She'd somehow unpacked a portable picnic setup from the RV, blanket spread on the sand, containers of food arranged attractively, drinks chilling in a cooler she'd filled with ice from Glaceon.
"When did you prepare all this?" Miyuki asked, returning from the water with Bagon trotting beside her.
"This morning while you were checking medical supplies." Kasumi's smile was pleased with herself. "I wanted our first day back on the road to feel special. So, beach picnic!"
They gathered on the blanket, Pokemon settling around them in a protective circle. Bagon claimed a spot directly beside Miyuki, exhausted from swimming practice but happy. The food was simple but thoughtfully prepared, sandwiches with various fillings, fresh fruit, vegetables with dip, cookies Sasuke had baked yesterday.
"To new roads," Kasumi said, raising her drink bottle in toast.
"To progress," Miyuki added.
"To discovery," Kiyomi contributed.
"To bonds that make travel meaningful," Sasuke concluded.
They ate peacefully, the sound of waves providing natural rhythm. Other travelers at the rest stop kept polite distance, recognizing the group's desire for private celebration.
After lunch, they continued south on Route 6. The coastal highway hugged the shoreline, offering continuous ocean views. Traffic was light, most travelers preferred faster inland routes. But the scenic beauty made the slower pace worthwhile.
"Vermillion City is approximately six hours from here," Kiyomi reported, checking their navigation app. "But there are several points of interest along the way. A famous lighthouse, an old shipwreck visible from shore, several coastal towns worth exploring."
"Let's not rush," Sasuke decided. "We have three weeks before Kasumi's next Contest. Plenty of time to enjoy the journey."
Mid-afternoon brought them to a larger rest stop, a full Pokemon Center rather than just a scenic overlook. The facility was positioned at a crossroads where Route 6 met a smaller road leading to inland towns.
"Let's stop for supplies," Miyuki suggested. "Pokemon Centers usually have better inventory than roadside stores. And I want to check if they have any resources on Bagon development."
Inside, the Center was moderately busy. A few trainers waited for Pokemon healing. Others browsed the attached convenience store. A bulletin board displayed local news, training tips, and community announcements.
Sasuke headed toward the store section while Miyuki spoke with Nurse Joy about optimal nutrition for Dragon-types approaching evolution. Kasumi and Kiyomi were examining the bulletin board, reading posted announcements with interest.
"Sasuke!" Kasumi called. "Come see this!"
He joined them at the board. Kasumi was pointing to a poster announcing recent gym challenge results across Kanto.
RECENT GYM VICTORIES:
Pewter City - Boulder Badge
Naruto Namikaze (Goldenrod City)
Kanaye Senju (Celadon City)
Karin Uzumaki (Goldenrod City)
Cerulean City - Cascade Badge
Sasuke Uchiha (Blackthorn City)
Naruto Namikaze (Goldenrod City)
Neji Hyuga (Saffron City)
Vermillion City - Thunder Badge
Neji Hyuga (Saffron City)
Shikamaru Nara (Saffron City)
The information was recent, updated this morning according to the timestamp. Sasuke studied the names, particularly those he recognized.
"My cousin Naruto beat Cerulean already," Kasumi observed. "He's right behind us in progression."
"Neji has three badges," Kiyomi added. "He's ahead. Probably started his journey earlier than us."
"Kanaye has two badges, same as Sasuke," Miyuki noted, having joined them after finishing with Nurse Joy. "Your cousin is keeping pace."
Sasuke felt competitive fire ignite, not malicious rivalry but the drive to excel that had defined his training. These were the Four Supernovas the media kept discussing. Each one powerfully trained, carrying family legacy weight, pursuing the title of Indigo League Chmpion with serious intent.
And they were all progressing. Some ahead, some parallel, but all moving forward consistently.
"Three badges before Indigo League entry," a voice said from behind them. A young trainer, maybe seventeen, had approached unnoticed. "You need at least eight to qualify for the main tournament. Are you trying for all sixteen?"
"That's the goal," Sasuke confirmed.
"Ambitious. Most trainers collect eight badges and enter League through minimum qualifications. Collecting all sixteen shows either dedication or hubris." The kid's tone was challenging but not hostile. "Which one are you?"
"Guess we'll find out."
The trainer laughed. "Fair enough. Word of advice though, Vermillion Gym Leader Sakumo is different from Zabuza. Where Zabuza tests tactics and honor, Sakumo tests humility. Trainers who arrive overconfident get destroyed. His Pikachu is legend for a reason."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the warning."
The kid nodded and wandered off toward the trading card display. But his words lingered. Overconfidence leading to defeat. Sasuke had won two gym battles convincingly, was he starting to expect victory rather than earning it?
"Don't overthink," Miyuki said, reading his expression. "That kid was just trying to get in your head. Psychological warfare is common between rival trainers."
"Maybe. But he's not wrong about overconfidence being dangerous." Sasuke looked at the gym victory board again. "Naruto, Neji, Kanaye, they're all strong. If I start assuming I'll win just because I've won before, someone will prove me wrong."
"Then don't assume victory," Kiyomi suggested. "Assume challenge. Prepare thoroughly, respect opponents, give maximum effort. Same approach you've used so far."
"Exactly," Kasumi agreed. "You beat Gaara and Zabuza because you prepared specifically for them. Sakumo will require the same dedication. Different opponent, same methodology."
They completed supply shopping and returned to the RV. Late afternoon sun painted everything golden as they continued south. The coastline remained beautiful, endless variations on the theme of land meeting ocean.
Evening brought them to a designated camping area just off the highway. The site offered beach access, bathrooms, picnic areas, and designated spaces for mobile homes. Several other travelers had already claimed spots, creating a small temporary community.
Sasuke parked in a space with ocean view, the sunset visible through the RV's front windshield. They set up the external awning and brought out camping chairs, settling in to watch the day end.
"Tomorrow we'll reach Vermillion City," Miyuki said, reviewing their travel schedule. "Check into the Pokemon Center, register for the gym challenge, explore the city while waiting for battle appointment."
"I want to visit the lighthouse," Kiyomi added. "Vermillion Lighthouse is four hundred years old. Supposedly has incredible historical archives."
"And I need to find the Contest Hall," Kasumi said. "Start preparing routines for the competition in three weeks."
"We'll have time for everything," Sasuke assured them. "Vermillion is a major port city. Plenty to do and see while preparing for our respective challenges."
Dinner was campfire cooking, Sasuke grilled fish caught from a beachside merchant while Kasumi prepared her special berry-enhanced rice. Miyuki contributed salad, and Kiyomi somehow produced wine she'd apparently been hiding in storage.
"Where did that come from?" Sasuke asked, eyeing the bottle.
"I'm twenty-one in researcher years," Kiyomi replied with absolutely straight face. "Field archaeologists age differently."
"That's not how aging works."
"Prove it."
They laughed and shared the wine anyway, just enough to create warm contentment without impairing judgment. The evening passed in comfortable conversation, stories from their separate childhoods, speculation about challenges ahead.
Bagon had exhausted himself during the day's training and was already asleep, curled up near the fire with Miyuki's jacket draped over him like a blanket. The little Dragon-type occasionally twitched in his sleep, probably dreaming about flying.
Other campers occasionally walked past, some recognizing Sasuke or Kasumi from media coverage. A few asked for autographs, which both provided with bemused grace. Fame was still strange, they were just travelers pursuing goals, but media attention had made them minor celebrities.
"It's going to get worse," Miyuki predicted. "The more successful you both become, the more attention follows. Eventually you'll need strategies for handling fans and media requests."
"Deal with that when it becomes unavoidable," Sasuke decided. "For now, we're just four people traveling together. No need to complicate it."
Night fell completely. Stars emerged in impossible numbers, the lack of city light pollution revealing the full sky. Victini curled up in Sasuke's lap, already sleeping. The other Pokemon had settled around the campfire in their own preferred spots.
"Perfect day," Kasumi said quietly, breaking comfortable silence. "First day back on the road, good weather, no problems, just... peaceful travel."
"The calm before the storm," Kiyomi replied. "Vermillion will be intense. Major port city, international influence, more complicated than smaller cities we've visited."
"Let it be complicated tomorrow," Miyuki suggested. "Tonight, just enjoy the peace."
Sound advice. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, Sasuke's third gym battle, Kasumi's second Contest preparation, whatever Miyuki and Kiyomi discovered in their respective pursuits. But tonight, under stars and beside ocean, surrounded by people and Pokemon who mattered, peace was enough.
Sasuke looked at each of his companions, Miyuki's serene expression as she watched Bagon sleep peacefully, Kasumi's contented smile as she gazed at the stars, Kiyomi's relaxed posture as she documented the day in her research journal. Three people who'd become essential to his journey. Three relationships that were complicated but meaningful.
The route to Vermillion stretched ahead. Fourteen more badges waited beyond this one. Kasumi had fifteen ribbons still to collect. Miyuki was building expertise toward Pokemon Doctor certification while nurturing Bagon toward evolution. Kiyomi was compiling research for academic publications.
Under stars and beside ocean, four travelers prepared for tomorrow's challenges while celebrating today's peace.