Summoning Pokémon in Naruto

"What?! That brat Hayato and Kushina snuck out of the village?!"

Standing before the desk, Jiraiya's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe it—how bold could one kid be? Even someone as easygoing as him wouldn't dare step out of line when their sensei was angry.

"Hmph, I've said it before: Uchiha brats should've been left under my supervision," Danzo remarked coldly.

"Jiraiya, look at what a fine disciple you've trained!"

Koharu and Homura, standing on either side of Sarutobi Hiruzen, pointedly criticized Jiraiya with harsh words.

Hiruzen frowned deeply, his sharp gaze fixed on Jiraiya as though waiting for an explanation.

Jiraiya scratched his head, sighing helplessly. "Come on, with Hayato's personality, do you really think he listens to me? At most, I just taught him a few ninjutsu techniques."

Tsunade stomped her foot heavily, her tone tinged with urgency. "Enough arguing! What matters now is how we bring Hayato and Kushina back."

Having spent two years with them, Tsunade had grown fond of Kushina and couldn't bear the thought of anything bad happening to her. As for Hayato… he was shrewd enough that she didn't worry about him.

Hiruzen turned his gaze to his favored disciple, Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru, what are your thoughts?"

With a faint smile on his pale face, Orochimaru seemed entirely detached from the argument, his tone calm and measured. "Uzushiogakure has sent a formal request for aid. Since Uchiha Hayato has already departed, why not treat this as an official mission?"

Hiruzen frowned, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

As if reading his mind, Orochimaru added smoothly, "Sensei, this is also an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the power of 'Pokémon' to the ninja world. The recent thefts likely involve Kumogakure. Instead of staying on the defensive, we should show our strength. Besides—"

He chuckled darkly as shadows danced behind him, eyes glinting ominously.

"If Hayato is nothing more than a mildly talented ninja, then let him stay in the barrier alongside the Jinchūriki forever."

Excitement glimmered in Orochimaru's serpentine eyes. Hayato-kun, let's see how much potential you truly have.

Hiruzen contemplated for a moment before nodding. "You three, along with Sakumo's and Umino's squads, form a team and head to Uzushiogakure immediately. No matter what happens, you must bring them back!"

He turned to Danzo, his gaze steely. "Danzo, the village's defense is your responsibility."

Meanwhile, on the path to Konoha's gates, Jiraiya was blocked by a group of teenagers.

"Minato, what are you doing?" Jiraiya frowned, his tone severe.

"Nawaki! You're here too? Stop fooling around!" Tsunade crossed her arms, her anger evident. "If any of you dare interfere, I'll—Orochimaru, get these brats out of here!"

Yet the group showed no fear. Namikaze Minato, Dekai, Nawaki, Sarutobi Hideki, and Yakushi Nonō stood firm, their expressions resolute.

"Step aside, you kids! We're on an important mission!" barked a gruff-looking ninja.

A white-haired ninja with a ponytail chuckled, his tone calm. "Let them speak. It won't hurt."

"What's the matter? Do you have something to say?" he asked kindly.

"Sakumo-sama!" Minato's voice was earnest. "We request to join the mission! Hayato and Kushina are our teammates, and we must bring them back ourselves!"

"Teammates?" Tsunade grabbed Nawaki by the ear, scolding him. "Nawaki, you'll only cause trouble! You realize the enemy might be Jonin from other villages, right?"

Nawaki winced, rubbing his ear but holding his ground. "Nee-san, I'm the future Hokage! Hayato said it himself: someone who can't protect their comrades isn't fit to be Hokage!"

"Pika Pika!" Minato's Pikachu raised its tiny paw in agreement, its cute demeanor hard to ignore.

"We know our abilities and won't be a burden. We just want to help Hayato," Minato added sincerely. "My Lightning Release will be useful in Uzushiogakure."

"The Uzumaki and Senju clans are distant relatives. Of course, I have to go—this is my first step toward becoming Hokage!" Nawaki declared.

"I'm only going to keep Nawaki out of trouble," Hideki said with an innocent smile.

"I also know some medical ninjutsu," Nonō added, adjusting her glasses.

Sakumo was moved by their determination.

"Someone who can't protect their comrades has no right to be Hokage, huh?" he murmured, smiling. "I have no objections. What about the rest of you?"

Jiraiya gawked at Sakumo in disbelief. "The White Fang of Konoha, who once cut down all his enemies without hesitation, is now this agreeable?"

Everyone turned to Sakumo in surprise, even Minato's group. They hadn't expected him to agree so easily.

Orochimaru's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Since the commander has spoken, there's no issue."

"Thank you! We'll follow orders without question," Minato said with a determined nod, his gaze fixed on the distant mountains and the ocean beyond.

Out at sea, Uchiha Hayato, Kushina, and Asako sailed toward the Land of Whirlpools in a small rented boat.

On their journey, rogue ninjas occasionally attacked after spotting Hayato's majestic Arcanine. Most attackers either fell to Hayato's blade or were incinerated by Arcanine's flamethrower. Only a handful escaped with their lives.

Hayato frowned, muttering to himself. If he had known he'd be at sea, he would have raised a Water-type Pokémon.

Over the past two years, most of his effort had gone into training his Chimchar. Only six months ago did he summon and capture a talented Snorlax as his second Pokémon. But on the ocean, neither Fire-types nor Normal-types had much advantage.

The system had provided many promising Pokémon, but his time was too limited. Selecting, training, and strategizing demanded time and energy.

"I need to prepare better for battles, not just gather Pokémon," he thought, the salty sea breeze ruffling his hair.

Asako had mentioned the attackers bore Amegakure headbands. But why would ninja from a landlocked nation cross the ocean to attack Uzushiogakure?

Hayato shook his head. Historically, the Uzumaki clan was targeted for their powerful sealing techniques. If the leader of another village was involved, it wouldn't be a minor skirmish.

"I just need to save as many of them as possible," he resolved, narrowing his eyes at the outline of an island emerging on the horizon.

The Land of Whirlpools was finally in sight.