Weeks of dedication go by. Ishi completed his Quest to have both tutor him in their respective fields, it hadn’t been easy locating Mr. Suru in the days following his first tutor session with Mrs. Tanashi but he’d eventually wrangled the information out of her and once he showed him his failed Pokeballs Mr. Suru had readily taken him on. Though as he’d found out the rewards for the quest didn’t immediately just implant all of their knowledge into his head as he’d expected but had given him an affinity for learning and understanding anything they taught him only after a rudimentary explanation.
The guidance from his sensei’s, and relentless practice, had led to this moment in the quiet classroom. The air was thick with concentration when the click of a perfectly sealed Pokéball echoed through the room. Ishi, who had been holding his breath in anticipation, finally let out a whoop of delight, leaping from his seat.
Confirmed. Quest Progression:
The Materials have been Collected By Your Loving Mother, Put these Materials to good use!
Progress:
Pokeballs Made - 1
Rewards: 100 Exp Per Created Pokeball, Unlocking Of The Aura Stat.
Received! Unlocking The Special Stat Aura Has Been Accomplished, A Special Bonus Stat Point Has Been Awarded To All Stats!
Congratulations!! You Are Now Level 4!!
He danced around the room, unable to contain his joy. As the number of notifications and the additional stats flashed across his vision and made his body feel slightly lighter "I did it! I actually did it!" His voice was a mixture of triumph and disbelief.
Both his Sensei’s were present, standing by the side with wide smiles, Mrs. Tanoshi began clapping, "Congratulations, Ishi," she said warmly. "You've really surprised me. Only a few weeks into this and you've already made a fully functional Pokéball." this eared a grunt of assent from Mr. Suru who had proven to be a man of few words ever since beginning to teach Ishi, preferring to show him and have him learn by observing.
Although she had kept her tone measured, internally she was astounded. ‘Ishi, your talent is astounding,’ she thought, watching him celebrate. But she chose to keep these words to herself, knowing that the journey of learning was far from over and wanting to keep Ishi focused and humble.
Gradually, Ishi's exuberance settled, and he returned to his desk to take a closer look at his creation. The Pokéball sat there, in all its splendour. The top half was a deep dark blue, vivid like the colour of his hair, he had chosen to use a Blue Apricorn and Tumblestone for the exterior. It was to symbolise his personal touch and identity, also as this was his first Pokeball he was definitely going to use it on his starter and he hoped it would match. The bottom half was a stark, polished black, adorned with circles of white spaced out evenly, giving it a distinctive, stylish flair.
The overall effect was striking - uniquely Ishi, yet unmistakably a tool of a skilled and knowledgeable trainer. His eyes sparkled with stars as he picked up the Pokéball, turning it over in his hands reverently.
"Sensei, may I...?" Ishi began, hesitantly, not wanting to break the spell of the moment yet eager to move forward with his next steps.
"Of course, Ishi," she nodded, understanding his request. "You may go ahead."
With a grateful smile, Ishi clutched the Pokéball tightly. He then activated his Ninja Flicker Step, disappearing from sight in an instant, leaving behind a slight rush of air and a very impressed teacher.
***
Mrs. Tanoshi watched the space where Ishi had been moments before, her thoughts filled with admiration. "What monstrous talent," she mused quietly, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she pondered the potential of her young student. "Truly, he is one to watch.” “Agreed” the gruff voice of Mr. Suru spoke beside her, still staring at the desk where he’d witnessed something he thought was impossible. ‘Was that aura I felt from him? But how he definitely didn’t have it before, I would have noticed for sure… I can’t be getting that old.. Hmph!’ shaking the thoughts from his head he took his leave.
***
Outside, Ishi raced towards his usual meeting spot with Senpei and Ivy, eager to share his success and the tangible result of his hard work. His heart raced as fast as his feet, the thrill of achievement and the excitement of what lay ahead fueling his every step.
While on his way he reviewed the notifications that had popped up when he’d finally completed his first Pokeball.
Congratulations!! You Are Now Level 4!!
It had been a long time coming, weeks of effort for this notification, the extra stats he had felt getting added to his bodies physique were welcome as he was feeling like he had begun stagnating a little as it had been over five years since he had gotten the system but at last things were ramping up. This feeling increased with the next notification.
Progress:
Pokeballs Made - 1
This confirmed for him that he would receive 100 Exp per pokeball he made, which as he was now starved for ways to earn this experience was a welcome addition to his schedule as he would be able to continuously level up. Although this was a short term solution as he had noticed that the experience per level was seemingly doubling per level.
Now as he ran he checked what was possibly the biggest notification he would receive in his Champion’s System career.
Received! Unlocking The Special Stat Aura Has Been Accomplished, A Special Bonus Stat Point Has Been Awarded To All Stats!
His eyes suddenly misted a little for some weird unknown reason and with a quick wipe was able to remove whatever had irritated them so suddenly. The implications of this notification stood for themselves.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Heart still pounding with excitement, Ishi darted through the familiar paths of the village, the Pokéball secure in his satchel. He approached the usual meeting spot, and he could already see Senpei and Ivy waiting for him. They were chatting idly, but their conversation paused as they noticed Ishi's approach, his face alight with an unmistakable glow of triumph.
"Hey, you guys won't believe what I've got!" Ishi exclaimed the moment he was within earshot, barely containing his enthusiasm.
Senpei raised an eyebrow, grinning. "What did you do this time, invent a new type of berry?" an inside joke that had both Ishi and Ivy rolling their eyes.
"No, better!" Ishi reached into his pocket and pulled out the Pokéball, holding it up for them to see. The light blue and black design sparkled under the sun, drawing a collective gasp from his friends.
Ivy stepped closer, her eyes wide with admiration. "Ishi, you made that? It looks... it looks professional!”
"Yeah, my senseis helped me and taught me what I was missing. And today, I finally did it! It works and everything!" Ishi's voice was filled with pride. “Though of course I haven’t tested it with the whole ceremony tradition deal.”
Senpei clapped him on the back, laughing. "Man, that's awesome! So, what are you going to do with it? Have you thought about sneakilly catching your first Pokémon?"
Ishi shrugged, a playful spark in his eye. "Maybe. But first, I thought we could head to the hay fields, train a bit, and just hang out. You know, celebrate a little.”
With no hesitation, the trio set off towards the outskirts of town, where the vast hay fields lay under the open sky. The fields were their haven, a place where they could train their ninja skills, discuss their dreams, and now, celebrate Ishi's achievements.
As they walked, Ishi explained more about the crafting process and the critical insight his sensei’s had provided. The conversation then drifted to what types of Pokémon each of them would like to encounter someday, their chatter blending with the sounds of the village fading behind them.
Reaching their spot, a clearing surrounded by tall stalks of hay that swayed gently in the breeze, they set down their things. Ishi took a moment to activate the Pokéball, demonstrating its functionality. The device opened and closed smoothly, its internal mechanisms working flawlessly.
"Okay, now for some fun," Ishi declared, setting the Pokéball aside for the moment. The friends spent the next few hours practising their Ninja tricks, play-fighting, and attempting new acrobatic tricks they'd seen older ninjas perform.
As the sun began to dip towards the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, they lay back in the hay, catching their breath. Laughter and light-hearted teasing echoed around them, the bonds of their friendship strengthened by another shared adventure.
Confirmed. Quest Progression:
You have been born into the Ninja Village, Learn And Master All Ninja Nature Tricks!
Rewards: 50 Exp Per Learned Trick, 1000 Exp per Mastery, Sub-Class (One-With-Nature).
Progress:
Ninja Water Spout - 15%
Ninja Flicker Step - 13%
Ninja Dust Storm - 9%
Ninja Wind Rush - 12%
Ninja Fire Ball - 11%
Ninja Body Switch - 8%
Ninja Leaf Shroud - 11%
Ishi dismissed the notification, "I'm really lucky to have you guys," Ishi said sincerely, watching a particularly bright star begin to twinkle in the evening sky.
"Right back at you," Ivy smiled, and Senpei nodded in agreement, the trio content in their camaraderie.
As Ishi, Senpei, and Ivy parted ways at the edge of the hay fields, Ishi's steps slowed, allowing him to savour the cool evening air that settled over Ninja Village. His mind, ever active, drifted towards the future, particularly to the coming of age ceremony that lay a few years ahead. It was a significant milestone for every young ninja, marking the moment they received their first Pokémon partner - a companion to aid in their continued growth both as a ninja and as a person - and were given the rank of Kid Genin by the village Chief.
The path home was bathed in the gentle glow of lanterns hanging from the eaves of neatly thatched houses. Their soft light cast a warm, golden hue over the cobblestones, making the shadows dance lightly around his feet. The Ninja Village was serene at night, its beauty quiet and undisturbed, a stark contrast to the lively training and playful mischief of the day. Ishi's heart swelled with pride and affection for his home, a place steeped in tradition yet brimming with the quiet promise of future adventures.
As he walked, Ishi imagined the Pokémon that he was thinking of as his starter during his ceremony. His mind had conjured images of various Pokémon over the years, each with unique abilities and temperaments. Would he bond with a Pokémon that mirrored his energy and enthusiasm, or one that complemented his deeper, more thoughtful side? The possibilities seemed as vast as the star-filled sky above him.
Ishi’s anticipation grew with every step towards home. He couldn't wait to burst through the door and share his success with his parents - the fully functional Pokéball, his progress with the sensei’s as he called them, and his dreams for the future. He knew they would share in his excitement and offer their wisdom and support for the steps he planned to take next.
He turned onto the street where he lived, the familiar outline of his house coming into view, its windows aglow with welcoming light. Tonight, he had much to celebrate and even more to look forward to.
Finally reaching his doorstep, Ishi paused, taking a deep breath to steady his yet again bubbling excitement. He pushed the door open, stepping into the light and the waiting arms of his family.
The warm light of the kitchen enveloped Ishi as he burst through the door, his face alight with excitement and triumph. His parents, already sensing his ebullient mood, turned to greet him with expectant smiles.
“Mom, Dad, I did it!” Ishi exclaimed, barely able to contain his excitement. “I made a fully functional Pokéball!” He quickly pulled the beautifully crafted ball from his satchel and presented it for their inspection.
Shion and Haku exchanged a look of pride and joy, their eyes reflecting the gleam of success in the Pokéball Ishi held out. “That’s wonderful, Ishi!” his mum cried, her voice warm with pride.
Haku nodded approvingly, his eyes studying the craftsmanship. “This is excellent work, Ishi. Clearly, you’ve learned a lot from your sessions with the senseis.”
Riding the wave of his success, Ishi then shared his next ambitious plan. “There’s more,” he began, his voice brimming with determination. “I want to go in front of Chief Hanzo and the elders to prove that I’m worthy of interacting with Pokémon. If I can show them this Pokéball, maybe they’ll set up a system where I can have access to them more officially. And let me get my starter pokemon a few years in advance.”
Haku raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the proposal. “That’s a big step, Ishi. It sounds like you’ve really thought this through, although I have to say you’ll likely be disappointed.”
“Yes, I have. And I want to keep making and crafting Pokéballs. I’m even thinking of making one for Ivy and Senpei as gifts, but I really just want to meet my future friend and family as soon as possible ya know,” Ishi added, his thoughts already racing ahead to future creations.
Shion’s smile broadened. “That’s very generous of you, Ishi. It shows responsibility and gratitude - qualities that will serve you well in front of the elders. Although that bit of selfishness probably won’t go over as well, best not mention that part to them.”
The family spent the rest of the evening discussing strategies for presenting Ishi’s case to the village leaders. They agreed on a day to approach Chief Hanzo, and Haku offered to speak to some of the elders beforehand to gauge their openness to the idea.
The delicious aroma of dinner filled the cosy kitchen. Ishi and his parents gathered around the table. The evening’s earlier excitement had given way to a warm, jovial atmosphere as they settled in for their meal.
“So, Ishi,” Haku began with a twinkle in his eye, “now that you’re becoming such an expert Pokéball craftsman, does this mean you’ll be too busy to help with the dishes?”
Ishi grinned, playing along. “Hmm, I might have to consult my busy schedule,” he teased, making a show of pondering his burgeoning responsibilities.
Shion laughed, passing Ishi a serving dish. “Oh, I’m sure you can squeeze in some chores between your crafting sessions. After all, a true ninja knows how to balance all his duties.”
“Exactly,” Ishi retorted, his eyes bright with amusement. “Plus, crafting more Pokéballs means more practice. Maybe I should start taking special orders. What do you think, Dad? Want one in your favourite colour?”
Haku chuckled, serving himself. “Only if you can make one that cooks dinner so your mom can take a break now and then.”
Shion playfully swatted at Haku with her napkin. “Oh, stop it. As if I’d trust a Pokéball with my kitchen. But seriously, Ishi, we’re really proud of how much you’ve learned and grown. Just remember, being great at something also means being responsible with it.”
The conversation flowed easily, with gentle teasing and laughter mingling with the clink of dishes and the sizzle from the stove. Ishi shared more about his plans and what he hoped to achieve in the coming weeks, his parents listening intently, offering advice, and occasionally marvelling at their son’s ambitions.
Finally, as the meal came to an end and they began clearing the table together, Ishi felt a profound sense of gratitude. The support and love of his family not only fortified him but also reminded him that no matter the challenges ahead, he wouldn’t face them alone.
“Thanks Mum, Dad,” Ishi said sincerely as he stacked the last of the dishes by the sink. “For everything.”
Haku ruffled Ishi’s hair affectionately. “It’s what a family of Ninjas do. We support each other.”
“And we couldn’t be prouder of you, Ishi,” Shion added, giving him a warm hug. “Now, off to bed. Big day tomorrow!”
With a final laugh and a goodnight hug, Ishi headed upstairs, the echoes of his family’s encouragement and laughter accompanying him as he prepared for bed.