The morning began with a conspiracy.
Sasuke emerged from his room to find three women already dressed, coordinated, and clearly planning something. Miyuki held a detailed map of the shopping district. Kasumi practically vibrated with excitement. Even Kiyomi's usually analytical expression carried anticipation.
"We're exploring the department store today," Kasumi announced before he could retreat. "All of us. Together."
"I was planning to study Tsunade's battle footage..."
"You've been studying for three days straight." Miyuki's tone brooked no argument. "One day of rest won't harm your preparation."
"Besides," Kiyomi added with suspicious innocence "you're our designated bag carrier."
Sasuke recognized a losing battle when he saw one.
"Fine. Let me get Victini."
The Celadon Department Store dominated the commercial district like a temple to commerce.
Ten stories of glass and steel rose above the surrounding shops, its architecture somehow managing to be both modern and harmonious with Celadon's rainbow aesthetic. Lines extended from every entrance even at mid-morning, tourists and locals alike eager to experience what guidebooks called "the finest shopping destination in Kanto."
"Floor guide," Kasumi said, consulting a brochure she'd apparently memorized. "First floor: trainer supplies. Second floor: Pokémon items. Third floor: TMs and evolution items. Fourth floor: fashion and accessories. Fifth floor: home goods. Sixth floor: restaurant. Seven through ten: entertainment and specialty experiences."
"...We're doing all ten floors?" Sasuke asked with growing concern.
"Obviously."
He was doomed.
The ground floor catered to practical needs, Pokéballs in every variety, battle items organized by type and purpose, training equipment that ranged from simple weights to sophisticated analysis systems.
Sasuke found himself genuinely interested despite his reluctance. The selection exceeded anything they'd encountered in smaller cities, with items he'd only read about available for direct examination.
"Assault Vest," he noted, studying a display. "Increases special defense but prevents status moves. Useful for specific matchups."
"Are you shopping for the gym battle?" Miyuki asked.
"Considering options." He set the item aside. "Tsunade's Venusaur is specially offensive. Defense might be relevant."
"See? This trip is productive." Kasumi's grin suggested she'd anticipated his surrender.
The second floor transformed shopping into sensory experience.
Berry displays showcased specimens from every region, their colors and scents creating an atmosphere that made Kasumi nearly emotional. Poké Puffs and Poffins sat in pristine arrangements. Grooming supplies promised to make any Pokémon's coat shine like championship quality.
"Hoenn berries," Kasumi breathed, examining a display that exceeded even her grandmother's legendary collection. "Spelon, Pamtre, Belue, and look, they have cultivated Enigma Berries. Those are almost impossible to grow outside controlled conditions."
She spent thirty minutes questioning the staff about cultivation techniques, accumulating knowledge that would fuel months of experimentation.
Miyuki found the medical section equally compelling. Advanced healing compounds. Diagnostic equipment. Specialized treatments for rare conditions. Her purchases were practical but comprehensive, supplies that would enhance her mobile clinic's capabilities significantly.
The third floor held items that could reshape teams.
TM displays stretched in organized rows, each disc representing techniques that could be taught to compatible Pokémon. Sasuke browsed with strategic focus, noting options that might prove useful against Grass-type specialists.
"Fire Blast TM," he observed. "Compatible with several of my team members."
"You're buying fire moves for a Grass gym?" Kiyomi asked.
"I'm considering all options." But he set the TM aside, along with several others that warranted further thought.
The evolution item section drew Miyuki's professional attention. Stones of every type, specialized items for specific evolutions, trade-trigger objects that could transform Pokémon instantly.
"For future clients," she explained, selecting several specimens. "A breeder-doctor should be able to facilitate any requested evolution."
The fourth floor was where Sasuke's patience would be tested.
Fashion displays sprawled across what felt like acres of floor space, clothing for every occasion, style, and body type. Coordinator sections featured performance wear that blurred the line between costume and couture. Casual selections offered comfort without sacrificing aesthetics.
"This is where we live for the next two hours," Kasumi declared.
Sasuke suppressed a sigh.
Kasumi attacked the Coordinator section with the intensity of a trainer preparing for Championship.
Gowns, dresses, performance outfits, she examined each with critical eye, assessing how fabrics would move during routines, how colors would catch stage lighting, how designs would complement rather than compete with her Pokémon's natural aesthetics.
"Fashion show time," she announced after assembling a selection that would have bankrupted lesser shoppers. "You three are my audience."
The dressing room became a stage, Kasumi emerging in outfit after outfit while her companions provided commentary.
A crimson gown that matched her hair: "Too obvious, but the cut is perfect."
A silver ensemble that caught light like Miyuki's hair: "Elegant, but it might distract from Glaceon's ice effects."
A black and gold combination that radiated sophistication: "This one. This is the one for Celadon's Contest."
"You're sure?" Miyuki asked.
"The gold complements Espeon's gem. The black provides contrast for Togekiss's white feathers. And the silhouette..." Kasumi demonstrated a spin that made the fabric flow dramatically...", enhances movement without restricting it."
"Sold," Kiyomi agreed.
Sasuke nodded approval that he hoped would conclude his fashion jury duties.
It did not.
"Your turn," Kasumi said with a smile that suggested premeditation.
"I don't need..."
"You've been wearing the same three outfits for three months." Miyuki's observation was accurate but unwelcome. "You're representing the Uchiha clan in front of my grandmother. You should look the part."
"I'm a trainer, not a model."
"Those aren't mutually exclusive." Kiyomi had somehow acquired a selection of men's clothing without Sasuke noticing. "Consider this cultural research. How does fashion intersect with trainer identity across different regional traditions?"
It was manipulation, and they all knew it.
Sasuke tried the clothes anyway.
The fashion show that followed was not what he'd anticipated.
The first outfit was casual, dark jeans, a fitted shirt in deep blue, a jacket that managed to look both practical and stylish. He emerged from the dressing room expecting criticism.
Instead, he found three women staring with expressions he couldn't quite interpret.
"That's... good," Kasumi managed.
"Very good," Miyuki agreed, her cheeks slightly pink.
"The color brings out your eyes," Kiyomi observed with suspicious clinical detachment.
The second outfit was more formal, dress pants, a dark vest over a crisp white shirt, details that suggested elegance without ostentation.
"For Senju estate dinners," Miyuki said, then immediately looked away when Sasuke met her gaze.
"You should own this," Kasumi added, her voice slightly higher than normal.
The third outfit was athletic, training clothes that somehow elevated the practical into the aesthetic. Modern materials that moved with the body, colors that complemented his natural coloring.
"Championship material," Kiyomi said, and then cleared her throat as if surprised by her own enthusiasm.
Sasuke studied the three of them with growing confusion. Their reactions seemed disproportionate to the situation, flustered in ways that shopping shouldn't inspire.
"You're acting strange," he observed.
"We're fine," all three said simultaneously.
He was fairly certain they weren't fine, but pursuing the topic seemed unwise.
The compromise was matching casual outfits for the entire group.
Simple designs in complementary colors, not identical, but clearly coordinated. A visual statement of team unity that could be worn during travel or casual exploration.
"We look like a coordinated unit," Kasumi said, examining the group in the fitting room mirrors.
"We are a coordinated unit," Miyuki corrected.
"Now we look like it too."
Sasuke had to admit the effect was pleasing. Four people dressed with obvious connection, their individual styles expressing unity without demanding conformity.
"Team Supernova," Kasumi declared.
"That's not a thing."
"It's a thing now. I'm claiming it."
The sixth-floor restaurant occupied the building's best real estate, with windows offering panoramic views of Celadon's rainbow architecture. The lunch crowd had thinned by the time they arrived, allowing for a table near the eastern windows where sunlight painted everything in warm gold.
"Best view in the city," Miyuki observed. "You can see the gym from here."
The Celadon Gym rose in the middle distance, a structure that incorporated living plants into its architecture, green roof visible even from this height. Somewhere within, Tsunade Senju waited for challengers who rarely emerged victorious.
"She's undefeated this season," Sasuke said, studying the distant building. "Fourteen challengers, fourteen victories. Most didn't make it past her secondary team."
"Secondary team?"
"Gym Leaders maintain multiple rosters. The challenge level adjusts based on the challenger's badge count. With three badges, I'll face her mid-tier lineup, but even that includes Pokémon that have defeated Championship candidates."
"What's her signature?" Kasumi asked.
"Primal Venusaur with Gigantamax capability. One of the oldest and most powerful Grass-types in Kanto." Sasuke's expression was serious. "It's been with her for over fifty years. The bond between them is legendary."
"Like your bond with Victini."
"Older. Stronger. More refined." He wasn't diminishing his own partnership, just acknowledging reality. "Tsunade has spent decades perfecting her coordination with that Venusaur. I have three years of Crown Tundra training at best."
"But you have something she doesn't," Kiyomi observed. "Unpredictability. She's never faced an Uchiha with your particular team composition."
"That's the advantage I'm counting on."
The conversation shifted to Kasumi's upcoming Contest.
"Celadon is famous for Coordinator culture," she admitted. "The city produces more Grand Festival champions than anywhere except Lilycove. Competition will be intense."
"After Vermillion, intense shouldn't worry you," Miyuki said.
"After Vermillion, intense should worry me more. The bar keeps rising." But Kasumi's expression held determination rather than fear. "I have my outfit. I have my routines. I have my team. Whatever Celadon throws at me, I'll be ready."
"Both of you will be," Kiyomi said. "You've prepared for this. Trust the preparation."
The afternoon continued through the remaining floors, entertainment venues, specialty experiences, discoveries that ranged from trivial to fascinating. By evening, they emerged onto Celadon's streets carrying bags that would have challenged less determined shoppers.
"Successful expedition," Kasumi declared.
"Expensive expedition," Sasuke countered, calculating the day's costs.
"Investment in future success." Miyuki's smile carried warmth that had nothing to do with shopping. "And in team bonding."
"That too."