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"You're welcoming us in?" Kai raised a brow. "So we can just walk into a ninja academy like that?"
In Kai's experience, anything involving ninjas came with an air of secrecy. Hidden villages, veiled traditions, and centuries-old rules were never known for their hospitality.
But times had changed. The world no longer needed stealth operatives in the shadows when Pokémon could accomplish more with raw power and elemental techniques.
Ninja culture, once revered, was now more spectacle than strategy.
This academy? It was clearly trying to evolve with the times.
Kai studied the headmaster again a tall, silver-haired man with an upright posture and clear eyes, his steps light as a feather.
There was no mistaking it: this man had once been a formidable practitioner of ninja combat.
"Mind if we look around inside?" Kai asked.
"Not at all," the headmaster replied, smiling. "Follow me."
Hands behind his back, he led them through the academy grounds. Along the way, he spoke with pride.
"Here at the Pokémon Jujitsu Academy, students train to master a unique fusion of combat strategy and Pokémon coordination. Moves like Ariados' [Spider Web], Venonat's [Stun Spore], Scyther's [Double Team], or Pineco's [Spikes] we consider these part of our 'Pokémon Ninjutsu.' Our goal is to strengthen both body and bond."
Kai looked around. In one area, students in red uniforms coordinated mock battles. In another, yellow-clad trainees practiced breathing exercises alongside Bug-types.
Across a shallow pond, a group in green uniforms trained with water types emphasizing flow, rhythm, and precision.
It was like something out of an anime.
"Each color represents a different discipline," the headmaster explained. "Red for combat, yellow and green for power enhancement and elemental mastery. Blue well, blue is more... specialized."
"Specialized?" Kai echoed.
"Yes. Students in blue study performance appearance, confidence, and physical upkeep. Beauty and wellness, if you will."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Beauty and... fitness? In a ninja academy?"
Next to him, Erika lit up.
"How do they teach that?" she asked.
The headmaster chuckled. "Using Pokémon, of course. Spinarak silk makes excellent facial masks cleanses the skin, tightens pores, improves elasticity."
Erika blinked. "Really?"
She didn't look convinced. Silk from a Bug-type didn't exactly scream spa day.
Kai, however, wasn't surprised. In his travels, he'd seen stranger things. People brewed herbal teas from Oddish leaves. Why not skincare with Pokémon silk?
Seeing Erika's curiosity bloom, the headmaster grinned slyly. "We're offering a limited-time retreat package with meals including hot water, Wi-Fi, and a full 14-day ninja immersion. Just 21,580 credits. Interested?"
Kai almost laughed. So that's the pitch.
He was just about to politely decline when—
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
Three sharp projectiles embedded into the ground inches from his boots.
Startled, Kai looked up just as a figure landed in front of him.
She wore a crimson ninja uniform and had flowing green-black hair. Her eyes were sharp. Her presence? Fiery.
Kai recognized her instantly.
"Aya?"
Koga's sister. The ninja girl from Fuchsia City.
She didn't look pleased.
"Of all the places," she snapped, arms crossed, "I run into you here?"
Kai blinked. "Didn't expect to see you either."
Aya narrowed her eyes. "Last time, your Jigglypuff put the whole squad to sleep. You ditched me in the middle of a field, and I froze half the night!"
Ah… that incident.
Kai chuckled nervously. "Water under the bridge?"
She took a step forward. "Not even close. New grudges, old grudges time to settle them all."
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