Azure King: Its time for a yearly massive update and hopefully more updates on this fic when I buy Pokemon Diamond around my next paycheck lol. So please enjoy this chapter isn't exactly exciting but it helps build up the next chapters upwards~!

Naruto and Marnie were in a clothing store after their little ship fiasco, as the girl wouldn't allow Naruto to leave until he wore something more modern and less conspicuous. Naruto walked out with a rather amazing suit.

"You call this less conspicuous?" The blonde sighed at the girl's words, he looked down and frowned. He really wished at times he would be back at Snagem, they didn't care if you were the uniform or have your style. He turned as he saw a set of clothes nearby on the bargain bin.

"Hold on," he started as Marnie nodded looking at her phone.

"We need, I mean, you need to get some camping supplies." She said almost forgetting she had her own but her brother warned her about sharing it with strangers. So even though she would like to let Naruto in, especially with lots of space, he would have to get his own until she can fully trust him.

"Right…"

Marnie smirked at the memory of how much money he had, "You might be able to buy the best tent they have a year's supply of food to go with it. And even then I still believe you have more money to burn."

"I mean it's not like I have to spend it all at once…" Naruto muttered, from the dressing booth. "But yeah I can splurge on getting a good model." He said that unlike in the Orre region there weren't cheap motels or rooms for him to rent out constantly. Sadly the Pokémon centers there didn't allow overnight stays for free either considering it was almost getting a high end suite at a hotel.

"Think of it this way, you'll be better off in the long run as you continue on your journey." Marnie pointed out. "Sometimes trainers don't think ahead and by the time they realize that they need something essential, it's too late."

"Yeah," Naruto said as he exited out to the dressing room, "I knew that it was hard when I left my home. Still, what do you think of this one?" He said walking out as the girl's mouth made an 'o' shape.

His new outfit consists of a short-sleeved blue jacket with beige knee length shorts, and underneath that, a shiny black wetsuit with teal accenting, that has elbow-length sleeves and nearly full-length legs, but falls short enough to show that he isn't wearing socks. He wore red and black sneakers with white laces, and carried a large white messenger bag with a blue stripe.

"…" The girl blinked cutely, as she seemed to be lost in his attire.

"W-What is it? No good?" Naruto winced, knowing that his sense of style wasn't… adequate at best.

The girl shook her head lightly, "N-No, it fits you rather well." She muttered before looking that he also had the suit clothing as well. "You're getting that as well?"

The young man nodded as he shrugged his shoulders, "Who knows might help having a fancy set when we need it. Besides, just another extra set of clothes just in case." He said knowing the whole 'Igloo' incident was something that always made him get two of everything… poor Freddy… he never made it to Friday. "Even Gonzap paid him five times for that problem…"

"I'm sorry what?" Marnie asked as Naruto blushed at the small mistake of speaking out loud.

"Ah, nothing, don't worry about it…" Naruto waved off nonchalantly. "Anyways, since we're here, do you want anything from here?" He offered the girl, as the girl looked around and shook her head.

"Nah, besides I got my stuff. But we need you to get some stuff before we head out." She said as Naruto finished the payment on the clothing. She pulled him out of the store as they looked around to see the town they were in, after the Jennys' pulled that asshole trainer out from the boat.

Littleroot Town, she looked at her phone that told her the location they dock. It was relatively bigger than most cities, and yet despite the size of the town, it was rather quaint. There was also a local Pokémon Laboratory where beginning trainers can get their Starter Pokémon from this region. She heard that the local professor is always out on the field… and being chased around by a group of Poochyena or Zigzagoon for whatever reason.

"Hmm…" Marnie scratched the back of her head, she would have technically permission to pick one of those starters up due to her being a new trainer and also just arrived in the region. But she looked down in her skirt where she had one Pokeball that was in use. But she needed to keep that under wraps as much as possible. "Well-" She stopped when Naruto stopped to point at the general store, "Oh, here we are."

"Good thing I have a list of things on hand." Naruto said, holding up a piece of paper. "Cause I'm going to need all of these."

As he entered the store, Marnie with a deadpan look walked behind him, "So glad you got a big bank account to pay for that." She said watching Naruto walking and taking items into a cart. "Wait, let me ask you something." The punk rock girl started before adding some… female products into Naruto's cart who looked at her. "...Please?"

Cracking a smile he nodded to her request, "I figured you were gonna eventually give in. So was that the thing you were going to ask?"

Marnie pouted at him, "Even a girl like me still needs maintenance… "And no, what I am asking is that you're going for the gym's right? I am as well, so you're ok with the fact we might be going against each other in the League?" She said helping Naruto with his list grabbing some

"Yeah, I'm perfectly fine with it." Naruto shrugged, before smirking, "When we do though, you better not hold back. Because I want you at your best."

The girl smirked as she chuckled, "Good, so where do you want to go?" She said as Naruto looked at her when he was about to choose his tent.

"What?" he asked as the girl looked at him with a confused manner of her own.

"I asked where do you wanna go?" Marnie repeated herself, "You have a plan on how to go for the gyms right?"

"T-There's a plan?" He asked the girl not to look alarmed at his words.

The girl pulled him to the side where the store had a large map of Hoenn, "Ok, here we are…" she pointed to a bottom part of the continent where it was above a small island not too far downward. "This is Littleroot Town, our starting point. From here, we go down Route 101 and after a couple of miles we'll hit Oldale Town. That will be a checkpoint before hitting the nearest gym which in this case would be Rustboro City."

"And… that's good?" He said as the girl gave a sagely nod.

"Gym leaders have a system that no matter which one you go first, they go easy on you." She said as she pulled out an empty case. "You have to show them whatever badges you have and the level of the difficulty goes up. Save for Sinnoh where the current electric gym leader wants to go last, every gym in the region follows this."

"O-Oh uh," Naruto mumbled embarrassed about that lack of knowledge, after all Orre region is a place that lacks any wild Pokemon and that only crime, barely livable areas, and lack of police force are the main reasons why the region never had a real league to be in. "Alright then we go there." He stated as the girl nodded, "So you got any Pokeballs that you will need?"

The girl shook her head taking out her bag to show multi colored capturing devices, "My brother splurged on these for me. Special ones with unique effects, here." She said passing Naruto an odd one with a red fin on the top of it. "Timer Ball, for each minute that passes it ups the catching charge."

"THEY CAN DO THAT!?" Naruto shouted remembering his father's cruel training on giving him defective Pokeballs to get a better handle on certain throws that will help and Gonzap being a cheap asshole only bought him regular Pokeballs and Premier Balls… since they came for free when he bought a ten set.

"Yeah." She then held out a green and black tye-dye colored Pokeball. "This one's a Dusk Ball. It has a better catch rate when catching Pokémon in dark places like caves or at night."

"Sounds useful," Naruto said at the grim looking design of the object. "Are these exclusive where you are from?"

"Not really, just not in Kanto, Johto, or Hoenn." She replied as the punk rocker pointed to a nearby register that showed a couple other Pokeballs that didn't match hers.

"Man… I'm really missing out." Naruto muttered with befuddlement in his voice. And who could blame him?

"Well, since you still have money to spare, better get them while you can." Marnie suggested it to the boy.

It would help on his journey, "Here, buy two of each for us." He said passing her the cart as he went to do something. "Anything else you think we need for the trip, I need to make a quick call."

The gothic nodded as Naruto walked away from her briefly, before taking out his phone to dial a number. "Hello?" He asked as he heard nothing, "Damn… I wanted to make-"

DING~ You got mail~

The young man looked into his PDA and saw it was from Wes, "Well speak of the devil," He said looking at the message. "Can't talk yet, get to a Pokemon Center and ask for a private call." He read aloud wondering what happened to his friend who helped bust on Team Snagem. There was the problem of Shadow Pokemon over the regions that he heard on the news, so hopefully the international police force would be able to help. But it was him and Wes who were the ones who captured stolen Pokemon. So he was pretty sure that if it wasn't for the kindness of the undercover cop, Naruto would have at least been in jail despite helping Wes.

So worst case scenario 'Leo' would just be in some hot water but still able to get off with little punishment. "Oi," Naruto turned his head to see Marnie tossing him a large bag, "Done."

"Thanks," Naruto said before noticing the lack of items. "Where's the rest?" She pointed to the camping gear.

"That has it, similar to Pokemon Boxes that you can store your extra ones in there, you can pay a monthly fee to store items. About...1000 Pokedollars, which is pretty ok if you are just starting out. But we needed five, so that's-"

"Five times as much?" Naruto said not really caring for the price but rather happy his traveling companion did that. "Thanks, and you're uhh…?"

"In my own storage." She said, pointing to her own back on her back, "Didn't want to make you and I have awkward conversations when I needed them."

"Gotcha." Naruto nodded. "Alright, let's get to a Pokémon Center. I need to make a call."

Marnie followed him leave the store, "Oh right, we need to see if your ribs are ok. You…" She remembered the dangerous Makuhita that almost seriously hurt if he didn't step up and protect her. She blushed on how gallant he was almost like the knights of the legends in her region often told to children.

"I'm fine, really. I've been through worse." Naruto waved off. "A Punch from a Makuhita is nothing."

"Bull," Marnie said, stopping her tracks as she stared down Naruto who also stopped for her. "A fighting Pokemon can do really bad damage to you if they are pushed, and that… one." She remembers the intensity it had despite having no emotion she can sense. "You-"

Naruto lifted his arms in defeat, "Alright, I'll check out after my Pokemon get rest first." He said with a chuckle as the girl nodded to his words. "What about you, do you need any of yours to get healed up?"

"No, I have one but he's been ok. But I need to call my brother, to make sure he is doing his job and also to keep him updated. I'm fine." She explained with a roll of her eye on how her brother and the whole town weep at her choice to leave her region.

"Well okay, if you say so." Naruto shrugged before the two before the two continued on their way to the Pokémon Center.

Naruto moved to the counter while Marnie headed towards the call center, a beautiful pink haired woman stood in front of him. Wearing a pink outfit with a white apron over it, and had a nurse's cap on her head with a golden color cross on it. Her hair was done in an odd two large rings on the back of her head. "Hello, welcome to the Pokemon center, how can I help you?"

The young trainer smiled at the beautiful woman, "Yes, would you be so kind and give my Pokemon a check up… be careful with my Makuhita he's been through a lot. I got him from an abusive trainer and he might be a little…" He trailed off as the Nurse looked on with sadness.

"Oh my," She said before holding Naruto's hands into her own with caring eyes. "You're so kind to do that, I will do my utmost best to help." She promised before Naruto backed away, "Something wrong?"

'Besides you're very pretty?' He thought before nodding, "Yeah, do you have one of those private call rooms? I need to make a private call, and a small check up for me." He said pointing to his chest. "That little guy wasn't able to trust me when I met him, if you catch my drift." The young man explained as the woman looked shocked. "Just some minor pain just to check out if I'm ok."

"Then-"

"I'd rather have my friends check up, the call will be fast and you can help me." He suggested as the woman nodded slowly not really okay with the idea, but at least he will do it after his call. "How much?"

"For you? Free, anyone who helps Pokemon like you did doesn't have to pay." She promised, she pointed to the upstairs and passed him a key.

"Much appreciated." Naruto nodded. "Where's the private phone room?"

"Upstairs and two doors to your right." NurseJoy gestured to the escalator. Joy said, "Lock it as the keys will open any door but another lock will make sure for privacy." She explained as Naruto rushed up there, while also getting his PDA to message Wes on his call.

In front of him was a red terminal and comfy chair that was for the users to make their calls, okay… …"His number was…" Naruto mumbled while making his fingers hit the right nodes to see the screen showing a moving back and forth phone. "C'mon pick up…"

CLICK~

The phone image vanished as Wes' face was on the screen instead, ["Naruto! Thank Arceus you called, we have a problem."] He started as Naruto looked at the background where lots of policemen were moving back and forth in a frantic manner. ["Naruto we have a problem."]

That caught the Uzumaki a bit off as Wes was never this unsettled before, "What happened?" He asked as the tan man rubbed his temples.

["Where to start?"] He complained as he spoke, ["So I'm framed, not sure if it was Gonzap or the man who is using Snagem for the stolen Pokemon."] He explained as he typed something to show Naruto an article of black and white photo of Wes stealing a Pokemon with the gauntlet.

"Wait what?!" Naruto gawked. Wes? Being framed?!

["Right now, the International Police believes me, but we can't expose Snagem or their backers until we get some of the higher ups in our custody."] He explained as the undercover agent hummed in thought. ["What's odd, is that it's only me. I know they can screw you over but… Gonzap either has something planned for you later or he's letting you go due to how he felt bad about your past… but even his sympathy isn't that big. Do you still have the Snag Machine?"]

Naruto nodded as he pulled out his arm to show underneath the robe sleeve was the machine, "Yeah, just used it-"

["What?!"] Wes' face shifted at the news.

"To steal a Pokemon that had an odd aura…" Naruto was unable to say what he really knew about the Shadow Pokemon.

["Wait aura…?"]He said looking away from the screen as he realized something.["I heard something when I was drinking with Gonzap that a scientist figured something like a Shadow Project for Pokemon, and this person I picked up after dropping you off said something like that. Look where are you now? I'll pick you up and we'll… why are you making that face?"]

Naruto's face was indeed odd as he looked guilty, "Uh problem, I can't be picked up as I am in Hoenn."

…

…

…

["Goddammit, alright where are you?"] He started as Naruto was about to say until an idea formed in his mind.

"Wait, I'll be ll heading to Rustboro City. Can you meet me there?" He asked as Wes smirked with a nod. "Alright, the machine will be safe until then and I'll explain what I know." The blonde said as the other teen agreed with a silent nod.

["Ok, I'll also bring my notes on this so we can collaborate. I'll send messages if I arrive before you or something happens to me."] He promised as he looked at Naruto with a serious look, ["I am trusting you to not abuse that machine…"]

The young man gave a grim nod to his friend who ended the call, looking at his right arm to let his mind remember the goal. Save the Pokemon that he hurt by stealing them into these weapons, and save them from their closed off hearts. "I really screwed up…" He said softly knowing his own selfish wish to be free of family's roles and clan duties to only cause others suffering to make his happiness happen.

He stood up to leave the room where he saw Nurse Joy talking to Marnie, noticing how they seemed to be happy. "Hey, I finished my call." Naruto entered into their conversation as Nurse Joy smiled kindly. "How's my team so far?"

"Your Ralts, Vulpix were good little Pokemon, but like you said the Makuhita was a bit odd. Hopefully you can help him open up again…" She said sadly noticing how the Pokémon didn't seem to care about her healing, not even flinching when she used a potion to heal its injuries.

"I hope so too." Naruto sighed as he took the Pokéballs from Nurse Joy. "Still, thank you Nurse Joy. You've been a great help."

"Now your check-up." She said as the Nurse pulled him behind the counter to check his injury. The young man nodded as Marnie came with him, causing Nurse Joy to speak, "Sorry only family-"

"It's ok." Naruto started as the girl looked surprised. "She's a friend."

The nurse seemed to be with that as they went to the back, where Nurse Joy looked at Naruto's bare chest when parting his robe to show her. "Hmm, odd. I have never seen a fighting type that hasn't broken a rib before, the fact you have a bruise only is extremely fortunate." She explained before tapping the part gently as Naruto flinched. "Apologies for that, just making sure it wasn't too bad."

"It's fine…"

"Please close your robe again."

"So will he be okay for the journey?" Marnie asked as Nurse Joy nodded, before handing her a small jar. "What's this?"

"Ointment from certain berries that help with bruises, I need you to rub it on him before you two sleep." The nurse explained as the young punk attire girl gave a thumbs up on the order, "Other than that bruise, I can't see anything else wrong with you. You two can leave now and continue your journey."

"Thank you, Nurse Joy." Naruto nodded, as he put on his clothes once more. "Alright, now that we got the A-OK, shall we get going?"

"Yeah." Marnie said before leaving as the two noticed the day was still up, "We got time to stay around or you want to go now to Rustboro city? We head out now, we should be able to get there in a day's walk." She suggested as the two made their way to the street.

The blonde seemed to think on it before stopping, "I want to check something…" He said taking out his Pokeball. "Hup~" With a small toss into the air the device opens to shoot out a white light as Makuhita pops from it!

"Maku!" It said loudly as Marnie took a step back from the incredibly dangerous Pokemon.

"It's okay Marnie, I got this." Naruto assured the girl.

"Are you sure? It could attack you again." Marnie looked unconvinced, and she had every right to be. Naruto took a knee to look at it carefully. "Naruto don't-"

He raised a hand to cut her off, his eyes showing him the red aura it had was still not there. "Bow…" He said as the Pokemon did the gesture without fail, "Strike a pose." Naruto next orders as it stands still when slowly raising its fist towards the sky as if winning a match of a lifetime. "Stand still as possible."

Marnie watched in awe from the sight of the aggressive Pokemon doing its order without fail, "I thought it was very easy to trigger?" She thought aloud as Naruto shook his head.

"No, its trainer's aggressive nature made this little guy become like that." Naruto muttered, scratching the small yellow fighter's head softly. It almost seemed to lean into his kind gesture. Looks like Naruto was making it slowly retain its heart. But the only way for it to feel properly was to purify it as soon as possible, "Marnie we're heading to Rustboro city right?" Turning to see the girl nod to his question.

``If my dad's right on the other clans being here, then I know one lives nearby Rustboro City near the coast. That would help me find a shrine or somewhere to purify this guy without getting anyone to watch me.' Naruto thought to himself before nodding, "Alright." Naruto nodded before taking out Makuhita's Pokéball and returning him inside. "Let's head over there now while there's still light out."

"Perfect, let's go now!" She said as the two left the town… until someone was watching them from where to stand.

"Uzumaki…" The voice said viciously as a purple and black aura came from a fist that clutched in dark anger. "You will suffer for doing this to me…"

XXXXXXXXX

Wes was starting up his motorcycle as he saw someone coming for him, getting a taser gun out he shouted. "Don't try unless you want to be stunned with so much volts that even a Pikachu would say 'ow'." He promised as the person 'epped~!' causing him to look to sigh in relief. "Not cool, you almost were on the ground seizing if you got any closer…Rui."

In his sights was a red haired girl who had two top ponytails, wearing a purple top that didn't cover her midriff. A white skirt with pink boots with black high-knee socks, above her shirt was a jean jacket with pink lining. Around her neck was a black choker with a crescent moon symbol on it. "S-Sorry it was hard for me to tell my grandparents that I was helping you."

The teen sighed, "Understandable, but I really wish I don't have to." He said as the girl understood, "I don't like civilians in this crime that's happened, but they tried to kidnap you before so you're a target as much as my friend. We'll meet up with him and talk about what to do."

"Where are we going?"

"The Hoenn region. They're gonna be en route to Rustboro City. So if we wanna leave, we gotta leave now."

"...In that?" She said looking at the heavily customized bike where Wes only said one thing to make sure the conversation ends in his favor.

"You got money to pay for the trip?" He said with a smirk… only for the girl to pull out a bulging wallet. "..."

"You want first class?" She said as if her kind words hurt him seeing him slump over on leaving his baby behind. "...Or coach?"

CHAPTER END

AK: And we got another chapter done in this massive update, so I hope you all enjoy this and the others that also followed. Next few chapters will have Naruto gain more Pokemon and met some of the girls of his harem *wink wink* hope you have a wonderful day and please review if you can for my b day.