The hour hand marched on relentlessly, and before long it was noon.
With two large cafeterias on campus, students didn't need to rush for food. Even so, Naruto had arrived early—he wanted to grab some Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs, Kurama's favorite.
"Awoo!"
As Naruto walked past a bright yellow "Caution: Slippery Floor" sign, Kurama poked his head out from Naruto's jacket and pointed behind him with a paw.
"What's wrong?"
Naruto turned around, confused. A few students were scattered nearby, eating or waiting for friends. Nothing seemed unusual.
"Mm-wu…"
Even Kurama began doubting himself and slowly retreated back inside.
That was close.
Hinata exhaled in relief.
This was the first time she had almost been discovered after secretly following Naruto for months. If she had been caught, it would have been social suicide!
Just imagining Naruto staring at her in disgust and calling her a creepy stalker made her chest tighten.
This can't continue. I have to talk to him! But what should I say? "Nice weather today?" "The cafeteria food is good?"
He'd probably think I'm weird…
Maybe I should keep researching Naruto-kun's preferences first!
Just as Hinata gathered her courage to stand up, a black-haired boy in a blue shirt rushed toward Naruto.
"Hmph, Naruto."
Sasuke stood with one hand on his hip, smiling confidently. "Still wandering around aimlessly? With that attitude, how are you ever going to surpass me—the Envoy of Pitch-Black Lightning?"
"I'm getting food, not wandering. And you lost last time, so shouldn't you be the one trying to catch up, 'Envoy of Pitch-Black Lightning'?"
Naruto blinked calmly. As the winner of their previous battle, he had the upper hand in their verbal sparring.
"That defeat was a necessary trial every great envoy must experience! Think of it as a scripted loss in a game, understand?!"
Sasuke grabbed Pikachu around the waist and lifted it proudly.
"After intense training, my Pikachu has learned a new move—Double Team! With this power, it'll crush your Pokémon!"
"A new move isn't a big deal! Kurama and I are going to eat. Move aside, loser!"
Naruto brushed past him and headed for the food counter.
But inwardly, he couldn't stay calm.
He and Kurama trained often—Ember had improved slightly—but there were no signs of learning a new move. Hearing that Pikachu had mastered Double Team made him feel sour, like he had just bitten into a lemon.
Screech!
His foot slipped.
In an instant, Naruto lost his balance and fell backward uncontrollably.
He quickly raised his hands to protect the back of his head, bracing for impact.
"Awoo!"
Kurama popped out in panic. Driven by a desperate desire to protect his Trainer, his eyes glowed faintly.
Buzz!
A strange force halted Naruto mid-fall.
His body froze at an impossible angle, as if an invisible giant hand were holding him upright.
A status move—Disable!
Sasuke rushed forward and grabbed Naruto's arm, helping him back to his feet.
"Th-thanks…"
Naruto stood there in a daze. When he saw Kurama panting weakly, he realized what had happened.
Kurama had acted instinctively to protect him.
"Even if you wanted to show off a new move, you didn't have to throw yourself onto the floor!"
Sasuke had clearly misunderstood.
"Th-this was to demonstrate my absolute trust in Kurama!"
Naruto immediately crossed his arms and struck a proud pose.
Before long, the two resumed arguing about whose Pokémon was stronger.
Luckily, the cafeteria was still mostly empty. If a crowd had witnessed Naruto being suspended mid-air by Disable, there would have been chaos among students unfamiliar with Pokémon.
Still, one person had seen everything.
A fox…?
Hinata's mind reeled as she replayed the impossible scene in her head.
—
After lunch, Naruto and Sasuke agreed to settle things in the small woods behind the school—Double Team versus Disable.
But before they could leave—
"If you want to compete, I'll arrange it properly. For now, I have something to discuss with you."
Aizen appeared behind them with a gentle smile.
Zorua peeked out of his pocket, curiously observing the two boys.
"S-so fast! When did you get behind us?! Is that some kind of Teleport Ability?!"
"Teacher, you bought a Pokémon too?!"
Both boys stared at Zorua.
"Its name is Zorua," Aizen said, stroking its head. "It can transform into other creatures."
"Let's find somewhere quiet to talk. Lunch is my treat."
The three sat down in a corner of the cafeteria.
Not far away, Hinata also sat down, staring gloomily at her tray.
Aizen explained his and Jiang Shi's plan in detail.
Naruto and Sasuke immediately agreed, eyes shining.
They had been dying to talk about Pokémon with someone!
Naruto imagined Pokémon becoming popular at school. As one of the earliest Trainers, he could act like a senior and proudly show off Kurama.
Sasuke, meanwhile, imagined defeating Naruto in front of the entire school during the New Year's Eve Gala and reclaiming his honor.
Watching them, Aizen suggested, "After school, let's visit the shop owner again. I have something to report as well."
"Okay!"
They answered in perfect unison.
They exchanged glances.
Both had the same idea.
They would ask the mysterious shop owner—clearly a hidden master—to teach them new strategies. Then they would dominate the stage and defeat the other in spectacular fashion.
With the publication plan and the exhibition battle decided, all that remained was preparation.
If the match were recorded and uploaded online, it could easily go viral—especially if properly promoted.
Of course, the shop owner couldn't just post it himself. In today's fast-moving internet world, it would disappear instantly without connections.
When the time comes… I'll ask that person for help.
As Aizen quietly made plans, Hinata finished her meal and stood up.
After school, I'll visit the Pokémon Pet Shop too.
If I have a Pokémon…
Maybe I'll finally be able to talk to Naruto-kun.
Clutching her tray tightly, Hinata made up her mind