Pokemon: Spiritual Master

Entei?

The fifth Pokémon Spinel summoned was one that looked very similar to the legendary Pokémon Entei, but appeared more rugged and wild than Entei.

Its true name was Gouging Fire!

A Fire and Dragon-type Paradox Pokémon.

It resembled Entei, similar to the Walking Wake that looked like Suicune that Johan, Cynthia, and Lance had encountered at the Dragon Tamer family in Paldea region.

Besides Walking Wake that resembled Suicune and Gouging Fire that resembled Entei, there was also Raging Bolt that resembled Raikou—all ancient Paradox Pokémon.

Strictly speaking, you couldn't really say Walking Wake resembled Suicune, Gouging Fire resembled Entei, or Raging Bolt resembled Raikou.

Because they were ancient species, existing earlier than Raikou, Entei, and Suicune.

That Ho-Oh ultimately transformed the three Pokémon revived in the Brass Tower into Raikou, Entei, and Suicune was quite intriguing.

However, Gouging Fire's appearance still caused considerable commotion, with audiences thinking another legendary had entered.

When Johan saw Gouging Fire, he couldn't help raising an eyebrow.

Gouging Fire?

He wasn't very surprised to see Walking Wake at the Dragon Tamer family, but seeing Gouging Fire in Spinel's hands was somewhat shocking.

If he remembered correctly, Gouging Fire should be one of the Pokémon belonging to Lucius, one of the Explorers' founders and legendary adventurer.

They were called the "Six Heroes."

Among them were not only powerful beings like Gouging Fire that resembled Entei, but also legendary Pokémon like Galarian Articuno, and even exaggerated existences like Black Rayquaza.

They were called "Six Heroes" because they received Terapagos's power and jointly sealed the "Rakua Paradise" where "Rakua elements" were located.

Therefore, in the "Pokémon Horizons" plot, Liko and others needed to gather the power of all six "Six Heroes" Pokémon to open "Rakua Paradise."

The Explorers, who also aimed to find "Rakua elements," similarly targeted finding the "Six Heroes."

So... had the Explorers already begun capturing the "Six Heroes" and succeeded partially?

The Walking Wake at the Dragon Tamer family being influenced by "Rakua elements" wasn't entirely coincidental—was Walking Wake used as a test subject for Gouging Fire?

"Roar—!!"

Gouging Fire roared with violent fury.

Though Spinel's previously summoned Pokémon had all been somewhat affected by "Rakua elements" and gained strength enhancements, that restless, uncontrolled feeling was barely noticeable.

That's why the League couldn't detect it and Spinel could command and battle.

But after this Gouging Fire appeared, Johan clearly felt a wild, rampaging aura.

This was much more severely affected than the Walking Wake they'd seen at the Dragon Tamer family.

Was it because Spinel couldn't control Gouging Fire after capturing it, so he simply increased the dosage?

"Cha!!"

Tinkaton gripped its hammer handle with both hands, small nose wrinkling as it sensed considerable threat from Gouging Fire.

"Hammer Sister, be careful," Johan softly reminded, glancing at Spinel across from him with his iron-blue face showing some uncontrolled madness.

Some cleverness indeed, intelligence wasn't low either.

But his desire for control was too strong, calculating and planning everything. Once accidents caused things to deviate from expectations and control, he'd become crazy...

After briefly summarizing Spinel's psychology, Johan refocused on Gouging Fire.

Sunny Day was still active.

Its "Protosynthesis" ability was activated, with its already impressive physical defense receiving significant enhancement.

Fire and Dragon-type combination meant 2x weakness to Ground, Rock, and Dragon.

Dragon-type moves were ineffective against Fairy-type Tinkaton, but Fire-type moves... posed considerable threat to Tinkaton.

Especially Fire-type moves with Sunny Day boost.

"Roar!!!"

Gouging Fire roared again as surging flames enveloped its entire body, charging toward Tinkaton like a tank.

Flare Blitz!

This was a real tank.

The visual impact of the over three-meter-tall Gouging Fire charging was enough to make everyone understand this move's power.

"Tinkaton," Johan called lightly.

"Cha!"

The massive hammer spun flower-like twice in Tinkaton's hands before being heavily slammed into the ground.

Crack—

The ground immediately cracked as thick, solid earth layers rose like rock barriers.

Then the rock barriers became sharp stone spikes, piercing toward the charging Gouging Fire.

Stone Edge!

Bang! Bang! Bang—

Gouging Fire demonstrated "rampage" to its extreme, savagely smashing through all the stones Tinkaton hammered out.

At this point, Spinel seemed to have lost command over Gouging Fire, which rampaged around the field like an out-of-control tank, eyes seeing only Tinkaton.

"Cha!!"

Seeing Gouging Fire about to impact, with Stone Edge providing slight hindrance, Tinkaton suddenly hurled its hammer.

Thud!!

The hammer seemed to strike an incredibly thick metal wall, producing dull sounds while bouncing away.

However, the rampaging Gouging Fire finally stopped, flames fading as it shook its head continuously, seemingly dizzy from the impact.

"Roar..."

Tinkaton leaped high, catching the rebounding hammer.

At this moment, Gouging Fire had already recovered, looking at the airborne Tinkaton with red eyes, violent aura surging again as it erupted in scorching flames once more.

Outrage!

A move similar to Outrage, continuously attacking opponents madly before entering confusion.

"Roar!!"

Gouging Fire roared, lunging at midair Tinkaton.

In the air, Tinkaton couldn't dodge, only raising its hammer as a shield to block Gouging Fire's impact.

Bang!!

Under the terrifying impact, Tinkaton flew backward, heavily crashing to the ground.

Seeing this scene, the audience erupted in gasps.

Since Johan and "Gibeon's" battle began, this seemed... the first time "Gibeon's" Pokémon had sent Teacher Johan's Pokémon flying, the first time putting Teacher Johan at a disadvantage?

"Just... why does this feel like it has little to do with the trainer?"

"'Gibeon' didn't give commands either, and this 'Entei' doesn't seem to obey his commands..."

"Could it be freshly captured? Or captured but not completely tamed?"

Perceptive people existed—many immediately noticed this Gouging Fire didn't seem controlled by Spinel at all.

Moreover, it fought purely on beast instinct.

Powerful, ferocious.

Yet irrational, just mindlessly charging, charging, and more charging.

Should such battles really appear in "Master Tournament"?

A Master sending out incompletely tamed Pokémon—could such a trainer be called "Master"?

"Cha..."

Tinkaton grimaced as it got up from the ground.

Fire-type's 2x effectiveness, plus Gouging Fire's strength and Sunny Day boost—this hit was somewhat painful.

Fortunately, the hammer blocked most flame impact, so Tinkaton's body didn't suffer particularly severe damage.

After getting up, the little one's first action was checking its hammer.

Seeing only surface soot on the hammer without major damage, the little one visibly relaxed.

The hammer being the true body was confirmed again.

After all, even shiny Tinkaton only differed in hammer color.

Tinkaton's hammer, forged combining Sword and Shield methods and materials, couldn't be broken even by Eternatus, let alone mere Gouging Fire.

"Cha!!"

But the hammer was blackened—Tinkaton was angry. Consequences... were serious!

If this Gouging Fire fought under Spinel's command, it would indeed be troublesome.

Because Gouging Fire excelled at physical defense, specifically countering physical attackers like Tinkaton.

More importantly, Gouging Fire knew a Protect-like move called Burning Bulwark—not only defending like Protect but inflicting burn status on contact move users.

Already countering physical attackers while causing burns, plus Fire-type familiarity—too obviously countering Tinkaton.

But since Spinel couldn't command it and Gouging Fire was already in Outrage state... it was much easier to handle.

"Roar!!" Gouging Fire roared again, wreathed in rolling flames, charging at Tinkaton once more.

"Tinkaton!"

Johan's eyes sharpened as he waved solemnly:

"Gigaton Hammer!"

"Cha!"

The pink Tinkaton now showed heroic spirit, gripping the hammer handle and swinging.

Hum—

The enormous metal hammer erupted in pale pink light. As Tinkaton swung, the pale pink hammer phantom expanded visibly like Dynamax.

Except others' Dynamax enlarged everything, while Tinkaton's only enlarged the hammer.

In just a blink, Tinkaton's hammer seemed to grow dozens of times larger.

"Holy crap..."

"Is this Dynamax? Just the hammer Dynamaxing?"

"Didn't see Teacher Johan use a 'Dynamax Band'..."

"Cheating! Referee, someone's cheating here!"

"What? The opponent's also a cheater? Then never mind—the best way to deal with cheaters is sending another 'cheater.'"

The referee swallowed, dragging Aegislash in rapid retreat.

The next second, the rampaging Gouging Fire faced the incredibly massive hammer, dozens of times larger than itself.

It slammed down heavily.

Boom!!

The entire arena field erupted in massive impact as countless branches, rocks, and earth flew up.

Even spectators felt violent ground trembling.

Watching Teacher Johan's battles was truly... too thrilling!

Experiencing "4D" feelings—beyond visual and auditory impact, there was tactile sensation.

Spinel's clothes and hair fluttered in the impact's aftermath, like his current turbulent thoughts.

"Tinkaton, finishing Play Rough."

In the massive aftermath and dust, Tinkaton finally used "Hammer Sleep Technique," sending the still-struggling Gouging Fire to dreamland.

It was over...

Though Spinel still had one Pokémon left.

But seeing Gouging Fire knocked unconscious by Tinkaton, he knew... it was already over.

He hadn't expected to defeat Johan, just hadn't expected such a crushing loss.

Truly feeling the absolute power gap between himself and a Champion.

Johan shook his head slightly.

Weak.

Too weak.

Despite various cleverness, "Rakua element" enhancement, and these rarely-known Paradox Pokémon, Spinel's strength was too weak for this "Master Tournament."

Honestly, without his methods, Paradox Pokémon surprises, and extensive targeting, he shouldn't have appeared in the Master Tournament main stage.

Look at this Master Tournament's contestants—Lance, Leon, Cynthia, Steven, Pryce, Giovanni, Agatha, etc. Which wasn't someone Johan needed to treat with absolute seriousness?

Spinel was too far below this tier's strength level.

Though Johan disliked Spinel personally, having the tournament organizers arrange his battle was basically handing him the top eight?

Thinking this, Johan's mood improved considerably.

Quite considerate of him...

"I forfeit."

After internal struggle, Spinel ultimately chose to forfeit.

"6-0! Fastest Master Tournament main stage 'speedrun' record broken!"

"One-shots! One move kills, two move kills! At most three moves—Teacher Johan displayed crushing strength perfectly!"

"Witnessed history—Master Tournament main stage becoming baby cup live."

Though not very exciting...

But from Teacher Johan's perspective, it felt... quite satisfying.

Spinel clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, stared hard at Johan for a while, then turned and left.

At the last moment, he barely maintained rationality.

This "experiment" was enough, "conclusions" confirmed. Time to retreat—staying longer might prevent escape.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our 'Pokémon World Championships' first top-eight advancement is born—our Teacher Johan!"

Eight Masters!

Quite a prestigious title.

Unfortunately obtained from Spinel, lacking much sense of achievement.

Whatever—complaining about "easy" scheduling while having it was getting greedy.

Night fell.

Wyndon City, a remote warehouse.

Several Outstanding Inc. trucks departed in different directions under cover of darkness.

Hidden watchers sent people to follow the trucks.

Spinel stood by the warehouse's floor-to-ceiling window, snorting disdainfully, then walked out calmly with several capable subordinates.

Upon exiting:

"Hey, what a coincidence, Mr. 'Gibeon.'" A familiar voice came.

Hearing this voice, Spinel felt terrible, goosebumps rising.

Looking up, he saw Johan, Janine, several International Police officers, and Officer Jennys standing nearby in the darkness.

"Those..." Spinel glanced toward where trucks had departed.

Wait, weren't you afraid I'd taken any random truck or escaped another way?

Following Spinel's gaze, Johan smiled: "Oh, had dinner late tonight, so we're late. Didn't expect to meet coincidentally—what a coincidence, right?"

Joke.

Janine might be timid on the battlefield, but off it, she'd show you what ninja meant!

Playing shell games before a top assassin—you underestimated Janine too much.

Spinel: "..."

"Sigh—"

Spinel slowly exhaled, showing a calm smile: "Somewhat coincidental. But I wonder what Teacher Johan and Mr. Janine need so late?"

Johan waved dismissively: "Nothing much, just arresting you."

"Arresting me?" Spinel smiled mockingly: "Arrest warrant? What grounds? What crime have I committed?"

"Arrest warrant?"

Johan looked at Janine, then at the International Police and Officer Jennys behind him, smiling: "Don't have one."

Spinel relaxed slightly: "Without one, even League police..."

Before finishing, Johan somehow produced a small paper and pen from Janine, quickly scribbling a crooked word—"Arrest Warrant."

He showed it to the stunned Spinel.

"There, now we have one."

As Police Inspector, highest commanding authority in all Galar region, he could finally say:

My word is command!

"You..." Spinel pointed at Johan, mouth agape, momentarily speechless.

This was possible?

Johan waved.

International Police and League officers immediately stepped forward.

Janine's eyes showed dangerous light.

If Spinel and Outstanding Inc. people dared resist, she'd take them down first!

But Spinel was somewhat honest, not resisting, only shouting: "Even the League can't arrest us good citizens without evidence!"

Evidence!

Spinel's source of confidence.

"We don't need evid—" Johan's "arrogant" words stopped halfway, noticing Officer Jenny's strange looks, so he coughed lightly: "Evidence? We suspect you, so we arrest you. Evidence will come soon."

"Ka-kaah~"

Gengar wearing a detective hat and holding a magnifying glass floated out of the warehouse looking professional.

When?

Seeing Gengar, Spinel paused.

But he quickly relaxed.

He believed he'd handled things cleanly—even if Gengar snuck into the warehouse, it couldn't find evidence of wrongdoing.

"Cooperating with investigation is every League citizen's duty," Spinel said, calmly accepting arrest.

He added: "However, I believe our Outstanding Inc. legal team will have us bailed out soon."

"That's nice," Johan smiled. "Bail isn't cheap."

"Advisor Johan?" Janine looked puzzledly at Johan.

Let them post bail—was Team Rocket supposed to act?

Johan gave a "stay calm" look, leading everyone to the vehicle.

In the vehicle, Spinel and Outstanding Inc. employees were very compliant.

"Teacher Johan, we... indeed lack evidence temporarily," Officer Jenny whispered.

"I'm also skilled at interrogation," Janine volunteered.

Johan smiled: "No need for such trouble."

They looked confused.

"Watch me."

After giving them a reassuring look:

"What?"

Johan suddenly spoke, meeting Spinel's confused gaze with an even more confused expression.

Spinel: "?"

"Can't you speak louder?" Johan irritably sat beside Spinel, leaning close with sudden realization: "You want to be a witness?"

Hearing this, Spinel paused, then sneered disdainfully.

Such tricks to fool children?

The Outstanding Inc. employees behind couldn't see Spinel's expression but all appeared unmoved.

Be a witness?

Mr. Spinel?

What a joke...

"So your name is Spinel~" Johan's voice echoed in the closed vehicle.

Hm?

Outstanding Inc. employees looked up in confusion.

Identity revealed already?

Spinel also stared at Johan in shock.

How did he know?

"You want to report Gibeon?" Johan crossed his legs, smiling as he "performed" alone.

"I—"

"Ka-kaah!" Gengar directly stuffed the magnifying glass handle into Spinel's mouth, glaring at him.

Watch properly! Don't interfere with my acting improvement!

"So it's called 'Explorers'..."

Explorers?

The Outstanding Inc. employees, actually Explorers members, exchanged glances.

How... how did it seem like Mr. Spinel was really saying things?

Otherwise, how would they know about Explorers?

"Oh~~ and Agate, Onyx, Coral, and others..."

Spinel: "??!"

Everyone behind: "!!"

"Researching something called 'Rakua elements'?"

!!

This time Spinel truly couldn't sit still, about to speak but paralyzed by Gengar's glare.

His eyes showed disbelief.

If Explorers, Agate and others being known by Johan could be explained by thorough League investigation, then knowing the secret "Rakua elements" research shocked him.

Even many Explorers members didn't know about "Rakua elements," except important leaders.

When "Rakua elements" came up, even if they didn't want to believe Mr. Spinel had "betrayed," they had to.

This was absolutely insider knowledge.

"Gibeon actually has a shiny Zygarde?"

"Mmph mmph!!" Spinel looked at Johan like seeing a ghost.

Impossible!

"Alright, I understand." Johan stood, patting Spinel's shoulder earnestly: "Just cooperate well, support the League, and you'll be out soon. The League won't wrong any good person. Don't worry."

After saying this, he stopped "performing."

Seeds of doubt were planted.

"Teacher Johan, you..." Officer Jenny spoke quietly as Johan returned.

Janine continued: "Making them fight internally, then interrogating subordinates?"

Both Janine and Officer Jenny were impressed.

Though both wondered how Teacher Johan knew so much information, they wisely didn't ask.

"No."

Johan casually waved, accepting coffee Gengar eagerly offered.

Learning acting still required watching Johan!

My only weakness now was acting.

"No?" Officer Jenny and Janine looked confused.

"Later, ask a few random questions, then release those small fry," Johan said.

"Re-release them?"

"They're not even executives—what could they know? Releasing them helps us pass 'information.'"

"Then..." Officer Jenny glanced at the slumped, blank-faced Spinel.

"Hold him forty-eight hours, then release too."

"Release him too?!"

"Oh right, confiscate all his Pokémon and Poké Balls, especially Gouging Fire's. Then... escort him to Paldea region, release him 'coincidentally' outside Levincia City. You can handle this, right?"

The International Police officers nodded despite confusion.

"This is to..." They didn't understand.

Johan didn't explain, just asked:

"Do you know what Spinel wants to do? Why participate in Master Tournament? What does Gibeon want? Why did Explorers and Outstanding Inc. expose themselves?"

They all shook their heads.

Don't know.

"There you go." Johan shrugged.

Janine asked: "So... Teacher Johan, do you know?"

"I don't know either."

Everyone: "..."

"But releasing him back, won't we find out? Let them fight internally first. If Gibeon has any competence, Spinel will suffer. Then... he'll truly become a whistleblower."

After fighting among themselves, many things would show their true colors, allowing them to follow the trail.

Everyone exchanged glances.

Janine finally understood why Boss Giovanni chose Teacher Johan as successor.

Not just because of strength.

But because of methods.

Reportedly, Chairman Geeta also received anonymous documents reporting Explorers and Outstanding Inc. Didn't matter if Spinel did it—just pin it on him.

Had to say, Johan hit the nail on the head—those documents were indeed sent by Spinel.

But that's another story.

Anyway, after his manipulation, even if Spinel remained trusted by Gibeon, once suspicion began, it couldn't stop.

The rest would be left to Geeta.

Regarding Explorers, he didn't know much—he'd already told Geeta everything he knew.

Next, he could finally focus on preparing for the upcoming Master Tournament.

While anticipating tomorrow's "main event" and regular feature—Lance VS Lorelei!

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Powerstones?

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