Ash Ketchum: A Shinobi’s Second Chance

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The sun was beginning to set over Professor Oak's ranch, casting long golden shadows across the grassy fields where Pokémon grazed peacefully. The one-day summer camp was drawing to a close, and children from different regions were gathering their belongings, preparing to return to their homes.

Ash stood near the lab's entrance, watching as his new friends said their goodbyes. His heart felt strangely heavy—a familiar ache from his past life, but also something new. These weren't comrades heading off to dangerous missions; these were friends he might not see for years.

"Ash!" Serena's voice called out, and he turned to see her running toward him, her honey-colored hair bouncing with each step. She stopped just in front of him, slightly out of breath, clutching something in her small hands.

"I... I wanted to thank you again," she said, her cheeks pink. "For helping me in the forest. And for this." She held up the blue handkerchief he'd used to bandage her scraped knee.

"You can keep it," Ash said with a warm smile. "It looks better on you anyway."

Serena's eyes sparkled. "Really? Then... then I'll treasure it always!" She carefully folded the handkerchief and tucked it into her small backpack. "Ash, when I become a Pokémon trainer, I want to travel with you. Will you wait for me?"

The innocent question hit Ash deeper than he expected. In his past life, he'd made promises about bringing Sasuki back, about never giving up on friends. This felt different—lighter, but no less meaningful.

"I promise," he said, extending his pinky finger. "When you're ready to start your journey, I'll be waiting."

Serena giggled and linked her pinky with his. "It's a promise then!"

Nearby, Chloe was saying goodbye to Goh, who was practically bouncing with excitement about all the Pokémon he'd seen that day.

"I'm going to catch every single Pokémon in the world!" Goh declared loudly. "Even Mew!"

"That's impossible," Chloe replied matter-of-factly.

Ash approached them with Gary, Leaf, and Ritchie in tow. "Hey, you two better keep in touch with us too," he said. "We're all going to be great trainers someday."

"Yeah!" Gary pumped his fist. "And when we meet again, I'll show you how much stronger I've gotten!"

"Not if I get stronger first!" Ritchie laughed.

Leaf rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "You boys are all the same. Just promise me you'll be careful out there, okay?"

As the regional transport buses arrived to take the out-of-town children home, the group gathered for one final goodbye. Professor Oak watched from a distance, a knowing smile on his weathered face.

"This isn't goodbye forever," Ash said, looking at each of his friends. "This is just... see you later."

"Yeah!" they all chorused, and in that moment, Ash felt his Aura pulse warmly, connecting him to each of their hearts.

As the buses pulled away, Ash waved until they disappeared over the hill. Four years, he thought. In four years, their real adventure would begin.

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**Four Years Later**

The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Ketchum household as Ash bolted upright in bed, his heart racing with excitement. Today was the day—his tenth birthday, and the day he would officially become a Pokémon trainer.

"Ash, honey! Breakfast!" his mother Delia called from downstairs.

"Coming, Mom!" Ash called back, quickly throwing on his clothes. He caught his reflection in the mirror and paused. The boy staring back at him looked older, more confident, but his eyes still held that familiar spark of determination. Years of living as Ash Ketchum had changed him, but the core of who he was—both Naruto and Ash—remained strong.

Downstairs, his mother had prepared a special birthday breakfast, complete with a small cake decorated with a Poké Ball design.

"I can't believe my little boy is starting his Pokémon journey today," Delia said, her voice wavering slightly with emotion. "It feels like just yesterday you were playing with Caterpie in the backyard."

Ash hugged his mother tightly. "I'll be careful, Mom. And I'll call you every chance I get."

"I know you will, sweetheart. You've always been responsible." She ruffled his hair affectionately. "Now go on, Professor Oak is waiting for you. And I believe some friends might be there too."

Ash's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Go see for yourself," Delia said with a knowing smile.

Ash practically flew out the door and down the familiar path to Oak's lab. As he approached, he could hear familiar voices coming from inside. His heart leaped—could it be?

He pushed open the lab doors and was greeted by three familiar faces.

"Ash!" Leaf called out, waving enthusiastically. "Happy birthday!"

"About time you showed up," Gary said with a smirk, but his eyes were warm. "We've been waiting forever."

"Gary! Leaf! Ritchie!" Ash exclaimed, rushing over to his childhood friends. "I can't believe you're all here!"

"Did you really think we'd miss your big day?" Ritchie grinned, adjusting his cap. "Gramps scheduled all four of us to get our starter Pokémon today—figured we'd want to start our journeys together."

"Speaking of which," Professor Oak's voice boomed as he approached them, "I believe it's time for four certain young trainers to choose their first Pokémon partners."

The professor led them to a table where six Poké Balls sat in neat rows, each one gleaming in the morning light. But what caught Ash's attention was the yellow Pokémon sitting separately on another table, its red cheeks sparking occasionally.

"Now then," Professor Oak said formally, "as tradition dictates, you may each choose from Kanto's starter Pokémon. I have two Bulbasaur, two Charmander, and two Squirtle available today." He gestured to the six Poké Balls arranged in pairs.

Gary stepped forward first, his chest puffed out with confidence. "I'll take Squirtle," he declared, grabbing one of the blue-marked Poké Balls. "Water-types are the most versatile."

Leaf approached next, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I choose Bulbasaur!" she said, selecting one of the green-marked Poké Balls. "Grass-types are so gentle and wise."

Ritchie was third, grinning widely. "Charmander for me!" he announced, picking up one of the red-marked Poké Balls. "Fire-types match my energy!"

All eyes turned to Ash, who was looking at the remaining three Poké Balls. His Aura subtly reached out to sense each Pokémon's presence. He could feel their personalities—the remaining Bulbasaur's calm wisdom, Charmander's fierce determination, Squirtle's playful confidence. Each one was wonderful in their own way.

But then his attention was drawn to the separate table, and the electric mouse Pokémon sitting nearby.

"Professor," Ash said quietly, "what about Pikachu?"

Oak's eyebrows rose slightly. "Pikachu? Well, he's... a bit of a special case. Very independent, doesn't particularly like being in his Poké Ball, and he's been known to be quite... stubborn with trainers."

As if on cue, Pikachu's ears perked up, and he looked directly at Ash. Their eyes met, and Ash felt something stir within his Aura—a connection, faint but unmistakable.

"He's perfect," Ash said without hesitation.

"Ash, are you sure?" Gary asked, concerned, while releasing his Squirtle to get acquainted. The blue turtle Pokémon emerged with a friendly "Squirtle!" and immediately began examining Gary with curious eyes.

"I'm sure," Ash replied, never taking his eyes off Pikachu. "We're meant to be partners."

Meanwhile, Leaf's Bulbasaur had emerged from its Poké Ball and was already nuzzling against her leg, while Ritchie's Charmander was showing off small puffs of flame, much to his new trainer's delight.

"Look at them all bonding already," Leaf said warmly, kneeling down to pet her Bulbasaur. "This is so exciting!"

"Char char!" Ritchie's Charmander chirped, tail flame dancing happily.

Professor Oak studied the four young trainers carefully, remembering the unique children who had shown such promise years ago. "Very well then. Ash Ketchum, I present to you your first Pokémon partner—Pikachu."

Ash slowly approached the table where Pikachu sat. The Electric Mouse Pokémon watched him warily, small sparks dancing across his cheeks.

"Hey there, Pikachu," Ash said softly, kneeling down to be at eye level. "I'm Ash. I was hoping... maybe we could be friends?"

Pikachu tilted his head, studying this human boy who spoke so gently. There was something different about him—a warmth, a sincerity that Pikachu had never encountered before.

After a moment, Pikachu hopped down from the table and approached Ash cautiously. When Ash held out his hand, palm up, Pikachu sniffed it carefully before placing one small paw on his palm.

The moment their skin made contact, Ash felt his Aura respond, creating a bridge between their hearts. Pikachu's eyes widened in surprise—he could feel the boy's emotions, his genuine desire for friendship, his promise to never betray that trust.

"Pika..." Pikachu said softly, then with more confidence, "Pikachu!"

"I think that's a yes," Ash laughed, gently stroking Pikachu's fur. To everyone's amazement, the notoriously difficult Pokémon began to purr contentedly.

"Incredible," Professor Oak murmured. "I've never seen Pikachu take to anyone so quickly."

"That's our Ash for you," Leaf said proudly, her Bulbasaur nodding in agreement. "He's always been special with Pokémon."

"Yeah, but I still think Squirtle's cooler," Gary said with a grin, his Water-type partner squirting a small stream of water playfully.

"Fire-types are the best!" Ritchie countered, his Charmander puffing its chest out proudly.

Professor Oak chuckled at their friendly banter before addressing all four trainers. "Ash, Gary, Leaf, Ritchie—you are now officially Pokémon trainers." He handed each of them their Pokédex, a set of empty Poké Balls, and their trainer's licenses. "May you and your partners have many wonderful adventures together."

As they left the lab, the four new trainers were surprised to find half of Pallet Town waiting outside. Ash's mother stood at the front of the crowd, tears of pride in her eyes, while Gary's parents, Leaf's family, and Ritchie's relatives were all gathered nearby.

"Oh, Ash!" Delia called out, rushing to embrace him. "Look at you with your first Pokémon!"

"Gary, sweetheart!" Gary's mother called out, "Make sure you change your underwear every day!"

"Mom!" Gary groaned, his face turning red while his Squirtle laughed at his embarrassment.

The townspeople began to cheer and clap. Old Mr. Mime (the person, not the Pokémon) called out, "Make us proud, young trainers!" Mrs. Ketchum from down the street (no relation) added, "Give 'em what for!"

The four friends stood together, their new Pokémon partners by their sides, as the whole town celebrated their new beginning.

Gary clapped Ash on the shoulder, his Squirtle mimicking the gesture by patting Pikachu gently. "You did good, Ash. Pikachu's lucky to have you."

"Thanks, Gary. And hey—" Ash grinned, "smell ya later!"

Gary groaned while Leaf and Ritchie burst into laughter, their Pokémon joining in with their own cheerful sounds. "I can't believe you still remember that stupid catchphrase I used to say!"

"Some things never change," Ritchie chuckled, his Charmander nodding sagely. "Take care of yourself out there, Ash."

"You too, guys. And remember—we're all going to meet again someday. Probably at the Pokémon League!"

"You bet!" they chorused, their Pokémon crying out in agreement.

As the four friends began to part ways, each heading toward different routes out of Pallet Town, Ash walked down the main path with Pikachu perched comfortably on his shoulder. He turned back one last time to see his mother waving, tears streaming down her face but smiling broadly. His friends were giving him thumbs up as they headed toward their own adventure paths, their starter Pokémon walking proudly beside them. The whole town was cheering them all on.

"Ready for an adventure, Pikachu?" Ash asked his new partner.

"Pika pika!" Pikachu replied enthusiastically.

"Then let's go," Ash said, and together they stepped forward into their new journey.

Behind them, Professor Oak watched thoughtfully. "That boy is going to do great things," he murmured to himself. "I can feel it."

As Ash and Pikachu disappeared over the hill, the sun climbed higher in the sky, and a new adventure began—one that would change both of their lives forever.

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