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Following Naruto to his home, Zephyr and Arcanine faced a dilemma. Their physiques simply couldn't fit through the door.
In the pirate world, people had trouble moving around here.
"Go pack up and take the important things with you."
Zephyr stood at the door, ultimately deciding not to squeeze in.
He instructed Naruto to bring some important items, such as bedding and clothes, which were unnecessary to take.
However, for Naruto, these items were the most precious, and he couldn't think of anything else to bring.
In the end, Naruto came out with a small bag containing items of great sentimental value to him, though not of much monetary value.
"Alright, you can stay here for the night. I'll prepare a room for you. I'll pick you up after school tomorrow."
Zephyr glanced inside but didn't say much more.
Clearly, Naruto's living conditions were poor, very frugal.
Despite being eight years old, there were no toys or things for children in the house.
Zephyr didn't know that children in the ninja world matured early, with some having battle experience at six.
In Zephyr's memory, at eight, he was playing the "hero of justice - Z," fighting against bad kids.
"Okay! Grandpa, are you leaving now?"
Naruto looked at Zephyr and Arcanine with some reluctance.
"Yes."
Zephyr nodded.
Although he wasn't heavily involved in day-to-day matters, he wasn't idle.
He was responsible for training new Navy recruits and Pokémon trainers, which kept him quite busy.
It wasn't late, around eight o'clock, and he planned to return and continue training his students.
"Alright, Grandpa, and Arcanine, see you tomorrow."
Naruto obediently nodded and waved goodbye to Zephyr and Arcanine.
Bang.
Zephyr closed the door and left the ninja world with Arcanine.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office.
Dak was sipping tea brewed by Anbu newcomer Yūgao.
The taste was mediocre.
Dak smacked his lips, not intending to savor the tea.
"What I'm talking about is doing business related to Pokémon."
Dak didn't intend to keep Hiruzen guessing any longer.
He had enjoyed himself today and didn't feel like messing with Sarutobi Hiruzen any further.
"Oh?"
"I'm planning to open a shop on Konoha's main street, specializing in selling Pokémon eggs and various Pokémon-related services. Of course, there are also many items useful for humans."
"Sell... Pokémon eggs?"
Hiruzen hesitated, thinking of the various creatures beside those Marines.
For instance, that large red dog-like creature next to Mr. Zephyr, full of fire energy.
In Hiruzen's eyes, those so-called Pokémon were essentially superior versions of summon beasts.
"Pokémon can be considered superior to summon beasts. Anything summon beasts can do, Pokémon can do better, and Pokémon can do much more."
Dak seemed to read Hiruzen's mind.
This was understandable.
Summon beasts and Pokémon were very similar, be it their attributes (ninjutsu), Poké Balls (summoning scrolls), and so on.
"Most summon beasts lack attributes, making it very difficult for ninjas to find ones that match their chakra nature or complement it."
Dak pointed out a fact.
Although the Sarutobi clan's ancestral summon beast was the Enma, it didn't suit Hiruzen, the Ninjutsu Professor.
Enma's original form was like the Four-Tails, based on the Oriental Monkey King, Sun Wukong, with an indestructible body and the ability to transform into a staff.
Even though Orochimaru called Enma the "strongest summon beast," its core nature was indestructibility.
Turning into a staff and being handed to Hiruzen was like giving a close-combat weapon to a mage.
Among the ninja with the best synergy with their summon beasts:
One was Tsunade with Katsuyu.
The other was Danzo.
Danzo's summon beast was a Baku, proficient in Wind Release, complementing Danzo's Wind Release skills well. However, the Baku itself wasn't strong, mainly serving as support in battle.
As for Orochimaru with Manda and Jiraiya with Gamabunta.
These combinations were strong individually, and their techniques were similar, but it didn't mean their synergy was high.
In battles, they often fought separately, with little cooperation.
Minato with Manda or Gamabunta would have been better combinations.
"But Pokémon have eighteen types in total, with various types and combat styles, so there's no such thing as not finding a suitable partner."
Dak emphasized this point.
Sasuke could get an Electric-type Pokémon, Might Guy could get a Fighting-type Pokémon, Tsunade could get a Blissey or Chansey. In short, among the thousands of Pokémon, there's bound to be one suitable for these ninjas.
"If it's as you say, it would greatly increase the ninjas' mission success rate and combat ability on the battlefield."
Hiruzen began to seriously consider Dak's business proposal.
Such a business was clearly beneficial to Konoha, especially with its current lack of combat strength.
"Training Pokémon doesn't require a huge investment. Their growth rate is fast initially, and their growth cycle is short. In about a month, they can reach Chūnin level strength, and in six months, they can reach Jōnin level strength."
Dak didn't mention the rest.
These ninjas' strength was too weak compared to Pokémon. Jōnin-level strength was about Lv.30 or Lv.40 in Pokémon terms.
Monet's Gardevoir or Sugar's Mismagius could easily defeat these Jōnin.
The problem wasn't their attack power or techniques but their fragile bodies that couldn't withstand Pokémon attacks.
Techniques like Psychic, Night Shade, Nightmare, Hypnosis would be impossible for these ninjas to dodge or endure. Of course, exceptional Jōnin like Might Guy were an exception. Dak referred to typical Jōnin like Kurenai or Ebisu.
"What?!"
Hiruzen was shocked by the potential of "Pokémon."
If these Pokémon were as powerful as Dak described, they might as well stop training ninjas, which was time-consuming and expensive.
Instead, they could focus on training Pokémon.
"Also, that Dialga you saw earlier is a Pokémon, and it's not the strongest. There are stronger Pokémon, and Dialga itself can grow even more powerful."
Dak revealed another bombshell, making Hiruzen realize the immense potential of Pokémon.
"Then why are you willing to share this power with others?"
Hiruzen still had concerns.
Someone like him wouldn't easily trust someone he just met. If Pokémon were as good as Dak said, why would Dak share this power?
This concern had also been present with Sengoku and others.
"Why not?"
Dak responded and explained, "In Pokémon Island, my world, there are many Pokémon, and they often form partnerships with humans they like."
"This..."
"Perhaps in your eyes, you wouldn't share such power because you'd fear others using it against you, similar to how you handle Jinchūriki."
"Uh."
Dak's words were too blunt, making Hiruzen feel awkward.
He wanted to explain but decided against it.
As a leader, he knew there was no point in pretending in front of Dak, who likely understood his thoughts well.
"Frankly, this mindset comes from not being strong enough. Did your First Hokage Hashirama ever worry?"
One statement enlightened Hiruzen.
Indeed, if he had Hashirama's strength, there'd be no need to guard the Nine-Tails so closely. Let others take it; it wouldn't matter.
In battle, the Nine-Tails would still be captured easily.
"So, you aren't worried about others using Pokémon's power against you?"
Hiruzen looked at Dak, probing for his combat strength.
Dak replied openly:
"Of course not. Pokémon grow quickly initially, but their growth slows, needing trainers' efforts to progress. This timeframe is unknown."
"A trainer might die over several generations, and their Pokémon still wouldn't be strong enough to oppose us."
"Besides, you've seen it. Dialga can take me back in time."
"If someone uses Pokémon against us in the future and I can't beat them, I can go back decades and eliminate them."
These words made Hiruzen even more fearful of opposing Dak.
He truly feared Dak might travel back seventy years and prevent his parents from meeting, erasing his existence.
(End of Chapter)