Chapter 141: A Powerful Presence

"This is... Ryo's Pokémon?"

Naruto blinked in surprise, but a moment later, his eyes lit up with realization.

The others around him, hearing Naruto's words, also turned their attention to the scene.

When they finally got a clear look, their expressions brightened, and they all inwardly sighed in relief.

If it was Ryo's Pokémon, then it was definitely no ordinary creature—meaning there was hope to counter Shukaku.

Shukaku, on the other hand, frowned at Naruto's words. A trace of unease flickered in its wild eyes.

A memory resurfaced.

Gaara had once visited the Pokémon House, and at that time, Shukaku had also been on the verge of breaking free.

But just before it could, it had sensed an overwhelming and terrifying presence—so suffocating that it had chosen not to emerge.

And now, thinking back…

That small creature in the tree—had it not been there at that time as well?

A chill crept up Shukaku's spine.

It immediately started scanning its surroundings, searching for that fearsome presence.

"Why are you all staring at Hoopa? Keep fighting! Hoopa still wants to watch!"

Hoopa, perched on the tree, pouted as it noticed everyone's attention shift toward it.

The others froze.

Just moments ago, they had hoped Hoopa would step in and handle Shukaku—but now it wanted to keep watching?!

Was it seriously enjoying this fight?!

"Hey, brat! Shut up! You wanna die?!"

Shukaku, failing to sense that terrifying presence from before, roared at Hoopa, its voice filled with rage.

Hoopa's face scrunched up in annoyance, placing its tiny hands on its waist.

"Hoopa doesn't like you! You're mean to Hoopa!"

Shukaku's patience snapped.

A surging gust of wind burst forth, knocking Hoopa out of the tree and slamming it into the ground.

"Get lost! If you keep yapping, I'll kill you!"

Hoopa stood up slowly, its small figure trembling not in fear—but in anger.

"Hoopa… will teach you a lesson!"

"Hahaha—!"

Shukaku burst into laughter.

"You? Teach me a lesson?!"

As it spoke, a terrifying killing intent flooded the battlefield, pressing down on Hoopa.

Its voice grew cold and ruthless.

"If you don't get lost right now… I will kill you!"

The others felt their bodies stiffen at the sheer pressure of Shukaku's malice.

Naruto reacted first.

Summoning his Shadow Clones, he dashed toward Shukaku.

"Don't you dare hurt Hoopa!"

Shukaku merely glanced at the charging clones with contempt.

With a simple gust of wind, the clones instantly dispersed into wisps of chakra.

"Hoopa is mad now! Hoopa will teach you a real lesson!"

Hoopa raised its small hands, and a golden ring appeared.

As it expanded, an unfathomably powerful aura seeped through, making the very air tremble.

Shukaku's entire body froze.

An overwhelming fear took hold.

"W-What…?! That chakra—"

Shukaku's voice trembled.

"No… impossible…! The Sage's power?! No—it's… it's even stronger than the Sage himself!"

Then—

"ROOOOAAARRR!!!"

A mighty beastly roar erupted from the golden ring.

The sheer force of it sent everyone to their knees.

Even Shukaku, the colossal One-Tail, collapsed to the ground, feeling as if a thousand mountains had been placed upon its back.

It stared at Hoopa in terror.

But Hoopa's expression shifted to confusion.

It gazed at its own golden ring with frustration.

Why…?

Before, Hoopa had summoned Pokémon effortlessly—but now, it couldn't summon anything?

It was as if something was preventing it from bringing its allies through.

Even with all its strength, it simply would not work.

And then—

The roar faded.

The golden ring retracted, vanishing back into Hoopa's small frame.

Everyone—including Shukaku—instinctively exhaled in relief.

That presence…

Even just feeling it had nearly killed them.

If whatever was behind that ring had truly appeared, they wouldn't have stood a chance.

Shukaku, recovering first, quickly came to a terrifying realization.

It was still alive—which meant it had been given a chance to escape.

Without hesitation, it turned and bolted.

At this point, even if it were given ten thousand more lives, there was no way it would ever dare challenge Hoopa again.

It had barely gotten a taste of that power, and already it knew—

If it stayed here, it would die.

Watching Shukaku flee, Temari and Kankuro panicked.

Even though it was in full transformation, that was still Gaara.

If it ran off now—what would happen to him?!

Without thinking, they chased after it.

"Stop! Come back here!"

Naruto, realizing what was happening, shouted as he rushed after them.

Sasuke, watching silently, followed without a word.

Even Sakura, after brief hesitation, quickly joined the chase.

With the group gone, Hoopa remained standing alone, still looking disheartened.

It couldn't understand—

Why couldn't it summon anymore?

Had it lost that ability?

Just then—

Whoosh—!

Ryo, Cynthia, and several Pokémon suddenly appeared.

Noticing Hoopa's disappointed expression, Ryo walked over and gently patted its head.

"Hoopa, it's not your fault," he said calmly.

"You couldn't summon them because they're not in this world."

Hoopa's ears perked up.

"What…?"

Cynthia, overhearing this, stiffened in shock.

"Wait… Are you saying… Hoopa just connected to my world?"

Without chakra perception, she hadn't been able to sense what had just happened.

But now—the implications were mind-blowing.

Ryo nodded but continued focusing on Hoopa.

"So don't feel bad," he said gently.

"You're already incredible."

Hearing this, Hoopa blinked.

A moment later—its trademark smile returned.

The disappointment vanished, replaced by pure joy.

>>>>><<<<<>>>>><<<<<

follow my patreon.com/Yueru1 for more advanced chapters and search the link