Chapter 139: We Can Also Capture Them?

At the same time, outside the Pokémon House—

Kakashi stood at the entrance, short sword in hand, his gaze full of caution as he faced the members of the Akatsuki.

"Oi, oi, oi—"

Deidara rolled his eyes, looking at Kakashi with clear frustration.

"I've already told you, we're prisoners here. Why won't you believe us?"

Looking at Kakashi's tense posture, Deidara felt an overwhelming sense of exasperation.

The guy had rushed over like a madman, looking as if he was desperate to save someone—if Deidara didn't know better, he'd think Hiruzen Sarutobi was on his deathbed or something.

But the moment Kakashi laid eyes on them, his entire demeanor shifted.

Instead of remaining anxious, he had turned vigilant, his gaze fixated on them like they were dangerous threats.

It was as if his mind had conjured up its own narrative, one where they were lying about being prisoners.

If not for the fact that Kakashi was clearly an acquaintance of Ryo, Deidara would have lost his patience and started fighting.

Hearing Deidara's words again, Kakashi frowned.

His instincts told him something wasn't right.

Had these people really been captured by Ryo?

But just as the thought crossed his mind, he immediately dismissed it.

After all, the people in front of him weren't weaklings—every single one of them was at Kage level.

Could Ryo have truly managed to capture them all?

And even if he had, why were they so relaxed?

They weren't bound, they weren't restrained, and they weren't trying to escape.

It made no sense!

What kind of prisoners acted like this?

Did they fall in love with captivity or something?

As these thoughts ran through his mind, Kakashi's expression darkened.

"Why did you come to Konoha? What's your purpose?"

The four Akatsuki members: "..."

At this point, they didn't even know what to say anymore.

They couldn't attack him.

They couldn't convince him.

What the hell were they supposed to do?!

Click—

Before the conversation could continue, the door to the Pokémon House creaked open.

Ryo stepped out.

Seeing him, Kakashi immediately tensed up, worry flashing in his eyes.

"Boss, get back! These people are dangerous!"

But Ryo waved a hand dismissively.

"Relax. They're exactly what they said they were—my prisoners."

The moment he returned, he had sensed what was happening outside.

After hearing the entire exchange, even Ryo had to admit—

The Akatsuki members looked kind of pitiful.

"They're really prisoners?"

Kakashi's eyes widened in shock as he turned to Ryo, as if he were seeing him for the first time.

He didn't blame himself for doubting it earlier.

After all, these weren't just any shinobi—they were members of Akatsuki.

Even if Kakashi faced just one of them, he wouldn't have absolute confidence in victory.

Yet Ryo was claiming he had captured all of them?

How could Kakashi possibly believe that?

Ryo nodded again before shifting his gaze to Kakashi.

"Anyway, let's put that aside for now. Why are you here?"

But instead of answering immediately, Kakashi glanced at the Akatsuki members again.

Ryo understood his meaning and sighed.

"You guys, go inside."

Hearing this, the Akatsuki members had no choice but to retreat into the Pokémon House.

The moment they were gone, Kakashi finally spoke up.

"Boss, please… Help Konoha."

"Hmm?"

Ryo raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Sigh—"

Kakashi let out a deep sigh before explaining Hiruzen Sarutobi's situation.

After listening, Ryo finally understood.

They wanted him to save the Third Hokage.

Ryo felt a headache coming on.

Save Hiruzen Sarutobi?

That was the last thing he wanted to do.

Hiruzen's death would be a blessing, both for himself and for Konoha.

But if he refused to help, things could get complicated.

Kakashi had come to him personally. If he refused now, people would start looking at him differently.

For a moment, Ryo felt trapped.

What should he do?

"Boss, please. Konoha can't afford to lose the Hokage right now."

Kakashi pleaded, his eyes full of determination.

"Sigh—"

Ryo let out a long sigh.

"Fine. I'll take a look."

With that, he extended his senses, reaching out toward the Chūnin Exam stadium.

However, the moment his mind swept over the area, his expression shifted slightly.

Then, turning back to Kakashi, he let out a small sigh and shook his head.

"Kakashi… It's too late. My condolences."

Kakashi's body stiffened. "Boss… What do you mean?"

Ryo met his gaze calmly.

"The Third Hokage is already dead."

The moment he heard those words, Kakashi's eyes wavered.

Without hesitation, he turned and sprinted away, heading back toward the battlefield.

Watching him go, Ryo shook his head before turning back toward the Pokémon House.

Inside, the Akatsuki members were just standing there.

Ryo raised an eyebrow. "What the hell are you all standing here for? Are you acting as security guards now?"

The four of them shot him a look of irritation but didn't reply.

Ryo let out a chuckle before changing the topic.

"Anyway, you guys should head to the back of the mountain and capture a Pokémon."

"Huh?"

The four of them perked up instantly, eyes full of surprise.

Deidara was the first to speak up.

"Boss, are you serious? We can capture Pokémon too?"

Ryo nodded. "What, you don't want one?"

They shook their heads frantically.

They had seen firsthand just how powerful Pokémon could be—there was no way they'd pass up this chance.

Ryo rolled his eyes.

"Honestly, you guys are overreacting. Pokémon aren't that rare."

"If you actually took a walk around Konoha, you'd realize that even ordinary people have them."

Hearing this, the four of them looked confused.

They had no idea what Ryo meant.

Seeing their expressions, Ryo let out a small sigh.

"In Konoha, many civilians own Pokémon."

"If you go into the village, you'll see plenty of them."

Hearing this, Itachi finally spoke up.

"Boss… Are you saying that even normal people can capture Pokémon?"

Ryo nodded. "That's right. And not just a few of them—many."

The four of them were stunned silent.

For a moment, they didn't even know what to ask next.

Seeing their shocked expressions, Ryo simply moved on.

He explained the rules of capturing Pokémon, then handed them the necessary items.

**"Go buy what you need, then head to the back of the mountain. Just remember—you can't force a Pokémon to submit."

The four of them nodded quickly, handing over their money in exchange for Pokéballs and supplies.

Meanwhile, Ryo—along with Dragonite and Gardevoir—headed for the Chūnin Exam stadium.

When he extended his senses earlier, he had felt Cynthia's presence there as well.

Which left him wondering…

Didn't he tell her to find a safe place and stay put?

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