Chapter 157: Conclusion

『Assigned a Pokémon to a storyline character, rewarded 1,000 points and 1 Bronze Exclusive Treasure Chest!』

『Assigned a Pokémon to a storyline character, rewarded 1,000 points and 1 Bronze Exclusive Treasure Chest!』

『...』

Hearing the system's notifications, Ryo couldn't help but smile.

Glancing at the mixed expressions of the shinobi before him, he silently mused, Not bad. I got four treasure chests in one go. It's not a lot, but… I can finally synthesize a Gold Treasure Chest.

At that moment, Baki stepped forward, his excitement barely contained. Clutching a Poké Ball tightly in his hands, he reported, "Boss, everyone's back."

Ryo snapped out of his thoughts and nodded. "Good."

He was about to summon Hoopa to send them home when Baki hesitated before speaking again.

"Boss… those who didn't manage to catch a Pokémon, will they have another chance?"

Ryo nodded. "Yes, but not anytime soon."

They'd either have to wait until he returned to Sunagakure, or until a Pokémon Sanctuary was established there.

But expecting door-to-door service again? That was not happening.

Truthfully, the success rate had been lower than expected.

Out of over a hundred Sunagakure shinobi, fewer than half had succeeded in catching a Pokémon.

Maybe thirty or forty had succeeded at best.

It was easy to tell—

Those who had caught Pokémon were thrilled, gripping their Poké Balls like they were the most precious treasures in the world.

Even Chiyo and Ebizō, despite their usual composure, clutched their Poké Balls tightly, revealing their excitement.

Meanwhile, those who hadn't succeeded looked disappointed, their faces devoid of smiles.

However, hearing that they might get another chance softened their disappointment a little.

Baki exhaled in relief. "Alright, thank you, Boss."

He had been worried that those who failed today would never get another opportunity.

Ryo simply smiled in response before calling Hoopa over.

"Ryo, can we go to the casino now?"

Hoopa blinked eagerly at him, eyes full of anticipation.

Ryo froze for a moment, then sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"…Sure. But first, can you open the portal so they can go home?"

Hoopa nodded enthusiastically and swung its arms, sending its golden rings flying.

This time, there was no need for explanations.

The shinobi simply stared in awe, then stepped forward.

Even so, some still found it hard to believe.

Why?

How is this possible?

How can a single ring transport people instantly from Sunagakure to Konoha?

This question would haunt them for a long time.

Baki turned back one last time.

"Boss, we're heading out."

Ryo nodded.

Baki took the first step through the portal.

At that moment, Chiyo and Ebizō approached.

"Boss," Chiyo said, her voice firm but grateful, "Thank you. If you ever need anything, come to Sunagakure. If it's within our power, we won't refuse."

Ryo smiled. "I'll remember that."

Chiyo and Ebizō both nodded in return.

But then—

Chiyo's expression changed slightly, her brows furrowing.

"Boss… do you know Sasori?"

Ryo's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Hmm?"

His thoughts raced—

Did she figure it out?

But that's impossible…

Sasori was still in his puppet disguise.

Even in the anime, Chiyo had failed to recognize him at first.

"…Why do you ask?" Ryo asked cautiously.

Chiyo's gaze lingered on him, a hint of expectation in her eyes.

"There are places in the training grounds that felt… familiar," she explained. "Boss, do you know him?"

Ryo hesitated.

Saying yes would bring trouble.

Saying no wouldn't be believable.

After a moment, he gave a slight nod.

"…I do."

Chiyo's eyes trembled slightly.

"Then… can I see him?"

Ebizō also stepped forward, his gaze filled with hope.

Ryo sighed.

"It's not that I don't want to let you see him…" he said, shaking his head. "It's whether or not he wants to see you."

Chiyo's face fell.

"I see," she murmured. "Sorry for troubling you, Boss."

Ebizō turned to her, hesitant.

"Chiyo… we know he's here. Why not just go find him?"

Chiyo shook her head.

"There's no point," she said softly. "If he doesn't want to be found… we won't find him."

Ebizō sighed.

"…Yeah."

You can't wake up someone who pretends to be asleep.

As they left, Temari and Kankurō approached Ryo, confusion on their faces.

"…Boss, what was that all about?"

Before they could ask further, Ryo cut them off.

"Don't ask. Knowing won't help you anyway."

The two hesitated, then swallowed their curiosity and followed the others.

As the last of them disappeared through the portal, Cynthia strolled over, curious as ever.

"Ryo," she began. "That old lady—what's her deal? Does she know Sasori?"

Ryo glanced at her, expression unreadable.

"…People sure love gossip," he muttered.

Cynthia tilted her head.

"What? You can't tell me?"

Ryo shook his head. "It's not that."

He sighed.

"She's Sasori's grandmother."

Cynthia blinked.

"Wait—what?"

"If you're that curious," Ryo added, "ask Sasori yourself."

Then, without another word, he stepped into the golden ring and vanished.

Cynthia stared after him, dumbfounded.

"…Did he seriously just leave mid-explanation?"

The frustration was real.

This was the biggest piece of gossip she had heard all day, and now it was half-baked!

She couldn't just go ask Sasori, either.

He'd never tell her.

Cynthia let out a long sigh—

When suddenly, from inside the wooden shop—

"Anyone here? I need some Energy Cubes!"

Hearing the call, she snapped out of her thoughts.

"…Coming!"

And with that, she rushed off.

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