, who simply watched the scene unfold. With a shrug, Frogadier moved away from the pool¡¯s edge, leaving Ishi to immerse himself fully in the joy of the moment. For the next quarter of an hour, Ishi was in his element, laughing and playing with the Froakie as if he were one of them, sharing in their joyful antics and boundless energy. He had always thought he had an affinity for water and he felt that just being around this lot was definitely proof in the affirmative. When he finally climbed out of the water, the Froakie followed, clustering around him as he made his way back to where the Greninja stood observing. With a bashful smile and a rub of the back of his head, Ishi bowed slightly, expressing his gratitude. "Thank you for letting me play with the Froakie," he said sincerely. The trail of playful Froakie that had followed him, still bubbling with energy gathered around him, their small bodies bouncing with excitement. Ishi, dripping and breathless from the fun, crouched down to their level, a wide smile spreading across his face. "Hey, you guys are amazing swimmers, you keep at it and soon you¡¯ll be stronger than the Greninja over there!" he exclaimed, chuckling as one particularly bold Froakie hopped closer, splashing him lightly with a small wave. "Froakie fro!" The Froakie responded in unison, which Ishi took as a sign of pride. "You think you could teach me some of those cool jumps you do?" Ishi asked, his eyes twinkling with playful curiosity. The Froakie seemed to confer among themselves for a moment before nodding enthusiastically, eager to share their skills with this friendly human. *** Meanwhile, at the edge of the pool, Frogadier watched the interaction with a protective eye. It turned to Greninja, its expression a mix of amusement and concern. "Froga dier dier?" Frogadier asked, nodding subtly towards Ishi. Greninja watched silently for a moment longer before replying. "Greninja gren ninja" Frogadier hummed in agreement, its gaze softening as it watched the Froakie teach Ishi how to mimic their agile leaps. "Frogadier froga.¡± If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. *** Back with the Froakie, Ishi attempted a leap, mimicking their movements. His attempt was clumsy in comparison, and he landed with a splash that sent ripples across the pool. The Froakie laughed in their croaky voices, but there was no mockery in their tone - only affection and encouragement. "Okay, let''s try that again," Ishi laughed, wiping water from his face. "Show me one more time?" As this playful lesson continued, Greninja returned to the pair, watching Ishi¡¯s perseverance and the Froakie¡¯s delight. After a moment, Greninja signalled to Frogadier, who nodded and moved closer to the water¡¯s edge. Greninja acknowledged his thanks with a small nod, then turned and paced away, leaving Ishi with a raised webbed hand signalling him to wait. Ishi paused, respecting the Greninja¡¯s gesture, and stood patiently, surrounded by the curious Froakie who had definitely taken a liking to him like he was one of them. ¡®This must be one of the benefits that come with aura, I remember there were a few episodes when ash was swarmed with pokemon, heh I¡¯m definitely lucky.¡¯ They nudged and croaked around him, seeking his attention, which he gave willingly, his heart full of hope and anticipation. Still though, he watched Greninja¡¯s retreating figure, wondering about the significance of this moment, about the choice that might soon be made, and about the partner he might soon call his own. The anticipation was palpable, and when Greninja returned, the air seemed to thicken with expectation. In its hands, Greninja cradled a small, delicate Froakie egg. The egg¡¯s subtle glow illuminated the faces of those gathered around, casting light on their awed expressions. Ishi¡¯s eyes lit up with a brilliant shine, reflecting his excitement and wonder at the sight of the egg. It was a tangible symbol of the future, a potential partnership that could shape his path as a Pok¨¦mon trainer. Just as he stepped forward, eager to draw closer to his possible future partner, Frogadier interjected sharply. With a stern croak and an animated wave of its webbed hands, Frogadier made its objection clear, stepping protectively in front of the egg. ¡®Interesting, it seems there is something special about this egg if Frogadier is reacting so strongly!¡¯ He continued to watch as It shook its head emphatically, sending a clear message of disapproval towards Ishi. Greninja raised a hand calmly and uttered a firm, ¡°Gren ninja.¡± The authority in its voice was enough to quiet Frogadier, but the Water-type Pok¨¦mon still sent a lingering glare in Ishi¡¯s direction, its protective instincts plainly visible. Confused by the sudden tension, Ishi looked from Frogadier to Greninja, seeking clarification. Greninja¡¯s gestures were deliberate; it pointed at the egg, then at Ishi, and finally at Frogadier, adding, ¡°Gren gren ninja.¡± ¡®Ah I get it, so that egg is one of the Greninjas direct offspring so it¡¯ll be kinda like royalty when it hatches I suppose. Oh that is so going to be my partner, ain¡¯t nothing this Frogadeir can do about it!¡¯ The final message was clear, even through the language barrier with his aura ability he was able to follow along mostly. The gist was that he¡¯d have to prove his worth to Frogadier to earn the right to take the Froakie egg. Understanding dawned on Ishi, and a resolve hardened within him. He knew what he had to do and was ready to meet the challenge head-on. And with that understanding came a notification from the system.
Confirmed. Quest Created: An Inconsiderate Frogadier, That Clearly Doesn¡¯t Know Its Place, Has Gotten In The Way Of You And Your Partner! Teach This Guy A Lesson!
Reward: + 2 Levels
Accepting the quest while nodding firmly, Ishi faced Frogadier with a respectful yet determined expression. ¡°I understand,¡± he said, even though he knew Frogadier might not comprehend his words. ¡°I¡¯m ready to prove myself.¡± ¡®I¡¯m so gonna mess you up for getting in the way of my partner! Oh Imma get me these levels.¡¯ He thought sadistically to himself. He also then believed it¡¯d be as good a time as any to use his available points, thinking ¡®Status¡¯ he quickly used eight of the available points on his dexterity and strength and relished the sudden boost in strength. He didn¡¯t input ant into constitution or aura as it would have too much of an effect and would weaken him in the short run with there being no time to get used to them, but strength and dexterity were under his grasp in a split second after raising them. Frogadier, recognizing the resolve in Ishi¡¯s stance and not noticing the immediate change in his opponent, responded with a nod of its own, its earlier hostility giving way to a reluctant respect. The challenge was set, and the terms were understood by all. The cavern, once filled with playful noises, now brimmed with the intensity of an impending trial. Ishi prepared himself, knowing that the outcome of this challenge could define his journey with the Froakie that might soon hatch from the egg still cradled in Greninjas arms. He faced Frogadier, understanding the gravity of the challenge before him. In this world, humans, despite their ingenuity and spirit, were physically outmatched by Pok¨¦mon in nearly every aspect - from strength and speed to elemental powers. Ishi knew that overcoming Frogadier in a direct contest of strength was impossible; instead, he needed to win its respect through cleverness and strategy. ¡®It''s most likely underestimated me, good that¡¯ll work to my advantage.¡¯ He thought with a smirk. Surveying the cavern, Ishi noted the natural resources at his disposal. Scattered rocks and boulders could provide cover or be used to create diversions. The pool of water from earlier playtime shimmered invitingly, a potential ally in his tactics. Unfortunately, the smoke bombs he¡¯d packed for emergencies were likely ruined by his earlier unplanned swim, leaving him to rely purely on his environment and wits. Taking a deep breath, Ishi adopted a fighting stance, he¡¯d spared many a time with his classmates and held an impressive undefeated record with only his senseis really giving him a challenge, a grin spreading across his face. This was his first real test of skill against a Pok¨¦mon, and despite the stakes, he couldn''t help but feel exhilarated. "Let''s make this a good one," he muttered to himself, then louder to Frogadier, "I''m ready!¡± Frogadier responded with a low croak and a nod, its eyes narrowing as it prepared for the first move. It leaped swiftly, utilising its powerful legs to launch a rapid attack. Ishi knew it was two fast to be dodged so decided to absorb the blow and roll to the side with the impact, then sprung up and used a nearby boulder for cover. Quickly assessing Frogadier''s fighting style, he realised he needed to turn this challenge into a dance of counters by using the pokemons strength against it, and foresight rather than a head-on confrontation. As Frogadier approached again sensing there Ishi had hidden, Ishi darted towards the pool. He scooped up a handful of water, using his Ninja water spout to propel him faster and to manipulate it into a small, distracting spray aimed towards Frogadier. The Frogadier paused, momentarily caught off guard, allowing Ishi to manoeuvre to another cover. The battle progressed, with Ishi relying on his wit and surroundings to keep Frogadier on its toes, he had been able to catch the Frogadier a couple of times by catching its punch and using his centre of gravity to judo throw him into the ground, but he knew it was only negligible damage. He still didn''t aim to hit but to outmanoeuvre, showing respect for Frogadier''s prowess while also demonstrating his own competence and resilience. After several exchanges, Ishi took a calculated risk and paused, standing openly, showing he wasn''t going to retreat further. Breathing heavily, Ishi addressed Frogadier directly, "Thank you for this lesson, Frogadier. I hope I''ve earned your respect, as you have mine.¡± He intensified his otherworldly aura cultivation technique and balled both of his fists. ¡°Let¡¯s finish this with the next strike!¡± ¡®Come on, rush in ya dumb frog.¡¯ Frogadier studied Ishi for a tense moment, then slowly, it croaked affirmatively and nodded, a sign of respect earned. It got into a stance that Ishi immediately recognised as its blitz frontal attack and grinned at the pokemon in front of him. They both nodded at one another and Ishi quickly lowered himself with bent knees and spread legs to lower his centre of gravity as Frogadeir burst forward. And suddenly the Frog pokemon slipped and went tumbling toward Ishi, the Evil smile playing across his face as his plan came to fruition. Frogadeir had quick reflexes and tried to regain its composure, but unfortunately it was to late and, due to its initial speed, reached the crouching Ishi only to get throw over his shoulder straight into a boulder that was directly behind Ishi causing a loud crash to ring out in the cavern. Frogadier spit out a bit of saliva as its body took the heavy hit, and capitalising on this Ishi darted forward with his fist now glowing slightly due to the condensed aura from his technique and just stopped an inch away from Frogadeirs face with the wind from the blow flowing over the shocked Frogadier. Ishi stepped back with a smirk and bowed slightly to the Frogadier and began grinning as the notifications came pouring in from the system. Frogadier extracted itself from the boulder still a bit bewildered at the circumstances, but when it looked at where it had slipped it noticed all the mud that had been created due to Ishi using his Ninja water spout to make the field more advantageous to himself, it had to admit its defeat. And with a reluctant grunt of acceptance it moved back towards the group of Froakie that had watched in awe at the spectacle. At this signal, Greninja stepped forward, holding the Froakie egg. With a dignified nod, Greninja handed the egg to Ishi, acknowledging his successful completion of the trial. With a series of swift hand signs, Greninja then cast a Smokescreen. As the smoke cleared, Ishi found himself standing at the entrance of the catacombs. Night had fallen, and the stars twinkled in a clear sky above him. Holding the Froakie egg close, Ishi felt a profound sense of accomplishment and anticipation for his future journey. He had not only earned the respect of Frogadier and the trust of Greninja but also gained a potential lifelong partner in the Froakie that would soon hatch. With a heart full of anticipation and a renewed sense of purpose, Ishi stepped out of the catacombs, ready to face whatever adventures lay ahead. Chapter 16 Ishi stepped out of the catacombs, clutching the Froakie egg close to his chest, a profound sense of accomplishment washed over him. The cool evening air hit his face, a stark contrast to the damp, subterranean atmosphere he had just emerged from. Before he could fully take in his surroundings, a cacophony of voices erupted. "Thank Arceus you are alright!" ¡®Jesus christ that nearly gave me a heart attack, can¡¯t a guy reflect on the meaning of his life in peace?¡¯ But looking around at all the worried faces he refrained from expressing this as a ball had formed in his throat. He was quickly surrounded by concerned faces, his parents at the forefront, their expressions a mix of relief and worry. He looked around and noticed that it was already getting dark. ¡®Strange I feel like I wasn¡¯t down there all that long though?¡¯ he wondered internally. He had in fact, been down in the catacombs for nearly an entire day, much to the chagrin of everyone in the ceremony. Especially with the rest of his class having already completed their ceremonies and received their Pok¨¦mon eggs from the various guardians. Senpei and Ivy were among those gathered. Senpei held a Froakie egg, similar to Ishi¡¯s but with a more sky blue colour when compared to his which was far paler. ¡®Hmm interesting, I know he gets a Froakie. I wonder what the different colouring of the eggs signifies¡­ No way!¡¯ A surge of hope crosses his mind but he quells it as he knows the odds of such a thing are incredibly rare. To distract himself he tries to discern what egg Ivy could possibly have, its shell adorned with elegant leafy patterns. ¡®Definitely a grass type, it doesn¡¯t look like a pansage or bulbasaur egg, I wonder.. If I had to guess it¡¯d either be a Chespin or maybe a Snivy egg, either way I will humbly accept the free Exp you will surely bring me.¡¯ Thinking about Exp he also then decided to accept the rewards for completing his quest and received his two level ups with a smirk. Noticing a new presence in the circle of people that had surrounded him he looked at the Chief who was flanked by several subordinates, as he moved a few people out of the way to get closer to Ishi. His authoritative presence quieted the crowd. "Ishi, what happened down there?" the Chief asked, his tone firm but kind. ¡°As soon as you entered No one could get a lock on your location, mind enlightening the rest of us?¡± ¡®Well shit so if I hadn¡¯t used my Ninja Water Spout I could''ve been seriously hurt!¡¯ He remembered Mrs. Tanoshi implying to them that if anything harmful were to happen to any of the class then someone would step in, he¡¯d just figured the pitfall was one of the traps set up to challenge them. ¡®Apparently not I guess,¡¯ he thought with a small chuckle at himself. Taking a deep breath, Ishi began to recount his experience. "The floor collapsed beneath me shortly after I entered. I guess I must have ended up in a different part of the catacombs, I of course didn¡¯t know that till now.¡± He made a show of having a shiver run down his spine ''That''s right imma milk all I can out of this,¡¯ though no one in the group could tell he was thinking this. ¡°While I was down there, I met a Scatterbug who was hurt by some of the rocks that had fallen down with me. I helped her, and in return, she guided me through the catacombs. Met some pretty interesting Pokemon I have to say, they seemed nice at least.¡± He reached into the satchel at his hip and felt the piece of old amber and nodded ¡°Definitely nice!¡± He recounted most of what went down in detail only modifying what he figured the others probably didn¡¯t need to know. Finally he got to the part about his trial to receive his egg, "To earn this Froakie egg, I had to prove myself. Frogadier was very protective of the egg, but Greninja, who I believe is the parent patriarch.. Maybe matriarch.. I really need to get better at telling the difference or asking.¡± This earned him a few eye rolls from his audience as he went off on a tangent yet again, he may have had a couple of those during his retelling, ¡®Hey they¡¯re important to me, everyone is so judgy!¡¯ ¡°Anyways.. they allowed me a chance to earn its respect. After a series of different play times with the group of Froakie and this one Frogadier, they granted me the egg." ¡®Definitely gonna keep the whole sparring with a pokemon thing to myself, no need to worry the parents further.¡¯ He mused, thinking back to what had transpired not ten minutes ago. The Chief listened intently, nodding occasionally and wincing at a few of the details Ishi provided. Once he finished, the Chief spoke, his voice carrying a note of pride. "You have had quite the journey, Ishi. We were all very worried, but it seems your perseverance and bravery have paid off. Since you have completed the requirements and received your egg partner, it is time for you to be recognized as a Kid Genin."
Confirmed. Quest Completed: You Have Been Granted The Right To Enter The Ancient Ninja Catacombs! Explore The Tunnels And Locate Your Future Partner(s)!
Congratulations! You Have Earned Your First Class: Kid Genin This Class Grants you + 4% Increase In All Stats! This Class Grants You Enhanced Learning Towards Ninja Tricks!
Congratulations! All Rewards For This Quest Have Been Received!
Dismissing the notifications with a blissful grin, and immediately feeling the increase in stats, he watched as one of the Chiefs subordinates stepped forward, holding a small box. The Chief opened it to reveal a forehead protector, a headband composed of an iron metal plate engraved with the symbol of their village, which was designed as a hexagon with four distinct sections mirroring the symbol of the Kalos region, and a dark blue band of cloth. He handed it to Ishi with a solemn expression. "This is your forehead protector. Wear it with pride, for it symbolises your place among our ranks as a ninja." ¡®At last,¡¯ Ishi thought as he took the protector with a certain degree of reverence. Ishi felt a swell of emotion, but his training in aura helped him keep his composure. He accepted the forehead protector with grace, bowing deeply to the Chief. "Thank you, Chief. I will wear it with honour and strive to live up to the expectations of our village." ¡®I¡¯m gonna wear this everywhere, everyone will one day know this symbol around the world and link it back to me and this village!¡¯ He declared in his head, reaffirming his drive towards his goal. As the formalities concluded, Ishi turned and saw his parents waiting for him, their faces beaming with pride and relief. He rushed over, and they enveloped him in another warm embrace., being careful about the egg that Ishi still clutched to his chest "We¡¯re so proud of you, Ishi," his mother whispered, her voice thick with emotion. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. His father ruffled his hair affectionately. "You¡¯ve grown so much, son. Today, you¡¯ve proven yourself in ways we couldn¡¯t have imagined." And after saying that he took the forehead protector from his hand gently, then with a face full brushed his now ruffled hair out of the way and placed it on his head and tied it firmly behind his head. Holding the Froakie egg close and feeling the solid weight of the forehead protector, Ishi knew this was just the beginning of his journey. Surrounded by his friends and family, he yet again felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. As he looked up at the night sky and into the faces of his parents, he silently vowed to uphold the honour of his village and become the best ninja he could be. *** The morning sun filtered through the thin curtains, casting a warm glow across Ishi¡¯s room. He slowly stirred awake, feeling a comforting sensation of the Froakie egg nestled securely beside him. For a moment, he just lay there, savouring the surreal feeling that soon he would have his very own Pok¨¦mon. It was a dream come true, yet it felt almost too incredible to believe. ¡®Come on, hatch as quickly as possible for me.¡¯ Over the following days, Ishi devoted himself to caring for the egg with a dedication that rivalled a mother hen tending her nest. He carefully monitored the temperature, ensuring it was always just right. Every morning, he would gently wipe the egg with a soft cloth, speaking softly to it, telling stories of their possible future adventures together. Day five came around and he decided to take the egg with him during the training session, setting it nearby while he practised his ninja techniques. Occasionally, he would pause to check on it, making sure it was still warm and safe. He would also check his progress with his Ninja Water Spout, figuring it would be best to fully master that first and then move onto the others as it was so close to mastery already. Day seven had Ishi begin taking the egg on short walks around the village, showing it the places he loved most. He and the egg were talked about all over the village as a mother hen and his egg, though Ishi didn¡¯t mind that much as he got to spend a lot more time with some of the older pokemon that had normally turned their noses up at him. He¡¯d found that a lot of those pokemon were more interested in the egg but that didn¡¯t matter to him in the slightest, ¡®I spose it''s true that it didn''t matter what pokemon egg it was all pokemon respect the egg and won¡¯t do anything to offend or harm them, neet!¡¯ But what he¡¯d most enjoyed was introducing the egg to his parents'' pokemon, who marvelled at his dedication. Even though Senpei and Ivy teased him relentlessly about his obsession with the egg, there was still a degree of admiration in their eyes, and they two spent more time with their eggs that day. *** One bright morning, just over a week after the ceremony, Senpei and Ivy''s eggs began to hatch. Ishi and his friends gathered around, eyes wide with anticipation. Senpei¡¯s Froakie was the first to break free, blinking up at him with large, curious eyes. Senpei grinned from ear to ear, scooping up his new partner with a promise, "We¡¯re going to be the best team ever, Froakie." Ivy¡¯s Snivy followed shortly after, ¡®Hah I knew it!!¡¯ he thought as he watched the future green grass snake emerging with an elegant stretch of its leafy tail. Ivy¡¯s eyes sparkled with joy as she gently cradled Snivy in her arms. "You and me, Snivy," she whispered, "partners for life." The bond between Senpei, Ivy, and their new Pok¨¦mon was instant and strong. They spent hours playing together, learning each other¡¯s quirks, and forging a friendship that would last a lifetime. The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the village as Ishi, Ivy, and Senpei sat together under the old oak tree. Their newly hatched Pok¨¦mon - Snivy and Froakie - played nearby, exploring their surroundings with curious eyes. Ishi reached into his bag and pulled out the two Pok¨¦balls, carefully crafted with love and dedication, that he¡¯d kept safe over the past few years at his friend''s request. One was blue and white similar to his own but without the black base mixed in, at Senpei¡¯s request. The other green and yellow, designed for Ivy. He reminisced about the countless hours he¡¯d spent perfecting these Pok¨¦balls, and now, the moment had come for his friends to use them. ¡°Ivy, Senpei,¡± Ishi called out, a proud smile on his face as he held out the Pok¨¦balls. ¡°It¡¯s time to officially capture your new partners.¡± Ivy and Senpei¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement as they took their respective Pok¨¦balls from Ishi¡¯s hands. The custom designs gleamed in the fading light, a symbol of their bond and the adventures yet to come. Ivy crouched down in front of Snivy, her heart racing with excitement. ¡°Ready, Snivy?¡± she asked, her voice full of warmth. Snivy looked up at her with bright eyes, nodding slightly. She had been told about what a pokeballs function was and readily accepted the idea when Ivy had asked if she wanted to be captured. With a gentle yet determined throw, Ivy tossed the green and yellow Pok¨¦ball. It opened with a flash of red light, and Snivy was enveloped in the warm, glowing energy. The ball clicked shut, wiggled once, twice, and then stilled. A soft chime signalled the successful capture. Ivy picked up the Pok¨¦ball, her eyes shining with pride and joy. ¡°Welcome to the team, Snivy,¡± she whispered, holding the ball close to her heart. She then quickly released her and just held her happily in her arms and turned to watch Senpei and Froakie. Senpei, his heart pounding with anticipation after seeing Snivy and Ivy¡¯s capture and their obvious joy, stepped forward with his blue and white Pok¨¦ball. ¡°Froakie, are you ready?¡± he asked, his voice steady but filled with excitement. Froakie croaked in response, its eyes full of trust. Senpei took a deep breath and threw the Pok¨¦ball with a smooth motion. It opened with the same bright red light, enveloping Froakie. The ball wiggled in his hand once, twice, and then clicked stilled with a satisfying chime. Senpei grinned widely as he picked up the Pok¨¦ball, his heart swelling with pride. ¡°Welcome to the team, Froakie,¡± he said, holding the ball up to the sky. ¡°We¡¯re going to do great things together.¡± He then released the Froakie and they both jumped around each other in pure bliss. Ishi watched his friends with a mix of pride and happiness. Seeing Ivy and Senpei officially capture their new partners with the Pok¨¦balls he had made filled him with a deep sense of accomplishment. They had all come so far, and this was just the beginning. As the three friends stood together, their Pok¨¦balls in hand, the bond between them felt stronger than ever. They knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, with their Pok¨¦mon partners by their sides. The sun finally dipped below the horizon, casting the village in a soft twilight. The future was bright, and the adventures awaiting Ishi, Ivy, Senpei, and their Pok¨¦mon were endless. *** Day ten rolled around and Ishi¡¯s bond with his egg grew stronger each day. He could feel a connection forming, even though the Pok¨¦mon inside had yet to hatch. He spoke to it often, sharing his hopes and dreams. He was now teased even more as both his friends were playing and training with their pokemon partners, but Ishi knew that when the time was right his partner would emerge. He was also really really close to mastering his Ninja Water Spout fully with it reaching 96% mastery. Day twelve went by much like the others and that evening, Ishi sat by a fire with his parents, the egg resting comfortably in his lap. They talked and laughed, he could feel the warmth of their love and support, knowing they were as excited for his journey as he was. He had also taken to pulsing his emotions into the egg with his aura any chance he could, just to see if that would in any way speed up the process but so far he couldn¡¯t tell if there were any real signs of it hatching. Then finally the morning of Day fourteen, the second week since the ceremony, Ishi woke to an unfamiliar sensation. The egg, resting beside him, was moving. At first, it was a slight tremor, then a more pronounced shake. His heart skipped a beat as he realised what was happening ¡°The egg¡­ it¡¯s hatching!¡± Ishi exclaimed, his voice a mixture of excitement and awe. He could hardly contain his emotions as he watched the cracks spread across the shell, the promise of a new life emerging right before his eyes. Chapter 17 The morning sun had just begun to filter through the thin shutters of Ishi¡¯s room, casting a gentle glow on his sleeping form. Suddenly, he felt a movement against one of his arms, and his eyes snapped open. The Froakie egg was shaking, at first they were just small tremors of vibrations, but became increasingly strong and soon tiny cracks formed on its smooth pale blue surface. His heart raced with excitement and anticipation, and despite trying to stay calm, he was totally freaking out on the inside. He had been waiting for this moment for what felt like forever. ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± Ishi whispered, his voice trembling with anticipation. ¡®Come on little guy, just a little further , you can do it!¡¯ He mentally cheered, egging on his future partner. The cracks spread, and the egg wobbled more vigorously. He watched, holding his breath barely allowing himself to make a sound, as the shell began to slowly break apart. Slowly,far too slowly in his opinion but it couldn''t have been more than a few seconds, a small pastel blue, almost white, head poked through the shell, followed by two large and immediately curious eyes. The rest of the shell fell away, revealing a tiny, perfect looking Froakie. Its nearly white skin glistened in the morning light, and it blinked up at Ishi, its eyes wide and full of wonder. ¡®Oh Oh Oh!! Holy Shit it was shiny, I didn¡¯t want to believe it when I noticed the difference between mine an Sepei¡¯s eggs! Hell yeah a shiny starter pokemon as my partner, don¡¯t mind if I yes!¡¯ He didn¡¯t express these thoughts as his gaze was captivated on the pokemon in front of him. ¡®MWAHAHAHAHA, Oh yes this will definitely do.¡¯ Luckily for Ishi, the Froakie had chosen that moment to look around its surroundings and didn¡¯t witness the Evil smile displayed across his face as he laughed maniacally in his head. Ishi felt an immediate, powerful connection with the tiny Pok¨¦mon. He had been talking to the egg every day for the past two weeks, sharing his hopes, dreams, and excitement for their future together. Now, Froakie gazed at him with recognition and trust after curiously observing its new surroundings, seeing Ishi as its parent and protector. ¡°Hello, Froakie,¡± Ishi said softly, his eyes filling with happy tears. ¡°Welcome to the world.¡± ¡®Appraisal¡¯ He thought quickly, using his system skill on the newborn Froakie.
Appraisal: Froakie (Male) (Shiny Variant) - It secretes flexible bubbles from its chest and back. The bubbles reduce the damage it would otherwise take when attacked. It protects its skin by covering its body in delicate bubbles. Beneath its happy-go-lucky air, it keeps a watchful eye on its surroundings. Nature: Bold Ability: Protean, (Conditions not yet met) This Shiny Froakie is recently hatched and is yet to be fully used to its new body! It also seems to hold a unique lineage.
¡®Hell yeah, he¡¯s got the protean ability!'' He thought in excitement, as it has the potential to temporarily change the user''s type energy for a short period of time to make the attack either more effective or allows it to tank damage easier. ''And this (Conditions not met) is probably the battle bond ability, I knew my cheat hacks system wouldn¡¯t lose out to Ash¡¯s. Only problem is I have no clue what these conditions are.¡¯ This pondering all happened in the space of a few seconds and after deciding that he¡¯d worry about it later he refocused on his new partner in front of him. Froakie chirped in response, its voice a soft, melodious croak. After giving its happy greeting without hesitation, it began to consume the remnants of its eggshell, a natural behaviour that provided it with essential nutrients for its first moments of life. Ishi watched with fascination and pride as Froakie started eating the shell. Once it was done, Froakie looked up at Ishi again, its eyes shining with affection and curiosity, and obviously pleased with its now full stomach. ¡°We¡¯re going to be the best team ever,¡± Ishi said, reaching out to gently stroke Froakie¡¯s head. ¡°Would you like to be my first partner?¡± Froakie chirped happily and nodded, its eyes never leaving Ishi¡¯s face. The bond between them was already strong, and Ishi felt an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude flow off both himself and the newly born Froakie. Ishi reached into his satchel that he¡¯d strategically placed on his bedside table just in case, and pulled out the first Pok¨¦ball he had ever made, the one he had crafted with so much care and dedication. The black and blue ball with white accents, matching his ninja attire and the shiny Froakie¡¯s appearance. ¡®Well who would have thought, but this ball feels like it was purposefully made for this very moment and pokemon.¡¯ ¡°Froakie, would you like to be caught in this Pok¨¦ball?¡± Ishi asked, holding it out. Froakie nodded again, croaking softly in agreement. With a deep breath, Ishi gently tapped the Pok¨¦ball against Froakie¡¯s forehead. The ball opened with a flash of red light, and Froakie was enveloped in a warm, glowing energy. The ball wiggled in Ishi¡¯s hand once and only once before it clicked shut with a satisfying chime. ¡®critical capture huh, yeah that''s how I feel about you two.¡¯ It seemed the two of them had both felt the strong connection from when Froakie had first emerged from its egg. Ishi felt a rush of joy and accomplishment. ¡°We did it, Froakie!¡± he exclaimed, holding the Pok¨¦ball up triumphantly. He couldn¡¯t contain his excitement any longer and jumped for joy. ¡°Froakie, I choose you!¡± Ishi shouted, tapping the button on the top of the Pok¨¦ball gently and pointing it back onto his bed. It opened with a burst of white light, and Froakie reappeared, landing gracefully in front of him.
Congratulations! Achievement Conditions Met! You have successfully Caught Your First Team Member!
Rewards: Pokeball Inventory Activated!
¡®Woah, inventory huh? That''s gonna be helpful, though what''s this about it only being a pokeball inventory?¡¯ After a few quick observations he noticed when he pulled up his status a new ability had been added next to Appraisal and Multilingual called Poketory. When he activated it it only had 16 slots, ¡®Kinda disappointing honestly, but still I can do so much with this!¡¯ After a few tests he found that empty pokeballs stacked on top of one another but pokeballs with a pokemon inside do not stack, which made a lot of sense considering. It also seemed to have a stasis ability as Froakie didn¡¯t seem to realise it had been placed in the inventory at all after being taken back out. ¡°Ok that''s enough tests for now,¡± he muttered as he closed his status screen. Froakie looked up at Ishi with shining eyes, and Ishi knelt down to embrace his new partner. ¡°Welcome to the team, Froakie,¡± he whispered. ¡°We¡¯re going to have so many adventures together.¡± As Froakie chirped happily in response, Ishi knew that this was just the beginning of their journey. The bond they shared was already felt unbreakable to Ishi, and together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, side by side. *** After the excitement of hatching and capturing Froakie, along with the new ability his system had gifted him, Ishi could hardly contain his enthusiasm. He gently picked up the Pok¨¦ball and Froakie, cradling the tiny Pok¨¦mon in his arms while placing the pokeball into the satchel and the rest of his other pokeballs he''d crafted over the years into his new poketory.. ¡°Come on, Froakie. It¡¯s time to meet my parents and introduce you to the rest of the family, well at least not when you''re an egg¡± he said with a smile. Froakie chirped happily, snuggling closer to Ishi. Together, they made their way downstairs. As they descended, Ishi¡¯s heart raced with anticipation. ¡°Mom, Dad!¡± Ishi called out, his voice echoing through the house. His parents appeared from the kitchen, their expressions quickly shifting from curiosity to amazement as they saw the small, nearly white Froakie in Ishi¡¯s arms. ¡°Ishi, is that¡­ a shiny Froakie?¡± his mother exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise. His father, equally stunned, stepped closer. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen one in person. They¡¯re incredibly rare. This is amazing, Ishi!¡± Ishi beamed with pride, holding Froakie up for his parents to see. ¡°Meet my new partner, Froakie,¡± he said, his voice filled with joy. Froakie croaked softly, looking around with its large, curious eyes. It sensed the warmth and kindness in Ishi¡¯s parents and relaxed in Ishi¡¯s arms. ¡°This is incredible,¡± his father said, gently ruffling Ishi¡¯s hair. ¡°You¡¯ve done an amazing job, son.¡± Ishi¡¯s mother reached out to softly stroke Froakie¡¯s head. ¡°Welcome to the family, Froakie,¡± she said with a warm smile. Just then, Kingambit, who had been observing from the corner, stepped forward. The imposing Pok¨¦mon¡¯s presence filled the room, its eyes focused on the small Froakie. Ishi gently placed Froakie on the ground, giving it a reassuring pat. ¡°Froakie, this is Kingambit,¡± Ishi said. ¡°He¡¯s a very important member of our family.¡± Froakie looked up at Kingambit, its eyes wide with wonder and a hint of nervousness. Kingambit, sensing Froakie¡¯s apprehension, slowly lowered itself to the ground, extending a golden plated hand in a gesture of peace. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Froakie hesitated for a moment, then hopped forward and placed its tiny hand in Kingambit¡¯s. The larger Pok¨¦mon gave a nod of approval, and Froakie chirped happily, sensing the acceptance. Ishi¡¯s parents watched the interaction with smiles on their faces. ¡°They¡¯re going to be great friends,¡± his father said, his voice filled with pride. ¡°I should go find Senpei and Ivy,¡± Ishi said, looking at Froakie. ¡°They¡¯ll be so excited to meet you.¡± *** With their blessing, Ishi and Froakie headed out to find his friends. The village was bustling with activity as they made their way to the usual meeting spot. Ishi spotted Senpei and Ivy in the distance, their Pok¨¦mon playing nearby. ¡°Hey, guys!¡± Ishi called out, waving as he approached. Senpei and Ivy turned to see Ishi with Froakie perched on his shoulder. Their eyes widened in surprise as they took in the sight of the shiny Froakie. ¡°Is that¡­?¡± Senpei started, his jaw dropping. ¡°A shiny Froakie!¡± Ivy finished, her voice filled with awe. ¡°Ishi, that¡¯s incredible!¡± Ishi grinned, lifting Froakie down to introduce it to his friends. ¡°Everyone, meet my partner, Froakie,¡± he said proudly. Froakie hopped down and greeted Senpei and Ivy¡¯s Pok¨¦mon, Snivy and Froakie. The three Pok¨¦mon sniffed each other curiously, then quickly began to play, chasing each other around the clearing. Senpei shook his head in amazement. ¡°Ishi, this is amazing. Froakie is so cool!¡± ¡®Heh eat your heart out Senpei,¡¯ he thought with a smirk as he looked at the two Froakies getting a feel for one another. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you have a shiny Froakie,¡± Ivy added, her eyes sparkling with excitement. ¡°It¡¯s so beautiful.¡± Ishi watched with a smile as Froakie played with its new friends. The bond between them was clear, and Ishi knew that their journey together was going to be something truly special. And he could also already sense a little rivalry brewing between the two Froakie. ¡®That¡¯s good, a little competition is gonna help them grow up fast and strong.¡¯ He thought with a small nod of approval. The day passed, filled with surprises and joy, and as the stars began to try and push their way onto the night sky. Ishi felt a deep sense of contentment. With Froakie by his side and his friends around him, he knew that they could face any challenge that came their way, together. Ishi, Senpei, and Ivy sat together, watching their Pok¨¦mon play and watching stars finally get their way as night prevailed over day. They had talked excitedly about their future adventures and the unbreakable bonds they were forming with their new partners, again there was talk about who would win in a battle but they were under strict instructions to not make their new pokemon do anything strenuous for the first few days after hatching. *** Those few days passed in a blur of excitement and preparation. The bond between Ishi and Froakie grew stronger with each passing day, and they quickly became inseparable. Now, it was the morning of Ishi''s first day at the Ninja Academy. He woke up with a mixture of excitement and nerves, his mind racing with thoughts of what the day would bring. As he got ready, Froakie was right by his side, mirroring his emotions. Ishi could feel Froakie''s anticipation and curiosity, which helped to calm his own nerves. Ishi took a deep breath and adjusted his forehead protector in the mirror, making sure it was perfectly in place. "Today''s the day, Froakie," he said, his voice filled with determination. "Our first day at the Ninja Academy." Froakie chirped in agreement, its eyes shining with excitement. Together, they headed downstairs, the sound of breakfast being prepared greeting them as they entered the kitchen. "Hurry up and have breakfast, Ishi, so we can head off," Shion called from the stove, her back turned to them as she cooked. She turned around and smiled warmly at her son and his new partner. "You don''t want to be late on your first day." Ishi nodded, quickly taking a seat at the table. "Right, Mom. I''m so excited, but also a little nervous," he admitted, glancing at Froakie, who hopped onto the table and looked around curiously. Shion placed a plate of food in front of Ishi and ruffled his hair affectionately. "It''s normal to feel that way. Just remember, you and Froakie are a team now. You''ll support each other." Ishi nodded, feeling a bit more reassured. He quickly ate his breakfast, feeling Froakie''s emotions of eagerness and solidarity bolstering his own. Once they were done, Ishi stood up, ready to face the day. "Mom, you won''t be my instructor, right?" Ishi asked as they got ready to leave. Shion shook her head with a smile. "No, I''ll be teaching the older Genin. Those who are too strong to be Kid Genin but not quite ready for the Chunin rank. You''ll have a different instructor who specialises in training new students." Ishi nodded, understanding. "Got it. Well, I''m ready!" As they walked towards the Ninja Academy, Ishi and his mother chatted about various things. They discussed the weather, the recent activities in the village, and what Ishi could expect from his new classes. But all Ishi really wanted to talk about was Froakie. He felt a bubbling excitement inside him every time he thought about his new partner. "I can''t wait to start training with Froakie," Ishi said, unable to contain his enthusiasm. "We''ve already started practising a few basic moves, and Froakie is so quick to learn!" Shion smiled at her son''s excitement. "That''s wonderful, Ishi. Froakie is a special Pok¨¦mon, and I can see that the two of you will achieve great things together." As they walked, the path to the academy was clearly well-trodden, with signs of countless students having walked it over the years. The ground was worn smooth, and there were faint markings where students had practised their ninja techniques. Trees lined the path, providing shade and a sense of tranquillity. "You know," Shion said, "you''ll be meeting some of the elders'' grandkids today. They weren''t in your class with Mrs. Tanoshi because they had private tutoring in their respective houses." Ishi felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "I hope they aren''t as stuck up as I think they''ll be," he muttered. Shion chuckled softly. "Give them a chance, Ishi. Sometimes people surprise you. They might become good friends and valuable allies." ¡®Uh huh, fat chance of that,¡¯ he thought to himself but nodded at his mothers words. "Mom, I¡¯ve been thinking about giving Froakie a name," Ishi said, glancing at the little Pok¨¦mon who was perched on his shoulder. "Something that signifies strength and water." Shion nodded, smiling. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. Have you thought of any names yet?" Ishi looked at Froakie thoughtfully. "Well, I was thinking of names like Splash, Aqua, or Ripple." Froakie scoffed at each of those suggestions, shaking its head with a disdainful croak. Ishi laughed. "Okay, okay, I get it. Those names aren¡¯t quite right. How about Poseidon?" Froakie tilted its head, considering the name but then shook its head again, not entirely convinced. Ishi thought for a moment, then a smile spread across his face. "How about Perseus, or Percy for short? Perseus was a hero so strong he was feared by the gods. I believe you will become just as strong, and be even more feared by the gods." Froakie''s eyes lit up with excitement, and it immediately jumped at the name, chirping happily in agreement. "Perseus it is, then," Ishi said, beaming with pride. "From now on, you¡¯ll be known as Percy." Percy chirped again, clearly pleased with his new name. Ishi¡¯s heart swelled with joy as they continued their journey to the academy. *** As they neared the academy, Ishi''s eyes widened in awe. The Ninja Academy stood as a majestic testament to the village''s rich history and dedication to the art of a Ninja. Nestled against the rugged mountainside, the academy seamlessly integrated into the natural landscape, creating a harmonious blend of ancient tradition and modern design. The building itself was an architectural marvel. The lower half of the academy was carved directly from the mountain¡¯s ancient stone, giving it a timeless, enduring appearance. The stone was weathered and covered in patches of moss and ivy, suggesting centuries of resilience against the elements. Intricate carvings adorned the stone fa?ade, depicting legendary Pok¨¦mon and historic battles that were integral to the village¡¯s lore. These carvings told a story to all who passed by, a silent testament to the village¡¯s valour and heritage. As the structure ascended, it transitioned into beautifully crafted wooden architecture. The wood was polished to a fine sheen, its natural grains highlighted in the warm light of the sun. This woodwork was a symbol of the village''s ongoing commitment to growth and progress, standing in stark yet harmonious contrast to the stone below. The upper levels of the academy featured large, arched windows, each pane meticulously stained with vivid colours that depicted various Pok¨¦mon and ninja techniques. When the sun shone through these windows, it cast a kaleidoscope of colours onto the academy grounds below, creating an inspiring and almost mystical atmosphere. At the forefront of the academy was a grand entrance, guarded by imposing stone statues symbolising protection and strength. These statues, with their fierce expressions and dynamic poses, set the tone for the importance and seriousness of the training that took place within the academy¡¯s walls. A wide, stone-paved pathway led up to the entrance, flanked by meticulously maintained gardens. These gardens were filled with rare and beautiful flora, some of which were native to the surrounding mountains, adding to the serene yet powerful ambiance of the setting. The academy''s roof was a masterpiece in itself, constructed in the traditional pagoda style with upturned eaves. The roof tiles were dark and glossy, shimmering in the sunlight. At each corner of the roof, small, detailed carvings of Pok¨¦mon stood guard, their vigilant eyes ever-watchful. Upon approaching the academy, one could see the expansive training grounds that stretched out on either side of the main building. These grounds were designed with a variety of terrains and obstacles to simulate different environments and challenges. There were rocky outcrops for practising stealth and climbing, lush green fields for physical training and battles, and even a small artificial lake for water-based training exercises. Around the perimeter of the training grounds, tall wooden poles with ninja symbols carved into them stood as markers. These poles were used in various training exercises, such as agility drills and target practice. The sound of shuriken and kunai hitting their marks was a constant symphony in the background, a testament to the rigorous training the students underwent daily. At the heart of the academy was a large open courtyard, often used for assemblies and special ceremonies. This courtyard was paved with smooth stone tiles and featured a beautiful fountain at its centre. The fountain, designed in the shape of a majestic Gyarados, was both a tribute to the strength and fluidity that every ninja aspired to and a gathering place for students to relax and reflect. Overall, the Ninja Academy was a place of immense grandeur and significance. It stood as a beacon of knowledge, strength, and tradition, inspiring awe in all who laid eyes upon it. For Ishi and his fellow students, it was the starting point of their journey to becoming formidable ninjas, a journey that would shape their futures and the future of the village. Ishi glanced at Percy, who was perched on his shoulder. The little Pok¨¦mon''s eyes were wide with wonder, mirroring Ishi''s own feelings. They shared a look of awe, both realising the significance of this moment. "This is it, Percy," Ishi whispered. "Our new beginning." As they approached the gates of the academy, Ishi felt a surge of determination. With his partner by his side and the support of his family and friends, he knew that they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they stepped forward into the future, ready to embrace the adventures and growth that awaited them. Chapter 18 When Ishi and his mother approached the Ninja Academy, they were joined by a growing throng of students and their parents. The pathway leading to the academy was alive with the buzz of excited chatter and the bustling of young ninjas-to-be, each carrying their hopes and dreams. They each had a newborn pokemon with them as well, Ishi saw a few of his classmates holding a Binacle, there were also a few Azurill and Poliwags. Then some of the rarer pokemon were seen towards the front of the crowd, with what looked like a Purrloin, there was even a Dedenne sitting atop one of their heads. ''Come to me, my lovely free Exp!'' he thought as he appraised all the new Pokemon he hadn''t seen in the village yet. The array of students and pokemon was diverse, reflecting the rich tapestry of the village¡¯s population. There were students of varying ages, from kids the same age as himself to a year or two older. These were the students that were continuing their training to become Chunin. They stood out considering they were unlike normal youths, these were a select few who had already spent several years honing their skills. The younger students, like Ishi, wore expressions of wide-eyed wonder and anticipation, their new forehead protectors gleaming in the morning light. Many of them clutched their Pok¨¦mon partners close, seeking to comfort one another through their nerves. Parents, some with proud smiles and others with tearful eyes, bid their children farewell, offering last-minute words of encouragement and advice. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of excitement, nervousness, and the promise of new beginnings. Among the crowd, there were students with different appearances and attire, each reflecting their personal styles and family traditions. Some wore traditional ninja garb, while others had more modern interpretations of the uniform. A variety of hair colours, styles, and accessories added to the vibrant mosaic of the student body. ¡®Didn¡¯t realise this place was so large, then again this academy teaches kids from all over Kalos not just from the village,¡¯ when he¡¯d learnt that there were multiple different outposts and villages located outside of the Central village it had taken him by surprise as there was no mention of this in the anime. But after thinking about it for a while it had made a lot of sense, the village couldn''t function with complete autonomy from the league, there must have been some agreement and mutual non interference. He thought it sorta similar to the Draconid tribe in Hoenn, where they knew about each other but neither really interacted with the other. As Ishi and Shion walked further into the academy grounds, they couldn¡¯t help but notice one particular group of students that stood out. These students had permanent sneers etched onto their faces and carried themselves with an air of superiority. They walked in tight formation, their noses slightly upturned, and an almost tangible aura of arrogance surrounded them. Their clothing was pristine, without a single wrinkle or speck of dirt, and their movements were precise and calculated. Ishi sighed in exasperation, recognizing the type instantly. ¡°Great, looks like we¡¯ve got some kids who think they¡¯re already elite ninjas,¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡®Oh ho, I¡¯m so wiping those sneers off your faces.¡¯ though when he looked closer a few of them had a Pawniard for a partner, along with a few Poochyena and machops. ¡®Hmm they definitely all have a certain level of backing as well it seems, though I¡¯ll have to thank you for the free Exp you just gave me.¡¯ That thought brought a smile to his face as he appraised a Poochyena and one of the Machops. Shion glanced at the group and then back at her son, a knowing smile on her face. ¡°Every academy has its share of those who think they¡¯re better than everyone else,¡± she said. ¡°But remember, true strength and skill aren¡¯t about acting superior. It¡¯s about what you learn and how you grow.¡± Ishi nodded, feeling a bit more reassured. He made a mental note to stay clear of the arrogant group and focus on his own training and growth. ¡®But if they come looking for a fight.. Hehehehe.¡¯ Just imagining it brought a rather large chunk of joy into his heart. They continued walking, and Ishi continued to observe the interactions around him. There were groups of friends laughing and joking, easing each other¡¯s nerves. Some students were already practising basic techniques, eager to impress from the very start. Pok¨¦mon of various species flitted about, some perched on their partners'' shoulders, while others ran around playfully. He spotted a few familiar faces from his previous classes, waving and exchanging greetings. There were also an abundance of new faces, likely the elders'' grandkids he had heard about, who had been privately tutored until now. He wondered what they would be like and hoped they wouldn¡¯t be as stuck up as the group they had just seen. Ishi glanced at Percy, who was still perched on his shoulder. The little Froakie¡¯s eyes were wide with wonder, mirroring Ishi¡¯s own feelings. They shared a look of awe and anticipation, knowing that this was the start of something incredible. After leaving his mother, as he had found his friends Ivy and Senpei and she needed to move to where the rest of the senseis were. All three of them with their pokemon moved forward, ready to embrace the new adventures and challenges that awaited them at the Ninja Academy. *** A few weeks before Ishi, and his new partner Percy, were observing his new school ground and classmates, somewhere unbeknownst to even the Chief of the Village, a pair of scheming pieces of trash were discussing their recent and potential future moves. Deep within a secluded mountain range in the Kalos region, hidden from prying eyes, lay a cavernous lair. The entrance was concealed by dense foliage and jagged rocks, making it nearly impossible to find without prior knowledge. Inside, the cave was dimly lit by flickering torches, casting eerie shadows on the rough stone walls. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and a palpable tension. In the heart of this cavern, a large, ancient wooden table stood, covered in maps, scrolls, and strategic documents. At the head of the table sat Kagetomo, the mastermind behind the growing misuse of power, and Heidayu, his trusted right-hand man. Kagetomo, a tall and imposing figure with piercing eyes and an aura of dark authority, wore a mask resembling a Haxorus, while Heidayu, lean and sharp-witted, donned a mask in the likeness of a Lairon. Alongside them were a few of the higher-ups in Kagetomo¡¯s burgeoning Ninja Corps, each wearing masks representing fierce and intimidating Pok¨¦mon. A burly ninja with a scar running down his face wore a mask resembling a Larvitar, another senior ninja with keen eyes and a calm demeanour had a mask resembling a Weavile, and a third, a hulking figure, had a mask resembling a Gyarados. Their faces, though hidden, were etched with seriousness as they engaged in a tense discussion. Kagetomo leaned over the table, his gaze intense. "Our recent recruitment efforts have been progressing, but we need more ninjas who are not only skilled but also loyal to my cause," he said, his voice low and commanding. Heidayu nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Kagetomo. We''ve managed to sway one of the elders of the council to our side. This is a significant step forward. With their support, we gain both influence and access to crucial information within the village." The ninja with the Larvitar mask spoke up, his voice gruff. "We''ve identified several promising candidates for recruitment. However, their loyalty must be tested. We can''t afford any weak links in our chain." Kagetomo''s expression darkened as he scanned the maps before him. "True. We must be vigilant. Any sign of disloyalty must be dealt with swiftly and decisively. Our path to power will only be hindered by those who lack the necessary resolve." The ninja with the Weavile mask added, "Our current focus should be on securing the trust and loyalty of these new recruits. If we can instil in them the importance of your mission, they will be less likely to betray us. The rest¡­" A sinister glint appeared in his eye as he trailed off not needing to finish the sentence. Heidayu leaned closer to the table, pointing to a section of the map. "We should also consider increasing our influence within the village. If we can position ourselves as protectors and leaders, more will flock to our cause." Kagetomo nodded, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Agreed. Our goal of world domination requires more than just numbers. We need ninjas who are powerful and completely loyal. Only then can we ensure that no one will stand in our way." The ninja with the Gyarados mask spoke, his voice deep and resonant. "We should also ensure that our current recruits are adequately trained and motivated. Their loyalty will be strengthened if they see progress and potential for power. I believe a carrot now may make them fear the potential of a stick later down the road." The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of their plans hanging heavily in the air. The flickering torchlight cast their faces in sharp relief, highlighting the determination and resolve in their eyes. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Breaking the silence, Heidayu said, "We must also keep a close watch on the village''s activities. Any significant movements or changes could impact our plans." Kagetomo''s gaze shifted to the entrance of the cavern, his mind already plotting their next moves. "Continue to monitor our recruits and ensure that our informants remain undetected. The time will come when we make our move, and when it does, we will be ready." The higher-ups nodded in agreement, their expressions resolute. The tension in the room eased slightly, but the underlying determination remained. They knew the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but their ambition and cunning would guide them. Heidayu stepped forward again, addressing the group. "Our network of informants is our greatest asset. We have eyes and ears in key positions throughout the village. This will be crucial as we move forward." Kagetomo looked at each of his subordinates, his voice taking on a menacing edge. "I will say it again just to be absolutely clear, any sign of betrayal or hesitation from our recruits must be dealt with swiftly. We cannot afford to show weakness." The ninja with the Larvitar mask nodded. "Understood, Kagetomo. We will ensure that our ranks remain loyal and strong." As the meeting drew to a close, Kagetomo and Heidayu shared a silent understanding. Their plans were in motion, and the village, along with the world beyond, had no idea of the storm that was brewing in the depths of the Kalos region. The shadows of the cavern seemed to deepen as their resolve solidified, the flickering torchlight casting an ominous glow on their masks. *** A few days later back in the nondescript cave, the discussion continued, shifting focus to the recent coming-of-age ceremony that had taken place in the village. The atmosphere was thick with intrigue as Kagetomo and Heidayu reviewed a list of promising members from the ceremony. Heidayu unfolded a scroll and laid it on the table. "These are the names of the students who received promising partners during the ceremony. We need to identify those who could either pose a future problem or become powerful allies." Kagetomo''s eyes scanned the list, his expression thoughtful. "Ishi Sukauto," he read aloud. "This boy has shown remarkable potential. He is the boy who supplied the Chief with the information that allowed his father to evolve his Bisharp." ¡®That should have been my power, with my Weavile and that Kingambit by my side along with the rest of my team I could take over the village right now!¡¯ Controlled anger brewed in the pit of his stomach when he thought about it. Heidayu nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Indeed. Ishi''s abilities are promising, but his loyalty remains uncertain. We have a spy in his class who will report on his every move." The ninja with the Larvitar mask grunted. "Ishi''s connection to the chief and his father could pose a significant threat if he sides against us. We need to keep him under close watch." Kagetomo''s gaze moved down the list. "Ivy Shinobu and Senpei Takahiro. Both of them have shown considerable promise as well. Ivy''s has acquired a Snivy egg and Senpei has obtained a Froakie egg. Both are likely to become formidable partners." The ninja with the Weavile mask leaned forward. "Do we consider them threats or potential allies?" Kagetomo pondered for a moment. "For now, they are neutral. Their actions will determine their alignment. We must be prepared to either sway them to our side or eliminate them if they become obstacles." Heidayu continued, "Our spy will also provide us with insights into their training and interactions. Any sign of dissent or exceptional talent must be reported immediately." Kagetomo''s expression darkened as he considered the implications. "We must ensure that our plans are not derailed by the emergence of any prodigies or heroes. Our path to domination must remain clear and unobstructed." The tension in the room grew as they discussed the potential threats and allies among the new generation of ninjas. Each name on the list represented a variable in their carefully laid plans, a potential spark that could ignite resistance or bolster their ranks. The ninja with the Gyarados mask spoke again, his voice deep and steady. "The bonds they form now will influence their future loyalties. We must ensure that we are positioned to take advantage of any weaknesses or divisions." Heidayu nodded, his sharp eyes scanning the list. "Our network of spies will be crucial in this. We need to know their every move, their every strength and weakness." Kagetomo''s resolve hardened. "We must remain vigilant. The coming-of-age ceremony has introduced new elements into our equation. We will manipulate these elements to our advantage and eliminate any that threaten our goals." Heidayu and the other higher-ups nodded in agreement, their expressions resolute. The shadows of the cavern seemed to deepen as their plans took shape, the flickering torchlight casting an ominous glow on their masks. The coming-of-age ceremony had marked the beginning of a new chapter in their schemes. With spies in place and recruits under watch, Kagetomo and his followers prepared to tighten their grip on the village, their ambitions reaching ever closer to fruition. *** A few days later on the eve of the academy¡¯s entrance ceremony, their conversation in the dimly lit cavern shifted to the network of spies Kagetomo had carefully planted across the village. The atmosphere grew even more tense as the scope of their infiltration was laid bare. "We have successfully embedded spies in key positions throughout the village," Heidayu reported, his voice steady and confident. "One of the council members is now firmly on our side, providing us with critical information and influence over decisions." Kagetomo nodded, pleased with the progress. "And the younger generation of Jonin? How are they adapting to the cause?" Heidayu''s expression turned serious. "A few of the more power-driven Jonin have shown their loyalty. They are eager for power and recognition and see our cause as their path to achieving it. However, we must keep a close watch on them. Their ambition could become a double-edged sword." The keen-eyed woman, masked as Weavile, spoke up. "We have also secured the loyalty of several Chunin across various squads. Their positions allow them to gather valuable intelligence and subtly influence their peers." Kagetomo''s gaze darkened. "And what of the newly admitted students at the academy? How secure is our influence there?" Heidayu''s lips curled into a slight smile. "Our spy within Ishi''s class will provide us with detailed reports, they have assured me of this. We have also managed to recruit a few promising students who have been subtly indoctrinated to our cause. They are young and impressionable, making them ideal assets for our future plans." A shadow of concern crossed Kagetomo''s face. "What about Ippei? He poses a significant threat to my succession of the chief''s position. His influence and strength cannot be underestimated." Heidayu nodded grimly. "Ippei remains a formidable obstacle. His loyalty to the current chief and his dedication to the village make him a potential adversary. We must find a way to neutralise his influence or turn him to our side." Kagetomo''s eyes narrowed as he considered the implications. "Ippei''s strength and reputation are well-known. Any move against him must be carefully calculated. We cannot afford to make a mistake." The room fell into a tense silence as they contemplated their next steps. The stakes were high, and any miscalculation could jeopardise their plans for domination. Heidayu and the other higher-ups nodded in agreement, their expressions sombre. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but their ambition and cunning would guide them through the shadows. *** The chief, a wise and weathered man, stood by a window, his hands clasped behind his back. He stared out over the village, his expression tired and contemplative. The weight of leadership bore heavily on his shoulders, and the shadows under his eyes spoke of many sleepless nights. Haku, Ishi''s father, stood behind him, his demeanour serious as he delivered his report. "Chief Hanzo, our intelligence suggests that Kagetomo is making moves, but he''s too clever to leave any concrete evidence. We suspect he''s building a network of loyalists within the village." Ippei, standing beside Haku, nodded in agreement. "Kagetomo''s influence is growing. We need to remain vigilant and gather more information. Any sign of betrayal must be dealt with immediately." Chief Hanzo sighed, his shoulders sagging lower at the reminder of the heavy weight of his responsibilities. "We must protect the village at all costs. Continue your investigations and keep me informed of any developments. Kagetomo''s ambitions cannot be allowed to threaten our home." There was a pause as Hanzo turned to face Haku and Ippei, his eyes filled with a mixture of resolve and regret. "I chose Kagetomo as my potential successor because I saw great promise in him. He was talented, ambitious, and had the potential to lead our village into a new era. But now, I fear that ambition has turned into something dark and dangerous." Haku nodded, his face grim. "We understand, Chief. Kagetomo''s talents are undeniable, but his methods and goals have become twisted. We will do everything in our power to ensure he does not succeed." Ippei''s expression was one of fierce determination. "We will protect the village, Chief. Kagetomo will not be allowed to bring harm to our people." Chief Hanzo returned his gaze to the window, looking out over the village he had sworn to protect. "I still hope that Kagetomo can be redeemed, that he can see the error of his ways. But we cannot allow hope to cloud our judgement. If he continues on this path, we must be prepared to stop him, no matter the cost." The room fell into a contemplative silence as the three men considered the gravity of the situation. The village''s safety hung in the balance, and the battle against the shadows was only just beginning. Haku and Ippei left the chief''s office, while Hanzo remained by the window, his mind racing with thoughts of what might come. He had faith in his people, in their strength and resilience. But he also knew that the greatest threats often came from within, from those who once stood beside or behind you. In the gathering darkness, the chief of the village stood resolute, determined to protect his home from the encroaching shadows, even if it meant facing the possibility of betrayal from one he once trusted. Chapter 19 The courtyard buzzed with chatter as parents said their farewells and students fidgeted with anticipation. Ishi''s heart raced as he clutched Perseus''s Pok¨¦ball tightly, feeling the comforting presence of his Froakie resting on his shoulder. The entrance ceremony began with the headmaster, an older man with a stoic expression and a reputation for strict discipline, stepping up to a podium. His voice droned on in a monotonous tone, reciting the academy''s history and the importance of their training. Ishi struggled to keep his eyes open, glancing over at Senpei and Ivy who were equally struggling to stay awake. ¡®Screw this, Status.¡¯
Name: Will Ranger/Ishi Sukauto
Level: 9 3160/14400 Exp
Class: Kid Genin
Sub-Class: N/A
Strength: 19->(19.76)
Dexterity: 19->(19.76)
Constitution: 9->(9.36)
Aura: 7->(7.28)
Mana: N/A
Abilities: Appraisal - Multilingual - Poketory
Available Points: 27
¡®Heh, this 4% increase in stats is really boosting my power. And the fact that it¡¯ll be exponential as I get stronger, Oh system if I could kiss you I would.¡¯ shaking his head at that thought he refocused on the speech that was apparently coming to an end finally. "And so, as you embark on this journey, remember that the path of the ninja is one of perseverance, discipline, and unwavering loyalty to our village," the headmaster concluded, his voice finally trailing off. A collective sigh of relief could be heard among the students as the speech ended. The headmaster''s assistant then stepped forward with a list, ready to announce the class assignments. "You will now be sorted into your respective classes," she announced, her voice carrying far more energy than the headmaster''s. "When I call your name, please step forward." ¡®Haa, finally took them long enough,¡¯ he sighed as he listened, waiting for his name to be called. The sorting began, with names being called one by one. Ishi''s mind wandered, thinking about the training they would put them through, and how much he could learn here and not have to be privately tutored anymore. Finally, his attention snapped back as he heard a familiar name. "Ishi Sukauto," the assistant called. "Advanced Class." His heart leapt with excitement as he stepped forward, feeling the eyes of his peers on him. He was quickly joined by Senpei and Ivy, who were also assigned to the advanced class. They exchanged excited glances, knowing they would face the challenges of the academy together. The hallways of the academy were lined with wooden panelling and adorned with scrolls depicting legendary ninjas and their Pok¨¦mon. Torches mounted on the walls provided a warm, flickering light that contrasted with the cool, polished stone floors. The walls echoed with the footsteps and hushed conversations of students, creating an atmosphere of focused energy. *** The advanced class gathered in their designated classroom, a spacious room with tatami mats and wooden training dummies lining the walls. The sensei, a seasoned ninja named Arata Monji, stood at the front, his presence commanding respect. ¡®Damn his presence is a similar level to dad¡¯s, though he is definitely weaker, he has to be at least an Elite Chunin or a low level Jonin.¡¯ He thought, rather impressed. The ceiling was high, with wooden beams crisscrossing overhead, and windows on one side of the room let in ample natural light. The other walls were adorned with charts of Pok¨¦mon types, battle strategies, and historical events, serving as constant reminders of the knowledge they were there to gain. Ishi and his classmates settled into their new environment, the grandeur of the Ninja Academy becoming increasingly apparent. The interior of the academy was a seamless blend of ancient tradition and modern functionality, designed to cater to the diverse needs of its students and their Pok¨¦mon partners. "Welcome to the advanced class," Arata began, his voice firm and welcoming. "You have been chosen for this class because of your potential and dedication. We will push you to your limits, but remember, it is through hardship that you will grow stronger." He gestured to the students. "Now, let''s start with introductions. Tell us your name, your partner Pok¨¦mon, and your dreams and ambitions." One by one, the students introduced themselves. There was a mix of nervousness and pride as they spoke about their aspirations. Some wanted to become elite Jonin, others aimed to master specific ninja techniques, and a few had dreams of exploring the world beyond the village. A boy with sharp eyes and a confident demeanour stepped forward first. "My name is Ryota," he said. "My partner is Pawniard. I want to become a powerful ninja like my grandfather, and follow in his footsteps and become one of the village elders." Next was a girl with short, spiky hair and a mischievous glint in her eye. "I''m Ayame, and this is my partner, Fletchling. My dream is to master the art of aerial combat and become the best flyer in the village. A serious-looking boy with glasses adjusted them nervously before speaking. "I''m Kenta. My partner is a Honedge. I aim to become a weapons master and protect our village from any threats." Then, a boy with a calculating gaze and an air of mystery introduced himself. "My name is Shigeru," he said smoothly. "This is my partner, Espurr." Unbeknownst to the others, Shigeru was the spy planted by Kagetomo and was assigned to both get first in the class and make detailed reports that would be ferried back to the leader of the Ninja Corps. "My goal is to uncover the deepest secrets of ninja techniques and surpass all expectations." ¡®Espurr huh, I¡¯d better figure a way to protect my mind so that what happened with those Vivillon doesn¡¯t happen again with this psychic, luckily it¡¯s still young so I have a bit of time until it¡¯ll be powerful enough.¡¯ Ishi thought to himself after eyeing the male Espurr as it stuck to the boy''s legs. ¡®I don¡¯t like that kid''s aura, his emotions are too muted,¡¯ he squinted at him trying to discern more but there seemed to be something twisted muting his aura, his Espurr on the other hand radiated concern. He stopped staring when the boy turned around and tilted his head back at him with a questioning stare. ¡®Creepy,¡¯ he thought but just smiled and gave a small wave to the boy. A girl with a gentle smile and a calm aura stepped forward. "I''m Haruka, and this is my partner, Spritzee. I want to become a healer and use my skills to help our village and its Pok¨¦mon." This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Following her was a tall, athletic boy with an easygoing grin. "Name''s Raion. My partner is Litleo. We''re going to become the strongest duo and protect our village from any danger." Last was a petite girl with a fierce determination in her eyes. "I''m Midori, and this is my partner, Zubat. My dream is to explore the world and discover new Pok¨¦mon and techniques to bring back to our village." Finally, it was Ishi''s turn. He stood up, his heart calm in his chest. "My name is Ishi Sukauto," he began, holding up Perseus''s Pok¨¦ball. "This is my partner, Perseus, and as you can see he¡¯s a Froakie. My dream is to become a great ninja and Pok¨¦mon trainer, to travel the world, and to gather knowledge and skills that will help me protect our village and make it stronger." Once he had introduced himself and Perseus, he noticed the little pokemon getting a bit tired and uncomfortable with the stares so decided to return him to get some rest. Senpei followed, his usual enthusiasm completely untempered by the seriousness of the moment. "I''m Senpei Takahiro, and my partner is also a Froakie but mine is way cooler than Ishi¡¯s!¡± ¡®Uh huh,¡¯ Ishi thought as he scoffed at that statement ¡®Perseus is obviously better, I mean just look at his adorable face!¡¯ He then proceeded to pinch his partners cheeks much to perseus¡¯s chagrin. ¡°I want to become strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with my brothers and defend our village from any threats." Ivy was next, her voice steady and determined. "I''m Ivy Shinobu, and my partner is Snivy. My goal is to explore the world and bring back knowledge and Pok¨¦mon that will help our village thrive. I want to find new ways to protect and improve our home." Their new sensei nodded approvingly. "Well said. Now, let''s move on to the lesson schedule." *** Arata then outlined the daily schedule for the advanced class. "In the mornings, you will have self-study sessions. This time is for you to explore topics that interest you and ask questions of any of the sensei¡¯s present, or seek further knowledge by using the library. Use this time wisely to deepen your knowledge." ¡®Awesome, I have a tonne of shtuff I need to look up in the library to compound my medical knowledge I learnt from Mrs. Tanoshi.¡¯ From what he¡¯d heard from his mum, the academy''s library was a treasure trove of knowledge, containing ancient scrolls, modern books, and resources on a vast array of subjects. Students could study battle strategies, Pok¨¦mon care, ninja techniques, and the history of their village. The library was a quiet, contemplative space, with large windows that let in natural light and provided a serene view of the village. "In the afternoons, we focus on physical training, sparring, and practising ninja techniques. You will learn the village''s basic close combat techniques and work on perfecting your ninja skills. Physical fitness and combat proficiency are crucial for any ninja." ¡®Come to me my stat points,¡¯ he grinned at the prospect of getting stronger. He then pointed to the facility adjacent to the classroom, which was a large training hall. This expansive area was equipped with various apparatuses for physical conditioning and martial arts training. There were punching bags, climbing ropes, balance beams, and obstacle courses designed to test agility, strength, and endurance. Along one wall, there were rows of targets for both pokemon who need to practise their accuracy and for students to begin practising their shuriken throwing, while another section was dedicated to sparring mats for hand-to-hand combat training. Within this training hall, boasted an impressive array of Pok¨¦mon battlefields, each tailored to different type advantages or disadvantages. These battlefields were essential for training students to adapt to various combat environments and strategies. Along with their pokemon battling under differing environments. The Rock Battlefield was an area filled with large boulders and rocky outcrops, providing ample cover and high ground. It was perfect for practising against Rock and ground-type Pok¨¦mon and learning to navigate rough terrain. Alongside that was the Water Battlefield which consisted of a large pool of water, with floating platforms and varying depths. It was ideal for Water-type Pok¨¦mon and for teaching students how to fight in and around water. Then there was the Grass Battlefield. This lush area was covered in tall grass, bushes, and trees, offering plenty of hiding spots and natural obstacles. It was suited for almost any type of pok¨¦mon, except those that needed water in order to breathe. This one was mostly used for manoeuvring tactics training, and was the most in demand as it could be used by most of the pokemon situated in the village. Next to that was the Forest Battlefield, it was daily similar to the Grass battlefield but denser, this area mimicked a forest environment with thick underbrush and towering trees. It was designed for Bug and Grass-type Pok¨¦mon, and for focusing on agility and evasion. Finally there was the Desert Battlefield. This battlefield featured sandy dunes, sparse vegetation, and intense sunlight that was present due to one of the groundskeepers pokemon employing a near constant sunny day over the battlefield. It was perfect for Fire-type Pok¨¦mon, and for teaching students to cope with extreme conditions and limited resources. There was no Ice battlefield though, which Ishi found strange considering where the village was located, but he didn¡¯t think much of it as he was too excited with all the new and shiny tools he would now have access to on a near daily schedule. "After a break, we will cover the history and theology of the village, as well as other academic subjects like maths, writing, and strategy. A well-rounded education is essential for potential ninja¡¯s such as yourselves." The academy had a large cafeteria where students could enjoy meals together. The food served was nutritious and catered to the dietary needs of both humans and Pok¨¦mon. Nearby, there were recreational areas where students could relax, socialise, and unwind during their breaks in training and classes. These spaces included lounges with comfortable seating, board game rooms, and outdoor patio with a beautiful view of the Village. The students listened attentively, taking in the rigorous schedule that lay ahead. Ishi felt a mix of excitement and determination. The path would be challenging, but he was ready to face it with Perseus by his side. As the first day at the academy began, Ishi and his friends knew that their journey had only just started. Together, they would navigate the trials and tribulations of ninja training, forging bonds and honing their skills, all while the shadows of unseen threats loomed ever closer. *** After outlining the daily schedule, Sensei Arata Monji encouraged the students to ask any questions they might have. Eager to make the most of their time in the academy, Ishi and his classmates quickly seized the opportunity. Ryota raised his hand first. "Sensei Monji, what kind of Pok¨¦mon do you have? And how strong is it?" Sensei Monji smiled. "I have Machamp as my partner. We''ve been through many battles together, and I can assure you, he''s quite strong. Machamp is adept at close combat and less so with special attacks, making him a formidable ally but not particularly versatile." Ayame leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "How can we make our Pok¨¦mon stronger? Are there specific techniques or training methods we should follow?" Sensei Monji nodded. "Training your Pok¨¦mon involves a combination of physical exercise, battle experience, and building a strong bond with them. You should also focus on teaching them techniques that complement their natural abilities. For example, Fletchling can excel in aerial manoeuvres and speed-based attacks." Kenta adjusted his glasses. "Sensei, can you tell us more about the hierarchy in the class and the academy? How do we advance?" Sensei Monji explained, "In the academy, students are grouped into different classes based on their skills and potential. The advanced class, which you''re all in, is designed to push you harder and prepare you for greater challenges. As you progress, you''ll have opportunities to participate in ranking exams to advance from Genin to Chunin, and eventually you¡¯ll take on various missions or be allowed to take a journey outside the village and gain the right to become a Jonin. Your performance in these exams and your overall growth will determine your advancement." Shigeru, asked a seemingly innocent question. "Sensei, are there any particular strategies you recommend for uncovering the weaknesses of opponents in battle?" Sensei Monji''s eyes narrowed slightly, but he answered calmly. "Understanding your opponent''s strengths and weaknesses is crucial. Observe their movements, attacks, and defensive strategies closely. Every Pok¨¦mon and ninja has a unique style, and finding the right moment to exploit a weakness can turn the tide of battle in your favour." Haruka, with her gentle demeanour, asked, "Sensei, what is the best way to heal our Pok¨¦mon if they get injured during training or battles?" Sensei Monji replied, "Healing your Pok¨¦mon is vital. You should learn about various medicinal herbs and how to use them to treat different injuries. Additionally, there are specific techniques and moves, like Heal Pulse, that certain Pok¨¦mon can learn to assist with healing. For extremely serious injuries incurred for you and your pokemon you should take them to the Academies Medical Centre " The academy housed, state-of-the-art medical centre, was staffed by skilled medics and equipped with ancient Ninja technology. The centre was divided into two sections: one for humans and one for Pok¨¦mon. The human section had examination rooms, first aid stations, and recovery beds. The Pok¨¦mon section featured specialised equipment for treating various Pok¨¦mon injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to more severe conditions. There were also several tanks and incubators for Pok¨¦mon, ensuring all partners received the best care possible. Raion raised his hand next. "Sensei Monji, how do we balance physical training with our academic studies? It seems like there''s a lot to learn, and I don¡¯t do so good with academics." Sensei Monji nodded. "Balance is key. While physical training is crucial for a ninja, so is a well-rounded education. Use your self-study time effectively to focus on your academic subjects. Prioritise your tasks and manage your time wisely. Remember, a sharp mind is just as important as a strong body." Midori, the petite girl with Zubat, asked, "Sensei, what role does teamwork play in our training? How important is it for us to work together? Or can we just do things ourselves and not have to rely on anyone with a lower status." ¡®Wow, stuck up much¡¯ Ishi thought frowning at the girl he¡¯d initially had a favourable impression of. Sensei Monji smiled thinly. "Teamwork is essential. As ninjas, you''ll often work in teams, and understanding how to cooperate and support each other is crucial. You''ll learn to complement each other''s strengths and cover for each other''s weaknesses. Trust and communication are the foundations of any successful team." That earned a scoff from Midori, ¡°And Midori you will respect your fellow classmates and the other students in this academy!¡± At that Midori rolled her eyes but gave a noncommittal nod. Finally, it was Ishi''s turn. He had been thinking carefully about his question. "Sensei Monji, how can we best strengthen the bond with our Pok¨¦mon partners? Is there anything special we should do?" Sensei Monji looked at Ishi with approval. "Building a strong bond with your Pok¨¦mon involves spending time with them, understanding their needs, and showing them that you care. Train together, play together, and support each other in battles. A deep bond will make your partnership stronger and your Pok¨¦mon more willing to go beyond their limits for you." The class absorbed Sensei Monji''s words, their minds buzzing with new information and possibilities. The sensei had answered their questions with patience and wisdom, providing them with valuable insights into their training and future as ninjas. As the first day at the academy progressed, Ishi and his friends felt a renewed sense of determination. They had a long journey ahead, filled with challenges and opportunities to grow stronger. Together, they would face whatever came their way, united by their dreams and the bonds they were forging with their Pok¨¦mon partners. Chapter 20 Ishi walked home from the academy, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows along the village paths. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, replaying the events of the day. He had said goodbye to Senpei and Ivy at the academy entrance, and many of his classmates did the same with each of their individual groups of friends. His mum had stayed behind to discuss matters with the rest of the faculty and staff, leaving him to make his way home alone. The cool breeze rustled the leaves of the trees, creating a serene atmosphere that contrasted with the excitement and nervousness he felt. As Ishi walked, he couldn''t help but reflect on the day. The entrance ceremony had been a significant event, even if the headmaster''s speech had been ridiculously boring, marking the start of his journey at the Ninja Academy. He remembered arriving early, alongside his mum and looking at all of the new faces that were going to be joining the academy alongside him and his friends, and feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. The grand entrance of the academy, with its ancient stone and polished wood, had left him in awe. The courtyard had buzzed with chatter as parents said their farewells and students fidgeted with anticipation. His heart had raced as he clutched Perseus''s Pok¨¦ball tightly, feeling the comforting presence of his Froakie on his shoulder. The ceremony itself had been a mix of excitement and tedium. The headmaster, an older man with a stoic expression and a reputation for strict discipline, had stepped up to the podium. His voice had droned on in a monotonous tone, reciting the academy''s history and the importance of their training. Ishi had struggled to keep his eyes open, glancing over at Senpei and Ivy, who were equally struggling to stay awake. Despite the headmaster''s lacklustre delivery, the significance of the moment was not lost on Ishi. This was the next step of his journey as a ninja, and he had felt a swell of pride and determination, especially as he¡¯d seen his mum smiling at him with her face full of pride. When the headmaster''s speech had finally concluded, a collective sigh of relief had swept through the crowd of students. The headmaster''s assistant had then stepped forward with a list, ready to announce the class assignments. Ishi''s anticipation had reached its peak as he waited for his name to be called. "You will now be sorted into your respective classes," the assistant had announced, her voice carrying more energy than the headmaster''s. "When I call your name, please step forward." The sorting had begun, with names being called one by one of the older students being shuffled around by being elevated or demoted to a new class. Ishi''s mind had wandered briefly, thinking about the training and adventures that lay ahead. But his attention had snapped back as he heard his name. "Ishi Sukauto," the assistant called. "Advanced Class." His heart had leapt with excitement as he stepped forward, feeling the eyes of his peers on him. He had been quickly joined by Senpei and Ivy, thank Arceus, who were also assigned to the advanced class. They had exchanged excited glances, knowing they would face the challenges of the academy together, he really didn¡¯t know what he would do without them. ¡®Be even more of a little shit than I am now I guess,¡¯ he thought with a chuckle and a dismissive shake of his head. They had moved to their new classroom, and he couldn''t help but feel a mix of pride and nervousness once again when he¡¯d first walked down the hallway, catching glances of the other facilities in the academy. They had been told that the advanced class was a testament to their potential and dedication, but it also meant that the expectations were higher, so it was kind of a double edge sword. The classroom itself had been spacious, with tatami mats covering the floor and walls lined with wooden training dummies and weapons racks alongside a few scrolls and texts they¡¯d probably have to familiarise themselves with. The atmosphere had been one of focused energy, a place where they would hone their skills and knowledge. Their sensei, Mr. Monji, had introduced himself with a firm but welcoming demeanour, ¡®I¡¯m still surprised someone with his presence and power is just a teacher at this Academy, I can see him leading a team of Chunin if he wanted to.¡¯ He thought as he recalled the level of presence Mr. Monji commanded, and he had felt a sense of reassurance knowing that they were in capable hands. The introductions had been a mix of nerves and excitement, with each student sharing their names, their partner Pok¨¦mon, and their dreams and ambitions. Ishi remembered the sense of pride he felt when he introduced Perseus, his shiny Froakie, and the determination in his voice as he spoke about his goals. ¡®Shigeru still makes me feel uneasy, there¡¯s no way his emotions were that muted without serious training, but we are the same age and I haven¡¯t exactly been slacking..¡¯ Ishi frowned when he thought back to the boy, and when he remembered the level of concern his Espurr was projecting he grew more suspicious. ¡®But what am I even suspicious of? He¡¯s just a kid, maybe he has a sucky home life? Hmm yeah that''s probably it, I can see why that would make someone''s emotions so muted, I¡¯ll need to watch him a bit more and try and reach out to him.¡¯ Nodding to himself at the conclusion he¡¯d come to, he returned to thinking about his first day at the academy. He thought back to the moment Ryota had introduced himself with his Pawniard, his confident demeanour a clear reflection of his ambition to follow in his grandfather''s footsteps. Ayame''s introduction with her Fletchling had been filled with enthusiasm and a desire to master aerial combat. Kenta, with his Honedge, had spoken with a serious tone about becoming a master swordsman. Haruka''s gentle introduction with Spritzee had highlighted her dream of becoming a healer. Raion''s easy going grin and his Litleo had radiated confidence and a strong protective instinct. Miori, the frown immediately retired as his train of thought went to the clear pain in his ass she would become, she had started off so well showing a fierce determination with her Zubat and had revealed her adventurous spirit. ¡°Haa¡± he sighed as he recalled what she had asked Mr. Monji, with her referring to the rest of the class as having a lower status to herself. ¡®So I guess she¡¯s the stuck up brat every class needs to round out the personalities, and I can tell she will play her role so well, She must have a lot of practice looking down on others.¡¯ The lesson schedule had been outlined next, giving him a clear picture of what to expect in the days ahead. Mornings would be dedicated to self-study sessions, where they could explore topics of interest and ask questions of the sensei present. This time was meant to deepen their knowledge and foster independent learning. This particularly excited him, with the opportunity to delve into subjects that fascinated him and to learn at his own pace. Afternoons would focus on physical training, sparring, and practising ninja techniques. They would learn the village''s basic close combat techniques and work on perfecting their ninja skills. ¡®Though I have a few ideas to put my own spin on things once I''ve completed my quest to master all the ninja trick natures and obtain my first Sub-Class. I¡¯m definitely gonna get first in this year''s advanced students!¡¯ The rigorous training schedule was daunting, but he had felt a surge of determination. Physical fitness and combat proficiency were crucial for any ninja, and he was ready to push himself to his limits. At that moment a notification appeared from the system.
Confirmed. Quest Created: You Have Displayed Your Determination To Become A Diamond Among Gems! Achieve The Goal You Have Set For Yourself And Become The Top Student In The Advanced Class!
Rewards: Your Overall Luck When Spluncking Increases!
Accept: Y/N
¡®Hellz yeah, that could have so many different uses! Of course I accept, I¡¯ve already determined that I''m going to be first in the class, may as well get an additional reward for it!¡¯ He was grinning from ear to ear at the potential reward and what it would inevitably mean for his future. ¡®Hmm better get back to reminiscing huh, it seems I have the potential to get quests just from reliving what''s happened to me and using hindsights perfect 20/20 vision!¡¯ With a dopey grin still on his face he thought back to the rest of the schedule his new sensei had given the class. After a short break, they would cover the history and theology of the village, as well as other academic subjects like maths, writing, and strategy. A well-rounded education was essential for a successful ninja, and Ishi knew that mastering these subjects would be just as important as their physical training. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. The various training facilities available to them had been another highlight of the day, ¡®I just need to reserve some time to use them and begin training up Perseus, I¡¯ll do that first thing tomorrow.¡¯ He was also excited about how the training hall was apparently equipped with apparatuses for physical conditioning and martial arts training. They¡¯d been told about the punching bags, climbing ropes, balance beams, and obstacle courses designed to test agility, strength, and endurance. The targets for practising shuriken throwing along with some moving targets for pokemon to improve their aim and accuracy with their moves, as well as the sparring mats for hand-to-hand combat training. ¡®I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll be good for putting any annoying brats in their place,¡¯ he mused, with his mind picturing a certain bratty girl with misguided impressions. The medical centre had also impressed Ishi. Staffed by skilled medics and equipped with advanced medical technology, it was divided into sections for humans and Pok¨¦mon. The Pok¨¦mon section featured specialised equipment for treating various injuries, ensuring that all partners received the best care possible. ¡®Even more reason to not hold back on anyone if they can be quickly healed back to near full health!¡¯ The smile that had been plastered on his face for most of his walk back home took on an evil glint. And even though none of the advanced class students saw it in person they all felt a sinister shiver wash over them, but most just dismissed it as a rather cool breeze passing by. *** As one particular student felt a shiver run up his spine he turned and glanced behind him, squinting around to try and find what had caused his danger senses to become alerted. What made him even more uneasy was that he was unable to determine the location or cause of it. ¡®Hmm, I need to get out of here, I may be being followed.¡¯ he thought and turned back around and subtly increased his speed and direction he was walking. Shigeru, with his partner Espurr at his side, moved through the village with calculated precision. The weight of his secret mission pressed on him, but he had grown accustomed to the dual life he led. Shigeru''s reasons for becoming a spy for Kagetomo''s Ninja Corps were complex. He had always felt overshadowed by others in the village, yearning for recognition and power. The promise of a higher position and influence had lured him into Kagetomo''s web. His loyalty was driven by ambition, and he was determined to prove his worth. ¡®I am in no way loyal to him, but if he gives me the opportunity to get stronger there''s no way I can pass up this opportunity!¡¯ As he walked, Shigeru took meticulous measures to ensure he lost whomever or whatever may be following him. He navigated through lesser-known roads and alleys, his movements practised and fluid. He ducked behind houses, slipped through narrow passages, and doubled back several times. Espurr followed silently, its senses alert to any potential threats. Reaching a secluded back alley, Shigeru finally stopped. He scanned the area, satisfied that he was alone, and waited for his contact. A figure cloaked in darkness soon emerged from the shadows - the informant. "Report," the informant said in a low voice, their features hidden by the hood of their cloak and a full black mask. Shigeru nodded, his expression stoic. "The entrance ceremony went as expected. Ishi Sukauto, Ivy Shinobu, and Senpei Takahiro have all been placed in the advanced class. Ishi''s partner is a shiny Froakie named Perseus. They show a bit of promise, but their loyalty to the village and the current Chief remains strong." The informant listened intently, nodding occasionally. "And the others?" "Ryota has a Pawniard," Shigeru continued. "He seems determined to follow in his grandfather''s footsteps. Ayame has a Fletchling and is focused on mastering aerial combat. Kenta''s partner is Honedge, and he aims to become a master swordsman. Haruka has a Spritzee and wants to become a healer. Raion, with his Litleo, is driven to become a strong defender of the village. Lastly, Midori has a Zubat and dreams of exploring the world." Shigeru''s tone was dismissive. "None of them seem particularly special. They have potential, but they are far from being threats." The informant''s eyes narrowed, though the expression was hidden. "Continue to monitor them closely. We need to know if there are any signs of dissent or if they pose any threat to our plans. Keep an eye on their training and report any significant developments." Shigeru nodded, feeling a mix of relief and unease. The informant slipped back into the shadows, leaving Shigeru alone in the alley. He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the tension that always accompanied these meetings. ¡®Alright, now that that''s done, I should head off home,¡¯ Shigeru thought, carefully avoiding any mention of where his home was located. He knew the importance of maintaining secrecy, even in his thoughts. With Espurr at his side, Shigeru began the journey back, retracing his steps and ensuring he left no trace of his clandestine activities. The shadows of the village hid many secrets, and Shigeru was determined to keep his hidden well. *** Ishi arrived home, greeted by the feeling of the family Pok¨¦mon guarding the house. Talonflame perched on the roof, its sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, exuding an aura of strength and vigilance. Sudowoodo and Weavile were also present, their watchful eyes ensuring the safety of the household. ¡®Huh if I didn¡¯t have my aura sense I wouldn''t have noticed Sudowoodo, that guy''s camouflage looks derpy but it sure is effective,¡¯ he mused as he glanced in Sudowoodo¡¯s direction. "Hey everyone," Ishi greeted them with a smile. Talonflame chirped in acknowledgment, flapping its wings gently. Sudowoodo subtly waved a branch-like arm, and Weavile grinned mischievously, baring its sharp claws in a playful manner. Ishi made his way inside, the familiar warmth of home enveloping him. He reached for Perseus''s Pok¨¦ball and released his partner. The shiny Froakie blinked up at him with wide, curious eyes, it''s almost white coloration shimmering in the light. ¡®Haa, so cute!!!¡¯ he thought playfully pinching the small Froakies cheek only to have his partner squeal and bat his hand away with its cheeks subtly getting redder. ¡®Huh its white colour makes it even harder for him to cover up his blushing.. Adorable.¡¯ he thought with a smirk and Perseus. "Let''s head up to our room, Percy," Ishi said. The Froakie croaked in agreement, hopping alongside him as they climbed the stairs together. In his room, Ishi''s eyes fell on the unfinished Pok¨¦ball on his desk. This Pok¨¦ball was different from the others he had made; it was white with dark green accents, and he felt an unknown knowing that this pokeball held a special significance. He was in the process of implanting his aura into the Tumblestone before completing the final touches. He sat down at his desk, his hands steady as he concentrated. He closed his eyes and focused on channelling his aura into the Tumblestone. The stone glowed faintly as it absorbed the energy, a soft hum filling the room. Perseus watched intently, sensing the importance of the moment. "Alright, Perseus, this is it," Ishi said softly, feeling a connection to the stone as his aura flowed into it. "This Pok¨¦ball will be special." Perseus croaked in encouragement, his eyes shining with admiration for his partner. Ishi''s concentration deepened, and he felt the energy within him responding to his will. The Tumblestone glowed brighter, pulsing with a rhythm that matched his heartbeat. After a few minutes, Ishi opened his eyes and inspected the Tumblestone. It was ready. He carefully placed it inside the Pok¨¦ball and began attaching the final components. The process was meticulous, but his hands moved with practised ease. Each piece clicked into place, forming a perfect whole. As he fitted the last piece into place, a bright flash of light filled the room. Ishi shielded his eyes, and the light faded almost as quickly as it had flashed, he looked down at the completed Pok¨¦ball. It was perfect, a testament to his skill and determination. The white and dark green colours complemented each other, and the Pok¨¦ball felt alive with the energy he had infused into it. ¡®I haven¡¯t had a failure in a while, I suppose the days of me making those shells are behind me.¡¯ He thought as he recalled his first attempts before he had been taken into the tutelage of Mr. Suru. At that moment a new Notification popped up in front of his eyes.
Confirmed. Quest Progression: The Materials have been Collected By Your Loving Mother, Put these Materials to good use!
Progress: Pokeballs Made - 13->14
Rewards: 100 Exp
Ishi held the Pok¨¦ball up to the light, admiring its craftsmanship. He felt a deep sense of accomplishment, knowing that this Pok¨¦ball was infused with his own aura. It was a symbol of his growth and his dedication to becoming a great ninja and Pok¨¦mon trainer. "Percy" Ishi said, turning to his Froakie with a proud smile, "we did it." Percy croaked in agreement, his eyes shining with admiration for his partner. His journey was just beginning, but with Percy by his side, and whatever future pokemon this ball would hold he felt his ambitions wouldn¡¯t fall flat. Suddenly, Ishi heard footsteps approaching the room. His mother appeared in the doorway, with a warm smile on her face. "Ishi, I heard some noise. What are you up to?" He beamed at her, holding up the newly completed Pok¨¦ball. "Look, Mom! I finished it. I made another special Pok¨¦ball for my future partner!¡± His mum''s eyes widened in surprise and pride. She walked over and took the Pok¨¦ball from his hand, examining it closely. "This is incredible, Ishi. I''m so proud of you." Talonflame, who had followed Shion into the room, looked at the Pok¨¦ball with interest. His stern expression softened as he glanced at Ishi. "Talon.." she murmured approvingly. Sudowoodo and Weavile also entered the room, each of them curious about Ishi''s creation. Perseus hopped onto Ishi''s shoulder, looking proud and excited. "Thank you, Mom," Ishi said, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "I couldn''t have done it without all of you supporting me." She handed the Pok¨¦ball back to Ishi, her eyes shining with pride. "You have a special gift, Ishi. Use it wisely." Ishi nodded, clutching the Pok¨¦ball close. "I will, Mom. I promise." Chapter 21 The sun had just risen over the village, casting a warm glow on the bustling streets, as Ishi made his way to the Ninja Academy. Perseus, perched happily on his shoulder, enjoying the morning breeze. Today was a new day at the academy, and Ishi was eager to start his first self-study session. ¡®I think I need to start getting everything prepared for my journey in a few years,¡¯ the thought of his very own journey with his pokemon brought along a multitude of emotions, especially worry for his parents for when he¡¯s gone, but his aura quickly reacted to this negative emotion and quelled it almost as soon as it flared. "Are you ready for today, Perseus?" He asked, glancing at his partner. ¡®God I wish I could talk to pokemon the way N could, hopefully when I finish mastering the ¡°Otherworldly Aura Cultivation Technique¡± and get the Sub-Class Aura Ninja I¡¯ll be able to.¡¯ With that thought in mind, he pulled up his current progress on the technique.
Progress: Otherworldly Aura Cultivation Technique - 48.26%
¡®Hmm, it seems that the progress has risen significantly since I got my ¡°Kid Genin¡± class. That 5% boost to all progression quests has really brought me one step closer to a new point in my aura stat!¡¯ Having confirmed his progress and closed the notification and turned back to Percy who was bobbing his head happily. "Froakie!" Perseus croaked enthusiastically, puffing out his chest. His bold personality was beginning to shine through it seemed, he chuckled while shaking his head at the little pokemons antics. Arriving at the academy, Ishi quickly found Senpei. "Hey, Senpei," he greeted, waving as he approached. "Morning, Ishi!" Senpei replied with his usual enthusiasm, his own Froakie sitting on his head. "Ready for the first real day of learning?" "Absolutely," Ishi said with a grin. "I was thinking, we should book the water battlefield for this weekend. It''ll be a great chance for our Froakies to train." ¡®Besides It¡¯ll be best to have them train in a favourable environment first to get them strong enough to handle the harsher environments.¡¯ He thought to himself. Perseus croaked in agreement, hopping from Ishi''s shoulder to his head. "Froakie, fro!" ¡®Awww, you adorable little frog,¡¯ he thought, using all his mental power not to squeal at the happy pokemon on his shoulder. Senpei''s eyes lit up. "Great idea! Let''s do it." ¡®Oh yeah, those are the eyes of a great future rival!¡¯ he acknowledged with a nod towards Senpei. Together, they headed to the booking station and reserved the water battlefield for Saturday morning. ¡®Seems we are one of the first here, welp ya snooze ya lose I spose,¡¯ he mused with a small shrug. With that taken care of, they chatted for a bit about their training plans and their excitement for the weekend. "Alright, I need to head to the library," Ishi said after a while. "I want to look up some techniques for expanding storage space in bags and satchels." ¡®I''ll have to expand it to hold all the raw materials I¡¯m going to use while on my journey, plus this satchel has been with me for years and deserves some love.¡¯ Senpei nodded. "Sounds cool. I''ll catch you later, then." With a wave goodbye he turned and made his way through the hallways from the office to the library. Perseus leaped from his shoulder onto his head, settling comfortably as they walked. ¡°Copycat,¡± he muttered, earning himself a dismissive pat on the head from Percy. Eventually they made it to the library, the quiet, serene atmosphere of the library was a stark contrast to the bustling academy halls. He breathed in the scent of old books and scrolls, feeling a sense of calm wash over him. "Look at all these books, Perseus. I bet there''s a lot we can learn here," Ishi whispered. "Fro.." Perseus replied softly, his eyes wide with curiosity as he looked around. Ishi found a section dedicated to ninja tools and techniques and began browsing through the scrolls. After a few minutes, he found a small dusty collection of scrolls on expanding storage space. ¡®Looks like there aren¡¯t that many students interested in this stuff, huh their loss.¡¯ And with a shrug he sat down at a nearby table and started reading, Percy did his best to peer over his shoulder but Ishi was unsure if the little guy could understand a thing he was looking at. ¡®I¡¯ll have to try teaching him to read a little when we get home.¡¯ He figured with a small glance at Percy. "Let''s see," he muttered to himself, unrolling another scroll and reading the first sentence written on it. "Techniques for increasing the internal dimensions of a bag without altering its external size... this is basically exactly what I need, perfect." ¡®Author didn¡¯t sign their name though which is kind of a shame, though I can hazard a guess as to who wrote it.¡¯ The image of an old craftsman of very few words popped into his head. Perseus, still peering over his shoulder with his little hands resting on his back, sent him a questioning glance. "Kie?" "Yeah, buddy. We could carry so much more if we can figure this out," Ishi said, smiling at Perseus''s curiosity. "Imagine not having to leave anything behind because our bag can hold everything." He read through a few more of the scrolls, and he tried to learn about the various techniques involving spatial manipulation and the use of special seals. The idea of having a bag that could hold more items without becoming bulky intrigued him, especially when he came across a weight reduction seal. ¡®Huh.. weight reduction? I wonder if I can reverse it and increase the weight of an object.. Food for future thought.¡¯ He glanced down at the satchel at his side and thought, "It''s about time I try and give this bad boy an upgrade!" Perseus croaked softly in agreement, hopping onto the table to look at the scrolls with Ishi. Ishi chuckled and scratched the Froakie''s head. "We''ll make this satchel even better, Perseus." He spent the rest of the morning engrossed in his reading, absorbing as much information as he could and making several rolls of parchment covered in notes. The techniques were complex, but Ishi felt confident that he could master them with enough practice. The idea of creating a satchel with nearly limitless storage space excited him. Plus the other potential uses of these techniques could be interesting when it came to training and he couldn''t wait to test their applications and limits. Finally, the school''s chime rang, signalling the end of the self-study session. Ishi carefully packed up the scrolls he had been reading and returned them to their shelves. And he made his way out of the library, heading in the direction of his new classroom. "Ready for the next part of the day, Percy?" Ishi asked, feeling a surge of determination. "Froakie, fro!" Perseus responded, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he hopped back on top of his head. As they walked through the academy halls, Ishi felt a sense of accomplishment. He had a plan for the weekend and new knowledge to apply to his satchel. The day was off to a great start, and he couldn''t wait to see what else was in store. With Perseus on his head he felt lighter than ever at the potential this academy offered. *** Once all his classmates had arrived they were told to follow Sensei Monji towards their first destination of the day, the training hall. And after a brief walk through the halls, Ishi and his classmates gathered in the training hall, the expansive room filled with various training apparatuses designed to test and improve their physical capabilities. The walls were, as advertised, lined with wooden training dummies, punching bags, climbing ropes, balance beams, and obstacle courses. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as Sensei Monji stepped forward to address the class once again. "Today, we will familiarise ourselves with the equipment and facilities available to you," Sensei Monji began, his voice firm and commanding. "These tools are here to help you develop your strength, agility, and combat skills. Pay close attention." He led the students through the training hall, demonstrating how to use each piece of equipment. "The punching bags are for honing your striking techniques. Focus on precision and power," he explained, giving a swift, controlled punch to a nearby bag. It swayed slightly from the impact, showcasing the strength behind his blow. "The climbing ropes and balance beams are for improving your agility and coordination," he continued, demonstrating a quick ascent up a rope and then balancing effortlessly on a beam. "These skills are crucial for any ninja." This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Sensei Monji moved to the obstacle course next. "This course is designed to test your endurance and ability to navigate difficult terrain. You will need to be quick and efficient to complete it." After the tour, Sensei Monji gathered the students and announced, "Now, it''s time for a your new training regimen, this will be done to assess each of your current level of fitness. We''ll start with Ishi." Ishi felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as he stepped forward. ¡®Of course I¡¯m picked first, no pressure or anything.¡¯ He thought mulling over his lack of luck. Perseus croaked encouragingly from the sidelines, giving him a little boost in confidence. Sensei Monji instructed him to start with the obstacle course. He took a deep breath and began, moving swiftly through the various challenges. He climbed, jumped, and dodged with determination, pushing himself to his limits. By the end, he was panting but felt a sense of accomplishment. ¡®Jeez if I¡¯m doing this shit daily.. Haa at least it¡¯ll probably help boost a couple stats.¡¯ "Well done, Ishi," Sensei Monji said, nodding in approval. "Next, Shigeru." Shigeru stepped up confidently, his Espurr watching with keen eyes. He moved through the course with precision, his movements smooth and calculated. He finished slightly faster than Ishi, earning a nod from Sensei Monji. ¡®Hmm little bit of competition I have here, good I needed something to motivate me.¡¯ he thought with a determined nod towards Shigeru. "Senpei, you''re next," Sensei Monji called. Senpei grinned and tackled the course with his usual enthusiasm, his Froakie cheering him on. He completed it with a respectable time, though slightly behind Ishi and Shigeru. Ivy was up next, her Snivy observing calmly. She navigated the course with agility, her movements graceful and efficient. She finished just behind Senpei, her expression determined. The rest of the class took their turns, each student showcasing their strengths and weaknesses. By the end, everyone was panting and catching their breath. Sensei Monji allowed them a moment to recover before moving on. "Now that you''ve experienced the physical demands, we''ll move on to the basic forms of our village''s close combat techniques," he announced. "Watch closely." Sensei Monji demonstrated a series of fluid, precise movements, each strike and block flowing seamlessly into the next. "These forms are the foundation of our combat style. Mastering them is crucial." The students watched intently, their eyes fixed on Sensei Monji''s every move. Once he finished, he instructed them to practise the forms on their own. Ishi felt a surge of determination as he mimicked the movements to the best he could with the memory he had of the demonstration, his body moving with relative ease. Perseus watched from the sidelines, croaking encouragement. As they practised, a few students raised their hands to ask questions. Ryota was the first. "Sensei Monji, when is it best to use these techniques in battle?" Sensei Monji nodded thoughtfully. "These techniques are versatile and can be used in various situations. The key is to understand your opponent and adapt your strategy accordingly. Use these forms to build a strong foundation, and from there, you can develop your own style." Ayame asked next, "What should we focus on the most while practising these forms?" "Focus on precision and fluidity," Sensei Monji advised. "Each movement should be deliberate and controlled. Speed will come with practice, but it''s more important to execute the forms correctly." After sufficient practice, Sensei Monji gathered the students again. "In a week, we will have a sparring session to test your understanding and application of these forms. Prepare well." Next, Sensei Monji led them to the shuriken throwing targets. "Shuriken throwing is an essential skill for any ninja. Accuracy and technique are paramount." He demonstrated a series of throws, each shuriken hitting its mark with pinpoint accuracy. "Now, it''s your turn," he said, stepping back to allow the students to take a go and correct their posters before trying again. Ishi felt a thrill of excitement as he picked up a shuriken. He focused on the target, recalling Sensei Monji''s demonstration, and threw the shuriken. It hit the outer ring of the target, and Ishi felt a surge of determination to improve. Though he did get a few pointers from Sensei he felt it was less than the others so it meant he was doing something right. As they were all practising their throwing technique, Haruka asked, "Sensei, what are the best ways to improve our accuracy?" "Practice is crucial," Sensei Monji replied. "But also, learn to read the wind and adjust your aim accordingly. Focus on your breathing and maintain a steady hand. Later on in the year we¡¯ll set up a few moving targets to really test you all." Midori then chimed in, "Sensei, is there a specific technique to hold the shuriken? I¡¯ve noticed basically all of us differ in how we hold it. Isn''t there a standardised method?" Sensei Monji demonstrated, holding the shuriken between his fingers. "Hold it firmly but not too tight. The grip should allow for a smooth release. Experiment with different grips to find what works best for you. Everyone''s hands are slightly different and the way you throw should come naturally to you, there are a few things to be tweaked but everyone usually has a different style than another." The students continued practising, each one determined to improve. Ishi felt a growing sense of confidence with each successful throw, and Perseus croaked approvingly from his perch. ¡®I¡¯m gonna have to come back here with Percy and have him aim at a couple targets, can¡¯t hurt to have him start on a bit of exercise now that he¡¯s a bit older.¡¯ He thought as he noticed the gleam in his Froakies eyes at not being allowed to join in on the training. As the session drew to a close, Sensei Monji addressed the class. "You all have potential. Continue to practise and hone your skills. Remember, mastery comes with dedication and perseverance, this won¡¯t happen overnight." Ishi felt a deep sense of satisfaction as he gathered his things. The training had been challenging, but he knew that he was growing stronger with each session or at least hoped he would. And he felt that he could get a little rivalry going with Shigeru, and maybe that could get the guy to open up a little. *** After their rigorous training session, Sensei Monji allowed the students a short break to recover. Ishi, Senpei, and Ivy found a quiet spot in the courtyard to sit and catch their breath, recover their aching muscles, and have some lunch. The cool breeze was certainly a welcome relief after the intense physical exertion. Each of their partner pokemon also roamed around them, enjoying a bit of harmless playtime. "Man, that was tough," Senpei said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "But it was also kind of fun. What do you guys think?" Ivy nodded, stretching her arms. "It was definitely challenging, but I liked the feeling of slowly getting better. It''s exciting to learn all these new techniques. What about you, Ishi?" Ishi grinned, feeling the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. "I agree. It was hard, but I can already feel myself getting stronger. Plus, it''s cool to see what we''re all capable of." ¡®I can¡¯t wait to experience the Ninja trick class, if it''s on the same level as what we just went through then I¡¯ll have them all mastered in no time!¡¯ He thought, grinning from ear to ear at the prospect. As they chatted, his attention was drawn to a few of the conversations happening around them. Shigeru was sitting with his Espurr, discussing their performance in a hushed tone. "I think we''re ahead of most of them," Shigeru said, his voice filled with a quiet confidence. "Espurr, you and I have to be more than ready for anything Sensei Monji throws at us." ¡®Huh, why so intense?¡¯ he wondered after hearing that last sentence. His attention shifted to Midori, who was speaking in a louder, more entitled voice. "My Zubat is already one of the strongest partners here," she boasted. "We''re going to ace all the tests and become top of the class. Just you wait." ¡®Haaa oh yeah miss stuck up brat, forgot about her.¡¯ Ishi, Senpei, and Ivy exchanged disapproving looks. They had already noticed the difference in attitudes among their classmates. While some, like Shigeru and Midori, seemed overly confident and dismissive of others, most of the others believed in teamwork and mutual respect. But it was still somewhat disappointing to hear. "Let''s just focus on our own training and do our best," he said, trying to push aside the annoyance he felt. "At least most of us know what''s important." Senpei and Ivy nodded in agreement, and they spent the rest of their break talking about their goals and how they planned to support each other, while polishing off their lunches and feeling the fatigue leave their bodies. They also watched their pokemon run around playing a small game of tag, and they even had a few of their classmates pokemon join in. Snivy ended up being tagged last, much to her and Ivy''s dismay, her little legs couldn¡¯t keep up just yet. The break soon ended, and the students headed back to their classroom. The transition from the physical training hall to the academic setting was stark, but Ishi welcomed the change. The classroom was spacious and filled with natural light, creating a conducive environment for learning. Sensei Monji began the next part of the day with a lesson on the history and theology of the village. He spoke about the founding of their village by the first generation of ninjas and their Pok¨¦mon partners. The tales of valour and wisdom captivated the students, providing them with a sense of pride and purpose. "The bond between ninjas and their Pok¨¦mon has always been the cornerstone of our village," Sensei Monji explained. "Our ancestors built this village with their strength and dedication, and it is our duty to honour their legacy by continuing to uphold these values." The lessons then moved on to more academic subjects like maths, writing, and strategy. Ishi found the topics engaging, especially the strategic elements that would later apply to their ninja missions. He took detailed notes, his mind constantly thinking about how to apply what he was learning to his training and future missions. As the day drew to a close, Sensei Monji wrapped up the lesson with some final thoughts. "Remember, knowledge is just as important as physical strength. Balance your training with your studies, and you will become well-rounded ninjas." Ishi, Senpei, and Ivy gathered their things and walked to the entrance of the academy together. They chatted about their favourite parts of the day and their plans for the weekend training session at the water battlefield. Of course Ivy wouldn''t be joining them as she had booked the forest field instead. "This was just the second day, and it already feels like we''ve learned so much," Ivy said, her eyes shining with excitement. Senpei nodded. "Yeah, and I can''t wait to see how much stronger we''ll get." Ishi smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie with his friends. "We''re in this together. Let''s keep pushing each other to be the best we can be." At the entrance, they paused to say their goodbyes. "See you guys tomorrow," Ishi said, giving them a wave as they headed in their separate directions. As Ishi walked home, Percy perched contentedly on his shoulder, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. The day had been challenging, but it had also reaffirmed his commitment to becoming a great ninja. With the support of his friends and the guidance of his teachers, Ishi knew he was on the right path. The journey ahead was long, but he was ready for whatever came his way. Chapter 22 The week progressed somewhat similarly for Ishi, each day filled with new lessons and rigorous training. His self-study sessions were spent deeply engrossed in his research on subspace expansion techniques, delving into the complexities of spatial manipulation and the application of special seals. He had also begun experimenting with these techniques, cautiously testing their potential uses. He''d seen little progress in that regard but he still thought that, if he could achieve what he envisioned then the potential they would allow in his training would be astounding. And while he was still a few weeks away from trying anything on his satchel, the prospect of enhancing it kept him motivated. Physical training sessions were gruelling but rewarding, he had already received a stat point in both dexterity and strength so he could clearly see his efforts paying off. The newly incorporated Ninja Tricks class was rotated daily with shuriken throwing, adding variety to their routines. Because as their sensei had drilled into them over the past week, ¡°Variety and adaptability are the cornerstones of a strong Ninja!¡± Each session pushed him and his classmates to their limits, but the progress they made was evident. Perseus, always by his side, engaged in light basic exercises to temper his body and increase his strength. He was joined by a few of his classmates'' partners, but most of them just stayed in their pokeball or lazed about watching their trainer. The weekend approached quickly, and with it his anticipation and barely contained excitement for his first real pokemon training. He had been looking forward to their reserved time at the water battlefield, eager to train with Senpei and their Froakies. On Saturday morning, he woke up with a burst of energy, feeling a sense of anticipation for the day''s activities. "Perseus, today''s the day!" Ishi exclaimed as he jumped out of bed, eagerly throwing on his clothes and grabbing all his notes he¡¯d been keeping while preparing for today. "Froakie!" Perseus croaked enthusiastically, mimicking Ishi''s excitement. Once they were both ready they headed downstairs to find his parents already up, enjoying breakfast with their Pok¨¦mon. "Good morning!" Ishi called out, grabbing a seat at the table. ¡®It¡¯s always so homey on the weekends with both of them home,¡¯ he thought with a warm feeling rising in his chest. "Morning, Ishi," Shion said with a warm smile. "Excited for your training session today?" "Absolutely!" he replied, stuffing a piece of toast into his mouth. "I''ve been looking forward to this all week." ¡®More like several years at this point but meh who¡¯s counting.¡¯ he chuckled to himself with a small shrug. Haku chuckled, ruffling Ishi''s hair. "Just remember to stay focused and give it your best. And don¡¯t go overboard on your first solo training session, Percy isn¡¯t invincible quite yet!" ¡°You got it!¡± He responded energetically, while pushing his hair back the to way he liked it. Kingambit, Talonflame, Croagunk, Sudowoodo, and Weavile were gathered around, enjoying their own breakfast. Perseus joined in, eagerly nibbling on some berries. "Ready to show them what we can do, Perseus?" Ishi asked, watching his Froakie with pride. "Froakie!" Perseus replied once again, puffing out his chest confidently, the look was somewhat nullified by the large amount of food he was currently chewing and had sprayed upon exclaiming. With his cheeks slowly turning bright red, he turned back to his food trying to act like that didn¡¯t just happen. And of course Ishi and his family being the mature personalities they were all burst out laughing at Perseus, causing the pokemon to go around the kitchen in a huff trying to deny anything happened. After their quick hearty laugh and breakfast Ishi and Perseus were ready to head out, even if Percy was still a few shades of red by the time breakfast was over. They said their goodbyes and made their way to the academy and the reserved water battlefield, the anticipation building with each step. The morning air was crisp, and the village was already alive with activity. Arriving at the academy entrance, they saw Senpei waiting with his own Froakie. "Hey, Senpei!" he called, waving as they approached. "Morning, Ishi!" Senpei replied, a wide grin on his face. "Ready to train?" "Absolutely," Ishi said, his excitement mirrored in Perseus''s eager croaks. "We are gonna kick your ass!¡¯ He thought, grinning at his friend turned portable training dummy. *** They walked together to the office, their Froakies chattering happily. The academy''s corridors were bustling with a lot fewer students than usual, which made sense considering it was a weekend and early in the morning, more than once had they seen a yawn that looked like it could swallow a Rhydon''s head. They soon arrived and after a brief wait, they received confirmation of their reservation to use the water battlefield for their training session. The walk to the battlefield was filled with animated conversation about their plans and strategies. The water battlefield was an impressive sight. With its large pool dominating the centre, and the floating platforms scattered across its surface. The edges of the pool were lined with smooth stones, and the entire area was designed to simulate various water-based combat scenarios. "Alright, let''s get started," Ishi said, feeling a surge of determination. "Perseus, let''s show them what we''ve got!" "Froakie Fro!" Perseus responded, hopping from his shoulder onto one of the floating platforms with less agility and grace than he probably thought it looked. Senpei''s Froakie followed suit, and the two partners faced off on the platforms. Ishi and Senpei positioned themselves at the edge of the pool, ready to direct their Pok¨¦mon and guide their training. "Remember, this is about improving our skills and working together," Ishi said, focusing on Perseus. "Let''s start with some basic movements and build up from there." Perseus and Senpei''s Froakie began with simple exercises, hopping from platform to platform and practising their mobility. The water battlefield provided the perfect environment to test their balance and coordination. Ishi and Senpei called out instructions, encouraging their partners and offering tips to improve their techniques. And that''s when he received a new notification from the system. The training session continued, the exercises became more complex. Percy and Froakie practised their long ranged attacks, aiming at various targets placed around the pool. They worked on strengthening their movements, and being able to shorten the time it takes to fire off the move became the main focus of their first training session. "Great job, Percy!" Ishi called out. "You''re already getting stronger!" Perseus croaked happily, his eyes shining with determination. Ishi knew that this was just the beginning of their journey together, and he was excited to see what the future held for them. And with that thought his mind flashed back to a pivotal moment earlier in the week when he had discovered the moves Perseus could use. *** Under the supervision of Sensei Monji, he had called out various moves to see what Perseus could do. ¡°Percy, use Water Gun!¡± He¡¯d first tried to call, and a rather anticlimactic croak of confusion was all he¡¯d got in response. ¡®Well that wasn¡¯t the incredible start I¡¯d envisioned,¡¯ he¡¯d thought with a little embarrassment. ¡°Khmm, Moving right along then¡± he said, clearing his throat as he felt heat rising up the back of his neck. "Perseus, use Bubble!" He¡¯d then commanded, his eyes focused on his partner. Perseus responded by spitting a stream of bubbles, which burst with a satisfying pop. ¡®Haaa, wow! This feels like it could get addictive.¡¯ he thought as he noticed Percy proudly puff out his chest at his first successful attack. ¡®I can see why people in this world compete in Pokemon battles until they are in their 80¡¯s, the adrenaline is already pumping!¡¯ "Good, now try Scratch!" Perseus reached forward, his small webbed fingers extended, as he swiped at an imaginary target. ¡®Alright! Two in a row!¡¯ "Let''s hear your Growl, Percy!" Perseus let out a surprisingly fierce growl, causing some of the nearby students to flinch. ¡®Hmm, interesting. Can Growl lower the attack of humans as well as pokemon?¡¯ But he shook his head and turned to Sensei who had stepped forward. Sensei Monji, who had observed with a keen eye, moved closer, nodding in approval. "Perseus has a solid foundation. Bubble, Scratch, and Growl are all essential moves for a Froakie." Just as they were about to wrap up, Perseus instinctively reacted to an unexpected movement from another student''s Pok¨¦mon. His body tensed, and he moved to attack while an orange light briefly surrounded him. But when nothing attacked he calmed down and returned to looking pleased with himself, he clearly wasn¡¯t aware of what had just happened to him. "Wait a minute," Ishi had said, watching closely. "Was that... fighting energy?" Sensei Monji stepped even closer, his expression now rather intrigued. "It seems Perseus has the potential to learn Counter. It''s an egg move that allows the user to retaliate with double the power if hit by a physical move. That could be incredibly advantageous in battles." The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Ishi had felt a surge of pride and excitement. "We''ll work on learning that move, Sensei." Sensei Monji nodded. "It will take time and practice, but I have no doubt you''ll get there. Egg moves are known to the pokemon instinctively, one day they will just be able to use the move perfectly but training will definitely speed up that process." *** Back in the present, his reminiscing was broken by Senpei calling out, "This place is amazing!" His eyes wide with wonder. "Yeah, it really is," Ishi agreed. "Great job, Percy! Now, let''s see you jump!" Ishi called. Perseus gathered his strength and sprang out of the water, launching himself into the air. He soared high before landing rather clumsily on one of the floating platforms. Ishi felt a surge of pride as he watched his partner. ¡®Gotta work on those landing though.¡¯ He thought with a small wince. "Keep it up, Percy! You''re doing amazing!" Ishi shouted, his excitement mirrored in Perseus''s determined croaks. ¡°Remember, try and use your strong legs to absorb the shock of landing!¡¯ Senpei and his Froakie were also hard at work, practising similar drills and encouraging each other. The sound of splashing water and cheerful croaks filled the air as the two friends trained alongside their Pok¨¦mon. Ishi could see the progress they were making, and it filled him with confidence. Perseus was becoming stronger, faster, and more coordinated with each exercise. "You''re really getting the hang of it, Percy," Ishi said during a short break where all of them, including Percy and Froakie, ate a quick snack. "I''m so proud of you." "Kie Kie!" Perseus replied, his eyes shining with determination and joy. ¡®Oh you are just the cutest little thing!¡¯ He thought, grabbing Percy in a tight hug as the little frog squirmed in surprise. *** Ishi and Senpei continued their training at the water battlefield, pushing their Froakies close to their current limits. Perseus and Froakie swam tirelessly, jumping from platform to platform, each leap slightly more controlled than the last. The boys called out encouragement and instructions, their excitement infectious. "Great job, Percy! You''re really getting the hang of it!" Ishi cheered as Perseus executed a near flawless jump, landing fairly gracefully on a floating platform. Senpei echoed his enthusiasm. "Keep it up, Froakie! You''re doing awesome!" Then, an idea struck Senpei. "Hey, Ishi, how about we have our first Pok¨¦mon battle? We''ve been training hard, and it would be a great way to cap off today''s session!" Ishi''s eyes lit up with excitement. "That''s a great idea! Percy, are you up for our first battle?" "Fro Kiee!" Perseus croaked, hopping about energetically. Senpei''s Froakie mirrored Perseus''s enthusiasm, ready for the challenge. The two friends repositioned themselves on opposite sides of the water battlefield, their Froakies poised for battle, each on a different floating platform. "Alright, Percy, let''s give it our all!" Ishi called out, his heart racing with anticipation. "Froakie, let''s show them what we''ve got!" Senpei echoed, determination in his voice. ¡°Alright the battle will begin once this pebble hits the water!¡± Ishi called, and after seeing Senpei¡¯s nod threw the small pebble into the air. Time seemed to slow as the pebble began its arch, and with a small plop the battle began. Both Froakies leapt from platform to platform, trying to gain the upper hand or an opening. Perseus launched a series of low powered Bubble attacks, sending the streams of bubbles towards Senpei''s Froakie, aiming for where the Froakie was about to land. Senpei''s Froakie countered a little slower with its own Water Gun attack. The bubbles burst upon contact with the water, creating little ripples and small waves that rocked the floating platforms. Both Froakies used the platforms to their advantage, jumping and diving to avoid attacks and gain better positioning. "Percy, get closer and use Scratch!" Ishi commanded. Perseus lunged forward, claws extended, but Senpei''s anticipated the move and called for Froakie to dodge, and counter with a Growl. The Growl momentarily threw Perseus off balance. ¡®Damn, that''s lowered Percy¡¯s attack power!¡¯ Ishi thought with a small wince, but he recovered quickly, ¡°Percy, still try to get in closer!¡± "Good job Froakie! Now use Water Gun to keep Percy at bay!" Senpei called. Water slowly erupted from the small Froakie, hitting Perseus head-on. Perseus stumbled but quickly regained his footing, shaking off the attack. "Don''t let it get to you, Perseus! Use Bubble!" Ishi shouted. The bubbles popped loudly on contact, sending droplets of water flying into the air, and sending Senpei¡¯s Frokies sprawling into the water. ¡®Damn that would have been stronger if Percy hadn¡¯t been hit with that Growl!¡¯ he thought with a frown as he tried to locate the now water bound Froakie. Perseus kept up the pressure and continued to send its Bubble attack into the water, the bubbles bursting around Senpei''s Froakie, doing yet more damage even if it wasn¡¯t particularly effective. The platforms bobbed and swayed with each impact, adding an extra challenge to maintaining balance. The two Froakies exchanged a few more blows, each using the environment to their advantage. Perseus leaped from platform to platform, his movements far more fluid and precise than when they¡¯d been training a few minutes ago. "Percy, get in close and use Scratch again!" Ishi commanded, having formed a small plan. Perseus darted forward, claws flashing, but Senpei''s Froakie leaped out of the way once again, landing on a nearby platform. The platform wobbled under its weight, but Froakie quickly regained its balance. "Froakie, regain some distance again with Water Gun!" Senpei ordered. The water stream flew towards Perseus, but this time, Ishi was ready. "Percy, jump!" And Perseus leaped into the air, avoiding the attack just barely, and landing gracefully on the same platform as Senpeis Froakie. Seizing the opportunity, Ishi called out, "Now, Scratch, then follow it up with Bubble!" Perseus used its momentum to scratch its extended paws straight into the face of the off-balance Froakie, sending it tumbling backwards. He then sent a follow up Bubble attack, the stream of bubbles hitting Senpei''s Froakie directly on the back of its head, the attack wasn¡¯t nearly as powerful as at the beginning of the match due to the pent up fatigue, but it was enough. The impact knocked Senpei''s Froakie flying, it fell into the water with a splash, unable to continue. Senpei rushed to Froakie''s side, diving into the water and helping it back onto the platform. "You did great, Froakie," he said softly, patting his partner on the head. Ishi approached the pair, Perseus at his side, visibly exhausted and on the verge of collapse. "That was an amazing battle, Senpei. Your Froakie is really strong, it nearly had us." Senpei smiled, shaking Ishi''s extended hand. "Thanks, Ishi. Perseus is incredible. Though don¡¯t get too high up on your Ponyta, we''ll get you next time." The two friends laughed. They congratulated their Froakies, proud of their efforts and eager to battle again soon. "Perseus, you were awesome!" Ishi said, kneeling down to his partner. "How are you feeling?" "F-froakiee," Perseus croaked, looking extremely tired but still rather pleased with his performance. Senpei leaned down to his Froakie. "You did great too. How are you holding up?" "kiee," Senpei''s Froakie replied, giving a tired but content nod. The battlefield showed signs of their battle, with water splashed everywhere and the platforms slightly off-kilter. The reflections of the sun sparkled on the rippling water, adding to the dramatic scene of their first Pok¨¦mon battle. And that''s when he finally received the notification he¡¯d been anticipating.
Confirmed. Quest Created: You Have Embarked On your First Ever Pokemon Battle And Emerged Victorious! Continue To Battle With Your Pokemon Partners And Become As Strong As Possible!
Rewards: Current Streak: 1 Current Rewards: 100 EXP (EXP Rewards Based On Win Streak For Each Battle)
Accept: Y/N
¡®Hell Yeah! Now that''s what I¡¯m talking about!¡¯ He thought after reading through the quest and the rewards ¡®So I just need to keep winning to keep this streak up and I¡¯ll reap all the EXP! Oh yeah, this could definitely get addictive!¡¯ he mused, the evil grin dancing across his face. "Alright, I think that''s enough for today," he said aloud after accepting the quest. "We''ve overworked them a little it seems, let''s head to the medical centre and get our partners checked out," he suggested. Senpei nodded in agreement. "Yeah, they absolutely deserve a good rest after all that hard work." The boys scooped up their exhausted partners and made their way to the academy''s medical centre. The centre was a well-equipped facility, staffed by skilled medics who specialised in treating both humans and Pok¨¦mon, and they were open 24/7 so there was no need to use your own resources to heal up your pokemon while you were in the academy. They handed their Froakies over to the staff and found a spot in the waiting area to sit and chat. "That was a great session," Senpei said, leaning back in his chair. "Our Froakies are already way stronger than before this morning. I kinda wish we could do this sort of thing every day though" "Definitely," Ishi agreed. "Froakie and Percy did amazing. I can''t wait to see how much more we can improve. And yeah, once we get stronger I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll let us use the battlegrounds during our self-study periods before class." As they waited, the boys talked about their training plans and shared tips on different techniques, the conversation helped pass the time quickly. Before long, the medic Ninjas returned with their revitalised Froakies. "Your Pok¨¦mon are in great shape," one of the medics said with a smile. "Just make sure they get plenty of rest for a while." "Thank you!" Ishi and Senpei replied in unison, taking their partners back. Perseus croaked happily, looking much more energetic. "Alright, let''s go see if Ivy has arrived at the forest battlefield," Ishi suggested. "Good idea," Senpei agreed. They headed towards the forest battlefield, the path taking them through the lush greenery that surrounded the battlefield. When they arrived, they found Ivy just beginning to start her training with Snivy. "Hey, Ivy! Hey, Snivy! " Ishi called out, waving. Ivy looked up, her face breaking into a smile. "Hey, guys! How was your training?" "It was great," Senpei replied, a blissful smile spreading across his face. "Our Froakies worked so hard!" "Yeah, and they did amazing," Ishi added in agreement. "How about you and Snivy, you girls gonna give it hell?!" "Oh absolutely, there''s no way we are gonna be bested by the likes of you!" Ivy said, glancing at her partner. "Plus Snivy over here is a fast learner." The boys then offered a few words of encouragement, cheering on Ivy and Snivy as they began their training. "You''re doing great so far you two," he called. "Just keep at it." "Thanks, Ishi," Ivy replied, her eyes shining with determination. ¡®Hmm, looks like me and Percy won¡¯t be able to slack off at all with that look in her eyes!¡¯ After a bit more chatting, they discussed their plans for the rest of the day. "I think I''m going to search for some materials for my satchel''s subspace expansion," He told them with a nonchalant shrug. "I''ve got a few ideas I want to try." ¡®And besides, my new Poketory is really a one trick pony so this will be a necessity.¡¯ "I''m going to see if I can bug my brothers for any more training tips," Senpei said with a grin. "I''m going to keep training with Snivy," Ivy said. "There''s a lot we want to work on. We are just starting so there''s a lotta ideas I wanna try out, you boys have fun with your plans though." "Welp good luck, you two!" Ishi called out as they began to part ways. "Yeah, see you both tomorrow!" Senpei added. "See ya later!" Ivy waved, turning back to her training. With their spirits high and their goals set, Ishi, Senpei, and Ivy headed off in different directions. Chapter 23 The first rays of the following Monday morning sun filtered through the tall, narrow windows of the academy''s library, casting a warm glow on the rows of scrolls and leather bound books lining the walls and shelves. The library was, as always, a vast and serene space. It was filled with the scent of aged parchment and polished wooden desks. The tall shelves stood like silent sentinels, while low tables and cushioned chairs provided comfortable nooks for study. Ishi sat at one of these tables, in a remote corner, surrounded by what looked to be a small fortress of scrolls. Perseus lazed on the table beside him, but still had one curious looking eye half cracked open, peering at the parchment he was currently engrossed in. The scroll detailed the final intricacies of Subspace crafting techniques, that he was now 99% sure Mr. Suru had come up with, a subject that had consumed his self-study time ever since coming to the academy. His brow was beginning to show signs of wrinkles with how furrowed it had become in concentration. He traced the elegant script with his finger, trying his best to commit each detail to memory. The soft rustle of turning pages, along with some students scribbling down a few notes, and the occasional creak of the library floor were the only sounds. It created a rather sombre atmosphere of quiet diligence. As he tore his eyes away from the scroll he mused to himself with a quick glance around him, ¡®Damn, it¡¯s only been a week since the academy year started! When I compare this to school in my old world there''s absolutely no comparison. I guess people in this world have to hold themselves to a different standard when you consider that kids at the age of 10 are let out into the world with almost no supervision.¡¯ Turning back to his task at hand he sighed and muttered, "Haaa, almost there Perseus," his voice barely above a whisper. "Just a few more details to cover." "Fro Fro," Perseus replied softly, his one eye slightly wider than before, reflecting the lines of text as if trying to absorb the knowledge himself. ¡®Silly frog,¡¯ he thought while giving Percy an idle scratch just behind his two eyes, in the place Percy couldn¡¯t reach himself but loved to be scratched. ¡®Huh, I wonder if that''s by design as well. Putting a pokemon''s favourite spots just where they can¡¯t reach so they have to form bonds with other pokemon or people.¡¯ he wondered, a little bemused at his thought process. ¡®Meh, who cares.¡¯ he concluded with a shrug. His hands then moved deftly, rolling up one scroll and unrolling another, his focus returning as if it had never left. a small smirk spread across his face as he returned to reading ¡®Oh Aura how I abuse your uses.¡¯ he thought as he quickly fired up his aura and circulated as much into his brain as possible, slowing the world around him down to a crawl. This was his new favourite use for it that he¡¯d discovered while experimenting at home with his Aura control. ¡®Nothing beats having enough time to come up with a snappy comeback when it counts!¡¯ It also went along well with his ¡°Otherworldly Aura Cultivation Technique¡± and had sped up his progression with the technique, which was now on the way to 60% complete. Returning to the subject of Subspace crafting that had proven to be both fascinating and complex. He had learned about the delicate balance of aura and material, the importance of precise measurements, and the various seals that could be used to enhance or manipulate the storage space within objects. As he had delved deeper into the final scroll, a sense of accomplishment began to well up within him. He felt as if he were on the brink of understanding a crucial piece of the puzzle, one that would allow him to enhance his satchel in ways he had only dreamed of. ¡®Oh if only I could rub this in the faces of all the engineers at my old workplace.¡¯ He wished to himself as he thought back to the bastards that had fired him for low performance after his parents had suddenly passed away. ¡®Oh well, I can¡¯t even remember their names now.¡¯ he thought while feeling a bit of the bitterness and resentment, that he¡¯d probably been storing up for all thesis years and not fully realising it, flow out of him. Now feeling much more refreshed, as if an invisible weight had been lifted that he hadn¡¯t even realised was weighing him down, he began packing up his small fortress of scrolls. And a short while later the academy bell chimed, signalling the end of self-study. The melodious sound echoed through the library, stirring the students from their studies. He rolled up the last scroll, carefully placing it back in its designated spot. "We did it, Perseus," he said, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "I think we¡¯ve learned all we can about Subspace crafting from these scrolls, now all that''s left is trying our hand at it." "Kie kie fro," Perseus croaked in agreement, both of his eyes now wide and shining with excitement, even if he probably didn¡¯t fully comprehend what he was talking about. With a sense of accomplishment, he gathered his belongings, making sure to leave the library as pristine as he had found it. The pair headed towards their classroom, the anticipation of the day''s events building within them. Today was not just any day; it was the promised day of the sparring session between classmates. As they walked through the academy''s corridors, students hurried to their classes, their conversations buzzing with whatever they seemed to find important. And he couldn''t help but feel a thrill of anticipation. The opportunity to test his skills against his peers, to see where he stood in the hierarchy of the class, was something he had been looking forward to all of last week. ¡®Please let me fight the stuck up princess,¡¯ he prayed with his hands together while pointing them skyward. Upon entering the classroom, he was greeted by the familiar sight of his classmates chatting animatedly, most of their Pok¨¦mon partners by their sides. The air was thick with a mix of nervous energy and excitement. Sensei Monji, with his tall and imposing figure but kind and firm demeanour, stood at the front of the class. His sharp eyes scanned the room, ensuring everyone was present and ready. "Good morning, everyone," Sensei Monji began, his voice commanding attention. "Today is a significant day. We will be heading to the training hall for our scheduled sparring session, as I told you last monday. This will be your chance to demonstrate what you''ve learned so far and to gauge your abilities against your classmates." The students listened intently, their faces a mixture of eagerness and apprehension. "Before we begin," Sensei Monji continued, "we''ll have a brief warm-up session. Follow me to the training hall." The class moved as one, following Sensei Monji through the academy''s corridors. The anticipation grew with each step, and Ishi''s mind raced with thoughts of the upcoming matches. Perseus mirrored his excitement, hopping alongside him with an eager croak. ¡®This¡¯ll be my first real fight against another person,¡¯ he thought to himself as he walked. ¡®I¡¯ll refrain from using aura as that¡¯ll make this way too easy, besides I¡¯m hoping to get a few stats out of this spar.¡¯ The training hall , they moved to a spacious arena that was clearly designed to accommodate various types of training and sparring. The walls were lined with an assortment of training equipment, from wooden dummies to weighted bags, and the floor was marked with several sparring circles. "Alright, everyone," Sensei Monji said, turning to face the class. "Take a few minutes to warm up and get ready. We''ll start the sparring matches shortly." Ishi and Perseus began their warm-up routine, stretching and practising basic moves to get their blood flowing. Around them, their classmates did the same, the energy in the room palpable. As he moved through his exercises, he couldn''t help but steal glances at his classmates. Each one was focused, determined to prove themselves. The upcoming matches would be a true test of their abilities, and he was just as eager to see where he stood among them. With the warm-up complete, Sensei Monji called the class to attention. "Listen carefully," he instructed. "The sparring matches will be one-on-one, and I''ll be observing to provide feedback. Remember, this is a learning experience. Show respect to your opponents and give it your all." Ishi felt a surge of adrenaline as he prepared for his match. *** Sensei Monji stood before the eager group of students, his authoritative presence commanding their full attention. The floor was marked with several sparring rings, each surrounded by a low barrier. The worn wooden floor and the scuffs on the barriers bore testament to the countless battles fought here over the years. "Listen up, everyone," Sensei Monji began, his voice echoing in the large hall. "Today, we will be holding a sparring tournament. The rules are simple. If you step out of the ring or get knocked out, you lose. If I see that you can''t continue the fight, I''ll end the match and declare the winner. If your opponent forfeits, then you win. Absolutely no use of weapons or Ninja Tricks. This is purely hand-to-hand combat. Anyone caught breaking the rules will fail." The students nodded, understanding the seriousness of the rules. "I''ve carefully selected your opponents based on your performance this past week," Sensei Monji continued. "Your sparring partner will be of roughly the same strength and skill. This way, no one will have an unfair advantage." You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Excitement buzzed through the group as they awaited their matchups. Sensei Monji began calling out names, pairing students for the sparring matches. "Ishi versus Shigeru," Sensei Monji announced. Ishi''s heart skipped a beat, a mixture of excitement and nerves flooding through him. He glanced at Shigeru, who met his gaze with a determined expression. ¡®Mwahahaha! Let the beatdown begin!¡¯ he thought, the evil grin displayed on his face causing Shigeru to shiver slightly. "Senpei versus Raion," Monji continued. Senpei exchanged a nod with Raion, both ready for the challenge ahead. "Ivy versus Midori," Monji finished. Ivy''s eyes narrowed as she looked at Midori, who stood with an air of arrogance. ¡®Well at least it¡¯s Ivy who can put that brat in her place.¡¯ He thought to himself while giving Ivy an encouraging nod. Sensei Monji then read out the rest of the pairings and then moved to the referee¡¯s spot while the students formed a loose circle around the sparring ring. The ring itself was marked with faded white lines, the floor bearing the scars of countless past battles. Sensei Monji stepped into the centre of the ring. "We''re starting with Ishi and Shigeru. The rest of you, pay close attention and learn from what you see." Ishi and Shigeru moved to the centre of the ring, each sizing up the other. Perseus stood by Ishi''s side, croaking softly in encouragement. Shigeru''s Espurr mirrored the gesture, its eyes glowing faintly. "Ready?" Sensei Monji asked, raising his hand. Both boys nodded, their eyes locked in determination. "Begin!" Ishi and Shigeru circled each other, their movements cautious and measured. The students looked in awe as they witnessed what was certainly going to be an intense fight. They all knew these two were the best in class, even though some of them wouldn''t admit it out loud. Shigeru made the first move, lunging forward with a quick jab. Ishi dodged, countering with a low kick aimed at Shigeru''s legs. Shigeru leaped back, narrowly avoiding the hit. The ring was filled with the sounds of their swift movements and the occasional grunt of exertion. The fight continued, both boys displaying impressive skill and agility. Ishi managed to land a few hits, but Shigeru''s quick reflexes kept him from taking any serious damage. They were evenly matched, each move countered by the other. Perseus watched intently from the sidelines, his eyes following every movement. "Fro kie," he croaked softly, urging Ishi on. Shigeru''s Espurr, equally invested, meowed encouragement to its partner. After several intense minutes, with both of them landing a couple glancing blows to one another, Ishi saw an opening. He feinted to the left, drawing Shigeru''s attention, then spun to the right, landing a solid backfist to Shigeru''s temple. Shigeru staggered, and Ishi pressed his advantage, delivering a series of quick blows that left Shigeru unable to recover fully. With one final well-placed side kick to Shigeru¡¯s midsection, he knocked Shigeru out of the ring. "Match over! Winner: Ishi Sukauto," Sensei Monji declared.
Confirmed. Quest Progression: You Have Displayed Your Determination To Become A Diamond Among Gems! Achieve The Goal You Have Set For Yourself And Become The Top Student In The Advanced Class!
Progress: 2.8%
¡®I¡¯ll take it, a shame I didn''t earn any new stat points though.¡¯ He thought, with a contented smile, while dismissing the notification. The students erupted in applause, the tension breaking as they cheered for the hard-fought match. Ishi went over to try and help Shigeru to his feet, but his outstretched hand was battered away as Shigeru stood up on his own. Both boys shared a respectful nod, even if Shigeru¡¯s was much more hostile than Ishi¡¯s. ¡®He¡¯s still an eight year old I suppose.¡¯ He mused with a shrug. "Great fight, Shigeru," Ishi said, his breath coming in short gasps. "You too, Ishi," Shigeru replied, a thin smile on his lips that clearly wasn''t all that sincere considering the glint in his eyes. Next, it was Senpei and Raion''s turn. The two boys stepped into the ring, their Pok¨¦mon partners watching from the sidelines. Sensei Monji gave the signal, and the match began. Senpei leaped to the side, trying to mirror Shigeru¡¯s quick movements. Raion, though smaller in stature, displayed impressive speed and strength. The two boys clashed in a flurry of punches and kicks, Senpei was more on the defensive which surprised Ishi but Senpei looked like he had a plan so he wasn¡¯t too worried, each trying to outmanoeuvre the other. Senpei''s agility eventually gave him an edge, allowing him to dodge many of Raion''s attacks. However, Raion''s aggressiveness and raw power kept the fight fairly balanced. The students watched intently, fascinated by the contrast in fighting styles. After a gruelling exchange, Senpei managed to finally outmanoeuvre Raion, landing a decisive blow that knocked him down and he was able to capitalise and pin him into submission. The students erupted in cheers once more as Sensei Monji announced Senpei as the winner. "Well done, Senpei," Monji praised. "Raion, excellent effort." Next, it was Ivy and Midori''s turn. Ivy stood confidently and smiled softly as she heard Snivy call out behind her, while Midori''s air of arrogance only seemed to grow as the smug brat seemed to waltz into the ring. As the match began, Ivy moved with a poise and controlled precision that belied her young age. Midori, though skilled, was clearly immediately outmatched and her facade of superiority began to crumble at the continuous onslaught Ivy gave her. Ishi and Senpei¡¯s jeers at her and encouragement for Ivy also seemed to grate against her pride as she clenched her jaw and tried to endure. Ivy''s movements were fluid, her strikes precise. She quickly gained the upper hand and refused to let Midori react at all, using her agility to dodge Midori''s attacks and counter with well-placed blows. Within minutes, Ivy landed a final strike that sent Midori sprawling, and she tumbled out of the ring with a rather undignified shriek. "Winner: Ivy Shinobu," Sensei Monji declared, his voice filled with pride and a little amusement at the state Midori was now in. The students cheered loudly, their respect for Ivy evident. Ivy helped Midori to his feet, offering a few words of encouragement despite her clear annoyance. The rest of the matches concluded, after a few more minutes and Sensei Monji gathered the class. "You all did exceptionally well today. Remember, these matches are about learning and improving. Take what you''ve experienced today and use it to grow stronger." The students nodded, their spirits both high and low from the day''s events. Ishi felt a surge of pride, as he and his friends had all come out victorious in today''s sparring, eager to continue his training and see how far he could go. As the class dispersed for a short break, Ishi, Senpei and Ivy all shared a look of mutual respect and excitement for the future battles that awaited them. *** With the matches concluded, and after the short break Sensei Monji called for the students to regroup in front of him and to listen. He started with Ishi, as he had been the first winner of the sparring session. "Ishi, your movements are precise, and you have excellent situational awareness. However, work on your decisiveness. An opponent won¡¯t always have an opening so you should try and force your opponent to give you one instead of waiting for one to appear. More quick and intense matches might prove challenging." Next was Shigeru. "Shigeru, you have quick reflexes and good defensive strategies. Focus on increasing your offensive capabilities to balance your fighting style." He moved to Senpei. "Senpei, your agility is impressive, and you adapt quickly. Improve your strength to ensure your attacks have more impact." Raion was next. "Raion, you have raw power and persistence. Work on your speed and flexibility to become a more well-rounded fighter." Ivy received her feedback with a calm demeanour. "Ivy, your precision and grace are excellent. Focus on anticipating your opponent''s moves to gain the upper hand more effectively." He continued with the rest of the class, giving each student personalised advice to help them grow stronger. The students listened intently, absorbing the wisdom their Sensei shared. After the critiques, Sensei Monji announced that they should continue with the conditioning training and return to the basics. Ishi, Senpei, and Ivy gathered in a corner of the training hall to get a little space as they began their conditioning training with a balance beam. "That was an intense session," Senpei said as he tried to maintain his balance along the thin piece of soft wood. "You guys did great." "You too, Senpei," Ishi replied, watching his friend begin the journey back. "You''re getting stronger." "I agree," Ivy added, her Snivy resting beside her, as if she was the one who competed in the spar. "We all have areas to improve, but we did well today." They spent a few minutes giving each other playful guff and friendly advice. Ishi shared tips on endurance training, Senpei talked about agility drills, and Ivy discussed strategic movements. After they¡¯d completed their conditioning training, Sensei Monji called them back. "Alright, everyone, listen up. We''ll be repeating this sparring exercise weekly to track your progress. But for now, let''s head to the obstacle course." Excitement buzzed through the group as they moved to the obstacle course area. The course was a complex arrangement of hurdles, climbing walls, balance beams, and other challenges designed to test their physical abilities and agility. "Today''s focus will be on agility and speed," Sensei Monji explained. "Run the course as fast as you can, but remember, technique is just as important as speed." The students lined up, eager to tackle the course. One by one, they sprinted through the obstacles, each giving their best effort. Ishi felt a surge of adrenaline as he navigated the course, leaping over hurdles and scaling walls with Perseus by his side. Perseus mirrored Ishi''s movements, hopping nimbly from obstacle to obstacle, their movements almost synchronised. The rest of the day flew by for Ishi. The obstacle course was followed by more physical training, shuriken throwing practice, and a final session on the village''s history along with some basic maths and other subjects . The lessons were engaging, but Ishi''s mind kept drifting back to the sparring match and the advice Sensei Monji had given him. As the final bell chimed, signalling the end of the school day, Ishi felt a sense of fulfilment and excitement for the challenges ahead. He gathered his belongings and met up with Senpei and Ivy at the academy entrance. "Ready to head home?" he asked, a peaceful smile on his face. "Definitely," Senpei replied. "But first, let''s get some more training in. I want to work on those moves Sensei Monji mentioned." "I''m in," Ivy agreed. "Let''s keep pushing ourselves." Ishi couldn''t help but feel grateful for his friends and the journey they were all embarking on together. The path to becoming true ninjas was long and challenging, but with Perseus and his friends by his side, Ishi knew they could overcome any obstacle. Chapter 24 A month had passed since Ishi''s first day at the academy, and the time had flown by in a whirlwind of training, studying, and bonding with his classmates and Perseus. Well some of his classmates at least, there were still a select few that either stuck to their own company or just continued to tick him off. Even so, the academy grounds had become a second home to him, and he relished every moment he had spent there. His mornings were always filled with self-study sessions, where he diligently read through scrolls and texts, he¡¯d also taken to asking a few of the other Sensei¡¯s in the academy for tips and tricks for training both himself and Percy. His afternoons were dedicated to physical training, sparring, and honing his ninja skills. The weekly sparring sessions had become a highlight for him. He had remained undefeated, and he had gained a reputation among his peers as a formidable fighter, the one everyone wanted to beat. Including Ivy and Senpei. Perseus had also grown significantly in both strength and skill, along with his physical body also growing. He used to barely reach halfway up his shin, but now he was almost reaching his kneecap. The bond between them had also deepened considerably, in his opinion, and their synchronised movements in battle were a testament to their partnership. They had faced off against a few of their classmates, including Senpei and Ivy, and emerged victorious each time. His streak had now grown to 5, so the rewards for his quest were also multiplying with each continued win. His shuriken throwing had continued to improve considerably, and with the addition of the moving targets he could safely say he was one of if not the most accurate in the class. His accuracy wasn¡¯t quite perfect yet, but he could hit targets from various distances with ease, it was just that they were not always bullseyes. The ninja tricks, too, had now become second nature to him. He had mastered most of the basics, it was just the Ninja Body Switch and Ninja Dust Storm he had yet to fully master. He was on the verge of obtaining his first Sub-Class, a milestone that filled him with anticipation, and he absolutely couldn¡¯t wait. The month had brought new friendships. He had grown closer to a few of his classmates, but it was mostly him following Senpei and Ivy as they made new friends, he just wasn¡¯t all that invested in making more friends with eight year olds. However, not all interactions were positive. Midori, the spoiled brat with a constant sneer, that he and most of the class had affectionately nicknamed ¡®Sneeradori¡¯, seemed determined to make the class''s life difficult. Midori''s arrogance and disdain for others made her an enemy in his eyes. And not quite in contrast, but Shigeru had become a sort of constant rival. Despite losing to Ishi multiple times, Shigeru never gave up, always challenging him and pushing him to improve. As Ishi reflected on the past month, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of pride in his progress. His stats had increased significantly, and his cultivation technique was advancing smoothly. One of the reasons for his rapid improvement was his personal adoption of weight seals on his wrist straps. He had finally gotten Mr. Suru¡¯s assistance in reversing the weight reduction seal and he was now using the revered weight seals to make his training more intense. Which in turn had led to better results and rewards. This dedication to enhancing his physical capabilities had paid off, and he felt stronger and more agile than ever. The sealed straps were now worn in his day to day life as well, and were only taken off when he slept as his body did still need to heal. His thoughts drifted to the battles he and Perseus had won. The memory of their first victory against Senpei was still vivid in his mind, and each subsequent battle had only strengthened their bond. Perseus had become a fierce fighter, and Ishi knew they had only scratched the surface of their potential. And the day Percy had finally used Counter against Kenta and his honedge to snatch an extremely close win still put a smile on his face. However, not everything had gone smoothly. Ishi''s attempts at upgrading his satchel with a subspace compartment had been frustratingly complex. Despite his extensive research and careful application of the techniques he had learned, success remained elusive. The intricate balance of aura and material required for subspace crafting was difficult to achieve, and each failed attempt left him feeling more annoyed. ¡®It¡¯s been over a month since I decided to upgrade my satchel and there has been no appreciable progress.¡¯ He mulled in his head as he began to sulk. He was now sitting at his desk, frowning at yet another satchel in front of him. Scrolls and notes were spread out around his room, detailing the steps and seals needed for the subspace upgrade. He had spent countless hours trying to perfect the process, but the results were always the same: failure. "Why is this so difficult?" He muttered to himself, his frustration evident. Perseus, sensing his irritation, hopped onto the desk and nudged him on the arm. "Froakie fro?" He smiled down at Perseus''s concern. "It''s this subspace crafting, Percy. I just can''t seem to get this right, it¡¯s even more frustrating than when I couldn¡¯t craft my first Pokeball and was just left with a shell. These literally blow up in my face." "Kie kie fro," Perseus croaked sympathetically, his large eyes reflecting his own frustrations. Ishi took a deep breath, trying to calm his mind. He knew that frustration would only hinder his progress. "I guess I just need to keep trying huh. We''ll figure it out eventually." and with a long sigh he let some of the tense emotion drain out of him. With renewed resolve, he began reviewing his notes once again. The complexity of the subspace crafting techniques was a challenge, but he was determined to overcome it. He had come a long way in the past month, and he knew that perseverance and hard work were the keys to success. ¡®They worked out for me last time, why not this time to.¡¯ he thought to himself as he reread his notes for what felt like the thousandth time. The month had been transformative, he mused, and he was still ever more excited for what the future held. The path to becoming a true ninja was long and arduous, but with Perseus by his side and the support of his friends, family and sensei¡¯s, he knew he could achieve anything. The next step was mastering subspace crafting and continuing to grow stronger, one challenge at a time. *** His mind began to drift back to the first time he had attempted to upgrade a satchel to have a subspace compartment. The memory was vivid. He had gathered the necessary materials carefully, knowing that each component was crucial to the success of the project. On his desk, he had laid out everything. From the iron and copper chunks to the smooth Tumblestone next to the dried Caster fern leaves and a Pop pod and finally the strands of Iron Barktongue. Alongside these were three small shards: one red, one blue, and one green. These shards were believed to stabilise the aura flow within the subspace compartment. He had been so prepared. With everything in place, he had taken a deep breath, feeling both excitement and trepidation. He knew this wouldn''t be easy, but the potential rewards were too great to ignore. He had purchased several satchels from the market that day, anticipating that his first attempts were certain to be unsuccessful. So he¡¯d set out to perfect the method before upgrading his own personal satchel. He¡¯d begun by carefully measuring and cutting the Iron Barktongue into thin strips, which he then wove into the fabric of the first spare satchel to provide structural integrity. Next, he embedded the, sanded and smoothed down, iron and copper chunks into the sides of the satchel, creating what he thought was a sturdy frame. The Tumblestone was then placed in the centre, acting as the core of the subspace compartment. The Caster fern and Pop pod were ground into a fine powder and mixed with the shards. He hadn¡¯t yet figured out the exact quantities needed of both and for each shard, but he had used a rough guesstimate. This mixture was then infused with a small amount of his aura, creating a glowing paste that he carefully applied to the interior of the satchel. The paste was designed to stabilise the subspace energy and allow for the expansion of the compartment. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Ishi worked slowly and methodically, ensuring each step was done to the best of his current abilities. He¡¯d muttered instructions to himself as he went along, occasionally glancing at his notes to make sure he wasn''t missing anything. Perseus had also been there and had watched intently from the side, his large eyes following his every movement. "Alright, Percy, this is the moment of truth," He had said, taking a deep breath. "Let''s see if it works." With a final application of aura, he¡¯d activated the subspace compartment. For a brief moment, it worked perfectly. The interior of the satchel expanded, creating a larger space that defied its external dimensions. His heart leaped with excitement. ¡®Take that Issac, you ain¡¯t got nothing on ME!¡¯ he¡¯d thought to himself as he stared at the finished product of his efforts. But then, just as quickly, the satchel began to shimmer and shake. The aura flow destabilised, and the satchel imploded, bursting at the seams. The materials scattered across the desk, and He had to throw up his hands as the remnants of the satchel were sent towards his face. Then all that could be heard was a long sigh of disappointment. "It worked... for a few seconds," He¡¯d muttered, trying to stay optimistic. "That''s something, at least." He had taken a break to recharge his stamina, eating a quick meal and talking to Perseus about what might have gone wrong. The Froakie listened attentively, croaking in encouragement, even if it was clear all this went over his adorable little head, it had still managed to raise his mood a few notches. For the rest of the month, He had continued to practise subspace crafting. Each attempt brought him a little closer to success, but the process was slow and frustrating. The balance of materials and aura control and output required a level of precision that was difficult for the past him to achieve. There were days when he made significant progress, and others when he felt like he was basically starting from scratch. His training and Perseus''s training had also taken up a considerable amount of time. The sparring sessions, shuriken throwing practice, and ninja tricks classes were demanding, leaving him with limited time to devote to subspace crafting. There were also days when he spent time with his friends and family, taking breaks to recharge and gather new insights. So as He finished reflecting on his first attempt at subspace crafting, he felt a mix of frustration and hope. He felt that he had come a long way in the past month, and he was confident that with continued effort, he would eventually master the technique. Ishi picked up his tools and materials once more. *** He took out the last spare satchel he had been able to buy from the market the weekend before, laying it out on his desk carefully. Perseus hopped up beside him, watching intently with his wide, ridiculously cute, curious eyes. "Alright, Percy," He said, taking a deep breath. "Let''s give this another try." Ishi began by gathering the materials once more: iron and copper chunks, a smooth Tumblestone, dried Caster fern leaves, a Pop pod, strands of Iron Barktongue, and the three small shards - red, blue, and green. He laid them out in an organised manner, his hands moving with practised familiarity. He started by cutting the Iron Barktongue into thin strips, weaving them into the fabric of the satchel. The iron and copper chunks were embedded into the sides, forming a sturdy frame. The Tumblestone was placed in the centre, the core of the subspace compartment. As he worked, Ishi felt something different, a new and subtle shift in the air and Aura around him. "This feels... different," Ishi murmured, pausing for a moment to locate the sensation. There was a faint hum of energy, a resonance that seemed to align with his aura. "Fro?" Perseus tilted his head, as if sensing the change as well. He decided to trust his instincts. He mixed the ground Caster fern and Pop pod with the shards, creating the glowing paste. Infusing it with his aura, and once again he noticed that the energy seemed to flow more smoothly, as if the materials were more fully responding to his intent. "This might be a good sign," He said aloud, his excitement tempered with cautious optimism. "Let''s amplify this feeling." He applied the paste to the interior of the satchel, his hands still steady. The aura flowed seamlessly, integrating with the materials in a way that felt almost natural. He could feel the balance of energies, the delicate interplay between the components and his own power. The task was gruelling and required intense concentration. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he worked, but he somehow maintained his focus, manipulating the crafting process to enhance the resonance had he felt. Time seemed to blur, and the world narrowed to just him, Perseus, and the satchel. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he completed the task. He sat back, observing the satchel with a mix of hope and trepidation. The interior had expanded into a subspace compartment, just like all the others before it, and the aura flow felt stable. "Alright, Percy," He said, setting up a timer beside the satchel. "Let''s see how long it takes before it implodes." Leaving the timer running, Ishi and Perseus headed downstairs to refuel with some food and water. They played with the family Pok¨¦mon, enjoying a brief respite from the intense focus of crafting. The laughter and playful antics helped him relax, momentarily pushing aside his worries and hopes. After about an hour had passed, his nerves got the better of him. He excused himself and rushed back upstairs, his heart beginning to pound in his chest. He approached the desk cautiously, expecting to find the satchel in pieces or about to be pieces. But to his astonishment, the satchel showed no signs of imploding. The aura flow was stable, and the subspace compartment remained intact. "It hasn''t collapsed," He whispered, hardly daring to believe it. "It worked, Percy! It actually worked!" "Froakie!" Perseus croaked excitedly, jumping up and down. He decided to wait for another hour, just to be sure. He spent the time practising some light exercises with Perseus and checking on the other Pok¨¦mon. The minutes ticked by slowly, but finally, the next hour was up. He rushed back to the desk and found the satchel still perfectly intact. His heart swelled with pride and joy. He picked up Perseus and swung him around, both of them laughing in sheer delight. "We did it, Percy!" He exclaimed. "We actually did it! Suck on that any inventor who''s ever invented anythig! I''m so gonna put Devon Corp and Silph Co out of business." ''Hehehehehe, thats a fun image to think about!'' he thought while laughing somewhat diabolically inside. "Froakie!" Perseus croaked yet again, his eyes sparkling with happiness. He placed the spare satchel on one of his shelves, leaving the timer running just in case. But deep down, he knew he had succeeded. The next step was to replicate the results with his own personal satchel, the one that had been by his side through all of his adventures. He gathered the remaining materials once more, his hands trembling slightly with excitement and nerves. This satchel meant a lot to him, and the thought of upgrading it filled him with both awe and anxiety. It was also still safely storing one of his future partners, so yeah, he felt it deserved the best treatment. "Alright, let''s do this," He muttered, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He began the process again, this time with even greater care. The feeling of resonance was there, and he focused on amplifying it, letting his instincts guide him. The crafting took a long time, each step requiring meticulous attention. As he worked, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The weight of his dedication, the hours of practice, and the desire to succeed all fueled his determination. Perseus stayed close, offering silent support with his presence. Finally, he completed it. He sat back, his breath coming in short gasps. The satchel looked the same, but he could feel the difference. The subspace compartment was there, stable and ready. "I can''t believe it," He whispered, tears of joy welling up in his eyes. "We did it, Percy. We really did it." "Froakie fro fro kie!!" Perseus cried in joy, nuzzling his cheek. At that moment, he heard his parents calling him for dinner. So he quickly grabbed both upgraded satchels and rushed downstairs, Perseus hopping alongside him. "Mom, Dad, look!" He exclaimed as he burst into the kitchen. "I did it! I upgraded the satchels with subspace compartments!" His parents turned to him, their eyes widening in surprise. "That''s amazing, Ishi!" his mother said, her voice filled with emotion. "We''re so proud of you!" His father nodded, a broad smile on his face. "You''ve worked so hard for this. Congratulations, son." The family gathered around the table, the atmosphere filled with celebration and joy. He felt a deep sense of fulfilment, knowing that his efforts had paid off. The future sure looked bright, in front of his beaming expression. Chapter 25 As Ishi sat down for dinner with his parents, the excitement from his recent success with the subspace satchels still buzzed in his veins. An almost rhythmic pulse of adrenaline, causing him to barely contain his enthusiasm as he thought about the possibilities his new creation opened up. The dining table was set with an array of dishes, a small feast to celebrate his newest achievement. Steaming bowls of rice, a hearty stew filled with tender vegetables and chunks of meat, baked bread, and a colourful salad were spread out. The aroma of the meal filled the air, making Ishi''s stomach rumble in anticipation. "So, what are your plans with your newly made subspace satchel, Ishi?" his dad asked, a proud smile playing on his lips as he scooped some stew onto his plate. At that question he grinned, glancing at Percy who was perched beside him, looking equally thrilled. "The first thing I''m going to do is head into the village early tomorrow and find that slippery old Mr. Suru. I want to show him both of the successful satchels I''ve upgraded, I haven¡¯t been able to see him all that often recently. But I¡¯m sure he''ll be able to give me some feedback and maybe even some advice on further improvements and the like.¡± He rattled off while scooping up all the food his arms could reach and piling it up onto his plate. ¡°Besides, the old guy needs to socialise with the outside world a little more so this seems like a win-win," he muttered moreso to himself than to answer his dads question. His mother nodded approvingly as she passed yet another bowl of rice to Ishi. "That''s a great idea, Ishi. Mr. Suru has a wealth of knowledge, I''m sure he''ll be impressed with your progress, be sure to abu- I mean rely on him." The small stumble over her words went unnoticed by Ishi who just nodded and began shovelling food into his mouth. As they ate, the family Pok¨¦mon also came in from their guard duty and joined in the meal. Kingambit sat at the head of their table, a regal presence as he carefully ate from his bowl. Talonflame perched on a nearby stand, pecking delicately at her food. Weavile, Croagunk, and Sudowoodo were scattered around the table, each engrossed in their own meal. Percy was especially adorable as he ate, his small hands working diligently to scoop up food with his tiny fingers. His cheeks puffed out with each bite, and he made small happy noises as he chewed. Ishi couldn''t help but smile at his partner, after noticing his enthusiasm. Seeming to also notice, Weavile, always the competitive one, stared over at Percy and smirked. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he started to eat faster, challenging Percy to an eating contest race deal. Percy, having felt the gaze rolled his eyes, but not one to back down, tried to match Weavile''s pace, but it quickly became apparent that Weavile''s experience and speed were too much for the young Froakie. "Fro fro!" Percy huffed, puffing his cheeks in frustration as Weavile finished his meal with a triumphant grin. The playful competition brought a light-hearted atmosphere to the table, and Ishi''s parents chuckled along at the display. "It looks like Weavile has quite the edge, Percy," his father teased, reaching over to give Percy an encouraging pat on the head. "Don''t worry, Percy," Ishi said, smiling at his partner. "You just need to grow up some more, then I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be able to smoke Weavile." ¡®This is exactly what¡¯s important at the moment¡­ Maybe there is a training method to help increase eating speed? I wonder if we could employ the services of a Snorlax or something perhaps?¡¯ These nonsensical thoughts flashed across his mind as he thought of ways to help Percy overcome one of his apparent rivals. The rest of the meal was filled with light-hearted banter and stories about their individual days. Ishi''s parents, of course, shared their own experiences, and the family enjoyed the warmth and comfort of being together. The pride they felt for Ishi was evident, and it only fueled his determination to continue improving and learning. As dinner came to an end, Ishi helped clear the table before heading upstairs with Percy. The excitement still hadn''t really waned in the slightest, and he could feel Percy''s energy mirroring his own. ¡®Apparently food comas aren¡¯t a thing in this world.¡¯ he thought amused as he noticed Percy¡¯s rather bulging belly. In his room, he sat down on the edge of his bed, Percy hopping up beside him. "Can you believe what we''ve done, Percy?" he said, his voice filled with awe. "This changes everything. The possibilities are endless now. Now there are of course the things to fill the bag but ya know the foundation is set!" His voice pitched towards the end in anticipation. "Kie kie fro," Percy croaked, nodding enthusiastically. ¡®Arceus I wanna know what he¡¯s saying¡­ Haa, one day, one day.¡¯ he mused, with his mind falling back to a familiar thought, with a small sigh. Still though he chuckled at the small shiny frog, patting him on the head, as he felt the amusement flow off of Percy. "Tomorrow is going to be a big day. We need to find and show Mr. Suru our work and get his input. After that, who knows? We might even find new ways to improve the design, I mean we have a spare." As the evening wore on, Ishi decided to make a small to-do list for the next steps before they embarked on their journey. He grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill, scribbling down his thoughts. And with the list safely tucked away, he climbed into bed, Percy curling up beside him. As he drifted off to sleep, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction and eagerness for what was to come. ¡®Oh I can¡¯t wait to see his wrinkly shocked face tomorrow!¡¯ He pondered, a blissful smirk on his face, as he drifted off. *** He awoke at the crack of dawn, the first light of morning casting a soft glow through his bedroom window. Today was the day he would show Mr. Suru his newly crafted subspace satchels. Beside him, Percy was just waking, his eyes slowly losing their fog and shining with a shared anticipation. "Ready, Percy?" Ishi asked, his voice still hushed from sleep as he stretched. "Froakie," Percy croaked, hopping off the bed and stretching widely, almost mimicking his movements. They both got ready quickly, with Ishi slipping into his ninja garb and making sure the two subspace satchels were secure, and Percy was just helping by getting in the way and hopping about the room. The morning air was cool and crisp as they stepped outside, the village still shrouded in the early morning mist. The faint sounds of the waking village - a distant pokemon did its best to mimic a crowing rooster, and a murmur of a few muted voices - created a serene atmosphere. Ishi closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on his heightened aura sense, beginning to send a bit of aura into the ground and spreading it out as he moved through the village further. He could feel the faint auras of the villagers and pokemon around him, like gentle ripples in a pond. But there was one aura that stood out, a massive pool of energy that was unmistakably Mr. Suru''s. He grinned widely at his success, knowing he had located his old sensei. "Got him," He murmured softly to Percy, who gave a small nod back in understanding. Returning Percy to his Pok¨¦ball, Ishi activated his mastered Ninja Flicker Step. With a burst of speed and a flicker of movement, he practically materialised in front of Mr. Suru''s workshop. The transition was so smooth and swift that the world seemed to blur for a brief moment. Mr. Suru, a man of few surprises, didn''t even flinch. He simply sighed, rubbing his temples. "Far, Faaar too early for this," he muttered, his voice gruff with sleep. "I''m getting too old for this shit." His eyes were sharp and intelligent, taking in almost every detail with a keen, practised gaze. He wore a simple, worn-out apron over his clothes, its many pockets bulging with tools and small crafting materials. With a resigned motion, he beckoned Ishi inside. The workshop was a familiar place to Ishi, filled with the scent of sawdust and the tang of metal. Shelves lined with various crafting materials, tools, and half-finished projects gave the room a sense of organised chaos. The temperature inside was warm, the air thick with the smells of wood and metal. ¡®Oh the nostalgia.¡¯ Ishi thought with a small smile on his face as he took in his familiar surroundings. ''I spose even if you move the body, you can''t move the heart of a workshop.¡¯ Mr. Suru settled into a worn wooden chair with a groan, muttering about not being as young as he once was. "Alright, kid, what have you got for me this time? And don¡¯t you have any manners? You couldn¡¯t have waited like another couple hours?" Ignoring those last two questions, as they weren¡¯t really necessary in his opinion, he firstly released Percy from his Pok¨¦ball. The shiny Froakie appeared with a bright flash, landing gracefully beside Ishi. Mr. Suru raised an eyebrow, his expression softening slightly as he regarded Perseus. "Well, I''ll be damned," he said, leaning back in his chair. "A shiny Froakie. Every time I see him I can¡¯t help but think of how lucky you are, Ishi. I can¡¯t think of any other trainers who get to start their journey with a shiny Pok¨¦mon." Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Ishi beamed with pride. "Yeah, Percy is really special." ¡®Well, I mean a certain Hoen Champion does have a Shiny Metagross partner. But yeah I think that guy''s starter was a Skarmory, so it doesn''t really count.¡¯ "Froakie," Percy said, puffing out his chest proudly. "Alright, let''s see what you''ve got," Mr. Suru said, turning his attention back to Ishi. Ishi held out the satchels, his heart pounding with anticipation. Ishi carefully and wordlessly displayed the two subspace satchels, his hands steady despite his excitement. "I wanted to show you these, Mr. Suru," he said, holding them out. Mr. Suru''s eyes widened as he took in the sight of the satchels. He leapt up from his chair, snatching the satchels from Ishi''s hands with surprising speed. ¡®Damn the old guy still has a few signs of life huh.¡¯ he thought, snickering at his old senseis behaviour. Mr Suru¡¯s eyes bulged as he examined Ishi¡¯s craftsmanship, turning the satchels over in his hands and peering closely at the details. "How in the hell did a mere eight-year-old accomplish this?" Mr. Suru exclaimed, his voice a mix of shock and awe.
Achievement! Mr. Suru, A Renowned Master Craftsman, Has Been Left Virtually Speechless By Your Craftsmanship!
Reward: 5% Increase In All Current Progression Quests
¡®Hah! Serves you right, old man, though it seems this achievement isn¡¯t all that difficult considering he doesn¡¯t talk all that much in the first place.¡¯ he thought with a small chuckle. That amusement was quelled quickly when the next notifications appeared and the ramifications of his achievement revealed themselves. ***
Confirmed. Quest Completed: You have been born into the Ninja Village, Learn And Master All Ninja Nature Tricks!
Progress: Ninja Water Spout - 100% Ninja Flicker Step - 100% Ninja Dust Storm - 100% Ninja Wind Rush - 100% Ninja Fire Ball - 100% Ninja Body Switch - 100% Ninja Leaf Shroud - 100%
Congratulations! All Rewards For This Quest Have Been Received!
¡®No way!¡¯ he thought while internally screaming inside. ¡®Now! Of all times! I haven¡¯t even practised my ninja tricks all that much recently, I¡¯ve been too busy.¡¯ A small amount of irritation joined his thoughts ¡®I¡¯ve literally just completed a months long project and now I have even more experiments and work I need to confirm whether I can feasibly integrate my ninja tricks into the village''s Hand-to-hand techniques!¡¯
Congratulations! You Have Earned Your First Sub-Class: One-With-Nature This Sub-Class Grants You An Enhanced Worldview, A 3% Boost in Power For All Mastered Ninja Tricks!
¡®Interesting, this means no matter who I¡¯m, up against I¡¯ll always have a slight advantage over my opponents when it comes to clashing Ninja Tricks. Oh yes, this will certainly come in handy.¡¯ he thought as he mulled over the implications of the 3% boost in power. ¡®But what''s this about Enhanced Worldview?¡¯ The question seemed to answer itself as, before he could fully comprehend, the aura¡¯s he had been sensing only a few minutes ago when trying to locate Mr. Suru, all seemed to look and feel different. The colour they changed two seemed to correlate with the feeling, green felt earthy, blue felt slippery and constantly shifting, red felt fiery but bright. It all nearly overwhelmed him, but he was able to control his aura, and calm his turbulent mind. He could now see his own aura was of a turquoise colour and felt similar to the blue variant aura, but somehow more powerful and almost prideful. After several deep breaths his adrenaline level, which had been spiking, slowly decreased. And a dull headache only remained, but with a quick pulse of his aura, that two dispersed. ¡®Few.¡¯ he thought ¡®That was a lot to take in, and only in a split second as well. Thank Arceus I figured a way for me to accelerate my thought processes. This would have been difficult to explain to Mr. Suru.¡¯ That relief was short lived however as the Champion¡¯s System apparently had other plans in mind.
Progress: Otherworldly Aura Cultivation Technique - 63.22%
Rewards: + 1 Stat Point To Aura
As Ishi felt the sudden boost in Aura he couldn¡¯t help but gently mutter ¡°Oh Come On!¡± in a rather pissed off tone. ¡®The old man just had to become speechless! This is all his fault!¡¯ He thought, completely placing the blame on his old sensei, while trying his best to regain control of the now boosted aura through rotating it around his two clenched fists and circulating the excess into the rest of his body. *** With the internal monologue and struggle concluded, and he confirmed no new notifications were going to appear, he mentally checked back into his surroundings and rubbed the back of his head, a sheepish smile on his face. "Technically, I''m eight and a quarter," he said, a bit of hostility edging his voice. Mr. Suru shot him a look that was equal parts incredulous and impressed. The weight of the moment settled in, the realisation of what Ishi had achieved dawning on both of them. The workshop, usually a place of quiet focus, now buzzed with the energy of discovery and possibility. *** The rest of the day unfolded in a pleasant blur for Ishi and Mr. Suru. Despite Mr. Suru''s gruff exterior and tendency toward monosyllabic responses, there was a deep, unspoken understanding between the old crafter and his young apprentice. Ishi, brimming with excitement and stories from the academy, did most of the talking, while Mr. Suru listened with a quiet attentiveness that spoke volumes. ¡®He seems speechless all the time, how on earth did the system figure that he was rendered speechless?¡¯ he had wondered as they talked, still a little miffed at the sudden influx of work and stress the achievement the System had given him. They had tinkered away in the workshop, the familiar sounds of crafting tools and the occasional muttered curse from Ishi creating a comforting background hum. And when Ishi explained in detail the process he used to create the subspace satchels, Mr. Suru had offered nods of approval and the occasional word of advice, though not nearly as much as Ishi had prepared himself for. And he still couldn¡¯t decide whether that was a good or bad thing. "It''s all about feeling the materials," Mr. Suru said at one point, his hands deftly weaving a piece of Iron Barktongue into a new project. "If you can sense the resonance, you''re just about halfway there already." Ishi nodded eagerly, absorbing every bit of wisdom, just as his mother had advised. "I think I started to get it when I was working on the last satchel," he said. "There was this moment where everything just... clicked." "That''s the moment you chase," Mr. Suru replied, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "And it looks like you''ve got a knack for finding it." ¡®Damn, those were almost full sentences he just said, I wonder if the sun will rise in the west tomorrow.¡¯ Ishi thought, a little in shock at his sensei¡¯s words. The hours slipped by unnoticed as they worked together, falling into a comfortable rhythm that felt both nostalgic and new. Percy alternated between watching them with wide, curious eyes and playing with the various tools and materials scattered around the workshop, or with bothering Mr. Suru¡¯s old Bisharp that clearly just wanted to be left alone. And as the day turned to evening, Ishi realised how hungry he was. His stomach growled, a loud reminder that he hadn''t eaten since breakfast. And glancing outside, he saw that the sun had set, casting long shadows across the village. "I didn''t realise it was so late," Ishi said, standing up and stretching. "We''ve been working all day." Mr. Suru grunted, standing up with a wince. "Time flies when you''re busy.¡± was his only reply. Ishi smiled up at his old sensei. "Thanks, Mr. Suru. I really appreciate all your help. And... I was hoping I could ask you for a couple of favours." Mr. Suru raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Oh?" Ishi explained his ideas, first about commissioning a pair of gloves that could hold a special stone he hoped to find one day. Mr. Suru''s eyes gleamed with interest as he listened. "That''s a tall order.¡± he said as he tapped his greasy finger on his chin. ¡°Hmm.. I think I¡¯ll be able to manage it.¡± He seemed to conclude, with a nod of affirmation. "And," Ishi continued, "I''d also like your help with making a saddle. For both a flying and a ground mount. I know that''s a long way off, but I want to be prepared." Mr. Suru again nodded thoughtfully and restarted tapping his chin. "A saddle, huh?¡± he said, and a few seconds later ¡°Alright. But It¡¯s conditional on the type of pokemon so it won¡¯t be available for a long time¡± And with that they sealed the agreement with a handshake, Ishi''s smaller hand engulfed in Mr. Suru''s calloused grip. As a token of gratitude, Ishi offered the spare subspace satchel, and Mr. Suru accepted it with a silent nod of appreciation. "Take care of that Froakie," Mr. Suru said as they wrapped up. "I will," Ishi promised, looking down at Percy, who croaked happily in agreement. As the two of them left and stepped outside, the night air feeling cool and refreshing, Ishi and Percy waved goodbye to Mr. Suru. Who was standing in the doorway, watching them with a satisfied expression. "Thanks again, Mr. Suru!" Ishi called out. "Get home safe, kid," Mr. Suru replied, raising a hand in farewell. Ishi and Percy raced off into the night, their hearts light and their minds filled with the excitement of the day''s accomplishments. They made their way home, eager for a well-deserved meal and ready to share their successes with Ishi''s parents. All the while Ishi continued to wonder what that weird purple aura, that had felt slimy and somewhat dangerous, had been doing near Mr. Suru¡¯s workshop and who that aura signature had belonged to. Chapter 26 The moonlight cast an ethereal glow over the village, illuminating the rooftops and pathways with a silver sheen. The ninja, cloaked in shadows, remained undetected, or at least that¡¯s what he believed, his senses attuned to every rustle of leaves and distant murmur. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and earth, a reminder of the natural barrier that protected the village from the outside world. As he watched Ishi and Mr. Suru, the ninja felt a twinge of envy - at the sheer talent and potential at such a young age. From his vantage point, the ninja could see the soft, warm light spilling from the windows of the workshop, casting long shadows across the front path. Inside, Ishi¡¯s animated gestures and Mr. Suru¡¯s contemplative nods painted a picture of a mentor-student relationship rooted in mutual respect and admiration. The scene was almost idyllic, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within the ninja¡¯s own organisation. The ninja''s presence was masked by the techniques of concealment and silence, honed to perfection over years of training. He watched intently through a small gap in the thatched roof, his eyes fixed on Ishi and Mr. Suru as they worked inside alongside one another. The ninja''s internal dialogue was a mix of curiosity and calculation. He had been given strict orders to monitor the boy, Ishi Sukauto along with the old man Mr. Suru, and report back any significant developments. The recent activity surrounding Ishi had piqued the interest of his superiors in the Ninja Corps, and it was clear why. He was reportedly undefeated in both pokemon battle and one on one combat, which was an almost unheard of record within the academy. ¡®So this is the boy everyone''s talking about,¡¯ the ninja thought, his eyes narrowing as he observed Ishi''s focused expression. ¡®He''s already managed to craft subspace satchels at such a young age. His potential is remarkable. Though this is only craftsmanship, which isn¡¯t one of the criteria, the leader feels a Ninja should focus on all that much.¡¯ He shifted slightly, ensuring his concealment remained flawless. The ninja''s orders were clear: assess the boy''s threat level and determine the necessity of his recruitment into the Ninja Corps. The organisation was always on the lookout for promising individuals who could be moulded into powerful assets. ¡®The old man''s not just humouring him. He''s genuinely impressed. That''s saying something.¡¯ The ninja''s gaze flickered to Mr. Suru, who was scrutinising the satchels with an expression of astonishment and approval. The ninja couldn''t help but feel a grudging respect for Ishi. ¡®He''s got talent, no doubt about it. And that Froakie... a shiny variant? That''s a rare find. He¡¯s definitely worth keeping an eye on.¡¯ As he continued to watch, the ninja''s mind raced with possibilities. If Ishi''s skills continued to develop at this rate, he could become a formidable force. The potential to harness such talent for the Ninja Corps was tantalising, but there were risks involved. Ishi''s close ties to his family and the village could and would certainly complicate matters. ¡®Recruitment will need to be handled delicately,¡¯ he mused, his eyes never leaving the boy. ¡®It might be challenging to sway him to our cause, not completely impossible though, geniuses can be swayed with certain promises if those promises are enticing enough.¡¯ The ninja shifted his position slightly, ensuring he remained undetected. He watched as Mr. Suru and Ishi exchanged a handshake, sealing their agreement. Ishi''s enthusiasm was palpable, and the ninja could sense the pride radiating from the young boy. ¡®He''s already making connections and gaining favour with influential figures. His threat level is rising. If we can''t recruit him, he could become a significant obstacle, more so than he likey already is anyway.¡¯ As Ishi and Percy left the workshop, the ninja''s eyes followed them until they disappeared into the night. He remained still for a few moments longer, processing the information he had gathered. The orders were clear, but the execution would require finesse and patience. ¡®I need to report back. The higher-ups will want to know about this. Ishi Sukauto is becoming more than just a talented child. He''s a potential game-changer.¡¯ With a final glance at the now-empty workshop, the ninja slipped away, his movements as silent as the night itself. The shadows seemed to embrace him as he vanished into the darkness, leaving no trace of his presence. The wheels of the Ninja Corps were in motion. *** The night had settled in, a blanket of darkness punctuated by the soft glow of lanterns hanging from the eaves of the workshop. Mr. Suru took a deep breath, inhaling the cool night air mixed with the lingering scent of wood shavings and metal filings. The stillness of the evening was a stark contrast to the bustling activity inside his mind, filled with thoughts of Ishi¡¯s incredible potential and the dark undercurrents of the village¡¯s political landscape. Mr. Suru¡¯s eyes, though weary with age, sparkled with a renewed sense of purpose. The old Bisharp in the corner stirred slightly, its metallic armour glinting in the dim light. The workshop, filled with tools and half-finished projects, felt like a sanctuary - a place where the worries of the outside world could be momentarily forgotten. Yet, the presence of that ninja who was trying to meld into the shadows earlier weighed heavily on his mind. Mr. Suru stood at the doorway of his workshop, watching as Ishi and Percy disappeared into the night. The cool evening air wrapped around him, carrying the sounds of the village settling into its nightly rhythm. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, the faint traces of a smile lingering on his lips. "Man, that child... he could have the highest potential of any child I have ever seen," he muttered to himself, shaking his head in wonder. "If I''m not mistaken, his aura capacity increased just from talking to me. Haa, it seems this old man has gained a reason to stick around a little longer. At least until he leaves on his journey that is." He stood there for a few more moments, the weight of his thoughts grounding him in place. The world seemed both larger and smaller, filled with the promise of Ishi''s potential and the shadows of lurking dangers. He turned his head slightly, sensing the presence that had just departed from the roof. "That guy didn''t feel like any of the Chief''s men," Mr. Suru thought, his eyes narrowing. "I''ll have to talk to Hanzo about this..." With a resigned sigh, he turned back to his workshop, still holding the subspace satchel in his hands. The craftsmanship was impeccable, a testament to Ishi''s dedication and skill. "I can''t believe he actually completed my old work from back when I was a Kid Genin. Remarkable... don''t you think?" He directed his question to the old Bisharp that lay in the corner, who had seemingly returned to its snoozing. The Bisharp''s eyes flickered open briefly, offering a small scoff in response before closing again. Mr. Suru chuckled, the sound warm and filled with pride. "Yeah, I agree, remarkable," he said, his smile widening. He wandered back into the workshop, his mind drifting to the requests Ishi had made. The gloves designed to hold a special stone, the saddles for future mount Pok¨¦mon - these were no small tasks. Mr. Suru found himself scoffing at how easily he had agreed to help. "How old have I gotten to become so soft?" he mused, shaking his head. "That boy... he''s got a way about him, that''s for sure." ¡®And the stone he¡¯s talking about¡­ that¡¯s highly secret Ninja knowledge, I¡¯d be surprised if Haku even knew. So if what he is implying means what I think it means¡­ how on earth did he come across this information?¡¯ He frowned slightly at the question he couldn¡¯t answer. As he set the satchel down and began to tidy up, his mind drifted back to the shadowy figure that had been watching them. The unease settled in his gut, a reminder that the world was always shifting, always changing. But for now, in this moment, Mr. Suru found comfort in the simple act of creation, in the promise of a new generation rising to meet the challenges ahead. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. "Haa," he sighed again, a mixture of weariness and resolve. "Guess I''ll just have to stick around and see what happens next." With that, he turned off the lights in the workshop, leaving the faint glow of the moonlight to illuminate the space. The night was calm, but the undercurrents of change were unmistakable. And in the quiet of the workshop, Mr. Suru felt a sense of peace, knowing that he had a part to play in the unfolding story of Ishi Sukauto. *** The forest was alive with the sounds of nocturnal Pokemon, the rustle of leaves and distant calls creating a symphony of the night. The ninja moved through this natural concert with practised ease, his footsteps silent against the forest floor. Each shadow seemed to beckon him forward, a reminder of his mission and the stakes involved. The path he took was winding and treacherous, known only to a select few within the Ninja Corps. As he approached the rendezvous point, the ninja¡¯s senses sharpened. The clearing, bathed in the soft light of the moon, appeared serene but was filled with an underlying tension. The air was thick with the scent of moss and damp earth, a stark contrast to the sterile, controlled environment of the village. The ninja¡¯s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each one laced with the gravity of his report and the potential consequences. His steps were as light as a whisper in the wind. The moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting a patchwork of shadows on the ground. His mind raced with thoughts of the report he was about to deliver and the implications of Ishi Sukauto''s potential. ¡®Ishi''s threat level and need for recruitment have increased significantly,¡¯ he thought once again, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement. ¡®The boy''s intelect capacity alone is remarkable, and with his crafting skills... he''s a force to be reckoned with.* He thought about Shigeru, the spy they had planted in the academy. ¡®We need to gather more information on the individuals of interest. Shigeru''s reports have been useful, but we need more. We need to understand their strengths, their weaknesses, and how we can manipulate them to our advantage.¡¯ The ninja''s thoughts then turned to the Chief, Hanzo. ¡®Things would go a lot smoother if the Chief would stop getting in the way of our plans, even if it''s seemingly unintentional. He''s always one step ahead, always managing to thwart us at the last moment.¡¯ He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. ¡®And then there''s Haku, the Chief''s right-hand man. Leading him into a trap could be the key to breaking the village''s defences. But it''s going to be hard to recruit Ishi if anything happens to his father. They''re close, and Haku is the only ninja in the village with a Kingambit. It''s going to be a costly battle if it comes to that.¡¯ As he approached the rendezvous point, a small clearing hidden deep within the forest, he sensed his contact waiting for him. The ninja stepped into the clearing, his eyes locking onto the figure standing in the shadows. "Report," the contact said, his voice low and gravelly. "Ishi Sukauto''s threat level has increased," the ninja began, keeping his voice steady. "He''s shown remarkable skill in crafting subspace satchels, something even experienced crafters struggle with. His intelect capacity is also noteworthy." The contact nodded, absorbing the information. "And the boy''s connections? Any potential allies or obstacles?" "He''s close to his father, Haku. If anything happens to Haku, it will prove difficult to recruit Ishi. The boy''s also well-liked in the academy, and his friends, Ivy and Senpei, show potential as well, even if it¡¯s not quite on the same level as Ishi. We need to keep a close eye on them." "Shigeru''s reports?" the contact asked. "They''ve been useful, but we need more detailed information. We need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of these individuals if we want to manipulate them effectively." The contact grunted in acknowledgment. "And the Chief?" The ninja sighed. "The Chief continues to be a problem. He has an uncanny ability to thwart our plans. We''ll need to find a way to neutralise his influence without drawing too much attention." The contact considered this for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Continue your surveillance and report any further developments. And be careful. We can''t afford any mistakes." With a final nod, the ninja melted back into the shadows, his mind already racing with plans and strategies. He took a different route back to the village, ensuring he left no trace of his presence. The night was quiet, but the undercurrents of danger and intrigue were palpable. As he moved silently through the forest, his thoughts remained focused on the task at hand. Ishi Sukauto was becoming a significant player in the future unfolding drama, and the ninja knew that every step, every decision, could tip the balance in their favour or lead to their downfall. The game was just beginning, and the stakes had never before been higher. *** The cave was a labyrinth of stone corridors and hidden chambers, the walls covered in markings that spoke of a time this cave was used as a training ground. Torches flickered, casting dancing shadows that seemed to whisper in the darkness. The air was cool and damp, a stark contrast to the heated discussions taking place within. Each masked ninja, an almost silent sentinel, contributed to the atmosphere of near calculated menace that seemed to permeated the space. Kagetomo¡¯s presence was commanding, his Haxorus mask adding an air of intimidation to his already formidable demeanour. The table around which they gathered was rough-hewn from the very rock of the cave, used as a symbol for their enduring strength and resilience. And as the ninjas debated and strategized, the air was charged with a palpable tension, each word became a potential trigger for action and reaction. In the dim, flickering torchlight of a hidden cave, Kagetomo sat, resting his head on his fist as he watched over the debate from the head of the stone table, his expression inscrutable behind the menacing mask. Heidayu, wearing his distinctive Lairon mask, stood to his right, while other masked ninja of the corps filled the chamber. The contact, that the ninja whom had observed Ishi and Mr. Suru earlier, knelt before Kagetomo, having just delivered his report and the cause of the raucous discussion. Kagetomo¡¯s eyes, hidden behind the mask, gleamed with interest as he considered the implications and the ideas being voiced by the officers. "So, the boy''s potential continues to grow," Kagetomo mused, his voice a low rumble that echoed off the cave walls. "And with a shiny Froakie, no less. How interesting." Heidayu nodded thoughtfully. "His crafting skills are remarkable, even if it''s not a quality we particularly look for in our recruits, especially for his age. If we can recruit him, he could be a valuable asset." "Recruitment will not be easy," another masked ninja, wearing a Sharpedo mask, interjected. "The boy is closely tied to his father and the village. We need to approach this delicately." Kagetomo''s fingers drummed on the table. "What about the possibility of neutralising Haku? He remains a significant threat to our operations." The room fell silent as the ninjas considered this. Heidayu spoke first, his tone cautious. "A frontal assault on Haku is too risky. His Kingambit alone would make such an endeavour costly, and if we fail, the village¡¯s vigilance will increase exponentially." A ninja in a Bisharp mask leaned forward. "What if we lure him into a trap? Isolate him from the village and his allies. We could then either eliminate or capture him." Kagetomo shook his head. "The risk remains high. Haku is not easily fooled, and any overt action might alert the Chief. My master is many things, but a fool is not one of them. If we come up with a plan it has to be a plan that weakens them without drawing immediate suspicion or a reduction in our own forces. Which is unlikely with our current forces." Hearing this Heidayu crossed his arms, thinking. "We should focus on increasing our power base first. Recruit more ninja, strengthen our ranks, and gather intelligence. Simultaneously, we can look for opportunities to subtly undermine Haku and the village¡¯s defences. Ishi has to be put off for now, besides if we complete our plan he will become a part of our forces when Kagetomo becomes Chief." Kagetomo nodded slowly. "I agree. Patience is key. We must weaken our opponents while avoiding any sacrifices that would tip our hand. We cannot afford to escalate the conflict until we are completely certain of our victory." A ninja in a Golbat mask chimed in, her voice thoughtful. "What about the other children in Ishi''s class? If we can identify and target those who might become threats or assets, we could strategically influence their development." Kagetomo''s eyes gleamed with approval. "Yes, we should gather more intelligence on Ishi¡¯s classmates. If any of them show promise, we can consider recruitment. And those who pose a threat... well, we can deal with them accordingly." The ninja in the Sharpedo mask leaned back, his posture relaxed. "Shigeru''s reports have been useful, but we need more detailed information. We need to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and potential loyalties." Kagetomo¡¯s voice was decisive. "Continue the surveillance. Report any developments immediately. We must stay ahead of the village¡¯s defences and be ready to strike when the time is right." The room buzzed with quiet determination. Each ninja understood the stakes and the delicate balance they needed to maintain. The shadows on the cave walls seemed to pulse with the weight of their plans and the tension of the decisions yet to come. As the meeting concluded, Kagetomo stood, his presence becoming even more commanding. "Remember, we are the future of this village. We will reclaim our rightful place, but we must be smart, strategic, and relentless. Dismissed." The ninjas dispersed silently, their minds already working on the tasks ahead. Kagetomo and Heidayu remained, discussing finer details of their plans in hushed tones. The cave, with its ancient stone walls and the faint echo of dripping water, seemed to hold its breath, a silent witness to the machinations within. Kagetomo''s eyes, hidden behind his mask, narrowed as he gazed into the shadows. "One day soon," he whispered, more to himself than anyone else. "When we will make our move. The village will be ours." Chapter 27 Rather monotonously three months passed. The morning light filtered through the thin paper windows, casting a warm, golden hue across Ishi¡¯s bedroom. The gentle rustling of leaves outside mixed with the distant chatter of villagers starting their day. The scent of blooming flowers and fresh dew filled the air, creating a serene backdrop for Ishi''s bubbling excitement. His room, though small, was a sanctuary of personal achievements and aspirations. The walls adorned with meticulously crafted ninja tools and ancient scrolls spoke of countless hours of dedication and practice. Ishi awoke to the soft chime of a notification from the system, his eyes fluttering open as the message materialised before him. He blinked a few times to clear the haze of sleep from his vision and then read the words, his heart skipping a beat.
Progress: Otherworldly Aura Cultivation Technique - 90.08%
Rewards: + 1 Stat Point To Aura
A broad smile spread across his face as the weight of the achievement sank in. He could feel a surge of joy welling up within him, his heart pounding with excitement. "This is perfect timing, Percy," he whispered, glancing over at his partner. ¡®Man, nothing like a quick boost to the aura reserves to wake you up in the morning.¡¯ He thought, with a rueful smile blooming across his face. And as he then glanced outside, he could see the rooftops of the village bathed in the soft glow of dawn, each tile glistening with the morning dew. The distant calls of Pidgey and the soft cooing of Fletchling added a harmonious soundtrack to the peaceful scene. Percy, with his pristine white Froakie skin, mirrored the bright morning with his own croaks. The two shared a silent understanding, an understanding forged through countless training sessions and a now shared dream. The room felt almost electric with their shared determination and the promise of a day filled with challenges and triumphs. Percy, now somewhat awake, was mirroring his enthusiasm and melancholy, nodded in agreement. The two of them were almost in sync, their bond now seemed so strong that they moved as one. ¡®Boy, if I could tell the old me all that I¡¯ve been getting up to and have planned¡­ Oh he¡¯d be so jealous.¡¯ He snickered to himself while Percy croaked softly, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Today is the day of the mid-term assessments for the advanced class at the academy," He continued allowed, stretching his arms above his head. "We''ve trained so hard for this." ¡®Way too hard according to my parents.. But hey what have parents ever been right about? It¡¯s common sense that the eight year old is fully in the right!¡¯ With a firm nod he stroked Perceus¡¯s he¡¯d in just the right spot , earning himself a few happy coles that never failed to warm his heart. He glanced around his bedroom, taking in the new familiar sights. The walls and desk were adorned with new ninja scrolls, most were based on the theory and practical notes of his studies in the various fields the academy had been teaching him in the four months since joining the academy. But the rest were various materials and results of his recent tinkering in creating a weighted set of anklets and bracelets for Percy, a testament to his dual passions, based off of his very own weighted clothing straps he wears at all times on his arms and legs. Countless hours spent studying, practising, and stressing had certainly made his desk cluttered, he could barely make out the actual desk underneath at this point. The contrast with the scene outside was so starkly different it was a wonder it made him feel so at home and peaceful, especially with his favourite, though still distant, sounds of the village coming to life. "Can you believe it''s already been three months?" He asked Percy, who croaked back in response, as if sharing in the disbelief and also a little relief that the day they had been working so hard for had finally arrived . "These months have flown by, haven''t they? Between school classes and our personal training, we''ve made so much progress." But with a small wince at the thought of all those damn laps around the training grounds that, at first, had left him with blisters on his feet. And the absolutely ridiculous idea he had come up with to boost his growth with climbing up a rock wall with almost no safety net. ¡®Ya know even I can admit that was kinda dumb, if only the system didn¡¯t seem to like to reward me when I do dumb stuff.¡¯ When he¡¯d come up with the idea he had been thinking about the coming of age ceremony when he had fallen down the ravine and how if he hadn¡¯t been somehow teleported/transported/transmitted ,or whatever that Greninja had done to him, he¡¯d have been well and truly screwed. So, of course logically he decided to train for such an event recurring¡­ Right? Well apparently even his sensei thought it was a little overkill, the only problem was when he¡¯d finally completed his first run he¡¯d immediately been met with a quest and a reward he couldn¡¯t just pass up. In short, [Climb this ridiculously high wall + Increase the weights worn gradually + lower the time it takes to climb = delicious stat points + a little Exp as a bonus] So of course he had accepted¡­ and yeah these three months had both been rewarding but also a small kind of hell. ¡®But it¡¯s all worth it when you look at this,¡¯ he thought as he pulled up his Status window, eager to see the now complete fruits of his labour. The glowing interface displayed his stats, each one significantly higher than it had been three months ago. His strength, agility, and constitution had all seen substantial gains, but it was his aura that stood out the most. The hellish training regimen he''d put himself through had clearly paid off, especially considering his steady progress in the ¡®Otherworldly Aura Cultivation Technique¡¯.
Name: Will Ranger/Ishi Sukauto
Level: 11 8140/17500 Exp
Class: Kid Genin
Sub-Class: One-With-Nature
Strength: 26 (27.04)
Dexterity: 24 (24.96)
Constitution: 15 (15.6)
Aura: 12 (12.48)
Mana: N/A
Abilities: Appraisal - Multilingual - Poketory
Available Points: This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. 37
"Oh yeah! We''re so ready, Percy," He said, his voice filled with determination and joy. "Today''s the day we show everyone what we''ve been working towards." ¡®All those who laughed at me¡­ you¡¯ll soon regret it¡¯ he thought, the Evil smile blooming as he recalled the faces of those that had scoffed and laughed at his over the top training. With a final stretch, he finally rose from his bed, feeling the familiar tingle of anticipation coursing through his veins. The day was just beginning, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. As he and Percy prepared to leave the room, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of pride and excitement for what the future held. The mid-term assessments were just the next step on their journey, and he was more than ready to take it. ¡®We¡¯re gonna crush it!¡¯ he thought with a smirk. "Let''s go, Percy," he said, his voice filled with resolve. "Today''s the day we prove ourselves." So, after he got dressed, with no small amount of reverance given what they could potentially achieve in todays exams tied his forehead protector tight around his head. Then, two of them moved in near perfect harmony with one another, with their steps light and their spirits high. The world outside awaited them, filled with opportunities and challenges alike. And as they ventured forth, Ishi felt a deep sense of confidence and excitement, knowing that together, they could achieve anything. *** Ishi and Percy descended the stairs, their excitement palpable. As they reached the bottom, they were greeted by the familiar and comforting sight of his parents, Haku and Shion, seated at the breakfast table. The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm, golden light across the room, making the wooden surfaces gleam and adding a cosy glow to the entire space. Haku looked up from his plate, a broad smile spreading across his face as he saw his son. "Good morning, Ishi. Percy," he greeted warmly. His eyes twinkled with pride as he took in the sight of his son, who had grown taller and more toned over the past three months. "You look ready to take on the world today." ¡®Was it really not yesterday that Shion told me she was pregnant? Haa, time sure flies.¡¯ he thought with a nostalgic smile on his face. Shion, who was busy setting down a steaming pot of tea, turned and beamed at them. "Good morning, my cuties. Have you been sleeping hard?" she asked, though the answer was evident in their confident demeanors. Ishi felt a surge of warmth at his parents'' words. ¡®They''ve always been so supportive,¡¯ he thought, his heart swelling with gratitude. "Good morning, Dad, Mom," he replied, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "We''ve been training non-stop, so yeah we certainly slept like rocks last night. Today¡¯s the mid-term assessments, and I think we¡¯re ready." Percy croaked in agreement, his bright eyes reflecting the same determination. He hopped onto a chair, his pristine white skin a testament to his unique and shiny status. Haku and Shion exchanged a glance, both marvelling at how much their son and his partner had grown. Haku¡¯s mind wandered as he watched his son. ¡®He¡¯s come so far in such a short time. I can hardly believe this is the same boy who was just starting at the academy a few months ago.¡¯ His thoughts were filled with pride and a hint of nostalgia from his earlier thoughts, remembering the early days of Ishi¡¯s training in Mrs. Tanoshi¡¯s classroom. Shion, too, was lost in thought for a moment. ¡®Ishi¡¯s not just growing physically, but he¡¯s also maturing in ways I didn¡¯t expect so soon. His dedication and perseverance are truly remarkable. I knew I was raising a genius!¡¯ She felt a deep sense of contentment and pure joy in knowing that her son was on the right path, even if it was certainly going to be filled with challenges. They all soon sat down to breakfast, the room filled with the delicious aroma of fresh food. Plates of eggs, rice, and grilled fish were passed around, accompanied by bowls of steaming miso soup. The family Pok¨¦mon, Talonflame, Kingambit, Weavile, Croagunk, and Sudowoodo, each had their own meals and greeted Ishi and Percy with affectionate gestures. Percy and Weavile, always competitive, quickly turned their breakfast into a race. Weavile, with its nimble claws, made quick work of its meal, while Percy struggled to keep up, even if this time the race was far closer than it had been just three months ago, causing him to chuckle at the sight. Haku watched the interaction with a smile. "You¡¯ve both grown so much," he said, his voice filled with pride. "Not just in strength, but in spirit too. It¡¯s clear you¡¯re both ready for today¡¯s challenges." Shion nodded in agreement. "Remember, Ishi, no matter what happens, we¡¯re proud of you. And Percy, you¡¯re a remarkable young ninja. You¡¯ve both worked so hard." Ishi felt a swell of emotion at his parents¡¯ words. He looked around the table, at the faces of his loving family and their Pok¨¦mon, and felt a deep sense of gratitude. "Thanks, Mom, Dad. We won¡¯t let you down." As breakfast came to an end, he and Percy prepared to leave for the academy. Haku and Shion walked with them to the door, their faces glowing with pride and love. "Do your best," Haku said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "And remember, we¡¯re always here for you." Shion leaned down to pull Ishi into a family hug with herself and Haku, her voice soft and reassuring. "Good luck today. I know you¡¯ll do great. And don¡¯t forget, no matter the outcome, we¡¯re proud of you." Ishi hugged his mum and dad back tightly, feeling their warmth and strength. "Thanks, Mom. I¡¯ll make you proud." The air was crisp and fresh, filled with the scent of pine and blooming flowers. With Percy by his side, Ishi waved goodbye to his father and the other family Pok¨¦mon, who all chirped, croaked, and growled their farewells. He and Shion then began their walk to the academy, the morning air cool and refreshing. The path was familiar, with him swearing he could make this walk while blindfolded after being thrown into a whirlpool attack, lined with trees whose leaves rustled gently in the breeze. The village around them was now getting into full swing and coming to life, with shopkeepers opening their stores and other villagers going about their daily routines. The smell of freshly baked bread and roasted nuts wafted through the air, making Ishi''s stomach grumble slightly despite the hearty breakfast he had just enjoyed. He chuckled and patted his stomach. "We¡¯ll grab a snack later, Percy," he promised, earning an extremely enthusiastic croak of assent from his partner. Laughter, the clinking of tools, and the occasional chirping of wild Pok¨¦mon from the surrounding trees. The familiar sights and sounds brought a sense of comfort and anticipation, a reminder of the supportive community they were a part of. It was a scene of calm and normalcy, a stark contrast to the excitement bubbling within Ishi. He looked up at his mother, who walked with purpose and confidence. She was an inspiration, a reminder of what he could achieve with hard work and dedication, along with his father. Finally, the academy came into view, its imposing structure a symbol of the challenges and opportunities that awaited inside. Ishi felt a surge of determination. ¡®This is it,¡¯ he thought. ¡®Time to show sensei what we¡¯re really made of!¡¯ With a final nod from his mother and a squeeze of his hand, he and Percy stepped through the gates of the academy, ready to face their mid-term assessments with everything they had. The day was just beginning, and the possibilities were endless. *** The academy itself stood like a fortress at the base of the cliffside, its ancient stone walls a testament to the village''s rich history, and to the new history he was about to write inside when he crushed this mid-term. The blend of old and new architecture created an imposing yet welcoming structure, which seemed to stand out even more today. The courtyard was alive with activity as students from all years prepared for their own assessments. The leaves on the nearby trees rustled gently, and the scent of pine and earth was invigorating. The academy''s large wooden doors, intricately carved with symbols of knowledge and strength, stood open, inviting them into a day filled with challenges and opportunities. At the academy gates, Ishi saw his friends gathering. And as He and his friends gathered, the cool morning air became filled with their excited and nervous chatter. Senpei was already there, his Froakie perched on his shoulder, looking as eager as ever. Ivy was chatting animatedly with Ayame and Haruka, their partners - Fletchling and Spritzee - flitting around them. "Hey, Ishi! Percy!" Senpei called out, waving them over. "Ready for today?" He grinned at his seemingly nerve free best friend, his nervousness momentarily forgotten. "You bet! How about you guys?" "Excited and a bit nervous," Ivy admitted, her Snivy coiling a little tighter around her arm. "But we¡¯ve been training hard, so I¡¯m confident we¡¯ll do great." Raion, with his Litleo at his feet, nodded. "Yeah, it¡¯s just another challenge. We¡¯ve all faced and completed sensei¡¯s worst in training, right?" ¡®Oh you son of a bitch!¡¯ Ishi thought in alarm ¡®You¡¯ve just doomed us all!!¡¯ And after giving a silent prayer to Arceus that his young friend didn¡¯t know what he was saying and to disregard that last statement as if it never happened. And so, as they walked towards the classroom, the group continued to chat, their camaraderie now far more evident in their playful teasing and banter. "Bet you can¡¯t beat me in the obstacle course later, Ishi," Senpei challenged, his eyes gleaming with his ever competitive spirit. "Oh, you¡¯re on!" he shot back, his grin widening. "But don¡¯t cry when Percy and I leave you in the dust!" They all laughed, the sound easing some of the tension they still felt. And now despite the nerves, there was an undercurrent of excitement and determination in the air. They now all felt more certain that they were ready to prove themselves. When they finally reached the classroom, their sensei, Mr. Monji, was waiting for them. His arms were crossed, and an absolutely sinister grin spread across his face. The sight made them all freeze in their tracks. "Good morning, class, my dear students," Mr. Monji said, his voice carrying an obvious tone of mischief and just plain pure evil. "Ready for your mid-term assessments?" A collective gulp echoed through the room. Ishi could feel the tension begin to rise once again as his classmates exchanged nervous glances. He glanced at Percy, who gave him an encouraging nod. ¡®We¡¯ve got this,¡¯ he reminded himself, taking a deep breath. Mr. Monji¡¯s grin widened, and Ishi couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡®Oh shit, what has this bastard prepared for us!¡¯ and with a vengeful glare at Raion he and the rest of his classmates took their seats. The anticipation and fear mingled within him, but he knew they were ready to face whatever challenges came their way. After all, this was just another step on their journey to becoming true ninjas¡­ Right? The room buzzed with a mix of nervous energy and excitement. Ishi glanced around, taking in the previously determined but now fear covered faces of his friends and classmates. They were all here to prove themselves, to show how far they had come. And with Percy by his side, Ishi knew he was ready for whatever lay ahead. Chapter 28 Mr. Monji stood before the class, his typically stern but amenable face wearing an unusually serene expression. ¡®That''s not an ominous sign at all.¡¯ Ishi thought, his face beginning to pale. The students, already filled with nervous energy, exchanged even more uneasy glances. The anticipation in the room was palpable, and the air seemed to grow heavier each passing second with the silence permeating the room. "Good morning, class," Mr. Monji began, his voice calm and almost gentle, which only heightened the sense of impending doom. "Today, as you know, is your mid-term assessment. This exam will be unlike anything you''ve ever experienced before. You will be tested on your combat skills, teamwork, strategic thinking, and survival skills. However, there¡¯s a twist." A murmur of whispers spread through the room. Ishi glanced at Percy, who was perched attentively on his shoulder, eyes wide with curiosity and a little fear. The peaceful expression on Mr. Monji¡¯s face was nothing if not unsettling, and it made the announcement all the more ominous. "You will be competing against each other," Mr. Monji continued, his calm demeanour unwavering. "The one who comes out on top will receive the highest score and be allowed to accompany me on a mission outside the village.¡± At this both Ishi and Percy¡¯s ears perked up, along with the rest of the class as they held onto his every word. ¡°While the rest will be ranked accordingly. This means alliances may be forged, but you will fundamentally have to rely on your own skill. Friendships will be tested, and trust will be challenged. Only the strongest and most cunning will succeed. The person who comes in last will be taken out of this class." The room erupted into a chorus of shocked gasps and hurried whispers. Ishi felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. ¡®This is going to be a nightmare,¡¯ he thought, casting a worried glance at Senpei and Ivy. They, too, looked equally distressed. Sensei Monji raised a hand, motioning for silence, his serene expression never faltering. "The tasks you will perform today are designed to push you and your Pok¨¦mon to your limits. You will face obstacle courses, shuriken and ninja trick assessment battles, endurance tests, and Pokemon battles, oh and your survival training is gonna be¡­¡± He tapered off, clearly not feeling the need to finish his sentence. "Each task will be gruelling, and you must rely on both your skills and your bond with your Pok¨¦mon to succeed." A collective groan filled the room. The tasks sounded like pure torture, and the competitive element only added to the stress. Ishi could only see the emotion of dread on his classmates'' faces, and he knew they were all thinking the same thing, ¡®Today was going to be hell.¡¯ "Remember," Sensei Monji said, his voice cutting through the muttering, "this assessment is designed to prepare you for the real world. As ninjas, you must be ready to face any challenge, often without warning and always with the possibility of hardship. And as pokemon trainers this will be a true test of your abilities and your character." The students fell into a despondent silence. Ishi felt like a dark cloud had descended upon the classroom, and the spirits of his classmates seemed to further visibly deflate. Even Percy, usually full of boldness and energy, seemed to sense the gravity of the situation and simply let out a small, concerned croak. "Do your best," Sensei Monji concluded, his peaceful expression still in place. "And remember, the strongest bonds are often forged in the heat of adversity." With that, Sensei Monji turned and gestured for the students to follow him to the training grounds, where they would have their first part of their mid-terms. The class moved sluggishly, their earlier excitement seemingly a fleeting dream at this point now replaced with a heavy sense of dread. And Ishi also felt like he was marching to his doom, and he could see his same despair reflected in the eyes of his friends and classmates. As they walked, the murmurs continued. "This is insane," one student whispered. "How are we supposed to compete against each other like this, there are different levels of ability in this class? My parents are gonna be so disappointed if I''m demoted from the advanced class!" another muttered, but still loud enough for all to hear. But Mr. Monji ignored the mutterings, his focus solely on leading them to the battlefield where their trials awaited. Ishi took several deep breaths and tried to steady his nerves, he also continued to circulate his aura until he began to control and master his emotions. ¡®We¡¯ve trained hard for this,¡¯ he reminded himself. ¡®We can get through it, Percy.¡¯ He glanced at his partner, who gave him a determined but still shaky nod. Despite the daunting challenge ahead, he felt a flicker of resolve ignite within him. They had come too far to give up now.
Confirmed. Quest Created: Sensei Monji Has Prepared Heavily For Your Mid-Terms! Compete All Tests And Exams To The Best Of Your Ability And Earn The Place At His Side For Your First Expedition Out Of The Village.
Rewards: + 2 Levels, Mini-Map
Accept: Y/N
¡®Accept!¡¯ He thought, resolving himself. *** The dense foliage of the forest battlefield enveloped the students as they gathered in their respective teams. The rustling of leaves and the occasional call of a wild Pok¨¦mon added to the sense of anticipation that hung in the air. Sensei Monji''s stern gaze swept over the assembled ninjas, his presence commanding their attention. *Team A (Ishi''s Team)* - Ishi: Center Mid Position - Ryota: Defence - Kenta: Offence - Raion: Defence - Ayame: Offence *Team B (Opposing Team)* - Senpei: Offence - Ivy: Center Mid Position - Shigeru: Defence - Haruka: Offence - Midori: Offence "Listen up," Sensei Monji began, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "This part of your mid-term assessment is a test of your tactical skills, your ability to work as a team, and your resourcefulness in combat. The objective is simple: capture the opposing team''s flag while defending your own. If someone from the opposing team delivers you the flag, they also pass along with the opposing team. However, if you fail to defend your flag or capture theirs, you will be marked accordingly." Ishi''s mind raced as he processed the rules. ¡®So basically everyone is my enemy... Great.¡¯ He glanced over at Senpei and Ivy, who were assigned to the opposing team. ¡®And Sensei put me on the opposing team of Senpei and Ivy, he''s really not making it easy for me. I suppose I could always just steal my own flag and hand deliver it to them... No, that''s not the right way, even if it would certainly be the easiest.¡¯ He clenched his fists and nodded with determination. ¡®I''m not going to be known for betraying my team, I''m winning this the right way!¡¯ Sensei Monji handed out shuriken supplies to each student, along with a few sets of ropes that were to be tied around the immobilised opponents limbs rendering them ¡®Unable To Continue¡¯. The cold, metallic, and rubber mix of the weapons in his hands sent a thrill through him. The students quickly divided into their teams, and Ishi found himself looking over his group, noting the absence of the stuck-up brat, Midori. ¡®Heh, good luck wrangling her in, guys.¡¯ He mused with a small smirk, finding a silver lining in the situation. The team huddled together under the dense canopy of trees, the morning light filtering through the leaves in dappled patterns. The forest was eerily quiet with only the sounds of rustling leaves and distant Pok¨¦mon calls from all of their partners cheering them on, adding a slight tension to the air. Ishi glanced around at his teammates, noting their expressions of determination and focus, but also a little apprehension. ¡®The dense forest battlefield provided ample cover for ambushes and strategic manoeuvring.¡¯ He thought as he formulated a working plan and strategy in his head before speaking. "Alright, listen up," Ishi began, his voice steady. "Ryota, you and Raion are on defence. We need to protect our flag at all costs." Ryota nodded, his hand briefly flicking to the shuriken he had lined up in the pouch at his side. "Got it. We''ll hold the line." "Kenta, Ayame, you two are on offence or in other words the vanguard," he continued after noting both of their reactions and not finding anything suspicious. Turning to his other teammates. "Use the foliage and terrain to your advantage. Ayame, you are better at hand to hand combat so rely on Kenta to support you from behind." You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Ayame gave a confident smile. "I''m ready, I can hear fletchling cheering for me so there¡¯s no way I can¡¯t do my best. We''ll find a path through." Kenta, gave a rather curt nod. "We''ll get that flag." And offered nothing further. "And I''ll be in the centre," Ishi said, a determined glint in his eye. "I''ll move between offence and defence as needed. I¡¯ll do my best to cover and support you all¡± ¡®My aura sense should give us an edge in tracking movements.¡¯ He thought to himself as he positioned himself as a sort of overwatch of the groups. "Sounds like a plan," Raion said, his Litleo growling in agreement. "Let''s do this." "Alrighty I''ll get to the centre mid position," he announced to his team. ¡°Versatility, baby!" He grinned, earning a few nods of approval. With a shout of "Begin!" from Sensei Monji, the forest battlefield exploded into motion. Ishi felt the rush of adrenaline as he tapped into his Sub-Class¡¯s ability, sensing the relative positions of his classmates. This was his secret weapon, his advantage in the chaotic environment this exam was bound to become. The ground soft under his feet and the scent of pine in the air. The sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting shifting shadows that played tricks on his vision. He felt the presence of his classmates around him, each heartbeat and movement creating a web of awareness in his mind. His senses quickly picked up on the frontal style clash between the vanguard of both teams, though unfortunately it seemed his own team was at a slight disadvantage as Kenta was being forced into close combat. His, now heightened, aura sense allowed him to feel the presence of both his allies and enemies, giving him an edge. The clash of the vanguards resonated through the forest, and his instincts kicked in, among them he sensed Senpei attempting to stealthily slip past into their territory. ¡®Not on my watch,¡¯ he thought, executing a flawless ''Ninja Flicker Step'', the forest seemed to blur around him, only for him to appear near Senpei, aiming for his blindspot. The dense forest battlefield provided ample cover for ambushes and strategic manoeuvring. Ishi¡¯s heightened aura sense allowed him to feel the presence of both his allies and enemies, giving him an edge. The clash of the vanguards resonated through the forest, and Ishi¡¯s instincts kicked in when he sensed Senpei attempting to bypass their defences. But somehow Senpei''s instincts kicked in, and he was able to twist his upper body and throw some shurikens towards Ishi. Senpei¡¯s quick reaction with shuriken showcased his growing skill. Senpei, not missing a beat, called, "You won''t catch me that easily, Ishi." In response, Ishi countered with his own shuriken, both sets of weapons clashing mid-air, some falling harmlessly to the ground and others ricocheting off towards the two of them. The battle was intense, the forest a backdrop to their clash of skills.The dull thud and metallic clang of clashing shuriken seemed to multiply as they echoed through the trees. In the confusion, Ishi used his ''Ninja Body Switch'' with one of the fallen shuriken behind Senpei, surprising Senpei and gaining the advantage allowing him to pin him to the ground. Even as Senpei struggled, grunting in the effort. "Got you," Ishi whispered, preparing to immobilise his friend completely with rope he was provided at the beginning of the exercise. But before he could finish his task, his senses picked up Ivy, who was approaching with her own ''Ninja Flicker Step''. And in a burst of motion Ivy appeared at their location, then almost seamlessly unleashed her ''Ninja Dust Storm'', blinding Ishi and following this up by throwing shuriken at his last known location. The swirling dust mixed with the natural green of the forest, creating an eerie, obscured battlefield. "Got you now, Ishi," Ivy called out, her voice filled with determination and glee. ¡®Nice try, Ivy,¡¯ Ishi thought in response, having sensed her presence and intentions a few moments before she was able to spring her trap. He had quickly leaped into the air, following what his intuition had told him, avoiding most of the aftereffects of the dust storm and Ivy''s follow up shuriken. Which accidentally ended up striking Senpei as he had used the ambush to escape his, not quite done up, bindings. ¡®Ooo, that''s gonna sting a little,¡¯ he thought as the unintended consequence unfolded in front of him. Ivy''s eyes widened in shock, but before she could react, Ishi used a condensed ''Ninja Wind Rush'' to blow away the dust and strike Ivy, knocking her off balance. He was then able to quickly capitalise on this by getting in close and executing a judo style flip over his shoulder. Standing over his, about to be, immobilised friends, he grinned. "Better luck next time, guys.¡± he sang in a cheery voice, which was only met with groans and muttering that he was glad he couldn¡¯t really make out all that well. ¡®They were probably both complimenting me on how cool I am.¡¯ he thought, dismissing any other possibility. ¡°You both seriously nearly had me with that sneak attack just now though." He was about to eliminate them when he sensed something annoying. His vanguard teammates had been defeated, and he needed to quickly intercept the advancing opposing team members. ¡°Welp duty calls I spose,¡± he said, and with a cheeky wave at Senpei and Ivy, he used ''Ninja Leaf Shroud'' enabling the surrounding foliage to conceal his presence, allowing him to blend into the trees above the enemies approaching his flag. The two ninjas who had defeated his vanguard were fatigued from their battle. So using this to his advantage he was able to execute a perfect sneak attack, rendering them unable to continue. ¡®Haa¡­ a shame I wasn¡¯t able to get the other two, but this still leaves my team with an advantage.¡¯ he thought as he mulled over the events that had taken place only moments earlier. ¡®Man it sounds like Perseus liked that combo I just used on Haruka and Midori a little too much with how much he¡¯s cheering. Though I have to admit, it was extremely satisfying knocking Midori off her high horse a little.¡¯ he thought with a chuckle and glance towards his joyful partner who was not so subtly rubbing his victory in Midori''s Zubats face. Breathing a sigh of relief, he fell back to his group to regroup. They needed a new plan. ¡®This is going to be a little harder than I thought, I can¡¯t be everywhere at once.¡¯ he mused, already preparing himself for whatever challenges awaited them. Breathing heavily, Ishi returned to his now two men down team. The forest battlefield, with its dense foliage and natural obstacles, had provided a challenging yet exhilarating environment for the capture the flag assessment. As he regrouped with his teammates, the gravity of the situation weighed on him. They needed a new strategy, and they needed it fast. The forest battlefield was a living, breathing entity that had both aided and challenged the young ninjas. Every rustle of leaves, every whisper of the wind, was a potential threat or opportunity. Ishi¡¯s determination and strategic thinking, combined with his unique abilities, seemed like they would be crucial in overcoming the next trial ahead that looked likely to be a lot more challenging. As the assessment continued, the spirit of competition would be tested to their limits. *** The air was thick with tension as both teams retreated to regroup. The rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of distant Pok¨¦mon served as the only background noise in the dense forest battlefield. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the remaining members of each team gathered to formulate their next moves. *** Team A: Ishi wiped the sweat from his brow, taking a deep couple breath to steady his nerves. His team huddled close, their expressions a mix of determination and exhaustion. Ryota and Raion looked ready to defend their flag with their lives, while Kenta and Ayame appeared eager to push forward. "Alright, team," Ishi began, his voice calm but firm. "Our vanguards have been taken out, but that doesn''t mean we''re out of this fight. Ryota or Raion, I want one of you to fortify our defences. Make sure no one gets past you. The other will join me in trying to capture their flag." Ryota nodded, standing vigilant beside the flag. "Understood. I¡¯ll hold the line." Raion let out a small growl, indicating his readiness. "No one will stop us two if we work together, I was getting bored back here in defence." Raion affirmed. "Kenta, Ayame," He continued "They were taken down before I could help. I have a feeling Shigeru came up from defence and helped to overwhelm them, then fell back to defend. So we are going to need to hit them hard and fast. Use the terrain to your advantage, and don''t let them see you coming." Raion nodded firmly in agreement. "We''ll have to scout ahead and find a path through their defences," he voiced with a confident smile. The flag¡¯s pole seemed to be gleaming in the dappled sunlight, as if agreeing with his words. "We''ll get that flag," Ishi stated firmly. "I''ll support both offence and defence as much as I can, just like last time, only this time I¡¯ll be aiming for more of an offensive position so keep that in mind Ryota.¡± And after receiving determined nods from the pair he concluded ¡°Stay sharp, everyone." and they all moved towards their respective goals. *** Team B: On the other side of the battlefield, Senpei and Ivy were nursing their injuries but remained resolute. Shigeru formed a loose triangle with them, their faces reflecting the same mix of determination and weariness. ¡®Damn it! Haruka and Midori, how incompetent can you be, I literally gave you a win on a silver platter and you were eliminated from the assessment so quickly after I left to come back and defend.¡¯ he thought to himself whilst clenching his jaw in annoyance and struggling to quell his anger. ¡®I need that spot with Sensei Monji to leave the village, I need to get stronger!¡¯ Not noticing the inner conflict of his teammate Senpei rubbed his bruised arm, wincing slightly. "Alright, you guys. We''ve lost our vanguard, but we''re not out yet. Ivy and I are still in this fight." Ivy nodded, a small but tight bandage wrapped around her arm. "We need to take advantage of their weakened state. Shigeru, Senpei, this time you two focus on stealing their flag. I will go on the defensive." Shigeru stared intently at her, at first not offering any inclination to have heard her at all. Until abruptly he spoke "We''ll hold them off," he said and quickly spun on his heel and began wandering off in the direction of the opposing team''s flag. "We''ll make sure they don''t get through," Senpei added, a frown on his face as he watched Shigeru move away. "Shigeru," Ivy called out in a rather haughty tone. "You can¡¯t do this alone, not one versus three. And especially if one of those three is Ishi. Wait for Senpei and keep your guard up." Shigeru scoffed, but stopped and turned back around to face the two of them. "Fine, but don''t slow me down," he replied, his tone dismissive. Senpei shot Shigeru a warning look before addressing the team again. "We need to be quick and precise. Let''s show them what we''re made of." With their basic plan in place, the clearly dysfunctional team readied themselves for the next phase of the assessment. *** From the sidelines, Sensei Monji watched the proceedings with a keen eye. He took meticulous notes on each student''s performance, noting their strengths, weaknesses, and strategies. His expression was unreadable, but his mind was evaluating every detail. As the eliminated vanguards rested and watched from the sidelines, Sensei Monji approached them. "Rest up, you did well," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. "Learn from this experience and come back stronger." The students nodded, grateful for the encouragement. Sensei Monji''s presence was a reminder that this assessment was not just about winning, but about growth and learning. The forest battlefield was once again filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and the determined footsteps of young ninjas. Both teams moved out to execute their plans, ready to give their all in the final stretch of the assessment. ¡®Both teams moving out, the tension high and the stakes even higher.¡¯ Sensei Monji thought, with a small chuckle. Continuing to observe, his eyes sharp and his notes thorough. The young ninjas were about to face their next challenge, but they all seemed like they were ready. The battle for the flags was far from over, and each student was determined to prove their worth. As the students disappeared into the forest, leaving behind a sense of anticipation not just from the students that had been eliminated but also from a teacher who was extremely eager to see the conclusion of this first exam. The Pokemon spectators, for a change, seemed to hold their breath in a collective silence as their young ninja partners prepared to face off once more.