The week began with intensity that previous preparations hadn't matched.
Sasuke understood what he faced. Hiashi Hyuga wasn't simply a Gym Leader, he was a clan head, a veteran of conflicts that modern trainers only read about, a Psychic-type master whose home territory amplified everything he could achieve.
Galarian Moltres would be his counter.
Dark/Flying typing provided perfect theoretical advantage: immunity to Psychic attacks, mobility that grounded opponents couldn't match. But theory and practice diverged in ways that Koichi's warning had made clear.
The psychic pressure of Saffron itself would test everything.
The Saffron Psychic Academy occupied a campus that radiated mental energy.
The facility served trainers seeking to develop Psychic-type partnerships, its grounds populated by wild Abra, Kadabra, and Drowzee who had been drawn by the concentrated mental resonance. Students practiced techniques that required decades to master. Teachers demonstrated capabilities that seemed to violate natural law.
"Public access for training purposes," the administrator explained when Sasuke requested facilities. "Though I should warn you, our environment is intense. Non-Psychic types sometimes struggle here."
"That's exactly why I need to train here."
Galarian Moltres emerged into an atmosphere that immediately pressed against it.
The Dark/Flying type was immune to direct Psychic attacks, type charts guaranteed that protection. But the environmental saturation that Koichi had described wasn't direct assault. It was ambient pressure, mental weight that existed in the air itself.
Galarian Moltres faltered.
Its flight became erratic. Its dark aura flickered with uncertainty. The confidence that defined the species gave way to disorientation that type immunity couldn't prevent.
"Feel it," Sasuke said, maintaining connection with his partner. "The pressure isn't attack, it's environment. You need to exist within it, not fight against it."
The wild Psychic Pokémon sensed weakness.
Abra teleported in harassment patterns, their simple minds finding pleasure in the powerful creature's discomfort. Kadabra observed with intelligence that suggested deliberate testing. Drowzee lurked at the edges, their hypnotic capabilities adding to the oppressive atmosphere.
"Again. Acclimate. This is what Hiashi's battlefield will feel like."
Days of exposure began producing results.
Galarian Moltres learned to maintain stability despite the pressure, not by resisting it, but by accepting its existence and functioning regardless. The dark aura that defined its species strengthened rather than faltered, as though adversity had forced adaptation.
"Better," Sasuke observed on day three. "The pressure doesn't disappear, but you're not affected anymore."
The Pokémon's response carried satisfaction that transcended verbal communication. Galarian Moltres had always been proud; overcoming challenge reinforced that pride.
"Now we work on offense."
Lash Out emerged from focused development.
The Dark-type move drew power from negative experience, damage taken, status effects suffered, pressure endured. Everything that had weakened Galarian Moltres during acclimation became fuel for devastation.
"Channel the frustration," Sasuke directed. "The anger at being suppressed. The determination to overcome what tried to hold you down."
Galarian Moltres's attack manifested with force that exceeded its baseline capabilities. The Dark-type energy struck training targets with power amplified by everything the psychic environment had inflicted.
"Perfect. The more pressure Hiashi applies, the stronger this becomes."
Counter-intuitive strategy: allow the opponent's environmental advantage to become self-defeating. Hiashi's psychic pressure would power attacks that devastated in return.
Dual Wingbeat provided coverage that type advantages alone couldn't guarantee.
"Hiashi won't rely solely on Psychic moves," Sasuke reasoned during strategy sessions. "He'll have counters for Dark-types. We need physical attacks that can damage regardless of typing."
The Flying-type technique required precision, two consecutive strikes that built momentum for combined impact. Galarian Moltres practiced until the execution became instinctive.
"Physical damage bypasses special defense investments," Miyuki observed. "If Hiashi's Alakazam has prioritized Psychic capabilities, physical attacks exploit that weakness."
"Exactly. We attack from angles he might not have prepared for."
Miyuki's conditioning support proved essential.
"Extended battle likely," she assessed after evaluating Galarian Moltres's stamina. "Koichi said Itachi's match lasted hours. If Hiashi approaches your battle similarly, endurance becomes critical."
Flight marathons began supplementing combat training.
Galarian Moltres circled Saffron's airspace for hours, maintaining altitude while the psychic pressure below continued exerting influence. The exercise built stamina that short battles never demanded.
"How long can it maintain peak performance?" Kiyomi asked during one such session.
"Currently? Approximately ninety minutes at maximum output. Hiashi's battles average two hours."
"Then we need more."
The training intensified accordingly.
Kasumi's contribution came through nutrition.
"Battle berries," she explained, presenting compounds she'd developed specifically for this challenge. "Energy sustain during extended combat. Resistance to status effects. Recovery acceleration for damage accumulated."
The berries incorporated her Vitaberry research with specialized cultivation that their journey had enabled. Each variety addressed specific needs that the Saffron challenge would create.
"These could make the difference," Sasuke acknowledged. "Thank you."
"That's what we do. Support each other."
Kiyomi's research revealed dimensions of the challenge that combat preparation couldn't address.
"Hiashi Hyuga," she reported during evening strategy sessions. "Born fifty-two years ago. Current head of Hyuga Clan. Saffron Gym Leader for twenty-seven years."
"Long tenure."
"Exceptionally long. But more significant, he fought in the Great Pokémon War."
The name carried weight that even their generation recognized.
"Thirty years ago," Kiyomi continued. "Regional conflicts that involved Pokémon combat on scales rarely seen before or since. Hiashi commanded Psychic-type units during the Saffron campaign."
"Commanded?"
"Military terminology. Pokémon trainers served as officers. Their partners as forces." Kiyomi's expression held gravity that the subject demanded. "Hiashi's battlefield experience exceeds anything gym challenges typically produce. He's seen warfare. He's made decisions that cost lives."
"How does that affect our battle?"
"He uses the battlefield like a chess board. Every move calculated three steps ahead. He doesn't react to opponents, he manipulates them into positions where their choices serve his strategy."
The implications were clear.
"Power alone won't win this," Sasuke realized. "He'll anticipate raw aggression. He'll have counters for type advantages. He'll control the battle's flow until I'm fighting on his terms."
"So you need to out-think him."
"Or at least match his strategic depth." Sasuke studied the research Kiyomi had compiled. "He's been doing this for decades. I've been training for months."
"But you have advantages he doesn't," Miyuki countered. "Legendary partners whose capabilities exceed what he's probably faced. Bond that transcends typical trainer-Pokémon relationships."
"And you learn fast," Kasumi added. "Every battle, you adapt. That's not something experience alone can match."
"Intelligence and adaptability," Kiyomi summarized. "Those are your weapons. Use them."
Sasuke sat with Galarian Moltres in the quiet space their companions had provided. The psychic pressure of Saffron surrounded them, but neither faltered now. Adaptation had become baseline.
"Next week, we face someone who fought wars," Sasuke said quietly. "Someone whose experience dwarfs ours. Someone who hasn't lost at home in three years."
Galarian Moltres's response carried certainty that words couldn't have matched.
"I know. We're ready." Sasuke's hand rested on his partner's dark plumage. "Not because we're stronger, because we refuse to accept defeat. Because our bond means more than his experience."
The Dark/Flying type's aura flared briefly, acknowledgment that transcended speech.
"Show them what we can do."