[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For Only $5!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]
====
Accompanying Zephyr to Pokémon Island was not only Naruto but also Hiruzen.
This had already been agreed upon.
However, Zephyr was not responsible for hosting Hiruzen for the entire visit. His personality made him ill-suited for such a role.
"You can explore the city on your own for now. Soon, someone will come to show you around this world and then another world," Zephyr said, looking at Hiruzen with a meaningful gaze.
Yesterday, after Zephyr mentioned Hiruzen's visit, Sengoku volunteered to be the host.
Knowing Sengoku's character, Zephyr was sure Hiruzen would face a tough reception.
But Zephyr didn't care. He didn't like Hiruzen much and didn't mind what treatment he received.
After leaving these words, Zephyr took Naruto away.
These Marines had been assigned their own houses, not in the Alliance residential area but in a newly built complex in the suburbs.
Zephyr was allocated a three-story house. He didn't mind the house's appearance as long as it was livable.
"Wow! Grandpa, is this our home? Am I going to live here? It's so beautiful!"
Naruto's eyes sparkled as he saw the house. Comparing his old rundown apartment to this grand house, it seemed luxurious and magnificent.
"You'll live on the third floor, I'll stay on the second floor, and Arcanine will stay with you on the third floor."
Zephyr opened the door to the house.
These military-assigned houses came fully furnished, so even though Zephyr hadn't bought any furniture, the house was still beautifully set up.
"What about the first floor?"
Naruto hugged the warm, fluffy fur around Arcanine's neck.
"The first floor is for guests. If anyone wants to stay over, the bedrooms there will serve as guest rooms."
"Oh, Grandpa, can I bring friends home to play tomorrow?"
"Sure."
Zephyr nodded, not objecting.
It was normal for kids to bring friends home to play. It wasn't like he was bringing a girlfriend home; Naruto was only eight.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen stood in the middle of the street.
The bustling scene, people's relaxed expressions, the peaceful coexistence of people and Pokémon, and the clear blue sky and distant skyscrapers all captivated him.
One thing Hiruzen couldn't ignore was that his chakra levels were suppressed to a minimal level, preventing him from even performing basic jutsu.
He felt like a frail old man, which made him uneasy and uncomfortable.
If he had known about this beforehand, he wouldn't have come.
Now, Hiruzen could only take things one step at a time. At least Dak's people hadn't shown any hostility.
"How does it feel?"
A voice came from beside him.
Hiruzen turned to see a tall man like Zephyr, dressed in a white suit with a cape that read "Justice." His presence was imposing.
Hiruzen realized this was the person sent to host him.
"Very good, a beautiful world, a beautiful city. The people here are very happy."
Hiruzen spoke from the heart.
Alliance City was what he had envisioned for the future in his younger years, though he had only managed to create a somewhat peaceful Konoha.
"Indeed, there's no war in this world, so it's very peaceful."
Sengoku nodded and extended his hand, "I'm Sengoku, the Pokémon Alliance's Navy Admiral."
"Third Hokage of Konoha, Hiruzen."
Hiruzen shook Sengoku's hand, making introductions. "There's no war in this world?"
"Yes, because there's only one country, and all cities and armed forces belong to the Pokémon Alliance. There's nothing to fight over."
Sengoku nodded, explaining it as a matter of course.
"..."
Hiruzen was stunned.
The Pokémon Alliance's status was higher than he had imagined, having unified an entire world.
It was akin to unifying the entire ninja world, a goal Madara had failed to achieve and a dream Danzo once had.
He had stopped thinking about such things decades ago after realizing the reality.
"And you might have noticed, all external beings' powers are suppressed here."
Sengoku clenched his fist.
"You too?"
Hiruzen was surprised, thinking it was just him.
"Of course. This is Pokémon Island, so only Pokémon are unaffected."
Sengoku nodded.
But he didn't mention that technology also remained unaffected here. Humans using technology could match Pokémon's power, but Sengoku didn't share this with Hiruzen.
"I see."
Hiruzen understood why the place felt so peaceful.
When everyone was equally weak, no one would start fights, uncertain of their chances and fearing the consequences.
"I'll take you to see our Alliance City's Temple of Origins. It's one of the city's landmark buildings."
Sengoku suggested visiting the Temple of Origins.
Hiruzen didn't know Sengoku's intentions but would soon find out.
When Hiruzen thought they would walk, Sengoku raised a hand by the roadside.
"???"
Hiruzen's mind filled with question marks.
What was he doing? "Hello, do you need a 'Didi Pokémon' service?"
A man riding a Dodrio stopped in front of Sengoku.
"Yes, two."
Sengoku nodded.
"Alright, what kind of Pokémon would you like?"
"Hmm, two Rapidash."
Rapidash was the fifth most popular choice in 'Didi Pokémon' services.
Its soft, warm fur made for a comfortable ride, and its stamina and speed were excellent. It could run across Alliance City with no problem.
Most importantly, Rapidash was highly attractive, favored by those who valued appearances.
In the past, Sengoku wouldn't have chosen such an extravagant ride.
If it were just him, he'd pick a Dodrio or a Rhyhorn.
But today, with Hiruzen present, Sengoku couldn't afford to lose face.
"Alright, please wait three minutes."
The staff member nodded and quickly rode his Dodrio to the nearest station.
'Didi Pokémon' wasn't an Alliance-founded service but a company established by Iceberg, with Dak providing some initial ideas.
It wasn't just for moving around the city; 'Didi Pokémon' could take you to Angel City or Fishman City.
However, using it for long-distance travel was expensive and uncomfortable, so most people preferred the sea train or floating cloud airship.
"What is this?"
Hiruzen approached, curious.
"A service using Pokémon to help people travel. Alliance City is vast; walking from here could take hours."
Sengoku explained the 'Didi Pokémon' service.
They were in the food street in the southern part of the city, while the Temple of Origins was in the northeast.
"It's that big?!"
Hiruzen was shocked again.
Konoha was small enough that a fast ninja could traverse it in minutes or at most half an hour, needing no such transportation.
Just over a minute later, the staff returned with two majestic Rapidash.
"Alright, please mount up."
The staff patted the Rapidash, which obediently lowered their heads in front of Sengoku and Hiruzen.
"Thank you."
Sengoku nodded.
He pulled out his ID card and scanned it, paying 2 gold.
Then he easily mounted the Rapidash.
Given Sengoku's size, typical Rapidash from the Pokémon world would struggle to support him, but these Rapidash, raised in the pirate world, were much larger.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Hiruzen hesitate, Sengoku asked.
"Nothing."
Hiruzen, seeing Sengoku mount without getting burned, nodded and cautiously reached out.
"Don't worry, Rapidash can control their flames' temperature to avoid harming anyone."
Sengoku immediately understood Hiruzen's concern.
He had once wondered the same when first seeing Rapidash, later marveling at their unique ability.
"Amazing little horse."
Hiruzen nodded, slowly climbing onto the Rapidash and gently stroking its head.
(End of Chapter)