"Let us congratulate contestant Johan for successfully defending his ’Master Ball Tier’ throne!"
After confirming the results, the host’s passionate voice spread throughout the entire arena.
The venue erupted in the most enthusiastic cheers.
This match not only showcased tactical confrontation but also the heated clash between trainers, Pokémon, and opponents—absolutely worth the ticket price.
Teacher Johan was as powerful as always.
As for N, though defeated, he also received trendous recognition and approval.
"Though he lost, I acknowledge N’s strength is truly formidable. His tactical reserves and tactical ’literacy’ are excellent—worthy of being Teacher Johan’s student."
"Six to one? Seemingly lost, but actually won big! Being able to score against Teacher Johan—that’s sothing only Elite Four level could achieve, right?"
"Making Teacher Johan truly realize this is Master tier, not baby cup!"
"Teacher Johan—seemingly won but actually lost!"
Seeing various online comnts, Johan wanted to laugh.
What did they an?
Really wanted him to treat Master tier like baby cup?
These people seed like haters individually, but "cut them open" and they’d all be his fans.
Black-to-fan confird.
Better than fan-to-black anyway.
Putting away his phone, Johan looked at the Black and White Dragons before him, eyes narrowing with slightly dangerous light.
"You two..."
[We just ca to watch.]
Zekrom nudged Reshiram with its wing, indicating it was right, wasn’t it?
[Yes! Yes!] Reshiram nodded seriously.
What a "just watching."
As a Dragon of Truth, when had you beco so untruthful?
He naturally understood Reshiram and Zekrom’s thoughts.
Weren’t they just worried he and N would get too heated, causing the "tragedy" of the ancient Unova kingdom from a thousand years ago?
Wrong.
Such tragedy wouldn’t repeat—it would definitely beco Johan’s one-sided crushing of N.
After all, in strength, ability, and connections, Johan maintained overwhelming advantages in all aspects.
Actually, as the Dragon of Truth, Reshiram might be fine since only Johan had gained its recognition.
But Zekrom would be difficult.
Not even considering who was stronger between Johan and N, as the Dragon of Ideals, it had to make a choice first.
An absolutely difficult dilemma.
Fortunately, Johan and N’s relationship was clearly a very friendly ntor-student friendship.
Also, Galar region’s Eternatus had been beaten into submission by Johan and was currently receiving "modification" under Professor Magnolia.
Who knew when it would be released.
The Sword and Shield duo, Zacian and Zamazenta, also had friendly warrior relationships with Johan and wouldn’t react much to Zekrom and Reshiram’s arrival.
"King of Galar" Calyrex needn’t be ntioned—one of its beloved steeds was in Gengar’s hands, having an even better relationship with Johan.
So Zekrom and Reshiram’s appearance, besides causing so commotion, didn’t create any destructive impact.
Otherwise... their trip to Galar region would conservatively require at least two or three battles.
"Since you’re already here..."
Under Reshiram and Zekrom’s slightly expectant gazes, Johan grinned:
"Just go back early."
Reshiram & Zekrom: "?"
Johan couldn’t help but smile. "Just kidding. Since you’re here, stay for dinner."
"Roar—"
"Roar—"
Zekrom and Reshiram looked at each other and called out happily twice.
Zekrom winked at Reshiram.
See? Told you there was no problem.
Reshiram nodded satisfactorily but soon paused, looking confused.
Wait? Am I the Dragon of Truth or are you the Dragon of Truth?
How do you seem more truthful than ?
"Co on, try this special blend."
In the villa garden in Wyndon City, Reshiram and Zekrom looked expectantly at the food Johan brought, eyes glowing.
[Special blend?]
Reshiram and Zekrom looked delighted.
Look how polite Johan was—they’d co all this way and he specially prepared food. So honored!
"That’s right, ’Groudon Special.’"
Groudon Special?
This na... so domineering?
"Zekrom, you try first." Johan placed the plate before Zekrom.
Zekrom was overjoyed.
Not far away, Flint elbowed Lucian quietly: "See? Teacher Johan’s going to give soone a hard ti, right? From my experience..."
Lucian quickly distanced himself from Flint.
You know yet still say it?
Though normal people couldn’t hear from this distance... was Teacher Johan normal?
Don’t drag down with your death wish!
The next second—
"Roar—!!!"
Zekrom roared, mouth spewing lightning mixed with red flas, even its black cheeks flushing slightly.
Reshiram beside it imdiately stared wide-eyed.
When did you secretly learn my moves?
[So spicy, so spicy, so spicy!]
Zekrom’s forehead sweated as its head turned frantically, seeking water.
"Here." Johan brought out pre-prepared milk. "Water won’t help with spice—have so ’Moomoo Milk,’ spice lover."
Glug glug glug—
After several bottles of "Moomoo Milk," Zekrom finally recovered, collapsing weakly on the ground.
Only then did Reshiram realize this wasn’t Zekrom learning its moves but being overwheld by spice.
What level of spice could make a Thunder Dragon breathe fire?
Seeing Johan’s smiling approach, Reshiram instinctively stepped back, swallowing.
[Jo-Johan, I, I, I...]
I’m your most "loyal" supporter!
"You won’t eat?" Johan raised an eyebrow with a aningful smile.
[Can, can I not eat?]
Reshiram stamred the question.
"Of course." Johan said aningfully: "Just don’t regret it."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zekrom collapsed on the ground suddenly sprang up, excitedly howling skyward.
[Exhilarating! So exhilarating!]
Hm?
Reshiram was stunned.
Exhilarating?
Weren’t you about to lose control of bodily functions from the spice?
Zekrom drooled—not from hunger, but genuinely from the spice.
But how to put it... after the spice passed, that feeling of inner satisfaction and pleasure was really great.
Moreover, Zekrom felt its power seed to have subtle changes.
This benefit was greater than Energy Cubes!
Johan smiled, then said irritably: "Alright, eat up. I said it was special for you two—would I trick you? Though spicy, spice has its benefits and unique flavors."
What a joke.
Give soone a hard ti?
Was Old Johan soone who did that?
Besides, Johan didn’t think Zekrom’s actions were wrong—otherwise, should N be left alone and isolated?
Moreover, last ti having Flint test it wasn’t for nothing.
After Johan’s adjustnts, though still very spicy, it was actually much better than before.
Last ti Flint ate just a small bite and maintained "red-braised pig head" appearance for three days.
If not for his distinctive explosion hair, he probably couldn’t even register for the "Pokémon World Championships."
"Roar—"
After eating, Reshiram also couldn’t help roaring and breathing flas—its flas were much more vigorous than Zekrom’s.
However, Reshiram’s spice tolerance was considerably better than Zekrom’s. In just a mont, plus two bottles of "Moomoo Milk," it recovered.
[Exhilarating! Truly exhilarating!]
As a Fire-type Pokémon, Reshiram seed to gain even greater benefits from the spicy "Groudon Special."
Seeing this scene, other Pokémon, plus Cynthia, Steven, Lance, N and others, all eagerly wanted to try.
Soon the courtyard filled with continuous "hiss-huff" sounds.
But in this "harmonious" atmosphere, so discordant voices always appeared, like...
"Spicy! Spicy! Spicy! Water! Milk! Quick! Quick! Quick—"
Flint’s face was completely red, lips slightly swollen, sweating profusely like an ant on a hot pan, searching for water and milk.
But several bottles of "Moomoo Milk" provided no relief.
Everyone was amazed.
Though they also found it spicy, after eating they just needed a few gulps of milk. Their spice level was obviously much lower than what Reshiram and Zekrom ate.
Why was Flint’s reaction...
Could it be because Flint simply couldn’t handle spice?
"Ku?"
Infernape looked confused, taking a spoon to scoop a small half-spoonful from Flint’s bowl into its mouth.
The next second—
"Ku—"
Infernape’s entire body blazed with surging flas, head flas shooting skyward, body tense with arms spread, spewing scorching flas skyward.
Spicy!
Johan nearby acted "belatedly aware," slapping his forehead.
"Oops, seems I forgot to add spice-reducing ingredients for Flint."
Everyone: "..."
"Lucian, where are my ingredients? Did you see them?" Johan asked casually.
Lucian imdiately broke into cold sweat. "Here, here they are, Teacher Johan. Probably because I took them here, you forgot to add them for Flint."
ntally chanting: sacrifice friend not self—don’t contact anymore, Flint.
Johan showed "sudden realization": "So they’re here."
"Oops, mistake, mistake. Lifeti reputation ruined in one mont."
Johan quietly put away the little drawing Jirachi had given him.
As a Fire-type Pokémon, after eating spicy blend, fla temperature surged at least seven or eight percent short-term.
Flint, as a Fire-type Pokémon specialist "humanoid Pokémon," theoretically... should be fine, right?
As trainers, one must understand Pokémon conditions...
The "Master Replacent Battle" continued intensely.
In the "Master Replacent Battle" stage, not every "Master Ball Tier" contestant could only accept one challenge.
Of course, losing in "Master Replacent Battle" ant only accepting one challenge.
So far, those who’d accepted two or more challenges included... Master Mustard.
Yes, Mustard was still struggling.
Today, there were two battles Johan found quite interesting.
First... Drake stubbornly challenged Pryce!
Though Pryce was just a Gym Leader, as one of the strong contenders for early "Pokémon World Championships" titles, Pryce’s strength was unquestionably powerful.
He was only a Gym Leader purely because Pryce had lost much competitive spirit.
Otherwise, forget Johto League Elite Four—whether Lance could sit in the Johto League Champion position would be highly questionable.
More importantly... a Dragon-type Elite Four challenging Ice-specialist Pryce—what difference was this from "suicide"?
How was this different from Lance provoking Lorelei?
But according to Drake, this was their older generation’s "grudge." With this appropriate occasion, they’d completely end this "grudge" here—afterward would be the young people’s era.
Later, Johan learned from Champion Alder that Drake and Pryce’s grudge began when they fought over the sa girl in their youth.
This ignited Johan’s gossip heart.
He also felt this battle should happen!
They should fight properly!
What fun was always watching young people’s battles?
Older generation battles would definitely be more "brutal."
Drake’s strength was formidable. If he didn’t want Champion responsibilities and nurous duties, Hoenn League’s Champion could have been his long ago.
Ace Salance after ga Evolution definitely had near-legendary strength.
And Pryce... was even more exaggerated.
Though Johan knew this world’s Pryce wasn’t the "Masked Man" Pryce he knew—not the one who could capture Ho-Oh.
But there were still similarities.
Like abnormally exaggerated strength.
He’d rarely acted in recent years, so few knew his true capabilities.
From Johan’s understanding of Pryce, even if he suddenly brought out legendary-level Swinub or Delibird in competition, Johan wouldn’t be particularly surprised.
Regarding Ice-types, even Lorelei, the rising Ice-type Elite Four star, had so gap compared to Pryce.
Besides this "Dragon vs Ice" battle sowhat "replicating" Lance vs Lorelei, another battle also drew Johan’s attention.
Janine challenging "Gibeon"!
Regarding Janine, Johan knew she was Team Rocket’s highest executive, one of three top executives.
Reportedly, Johto League intended to invite Janine to serve as Elite Four.
Janine’s strength was indeed sufficient for Elite Four—after all, no Kanto League Gym Leader was weak.
Just... Champion was "poached" from Kanto League, Elite Four also from Kanto League—Johto League might as well completely take over Kanto.
As for watching this battle, Janine was just a minor reason. The bigger reason was "Gibeon."
Or rather, the Explorers executive nad Spinel that Johan knew.
He wanted to know what the opponent intended by using "Gibeon’s" na to participate in the "Pokémon World Championships."
Attract more attention from Geeta?
But with what Explorers and Outstanding Inc. had done... wasn’t this like lighting lamps in toilets?
The events in Zarude Forest and the two Explorers executives—Johan had given everything to Geeta.
Probably Paldea League was already secretly investigating Outstanding Inc.
Moreover, theoretically, with the opponent’s strength, it should be very difficult to maintain footing in "Pokémon World Championships’" "Master Ball Tier" competition.
Only because in "Master Replacent Battle," challengers were mostly people like Bruno, N, and Drake with specific challenge targets, so they wouldn’t challenge the seemingly easiest target "Gibeon."
Fortunately, Janine was different.
Janine was obviously a "practical" person like Johan.
Challenge whoever had better winning chances.
Thus this battle occurred.
For Johan, understanding Spinel’s purpose ant watching this battle wouldn’t be wrong.
Besides him, Geeta was equally attentive.
Actually, if Janine didn’t challenge, Geeta already planned to have Green challenge him.
Right, Paldea League’s ultimate worker Green, with "Ultra Ball Tier’s" 21st place—the challengers’ last position—entered "Master Replacent Battle."
He never expected to qualify.
Mainly following Paldea League’s intention to fight several matches daily.
Because there were prize money.
After fighting enough, he stopped.
Unexpectedly, he qualified.
So Green didn’t care about winning in "Master Replacent Battle"—he just wanted to finish quickly, then use the "Master Replacent Battle" break to go ho and lie flat.
"Drake has sent out his ace Salance!!"
"While Gym Leader Pryce sent out... Delibird!"
Salance VS Delibird!
"Old partner." Drake smiled, gently patting Salance’s neck. In his weathered eyes flashed scenes they’d experienced together. "Tell them that as n of the sea, re ice and snow can’t affect us at all!"
"Roar—!!!"
"ga Evolution—Salance!"
In brilliant light, Salance was enveloped in evolutionary light, roars shaking the arena.
"Drake and his Salance have ga Evolved!!" the host hoarsely shouted.
"Hey!"
Pryce in his wheelchair exchanged glances with Delibird.
Old opponents indeed.
But with the ergence of enhancent thods like ga Evolution, Z-Moves, Dynamax, Drake’s strength had advanced further.
"But we haven’t fallen behind either."
An Ice-type "Z-Crystal" appeared in Pryce’s hand.
"Looks like Gym Leader Pryce chose Z-Moves!"
ga Evolution VS Z-Moves!
Compared to Dynamax and Terastallization, ga Evolution and Z-Moves obviously tested bonds between trainers and Pokémon more.
The upper limits of changes brought by these enhancent thods could almost be said to be determined by trainer-Pokémon bonds.
So ga Evolution and Z-Moves were obviously more suitable for older generation trainers.
Of course, Pryce wouldn’t need "dance" poses like other trainers to use Z-Moves. As a top-tier existence among the older generation, Pryce could manage this slight "change."
"Salance, Hyper Voice!"
"Delibird, Subzero Slamr!"
Boom!!!
Afternoon.
Wyndon Stadium, highest viewing area railing, Johan leaned against it.
"Long ti no see, Boss Giovanni." Johan didn’t even turn his head, knowing who arrived.
Giovanni in a suit, hearing "Boss," showed barely perceptible amusent.
That Johan acknowledged him as "Boss" was enough.
"Been busy lately," Giovanni said flatly.
Indeed busy.
With Rose’s fall and Macro Cosmos reorganizing with Galar League under Leon’s leadership, so "blank areas" inevitably remained.
Rainbow Rocket seized opportunities to "absorb" part of Macro Cosmos’s remaining holdings.
Of course, through legal, compliant ans, at most... slightly using so force.
So Giovanni’s participation in this "Pokémon World Championships" wasn’t entirely just for competition and battles—it also ant helping "Rainbow Rocket" establish reputation and presence in Galar region.
"Mm." Johan nodded thoughtfully.
Giovanni glanced at him. "You get dividends too."
Having already arranged to entrust Team Rocket and Rainbow Rocket to Johan, Johan couldn’t really be said to have dividends—calling Johan half-owner wouldn’t be excessive.
"No, I an..."
Johan glanced down briefly then quickly looked back up. "I’m not an undercover agent either. Next ti we don’t need to et at such high places, right?"
"Hm?"
Giovanni obviously didn’t understand Johan’s reference.
"It’s starting." Johan said.
Both turned attention back to the arena.
Janine and "Gibeon’s" battle had begun!
Janine displayed the calm, composure, thodical approach a ninja should have, plus occasional brilliant tactics.
The opposing "Gibeon" also appeared very confident, quite strategically controlling everything with ease.
But this made Johan and Giovanni unconsciously frown.
"Are these Pokémon really his?" Johan questioned.
"Gibeon’s"—or rather Spinel’s—Pokémon differed greatly from Johan’s impressions. Their fighting style seed pre-planned and trained, lacking flexible adaptability. They showed slight delayed reactions to Spinel’s occasional commands.
These details were naturally invisible to ordinary people, or most trainers.
But at Johan and Giovanni’s level, they could sense abnormalities from small details.
"Who did you say he was last ti?" Giovanni asked.
"Spinel, using Outstanding Inc. President and Explorers Chief Gibeon’s na. Purpose temporarily unknown. As for strength..."
Bang!!
As soon as he finished speaking, Spinel’s Skeledirge suddenly erupted, spewing terrifying flas that engulfed Janine’s Ariados, catching Janine and Ariados completely off-guard.
Afterward, each Pokémon Spinel summoned had a sense of... getting stronger and more violent as battles progressed.
Giovanni watched his capable subordinate Janine being handled this way, expression becoming serious: "His Pokémon aren’t right! Either injected or drugged!"
Hm?
Johan instinctively replied: "We will definitely win."
Giovanni turned his head.
?
"Cough cough, I an the tournant has inspection systems. If he dares use it, he’s not worried about being detected." Johan coughed twice.
Giovanni frowned.
"Rakua elents?" he asked.
Johan had ntioned this before.
"Most likely."
"Treating ’Master tier’ as his testing ground?"
"I’m afraid... this is just his surface purpose," Johan said sowhat hesitantly.
"Surface purpose?"
Giovanni thought briefly and understood Johan’s aning.
Wasn’t this putting himself under League’s noses?
Even if League currently couldn’t detect mysterious "Rakua elents," they’d eventually manage it. Then...
Not just Spinel, but probably the Explorers behind him and Chief Gibeon would also struggle...
Hm?
Thinking this, Johan and Giovanni exchanged glances.
This guy deliberately entered the ga?
"Showing his ’value’ to others? Expressing loyalty? Or ’inviting wolves in’?"
Johan indicated he couldn’t see clearly.
Giovanni couldn’t help but sneer: "Wasting thoughts on petty cleverness—can’t achieve great things."
Bang!!!
On field, Janine lost another Pokémon.
The score was... three to four, Janine at disadvantage!
Honestly, Janine had skills—at least ordinary Elite Four strength, reaching average level.
But for Janine, this rigid, rule-bound fighting style wasn’t her specialty.
As a ninja, poison expert, assassination, stealth, wilderness combat were her strengths.
At least unrestricted, unlimited battles would let her display abilities.
In formal battles, Janine’s strength was constrained.
If this were wilderness, no matter how strong Spinel was or how much "Rakua elents" he used, he probably couldn’t last ten seconds against Janine.
But this was a formal arena with formal competition.
"Go, Iron Treads!" Spinel smiled, summoning his fourth Pokémon.
Ground and Steel-type Paradox Pokémon—Pokémon from the future.
Iron Treads’ appearance imdiately caused significant commotion.
"Is, is this Donphan?"
"Why is it completely covered in tal? And the color seems different..."
"What Pokémon is this? Iron Treads? Never seen it!"
Paradox Pokémon—even Paldea League was still secretly researching without public announcent, not registered in Pokédexes. Naturally spectators didn’t recognize such Paradox Pokémon.
Not just spectators—most contestants didn’t recognize Iron Treads either.
"Janine’s in trouble," Johan said grimly.
Now it was real trouble.
The opponent’s targeting was too obvious.
Iron Treads’ typing was Ground and Steel, making it difficult for Poison-specialist Janine to handle.
Not completely unmanageable.
Even with "Corrosion" ability specifically for Steel-types, Salazzle and Glimmora would be tricky since both were 4x weak to Ground.
Especially on this kind of arena—more troubleso.
Moreover...
"Show your true form, Terastallize Iron Treads!" Spinel threw his Tera Orb.
Regular Steel-type wasn’t enough—Tera Steel too!
Logically, contestants only learned who challenged them on match morning.
Spinel was overly prepared.
"It’s over."
Giovanni glanced at Iron Treads then turned to leave.
Though the match wasn’t finished, Janine indeed couldn’t win.
Being extensively pre-targeted, plus "Rakua elents" and Terastallization—Spinel’s preparation thoroughness was staggering.
Janine... could only say Spinel might need to be careful on his way ho.
On arena, Janine lost, but off-arena, three Spinels combined probably couldn’t last a second against Janine.
Most importantly... Johan sensed so anger from Boss Giovanni.
Tsk tsk.
Though unsure of Spinel’s purpose, simultaneously angering Boss Giovanni, Janine, Geeta—both sides...
His ending definitely wouldn’t be good.
Enough.
No need to think about this guy anymore—he wouldn’t go far.
Mont of silence, can’t spare more.
Finally, Pryce and Spinel both successfully defended their "Master Ball Tier" positions.
Older generation battles were fascinating.
But Spinel’s summoning of Paradox Pokémon Iron Treads also caused considerable commotion.
Never-before-seen Pokémon, not even registered in Pokédexes.
Could such Pokémon be allowed in Master tier competition?
Additionally, so sharp-eyed people also sensed sothing wrong with Spinel’s Pokémon, strongly demanding League investigation.
In fact, League imdiately investigated post-match, but the result...
This matter also led to long etings among tournant organizers, primarily Galar League and Paldea League.
Spinel using so unknown enhancent thod was almost certain.
But... undetectable.
Considering impact, League couldn’t announce this undetectable enhancent thod situation.
Otherwise... it wouldn’t just appear in "Pokémon World Championships" but potentially all tournants worldwide, large and small.
This risk must be prevented!
After discussion, the final decision:
Temporarily allow Spinel while secretly monitoring to ensure he couldn’t escape the venue.
Once he was defeated, imdiately arrest him!
After figuring out "Rakua elents" and Spinel’s enhancent thods, then announce this matter.
As for losing to Spinel... League Masters should have sufficient thods to handle such small-ti villains.
Just relying on petty cleverness.
Use absolute strength against him!
Spinel had caused public outrage.
Right, send that, that, that—send the most "tornting" guy!
Him!
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