Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 548: "Cold-Blooded" Boss Teacher Johan

But if you said he was a strategy specialist... yesterday's match didn't look tactical at all. It looked more like a "traveler-style" match—grabbing anything usable in the environment and improvising.

"Well, I guess Teacher Johan's style is... dragging everyone down to a 'baby' level and beating them with his teaching experience! Yep, that's it!"

Satisfied with his conclusion, the staffer published the report online.

With the high heat around the championship, even small news sparked discussion—let alone something official from the League.

"Damn, that summary of Teacher Johan's style? It's spot on."

"LOL! Bump this post! Bump it!!"

"Teacher Johan's tactic: drag everyone to 'baby level' and beat them with superior teaching? Genius!"

"Give that staffer a promotion!"

"Yes! Promote them now!!"

Meanwhile, the League also posted the matchups for the top 64 moving into the top 32.

"Next opponent is... Piers?"

Seeing his next opponent, Johan raised an eyebrow.

He knew of Piers—Marnie's older brother, Spikemuth's Gym Leader in Galar, a rock singer dubbed "Melancholy Piers."

Though a Gym Leader, his strength was not to be underestimated.

Galar didn't have Elite Fours; its League was managed by the Champion and League President, so Gym Leaders were unusually strong, with fierce competition.

Like Kabut, who Johan had beaten at the Lily of the Valley Conference—he lost his Gym Leader post due to one such competition.

If Galar had Elites, Piers might've been a top candidate.

Notably, Piers didn't use Dynamax.

Galar's League President Rose tried to integrate Dynamax into Gym battles to boost economic interest, but Spikemuth's Dynamax energy well had dried up—no more Dynamax available.

As such, Rose gave up on Spikemuth. No revenue, no interest.

Still, under pressure, Piers stayed on as Gym Leader and, through his charisma and music, helped support the town.

Thus, he not only rejected Dynamax but actively opposed it.

He was one of the few strong trainers in Galar who didn't rely on Dynamax.

And even so, in the Galar Champion's Cup, he beat Kabut and nearly beat "Son of the Storm" Raihan.

Raihan himself highly regarded Piers' strength.

And now, in the Youth Master World Championship, where Dynamax wasn't allowed, Piers' strength was near-equal to Raihan's.

Also, he was known jokingly as Johan's "brother-in-law."

Why? Because "big brother-in-law" is Gladion.

"Tch." Johan clicked his tongue. "Second round and I already get such a tough opponent?"

Unova League, you messing with me?

Flint got a free first round and some rando in the second. Johan? First round: Lacey. Second round: Piers.

Some people really do get all the luck.

On his way to the stadium, Johan suddenly heard a commotion.

"Come one, come all—get your exclusive posters and postcards of your favorite stars! Don't miss out~~!"

It was a familiar voice and a familiar crowd.

Wait a minute...

"Do you have Teacher Johan's postcard?"

"One Cynthia poster, please!"

"One Kalos Queen Diantha postcard for me!"

Yep. The Rocket Trio were back at it.

Jessie and James handled inventory. Meowth collected cash.

"All available! These are exclusive, never-before-seen pics..." Jessie's eyes glimmered like dollar signs.

Funding! Precious funding!

Johan felt a vein pop.

He'd ignored their earlier snack hustle, but this? Selling posters and postcards of championship contestants? Did they even have the rights?

"Ahem, you guys go ahead—I've got something to do," Johan told Cynthia and Steven.

"Sure."

Everyone was headed to different stadium zones anyway.

Johan, dragging Gengar, walked up to the booth—hat pulled low.

While the crowd was distracted, Gengar tapped James' shoulder.

"Who's there? Please line—GHOST!!"

"Ka-kaah~~ヾ(▼▼;)"

Gengar grinned through his sunglasses.

"Gengar?!"

He pointed behind him to a nearby tree, where Johan stood half-shadowed.

The trio instantly lit up.

"Boss Johan!!" ×3

Just as they were about to blurt "Executive Sir," they locked eyes with Johan and switched tone.

They rushed over.

"Boss Johan!! Long time no see!!" cried James, tears in his eyes.

"Boss Johan, that watermelon-head glasses girl is so mean!" Jessie tattled.

"Boss Johan! I've suffered so much, meow!" Meowth whined, holding his frizzed tail.

Johan couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

Especially Meowth's tail. Poor thing must've been zapped hard.

Turns out they were just goofing off, using their break to make some quick cash.

With their business skills...

"If the Rocket 'revival plan' were in your hands, Giovanni could retire in peace."

Johan muttered to himself.

Aloud, he said, "Selling posters and postcards... do you have licenses for that?"

"Lic—licenses?" Meowth blinked.

Darn it, even playing pitiful didn't help them dodge that Pikachu!

"Yep. If you're caught selling without permission, the League will arrest you."

"Ah—"

Pause.

Then all three relaxed and said in unison:

"Oh, that's fine then."

"Boss Johan!!" ×3

They really didn't care about League arrest at all.

Johan sighed. Of course—they'd been "arrested" so many times they had immunity.

"Ahem. You know we're reforming, right? HQ doesn't want any more fights with the League," Johan warned sternly.

"Then what should we do?" James asked nervously.

"I'll handle it," Johan said after thinking.

"You'll deal with the League?"

"I'll deal with HQ!" Johan snapped. "And I'll try to get you the authorization."

No way could anyone "deal with the League."

"Boss Johan, you're amazing!!" ×3

He could even deal with Giovanni??

Such a dependable executive!!

"But there's one condition."

Johan smiled slyly.

"We split the revenue. You get 30%, I get 70%."

Before they could protest, Johan waved a hand.

"I've got a match. See ya."

"Ka-kaah~~" Gengar waved.

"Th-thirty-seventy?" Jessie echoed. "So generous..."

Most partners took 90%, left them with 10.

"Boss Johan probably needs money to handle HQ," Meowth reasoned.

"True!" James nodded solemnly.

"Then we won't let him down!" Jessie declared.

"We'll raise the prices!"

Meanwhile, Johan chuckled to himself.

"Am I being a bit of a scumbag?"

Before Gengar could answer, he added:

"But getting proper rights isn't easy. You need connections."

Fact was, having the rights meant long-term profits.

He might actually have a knack for being a "cold-blooded boss."

He'd even considered opening a temporary café stand at the stadium, but the distance made it tough.

Now, with the Rocket Trio handling things, his burden was lighter.

"Ka-kaah~~"

Gengar, wearing shades, rubbed his chest and conjured a dark, pulsing heart.

Yep—we're both dark-hearted.

Johan: "..."

Th𝓮 most uptodate nov𝑒ls are publish𝒆d on ƒreewebηoveℓ.com.

"Ahem. At worst, if they get in trouble again, we'll just go bail them out."

But let's not underestimate that "trouble."

Knowing these three? It'll never be simple.

Sure enough, just after leaving, Johan got a tip through his International Police network: Officer Jenny was preparing to raid vendors selling unauthorized merchandise.

Johan quietly intervened and helped the Trio dodge the bust.

Back at the stadium, the energy was electric.

"Morning, Miss Rika, little Lacey," Flint greeted them from the stands.

"Good morning, Mr. Fire-Hair," Lacey replied politely.

They'd learned Flint's nickname was "Fire-Haired Bruiser."

Flint: "..."

Down on the field, the roar of the crowd swelled.

Johan and Piers had taken their places.

True to form, Piers looked gloomy and worn, his pale face making his dark circles stand out even more.

He pulled his gloves tight and looked at Johan.

"Teacher Johan... let's have a good match."

A formal request from one trainer to another.

"I won't go easy," Johan said with a smile.

A mark of respect.

Piers nodded, pushed his bangs aside to reveal his full face, and his slouched posture shifted into one of resolve.

At the referee's signal, both drew their Poké Balls.

Piers moved first.

"Time to hit the stage—go, Malamar!"

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Powerstones?

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