Ever since learning that the power within Pokémon was Natural Energy in the Ninja World, Hayato had paid particular attention to Pokémon training.
The power formed by combining Natural Energy and Chakra is called Sage Power, and the techniques used are Sage Arts, which even the Ōtsutsuki cannot absorb.
Moreover, the potential of Pokémon is even more imaginative—Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, Dynamax, Terastallization… these powers are endless.
Legendary Pokémon include Palkia and Dialga, who govern time and space, and Groudon and Kyogre, who represent continents and oceans.
Everything about it was so captivating, and as one of the starter Pokémon, Chimchar definitely had potential. After its infancy, he could firmly and resolutely train Chimchar.
Without laying a sufficient foundation, one cannot become strong.
Although he could mindlessly increase his Chakra with Exp. Candies and Rare Candies, without actual combat, he would never truly know his own level.
Talent won't give you chiseled muscles, but hard work can.
To foster a bond with Chimchar, Hayato specifically set aside everyone else to train with Chimchar.
In combat, a Pokémon's speed and stamina are always unavoidable points.
And running is undoubtedly the simplest and most effective method. Chimchar not only had to get used to this monotony in day-to-day training but also had to learn to love it.
"Xiao Yan, we're starting with the most basic training now: stamina training. If you can't even complete this, you won't get any snacks for a week." Hayato put a Power Bracer on Chimchar. "Dai needs to run a hundred laps around Konoha, so you'll have to do at least eighty. I'll run a hundred laps, and I'll run with you, so don't worry."
"Ooh…"
Chimchar's face crumpled. 'Do you have the heart to make a two-month-old child do such difficult training?' When it heard that its snacks would also be confiscated, it felt as if the sky had fallen.
After seeing Uchiha Hayato's serious gaze, Chimchar no longer let out a protesting Growl.
"To become stronger, this is unavoidable."
As soon as Hayato gave the command to start running, Chimchar immediately regretted it. With the Power Bracer on, its usually nimble body now felt incredibly heavy, and after only a few steps, it fell behind Uchiha Hayato.
Watching its trainer's back steadily recede, Chimchar gritted its teeth and accelerated to catch up.
It wasn't just Chimchar; after running seventy laps, Hayato's speed also slowed, and he began to pant. He used a Power Bracer just like Chimchar, and because Lightning Release had been continuously stimulating his body's growth, Hayato was still much more at ease than Chimchar.
But it had to be admitted that whether Ninja or Pokémon, their physiques far exceeded those of ordinary people. After only a slight deceleration, the power within them continuously replenished, giving Uchiha Hayato renewed strength.
Chimchar's movements were no longer agile. It yearned for battle, but such strict training had never happened before. Looking at Hayato, a feeling of not wanting to lose surged in its heart. If even Hayato was working so hard and persevering, should it still give up?
At three in the afternoon, Uchiha Hayato rested for a while, leaning on his knees, following behind Chimchar to watch it complete its last few laps of training.
Finally, the eighty-lap training ended, and Chimchar collapsed to the ground, exhausted. It wished it could end now and go home to eat the food Hayato made.
"Stand… up." Hayato's voice carried an unyielding firmness. "Stand up, Xiao Yan!"
"If you fall now, all the previous training will be in vain."
"Woo…"
Chimchar showed a wronged expression, its blinking eyes very sympathetic.
"Stand up! Do you want to lose to Pikachu again like last time?"
Hayato's tone was unquestionable.
Chimchar shrank its head, recalling the last battle with Pikachu. In the end, it still forced itself to stand up. It didn't want to lose again. Although there was no definitive outcome last time, it clearly realized that without Hayato, it would have been utterly defeated.
"Very good. Rest for twenty minutes, and then we'll practice techniques."
Uchiha Hayato nodded with satisfaction. A Pokémon with ambition was a Pokémon suitable for battle.
About twenty minutes later, Uchiha Hayato looked at Chimchar, who had recovered some stamina, and said, "Now we'll practice techniques. First, you need to train your accuracy. In battle, you can't just rely on your body to fight; your flames are also an important weapon."
As Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, is skilled in physical moves, but Infernape's special attack is also not low. In the Ninja World, if an enemy can be dealt with from a distance using Ninjutsu, there's no need for close-quarters combat.
"Next, I will irregularly throw Shuriken. See if you can hit them accurately."
Uchiha Hayato had an idea in mind, but he didn't know if it could be realized.
"Get ready."
Before Chimchar could react, the Shuriken had already flown out quickly, and its flames naturally didn't hit accurately.
Chimchar gave Uchiha Hayato a resentful look, focusing its mind with all its might.
Now! Looking at the Shuriken spinning in the air, Chimchar no longer hesitated, spitting out flames from its mouth, hitting the Shuriken accurately.
"Bang!"
An unexpectedly large explosion rang out in the air. Before Chimchar could react, its body had already flown out, and it was tackled to the ground by Uchiha Hayato.
It struggled to crawl out from under Hayato, looking at Uchiha Hayato in shock.
At this moment, Hayato's back was already pitch black, and the blood was evaporated by the scorching flames before it could gush out.
Chimchar hugged Uchiha Hayato tightly, tears almost falling from its eyes. It hadn't expected that merely using a normal move would cause him such great harm.
Uchiha Hayato stood up, feeling a sharp pain in his back, and hissed twice. Although he had held back a little, it still exploded in the air. He hadn't expected the aftershock's power to still be so great.
"It's okay. It's just a superficial wound. It just looks scary."
Hayato was excited. Sure enough, his conjecture was true. Sage Art energy is composed of a certain proportion of Chakra and Natural Energy. So, when he infused Chakra into the Shuriken, could Chimchar's moves have a wonderful effect with his?
That is—Sage Art: Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson!
Uchiha Hayato grinned. Although the move failed, it proved his idea was correct. Next, as long as he could properly control his Chakra and Chimchar's move power, he would be able to use Sage Art without completing Sage Mode.
Speaking of which, this injury really hurts!
"Alright, Xiao Yan, training for today ends here. We'll eat something delicious when we get back." Hayato wiped away the tears from Chimchar's eyes and picked him up. "Do you want to eat the curry I made, or energy cubes?"
Chimchar buried its head in Hayato's arms, resolving in its heart that it must train twice as hard and never let this boy get hurt again.