Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 402: Gengar Gets Another Epic Power-Up

Sinnoh League Headquarters Building.

Johan, Cynthia, and Flint entered together.

"Ka-kaah~"

Gengar emerged from Johan's shadow, looking around the grand lobby.

Gotta admit, this place was pretty impressive.

It was the first time Johan and Flint had been here, but Cynthia seemed familiar with the place and led them straight to the rewards desk.

"Wait... is that Teacher Johan?"

Their arrival immediately drew some attention.

"And Cynthia, too!"

"Who's the red-haired guy with the explosive hairstyle?"

Walking past the lobby and down a long, polished corridor, they arrived at the rewards collection area.

After submitting Bertha's report, a League staff member immediately retrieved a box that had already been prepared.

"Miss Cynthia, this is what Bertha requested to be delivered," the receptionist said quietly.

Her eyes kept sneaking glances at Johan's face.

Teacher Johan really is handsome... and he looks so good with Miss Cynthia...

"What's inside? Why so formal, and why did we have to come to the League building to get it?"

Johan eyed the neat, rectangular box curiously.

Seeing that it wasn't an incubator for a Pokémon Egg, he let out a huge sigh of relief.

Flint, just as curious, leaned in to get a better look.

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar sniffed the air, its eyes lighting up as if sensing something. It leaned in, too.

Cynthia smiled mysteriously. "Open it and see for yourself."

So secretive.

Johan opened the box and found...

A jagged, irregular stone, about the size of half a palm.

"What the..." Johan froze.

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar's jaw dropped—it looked like it had just seen the most delicious food in the world.

"This is—!" Flint gasped.

"You recognize it?" Johan turned to him.

"Uh... nope." Flint scratched his head. "Just trying to match the mood."

Cynthia chuckled and patted Gengar on the head. "It's quite fitting for you."

Gengar nodded enthusiastically.

"So, Big Boss, what is this thing, exactly?" Flint asked impatiently.

Cynthia's expression grew slightly more serious.

"To be honest, I can't say for sure. But after an evaluation by my grandmother and the League, we've confirmed that it has ancient origins and is connected to the Adamant Orb and Lustrous Orb."

She paused, then continued:

"My grandmother suspects it may be related to the legendary third orb—the Platinum Orb!"

Adamant Orb, Lustrous Orb, and Platinum Orb?

Flint looked completely lost.

Sinnoh had plenty of myths—Arceus, the Time and Space Dragons Dialga and Palkia, and even the Lake Guardians—but there was hardly any mention of Giratina.

Even the so-called "third orb," the Platinum Orb, remained completely missing.

"Though it's incomplete, this is still a legendary-grade resource. It can be used to enhance Ghost-type Pokémon's abilities."

The Adamant and Lustrous Orbs were connected to Dialga and Palkia, respectively.

And the Platinum Orb was tied to Giratina.

That meant it was perfect for Gengar.

But Johan knew—this wasn't the Platinum Orb.

It was—

[Great Platinum Pearl (Fragment): A dazzlingly radiant pearl. When used by Giratina, it enhances its power and allows it to change forms. (A relic from the Hisui era. Beware—Giratina may come looking for it!)]

...Seriously?

After all that secrecy, it turned out to be a Great Platinum Pearl fragment?

And what's this about Giratina "coming for it"?

Giratina's practically already been scammed into submission!

And it's only a fragment?!

What was he even supposed to do with this?

Johan sighed.

Still... judging by Gengar's reaction, this thing clearly had a strong pull on it.

Given Gengar's connection to Giratina, and how Giratina seemed to favor it, maybe this pearl fragment could help it learn something new.

Something like...

"Shadow Sneak+"—the advanced version of Phantom Force. Stronger, faster, and ignores Protect moves.

"Not a fan of it?" Cynthia noticed Johan's hesitation.

Johan forced a smile. "No, I like it. And Gengar definitely likes it."

"Ka-kaah! Ka-kaah!"

Gengar drooled over the pearl fragment, eyes locked onto it.

Fine.

This little guy already chewed on Dusk Stones and licked Toxic Orbs for fun—this fragment should keep it entertained for a long time.

At least it'd save him some money on Dusk Stones and Toxic Orbs.

Saving money = making money.

And most importantly...

At least it wasn't another Pokémon Egg!

With that thought, he suddenly felt much better.

"Good," Cynthia smiled again.

The reason she had been asked to personally deliver the reward was so she could explain its value and express the Sinnoh League's recognition and gratitude toward Johan.

Honestly—

The League had only managed to obtain this thing thanks to Bertha's insistence.

Professor Laventon and Cynthia also played a role in pushing for it.

Sure, Cynthia knew Johan was short on money.

But money could always be earned—or even borrowed if needed.

Something like a legendary-grade resource couldn't just be bought on demand.

With Johan's permission, Gengar wasted no time—its tongue snapped out, wrapped around the pearl fragment, and pulled it straight into its mouth.

"Ka-kaah!"

A shiver ran through its entire body.

Then its eyes narrowed in concentration.

"Ka-kaah~"

A thick black mist erupted from Gengar, swirling around it.

For a brief moment, its body flickered—turning ethereal before solidifying again.

When it reappeared, it was holding two Shadow Balls.

"Ka-kaah!"

Oh yeah, this feels amazing!

And just like that—

Wave Ninja Gengar had gotten another epic power-up.

The legendary Flying Thunder God Technique was likely entering Phase Two!

Gengar tossed the Shadow Balls into its mouth.

Flint stared, completely dumbfounded.

So...

Was anyone gonna explain what this thing actually was?

Night fell.

Cynthia soaked in the bath, letting the warm water wash away her exhaustion.

Bubbles drifted around her, sliding across her smooth, porcelain skin.

Garchomp stood against the wall, arms crossed, sharp eyes scanning the room—guarding against something.

Meanwhile, Cynthia held her phone, speaking into it.

"Yes, I gave it to him."

On the other end of the call was Bertha.

"Did he understand what it was?" Bertha asked.

"I think so. Johan's well-versed in mythology. When I mentioned the third orb, he immediately caught on."

"Of course. He's the one who pacified Regigigas, after all."

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

Bertha paused, then asked, "Was he happy with it?"

"...Probably?" Cynthia's answer was a bit vague.

Bertha fell silent for a moment before sighing.

"Sigh... I guess, for a trainer, the most enticing reward is still a Pokémon—or an egg, huh?"

She recalled the carefully nurtured Pokémon Egg she had seen on Johan's ship.

"Hmm?"

Cynthia playfully blinked.

Is that what she took from this?

Meanwhile, in his room, Johan's phone rang.

It was Professor Oak.

"Hahaha—Johan! I heard you're competing in another League tournament!"

Oak's hearty laughter echoed through the call.

Johan's expression twitched.

"Professor Oak... you're not coming to watch again, are you?"

"Hm? How'd you know?"

Johan: "..."

"Haha! I'm actually visiting my cousin, who happens to be in Sinnoh for the tournament. Plus, another very talented Pokémon Professor is attending—I wanted to discuss some research with him."

Cousin?

Oh—Samson Oak.

Johan suddenly recalled encountering Guzma earlier that day.

Seemed like a lot of people from Alola were showing up for this tournament.

Tired of sunshine and beaches? Came to Sinnoh for the snow?

As for the "very talented professor" Oak mentioned...

That was probably Professor Kukui.

He and Oak were pretty close.

"So, what's this call about?"

"I received the Regigigas and Heatran data you sent me. I'll be upgrading your Pokédex for you."

Not because Bertha was ignoring you again?

"Much appreciated, Professor."

Upgrading the Pokédex was one thing, but giving Rotom a new "body" was a nice bonus.

Johan put away his phone.

"Alright, everyone—bath time!"

Johan's voice had barely fallen before Gengar—already wearing a pair of swim goggles—jumped straight into the bathtub with a loud splash.

Fortunately, the Sinnoh League had taken trainers' and Pokémon's bathing needs into account, so the bathtubs in the players' rooms were huge.

Otherwise, with just Gengar in there, nobody else would be able to take a bath.

That said...

Even with such a large tub, Dragonite couldn't fit anymore.

Instead, it had to sit on a little stool next to the bath, amusing itself by playing with bubbles.

Meanwhile, Johan stood behind it, holding a massive scrubbing brush, scrubbing Dragonite's back with effort.

"Draaa~ Draaa~~"

Yes, right there, right there! Ahh, a little harder~~

Kubfu, having returned to its natural, "scrawny" form after soaking in the water, emerged from the bath and wiped its forehead with both paws.

"Ku?"

Is it just me, or is the water a little too hot today?

Johan reached in and touched the water.

Hiss—!

"Charcadet, are you trying to turn this into a hot spring?!"

"Goka?"

Charcadet, who had been floating lazily in the water with its eyes half-closed, suddenly jolted awake.

It had gotten too comfortable and had forgotten to regulate its heat output...

"Oowoo?"

Ninetales, who had been standing outside the bathroom door, hesitant to enter, heard the commotion and immediately blew a breath of icy air inside.

Crackle—!

A layer of frost instantly covered everyone in the room, turning Kubfu into a sneezing machine.

Rustle, rustle—

The Pokémon Egg in Charcadet's arms trembled slightly, shaking off the thin layer of ice that had formed over it.

Egg: Surviving in this household is a miracle in itself...

"Oowoo..."

Ninetales stuck out its tongue apologetically, but before Johan's "evil claws" could grab it, it turned tail and bolted.

Johan shook his head.

"All grown up, huh? Knows how to be shy now."

"Cha?"

Tinkaton, flicking water off its long ponytail, glanced up.

Shy?

Johan side-eyed it. "Not you. Your real body is the hammer."

After a nice, refreshing bath, Johan changed into a comfortable set of pajamas and crawled into bed with the little ones.

That night, they all slept soundly.

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Powerstones?

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