The morning air carried the salt smell of the bay as Sasuke stood at the entrance to Blackthorn Port. His travel pack sat at his feet, considerably lighter than it had been before his mother had vetted the contents and removed "unnecessary items" like his backup camping stove ("the ship has restaurants, Sasuke") and his emergency survival knife collection ("three is excessive").
The entire family had insisted on escorting him to the port despite his protests that he could walk there himself. Now they clustered near the departure gates while other travelers streamed past, families saying goodbye, trainers setting out on their own journeys, merchants heading to conduct business in distant cities.
Sayuri hadn't stopped crying since they'd left the compound. She clung to his arm, face pressed against his shoulder, trying and failing to maintain composure.
"You promised you'd call," she said for the seventh time that morning.
"I promised I'd call."
"Every week."
"Every week."
"And visit when you're close."
"Sayuri, I literally promised all of this yesterday. And the day before. And multiple times this morning." Sasuke gently extracted his arm from her grip. "I'm not disappearing forever. It's just a journey."
"A journey where you fight Gym Leaders and probably get into trouble and maybe face criminal organizations based on what Itachi said and..." She cut herself off with a hiccup. "I'm sorry. I know I'm being ridiculous. I just got you back and now you're leaving again."
Mikoto stepped forward and placed a hand on Sayuri's shoulder. "Let your brother go properly. You're making him feel guilty for pursuing his goals."
"I want him to feel a little guilty," Sayuri muttered, but she stepped back and wiped her eyes. "Okay. I'm fine. Totally fine. Not going to cry anymore."
Her voice cracked on the last word, undermining the claim.
Fugaku approached with the firm posture of someone delivering final instructions. "Your cabin is reserved under the Uchiha name. The staff will provide whatever assistance you require. Meals are included in the fare but you can order from premium menus if desired, the clan will cover expenses."
"I'm planning to cook most of my own meals."
"The cabin has a kitchenette but use the ship's facilities when appropriate. This journey is partly about experiencing how other people live and travel." Fugaku extended his hand. "Train hard. Stay alert. Make decisions you can justify to yourself."
Sasuke shook his father's hand, a firm grip that lasted three seconds before Fugaku released him and stepped back. That brief contact carried more weight than a lengthy speech would have.
Mikoto's farewell was characteristically efficient. She checked that his pendant was properly secured, adjusted his collar unnecessarily, and then met his eyes with the intensity that had made her one of Johto's most respected Gym Leaders.
"The girls you'll be meeting, treat them with respect. Not because their mothers are my friends, but because they've earned it through their own accomplishments. Don't let the Uchiha name make you arrogant."
"I won't."
"And remember that strength takes many forms. Battle prowess is important, but so is the ability to support others when they need it." She paused. "Your father and I are proud of who you've become. Show the world what that means."
Then she pulled him into a brief hug, the second one in a week, which represented a dramatic increase in her typical displays of physical affection. When she released him, her eyes were suspiciously bright, but she maintained her composed expression.
Itachi waited until last, as always. His Champion's jacket caught the morning light, the Indigo League insignia glinting silver against black fabric. He studied Sasuke with that calculating gaze that seemed to catalog every detail.
"Remember what I told you about bonds and vulnerability," Itachi said.
"I remember."
"And about the Aether Foundation."
"That too."
"Good." Then Itachi smiled, genuine warmth rather than his usual subtle amusement. "See you at the Championship, little brother. Don't keep me waiting too long. The League gets boring when all the challengers are predictable."
"I'll make it interesting."
"I'm counting on it."
The ship's horn sounded, a deep blast that carried across the entire port. Final boarding call for the SS Dragonair. Around them, other families were concluding their farewells with varying degrees of emotion.
Sasuke picked up his pack and adjusted the straps. Victini perched on his shoulder, unusually quiet as it sensed the significance of the moment. The Victory Pokemon waved one small paw at Sayuri, who immediately started crying again.
"I have to go," Sasuke said.
"I know." Sayuri managed a watery smile. "Kick some Gym Leader butt. Win so many badges that they run out. Make those girls realize they're lucky to travel with you."
He returned the smile. "I'll do my best."
One final nod to his parents, a last look at his brother, and then Sasuke turned toward the departure gates. He didn't look back as he walked away, that would make leaving harder. Instead, he focused on moving forward, on the massive ship waiting at the dock, on the journey that started the moment he stepped aboard.
The gangway stretched from the dock to the ship's main deck, sturdy metal covered in non-slip material. Other passengers crowded the walkway, trainers with their Pokemon, families with luggage, crew members managing the boarding process. Sasuke merged into the flow of people, his premium ticket granting access to a faster processing line.
The SS Dragonair loomed above him as he climbed the gangway. The ship was massive, at least eight hundred feet long, multiple decks stacked on top of each other, painted in elegant blues and whites with dragon motifs worked into the exterior design. According to the information packet his mother had provided, the vessel could hold five thousand passengers and maintained regular routes between Johto and Kanto's major port cities.
A crew member checked his ticket at the top of the gangway. "Sasuke Uchiha, premium cabin 3-A. Welcome aboard, sir. Your cabin is on the third deck, forward section. A porter can help with your luggage if needed."
"I'll manage."
The crew member nodded and handed him a keycard along with a map of the ship. "Departure is in thirty minutes. We recommend you settle into your cabin and review the safety information before we leave port."
Sasuke thanked him and moved onto the main deck. The space opened into a large reception area with polished floors, elegant seating arrangements, and massive windows providing views of the port. Passengers milled around examining the ship's layout or taking photos. Several Pokemon played in a designated area under their trainers' supervision, a Growlithe chased a Meowth in circles while a Pidgey perched on its trainer's shoulder and preened.
Victini immediately perked up at the sight of other Pokemon. It chirped excitedly and launched itself from Sasuke's shoulder toward the play area before he could stop it.
"Victini, wait-" But the Victory Pokemon was already introducing itself to the Growlithe with enthusiastic gestures.
The Growlithe's trainer, a girl around nineteen years old, giggled as Victini performed an aerial loop. "Your Pokemon is really friendly!"
"Too friendly sometimes," Sasuke muttered, but he stayed to make sure Victini didn't cause trouble. The Victory Pokemon had a habit of making friends instantly and then getting overly excited during play.
Within five minutes, Victini had befriended the Growlithe, the Meowth, the Pidgey, and a Poliwag that had wandered over from its trainer's side. The five Pokemon formed a small group that immediately began some kind of game involving chasing Victini through the air while it dropped small items for them to catch.
The trainers gathered around to watch, commenting on how cute the interaction was. Sasuke stood at the edge of the group, feeling awkward but unable to leave while his Pokemon was in the middle of the chaos.
"Is that a Victini?" an older trainer asked. "I've never seen one in person. The Victory Pokemon is incredibly rare."
"We bonded when I was eight," Sasuke said.
"It must have taken incredible skill to catch a Legendary."
"I didn't catch it. It chose me after I helped it recover from an injury." He kept his tone neutral, not wanting to seem boastful but also not willing to lie about their bond's origin.
The conversation continued for another few minutes, trainers asking about Victini, sharing stories about their own Pokemon, discussing their travel plans. Sasuke answered politely but didn't volunteer extra information. These weren't people he'd likely see again after the cruise, so investing heavily in social interaction seemed pointless.
Finally, he managed to extract Victini from the play session with promises that they'd return later. The Victory Pokemon chirped goodbye to its new friends and settled back on his shoulder, looking pleased with itself.
"You can't befriend every Pokemon on this ship," Sasuke said.
Victini chirped in a way that clearly communicated "watch me."
Finding his cabin required navigating through corridors that were considerably nicer than he'd expected. The premium section featured carpeted floors, ambient lighting, and decorative artwork depicting various Dragon-type Pokemon. Other passengers moved through the hallways with luggage, searching for their own rooms.
Cabin 3-A was located near the forward section as promised. Sasuke swiped his keycard and the door unlocked with a soft click. Inside, the space exceeded his expectations significantly.
The cabin wasn't huge, but it was efficiently designed and far more comfortable than the basic accommodations he'd anticipated. A queen-sized bed occupied one wall, covered in crisp white linens with blue accent pillows. A desk sat beneath a large porthole that provided an excellent view of the port. A small sitting area featured a couch and coffee table. The bathroom was compact but included a full shower, and the kitchenette had a two-burner stove, a sink, a mini-refrigerator, and storage for cooking supplies.
"Premium cabin was an understatement," Sasuke said, setting his pack on the bed.
Victini immediately claimed the couch, sprawling across the cushions with a contented sigh. The little Pokemon had apparently decided this would be its territory for the week-long journey.
Sasuke unpacked methodically, storing clothes in the cabin's closet and drawers, organizing his cooking supplies in the kitchenette, and setting up his portable charging station for his Pokeballs on the desk. The knife set from his father went into a secure drawer, he'd use them to prepare meals during the journey, testing his skills on different ingredients than he'd had access to in the Crown Tundra.
The ship's horn sounded again, ten minutes to departure. Sasuke moved to the porthole and watched as crew members on the dock began preparing to release the mooring lines. Other passengers lined the ship's outer decks, waving to family and friends who'd come to see them off.
He wondered if his family was still at the port or if they'd already left. Probably left, standing around watching a ship depart wasn't really the Uchiha style. Sayuri might have lingered, but Mikoto would have ushered her away once Sasuke was out of sight.
The ship's engines thrummed to life, vibrations traveling through the deck and walls. Announcements crackled over the intercom system, safety information, dining hall locations, activity schedules. Sasuke half-listened while finishing his unpacking.
At exactly nine o'clock, the SS Dragonair pulled away from the dock. The movement was smooth despite the ship's massive size, modern propulsion systems made departures barely noticeable for passengers. Through the porthole, Sasuke watched Blackthorn Port recede into the distance, the city's distinctive architecture becoming smaller until it was just a collection of shapes against the mountain backdrop.
He was really leaving. Starting the journey for real this time, not just training in isolation but moving toward something concrete. Sixteen gym badges. The Indigo League. Eventually, facing Itachi in a Championship battle.
And three girls he'd be meeting over the next few days.
Victini chirped a question, what now?
"Now we explore the ship," Sasuke decided. "Get familiar with the layout. Find the training facilities and the kitchen. Maybe grab lunch."
The Victory Pokemon bounced in excitement and zipped toward the door. Sasuke followed at a more reasonable pace, locking the cabin behind him.
The SS Dragonair was effectively a floating city. Sasuke spent the afternoon mapping out the ship's various levels and facilities, Victini darting ahead and then circling back to report on interesting discoveries.
The main deck held the reception area, several restaurants, shopping areas with travel supplies and souvenirs, and entertainment lounges. The second deck featured standard passenger cabins and a large Pokemon Center staffed by Nurse Joy and her Chansey assistants. The third deck housed the premium cabins along with a library, a quiet lounge, and a small theater for evening shows. The fourth deck was mostly crew quarters and operational areas marked as restricted to passengers.
Below the main deck, the ship had training facilities, battle arenas with protective barriers, practice rooms for Pokemon exercises, and even a swimming pool specifically designed for Water-type training. Sasuke made note of those locations for future use. Keeping his team sharp during the week-long journey would be important.
The dining facilities offered multiple options. A large cafeteria served standard meals included in the base fare. Several specialty restaurants charged extra but provided higher-quality food, Kantonian, Johtonian, Hoennese, and even some Galarian cuisine. The premium passenger lounge had private dining areas for those who wanted more exclusive service.
Sasuke ended up in the cafeteria for lunch, more interested in efficient refueling than culinary experience. The food was decent, grilled fish with rice and steamed vegetables, plus a side of mixed berries. Victini attracted attention again when it stole a piece of fish from his plate, and soon other diners were offering the Victory Pokemon samples of their meals.
"Your Victini is very popular," an old woman commented from a nearby table. Her Delcatty sat beside her chair, eyeing Victini with feline interest.
"It has a talent for making friends."
"That's a valuable trait in a Pokemon. Too many trainers focus only on battle strength and forget that social bonds matter." She smiled. "I'm Haruna. This is my partner Delcatty. We're traveling to Pallet Town to visit my grandson, he's starting his own journey soon."
Sasuke introduced himself, and they made small talk for a few minutes about training and travel. Haruna reminded him of his grandmother on his mother's side, same knowing smile, same tendency to offer unsolicited advice disguised as casual observations.
"You have the look of someone carrying expectations," she said eventually. "Family legacy weighing on your shoulders."
That was uncomfortably perceptive. "My brother is the current Indigo League Champion."
"Ah. That explains it." Haruna sipped her tea. "My advice, from someone who's watched many young trainers over the years, don't let his shadow define your journey. You're walking your own path, not retracing his steps."
"Everyone keeps telling me that."
"Because it's important to remember. Especially when you start collecting badges and people inevitably compare you to him." She stood, collecting her tray. "Enjoy the cruise, Sasuke. And let that Victini teach you to make friends more easily. You'll need them."
She left before he could respond. Sasuke finished his meal in thoughtful silence, Victini munching on stolen vegetables while radiating contentment.
The afternoon passed in exploration and adjustment to the ship's rhythm. Sasuke found the library on the third deck and checked out a light novel he'd been meaning to read, something about a trainer in a fantasy world with an overpowered system. Escapist fiction, but an entertaining guilty pleasure.
As evening approached, he returned to the outer deck. Most passengers had retreated inside for dinner, leaving the rail areas relatively quiet. The ocean stretched in all directions, the sun beginning its descent toward the horizon. The ship cut through calm waters, wake spreading behind in a v-shape that gradually dissolved into the greater sea.
Sasuke found a bench positioned for optimal viewing and settled in with his book. Victini curled up beside him, finally tired from a full day of socializing and exploration. The Victory Pokemon's warmth was comfortable in the cooling evening air.
He managed three chapters before his mind started wandering. Tomorrow, the ship would dock briefly at a port city in eastern Johto. Miyuki Senju would board there, the first of his three future companions.
What would he even say to her? Their last interaction had been three years ago, probably at some academy function or family gathering. He had vague memories of silver hair and golden eyes, of someone who'd been patient when helping him study, who'd seemed genuinely interested in Pokemon care even as a teenager.
But three years changed people. He'd transformed from a lanky sixteen-year-old into someone his own family barely recognized. She'd likely changed too, Itachi had mentioned expertise in breeding and medicine, real accomplishments that required dedication and skill.
The nervousness surprised him. Sasuke had faced Legendary Pokemon in combat, had survived three years of brutal training in one of the harshest environments in the world, had battled his brother the Champion to a narrow defeat. But the prospect of making conversation with a girl he barely remembered created anxiety that actual danger didn't.
"I'm being ridiculous," he muttered to Victini.
The Victory Pokemon chirped sleepy agreement without opening its eyes.
Maybe he was overthinking it. Miyuki was probably nervous too, meeting up with someone she hadn't seen in years, who'd apparently grown into a trainer strong enough to catch multiple Legendary Pokemon. They'd both be awkward initially, would need time to reacquaint themselves, and that was fine. Normal, even.
He'd just be himself. Polite but genuine, willing to help with Pokemon-related issues but not overbearing. If they got along, excellent. If not, they could maintain professional distance while still traveling together.
The sun touched the horizon, painting the sky in oranges and purples that reflected off the ocean's surface. Sasuke watched the colors shift and change, the book forgotten in his lap, while Victini snored softly against his side.
A week until they all arrived in Pallet Town together and officially began the journey.
He could do this. He'd faced worse challenges. Right?
The cargo hold was not a place passengers were supposed to access. Security measures kept the lower decks restricted to crew members and specifically authorized personnel. But the two figures moving through the dimly lit space wore crew uniforms that passed casual inspection, and the guard stationed at the entrance had been convinced to take an extended break through a combination of bribery and subtle intimidation.
"Are you certain the intel is reliable?" The first figure spoke quietly, scanning the cargo containers with a handheld device that emitted soft beeping sounds. White fabric showed beneath the stolen crew uniform, an Aether Foundation operative conducting business far from any official oversight.
"The source has been accurate before." The second operative, also in disguise, checked a tablet displaying shipping manifests. "Cargo container B-47. Supposed to contain archaeological specimens being transferred from the Blackthorn Museum to the Pewter Museum of Science."
"Specimens that might include fragments from the ruins beneath the Tree of Beginning."
"Exactly. If the reports are correct, some of those fragments contain residual energy signatures consistent with our target."
They moved deeper into the hold, navigating between stacked containers marked with shipping codes and destination labels. Most contained mundane cargo, consumer goods, food supplies, industrial equipment. But scattered among them were specialized containers transporting valuable items that required secure handling.
Container B-47 sat in a corner section, its lock mechanism considerably more sophisticated than standard cargo security. The first operative pulled out a device that looked like a Pokeball but functioned as an electronic lock bypass. Within thirty seconds, the container's door unsealed with a hiss of pressurized air.
Inside, carefully packed in protective foam, sat dozens of small items, pottery shards, carved stones, fossilized fragments. Each one bore labels identifying it as part of a museum transfer, complete with catalog numbers and academic documentation.
"There." The second operative pointed to three specific fragments near the back of the container. "Those three show energy signatures on the scanner."
The first operative carefully removed the fragments and examined them under a specialized light. Even in the cargo hold's dim illumination, faint luminescence was visible, the same blue-green glow that characterized energy from the Tree of Beginning.
"Definitely authentic. These will please Lord Danzo."
"Will he move forward with the operation?"
"If these fragments confirm what we suspect, yes. The seal beneath Mount Moon is weakening naturally. With the right catalyst..." The first operative carefully packed the fragments into a different container, a small, heavily reinforced case designed to shield energy signatures from detection. "We'll have access to power that hasn't been touched in a thousand years."
They resealed container B-47, erasing evidence of their intrusion with professional efficiency. The stolen fragments went into a hidden compartment within the second operative's uniform, small enough to avoid casual detection but secure enough to protect the valuable cargo.
"The boy who boarded today." The second operative brought up information on their tablet. "Sasuke Uchiha. Son of the Blackthorn Gym Leader, brother to the Champion. He has a Victini bonded to him."
"Victory Pokemon. That's unfortunate." The first operative's tone carried concern. "Victini's presence can disrupt certain energy manipulations. If he's traveling to Kanto and happens to investigate the same sites we're targeting..."
"Should we neutralize him?"
"No. Too high-profile. Attacking the brother of the Champion would bring the entire League down on us." A pause. "But monitor his movements. If he becomes a problem, we'll deal with it quietly."
They left the cargo hold as carefully as they'd entered, two more crew members going about routine business. The stolen fragments were worth millions on the black market, but their value to the Aether Foundation went far beyond money.
They were keys. Pieces of a puzzle that, when assembled correctly, would unlock something ancient and terrible that had been sealed for excellent reasons.
The ship sailed on through the night, carrying five thousand passengers toward their various destinations. Most slept peacefully in their cabins. Some gathered in the entertainment lounges or dining areas, enjoying the cruise's amenities.
And one nineteen-year-old trainer sat on the deck reading a novel while his Victini snored beside him, completely unaware that the journey he'd embarked on was already more complicated than he'd imagined.
The SS Dragonair cut through dark waters, carrying everyone toward futures that would intersect in ways both predictable and surprising. Toward meetings and challenges, toward bonds and battles, toward discoveries both wonderful and terrifying.
Sasuke simply enjoyed the peace of the ocean and the comfort of his partner's presence.