Grand Opening (2)

Akira smiled and looked at Koga. "Well, I'll give my slot to him. He wanted a bug pokemon of his own."

Koga was dumbfounded when he realized that Akira gave up his opportunity to become a Pokemon Trainer and chose him as his replacement. "Akira-sensei?"

Nori became all the more agitated when she saw how emotionless his face was and elbowed his waist. "If you don't like it, then I can ask Sensei to give me this chance."

Koga stepped forward immediately as if he was afraid his slot would be stolen. "Okami-kun, hurry up and turn me into a Pokemon trainer. I want bugs."

Okami looked around and observed the reactions of Koga's fellow Aburame clan members, particularly Shibi, the clan's head. Much to his dismay, their faces were as stoic as could be. He cleared his throat and gave everyone a reassuring look. "Since our friend here could not wait, then I'll just proceed directly with the rituals of the Pokemon Trainers. May I call Choza-san, Baki-san, and Tomiro-san to join us?"

Everyone moved aside to let them pass. Soon, the four were standing before Okami in a horizontal line.

Okami recited everything that they needed to know regarding the importance of a Pokemon starter to a Pokemon trainer and the intricacies that come with pokemon summoning. "Are there anything that is not clear to you? You may ask now to clarify any doubts."

Everyone shook their heads as they urge Okami to proceed.

"Choza-san, have you chosen the pokemon whom you want to have as your starter?"

Choza nodded as he took out the Pokeball from his inner pocket and gave it to Okami. "I believe there's a reason why your Grandfather gave this particular pokemon to us."

Okami received the pokemon and unlocked the pokeball. At once, Mr. Mime appeared and waved his hands up in the air as if he was forming walls. This was the first time that the other guests had seen the Psychic pokemon and were flabbergasted with his human-like figure.

"Mr. Mime, a barrier Pokemon that has dual Psychic/Fairy nature. A master in creating walls and barrier Jutsu. Strong mental Jutsu are also his staple attacks with an ability to boost the damage of low ranked Jutsu by 50 percent when in 'Absorb' mode." Okami dramatically exposed Mr. Mime's general ability to create some hype on the guests present inside. He did some fake hand signals and slammed his hand on the floor while saying the cringy line. "By the power of the Ketchum clan, I hereby give you the power to summon Pokemon."

Mr. Mime disintegrated and became a wisp of white light, which floated towards Choza. As soon as the ball of light entered his body, rivers of visible pink chakra gushed out from Choza while Mr. Mime's image appeared right at the top of his head before it was absorbed by him.

Meanwhile, Hiashi Hyuga activated his Dojutsu to observe what was actually happening inside Choza's body while becoming a Pokemon trainer. He was very perplexed when he noticed the ball of light resided at Choza's chest. After a few minutes, it then dissolved and was distributed throughout his body. "How?! I must ask Okami what's the meaning behind the pink chakra. It's turning Choza's chakra into one."

Choza summoned Mr. Mime before him and the two conversed with each other through Pokemon Telepathy. Soon, Mr. Mime copied his every action. When Choza started walking, he also walked as well. "Heh! Everyone, meet Choju."

Inoichi and Shikaku clapped their hands when they finally formed the last member of their Ino-Shika-Cho pokemon formation.

The next one was Baki. Okami did what he had done with Choza earlier and the grown man chose Happiny as his pokemon starter. Everyone was puzzled when Baki chose a weak-looking pokemon as his starter but they were shocked when they saw Blissey's image appearing right at the top of his head when he did the contract. The guests whispered at each other as some pointed at Baki's pokemon. The ritual was a success and Baki finally became an official Pokemon trainer.

The third one was Koga who opted for Weedle as his starter. When Okami asked him if he knew what he was doing, Koga simply smiled. Nori, Rinan, and Akira had a disgruntled look when they saw what Koga just did and prayed for his brothers' well-being. Okami wondered what the sadistic Aburame was thinking right now and tried convincing him to change for a Happiny. When Koga heard this, he gave Okami a disdained look and urged him to hurry up. Without a choice, he did the ritual and Koga became an official Pokemon trainer.

Koga was all smiles when he carried Weedle on his arms as he walked towards Team Akira's direction.

This time, Okami approached Tomiro and asked, "Have you decided?"

Tomiro scratched his head and smiled sheepishly. "I don't have any idea on how to choose my starter pokemon so I just opted for the one with the fiercest look."

"Oh? Who is it?"

"Kangaskhan!"

Okami summoned Pidgeotto and instructed her to call one of the Kangaskhans to come inside the Pokemon Center. She complied with the request and flew outside. Soon, a large, bipedal Pokémon that vaguely resembled a kangaroo entered as she gave everyone a taunting look. What made her all the more prominent was the baby on her pouch, which gave them an impression that this pokemon would hurt anyone who touched or hurt her baby.

Okami summoned his Pokemon App, checked the Pokedex entry and started narrating. "Kangaskhan, a Parent pokemon with a Normal Typing. Heavily oriented towards Taijutsu, she has the ability 'Scrappy' and is able to hit any incorporeal being with her massive punch. A solid choice."

Tomiro felt his heartbeat became faster when he saw Okami doing the very same ritual that changed the three into Pokemon trainers. At once, memories of his brothers popped inside his head. He remembered his parents and thought that he would not be given any chance to fulfill his wish. Luckily, Okami was here who was able to show him another path that could let him protect what he cared for in his life.

Tomiro felt something was filling him up inside but he did not know what it was. He wanted to ask Tomiro about it but he saved it for later. After all, he was his boss and he could contact him anytime.

Okami finished what he was supposed to do and the four cheered as they received their pokemon.

"That's it for the ritual in turning someone into Pokemon Trainers. If any of you are interested to become one, just approach the Hokage. I'll only accept requests that have the recommendation from him." Okami bowed towards Hiruzen. "This is my way of saying thank you to the village. As you all know, I'm the last descendant of the Ketchum clan and I wished to build my clan once again. Without Konoha's help, I will still be struggling to make a new start. Thank you so much."

Naruto clapped his hands. "Don't worry, Okami! As a future Hokage, I welcome you to Konoha. I will promise to protect each and everyone inside the village. You'll be my right hand as well because you're my best friend!"

Hiruzen chuckled when he heard Naruto and started clapping as well. When everyone saw what he did, the rest followed cheering for Okami.

Okami felt that he had to make things all the more interesting and whispered to Tomiro.

"Okay." Tomiro walked towards the glass displays and took two items of each merchandise and set it on the table beside Okami. "Ready, boss."

Okami nodded and turned his attention to every guest. "My dad told me that it's been a part of the Ketchum clan to have a raffle every time there is a big event happening within our community. I want to uphold this practice and show you the grace of the Ketchum clan by giving these goods as part of the prices. Earlier, I've told everyone to write their names in a piece of paper."

Okami lifted the potion up for everyone to see. "This is the first item to be raffled. Baki-san, may you do the honor of picking up our first winner?"

"Of course," Baki said as he placed his hand inside the jar and grabbed a paper and gave it to Okami.

Okami unfurled the paper and said, "Akira Kanto! A potion for you."

Akira moved to the front and received the bottle filled with green liquid. "I have three of these potions now. How do I use this?"

"You may spread it on wounds to heal them. If the damage is internal, then it should be drunk," Okami explained.

Akira grinned and gave his thanks as he moved back to where his team was.

The next potion was awarded to Reika. Okami thought that she was the best person to get the potion.

Okami continued with the raffle. Hanshi and Kiba won the Paralyze heals while Shibi and Tsume got the antidotes.

Okami smiled when he saw everyone was having happy faces. "So, for the major prize - the two pokeballs. Whoever wins this will also have the opportunity to catch their own wild pokemon. If the winner is not a Pokemon Trainer yet, they can still catch it and wait for them to become a Pokemon Trainer to make the pokemon truly their own but you still need the power of the Ketchum clan to become one. If the winner is a Pokemon Trainer already, then he or she will have the chance to get his second pokemon."

When Okami declared this, all the Pokemon Trainers looked at the jar.

Okami knew that what attracted these people were not the pokeballs themselves but the thought of having another pokemon to carry with them. He did not let things wait for long and picked the first winner.

"The first pokeball goes to...Shikamaru Nara!"

"What a drag..." Shikamaru grumbled as he walked forward and received the pokeball from Okami. "Can I give this to my dad?"

Okami nodded. "You can."

"Ah. That's good. Look at his face...it's like he's saying he'd punish me if I won't give this to him."

"Heh! Well, congratulations."

"What a drag." Shikamaru approached his dad and offered him the pokeball.

Shikaku gave him a pat on his head. "A very filial son. I have not failed my ancestors."

"With the way you looked at me, I have no choice but to be filial..." Shikamaru whispered to himself.

"You're saying something?"

"Nope."

Meanwhile, Okami grabbed the piece of paper to determine the last winner for the day and said, "Sasuke Uchiha! Congratulations."

Naruto looked at Sasuke with envy and said, "Hey duck-head! You won!"

Sasuke had a blank look on his face before realizing that his name was indeed called by Okami. "Ugh!"

Okami was the one to move towards Sasuke's location and gave the pokeball to him. "This is for you Sasuke-kun. Just tell me if you want to become a Pokemon trainer."

Sasuke accepted his reward. "Are they strong?"

Okami shifted his face near him and whispered, "Remember the bird that attacked Konoha? That's a bird pokemon."

Sasuke's expression changed. The attack was still fresh in his mind and he could clearly remember every detail that he witnessed. "You're not kidding me?"

"Nope. And the best reason why you should have one is that they're very loyal. They will never leave you."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed into a slit and looked at the pokemon standing beside the new Pokemon trainers.

Okami left him and went to the front. He caught everyone's attention with his loud voice and shouted, "Thank you for coming. Please have your meal and enjoy the feast!"