Seven days later, Ash finally reached Kirigakure — a lonely island veiled in perpetual mist. Snowflakes drifted down from a cold, grey sky. Despite the chill, the surrounding seas kept the climate strange… never quite like the mainland. Weather here obeyed its own rules.
"Welcome, honored shinobi. Do you require accommodations?"
As Ash stepped into a local inn, a nervous young attendant hurried over.
"A room. One with a hot spring bath," Ash replied casually.
Hot springs were practically standard in Mist Village inns — one of its few comforts.
"Of course, sir. Please, right this way." The attendant's expression grew more respectful.
Ash's forehead protector — even if fake — marked him as a Missing-nin, a status no ordinary worker dared to challenge without undeniable proof. In wartime, offending the wrong guest could mean death.
As they ascended the stairs, Ash suddenly asked:
"By the way… how many bridges are there around here?"
For days he had been retracing the original plot — Zabuza and Haku were first encountered on a bridge.
"This must be your first time in the Hidden Mist," the attendant replied.
"There are three major bridges, each connecting to nearby outlying islands."
He spoke freely — nothing classified, nothing that would draw suspicion.
"I see. Then do me a favor."
Ash pulled out his wallet and handed over 50,000 Pokédollars.
"Find me a map of the area later."
The attendant's eyes widened.
That was nearly a month's salary for him.
"Thank you, sir! I'll bring a map when I deliver your dinner. But, ah— I can only obtain a map of the outer district. Maps of the central village are… restricted."
"That's fine." Ash waved it off. He only needed to locate the bridges.
As for infiltrating the true Kirigakure — he had no doubt he could do that himself.
After all, his goals here were simple:
✔ Locate Haku
✔ Test Zabuza's combat capability
✔ Observe Mist Village's situation
Nagato had no need for him to openly interfere with the war just yet.
"You may relax, sir. I'll return shortly."
Relieved, the attendant hurried away — delighted at the hefty tip he now possessed.
Ash entered his private hot spring suite, tossing his clothes aside and wrapping a towel around his waist. Sinking into the steaming water, he let the warmth melt away fatigue from days on the road.
"Hah… nothing beats a hot spring."
He leaned back against a smooth rock edge, eyes half-closed.
"System," he asked inwardly, "can a Master Ball capture a Tailed Beast?"
For a moment, the world was quiet.
Then—
Ding~!
The Tailed Beasts exist as pure chakra entities. Without a physical vessel, a Master Ball cannot capture them.
Ash sighed.
"So Kurama needs a container form to be caught, huh… makes sense."
His ambitions remained unchanged — but now, he knew the rules.
"It's a pity."
Ash shook his head with disappointment after the system's response.
His original plan had been bold — capture a few of the Nine Tailed Beasts and bring them back to the Pokémon world. Such beings were on par with — or even above — Legendary Pokémon in terms of power.
But he only possessed three Master Balls:
Two obtained from the Lottery System
One awarded for winning the Quartz League Championship
One had already been used to capture Mewtwo.
"So even if I could catch Tailed Beasts, I'd only get three."
His mind continued spinning with future possibilities when—
"Sir, your dinner has arrived. I'll leave it outside the door.
Once you're finished, please place the tray outside — we'll clean up later.
Ah, and your map is included!"
The attendant's voice cut through his scheming.
Ash rose from the hot spring, drying off quickly. The clothing of this world still felt outdated to him, so he kept wearing the stylish outfit from his own world — far more comfortable.
Opening the door, he found a covered dining cart waiting for him.
He couldn't help but chuckle.
This world feels technologically behind… yet still manages this level of service. Even during war.
He wheeled the cart in. Underneath a plate of grilled fish, he discovered the folded map. He ate while studying the streets, waterways, and — most importantly — the three bridges marked outside the village's core district.
"We'll start with the closest one."
He memorized the map, folded it away, and stepped outside.
The sky above Kirigakure was always dim.
Though it was only mid-afternoon — around three o'clock — the sun was choked by fog so thick that street lanterns were already lit. The ever-present mist cast long shadows and distorted shapes, making the world feel trapped between day and night.
Surrounded by sea on all sides, the diet here was almost entirely seafood. Fresh fish was abundant, but beef and mutton were expensive and rarely transported from the mainland.
Locals were weary of eating the same dishes every day.
But to Ash?
Freshly grilled fish, salt-steamed clams, seaweed broth — it was a novelty.
He grinned lightly.
Not a bad perk of traveling between worlds.
Ready to move, Ash directed his gaze toward the coastline — toward the first bridge…
And toward the fateful encounter he was eagerly hunting.
...
TN:
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