Pokemon: Spiritual Master

On this day, the world's attention focused on the Wyndon Stadium in the Galar region.

In this stadium that could currently be called the world's largest, audiences from around the globe had gathered—describing it as a sea of people would be an understatement.

All because the "Pokémon World Championships'" "Master Replacement Battle" was about to commence here!

If the previous "double elimination tournament" was the warm-up for the "Pokémon World Championships," then reaching the "Master Replacement Battle" stage meant entering the main tournament.

The sacred flame burned fiercely above the stadium. Under countless gazes and audience cheers, the large screen hanging over the arena listed sixteen "Master Ball Tier" contestants and sixteen "Ultra Ball Tier" contestants!

Cheers erupted like a tsunami. Even before the contestants appeared, the audience was already boiling with excitement.

"Please don't choose me," Johan sat in the waiting room with arms crossed, silently praying.

Not that he was afraid—it was just troublesome.

"Leon isn't here yet?" Lance, wearing his cape and red-blue Champion outfit, looked around the waiting room and noticed someone missing.

"Probably got lost again," Raihan said calmly while watching the livestream on his phone.

Leon being late was standard procedure by now. Anyway, he always arrived before the deadline in his special way.

The contestants in the waiting room had also formed several groups.

Young people like Lance, Johan, Cynthia, Diantha, Lorelei, and Raihan sat together.

Veterans like Agatha, Alder, Pryce, and Mustard rarely met and were chatting.

Others like Professor Kukui disguised as the Royal Masked Man, former Paldea Champion Peony, and Geeta stayed close together.

Professor Kukui wanted to learn from former Champion Peony about being a regional Champion, and from Geeta about managing a region well.

However, Professor Kukui's calculations were clearly wrong.

When Peony was Champion, the Galar League was entirely controlled by Rose, so there usually wasn't much to do.

As for Geeta, her attention was more focused on "Gibeon."

Such a young "Gibeon"?

Seeming to notice Geeta's attention, "Gibeon" smiled slightly at her.

In the waiting room, only "Gibeon" and Giovanni sat alone in their respective seats.

Giovanni even had his eyes closed in a meditative posture.

Johan had originally wanted to chat with Boss Giovanni, but seeing him like that, he temporarily chose to give up.

Better wait until evening when no one's around...

Under the audience's gaze, the central big screen showed changes.

"Here it comes! The opponent selection is starting!"

"The first one... is Elite Four Bruno, right?"

"Elite Four Bruno is unfortunate—ranked sixth in 'Ultra Ball Tier,' but the top five directly advanced to 'Master Ball Tier.'"

"Who will Elite Four Bruno choose?"

The order for selecting opponents in the "Master Replacement Battle" was also based on points stage rankings.

"The Kanto region is really strong," Johan clicked his tongue, looking at Bruno's portrait on screen.

The Kanto League only had three Elite Four members total: Agatha, Lorelei, and Bruno.

All made it to the World Championships.

Moreover, Agatha and Lorelei directly entered "Master Ball Tier."

If you added Lance, who held a Kanto League Elite Four position but was actually Johto League Champion, then all of Kanto's Elite Four had at least reached the "Master Replacement Battle" stage!

Quite exaggerated.

"Hoenn isn't bad either," Cynthia said in good spirits, wearing an elegant black coat with legs crossed.

Hoenn?

Johan was stunned.

Then he realized.

Himself, Steven, Drake, and Wallace—that was four people too!

Moreover... counting himself, three of the four were Champions!

Hoenn really was full of talent, Johan sighed.

Meanwhile, on the big screen, "Master Ball Tier" contestant portraits disappeared one by one, until the last remaining was... Mustard!

"Master Replacement Battle," first round: Bruno VS Mustard!

The crowd erupted.

No one expected Bruno would choose Master Mustard.

Johan hadn't expected it either.

"I thought it would be Lance," Johan glanced at Lance with arms crossed, then at Mustard wearing an Alolan beach shirt doing basic stretches.

Everyone had previously thought Mustard would, like before, give up subsequent matches after finishing the "points stage" and achieving his ranking.

Unexpectedly, Mustard chose to continue competing this time.

Lance laughed: "Bruno was one of Mustard's idols when he was young."

Only then did Johan remember that Bruno was a martial artist, and among martial artists throughout the Pokémon world, Master Mustard held an extremely high position.

"But... it won't be easy."

Johan had battled both Bruno and Mustard. Though neither had used full strength then, Mustard's Urshifu was indeed something special—strength-wise, even if not legendary level, it was very close.

More importantly, among Bruno's main Pokémon, besides Fighting-types, there were quite a few Rock-types.

Type disadvantage.

Without unnecessary chatter, under global focus, the "Master Replacement Battle" officially began at Wyndon Stadium.

The battle between Bruno and Mustard had already entered a heated stage.

"Bruno has sent out his signature Pokémon, Machamp!!"

The commentator shouted hoarsely: "Facing Master Mustard's storm-like continuous attacks, how will Bruno and Machamp respond!"

Bruno's choice was naturally—

"Machamp, let the opponent taste why you're called 'Machamp'!"

Facing "Rapid Strike Style" secrets, Bruno decisively chose direct brutal assault.

Defense?

Didn't exist!

Single Strike Style was both the worst and best way to break Rapid Strike Style.

"Hahaha—"

Seeing Bruno's passionate enthusiasm, Mustard laughed heartily.

He knew this "Pokémon World Championships" would be interesting.

He hadn't expected to encounter such an exciting battle already in the "Master Replacement Battle" stage.

Though that heart was old, the blood flowing within it was still boiling hot!

"Go, Urshifu!" Mustard recalled his Rapid Strike Urshifu and sent out Single Strike Style Urshifu!

Since it was Single Strike Style, naturally they should compete in Single Strike Style.

"Old man will give you the most direct response!" Mustard declared loudly.

"Machamp, Dynamic Punch!"

Bruno's signature—"No Guard" ability Machamp's Dynamic Punch.

"Urshifu, Protect!"

Bruno: "?"

Johan: "?"

Audience: "?"

Mustard grinned: "Oops, getting old..."

Then waved his hand: "Wicked Blow!"

Trusting opponents' words in battle was taboo!

Didn't Johan teach you that, Bruno?

Even "No Guard" ability couldn't penetrate Protect's barrier. Mustard was indeed cunning and experienced.

However, ultimately, there was still some strength difference between them, especially when both sides used Fighting-type Pokémon.

Mustard lived up to his "Master" title, teaching Bruno some techniques while successfully defending his "Master" position.

The final score was 3:6, with Mustard having a clear advantage.

After their battle, neither held grudges—instead, they felt like friends of different generations.

"Master Mustard! Let me treat you to... food!"

"Lululu~ Bruno is indeed generous!"

"Hahaha—Of course!"

"All you can eat?"

"Yes!"

"Great!"

After determining the winner, both left the arena together.

The first "Master Replacement Battle" officially concluded, setting a good precedent for this tournament.

However, Johan estimated... Mustard wouldn't be able to eat much "angry bread" before having to return.

Because he saw Poppy's expression on screen.

When someone wanted to cut someone, their gaze couldn't be hidden.

Afterward, the "Master Replacement Battle" continued.

Most of the time, "Master Ball Tier" contestants could defend their positions.

"Another 'Master' has successfully defended their 'throne'!"

The commentator's voice was hoarse, but the audience remained in shock, unable to recover for a long time.

Only because... Wikstrom from the Kalos region's Elite Four had challenged someone who advanced as "Ultra Ball Tier's" third place—Giovanni!

Boss Giovanni!

Then was directly beaten by Boss Giovanni... six to one!

Johan seriously suspected Boss Giovanni had shown "social courtesy" at the end—otherwise Wikstrom might have been completely swept.

Johan quite admired Wikstrom's courage.

Truly worthy of his "knight" title—just brave.

Wikstrom's result also made some people with designs on the "unknown" Giovanni abandon their thoughts.

Honestly, people like Mustard, Giovanni, Raihan, and Lorelei who advanced to "Master Ball Tier" as top five "Ultra Ball Tier" were initially considered easier opponents.

But as Mustard and Giovanni successively showed their strength, many had to reassess their choices.

Of course, some fought the "Master Replacement Battle" to advance to the top sixteen, while others fought purely to battle desired opponents.

Like Bruno, Caitlin, Poppy, etc.

Janine leaned against the wall, hidden in corner shadows, watching the screen's results with narrowed eyes.

Challenge Boss Giovanni?

Legendary and Champion weren't even the same level, much less compared to Elite Four.

Janine also admired Wikstrom's courage.

Her gaze swept through the sixteen "Master Ball Tier" contestants from top to bottom.

Boss Giovanni, Teacher Johan, Agatha, Pryce...

"What a terrifying tournament..."

By her estimate, at least three people in this "Pokémon World Championships" had legendary-level Pokémon!

Compared to those she "knew," Janine's gaze finally rested on the young "Gibeon."

Outstanding Inc. president?

So young...

"Challenge successful! This is the first contestant to successfully challenge in the 'Master Replacement Battle'!"

The entire venue erupted.

Someone actually pulled a "Master" down?

"Congratulations to Steven for successful replacement!"

Steven!

"Sigh, suddenly feel old," Peony said with hands on hips, striking a "lamenting" pose.

But couldn't suppress his smile.

"Thanks to Mr. Peony's mercy," Steven said modestly.

As fellow Steel-type specialists, Steven's victory over Peony undoubtedly showed his hard strength exceeded Peony's.

It also meant Steven truly had Champion-level strength.

Peony waved his hand and "sighed" again: "Fine, I'll go accompany my little Peonia and Penny."

Then prepared to leave.

Whether he was truly happy or truly happy was unclear.

Steven's successful challenge gave challengers a shot of adrenaline.

Johan in the waiting room patted his chest.

He'd thought Steven would challenge him.

That would be awkward.

After all, if he wanted to pass the Champion position to Steven... should they have a real battle?

However, Johan wasn't surprised by Steven's advancement.

With Steven's strength, few in "Master Ball Tier" dared claim they could definitely beat him.

"Teacher!"

In the audience seats, seeing Johan welcoming him, Steven smiled and called out.

Johan patted Steven's shoulder with satisfaction.

Perfect.

"Master Ball Tier" as Champion was enough!

In the stands, green-haired N watched Teacher Johan and Steven, gently pressing his cap brim.

"Teacher..."

Wyndon City.

The "Master Replacement Battle" had thirty-two people total, at least sixteen battles, all 6V6 full battles—it couldn't be finished in a day or two.

On the fourth day of the "Master Replacement Battle," Johan was preparing to leave his residence when he met Galar League staff who informed him of news.

He was being challenged!

This was the "Master Replacement Battle" procedure—contestants could know challenge situations in advance, while audiences only learned at match start.

As for who challenged Johan... it was N from the Unova region!

N had also made quite a name during this "Pokémon World Championships'" "points stage."

His handsome appearance and gentle personality were one aspect—this only earned some "looks-focused" fans.

But N also gained many "battle fans."

Only because... N had displayed at least ten different tactics during the "points stage," including the four mainstream weather tactics: sun, rain, sandstorm, and snow!

Just to fully present these tactics, N commanded different Pokémon—over forty total!

Completely without repetition!

This made many secretly speculate how many Pokémon N had trained and how much he'd invested.

Later, some tried to investigate N's identity and background, but obtained limited information, finally only learning this N was Teacher Johan's student!

As everyone knew, Teacher Johan was not only a "Heart Master" but also called a "Tactical Master."

As a "Tactical Master's" student, N's deep tactical reserves made sense.

However, when Johan learned N chose to challenge him, he was somewhat surprised.

Really came without warning.

"Being challenged?" Cynthia, arm-in-arm with Caitlin, asked with interest upon seeing the League staff.

Caitlin appeared somewhat gloating.

She'd already finished her "Master Replacement Battle" by directly challenging Cynthia, then... unsurprisingly lost.

"Mm."

Johan's mouth twitched.

"What? Teacher Johan is being challenged?!"

Flint burst out.

"Damn, someone beat me to it!"

Lucian walked past Flint holding books, saying flatly: "It's not like each 'Master' can only be challenged once. You can challenge Teacher Johan afterward."

"Right." Flint slapped his forehead but quickly realized: "Wait, if Teacher Johan loses..."

Before finishing, everyone looked at him like he was an idiot.

Didn't they hear the League staff?

The challenger was N, that genius who considered himself Teacher Johan's student, being trained by Champion Alder as the next Unova League Champion.

This was a challenge?

Obviously coming to test learning results.

Johan was already thinking about something else.

Flint also wanted to challenge him?

Should he... eliminate him at midnight?

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar, knowing Johan's thoughts, patted its chest.

This job—I'm good at it!

October 5th, sunny weather.

Galar region, Wyndon City, Wyndon Stadium.

The big screen already showed today's challenger and the challenged party.

N VS Teacher Johan!

Teacher Johan was finally being challenged!

And the challenger was student N.

A teacher-student battle sounded very interesting.

However, what really made the entire audience erupt was the two huge shadows appearing above Wyndon Stadium before the battle began.

"Wh-what is that?!"

"Dragons! Seems like dragons! Two dragons!"

When did Galar region have such two powerful Dragon Pokémon?

Couldn't be... Eternatus?!

Crimson flames dyed half the sky red, while the other half was shrouded in black clouds and thunder.

"Those are legendary Pokémon from Unova region! Reshiram the Dragon of Truth and Zekrom the Dragon of Ideals!"

"The Black and White Dragons! Aren't those Teacher Johan's friends?"

"Holy crap... Teacher Johan isn't planning to field these two, is he?"

"But... didn't tournament rules say legendary dragons like the Black and White Dragons couldn't be used?"

"Ridiculous! If Teacher Johan really wanted to borrow these legendaries' power, who could stop him?"

Bang! Bang!

The Black and White Dragons, Reshiram and Zekrom, landed on opposite sides of the stadium's edge, glancing at each other with serious expressions.

However, Reshiram and Zekrom only appeared without doing anything excessive—they even seemed quite well-behaved.

"Stop guessing! Contestant N is not only Teacher Johan's student but also recognized by Zekrom the Dragon of Ideals!"

"Ah this..."

"So the Black and White Dragons came to..."

"Watch the match?!"

The audience was completely confused.

Legendary first-class gods, two of Unova's "Tao Trio," actually traveled from Unova to Galar to... watch live?

So exciting?

"I heard Teacher Johan was also recognized by Reshiram the Dragon of Truth?"

"Good lord! Truth vs Ideals battle?"

"Truth vs Ideals? You probably don't know how that ancient Unova kingdom fell, right?"

"So exciting..."

The appearance of the Black and White Dragons, Reshiram and Zekrom, even Johan hadn't expected.

So when he reached the arena and saw the twin dragons above the massive stadium dome, he couldn't help being stunned.

"You two..."

Johan looked toward the dragons.

Zekrom: He won't notice, right?

Reshiram: Don't worry, this meal-mooching is perfectly reasonable! He can't guess!

Johan: "..."

You two forgot I'm communicating with you through aura?

He shook his head.

Whatever.

He'd use them as "guinea pigs" later.

"Let's go. Let me see what kind of surprise N will give me." Johan was somewhat curious which Pokémon N would use this time.

"Ka~kaah~UU"

Seeing Gengar's appearance, Johan smiled:

"Then let's go, Arcanine."

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Powerstones?

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