Pokemon: Spiritual Master

After Leon defeated Flint, the Master Tournament's sixteen-to-eight competition came to a close.

The trainers who advanced to "Eight Masters" were: Johan, Lance, Cynthia, Steven, Agatha, Giovanni, Geeta, and Leon!

With the "Eight Masters" officially announced, audiences worldwide showed no decrease in enthusiasm—rather, it intensified further.

"Whether it's really a 'baby cup' or not, we'll know from Teacher Johan's second round!"

"What to do? I'm somewhat excited for Teacher Johan and Miss Cynthia's love-hate relationship, but also excited for the mentor-student battle with Mr. Steven..."

"Let's see how they're grouped first. What if Teacher Johan gets grouped with Elite Four Agatha, Gym Leader Giovanni, or Chairman Geeta?"

Looking at his phone, Johan made a "subway old man looking at phone" expression.

Pointing at those last few comments, he said to Gengar: "Gengar, if those 'prophecies' come true, have Porygon drag these guys out for me."

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar, wearing a detective hat and holding a magnifying glass and pipe, immediately nodded.

Mission guaranteed complete!

"Where'd the pipe come from?" Johan's eyes widened.

"Ka-ka-kaah..." Gengar's expression immediately froze.

"Hand it over. Kids can't smoke!"

Confiscating Gengar's pipe.

Gengar pouted and muttered a few words.

Kids?

I'm already several thousand years old...

But since Johan was the trainer, Gengar obediently handed over the pipe.

It didn't know how to smoke anyway.

"Let's go, Johan. Time for the draw," Lance called.

"Coming."

Johan pocketed his phone and joined the "main group," naturally taking Cynthia's hand.

Everyone was already used to this.

Initially, among their group, only Johan and Cynthia were a couple, subjecting everyone to constant PDA.

But after being fed so much dog food, they'd grown accustomed.

Steven and N were both considering when to start calling her "teacher's wife."

The group arrived at the arena and participated in the draw under organizer and staff arrangements.

Originally, Leon as Galar League Chairman should have hosted, but since Leon was also a contestant, the hosting duty fell to Professor Oak, the Pokémon world authority who'd just arrived in Galar region.

However... when Professor Oak and Elite Four Agatha met... everyone's expressions were somewhat subtle.

Fortunately, this was being broadcast worldwide, so Elite Four Agatha didn't cause trouble, proceeding with draws in advancement order.

Soon, the Eight Masters groupings were announced.

According to tournament rules, the eight-to-four stage called "Eight Masters Tournament" was divided into Groups A and B.

Only the final two who emerged victorious from Groups A and B respectively could meet in this "Pokémon World Championships" grand finale!

Based on draw results, Groups A and B were:

Group A: Johan, Geeta, Cynthia, Steven

Group B: Lance, Leon, Giovanni, Agatha

When grouping results emerged, the world immediately erupted in heated discussion.

"They really put together both 'love-hate relationship' and 'mentor-student battle'!"

"Someone drag the 'prophet' out and execute them!"

"Divine grouping!"

"Good heavens! At first glance... completely impossible to determine which two will ultimately advance!"

"Obviously—they're all the world's top trainers. It'd be weird if you could guess."

Both Group A and B looked absolutely powerful at first glance...

First, Group A had Teacher Johan whose strength was unquestionable—a contestant who could treat Master Tournament like baby cup.

If organizers hadn't established tournament rules banning legendary Pokémon, Teacher Johan probably could have won early.

You know, previous "Pokémon World Championships" had no rules prohibiting "first-tier legendaries" from competing.

This was completely added for Teacher Johan—quite prestigious.

Cynthia, as Sinnoh League's new Champion, had her "champion path" witnessed by many.

Last round defeating Kalos Champion Diantha with such a score despite both being Champions proved her strength unquestionable.

As for Steven... did handsome, rich, and invincible Steven need questioning?

Geeta was a long-established Champion and League Chairman who reached semifinals in the previous "Pokémon World Championships."

While Group A was formidable, Group B wasn't inferior.

Boss Giovanni's young achievements were unearthed, revealing he'd become Kanto League Conference Champion at a very young age.

He'd simply disappeared afterward, later becoming a Kanto Gym Leader...

But Giovanni displayed extremely strong power in this Master Tournament.

Additionally, based on his solo battle against Groudon during the "Ultra Necrozma Hoopa" incident alongside Teacher Johan... this was at least a terrifying existence capable of directly confronting "first-tier legendaries"!

Then there was Agatha.

Kanto League's enduring "face."

Without Champions appearing, Elite Four Agatha had been Kanto League's "face" for decades—exemplifying "more cunning with age," with strength rivaling Champions.

Uncertain rumors suggested Elite Four Agatha didn't become Kanto League Champion because... she was waiting for someone!

Group B also had Lance and Leon.

One was Johto League's future, once considered the future by both Kanto and Johto Leagues, and the earliest-established among younger generations.

The other was Galar League's future, called the "strongest Champion," undefeated in all Galar region competitions large and small—and this Master Tournament main stage was being held in Galar region!

With all these names together, who wouldn't be confused?

Causing heated discussion was obviously normal.

After grouping concluded came intra-group matchup draws.

This wouldn't happen on-site but would be announced online directly.

Galar region, Wyndon City.

A secluded café.

Gentle sunlight streamed in as Victini and little Jirachi played on swings in the yard, their delightful laughter involuntarily bringing smiles to anyone who heard.

Johan sat by floor-to-ceiling windows, gently sipping coffee.

"You also think we can advance into Paldea, right?"

Hearing this, Johan nearly spat out his coffee, wiping his mouth and quickly swallowing before looking at the square-faced, dignified middle-aged man in a black suit sitting across from him.

Boss Giovanni!

"Boss Giovanni, when did I ever think that?"

Giovanni casually picked up a small cookie and popped it in his mouth.

From some point on, Giovanni seemed increasingly fond of eating small cookies.

"Outstanding Inc.," Giovanni stated a name.

Johan's handling of Spinel and cooperation with Geeta couldn't escape his notice.

Johan rubbed his forehead.

Boss Giovanni, you're addicted to "eating" other companies, aren't you?

With Rose's disappearance, Leon had Macro Cosmos integrate with Galar League, allowing Rainbow Rocket to "feast" and grow considerably, capturing significant Galar market share.

Now seeing Outstanding Inc. showing similar signs...

Boss Giovanni, you're a business genius!

Why did you think about conquering the world before?

After pausing, Johan said: "I can only say... most likely..."

Giovanni nodded.

His observations reached the same conclusion.

So he'd already dispatched personnel to Paldea region for advance positioning.

"However..."

Johan gently rubbed his coffee cup rim, saying: "Paldea region differs from Galar—its situation is... more complex."

Naranja Academy's existence, its high cooperation with Paldea League, plus Outstanding Inc.'s presence—three parties entangled. Adding Giovanni with Team Rocket would undoubtedly complicate things further.

Giovanni waved dismissively, unconcerned.

"Not discussing that. You seem somewhat distracted?"

Johan smiled helplessly. Before he could speak, Giovanni continued: "Is it about your little girlfriend?"

Grouping was complete, but intra-group battles hadn't been drawn yet.

But... even if Johan and Cynthia didn't meet initially, as long as both won, they'd eventually encounter each other.

Facing little Cynthia, Johan didn't know about his current self...

"Think from her perspective—if you met, would she want to see you at full strength or holding back?"

Johan was stunned.

Recalling his and Cynthia's recent special training...

"Bystanders see clearly..." Johan murmured.

Seeing Johan's expression, Giovanni knew everything was fine. "I have more experience in this area."

"Hm?" Johan looked up. "Boss Giovanni, you've been in relationships?"

Giovanni's face immediately fell. He moved his mouth, finally saying: "How do you think Silver came about?"

"Uh, good point..."

Deadly—who could imagine legendary Team Rocket Boss Giovanni transforming into a "relationship expert"?

"Ka-kaah! Ka-kaah!"

Gengar suddenly rushed in holding a phone.

Groups A and B's battle lists were announced!

Gengar placed the phone on the table as Johan and Giovanni looked.

Group A: [Johan VS Geeta] [Cynthia VS Steven]

Group B: [Giovanni VS Agatha] [Lance VS Leon]

"Whoa."

Having figured things out, Johan's mood improved considerably. He wasn't too concerned about Group A arrangements—give it everything!

Perhaps this was his only chance at Master Tournament in this lifetime.

After all... after this tournament, after stepping down as Champion, he might retire.

So he first looked at Group B's matchups.

Seeing Boss Giovanni versus Granny Agatha, Johan couldn't help exclaiming "whoa."

Good heavens.

Giovanni VS Agatha?

Logically, the two had history—one as Kanto region's largest evil organization Team Rocket's boss, the other as Kanto League Investigation Department's commander. They'd definitely had dealings.

Whether they'd truly fought was unknown.

Now they could witness these two "legends" battle—truly...

Tsk tsk.

Master Tournament was indeed interesting.

Giovanni was quite calm.

"Agatha?"

When he was young, Agatha was already established. When they commanded subordinates, there were some conflicts.

But truly fighting... this seemed to be the first time.

However, Giovanni had absolute confidence in himself.

Even if his opponent was the famous Agatha, as long as he stood on earth, he was invincible!

Lance versus Leon was also interesting.

In the anime, Lance lost to Leon's invincible Gigantamax Charizard.

But logically... this world's Lance wasn't that foolish.

Though Leon's Pokémon configuration was indeed somewhat better, with Lance clearly disadvantaged in various type matchups.

But Pokémon battles weren't just about type advantages—otherwise Lance should have surrendered against Lorelei.

Ultimately, Lance suffered from "appearing early"—no wonder Dragon Champions were mockingly called "Dodo birds."

But Lance had also mastered decent tactics.

This battle would be extremely watchable!

"Geeta?"

Only then did Johan notice his opponent was actually Paldea League Chairman and Champion Geeta!

Speaking of which, after Cynthia, regional Champions basically no longer specialized in single types, having fewer weaknesses. Geeta was among them.

"Ka-kaah! Ka-kaah!"

Gengar pointed at the screen's "Cynthia VS Steven" battle poster, somehow producing a handkerchief and biting it with conflicted expression.

One side was "financial backer daddy," the other was an even bigger "financial backer daddy"—so conflicted about who to support...

"We're before them. If we can win, then worry about who we'll face," Johan said.

"Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, Gigantamax, Terastallization..."

In his room, Johan had Key Stone, Z-Ring, Dynamax Band, and Tera Orb placed before him.

He suddenly imagined Ash wearing all these items on his hands.

Shaking his head.

"Mega Evolution is still most comfortable, though Z-Moves are also considerable. As for Gigantamax and Terastallization..."

Johan prioritized the latter two enhancement methods lower.

But they weren't unusable.

After all, only Gengar and Tyranitar could Mega Evolve, while Z-Moves, though universal, were strongest with Ninetales' exclusive Z-Move, barely counting Gengar's "stolen" exclusive Z-Move.

Gigantamax and Terastallization were more versatile—anyone could use them.

Coach Urshifu also had G-Max form.

For Terastallization... looking at everything, the most compatible might still be Dragonite.

Tera Normal Dragonite.

"Draaa?"

Seeming to notice Johan's gaze, Dragonite, who'd been lying on the floor imagining soaring through skies, sat up and patted its chubby belly.

"Nothing~" Johan smiled and shook his head.

He hadn't changed Dragonite's Terastallization type yet—couldn't use Tera Normal Dragonite.

"Draaa~"

But Dragonite pointed at the Key Stone before Johan, gently flapping its small wings.

"Mega Evolution?"

Johan was stunned.

Something stirred in his heart.

He remembered once when Dragonite seemed to have some connection with the Key Stone...

But Mega Dragonite?

In Johan's memory, among confirmed Mega Evolutions, there was definitely no Dragonite.

To date, no Mega Stone belonging to Dragonite had been discovered.

Could it be... influenced by Rayquaza?

After all, Rayquaza could Mega Evolve, and Dragonite had obtained fragments of its orb, even learning Dragon Ascent.

Or maybe...

"This is a real world after all—this possibility isn't impossible..."

Johan grasped the Key Stone.

Injecting aura.

Hum—

"Draaa?" Dragonite flapped its small wings.

There seemed to be a real connection.

Wait!

"Dragonite, you can't really Mega Evolve, can you?!"

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Powerstones?

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