Hayato couldn't help but internally complain, I was just joking about how Minato resembled Volkner, and now the system actually gives me a Pikachu?
Looking at Pikachu's attributes, Hayato thought it was quite fitting for Minato, especially since Minato seemed to have a natural affinity for lightning-style techniques.
[Name: Pikachu]
[Gender: Female]
[Ability: Static (May paralyze the enemy upon contact)]
[Type: Electric]
[Held Item: Light Ball]
[Moves: Nuzzle, Nasty Plot, Charm, Sweet Kiss, Play Nice, Tail Whip, Growl, Thunder Shock, Thunder Wave, Electro Ball, Thunderbolt, Volt Tackle]
A strong Pikachu, by any standards. Hayato noted that although its ability wasn't Lightning Rod, its move set made it extremely powerful. Still, in reality—not a game—Static could be a useful ability, potentially paralyzing opponents. With enough effort, even Pokémon could surpass their inherent limitations, like that iconic yellow electric mouse from the anime.
"Minato, I'm entrusting Pikachu to you. I summoned her into this world, but from now on, she's your partner. Take good care of her," Hayato said, even though he trusted Minato's character, adding a little extra emphasis.
"I understand."
The small electric rodent curiously surveyed her new surroundings. She remembered leaving her home forest for a journey, only to blink and find herself in a strange new place. Two human boys stared at her, with the blond one's fiery gaze making her a bit nervous.
"This is… my Pokémon?" Minato asked, unable to hide the excitement in his tone.
"Yes, her name is Pikachu. She's an Electric-type. Those pouches on her cheeks store electricity, and if she feels threatened, she can release a powerful shock," Hayato explained.
Minato nodded repeatedly, unable to take his eyes off Pikachu's round, chubby cheeks, shiny fur, and lively expression. His first instinct was to scoop her up into a hug.
"Why don't you introduce yourself to Pikachu?" Hayato suggested, retreating a few steps to stand beside Kushina, leaving Minato and Pikachu some space.
"Hello, Pikachu. My name is Namikaze Minato. From today onward, we're partners. Let's get along well!" Minato said, lifting Pikachu with a bright smile.
"Pika...Pikachuuuuu!"
Electric sparks crackled and exploded around them, startling a flock of birds from the trees.
Hayato covered his mouth to suppress his laughter as Minato's once-vibrant blond hair turned completely black, and he exhaled a puff of charred smoke.
"Hayato, you didn't tell me Pikachu would attack me!"
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Kushina doubled over, clutching her sides as she laughed. "Minato… y-you… look ridiculous!"
"My bad," Hayato said, though his tone suggested otherwise as he stifled his own laughter. "You scared her, Minato. Pikachu is a lady, and you need to treat her with respect."
Hayato threw his Pokéball. "Blaze, come on out. Help Pikachu understand the situation."
Blaze, his Monferno, emerged, grumbling in its own way.
"Pika pi!" Pikachu responded with a similar tone, her little ears twitching.
Minato looked between them nervously. "Are you sure this will work?"
"Don't worry. They have their own way of communicating. Spend enough time with Pikachu, and you'll learn to understand her too," Hayato reassured him.
"Next, you'll need to learn the summoning technique and form a contract with Pikachu. Until then, her Pokéball will serve as her home," Hayato said, tossing a spare Pokéball to Minato.
Pikachu began to understand her new circumstances as Koyame explained. Though she felt a pang of longing for her old world, it was replaced by a growing sense of determination. She would be the first Pikachu to conquer this strange world!
"Pika pi!" she declared, leaping onto Minato's head and patting it with her tiny paws.
"Hayato, does this mean Pikachu accepts me?" Minato asked, holding her carefully.
"Probably," Hayato replied, holding back a chuckle. In reality, it seemed more like Pikachu had claimed Minato as her human.
"Minato, I'm planning to use Shadow Clones to attend school from now on. There's nothing there I can't learn on my own, so I'll focus on training," Hayato said with a grin. "Once you learn the technique, we can train here together."
Minato hesitated. "Are you sure that's okay?"
"Of course. Don't you think the school lessons are too basic? My parents left me some training notes. It's better to strengthen ourselves before graduation."
"Me too! Me too!" Kushina chimed in, waving her hand like she was in class.
"Hayato-kun, Kushina-chan, Minato-kun…" A voice interrupted them, and they turned to see Dekai approaching.
"Hayato-kun, I've apologized to everyone I've wronged," Dekai said earnestly, his eyes filled with hope as he looked at Hayato.
Hayato sighed, muttering under his breath, "Troublesome." He hadn't expected Dekai to actually follow through with his suggestion and now felt annoyed at the boy's persistence.
"What do you want me to say? A pat on the back? Good job?" Hayato asked sarcastically.
Minato stepped in with a smile. "Dekai, if you've truly changed, I think people will start to see that."
Dekai's downcast expression brightened at Minato's words, as if he could already imagine the Third Hokage smiling at him again.
Two girls appeared nearby. One, a lively girl with a ponytail and white eyes, spoke up: "I can confirm it. Dekai did apologize to Nono."
The other girl, wearing glasses, nodded slightly.
"Isn't that the infamous Hayato-kun?" the girl with the ponytail whispered, observing him with curiosity.
Hayato's gaze shifted to the glasses-wearing girl, a sudden sense of familiarity striking him. Yet he couldn't recall meeting her before.
When their eyes met, the girl blushed faintly. "Why are you staring at me?" she said, glaring to mask her embarrassment.
Hayato blinked in realization. The girl's features resembled a mix of Hinata and Hanabi. Could she be… their mother?