Choices and Bonds: A Trainer's First Test

Renji Takahashi was a little stunned. He looked at the Caterpie, then at Shino.Then he nodded. "Okay."Shino's eyes lit up. "Then boss, I'll choose this one."

"Shino, do you want to consider it?"Yuhi Kurenai, who was standing beside him, spoke gently, her tone filled with concern. After all, Shino didn't know what kind of Pokémon might appear later.

Shino shook his head firmly. "Teacher Kurenai, no need. Just this one."Bug-type Pokémon weren't just his favorite—they were his passion. They mirrored his own quiet resilience and the strength hidden beneath stillness. To him, there was no better choice.Seeing the calm determination in Shino's eyes, Kurenai didn't push the matter. "Alright then."

Renji glanced at the Caterpie. "Since you've made your choice, let's see if Caterpie agrees."Everyone turned their attention to the small green Pokémon.Caterpie looked around at the humans and tilted its head slightly before giving a small, definite nod.

Renji crouched down, carefully scooped up Caterpie, and gently patted its head. Then, walking over to Shino, he handed it to him with a small smile. "I'm leaving Caterpie in your care. If it gets bullied... I'll come looking for you."

Shino accepted the Pokémon with both hands, a rare softness surfacing in his face. "Understood. I'll take good care of it."Looking at Caterpie nestled in his arms, a warmth grew in his chest.Today, he had expected nothing. As someone with such a niche love for insects, he didn't think he'd find anything that resonated with him.But here was Caterpie, a perfect companion—as if drawn from his own thoughts.

Renji gave the boy a nod, then turned toward the woods with Espeon now resting quietly in his arms."Wait here," he said to the others. "I'll be back shortly."

Dragonite, standing nearby, blinked and tilted its head. Then, curious, it began to follow.

As they walked deeper into the trees, Dragonite became more confused.That part of the woods had already been searched. There were no Pokémon there.

Still, it followed Renji quietly.

Eventually, Renji stopped. Dragonite, still puzzled, let out a low call."Draaa?"

Renji smiled knowingly. "I know there aren't any Pokémon here... not yet. But there will be soon."Dragonite scrunched its face, clearly not understanding.

Renji didn't explain further. Some things made more sense when seen than said.

He opened the Pokémon Entrustment System in his mind. The interface blinked open in front of him.He focused on the gashapon machine. "System, draw five times."

The screen lit up as the mechanism began spinning rapidly.Click. Clack. Click.

A moment later, a robotic voice echoed in his mind.

[You received:

Alolan Vulpix,

Machop,

Darumaka,

Slakoth,

Tentacool.]

Renji's eyes widened. "Hah? My luck's on fire today."Every single one of these Pokémon had high evolution potential. Each final form boasted a base stat total above 500.

One by one, the newly summoned Pokémon materialized in the clearing before him.

"Vulpix! Vulpix!"

"Chop—Chop!"

"Daru! Daru!"

"Slack—Slack."

"Ten-Ten!"

Renji chuckled as their cheerful cries echoed. "Welcome, everyone. You're going to love it here."

Dragonite's eyes bulged. It rubbed its eyes with a tiny arm, bewildered. These Pokémon... had just appeared? Out of nowhere?Renji gave the dragon a soft pat. "You came into this world the same way, remember?"

Dragonite paused, thoughtful. How had it arrived here?

Renji didn't answer that either. Some mysteries didn't need solving.He turned and gestured. "Come on, let's meet the others."

He and Dragonite returned to the open space behind the wooden house.

The moment they emerged, everyone turned to look. Kiba was the first to react. "Boss! What kind of Pokémon are they?"

Renji sighed and motioned to the group walking behind him. "These are them. If you're not satisfied... well, you'll just have to wait."

Truthfully, he didn't have many points left—maybe three or four thousand. Not enough for another draw.He needed to conserve points to buy energy cubes. If these didn't work out, the only option would be to wait for Kakashi and the others to improve their Pokémon and generate system points.

Kurenai, Kiba, and the rest leaned in, eager to see the new arrivals.

"I want this one! I want this one!"Kiba's voice rang out, excitement blazing in his eyes as he pointed to Darumaka.

Renji looked at him, then at Shino, who stood quietly beside him with Caterpie.He couldn't help but smirk. These two made quite the pair—one obsessed with bugs, the other drawn to dogs.

Turning to Darumaka, Renji crouched slightly. "Darumaka, he wants to be your partner. What do you think?"

Darumaka glanced at Ya, then slowly shook its head.

The boy stood frozen, his smile collapsing instantly.

Kurenai stepped in, her voice gentle. "Boss... is there really no other way?"

Renji shook his head. "If a Pokémon doesn't agree, I won't force it."

"Is there anything we can do to make it accept him?"

He gave a slow shrug. "Or... you could choose another one."

Kurenai didn't say more. She looked at Kiba.The boy clenched his fists, his gaze firm. "No. I'll make it accept me."There was no hesitation in his voice. He had made up his mind.

Kurenai sighed softly and let him be.Meanwhile, her eyes moved to the lineup.

Then they stopped—on Alolan Vulpix.

Stars lit up in her eyes. "It's so cute... Boss, I want this one."