Pokemon: Spiritual Master

With the "Pokémon World Master Tournament" finals approaching, Johan was enjoying a rare period of "quiet" time.

Even the usually noisy Flint wasn't coming over to chatter, seemingly to give him a quieter environment for battle preparation.

But with the Pokémon of their "Old Jing family"...

Getting a quiet environment wasn't so easy.

Look here.

Gengar was wearing a white cloth in the yard, playing ghost tag with Jirachi, Victini, and Tyranitar.

Honestly...

Gengar was already a ghost—did it need to wear a white cloth?

"Ka-kaah! Ψ(｀▽)Ψ"

Here I come! Here I come!

[Run quickly! Johan run quickly! The ghost is coming!!]

In an instant, the little ones immediately scattered.

Johan shook his head.

Those who didn't know might think they were on vacation, not preparing for some Master Tournament finals.

Cynthia beside him crossed her legs, watching Johan's helpless expression and asked with a smile:

"Do you want us to help you simulate in advance?"

"Hm?" Johan was startled.

Cynthia continued: "My Garchomp and Steven's Aggron should be able to simulate Mr. Giovanni's sandstorm team to about sixty to seventy percent."

Although they might not simulate the most essential parts, everyone was top trainer—based on videos and mutual analysis, some things could still be deduced.

After a pause, she added:

"As for that fleeting Beedrill at the end... it should have already reached legendary level. Although Aaron is quite lacking, simulating it should still manage thirty to forty percent."

Johan couldn't help but be speechless after hearing this.

"No need."

He waved his hand and smiled: "Besides that Beedrill, what Giovanni's final lineup will be is anyone's guess."

"Anyone's guess?"

Johan didn't know how to explain.

Could he tell Cynthia that with Giovanni's abilities and financial resources, he had at least three main teams?

In the special manga, Green received Giovanni's "Earth Mastery" and in just one year trained a team of near-Champion strength Pokémon from scratch—what more could Giovanni accomplish with years of management?

Although Green was a "Breeder," Giovanni's breeding abilities, with "Viridian Power" and Team Rocket's financial resources, definitely wouldn't be much inferior to Green's.

So he only told Cynthia: "Mr. Giovanni has trained many Pokémon. What we've seen might only be part of it."

Just like others said—if it were a battle in the wild, Elite Four Agatha could display strength that even many Champions couldn't match.

If it were in the wild, Giovanni's "Earth Legion" emerging would be hard for even Champions to stop.

"Mm..." Cynthia nodded. "I see..."

"Just maintain good condition," Johan appeared relaxed but also showed rarely displayed confidence. "When we're in good condition, we're invincible!"

Cynthia blinked, looking at Johan before her with slight amazement.

She rarely saw Johan this confident—not that Johan usually lacked confidence in himself and his Pokémon, but he rarely displayed this confidence openly.

Her eyes curved like crescents as she smiled: "Then take my portion and claim the championship!"

Preparation time flew by, and online discussions intensified.

Under countless spectators' anticipation, the day of the "Pokémon World Master Tournament" finals finally arrived!

Johto region, Goldenrod City, Team Rocket's underground secret base.

Archer, wearing white Team Rocket executive uniform, stood with his hands behind his back. Before him on the sofa sat three other Team Rocket executives.

The four in the room were Team Rocket's highest command in the Johto region—the Four Rocket Generals!

At this moment, the TV screen in the room was broadcasting the "Pokémon World Master Tournament" finals.

Archer said in a flat tone:

"The Boss ordered us to watch this broadcast."

The four more or less understood Giovanni's meaning.

Nothing more than...

The Boss had already chosen his successor—that prominent Teacher Johan—and wanted to use this battle to make them recognize Teacher Johan's strength and accept him obediently.

After all, Team Rocket also emphasized strength above all.

But honestly...

They were executives, not mountain hermits—how could they not know Teacher Johan's fame?

Of course.

Strength was a prerequisite for their recognition, but if someone wanted to replace Giovanni's position based solely on strength... besides the loyal Archer who would follow Giovanni's wishes, the other three would inevitably have some ulterior thoughts.

Those with ulterior thoughts weren't just the "Four Rocket Generals," but also the "Rocket Beast Trio."

However, at this moment, all these people without exception were watching the Master Tournament finals.

Wyndon City, Wyndon Stadium.

In the evening, Wyndon Stadium was packed inside and out. Not only was the stadium completely full, but large numbers of spectators had also come to watch the broadcast on large screens outside the venue.

An incredibly lively atmosphere and curious, anticipatory mood permeated the entire city.

Thud thud thud—

As night gradually fell, lights inside and outside the venue lit up one by one, instantly making the area around Wyndon Stadium bright as day.

Numerous filming Rotom and news helicopters circled above the stadium.

The audience immediately widened their eyes, holding their support signs and staring at the stadium interior, anticipating the appearance of those two figures.

"I believe everyone has been anticipating this for a long time, as have I—"

The familiar host's voice rang out.

"First, welcome everyone to the scene of our 'Pokémon World Master Tournament' finals!!"

"Without further ado, let's welcome—the two finalists!!"

Boom!!

Cheers immediately shot skyward.

Bang bang bang—

Countless fireworks bloomed above the stadium, brilliant colors reflecting in everyone's eyes.

In the contestant tunnel.

Johan sat on a bench, listening to the host's shouts outside while silently closing the "Earth Mastery" tome he had read countless times.

Looking at his Pokémon before him, he couldn't help but smile.

With Giovanni as the opponent, he would probably really have to reveal all his "trump cards" this time.

Thinking carefully...

"We're the 'unreasonable source' of the Pokémon world."

Ceruledge's "sword-cannon form" and Coach Bear's Rapid Strike Single Strike combination aside.

Dragonite's "Outrage state" and the further advanced Dragon Ascent.

Tinkaton's "Gigaton Hammer" and activating "Hammer King" form.

Ninetales' "Pixie Plate," earth control, and exclusive "Z-Move" could also become crucial trump cards.

Gengar needn't be mentioned—Bond Evolution with it allowed Gengar to not need to carry "Gengarite," giving Johan more options.

For example, having Gengar carry other items while using enhancement methods on other Pokémon, like Ninetales' exclusive "Z-Move," Dragonite and Tyranitar's Mega Evolution, Urshifu's Dynamax, etc.

Even more extremely.

In Gengar's shadow was a legendary Pokémon—Spectrier!

Theoretically, the "ghost-horse unified" Gengar and Spectrier actually counted as one Pokémon—at most just... slightly bigger than Dragapult's Dreepy.

In comparison.

Tyranitar's Precipice Blades and Serperior's "Forest Power" seemed rather "ordinary."

"...Please welcome both finalists!!"

The host's voice came, and nearby staff also quietly reminded him. Johan nodded and exhaled lightly.

Then he stood up.

"Ka-kaah~"

Gengar grinned wickedly and draped the "Champion" cape over Johan's shoulders.

Ninetales stood close beside him, Dragonite squinted while rubbing its belly, Tinkaton cheerfully shouldered her hammer, Urshifu snored, Ceruledge coolly struck a pose, Tyranitar munched diamonds, and Serperior held its head high arrogantly...

"Let's go!"

Johan waved lightly.

"Ka-kaah~!"

Gengar dove into Johan's shadow with a fish leap, while the other Pokémon all transformed into red light and returned to their Poké Balls.

For a moment, his cape fluttered.

Walking out of the contestant tunnel, at the boundary between light and darkness, was tsunami-like cheering that felt tangible, was the slightly trembling ground and walls.

"Teacher Johan!!"

In a corner of the huge stadium, Kanaz Pokémon Academy students in uniform clothing held high banners and shouted hoarsely.

To support Teacher Johan, the academy, which had already taken temporary leave for the Master Tournament, had gathered all students willing to come to the Galar region to support Johan, forming a massive "Teacher Johan Support Group."

On the opposite side.

Giovanni, still wearing his black suit with hands in pockets, calmly walked out of the contestant tunnel under the spotlight.

"Mr. Giovanni (Boss)!!"

Giovanni's "support group" was equally large.

Rainbow Rocket Corporation had taken over much of Macro Cosmos Corporation's "legacy" in the Galar region, so Team Rocket members had naturally become legitimate Rainbow Rocket Corporation employees, coming to support Giovanni on-site.

Leading them was Matori, holding high a poster of Giovanni's imposing figure.

"Listen up—Meowth, you hold Teacher Johan's poster; James, you hold Giovanni's poster. We support both!" Jessie instructed left and right.

Both were big shots they couldn't afford to offend.

"What about you, meow?" Meowth, holding Giovanni's poster, couldn't help asking.

"Yeah, what about you?" James, holding Teacher Johan's poster high, also spoke up.

"Me?" Jessie grinned and raised both hands with two posters. "Of course I support both!"

"Damn it! Meow!"

"Exactly!"

"Wobbuffet! ∠(°ゝ°)"

On the other side.

"Teacher Johan, go for it!!" After Cynthia lost to Teacher Johan, Flint had again become Teacher Johan's most faithful supporter, cheering loudly.

Not just him—Lucian, Aaron, and other Sinnoh Elite Four members all felt the same.

Only they knew clearly how strong big sister's strength truly was, and such a big sister still lost to Teacher Johan—they didn't know who else could beat Teacher Johan.

Lucian's "enlightenment" was even deeper.

After all...

To beat big sister like that and still "survive"—such ability was truly a model for their generation!

Under various cheers, Johan and Giovanni walked to the center of the field.

Their gazes met.

"Boss Giovanni," Johan smiled slightly in greeting.

Giovanni nodded lightly, looking at Johan with gratification and... fighting desire that hadn't appeared on Giovanni's face for a long time.

He had forgotten how long it had been since he faced someone and couldn't suppress the urge to battle them.

However, Giovanni could also sense that although Johan also had fighting desire and the urge to win, it didn't seem... particularly intense.

Thus.

Giovanni, who understood Johan quite well, said softly: "If you lose, take that position."

Hm?

Hm?!

Johan naturally knew what "that position" Giovanni referred to was—the deadly position of Team Rocket leader.

For others, it would undoubtedly be an extremely tempting position—that was Team Rocket!

The "underground emperor" of the Kanto and Johto League regions.

Countless people within Team Rocket secretly coveted this position.

But for Johan...

He already wanted to resign from Hoenn League Champion.

Team Rocket leader?

Johan's expression became more serious as he opened his mouth: "I—"

But before he could say anything, Giovanni turned and walked back to his side, waving with his back to Johan.

"It's settled."

Not giving Johan any chance to object.

Johan: "..."

He took a deep breath.

Slowly exhaled.

Whatever.

Just win.

Whether promising Cynthia or his own Pokémon, he had to win anyway.

Johan's expression became serious as he also turned and walked back to his side.

Seeing Johan's expression, Giovanni's lips curved in a smile.

Was the battle with Cynthia all of Johan's strength?

No!

In Giovanni's view, Johan's full strength definitely exceeded what he displayed against Cynthia.

Back then, they had fought side by side during the "Hoopa Unbound" incident.

"Please, both contestants, prepare!"

Seeing both had returned to their respective halves, the finals referee waved flags to signal.

Hearing this.

Giovanni and Johan's expressions became simultaneously solemn as they each took out Poké Balls and threw them.

"I choose you, Tyranitar!!" Johan called out.

"Tar!!"

Bang—

Dust rose.

Appearing before Johan was clearly the fierce beast clad in dark green heavy armor—the "Desert Tyrant" Tyranitar!

Seeing Teacher Johan's first Pokémon was actually Tyranitar, large numbers of spectators cried out in surprise.

In the previous match between Giovanni and Lance, Giovanni's Tyranitar had performed exceptionally, and Giovanni had used sandstorm team tactics.

Was this to counter sandstorm tactics?

Land of Endings VS Precipice Blades?

Starting with such excitement right away?

However, the Pokémon summoned by Giovanni's Poké Ball made ninety-nine percent of the audience show question marks above their heads.

"What Pokémon is this?"

"Looks a bit like the rubber duck in my bathtub..."

"Don't say that, don't you dare say that..."

That red and blue coloring, round form...

It was clearly Porygon's evolution—Porygon2!

Giovanni's first Pokémon surprised everyone, including Johan.

Not a Ground, Rock-type Pokémon, not a Bug-type Pokémon, but a Pokémon most people didn't recognize.

Why not the final evolution Porygon-Z?

As soon as this thought appeared, Johan almost immediately understood what tactics Giovanni wanted to use...

He bared his teeth: "That ruthless?"