Sasuke woke to his phone vibrating continuously, notifications piling up faster than he could dismiss them. News alerts, social media mentions, messages from people he'd never met. He checked the first headline and immediately regretted it.
UCHIHA'S BROTHER DESTROYS PEWTER GYM - Rookie Ends Gaara's 52-Win Streak
The article featured a photo of him holding the Boulder Badge, Gaara standing beside him in respectful acknowledgment. Dramatic, certainly. Accurate in factual details. But the headline's sensationalism made his skin crawl.
He scrolled through more notifications. Each outlet had their own angle:
PERFECT FIRST BADGE VICTORY - Sasuke Uchiha Masters All Three Evolution Stages
NEW SUPERNOVA RISES - Crown Tundra Training Pays Off in Pewter Triumph
STRATEGIC GENIUS - How Uchiha Outsmarted Veteran Gym Leader
Every article dissected his battle, analyzed his techniques, compared him to Itachi. Some were respectful and professional. Others speculated wildly about his relationship with his brother, family dynamics, future championship prospects. A few had already started ranking the Four Supernovas, debating who would reach the Silver Conference first.
"This is exhausting," Sasuke muttered.
He emerged from his room to find similar chaos in the common area. Kasumi had her phone out, scrolling through social media with increasingly wide eyes. Miyuki typed rapidly on her laptop, expression somewhere between amused and concerned. Kiyomi sat with her tablet, actually reading the articles with academic interest.
"You're trending," Kasumi announced. "Number one in Kanto sports, number three overall across all topics. People are obsessed with you."
"I fought one gym battle."
"You ended a fifty-two battle win streak using tactical deception that nobody saw coming," Kiyomi said, not looking up from her tablet. "The footage has been watched seventeen million times in fourteen hours. Sports analysts are calling it one of the best gym battles in a decade."
Sasuke felt his stomach sink. "Seventeen million?"
"And climbing. You're famous now. Better get used to it." Kiyomi finally looked at him. "The Pokemon Center's reception says you have two hundred thirty-seven interview requests. Media organizations from across Kanto, some international outlets, even a few documentary filmmakers."
"I'm declining all of them."
"You can't," Miyuki said, closing her laptop. "You're a public figure now. The Four Supernovas are cultural phenomenon, people are invested in your journeys. Declining all interviews makes you look arrogant or secretive. You need to engage, but strategically."
"I just want to train and travel."
"Then you shouldn't have been born an Uchiha with natural talent," Kasumi said, not unkindly. "Fame comes with the territory. Might as well manage it properly."
Sasuke sat heavily on the couch, already exhausted and it wasn't even nine AM. "What do you suggest?"
"One interview," Miyuki said. "Select a reputable outlet, give them exclusive access, answer questions honestly but briefly. That satisfies media curiosity without committing to endless interview cycles. Other outlets will use that interview as source material instead of harassing you directly."
"Makes sense," Kiyomi agreed. "I recommend Kanto Sports Network, they're professional, respected, not prone to sensationalism. Their gym battle analyst is Minato Namikaze."
Sasuke's head snapped up. "Naruto's father?"
"Former Champion, current commentator. If he's conducting the interview, it'll be respectful and focused on technique rather than gossip." Kiyomi pulled up KSN's website. "They've requested an interview. I can confirm for this afternoon if you're willing."
Sasuke considered. One interview, professional outlet, conducted by someone who understood training and competition. Better than the alternative, dodging media indefinitely or getting cornered by less scrupulous outlets.
"Fine. Set it up."
Kiyomi made the arrangements while Sasuke ate breakfast. The interview would take place at two PM in the Pokemon Center's media room. Thirty minutes maximum, questions approved in advance, no ambush topics about family or personal life.
"You should mention us," Kasumi said suddenly.
Sasuke looked at her. "What?"
"In the interview. Mention your traveling companions. You keep deflecting attention, but we're part of your success. Miyuki's medical knowledge helped with Pokemon care, my berry cultivation supported nutrition, Kiyomi's research informed strategy. We're a team."
"I don't want to put you in the spotlight."
"Too late," Miyuki said, turning her laptop screen toward him. An article titled THE SUPPORT SYSTEM BEHIND UCHIHA'S VICTORY featured photos of all four of them leaving The Boulder restaurant last night. "We're already part of the narrative. Better to acknowledge it openly than pretend we're invisible."
She was right. The media had already noticed them, drawn connections, started speculation about their relationships and roles. Ignoring that wouldn't make it disappear.
"Alright. I'll mention the team."
The morning passed in preparation. Sasuke reviewed talking points with Miyuki, practiced deflecting personal questions with Kasumi, ran through potential technical queries with Kiyomi. By one-thirty PM, he felt marginally ready.
The Pokemon Center's media room was small but professional, neutral background, proper lighting, sound equipment. A camera operator set up angles while the interviewer reviewed notes.
Minato Namikaze looked exactly like his son, blonde hair, blue eyes, easy smile. But his presence carried the weight of experience, years of being the Indigo League Champion.
"Sasuke." Minato extended his hand. "Thank you for agreeing to this. I know media attention isn't comfortable, but handling it professionally will serve you well long-term."
"Your son deals with the same thing?"
"Oh yes. Naruto loves the attention," Minato said with a laugh. "Thrives on it, actually. But he's extroverted. I suspect you're more like me, prefer actions to words."
"Yes."
"Then we'll keep this straightforward. Technical questions about your battle, some context about your training, brief discussion of your goals. Nothing intrusive." Minato settled into the interviewer's chair. "Your companions can watch from the observation area if they want."
Sasuke glanced through the window separating the media room from the observation space. Miyuki, Kasumi, and Kiyomi had taken seats, clearly planning to watch. That helped somehow, knowing they were there, providing silent support.
The camera operator counted down. Three, two, one, live.
"Good afternoon, I'm Minato Namikaze for Kanto Sports Network, and today we're speaking with Sasuke Uchiha, the rookie trainer who yesterday achieved what many considered impossible, defeating Gym Leader Gaara of Pewter City." Minato turned to him. "Sasuke, congratulations on your first badge. How does it feel?"
"Surreal," Sasuke answered honestly. "I prepared intensively, but facing a veteran Gym Leader in actual competition is different than training. I'm grateful it worked out."
"Your battle has been analyzed extensively already. Sports commentators are calling your final exchange one of the most tactical finishes they've seen. Can you walk us through your strategy?"
Sasuke explained the controlled vulnerability technique, showing weakness to invite aggression, then exploiting the opponent's assumption of advantage. He credited his father for teaching the foundational approach but acknowledged adapting it specifically for Gaara's predictable finishing sequence.
"Pattern recognition combined with strategic deception," Minato said, clearly impressed. "That requires not just skill but analytical observation. How much time did you spend studying Gaara's battles?"
"Three days of intensive review. Every available recording, looking for consistent patterns in his decision-making."
"And you found one."
"Gaara is an exceptional Gym Leader with years of experience. But long-term success can create comfortable patterns. He finished most battles the same way, Stone Edge to create openings, Crunch to capitalize. Effective against exhausted opponents. I preserved energy specifically to counter that sequence."
Minato nodded thoughtfully. "Turning his strength into vulnerability. Elegant solution. Now, your training, you spent three years in Crown Tundra with your father, Fugaku Uchiha, former Elite Four member. Can you describe that experience?"
Sasuke kept his answer focused on technique rather than emotion. Physical conditioning, tactical drilling, Pokemon bonding through shared hardship. He mentioned catching several of his current team members in Crown Tundra, the challenges of training in extreme conditions, the discipline required to maintain focus during isolation.
"Your team includes multiple Legendary Pokemon," Minato said. "Victini, Latios, Raikou, Zekrom, others. How did you form those bonds?"
"Respect and time. Legendary Pokemon choose their trainers, you can't force partnership. Victini found me when I was eight, injured near the Tree of Beginning. I took care of it, and it stayed. The others came similarly. Offering help without expecting reciprocation, proving trustworthiness through action."
"Partnership over capture."
"Always. A Pokemon that chooses to stay is stronger than one forced into service."
Minato shifted topics. "You're traveling with three companions, Miyuki Senju, Kasumi Uzumaki, and Kiyomi Kurama. How does group travel affect your training?"
Here was the opportunity Kasumi had mentioned. Sasuke chose his words carefully.
"They're essential to my success. Miyuki's expertise in Pokemon breeding and medicine ensures optimal care for my team. Her knowledge about diet, conditioning, and injury prevention has been invaluable. Kasumi's berry cultivation provides nutritional support that enhances Pokemon performance. And Kiyomi's research into ancient training methods has informed my strategic approach. I wouldn't have won yesterday without their contributions."
Through the observation window, he saw all three react, Miyuki's surprised expression, Kasumi's delighted grin, Kiyomi's subtle nod of acknowledgment.
"So despite being competitors individually, you challenging gyms, Kasumi competing in Contests, you function as a support system?"
"We're a team. Their success is my success and vice versa. That's how our mothers traveled thirty years ago, and it works for us."
"Speaking of family," Minato said, tone carefully neutral, "your brother Itachi is the current Indigo League Champion. Does that create pressure or motivation?"
Sasuke had prepared for this question. "Both. Pressure because people compare us constantly. Motivation because I have a clear goal, reach the Silver Conference, defeat the Elite Four, face my brother in Championship battle. But I'm not focused on surpassing him. I'm focused on becoming the best version of myself."
"And if you defeat him?"
"Then I'll have earned it through my own merit. If he defeats me, I'll train harder and try again. Our relationship is respectful rivalry, not bitter competition."
Minato smiled. "Healthy perspective. Final question, you've won your first badge with a performance that's captured regional attention. What's your goal for this journey?"
"Win all sixteen badges, compete in the Silver Conference, test myself against the strongest trainers in Kanto and Johto. Beyond that..." Sasuke paused, considering. "Prove that strength comes from partnership. That Pokemon and trainers working together as equals create something stronger than domination or control. The ancient bonding methods we've forgotten, they worked for good reasons."
"Philosophy and competition. Rare combination." Minato turned to the camera. "That's Sasuke Uchiha, first badge secured, fifteen more to go. Thank you for your time."
"Thank you," Sasuke said.
The camera light went off. Minato stood, shook his hand again. "Excellent interview. Honest, humble, focused on technique rather than ego. Exactly what people want to see from the next generation."
"Will this stop the media harassment?"
"It'll redirect it. Outlets will use this as primary source instead of chasing you directly. You'll still get attention, but less invasive." Minato gathered his notes. "And for what it's worth, mentioning your companions was good decision. Shows emotional intelligence and team awareness. People respond positively to that."
Sasuke left the media room, found his companions waiting in the hallway. Kasumi immediately hugged him. "You mentioned us! On regional television!"
"You said I should."
"I know, but you actually did it! And the way you described our contributions, Miyuki almost cried."
"I did not," Miyuki protested, though her eyes looked suspiciously bright. "I was just... touched. You didn't have to acknowledge us publicly."
"Yes, I did. It's accurate." Sasuke looked at all three. "People should know that."
"The partnership philosophy at the end was good," Kiyomi said. "Positions you as thoughtful competitor, not just powerful fighter. Differentiates you from other Supernovas."
They returned to their suite. Within minutes, social media reactions started flowing. The interview had been live-streamed, millions had watched in real-time. Comments skewed overwhelmingly positive:
Finally a humble Supernova who credits his team
The partnership philosophy is exactly what modern training needs
His companions look so proud watching from the observation room
Respectful toward Gaara, honest about Itachi, focused on improvement, perfect interview
A few tried to stir controversy, speculating about his relationships with his traveling companions, questioning whether his Legendary Pokemon gave unfair advantages. But the majority recognized honest competence when they saw it.
Sasuke's phone buzzed, message from Itachi: Well-handled interview. You're learning to navigate public attention without compromising authenticity. Proud of you.
Simple acknowledgment, but it meant everything.
Another message, this one from his childhood friend Naruto: DAD INTERVIEWED YOU?! That's so cool! He never tells me when he's doing these! See you at Silver Conference, I'm gonna kick your ass there! (But seriously, great battle. Let's fight soon!)
Sasuke smiled despite himself. Naruto's enthusiasm was exhausting but genuine.
Evening brought relief, the media attention had peaked and begun to normalize. Interview requests dropped to manageable levels. His social media mentions stabilized. The internet's short attention span was already moving toward the next story.
"Three more days until Tyranitar can travel," Miyuki said, checking her care schedule. "Then we head to Cerulean City. Approximately two weeks of travel, stopping at various routes and towns."
"Kasumi's Contest is scheduled three weeks out," Kiyomi added. "Gives her time for intensive training once we arrive."
"And my egg," Miyuki said, pulling up Ryu's development data. "Estimated hatch in two to three weeks. Right around when we reach Cerulean."
Sasuke retreated to his room that evening, exhausted from the day's media circus but satisfied with how it had been handled. One professional interview had satisfied public curiosity without sacrificing privacy. His companions had been acknowledged properly. His philosophy had been stated clearly.
The Boulder Badge gleamed in its case, first of sixteen. Tomorrow would bring more training, more preparation, more journey forward.
But today had taught valuable lesson, fame was inevitable given his family name and competitive success. Better to manage it professionally than pretend it didn't exist.
He could handle this. One battle at a time, one interview when necessary, one badge after another.
The journey continued.
And the media would just have to keep up.