"Excuse me, excuse me, Yahiko!" He was instantly bombarded with a series of questions from all the reporters, all eagerly awaiting for their change to gauge away at the mystery that is the Leader of Akatsuki.
Yahiko nodded to one reporter, silencing the rest. "Yahiko, I was wonder if you could tell us more about yourself, such as your age, your home region, your home town, your past?"
"I am 27 years of age." Yahiko stated to the surprised gasps of the audience, they hadn't expected him to be so young. "And as for my past, that is no longer my concern. I look only towards the future with peace and prosperity in mind."
"And what is this peace you envision?" Another reporter quickly called out, standing up so Yahiko would know who to address his answer to.
"I see a world without fighting, without war. That is my dream. Not for the sake of man, but for the sake of pokemon. True, pokemon naturally fight, they have their tendencies when wild, battling comes as a second life to them. But why must they be drawn into the fights between humans. To be used as weapons to get the advantage of enemies then discarded as soon as they are deemed useless or expired. That type of barbarism and cruelty can not be stand for, I urge you not to take that route. Care for your pokemon friends." Yahiko stated, his emotionless visage breaking for a moment for his face to produce a frown of anger.
"Hello, I am Getsuga and I work for Final Black magazine, dealing with new discoveries and mysteries of the pokemon world." A reporter stood, briefly introducing himself. "I was wondering if you could tell us a little more about Akatsuki itself? There are ten members of Akatsuki, and you claim them to be the most elite trainers, but what happens if one of them is defeated, are they replaced by the trainer who defeated them, or does they remain at their station like a Gym Leader?"
"That is up to the trainer that defeats the Akatsuki member." Yahiko replied mysteriously. "The trainer is offered the chance to replace the Akatsuki member they have defeated, or they are given the chance to walk away and continue collecting the other nine symbols. I know of only two trainers that took the second option. Might Guy and Kakashi Hatake, they have both defeated an Akatsuki member each, yet chose to not take the position of an Akatsuki member."
"And how long has Akatsuki been active?" A different reporter asked curiously.
"Six years." Yahiko replied bluntly. Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura could only stare at the new side of himself that Yahiko was showing, it was completely different from the one he displayed earlier. Gone was the cheeriness and happiness, now he spoke like an emotionless leader, caring, yet stern.
"Yes, I work for the blog site B.O.L.T." Another reporter spoke up. "I have a question about the Akatsuki members. Who are they?"
"Akatsuki members are among the best trainers, found from across the entire continent. We researched exactly who we wanted to fill our roster of trainers. Including myself and my two friends that helped found Akatsuki. There is Itachi from Twinleaf Town in Sinnoh. Zetsu from Fortree City in Hoenn. Hidan from Knot Island, off the shores from Kanto. Sasori from Saffron City in Kanto. Kisame from Pacifidlog Town in Hoenn. Kakuzu from Goldenrod City in Johto. And Deidara from Blackthorn City in Johto." Yahiko gave the names of all the Akatsuki members, giving every trainer hoping to find them even the smallest hint.
"Anything else you can say about them? Their ages, the personalities, likes and dislikes. If they have a specific pokemon preference?" The reporter who asked the earlier question spoke up again, eliciting groans of annoyance and jealousy from the other reporters.
"Akatsuki members ages range from fifteen to thirty two. Only a couple of them have specific type preferences, and are most skilled with using them. I can't say much about their personalities or likes and dislikes, you'll have to find that out by finding them." Yahiko spoke, not even smirking at his own comment.
"Konan mentioned that she was ranked number 2 in Akatsuki. Does that mean that she is the second strongest member in Akatsuki?" Another report shot up, asking his question quickly.
"Each member is powerful in their own right. The ranking hierarchy is simply used as a means of preserving order within Akatsuki." Yahiko replied rather nonchalantly, looking out into the audience for the next question.
"Yeah I have a question!" Everyone turned to a small blond trainer with blue eyes, looking eerily familiar to someone they all knew. Even the Pink haired girl and black haired boy he was with looked surprised that he had spoke out. "Why was my big brother considered for a place in Akatsuki?" The boy asked, before his eyes widened in surprise, as if he hadn't realised what he had been saying he muttered out one quick "Oops.".
He never got his answer from Yahiko. "I knew he looked familiar, it's Naruto Namikaze, the Champion of the world's youngest son and younger brother to Volkner!" One reporter called out, all cameras focused off Yahiko for a second. Lights flashed at Naruto in every angle, blinding him and preventing him from moving. "Come on, Naruto. Let's get a picture of the Champion of the World's son with the Leader of Akatsuki. Like a master taking a pupil under his wing!" Reporters beckoned out for the shot.
"No!" Yahiko's voice silenced them. "A name means nothing, actions are what make people worth remembering. Look at myself, it was my best friend that carried the famous name. Yet here I stand as leader of Akatsuki. You didn't even know the names of the Akatsuki members, yet they are recognisable simply by the action of their clothing. However, saying that, they have performed well in Eterna, protecting it's tower with the Akatsuki member, Itachi." Yahiko smirked, his eyes shifting over to Sasuke for just a second. "There is however, a boy in the audience I would like to speak to. Shino Aburame! Reveal yourself, I know you are here, I sent an Akatsuki member to find you a few days ago."
The audience looked around in surprise, shocking even further when a boy with spiky brown hair and sunglasses began making his way through the crowd, calm and unafraid by the Leader of Akatsuki. A white trench coat covering his lower face. He climbed the steps onto the stage, where Yahiko turned to face him directly.
"This boy, when Team Galactic attacked Hearthome Cathedral but a few days ago, stood valiantly with his pokemon companions and friends. Protecting the Cathedral from what could have been total destruction, single handedly, he defeated one of Team Galactic's commanders. That strength and courage is something rare in the world we live in today. We can learn something from this boy, that the strength of compassion and understanding with others will overcome any evil, how strong bonds with pokemon will help overcome even the largest of obstacles. Perhaps there is a future place in Akatsuki for you." Yahiko smiled down at Shino, who looked up in a mild surprise.
The gasps of the audience masked a horrible sound, a snarl of rage and jealousy, coming from Sasuke Uchiha, he stared with contempt at Shino. Since when had the bug boy surpassed him and gained recognition from one of the strongest trainers in the world.
"I don't think a reward is necessary for your actions, but they are deserving of one." Yahiko spoke almost like a sage, yet maintained his calm, distant persona. "I have an understanding that you prefer Bug pokemon." Yahiko smiled, before pulled out three pokeballs, shrunken down to a more moveable size. "Inside these three pokeballs are pokemon from a far off continent, the continent across the great ocean from where we are, from a region called Unova, a place I recently visited. They are bug types, cross with other types. Type mixes you will have never seen before, I know they will come of use to you. These three pokemon represent each virtue you have shown, courage, strength and teamwork." Yahiko extended out his other hand. "I shall need your pokedex in order to calibrate it so it may record the data of these and all Unova pokemon."
Shino pulled out his moss green pokedex, placing it in Yahiko's hand while he took the three pokeballs. Placing them in his pocket, Yahiko swiftly fiddled with his pokedex, before it gave off an odd beeping pattern. Yahiko handed the pokedex back to Shino.
"Thank you." Shino nodded gratefully, taking the pokedex and placing it back in his pocket. "I will take good care of these pokemon, rest assured. But if you may excuse me, I have a journey to complete."
Yahiko beamed widely, something Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke realised was out of character with the one he was trying to display now. He ushered Shino away, Shino nodded again in appreciation before walking out of the stunned crowd.
Sasuke wasted no time, gritting his teeth in anger he barged his own way through the crowd. Naruto and Sakura, seeing him leaving follow suit after him. Leaving the interview to follow Sasuke away.
"Shino!" Sasuke called after the brown haired boy. He heard it, Shino stopped in his tracks, turning to face Sasuke.
"Sasuke!" Naruto and Sakura called behind, catching up to the two boys ahead. "Hey Shino, where's Kiba and Hinata? They waiting for you somewhere else?" Naruto panted out, greeting the boy and asking him questions.
"No, I am alone?" Shino responded in his usual stoic voice. "Why? Because Kiba and I have both one three badges, and Hinata has one two Ribbons, therefore we are allowed to break our team apart. So we did."
"You and Kiba left Hinata alone like that?" Sakura spoke in an almost scolding voice, she remembered Hinata from her time in the pokemon academy, she was shy, timid and very afraid of everything, she wouldn't be able to last in the world alone.
"You shouldn't underestimate her, Sakura." Shino responded, black glasses meeting emerald eyes. "It was her idea to break the group up. She wanted to become strong independently, so she doesn't need to rely on others to constantly breaker her fall for her. And I applaud her for coming to that decision herself."
"Shino, you said back at that tournament in Jublife that you expected a decent battle from me. But we never got the chance. Well now it is time, battle me now! Let us determine who is truly the strongest out of our class!" Sasuke went straight to his point, almost shouting at the bespectacled boy.
"I'm afraid I must decline." Shino spoke in a polite manner, bowing his head apologetically. "Why? Because I must return to Fuego Ironworks in hopes of finding a Metal Coat in order to perform a certain task."
"Well it looks like it's your lucky day." Sasuke smirked, fiddling around in his bag he pulled out a silver cylindrical object, it grasped Shino's attention entirely. "Because I've got a Metal Coat. Shikamaru gave me it when I traded a Stantler for a Magnemite. Battle me and win, and I will give it to you."
"Sasuke, don't do this." Naruto spoke out to his black haired teammate. "No good will come from this."
"Very well. I will accept you challenge, Sasuke." Shino replied, moving closer to the raven haired trainer. "State the rules of the battle."
"Five on five, trainer to win three battles first wins." Sasuke smirked, placing the Metal Coat back in his bag. He quickly fiddled around on his trainer belt. 'Shino's bug type. Murkrow, Misdreavus, Houndoom. They've all got at least one move that has the advantage against them.'
"I'll start with Murkrow!" Sasuke gripped the pokeball and tossed it high in the air, on queue his black crow pokemon cawed loudly, flapping it's wings before landing in front of Sasuke.
"Vespiquen, battle." Shino spoke quietly, throwing his pokemon out. In a flashy display of light Shino's humanoid bee pokemon appeared. A large red gem on the centre her head, with a ballroom dress shaped hive around its abdomen with one horizontal black stripe and six openings at the bottom.
"So you're Combee evolved." Naruto stared at the majestic bee pokemon with awe, he, Sakura and Sasuke taking out their pokedexes.
Vespiquen, The Beehive Pokemon, It raises grubs in the holes in its body. It secretes pheromones to control Combee. When endangered, grubs from its six-cell honeycomb strike back. There is only one in a colony.
"Murkrow attack with Wing Attack!" Sasuke kicked things off quickly, Murkrow's wings glowed white with power, it flew quickly towards Vespiquen, striking it quickly and agilely flying away again
"Murkrow follow up with Peck!" The crow pokemon cawed in response, turning it's direction mid air and flying fast towards the bee pokemon.
"Vespiquen dodge and use Power Gem." Shino called calmly, Vespiquen nodded. With incredible speed in shifted out of range of Murkrow's attack. Before the gem on it's head flash red, red coloured rocks exploded out of it, colliding with Murkrow's small body. The rocks forced it into the ground, where it grunted and panted heavily.
"What's going on? Murkrow's even more tired than usual?" Sasuke replied, usually Murkrow was fine after delivering two attacks and receiving one, but now it looked exhausted.
"That is Vespiquen's ability, Pressure. It causes opposing pokemon to use twice as much energy as usual." Shino stoically replied. "Vespiquen, follow up with Gust."
Vespiquen spun wildly, flapping it's wings, it suddenly stopped, launching the massive blast of wind at Murkrow.
"Murkrow, use the gust of wind to get airbourne again!" Sasuke commanded. Murkrow jumped slightly, catching the gust and was blown up into the air. "Now follow with another Wing Attack!"
Murkrow performed another u-turn in the air, swiping it's wings powerfully against Vespiquen's body again.
"Vespiquen use Heal Order to recover." Shino commanded, Vespiquen began a beating, vibrating cry. Tiny grubs flew out of the holes in it's hives, flying around Vespiquen and sprinkling a green, glittery dust. All the injuries and marks received by Murkrow's attacks began fading away until Vespiquen looked good as new.
"Murkrow use Wing Attack!" Murkrow flew in again, slower than usual but still willing to comply to Sasuke's commands, it was exhausted, but it would give up. Murkrow let out a loud cry before zooming towards the healed Vespiquen.
"Vespiquen another Power Gem." The red rocks from Vespiquen's gem appeared again, being fired up at the descending Murkrow. The rocks collided with Murkrow in the air. Murkrow could take no more, it plummeted towards the ground in exhaustion, it had fainted. Saved from the fall by Sasuke returning it to it's ball.
"I have Aaron to thank for the strength of my Bug Pokemon." Shino commented, returning Vespiquen to it's ball. The training he had received from the forefront of the Bug training community had really paid off.
"You're speaking as if you've won. We've got more battles to come!" Sasuke near shouted in annoyance, reaching for a new pokeball. "Go Larvitar!" Larvitar appeared, ready to finally prove itself to its trainer, despite being so young.
"Anorith." Shino calmly threw a new pokeball. A green and black shrimp shaped pokemon appeared, with two claws and two large eyes sticking out of the sides of it's head. Eight white feather like appendages stuck out it's body, the tips were a red colour and had a fin on it's back. Once again the trio of trainers reached for their pokedexes.
Anorith, The Old Shrimp Pokemon, Anorith was regenerated from a prehistoric fossil. This primitive pokemon once lived in warms seas. It grips its prey firmly between its two large claws, with eight wings at the sides of its body. This pokemon swam in the primordial sea by undulating these eight wings.
"A fossil pokemon? How did you get one of those?" Sakura asked curiously, looking at the shrimp pokemon with interest.
"During our stop at Eterna whilst I was hunting for Scyther I volunteered for an expedition with the Underground Man, I found a Claw Fossil lodged in the ground. We went back through Floaroma to Oreburgh because Hinata was searching for a pokemon. I had the fossil restored into Anorith." Shino replied in his usual matter of fact tone.
"Anorith start with Metal Claw." Shino started the second round. Anorith's claws shone in a metal hue, making the sound of tapping against steel. It scurried towards Larvitar with impressive speed.
"Larvitar dodge and use bite!" Sasuke commanded, Larvitar jumped over the scurrying Anorith and landed comfortably, quickly turning it latched it's jaws into Anorith's tail. Flailing it about wildly in it's mouth before throwing it across the field.
Larvitar suddenly rushed towards Anorith as it landed, thrusting it's body into the shrimp pokemon, knocking it even further away.
'Larvitar is surprisingly adept at battling, despite this being it's first one. Excellent.' Sasuke smirked as he watched his small green pokemon grin victoriously, clearing a distance between itself and the shrimp pokemon.
"Larvitar now use Leer!" Larvitar lowered it's held for intimidation a flash a dark sinister grin. It frightened the Anorith somewhat.
"Larvitar attack with Bite again!" Sasuke suddenly commanded, Larvitar rushed forwards. It's jaws set apart ready to chomp down on the shrimp pokemon.
"Anorith protect." Shino commanded. Anorith curled up, a barrier formed around it's body. When Larvitar collided with the barrier it bounced straight back off, rolling across the street to a stop.
"Now Anorith use Metal Claw." Anorith scurried to Larvitar again, this time slashing away at it with it's steel powered claws. Larvitar didn't take the super effective hit well. It flew backwards, landing on it's back, grumbling out weakly.
"Finish with Water Gun, Anorith." Shino spoke as calmly as ever. Anorith shot a bullet of water at
Larvitar, knocking it back with the torrent of water. Larvitar, still being young couldn't take anymore hits. It fainted as Murkrow did earlier.
Sasuke quickly returned Larvitar to the pokeball, swiftly taking out his next pokemon before Shino had a chance to return Anorith. "Houndoom!" Sasuke threw the pokeball with force. Houndoom appeared giving off a loud fearsome roar.
"It is time dear friend." Shino spoke quietly to a pokeball. "Go Heracross." He threw the pokeball high, on queue a large, blue, winged bipedal beetle appeared. It has a capsule-shaped thorax, a pair of yellow eyes and two clawed arms and feet. Growing from its head is a large T-shaped horn, which is flanked on either side by a smaller antenna. Over it's left eye was a large scar, running from the left smaller antenna down past its mouth.
Heracross, The Single Horn Pokemon, Usually docile, they gather in forests seeking the sweet sap of trees. It is completely clad in a steel-hard shell. It is proud of its horn, which it uses to fling foes.
This Heracross looked anything but docile. It appeared ready for another fight, and judging by the scar on it's face. It had done so a lot. Its eyes seemed to be constantly frowning, constantly serious and ready for anything.
"This Heracross saved my life when I was younger. When I finally became a trainer. I made sure I would make it my partner. I vowed to make every Bug pokemon I met just as strong as he is." Shino spoke with a surprisingly small amount of emotion, something that had remained unheard of from the mysterious boy.
"I didn't ask for your life story, I asked for a battle! Houndoom start with howl!" Sasuke yelled, Houndoom began howling loudly, all of it's muscles tensed and expanding with it. Strengthening itself in anticipation for the fight.
"Heracross, Aerial Ace." Seconds after Shino uttered the command the beetle pokemon was in front of Houndoom, swing it's clawed arm down upon him. The slashed knocked Houndoom away, however Houndoom recovered well in the air, landing on his feet.
"Heracross, follow Focus Blast." Shino commanded, not as quick as last time but quick enough Heracross began moving towards the grim dog pokemon.
"Houndoom use Smog to evade!" Sasuke yelled, e couldn't let Houndoom be hit with a Fighting Type move. Houndoom spewed out a black fog, engulfing Heracross in it. "Now follow up with Ember!" The dog pokemon roared a stream of fire into the smoke. Heracross' cry of pain could be heard through the smog. As it died down, Heracross stood on one knee, dirt and burns covering its body.
"Heracross, recover and use Brick Break." Shino commanded, Heracross nodded in return. Getting back to it's feet swiftly and charging over to Houndoom, clenching its teeth to ignore the pain of it's burns. It got to close enough range fast enough and hammered it's arm down ontto Houndoom's body, blowing it into the ground below.
"Houndoom use Bite now!" Houndoom quickly bit down onto Heracross' leg, the closer part of its body to him. Its teeth dug in well against the steel like shell.
"Heracross, Endure." A blue veil began surrounding Heracross, it didn't stop the attack, but it seemed to subsidise the pain. "Follow with another Brick Break."
"Houndoom, get out of there and use Flamethrower!" Houndoom turned it's body, kicking Heracross back with it's hind legs. Houndoom jumped high into the air before launching a powerful roar of fire towards the blue beetle, engulfing it in flames.
"Heracross use Night Slash." Shino ordered the blue beetle. Heracross suddenly sprung out of the flames, the blue aura still covered its body. Heracross' clawed arm turned black in colour as it sprung towards Houndoom.
"Houndoom Flamethrower quick!" Sasuke shouted in a panic, Houndoom launch another searing stream of flames, this time at near point blank range. Heracross fought through the flames, swiping at Houndoom with it's blackened claws. The claws swiped across Houndoom's head, knocking it head first towards the ground.
"Heracross, finish with Focus Blast." Shino commanded. Heracross closed it's eyes in concentration, before thrusting it's hand forwards, an invisible force followed suit of it's hand. Striking Houndoom with such force it flew down the street where the where battling, crashing into the ground until it rolled to a stop.
"Get up Houndoom!" Sasuke shouted at his dog shaped pokemon, the batter Houndoom attempted to respond to it's masters call, struggling to raise it's beaten body off the ground, but it could no longer muster the strength to do so. It allowed itself to drop back to the floor, swirly eyes indicating it was just too exhausted to continue.
"I've won Sasuke, this battle is over." Shino responded stoically to the sight of the fainted Houndoom, Heracross didn't look far off fainting itself, it put up a splendid fight, as did Houndoom.
Sasuke growled, returning his unconscious Houndoom to its ball. He quickly grabbed another one. "This battle is over when I've got no more pokemon left. I've still got two more!" Sasuke roared, throwing the pokemon high in the air. "Misdreavus, go!"
"Very well, if you wish to continue, so will I. But I will not hold back." Shino responded, returning an exhausted Heracross to it's ball before taking a new one. "Go, Scyther." On demand Shino's mantis pokemon appeared, clanging it's two scythes together.
"Begin with Ominous Wind, Scyther." Shino spoke first. Scyther launched a powerful, purple gust of wind at Misdreavus, hitting it dead on to great affect.
"Follow with a Wing Attack." Shino moved Scyther to attack again before Misdreavus even had a chance to recover. Scyther moved in with it's wings spread wide, colliding them with Misdreavus' small body. Scyther quickly ran past Misdreavus before stopping instantly and turning, rocketing back and striking Misdreavus again with a second Wing Attack.
Misdreavus took both the hits hard, she wobbled uneasily in the air. Scyther was just far too strong for her too handle. "Scyther, end this with one more Ominous Wind." Scyther blasted another wave of dreadful, purple wind at Misdreavus, inflicting critical damage on the ghost pokemon and forcing it into unconsciousness.
Sasuke yelled out in annoyance. Four. He had gone through four of the five pokemon he was carrying with him and he had not one one battle against Shino. Just how far ahead was Shino from him? He returned Misdreavus before taking the final pokemon out. A pokemon that had not won one battle with him yet. "Cacnea!" He threw the pokemon with the little green cactus pokemon appearing ready for another fight.
Shino himself rustled for a pokeball, he pulled out three. The ones he had received from Yahiko. Bug pokemon with type mixes he had never seen before. He pulled out his moss green pokedex, scanning it over each individual pokeball.
Name: Joltik
Species: The Attaching Pokemon
Description: They attach themselves to large-bodied pokemon and absorb static electricity, which they store in an electric pouch.
Type: Bug/Electric
Ability: Compound Eyes
Current known moves: String Shot, Thunder Wave, Electroweb, Bug Bite
Name: Larvesta
Species: The Torch Pokemon
Description: This pokemon was believed to have been born from the sun. When it evolves, its entire body is engulfed in flames.
Type: Bug/Fire
Ability: Flame Body
Current known moves: String Shot, Ember, Leech Life, Take Down
Name: Venipede
Species: The Centipede Pokemon
Description: It discovers what is going on around it by using the feelers on its head and tail. It is brutally aggressive.
Type: Bug/Poison
Ability: Poison Point
Current known moves: Rollout, Poison Sting, Pursuit, Protect, Poison Tail
Shino picked the second pokeball. "Go, Larvesta." He tossed the pokeball high, a tan, larva Pokemon with white fur covering most of its upper body and head appeared in a bright light, five red, cork screw-like horns appeared from its head. Underneath the white fur, its head is black, as well as its six legs, with light blue eyes shining through the white fur.
"What is that? I've never seen anything like it." Naruto marvelled at the bug pokemon, gawking almost.
"A Larvesta, one of my gifts from the Leader of Akatsuki from the Unova region. According to my pokedex, it is a Bug/Fire type." Shino replied, equally almost gawking at the pokemon.
'Damn, he purposely picked that knowing it would give him the advantage over Cacnea. But I can't help but wonder, what were the other two pokemon he received form Yahiko?' Sasuke thought angrily.
"Cacnea, start with Poison Sting!" Sasuke called loudly, Cacnea responded with a flurry of glowing purple needles shooting from it's mouth.
"Larvesta, dodge and use String Shot." Shino responded quickly to Cacnea's attack, as did Larvesta, diving out of the way before spitting mass amounts of silky substance at Cacnea, wrapping it up and entangling it.
"Follow with Ember." Shino commanded again. From it's five horns small fireballs were shot towards Cacnea. Engulfing it in flames. The String entangling Cacnea began to burn away, but kept the flames alive as it did, continuously burning Cacnea with the heat.
"Follow with another Ember." Shino commanded his fire bug pokemon to attack again. Larvesta fired more horns from it's spiky horns. Engulfing Cacnea in even more flames, Cacnea yelled out in pain before dropping to the ground. It was simply burned too much to continue on.
Sasuke's eyes widened, his mouth went agape, even against Gas, he didn't have this much of a problem. Gas relied on brute strength, yet Shino had defeated him with strength and strategy. Every pokemon he had, Shino had one pokemon with a move to put an advantage against it. Sasuke silently dropped to his knees in defeat. "Here!" He suddenly yelled in annoyance, taking out the Metal Coat at throwing it at Shino's feet. Shino returned his new Larvesta back to it's ball. Before gently bending down to pick up the Metal Coat.
"Thank you, Sasuke." Shino spoke gratuitously, taking the Metal Coat and slipping it in his bag. Yet he still continued to look around in his bag, once he had pulled something out he walked over to Sasuke and held it out towards him. "Here, something to trade your Metal Coat for."
Sasuke looked up, seeing the rock in Shino's hand. He gently pulled it from the bug boy's hand, staring at the peculiar object in his hand. It was a smooth oval shape, but covered in chips and cracks. It was an orange yellow in colour but appeared dull. "What is it?"
"I am not sure. I found it during my expedition with the Underground Man, I found it with the Claw Fossil I used to revive Anorith. Why did I keep it? It appeared valuable, so I kept it in case I needed a bargaining chip for a moment such as this. You may keep it Sasuke, you may find more use for it than I have."
Sasuke only continued to look at the strange rock, perhaps he would have to take a trip back to Oreburgh or Eterna to find out it's actual use. "I thank you for the Metal Coat again, Sasuke. But I must ask for assistance from one of you." Shino spoke to the three of them, Sakura and Naruto approached the other two boys, so they could hear Shino better. "I would like to perform a Trade Re-Trade."
"A what?" Naruto asked in confusion, he understood the concept of trading, but a Trade Re-Trade.
"A Trade Re-Trade is when two trainers trade pokemon, and then trade the same two pokemon back again." Sakura explained to the blond. "It's really useful when you want to get pokemon like Golem, Machamp, Alakazam or Gengar that can only evolve through trading."
"Oh, so I take it your after evolving Scyther into Scizor, that's why you were after the Metal Coat." Naruto responded in understanding, waiting for Shino's nod of agreement before beaming widely. "Well I'll help you out. Lets go get you a Scizor!"
"So what do I do now?" Naruto held the traded pokeball in his hand, he had traded his Staravia for Shino's Scyther, but didn't know how to activate the evolution from trading.
"Call Scyther out of it's ball." Shino answered in his usual stoic voice, waiting for Naruto to begin Scyther's evolution.
"Go, Scyther." Naruto gripped the ball, and hesitantly threw it in the air. Shino's large mantis pokemon appeared, holding the metal coat. Instantly Scyther was enveloped in light, it's long scythe appendages shortening and becoming rounder and thick, it's body now standing more straight than arched over. It's green skin had changed to a gleaming red colour. "Scizor!" It's high pitched cry had replaced with a deeper tone.
Naruto, Sakura, Shino and Sasuke all pulled out their respective pokedexes, scanning the new pokemon.
Scizor, The Pincer Pokemon, A Scizor has a body with the hardness of steel. It is not easily fazed by ordinary sorts of attacks. It flaps its wings to regulate its body temperature.
"Cool!" Naruto stared at the red metal bug, before returning it to it's ball, he had made a promise to Shino. He placed the pokeball back in the trading pod along with Shino placing his Staravia back on the other side, in a few seconds the pokeballs had traded back to their original owners.
Naruto picked his Staravia's pokeball back up. "I'm sorry about that, yours was just the first pokeball I found. I wouldn't do trade you way, you've been too much help to me to do that." He whispered to Staravia within the ball.
"Thank you for your help Naruto. I will give you a small piece of advice. Why? Because you as a friend have helped me, and a good friendship is based on give and take." Shino replied in his usual speaking pattern of asking a question then answering it himself. "Fantina is also a Top Co-ordinator. I would suggest watching the next Contest here in Hearthome, watch and learn how they move their pokemon, because that is how Fantina will battle as well." Shino nodded to the three of them, not waiting anymore to give a goodbye he left quickly, leaving through the doors of the pokemon centre and continuing his journey.
"I'm going to battle Fantina now. Don't wait up." Sasuke spoke quickly after Shino had left, he too didn't wait for a reply and left immediately.
"Sasuke-kun, wait!" Sakura called after him, only to be stopped by Naruto placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Let him go, Sakura and leave him be for the moment." Naruto spoke quietly, in an understanding tone. "Sasuke is used to being the best in our class, for Shino who was second best to suddenly be ahead of him. Sasuke is making sure he isn't too far behind Shino. He's doing this to boost his own self-esteem and confidence, don't worry. He'll come back." Naruto finished with a reassuring smile.
"It's not that. It's just..." Sakura looked uneasy in finishing her sentence. "My contest... it starts soon."
"Oh..." Naruto realised the problem. She wanted Sasuke to support her through the contest, it was understandable, she supported Sasuke, even though he always drifted away to battle the gyms alone. "Well I'm still here to support you Sakura. Sasuke will just have to miss out on seeing how strong you've become." Naruto grinned widely before turning around. "So lets head over to the Contest Dome and get you sorted out!"
He began leaving towards the dome. Sakura could only stare at the blond back, a small smile growing on her face. 'Naruto, no matter what, you are always smiling...'
"Ah look who it is, Naruto and Sakura, where's Sasuke-kun?" They were met by the familiar voice of a familiar platinum blond. Ino stood with Choji and Shikamaru in a cleared Contest Dome. Yahiko's interview ending quite some time ago and now things were being prepared for the contest.
"Sasuke's gone off to challenge Fantina." Naruto replied with a sigh, seeing Shikamaru and Choji's looks, as if silently asking him why Sasuke hasn't come to support Sakura.
"I see there's no Hinata again as well. Maybe she's already quit as a Pokemon Co-ordinator, I haven't seen her compete in a contest with me yet." Ino looked around for the final rookie team. They were not anywhere in sight.
"Ino, Hinata's already won two ribbons. She broke off from her team with Shino and Kiba and their all going their separate ways. She's further ahead than both of us. I haven't even got my first ribbon yet." Sakura told Ino the truth to the platinum blond's surprise.
"And neither has Ino. Only Choji has one a Ribbon from our team." Shikamaru replied before Ino had a chance to make something up and demoralise Sakura.
"Wow, Hinata's good. I never would have expected it, she was always so timid in class." Ino spoke with obvious surprise in her voice.
"I knew she had the most potential." Everyone turned to Choji, who was munching on a pack of chips. Everyone looked at him in surprise before he explain; "I saw Hinata practising contest moves on the academy training field after school, often because I came to do the same thing. Sometimes we would work together and help each other out. She was very talented right from the beginning."
Choji quickly took a few more chips and ate them before throwing away the empty wrappings. "I don't mean to sound rude or offensive, so I apologise if it comes out that way. But the reason Hinata is better than both of you is because she practised and trained during school, instead of spending all her time drooling over Sasuke. I'm going to prepare for my contest, Shikamaru." With that Choji left the group, leaving a gob-smacked Ino and Sakura staring wide eyed at him as he walked away.
An awkward silence lingered in the air before it was broke by the eruption of Naruto's fit of hysterical laughter. "You both got burned!" He laughed out , tears beginning to form in the corners of his eyes.
Sakura and Ino both grumbled under their breaths, but nonetheless managed to keep their tongues in place. They both walked their separate ways, heading to prepare for the contest.
"So Naruto, I heard everyone's found out about you being the Champion's son?" Shikamaru noted lazily, stopping Naruto's laughter. "You've said it in the middle of The Leader of Akatsuki's interview. The world pretty much knows it now. How troublesome for you."
"I know. God I was so stupid to ask about Volkner and Akatsuki." Naruto cursed himself. Why he had said that he would never know.
"Yeah, hey, remember when it was just me who knew about that?" Shikamaru asked with a smirked on his face, throwing his arm around Naruto's neck. Naruto nodded slowly in return. "I miss those days..." The smirk faded from his face instantly. "I don't think we can be friends anymore," He continued to Naruto's shock. "You're gonna get a lot of attention now that everyone knows your the champion's son. And I've never been one for attention, its too troublesome, so I can't associate with you or I might get caught up in the middle of it."
Naruto's face fell with dejection. Before he received a playful punch to the arm courtesy of Shikamaru, who was smirking once again. "Just kidding, you're too troublesome to forget. Now lets go find some seats for this contest."
Sakura waited nervously back stage, pacing along the locker room. She felt her performance had been sloppy, was she using Meditite in a contest too early. She had combined Hidden Power to creates it's green orbs, then used confusion to give them a purple-blue glue, spinning them around Meditite's body rapidly. The using Bide to create a disco light affect radiating from Meditite's body through the spinning orbs.
But the other contestants were very good, perhaps she wouldn't make it through. Apparently Hinata had already one to Ribbons, and she was there when Choji won his first. She didn't want to be the furthest behind in her age group.
'The scores have been tallied and the four contestants to go through to the battle round are...' The TV monitor backstage suddenly spoke, the contestants rushed over to it, huddling around in hopes that their names were called.
'Sakura Haruno.' Sakura sighed heavily in relief at the call of her name, it was enough to get her through the first round, she looked back up at the monitor, awaiting the results of the other three contestants going through with her.
'Ino Yamanaka... Choji Akimichi and... Haku Yuki!' They turned to the fourth person, he was a boy he appeared particularly pleased that he had made it through, but hid it well behind a veil of calmness. He looked towards his three possible combatant s in the next round, before looking back to the screen.
"Well looks like we all made it through, huh?" Ino beamed, standing in between Sakura and Choji. "No hard feelings against whoever wins, huh?"
'The match ups for the next are: Sakura Haruno VS Haku Yuki and Ino Yamanaka VS Choji Akimichi. Would Sakura and Haku please prepare, your match will start soon!' The presenter on the TV screen called again, before the TV switched itself of. The dejected faces of the Co-ordinator's who didn't get picked faded out of the room back stage, leaving the dome.
Ino stared in shock at the match ups. She hadn't expected to battle Choji now, she expected to battle him in the finals when she might have had more time to sweet talk him into throwing the match for her. She looked towards the usually lovable boy. He glared back, he seemed ready for the battle, more like actually looking forward to it.
"You said it yourself, Ino. No hard feelings against the winner. So please give it your all." Choji spoke with confidence, unusual for someone as shy as he usually was.
'What's up with Choji, he seems angry at Ino...' Sakura stared at the brown haired boy as he walked off to prepare for his own battle. Ino moped down onto the bench, Sakura was unsure of what to say to cheer up the platinum blonde.
'Would Sakura and Haku please make their way to the stage!' A voice called out over the intercom, now there was no time to say anything to cheer her up. "Do your best Ino. I'd like to battle you in the finals." Sakura spoke with a smile, before she headed off. Haku had already left, he, like Choji appeared confident and ready. And something about the smirk on his face made all of Sakura's confidence in her abilities fade. She had seen him perform, and he was excellent, totally in sync with his pokemon partner. Only one thought ran through Sakura's mind. 'Can I win against him?'
A/N: Yo! Rinne here! Well how was that? 7000 words long makes it my longest chapter yet I think. Akatsuki interview I gave a shout out to a few people who left questions, Final Black Getsuga and Codenamed Bolt, those were the two easiest pennames to transfer over and make them sound like a magazine, newspaper, websiter or blog. So that's why. I hope I answered them as Pein-ily as possible, I didn't want to give too much away about Akatsuki.
Sasuke VS Shino. Shino's one of my favourite Characters. He's strong, smart and during the Chunin Exams when he's about to fight Kankuro Sasuke clearly shows some respect for him as a fighter. So I may have overpowered him slightly, but I want to get across that while Sasuke's been thinking he's cruising at the top of the class, he hasn't realised how quickly the second best catches up.
And just when Sasuke was about to show a change of heart this happens. Don't worry, if anything this experience will probably cause Sasuke to open up even more. Now that he knows he not totally unbeatable against people his own age as well.
Well after that that's pretty much most of the Hearthome arc done, just got to do Naruto's gym challenge and a walk in that back gardens, then boom. On the road again. If I haven't said it before the team will break up after Hearthome and I will be introducing two new travelling partners for Naruto.
I've also been thinking about the future of the fic, not discontinuing it. But I'm thinking of stopping around chapter 30 and starting the sequel, which will take place 3 years into the future so Naurto will be 15-16. I don't want a bunch of 12-13 year olds running around in a war trying to be super badass. Red's already done that and he did it well!
Anyways, that's pretty much it for now,
Until Next Time,
Rinne-Kami, Out!