Hello readers! I would like to thank Kingdom Infinite, Matt and Jazz for reviewing the previous chapter and wolfmythlegacy for following! Thank you very much! I really appreciate it!
Good luck Jazz! (:
Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of Pokémon or Naruto. They belong to their respective owners. I only own this and every other story I have.
The shinobi regained his composure before relaying his message. "Tsunade-sama has fallen ill!"
"WHAT?!" The flaxen exclaimed. "DON'T TELL ME WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS TRUE!"
"Shut up dobe!" Sasuke scolded whilst rubbing his forehead. "Why in the world would someone joke about something as serious as this?!"
The blond continued his rant as if the latter had never spoke. "I MUST BE DREAMING! THAT'S RIGHT! I MUST BE IMAGINING EVERYTHING! BAA-CHAN CAN'T GET SICK! I MADE ALL THIS UP BECAUSE SOMETHING AS RIDICULOUS AS 'POKÉMON' DOESN'T EXI—!"
A round of harsh whacks resounded throughout the area. The Kyuubi holder stared in shock as he tenderly held his abused cheeks. "WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!"
Zoroark huffed. "To prove to you that this is real; the unexpected happens and we have to accept it no matter how strange it seems."
The cub sighed in disbelief. "I can't believe you thought Meema and I are imaginary."
The ninja crossed his arms indignantly after he had calmed down. "How couldn't I? Since when could anyone use jutsus without chak—"
The scout cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention to him. "Tsunade-sama specifically requested to see you all. We have to depart immediately!"
"Can we go too?" Zorua pleaded.
The man knelt down to make eye contact with the fennec. "What's this?"
"A summon." Kakashi replied immediately. "They're a special type of kitsune called 'Pokémon'. I called them out to aid us on a mission."
The scout shrugged. "Alright. Let's go!"
"Follow us." The jōnin instructed to the foxes as he faced them. "We're going to rush to Konohagakure!"
The group exited the obscure forest and arrived at the gates of a vast settlement dotted with buildings that matched the color scheme of a mountain characterized by four distinct faces carved into the rock.
"Welcome to our village!" Naruto beamed as he turned to the newcomers. "Nice, isn't it?"
"There's no time to brag!" Sakura scolded. "We need to see the Hokage immediately!"
The fennec quirked a brow. "So this Tsunade is your leader?"
"Yeah, she's this village's sannin, a group of three legendary ninja, hailed as the world's most powerful kunoichi, a female shinobi, and is the greatest medical-nin there is!" The pinkette praised. "Ah, if I could be like her..."
"That's already happening..." The blond muttered.
"WHAT!"
"No time for bickering!" The sensei commanded. "We have to see Tsunade-sama immediately!" He then directed his attention to the scout. "Lead us to her room."
The group was led to the front of a polished wooden door in a blinding hospital reeking of sterility. Labored screams could be heard from the other side of the barricade.
"Baa-chan!" The blond screamed as he recognized the sound.
The shinobi stopped before the gate, arms behind his back.
"Before you step in, I advise you to keep your voices low. She has also lost her sight, so speak clearly." Once the bunch gave their nods of confirmation, the ninja opened the hinge, bowing low.
"Hokage-sama, I have brought the people you had requested for as well as a few of their companions."
"Let them in." A feeble voice murmured. The guard stepped aside to let the visitors through before taking his leave and shutting the screen behind himself. The sight that beheld them was sickening; their leader, who once emitted an aura of strength and determination, was reduced to a fledging state. The woman was deathly pale and her normally well-kept hair lain disheveled. The honcho was almost unrecognizable in the hospital gown she wore.
"WHAT HAPPENED BAA-CHAN?!" What had set the guests off the most was the ebon tendrils that overran her skin.
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL ME THAT, BRAT!" The ruler exclaimed from her bed.
"Glad to know she's still the same old granny."
"What happened?" Sakura whispered as she reached the patient.
The Fire Shadow sighed breathlessly. "This is what I get for using Sōzō Saisei as much as I did; the seal on my forehead has overtaken my body and I'm too weak to fight back. I'm chronically ill right now."
"No! This can't be!" The pinkette gasped as she held her hands out above the senior's chest. A verdant glow spread out of her palms and onto the designated spot but to no avail; the elder appeared no different.
"It's no use; I'm not suffering from any physical wounds, so the Shōsen Jutsu is ineffective. The huge amounts of chakra I had stored in the diamond marking went out of control as I repeatedly released it. The attack on my chakra system ended up becoming a fatal condition that cannot be cured by any known means."
"Then why did you want us here?!" The healer exclaimed.
"Don't be so loud!" The stricken covered her ears. "I brought you all here so I could give my final words to you! Kakashi, you've served your village well with your services in the ANBU and teaching in the academy. You have brought up many great shinobi who I believe can fill your shoes. Sakura, you have great potential to become the greatest medical-nin in the world, after me of course. Continue your great work and you will be worthy to carry on my legacy. Sasuke, even though you had betrayed Konohagakure, joined Orochimaru, our eternal enemy for the sake of gaining power and threatened to kill everyone in Konoha, you are a great shinobi who even excels the great power of the Uchihas. I know you will rebuild your vanishing clan. Naruto...you were the most pestering child I had ever met; you whined too much and your voice was annoying. However, it's thanks to you that I ever became the Hokage; you awakened my sense of duty to this place. You also risked your life multiple times for Sasuke even though he tried to kill you multiple times and even went as far as begging the Fourth Raikage for forgiveness to his crimes. I encourage your dream of being the next Hokage and you will be the best this village has ever seen. Everyone, you have fought valiantly during the Fourth Shinobi World War and without you all, we would have lost to Madara and fall victim to Project Tsuki no Me. We all still have our free will thanks to your efforts."
"No...Tsunade-sama..."
"My time is near...I'm going to be leaving this world soon."
"But baa-chan!" Naruto protested. "You've been our leader for far too short! You need to lead this village like you have been for the past three years! We need yo—" The woman abruptly collapsed, silencing him. "No...baa-chan. WHY DID THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN!"
"Shh." Kakashi hushed as he approached the motionless figure. "She's still alive, if only by a thread. She won't have much longer though."
Zorua cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention to him. "I know a way to solve this." A brilliant flash of magenta light transformed the rogue into a dragon who stood on taloned feet below knees which bore razors that were nearly identical to the single claws which adorned the tips of each finned arm that matched the dorsals covering its back and contrasted with its crimson stomach which led to a pointed muzzle that had a few fangs poking out near ebon corneas housing golden pupils and twin knobs on either side of its head which sported stripes in the centers. The creature scraped its skin, shedding a heap of flakes which landed on a wing.
"Legend has it that medicine made from a Gabaito's scales can heal even the most incurable disease." The 'gargoyle' then summoned two stones which he carved into a pestle and mortar as well as a spoon using a hook before blasting a weak stream of water into them to smooth them out and creating a huge fireball which stayed on his muzzle as he brought the objects to the flame to dry the materals before vaporizing the liquid from the bottom of the container. The 'biped' next placed the keratin into the bowl as he mashed them into a fine substance. "Even though my form is created from my Genzou, as long as I will it, my body—as well as anything that comes off of it—is real even if I change. Give this to Tsunade but first, she needs to recover enough in order to accept the formula."
"Right!" Sakura affirmed as she approached the comatose and proceeded to use her Shōsen Jutsu to restore some health as a verdant glow emitted from the denizen. The woman's breathing became audible once more albeit quiet.
"My Refresh should have helped a little. Now feed this to her." The Pokémon commanded as he reverted. The kunoichi scooped the powder in shaky fingers before placing it past the unconscious's lips. The rosette then held her jaw, forcing her to swallow the substance. Immediately, the etchings retracted into the azure diamond upon her temple as her skin regained a healthy color.
"It worked!" The occupants' faces visibly lifted at those words.
"We're not done yet." The bunch turned to the cub as he morphed into a Delibird. The 'penguin' took out a plant which had curled leaves originating from a bent stem. "To wake her up, she needs to consume a Revival Herb once it has been grated. It completely heals the one who eats it, so it's a valuable medicine." He handed her the shoot. "Here, but I've got to warn you; it's really bitter so she probably will be sputtering as she regains consciousness." He became his normal self as she complied, grinding the plant into mush before giving it to the patient.
As soon as the concoction went down her throat, the woman abruptly sat up whilst coughing. "What is this nasty taste?! Huh?!" The sannin gazed at her palms in shock before feeling her pulse. "I can see! I-I'm alive! Someone, fetch me a mirror!" Kakashi obeyed and offered her a reflective surface. She stared at her imaged before gasping in shock; she appeared normal. "W-What happened?! Who did this?!"
"I did." The Hokage swiveled to face Zorua who had taken the shape of a Kyuukon. "I healed you. I'm sorry for all the trouble I had caused. Please forgive me, Hokage-sama." The fennec bowed low as a sign of respect.
"One...two...three...four...five...six...seven...eight...nine. NINE?! YOU'RE THE 'KYUUBI' THAT SPOOKED THE SHINOBI?!"
"Yes." The kitsune nodded in confirmation. "Due to me having nine tails, they thought I was the 'Kyuubi' and was going to terrorize the village in a different form, and I let them believe that for my enjoyment. I pounced from the bushes and scared them while the men believed I was a 'Bijuu'. I'm sorry for what I did." The quadrupedal knelt deeped.
Tsunade growled. "So you instilled fear into my people for fun?!" The nonet bobbed in affirmation. "UNFORGIVABLE! THE KYUUBI ATTACKED THIS VILLAGE ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS AGO! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH DAMAGE IT DID?! DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY LIVES WERE LOST?!"
The cub sunk even more. "I had no idea Hokage-sama. If I did, I would never have done it."
Zoroark snarled at the turn of events, readying herself to strike.
The ruler huffed loudly before continuing. "Although what you did was unacceptable, you healed me thus saving my life. You prevented Konoha from spiraling into chaos at losing their leader. In that case, I accept your apology and release you of any charges you would have received. My debt is repaid."
The vulpes beamed. "Thank you!" He then turned to his guardian. "Meema, nothing's going to happen so you can relax!" The mother immediately regained her composure.
"However, there is one condition that you must accept." The Fire Shadow demanded.
"What's that?" The 'Kyuukon's' ears perked.
"You have to make a public apology."
The foxes stepped onto a makeshift platform that was created at the legend's command. The citizens had gathered to the mandatory meeting.
"That's the Kyuubi!"
"Why is it even allowed to be here?"
"Especially with that other monster."
"What was Hokage-sama thinking?"
The parent growled as she heard those disdainful comments. "I can't believe that you're going through with this."
"This is something I have to do." The pup whispered before he approached the microphone that was adjusted to his body's height. "Attention citizens!" The civilians bursted into a ruckus.
"WHAT IS THAT THING DOING HERE?!"
"GO AWAY, YOU DEMON!"
"GET OUT!"
"LEAVE NOW!" Cans and other miscellaneous objects were thrown in the speaker's direction. The target moved quickly to dodge all of them, panic evident in his eyes.
The guardian snarled fiercely as she approached the amplifier. "SILENCE! YOU ALL AREN'T ACTING LIKE PEOPLE AT ALL! ALL MY SON WANTED TO DO IS APOLOGIZE FOR HIS ACTIONS, YET YOU DO THIS TO HIM?! I AM THIS CLOSE TO KILLING YOU ALL FOR HURTING MY KIN! COME ON ZORUA, LET'S LEAVE THESE ANIMALS ALONE LIKE THEY WANT." The kit whimpered as he reverted into his original form.
The villagers went into an uproar.
"THAT'S NOT THE KYUUBI!"
"THAT CREATURE TRANSFORMED INTO IT!"
"THAT LIAR!"
"IT PROBABLY AIDED THE REAL KYUUBI IN ESCAPING!"
"SHUT UP!" Naruto screamed as he approached the dais before taking the device into his hand. "THE 'REAL' KYUUBI IS STILL SEALED WITHIN ME, SO YOU HAVE NO REASON TO BLAME HIM! YOU'RE UPSET JUST BECAUSE HE PULLED A LITTLE PRANK?! DON'T FORGET THAT I USED TO DO THAT ALL THE TIME! HE JUST DECIEVED YOU, NO REAL HARM HAS BEEN DONE AND YOU ALL LOOK LIKE YOU WANT TO KILL HIM! SHAME ON YOU ALL!"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Tsunade declared as she snatched the microphone from the blond, muting him along with the mob. "This fox played a cruel trick on us by turning into a creature with nine tails and letting us believe our assumptions, but he saved my life! Just earlier, I was on the brink of death, bedridden in a hospital! If not for this kitsune, I would be dead and Konoha would have spiraled into chaos without its Hokage. I forgave the brat, so can't you?! In other words, he's a hero who saved the Fire Country!"
The audience erupted in applause at the heartfelt speech.
"Forgive us, fox!"
"We're sorry!"
"Thank you!"
"He's cool!"
"And cute!"
The fennec beamed at the praise. "No problem! I forgive you and I'm so glad that I am forgiven!"
"Now you two," the honcho began as she approached the Pokémon, "what are your names?"
"Zorua!"
"Zoroark! And I'll do anything to protect my kin, so if you lay even one finger on my son, you'll pay dearly."
"Okay! You heard her; if anyone hurts Zorua, you'll be punished by both her and me!" The crowd gasped at the threat. "Now I want to ask you both something important." She redirected her attention to the duo.
"What?!" The mother and son pressed simultaneously.
"Do you want to become a part of this village? Become a part of Konoha?"
The elder of the two shrugged. "It all depends on my boy's decision; wherever he goes, I go too."
Everyone's eyes turned to the pup. "Umm, Meema and I were planning to see the world..."
"Oh." The audience sighed collectively in disappointment.
"BUT," he continued, lifting their hopes, "I like this place. It seems nice and I've never met a person who has powers until just earlier. I also made some companions here." The male turned to the shinobi he had befriended in the midst before staring at the one beside him.
"So what's your choice?" Tsunade queried.
Zorua looked uncertain. "Well, I choose..."
Forms: Gabaito (Gabite), Delibird (Delibird), Kyuukon (Ninetales)
Moves used: DoubleSlap, Stone Edge, Water Gun, Searing Shot, Refresh
Jutsu: Sōzō Saisei (Creation Rebirth), Shōsen Jutsu (Mystical Palm Technique)
Translation: Tsuki no Me=Eye of the Moon Plan
How was it?
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