Pokemon: Spiritual Master

"Champion Road!"

"How many years has it been since someone challenged the 'Champion Road'?"

"Teacher Johan! It's Teacher Johan! He's actually going to challenge the 'Champion Road'?"

"No, we should put it differently - Teacher Johan is finally going to challenge the 'Champion Road'!"

Online.

The Hoenn League finally announced that Johan was preparing to challenge the Hoenn League's Champion Road, causing an immediate uproar on the internet.

Actually, the Hoenn League didn't need to announce it - after all, preparing for the "Champion Road" wasn't a small matter, and with so many staff members involved, it was impossible to keep it completely secret.

As for which trainer was challenging the Champion Road... in the entire Hoenn region, it wasn't hard to guess.

After all, besides Teacher Johan, who else had the qualifications?

Steven?

Still a bit young - maybe in another year or two he'd have a chance.

Previously, these were just speculations. Though they caused some commotion, it wasn't major - mostly discussed within the Hoenn region.

But with the Hoenn League's official announcement on the entire League's website, this official statement completely confirmed the previous "rumors."

One stone stirred up a thousand waves.

Since the Pokémon League's establishment, the "Champion Road" had been the goal and direction for all trainers with lofty ideals.

But the stronger one became, the more one understood the difficulty of the "Champion Road."

And clearing the "Champion Road" meant assuming the position of "Champion"!

The League hadn't seen a trainer clear the "Champion Road" for a very long time.

There were actually quite a few people challenging the "Champion Road," but almost none who cleared it.

The reason Johan's planned Champion Road challenge caused such a sensation was that many people realized... Teacher Johan might actually be able to clear the "Champion Road"!

And this possibility wasn't low!

For a time.

The topic's popularity remained high, with countless admiring trainers heading to the Hoenn region, wanting to witness Teacher Johan's conquest of the "Champion Road."

Even in the relatively information-isolated Alola region, this news quickly spread.

Three days after the home visits ended.

"That's all for today's class."

Johan smiled as he announced the end of class.

Energetic girl Mallow immediately asked impatiently: "Teacher Johan, is it true that you're going to challenge the 'Champion Road'?"

Johan was startled by this.

"The news reached Alola already?"

"What's the 'Champion Road'?" Kiawe looked confused.

"Using our Alola region's customs as an analogy, it's... the Grand Trial!" Sophocles explained.

"Grand Trial!" Kiawe shot up, eyes blazing with fire.

In the Alola region, the island challenge was a very important custom, even considered a "coming-of-age ceremony."

Trainers whose age and abilities met the requirements would all challenge the island challenge ritual, touring the entire Alola region.

The island challenge was divided into three stages.

The first stage involved touring the islands, challenging trials set by the island captains, with the ultimate goal of defeating each island's Totem Pokémon.

The second stage involved challenging trials set by each island's Kahuna, with each Kahuna's trial methods, objectives, and completion standards being different - called the Island Challenge Grand Trial!

Completing the second stage of the island challenge would mark someone as a candidate for future Kahuna!

The third stage, also the most difficult, was called the "Ultimate Trial" or the Island Challenge Grand Grand Trial.

Participants had to consecutively challenge all four Kahunas and achieve victory.

The "Grand Grand Trial" had only one completion standard: defeat all Kahunas through battle.

Its difficulty... far exceeded the second stage by more than one level.

It was said that those who passed the Grand Grand Trial would be granted the title "King of Alola"!

But to date, in the entire history of the Alola region, those who completed the Grand Grand Trial could be counted on one hand, and in recent decades, no one had even dared attempt it.

However, like the Champion Road, the Grand Grand Trial was the ultimate goal pursued by every idealistic young trainer in the Alola region.

"Grand Grand Trial..." Johan's mouth twitched.

This naming...

If there were a fourth stage, would they call it "Grand Grand Grand Trial"?

When the Alola League was eventually established, this so-called "Grand Grand Trial" would be replaced by the League's "Champion Road."

But Sophocles' explanation was roughly accurate.

"Since everyone already knows." Johan leaned against the podium, crossed his arms, and smiled: "I'll announce it now - I'll be taking a few days off."

Taking leave?

A few days?

Preparing for just a few days before challenging the "Champion Road"?

When others participated in the Island Challenge Grand Trial, they prepared for a long time, even measured in "years."

"Teacher Johan, are you confident?" Lana couldn't help asking quietly.

"Confidence? A little bit, I suppose."

Johan gestured with his index finger and thumb showing "a little bit."

"Teacher... will you come back?" Lillie asked the question everyone was concerned about.

Though Teacher Johan had only taught for a few days, undeniably, everyone really liked and respected this humorous yet powerful teacher.

"I will."

This time Johan's answer was quite certain.

"I promised Kukui that regardless of success or failure, I'll return to continue teaching before Rustboro Pokémon Academy's new term starts."

The Alola region was so nice.

Beautiful scenery.

Sunshine, beaches, bikinis.

Berries, crops, Revival Herbs.

He still planned to find Tapu Bulu again to help cultivate another batch of saplings, and after the temporary teaching ended, to borrow some Miltank and Mudbray from Kiawe's ranch.

Hearing this, the kids all breathed sighs of relief, though they still felt somewhat regretful.

Too bad Teacher Johan wasn't a permanent teacher at the Alola school...

"Anyway, study well - I'll be checking when I return." Johan smiled.

After that home visit, Lillie's memories had recovered, she fully faced herself and Silvally, and could touch Pokémon again.

This made her very grateful to Johan, though she couldn't think of how to express her thanks.

Facing Johan's reminder, she nodded seriously.

After temporarily ending his teaching duties, Johan left the school.

Entering the "Bewear Territory" forest, he found Bewear.

At this time, Bewear had already found its child, Stufful.

As for who found it... naturally it was the trio lying on a pile of berries in a tree hollow, enjoying themselves.

That day they cornered Faba and caught him completely off guard, giving him a thorough beating.

However, Faba's strength wasn't actually weak, especially his Alakazam and Hypno - otherwise he couldn't have easily erased Lillie's memories.

Using Alakazam's "Teleport," Faba escaped from Aether Paradise and remained missing.

Anyway, the Aether Foundation, International Police, and League police were all searching for him throughout the Alola region.

But with Alola's abundant forests and complex terrain everywhere, if Faba really wanted to hide, finding him quickly wouldn't be easy.

Johan didn't pay much attention to such a "small fry."

With Faba's intelligence, he'd deliver himself sooner or later.

After Faba disappeared, Team Rocket's trio found Bewear's child Stufful in the second floor's ecological area.

Through its explanation, they finally understood.

Stufful had been trapped under a fallen tree during an outing and couldn't move, later discovered by Wicke and Aether Foundation members who rescued it and brought it to Aether Paradise for care.

This was why Bewear couldn't find its child no matter how hard it searched.

Regardless.

Now mother and daughter were reunited, the trio had made great contributions, their relationship with Bewear was even stronger, and Johan promised to apply for bonuses for them.

For the trio, every day during this period was wonderful.

Johan sought out Bewear hoping it would help watch over the Naganadel group that had temporarily relocated to Melemele Island.

"Garruu~"

Bewear followed Johan to the Naganadel's temporary habitat.

This area wasn't small, surrounded by simple fences - not hoping these fences could contain the flying Naganadel, just to make the area division more obvious.

At the entrance, the "UB Task Force's" temporary base was also stationed here, facilitating Ultra Beast research.

Several large tactical tents served as the "UB Task Force" base.

Seeing Johan arrive with Bewear, the busy International Police officers all saluted respectfully, eyes full of respect and admiration.

"Teacher Johan."

Anabel had already learned of Johan's plan to temporarily return to Hoenn, and knowing he'd come here before leaving, she immediately approached.

Johan, holding the clingy Stufful, smiled and introduced:

"Anabel, this is the Bewear I mentioned."

Then he told Bewear:

"This is one of our own. If she encounters any trouble later, please lend a hand for my sake."

"Garruu~"

Bewear nodded expressionlessly, its gaze sweeping over the entire "UB Task Force" base and the area with a nest like a small mountain or beehive.

Might there be honey in there?

"Teacher Johan..." Anabel looked at the "unremarkable" Bewear, pulling Johan aside to quietly ask:

"Is this Bewear really that powerful?"

"Garu!"

Hearing this, Stufful in Johan's arms was the first to express "dissatisfaction," struggling to show Anabel, but Johan held it firmly.

Honestly, though still just a Stufful, this little guy's strength was already surprisingly great, inheriting its mother's terrifying arm strength - it might become another "Bear God" in the future.

"There, there~ Be good~"

Johan took out several energy cubes to pacify the little one.

He said seriously to Anabel: "If nothing unexpected happens, it's 'Legendary' level."

"Le-Legendary?!" Anabel's eyes widened, looking at Bewear in disbelief.

An ordinary wild Pokémon could possess "Legendary" strength?

This...

How were trainers supposed to feel about this?

"Anyway, enemies the Island Guardians can defeat, it can defeat. Enemies the Island Guardians can't defeat, it can also defeat. Heaven and earth, riding waves and diving deep."

"If you really encounter unsolvable trouble, just find it. For my sake, it probably won't refuse to help."

Johan said.

Anabel gulped.

No wonder... no wonder Teacher Johan had the Naganadel move to Melemele Island.

So there was such a "great deity."

But why hadn't many people known about this before?

"I understand!" Anabel took a deep breath, suppressing her inner shock before nodding seriously.

Teacher Johan was lending her a "trump card."

To prevent certain troubles.

Like another Ultra Beast invasion, or the Naganadel group rioting.

"How are they doing?" Johan also looked at the huge nest like a small mountain, asking.

"Very cooperative." Anabel said. "And they show no signs of overstepping boundaries, just working hard to establish roots. When they need anything, they notify me in advance."

"I'll go see them."

Returning Stufful to Bewear, Johan followed Anabel into the "Naganadel Territory."

Upon entering.

The Poipole playing happily in the territory immediately noticed him.

Soon.

When Johan and Anabel entered the Naganadel's huge nest, all the Naganadel and most Poipole had gathered here.

The Naganadel leader even landed on the ground, waiting for Johan's arrival.

"Thank you, thank you for your help, Johan." The Naganadel leader's voice immediately echoed in Johan's mind.

Johan waved his hand, smiling: "We're friends - friends help each other."

"Yes, friends!"

The Naganadel leader strongly agreed with this designation.

"Naganadel, I..." Johan then briefly explained to the Naganadel leader that he'd be leaving for a while.

He also expressed that he would return, and if the timing was right and Ultra Space recovered, he would help them return home.

This earned the Naganadel leader's heartfelt gratitude once again.

Moreover...

"Roar—"

It gently flapped its wings.

Immediately, two robust Naganadel who clearly weren't weak came to its side.

"Johan, these are our group's strongest 'warriors.' Let them accompany you to protect your safety."

"ROAR—!!!"

"ROAR!!!"

The two Naganadel called out excitedly.

Cold sweat appeared on Johan's forehead.

Was this finding him bodyguards, or finding them permanent meal tickets?

He quickly said:

"No, no need. Cough I mean, I have sufficient ability to protect myself, and my partners will ensure this. I appreciate the gesture."

Firmly declining.

Just kidding.

He was already overwhelmed caring for his current team.

His "money-eating beasts" were one thing, but he still hadn't solved the "food" problem for Regieleki and Regidrago.

Only Buzzwole and Kartana got "reimbursement support" from the International Police.

For this return to Hoenn, Johan hadn't planned to bring Buzzwole and Kartana back - he'd let them temporarily stay in the Naganadel territory.

With the Naganadel and "UB Task Force" watching them, plus Bewear as the "final line of defense," it was quite secure.

"I see..." the Naganadel leader said with some regret.

After handling various matters big and small.

Johan finally boarded the plane back to Hoenn.

Seven days remained until his agreed fifteen-day deadline with Drake.

The final eight days still required some preparation - it was the "Champion Road" after all, so he needed to show some respect.

Moreover.

The saplings and crops dug up from Alola, plus the saplings Tapu Bulu had helped cultivate, all needed to be transplanted to his island quickly.

Especially those Revival Herb seedlings.

They'd wilt if left too long.

Those were all treasures.

While Johan was returning to Hoenn, atop Mt. Silver at the Pokémon League headquarters, an internal meeting was also taking place.

"Everyone." Drake, representing the Hoenn League, stood up behind the screen, grinning broadly:

"I think this is my last time participating in meetings. Working with you all has been very pleasant - until we meet again."

Drake's smugness made many League officials present feel envious and jealous.

Damn it!

Teacher Johan, being from Hoenn, ultimately chose the Hoenn region!

Moreover, judging by Drake's tone, he seemed certain Teacher Johan could clear the "Champion Road."

Though indeed, few people doubted it.

Actually, all regional officials understood that forget about Teacher Johan being able to clear the "Champion Road" - even if he fell a little short, everyone appropriately relaxing some conditions wouldn't be questioned.

After all, not every region had requirements as strict as the Kanto League.

They were all regional "treasures" - being nominated to challenge the "Champion Road" was itself a statement.

Unlike other regions, Elite Four Bertha representing Sinnoh didn't harbor such envy or jealousy.

On one hand, she felt their little Cynthia wasn't much inferior.

On the other hand...

Hmph! Whether Johan would really stay in Hoenn permanently remained to be seen.

"I didn't expect my first collaboration with Elite Four Drake to be the last." Professor Kukui, representing the Alola region at the meeting's end, smiled.

The Alola League's application had officially passed headquarters review!

In other words, theoretically, the Alola League was already established.

Founded by Professor Kukui!

But currently, the Alola League only had Professor Kukui.

This meeting mainly introduced the Alola League to everyone and discussed various support and assistance matters from other regions for the Alola region and League establishment.

"Hahaha—" Drake laughed. "Professor Kukui, you'll work very well with Johan."

Professor Kukui smiled, essentially acknowledging Drake's statement.

"If there's opportunity, we in Galar would also like to invite Teacher Johan to assist with teaching in Galar."

Representing the Galar League, Chairman Rose sat at his desk, smiling.

Meeting participants weren't just Champions and Elite Four members - more accurately, participating in meetings was the League President's "job," then Champions, finally Elite Four members representing Champions.

Like the Galar region, Chairman Rose of the Galar League always participated.

The Johto League, Unova League, and Kalos League were all the same.

Strictly speaking, Kukui also participated as a President.

Among Champions participating, only Paldea League Champion Nemona attended.

But actually, Nemona wasn't just Champion but also Paldea League President.

Those represented by Elite Four members included Kanto's Agatha, Hoenn's Drake, and Sinnoh's Bertha - all veteran generation members, with the League internally undergoing generational transition.

"Chairman Rose, for teaching assistance, our Paldea applied earlier than your Galar." Paldea Champion and President Nemona also smiled.

Paldea region's Naranja Academy had much deeper cooperation with Hoenn's Rustboro Pokémon Academy than some Galar schools.

Of course, Galar emphasized battling industry but was relatively ordinary in school construction.

Hearing this, Rose smiled without further comment.

"Everyone."

At this moment.

The League Police Chief, also the highest authority over League Police and International Police, Officer Jenny, who had personally attended the meeting, spoke:

"Based on Teacher Johan's series of contributions, we're preparing to promote him to Chief Inspector."

Chief Inspector!

Second only to the highest authority, and the only Chief Inspector not from the Jenny family!

Officer Jenny had actually discussed this matter, and everyone had already been surprised.

So after brief silence, voices of "agreement" arose.

The League Police Chief was actually equal in rank to attending League Presidents and Champions, so Chief Inspector was one level below Champion.

But at special times, a Chief Inspector's authority might even exceed a regional Champion's!

Because Champions could only represent one region, while Chief Inspectors had authority to command police forces across multiple regions, even including Elite Four members!

Definitely top police brass!

But...

Honestly, with Teacher Johan's "influence," even without being Chief Inspector or Champion, he already had these things.

So really, not many people felt there were major issues.

Hoenn region.

Rustboro City offshore island.

Though he'd only been away a few days, the island had undergone considerable changes.

In fact, the island now had a new appearance every day.

As soon as Johan returned to Rustboro City, he immediately headed straight for the island.

First, he released the four Combee, giving them a stable living environment and abundant flower beds for honey collection.

Combee had some competitive relationship with Pokémon like Beautifly, but got along better with Butterfree.

Moreover, the island's current flower beds were obviously abundant enough to avoid any conflicts.

The Combee would definitely continuously produce Sweet Honey in the future, adding another output to the island farm - Johan was quite pleased.

When the female Combee among them evolved into Vespiquen, the Combee group would enter rapid development, probably not taking much time.

"Bug-type Pokémon reproduction is really fast..." Johan sighed.

Compared to Tauros, Miltank, or Mudbray, Bug-type Pokémon reproduced much faster. As long as the Combee evolved, within a year at most, they'd reach considerable scale.

After settling the Combee.

Johan had Gengar bring out all the saplings, Revival Herb seedlings, and tea tree saplings.

"Lombre, please help water them."

First soaking the saplings before planting work.

This batch of saplings and seedlings was no less than the previous batch, destined to be another "major project" that couldn't be completed in one day.

However, before transplanting, Johan had already tallied this batch of saplings and seedlings.

After all, most were cultivated with Tapu Bulu's help.

As a legendary Pokémon governing "abundance," having Tapu Bulu work almost from dawn to dusk channeling energy, and only cultivating to sapling stage rather than maturity, the quantity was quite considerable.

The consumption was greater only when cultivating "Revival Herbs."

Plus what Johan dug himself.

In total: 123 berry tree saplings, 20 Revival Herb seedlings, 30 tea tree saplings, plus various other crops...

Directly more than doubling the island's berry trees!

Not counting the unique "Miracleberry" sapling, berry trees alone exceeded 200, reaching 203!

Already comparable to small farms.

Among these 123 saplings, the largest portion was Leppa Berry trees - 63 saplings!

Because Johan "customized" based on his berry consumption, and Leppa Berries were famously high-consumption, they were most numerous.

Next were the basic healing berries: Cheri, Pecha, Rawst, Aspear, Persim, and Pinap Berries - 10 each, totaling 60.

These were all basic berries, while Persim and Pinap Berries were characteristic to the Alola region.

It wasn't that Johan didn't want more "advanced" berries.

On one hand, Tapu Bulu indicated that different berries had different cultivation difficulties - the more "advanced" the berry, the more energy it consumed, resulting in fewer quantities.

On the other hand.

Johan still prioritized satisfying his daily berry consumption needs first.

Anyway, he could find Tapu Bulu again later.

Far away in the Alola region, Tapu Bulu sneezed continuously, waking from sleep with a chill down its spine.

"Just waiting for them to bear fruit." Johan was full of motivation.

Of course.

What needed doing now was first planting these berry tree saplings.

The previous batch of berries had already adapted to the new environment, and with Amoonguss's wood carvings and the Gogoat's efforts, they not only adapted but showed obvious growth.

Growth was quite promising.

As for that most special "Miracleberry"...

"Snivy~"

Currently, Snivy stood before the sapling shorter than its shin, eyes closed, mind recalling the scene of Tapu Bulu cultivating saplings.

Reverse-effect move "Giga Drain," feeding back to the sapling.

Don't mention it.

Though not fully learning Tapu Bulu's method, Snivy had already established some connection with this sapling, and the effect was quite good.

In Johan's aura vision...

Snivy and the sapling seemed to establish some special connection - Snivy could cultivate the sapling, while the sapling... was actually feeding back to Snivy!

"Feels like discovering a 'perpetual motion machine' - you two are 'cheating.'"

Johan couldn't help sighing internally.

Miracleberry sapling - the sapling of "Miracleberry," source material for "Rare Candy" that could raise Pokémon levels!

In the entire Pokémon world, perhaps only the Crown Tundra had one remaining tree - this island's might be the second.

"It won't be like Mew and the Tree of Beginning, will it?"

Probably not.

No matter how miraculous, Miracleberries couldn't compare to the Tree of Beginning.

"This Champion Road could be good training for Snivy."

Though island construction and berry planting were important.

Johan's main goal returning this time was still the "Champion Road."

So after returning, Johan temporarily assigned the island's sapling planting task to the Dugtrio and Gogoat.

He himself dove into Rustboro Pokémon Academy's special training grounds the next day with his Pokémon.

Along came the eager Indeedee-F.

Under Mewtwo's "guidance," Indeedee-F's psychic abilities had improved considerably.

Moreover, regarding the "Champion Road," Indeedee-F was also eager to try - Johan, having promised it, naturally brought it along for preparation.

However, before preparation.

Johan decided to first assess his Pokémon's current levels.

So-called assessment naturally meant the long-anticipated intra-team tournament.

Or rather, a "family hierarchy" challenge tournament.

Deciding who was "emperor" and who was "little brother."

So after arriving at the training ground, Johan threw out all his Poké Balls, summoning all his Pokémon.

Even including Regieleki, Regidrago, invisible Victini, and Marshadow who disliked meeting strangers.

Of course, they weren't participating - they'd observe with Johan.

With ten Pokémon total, including Indeedee-F and Rotom, Johan divided his Pokémon into two teams - Team One and Team Two.

Team One consisted of Gengar, Ninetales, Tinkaton, Dragonite, Urshifu, and Ceruledge.

Team Two was Tyranitar, Snivy, Indeedee-F, and Rotom.

However, it wasn't that Team One only fought Team One and Team Two only fought Team Two - Team Two could also challenge Team One.

A simple ranking tournament.

Also to let everyone gain clearer understanding of each other's strength, enabling better cooperation and improvement.

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar immediately raised its hand, eagerly preparing for battle.

Then Johan grabbed it and pressed it beside him.

You purple chubby going first would eliminate any point in "ranking."

"First, let's agree - everyone uses regular abilities, no enhancements, I won't assist with aura either. As for moves... use your judgment."

Johan set the ground rules for everyone.

"Indeedee~"

Indeedee-F smiled gently, rubbing its palms.

Requesting to battle!

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Powerstones?

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