The morning sun painted Celadon's rainbow architecture in gold as the Senju estate's gates opened one final time.
Tsunade stood at the entrance, her legendary presence somehow softened by the farewell's emotional weight. Three weeks of hosting her granddaughter and companions had created bonds that formal departure couldn't easily sever.
"You're always welcome here," she told the group. "This estate is your home whenever you need it."
"Thank you, Grandmother." Miyuki's voice carried warmth that their first meeting hadn't contained. "For everything."
Tsunade pulled her granddaughter into an embrace that seemed to communicate years of unsaid things.
"Make me proud, granddaughter."
"You already do," Miyuki replied. "I hope I can say the same."
"You have. From the moment you chose your own path." Tsunade released her, but kept one hand on Miyuki's shoulder. "The Senju tradition isn't about staying home. It's about carrying our values wherever you go. You're doing that better than anyone I could have asked."
The legendary gym leader turned to Sasuke next.
"Protect them, Sasuke Uchiha."
The words carried the weight of generational responsibility, Senju to Uchiha, grandmother to young man, one guardian entrusting another.
"With my life," Sasuke nodded.
Tsunade studied him for a long moment, finding whatever she sought in his crimson eyes.
"I believe you will." She stepped back, her formal composure reasserting itself. "Now go. The road won't travel itself."
Route 7 began where Celadon's urban sprawl faded into managed wilderness, but soon transformed into something entirely different.
The underground tunnel entrance loomed ahead, massive gates marking the transition from open highway to subterranean passage. The structure was clearly ancient, stone foundations visible beneath modern reinforcements, but the technology within was state-of-the-art.
"The Connecting Passage," Kiyomi explained as they approached. "Built during the pre-modern era as trade route between eastern and western Kanto. The original construction used Pokémon labor, Dugtrio and Onix carved the primary chambers. Modern expansion added the highway infrastructure."
"We drive underground?" Kasumi peered at the entrance with visible uncertainty.
"For approximately forty kilometers. Artificial lighting makes it navigable, but there's no sky, no natural landmarks. Navigation requires following the marked lanes."
The Mobile Home entered the tunnel, and daylight disappeared behind them.
The underground highway was unlike anything they'd experienced.
Artificial lights lined the ceiling at regular intervals, creating illumination that approximated daylight without achieving it. The effect was disorienting, their bodies insisted it was daytime, but something fundamental felt wrong.
"This is strange," Miyuki said, watching the tunnel walls pass through their windows. "I keep expecting to see clouds."
"Ancient engineers were remarkable," Kiyomi observed. "They built this system without modern equipment, maintained it for centuries, and created infrastructure that we still use today. The lighting was added later, but the basic structure is original."
The tunnel stretched ahead, other vehicles visible as distant lights in the managed darkness. The highway's multiple lanes accommodated traffic that would otherwise need to navigate treacherous mountain passes or lengthy coastal routes.
"How long does the passage take?" Sasuke asked.
"At highway speed, approximately forty-five minutes. We'll emerge near Saffron City's western outskirts, then continue to Route 8 toward Lavender Town."
"Lavender Town." The name carried weight. "Where the Aether facility is supposedly located."
"Among other things. The town is famous for its Pokémon Tower, a memorial site for deceased Pokémon. Also notable for Ghost-type activity and... certain historical events that the merchant mentioned."
The tunnel continued, artificial day surrounding them while real night slowly approached outside.
Shelgon's restlessness became impossible to ignore.
The Dragon-type pressed against its Pokéball's interior, energy fluctuating in ways that suggested profound frustration. Miyuki released her partner into the Mobile Home's common area, immediately sensing the distress.
"What's wrong, Ryu?"
Shelgon's shell trembled. The Dragon-type attempted movements its current form couldn't execute, rising motions that should have become flight, wing extensions that its shell prevented.
"He wants to fly," Sasuke observed.
"The shell stage is hardest." Miyuki knelt beside her partner, hands gentle against armored surface. "Bagon dreams of flight. Salamence achieves it. But Shelgon... Shelgon waits."
The Dragon-type rumbled frustration that needed no translation.
"Soon, Ryu. Soon." Miyuki's voice carried certainty that came from professional knowledge. "Your shell is thinning. The wing structures beneath are nearly complete. Days, maybe a week at most. Then you'll fly."
Shelgon pressed closer, seeking comfort that only its trainer could provide.
"I know it's frustrating. But evolution can't be rushed, not safely. Your body is preparing for something incredible. The waiting will be worth it."
The Dragon-type's trembling gradually subsided, its trainer's presence providing stability that instinct couldn't match.
"She's good with him," Kasumi said quietly to the others.
"She's good with all of them," Sasuke replied. "That's why she'll be a great Pokémon Doctor."
The tunnel's end approached, daylight visible as a growing circle ahead.
Emergence from underground felt like rebirth, sudden sky, genuine sunlight, landscape that extended beyond artificial limits. The Mobile Home's occupants collectively exhaled, tension they hadn't consciously held releasing.
"Four months."
Kiyomi's observation drew everyone's attention.
"We've been traveling for four months. Pallet Town to Celadon City, with everything between."
The realization settled over them with unexpected weight.
"Four badges," Sasuke said. "Pewter, Cerulean, Vermillion, Celadon."
"Three ribbons," Kasumi added. "Cerulean, Vermillion, Celadon."
"Countless memories," Miyuki finished. "Archaeological discoveries, medical emergencies, gym battles, Contests, encounters with organizations that probably want us eliminated."
"When you put it that way, it sounds exhausting," Kiyomi observed dryly.
"It has been exhausting." But Sasuke's slight smile suggested he wouldn't trade it. "And it's been worth it."
The afternoon brought planning for what remained.
"Remaining Kanto gyms," Kiyomi said, consulting her tablet. "Fuchsia, Poison-type specialist. Saffron, Psychic-type specialist. Cinnabar, Fire-type specialist. Viridian, Ground-type specialist."
"Four more badges," Sasuke calculated. "Then Johto's eight. Sixteen total before the Silver Conference."
"Plus five more ribbons for Kasumi," Miyuki added. "The Grand Festival requires atleast eight."
"The journey's maybe one-third complete," Kiyomi summarized. "Assuming standard progression through both regions."
The scope of what remained should have felt daunting. Instead, it felt achievable, a path they could walk because they'd already proven themselves capable.
"We can do this." Kasumi's voice carried confidence that four months of growth had built. "Together."
"We've already done more than most trainers accomplish in years," Sasuke agreed. "The remaining challenges are significant, but not impossible."
"And we're stronger than we were." Miyuki looked at each companion in turn. "All of us. Not just in battle capability, in everything. We know each other better. Trust each other more. Support each other completely."
"Family by choice," Kiyomi said. "That's what we've become."
The words resonated because they were true. Birth hadn't connected them. Circumstance had. But the bonds they'd built exceeded what biology could have provided.
"Family by choice," Sasuke echoed.
"Family by choice," Kasumi and Miyuki agreed.