To leave or not to leave (2)

Okami availed the altered Vulpix right away. As soon as he pressed the confirm button, the Pokemon App began emitting black chakra, which then swiveled around him like that of a hurricane. It went for about a minute before it suddenly rushed inside his body, giving him a feeling of suffocation as his chest tightened because of the intense power.

"What's happening?!" Okami looked around and noticed that the people surrounding him were minding their own business as if they were not witnessing all these things.

The black chakra continued to fill his body until he felt bloated because of the massive chakra rush. The last thing he saw before he became unconscious was the glowing Pokemon App, which became a ball of light.

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

Okami woke up and felt that his body was sore all over. He sat down and felt the cold breeze hitting his face and looked around but all he could see was the white clouds surrounding him. This was not the usual dreamland that he visited every time he met the mysterious God. "Where am I?"

He tried touching the clouds but his right hand passed through it. It was very alarming for him when he realized that he was in a foreign place, so he mustered his strength and stood up. He massaged his body to ease up the pain and stopped when he felt that he could move his legs. He made five steps before pausing since he was not sure what lies before him. Who knew if he was on a cliff and he would fall to his doom?

"Anyone there?" Okami shouted and listened to any response. After a minute, there was still silence. Getting impatient, he roared this time, "Mysterious God?! Can you hear me?"

As soon as he was done shouting, there was a faint thumping sound, like that of a heartbeat. Then a familiar, boomy voice reverberated across the area, which calmed his nerves.

[Congratulations, Okami. You have passed the tutorial phase of the Examination.]

"Thank Arceus it's you, mysterious God!" Okami blurted out as he patted his chest. When he realized the mysterious God's words, he narrowed his eyes and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

[You've fulfilled the requirement and became an official Pokemon Emissary by achieving one of the true milestones, the Altered Ones.]

"Eh?! Are you saying that the Naruto World was just a tutorial and I just became a Pokemon Emissary? Does it mean that my efforts were just to pass the tutorial mode?!"

[Not necessarily. Your efforts will have a long-lasting effect on that parallel world. All the Pokemon that you unlocked can be carried over to the next world while the Altered Vulpix can help you pass the real succeeding tests.]

Okami remembered all the people he encountered inside the Naruto world. "But I thought I still have to reach the final phase before I can pass?"

[Yes, that is indeed the case, if you proceed to the normal route. But you were able to meet and have a contract with the Kyubi, which was a very rare thing to do. This gives you enough strength to proceed directly to the real exam. Right now, you can opt to leave the tutorial mode and proceed to the first test. Or you can still stay and proceed with the tutorial mode to garner more rewards.]

"What are the differences between the two options?"

[Freedom and prizes. If you opt to stay inside this world, then you can garner more rewards but you are bound to the rules of the High God, meaning you will be severely limited with your actions after the second phase. But if you decide to ascend to the next world and become a true Pokemon Emissary, then there will be no more rules to follow. You can do anything that you want to and let the story proceed until you finish the marking line plot. But your objective stays the same and that is to strengthen the pokemon influence inside the chosen world.]

"Could I still ascend if I choose to stay inside the Naruto world for the moment?"

[Once you cancel this reward, you will have no choice but to finish the marking line plot of Naruto before you can ascend to the next world.]

"Could I go back to the Naruto world if I proceed to the first test?"

[Yes. The only means to do this is by completing the next world's plot. If you happen to finish it, then you will go back to the Naruto world to proceed with the second part of the test, this time, without restrictions.]

"What will happen to the Naruto world if I choose to ascend now? I still have some people that I care about back there."

[There will be a time skip. The aborigines of the world will continue to live the way it should be, this time, together with the pokemon you have unlocked and the achievements you have done. The legacy you have given to them will continue and their memory of you will not fade away. The next time you visit this world, there will be changes but they will still remember you.]

"I'm still concerned about Tomiro, Baki, Akira-san and his team, my ex-teammates..."

[We have our arrangements once you leave the world.]

Okami sighed in relief. Then he weighed the pros and cons of the two options inside his mind before asking, "Can I somehow contact them before I leave? I want to talk to my friends."

[No.]

Okami regretted his choice when he availed the altered Vulpix right away. He thought that he should have waited at least after he settled the Orochimaru assault before unlocking the special pokemon. Who knew that something like this would result after doing it. Greed really could make one suffer. Without a choice, he inquired with a weak voice, "Can you tell me what the next world is?"

[It's a jump of faith. I am not allowed to tell you what it is.]

Okami took a deep breath and finally decided. "Then take me to the next world. I don't want to be bound by the rules anymore. After all, I can still visit the Naruto world once I finish this first exam."

[A very daring choice. Well, you can always finish your business when you come back at a later date. Always remember the reason why you are inside these worlds. Don't forget to check your Pokemon App after you enter the next world. And good luck.]

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

Meanwhile, back in the Naruto world.

It was late in the afternoon and Tomiro closed the shop's gate after the last customer left the premise. He then went inside the Pokemon Center and count the earnings for the day.

"Hey, old Baki! We've earned 800,101 Ryo just for today!" Tomiro had a wolf grin on his face as he shelved the money back onto the counter. "Boss will be happy! I can imagine his face, heh!"

Baki laughed while he petted his Chansey, who helped him a lot in treating the pokemon's injuries. "I know. I never expected that we could earn something big like this. Back when I was working in the Sushi shop, the income did not even reach 70,000 Ryo."

Tomiro nodded. "Well, Toki always dream of earning much money. He should have just integrated the shop into the Pokemon Center."

"Well, my son did not want to give up the shop. It's been our ancestor's legacy from the past. Anyway, your mother's coming tonight, right?"

"Yes. Boss said that we're going to have a big party later. Tomorrow's the main event for the Chunin exam. I'm excited to see the fights."

Baki shrugged his shoulders. "I'll pass. It's too violent for me. Anyway, have you seen my daughter?"

"Nope. I guess they're still inside the Pokemon Safari with Deira-san and Taeho-kun."

Baki was about to say something when he heard the bell ringing. "I think it's them."

"I'll check." Tomiro ran and went outside the shop. After a few minutes, he came back together with his mom, Akita, and Toki.

Baki waved his hands as he saw them entering the shop. "At last, you are here. Is that the ingredients that you're going to cook for tonight?"

Toki slightly nodded his head as he placed the bag on the table. "How I wish that we can - "

The shop suddenly shook, which made everyone panic and fell on the floor. There was a loud rumbling of thunder that echoed across the area as a bright light covered the entire shop. It lasted for two minutes then everything went still.

The first one to stand up was Tomiro, who was flustered from the recent earthquake. He then scanned the room and asked, "Is everyone okay?"

Baki gathered his strength and stood up while massaging his temple. "I'm okay. Let's check outside."

Everyone followed his instruction and altogether ran outside the shop.

The houses that once surrounded them were gone, and what replaced them was the white snow that covered the plain. There was a big contrast to the environment that was happening inside and outside the wall. There was a blizzard going on outside while inside felt sunny and warm as if something was protecting them from the weather.

Baki saw the three huge mountains in the northeast, which were shaped like that of a fanged animal. He was reminded of his past and stepped back as he pointed towards the mountains. "That's...that's the Three Wolves!"

Tomiro frowned when he realized what Baki was talking about. "But that is where the Land of Iron is located, right?"

Baki nodded. "I don't know what happened but right now, we are indeed near the land of the Samurais."

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

Deira looked at his watch and shouted, "Hey! Taeho and Anita. It's getting late! We still have to report to Shikaku-san."

"Sure, Deira-sensei!" Anita pouted her mouth as she petted a Charmander located inside Area 2. "Looks like our time's up. See you tomorrow, Charmander!"

"Char!" The fire pokemon then ran towards the grassy patch and began eating the Oran berries scattered on the ground.

Taeho released the Spearow back to the sky and laughed. "Aah! This is great. How I wish I can stay here forever."

Deira fixed his glasses and commanded the guardian to teleport them outside the Pokemon Safari. As soon as they appeared at the entrance, the first thing he noticed was the absence of the Pokemon Center. He frowned as he looked around and realized that they were surrounded by trees.

Taeho's eyes almost popped out when he observed the strange area. "What the - "

Deira covered the boy's mouth. "Ssh...Don't shout. We don't know where we are and we don't want to catch anyone's attention."

Taeho and Anita nodded their heads and hid behind the trees.

Deira sniffed around and smelled the faint sea breeze. He cupped his hands on his ears and concentrated. "I can hear the waves. Are we on an island?"

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

"Let's start the meeting. Tora and Ushi, tell us what you saw."

Ushi nodded. "We were stationed outside the Pokemon Shop when we saw a bright light covering the entire area. After a few minutes, the entire area was gone."

"See! I was right, Hiruzen. The boy has his plans!" Danzo banged his cane against the floor. "We should have put a restraint on him. But it's impossible to do now because they're gone!"

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. "Don't jump into conclusions, Danzo. And remember your position, here. In the first place, you were never invited to the meeting."

"It was us who invited him, Hiruzen. He deserves to know if something happened inside Konoha." Homura tapped his fingers on the table. "But let's go back to the topic. Okami's gone. What are we going to do about it?"

Hiruzen sighed. "Then what do you suggest?"

"I suggest that we consider having a search mission after we settle the troubles, Hiruzen. The guts he has to disappear just when he knows the current dangers we are facing right now. Who knows, he might be in cahoot with Orochimaru."

Koharu nodded. "If we can't find him even after scouring the entire Land of Fire, then we will consider him as a missing Nin. We can't afford to let anyone take advantage of the boy."

Hiruzen closed his eyes, musing over the suggestions of the elders. After a long time of contemplation, he opened his eyes and looked at the trio. "Then, let's follow your advice. If we can't find him after we settle our problems, then he will be considered as a missing Nin."

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

Danzo was inside a dilapidated house, his eyes fixated on the book he received yesterday. After reading the book, he closed it slowly and asked, "Did you prepare the things I've told you?"

"Yes, Danzo-dono!"

"Very good! It's time to capture the targets." Danzo returned the book to the masked Root ninja, and exclaimed, "I want Okami Okaya, Tomiro Ragiza with his mom, and the Ryota family alive!"

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

The fiery volcano continued emitting some magma while the large, avian Pokémon with golden plumage perched on the ground. The long, flowing head crest was swaying in the sky as it screeched towards the masked guy.

'So this is the legendary Moltres that the kid was talking about, Chatterbox?"

"Yup! The kid's not kidding when he said that it was that huge, hahaha!" White Zetsu appeared from the ground and grinned. "So, Tobi. You're going to capture it?"

Tobi nodded. "Let us see if we can control it using the Mangekyou Sharingan."

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

Okita was checking her records when someone intruded her room.

"Miss Okita! Something big happened!"

She looked at Oriko's bewildered expression. "Why are you shouting like that?"

"The Pokemon Center, it's gone!"

"What?!" Okita suddenly stood up, her fist clenched tightly into a fist. But after a few minutes, her hands relaxed and she smiled. "Call my sister, Mitsui. Tell her that our plans our canceled."

Oriko scratched his head. "Then are we going to leave Konoha?"

Okita nodded. "Let's go to Suna Village."

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

Akira's face looked grim when he heard the report from his colleague. He then shifted his attention to the three Genins. "Everyone, it's time to go back to Konoha!"

Koga wiped the dirt from Beedrill's head. "Why? Aren't we going to continue the reconnaissance mission?"

Akira shook his head. "We've got a new mission."

Rinan called back his Pigeotto beside him. "What is it, Sensei?"

Akira rubbed his hands while he sat on the floor. "It's to search for a possible missing Nin."

Nori frowned when she saw Akira's expression. "Who is it, Sensei?"

Akira took a deep breath before he answered, "Okami Okaya."

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

Kurama was busy strengthening his powers inside Vulpix's body when he felt that his connection with Okami became bleak. "Looks like he's not in this world anymore. Time to speed up my plans, then."

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

Okami did not know that three years had passed inside the Naruto world after he decided to ascend to the next world. The next time he visited this world would sure give him a big surprise.