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Hinata's head was spinning as she sat on a grand red sedan chair, her face flushed, and she couldn't bring herself to look up.
The Monkey family had, for some inexplicable reason, decided to parade her around Alliance City, announcing to everyone that they now had a new little sister.
The sedan chair was carried by four Pokémon: Machamp, Gabite, Infernape, and Emboar. Ace, Luffy, and Sabo were beside them, banging drums and cymbals, while Typhlosion and Blaziken added to the festivities with bursts of fire.
Shelgon stood off to the side, acting as a decoration. Garp and Dadan led the procession, loudly shouting out the news, while Dragon had already returned to the Revolutionary Army base to take care of business.
Dak, who was passing by to buy groceries after being sent out by Robin, was left speechless at the sight. He had no idea what this group was up to this time. If it weren't for Dragon and Garp's hard work and contributions, he would never have let this rambunctious group into Alliance City.
Celebrating during festivals was fine, but in his mind, the everyday life of Alliance City should be more serious and disciplined.
Shaking his head, Dak continued on his way to buy groceries. If he got back late, Robin and Olvia would definitely have something to say.
Nowadays, the atmosphere in the breeding house was increasingly like that of a family, with Dak no longer the mysterious and powerful leader but more like a younger brother in the household.
Only a few, like Sugar, Reiju, Perona, Gin, and Bellamy, still treated him with the respect due to an elder brother.
But this was what Dak had always wanted—a lifestyle that made him feel at home, so that even after leaving his original world, he wouldn't feel lonely.
Just as Dak left, the group of young ninjas from Konoha arrived. They were stunned, their mouths slightly open, eyes wide as they froze in place.
If they weren't mistaken, wasn't that Hinata sitting in the grand sedan chair?
"Is Hinata getting married?" Ino asked, staring at the bright red sedan chair that looked like it belonged in a wedding procession.
"Huh? That's impossible. Would the Hyuga family even allow that?" Shikamaru, though usually lazy, was sharp-eyed.
Given the strict, traditional nature of the Hyuga clan, Hiashi Hyuga would never allow his daughter to marry out of the family. If anything, any potential suitor would have to join the Hyuga clan, and their children would take the Hyuga name and be raised by the clan.
Unless, of course, the suitor's status was so high that even the Hyuga clan felt the need to align themselves with them.
"So, what should we do?" Even the usually calm and composed Shino was at a loss. He couldn't tell if this situation was good or bad for Hinata. Judging by the reactions of the people on the street, it seemed that the old man leading the Monkey family was very powerful. Perhaps Hinata becoming their little princess was a good thing?
"Let's ask Hinata what she thinks first," Kiba suggested, unusually practical.
"Woof!" Akamaru agreed.
"Hinata!!!" Before the group could take further action, Naruto shouted at the top of his lungs, immediately catching the attention of the Monkey family and Hinata. They all turned to look at him.
"Who is that? Hinata, do you know him?" Luffy stretched his neck to get a better look and saw a spiky-haired blonde boy. Curious, he asked his new sister.
"Yes, he's my classmate from the Ninja Academy," Hinata nodded, relieved to see someone she knew. She had been feeling confused and overwhelmed, not knowing what to do.
Even after explaining to the Monkey family that her eyes were fine, they insisted on making her their sister, saying that a decision once made could not be taken back.
But there was another important factor: Hinata didn't actually want to refuse the Monkey family.
She liked the warmth and atmosphere of their family and wanted to be a part of it. She longed to be the cherished younger sister without the heavy expectations and pressures placed on her.
But every time she thought of her status as the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan, she couldn't help but feel sad and conflicted.
By this time, Naruto had gotten closer but was immediately blocked by Luffy.
"What are you doing?"
Eight-year-old Naruto looked up at Luffy, who was standing in his way with his arms akimbo, confused.
"Don't get too close to our sister! Dadan said we need to protect our sister and keep strange, spiky-haired blonde kids away from her," Luffy, though only a year older than Naruto, was about the same height. Because of his straw hat, Luffy appeared a bit taller, but Naruto's spiky hair also gave him some extra height.
"I'm not some strange, spiky-haired blonde kid! We're friends! Who are you?" Naruto protested.
"I'm Hinata's brother, Monkey D. Luffy, and I'm going to be the next Alliance Leader!"
Luffy puffed out his chest and proudly introduced himself.
"What?! I'm going to be the next Alliance Leader, Uzumaki Naruto!"
Naruto immediately forgot about Hinata, putting his hands on his hips and shouting back. It seemed like whoever shouted the loudest would become the next leader.
"No, I will!"
"No, I will!"
The two boys pressed their foreheads together, almost ready to start a fight.
But before things could escalate, two people picked them up.
"Grandpa!" x2
The two boys looked up and saw their grandfathers.
Garp and Zephyr.
Zephyr had just finished work and was on his way home to cook for Naruto when he heard the little rascal arguing with someone in the street.
"What are you up to?" Zephyr glanced at the procession behind Garp and frowned. "Where did you pick up this little girl? And she's blind?"
Seeing the commotion, Zephyr's aura flared, and he set Naruto down, rolling up his sleeves, ready to apprehend Garp. Though Garp was his old friend, Zephyr couldn't stand by and let him go astray.
"What do you mean, 'picked up'? Watch your mouth! This is my granddaughter, Monkey D. Hinata."
"...?"
Zephyr was stunned. He looked at Hinata, then at Garp. He couldn't see any resemblance between the two.
But Garp wasn't the type to do something so outrageous, so Zephyr decided to drop the matter. Especially since Dak had shown a strong stance against human traffickers, Pokémon traffickers, and drug dealers, Garp wouldn't knowingly break the rules.
"Naruto, what are you doing?" Zephyr looked down at the blonde boy by his leg, who was still glaring at the straw-hatted boy in Garp's arms.
"I'm going to be the next Alliance Leader!" Naruto declared.
"No, you won't! I will!" Luffy retorted, struggling in Garp's arms until the old man bonked him on the head.
But deep down, Garp was pleased. As long as Luffy no longer wanted to be the Pirate King, aiming to be the Alliance Leader was a step in the right direction.
"So, tell me, what does it take to become the Alliance Leader?" Zephyr decided to test Naruto.
"And you better answer too," Garp said, setting Luffy down. He didn't have high expectations for Luffy's intellect but knew that Zephyr would likely teach Naruto something valuable, which Luffy could benefit from hearing.
By now, the other kids from Konoha and the rest of the Monkey family had gathered around to listen in.
"Well, to become the Alliance Leader, you have to be really strong!" Naruto frowned as he thought it over.
"Of course!" Luffy agreed.
"Indeed," Zephyr and Garp didn't deny it.
Although no one knew Dak's true strength, just his abilities as a Trainer were far beyond what they could handle. So, yes, being strong was essential.
"But that's not what makes Dak the Alliance Leader," Zephyr first affirmed Naruto's answer, then offered a counterpoint. He knew that if he only denied the child's answer, Naruto would be less likely to listen to what he had to say next.
"Huh?"
Naruto tilted his head, scratching his spiky hair, and then admitted, "I don't know."
"I don't know either!" Luffy chimed in, jumping in place with his hands on his hips.
"You idiot! That's nothing to be proud of!" Smack! Garp, losing patience, bonked Luffy on the head.
"Sniff, sniff, sniff!" Luffy squatted down, holding his head, ready to cry, but noticed his sister Hinata watching. He immediately straightened up, pretending the hit didn't hurt, and started whistling nonchalantly. He couldn't lose face in front of his sister.
This was Luffy's first time feeling like a big brother, much like how Ace and Sabo had felt when they first became his older brothers.
Ace and Sabo exchanged knowing smiles, silently observing Luffy's change in attitude.
"The Alliance Leader is the leader of the entire Pokémon Alliance, the manager of all Pokémon Island, someone who is respected and admired by countless people."
"In your eyes, Dak must seem very impressive, right?" Zephyr asked, looking down at the two boys.
They both nodded. Although they had only met Dak a few times, in each of those instances, Dak had indeed appeared very cool and powerful.
"But you should also know that bringing the Pokémon Alliance to where it is today required Dak to put in an immense amount of effort. You could say that before the three cities of Pokémon Island were officially established, Dak barely ever rested."
Zephyr explained, but he realized that the kids might not fully grasp what he was saying, so he rephrased his message.
"It's not about becoming the Alliance Leader to earn everyone's respect. It's about earning everyone's respect first, which then qualifies you to become the Alliance Leader."
"That's the only way to be as 'impressive' as you imagine."
(End of Chapter)