On the first day after Bulbasaur's birth, the entire house gained a subtle, wondrous vitality.
It followed Nagato almost everywhere, its soft vines trailing the scent of soil, leaving faint damp marks on the wooden floor with every step.
At first, Nagato clumsily prepared food—crushed rice, fruits, vegetables, dried fish—arranging them all on a plate.
"Here, eat up."
Bulbasaur looked up at the plate of food, then at him, with an expression that seemed to say, "What is this strange stuff?"
Then, it twisted around, wagging its short vines, and ran off on its own to the flower field outside.
The air after the rain was filled with moist floral fragrance, and sunlight pierced through gaps in the clouds, spilling over countless petals.
Bulbasaur quietly nestled among the flowers, the bulb on its back faintly glowing with a soft green light.
Closing its eyes, pollen was drawn into the bud, transforming into gentle energy that flowed into its body.
Konan watched intently from the window.
"...Eating pollen?"
Jiraiya also walked over, crossing his arms, his gaze complex. "A Ninja Beast that feeds on pollen? Is this a toad or a bee?"
Scratching his head, he looked both puzzled and bewildered. "It completely defies logic."
Nagato looked down at the satisfied Bulbasaur and smiled softly.
"It seems it doesn't need to be fed. It knows how to live on its own."
Bulbasaur seemed to understand, letting out a cheerful "Bulba!" sound. With a kick of its short legs, it leaped directly into Nagato's arms, nuzzling his chest affectionately.
Konan couldn't help but chuckle. "It really likes you."
Nagato scratched his head sheepishly, while Bulbasaur comfortably settled in his arms like a living patch of green sunlight.
As time passed, Yahiko and Konan watched the scene with growing anticipation.
Yahiko spent all day circling the fiery red egg, gently stroking its surface, occasionally murmuring to himself with a smile, "When you hatch, you better be as spirited as me."
Tiny flame patterns shimmered on the eggshell, and occasional wisps of heat escaped, making it feel as if he were holding a beating heart.
Konan was more cautious.
She carefully placed her egg near the flower field, hoping the pollen that Bulbasaur loved would aid its incubation.
However, the clear blue egg remained silent.
Pollen gently settled on its surface but was repelled by a faint halo of light.
"It doesn't seem to like the flower field."
Yahiko studied the distinct patterns thoughtfully. "Maybe it's just not that type of Ninja Beast."
Jiraiya stood nearby, his gaze shifting between the three eggs.
Bulbasaur's shell had once borne natural patterns, like spreading vines; Yahiko's fiery egg flowed with flame-like markings, while Konan's water egg remained as calm as a mirror, undisturbed.
"Just what kind of place is that Breeding House..."
Jiraiya muttered to himself.
He was an experienced ninja, well-traveled and knowledgeable, yet he had never encountered Ninja Beasts capable of nurturing life imbued with natural attributes.
What surprised him even more was that Bulbasaur's presence seemed to have a positive effect on Nagato's body.
During training, he noticed that Nagato's Chakra circulation had become more stable, his breathing smoother, and even the burden brought by the Rinnegan within him had lightened considerably.
"That Ninja Beast... can actually help its host control Chakra?"
Jiraiya stared at Bulbasaur, a trace of unease flashing through his heart.
This was no ordinary creature.
Yet strangely, it carried no malice whatsoever.
Its life aura felt gentle and warm, as if fundamentally belonging to creation itself.
"Strange..." Jiraiya gazed into the distance.
He took a deep breath and secretly made a decision.
"I need to personally visit this Breeding House."
Konan and Yahiko were taken aback: "Teacher, you're going to find that shop owner?"
"Yes."
Jiraiya withdrew his gaze, his tone turning serious: "Whoever created such a creature is definitely no ordinary person. Even if they bear no hostility, we must clarify their intentions."
Nagato looked up, gently stroking the Bulbasaur in his arms.
The little creature was curled up sleeping, its vines wrapped around his wrist, its heartbeat almost synchronized with his pulse.
"Teacher."
"What is it?"
At that moment, Yahiko suddenly smiled softly, his eyes falling on the fiery red egg in his arms.
"Mine seems about to hatch too."
As soon as he spoke, a brilliant crimson light flashed across the eggshell's surface.
Fire patterns spread along the cracks like flowing magma, crumbling inch by inch. Then came a faint cracking sound.
The eggshell shattered.
From the broken fissure leaped a dancing cluster of flames.
The fire rapidly coalesced into form, illuminating the entire room.
A small creature plopped into Yahiko's arms, its orange-red skin glowing warmly in the light.
Its belly and the underside of its tail were a soft cream color, with an active flame burning at the tip of its tail.
The flame danced, emitting faint crackling sounds, illuminating the smile on Yahiko's face.
"This is... my Ninja Beast?"
He murmured softly, unable to suppress the excitement in his voice.
The little creature looked up, its round blue eyes sparkling with lively light.
Its mouth opened slightly, revealing two small teeth each on the upper and lower jaws.
Its limbs were short, movements clumsy yet full of vitality.
It curiously looked around, then gently swayed its tail, the firelight flickering with the motion, making the entire room feel as warm as spring.
"Bulba?"
Bulbasaur poked its head out from Nagato's embrace, making a questioning sound.
The firelight reflected in its eyes, making it squint slightly.
Charmander responded with a clear cry: "Gah!"
The two little Ninja Beasts looked at each other for a moment, seemingly greeting each other in their own way.
Jiraiya stepped forward, examining this new creature.
"This... looks even stranger than that Bulbasaur."
He frowned, circled around Charmander, and reached toward the tail flame, but had to pull back from the intense heat.
"A burning flame on its tail..."
"Could this be its life flame?"
Charmander seemed to notice Jiraiya's scrutiny, looking up and blinking before emitting a curious "Gah!"
Its tail gave a slight sway, and the firelight instantly intensified several times over, illuminating the entire room as bright as daylight.
Yahiko was momentarily stunned by the sudden brightness, but then burst into laughter.
"Haha! So it's a Fire Release-type Ninja Beast! Such a passionate feeling!"
He reached out, carefully letting the flame approach his palm.
Though somewhat scorching, it didn't burn. That temperature felt like the rhythm of life itself - carrying heat, but also carrying hope.
"Hello there," Yahiko whispered, his voice brimming with joy and pride.
Charmander seemed to understand, lifting its head and letting out an excited cry, the flame on its tail leaping higher.
The atmosphere in the room was completely ignited by that flickering fire.
Nagato watched Yahiko's smile and couldn't help but smile as well.
Konan crouched nearby, her eyes sparkling as she murmured softly, "How wonderful..."
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression thoughtful.
"A strange Breeding House, a strange egg, and... a Ninja Beast that perfectly bonds with its host," he muttered to himself, his sense of caution deepening once more.
But when he saw Yahiko holding the Charmander with its dancing flames, grinning like a child, Jiraiya couldn't help but chuckle helplessly. He had to admit, these kids were growing on him—they really were quite endearing.
At the Breeding House, Shiroishi also received the message.
[Host Compatibility Confirmed—Yahiko (Charmander)]
[Inherited Skill Activated: Metal Claw]