Pokemon: Spiritual Master

Lance also lost.

After Flint lost to Red, Lance also undoubtedly lost.

Whether in Pokémon clashes or trainer confrontations.

Fortunately, Lance, who possessed "Viridian Power," quickly recovered.

After this battle—

Whether Lance, Johan, Cynthia, or the others gained a clearer understanding of the differences between the two worlds.

Although both were Pokémon worlds—

The Pokémon world where Red lived seemed more enthusiastic about wild battles. Rules were indeed more restrictive than protective for them.

Using no-rules or wild battle tactics, Red displayed even stronger strength.

At the same time—

This removed any doubt about Red winning the Master Tournament championship in his world.

His strength was indeed worthy of the Master Tournament champion title.

Is this the height Red could reach in the future?

No wonder Teacher Johan thought so highly of this world's Red...

Lance, who understood this, couldn't help thinking after his defeat.

After experiencing the Master Tournament and the duel with Red, Lance clearly recognized his own shortcomings.

When he returned, he would probably apply for an extended training period.

The depths of Silver Mountain would be a good choice.

Actually, not just Lance—Steven, Cynthia, and others also realized things they lacked from Red's battles with Flint and Lance.

Combined with their Master Tournament gains—

After returning, everyone would probably need time to consolidate, and after that consolidation, they might all see significant strength improvements.

The surprise wasn't just for Lance—Red, who had won, was actually quite amazed internally.

When he was young, he had fought with the young Lance.

No, when he battled Elite Four Lance, the opponent couldn't be called very young anymore and had already reached his peak.

But honestly—

He felt this world's Mr. Lance was stronger—stronger in the same age bracket comparison.

And undoubtedly, this world's Mr. Lance would definitely become even stronger in the future, far surpassing the Lance he knew.

But—

Why?

Just because this world's Mr. Lance had no thoughts of destroying the world or humanity?

From the earlier conversation among Lance and others, Red learned that this world also had a Red—a young Red.

Clearly two similar worlds, yet they seemed very different...

Because of what?

Because of Teacher Johan?

In Red's world, he had never heard the name Teacher Johan, which seemed very strange.

Since both worlds had Red, Lance, Steven, Cynthia, and others—

Although they might differ due to different development trajectories, in Red's view, if this world's Teacher Johan was so amazing, then the Teacher Johan in his world shouldn't be completely unknown...

"Teacher Johan, won't you battle Red?" Flint suddenly said.

Johan, who was petting Snorlax's chubby belly and thinking sleeping on Snorlax's belly would definitely be comfortable, froze at these words.

"Both Master Tournament champions from two worlds—it would definitely be interesting, right?" Lance, treating Dragonite's injuries, suddenly brightened.

Steven smiled: "With teacher, it would definitely be quite spectacular..."

"Spectacular?" Johan clicked his tongue.

Honestly—

When he saw Red suddenly walk out from the space-time passage, Johan already had a premonition.

A premonition that they would probably... end up fighting.

Red as the strongest in his world, while he had just won the Master Tournament championship and shut out Boss Giovanni whom he quite feared—Johan could "shamelessly" call himself "world's number one."

He used "shamelessly" because he clearly knew the really powerful ones—Red, Blue, Ash, and others—were far from grown up.

So he had a feeling—

The Master Tournament felt incomplete.

Therefore—

When he came here due to Professor Kukui's request and saw Red appear, he suddenly understood.

This was to let him complete the Master Tournament.

A "challenge match" after winning the championship—wasn't this the League's "standard operation"?

So—

Although Johan initially had some "resistance," after watching Flint and Lance battle Red, saying he had no thoughts would be false.

Coming to the Pokémon world and "reaching the top" without battling Red—what kind of thing was that?

Flint's words also struck Red's heart.

Master Tournament champion, Teacher Johan!

Even if not the strongest in this world, he should rank in the top three.

Coming to this world inexplicably was one thing, but meeting a strong opponent without fighting wasn't Red's style.

Thus—

Johan and Red looked at each other.

At that moment, Johan felt like he could pull out his deck and battle board.

"Teacher Johan." Red smiled: "Want to battle?"

Johan enviously touched Snorlax's belly again—this "cushion" would definitely be comfortable for sleeping...

"Don't you want to rest first?"

Having just battled Flint and Lance twice, although Red won both, his Pokémon definitely took some damage. Recovery was necessary.

"Thanks to Teacher Johan's energy cubes and Indeedee's care, they should be mostly recovered." Red said.

Johan was speechless but still showed some seriousness: "No, let's rest a bit more."

Red was stunned.

Seeing Teacher Johan's serious eyes, he immediately understood.

So he nodded solemnly: "Alright!"

Besides recovery, Red actually felt his Pokémon's condition had reached its peak after the two battles with Flint and Lance.

This might be a bit disrespectful to Flint and Lance, but—

They really helped Red's Pokémon warm up nicely.

Only peak Red—

Could use an Elite Four and a champion as warm-up opponents.

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar, listening nearby, hurriedly floated over with a grin.

So you're called Little Red!

"Eat, eat, eat—all you do is eat!"

Looking at the still-feasting legendary Pokémon, Johan felt irritated and couldn't help muttering.

They all acted like they were eating their last meal.

Even when battling other legendary Pokémon, they weren't this serious.

"Lax?" Red's Snorlax heard this, stopped eating, and blinked at Johan.

Seeing this, Johan hurriedly said: "I wasn't talking about you, Snorlax. Eat your fill—you can only battle well when full."

"Lax~"

Hearing this, Snorlax immediately relaxed, then while chewing, bear-hugged toward Johan to show its affection.

Seeing this, Red's expression changed as he immediately called out: "Lax, don't—"

Before finishing his words, he froze.

He saw Snorlax hugging toward Teacher Johan, and as Teacher Johan's expression changed, he spread his arms and grabbed Snorlax's two thick arms, saying:

"Wait, wait Snorlax, no need to be so polite..."

Red watched in amazement.

Teacher Johan being able to "win over" Pikachu was already surprising enough, but could still be attributed to Teacher Johan having special affinity.

After all, although Pikachu rarely let others touch it, didn't Yellow with Viridian Power gain Pikachu's recognition?

They got along quite well.

But this scene—

Snorlax was the strongest of all Pokémon in Red's team.

It had once used pure physical strength to forcibly stop a speeding train!

Even Venusaur, Aerodactyl, and Poliwrath weren't Snorlax's match in strength, yet Teacher Johan just casually blocked it?

Even if Snorlax wouldn't use full force in this situation, it showed how terrifying Teacher Johan's strength was.

Was this strength humans should have?

"Red! Red!" Johan called out.

Red snapped back to reality and hurriedly ran over to grab Snorlax's arm: "Lax, Lax, are you full? It's about to start."

"Lax!"

Hearing this, Snorlax realized and quickly released Johan to eat again.

After resting a bit more—

"Teacher Johan." Red called out.

"Mm?"

"Let's begin." Red said somewhat impatiently.

Is it starting?

Releasing little Jirachi, Johan nodded: "Alright!"

Everyone perked up.

Finally!

"Then I'll serve as refer—"

"Roto!!"

Before Flint could finish, there was a "Roto" sound, then he flew backward and crashed to the ground.

"This battle will be refereed by Roto! Roto~" Rotom Dex somehow produced red and blue flags, looking very professional.

"According to both parties' agreement, this battle uses 'wild battle rules.' Do both sides understand the rules, Roto!" Rotom Dex asked seriously.

Both Johan and Red nodded.

Rubbing his bottom, Flint "slunk back" to Cynthia and the others.

Not angry though.

He'd been hung on trees many times—not just once or twice, not even ten or twenty times. What was one fall?

"Big sister, who do you think will win—Teacher Johan or Red?" Flint couldn't help asking.

If he hadn't fought Red before, Flint definitely wouldn't have such doubts.

But after fighting Red and watching Lance battle Red, Flint was uncertain.

Red's strength was very strong, extremely strong!

Cynthia crossed her arms, her bright eyes watching Johan preparing, and said without hesitation:

"Johan."

Flint realized he'd asked the wrong person.

Big sister would definitely support Teacher Johan.

But Cynthia quickly added: "Provided Johan is willing to use his full strength."

"Full strength?" Flint paused. "The strength he used against Mr. Giovanni?"

Cynthia didn't speak. Steven beside them said: "Probably... not all of it."

"That's still not all?" Flint was stunned.

After being stunned, he asked: "Have you seen it?"

Cynthia, Steven, and others all shook their heads.

"Then how do you know that wasn't Teacher Johan's full strength?"

Caitlin pursed her lips: "With his personality, do you think he wouldn't hide something?"

Flint's eyes widened.

So reasonable—he couldn't refute it...

Even—

Steven suspected Teacher Johan might not even know himself how strong he could be at full power.

"Please prepare, both sides, Roto!" Rotom Dex waved flags.

Unlike Master Tournament rules, being prepared didn't mean summoning Pokémon, but taking out Poké Balls to prepare.

Under wild battle rules, throwing balls... was also a skill.

Masters like Gold could use a pole to throw Poké Balls near the opponent trainer's feet in various ways, then surprise attack the trainer directly—capture the leader first.

So Gold was very strong in no-rules wild battles, easily defeating Elite Four.

But in normal rule battles... losing to Gym Leaders was normal.

Red was also a Poké Ball "master." His signature "ball with electricity" and insulated gloves were among his many trademark tactics.

In the special manga, there were many scenes of throwing Poké Balls at opponents' feet.

Crystal, another protagonist in the special manga whom Professor Oak designated as "Capturer," had practiced ball-throwing skills for a long time.

At Rotom Dex's signal, Johan and Red took their respective Poké Balls.

"Begin!!"

Rotom Dex immediately announced.

Red's eyes flashed as he immediately threw his Poké Ball: "I choose you, Lax!!"

With just a light wrist flick, Red's Poké Ball landed almost at Johan's feet!

Simultaneously, Red quickly retreated several steps.

Red light flickered.

"Lax!!"

The massive Snorlax appeared from the red light near Johan, completely losing its previous dumb appearance, even showing some ferocity.

Pursing its lips, it shot forward, displaying agility completely inconsistent with its size as it pounced toward Johan.

Honestly—

Johan's wild battle experience really wasn't extensive, but it wasn't nonexistent either.

Moreover—

Almost 80-90% of his wild battle experience came from directly facing fierce legendary Pokémon.

However, when facing Red, Johan was prepared for this situation.

So Johan threw his Poké Ball directly at his own feet.

Though his ball-throwing skills weren't as good as Red's... throwing at his own feet definitely wasn't a problem.

"Draaa!!"

"Dragonite!" Johan called softly while also retreating several steps.

"Draaa—!"

As soon as Dragonite appeared, it saw a massive or rather burly Snorlax charging at high speed.

Egg dish?

But Dragonite quickly reacted, clenching its fist with lightning surrounding it, throwing it unhesitatingly at the charging Snorlax.

Thunder Punch!

This Snorlax's ability was "Thick Fat"—Fire and Ice-type moves had halved power against Snorlax. Thunder Punch might paralyze the opponent if lucky.

"Lax!"

Seeing the golden arcs jumping, Red's expression didn't change as he pointed and commanded:

"Megaton Punch!"

"Lax!!"

Snorlax roared deeply, brilliant white light bursting from its fist as it unhesitatingly struck toward Dragonite's Thunder Punch with momentum like a collapsing mountain!

Bang—

Two terrifying forces collided.

The ground beneath Snorlax and Dragonite suddenly collapsed.

The next second—

Snorlax staggered backward while Dragonite flew directly backward!

"Draaa?" Dragonite looked completely surprised.

Legendary?