Shiroishi slowly emerged from the alternate dimension of the World Tree, holding an egg that emitted a peculiar glow in his arms.
This egg was different from all the previously hatched ones.
Its shell wasn't monochromatic but intertwined with two colors - purple and cyan.
The two hues intertwined like the fusion of starry sky and deep ocean, their flowing lines gentle as breathing.
From a distance, however, it appeared as a steady deep purple, carrying a sense of tranquility that seemed to transcend life itself.
Shiroishi looked down at it intently.
His fingers traced the eggshell, sensing a subtle vibration at his fingertips.
It wasn't a heartbeat, but more like an intangible pulsation, akin to whispers from the void.
Unlike the time with Eevee, this reaction wasn't warm.
It felt ethereal, empty, even slightly cold.
When he first hatched Eevee, that egg's Chakra had been gentle and vibrant.
At that time, Shiroishi had felt a long-lost joy.
That pure life energy had almost made him forget he was in another world.
But now, this purple egg made his heart tremble slightly.
He gently closed his eyes, attempting to sense that aura.
In an instant, a silent starry sky appeared in his mind.
Countless tiny lights flickered in the darkness, and in its deepest part, there was a profound purple glow, like a vortex of souls.
Shiroishi opened his eyes, his gaze calm again, though a hint of indescribable awe remained.
"This egg... seems quite special."
On his shoulder, Eevee had long been drawn to the strange glow and had lightly jumped into his arms.
It narrowed its eyes, curiously sniffing the egg, its tail swaying slightly.
"Eevee?"
Shiroishi smiled and reached out to gently stroke Eevee's head.
"Curious? I'm curious too."
His tone was gentle, yet carried a thoughtful note.
Eevee tilted its head, seemingly not understanding, and simply extended its tongue to lightly lick the egg.
A faint halo spread from its tongue tip, instantly dissipating.
"Heh..." Shiroishi chuckled softly, murmuring, "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
He carefully held the egg again and turned to leave the dense forest of the back mountain, his steps steady and composed.
When he returned to the Breeding House, the warm lights inside were still glowing.
Konan was rolling up her sleeves, cleaning together with Squirtle.
The floor had been wiped clean and shiny, with a small vase of flowers placed on the windowsill.
Hearing the door, Konan looked up, about to greet him, but froze when she saw what Shiroishi was holding.
"Is that... a new egg?"
She asked with some surprise.
Shiroishi nodded, his gaze soft. "Yes. I didn't expect I'd have a second one."
As he spoke, he gently placed the purple egg on the table.
The light shone on the eggshell, reflecting a faint cyan-purple halo.
"It feels... somewhat different."
Konan said quietly, her expression carrying a hint of curiosity.
"Yes." Shiroishi replied calmly. "It gives me the feeling of looking at a dream."
Konan wanted to ask more, but her attention was drawn to Squirtle at her feet.
The little fellow was going "Squirtle~" while blowing bubbles and pushing a cloth across the floor.
The water mist turned into thin foam, reflecting the indoor light.
The scene was so warm it hardly seemed like they were in the war-torn Land of Rain.
"You're helping me clean again."
Konan smiled and crouched down, patting Squirtle's head.
Shiroishi watched the scene, a smile unconsciously curling at the corners of his mouth.
"It seems it quite enjoys this kind of work."
"Yes," Konan nodded. "Squirtle is very clever. It knows I dislike messy places and has been helping me clean up."
"Quite impressive," Shiroishi responded softly.
As he observed the little Ninja Beast diligently blowing bubbles, he was suddenly reminded of the pure emotion he felt when he first hatched Eevee.
The night rain began to fall again, fine and silky.
The purple egg lay quietly on the table, its light pulsing gently as if synchronized with the rhythm of the rain.
"Whoosh!"
The door was pushed open, letting in a gust of damp night air.
Yahiko entered, drenched in sweat and radiating the heat of post-training exertion.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, he casually sat down by the doorway. Charmander settled beside him, the flame on its tail crackling softly, casting a reddish glow on the wall.
"Finished with your training?"
Shiroishi, in a rare good mood, asked with a smile.
Beside him, Konan was taken aback. Was Shiroishi actually smiling?
It seemed like the first time she had ever seen him smile.
Yahiko looked up to reply but suddenly noticed the faintly glowing purple egg on the table.
Its light was soft and mysterious, flickering in and out of view under the dim lamplight.
"Is that the second egg you're hatching?"
Shiroishi gave a slight nod.
"That's amazing!"
Yahiko's face broke into a genuine smile, his voice filled with sincere excitement.
"The Eevee you hatched last time was already incredible, and now a second one. It seems your Breeding House truly is a place of miracles."
Shiroishi merely smiled without saying more.
His hand continued to gently stroke the eggshell, his touch delicate as if afraid of disturbing the life slumbering within.
The room fell into a brief silence, broken only by the soft breaths of Charmander.
Yahiko watched the firelight dancing on the wall and suddenly spoke up, "Shiroishi."
"Hmm?"
"Actually..."
Yahiko hesitated for a moment, his gaze turning serious.
"I've always had a dream."
Staring at the faint lamplight, a youthful determination shone in his eyes.
"I want to change the fate of the Land of Rain."
He took a deep breath, his tone brimming with unbridled passion. "I hope that one day, the Land of Rain will no longer be a battlefield, no longer exploited by the great nations."
"I want small nations to have their own dignity, to live happily."
"Not just the Land of Rain..."
He continued, his fingers tightening slightly. "I want to bring peace to the entire world."
"Not through force, not through war to decide life and death, but through understanding and connection between people."
Though his voice wasn't loud, it resonated clearly in the quiet of the night.
Konan watched Yahiko without a word.
Even Nagato had appeared at some point, standing quietly to the side, his eyes flickering as he listened to Yahiko speak.
Shiroishi's movements stilled.
The lamplight cast a faint glow on his face.
After a few seconds, Yahiko noticed his silence, his cheeks flushing slightly as he scratched his head in embarrassment.
"Haha... Do you think it's unrealistic?"
"After all, I know these words are too idealistic."
He glanced at Shiroishi, a note of respect in his tone. "You seem much more mature than all of us, and you know so much more."
Shiroishi's gaze was gentle and profound.
After a moment of silence, he shook his head lightly.
"No."
"I don't think it's unrealistic."
Yahiko froze.
Shiroishi continued, "Ideals are never wrong."
"If you can make yourself strong enough—strong enough to protect the peace you speak of—then that ideal will no longer be empty talk."
Yahiko stared at him blankly, a glimmer of light flickering in his eyes.
Shiroishi spoke slowly, his tone gentle, "I just hope that if you hold onto your beliefs and act upon them, I will always support you."
Yahiko lowered his head, biting his lip, then looked up again, a smile reappearing.
This smile was no longer the confident grin of a youth but carried a warmth born of being understood.
"Thank you, Shiroishi."
He spoke very softly, yet with utmost sincerity.
Shiroishi smiled faintly in response, not replying verbally, and instead reached out to gently pat the purple egg.
The eggshell shimmered slightly, as if responding to their conversation.
Watching this, Yahiko felt a strange sensation rise within him.
Konan and Yahiko also smiled happily.
Squirtle and Bulbasaur gathered cheerfully around their respective trainers.
Charmander let out an excited cry.
At that moment, the egg behind Shiroishi caught the little one's attention.
Charmander, who also wanted to grow stronger, fixed its gaze on the purple and cyan egg in Shiroishi's arms.
It quietly approached, its tail flame swaying gently, its expression unusually focused.
An unspoken connection seemed to form between the two, their auras mingling as a faint light shimmered.
It was as if Charmander was communicating with it.
And Charmander sank into an unprecedented state of contemplation.
Perhaps it, too, wanted to become stronger to help its trainer, Yahiko.
A moment later...
While the two were talking, a soft "Gwah~" sound suddenly emerged.
Yahiko and Shiroishi turned simultaneously to see Charmander lift its head, a different light burning in its eyes.
Its breathing grew deep and steady, its chest swelling slightly before it opened its mouth and exhaled a swirl of cyan-blue breath.
The breath tumbled in the air, transforming into a flowing stream of faint light carrying a unique vibrational pulse.
A screen of light immediately flickered across Shiroishi's glasses.
Text automatically appeared:
[Charmander learned the move: Dragon Breath]
[Yahiko comprehended the auxiliary technique: Dragon Release · Dragon Breath]
Yahiko stared at his hands in astonishment, clearly sensing the new power within his Chakra.
It was Charmander's aura, merging with his own—both warm and resilient.
"What is this?"
In the dim light, Shiroishi spoke calmly, "Congratulations, you've mastered a new release technique: Dragon Release."