Saffron City's skyline welcomed them back with memories that hadn't faded.
Two months had passed since the Aether incident, the escaped Pokémon, the facility raid, the evidence that had finally forced official action. The city showed signs of recovery that went beyond physical repair: new security measures at research facilities, increased oversight of corporate operations, a wariness that hadn't existed before.
"The Aether Saffron facility," Kiyomi noted as they passed the building's location. "Permanently closed. Investigation completed, operations shut down."
The structure sat empty, corporate signage removed, windows dark. A small victory in a larger war, but victory nonetheless.
"One facility among many," Sasuke acknowledged. "But proof that action is possible."
"Every victory matters," Miyuki said. "Even small ones."
The Pokémon Center accommodations reflected their extended stay.
"Two weeks," the receptionist confirmed. "Gym challenge and Contest participation. Busy schedule for your group."
"We manage."
The suite provided space that shorter visits hadn't required, room for training equipment, research materials, the accumulated supplies that five months of travel had generated.
"Previous visit was emergency focused," Kasumi observed as they settled in. "This time, we can actually see the city."
"Tourist perspective," Kiyomi agreed. "Long overdue."
Saffron's attractions revealed why it remained one of Kanto's most significant cities.
The Psychic-type training centers dotted every district, facilities where trainers developed mental connections with partners capable of telepathy, telekinesis, precognition. The discipline required exceeded what other types demanded, and the city had built its identity around that challenge.
Silph Company's headquarters dominated the commercial district, its massive campus producing technology that modern Pokémon training couldn't function without.
"Public tours available," the visitor center announced. "See the innovation that powers your journey."
The tour revealed manufacturing that seemed almost magical.
Pokéballs emerged from assembly lines in countless varieties, standard designs, specialized captures, luxury models for trainers who valued aesthetics. The technology that made them possible defied intuitive understanding.
"Spatial compression," the guide explained. "The same principle that allows Pokémon Centers to store dozens of captures in minimal physical space. We compress the energy signature that defines each Pokémon into containment that maintains their wellbeing while minimizing dimensional requirements."
"How was it developed?" Kasumi asked.
"Evolved from early experiments with pocket dimensions. Pre-modern trainers discovered that certain energies could create spaces that didn't follow standard physics. Silph Company refined those discoveries into reproducible technology."
The implications for other applications were obvious.
The meeting with the Silph researcher happened through connections that their reputation had enabled.
"Kasumi Uzumaki," the researcher said, reviewing credentials that included published berry research. "Your Vitaberry work caught our attention. The healing compound you developed has preservation properties we hadn't considered."
"I've been developing enhanced versions during travel. Mixing with specific herbs creates compounds that absorb faster and work more completely."
"Fascinating. Our spatial compression technology could potentially enhance preservation further, berry storage that maintains freshness indefinitely."
"Collaboration?"
"Potential collaboration." The researcher produced documentation. "If you're interested, we could discuss formal arrangements after your Saffron stay."
Kasumi accepted the materials with interest that went beyond politeness. Silph Company resources could accelerate her research by years.
The Fighting Dojo occupied a historic building near the Psychic gym.
"Before Hiashi," Kiyomi explained as they approached, "Saffron had a Fighting-type gym. The previous leader, Koichi's predecessor, was defeated when the Hyuga family challenged for regional dominance."
"Psychic overcame Fighting?"
"Psychic overcomes most things, given sufficient mastery. The Hyuga demonstrated that mastery and claimed the gym certification. The Fighting Dojo became a training facility instead."
The building's interior reflected both its history and its current purpose. Training equipment lined walls that had once hosted official challenges. Students practiced forms that modern trainers rarely learned.
Sasuke found himself drawn to the physical training sections.
"We rely on our Pokémon," he observed. "But physical fitness matters too. Can't direct battles effectively if the body fails."
"Want to practice?" a senior student offered.
The session that followed demonstrated skills Sasuke had developed during childhood training. Hand-to-hand combat wasn't his primary discipline, but Uchiha education included fundamentals that served regardless of specialization.
Master Koichi found him during a rest period.
The elderly martial artist moved with efficiency that suggested decades of dedicated practice. His assessment of Sasuke was immediate and direct.
"Hiashi mentioned you'd return," Koichi said. "He's been preparing something special for your battle."
"Special?"
"The Hyuga don't take challenges lightly. You impressed him during your first meeting, enough that he offered you early challenge." Koichi's expression grew serious. "That he's preparing specifically for you suggests he considers you genuine threat."
"I am a genuine threat."
"Confident. Good. But consider this. Hiashi hasn't lost at home in three years. Not once. Challengers come from across regions, and they all fall."
"What makes him so dominant here?"
"Psychic energy saturates Saffron City. Generations of trainers and Pokémon have built mental resonance into the very streets. Hiashi's Alakazam draws power from that environment, stronger here than anywhere else."
"Environmental boost."
"Significant environmental boost. His Alakazam in Saffron operates at levels it couldn't achieve elsewhere." Koichi's warning carried genuine concern. "Factor that into your strategy, or you'll join the list of challengers who underestimated home field advantage."
Evening brought formal registration at the Saffron Gym.
The facility's architecture reflected Psychic-type aesthetics, clean lines, open spaces, materials that seemed to channel mental energy rather than obstruct it. Every surface had been designed to amplify what the gym's trainers could achieve.
Hiashi Hyuga received them in the same reception hall where they'd first met.
"Welcome back, Sasuke." The Gym Leader's pale eyes assessed everything they observed. "I expected you to return. Your progression suggested you'd prioritize completing Kanto before moving to other regions."
"I keep my commitments."
"A valuable trait." Hiashi produced official challenge documentation. "Battle in one week. Standard format. I promise you, I won't hold back."
"I wouldn't want you to."
"No. I don't believe you would." Hiashi's expression shifted into something that might have been respect. "Your brother once challenged me, before he became Champion. The battle lasted hours. He barely won."
The comparison landed with weight Hiashi clearly intended.
"Itachi was exceptional even then," Hiashi continued. "I've wondered since whether his younger brother would match that potential. This challenge will answer that question."
"I'm not here to match Itachi. I'm here to exceed him."
"Bold claim." Hiashi's slight smile held competitive anticipation. "Let's see if reality supports it."
The return to their accommodations carried pressure that previous challenges hadn't generated.
"Living up to Itachi's legacy," Miyuki observed. "That's weight you carry regardless of what Hiashi says."
"I know." Sasuke's expression held determination rather than doubt. "But pressure isn't necessarily negative. It clarifies what matters. It eliminates distractions."
"And what matters here?"
"Proving myself. Not to Hiashi, not even to Itachi, to myself. Confirming that the path I've chosen leads somewhere worth reaching."
The training week would begin tomorrow.
Galarian Moltres required preparation for conditions that Saffron's psychic environment would create. Strategy needed refinement for an opponent who had studied Sasuke as thoroughly as Sasuke had studied him.
"One week," Sasuke said quietly.
"We'll be ready," Kasumi assured him.
"I'll be ready," Sasuke corrected. "The battle is mine. But the support..."
"Is always here." Miyuki finished.
"Always," Kiyomi agreed.
Hiashi Hyuga awaited.
The Marsh Badge had tested strategy.
The Soul Badge had tested endurance.
The Saffron Badge would test something deeper, whether Sasuke could stand where his brother had stood and prove himself worthy of comparison.