The next morning.
The tournament arena occupied a converted warehouse near the festival's eastern edge, a temporary structure that nonetheless managed to feel appropriately grand. Banners from eight regions hung from the rafters, and the crowd that filled the bleachers represented a diversity of origins that Sasuke had rarely seen gathered in one place.
"International Friendly Tournament," the registration official explained as Sasuke signed his entry form. "Single elimination, one Pokémon per round, no substitutions. Victory earns glory and a modest prize purse. No badge or ribbon implications, just trainers testing themselves against the world."
"Sounds perfect."
The bracket posted on the main display showed 128 participants drawn from every competing region. Sasuke's name appeared in the lower half, his first-round opponent listed as "Takumi - Hoenn."
"You're sure about this?" Miyuki asked as they found seats in the competitor's section. "You just had an exhausting gym battle a week ago."
"Which is exactly why I want this." Sasuke's crimson eyes tracked the arena setup with analytical interest. "Gym battles are about specific challenges, adapting to a Leader's style. This is different. Unknown opponents, unfamiliar Pokémon, strategies I've never faced. It's a different kind of test."
"A test for the sake of testing," Kiyomi observed. "I can respect that."
"Besides," Kasumi added..."we get to see Pokémon from other regions up close. Research opportunity."
The tournament began with opening ceremonies that Sasuke largely tuned out. His focus was already shifting to battle mode, cataloguing what he could observe about potential opponents, reviewing what he knew about regional Pokémon he might face.
Hoenn first, he thought. Steel and Psychic types are common there. Dragon specialists too. Need to be ready for anything.
Round 1: Sasuke vs Takumi (Hoenn)
The Hoenn trainer was perhaps twenty-five, with sun-bleached hair and the easy confidence of someone who'd grown up near the ocean. His Pokéball released with practiced efficiency.
"Metagross!"
The Steel/Psychic type materialized with ground-shaking impact, its four legs bracing against the arena floor. Chrome armor gleamed under tournament lights, and the X-shaped face bore an expression of cold intelligence. Metagross were known for their processing power, minds that could allegedly outthink supercomputers.
Sasuke's choice was immediate. "Victini."
The small Victory Pokémon emerged with its characteristic burst of energy, orange fur bright against the industrial backdrop. The size difference was almost comical, Victini barely reached Metagross's knee joint.
The Hoenn crowd laughed. Even some Kanto supporters looked uncertain.
Takumi's expression shifted to confusion. "A Victini? Against Metagross? Are you..."
"Battle begin!"
Victini moved before the words finished echoing.
V-Create blazed across the arena, Victini's signature technique, generating heat that rivaled solar flares. The attack slammed into Metagross before the Steel-type could raise defenses, fire energy bypassing the chrome armor to superheat the metal beneath.
Metagross staggered, damage significant despite the single exchange.
"Meteor Mash!" Takumi commanded, recovering quickly.
The Steel-type launched forward, fists glowing with cosmic energy. But Victini was already elsewhere, small size translating to maneuverability that Metagross couldn't match. The attack passed through empty air.
"Searing Shot."
Fire erupted in all directions, centered on Victini's position but radiating outward in expanding waves. Metagross took the hit directly, chrome surfaces beginning to glow with accumulated heat.
"Psychic!" Takumi called desperately. "Pin it down!"
Mental force reached for Victini, but the Victory Pokémon's own Psychic typing provided resistance. The attack slowed Victini momentarily without achieving the control Takumi needed.
"Finish it. V-Create."
The second signature attack came with even more intensity than the first. Victini blazed across the arena like a comet, trailing flames that scorched the air itself. Impact with Metagross created a detonation that forced spectators to shield their eyes.
When vision cleared, Metagross lay motionless. Chrome armor warped from extreme heat.
"Metagross is unable to battle! Winner: Sasuke Uchiha!"
The crowd's tone had changed entirely. No more laughter. Only stunned appreciation for what they'd witnessed.
"Your Victini," Takumi said afterward, shaking Sasuke's hand with genuine respect. "It's... not normal."
"No," Sasuke agreed. "It's not."
Round 2: Sasuke vs Yuki (Sinnoh)
The Sinnoh trainer was older, perhaps thirty, with the weathered look of someone who'd trained in Mount Coronet's harsh conditions. Her Pokémon choice confirmed Sinnoh's reputation for powerful Dragon-types.
"Garchomp!"
The Land Shark Pokémon erupted into the arena with predatory grace, fins slicing the air as it oriented on its opponent. Dragon/Ground typing made it a formidable threat, immune to Electric attacks, resistant to many common offensive types.
Sasuke's response was equally imposing. "Zekrom."
The Deep Black Pokémon materialized with thunder and fury, its generator tail spinning with contained electrical force. Two Dragon-types faced each other across the battlefield, both apex predators in their respective categories.
"Dragon versus Dragon," the announcer breathed. "This should be spectacular!"
It was.
Garchomp struck first, launching into Dragon Rush with speed that belied its size. Zekrom met the charge directly, fusion bolt energy crackling along its claws as the two titans collided.
The impact sent shockwaves through the arena.
They separated, circled, clashed again. Dragon Claw met Dragon Claw. Earthquake shook foundations while Bolt Strike tore the air. Each exchange pushed both Pokémon to greater intensity, neither willing to concede ground.
"Draco Meteor!" Yuki commanded.
Garchomp's attack called destruction from the sky, meteors of concentrated dragon energy raining down on Zekrom's position. The legendary took hits, its own Dragon-typing leaving it vulnerable, but refused to fall.
"Outrage," Sasuke said quietly.
Zekrom's response was devastating. Draconic fury overwhelmed its consciousness, transforming the legendary into a force of primal destruction. It tore through the remaining meteors, closed distance with Garchomp, and unleashed a barrage of attacks that the Land Shark couldn't hope to match.
When the Outrage ended, Garchomp was down.
"Garchomp is unable to battle! Winner: Sasuke Uchiha!"
Yuki recalled her partner with visible disappointment but offered a respectful nod. "Strong legendary. But you controlled it well through the Outrage confusion. Good partnership."
"Thank you."
Round 3: Sasuke vs Marcus (Unova)
The Unova trainer brought flair to his performance, entering the arena with theatrical gestures that suggested Contest training as well as battle experience. His Pokémon choice reflected Unova's distinctive species.
"Volcarona!"
The Sun Pokémon emerged in a burst of flame and light, six wings spreading to display patterns that seemed to glow from within. Bug/Fire typing was unusual, and Volcarona's reputation as a pseudo-legendary made it a serious threat.
Sasuke's counter was strategic. "Tyranitar."
The Armor Pokémon materialized already in its Mega form, Rock/Dark typing providing crucial advantages against the fiery moth. Sand Stream activated immediately, whipping particles into a localized storm that would chip away at Volcarona's endurance.
"Quiver Dance!" Marcus commanded, recognizing the need for speed against Tyranitar's raw power.
Volcarona's stats boosted significantly, but the Sandstorm was already taking its toll. Each second in the swirling grit cost the Bug-type precious energy.
"Stone Edge."
Pillars of rock erupted toward Volcarona with quadruple effectiveness. The Sun Pokémon dodged the first barrage, its Quiver Dance speed allowing evasion that would have been impossible otherwise.
"Fiery Dance!"
Flames swept toward Tyranitar, the heat intense enough to glass sand particles into tiny projectiles. But Tyranitar's bulk absorbed the assault, its Mega form providing durability that matched offensive power.
"Stone Edge again."
This time, some attacks connected. Volcarona shrieked as Rock-type energy tore through its wings, the super-effective damage devastating despite the Pokémon's raised defenses.
"Hurricane!" Marcus called desperately.
Wind force built around Volcarona, enough to disperse the Sandstorm briefly and create breathing room. The attack caught Tyranitar in a vortex that lifted the massive Pokémon off its feet.