Ryo sipped his water, his understanding of Sunagakure's harsh living conditions deepening.
He didn't mind the impurities in the drink. Instead, he swirled the liquid in his cup, noting the peculiar taste.
"Hmm?"
He frowned slightly.
"This actually tastes pretty good… but there's something in it."
He paused, then nodded to himself.
"They probably added purifying agents to remove the grit and sediment."
Just then, a server approached, setting down his food.
"Sir, please enjoy your meal."
Ryo nodded, turning his attention to the local delicacies before him.
Many of these dishes were unfamiliar to him—Sunagakure's specialties, no doubt.
Lizard meat.
Cactus dishes.
Everything was sourced from the harsh desert environment.
Ryo picked up his chopsticks, took a small bite—
And immediately set them back down.
It wasn't bad, per se. After all, the other diners were enjoying their meals without complaint.
But for him, the flavors were just too strange.
With a forced smile, he washed down the taste with another sip of water.
At that moment, a man at the next table spoke up.
"You're not from around here, are you?"
Ryo turned to look at him and nodded.
"Yeah, I'm not from Sunagakure."
The man smirked knowingly.
"Figured. You're not used to the food, huh?"
Ryo chuckled awkwardly.
"Not really."
The man shrugged.
"Most outsiders struggle with it. But this is how it is here. These ingredients are the only ones we have in abundance."
A trace of helplessness flashed across his face.
Ryo found himself at a loss for words.
Just as he was about to respond, Hoopa, who had been quiet until now, suddenly tugged at his sleeve.
"Ryo! Ryo!"
Ryo glanced down at the mischievous Pokémon.
"What is it?"
Hoopa's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"I found treasure! A big treasure!"
Ryo blinked.
"Treasure? What treasure?"
Their conversation had caught the attention of the other diners.
Eyes curiously turned toward Hoopa, but it wasn't Hoopa that surprised them—it was the fact that Hoopa could talk.
Despite their shock, the mention of treasure quickly became the center of attention.
Some even narrowed their eyes, a hint of greed flickering within.
But Ryo wasn't paying attention to them.
Instead, he sighed internally.
Don't tell me…
Hoopa found Sunagakure's treasury?
Sunagakure might have harsh living conditions, but it was filthy rich—this place was full of gold.
Not to mention, the village's past two generations of Kazekage had special abilities that made gold mining easier.
Hoopa, sensing Ryo's doubt, puffed up in frustration.
"Hmph! Hoopa is telling the truth! If you don't believe me, I'll show you!"
Before Ryo could stop him, Hoopa waved his tiny hands.
The golden rings around his arms floated into the air, expanding in size.
Suddenly—
A blinding golden light erupted from within the ring.
And then—
Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!
Piles of gold came pouring out, spilling across the restaurant floor.
The room fell into dead silence.
Then—
"WHAT THE—?!"
Ryo stared at the golden heap, his mind blank.
A bitter smile spread across his lips.
You've gotta be kidding me…
"Gold! Gold!!"
"IT'S MINE! ALL MINE!"
"GET OUT OF MY WAY!"
Chaos erupted.
The previously calm diners suddenly lunged for the gold, eyes bloodshot with greed.
Fists flew. Tables crashed. The restaurant became an all-out brawl.
Ryo sighed deeply and turned to Hoopa.
"See what you did?"
Hoopa, oblivious to the mess, tilted his head.
"Ryo, why are they fighting?"
Even Diancie, who had been quietly nestled in Ryo's arms, watched with fascination.
Ryo shook his head.
"There's no need to explain. This is just… human nature."
For these struggling villagers, even a small amount of gold could change their lives.
The temptation was simply too great.
At that moment—
Whoosh!
A group of shinobi appeared at the restaurant entrance, brows furrowed as they scanned the chaos.
Then their eyes locked onto the massive golden ring hovering above Hoopa.
And beyond it—
They saw something even more shocking.
"That… That's our treasury!"
Ryo turned his head slowly, his face darkening.
Oh, crap.
The ninja were in pure disbelief.
This outsider had somehow opened a portal to their treasury and was dumping their gold onto the floor like loose change!
Ryo gritted his teeth and shot Hoopa a sharp look.
"Close the portal. Now."
Hoopa, sensing his serious tone, nodded and quickly sealed the ring.
The golden glow vanished, but the damage was already done.
Sunagakure's ninja were already drawing their weapons.
Ryo let out another deep sigh.
Looks like I'm in trouble.
Ryo's sudden movement drew the attention of the Sunagakure shinobi.
Realizing the situation, he grabbed Hoopa and Diancie, and without hesitation, leaped through the nearest window.
"Stop right there! Don't run!"
The shinobi instinctively prepared to chase, but upon glancing at the chaotic restaurant, they hesitated.
They were only three in number—chasing Ryo blindly without knowing his true strength could be dangerous.
Moreover, the situation inside the restaurant needed immediate control.
For now, they had no choice but to let Ryo escape.
Meanwhile, after running a fair distance, Ryo glanced back.
Seeing no pursuers, he let out a heavy sigh.
His expression darkened as he turned toward Hoopa.
The Pokémon, however, looked at him innocently.
"Ryo, why are you looking at me like that? Do you want to see more treasure?"
Hoopa tilted his head in confusion.
Ryo's eye twitched.
"Hoopa, for the love of everything… just be quiet for a second."
"Do you realize what just happened?! We might already be wanted criminals in Sunagakure!"
His original plan was to introduce Pokémon to the village.
Instead…
Now, he was probably on the verge of becoming a fugitive.
He had barely been in Sunagakure for a few hours—
And he almost robbed their entire treasury.
It wouldn't be long before news spread across the village.
By then, he would be hunted down on sight.
"How the hell am I supposed to open a Pokémon shop now?!"
People wouldn't be lining up to be trainers—they'd be lining up to kill him.
Ryo let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing his temples.
Hoopa, still looking clueless, blinked.
"Ryo, I don't understand… what's the problem?"
Even Diancie, who had been silent, seemed puzzled.
Ryo could only groan.
He suddenly felt a massive headache coming on.
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