Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 577: World Youth Masters Finals!

Night fell.

"Ka-kaah~~"

Gengar was uncharacteristically quiet, sitting alone in a corner. A black orb materialized in one hand, then another in the other hand.

Wearing his "Wise Glasses," he appeared deep in thought as he carefully attempted to fuse the two Shadow Balls together.

"Ka-kaah~ Ka-kaah~~"

Nope, wrong again.

Fusion failed.

Gengar casually tossed the Shadow Ball into his mouth.

His body suddenly puffed up, followed by a muffled thud, then all was calm once more.

And so he began the experiment again...

"Can I help with anything, Rotom!"

Rotom floated over, bringing two freshly toasted slices of bread to Yoji the Larvitar, and addressed the room.

"Uh..." Lucian glanced at his coffee, then at everyone else with snacks in hand and shook his head. "No need. Thanks, Rotom."

"Ahahaha—not at all, Rotom!" Rotom laughed awkwardly, scratching his head.

"Right! Time to clean up!"

With seemingly endless energy, Rotom dived into a robotic vacuum cleaner and began a thorough house-wide cleaning.

Followed by mopping, window-washing...

Basically—

"Rotom really is a bundle of energy," Flint remarked.

"Actually," Steven said, holding a brush in one hand and a mysterious stone in the other, cleaning meticulously, "Teacher's Rotom isn't weak at all."

"Indeed," Lance nodded. "It just rarely battles."

Everyone in the room was a top-tier trainer.

Even if they hadn't seen Rotom fight much, they could still sense its strength.

"Speaking of which... how's the Queen planning to deal with Mr. Johan?" Flint looked over at Cynthia, who was nibbling on ice cream on the sofa.

"Hm?"

Cynthia lifted her head gently.

She hadn't thought that far ahead.

"I think..." Lucian closed his book and leaned forward eagerly.

But before he could continue, Flint cut in, "You definitely have to be careful of Johan's Gengar."

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar looked up blankly from the corner, adjusting his glasses.

Someone calling me?

Everyone shot Flint a glare.

Even Aaron couldn't help but say, "Literally everyone knows that."

"Yeah, thanks for the revelation," Lucian said with a side-eye.

Johan's Gengar was his first partner, his Mega Evolution ace, and a beast in terms of both ability and power. Did it really need to be said?

"I think," Lance added, "you should also watch out for Johan's Dragonite. That one came from the Dragon's Sanctuary and has amazing talent—it's already matured."

Steven nodded in agreement. "And it's incredibly fast, with a move similar to Rayquaza's 'Dragon Ascent.'"

"And it can stay rational even under Outrage," Flint chimed in.

"Also, Ceruledge and Urshifu," Lucian added. "Johan uses their stance-switching to terrifying effect."

Ceruledge and Urshifu practically had triple typings and diverse abilities.

"And don't forget Ninetales," Karen noted from the sofa beside Cynthia. "Against Cynthia's Garchomp, it's a serious threat by type alone."

Garchomp was four times weak to Ice, and its Dragon-type moves were useless against Ninetales's Fairy typing.

If Garchomp fought Ninetales—

Cynthia's greatest advantage would vanish.

"And watch that Tinkaton," Caitlin added seriously. "I swear its hammer hides a whole mountain's worth of metal!"

Everyone turned to Steven.

When it came to Steel-types, no one had more authority.

Noticing their stares, Steven set down his brush and stone. "Actually, it might be more than that."

More?

Gasp—

"Just look at how Teacher's raising that Larvitar," he continued. "You'll understand."

They turned to the green little beast munching away on ore and gemstones on the floor.

Crunch—Crunch—

The sound hadn't stopped since they entered the room.

"Yoji?"

Sensing the eyes on him, Larvitar froze mid-bite, slowly looking up.

Everyone was staring at him.

Larvitar looked at himself, then at them, then at the stones around him.

Oh!

He held one up.

"Yoji?"

Wanna try?

Everyone turned back around. Larvitar scratched his head, confused.

Ah well, as long as no one's stealing my food.

Back to munching.

The crowd, observing Larvitar, began to understand Steven's point.

"Sure, you can let it eat, but there's gotta be a limit, right?" Flint asked.

But if they knew Larvitar could digest even fragments of the [Earth Plate], they wouldn't be surprised by his appetite for gems and ore.

"No wonder Mr. Johan is so broke and works so many jobs," Lucian realized.

No normal person could afford this.

"So," Cynthia began, counting on her fingers, "watch out for Gengar, Ninetales, Tinkaton, Dragonite, Ceruledge, Urshifu... possibly even Rotom?"

Everyone looked around.

That was... everyone on Johan's team.

Even the "utility Pokémon" needed caution?

Then what the heck were they strategizing for?

Just then, Leon raised his hand seriously. "Also Eevee—Mr. Johan's Eevee!"

Eevee?

When did Eevee enter the picture?

Had anyone even seen it?

"Dinner's ready!"

Johan called from the kitchen.

Seeing everyone gathered on the sofa, he squinted. "You're not... plotting how to beat me, are you?"

Lucian: "Of course not, Mr. Johan."

Steven: "You know me."

Lance: "Don't overthink it, Johan."

Flint: "Wait, how'd you know?"

Johan twitched.

Seriously?

They were planning to take him down in his own home—and he was cooking for them?

Sure, Steven brought the ingredients and everyone chipped in for food costs, but...

This was an outrage!

Food prices just went up!

That night—

Cynthia returned to her place, curled up on the sofa with her knees hugged to her chest, and summoned all her Pokémon.

"Garrr—" Garchomp, ferocious to others but gentle with her, had been with her since childhood.

"Luka!" Lucario, the team's gentleman, helped her with everything from organizing research to serving tea.

"Bwooo—" Milotic, graceful and long-bodied. She'd caught it even before Lucario, but it only evolved with Johan's help.

"Rossss~" Roserade, her gentle floral beauty.

"Wochuuu~" Gastrodon, goofy and always crawling across walls and floors.

"Hiiiisssss—" Spiritomb, the eerie shadow from the Odd Keystone, who once had an uncanny rapport with Johan—so much that Cynthia suspected Johan could command it like his own if she didn't object.

"Buiii~" Glaceon, nimble and elegant, landed on the coffee table, snuggling beside her.

Back when it struggled to pick an evolution, Johan's Ninetales helped it decide.

"Hmm..." Cynthia stroked Glaceon's head, leaning her cheek on one hand. "Feels like I'm surrounded by spies."

She scrolled her phone absentmindedly.

These weren't her only Pokémon.

The rest were with Professor Rowan's lab.

With the improved communication network, summoning them would be quick and easy if needed.

The next day.

Though it was a rest day with no matches, the Castelia stadium was still packed with people.

"Official merchandise authorized by Mr. Johan! And Miss Cynthia! Guaranteed authentic!"

The Rocket Trio's booth was a madhouse.

Authorized merch from the actual contestants!

And even limited edition World Youth Masters collectibles!

"I'll take the full Cynthia set!"

"Me too! And Caitlin's entire line!"

"Give me the Gengar poster, please!"

"Mr. Johan, Steven, Leon—full sets, please!"

For the Rocket Trio—

They'd never had a business this good.

Never in their lives.

Who knew selling legit merch was this profitable?

They weren't selling—they were basically printing money.

"Ladies and gents, listen up, nya!"

Meowth jumped on the booth with a megaphone.

"Signed posters by Mr. Johan—only three! Highest bidder wins, nya!"

Whoa!!

Everyone knew—

Mr. Johan rarely endorsed anything. You could barely find any licensed products with his name.

His fans had long despaired.

But now?

This little booth not only had merch from multiple contestants—it had Johan's signed posters?

Scramble time!

"This money... is too easy," Jessie said in a daze. "James, are we dreaming?"

James didn't look up. "Slap yourself and find out."

What if it hurts?

"Sho~ nazzz! ∑(O_O;)"

Wobbuffet shuddered under Jessie's gaze.

SMACK!

Jessie's slap triggered Wobbuffet's Counter.

BOOM!!

Jessie went flying.

"Sho~ nazzz..." Wobbuffet sighed in relief, wiping his forehead.

Didn't hurt!

Jessie wasn't so lucky—Wobbuffet's Counter could repel even Legendary attacks.

It hurt—but it felt real.

No time to sulk.

Time to rake in the cash!

Even if they'd been invited to sell at the Eindoak celebration later, nothing would beat this moment.

"Funds! Funds! Funds!" ×3

Tuesday, May 20th – Clear skies.

The massive stadium atop Castelia's central garden was packed to capacity. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

Balloons of all shapes filled the skies.

Dozens of major media helicopters buzzed overhead. Magneton-cams hovered throughout the venue.

The finals of the World Youth Masters Tournament had arrived!

Broadcast live across all regions and platforms for the first time in League history.

Deafening chants shook the stands as fans waved banners and posters.

Mr. Johan!

Miss Cynthia!

Who would triumph?

As anticipation soared, the internet dug up photos of "Mr. Johan" and "Miss Cynthia" sitting at a café, looking suspiciously like a couple.

"WHAAAT?! My Miss Cynthia! My Cabbage Queen!!"

"What?! I thought this was just a regular final—turns out it's a couple's duel?!"

"Damn it! Why does Johan get to steal our Queen?!"

"So this is a battle for family dominance?!"

"If Johan wins, he's tactless! If he loses, he loses status! Either way, he's screwed!"

Though it wasn't actually them—the photo showed Wallace and his girlfriend Naki in disguise—netizens didn't care.

They wanted Johan x Cynthia. Real or fake, didn't matter.

Fake? They'd make it real.

With enough buzz, even fiction became truth.

And the tournament reached new levels of hype.

In the stands—

Flint, Lucian, and Aaron sat together.

"These netizens... hilarious," Flint said while scrolling.

"You've got time for that?" Lucian raised an eyebrow.

"Why not? I'm not the one battling. And whether Cynthia wins or Johan does, I'm cool either way."

"Cool with it?"

Lucian pushed up his glasses. "So what's worse: Cynthia winning and hitting you to celebrate, or losing and hitting you out of spite?"

"Well obviously—"

Flint paused mid-sentence, calculating.

"If she loses, she hits me to vent. If she wins, she hits me to celebrate. I..."

He looked to the sky.

Why is my life like this?

Lucian felt slightly better seeing Flint's despair.

But seeing Aaron playing with some unknown bug Pokémon like nothing was happening?

His mood soured again.

Elite Four Bertha had told them they'd start getting real responsibilities after the tournament.

But—

Flint, the punching bag. Aaron, the goofball...

Lucian sighed.

Unova had no snow—yet he felt so cold.

"It's really lively here,"

Professor Oak smiled, his lab coat fluttering.

The League had gained public trust. Trainers were becoming central to society.

This world... just as you wished, Agatha.

"Once it's over—I'm challenging Mr. Johan!" Red was practically bouncing.

To avoid embarrassing himself, he'd trained hard while following the tournament.

Green too.

They'd battled each other countless times.

Usually, Green won more.

But lately, Green felt like Red was closing the gap—and fast.

Worse, it felt like Red was holding back against him.

Or rather, casual matches just didn't excite Red enough.

Red thrived on emotion. Green was pure strategy.

Green desperately wanted to know—how did Johan blend emotion and tactics so seamlessly?

"They're here!"

Green sat upright.

"First, let's welcome from Celestic Town in Sinnoh—Miss Cynthia!!!"

Cynthia walked out tall and graceful under the spotlight. Cheers roared, louder and louder, like waves crashing around the stadium.

She smiled, waving to both sides.

"Cynthia!! You have to win!!"

"Win, Cynthia! Only then will you have the 'throne'!"

"Absolutely destroy Johan!!"

Hearing these bizarre cheers, Cynthia smiled knowingly.

"Next, let's welcome from Kanaz City in Hoenn—Mr. Johan!!!"

BOOM!!

The cheers erupted again, no less intense than for Cynthia.

Johan strode out, tipping his cap and waving lightly.

"Show some backbone, Johan!!" someone yelled.

Johan: "???"

Backbone? What is this, a Taillow evolution joke?

"Today decides the family throne—Emperor or underling, it's up to you!"

"Stand tall for us fellow men!"

"Win or lose, Johan, you gain respect!"

Johan twitched.

All because of that fake photo!

He'd already asked Penny to track down the culprit—he'd get even, or forgive Flint. One or the other.

Still—

That was all background noise.

This was the World Youth Masters Finals.

"Finally made it," Cynthia smiled. "Been waiting a long time."

For her, the final itself wasn't the point.

Facing Johan—that's what mattered.

Johan grinned.

Honestly?

He didn't care about winning.

If the organizers handed him the prize money right now, he'd gladly forfeit.

Why fight and risk injury—especially against Cynthia?

Seeing his expression—or perhaps just understanding his personality—Cynthia twirled a lock of hair and said:

"If you beat me, I'll tell you a secret."

"A secret?"

Johan blinked.

Now he was curious.

"Both players, prepare!"

The judge raised the flag.

Silence fell.

The barriers shimmered with upgraded strength—reinforced on the rest day just for this match.

Johan and Cynthia each pulled out a Poké Ball.

They looked across the field.

And smiled.

"From the ocean depths—Gastrodon!"

Red light flashed.

The sluglike Pokémon appeared—pink body, brown shell, horn-like protrusions.

"Miss Cynthia's first Pokémon—Gastrodon from Sinnoh's western sea!"

Water/Ground type.

Sinnoh's Gastrodon had different forms based on origin.

This was the Western Sea form—pink and brown.

The Eastern one was blue and green.

Appearance aside, their stats were identical.

Only Grass-type moves could hit them super effectively.

And Johan had no Grass Pokémon!

Clever.

"Cynthia really knows Mr. Johan well. She doesn't need our advice," Lucian praised.

Whatever Johan sent out—Gastrodon wouldn't be at a big disadvantage.

Even Milotic would've been great, since it only feared Grass and Electric.

And Johan didn't have Electric-types either—aside from the "utility" Rotom.

Meanwhile—

Johan's Luxury Ball opened.

Red light flashed—

Urshifu entered the battlefield!

"Garruu!"

He pulled his headband tight, exuding an intimidating aura in Rapid Strike Style.

But those familiar with him knew—

Johan's Urshifu could freely switch styles.

All it took was sleep.

A breeze for a Pokémon psychologist like Johan.

To the audience, Urshifu seemed to split into two shadows—

Fierce Single Strike. Flowing Rapid Strike.

"So it's Gastrodon," Johan narrowed his eyes.

"So it's Urshifu," Cynthia nodded.

No surprises.

"Mr. Johan's first Pokémon is the Legendary—Urshifu!"

THUD—

The massive screen displayed their portraits and chosen Pokémon.

"Battle!"

The flag dropped.

"Begin!"

Johan vs. Cynthia—World Youth Masters Finals—had begun!

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Powerstones?

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