Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 569: After All, It Is a Legendary Beast!

After another day of rest, the skies were clear and the weather perfect.

Castelia City's Castelia Arena—capable of holding nearly 100,000 spectators—was packed to the brim.

The semifinals of the Youth Masters World Championship were about to begin.

The roaring anticipation of the crowd surged like waves through the stadium, their cheers echoing in unison, brimming with excitement and support for the competitors.

"Mr. Johan versus Steven—a battle of mentor and student!"

Flint, now eliminated from the top eight, sat alongside Cynthia, Lucian, and Aaron.

He didn't look the least bit down about losing. On the contrary, he was enjoying the spectacle with a grin.

Mentor versus student.

A match second only to husband-and-wife battles in thrill—it was bound to be electric.

Flint's mind wandered, recalling some of the "historical tales" Lucian had shared with him—epic master-disciple showdowns, even dramatic "teacher-slaying" clashes.

"I really can't tell who's stronger, Mr. Johan or Steven," Lucian mused aloud.

They all turned to Cynthia.

She was slowly licking an ice cream cone, pretending not to hear them at all.

"Boss—mmph!" Flint's words were cut off as Lucian covered his mouth.

"Don't interrupt her when she's eating ice cream!" Lucian hissed.

"Hmph?"

"You've known her this long—don't you realize she eats ice cream when she's happy, when she's upset, when she's stressed, or just thinking hard?"

Flint blinked.

So... all the time?

Isn't that a bit too frequent?

Lucian continued, "Whatever her mood, if that ice cream falls..."

"What happens?" Flint pried Lucian's hand off.

Lucian stared into the distance with a solemn look. "It was a cold autumn day... the first time I met her..."

"And who do you think will win—Johan or Steven?" a new voice interrupted his story.

They turned.

"Drake of the Elite Four?!"

Why was he in Unova?

"Heard Johan and Steven were facing off. I had no missions at sea, so I just floated over," Drake laughed heartily.

...Floated?

Some people really had too much time.

Lucian, meanwhile, saw a glimpse of the future—Flint's future, and maybe even his own.

Drake smacked his lips.

"Johan, Steven... and Wallace. Sigh. So many good problems to have." He wore the expression of a man "burdened" with exceptional juniors.

If only Bertha from Sinnoh were here—Drake might've shown off even more.

But Lucian and the others understood what he was hinting at.

It was a flex—boasting about Johan and Steven.

Hmph. Whether Johan ultimately joined Hoenn was still up in the air, Lucian thought, sneaking a glance at Cynthia.

Aside from Bertha, he was probably the one who most wanted Johan to join the Sinnoh League.

In Sinnoh, it was policy to rotate younger leaders into League positions—and Lucian knew a reshuffle was coming post-tournament.

Perhaps...

"There he is—Steven!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Steven stepped out from the player's tunnel, dressed sharply in a suit, his usual gentle smile unshaken.

He had long awaited this match.

To finally face his teacher—victory wasn't the point anymore.

He simply wanted to show Johan the bond he had built with his Pokémon. To show who he'd become since shaking off his past uncertainties.

"And now, also from Hoenn—Mr. Johan!!"

Johan stepped out in a similarly sharp suit, topped with a modestly-sized fedora and his trademark monocle. All he needed was a cane to complete the look.

"Mr. Johan's so handsome!"

"Steven! No—Johan! I can't decide!"

"Just remember: if there's Johan, choose Johan. If not, go with Steven!"

...

Under the spotlight and roaring applause, Johan and Steven stood on opposite sides of the battlefield.

For the semifinals, the field was no longer random—it was a neutral, standard terrain to minimize environmental factors.

As for who was stronger—no one could say.

But analyzing their teams' typings and possible counters? That was possible.

"Overall, as long as Johan uses Ceruledge and Urshifu wisely, he should have the advantage against Steven," Lorelei noted.

Fire-type Ceruledge posed a real threat to Steven's Steel-types.

However, Steven's team also included Rock- and Ground-types—dangerous for Ceruledge.

Urshifu, being a Fighting-type, was a threat to both Steel- and Rock-types.

So ultimately, the key was how Johan played Urshifu.

"But Steven does have one advantage—Johan's Ninetales will struggle," Lance added with a grin.

Ice/Fairy-type Ninetales was 4x weak to Steel—Steven could easily counter it.

Lorelei didn't miss the jab. She snorted and turned away.

Lance just chuckled to himself. "Old hag."

Glare.

Lorelei whipped around. "Lance! Say that again and you're dead!"

"Later!"

On the field:

"Both competitors, please prepare!" The referee—dressed in armor and riding an Aegislash—signaled.

"Teacher," Steven smiled, clutching a Poké Ball. "I've waited a long time for this."

"Please—don't hold anything back!"

Johan raised an eyebrow.

So you've been hiding your rebellious streak this whole time, huh?

He too pulled out a Poké Ball and nodded.

"Come at me with everything you've got, Steven."

If they were going to fight, they'd fight with pride—Johan had no intention of being overshadowed.

Steven's smile deepened. With a determined look, he hurled his Poké Ball.

"Then I choose—you! Go, Cradily!"

A green, plant-like Pokémon appeared, with yellow markings, crescent eyes, eight pink tentacles around its head, and stubby legs rooted firmly to the ground.

"Cradily, the Barnacle Pokémon. Rock/Grass-type. A recently revived fossil Pokémon—Rotom!"

This was the Lileep Johan had once helped Steven rehabilitate. Now fully evolved into Cradily, it had become one of Steven's core battlers.

This was also the first time Steven used Cradily in the tournament—he hadn't summoned it against Diantha.

A surprise pick, just for Johan?

Well played, Steven. Out to defeat your teacher, huh?

"Gurgle~"

Cradily wobbled happily at the sight of Johan. Far more confident than its timid days as a Lileep.

Even on this massive stage, under countless gazes, it showed no fear. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

A sign of growth.

Johan gave a small smile, then tossed his own Poké Ball.

Out came—Urshifu!

"Garruu!!"

Majestic and fierce, Urshifu let out a roar and clashed fist and palm together, unleashing a gust of fighting spirit.

It was finally time!

Urshifu's heart and body were burning with determination.

Typing-wise, both sides had an edge over the other.

Cradily was 2x weak to Fighting; Urshifu was 2x weak to Grass.

But Johan knew Cradily's Ability: Storm Drain!

[Storm Drain]: This Pokémon is immune to Water-type moves. If hit by one, its Special Attack increases by 1 stage.

That mattered.

Because Urshifu's Surging Strikes was a Water-type move—albeit a multi-hit one.

With both sides ready, the referee raised their hand.

"Battle—begin!"

The Youth Masters World Championship Semifinal was on!

"Cradily, Sandstorm!" Steven commanded, seizing the initiative and the weather.

Raihan and Leon had taught everyone one thing:

Never give Johan control.

If you did—you might never get it back.

Sure, your lead might get read and countered—but at least you wouldn't be entirely on the back foot.

"Gurgle~"

Cradily swayed, summoning a swirling sandstorm across the battlefield. The air filled with stinging grit.

If someone looked closely, they'd see Cradily's feet covered in fine, dense roots that dug deep into the field.

Moisture was rapidly drawn from the ground, drying and cracking the soil.

Storm Drain active!

With the dry terrain and Cradily's setup, the sandstorm intensified.

Few might notice—but Johan, who taught Steven this tactic—noticed everything.

He raised an eyebrow.

So you're really pulling this stunt right in front of me?

"Sandstorm? Steven's playing weather too now?"

"But wait... doesn't Johan's Ninetales own weather?"

Lance, today's guest commentator, shared a different perspective:

"No. Johan won't switch in Ninetales. That Sandstorm is a calculated trap—Steven's baiting it. If Johan does switch, Steven'll throw in Metagross or Aggron immediately. He's betting on it."

A Fairy/Ice-type like Ninetales was 4x weak to Steel. If it came out now, the rhythm of the match would swing out of Johan's control.

And Steven knew Johan wouldn't risk that.

Just like Johan knew Steven—Steven knew Johan.

And he was right. Johan didn't switch.

He simply gave the command:

"Urshifu, Swords Dance!"

"Garruu!!"

Even as sand pelted its fur like needles, Urshifu's excitement grew stronger.

It struck a fighting pose—one leg forward, one back—and bounced on the spot.

A metallic, slicing hum filled the air as its aura surged.

Urshifu's eyes sharpened to a deadly gleam.

Switch?

No need!

It hadn't battled in a while.

Did people forget?

After all—it's still a legendary beast.

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Powerstones?

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