บท 55: The Sand Trio (1)

"And Kakashi-sensei's gone," Sakura remarked as she held the Pokeball in her right hand. "I still could not accept the fact that I got a Jellyfish pokemon on my first try."

"Do you want to accept that pokemon as your starter, Sakura-chan?" Okami asked as he reached out to take the Pokeball from her.

"No way!" Sakura shouted as she gave the Pokeball back to Okami. "I want something cute, Okami-kun. Like the bird that got captured by Naruto earlier."

Okami summoned the Tentacool from the Pokeball and took out the Pokemon App. When he saw the Pokedex entry, he showed it to her and said, "Tentacool is also a very good sea pokemon, Sakura-chan. All pokemon have the potential to make you stronger."

Sakura read the details and was astounded about the vivid image of Tentacool that was shown through the screen. It took her for a while to digest the information she had read and returned the Pokemon App to Okami. "How does the 'Clear Body' ability operates?"

"Just like how it was described by the Pokedex, Clear Ability will prevent anyone to lower down your physical attributes. It means that no matter what type of negative skill is cast on you, you can rest assured that your strength will always be the same. The only way it would change is when someone gives you a blessing that increases your strength, speed, and defense."

Sakura mused over Tentacool's ability. She could imagine the benefits it could give her, assuring her that even if she was weakened by poison, she could still punch with her full strength.

"Well, it does not matter. I want a pokemon that can always be with me, and according to the Pokedex, Tentacool lives in the bodies of water," Sakura explained as she pointed her fingers at the shrunk pokemon. "And look at his ugly skin every time it touches dry land, it's very unsightly and disgusting."

Okami smiled. "Well, if you don't want it, you can give it to me so that others will have the opportunity to become a Pokemon Trainer. Or you can just trade it with others who have the pokemon that you want as a starter. Just remember that trading Pokeball must be done only if both the pokemon have no owners and the one who caught it are not Pokemon Trainers."

"Really?" Sakura hesitated for a bit before finally agreeing with him. "Here, I'll just donate it. After all, the Pokeball I used in catching Tentacool was free, so no worries."

Okami shrugged his shoulders as he received the Pokeball. "Sure. Remember that you can't take it from me once you agree. Are you sure?"

Sakura nodded.

Okami saw the Diglett that was on the ground. "Is this yours, Naruto?"

Naruto grinned. "Yup. Hah! A good find, right? Come on, Okami, show me Diglett's Pokedex Entry."

Okami complied with Naruto's request and showed him what he wanted to know.

As soon as Naruto was done reading the Pokedex entry, he began laughing. "This is great! Does it mean that I can travel underground if I want to?"

Okami gave a slight nod. "Remember that you need the 'Dig' skill to travel underground. If you want the strongest result, then better make sure to collect more Pokemon that has the same skill to achieve its Master grading."

"And how does its ability works? I really can't understand what it says."

"Sand Veil will increase your evasion every time you are inside a sand storm."

"Oh, that sounds cool." Naruto turned around and faced Sasuke as he did his usual heroic pose. "Hey, duck-head. I bet you can't defeat me even if you use your strongest skill against me! Heh! And I know that you did not catch any pokemon, so don't cry too much, hah!"

Sasuke snorted and took out his two Pokeballs. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, scaredy-cat. I could have caught one more pokemon if the timer has not ended."

"Lies!"

Sasuke ignored Naruto's grumblings and gave the two Pokeballs to Okami. "I think it's time to fulfill your promise five months ago. Turn me into a Pokemon trainer, Okami-kun. I want the promised Abra as my starter pokemon."

Okami remembered that he indeed promised to give him an Abra as his starter Pokemon. Without a choice, he used his PP to redeem a Pokeball since he could not use the Pokeball exchanged with money, and said, "Wait for me."

Okami disappeared like a popped bubble and reappeared right inside the Pokemon Safari. He used the Google-Map mode and scanned the entire area for an Abra. Luckily, he found one sleeping at Area 4 and hurriedly teleported beside the pokemon and caught it. The pokemon was not able to resist because Okami was the master of the Pokemon Safari.

He then reappeared beside Sasuke, showed the Pokeball, and asked, "Are you ready, Sasuke-kun? I do have an Abra inside this Pokeball."

Sasuke sneered. "That was fast."

"Wait for a while. I still have to release these pokemon to the Pokemon Safari." Okami approached the pokemon and released them via the Pokemon App. At once, they all headed to the entrance. Even the three lazy Snorlax were trudging towards the pathway. He earned 270 Dream Points from this particular incident.

Sakura stared at Ponyta longingly. "I want that one."

Naruto followed her gaze and realized that she was referring to the fire horse. "Well, how would you ride a horse like that? It will burn the rider's ass."

Sakura chuckled. "Yeah. But it looks gorgeous."

After releasing the pokemon into the Pokemon Safari, they followed Okami back inside the shop. Once they arrived, Okami summoned Abra out of the Pokeball immediately.

"Do you want to make Abra as your starter pokemon, Sasuke-kun?" Okami simply asked him because it was needed in the ritual.

Sasuke nodded. "Go ahead, Okami-kun."

Okami did some fake hand seals and slammed his right hand against the floor as he said the cringy lines. At once, Abra disintegrated and became an orb of light, which floated towards Sasuke and entered his body. The silhouette of Alakazam appeared right above Sasuke's head as pink chakra swirled around him. This lasted for a minute and finally ended when the last bit of external chakra was absorbed by Sasuke. When the ritual was done, the Pokeball that was used in catching Abra got destroyed.

"Congratulations on becoming a Pokemon Trainer, Sasuke-kun." Okami then explained to him the things that he needed to do as he started his new occupation.

Sasuke remembered everything and summoned Abra. The humanoid pokemon appeared before him. He shifted his attention to Okami and asked, "How do I use Abra's Pokemon Jutsu?"

Okami took the time explaining to him the two modes of fighting while using a pokemon in battle. He further clarified his doubts by showing him the proper way of using the 'Absorb' mode and reminded him to be careful in using chakra too much while in this fighting mode.

Sasuke followed Okami's advice as he absorbed Abra and tried using the Teleport skill. He reappeared right outside the Pokemon Center. As expected, he started vomiting after he reappeared in his target location.

"Sasuke!" Sakura bellowed as she ran outside and helped him.

Naruto was annoyed when he saw Sasuke and Sakura being together. When he realized that Sasuke was successful in casting the Pokemon Jutsu on his first attempt, he snarled and went outside to practice with Diglett and Pidgey.

Okami laughed when he saw how the trio was acting. He found it a good thing for Naruto and Sasuke to be serious about being a Pokemon Trainer. A teleporting Sasuke and a Naruto with full of copies in 'Absorb' mode could bring nightmares to their enemies.

The time passed by and it was already 4 PM.

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"I can't believe that you recommended them to take the Chunin exam!" Iruka shouted as he confronted Kakashi. "They're once my students, and I know that they still need time to mature as a ninja!"

Kakashi smiled. "But they're not you're students anymore. Now, they are my soldiers."

Iruka was not able to refute and decided to walk out of the building.

Hiruzen shook his head. "Was it really necessary to tell him that, Kakashi?"

"No matter, he has no business with them anymore. I know my team and I believe in their skills. For me, they deserve that recommendation."

Asuma saw everything and shook his head as he went outside together with Kurenai.

Hiruzen was about to stand up when he remembered something and asked, "Kakashi, let's talk about Okami. Did he just return today?"

Kakashi affirmed. "Yes, Hokage-sama. He said that he'd report to you but he got to do something first."

"Hmm, as his Sensei, do you recommend him to take the Chunin Selection exam as well?"

"As far as skills are concerned, he ticks all the boxes. But I don't know about his teamwork."

Hiruzen nodded. "He can't proceed without a team because teamwork is part of the evaluation. I'm thinking of assigning him a team."

Kakashi paused for a bit as he thought of Okami's actions from the first time he met the boy until today. After his rumination, he said, "I think Okami is a team player. Very mature and knows exactly what he wants. If we let him take the exam, we must assign a teammate just like what you have said."

Hiruzen laughed. "And I know two Genins that have no teams right now due to some special circumstances."

"Who?"

"Taeho Kushiki and Anita Ryota."

Kakashi was surprised when he heard Hiruzen recommending these two Genins. "Taeho Kushiki, the Genin who sparred against Okami and lost? And Anita Ryota, the daughter of Baki-san, the Pokemon Center Receptionist? Will it be too early for the two to take the Chunin exam?"

"Taeho Kushiki, a Genin that is good in Fuinjutsu and recently became a Pokemon Trainer under the training of Shikaku Nara. The other is a civilian who turned out to be gifted in chakra control and is very intelligent and has an eidetic memory. These two are perfect teammates for Okami. A team of geniuses."

Kakashi was not yet convinced and said, "I will let them meet with each other tomorrow. If possible, I will also let them take a test to determine if they are ready to take this exam as a team."

Hiruzen nodded. "Good plan. You may go, Kakashi."

Kakashi took out his perverted Icha Icha series and started reading as he walked outside the assembly room.

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"You are annoying!" Sasuke reprimanded Sakura as he stood up. "You know what, you're a lot weaker than Naruto. At least, he practiced a lot on his Jutsu training. What about you? Your ability is below Naruto."

Sakura looked hurt but when she thought about it, she realized that she was indeed useless especially on the last mission where they had to protect their client, Tazuna.

Sasuke snorted as he turned around and left the Pokemon Center.

"Hey, Sakura's all alone. Does it mean I can be all alone with her this time?" Naruto grinned and waved his hand and shouted, "Hey, Sakura-chan! We can train together!"

Sakura ignored him and left the Pokemon Center as well.

Naruto followed her as he kept repeating that they could train together.

Okami saw all these and realized that his suspicion was correct. "Indeed, that particular event is approaching. If that is the case..."