Chapter 159: The Strange Village

"Boss, you're really leaving? Not staying a few more days?"

That morning, inside Temari's residence, the group sat around the dining table, watching Ryo as they spoke.

Ryo swallowed his food and nodded.

"Yeah, I've seen what I needed to see. It's about time I moved on."

It had been two days since the mass Pokémon recruitment event.

And in those two days, Ryo had kept busy—searching for familiar Naruto characters in Sunagakure, helping them form bonds with Pokémon.

Of course, it wasn't just wasted effort.

He had gained something valuable in return.

Over those two days, he had managed to obtain three treasure chests.

However, all of them had been collected on the first day.

The previous day, despite searching all day, he had failed to locate any more story characters.

That was why today, he had decided to move on.

Instead of wasting time here, he figured it was better to explore the world and spread the influence of Pokémon while seeking out more story figures.

"Alright then… Boss, if you ever have time, don't forget to visit Sunagakure again."

Temari let out a sigh, her eyes filled with reluctance.

Kankuro nodded as well.

"Yeah, Boss, make sure to come back and see us sometime!"

"That's right! Sunagakure will always welcome you!" Gaara added, his voice carrying a tinge of sadness.

Ryo smiled.

"I will."

After spending these past few days together, they had all grown familiar with each other.

Now that it was time to leave, he couldn't help but feel a little sentimental.

But he had no choice—he couldn't afford to stay here forever.

With that melancholic atmosphere lingering, they finished their breakfast.

Placing his utensils down, Ryo stood up.

"Thanks for everything these past few days."

Since arriving here, he had been staying at their place, and they had been extremely hospitable toward him.

No matter what their intentions were, Ryo appreciated it.

Temari shook her head.

"It's nothing, Boss. You're being too polite."

"Yeah, it wasn't a big deal," Kankuro added with a dismissive wave.

Not wanting to drag things out, Ryo gathered his belongings and prepared to leave.

"Hoopa, Diancie, and Espeon—goodbye for now."

Temari and the others said their farewells to Ryo's Pokémon.

Meanwhile, Ryo patted the heads of the Gligars that had come out to see him off.

"Alright, time for me to go."

The Gligars nodded, then returned to their trainer's side.

Seeing this, Ryo waved one last time.

"I'll be off then. See you next time."

With that, he turned around, stepped out the door, and walked away.

"Ryo, are we going back home?"

Diancie, nestled in Ryo's arms, looked up curiously.

"Espeon~!"

Espeon also tilted its head, waiting for an answer.

But before Ryo could respond, Hoopa spoke up first.

"Ryo, Hoopa doesn't want to go back yet!"

Ryo chuckled and ruffled their heads.

"We're not going back yet."

"Yay! Hoopa doesn't like going back! It's no fun there!"

Hoopa grinned happily, bouncing in excitement.

Ryo simply shook his head, then pulled out the map he had bought earlier.

Since he was leaving, he needed to figure out where to go next.

"Maybe another Hidden Village?"

The thought crossed his mind, but Ryo quickly shook his head.

Sunagakure was manageable.

One, he was familiar with it.

Two, they were still in a weakened state after the last war, meaning even if they learned about Pokémon, they wouldn't dare try anything.

But the other villages?

That was another story.

Who knew what kind of trouble might arise?

"Then… where else are there a lot of story characters?"

Ryo frowned, resting his chin on his hand as he thought deeply.

Suddenly, an idea struck him.

"Wait—Orochimaru's place!"

Besides the Hidden Villages, Orochimaru's hideouts were filled with important characters.

His subordinates were all significant in the story.

With renewed determination, Ryo turned his attention back to the map.

"Tanzaku Town… That's the place!"

Ryo had no clue where Orochimaru was right now, but he did know one thing—

Orochimaru was going after Tsunade soon.

If he could find Tsunade, he would definitely find Orochimaru.

With his decision made, Ryo looked over at Hoopa.

"Hoopa, can you take us there?"

Hoopa glanced at the map, then shook its head.

"Nope! Hoopa can't open a portal that far! It's too far away, and Hoopa hasn't been there before. Unless…"

Hoopa's expression turned mischievous.

"Unless Hoopa unseals its full power!"

Ryo immediately shook his head.

"Yeah—no thanks."

Unsealing Hoopa's power?

That sounded like a disaster waiting to happen.

Still, the conversation gave him some insight.

Apparently, unsealed Hoopa could travel anywhere instantly.

But sealed Hoopa had limitations—

If a location was too far and Hoopa had never been there, it couldn't teleport there directly.

However, if it was closer or Hoopa had been there before, then it was possible.

This was new information for Ryo.

Until now, he had assumed Hoopa could just go anywhere with a flick of its hand.

Turns out, that wasn't the case.

Honestly, Ryo felt relieved.

Having some limitations made things easier to manage.

"Alright then. Espeon, return for now."

Ryo took out a Poké Ball and recalled Espeon.

Then, holding Diancie in one arm and grabbing Hoopa with the other, he spread his psychic energy outward.

Since Hoopa couldn't teleport there, he would have to rely on his own Instant Transmission.

Glancing at the map one last time to confirm the direction—

His figure vanished from Sunagakure.

The sight left the onlookers stunned.

Many of them rubbed their eyes furiously.

Then, as realization dawned—

They freaked out.

A whole person had just disappeared in an instant!

Panic spread.

The terrified witnesses fled the scene, convinced that they had just seen a ghost.

Meanwhile, Ryo had reappeared in front of a small village.

The place looked run-down.

There were only a dozen or so wooden houses, and all of them looked dilapidated.

A strong wind could probably knock them over.

But what really caught his attention—

Was a large stone pile in the center of the village.

Something about it felt… familiar, yet also strangely eerie.

Ryo furrowed his brows.

These houses are falling apart…

And yet, they took the time to build… that?

Instead of fixing their homes?

Something wasn't right.

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