Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 604: Onions, I Added Onions

Battle with Alder?

"That doesn't seem quite appropriate," Johan said.

No matter what, even if Alder's strongest ace had passed away, he was still a genuine Champion.

As everyone knows, many trainers in the Pokémon world don't raise just one of the same Pokémon.

For example, Lance's Dragonite.

And Alder still had his signature Pokémon like Volcarona. His strength might have diminished from his peak, but that didn't mean he was weak.

"It's just an exhibition match," Alder smiled.

It was obvious that he was quite keen on this proposal.

"Who was Mr. Alder originally scheduled to have the exhibition match with?" Johan asked.

"I think it was Shaga's grandson?" Alder looked toward Teacher Briar.

Briar nodded, "Yes, Dulse is only a first-year student at our Blueberry Academy, but his skills are outstanding. He's already become the president of the League Union and holds the position of Blueberry League Champion. He's the student representative."

Dulse?

Johan had a slight impression of this grandson of Shaga.

In the games, he was very strong. If Kukui hadn't returned from the northern camp with greatly improved skills to replace Dulse as Champion, he probably would have held the Champion's seat for four consecutive years.

"...so, it doesn't seem right, does it?" Johan said again.

After all, the original plan was for an exhibition match between Alder and Dulse.

As the so-called Blueberry League Champion, a match between him and the real Unova League Champion—it didn't seem appropriate for Johan to replace him in the battle with Alder.

After all, as a student, how many chances would he have to battle a Champion?

"Oh, so that's what you're worried about," Alder waved dismissively. "That's no problem, I can have two matches."

After a pause, he added:

"Or... we could both have two matches? I've heard that many students at Blueberry Academy admire you, and I'm sure they'd be delighted with such an opening."

Johan: "??"

How did one match suddenly become two?

"I think Champion Alder's proposal is excellent," Teacher Briar said.

Shauntal: "I agree."

Johan: "..."

Easy for you to say when you're not the ones battling...

"Ahem." Johan placed his fist near his mouth and coughed once, "For two matches, well, hmm... hmm."

Briar, as a teacher and the person in charge of this internal competition, had good perception. She seemed to understand Johan's meaning and immediately said:

"Of course, Teacher Johan's 'teaching fee' will be substantial."

Alder and Shauntal both understood.

That made sense.

As a teacher at Kanaz Pokémon Academy, coming to Blueberry Academy for exhibition matches would naturally require some compensation—reasonable.

Johan immediately waved his hands, "Hey, talking about money hurts the relationship."

"Oh?"

"I was thinking... are two matches enough?"

?

Later, Briar went to prepare for the opening of the internal competition.

Meanwhile, Alder continued immersing himself in studying Blueberry Academy's teaching methods.

Johan took his little ones to visit Blueberry Academy's ecological dome to see the school's "specialty."

Ecological Dome, Grassland Area.

Though called a grassland area, it wasn't completely just endless grass. There were also marshes, rocky mountains, and other artificial natural landscapes.

A breeze passed through, creating a "rustle" in the lush grass that rose above the ankles, stirring waves of green ripples one after another.

Taking a deep breath, the scent of fresh grass mixed with a hint of moist soil entered the nostrils, making one's pores instinctively open.

"This ecological dome... is indeed well-simulated."

Finding a relatively dry patch of grass to sit on, Johan took out his Poké Balls and summoned all his little ones.

"How beautiful, Roto~~"

Rotom instantly transformed into photography mode again, snapping away at the scenery before them.

"Yoji~~"

"Nii-mi~~"

Larvitar and Victini exchanged glances, simultaneously eyeing a tree laden with fruits not far away.

The plump Pecha Berries couldn't be completely hidden even by the broad leaves. Larvitar stood beneath the tree, its seemingly short arms embracing the trunk, trying to shake the tree to get the fruits down.

Fortunately, Victini moved more quickly, flying up to grab a fruit almost as big as itself, plucking it with a gentle tug.

The two little ones, one berry each, sat beneath the tree and began munching away heartily, even burying their heads directly into the Pecha Berries.

"Nii-mi~~(^^)"

So tasty~~

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar also floated to the tree but didn't immediately pick any fruit. Instead, it parted the leaves and spotted a Spinarak hiding among them.

This was a Pokémon Gengar had never seen before, so it displayed what it considered a very friendly smile and waved a greeting.

"Ka-kaah~(｀Д*)"

Spinarak: Σ(дlll)

The little creature immediately fell from the tree, landing in front of Larvitar and Victini.

Both little ones simultaneously pulled their heads out of the Pecha Berries and looked at Spinarak with confusion, and then...

Spinarak's whole body trembled, its eyes rolled back, and it fainted from fright.

This was because Larvitar and Victini's faces were covered with the red juice of the Pecha Berries, making them look like "bloodthirsty maniacs."

"Yoji?"

Larvitar reached out and gently nudged Spinarak, finding it still unresponsive but thankfully still breathing. It waved at Victini.

No worries, still breathing.

"Spinarak, the String Spit Pokémon, Bug-type, it's said the string it spits has strength comparable to metal. The secret to this strength is still being researched by scientists. That string can even bounce back a Scyther's scythes, Roto!"

Rotom, while photographing, didn't forget to do its main job.

"It seems the Blueberry Academy's ecological dome indeed has quite a few Pokémon from the Paldea region..."

Johan nodded to himself after seeing this.

Though he still hadn't discovered why Blueberry Academy could charge Terastal Orbs.

Just as he was about to take out his Terastal Orb to examine it, he heard a voice from behind.

"Stop right there!"

A boy of about fourteen or fifteen with short red hair, dressed in chef's attire and carrying a frying pan, ran over quickly.

He shouted indignantly:

"Don't you know these berries were planted by someone else?"

Hmm?

Planted by someone else?

No wonder these berries grew so abundantly without being eaten by wild Pokémon...

The boy's face was serious as he continued:

"Moreover, eating such luscious berries without proper preparation is a waste of ingredients!"

The boy glanced at Johan, feeling this person looked somewhat familiar, but he didn't dwell on it. Upon seeing Gengar and the others, he immediately shouted:

"I see you're also a trainer. Let's battle! If you win against me, I'll forgive the berry theft!"

As he spoke, his hand that wasn't holding the frying pan produced a Poké Ball.

This series of words, actions, and reactions... made Johan instinctively think of someone: Flint!

Johan stood up and said with some apology:

"I'm sorry, young man. I didn't know these berries were cultivated. How about I compensate you?"

"Compensation?" The boy was taken aback, hesitated slightly, then nodded, "Compensation is fine, but a battle... I want to battle you!"

Truly a miniature version of Flint... Johan rubbed his temples, somewhat exasperated.

Noticing the boy's attire and the frying pan in his hand, Johan had a thought.

"Are you... a chef?"

Hearing this, the boy actually showed some embarrassment, scratching the back of his head.

"Is it that obvious? Hahaha—Yes, I'm a chef! A real chef!"

That obvious?

Johan looked at the boy's white chef's uniform and frying pan, thinking it would be difficult not to notice.

"Then how about we have a cooking contest instead?" Johan suggested.

Cooking!

The boy's eyes lit up.

But recalling the earlier scene of Larvitar and Victini eating berries, he showed some skepticism.

"You know how to cook?"

Johan smiled slightly, "A little, just a little."

Come on, haven't you heard of the "Poké Puff Demon"?

"Alright!" The boy seemed quite confident in his culinary skills and didn't forget to introduce himself:

"I am Akane, from Virbank City in the Unova region. I'll be a first-year student at Blueberry Academy next semester and am currently working part-time in the cafeteria!"

Akane?

Johan showed a hint of realization, remembering the identity of this young man.

By the time the Blueberry Academy storyline unfolds, Akane would already be one of the Blueberry League Elite Four as a first-year student, ranked fifth, with his home field being the Grassland Plaza.

He was a straightforward, outspoken fellow.

Simply put: he said what he thought and did what he wanted.

"You are..." Akane looked at Johan, finding him increasingly familiar.

"Johan, nice to meet you, Student Akane," Johan smiled.

"Teacher Johan?!!"

Spicy cooking contest!

Half an hour later.

Akane stared at his Blaziken, his expression wooden.

Blaziken was devouring a plate of bright red, glistening mapo tofu with gusto, with crystalline tears even flowing from the corners of its eyes—a sign of extreme deliciousness.

Is it really that good?

Akane took a spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and put it in his mouth.

Spicy, numbing, hot—though it stimulated his taste buds and burned his mouth so much he could barely close it, he refused to spit it out.

After swallowing, he wiped the corner of his eye and found it also glistening.

"Huh?" Akane looked at Johan, who was putting away his apron, with disbelief. "How... how did you do that..."

Johan was about to answer but seemed to think of something and smiled, saying:

"Onions, I added onions."

"I see..." Akane murmured.

The next second.

Thud——

Akane suddenly knelt on the ground, the action startling Johan.

"Teacher Johan, please teach me your culinary skills!"

Am I in the Pokémon world or some cooking anime? Johan thought.

Why does the style feel a bit off?

If Darkrai were here, it would certainly approve of Akane's behavior.

Young man, you've chosen the right path. This guy's food... does indeed have something special.

Johan quickly pulled Akane up, leaving Akane even more dazed.

He had used all his strength, yet Teacher Johan pulled him up with one hand—was this the physical prowess of a "Fighting Master"?

Cooking and cuisine are just one of our "rabbit heart" instincts, how can I teach that?

So Johan used a phrase open to Akane's interpretation: "Culinary arts, like Pokémon, are all about 'heart.'"

"Heart?"

Akane's face showed confusion, then contemplation, gradually turning to understanding, and finally realization.

"I understand, Teacher Johan!"

What did you understand?

Saying this, Akane carefully took out a scroll from his pocket. Just from its appearance, one could tell it had some age to it.

What's this?

Before Johan could ask, Akane explained: "Teacher Johan, this is the 'Secret Cooking Scroll' left by my grandfather. Thank you for your guidance!"

Secret Cooking Scroll?

Akane greatly respected, even revered his grandfather, and continued:

"This scroll records my grandfather's experiences during his youthful travels, which he transformed into recipes. He—"

As Akane spoke, Johan curiously opened a corner of the scroll, looking at the first recipe—Spectrier's Snack!

Hmm?

Hmm?!

A drop of sweat formed on Johan's forehead.

This scroll... shouldn't be looked at...

Gengar, with its head next to Johan's, also saw the recipe in the scroll. Its eyes spun rapidly as it revealed a sinister smile.

"Ka-kaah..."

Beep beep——

At this moment, his phone rang, showing a call from Teacher Briar.

After answering.

"Teacher Johan, you can come to the arena to prepare. Our opening ceremony will begin soon," Briar said.

"Alright."

After hanging up, Akane curiously asked:

"Is Teacher Johan here to watch our Blueberry League internal competition?"

"No, I've been invited to participate in an exhibition match."

Exhibition match?

Akane's eyes immediately lit up, and he volunteered:

"Teacher Johan, I'll show you the way!"

On the way, he looked quite disappointed.

"Too bad I couldn't have a match with Teacher Johan..."

Johan patted his shoulder, consoling him: "Don't worry, next time I'll bring my students along, and you can try your skills against them first."

Blueberry Academy, School Arena, Blueberry League Internal Competition Venue.

Almost all of Blueberry Academy's students, except those who had applied for leave, had gathered here.

Most students had their Pokémon out accompanying them, which was one of the teaching principles—to nurture the relationship between Pokémon and trainers.

Johan was invited by Briar to the guest room, where Alder was already seated, brewing tea.

"Ka-kaah?"

Seeing the tea, Gengar immediately became interested. It eagerly sat across from Alder, and after tasting the tea, it wagged its finger at Alder.

This won't do, you should see how the old master brews tea.

"Oh?"

And so, Alder tasted... Energy Root tea brewed by Gengar, so bitter that tears nearly flowed from his eyes.

Meanwhile, Johan faced a student who appeared lazy and spiritless on the outside but was politely introducing himself.

"Teacher Johan, I'm delighted to have an exhibition match with you. I'm Dulse."

Blueberry Academy first-year student, League Union president, current Blueberry League Champion, and Shaga's grandson—Dulse!

Akane had followed along thanks to his connection with Johan. Seeing Dulse, he quickly said:

"I know him, Teacher Johan! Dulse! Although he's a first-year student, actually... he's been held back three times."

Dulse: "..."

Briar: "..."

"Akane, that's not very nice~~"

Lacey, who had faced Johan in the "Youth Master World Championship," also arrived, making an "X" gesture with her hands and smiling at Akane.

Then she greeted Johan with a smile.

"Hello, Teacher Johan~~"

"L-Lacey..." Seeing Lacey, Akane's face immediately flushed, and he became fidgety.

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar's suspicious gaze swept between Akane and Lacey, examining them for a moment before showing a look of realization.

It punched its palm with its fist.

"Ka-kaah!"

I get it now, unrequited love!

Akane stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

"Hahaha——" Alder laughed heartily.

Teacher Briar also curled her lips into a smile.

The straightforward Akane had met his match in the even more outspoken Gengar.

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Powerstones?

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