Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 418: As Long as I Knock Them All Out Instantly, Stamina Won’t Be an Issue!

January 21st.

The day of the Lily of the Valley Conference's quarterfinals had arrived.

"Today is!!"

"The battle for the semifinals!!"

The host's energetic voice echoed through the Lily of the Valley Conference stadium.

Tobias stood at the highest railing of the venue, leaning on it slightly as Darkrai emerged from behind him.

Noticing Darkrai, Tobias remained expressionless and casually asked,

"Do you think Mr. Johan will sweep all six today?"

"That depends on which Pokémon he sends out."

Recently, whenever Tobias had free time, he would come to watch Johan's battles in person. Darkrai, as a result, was "forced" to watch many as well, so it had developed a general understanding of Johan's strength.

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"What do you mean?" Tobias grew interested.

"If it's that Gengar, then it shouldn't be a problem," Darkrai said seriously.

Tobias found something amusing.

He highly admired Johan, while Darkrai greatly admired Gengar.

Perhaps that was the bond between them.

"Then tell me, how confident are you if you face Gengar?" Tobias asked curiously.

Darkrai pondered for a moment before saying slowly, "Sixty-forty."

Tobias showed a hint of surprise and remarked,

"I remember Mr. Johan once said something very interesting."

"What was it?"

"There are three great illusions in life: 'My phone is ringing,' 'She likes me,' and 'I can counterattack successfully.'"

Darkrai's expression darkened for a moment, but it quickly turned into a teasing smirk.

"Who likes you?"

"Hey!" Tobias was furious. "Duel me!"

Darkrai sneered. "Bring it on!"

Saying that, it pulled out a deck of cards.

After a brief pause, it added, "Don't you dare use my card!"

Tobias smirked. "Not only will I use it, but I'll use the UR version!"

Meanwhile.

Johan and Kabu stepped onto the battlefield at the host's signal.

Cheers erupted in the circular arena.

Kabu, a middle-aged man in his late 30s or early 40s, wore a standard Galar region red trainer outfit, with the number "187" printed on it, symbolizing "Spark."

A towel was draped around his neck, and sweat glistened on his cheeks as he lightly panted, as if he had just finished exercising.

Once a Gym Leader but now stripped of his title, Kabu, however, showed no sign of discouragement.

As he put it:

"I'm still young. As long as I fight with the spirit of the young, it's all good! Strength speaks for itself—simple as that."

Not everyone is willing to abandon everything and start over.

Kabu was definitely a trainer worthy of respect.

"Mr. Johan, is it okay if I call you that?" Kabu wiped the remaining sweat off his forehead with his towel.

"Of course, Mr. Kabu. You can also just call me Johan," Johan replied with a smile.

Kabu nodded, his eyes gradually growing determined. "I've been looking forward to this battle for a long time, so please, show me your full strength!"

Johan's expression also became serious as he replied solemnly, "Of course!"

"Trainers, send out your Pokémon!" the referee signaled.

"Go, Torkoal!"

Without hesitation, Kabu tossed his first Poké Ball.

This match, which would determine a spot in the semifinals, followed a 6v6 rotational battle format.

"Oooh~!"

As Torkoal appeared, the burning coal on its back released a scorching orange beam into the sky.

Buzz—

In an instant.

The sunlight over the entire battlefield became more intense.

Drought ability activated!

The already clear weather turned into Harsh Sunlight!

Everyone knew Torkoal—nicknamed "Little Groudon"—was one of the top weather setters for sun teams. It could even excel in Trick Room strategies with a devastating Overheat.

And the Pokémon Johan sent out was—

"Ku~!!"

From the red light emerged a small, gray-and-white bear with an intensely serious expression. It tightened its headband and waved its fists, exuding an aura of determination.

This was none other than Johan's elite Kubfu!

"Who dares challenge me? State your name! I do not fight nameless opponents!"

"Oooh?"

Torkoal blinked in confusion and looked at Kabu.

What did it just say? Why does it sound like complete nonsense?

"Battle begin!"

"Torkoal, use Overheat!"

Kabu gave his command without hesitation.

"Oooh!!"

Torkoal wasn't fazed by Kubfu's words. It lifted its head and roared, as flames erupted from the holes in its shell.

The next moment, molten lava-like fire spewed from Torkoal's mouth, engulfing the battlefield.

Overheat's power starts at 150, and with the boost from Harsh Sunlight, if it hit Kubfu, even if it didn't faint immediately, the battle would be tough going forward.

But Johan had clearly anticipated this, so he remained calm and commanded:

"Kubfu, use Dig!"

"Ku~!"

In an instant, dirt and dust flew up as Kubfu vanished underground.

Kabu frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Torkoal, use Smokescreen!"

Whooosh—

Thick black smoke spewed from Torkoal's mouth, completely enveloping its body, making it difficult for Kubfu to locate it.

Buzz—

But what they didn't know was that Kubfu had already locked onto Torkoal using Aura!

To a Pokémon that could sense Aura, Smokescreen was practically useless.

Boom!!

The ground suddenly exploded, and a devastating underground strike flipped Torkoal over.

"Now, use Brick Break!"

"Ku!!"

Kubfu seized the moment, targeting Torkoal's weaker underbelly, and delivered a powerful punch.

BAM!!

With a pained cry, Torkoal was sent flying before crashing heavily to the ground.

"A critical hit! Torkoal is unable to battle!" The referee waved his flag, declaring the result.

The Battle Continued

"That was fast!"

"A critical hit! Otherwise, Torkoal's defense wouldn't have fallen that quickly."

"This battle style is totally different from Johan's previous matches!"

Despite Torkoal's loss, Kabu showed little change in expression.

His Drought-Torkoal strategy was designed to go all-in with one powerful move. Since Overheat missed, its low Speed meant it wouldn't be able to mount another offense effectively.

But it had done its job.

The harsh sunlight still burned intensely.

And through that exchange, Kabu had also gained a newfound respect for Kubfu's Dig strategy.

Taking a deep breath, he quickly tossed out his second Poké Ball.

"Kabu's second Pokémon is... Scovillain!"

It had a humanoid form, with green skin, and two heads resembling chili peppers—one green and one red.

Scovillain, the Spicy Pokémon, was a Grass/Fire-type said to have originated from Paldea. It was an excellent Sun Team mixed wall and speed attacker.

Under the Harsh Sunlight, Scovillain's body shimmered with light.

Chlorophyll ability activated!

[Chlorophyll: Doubles Speed during Harsh Sunlight.]

The battle resumed.

"Scovillain, use Solar Beam!"

Bright light rapidly gathered around Scovillain's two ferocious heads.

Normally, Solar Beam required charging, but under Harsh Sunlight, it fired instantly.

However, Johan gave a command that stunned everyone:

"Charge forward, Kubfu!"

Kubfu didn't hesitate for even a second—or rather, its thoughts were completely in sync with Johan's. It took a deep breath, sharpened its focus, and charged straight at Scovillain.

The opponent was fast, but if it could close the distance, the advantage would be back in its hands!

No Dig this time.

Because while Dig was sometimes a great move, if the opponent predicted the narrow tunnel's location, Kubfu could become an easy target.

Buzz—

Scovillain's Solar Beam blasted forward, radiating intense heat and light, aimed directly at Kubfu.

"Break through it!" Johan commanded, narrowing his eyes.

Kubfu, with its full concentration, swung its fists straight into the beam.

Boom!!

Light scattered in all directions, as if fire itself had been shattered by sheer force.

Kubfu had seen through it!

To the spectators, it looked as though Kubfu was punching through Solar Beam with its bare hands, evoking the image of someone deflecting a Kamehameha with pure strength.

The distance between the two Pokémon closed rapidly, in a way no one expected.

Kubfu exuded overwhelming momentum.

And when it came to momentum—Kabu prided himself on never backing down!

If Johan was going for an all-out offensive approach today, then Kabu would respond in kind!

"Scovillain, use Overheat!"

Whoosh—

The two pepper-shaped heads of Scovillain began to move. The green head released a burst of spicy green powder, while the red head prepared to unleash all of its stored firepower.

Johan's lips curled into a slight grin, his gaze sharp as he clenched his fist.

"Close combat!"

Most of the audience didn't even see Kubfu's movement—it was just a blur of white light, followed by an explosion in the ground.

In an instant, Kubfu appeared directly in front of Scovillain.

Then, it spread its arms wide—before unleashing a barrage of punches as fast as falling raindrops, each one hitting harder than the last.

Such overwhelming power!

Speed and strength were often interchangeable—but sometimes, pure strength could also create speed!

Still, Scovillain's flames erupted at the same time.

The two attacks clashed in the most direct way possible!

But—there was still technique involved.

For example, Kubfu deliberately targeted Scovillain's red chili head, striking it several times in quick succession, forcing it backward—thus redirecting its flames away from itself.

And that...

Decided the battle.

BOOM—!!

Scovillain was sent flying, both of its four eyes spiraling into swirls.

Kubfu, still wreathed in lingering flames, shook them off with a powerful stance, its fur scorched black, but its eyes shining with fierce determination.

"Ku!! (▼〇▼*)"

It spread its arms wide and let out a victorious cry.

"I don't know why... but this battle just fired me up!"

"Johan's tactical skills are impressive, but... I think I like this straightforward brawler style even more!"

"But Kubfu's condition isn't looking great either. Close Combat is a high-risk move—it leaves the user worn down afterward."

"At this rate, there's no way it can sweep all six, right?"

Everyone knew that reckless brawler strategies, unless backed by a huge level advantage, usually maxed out at a 3-0 streak before running out of stamina.

But...

Condition?

Kubfu simply clenched its fists and took a battle stance again.

It was in peak condition!

Because as long as it could knock out every opponent in one hit—

Then stamina wasn't an issue at all!

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Powerstones?

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