Pokemon: Spiritual Master

"An-another one-shot?"

"If this move didn't one-shot, that would be unreasonable..."

Looking at the terrifying rock blade wrapped in fiery lava that nearly pierced through the entire massive Wyndon Stadium barrier, everyone couldn't help but feel their hearts tremble.

They dared not imagine what would happen if this move hit them or their Pokémon.

Moreover, the audience hadn't expected this.

They were still worrying about how Teacher Johan and Tyranitar would block Annihilape's Rage Fist, when Teacher Johan and Tyranitar demonstrated the simplest and most efficient solution.

Before the opponent's fist reached them, just knock the opponent away first!

What a "simple," direct, and clear solution...

However, after the shock, everyone could feel it now.

Teacher Johan seemed somewhat "irritable" today?

Showing absolutely no mercy in his attacks...

Two moves had already one-shotted two of his opponent's Pokémon.

"Annihilape, un-unable to battle!" The referee emerged from behind Aegislash, glanced at Annihilape still hanging in the sky without movement, swallowed, wiped sweat from his forehead, and announced the result.

At this moment, Spinel's expression had turned iron-blue after experiencing initial shock, bewilderment, and disbelief.

Even the audience could sense it—as his opponent, he naturally felt it more clearly.

Johan seemed to be targeting him specifically.

But carefully thinking back, Spinel felt he hadn't offended Johan at all?

He'd even maintained a very friendly attitude throughout.

Though Agate and Onyx were captured, after Geeta began being wary of Outstanding Inc., she'd actually kept that information internal.

Even with Outstanding Inc.'s infiltration of Paldea League, they only knew the two were captured but completely unaware of specific details.

So Spinel had no idea why Johan was targeting him.

They'd only met once before.

Could it be... because he'd spoken with Cynthia last time?

So petty?!

But regardless of Johan's thoughts, what he was doing had completely disrupted Spinel's arrangements and plans.

Only at the referee's signal did Spinel snap back to reality, taking out a Poké Ball to recall Annihilape.

This Pokémon he'd considered one of his trump cards hadn't even gotten a chance to hit the opponent...

However, seeing Tyranitar gasping heavily after unleashing the terrifying Precipice Blades, Spinel's mood improved slightly.

If Tyranitar could unleash such moves unlimited... there'd be no point fighting—who could withstand that?

Now it seemed barely acceptable, at least the Trick Room...

Hm?

Just thinking this, Spinel looked carefully at the field.

Where was any Trick Room?!

Tyranitar's Precipice Blades had not only taken out Annihilape but also directly shattered the Trick Room that Beheeyem had left behind.

This was possible too?

The audience also noticed this.

"The Trick Room is gone?!"

"This move can also destroy spatial moves like Trick Room?"

"You don't understand—Champion Cynthia's Garchomp has a famous scene of directly tearing apart Trick Room with Dragon Rush!"

"Champion Cynthia? Sister Cabbage? I see... no wonder... birds of a feather flock together."

Spinel's eye twitched wildly.

Not even pretending anymore.

Seeing the fifteen seconds almost up, Spinel had no time to "grieve" Annihilape's defeat and immediately threw another Poké Ball.

Taking advantage of Tyranitar's heavy stamina consumption!

"Go! Iron Treads!"

Again, that future Paradox species Iron Treads that had forced Janine into a difficult position.

Though seeing Iron Treads for the second time, audiences were still amazed by such a Pokémon.

Because even after all these days, Paldea League still hadn't released information about Iron Treads.

Not that they didn't want to—Paldea League was still researching Paradox Pokémon, so even if announced, available information would be limited.

More importantly, Paldea League still sealed the "Great Crater of Paldea" entrance, blocking passages to the depths, fearing awakening the terrifying existence within and causing irreversible destruction.

Once Paradox species information was fully public, masses of people flocking to the "Great Crater of Paldea" applying for deep access would become unmanageable.

Paldea League had actually reported this to the main League.

Involving past and future matters, the League dared not be careless.

As for where Spinel's Iron Treads came from... there were actually some Paradox Pokémon outside the "Great Crater of Paldea," just extremely rare.

Since their appearance resembled original Pokémon, even accidental sightings wouldn't cause much panic. The League would secretly monitor after discovering one.

This served both observation and research purposes while protecting traveling trainers from interference.

But Paradox Pokémon that seemed mysterious to most trainers, before Johan...

"Iron Treads, Electric Terrain!"

Without Trick Room, the not-slow Iron Treads had room to act.

As soon as Iron Treads appeared, Spinel immediately commanded, afraid that being slightly slower would prevent even using moves.

Sizzle—

Centered on Iron Treads, an electric field immediately spread as flocculent golden currents quickly extended across the field.

Having seen Iron Treads once before, though not well understood, its changes after deploying Electric Terrain were known, so audiences weren't surprised.

Moreover, Tyranitar had changed from original Ground and Rock-type to Rock and Dark-type, so Electric moves could now be effective.

Hum—

Electric currents swirled around Iron Treads as its already metallic-lustrous heavy body seemed even brighter, defense rising!

This was the effect of combining Electric Terrain with future-species Paradox Pokémon abilities.

Future-species Paradox Pokémon had "Quark Drive" ability—on Electric Terrain, their most outstanding stat received significant enhancement.

If that Pokémon's most outstanding stat was Speed, the Speed boost would be even greater.

Johan was completely clear about this.

Future-species Paradox Pokémon needed pairing with Miraidon's "Hadron Engine" for maximum effect.

At minimum, they needed Tapu Koko.

Oh, the opponent didn't have those—then at absolute minimum, Pincurchin?

If none of those...

"Tyranitar!" Johan's mouth curved in a somewhat mocking arc. "Earthquake!"

Our Dragon Dance speed boost wasn't for show.

"Bangi!"

Tyranitar immediately dropped its previous gasping, exhausted appearance as cunning flashed in its fierce eyes.

I'm pretty smart too!

After mixing with the mischievous Gengar so long, how could Tyranitar deliberately show its weakest side to opponents?

Tyranitar's expression change was deliberately magnified on screens and livestreams. After initial bewilderment, audiences laughed and cursed.

Indeed! Not one of Teacher Johan's Pokémon was simple!

Even deceiving like this?

Rumble—

The already devastated field immediately shook violently as countless rocks and ground debris flew up. Terrifying earthquake shockwaves like wave crests rolled toward Iron Treads with Tyranitar at center.

The Electric Terrain Iron Treads deployed even slowed its spread under earthquake influence.

Boom!!

When earthquake ripples converged on Iron Treads from all directions, massive rumbling erupted as the arena ground suffered incredibly heavy impact again, letting out final wails.

Spinel hadn't expected Tyranitar's exhausted appearance was an act?!

How could this person be "dirty" to such an extent?

So compared to game Pokémon battles, Johan still preferred real-world Pokémon battles.

How wonderful—you could even play simple psychology with opponents, and they'd actually fall for it.

"Worthy of Teacher Johan, master of Pokémon psychology, this manipulation (snapping fingers)."

"Did the opponent really research Teacher Johan? Not even knowing Teacher Johan's most 'basic' psychological tactics?"

"What videos could he research Teacher Johan with? Baby cup battle videos?"

However, Tyranitar's Earthquake didn't one-shot Iron Treads, even though Iron Treads was 2x weak to Ground.

Partly because Iron Treads' physical defense was indeed significantly strengthened under "Quark Drive" and Electric Terrain.

Moreover, there was "Rakua element" enhancement.

Spinel's Pokémon were affected differently by "Rakua elements."

Like the previous Annihilape, already explosive by nature, was less affected by "Rakua elements"—otherwise it would have beaten up Spinel before even entering battle.

But Iron Treads was more heavily affected, probably because mechanized future species had stronger tolerance.

On the other hand, though Tyranitar was acting, using Precipice Blades indeed consumed considerable energy—after all, this seemed to be Tyranitar's first time using Precipice Blades in non-Mega Evolution form.

This factor was more critical than the former.

But it was enough.

When Iron Treads finally struggled out of earthquake debris, it saw...

A fierce-faced figure suddenly appeared before it, grinning with an expression of "oh, you're finally out."

Then, under Iron Treads' widening eyes, that thick arm swung out, wrapped in brutal Ground-type energy, pressing tightly against Iron Treads' face.

Bulldoze!

The next second, the mechanized, heavy-looking Iron Treads flew like a cannonball across the field, grazing Spinel's face before heavily crashing into the arena barrier behind him.

Rumble—

The arena energy barrier shook violently as wave after wave of ripples spread.

Spinel stared blankly, a drop of cold sweat forming on his forehead.

If Tyranitar's slap had been slightly more "accurate," he'd be done for, right?

"I-Iron Treads, unable to battle!" The referee's current thoughts matched Spinel's exactly.

Thud—

On the big screen next to Spinel's portrait, the icons of Beheeyem, Annihilape, and Iron Treads had dimmed.

More than half lost!

Audiences snapped back to reality.

"Damn! One-shot, one-shot, two-shot—is this really Master tier?"

"Am I witnessing the fastest 'Master Tournament' speedrun record?"

"This isn't the vehicle to 'Master Tournament'—this is the vehicle to 'kindergarten'! Quick! I want off!"

Exaggerated!

Outrageous!

Teacher Johan's tactics today were truly brutal.

But... it looked so satisfying!

"Halftime, field change!" The referee reacted and quickly announced.

The current rock field could no longer be described as dilapidated—it felt like it would completely collapse if Tyranitar wreaked havoc a bit more.

Field change!

According to pre-match draws, Johan and Spinel's battle had rock field for the first half and forest field for the second half.

The field change gave Spinel more thinking time.

Johan's crushing performance this match had truly shocked Spinel considerably.

No matter how much preparation he'd done beforehand, once on the battlefield, he felt... like Johan had stunned him with three slaps.

Soon, field change completed.

"Contestant 'Gibeon'? Contestant 'Gibeon'?" Seeing Spinel still dazed, the referee called out.

Spinel snapped back to reality.

He heard surrounding audience whispers like... "Could he have been beaten silly by Teacher Johan? That won't do." "Hey, brother, losing to Teacher Johan isn't shameful..."

Such words deeply wounded Spinel's extremely strong pride.

He'd long lost his previous gentle, friendly appearance, brows full of gloom.

After glaring viciously at Johan and Tyranitar, Spinel threw his fourth Poké Ball.

Though Iron Treads was defeated, he'd truly confirmed Tyranitar's condition this time.

At least... at least he couldn't be one-shotted again, right? At least he should defeat one of Johan's Pokémon?

"Flutter Mane!" Spinel's voice carried some hoarseness and depth.

What appeared was a Pokémon resembling Misdreavus but looking wilder and more violent.

Sister Mane?

Seeing Flutter Mane, Johan raised an eyebrow with some surprise.

If asked which Paldea region Paradox Pokémon he was most familiar with, Flutter Mane "Sister Mane" would definitely be in the top three.

Flutter Mane—Ghost and Fairy-type Paradox Pokémon.

Unlike Iron Treads, though also a Paradox Pokémon, Flutter Mane was an ancient species.

Its ability wasn't "Quark Drive" but "Protosynthesis."

You even have "Sister Mane"... what were you doing with Beheeyem opening Trick Room at the start?

Playing me?

Johan narrowed his eyes, dangerous light flickering.

If Spinel knew Johan's thoughts, he'd definitely cry injustice.

Flutter Mane was fast, but that depended on comparison—compared to whose Pokémon!

Ghost and Fairy-type Flutter Mane facing Teacher Johan's Dragonite and Gengar—Flutter Mane's speed wouldn't be enough either, still needing Trick Room!

If Johan knew Spinel's pre-match thoughts, he'd probably laugh out loud.

Gengar?

You need our ghost to handle you?

I'm afraid Gengar would look down on me!

Of course, Johan knowing Flutter Mane didn't mean the audience recognized it.

Another "unknown" Pokémon similar to but different from others!

Both live and livestream audiences became noisy again.

Just using Pokémon others don't recognize?

Actually, seeing Flutter Mane made Johan want to say something to Geeta.

Didn't your Paldea League strictly control the "Great Crater of Paldea"?

How could Explorers' Spinel still capture so many Paradox Pokémon?

Were you sidelined, or disconnected from the people?

"Battle continue!" The referee waved flags.

"Flutter Mane!" Spinel shouted somewhat shrilly.

"Come back, Tyranitar." Johan took out a Poké Ball and recalled Tyranitar.

Spinel: "?"

His intended command suddenly stuck in his throat.

No, just recalled like that?

Johan's Pokémon switching speed was much faster than Spinel's.

Tyranitar's consumption was still significant—go back and munch some diamonds. Leave the rest to other partners.

"Time to work, Tinkaton!" Johan threw his Poké Ball.

"Flutter Mane, Sunny Day!"

Spinel quickly seized the last bit of time, not wasting this opportunity of Johan switching Pokémon.

With Tyranitar off the field, he could regain weather control.

Hum—

Sand dust gradually cleared as the sun above became scorching.

Simultaneously, Flutter Mane's "Protosynthesis" ability triggered, aura rising as Special Attack received significant enhancement.

"Quark Drive" relied on Electric Terrain while "Protosynthesis" relied on Sunny Day.

"Cha!"

Hammer-wielding Tinkaton frowned.

Strengthening right upon entering?

"Fake Out." Johan's voice came.

"Cha!"

Tinkaton swung its pink braids, grinned, and its seemingly slender arms suddenly exerted force, hurling the shoulder hammer.

Whoosh—

The heavy hammer broke through air.

"Flutter Mane, hide behind trees!" Spinel immediately waved and shouted.

Fake Out was a priority move, very fast. Flutter Mane having just used Sunny Day obviously couldn't use other moves in time.

Fortunately, the forest field had nothing else but plenty of trees.

But... ordinary trees before Hammer Sister's hammer were really...

Bang bang bang—

Smashing through numerous trees along the way, it still solidly hammered Flutter Mane.

It uncontrollably entered "flinch" status.

Johan raised his hand, speaking softly:

"Gigaton Hammer!"

"Cha!!"

The hammer had just hit Flutter Mane when the rebounding hammer was caught by closely following Tinkaton.

The incredibly heavy hammer seemed very light in Hammer Sister's hands.

Like drawing a bow, her body resembled a full bow. Before Flutter Mane recovered from "flinch" status, it heavily smashed down.

Bang!!

The floating Flutter Mane's body seemed flattened, then crashed into the ground like a cannonball.

Boom!!

After brief silence, the freshly changed field let out violent "wails" as the entire ground began collapsing with Flutter Mane at center.

The referee gaped.

The carefully changed field!

Spinel silently stood aside, watching Flutter Mane lying quietly in the debris crater.

Speechless.

He felt that after experiencing surprise, shock, anger, and burning rage, he'd become numb.

Two moves.

Two moves again.

One move was even Fake Out to limit Flutter Mane's actions...

Flutter Mane had just used Sunny Day, just triggered "Protosynthesis"!

Not just Spinel—even audiences seemed somewhat adapted.

Compared to this, audiences were more curious whether this battle could break the fastest "Master Tournament" completion record.

They were witnessing history!

The live audience's comments once again deeply wounded Spinel.

He expressionlessly recalled Flutter Mane.

Head down.

Forehead veins throbbing.

Honestly, Spinel didn't think he could beat Johan either.

This was a Champion after all!

If he could beat Johan, would he still need to remain under Gibeon? Would Explorers still need to carefully hide from Geeta and Paldea League?

He just hadn't expected the battle to reach this situation.

Completely different from battling Janine.

Were Champions really this strong?

Spinel's preference for petty cleverness was exactly why—such cleverness was worthless before absolute power gaps.

Comparing Janine to Johan?

In the wild, Janine might threaten Johan somewhat, but in formal battles without Johan holding back, Janine's result wouldn't differ much from Spinel's.

What was Tinkaton's strength?

After further strengthening its hammer in the Eternatus incident, Tinkaton had reached Champion peak level!

If Tinkaton faced Dynamax opponents... its displayed combat power would be considerably more formidable than normal.

And if facing Dynamax flying-type Pokémon... congratulations.

Tinkaton could even temporarily unleash legendary-level strength.

With such strength plus type advantage, if Gigaton Hammer couldn't defeat 2x Steel-weak Flutter Mane, that would be strange.

What next?

Already 0-4... might soon become 0-6, possibly the fastest 0-6 in Master Tournament history.

About to be nailed to the pillar of shame?

Spinel suddenly startled awake.

No!

He could lose.

But his pride and self-respect wouldn't allow losing this way.

Gritting his teeth, Spinel showed vicious, crazed expression.

"Then try this one!"

Red light flashed.

When live audiences saw the Pokémon Spinel summoned, considerable commotion immediately erupted.

"Entei?!"

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Powerstones?

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