NOVEL WEB Chapter 12: Chapter 12: City of Bloom and Battle
Chapter 12: City of Bloom and Battle
Sunlight filtered through trailing ivy and dew-kissed blossoms as the group wandered into the heart of Green Hill City.
Everywhere they looked, beauty flourished.
Emerald trees arched across cobblestone paths. Colorful Butterfree fluttered through the air, while Lotad bobbed near the lazy river that cut through the center of the city like a silver thread. Wooden gondolas drifted beneath ornate bridges, and flower petals floated peacefully on the surface of the water.
Sakura beamed from ear to ear. "This place is perfect."
Naruto, his hands behind his head, yawned. "Yeah, yeah. I guess it's alright."
"'Alright?'" Sakura snapped. "This is like a dream garden!"
Sasuke raised a brow. "It is more relaxing than Sea Stone."
"See?! Even brooding statue boy agrees," Sakura declared.
---
Their first stop was the Botanical Garden, a sprawling greenhouse dome at the city's edge filled with rare flora from every region—glowing mushrooms from Galar, sun-blessed vines from Hoenn, and even a special space for Grass-type Pokémon to roam freely.
Sakura twirled among the flowers, Rowlet perched lazily on her shoulder, half-asleep. She giggled as a Flabébé floated onto her hand.
"Look how cute you are!" she cooed.
Meanwhile, Sasuke leaned silently against a tree as his Quagsire stared blankly at a Sawsbuck. Naruto got caught trying to hand-feed an Oddish and was promptly puffed at by a suspicious Hoppip.
"Why are all the Grass-types so judgy?" Naruto grumbled.
---
From there, they followed the main path to the Marketplace, where vendors lined the cobbled streets under flowing white tents. The air was rich with the scent of roasted berries, grilled fish, and sweet mochi. Stalls sparkled with jewelry made of Water Stones, Charcoal necklaces, and Pokémon-themed accessories.
Sakura marveled at silk scarves and flower earrings, while Naruto eyed a vendor selling spicy ramen bowls—mouth watering.
Sasuke was more interested in a specialty shop selling held items: Black Sludge, Miracle Seeds, and Quick Claws.
Sakura grinned. "Let me guess—you're already thinking of Gym strategies."
"Hn," Sasuke replied with a smirk.
As they turned a corner near the river bridge, a poster caught Naruto's eye.
A colorful banner read:
[> GREEN HILL CITY BATTLE COMPETITION Open to all trainers! Entry Free!
Grand Prizes Await!
🥇 1st: Trophy, 20,000 Pokédollars, a mysterious Pokémon egg, Choice Band, 3 Rare Candies
🥈 2nd: Trophy, 10,000 Pokédollars, Choice Scarf, 2 Full Restores
🥉 3rd: Trophy, 5,000 Pokédollars, 5 Hyper Potions]
"WHAAAAT?!" Naruto shouted, shaking the board.
"That's insane," Sasuke said, eyes narrowing. "A Pokémon egg and that much cash?"
Naruto was already sprinting toward the registration booth.
"I'M JOINING! NO WAY I'M MISSING THIS!"
Sasuke clicked his tongue but walked after him. "I'll win it first."
Sakura shook her head with a long sigh. "Boys will be boys."
Just then, another voice chimed in smoothly beside her.
"Couldn't agree more."
Sakura turned.
A tall, confident girl stood there, golden hair pulled into a high ponytail. She wore a chic sleeveless vest, matching boots, and stylish shades resting atop her head. A small Petilil peeked out from her shoulder bag.
"I'm Ino Yamanaka," she said with a wink. "You seem like someone who knows real taste when she sees it."
Sakura blinked, surprised… but then smiled. "Sakura Haruno. I do, actually."
They shared a brief pause.
"Want to hit the market together?" Ino offered. "I know where all the best booths are."
"Absolutely. Let's ditch the battle maniacs."
The two girls strolled into the market, arms linked, leaving the boys to their testosterone-fueled chaos.
---
Later that evening, Naruto and Sasuke were back at the city square where the tournament stage was being constructed. The arena was massive—surrounded by hanging vines, lightbulbs strung through trees, and even a floating water platform.
"This'll be epic," Naruto muttered.
Sasuke nodded. "We'd better be ready."
Across town, Ino and Sakura laughed together as they left a pastry stall, their hands full of bags and souvenirs. Petilil and Rowlet skipped beside them.
"I think we're gonna get along great," Ino said.
"I think you're right," Sakura replied.
But high above the city—hidden behind a cluster of trees and watching from a hilltop—two masked figures observed everything.
Zabuza and Haku.
"Begin tomorrow night," Zabuza said quietly.
"No one will expect a storm beneath all this peace," Haku whispered.
---
To Be Continued…