One day later, in the Hoenn region, on the small island off the coast of Kanaz City.
"Wow—"
Flint, with his bruised and swollen face, looked at the small island before him in shock, his eyes filled with envy and amazement.
"Teacher Johan actually became an 'island owner'..."
Johan's island had undergone earth-shaking changes once again.
Before Johan became the Hoenn League Champion, the island's development had actually been quite good.
He had planted about two hundred berry trees and raised roughly twenty to thirty wild Pokémon, all of which were Pokémon that could promote the island's "development."
Additionally, he had planted many valuable medicinal plants, such as Energy Root, Revival Herb, and Miracle Berry trees.
Of course, this also included a flower garden.
But even so, even though the planting wasn't particularly dense, the island's coverage was only about one-fifth to one-fourth.
But now?
Ever since Johan had used the reason of a "Pokémon Mental Healing Island" to get the Hoenn League and Devon Corporation to assist in developing the island, in just the half month he spent as a "teaching assistant" in the Alola region, the island's development speed had been extremely fast.
It could almost be said to change every day.
The current island, besides the berry trees and other plants Johan had planted, as well as the grass covering almost the entire island, had also been planted with several different types of forests.
This wasn't like Johan's method of digging up berry tree saplings from everywhere and planting them. Even with Servine's care, half a month wouldn't be enough for them to mature.
But the trees planted this time under the League and Devon's cooperation, while not all berry trees, were all fully grown trees.
This gave the island many shaded areas.
And these shaded areas became habitats for many wild Pokémon.
So the number of wild Pokémon on the island had increased considerably, with the count having broken through two hundred at least. Most were Pokémon that hadn't seen Johan and his team before, and were quite timid, currently hiding in the forests.
Of course, since this was a "Pokémon Mental Healing Island."
After the island was completely built, they would gradually send some Pokémon that might have mental defects or psychological issues to the island.
Perhaps in a year or two, Johan's island would become something like a "Pokémon psychiatric hospital," "problem Pokémon shelter," or "abandoned Pokémon gathering place."
Johan speculated.
Unless they were Pokémon affected by some incident, most Pokémon coming to the island in the future would probably be Pokémon abandoned by trainers or owners.
This was an unavoidable problem in the Pokémon world.
Otherwise, there wouldn't have been the plateau where abandoned Pokémon gathered in the movie "Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel."
After all, in some situations, humans capturing innocent Pokémon was actually very simple.
And compared to proper training, abandonment was truly a very straightforward and simple method.
Of course, one couldn't rule out situations where abandonment was unavoidable or forced, but in Johan's view, these were actually various excuses.
So for these Pokémon in need of help, he wouldn't be stingy with his helping hand.
When necessary, he also wouldn't mind teaching those who abandoned Pokémon a lesson, whether they were ordinary people or trainers.
For innocent Pokémon, this would definitely become a lifelong shadow.
Even more so.
Sometimes abandonment was even a relatively "good" outcome. For those who caused Pokémon injuries due to twisted hearts, he really couldn't tolerate them.
It was precisely because of these various reasons that his island's construction application and reimbursement could be approved within the Hoenn League.
Where there was demand, there would be supply.
Otherwise, did he really think that becoming Champion meant he could do whatever he wanted in the Hoenn League?
And to accommodate various types of Pokémon in the future.
Besides forest areas and planting areas, the Hoenn League and Devon Corporation had also spent considerable money and effort building various habitat areas.
For example, swamp areas, desert areas, grassland areas, rocky areas, and so on.
The current "local boss" of the rocky area was Garganacl.
It was precisely because of this that Flint showed such a shocked expression after seeing it.
Johan's island was definitely not as large as Master Mustard's Isle of Armor, but the advantage of not being so large was strong control over the entire island.
"Can big sister also apply for an island now?" Flint murmured.
Hearing this, Lucian glanced at Flint with annoyance, then distanced himself by two steps.
Don't you know why your face is still bruised and swollen?
Steven nearby smiled and explained: "Teacher built this island to help Pokémon in need, which is why the League strongly supports it."
Lance suddenly understood.
"I see."
As an investigator, Lance had seen too many tragic experiences of Pokémon. For him, even just being abandoned was sometimes a small matter.
Not just the Hoenn region, but the entire Pokémon world needed more places like Johan's "Pokémon Mental Healing Island."
He suddenly sighed: "Teacher Johan truly lives up to Professor Oak's title of 'Mental Health Master'."
Leon said with a complex expression: "I wonder if Teacher Johan would accept Pokémon from other regions in the future."
Like Lance, he had similar experiences.
The Galar particles in the Galar region had been very unstable recently, with wild Pokémon suddenly Dynamaxing frequently.
Although the commotion caused by those Dynamaxed wild Pokémon was quickly suppressed, the ones most hurt were actually those wild Pokémon.
Whether physically or mentally.
But the Galar region obviously didn't have such a place yet.
So if possible, Leon really wanted to send those injured Pokémon here.
"Given Teacher Johan's temperament, he probably won't refuse," Diantha said.
Everyone nodded, then all showed strange smiles, mentally adding a sentence—but the fees probably won't be low.
Teacher Johan's "judging people by their wallets" was somewhat famous.
For the poor, ordinary people, and their Pokémon, Teacher Johan was willing to help for free.
But if someone wasn't short of money, Teacher Johan didn't mind charging just a tiny bit more.
However, everyone understood this.
Which trainer wasn't short of money?
Leon still had small advertisements on his cape.
Moreover, maintaining such a large island would definitely be expensive in the future.
"You can communicate with the teacher about it later. It shouldn't be a big problem," Steven suggested.
Leon smiled and nodded.
Anyway, Chairman Rose wasn't short of money.
"Speaking of which, where is Teacher Johan?" Lucian asked.
Several people were gathered here, but Teacher Johan and big sister Cynthia weren't present.
Diantha smiled and gestured toward the distance, saying: "Johan said he had a surprise for Cynthia."
Caitlin huffed indignantly: "Dog man, always knows how to trick young girls' hearts."
Lucian looked in the direction Diantha indicated. He remembered that area seemed to be a flower field, and suddenly understood: "Teacher Johan is so skilled."
Lance and Leon looked at each other.
Skilled?
Skilled at what?
The two simultaneously looked at Flint.
Bruised and swollen Flint picked his nose: "Of course skilled at battling, what else could it be?"
Lance and Leon suddenly understood.
Nearby, Lucian, Steven, Diantha, and others all held their foreheads.
No wonder you're single.
Though Lance had someone who liked him, and Leon had a childhood friend, dare we ask what the fire-playing explosive-head had?
On the other side.
Cynthia and Johan walked one after the other to the island's flower garden.
Through the diligent efforts of Butterfree and Combee, plus the nourishment of Calyrex's power, this flower garden could now even be called a flower field.
Johan covered Cynthia's eyes and brought her here.
The drifting floral fragrance had already entered her nostrils, and Cynthia roughly guessed something, but her heart still couldn't help rising with anticipation and emotion.
"Here we go~"
Johan released his hands.
Her eyelashes trembled lightly, her bright eyes slowly opened, and what met her gaze was a large field of brightly colored flowers. The gentle breeze passed through, creating ripples of flowers.
Cynthia's face at this moment was like the February sun—bright, charming, and captivating.
Last time in Floaroma Town, Johan had said he would give her a flower field in the future. She hadn't expected to receive this gift right after becoming Champion.
"How is it?" Johan was quite satisfied with the scene before him.
Although there weren't any particularly precious flowers, and he hadn't spent much effort, the result was surprisingly good. When he first saw it, he was also shocked by the scene.
"Actually, this is my real surprise for you. The Champion's Road thing... was all planned by Gengar."
Cynthia stared blankly at the scene before her. In the flower field, Butterfree and Combee were still working diligently.
After a long while, she finally pressed her lips together and nodded vigorously:
"I love it very much."
"I'm glad you like it," Johan smiled.
But he heard Cynthia say seriously: "I like you more."
Hearing this, Johan was slightly stunned, his face reddening slightly, but he still grasped Cynthia's hand and said softly: "I like you too."
The two looked at each other and smiled, both their faces somewhat flushed.
Not far away, Gengar was holding Garchomp, looking like it was afraid of it rushing in.
Who knew that today's Garchomp was acting unusually quiet, not showing its usual aggressive, tooth-and-claw attitude of wanting to tear Johan apart.
"Ka-kaah?" Gengar looked confused.
"Garrr..."
Garchomp crossed its arms and looked up at a forty-five-degree angle.
This "cabbage" it had raised for more than twenty years was finally going to be taken away. If Cynthia was happy, what could it do?
"Ka-kaah~"
Gengar, acting like an "experienced person," patted Garchomp's shoulder.
Old shark, I understand you~
"Garrr!"
But the Garchomp that had looked melancholy just a second ago immediately exploded upon hearing this, baring its teeth and claws at Gengar.
"Ka-kaah!"
Gengar was startled and quickly assumed a fighting stance with both hands.
Well then.
The compromise and acceptance were all fake—finally couldn't hold it in anymore, right?
Night fell.
On the island, Johan spared no expense. While inviting everyone to play, he naturally also prepared a sumptuous dinner.
On one hand, it was to celebrate Cynthia becoming Champion, and on the other hand, it was to celebrate his island's near completion.
Soon, he would have to run between four places: school, home, the island, and Sinnoh. He'd be quite busy.
"Palkia, is the space tunnel ready?"
Johan looked at the three dragons and Darkrai who were eating heartily, his eyes twitching as he asked.
Ordinary people really couldn't afford to host them—they ate too much!
[Almost done.]
Palkia looked up at Johan, said a sentence, then continued eating.
"It needs to be stable. I don't want to suddenly be transported to some unknown space."
[Leave it to us!]
Dialga immediately guaranteed, but showed no sign of stopping eating.
Johan: "..."
How can I be reassured with you like this?
At this moment, Darkrai wiped its mouth and said: "Don't worry, I supervised the construction. The tunnel built by the three dragons together is very safe. Even if you really get transported, it would be to Giratina's 'Distortion World.' Don't worry."
The world was truly wonderful. Previously, Darkrai and Dialga and Palkia had fought to the death in Alamos Town, with Darkrai nearly dying, but now they could sit together and eat.
However, Darkrai's words did make Johan feel more reassured.
A tunnel built by the three dragons together should be reliable.
Using Giratina's "Distortion World" as the space tunnel's carrier, anchoring space with Palkia's spatial power, and stabilizing the space tunnel with Dialga's temporal power.
If a space tunnel built with the combined power of the three dragons wasn't stable, then Johan really would have wasted all that food.
But honestly speaking...
The three dragons together weren't as reliable as little Hoopa.
If little Hoopa couldn't stay here permanently, he wouldn't have needed to invite the three dragons to work.
"Darkrai, take good care of them."
Darkrai immediately made an OK gesture.
On the other side.
Cynthia, Caitlin, Diantha, and others were also sitting together enjoying the food, "contributed" by the Love siblings, Alcremie, and Mewtwo.
It had to be said that Mewtwo indeed had talent, whether in battle or in cooking.
But...
With so many people suddenly arriving, plus so many Pokémon, the workload...
When Johan came to Mewtwo's side wanting to ask about its condition, the expressionless Mewtwo rolled up the apron it was wearing and slammed it hard on the table.
"This time, I won't be human!"
After throwing it down, it ran off to eat with Gengar and the others.
Johan: "..."
Love siblings & Alcremie: "?"
Johan opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.
Mewtwo had been working as a laborer (crossed out) experiencing the feeling of being human at his place for over a month now. Its work could definitely be called outstanding, especially in using psychic powers in various aspects.
But looking at the current situation, it seemed to think... being human was boring?
Being a Pokémon was better!
But with so many mouths to feed, what to do?
They were all looking at him expectantly!
Could "being human" be chosen at will?
Freely switching forms back and forth?
Johan had to admit that under his "melting pot," Mewtwo had also become "flexible."
Facing those expectant eyes, Johan smacked his lips, picked up the apron Mewtwo had thrown down, put it on, and joined the "labor force" with the Love siblings and Alcremie.
Mewtwo's "metamorphosis" was over, and Johan had to return to "laborer" work.
"Sigh... even Mewtwo has learned bad habits."
Johan looked at Mewtwo, who had already started competing with Gengar for food, and couldn't help smacking his lips.
It's all Gengar's fault!
What kind of team is it leading!
"Do you need my help?" At this moment, seeing this scene, Cynthia gracefully walked over and asked.
Hearing this, Johan's expression immediately changed.
He took out a sign and quickly wrote—Cynthia and Gengar, not allowed near!
He still vividly remembered what happened the last time Cynthia entered the kitchen.
He quickly reassured her: "You go eat obediently. I'll have Rotom help me."
With that, he shouted to the side: "Rotom, oven form!"
"Understood! Roto! Super transformation form!" Rotom shouted in a very chuunibyou manner and dove into the oven.
Seeing this, Cynthia smiled sweetly and didn't insist, obediently returning to her seat to continue eating.
However, while eating, she placed a small bowl beside her. Each time she ate something, she would take two portions, putting one in the small bowl next to her. Soon there was already a small pile.
This silent action made the others at the table unable to help thinking—I shouldn't be here, I should be under the car...
The night was slightly cool.
After eating and drinking their fill, everyone sat directly on the soft grass chatting.
Some chatted about their lives, like Cynthia, Caitlin, and Diantha.
Others talked about Pokémon and battles, like Lance, Flint, and Leon.
Some discussed management and operational knowledge, like Steven and Lucian.
As for Aaron?
Very enthusiastic during meals, he was now silently standing by the pond in a daze, surrounded by some Butterfree and Combee.
He stared blankly at Servine, who was engaged in an energy-law-violating mutual nourishment with the "Miracle Berry tree," not understanding what Servine was doing, just as Servine didn't understand what he was doing.
Of course, there were also Pokémon playing together.
Led by Gengar, the "card players" were engaged in "passionate" Pokémon poker, with Victini dominating.
Led by Tinkaton, the forging group mainly consisted of Metagross, Aggron, Lucario, and other Pokémon, listening to Meltan cheering while watching Tinkaton forge.
It was like scrolling through short videos—they couldn't stop watching when they saw forging.
There were also the "ladies" led by Ninetales and Garchomp, whispering quietly about something, looking exactly like Cynthia, Caitlin, and Diantha.
And there was the still-eating group led by Tyranitar, mainly consisting of it, the three dragons, and Darkrai.
Of course, the largest group was definitely the battle sparring group.
This was the group with the most Pokémon.
Dragonite, Ceruledge, Urshifu, Infernape, Lance's Dragonite, Leon's Charizard, and other Pokémon.
After eating their fill, they needed to battle to digest.
"Teacher Johan."
Leon suddenly scooted over and sat next to Johan.
"Hm?"
Johan, who had just sat down wanting Love sister to give him a massage, turned his head in confusion.
"After your island is built, could some Pokémon from our Galar region also be sent here for you to help care for?" Leon asked.
Johan was stunned, then came to his senses: "The Pokémon that were forced to Dynamax?"
"Yes." Leon showed some helplessness. "These Pokémon are all innocent. They're actually all kind Pokémon."
"Send them over," Johan said directly.
This time it was Leon's turn to be stunned.
He agreed just like that?
Johan smiled: "Like you said, the Pokémon are actually all innocent. Of course I'll help if I can."
Leon was somewhat moved and didn't know what to say for a moment.
After a long pause, he suddenly lowered his voice:
"Teacher Johan, Mr. Peony told me everything."
Johan wasn't surprised by this.
Peony cared about the cause of sudden Dynamax, and Leon was equally concerned. As long as they investigated, they would eventually run into each other.
"Did you find out?"
Leon's expression became serious: "Mr. Peony discovered that those Galar particles indeed come from near Wyndon, but the exact location hasn't been pinpointed yet. We need Professor Magnolia's help."
Johan nodded.
From this situation.
Discovering Eternatus wouldn't take much longer.
If Peony cooperated with Dynamax expert Professor Magnolia, finally locating Eternatus at Macro Cosmos's energy plant probably wouldn't be difficult.
The repair of hammer sister's sword and shield needed to be accelerated.
Though hammer sister didn't need his reminder. The little one was very happy when forging and had been busy with it every day recently.
Moreover, the "Pokémon World Championships" was coming soon. The Galar region couldn't avoid going even if they wanted to, and he had promised Calyrex.
Flint, it's time for you to step up!
Flint, who was discussing battles with Lance, suddenly felt a chill down his back and instinctively looked toward Johan, meeting his gaze.
Touching his still-swollen face, Flint said warily:
"Jo-Johan teacher, battles are fine, but they have to be normal rule battles. For unlimited battles, find Lance!"
Johan smiled "kindly": "What are you thinking? I don't like battles, especially unlimited battles. I was thinking... aren't you bored staying in Sinnoh? How about I take you to Galar for a couple of days?"
Hm?
Flint's eyes lit up.
Lucian nearby was about to speak when he heard Johan say to him:
"Lucian, I'm helping you reduce pressure. You should be more relaxed without this guy around, right?"
"True enough."
Lucian reacted and said to Flint: "Right, you should follow Teacher Johan out to see more of the world."
Flint immediately said: "Good! I'll go to Galar to improve my ranking, and there are master replacement battles coming up."
As an Elite Four member, Flint received an "Ultra Ball Tier" rating in the "Pokémon World Championships."
But "Ultra Ball Tier" also needed to reach a high enough ranking to qualify for challenging "Master Ball Tier" members in so-called master replacement battles.
"Speaking of which, have all the 'Master Ball Tier' candidates been decided?" Johan suddenly asked.
"Teacher Johan, you don't even pay attention?" Flint looked surprised.
Leon said: "Currently, only four people are confirmed for 'Master Ball Tier.'"
"Four people?"
"Teacher Johan, Miss Cynthia who just became Champion, Mr. Alder, and Nemona from Paldea."
Leon named the four people, all regional Champions.
Because of Paldea region's existence, the "Pokémon World Championships" Johan and others were participating in was different from the "World Coronation Series" he remembered.
In this "Pokémon World Championships," there would be a total of sixteen "Master Ball Tier" members!
Among them, nine "Master Ball Tier" positions were allocated first—either regional League Champions or people recommended by various Leagues, representing nine regions.
The remaining seven spots.
Two would be filled by people from the previous tournament who ranked high but hadn't participated much in ranked battles.
The remaining five spots.
Would go to the top five from ranked battle standings.
However.
Even if the final sixteen masters were determined, the spots weren't fixed until the master tournament began.
Because there were so-called "Master Replacement Battles."
"Ultra Ball Tier" players who reached a certain point total or ranking in ranked battles each had one chance to challenge those sixteen "Master Ball Tier" members.
One decisive battle—the winner would advance to "Master Ball Tier" for the final master tournament, while the loser would miss the master tournament.
So although Johan and others had secured "Master Ball Tier" spots now, if they lost in "Master Replacement Battles," they wouldn't qualify for the final master tournament.
The rules were quite complex and cumbersome.
However, these rules gave regional Champions sufficient respect while also giving all players adequate opportunities.
In fact.
Even in "Master Replacement Battles," few people would challenge those who became "Master Ball Tier" as Champions.
After all, a Champion was usually the top combat power of their region, with exceptional strength. Few believed they could defeat a Champion.
At least the success rate was very low.
Unless they knew this Champion very well and had Pokémon types and abilities that heavily countered them.
If Lance became Champion, he'd need to be careful of trainers specializing in Ice and Electric types.
Others like Johan, Cynthia, Alder, and Nemona weren't type-specialist Champions, making them relatively difficult to target.
"What about the Alola League?" Johan thought of Professor Kukui.
Although the Alola League was still just a makeshift organization, since it was a regional League, it should receive proper respect, right?
"I heard the Alola League seems to be recommending someone called the Masked Royal," Flint said, stroking his chin.
Of course.
That was Professor Kukui.
Professor Kukui's Masked Royal actually had considerable popularity and fame, especially among those interested in wrestling.
However, for many trainers, Professor Kukui might indeed become someone challenged in "Master Replacement Battles."
Johan nodded, gaining a general understanding of this "Pokémon World Championships."
The "Pokémon World Championships" would be held in the Galar region and Paldea region.
Actually, Johan was quite curious about the Paldea region.
After all, he hadn't seen ancient or future species Pokémon yet.
He also wondered what the current situation in Paldea was, and what Area Zero was like.
For most trainers, the Paldea region was quite "mysterious."
Unlike the Galar region with Rose's constant promotion, or the Alola region that gradually became a tourist destination, plus the Paldea region being very far away, many people didn't even know about the existence of future and ancient species Pokémon.
"If there's a chance this time, I should go take a look..."
The next day.
After the gathering ended, everyone went their separate ways. Johan specifically booked a return flight for Leon and had Flint escort him to the airport, watching him board the plane before leaving.
Cynthia, having just become Champion, had a pile of Sinnoh League matters that needed her attention.
Even if she wanted to put the burden on Lucian's shoulders, she first had to count how many burdens there were, right?
So Cynthia returned to the Sinnoh region with Lucian last night.
The poor young couple hadn't spent much time together before separating again.
However, Cynthia said that during the "Pokémon World Championships," she would arrive early so she could travel with Johan while learning about other regions' cultures and customs.
They agreed on a "tourism" plan together.
This would just make Lucian suffer more.
Lucian: Looking up at the sky.
Moreover, Johan would also be busy for the next few days.
Because...
Kanaz Pokémon Academy's summer break was over—finally time for the new term!
Apparently.
Due to too many applicants, Kanaz Pokémon Academy had even expanded some classrooms and dormitory buildings during the summer.
It was only because Devon's construction team was capable enough that they managed to complete the expansion in time.
Moreover, Principal Martin seemed to have been "pressured" into recruiting many young but very promising and capable students.
Among those he had specifically mentioned, requiring Johan to personally "handle," was someone from the distant Paldea region—Poppy!
Reportedly, eight-year-old Poppy had already been exceptionally promoted to Elite Four by Nemona, the chairwoman and Champion of the Paldea League!
The youngest Elite Four member in history!
She was also the youngest student in Kanaz Pokémon Academy's history, and the youngest yet strongest student.
When Steven had enrolled, he hadn't been as remarkable as Poppy.
Poppy's enrollment was also why Johan, now serving as Kanaz Pokémon Academy's "poster boy," had to personally appear.
Thinking about it carefully.
Steven specialized in Steel-type, and Poppy also specialized in Steel-type.
Could this perhaps be some kind of "inheritance"?
Coming to the familiar school gate again, Johan couldn't help but sigh.
"It's been a whole year since I came to this world..."
In this year, he and his Pokémon had experienced so many things.
But perhaps it was precisely because of these experiences.
That he and his Pokémon could achieve such growth, and their bonds could become so deep.
"Excuse me... which way to the faculty office?"
At this moment, a voice came from behind Johan.
Looking toward the sound.
He saw a young man wearing a brown vest, with white hair, dressed neatly and looking very spirited.
Looking at the newcomer, Johan was stunned, feeling somewhat familiar but unable to recall where he'd seen him.
But the newcomer clearly recognized him, looking somewhat surprised and excited: "Teacher Johan?"
He stepped forward: "Hello, Teacher Johan. I'm Friede, from the Paldea region!"
Friede?
Rising Volt Tacklers?
Pokémon Horizons?!
Partner Pikachu Captain form?
Friede's appearance suddenly made Johan feel a bit "crashed."
Wasn't "Pokémon Horizons" separate from previous Pokémon storylines?
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Powerstones?
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