Pokemon: Spiritual Master

Beedrill is unable to battle!

This meant Giovanni only had his last Pokémon remaining—Dugtrio, which had been recalled immediately after entering.

Although Giovanni wasn't someone who would give up easily, although Giovanni wouldn't choose to surrender.

But in the end it only evolved into—

A "whack-a-mole" game between Dugtrio and Tinkaton.

The field, which had already been destroyed and replaced twice, suffered yet another round of devastation.

In the very end—

"Dugtrio is unable to battle!"

The stadium was already impatiently beginning to boil with excitement.

"Therefore!" The commentator took a deep breath. "The winner is—Johan!!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!!

Beautiful fireworks bloomed in the night sky as Johan looked on in horror at Tinkaton charging toward him with hammer raised.

The cheers of the audience and the commentator's shouts still filled his ears.

"A new world champion is born!!"

"Let us congratulate the world champion, the great Teacher Johan!!!"

Cheers from all directions flooded the entire arena.

"Teacher Johan is awesome!!"

"Teacher Johan, world champion!"

"We are—champions!!"

After barely appeasing the excited Tinkaton, Johan saw Giovanni walking toward him.

"Congratulations, Johan." Giovanni said sincerely.

Johan grinned. "Sorry to 'disappoint' you, Boss Giovanni."

Hearing this, Giovanni was stunned for a moment, then understood. The "disappointment" referred to Johan winning, contradicting what Giovanni had said before the match about taking over Team Rocket if he lost.

So after coming to his senses, Giovanni smiled: "I never said that winning meant you wouldn't take over."

Johan: "?"

No way.

You, the dignified leader of Team Rocket, are playing word games with us little champions?

Just as Johan was about to speak, a swarm of reporters rushed forward. Giovanni turned and walked toward his contestant tunnel, waving casually at Johan with his back turned.

Soon—

The "Pokémon World Master Tournament" came to a close, and news of Teacher Johan's successful championship victory shook the entire world.

In the final match, Giovanni displayed incredibly powerful strength, especially his Beedrill, which was confirmed to have reached legendary level even in its normal state!

After Mega Evolution, Mega Beedrill displayed unparalleled speed and destructive power, splitting open the Dynamax barrier with a single strike.

But even such a Mega Beedrill still lost to Teacher Johan's Gengar.

The Mega Evolution that Gengar and Teacher Johan displayed without relying on Key Stone or Mega Stone sparked incredibly heated discussion.

This point—

Was actually addressed in post-championship interviews when media representatives asked on behalf of all viewers. Teacher Johan's response was only four words—Bond Evolution!

"Bond Evolution" instantly became the second biggest trending topic after Johan's championship victory, with countless people discussing it endlessly.

But no matter what—

Teacher Johan had now become the acknowledged strongest trainer in the world!

He had earned the title of "World's Best."

Finally correcting Teacher Johan's original "Baby Cup Killer" title somewhat.

After finally escaping the media, Johan returned to the rest room.

His little family members all ran out.

"Ka-kaah!!"

Gengar had already changed into its most "cool" outfit and donned a cape.

We are champions!!

With that, it took out tea sets and began brewing Pep-Up Root tea.

Let's have some Pep-Up Root tea together to celebrate and recover our condition!

The little ones immediately scattered.

However, unable to participate in battle, Serperior and Ceruledge were somewhat unhappy.

Ceruledge was understandable, since Fire-type was completely countered by Ground-type.

But as a Grass-type Pokémon, Serperior was obviously unhappy about not being able to participate.

It wasn't that it thought Johan didn't trust it, but that it felt... its own strength wasn't enough.

If it could be as strong as Ninetales, one-shotting even the double-resistant Fairy-type Perrserker, then type matchups wouldn't matter.

Johan could naturally sense this.

"This is all of our victory. Throughout our journey, how could we have done without anyone?" Johan smiled and gently stroked Serperior's head, only to be slapped away by a vine.

"Sni, sni!" Serperior "stubbornly" raised its head.

Even if you say that, I won't feel happy!

Johan laughed helplessly and shook his head. "Before we knew it, you've grown up."

The Snivy that he could once hold in his arms was now nearly as tall as him when it straightened up.

"Sni!" Serperior turned its head away, though its cheeks were somewhat red.

"Oowoo~"

Ninetales walked over and gently cupped Serperior's cheek with its tail.

Our "Little Snake" has grown up~

"Little Snake" was the nickname "Nickname King" Gengar had privately given Serperior. It once made Serperior use Leaf Storm whenever it saw Gengar, though it had gradually come to accept it.

Gengar had given nicknames to all its teammates—like Tinkaton's "Hammer Girl," Dragonite's "Fatty," Urshifu's "Coach Bear," Ceruledge's "Armored Warrior," Tyranitar's "Big Dummy," and so on.

Only toward Ninetales did Gengar behave quite properly.

At this moment, with Ninetales cupping its cheek, Serperior's tsundere nature immediately softened.

"Sni, sni..."

No, not at all...

Johan thought he was the "boss" of their team, everyone thought Gengar was the "big brother" of the team, but it turned out Ninetales was the real "mastermind behind the scenes."

"Ka-kah~"

Carrying tea and wearing a cape, Gengar floated over with a grin, waving dismissively.

Don't worry, don't worry—just have Johan win another championship next time~

Another championship?

Ceruledge and Serperior perked up.

Johan's expression darkened.

Gengar, don't randomly set flags!

Next tournament, even if Boss Giovanni doesn't participate, Lance, Steven, Wallace, Cynthia, Leon, and others will all be at their peak!

Don't you understand strategic withdrawal?

Before he could speak—

[Johan amazing! Everyone amazing! Everyone really amazing!]

The voice came before the person.

Jirachi almost "teleported" into the rest room and threw itself into Johan's arms.

"Vii~!"

Victini also appeared, naturally settling on Johan's shoulder, one hand grabbing his hair and the other making a "V" gesture.

Victory Star!

As expected, Johan's victory was thanks to my great contribution!

Taking out a small cookie.

Crunch, crunch—

"Teacher Johan is awesome!!" Flint's loud voice came through.

Then Johan's "support group" walked in.

"Congratulations, champion." Cynthia walked up to Johan and smiled gently.

Johan took Cynthia's hand. "I have to thank you for the special training."

"Oh? Then shall we do more special training later?"

Johan's expression immediately stiffened, then he noticed Cynthia's slightly mischievous eyes.

Opening his mouth, Johan finally said somewhat deflated: "It's over—you've been 'corrupted' by Gengar too."

Gengar: "?"

The purple fatty pointed at itself.

Huh?

Me?

The next day—

At the invitation of Galar League Champion Leon, Johan and the other contestants came to the arena again.

For the most important ceremony of the "Master Tournament."

Hall of Fame registration!

All "Eight Masters" contestants would register in the Hall of Fame, recording all the Pokémon and teams they used in this tournament.

The person responsible for this registration was naturally Professor Oak.

Only Professor Oak, an authority in Pokémon research, was qualified for this.

"In order, one by one." Professor Oak smiled as he led each Eight Masters contestant to register in the Hall of Fame, from last to first.

"Teacher." Steven looked at Johan beside him, who was holding Cynthia's hand, seeming to have something to say.

However, Johan spoke first, patting Steven's shoulder with an aged appearance:

"Steven, from now on it's up to you young people."

Everyone: "..."

As if Teacher Johan was very old...

Although Johan was indeed among the older ones in their generation, he wasn't much older—they were essentially peers.

The reason they called him "teacher" was largely because Johan had originally been an actual educator, not because of his age.

But setting aside Johan's aged demeanor, everyone was stunned by his words.

From Johan's words, it wasn't hard to hear that he seemed to be preparing to step down as champion?

So soon?

The fastest champion resignation in history?

Cynthia wasn't surprised by this, as she had known early on.

But Steven wasn't very surprised either.

Steven smiled helplessly—what he had wanted to say was actually about this matter. Unlike Cynthia who knew early on, he had sensed it.

From when Johan had him start taking over the major and minor affairs of the Hoenn League championship, Steven had felt it coming.

It was just that there hadn't been a suitable reason to transfer the champion position before.

But Steven's outstanding performance in this Master Tournament, though only reaching the Eight Masters when many regional champions hadn't even made the quarterfinals, proved Steven's strength and ability beyond doubt.

This gave Johan a perfect reason to step down—giving more opportunities to young people.

"Teacher, I—"

Steven's words were cut off again as Johan patted his shoulder once more.

"You can do it, Steven."

With that, he gave a look full of trust.

As for Elite Four Drake, who had long wanted to step down but still hadn't been able to...

No choice—the old man was still vigorous, so he'd have to endure a bit longer.

"Teacher, what I wanted to say..." Steven pressed his lips together and continued: "Actually, Elite Four Glacia and the others already guessed."

"Hm?"

Johan was stunned.

Guessed?

Steven's eyes showed some teasing.

"Elite Four Glacia and the others' meaning is—oh, and the old president's meaning too—since Teacher Johan wants to step down as champion, then take over the Hoenn League president position."

Johan: "..."

Hoenn League president?

Me?

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar eagerly floated out, somehow producing a pipe from nowhere and putting it in its mouth.

President? Me?

I can definitely handle it!

Johan pressed his purple fatty's head and pushed it back into the shadows.

After being stunned for a while, Johan finally opened his mouth awkwardly: "How did I not know about this?"

But as soon as he asked this question, Johan knew it was pointless.

Because—

He had handed all major and minor affairs to Steven—of course he didn't know!

As for being so young and taking on the league president role...

With Leon as precedent, he wasn't the youngest either.

"Congratulations, Johan." Lance smiled.

"Congratulations, Teacher Johan. Let's work hard together." Leon also smiled.

Cynthia covered her mouth and smiled with curved eyes, saying softly: "Congratulations."

Johan: "..."

Actually, according to league structure, in a regional league, the president's authority was higher than the champion's, as could be seen from the previous Galar League.

It was just that many regional presidents were older, so they gradually delegated power to Elite Four or champions.

Now there was a multiple choice question before Johan.

Want to step down as champion?

Sure.

Then take over the Hoenn president position.

Don't want to step down as champion?

Then continue serving until you want to step down, then take over the president position.

Johan immediately felt trapped in a strange loop or "trap."

Once you entered, you could never get out.

One ring within another, interlocking layers.

You really know how to play!

For a moment he didn't know what to say.

"What's so happy?" Professor Oak smiled as he emerged.

Everyone immediately smiled even more happily, except Johan.

Taking over as Hoenn League president?

Then Boss Giovanni acting like he wanted to "dump" Team Rocket on him too—

Are you kidding?

And so—

In Johan's somewhat confused state, he completed his first Hall of Fame registration.

The entire world was still immersed in the excitement of the "Pokémon World Master Tournament."

Johan also received a letter while choosing between champion and president.

From the Alola region, from Professor Kukui.

Professor Kukui hadn't made it to the Eight Masters, and with the Alola League currently in rapid development, he had returned to the Alola region.

Naturally—

He had been following the Master Tournament matches and cheering for Johan.

"First, I want to congratulate you, Johan."

In the video call, Professor Kukui looked somewhat tired.

Congratulations?

Johan's mouth twitched. He clearly knew the professor was congratulating him on winning the championship, but Johan felt like everyone congratulating him lately was congratulating him on taking over the Hoenn League president position. He was getting a bit obsessed.

But he had thought it through.

Looking at the bright side—

At least the Hoenn League was already well-established, unlike the Alola League which had to start from scratch, including Elite Four and champions. He at least... still had Steven and "proper" Elite Four to command.

At worst, he could find a secretary.

There were always ways to delegate.

So Johan quickly gathered his emotions and asked: "Professor Kukui, this call isn't just to congratulate me, is it?"

Professor Kukui rubbed his temples and didn't beat around the bush, nodding:

"Indeed, I'm seeking your help."

"Help?"

Johan was puzzled.

In the Alola region, besides "Necrozma," were there other major events?

Shouldn't be any, right?

"It's like this—"

Professor Kukui then briefly explained.

After summarizing, it came down to one sentence: people from Ultra Space had come, telling him that someone in Ultra Space was trying to open unknown space-time tunnels to summon people who didn't belong to the Ultra Space world.

After hearing this, the image of Colress appeared in Johan's mind.

Followed by scenes of Rainbow Rocket Team descending.

"Seriously?" Johan muttered.

But soon Professor Kukui called over three members claiming to be from the Ultra Space Ultra Megalopolis Ultra Investigation Team, wearing astronaut-like suits.

Johan's expression immediately became serious.

"We'll need to call for backup then..."

Meanwhile—

In the distant Ultra Space, Ultra Megalopolis.

The satellite-headed Colress had already used various means to control part of the Ultra Megalopolis forces, assisting him with crucial research.

And before him—

In the Ultra Megalopolis Tower, the power left by Necrozma had brought Colress's experiment close to success.

"It's coming!" Colress's eyes showed fanatical and crazed light.

Hum—

In the door-like device—

A black figure approached from far to near, finally walking out slowly.

"Hm?"

When Colress saw who appeared, he couldn't help but be stunned.

This seemed to have a tiny bit of deviation from the person he had originally planned to "summon."

A young man wearing a red cap and backpack slowly emerged, looked around, and finally fixed his gaze on Colress.

"Eh? Where is this? There are passages to places like this in Silver Mountain? How did I not know before..."

"Pikachu~?"

Colress's thoughts were somewhat chaotic.

Wasn't it supposed to use Necrozma's intense negative emotions and energy—

"Hello, I'm Red. May I ask where this is?" The young man wearing the cap smiled and asked.