Pokemon: Spiritual Master

"What were you two up to?"

Johan, who was treating wounds on Serperior and Togekiss, saw Gengar and Jirachi sneaking back and called out to them.

The two little ones immediately startled and spoke simultaneously.

"Ka-kaah~" Gengar picked its nose.

Nothing much, just wandering around nearby~

[We went to watch a fight! Really amazing guys, whoosh whoosh whoosh—]

Jirachi looked excited, hands flailing.

Looking carefully, one could see that small vines were wrapped around Jirachi's wrists.

Hmm?

The two little ones hadn't coordinated their stories. Johan showed a knowing smile.

Gengar and Jirachi looked at each other.

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar immediately pulled Jirachi behind it, then grinned mischievously:

"Ka, ka-kaah~"

Went out for a stroll, saw some wild Pokémon clashing, so we watched for a little while~

As it spoke, its fingers made a "tiny" gesture.

Johan shook his head, not pursuing the matter further.

Clashes between wild Pokémon were common—you'd encounter them anywhere in the wild. As long as Gengar and the others didn't harass those wild Pokémon, it was fine.

"Alright."

He gently patted Togekiss's wing, indicating it was fine now.

"Chato~"

Togekiss flapped its wings affectionately to thank Johan, then flew away happily.

For sustained outdoor training, trainers needed the ability to treat basic Pokémon injuries.

Fortunately, both Johan and Cynthia knew restraint. Training wasn't about determining winners—they stopped appropriately, so the Pokémon's injuries weren't severe.

Togekiss still needed Johan's help, but Serperior...

It only needed to sit on the ground for a while. The power of forest and plants, sun and light could all help it recover.

Sure enough, Serperior sitting on the grass patted its knees and stood up. The grass around its body had grown several times more lush than the surrounding grassland, grown several cycles taller.

"Sni..."

Serperior looked in one direction again.

For some reason, it felt... something in that direction seemed very attractive to it.

"What's wrong, Serperior? You've seemed distracted since the battle," Johan asked.

"Sni~ Sni~"

Serperior didn't hide anything, expressing its feelings.

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Johan was stunned.

That direction in the forest?

He and Cynthia had just camped here, and planned to watch Mossui Town's fireworks festival the day after tomorrow...

"Did Serperior sense something?" Cynthia also noticed this and asked proactively.

"Mm," Johan nodded. "But I don't know how far it is."

He looked in the direction Serperior sensed, where distant mountains and forests still lay shrouded in mist—who knew how far this forest extended.

"Want to take a look?" Cynthia suggested.

Though Johan had promised to train with her, as a Champion, Cynthia clearly understood that if such sensing could bring benefits, it would definitely be more valuable than training.

"But what about here..."

Setting up camp was troublesome too.

If it were just Johan, it would be fine—just packing up the tent. But Cynthia, being a girl... cough cough, inevitably prepared more things.

Cynthia smiled slightly. "You go and come back quickly. I'll stay here and train with Garchomp and the others."

Going alone?

How considerate...

Johan didn't hesitate, nodding: "Alright, we'll be quick."

Speaking, Johan called his Pokémon, picked up the confused Jirachi, and climbed onto Dragonite's back.

"Sni!"

Serperior also jumped onto Dragonite's head, vines wrapping around to secure itself.

"Dragonite, let's go!"

"Draa~!"

Dragonite called out joyfully, spread its wings, and soared skyward.

"Slow—slow down a bit, no need to rush—"

Hearing Johan's calls growing distant, Cynthia smiled sweetly and called Garchomp and Lucario to continue training.

"Sni!"

Serperior stood on Dragonite's head guiding direction, crossing unknown distances of forest to reach a basin area deep in the forest.

Through the swirling mist, they saw a massive ancient tree rooted in the basin.

In the basin hundreds of meters deep, the ancient tree's canopy was almost level with the basin's edge.

This was almost the largest tree Johan had ever seen, second only to the World Tree where Mew lived!

Moreover, from a distance, they could see light purple liquid flowing down from the tree's canopy into the lake below.

Streams of water fell like waterfalls.

Logically, around such a naturally vibrant giant tree, large numbers of wild Pokémon should live, but this entire basin seemed exceptionally quiet.

Except for the "splash splash" of flowing water and the "rustle rustle" of wind through leaves, there wasn't much other commotion.

When Johan saw this giant tree, he instinctively froze.

"This is..."

Damn, wasn't this the "Sacred Tree" where the mythical Pokémon Zarude lived—from the movie "Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle" with the "wolf child" Coco and his dad?

"Mossui Town, Okoya Forest..."

He'd wondered why it sounded familiar before.

So it was here...

Now Johan understood why Serperior had sensed this giant tree.

This tree was the "Sacred Tree" of the mythical Pokémon Zarude clan. Similar to the World Tree, within its thick trunk lay extremely powerful and mysterious energy.

The light purple water flowing from the canopy was the diluted product of the trunk's mysterious energy.

People who discovered this water's effects called it the "Healing Spring."

It possessed mysterious power to heal injuries in Pokémon and humans.

Without exaggeration, as long as injuries weren't severe, Pokémon could fully recover by soaking in the spring water under the tree.

Somewhat similar to... the spring water with powerful healing abilities that Celebi soaked in.

This held enormous appeal and could provide tremendous help to any human or Pokémon.

However, the Zarude clan occupied this basin and the "Sacred Tree" they inhabited. Any approaching creatures, whether wild Pokémon or humans, would be considered enemies and driven away.

Moreover, the Zarude clan believed in "natural law"—that the strong possessed everything, survival of the fittest.

Actually, this wasn't problematic.

After all, in the wild, most Pokémon believed in such "law."

Being powerful, they naturally could occupy this basin protected by the "Sacred Tree."

But the problem was that a group of humans had also targeted this basin—more precisely, the "Sacred Tree" within it.

"Healing Spring"!

If they could possess it, what enormous profits would it bring?

It might even challenge the Joy family's established position.

Moreover, what if they researched the "Healing Spring" further?

Could it extend human and Pokémon lifespans, even achieve immortality?

No one could refuse immortality's temptation!

Of course, immortality was just talk—whether it could be researched was another matter, but the healing ability was real.

"Let's go down," Johan patted Dragonite's neck.

Serperior with "Forest's Blessing" could definitely benefit from this "Sacred Tree."

As for whether the Zarude agreed...

Agreement would naturally be best. If they disagreed, then he'd make them agree!

Since the Zarude believed in "natural law," Johan would naturally use their "reasoning" to have a good "chat" with them.

Johan always considered himself very reasonable.

"Draa~(ˊˋ)"

On a tree outside the basin, "wolf child" Coco angrily jumped on the tree.

The Zarude occupying the "Sacred Tree" was one thing—why did they also destroy everyone's food?

Papa Zarude looked helpless.

Honestly, as a Zarude, it understood the Zarude clan's style and... didn't think there was much wrong with it.

In nature, fists naturally represented everything.

Their fists were hard, so they could do whatever they wanted.

But its son had completely different ideas from the Zarude.

He hoped everyone could coexist peacefully, share food, share the "Sacred Tree"—with a child's innocence.

Papa Zarude couldn't explain these things clearly, just thinking that perhaps when the child grew older, he'd understand.

Suddenly—

"Zarude!" Papa Zarude's eyes sharpened, standing on the treetop looking toward above the basin.

It saw... a Dragonite descending toward the "Sacred Tree."

Very fast.

"Zarude?"

Papa, what's that?

Following Papa Zarude's gaze, Coco also noticed Dragonite.

Hearing this, Papa Zarude shook its head.

It didn't know either.

But it felt... the newcomers weren't friendly.

"Zarude!" Papa Zarude solemnly placed its hand on Coco's shoulder, indicating he should stay here and not run around.

Then it swung its arm, shooting a vine from its wrist that wrapped around a thick branch, swinging toward the "Sacred Tree."

Watching Papa's departing figure, then looking at Dragonite about to disappear in the mist, Coco ultimately didn't follow his papa's wishes.

He untied the withered vines from his wrists and followed Papa Zarude's direction in the same manner.

Bang!!

Dragonite landed on the "Sacred Tree's" thick trunk.

As soon as it landed, Zarude of various sizes immediately appeared on surrounding trunks!

The leading ones were robust and strong.

"Zarude!"

A fierce-faced Zarude stepped forward, snarling at Johan.

Who are you people! What are you doing here!

Before Johan could speak, little Jirachi in his arms spoke up fiercely:

[Why are you being mean!]

?

Question marks appeared above Johan's head.

The opposing Zarude was also stunned by Jirachi's words.

Having witnessed Zarude destroying wild Pokémon food with Gengar, causing many wild Pokémon to go hungry, Jirachi had no good feelings toward the Zarude.

As for being afraid... little Jirachi didn't know what fear meant.

"Cough." Johan coughed lightly, calming the fierce little Jirachi, then smiled:

"We mean no harm. It's just that my partner Serperior sensed this tree might help it. Could we please approach and take a look?"

Though knowing the Zarude wouldn't agree, out of habit, Johan still asked politely first.

The Zarude looked at Serperior.

When they heard Johan wanted to approach the "Sacred Tree," their fur stood on end, snarling with fierce expressions.

"Zarude!"

You're not welcome here—get lost!

Speaking, the leading Zarude swung its arm, sending a thick vine striking toward Johan.

As expected—they attacked without discussion. Johan sighed inwardly.

However, you attacked first.

"Sni!"

Whoosh—

A vine whip flew from behind Johan, colliding with Zarude's vine. Both vines bounced apart.

"Zarude?"

The leading Zarude looked surprised.

It hadn't expected a mere Serperior to match it?

This human...

Zarude narrowed its eyes at Johan.

The newcomers weren't friendly.

Stomp! Stomp! Stomp—

Suddenly, the Zarude on surrounding trees began stomping their feet rhythmically while calling out.

"Zarude! Zarude! Zarude!"

Like some strange ritual.

[Eh?]

Jirachi looked curiously at this scene, not knowing what these guys wanted to do.

But the next second, in this special rhythmic stomping, the previously attacking Zarude's expression hardened as it rushed toward Johan and Serperior.

"Serperior!" Johan called out lightly.

Though he didn't understand what the Zarude were doing, he guessed it was probably some kind of dueling ritual.

"Sni!"

Serperior understood, vine whips flying from behind it as it charged toward Zarude without retreat.

Slap! Slap—

Vine whips and vines constantly collided.

Both sides seemed evenly matched.

However, when Serperior and Zarude closed to a certain distance, Zarude roared low. The vines from its wrists glowed green, rapidly weaving into a huge fist that struck toward Serperior's face.

Power Whip!

Use vine whips to confuse the opponent, then suddenly change tactics to catch them off guard?

Seeing this, Johan raised an eyebrow.

These Zarude had richer battle experience than he'd imagined.

They even used tactical changes.

But regarding battle experience...

"Sni!"

Serperior's vine whip flew out, not attacking Zarude but wrapping around higher branches.

Using the vine's contraction and its own agile jumping, it perfectly avoided Zarude's Power Whip.

Simultaneously, while leaping high, its tail gathered surrounding leaves into a leaf tornado, counterattacking Zarude.

Leaf Storm!

Bang—

The leaf tornado directly caught the unprepared Zarude, sending it flying.

Thud.

Serperior landed smoothly, chin slightly raised, provocatively beckoning to Zarude.

"Sni~"

Come again~

This action completely enraged Zarude.

"Zarude!"

Roaring, it charged Serperior again.

Seeing this, Serperior curled its lip.

Not calm at all.

What use was reckless charging?

Having strength but not fully utilizing it.

Back then, if it had half this Zarude's strength, it could have beaten Tyranitar and Alcremie so badly their mothers wouldn't recognize them.

Strength—not bad.

Technique—terrible!

Johan naturally knew what Serperior was thinking and couldn't help but smile.

Did it really think every Pokémon was as talented as it?

"Here it comes again—Leaf Storm!"

Johan said quietly.

"Sni!"

Seeing Zarude approaching again, Serperior immediately put away its disdain.

Strategically despise the enemy, tactically respect the enemy. Though scorning Zarude's fighting style, Serperior only showed surface contempt while taking it very seriously internally.

Leaves gathered again, forming an even fiercer leaf tornado that rushed toward Zarude.

"Zarude!!"

Zarude's fury erupted, its entire body seeming to expand a size. Arms crossed, numerous green-glowing vines continuously emerged from its wrists, weaving into a huge cone-shaped shield.

It charged straight through Serperior's Leaf Storm.

Good grief.

This fighting style—not ordinary recklessness.

Actually, though Zarude had decent battle experience, in this forest they were like local tyrants. Few dared challenge them, much less fight them evenly.

Current Serperior could at least spar with Elite Four main Pokémon. This Zarude matching Serperior said everything.

Such strength was enough to dominate this forest.

Not to mention there was a whole group of Zarude here.

Facing this hard-charging approach, Serperior immediately turned its tail, letting countless leaves envelop itself.

Among the scattered leaves, Serperior watched the approaching Zarude with a stern expression.

Bang!!!

Countless leaves scattered as Zarude forced its way through, breaking apart the Leaf Storm.

But when the leaves dispersed, Zarude was stunned.

Where was Serperior?

"Zarude!!" The other Zarude called out loudly.

Behind! Watch behind!

Behind?

Zarude was stunned, then quickly realized and immediately turned around—but it was too late.

Once again—

Leaf Storm!!

Boom!!!

Countless leaves carried tornado-like whips, fiercely striking Zarude and sending it flying again, solidly hitting the tree trunk.

Momentarily, the entire scene fell silent.

Only the "rustle rustle" of wind through leaves remained.

This Zarude could be considered one of their strongest.

Yet... it was so easily defeated by the opponent?

Watching their companion stuck against the tree trunk, struggling to stand, the Zarude were stunned for a while before finally reacting.

"Zarude!"

Bang!

"Zarude!"

Bang!

A roar, followed by the dull sound of fists heavily pounding tree trunks.

Angry!

The entire Zarude clan was furious.

They couldn't remember how long it had been since any Pokémon dared provoke them, even attacking their companions.

The first rule of "natural law" was survival of the fittest.

Then the second rule of "natural law" was strength in numbers!

They were a clan!

Were they afraid of just one human and a couple of Pokémon?

Seeing this scene, Jirachi rubbed its chubby cheeks.

[They're going to fight! They're going to fight!]

Johan was both amused and exasperated.

"Fighting's not your turn anyway." While holding Jirachi to prevent it from running around, Johan's palm swept across his waist.

Ninetales, Tinkaton, Urshifu, Ceruledge, and Tyranitar, plus Gengar hiding in shadows, belly-patting Dragonite, and battle-tested Serperior.

Full battle force deployed!

Without exaggeration, with everyone out, Johan would dare face even first-class legendaries now.

Much less just a group of Zarude.

"Zarude!!"

Some Zarude suddenly shouted, and all surrounding Zarude leaped high simultaneously, rushing toward Johan's group.

"Ninetales, Urshifu."

Johan half-closed his eyes. "Don't make too much noise—don't break the tree."

Though he'd summoned all his little ones, Johan still decided... to let the relatively restrained Ninetales and Bear Coach act.

Otherwise—whether it was Tinkaton's hammer blow, Ceruledge's fire, or Tyranitar's "Rock Spear," something here would probably break.

"Oowoo~"

Ninetales' tails danced, snow-white crystals falling from its body as ice crystals rapidly formed underfoot while breathing out cold air.

Crack crack crack—

The leaping Zarude were almost instantly frozen into ice sculptures.

"Garruu zzZ"

Urshifu had a snot bubble hanging from its nose. Its form shot out like lightning, flowing like water with continuous strikes, instantly sending several Zarude flying.

Overwhelming!

Unsurprising overwhelming victory!

Numbers seemed rather redundant now.

Just then—

"Zarude!"

A huge fist formed from vines struck the nearly frozen Zarude, sending them flying.

But the vine-formed fist was completely frozen by Ninetales' cold air.

However, it still saved several Zarude.

Bang!!

A Zarude wearing a pink cape, baring its teeth, appeared opposite Johan's group.

Seeing this Zarude, Johan instinctively said:

"Papa?"

"Ptui!"

Coco's papa?

Its strength definitely ranked among the top in the entire Zarude clan.

More importantly, it wasn't a brute—at least it understood tactics and fighting techniques.

It actually came back to help these Zarude?

Right—though it had left the clan for Coco, ultimately... it was still a Zarude.

"Zarude!!"

Papa Zarude looked grave.

It had only arrived this little bit late, yet the opponent had already defeated so many Zarude?

This human... was terrifyingly strong!

Thump!!

"Zarude—"

An aged, elderly voice came from atop the "Sacred Tree."

An old Zarude leaning on a staff, supported by two young Zarude, emerged.

Seeing this Zarude, the others all bowed.

"Zarude!"

Elder!

Johan stopped Ninetales and Bear Coach.

The decision-maker had finally appeared.

Otherwise... he might really have to beat all the Zarude here before helping Serperior approach the "Sacred Tree."

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Powerstones?

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