Pokemon: Spiritual Master

"If you ask me, Teacher Johan is simply invincible—his ace Gengar hasn't even appeared yet!"

"But isn't Ms. Cynthia's Garchomp fierce? That Dragon Rush move... hiss—it could even forcibly tear through Trick Room."

"I think Mr. Giovanni is the one who's truly hiding his depths. We at least know Teacher Johan's ace is Gengar, but who knows what Mr. Giovanni's ace is?"

"Lance! Champion Lance's Dragonite is equally invincible, and moreover... it might even be able to Mega Evolve!"

When the battle between Agatha and Boss Giovanni ended and the semifinal roster was officially announced, as the audience dispersed under the night sky, they were already looking forward to the upcoming semifinal showdowns.

Everyone had their own favorites to support.

Even Boss Giovanni, who hadn't been very famous before the tournament began, had reached the semifinals, surpassing so many Champions and Elite Four members with his Gym Leader status, already gaining a large fan base and attention.

Moreover, as a mature man with his stern, unsmiling appearance and steady, resolute battle style, Boss Giovanni had won considerable admiration from many young women.

Mature men always had their allure.

Matori was in danger!

With the semifinals decided, following the tournament's A and B group format, the semifinal battles didn't require a draw.

Johan VS Cynthia!

Lance VS Giovanni!

The battle lineup was clear.

Naturally, the audience was full of anticipation for the battles between the semifinalists.

Actually, Johan was quite looking forward to the showdown between Lance and Boss Giovanni, like the confrontation between Lance and Giovanni in the special manga.

But just thinking about having to battle Cynthia made Johan's mood somewhat less cheerful.

Though it wasn't their first time battling each other.

"But fighting Steven would also be a headache..."

While muttering and holding ice cream, Johan knocked on Cynthia's door.

Knock knock—

The door opened.

"Rio—"

"Thank you, Lucario." Johan smiled.

From the living room came Caitlin's voice.

"Hmm, I admit Johan's strength isn't weak, but with proper tactical arrangements, there's still a decent chance. For example, having Gastrodon face Ceruledge, having Glaceon face Dragonite..."

"Cough."

Johan coughed lightly as he approached.

Caitlin was giving Cynthia strategic advice, and Diantha was also in the living room.

"What are you coughing for!" Caitlin glared at him. "Even if you cough louder, I'll still say what I need to say!"

Johan shook his head: "Go ahead and say it. Those so-called strategies and tactics of yours are just interfering with Cynthia."

As he spoke, he handed ice cream to Cynthia, Diantha, and the blonde tsundere Caitlin one by one.

"Cynthia understands me much better than you do."

"Hmph!"

Caitlin was angry, but she wouldn't turn down ice cream, accepting it before curling up in a corner of the sofa.

But she had to admit that what Johan said... was the truth.

Diantha smiled:

"Do you need us to step out for a bit?"

Johan chuckled, his gaze falling on Cynthia, or rather on the shadow behind her...

"Alright, stop hiding. Come out."

"Ka-kaah..."

The purple chubby Gengar quietly floated out from Cynthia's shadow.

Johan smiled.

You little fatty.

They're discussing "tactics" and you're here eavesdropping?

Cynthia patted Gengar's head and took a small sip of ice cream before saying softly:

"Gengar didn't say anything."

Hm?

Johan was stunned.

Then he realized, his eyes widening.

Good grief! So you weren't here as a "spy" but as a "traitor"!

We've got an "inside ghost" in the family!

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar had already floated to Johan's side. Seeing Johan's realization, it immediately wrapped its tongue around the ice cream ball in Johan's hand, swallowing it whole, then dove into the shadows in a diving pose.

Gurgle gurgle—

Looking at the empty cone shell, Johan's mouth twitched slightly.

Johan: "..."

He looked pitifully at Cynthia.

Cynthia's eyes curved with laughter. She moved aside to make room, and Johan sat down beside her, then... took a big bite out of Cynthia's ice cream ball.

Looking at her ice cream now missing nearly half, Cynthia's cheeks immediately puffed up.

But seeing Johan going "hiss hiss" from eating too much cold ice cream at once, she couldn't help but laugh.

"Cough, well, we'll be going first!"

Realizing they were being force-fed "dog food," Diantha immediately pulled the reluctant Caitlin and quickly left the room.

Cynthia's cheeks flushed slightly as she gave Johan an annoyed look.

The two sat quietly for a while.

Johan rubbed his frozen cheek. To keep the ice cream from melting, he had deliberately had Ninetales release cold air. If he had known...

"Johan." Cynthia curled up on the sofa, arms wrapped around her knees, speaking softly.

"Mm?"

"Give it your all."

Johan was startled.

For a trainer like Cynthia, whether she won or lost wasn't actually the most important thing. The most important was giving her all—that was what showed respect!

From her understanding of Johan, Cynthia knew very well that in his previous battles, whether against N, Spinel, or even Nemona, he hadn't given his all.

But...

Cynthia wanted to battle Johan at full strength, not someone holding back or going easy.

Johan raised his hand, hesitating briefly before placing it on Cynthia's head, gently stroking her smooth golden hair.

It seemed Cynthia really wanted to battle him seriously... Johan sighed inwardly.

In that case...

"Can I use legendary Pokémon?" Johan asked out of nowhere.

Cynthia: "?"

She turned her head, a big question mark appearing above it.

Johan rubbed his nose: "Well, although the organizers rule against using 'first-tier legendary' Pokémon, Mewtwo isn't registered in any Pokédex yet."

Cynthia: "?"

Mewtwo?

"Chomp—"

Nearby Garchomp couldn't listen anymore and decided to beat this guy up!

Did he really think having legendary Pokémon meant they'd be afraid?

Bring it on!

At worst... they'd report him after the battle!

Johan grinned and pulled Cynthia into his embrace.

Clearly, he was joking.

"I'll knock your teeth out the day after tomorrow," Cynthia "fiercely" muttered.

"Heh, you can't bear to."

"I'll have Garchomp do it."

Johan: Σ(дlll)

"Chomp!! (▼皿▼)"

After a moment of silence.

"Give it our all, one battle," Johan said softly.

"Yes!"

Leaning in Johan's arms, Cynthia's eyes were full of seriousness.

The sun was shining brightly.

The Wyndon Stadium was bustling with people, and Team Rocket's trio had earned considerable funds from this massive tournament.

"Teacher Johan and Ms. Cynthia's merchandise!"

"Give me one of Teacher Johan's!"

"I want ten of Ms. Cynthia's!"

"Do you have joint merchandise of Teacher Johan and Ms. Cynthia?"

"Of course!" Jessie immediately produced new merchandise.

Soon, the trio's merchandise stall was surrounded by people.

"Official licensing" was exclusive to them alone.

"Eh? You're... not selling Rage Candy Bars anymore?" Elite Four Bruno looked at the merchandise stall somewhat regretfully.

"Ah, that, this, cough cough cough... merchandise is good too, haha..." the trio was sweating profusely.

"Never mind, never mind!" Bruno waved his hand and returned to the group of contestants watching the battle.

"Teacher Johan is amazing, but I still firmly... Big sister is invincible!" Flint dared to ignore little Jirachi's "threats" and firmly stood on Cynthia's side.

This time it wasn't just him—even Lucian firmly supported Cynthia.

No choice.

Sinnoh Champion—as Elite Four of the Sinnoh League, their support was unquestionable.

However, because of the relationship between Teacher Johan and Cynthia, they believed that no matter who they supported, they wouldn't face "retaliation" from Teacher Johan.

"Though I have to admit Cynthia is amazing, I still want to battle Teacher Johan more."

Lance, one of the other semifinalists, said.

He had battled Cynthia many times, both in the past and recently, but his battles with Johan...

No choice—he couldn't sign up for League Conferences, couldn't participate in the "baby cups" that Teacher Johan participated in.

"Then you need to advance first by defeating Mr. Giovanni, Lance," N said with a gentle smile.

"Of course..."

Before he could finish, Lorelei interrupted: "Him? With those Flying-type Pokémon?"

Hahaha—

Everyone laughed knowingly.

"What's so funny?"

A voice suddenly came.

"Professor Oak."

The newcomer was none other than the Pokémon world's authority, Professor Oak.

Beside him were two young people who looked only about ten years old.

"Hello everyone." Professor Oak smiled and greeted everyone.

"Those two..." Lance seemed to recognize the two young people, and after a moment of surprise said: "Aren't they this year's Indigo Conference champion and runner-up?"

Champion and runner-up?

Indigo League?

Everyone was startled.

"Haha—" Professor Oak laughed while stepping aside: "That's right, it's them. Red, Green."

Green pouted, not fond of his runner-up status.

This time he lost to Red, but it didn't matter...

His goal was Champion!

Kanto League Champion!

He might become Kanto League Champion before Red.

Red was quite polite, calling everyone "senior."

They had also come to watch Johan and Cynthia's battle.

Johan had held high expectations for these two from very early on.

Though they were still young, they had already shown their potential.

In just over half a year, they had grown from novice trainers who had just started their journey to conference champion and runner-up.

League Champion might not be their limit!

"It's about to start!"

Green put away his disdain and looked at the huge screen hanging outside the massive stadium, seeing the host about to appear, and immediately said.

Hearing this, everyone temporarily put aside their joking and quickly entered the stadium.

Enthusiastic cheers shook the earth, and when the voices of tens of thousands of spectators came together, even the Wyndon Stadium trembled.

Bang! Bang! Bang—

Brilliant fireworks bloomed in the sky as the commentator walked onto the stage under everyone's gaze.

"Everyone!!"

"Welcome to the stage of our Master Tournament semifinals!!"

The commentator's neck veins bulged—even with a microphone, he had to use all his strength to avoid being drowned out by the audience's cheers.

"The two sides about to battle are—"

The big screen began showing exciting footage, some handsome, some heroic.

"From the Hoenn League, Champion Teacher Johan!!"

"And from the Sinnoh League, Champion Ms. Cynthia!!"

Wave-like cheers immediately connected, echoing through the circular stadium in increasingly intense waves.

"Now! Let's give our most enthusiastic cheers to welcome both contestants!!!"

In the contestant tunnel.

"Phew—"

Cynthia, wearing an elegant and noble black coat, breathed out lightly. Hearing the commentator's voice, she immediately stepped toward the exit.

Time to battle Johan?

As she walked, an elegant, gentle curve appeared on Cynthia's lips.

Though the probability of defeat was high...

She needed to fight to know her shortcomings.

Facing difficulties, as a Champion, she couldn't retreat even slightly, especially for a battle she had long anticipated!

When she walked out of the contestant tunnel, Cynthia's aura had returned to that of the heroic Sinnoh "Queen."

She swept back her golden hair, revealing her fair, delicate, yet determined face, lightly placing one hand on her waist, radiating confident presence as she entered the arena.

"Ms. Cynthia!!"

"It's Cynthia! Lady Cynthia!!"

"Go Ms. Cynthia! Beat Teacher Johan and show him who's boss at home!"

Amid incredibly enthusiastic cheers, the one who appeared was—

Sinnoh League Champion, Cynthia!

On the other side.

"We're all familiar with each other, so..."

Johan was giving final instructions to his Pokémon, looking around at them seriously:

"You don't want to be called 'sandbaggers' when we eat together in the future, do you?"

He clapped his hands: "Get your spirits up. Precisely because our opponents are little Cynthia and her Pokémon, we must show the greatest respect!"

Giving their all was respect!

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar, as the big brother, was the first to raise a fist and speak up, while hurriedly erasing the Cynthia support stickers and such from his body.

Johan glanced at this little fatty.

Hmph!

If there really was an "inside ghost," Gengar was definitely the most suspicious.

But Johan understood.

After all...

If he weren't a contestant, he might become the "inside ghost" himself.

But at this moment, regardless...

They should show their opponents the greatest respect!

"Let's go!"

Johan swept his black cloak, and the Pokémon before him, except Gengar, immediately turned into red lights and returned to the Poké Balls at his waist.

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar took the lead, leading Johan out of the contestant tunnel in a Gengar-style "terrifying entrance ceremony"!

"Teacher Johan! Time to show your boyfriend power!"

"The throne! Teacher Johan, go for it!"

"Ahh—Gengar is so cute!"

At the referee's signal, both approached the center of the field and shook hands.

"The loser..." Cynthia's lips moved.

Johan immediately continued: "Gives the winner leg massages for a month!"

Cynthia was startled.

Was this even punishment for Johan?

But after a brief daze, she smiled beautifully: "Okay."

The referee now had a pained expression.

He had to admit this was the most "ruthless" trash talk he'd heard in his refereeing career—so "ruthless" he felt like he'd eaten a ton of dog food.

Are you two here to compete or show off?

"Damn! Teacher Johan is still the master of showing off! Win or lose, it's all benefits!"

"Damn it, I suddenly have a bad feeling that this is just the beginning..."

"Day 133 of envying Teacher Johan..."

Fortunately, not just the referee, but the live audience and viewers were all fed quite a bit.

After brief communication, at the audience's strong request, Johan and Cynthia returned to their respective halves of the field.

They took their positions.

Swoosh swoosh—

Red and blue flags waved as the referee signaled both contestants to prepare.

At the same time, Cynthia and Johan exchanged glances, both their expressions becoming serious and determined.

"I've anticipated this battle for a long time..." Cynthia murmured softly, grasping her Poké Ball.

Johan also held his Poké Ball, saying quietly: "Then let's battle to our hearts' content!"

"Please, both contestants, summon your Pokémon!"

Two Poké Balls simultaneously landed in the field.

"Please, Milotic!"

"Let's go, Coach Bear!"

Rainbow light flickered and danced.

An elegant, graceful figure leaped into the field with a gentle cry.

Milotic, called the "most beautiful Pokémon"!

On the other side, with mane flowing and imposing presence like breaking bamboo, already in stance, was Coach Bear—Urshifu!

Teacher Johan VS Cynthia!

The battle between the two had officially begun.

Swoosh—

The referee's flag fell.

"Battle begin!!"