Naruto × Pokémon: Flames of Harmony

Chapter 9: Fire Leaves and Fateful Rivals

The scent of pine and ember hung in the air as the trio stepped beyond the edge of Sea Stone City, entering the renowned Emberleaf Forest. The ground beneath their feet crunched gently with each step, a mixture of warm orange leaves and moss-covered stone. The forest was ablaze with natural color—not in flame, but in a vibrant palette of reds, golds, and ambers. Trees curved like arches overhead, glowing faintly in the morning light, painting the path ahead with dappled warmth.

Their destination was Green Hill City, home to the next Gym—the Grass-type Gym. But Emberleaf was no ordinary forest trail.

Pokémon cries echoed from the canopy. Fletchlings zipped overhead. A Marill splashed into a stream to their right. A Weedle crawled lazily across a log, ignored by a chasing Rattata.

Naruto stomped ahead, full of energy.

"Man, this place is awesome!" he said with a grin. "Hey Sasuke, look at my team now—Frogadier and Luxio, both evolved! Bet that Gym will be a breeze for me!"

Sasuke, walking just behind him, raised a brow. "Tch. You really think you're ahead just because of that?"

"I know I am!" Naruto shot back, jabbing his thumb toward himself. "Two evolutions! Not one! Two!"

Sasuke crossed his arms, clearly annoyed. "Quilava evolved first. And my Wooper is close to evolving too. Besides, evolution isn't everything."

"Jealous," Naruto said with a smirk.

"You wanna go?"

Sakura sighed from the back. She held up the Pokédex Kakashi had given her, scrolling through entries with a sparkle in her eyes. "There's just so many cute Pokémon around here…" She glanced at her Rowlet perched lazily on her shoulder. "Look, there's even an entry for Cutiefly… oh, and Espurr—!"

"Hey, focus," Naruto said, waving a hand. "We're on a serious journey."

"Your definition of serious is questionable," Sasuke muttered.

-----

The forest grew denser as they ventured deeper, branches arching overhead like woven canopies. Sunlight filtered in flickering rays. Wild Pokémon darted through bushes—Caterpie on the trunks, Paras munching on mushrooms, and Metapods clinging to bark in still meditation.

Sakura paused near a quiet glade. "Wait… is that—?"

She crouched, eyes locking onto a small, pink-haired Pokémon twirling through the grass.

"Ralts," the Pokédex confirmed softly.

Its eyes peeked out from beneath its green helmet-like hair, as if sensing her presence. Sakura's heart melted.

"You're adorable!"

With gentle care, she released her Venipede, who hissed softly in readiness. The battle was brief—Venipede paralyzed the Ralts with a Poison Sting, and after a quick Poké Ball toss, the capture was successful.

"Yesss!" Sakura squealed, hugging her Poké Ball.

As she turned to praise Venipede, a glow surrounded the bug-type's body. Her eyes widened.

"Wait… you're evolving?!"

Venipede's form shifted, body elongating, plates forming across its back. In a shimmer of radiant light, it transformed into Whirlipede.

"Two Pokémon in one day! Yes!!" she cheered.

Meanwhile, Naruto had wandered ahead into a clearing. A strange blue-and-white Pokémon with a meditational pose floated above a rock.

"Whoa… never seen this one."

He scanned it.

Meditite – The Meditate Pokémon.

It always trains in the mountains. It heightens its inner energy through meditation.

"Alright, you're mine!" Naruto called, immediately chucking a Poké Ball.

But just as it hit the Pokémon, another Poké Ball zoomed in from the left—clink!

The two collided midair, canceling each other out.

"What the—HEY!" Naruto turned, glaring toward the trees.

From the underbrush, a kid with shiny bowl-cut hair, giant eyes, and green spandex stepped out dramatically.

"I apologize for interrupting your throw, my youthful friend!"

"…Who the heck are you?"

"I am Rock Lee! Aspiring martial arts master and soon-to-be Champion of the Shinova League! That Meditite is my destined partner!"

Naruto blinked. "I saw it first!"

Lee dropped into a horse stance. "Then we must decide this in a glorious battle! The flames of competition shall burn our spirits to new heights!"

Sakura arrived just in time, having heard the noise. She stopped in her tracks.

Lee turned.

And froze.

"Oh… my heart! Such beauty… such grace… are you an angel from the heavens or a Princess from Kalos?!"

Sakura's face fell. "Oh no…"

Naruto looked between them. "Lee, if you're done simping, let's battle."

Sakura stepped up. "I'll referee, I guess."

Lee stood confidently, grabbing his Poké Balls.

"Team Lee—Ready!"

Naruto's Team:

• Frogadier (Lv. 19 ♂️)

• Luxio (Lv. 20 ♂️)

Lee's Team:

• Pignite (Lv. 19 ♀️)

• Hawlucha (Lv. 23 ♂️)

"Begin!" Sakura called out.

"Go, Pignite!"

"Let's do this, Frogadier!"

Pignite roared, stomping its hooves as fire danced around its snout. Frogadier narrowed his gaze, crouching low.

"Pignite, Brick Break!"

"Frogadier, Substitute!"

Frogadier vanished in a puff, leaving behind a clone. Pignite's Brick Break smashed it into dust.

"Quick Attack, now!" Naruto ordered.

Frogadier reappeared, dashing forward and slamming Pignite from behind.

"Flame Charge!" Lee commanded.

Pignite spun, cloaked in fire, and smashed into Frogadier, knocking him back.

Both Pokémon took heavy hits. Naruto grit his teeth. "Time to finish this—Water Pulse!"

Frogadier fired a swirling orb of water. Pignite tried to dodge, but the pulse exploded against its chest and sent it flying into a tree.

"Pignite is unable to battle!"

Lee gasped. "NO! My fiery comrade!"

He returned Pignite and clenched his fist. "Then I must rely on my ace. Let's go, Hawlucha!"

The masked bird Pokémon landed with a dramatic flap, posing in midair.

Naruto hesitated. Frogadier was panting.

"Return! Go, Luxio!"

The electric lion hit the ground with a snarl.

"Hawlucha, Flying Press!"

"Hurry—Thunder Fang!"

The two Pokémon collided—one from the air, one leaping up from the ground. A flash of light. Dust. Roaring wind.

To be continued…