After hearing Minato's explanation, Shikaku and Sarutobi felt as if their entire worldview had been reshaped after reading through this training method.
Shikaku Nara gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
"I finally believe what the Fourth Hokage said about another world."
So after all that you just said, you hadn't believed him from the very beginning?
A dark line appeared over Minato's head. He held back his urge to complain and continued:
"This is only the initial training system for now. There may be better, more suitable methods in the future."
"As a first step, it's already excellent. This power can be cultivated by most people. Even if it weeds out some who lack the will or character, Konoha will still gain many more fighters at the grassroots level."
The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe and added his thoughts. His weather-beaten face seemed to have regained its glow, brimming with energy.
"No wonder the Fourth Hokage had the confidence and resolve to reform the village's combat system. If we firmly carry this strategy through, then in time, as more and more civilian shinobi emerge, the bloodline clans will truly be able to become a source of strength for the village, rather than the overmighty burden they are now."
Shikaku seemed to glimpse the political landscape decades in the future. His heart surged with excitement, and he yearned for it, completely unaware that he himself was one of the representatives of the old clan-based order.
But that was precisely what made him exceptional. He had vision and strategic insight, which was why, in the original timeline, he would eventually become the commander of the Allied Shinobi Forces in the Fourth Shinobi World War.
"Although this Haki training method can be used by anyone, as far as I understand, it still requires enough perseverance to keep at it. I think we should first have a small number of people try it, then gradually expand it," Minato suggested at the right moment.
"Do you have anyone in mind?" the Third Hokage asked.
Minato and Shikaku exchanged glances and smiled, as if they had reached the same conclusion. In unison, they said:
"Might Guy!"
"Agreed. He really is the best choice!" The Third Hokage smiled. "That kid's luckier than his father was."
After settling that matter, Minato continued, "Forming a new combat unit is a long-term plan, so there's no need to rush it. But there's another matter that needs people assigned to it as a priority. It concerns training shinobi in the scientific research field I mentioned first."
Minato reached into his robes—or, in reality, into the personal storage space that came with his Reincarnator's assistant—and took out a round object.
Its smooth, rounded shell was pale yellow, dotted with vibrant green circular markings. It radiated a warm aura.
The Third Hokage and Shikaku stared at the object Minato had taken out in surprise.
"Th-this is an egg?" The two men were baffled. They stared at it, waiting for Minato to explain.
Minato smiled and shook his head as he explained:
"It's an egg, but not an ordinary one. It's called a Pokemon Egg, or an Elf Egg."
"Pokemon?"
"Elves?"
"Pokemon, also known as little elves, are strange creatures from a place called the Pokemon World. They're similar to the ninja beasts we have here.
"Pokemon come in many types, such as Water, Fire, Electric, Fighting, and even Psychic and Dragon. The one in my hands, for example, is an egg belonging to the Fire-type Pokemon Charmander."
Minato paused to give them time to digest this.
"Are you saying you want to raise these Pokemon as ninja beasts and have them take part in battle?" Shikaku understood what Minato had in mind.
"Exactly. That's why I hope some research shinobi can help hatch and raise them, as well as gather suitable shinobi to train and test them."
"How strong are they?" Shikaku got straight to the point.
Minato recalled the information he had looked up in his assistant. His expression grew solemn as he replied:
"There are countless kinds of Pokemon. The weak ones can't beat ordinary wild animals, while the powerful ones can destroy the world—or even create it!"
Hearing such "unbelievable" claims, the Third Hokage was so startled he nearly yanked off his beloved goatee.
"Has the world changed that quickly? How did we get from here to destroying the world? And now there's even talk of creating it?"
The Third Hokage sighed deeply.
"Actually, those kinds of Pokemon are extremely rare. They're basically figures from myths and legends, and no one has ever seen them. But even ordinary Pokemon are quite powerful."
Minato gently stroked the Pokemon Egg in his hands and said:
"For example, the Charmander in this egg will hatch into a small Fire-type Pokemon. Besides attacking with its claws, it can also breathe small flames. Its strength should be about equivalent to the lowest-level Fire Release technique.
"But it can evolve further. Its next evolution, Charmeleon, will have even stronger physical attacks and fire abilities. After that comes a qualitative leap: it evolves into Charizard, which can fly and is no weaker than some powerful ninja beasts."
Shikaku quickly understood and analyzed the situation:
"But their strategic value is far beyond that of ninja beasts. First, you have to be a shinobi and know the Summoning Technique. Then you have to find a ninja-beast clan willing to make a contract with you.
"By this point in the Ninja World's development, the powerful ninja-beast clans all have lineages of their own. That alone stops many shinobi who lack such a lineage. What's more, even after signing a contract, your ability to summon powerful ninja beasts still depends on your own strength.
"In other words, a powerful person summons a powerful ninja beast because they're already powerful, not because they have a powerful ninja beast. Of course, that excludes exceptional cases like Hanzo of the Salamander, who became even stronger through the combination of the two."
Shikaku kept his eyes fixed on the egg as he continued:
"But Pokemon are completely different! You don't need to sign a contract, and you don't even need to be a shinobi to have a powerful ninja beast. Something like this is enough to change the balance of power in the Ninja World!"
After finishing his long explanation, Shikaku let out a long breath. "Lord Third Hokage, there's no doubt that everything the Fourth Hokage has contributed is of strategic value. I recommend keeping this secret and raising them in secret until we have results, then introducing them gradually!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen had already been shocked more than enough times that day. He couldn't help teasing Minato:
"Minato, is there anything else you want to contribute—any information or objects? Give it to me all at once. I'm afraid these old bones of mine can't take much more."
Minato, gentle as jade, scratched the back of his head. "Haha, that's all. I really don't have anything else this time."
Kushina watched Minato from the side, looking pleased.
After the joking was over, the Third Hokage grew serious and said earnestly:
"Minato Namikaze, on behalf of the village, I thank you for your contributions. Even though you served as the Fourth Hokage during your lifetime, you never failed Konoha, and Konoha will never fail you.
"Now you've made such an enormous contribution to the village, and you're willing to remain behind the scenes. All I can do is remember what you've done on the village's behalf and see that you're rewarded in the future.
"And as for this strategy, I approve it in my capacity as Hokage. You have the highest authority over every aspect of the plan, with Shikaku Nara as your deputy. Even I have the right to know, but no right to interfere.
"As for the Countermeasure Department you want to establish, just tell me who you want from anywhere in Konoha, and I'll assign them!"
The Third Hokage abandoned his usual middle-of-the-road approach and made his support for Minato unmistakable. He understood that such an enormous opportunity lay before them. If they failed to seize it, he might as well stop being Hokage and defect from the village.
The group discussed a few more details. Minato also provided three more Pokemon Eggs: one belonging to a female Charmander, and two belonging to Squirtle, one male and one female.
The exchange prices were as follows:
[ Pokemon Egg: Charmander Rating: D-rank, Common Description: A mysterious creature from the Pokemon universe that can manipulate fire and evolve. Price: 1 D-rank side quest and 500 points Note: Specially modified by the Main God to adapt to most ordinary environments. Trait "Damage to Humans" has also been weakened by 99%.
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