Pokemon: Spiritual Master

"So exciting..."

Johan glanced at the big screen displaying the score for Lance VS Leon.

5-5!

The entire battle had been in a heated state, and now both sides had fought down to their last Pokémon.

Lance's Dragonite and Leon's Charizard continuously clashed in the arena's sky.

"Charizard, show your true form!!"

Leon suddenly threw off his cape, showing off his muscular physique as the Dynamax Band on his wrist erupted in brilliant light.

"Now is our—Champion Time!"

Rumble—

As if with its own BGM, Leon's Charizard's body rapidly expanded at a visible rate.

An enormously massive Charizard immediately appeared on the field.

Gigantamax!

"Dragonite!"

Lance on the opposite side wasn't to be outdone, also activating his Dynamax Band.

Against Gigantamax Charizard, Terastallization would actually be decent, but Tera Normal's effect would be rather limited, so Lance also chose to respond with Gigantamax.

For a moment, two incredibly massive Pokémon appeared under Wyndon Stadium's towering dome.

This scene... was like two giant monsters battling in the Ultraman universe.

Deafening cheers erupted in the arena as even Johan and the other contestants couldn't help showing serious expressions, focusing their attention.

Lance fought this match very seriously, his choices weren't wrong, and he wasn't holding back.

Leon had also made sufficient preparations against Lance, doing considerable advance planning.

Compared to trainers specializing in one or few types, trainers like Leon, Johan, and Cynthia who covered most attributes were harder to target.

"Charizard, G-Max Wildfire!!" Leon shouted with a punch.

In terms of momentum and emotion, Lance was not only not weaker than Leon but even more intense.

"Dragonite, Max Geyser!!"

Boom!!

Terrifying flames and surging water collided in the arena, creating vast clouds of steam that obscured vision.

The impact's aftershocks made the arena's Gigantamax barrier continuously flicker.

"Final Dragonite, Max Lightning!!"

Rumble—

Thunder struck down.

"Dragonite's advantage is still in its wide coverage..." Johan crossed his arms, speaking seriously.

Lance's Dragonite and Leon's Charizard were actually very close in strength.

But Dragonite's advantage mainly lay in its ability to learn many moves of various types, with extremely exaggerated coverage.

Combined with Gigantamax's move enhancements.

Max Geyser brought rain, then thunder struck in the rain...

"Draaa!!!"

On the field, Dragonite, now returned to normal size and covered in injuries, flapped its wings and roared excitedly.

After brief silence—

Whoosh!!!

The massive arena completely erupted.

"The first contestant to advance to the semifinals is born!!"

The commentator's voice was hoarse but excited: "He is from Johto League, Champion Lance!!"

"Let's also give our biggest cheers to contestant Leon and both contestants for presenting us with this spectacular battle!"

Leon lost his "home field battle," but no audience member or Galar region spectator felt Leon's performance was inadequate or wrong.

On the contrary, precisely because Leon was excellent enough, he could present such a spectacular battle together with Lance.

For Leon, though his "undefeated legend" was broken... this might actually be a good thing.

After all, carrying the "undefeated" title created pressure for anyone—losing to a strong opponent like Lance could actually relieve that pressure.

Moreover, Leon had recently spent too much time handling large and small Galar League affairs due to Rose's disappearance.

The two walked to the field's center and shook hands.

Regardless of others' views, both had fought enjoyably and considered each other strong and excellent.

"Well fought, Lance-senpai," Leon said.

"Just lucky, just lucky," Lance replied modestly.

The two looked at each other with mutual appreciation.

"In that case..." Leon smiled: "Teacher Johan, I'll leave him to you, Lance-senpai."

Johan!

Lance smiled confidently: "Definitely!"

"Achoo—"

Johan in the audience sneezed, rubbing his nose and looking around suspiciously.

Felt like some "troublemaker" was plotting against him.

"Caught a cold?" Cynthia asked.

"No." Johan shook his head. "Just have a chill down my spine feeling."

There wasn't much time to congratulate Lance on successfully advancing to the Master Tournament semifinals, because after Lance and Leon's match ended, the next day would bring Teacher Johan versus Chairman Geeta's battle!

Another Champion VS Champion!

With Lance and Leon's exciting 6-5 battle, audience expectations for this match were undoubtedly maxed out.

The next day.

Galar Wyndon Stadium.

Leon, having finished his match, had reclaimed his identity as Galar League Chairman.

Today he sat in the arena as Galar League Champion and Chairman, commentating today's match alongside the previously passionate commentator.

Rarely, he wasn't lost or late.

"It's Teacher Johan's match!"

In the audience, Team Rocket trio working as vendors to earn side income appeared very excited.

How could they miss such a grand Master Tournament event?

"I wonder if the note we slipped under Teacher Johan's door this morning was seen..." James worried somewhat.

That was information about Chairman Geeta's Pokémon for this match that they'd worked hard to gather.

If Teacher Johan could get it, it would definitely provide considerable help.

"He'll definitely see it—Teacher Johan's observation is so sharp," Jessie said confidently.

"Then we've definitely made a great contribution!"

"Promotion! Raise! Meow!"

"Sonansu~! ∠(°ゝ°)"

And that little note they mentioned...

"What is all this scribbling? So crooked..."

In the contestant tunnel, Johan squinted hard but couldn't understand what was on the note.

"Whatever."

The trio's educational level needed improvement...

He should suggest Boss Giovanni open an "executive training class" sometime.

Team Rocket's elites were fine in battle, but their cultural abilities were questionable.

This wouldn't do.

Now they were developing toward a legitimate enterprise—executives, no, managers couldn't just know a few characters. They needed strengthening.

He'd recruit the trio then, training them as reserve executives.

As for the information about Geeta's Pokémon they provided...

Johan indicated he really didn't need it.

First, through recent matches, he had some understanding of Chairman Geeta's Pokémon and tactics.

Second... whether in anime or games, Chairman Geeta was famously a "quality person."

First, Pokémon like Glimmora were very "quality."

The game deliberately put Geeta's Glimmora last as the finale Pokémon—if placed first, who knows how many would have failed.

Not just Geeta.

Many trainers throughout Paldea region had quite "quality" tactics, especially in "Pokémon Horizons" where any veteran trainer with some age had completely "quality" tactics.

Highlighting one thing:

If I don't play "quality" on others, others will play "quality" on me, so let's all be "quality" together.

Johan had this feeling watching the original work, thinking the writers might be game players with some "quality" tendencies.

Coming to the Pokémon world and visiting Paldea region, Johan finally understood.

This had a great relationship with Naranja Academy, which had existed in Paldea region for over 800 years.

Academic schools taught tactics, which naturally had some...

Cough cough.

However, regarding "quality," Johan really wasn't afraid of anyone.

At this moment, the countdown on the arena's big screen ended as the host immediately shouted loudly:

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome once again to the Eight Masters Tournament arena!"

"The contestants about to compete are—"

The entire venue immediately quieted as the host deliberately dragged out his voice.

"From Hoenn region—Teacher Johan!"

"And from Paldea region—Champion Geeta!!"

Boom!!

The entire venue's cheers immediately exploded.

Under spotlights, Johan in black clothing and Geeta adjusting her black gloves emerged from opposite contestant tunnels.

The host's voice nearly drowned under tens of thousands of spectators' cheers.

"Chairman Geeta and Teacher Johan..."

Gender-"tentative" Rika leaned against the railing, watching the two entering with blazing eyes.

"Rika, who do you think will win?" Poppy, brought to Galar region by Rika during Pokémon School break, stood on a brought stool asking with interest.

"Mm..." Rika pondered.

Poppy answered directly without hesitation: "I think it's Teacher Johan."

"Oh?" Rika raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

Though Poppy was now Teacher Johan's student, as a girl under ten, she spoke very directly and simply—she said what she thought.

If another child said this it would be one thing, but Poppy was an Elite Four!

"Hehe..."

Poppy took a lollipop from little Jirachi nearby, immediately beaming with joy.

Rika: "..."

Looking skyward.

She suddenly felt that sending Poppy to Hoenn region, to Teacher Johan, might not... entirely be a good thing.

On another side of the audience.

"I heard Chairman Geeta is a poison expert," Lance, having secured a semifinals spot, said. He could relax somewhat now.

"Poison..."

Behind them, Janine appeared from wall corner shadows, startling everyone.

When had she hidden there?

Janine remained unmoved, only saying flatly: "Regarding poison use, Teacher Johan won't be inferior."

Among those present, except for silent Granny Agatha, Janine was the foremost poison user, naturally having some authority.

But thinking carefully... it was really true!

Wasn't Teacher Johan's start precisely with poison, or rather Gengar's poison?

That would be interesting.

On the field, Johan and Geeta took their positions.

Geeta smiled: "Teacher Johan, regardless, thank you for your help."

Others heard this confusedly—thanks for what?

But Johan and some informed people knew Geeta was thanking Teacher Johan for his help to Paldea League.

And not just once.

The four Treasures of Ruin, the Dragon Tamer family and Elite Four Hassel's matter, Outstanding Inc. and Spinel's affair, Rakua elements...

The help was too great.

Johan smiled slightly.

"Then Chairman Geeta should go easy on me."

Publicly asking an opponent to go easy!

Though tomorrow's headlines might become "Shocking! Famous Teacher Johan Publicly Asks Opponent to Go Easy in Master Tournament," even the live audience didn't take it seriously, just smiling knowingly.

Just friendly banter, very normal.

Little did they know... Johan was seriously asking Geeta to go easy—they were so familiar, couldn't they avoid such tiring fights?

Geeta naturally didn't take it seriously either, only saying: "Just don't give me a clean sweep, Teacher Johan."

Spinel in prison: &%¥#%!

This was normal opening pleasantries.

Seeing the timing was right, the referee immediately signaled:

"Please prepare, both contestants!"

Time to battle!

Seeing both become serious, the referee nodded.

"Now, please summon your Pokémon!"

Geeta clicked the button on her Poké Ball, which quickly returned to normal size as she looked at Johan with serious, stern eyes.

Throwing it out.

"Go!" Geeta threw out an Ultra Ball, voice solemn: "Glimmora!"

"Fuuu—"

Like a flower bud yet resembling an alien UFO, Glimmora appeared floating on the field, its peculiar golden eyes seemingly emanating chilling light.

Simultaneously, Johan's Poké Ball was already thrown to the field's center.

"I'm counting on you, Indeedee!"

The gentle-mannered, warmly smiling Indeedee sister clasped her hands to her chest, smiling as she bowed to Geeta and Glimmora.

"Orangu~"

Sorry...

Apologizing in advance since there might not be a chance later.

When viewers saw Johan's first Pokémon was actually Indeedee, live stream audiences couldn't help trembling.

It's her!

The "Smiling Demon" Indeedee stationed at Hoenn region's "sixth Battle Frontier facility" café!

"Oh my god! Indeedee! All the bad memories came flooding back."

"Looks like the gentleman above also challenged the café? Brave!"

For those who'd witnessed Indeedee sister's strength, everyone knew her power.

But for those who'd never seen Indeedee sister or didn't even know Teacher Johan had an Indeedee, they expressed confusion with continuous question marks.

"Indeedee? Is this Teacher Johan's newly caught baby?"

"Looks so gentle—can it really battle?"

"Aren't Indeedee best at caring for people? I've seen Nurse Joy's Indeedee—is having it battle appropriate?"

Those "in the know" couldn't help sneering at these "ignorant" comments.

"Can it battle? Please take back that question word."

"Ridiculous—is the 'Smiling Demon' title joking with you?"

"Nothing else to say, but you could have an Elite Four's Pokémon fight Indeedee sister one-on-one without commands, and who wins would be hard to say."

Hearing these comments, the "ignorant" ones were all surprised.

"Is, is it this strong?"

"This strong? Only stronger than you imagine!"

Stronger?

Exactly.

Though Indeedee sister hadn't traveled with Johan, her training tasks were never neglected.

Not traveling with Johan was partly because she had to watch the café, island, and island Pokémon, and partly because there was someone at the café who was her best learning target.

Mewtwo!

She was always ready!

Though Johan didn't bring Indeedee sister, that didn't mean he didn't care about her—he called home almost daily to chat and inquire about conditions, understanding Indeedee sister's situation.

Of course, most importantly, to check if Mewtwo had blown up their home.

Regarding battle attitude... Indeedee sister wouldn't lose to any of Johan's Pokémon!

"Fuuu?"

Glimmora turned to Geeta.

So gentle—do we really have to fight such an opponent?

Even Glimmora was "conquered" by Indeedee sister's gentle appearance.

But Geeta remained serious, saying: "Be careful, don't be fooled by its appearance. I've researched Teacher Johan's Indeedee somewhat."

"Fuuu."

Hearing this, Glimmora nodded.

Since Geeta said so, she should be serious.

Seeing both had summoned Pokémon, the referee nodded slightly then immediately dropped his flags.

"Battle begin!"

After speaking, he ran backward with Aegislash.

As the referee's voice fell, Geeta's eyes sharpened.

Her opening with ace Glimmora showed absolute recognition of Teacher Johan's strength, so she absolutely wouldn't be careless seeing Indeedee.

"Glimmora, Stealth Rock!"

"Fuuu—"

Glimmora's flower-like body immediately spread as countless purple dust scattered down. Sharp, angular rocks of various sizes immediately appeared from thin air on the field.

Some on the ground, some floating in air—any Pokémon carelessly touching or hitting them would inevitably suffer considerable damage.

These rocks immediately became invisible.

Entry hazard tactics!

Johan was too familiar with this tactic.

Steven and Lance were also familiar.

Back then, Johan had commanded Steven's Skarmory and Lance's newly caught Aerodactyl in a match with not only entry hazard tactics but also Iron Defense + Body Slam tactics, leaving both with very deep memories.

Opposite them, from Indeedee sister's feet immediately spread a field filled with peculiar power, instantly covering the battlefield.

Ability: Psychic Surge!

Psychic Terrain!

Johan smiled and raised his hand.

The best way to deal with entry hazard tactics was... aggressive assault!

"Indeedee, Expanding Force!"

Hum—

Geeta's Glimmora suddenly felt a chill behind it, then psychic power was piled on it from nowhere.

The next second—

Boom!!

Massive rumbling immediately exploded around Glimmora as terrifying psychic pressure caused Glimmora and the ground beneath it to directly collapse.

At this moment, the entire venue fell silent.

This... was this caused by the same Indeedee who'd been smiling so gently just now?

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Powerstones?

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