Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 360: "Sinnoh is Rich and Clueless, Get Here Fast!"

Sinnoh, Lily of the Valley Island.

The Sinnoh League's headquarters stood tall on this island.

At this moment, inside the League President's office at the top floor of the headquarters, the Sinnoh League President was in a video call with Elite Four member Bertha.

"You're saying that Johan— cough— Professor Johan, along with Cynthia and the others, successfully calmed Regigigas' fury?" the President confirmed.

On the large screen, Bertha nodded solemnly and added:

"To be more precise, Johan successfully put Regigigas to sleep and even established a friendly relationship with it."

She paused briefly before continuing:

"The eruption of Snowpoint Mountain's volcano—under Johan's guidance—was quelled by Regigigas and the three titans."

Hearing this, the Sinnoh League President smacked his lips, momentarily at a loss for words.

After a long silence, he finally asked:

"What's your opinion, Bertha?"

"Recruit Johan," Bertha stated firmly.

"And his response?"

"...He hasn't given a definitive answer."

No definitive answer meant no outright rejection, which meant there was still a chance.

However, given that Johan was from Hoenn, it wouldn't be easy to get him to switch regions.

With Drasna's situation as a precedent, the Sinnoh League had been paying close attention to homegrown talent, even implementing a youth-focused training policy to cultivate young, capable trainers.

Bertha hesitated for a moment before adding:

"However... Johan seems to have a very good relationship with Cynthia, as well as with Lucian, Flint, and Aaron."

"Cynthia, huh?"

The Sinnoh League President's eyes lit up.

That was excellent news.

The League had been monitoring Cynthia for a while now, investing significant resources into her development.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been invited to participate in so many exhibition matches at League events.

Of course, part of the reason was that Cynthia herself had massive fan appeal.

The President immediately caught on.

"Next time we hold an exhibition match for Cynthia, extend an invitation to Johan as well," he said, grinning.

Sinnoh is rich and clueless—get here fast!

Reimburse his travel and accommodations. Show sincerity.

The more he visits, the more likely he is to stay.

And besides, Cynthia and Johan...

Bertha glanced at the League President's strangely amused expression.

Did he want Johan to stay, or was he just nosy about gossip?

"Oh, right."

Bertha suddenly remembered something.

"I heard that Johan has already obtained the Canalave and Snowpoint Gym Badges. He might be interested in the Lily of the Valley Conference."

"Oh?"

The League President raised his brows in surprise.

"With his level of strength, he's still interested in League tournaments?"

He could fight Regigigas, and he still wanted to compete in the conference?

Bertha pressed her lips together.

"...Maybe it's just a personal hobby of his."

After a pause, she added, "And technically, Johan is still only registered as a beginner trainer in the League database."

The President was speechless.

A beginner trainer?

Someone who could go toe-to-toe with Regigigas??

After a moment of thought, he said,

"Then send him an invitation to the next Lily of the Valley Conference."

Typically, trainers entered the League by collecting Gym Badges or through official academy routes. Those were the two most well-known pathways.

But there was another way: the League could directly invite a trainer, in which case Gym Badges weren't required.

"Understood."

Bertha agreed without hesitation.

"We should also properly reward him for this incident," she added.

Regardless of whether Johan ultimately stayed in Sinnoh, the trainers who had defended an entire city—perhaps even the entire region—deserved recognition and compensation.

The League President nodded.

"I'll put some thought into it."

Bertha nodded in return.

After thinking for a moment, she decided not to mention the fate of the League's top-of-the-line Rotom Berry Mixer.

High or low, it was just a small matter.

After everything Johan had done for Sinnoh, they needed to act with some generosity.

Snowpoint City.

Late at night, a gentle snowfall blanketed the city.

In the villa's courtyard, the group had set up umbrellas and a fire pit, chatting casually while enjoying the snowy night.

Lucian sipped the coffee Johan had brewed, casually crossing his legs as he flipped through a book.

Finally, some relaxation.

No need to bury himself in historical research.

No need to rack his brain strategizing against a powerful opponent.

This was...

"Truly relaxing," Lucian murmured, smacking his lips as he took another small sip.

And Johan's coffee-making skills were fantastic. No wonder he ran a café.

Not just coffee...

Lucian glanced at Cynthia, who was happily nibbling on a slice of cake, her eyes curved into contented crescents.

That cake looked amazing, too.

Damn it. Was he starting to envy Cynthia?

"Mmm, delicious," Cynthia said, licking her lips.

Lucario silently handed her a cup of warm water.

"Thanks."

"Lu-caa~~"

Lucario, ever the gentleman, glanced at Johan, gave him a slight nod, then moved aside to lean against the wall, arms crossed as he gazed at the night sky.

...Did Lucario just approve of him?

Johan chuckled softly, stroking Ninetales' fur as she curled up on his lap.

"I'm glad you like it. This is a cake I developed based on Poké Puffs. It'll be a new item in my café."

As he spoke, he quietly focused on his own Aura.

After repeatedly exhausting and restoring it during the Regigigas incident, it felt like his Aura had become more refined.

Was this... an unexpected breakthrough?

"Gengar's drinking the same thing?" Cynthia asked, blinking.

Both of them turned to look—

And saw—

Ka-kaah! (≧▽≦)

Under the moonlit snow, Gengar was holding a mug, exhaling a frosty breath before taking a slow, satisfied sip.

Its body shuddered slightly—then relaxed in sheer bliss.

Johan's eye twitched.

"...That's, uh... not for humans."

It was something Gengar had brewed itself.

A concoction made from Revival Herbs, a Toxic Orb, and various Poison-type Pokémon's secretions.

According to Gengar—

"One sip wakes you up, two sips give you infinite energy, three sips grant eternal life—OH YEAH!"

Cynthia tilted her head.

"...Did you just drink some?"

"I tasted it before it added the special ingredients," Johan said flatly.

A simple Revival Herb tea. Given how much he had drained himself today, a sip wasn't out of the question.

"Ka-kaah~~"

Gengar waved over the other Pokémon.

"Hey, hey! The moon looks weird tonight!"

Dragonite and Garchomp immediately turned their heads skyward.

The other Pokémon, meanwhile, were busy with their own tasks.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Tinkaton was hammering away.

While filling the volcano, Regigigas had unearthed some metallic ore, which Tinkaton had eagerly gathered.

But now, no matter how hard it hammered, the changes felt... insignificant.

Still, Tinkaton believed in persistence.

One day, I'll forge the strongest weapon in the world!

Charcadet stood nearby, cradling a Pokémon Egg.

With how protective Charcadet had become, Johan was starting to suspect it had a hidden talent for parenting.

"Goka?" Charcadet asked.

When's my armor going to be ready?

After the Regigigas battle, Charcadet had realized just how lacking its strength was.

It had played its part—but not enough.

If I evolve... things might be different.

Kubfu had the same thought.

If I evolve... I could one-shot Regigigas!

But while Charcadet had a clear evolution path, Kubfu...

Kubfu had no idea how it evolved.

"...So what is in that Pokémon Egg?" Cynthia asked, noticing it.

"...I hope it's a Cutiefly," Johan replied, almost in denial.

Cynthia chuckled knowingly.

Just then—

"I've got breaking news!"

Flint burst out of the house, waving his phone.

"The League is rumored to be planning a Youth Masters Tournament!"

A Masters tournament?

A competition specifically for young trainers aiming to reach 'Master' status?

"Is this info reliable?" Lucian asked, setting down his book.

"See for yourself," Flint said, handing over his phone.

Lucian glanced at it—

Then promptly rolled his eyes and tossed it onto the table.

He wasn't sure if the news was true.

But the website Flint was browsing?

It was filled with sketchy clickbait articles—including:

"Unseen Photoshoot of Diantha!"

"Exclusive: Siebold's Secret Recipes!"

"Cynthia's Hidden Secrets?!"

Cynthia's eyes narrowed.

"...There's more of these?"

Johan glanced at the site's name.

And silently memorized it.

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Powerstones?

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