Keeping one's word is an iron law etched into the bones of the strong.
For the Kudo family of Dragon Tamers—for Kazuma, the Dragon-type Champion standing atop the Xia Nation—the weight of a promise surpasses mountains.
Just one day after Shiba settled the newly hatched Shiny Beldum, before dawn had even broken—
A pitch-black private aircraft, its wings stamped with a ferocious dragon-shaped crest, tore through the morning mist. It did not emit a single unnecessary rumble, descending upon the Kudo family's private landing pad like a silent phantom.
As the hatch opened, an invisible pressure swept outward together with an elderly yet imposing figure.
Shiba's grandfather—Kazuma, the Dragon-type Champion.
He had truly returned.
For the sake of a promise.
For the sake of personally seeing his grandson's new Pokémon.
He had raced through the night from the distant Imperial Capital.
"Father!"
On the landing pad, Kaito and his wife were already standing straight in respectful welcome. The wind from the aircraft whipped their clothes, yet they remained unmoved. The moment the old man descended the ramp, they bowed deeply.
However, Kazuma's gaze merely swept across his son and daughter-in-law.
He didn't even give a proper nod—only a near-inaudible "hmph" from his nose—before striding past them, steps steady and destination unmistakable.
"Where is Shiba?"
His voice carried the rasp of travel, but even more so an undeniable urgency.
"Take me to him."
No returning to the main house.
No asking about the family.
Not even sparing a glance at his son, who had just broken into the Champion tier.
The first thing the patriarch of the clan wished to do upon returning—
was to see his grandson.
This blatant, undisguised favor and priority made Kaito and his wife exchange a glance, from which both saw a mixture of warmth and a touch of bitterness.
When Kazuma's calloused, powerful hand pushed open Shiba's bedroom door, a wave of energy—mixed from several potent Pokémon—surged out.
Inside, Shiba was kneeling on one knee, using a soft velvet cloth to gently polish the Shiny Beldum's silver-metal body. His movements were careful and tender, as though treating an irreplaceable treasure.
"Grandpa!"
Hearing the door open, Shiba spun around. The instant he saw the old man, his pupils constricted violently. Surprise and joy surged up so suddenly that he almost leapt to his feet.
"Good child, sit. Don't mind me."
A warm smile rose onto Kazuma's face. The suffocating pressure around him faded instantly.
But the moment he stepped into the room, his eyes sharpened—like a pair of advanced sensors—studying every Pokémon inside with meticulous precision.
His gaze settled first on Dragonair and Gabite.
The moment those two Pokémon felt his eyes, their bodies stiffened instinctively. From this old man's presence, they could feel an absolute dominance—the apex of all Dragon bloodlines.
Kazuma observed them for over ten seconds.
"Not bad."
He nodded slowly. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried the force of irrefutable judgment.
"Pure dragon aura. Solid foundations. Both have already reached the peak of Gym-level. Kaito… at this age, you were far inferior to Shiba."
These seemingly simple words made Kaito—standing outside—jolt. A proud smile crept onto his face.
Then, Kazuma's gaze shifted toward the Aerodactyl resting in a corner.
Sensing the stare, Aerodactyl's eyes snapped open. Ancient brutality flickered across its gaze before it quickly restrained itself and became wary.
A trace of appreciation flashed in Kazuma's eyes.
"An ancient overlord indeed. Ferocity restrained. Already at the peak of Elite level. Promising future."
Finally, his gaze fell upon the small creature before Shiba—the one looking back curiously, its entire body glowing with pure silver-white light.
The Shiny Beldum.
In that instant, the air in the room seemed to freeze.
In Kazuma's eyes—eyes that had seen countless rare species—erupted a brilliance like never before.
"Excellent!"
He couldn't hold back. His voice burst out, full of barely contained excitement.
"Clear Body! And an Adamant nature!"
At that moment, he was no longer the stern Champion. He was a master who had just discovered a gem beyond imagination—already envisioning, through this tiny Beldum, the future king of Psychic and Steel rising before his eyes.
Unable to restrain himself, he stepped forward.
He extended his right hand—the hand that had touched countless legendary Dragon Pokémon—and, with reverence akin to a pilgrim, placed it gently upon each of Shiba's Pokémon in turn.
A vast, warm surge of life energy flowed from his palm, examining their physical conditions and potential limits.
Dragonair…
Gabite…
Aerodactyl…
With every Pokémon he inspected, his smile deepened.
When his hand finally rested upon the cold body of the Shiny Beldum, he closed his eyes, savoring the sensation.
Moments later, his eyes snapped open.
"A Gible with Champion potential…
A Shiny Beldum with Elite Four potential…"
The more he sensed, the brighter his expression became. The joy swelling in his chest finally exploded into a thunderous laugh that shook the very air.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"Good! My Kudo family has its successor! A successor indeed!"
His laughter resounded throughout the entire manor—filled with overwhelming pride and relief.
But as the laughter faded, Kazuma's expression turned deadly serious. In front of Shiba and his parents, his gaze sharpened like lightning as he declared:
"From today onward, all family resources will be directed toward Shiba alone!"
He turned toward his son, issuing his command with undeniable force.
"Kaito, use your full authority as head of the family. Go to the League's Treasure Vault and exchange the highest-tier growth resources for Shiba's Dragonair and Gabite. Regardless of cost!"
His gaze returned to the Shiny Beldum. It sharpened into a fierce, possessive intensity.
"As for Beldum…"
"I will personally secure the greatest Steel-type treasure in the world for it!"
Kazuma pronounced each word with the force of thunder.
"My grandson must walk the path to Champion upon the very best foundation this world can offer!"
These words were the will of a Champion.
The will of the entire Kudo Dragon-Tamer Clan.
They represented the monumental expectations the whole family now placed upon Shiba.
(End of Chapter)
If I see that this fanfic has support, I will upload 20+ chapters to Patreon!!
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]