Chapter III: Preparation

"Tamed Pokémon are normally kept in Pokéballs, though as the Pokémon bonds with its trainer it is viewed as inhumane and the Pokémon is only returned to its Pokéball under extreme conditions. Ancient Pokéballs were made out of hollowed Apricorns, which can be grown by anyone, and fitted with a special device that responds to a Pokémon's chakra. Nowadays, the same device is used, however the outside fitting is quite different.

"The nearly unique red and white design is only mimicked by a Pokémon named Voltorb which is known to be long extinct. These vivid colors make it easier for trainers to easily recognize Pokéballs for what they are and make it easier for them to mark their own Pokéballs for which Pokémon they correspond to. This is possible because the entire ball is painted white, however only one side is painted with another layer of red. Therefore, it is only a simple matter to carve away sections of red to reveal white markings. Take my own Pokéballs, for instance. Shou's Pokéball, my Charizard, has its own Pokéball engraved with a dragon's head, resembling its own head."

"Oddish odd…dish." A small, groggy voice penetrated Takuma's train of thought.

"Oy, I'm busy writing here. Oh, never mind, I see you're finally awake." Takuma reluctantly put aside his book and glanced at the Oddish. Some of its leaves were bandaged as well as the right section of its head.

"You got pretty banged up there, sorry about that. I just got surprised by that Razor Leaf of yours. Please forgive me and become a part of my team."

"Oddish?"

"I'm sorry, I do not speak much Oddish, though I did spend time with a Bellossom back at home. It is only a bit similar. I'm sure you don't know about Pokémon trainers, but you surely have realized that there are humans around. A Pokémon trainer is kind of like…a human that trains in Pokémon instead of being a ninja."

"Oddish dish dish odd?"

"No, we don't do crazy tricks with knives, sorry. But I do have other Pokémon, like Shou. He's the dragon, a Charizard to be more exact. So will you join me?"

"Oddish!"

"Now, I'll have you understand, I'm here to educate a certain number of ninjas about Pokémon and supply them with Pokémon to train with on their own. I was planning on giving this one lady my Furret…but really I think you're more suited for her. And I love Nobu too much to give him away. So…what do you say?"

"Oddish odd!" The small purple Pokémon started to leap with joy, but suddenly collapsed back on the makeshift bed Takuma made next to his own bed.

"Rest first, little one. You'll need a mother figure to get you through life."

The first light was always a pain, he always seemed to need more sleep no matter how much he got the night before. He was always tired, but it didn't matter. He made an amazing discovery. Yes, there were Pokémon present in these woods. But he couldn't go exploring today, he had something important to do today.

"Yo, Nobu, we have a job to do."

"Furret!" The small but lengthy Pokémon leapt up onto Takuma's bed.

Takuma usually let one or two of his Pokémon out of their Pokéballs all night; he learned it was good for the Pokémon to spend time in the real world instead of the virtual reality the Pokéball provided.

He picked up the Furret and placed him on his shoulder, where Nobu clung tightly as he walked. "Furret Fur…"

"Yes, I've already got all of the Pokémon picked out. Don't you remember how many files I was going through back at home? Those were all the files of the nine ninjas I'm assigning Pokémon to today."

"Fur Furret?"

"I will place the Oddish tomorrow. I am glad I get to keep you, though."

"Furret!" Nobu grinned happily at the comment and nuzzled the side of his trainer's head.

"Hokage-sama is ready to see you…have you prepared the Pokémon?" The black haired woman he now knew as Shizune suddenly appeared before him, still carrying that pig. Takuma noticed as Nobu and the pig locked eyes, but didn't say a word until Nobu attacked.

Takuma skillfully plucked Nobu out of the air before he could make contact and held him by the scruff of the neck. "Sorry, Nobu doesn't like normal animals. He had a difficult life."

He then brought Nobu to face him and glared angrily at the Furret. "Behave or I will put you back in your Pokéball and you can come back out when you are calm."

Nobu pouted for a moment before relaxing and Takuma put him back on his shoulder. From that point on, Nobu avoided eye contact with the pig. Takuma proceeded into the Hokage's office, the pig squealing and running out of Shizune's arms and to the opposite end of the hall when they got close to touching.

"It's about time, where have you been?" The Hokage looked more than annoyed. Was it because she was judgmental about him being a Pokémon trainer?

"You have Pokémon in your forests. I was healing an injured one; he will be granted to one of your ninjas." Takuma worked hard to keep his tone calm, even though he was slowly rising to a boil inside. She was acting like he was lying around all morning when he was actually doing them a great service!

"So…the pupils are ready…how would you like to introduce them to their new partners?" Tsunade-sama absentmindedly shuffled around papers on her desk, trying to look busy.

"Individually, please. In a reclusive area."