Charmander's arrival injected a vibrant heat into the originally tranquil house.
Unlike Bulbasaur's gentle aura, it was born with a fiery presence!
Blazing, unrestrained, and never backing down.
From the moment it hatched, it felt like this being was born to burn for battle.
While Yahiko practiced taijutsu on the training ground, Charmander followed closely by his side.
Its burning Tail Flame constantly swayed in the air, leaving crimson afterimages with each movement.
Whenever Yahiko threw a punch or kicked, Charmander would mimic his movements, growling low while spitting out small bursts of flame.
"Hah!"
Yahiko kicked out, shattering a rock into flying fragments.
Immediately after, Charmander let out a sharp cry, swung its tail, and spat a stream of red fire from its mouth.
The flames illuminated the training ground, heat waves distorting the air.
Nagato watched from the side and smiled.
"It has strong fighting spirit."
"Yeah." Yahiko wiped sweat from his forehead, grinning. "It's just like me, born refusing to accept defeat."
Charmander clearly understood these words, raising its head proudly and letting out a triumphant cry, the flame on its tail immediately growing stronger by three degrees.
It seemed to really enjoy being praised.
Completely different from the quiet Bulbasaur over there.
Jiraiya stood in the distance, watching the scene with great interest.
He approached, crouched down, and made eye contact with Charmander.
"Want to try a new way of fighting?" He showed a sly smile.
Charmander tilted its head to look at him, then nodded vigorously, the flame on its tail leaping higher.
"Good."
"See if you can mimic this movement."
He turned his palm, Fire Release Chakra gathering into a tiny vortex that whirred in the air.
"This is a method of controlling Fire Release Chakra - not through hand signs, but through willpower alone."
Charmander stared intently.
After a moment, it took a deep breath, the air around its body distorting from the heat as the flame from its tail gradually gathered between its claws.
Boom!
A small Fire Whirlwind Ball exploded between its claws. Though unstable, it was enough to churn up the dust on the ground.
Jiraiya stared blankly for a moment before showing an amazed smile.
Yahiko was also stunned: "It can understand?"
"This guy's comprehension ability... its intelligence is very high."
After some time of training, Charmander's growth was almost visible to the naked eye.
It no longer just spat fire randomly, but began actively adjusting its breathing rhythm, trying to coordinate with Yahiko's fighting pace.
Sometimes, it would even detect changes in Yahiko's movements in advance, releasing flames a step earlier to provide cover.
Every time Jiraiya watched, his frown deepened.
Not from annoyance, but from shock.
"This Ninja Beast's intelligence... seems too strong."
What happened next made Jiraiya even more amazed.
Because Yahiko and Charmander were both full of fighting spirit, the human and beast were completely focused.
As Yahiko threw a powerful punch at a rock, Charmander immediately jumped up after him, crossing its claws as a metallic gleam flashed at their tips.
"Gah!"
With a sharp sound, the claws became sharp as blades, directly tearing through the rock's surface.
Fragments flew, flames flickered, and the dust was torn in two.
"What is this?" Yahiko stared in astonishment at those silver-glowing claws.
Jiraiya stepped forward, his expression grave. "This hardening... it's some kind of Metal Hardening Technique."
He reached out to touch the shattered stone fragments, his brow furrowed tightly.
"Hardness comparable to steel."
Charmander seemed to understand their conversation, puffing out its chest proudly while chirping excitedly, its tail flame dancing more vigorously.
Just then, Yahiko suddenly sensed a familiar fluctuation.
A faint glow appeared between his fingers as chakra flowed along his skin, actually condensing into a metallic sheen at his fingertips.
"Teacher, it seems I... can do it too?"
Jiraiya's eyes widened.
He watched as Yahiko extended both hands, his palms glowing with metallic luster. His fingers curved into claw shapes and suddenly slashed forward!
The rock was instantly torn in half, fragments scattering everywhere. The force was so powerful that even the ground trembled slightly.
"This... did you learn it from Charmander?" Jiraiya's voice carried surprise.
Yahiko relaxed his fists, staring at his own hands, his breathing slightly rapid.
"I don't know how it happened... When I was training with it, that movement suddenly appeared in my mind, as if it was teaching me."
Charmander happily jumped onto his shoulder, chirping excitedly while wagging its tail flame.
"Haha! Thank you, little guy!"
Yahiko couldn't help but laugh heartily, scooping it up in his arms.
The firelight reflected on his face, his smile bright and warm.
Watching the joyful expressions on Yahiko and Nagato's faces, Jiraiya actually felt a long-lost comfort in his heart.
Having witnessed too much separation and death, seeing these three show pure smiles again should have been something worth celebrating.
Yet precisely because of this, he grew more vigilant.
These Ninja Beasts had appeared too suddenly, too mysteriously.
Jiraiya looked at the Bulbasaur nestled in Nagato's arms, then at the tail-flame-burning Charmander in Yahiko's embrace, an unease constantly churning in his heart.
"Such power, if it falls into the wrong hands..." he thought, "it would mean new disaster."
Thus, he decided to visit the Breeding House owner who could make eggs hatch such lives.
"Teacher Jiraiya, let me take you there."
A gentle voice came from nearby.
Konan stood at the doorway holding her blue egg, her expression serious.
With Yahiko and Nagato busy training with their Ninja Beasts, she couldn't bear to disturb them and could only guide the way herself.
"Alright." Jiraiya nodded, throwing on his cloak.
The air in the Land of Rain was as humid as ever.
In the mist-shrouded streets, puddles reflected the light of lanterns.
Jiraiya and Konan walked single-file, stepping through shallow water trails through the third civilian district.
Though this area appeared dilapidated, it was unexpectedly peaceful.
Both adults and children showed less of the numbness commonly seen in war zones. Instead, they carried a kind of—stable tranquility.
"These people... all live here?"
Jiraiya glanced at the residents repairing roofs and drying herbs along the street.
"Yes," Konan nodded, "Most of them fled from elsewhere. I've heard... it all seems related to Shiroishi, the Breeding House owner."
Clearly, Konan had gathered intelligence about this Breeding House.
She had investigated part of Shiroishi's information.
And obtained one crucial piece of information—she confirmed that Shiroishi was also a native orphan of the Land of Rain.
The same age as the three of them!
Jiraiya murmured the name, his brow slightly furrowed.
Before long, the two stopped before a seemingly ordinary wooden house.
A dim yellow paper lantern hung at the entrance, its soft glow illuminating an old wooden sign.
Breeding House.
Fresh raindrops still clung to the sign, tiny beads of moisture sliding down its carved strokes.
"This is the place," Konan said softly.
Just as Jiraiya stepped forward, the wooden door creaked open on its own.
A figure emerged slowly.
Shiroishi wore a light gray kimono, his silver-framed glasses reflecting the lantern light, his expression serene.
He still held a bamboo broom in his hand, clearly having just finished sweeping the front area.
He lifted his head, meeting their gazes directly.
There was no surprise in his eyes, only a faint tranquility.
"So it's you."
Shiroishi's voice was gentle, as if he had long anticipated someone's arrival.
Konan stiffened slightly, a hint of embarrassment coloring her face.
"Um, I..."
She nervously tightened her grip on the egg in her arms, her eyes shifting uncertainly as if caught red-handed in some misdeed.
"Heh." Shiroishi chuckled softly, his tone warm. "No need to be so formal. How is the hatching progress going?"
"It... hasn't hatched yet."
She answered in a near-whisper, then immediately hid behind Jiraiya.
Shiroishi glanced at the blue egg in her arms, a faint, elusive light flickering in his eyes, but he said nothing more.
His gaze shifted to Jiraiya.
"And this is...?"
"Are you the owner of this Breeding House?"
"Yes." Shiroishi raised his head, his expression still calm. "But I prefer to be called a Breeder."
"A Breeder?"
Jiraiya repeated the term, his gaze sharpening slightly.
Shiroishi smiled faintly. "In this land of endless conflict, ensuring life continues is my work as a Breeder."
These puzzling words made Jiraiya pause in surprise.
Jiraiya showed a half-smile, scratching the back of his head. "That's quite the remarkable statement. May we come in and take a look?"