Vulpix is being subjected to intense heat coming from a very strong individual. Because of Flash Fire, Vulpix is undamaged. Discovered traces of power comparable to the Fire Stone, which can help alter the Pokemon's gene as long as Flash Fire is active. Needed another ten attacks of the same or higher degree of power to evolve Vulpix to Ninetales.

Okami was delighted to find a loophole to evolve his Vulpix. He checked the Pokemon App and found out that Vulpix needed to be level 31 to learn all the possible skills he could naturally learn, including the devastating Fire Blast skill. If he could play his cards right, he could evolve it into Ninetales without exchanging his Pokemon Points for a Fire Stone. With this in mind, he was all the more insistent in convincing Hiruzen to help Vulpix evolve before the fated attack where the Hokage died under Orochimaru's assault.

As soon as the flames vanished, Vulpix strolled forward with a delighted look on his face. He sincerely looked at Hiruzen as if begging him to be hit by his fire Jutsus.

Hiruzen's eyes twitched as he saw Vulpix's actions. He looked at Okami and asked, "So is this Flash Fire?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama. Every fire Jutsus can't harm the bearer of this ability. Ninjas who use Pokemon with Flash Fire in 'Absorb' mode will also be immune to Fire Jutsus, regardless of how strong it is."

"Indeed." Hiruzen knew the power he had released earlier. Even though he controlled the Chakra output, nobody could deny the Ninjutsu's strength that came from a Kage level. "Do you still have any other Pokemon that has Flash Fire, Okami-kun?"

Okami shook his head. "As of now, I don't have one."

"I see." Hiruzen remembered what Iruka had reported last night and asked, "What about Naruto's Vulpix?"

"Oh, I never thought you'd find that out so fast," Okami remarked even though he suspected that Iruka had told Hiruzen of the events yesterday. "Unfortunately, every Pokemon, even those under the same species, will have different abilities and characteristics. Naruto's Vulpix has Drought, which will turn the sunlight harsher than usual as long as the bearer allows it. As a result, all fire-based Jutsus will be stronger regardless if the user is an enemy or not."

Hiruzen suddenly thought of the Uchiha clan and felt glum. He wished he could change the past but it was useless to cry over spilled milk. What he could do was move on and protect what he had in the present.

"What about the one that can teleport?"

"Oh, Abra. I am very lucky to have one. As you've already witnessed, he can teleport anywhere as long as he had seen that place before. Of course, it also allows me to teleport as well in 'Absorb' mode."

"And his ability?" Inoichi interrupted as he was very interested in teleportation. Since he was already a Pokemon trainer, then he could also possibly own an Abra and possessed that uncanny Jutsu, which could rival the Fourth's Body Flickering Jutsu.

"Magic Guard. It protects the Pokemon from indirect damages, including poison. If the enemy ninja is a poison user, then his attacks would be useless against someone who has absorbed a Pokemon with Magic Guard, as long as he has the power to maintain the 'Absorb' mode."

Hiruzen thought of the Suna ninjas and their annoying puppets. If he could have several ninjas who were immune to poison, then they could wreck the enemies' formations and cripple one of their major sources of power.

"Okami-kun, your Kekkei Genkai is a big help for Konoha," Hiruzen said, paused for a bit, and continued, "with this, as the leader of the village, I am sincerely inviting you to become a part of the village's power. Your secrets will be safe with us and I assure you that your Ketchum clan will be acknowledged by the elders and different major clans."

Okami did not expect Hiruzen to invite him right away but he was glad that he did so. He needed to confirm several things before he would agree. "But I don't have any place where I can develop my Jutsu, Hokage-sama."

"I can provide you one. There's a vacant lot west of Hyuuga, you can slowly start everything at that place."

"Would the other clans agree? Would the elders agree?"

"They have no reason to disagree. And with regards to the vacant lot, it is one of my properties, and I still had to appropriate it. Just consider it as a gift from me."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen laughed boisterously as he inspected Okami's body. He was sure that the boy's body was not used to fighting but he could still let him learn. Despite the age factor, it was not yet late for him to learn more important things to become an excellent and loyal ninja.

"Do we still have to check Inochi?" Inoichi was displeased when his Pokemon was overshadowed by Okami's but he could not deny the prowess of the Pokemon he had seen. If all Konoha ninjas could become Pokemon trainers, then it would be a big help when wartime comes.

"Inochi?"

"My Zubat, Hokage-sama." Inoichi was slightly annoyed when Hiruzen forgot his Pokemon's name.

"We can inspect it later when I have time. I must make things official and prepare the necessary documents and things Okami needed to become a proper clan inside Konoha. Okami must also have the necessary personnel to assure his safety." Hiruzen calmly explained as he lit a pipe in his mouth. "In short, I need to have the place ready so Okami can safely transfer right away."

Inoichi nodded. "Yes, Hokage-sama. What do you want me to do, then?"

"As for now, you are dismissed, Inoichi."

"As you wish, Hokage-sama." Inoichi turned around and gave a slight nod towards Okami. He unsummoned Inochi and exited the forest.

"So are you ready to visit your new place?" Hiruzen inquired Okami as soon as Inoichi left the vicinity.

Okami blinked stupidly as he looked at Hiruzen. "Right now?"

"Yes. Right now."

"Of course, Hokage-sama. Lead the way."

=======================================

The place was very busy and the groups of people were constantly chattering with each other. Some were peddling their goods as other civilians passed by the stalls. It was already late in the afternoon but the area was filled with many activities.

Inoichi strolled along the path until he reached the meeting place with Shikaku and Choza: the Akimichi Restaurant. He knew that there would be many diners because of the quality of the food they serve but he was not a foodie. He just wanted to hang out here because this place was owned by an Akimichi.

He went inside and saw that the place was almost full. He looked around and smiled when he noticed Shikaku waving at him.

"Hey, Shikaku, it's really good that you can make time today," Inoichi joked as soon as he arrived at the table where his friends were sitting. He looked at Choza who was already eating some skewered barbecues and chuckled. "Looks like someone can't wait."

Shikaku grumbled as he drank sake. "You've got something important to tell us? Yoshino's been angry nowadays. I need to be home at 6 PM."

Inoichi chortled when he heard Shikaku's reply. He was familiar with the temper of his friend's wife, understanding that he had chosen a bad time to meet him. "Thank you for coming here, brother Shikaku. If it is inconvenient with you, we can still do it tomorrow."

Shikaku massaged his temple. "Too bothersome. Just tell me what it is since we're already here."

Choza nodded as he drank another cup of sake and continued eating.

Inoichi lowered his face. "This is all related to Okami."

"The kid with the peculiar summons? What's so important - wait, don't tell me Hokage-sama planned to give him clan status because of his unique Kekkei Genkai?"

Inoichi nodded. "Smart as ever."

"Does Hokage-sama intend to let me do all the works?"

"Good guess."

Shikaku grumbled. "Too bothersome. But I know this is not enough for you to insist on meeting with us. What's the other reason that made you want to talk with me today?"

Choza's eyes were fixed on Inoichi even though he never stopped eating his feast.

"Summon: Zubat."

The bat-like Pokemon appeared at the center of the table, which made both guys wide-eyed.

Choza paused for a bit as he inspected Zubat, and continued eating after a few seconds.

Shikaku scrutinized the Pokemon before him and looked at Inoichi. "Is this a Pokemon? Since you summoned this, are you now perhaps a Pokemon trainer?"

"You still remembered every single thing Okami said back at the Hokage's office," Inoichi remarked, satisfied that he did not need lots of explanations today. "Yes, I became one just a while ago."

Inoichi explained what happened inside Okami's mind when he was mind reading. After he was done, he looked at his friends' reaction and he knew they were as flabbergasted as he was when he first met Professor Oak.

"So, are you telling me Okami's grandfather wanted us to have these Pokemon?" Shikaku held the two Pokeballs, which was cold to touch. "If what you were saying is true, then I am interested to see what Drowzee can do. Hypnosis and dreams...I wonder what ability it has."

"Mr. Mime can be used well by our clan," Choza said his very few words he had ever uttered in this meeting. "Barriers work well with our formation."

"Indeed." Shikaku drank another cup of sake while he thought of something. "Teleportation...now that's a very good Jutsu. Fourth Hokage's Body Flickering Jutsu is hard to learn but now we have this Pokemon who can give us a similar skill easily. Well, we don't know how efficient it works well with other attacks but thinking of the possibilities brings me shivers."

"That is why I am very interested to let you meet Okami and become a Pokemon trainer. With nothing to lose, who knows what abilities the other Pokemon have in their arsenal."

"Are you sure that there are no losses? Are you sure that there are no traps when you become a Pokemon trainer?"

Inoichi tapped his fingers on the table as he unsummoned Zubat. "Yes, that I am sure. You know me very well, Shikaku. I never handle things I am not sure of."

Shikaku closed his eyes for a bit as his brows furrowed. After a few minutes of rumination, he smiled and lifted the two Pokeballs. He juggled it between his hands and said, "I'm in. Let us meet this kid and see what the Ketchum clan can do."

Choza gulped down his food as he gave an okay sign with his right thumb.

"When will we meet him, then?"

Shikaku rubbed his chin. "Tomorrow."

====================================

Naruto went inside his house and placed his bag on the table. He was just back from the Academy, annoyed that he had to do some math assignments for tonight. Whatever the case, he missed his Vulpix since he had not summoned it when he was in class. Smiling, he flexed his arms and said, "Summon: Vulpix."

Vulpix appeared and gave him a snort when he saw Naruto. He walked far away from Naruto as he lifted his chin just like that of an arrogant young master.

"Hey, hey. Don't be angry. Don't worry, I've bought you lots of cupcakes for dinner. See?" Naruto took out the chocolate cupcakes he bought from the Sushi store just beside Okami's place and set it on the table. He wanted to eat at Okami's place but Okami was not at his house. "Come, now, Vulpix."

{Don't you have a name for me? I don't want to be called Vulpix time and time again.}

Naruto wondered if all the Pokemon were as fluent as this one. He grabbed the cup noodles inside his bag and filled it with hot water. "I can't think of one. How about I call you Ramen?"

{Might as well call me Noodles.}

"That's a good name. From now on, I will call you Noodles."

{...}

"Hey, Noodles. Come and join me for dinner. Let us eat."

{Why don't you call me Kyuubi? After all, I am a fox Pokemon. I think I'd rather be unsummoned when you call me Noodles.}

Naruto's eyes lit up when he heard his suggestion. "Wow, that's a good name."

Naruto ate his dinner as he grumbled about what happened earlier in class, not noticing the strange familiar red chakra that was enveloping his Vulpix.

=====================================