Hinata Stood Tall

"Hinata."

The cold voice sliced through the quiet Hyuga courtyard like a blade of winter wind. Hinata froze where she stood, cradling the Poké Ball tightly in her hands as if it were the last bit of warmth she could hold onto. She turned slowly toward the entrance. Her father stood there—Hiashi Hyuga, his posture as rigid and upright as ever, eyes narrowed with the weight of clan responsibility.

"You returned late," he said, voice low but stern.

"I… I'm sorry," Hinata murmured, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the Poké Ball.

Hiashi's gaze sharpened. "What are you hiding?"

Hinata instinctively stepped back. "It's… nothing."

"Hand it over."

A command, not a request. And for the first time in a long time, she said what her heart truly felt.

"No."

Her voice trembled with fear, but her stance remained firm. Hiashi's brows furrowed with surprise. His obedient daughter had never spoken to him like this. That hesitation passed quickly, however, replaced by cold authority.

"Give it to me!" he snapped, stepping forward to take it himself.

Hinata's hands trembled. Her lips quivered, and her eyes watered, but she shook her head. Before Hiashi could take another step, a burst of light surged from the Poké Ball.

"Squirtle—!"

With a flash, Squirtle appeared in front of her. Its eyes fixed on Hiashi, and though it was small, its posture was unyielding. It stood between Hinata and her father, shoulders squared, ready to fight.

"Squirtle," it repeated, firm and determined.

Hinata gasped softly, her hands covering her mouth. Her heart swelled with emotion. Squirtle… even though timid, had come forward for her. Her throat tightened with guilt and gratitude.

Hiashi stared at the Pokémon with a flicker of astonishment. Then his eyes slowly narrowed.

"What is this?" he asked, gaze shifting back to Hinata.

Hinata inhaled deeply. Something rose in her chest—courage she didn't know she still had. She looked her father straight in the eyes.

"Father, this is my partner. I won't give it to you."

"Squirtle!" the Pokémon echoed, nodding firmly.

Hiashi's frown deepened. "As the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan, you shouldn't waste time on such distractions. You are to train in the Eight Trigrams techniques. That… thing, give it to me."

Hinata stepped in front of Squirtle. "I can't do that. Anything else, I'll follow. But not this. Squirtle… is important to me."

Her voice no longer trembled. Her spine straightened. Her gaze didn't falter.

Squirtle glanced up at her, eyes wide with surprise, then turned back toward Hiashi. It stepped forward with surprising speed, aiming a determined headbutt straight at the clan head.

"Squirtle!"

Hiashi didn't flinch. His hand moved like a flash, palm striking the little Pokémon mid-charge, sending it flying backward. It hit the ground and rolled, but quickly got back up with a stubborn glare, tail flicking defiantly.

"Squirtle!" it barked again and charged.

Hiashi's brows drew together. His palm lashed out again with a crisp snap. Squirtle skidded across the stone path, but it climbed to its feet, wobbling slightly, yet unyielding.

"No! Father, don't hurt Squirtle!"

Hinata ran forward, throwing her arms wide and shielding her partner with her own body.

Hiashi stopped.

He stared at her—truly stared—and in that moment, he saw not the shy girl who always averted her gaze, but a young woman standing against him with everything she had. Her Byakugan eyes shone with emotion, not fear.

A long silence followed.

Finally, Hiashi exhaled slowly and turned away.

"You may keep it," he said without looking back. "But if you fall behind in your training, I won't tolerate excuses."

Hinata blinked, stunned. "I… I understand. Thank you, Father."

Hiashi paused for a moment longer, then looked over his shoulder at Squirtle. A small glint of approval flickered in his eyes before he left without another word.

Hinata turned to Squirtle, her heart still racing. "Thank you, Squirtle. You were amazing."

"Squirtle…" it said softly, before smiling and raising its hand. "Squirtle!"

Just then, a small voice called out from the entrance.

"Sister, are you okay?"

Hinata turned to see a younger girl standing there—Hanabi, her eyes wide with concern. Hinata walked over and gently ruffled her hair.

"Sister is fine."

Hanabi looked down at Squirtle. "What is that?"

"It's my partner."

"Is it strong?"

"The strongest," Hinata said with a warm smile.

"I want one too."

"Someday, you'll have a partner just like Squirtle."

The two sisters walked hand in hand through the wooden corridor, their soft laughter echoing into the evening. Squirtle, no longer on edge, let out a shy "Squirtle…" before leaping gently into Hinata's arms.

But as warmth returned to the Hyuga household, other noble families in Konoha were encountering similar scenes—young heirs finding partners in Pokémon. Some situations were less tense, some more severe. But one thing remained true across them all: these creatures were already beginning to reshape hearts and homes.

Yet Renji Takahashi knew none of this.

He was currently sitting cross-legged in the shelter yard, watching the Pokémon devour energy cubes like ravenous beasts.

"Slow down!" Renji sighed, watching a particularly eager Machop inhale cubes like they were his last meal. "There's more—don't look at me like I starved you for a week."

"Char Char!" Charmander chimed in, stuffing another into its mouth with a happy bounce.

Renji rolled his eyes, then chuckled, picking up his own dinner and sitting among them. It was strange. The food wasn't the same, the plates weren't shared—but this simple chaos felt more comforting than any meal he'd eaten alone.

Just then, Dragonite—who had been calmly enjoying its energy cubes—abruptly lifted its head, eyes narrowing.

Renji immediately understood. The air shifted. He didn't even need words.

He extended his spiritual power, and a wave of invisible energy spread from his body. Ever since consuming the Spirit Fruit, his perception had improved dramatically. Now, even jonin-level chakra fluctuations couldn't sneak past him.

His brow furrowed.

A group was approaching. Fast. Too fast to be friendly.

And they weren't coming from the road.

Renji stood slowly, setting his bowl aside. "They're not guests," he muttered. "Let's go welcome them anyway."

"Dragooo!" Dragonite rumbled, its wings twitching with tension.

"Esp-Espeon!" Espeon followed swiftly, ears pricked, tail swishing with purpose.

Even Espeon—though confused—stood and followed without question, sensing something unusual in Renji's calm.

He opened the door to the wooden shelter.

Whatever was coming for them, they'd face it together.