The Uchiha Clan's private training grounds occupied a reinforced section of the compound specifically designed to withstand high-level Pokemon battles. Barriers embedded with energy-dampening crystals ringed the arena. Observation platforms provided safe viewing for clan members. The ground itself was compressed earth mixed with crushed stone, resistant to fire, water, and most forms of elemental damage.
Sasuke stood at one end of the rectangular field, checking Zekrom's Pokeball one final time. The morning sun had barely cleared the mountains, but at least forty clan members had already gathered to watch. Word had spread quickly. The Champion would battle his returned brother in an exhibition match.
Itachi waited at the opposite end, perfectly still in that way he had of seeming relaxed while missing nothing. He'd changed from his casual clothes into a more practical black training outfit. Six Pokeballs hung from his belt, but Sasuke knew he'd only use one today.
Fugaku stood between them, serving as referee. "Standard battle rules. One Pokemon each. Match continues until one Pokemon is unable to battle or a trainer concedes. This is an exhibition, showcase your skills but avoid permanent damage."
Sasuke nodded. Beside him, Victini bounced in place, eager to watch but smart enough to stay outside the arena proper.
"Sasuke," Fugaku continued, "send out your Pokemon."
He threw Zekrom's ball. The Deep Black Pokemon materialized in a flash of blue-white light, its massive form immediately dominating the battlefield. At over ten feet tall, Zekrom's presence made several younger clan members step back instinctively. The Dragon-Electric type's tail generator hummed with barely contained energy. Its blue eyes scanned the field, analyzing terrain and opponent with the calculating intelligence that had made it legendary.
Impressed murmurs rippled through the crowd. Many had seen Zekrom at last night's presentation, but viewing a Legendary Pokemon in battle stance carried different weight.
"Itachi," Fugaku said. "Send out your Pokemon."
Itachi's Pokeball released Darkrai. The Dark-type appeared from shadow rather than light, coalescing from nothing into its distinctive form. Where Zekrom radiated power and physicality, Darkrai embodied something more ephemeral, the nightmare given shape, darkness made manifest. Its single blue eye fixed on Zekrom with ancient awareness.
The atmosphere changed immediately. Two Legendary Pokemon facing each other created a pressure in the air that made it harder to breathe. Even the morning birds had gone silent.
Sasuke reached for the bond he shared with Zekrom. The Dragon responded instantly, their minds touching in a way that didn't require words. Three years in the Crown Tundra had forged this connection through countless battles against wild Pokemon and environmental hazards.
Across the field, Itachi's expression remained neutral, but Sasuke knew his brother had achieved the same synchronization with Darkrai. The Champion didn't get to his position through strength alone, his bonds with his Pokemon were flawless.
"Begin!" Fugaku stepped back to the edge of the arena.
Neither Pokemon moved for three seconds. Zekrom and Darkrai studied each other, evaluating threat levels and possible strategies. Then Darkrai dissolved into shadow, vanishing from sight.
Sasuke didn't panic. "Fusion Bolt, area spread."
Zekrom's tail generator roared to life. Electricity gathered at the tip, building to blinding intensity, then exploded outward in branching arcs that covered the entire battlefield. The attack wasn't aimed at any specific target, it was meant to force Darkrai to reveal itself.
Shadow reformed thirty feet to Zekrom's left. Darkrai emerged already launching Dark Void, a sphere of concentrated nightmare energy that expanded as it flew. The attack would induce sleep on contact, removing any Pokemon from the fight through unconsciousness rather than damage.
"Dragon Claw, intercept!"
Zekrom's claw ignited with draconic energy. It slashed through Dark Void before the sleep-inducing attack could connect, dispelling it in a burst of dissipating power. The follow-through carried Zekrom forward in a charge that closed the distance to Darkrai in under a second.
But Darkrai had already moved. It flowed around Zekrom's bulk like water around a stone, reforming behind the Dragon-Electric type. Dark Pulse erupted at point-blank range.
The concussive wave of dark energy slammed into Zekrom's back and drove it forward three steps. The Dragon snarled, more annoyed than hurt, its natural resistance to special attacks mitigating the worst of it, and spun with tail extended. Zekrom's massive tail, already crackling with residual electricity, swept through the space where Darkrai floated.
Darkrai dove beneath the attack, dropping low enough that its shadowy lower body nearly touched the ground. Then it retaliated with Shadow Claw, dark energy coating its appendage as it raked across Zekrom's exposed side.
That drew first blood. Zekrom roared and unleashed Discharge without waiting for Sasuke's command. Electricity exploded from its body in all directions, a technique impossible to fully dodge at close range.
Darkrai took the hit. The Dark-type had no particular resistance to Electric attacks, and Discharge at this proximity carried serious power. Darkrai's form flickered, destabilizing momentarily.
"Fusion Bolt, maximum power!" Sasuke called.
Zekrom's tail generator hit peak output. The Dragon gathered electricity into a single concentrated sphere, then launched it like artillery. The bolt tore through the air with a thundercrack that made the barriers flare.
"Dark Void, counter!" Itachi's voice remained calm.
Darkrai reformed fully and generated its own sphere, nightmare energy meeting electrical power in midair. The collision created an explosion that rattled the observation platforms. Smoke obscured the battlefield.
Sasuke reached through his bond with Zekrom. His Pokemon was already moving, using the obscured vision to reposition. Years of training together meant they could coordinate without verbal commands.
The smoke cleared to reveal Zekrom airborne, having used its stubby wings to achieve altitude despite their apparent unsuitability for flight. Gravity pulled at the Dragon, but it had enough height for one aerial attack.
"Draco Meteor!"
Orange-red energy gathered in Zekrom's mouth. The Dragon-type attack built rapidly, then launched skyward in a glowing sphere that climbed for three seconds before reversing direction. The meteor split into multiple smaller projectiles that rained down across the entire battlefield, impossible to avoid through movement alone.
Darkrai responded by dissolving into pure shadow again, this time spreading itself across the ground in a two-dimensional form. The meteors passed through the shadow without causing damage, exploding against the reinforced earth.
Zekrom landed heavily, the impact cracking the ground beneath its feet. Before it could recover its balance, Darkrai reformed from the shadow directly beneath it and launched Ice Beam at point-blank range.
The super-effective attack struck Zekrom's underside, one of its few vulnerable points. Ice spread rapidly across the Dragon's dark scales. Zekrom bellowed in pain and staggered backward, frost already forming where the beam had connected.
Sasuke gritted his teeth. Dragon-types were vulnerable to Ice attacks, and Darkrai had exploited that weakness with perfect timing. "Fusion Bolt, close range!"
Zekrom's entire body erupted with electricity. The discharge shattered the spreading ice and forced Darkrai to retreat or be electrocuted. The Dark-type chose retreat, flowing away and reforming at the arena's far end.
Both Pokemon were breathing hard now. Zekrom's scales showed frost damage along its stomach. Darkrai's form flickered occasionally, evidence that the repeated Discharge attacks were accumulating damage.
Sasuke assessed the situation rapidly. Zekrom had the raw power advantage, but Darkrai's mobility and Itachi's tactical genius were negating that edge. Every time Zekrom committed to an attack, Darkrai was already moving to exploit the opening.
He needed to change strategies. Force Darkrai to fight in a way that favored Zekrom's strengths.
"Bolt Strike, sustained output!"
Zekrom's tail generator didn't just create a single bolt this time, it maintained continuous electrical discharge while the Dragon charged forward. Zekrom became a moving storm of electricity, making the ground itself conduct current wherever it stepped. The sustained output would drain energy quickly, but it created a zone Darkrai couldn't safely enter.
Itachi recognized the tactic immediately. "Nightmare, area effect."
Darkrai's eye glowed. Dark energy spread from it like fog, filling the arena with nightmare essence. The attack didn't need to hit directly, anything caught in the fog would experience horrific visions that could break concentration or induce panic.
Zekrom pushed through the nightmare fog, protected by its electrical aura. But Sasuke could feel the Dragon's discomfort through their bond. The nightmares weren't causing damage, but they were definitely affecting Zekrom's focus.
"Push through it," Sasuke urged. "You're stronger than fear."
Zekrom responded to his trainer's confidence. The Dragon's charge didn't falter as it closed the distance to Darkrai. Bolt Strike reached maximum power, Zekrom's entire form became a lightning bolt given physical shape.
Darkrai couldn't dodge this time. The sustained electrical field covered too much area, and the nightmare fog prevented it from seeing the attack's exact trajectory clearly. Itachi made a split-second decision.
"Dark Pulse, full power! Meet it head-on!"
The Dark-type stopped retreating and charged its own attack. Dark energy gathered and compressed until Darkrai glowed with purple-black power. Then it launched everything forward in a beam of pure dark-type energy.
Bolt Strike and Dark Pulse collided.
The resulting explosion shook the entire compound. Barriers flared to full intensity, barely containing the blast. Sasuke threw his arm up to shield his eyes from the light. Several clan members cried out in shock.
When the smoke cleared this time, both Pokemon were down.
Zekrom had collapsed to one knee, electricity still crackling weakly across its scales. Darkrai had been thrown backward twenty feet and now floated barely a foot off the ground, its form flickering in and out of stability.
Fugaku raised one hand. "Both Pokemon are..."
Darkrai dissolved into shadow before he could finish. The Dark-type reformed directly behind Zekrom in one final attack. Shadow Claw struck the Dragon's exposed back before anyone could react.
Zekrom toppled forward and didn't get up.
Fugaku's hand dropped. "Zekrom is unable to battle. Darkrai wins. Match goes to Itachi."
The watching clan members erupted in conversation. Sasuke recalled Zekrom immediately, checking his Pokemon's condition through the ball's diagnostic function. Exhausted but not seriously injured, exactly what an exhibition match should produce.
Itachi walked across the battlefield, Darkrai floating beside him in equally exhausted condition. Up close, Sasuke could see that his brother's Pokemon was barely maintaining consciousness.
"That last attack took everything you had," Sasuke observed.
"Yes," Itachi confirmed. "If Zekrom had gotten up, I would have lost." He studied Sasuke with those crimson eyes that missed nothing. "You've grown far beyond my expectations. Three years ago, this battle would have ended in thirty seconds."
"But I still lost..."
"Narrowly." Itachi's lips quirked in a small smile. "The margin of victory was so thin that luck played as much a role as skill. On another day, you might have won."
That acknowledgment from the Champion meant more than Sasuke wanted to admit. He'd spent three years training specifically to close the gap between himself and Itachi, and hearing that he'd nearly succeeded validated every brutal day in the Crown Tundra.
"You made one critical error," Itachi continued. "You let emotion drive your tactics near the end. The decision to use sustained Bolt Strike was tactically sound, but you committed too fully. If I'd countered differently, Zekrom would have been vulnerable."
"What should I have done?"
"Maintained escape routes. Power without flexibility leaves you predictable." Itachi recalled Darkrai. "But that's a minor flaw, easily corrected. Your fundamental skills are championship-level already."
Fugaku approached them, his expression revealing the pride he rarely showed openly. "Well fought, both of you. Sasuke, you've proven your training was worthwhile. Itachi, you've shown why you remain Champion."
The clan members were dispersing now that the match had concluded, though many cast backward glances at Sasuke. He'd earned their respect through that battle, even in defeat, facing the Champion on nearly equal terms marked him as a serious contender.
Itachi gestured toward the compound's main building. "Sasuke. Walk with me. There's something I want to discuss privately."
They left the training grounds together, Victini hopping back onto Sasuke's shoulder now that the battle had ended. The little Pokemon chirped sympathetically and nuzzled Sasuke's cheek, offering comfort after the loss.
Itachi led them to a quieter section of the compound, a meditation garden their mother maintained, filled with carefully cultivated plants and a koi pond that reflected the sky. No one else occupied the space this early in the morning.
They sat on a stone bench overlooking the pond. For a long moment, neither brother spoke.
Finally, Itachi broke the silence. "Being Champion is lonely."
Sasuke glanced at him, surprised by the admission. Itachi rarely discussed personal feelings.
"People see the title and assume it brings fulfillment," his brother continued. "The respect, the authority, the knowledge that you've reached the peak. And those things do matter. But they don't fill the space that opens when you realize there's no one left to test yourself against as an equal."
"You have the Elite Four."
"Whom I've defeated so many times they've stopped being true challenges." Itachi watched the koi swim lazy patterns. "I have other Champions from different regions, but we rarely meet. Most of my battles now are against challengers who haven't reached my level yet. I win, they leave, and I wait for the next one."
Sasuke thought about that, the isolation of standing at the absolute top, where no peer existed to push you higher. "Is that why you challenged me today?"
"Partially. I wanted to see if you'd become someone who could give me a real fight." Itachi's expression softened slightly. "And you did. For the first time in months, I had to use everything Darkrai and I had learned. That final exchange could have gone either way."
"But it didn't."
"This time." Itachi looked directly at him. "You'll understand when you face me in the Championship, little brother. When you're standing where I am, having climbed over every obstacle the League places in your path. When you realize that winning isn't the end of the journey, it's just a different kind of beginning."
The weight in those words settled over Sasuke. He'd been so focused on collecting badges and reaching the Indigo League that he hadn't thought much beyond defeating Itachi. What came after?
"The journey itself matters more than the destination," Itachi said. "The people you meet, the bonds you form, the experiences that shape who you become. Those things will sustain you when the title itself feels hollow."
"You sound like you regret becoming Champion."
"Not regret. But I understand now what Father gave up when he left the Elite Four." Itachi stood, preparing to leave. "He chose family over continued competition. At the time, I thought he was weak for walking away. Now I wonder if he was stronger than any of us realized."
He started walking back toward the main building, then paused and looked over his shoulder. "Build strong bonds on your journey, Sasuke. When you finally reach the top, those bonds will be the only thing that keeps the loneliness from consuming you."
Then he was gone, leaving Sasuke alone with his thoughts and a chirping Victini who definitely didn't understand the philosophical weight of the conversation but offered support anyway.
Lunch was a more formal affair than breakfast had been. Mikoto had arranged for the immediate family to eat together in the private dining room, just Fugaku, herself, Itachi, Sasuke, and Sayuri. The table held enough food for twice their number, but that was typical of Mikoto's hospitality standards.
Sasuke was halfway through his second helping of grilled salmon when his mother cleared her throat in that particular way that meant she had important information to share.
"Sasuke, there are details about your journey we need to discuss."
He set down his chopsticks. "What details?"
"Your traveling companions, primarily." Mikoto's expression remained neutral, but Sasuke detected something underneath, anticipation, maybe, or carefully hidden amusement. "You'll be traveling with three others: Miyuki Senju, Kasumi Uzumaki, and Kiyomi Kurama."
The names hit Sasuke like a physical impact. He blinked, certain he'd misheard. "What?"
"The daughters of my oldest friends," Mikoto continued calmly. "Hanako Senju, Kaori Uzumaki, and Yuki Kurama. We journeyed together thirty years ago across both Kanto and Johto. Our bonds from that time have lasted our entire lives."
Sasuke's mind raced. Miyuki, Kasumi, and Kiyomi, he had vague memories of them from before the Crown Tundra training. Childhood playmates during family gatherings and academy days. But three years of separation had faded those memories to near-irrelevance. He'd assumed they'd gone their own directions, pursuing their own goals.
"You arranged this," he said slowly. "Without asking me."
"Yes." Mikoto met his gaze steadily. "The four of us, the mothers, decided our children should have the same opportunity we did. To form bonds through shared journey and challenges."
"I work better alone."
"You think you work better alone," his mother corrected. "But isolation isn't strength, Sasuke. The most powerful trainers understand that."
Fugaku spoke up for the first time. "Your mother and her companions accomplished things during their journey that none of them could have managed alone. They supported each other through losses, celebrated victories together, and learned from each other's different approaches to training."
"I already have Victini and my team for support."
"Pokemon are essential partners," Mikoto acknowledged. "But human companions offer something different. Perspective. Emotional understanding. The ability to discuss strategy and philosophy in ways Pokemon cannot."
Sayuri, who'd been watching this exchange with obvious interest, jumped in. "I think it sounds fun! You liked them when you were kids. Remember when Kasumi taught you how to make those berry tarts? And Miyuki helped you study for the academy practical exams."
Vague memories surfaced, a girl with crimson hair and infectious enthusiasm showing him how to properly mix berry ingredients. Another girl with silver hair patiently explaining Pokemon type advantages while he struggled with memorization. A third girl with auburn hair challenging him to climbing races that she usually won.
"That was years ago," Sasuke said. "We're different people now."
"Which is exactly why reuniting will be interesting," Itachi observed. He'd been silent through most of the conversation but now leaned forward slightly. "I met them briefly at a League function two years ago. All three have grown into formidable individuals in their own specialties. Miyuki has studied under Professor Oak and developed expertise in Pokemon breeding and medicine. Kasumi has pursued Contest coordination while maintaining an academic interest in berry cultivation. Kiyomi has worked as a field researcher with Professor Elm, focusing on archaeological discoveries related to ancient Pokemon civilizations."
That was... more impressive than Sasuke had expected. They weren't just casual trainers starting their journeys, they were specialists with years of dedicated study in their respective fields.
"They're also all beautiful young women now," Sayuri added with a grin that suggested she knew exactly what reaction that would provoke. "I saw pictures from the last family gathering you missed. Very beautiful."
Sasuke felt his face heat slightly. "That's not relevant."
"Isn't it?" His sister's grin widened. "Mother, didn't Aunt Hanako mention something about Miyuki specifically asking about Sasuke when she heard he was returning?"
Mikoto's expression remained carefully neutral, but her eyes held definite amusement now. "The conversation may have occurred."
This was getting worse by the second.
Sasuke looked to his father for support, but Fugaku simply sipped his tea with the detached air of someone who'd learned long ago not to interfere in his wife's plans.
"Fine. When do I meet them?" Sasuke asked, accepting defeat. There was no winning this argument, his mother had clearly made up her mind, and the other mothers had already agreed. Fighting it would just waste energy.
"On the cruise ship to Pallet Town," Mikoto replied. "They'll be boarding at various ports along the route. The four of you will spend a week together on the ship before arriving in Pallet Town to receive your official Trainer Licenses from Professor Sarutobi."
A week on a ship with three people he barely remembered. Fantastic.
"Try to keep an open mind," his mother added, her tone softening slightly. "I understand this feels imposed, but I wouldn't arrange it if I didn't believe it would benefit everyone involved. You've spent three years focused entirely on training and power. Perhaps it's time to remember there are other important things."
Like companionship. Like friendship. Like the bonds Itachi had just warned him would be crucial at the top.
Sasuke exhaled slowly. "Fine. I'll give it a chance. But if it doesn't work out..."
"Then you can part ways and continue alone," Mikoto finished. "I'm not forcing permanent arrangements. Just... don't dismiss the possibility before you try."
That was fair, he supposed. And if these three really were as accomplished as Itachi suggested, traveling with them might at least provide interesting conversation.
Lunch concluded shortly after. Sayuri immediately cornered Sasuke as they left the dining room.
"You really don't remember them well?" she asked.
"Vague impressions at best. Three years and intensive training tend to push out childhood memories."
"Then let me help." Sayuri grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the family's sitting room. "I have photo albums from before you left. You should at least know what they look like now before you board that ship and make a complete fool of yourself."
That seemed unnecessarily harsh, but Sasuke let himself be dragged along. Victini chirped from his shoulder, apparently finding the entire situation entertaining.
The photo albums were indeed comprehensive. Mikoto had documented every family gathering, every social event involving the five clans that had historical connections. Sasuke found himself staring at pictures of children he barely recognized, five kids who'd played together whenever their families met.
There was eight-year-old Sasuke standing with Victini newly caught, looking proud and slightly defiant as he showed the Legendary Pokemon to four other children. A girl with silver hair watched with obvious interest, that must be Miyuki. Another girl with bright red hair beamed at the camera, Kasumi. A third girl with auburn hair had been caught mid-laugh at something outside the frame, Kiyomi. And there was Sayuri, only five years old, trying to pet Victini while it hovered out of her reach.
Another photo showed the five of them at the Tree of Beginning, all around age ten. Sasuke and Sayuri posed with Latios and Latias while the other three girls admired the Legendary Pokemon. Everyone looked genuinely happy.
More recent photos, from when Sasuke would have been fifteen, just before leaving for the Crown Tundra, showed the changes time had already begun working. The girls had started growing into their adult features. Miyuki's silver hair had lengthened to her shoulders, and her golden eyes held a sharpness that spoke of keen intelligence. Kasumi had shot up in height and her crimson hair had become even more vibrant, matching her energetic expressions. Kiyomi's auburn hair had darkened slightly, and she'd developed the confident posture of someone comfortable in their own skin.
"They've changed a lot in three years," Sayuri said. "I've kept in touch with them through messages and occasional visits. They're all really excited about this journey."
"Even though it was arranged by their mothers?"
"They had more input than you did," his sister admitted. "The mothers proposed the idea, but the girls agreed willingly. Apparently they've been looking forward to traveling together for a while."
That shifted the dynamic slightly. If they'd wanted this arrangement, then at least Sasuke wouldn't be dealing with resentment from companions forced into the situation.
"What are they like now?" he asked.
Sayuri considered the question. "Miyuki is incredibly smart and dedicated. She can be intense about her work but has a gentle side when dealing with Pokemon. Kasumi is... enthusiastic about everything. High energy, loves people, gets genuinely excited about her Contest work and berry research. Kiyomi is the cool, confident type. Very analytical, sometimes comes across as distant but actually cares deeply about her studies and the people close to her."
"And they all want to travel with me specifically?"
"Well, you are the son of a Gym Leader and former Elite Four member, trained personally by your father for three years, bonded with multiple Legendary Pokemon, and brother to the current Champion." Sayuri grinned. "You're kind of a big deal, Sasuke. Even if you don't think about it that way."
He'd honestly never considered his reputation from an outside perspective. In the Crown Tundra, the only thing that mattered was surviving the next training session. Titles and family connections didn't help against a wild Beartic trying to remove your face.
"They're not expecting you to be some perfect hero," Sayuri added, reading his concern. "They just want to journey with someone strong enough to handle the challenges ahead. And maybe... they're curious about who you've become."
That last part carried weight Sasuke wasn't sure how to interpret. But he'd find out soon enough.
The cruise ship departed in four days.
That night, Sasuke sat on the roof of the family residence, an old habit from before the Crown Tundra, when he'd needed space to think. The city lights of Blackthorn spread below him, thirty million people going about their lives. The Tree of Beginning glowed in the distance, its mystical energy visible even from here.
Victini dozed against his side, full from dinner and content with being home. The little Pokemon's warmth was comforting in the cool night air.
Sasuke thought about everything that had happened in the two days since returning. The clan's acknowledgment of his strength. The battle against Itachi that had proven he'd nearly reached Championship level. His mother's revelation about traveling companions. The Tree's cryptic warning about future trials.
Three years ago, leaving for the Crown Tundra had felt like stepping into the unknown. This felt similar but different, not walking into isolation and harsh training, but into something that required different skills. Social interaction. Cooperation. Shared decision-making with people who had their own goals and perspectives.
He pulled out his Poké Nav and looked at the ship details his mother had provided. The SS Dragonair would carry him from Blackthorn to Pallet Town over the course of a week, stopping at various ports.
"What do you think?" Sasuke asked Victini quietly.
The Victory Pokemon stirred and chirped sleepily. Through their bond, Sasuke felt contentment and curiosity, Victini was always eager for new experiences, and meeting new people qualified.
"You're more social than I am," Sasuke observed.
Victini chirped agreement and nuzzled against him before falling back asleep.
Maybe that was the answer. He didn't have to be perfectly comfortable with this arrangement, he just had to give it a genuine chance. Keep an open mind like his mother suggested. See who these three girls had become after three years of their own growth and training.
And if Itachi was right about bonds being crucial at the top, then maybe learning to connect with traveling companions now would prepare him for the loneliness of the Championship later.
Sasuke stayed on the roof until the early morning hours, watching his city sleep and thinking about the journey ahead.
Sixteen gym badges across Kanto and Johto. The Indigo League competition. Eventually, facing Itachi in an official Championship battle.
But before any of that, a week on a cruise ship with three girls he hadn't seen in years.
The journey was about to begin.