"No need to say more."
Ho-Oh seemed to see straight through Entei's thoughts. It withdrew its gaze from the fire-type and looked instead at Suicune and Raikou.
And at Marshadow, who had appeared at some point without anyone noticing.
"I summoned you here today for another matter, not this one. So there is no need to worry. Entei, since you have chosen to adopt this human infant, that means a bond has already formed between you."
"A human raised by Pokemon… I look forward to seeing your future."
After a brief moment of stunned silence, Entei answered respectfully, "Yes, Ho-Oh!"
Ho-Oh gave a light nod and continued with the real issue.
"I have sensed that a new chosen one has set out for Mount Tensei, carrying a Rainbow Feather."
"Entei, Suicune, Raikou, Marshadow. I require the four of you to guide him, to test him, and see whether he has the qualifications to become a Rainbow Hero."
A new chosen one?
Entei paused.
In the past, they would have accepted without hesitation, then followed the lingering aura of the Rainbow Feather Ho-Oh had bestowed, traveling to guide the chosen human.
But now, if they all left…
No one would be there to care for the Little One.
"Oh?" Ho-Oh looked at it. "Entei, do you have concerns?"
Entei bowed its head slightly. "Ho-Oh, the Little One is still very young and cannot live on his own. If Raikou and I all leave—"
"I want to go too!"
Fuyuki had understood everything Ho-Oh and the others were saying.
Sure enough, Ho-Oh really was a kind Pokemon. It had agreed without hesitation to let him stay.
But a new chosen one?
That caught Fuyuki's interest. As far as he knew, Ho-Oh flew across the world, selecting humans who met its standards and granting them Rainbow Feathers.
If he could go along, he might be able to show off in front of that Trainer and earn some Shock Points to help support the household.
Entei rejected the idea immediately.
"No. You stay on Mount Tensei."
Its brows knit together. The outside world was far too dangerous. If something happened while they were carrying out their mission, they wouldn't be able to protect the Little One.
Entei looked at Ho-Oh, its eyes filled with pleading. "Ho-Oh…"
It wanted to ask whether it could delay its departure, or perhaps take turns with Raikou or Suicune.
Before it could speak, Ho-Oh said calmly, "In that case, leave the human infant to me."
It had once roosted atop a tower in Ecruteak City for a time. It was there that it had formed friendships with humans.
Though the tower was later destroyed and it left, Ho-Oh understood humans far better than Entei and the others did.
And it wasn't only because this child had been adopted by Entei.
It was because Ho-Oh sensed an incomparably pure presence within the infant, and a genuine love for Pokemon flowing from the depths of his heart.
A new idea suddenly surfaced in Ho-Oh's mind.
In the past, it had spent its days flying across the world, casting a wide net, searching for potential Rainbow Heroes and granting Rainbow Feathers.
The process was exhausting and inefficient.
It had been nearly a hundred years since it last selected a suitable Rainbow Hero.
Over those years, it had given countless feathers to humans, yet not a single one had passed the trial.
Ho-Oh was tired.
But what if they raised a human from the very beginning, shaping one into a Rainbow Hero with their own hands?
That would mean one more being to help protect vulnerable Pokemon and ease the relationship between humans and Pokemon.
As that thought took shape, a bright light flared in Ho-Oh's eyes.
Neither Entei nor Fuyuki knew what was going through its mind.
All Entei knew was that Ho-Oh was willing to help care for Fuyuki, and gratitude immediately filled its eyes.
"Ho-Oh, thank you."
Fuyuki, on the other hand, was dumbfounded. What was wrong with these Legendary Pokemon? Why did every single one of them want to try raising a kid?
Raikou was one thing. But even Ho-Oh?
Before he could process it, Entei spoke.
"Little One, Raikou and I have a mission to complete. For the time being, Ho-Oh will take care of you."
Some things didn't even need to be said aloud. Entei knew very well that their Little One was smart. Even if he were left alone, he could take care of himself.
And yet, as his parent, Entei couldn't help worrying anyway.
Fuyuki opened his mouth. He knew Entei and the others were going to guide and test the human chosen by Ho-Oh.
If that person passed, they would become a Rainbow Hero, just like Ash in the anime.
If they failed, the Rainbow Feather they carried would lose its color.
That meant they had lost their chance.
But still…
Fuyuki's gaze drifted toward Ho-Oh.
There was a calculating glint in its eyes.
To them, this clueless, unworldly human infant was a perfect blank slate.
A child raised by Pokemon would surely grow into an exceptional Rainbow Hero, running across the land alongside Entei, Raikou, and Suicune, protecting the weak and safeguarding the world.
"But I want to go too…" Fuyuki tried to protest.
Following Ho-Oh meant far fewer Shock Points than following a human.
Based on his research, the greater the shock someone felt, the more Shock Points they produced.
A child raised by Pokemon. A child riding on Entei. A child who could seemingly command the Legendary Beasts.
All of that would absolutely stun the chosen Trainer and let him rake in Shock Points.
With enough of them, he could buy more furniture from the system shop and build up their home.
Entei, however, gently picked him up by the clothes and set him on the ground, then gave his cheek a reassuring lick.
"Be good, Little One. Ho-Oh will take good care of you. We'll be back soon."
Raikou and Suicune nodded from the side.
Entei then turned to Ho-Oh once more. "Ho-Oh, we'll be counting on you."
With that, the three Legendary Beasts and Marshadow took one last, reluctant look at Fuyuki, then ran toward the base of Mount Tensei.
They were leaving the mountain to go to the chosen one.
In the blink of an eye, only Fuyuki and Ho-Oh remained on the summit.
Fuyuki looked up at Ho-Oh, eyes wide, staring at the Legendary Pokemon that people in his previous life had jokingly nicknamed a "shiny Fearow" and a "photographer."
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You can read up to chapter 68 and more soon on patreon.com/NiaXD.