"Does Growlithe also evolve?"
Kushina asked. In the past two years, as more Pokémon phenomena were revealed, they discovered that so-called evolution could completely change a Pokémon's appearance and strength. However, since Growlithe's birth, besides its increase in size and improvement in moves, it hadn't shown any abnormalities.
"Call out your Growlithe," Hayato said calmly. "Moreover, its evolution is crucial for our mission."
Kushina nodded, bewildered. Since Hayato was so certain, he must have his own plan. She took out a Poké Ball and summoned Growlithe.
"Woof!"
The little Growlithe excitedly circled the two of them once, then obediently sat next to Chimchar. Since coming to Kushina's side, it gradually understood that it was a companion Hayato had specially chosen and given to Kushina. And Chimchar—the one it regarded as its "big brother"—in the depths of its memory, there was always an impression that Chimchar's size shouldn't have been so large.
"Alright, let's start preparing for evolution!" Uchiha Hayato took out Fire-type and Fighting-type energy cubes. "Xiao Yan, you go first."
After evolving, Chimchar would grow into a Fire-type and Fighting-type Monferno. Before evolution, appropriately feeding Fighting-type energy cubes was very beneficial for Chimchar.
In the past two years, Uchiha Hayato had also accumulated quite a few energy cubes. When he took them all out at once, there were several hundred, piled up into a small mountain.
Chimchar stood up excitedly upon hearing this. It had been waiting for this day impatiently. For it, becoming stronger was not just for itself, but also for Hayato. Only by evolving could it better protect its Trainer.
Chimchar opened its mouth wide, its claws moving constantly. The instinctively provided two months' worth of energy cubes were cleared in a short time, leaving only a few Fire-type energy cubes.
"Xiao Yan, don't eat too fast, save some for Growlithe!" Kushina couldn't help but laugh.
Feeling the fullness in its belly, Chimchar suddenly froze, and its body began to emit a dazzling white light.
This is… evolution?
Even though he had seen countless animated scenes of Pokémon evolution in his previous life, witnessing his own nurtured Chimchar evolve still made Hayato's heart warm.
"Awooo—!"
Within the white light, Chimchar let out an excited Roar, its body rapidly lengthening and growing stronger. Gradually, the light receded, and a brand new Chimchar appeared before everyone.
No, it should be called Monferno now.
Monferno stood up, a head taller than Hayato, with a body nearly 1.8 meters tall, making it look majestic. Dark blue mask-like patterns appeared on its face, and the flames on its tail burned even more fiercely. Monferno raised its head and let out a long cry, spewing powerful Flamethrower from its mouth, showcasing its new strength to everyone.
[Name: Monferno]
[Gender: Male]
[Ability: Blaze (When HP is low, the power of Fire-type moves increases)]
[Type: Fire]
[Held Item: Charcoal]
[Moves: Scratch, Glare, Double Kick, Fire Punch, Fake Out, Ember, Taunt, Fury Swipes, Flame Wheel, Nasty Plot, Torment, Feint, Thunder Punch, Agility, Flame Charge, Mach Punch, Flamethrower]
What kind of summoned beast is this? Asako's face was full of shock. From the aura emanating from Monferno, she knew she was absolutely no match for this summoned beast. Her originally unhopeful heart now felt a little anticipation.
"What is this?" Kushina took out her Pokédex, and a mechanical voice came from the device in her hand. "Monferno, the Playful Pokémon. The evolved form of Chimchar, it uses ceilings or walls to perform aerial attacks, and the flames on its tail are also a weapon."
Monferno looked at Hayato with its bright, piercing eyes and let out a low growl. Its entire body exuded an eager desire for battle.
"Very good." Hayato nodded in satisfaction. He had worried that Chimchar might become difficult to control after evolving, but Monferno's performance proved that it was still loyal.
Fortunately, it hadn't; on the contrary, he had underestimated Chimchar.
"Next, it's your turn, Growlithe," Hayato said with a smile.
He took out a Fire Stone and handed it to Kushina.
"After Growlithe finishes eating the energy cubes, use this Fire Stone to evolve it."
Growlithe's eyes lit up upon hearing this. It looked at Kushina, wagging its tail incessantly, eagerly desiring her permission.
"Eat, Growlithe." Kushina gently stroked its head. She knew Pokémon could be powerful, but mostly she just treated them as companions and hadn't deliberately trained them. "You're also looking forward to it, aren't you?"
"I'm sorry, Growlithe, for making you accompany me on this adventure…"
Growlithe let out two howls; it also wanted to do something for Kushina.
Amidst everyone's anticipation, a white light also emanated from Growlithe's body.
A milky white aura enveloped it, obscuring the changes within.
In Kushina's heart, this moment seemed to last for a long time. Finally, a large canine covered in fluffy fur appeared before everyone.
The black and orange stripes on its body were more pronounced than before evolution, and its long tail and limbs were covered in flaxen fur.
Monferno looked up, thinking, "Little sister, how did you grow taller than me?"
"This is Arcanine, the evolved form of Growlithe. The Pokédex records that it can run ten thousand li in a single day and night," Hayato explained. "With it, we can reach Uzushiogakure as quickly as possible."
Kushina pounced on it, burying her face in Arcanine's fur. "Arcanine, you look so beautiful."
Arcanine let out two soft whimpers, its gaze firmly fixed on Hayato. It was ready, just waiting for Uchiha Hayato to give the command, and then it could carry them all the way.
Hayato glanced at the stunned Asako and explained, "Arcanine is our best mode of transportation. With our three body types, we can barely sit on its back. After we leave the Village, we'll ride Arcanine to quickly reach the border of the Land of Fire, and then quietly sneak back into Uzushiogakure."
Asako nodded repeatedly. She had no other options. Uchiha Hayato was so confident, he must have a solid plan. She only hoped that the Village could hold out a little longer.
Hayato glanced at the time. It was still early. He would leave Konoha with Kushina and the others in a few hours.
Before that, he had to get rid of those annoying Anbu.
Uchiha Hayato's heart sank slightly. In the Village, his status was not as high as Kushina's, but it wasn't far off. Hiruzen Sarutobi would not easily let him leave the Village until he believed he had sufficient strength.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi was alerted, his plan would end before it even began. He was not yet a match for the Third Hokage, who was still in his prime.