The eggshell cracked with a series of soft snapping sounds.
Fine shell fragments scattered across the tatami mats, carrying a faint warmth and glow.
Between the cracks, faint breathing could be heard.
Nagato's fingertips trembled slightly as he held his breath, afraid to disturb the awakening life force.
With one final crisp sound, a soft green light emerged from the cracks, instantly illuminating the entire room.
It was a peculiar little creature.
Its body was covered in tender green skin, with a bulb-like seed on its head. Its limbs were short but sturdy, and the young leaves on its back trembled gently with each breath.
It opened its large round eyes, blinking as Nagato's face reflected in them.
"Bulba... Bulba!"
The voice was young and clear, like a newborn baby's first cry, or the soft sound of plants breaking through soil.
Konan's eyes widened in surprise: "This is... the Ninja Beast that hatched from the egg?"
She had never seen such a creature before - neither cat nor dog, neither snake nor bird, nor did it resemble any common Summoning Beast in the Shinobi World.
It emitted a gentle Chakra aura, yet it was unusually pure.
Jiraiya came over upon hearing the noise, wearing his outer robe with his usual lazy expression. But when he saw the scene before him, his brow immediately furrowed.
"That is... what?"
He took several steps forward, carefully examining the small creature.
The way its Chakra flowed didn't resemble any known ninjutsu system.
Jiraiya had studied summoning techniques and seen many Ninja Beasts, but this was the first time he encountered a creature that could naturally concentrate Chakra within itself and resonate with the surrounding natural energy.
"Bulba, Bulba!"
The small creature seemed to sense Jiraiya's inspection, raising its head and letting out a clear cry.
Nagato lowered his head, gently stroking its back: "Teacher, it says... it seems to be called Bulbasaur."
"Bulba?"
Jiraiya was momentarily stunned before showing confusion: "You can understand what it's saying?"
Nagato nodded, purple light faintly shimmering in his eyes.
"I'm not sure if it's language, but rather... its heart's voice. I can feel it conveying information."
The patterns of the Rinnegan slowly emerged in his pupils, as if resonating with Bulbasaur's life fluctuations.
It was a connection on a spiritual level.
Neither Chakra sensing nor language comprehension, but rather a resonance of souls.
Bulbasaur tilted its head, seemingly sensing something as well.
It cried out "Bulba," and the vines extended on their own, burrowing into the ground.
Jiraiya was slightly startled: "That is—"
The emerald green vines took root into the ground, and within moments, fine green light veins appeared across the floor's surface.
A rich life energy filled the air.
Almost simultaneously, changes occurred in Nagato's body.
His Chakra flow became smoother, and the exhaustion and pain brought by the Rinnegan were instantly alleviated by more than half.
Nagato looked down at the Chakra fluctuations in his palm and whispered: "This power... is helping me recover."
He closed his eyes, following Bulbasaur's rhythm as the Chakra within him merged with the vine's energy.
A gentle vibration came from the ground, as if the earth itself was responding to this resonance.
The next moment, more greenery spread from around his feet...
Tiny plants sprouted from the cracks in the floorboards, their veins shimmering with Chakra like breaths of life spreading through the room.
"Is this... the power of the Rinnegan, capable of manifesting Wood Release?"
Jiraiya couldn't help but murmur softly.
Nagato opened his eyes and shook his head faintly.
"No."
He turned to look at the Bulbasaur still emitting Chakra, his tone serious: "This seems to be its power. And I... merely learned its technique."
"Its technique?" Jiraiya frowned deeply.
Bulbasaur seemed to sense the teacher's doubt. It leaped lightly onto the ground.
Vines extended once more, burrowing into the soil, then a pale green halo spread outward from it as the center.
The halo was gentle yet powerful, devoid of killing intent, yet it made one feel the Chakra within being drawn and stabilized.
"Is this..." Jiraiya's eyes sharpened, "some kind of Chakra absorption technique?"
"Not entirely." Nagato spoke slowly, his tone steady and clear. "It's establishing a connection with the land, converting natural energy into life force through its roots. It's not plunder, but symbiosis."
"A symbiotic technique..."
Jiraiya muttered to himself, deeply shaken.
Never before had he encountered a creature capable of drawing natural energy in such a gentle manner.
The flow of that energy was even more stable than Sage Mode.
Nagato reached out his hand, and the vines immediately retracted.
Bulbasaur jumped into his palms, letting out a satisfied "Bulba!" with sparkling eyes.
Nagato smiled faintly: "It says this technique is called Rooting."
"Rooting?" Jiraiya repeated, unable to suppress a light chuckle. "Quite the plant-like name."
"It's its technique," Nagato added softly, "and its innate ability. It passed this technique to me."
Silence returned to the air.
Raindrops slid along the eaves, falling onto the muddy ground and splashing ripple after ripple.
Jiraiya gazed at the small creature with a complex expression.
He had seen many Summoning Beasts, but never such a peculiar life form so in tune with nature.
Nagato stroked Bulbasaur's head.
"Bulba!" the little creature responded energetically, its vines swaying gently as if waving.
Jiraiya watched this scene, his expression shifting between astonishment and relief.
Meanwhile, far away at the Breeding House, a new notification flashed across Shiroishi's lenses:
[Host Compatibility Confirmed—Nagato (Bulbasaur)]
[Inherited Skill Activated: Rooting]
Shiroishi gazed at the text and chuckled softly.
"So that's it... The first successfully hatched life is Bulbasaur."
His glasses reflected a faint light as he murmured in a low, meaningful voice: "Pokémon Number 1, huh."
He had successfully hatched Bulbasaur, but Nagato still needed to continue working with his Bulbasaur to further complete the Pokédex system.
With this thought, Shiroishi pushed open the wooden door of the Breeding House. The scent of morning mist and drizzle washed over him.
The sky over the Land of Rain remained gray, yet slightly brighter than the previous night.
Sparse figures moved along the wet cobblestone streets, cart wheels rolling through puddles and splashing shallow ripples.
He held a sheet of paper in his hand, its edges dampened by rain, the ink slightly blurred. It was a procurement list he had written himself.
Before long, a merchant caravan from the border slowly arrived.
Several pack horses carried grain sacks and wooden crates, their wheels churning up mud and water as they rolled forward.
Shiroishi stepped forward, raising his hand in greeting.
"Please help me bring these items."
He handed over a list.
The caravan leader was a middle-aged man with a short beard, wearing a thick cloak and possessing shrewd eyes.
Taking the paper, he glanced over it and immediately furrowed his brow.
"What's this? Wheat flour, bean flour, lotus leaves, golden thread grass... and snakebone flowers?"
Shiroishi smiled gently. "Just some materials for small experiments."
The smile was plain yet unconsciously put others at ease.
The caravan owner hesitated for a moment, noticing the heavy pouch of silver coins pressed beneath the list.
The corners of his mouth lifted as he immediately put on a cheerful expression. "Of course, no problem! We can deliver the goods before afternoon."
"Thank you." Shiroishi gave a slight nod.
Just as he was putting away his account book, his shoulder suddenly felt lighter as a small figure leaped out from inside the house.
"Eevee!"
The small Ninja Beast landed gracefully on Shiroishi's shoulder, its fur damp from the morning mist but still smooth against its body.
It blinked, affectionately rubbing its cheek against Shiroishi's neck.
Shiroishi's lips unconsciously curved upward as he reached out to gently stroke its head.
"Hungry? Once the herbs arrive, I can make you a new formula."
Drawn by this warm scene, the caravan owner's gaze fell upon Eevee, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.
"This... is a Ninja Beast?"
He couldn't help but ask, his tone carrying curiosity and a hint of greed.
"Something like that." Shiroishi responded calmly.
The owner stepped closer, trying to get a better look.
But Eevee immediately pricked up its ears, gave a slight flick of its tail, and lightly leaped to Shiroishi's other side, its gaze wary.
This made the owner's heart tighten, and he immediately stopped in his tracks.
"Haha... truly a rare breed." He laughed awkwardly, though his tone couldn't conceal that longing. "It's really cute. I've never seen an animal like this before."
Shiroishi maintained his gentle smile, his tone indifferent. "Is that so? The Breeding House I run specializes in cultivating these breeds. Would you be interested in collaborating to promote the business?"
The owner was taken aback, then shook his head with a smile. "This is really something."
But he didn't take up Shiroishi's offer.
Folding the list and putting it away, he called to his subordinates to set off. "Don't worry, Mr. Shiroishi, your goods will definitely be delivered on time."
The caravan gradually faded into the distance, the sound of hooves blending with the rain until it disappeared around the street corner.
Shiroishi stood at the door, quietly watching them leave, the smile in his eyes gradually fading.
He reached up to adjust his glasses, a cold glint flashing across the lenses.
Eevee responded with a soft sound, its small body slightly arching as if warning against that receding presence.
Shiroishi smiled, reaching out to smooth its fur.
"It's alright, I know."
He turned and went back inside, the door closing softly behind him, shutting out the wind and rain outside.
The papers on the table remained spread out, recording new experimental ideas.
"Spiritual Formulation Experiment Phase Seven: Pre-evolution Energy Stability Test for Eevee."
Shiroishi picked up his pen and continued writing, his expression calm and focused.