Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 371: Our Little Ghost Is Also Unstoppably Cute! (BONUS)

"Marsha?"

Hiding in Gengar's shadow, Marshadow suddenly sensed something, turning its head slightly to look to the side.

There, in the dim light, was a shadowy figure—its outline indistinct, almost formless.

Marshadow gave Gengar's cloak a gentle tug.

"Ka-kaah?"

Following Marshadow's gaze, Gengar scratched its head, its round eyes filled with confusion.

This scene... felt strangely familiar.

Could it be...

The "friend" from Lake Acuity had followed them here?

That wouldn't be impossible.

After all, when it came to pursuing someone, who could compete with Marshadow?

It had chased Johan from Kanto to Johto, from Johto to Hoenn, and now had been tailing him throughout Sinnoh.

To be honest, it wasn't just Gengar—most of Johan's Pokémon had gotten used to Marshadow's presence by now.

Even Johan, whenever he prepared meals for his team, would always set aside an extra portion in the shadows.

After all, every time he went to clean up, the entire bowl would be spotless—not a single crumb left behind.

"Ka-kaah~ (o▽`o)"

Gengar waved at the shadowy figure, then gestured invitingly, pulling out a handful of Pokéblocks.

"Ying?"

The shadow tilted its head, its expression puzzled.

Who's this? Do we know each other?

But... the thing it was holding smelled amazing.

Gengar divided the Pokéblocks—some for Marshadow, some for Alcremie, keeping a share for itself, and placing the rest in the empty space beside it.

No need to be shy, we're all friends here.

"Yimai~ o(^▽^)o"

Alcremie, who had already grown close to Gengar, happily grabbed a Pokéblock and started munching.

As it chewed, it hummed a little tune, its tiny feet, hidden beneath its creamy skirt, gently swaying in delight.

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar nudged Alcremie slightly.

Hey... wanna come with us?

"Yimai?"

Go with them?

Gengar had successfully recruited [Alolan Ninetales] the same way before—so it figured it would give it a shot here too.

Meanwhile...

That shadowy figure, after a brief hesitation, finally gave in to the temptation of food and floated forward.

"Marsha~"

A nervous Marshadow awkwardly greeted the newcomer.

It could sense far more than Gengar.

It knew this wasn't Uxie from Lake Acuity—but rather, Azelf, the guardian of Lake Valor.

"Ying~"

Azelf greeted Marshadow in return, but seemed far more relaxed.

Then, without hesitation, it plopped down beside Gengar.

At that moment, the battle between Johan, Jasmine, and Maylene had officially begun.

As Azelf took its first bite of the Pokéblock, its eyes immediately lit up.

"Ying~ (＾＾●)"

Its tail and feet swayed rhythmically as it enjoyed its snack.

"Ka-kaah~"

Don't worry, there's more where that came from.

Today, Gengar was feeling generous—after making sure everyone had their fill, it pulled out another box of Pokéblocks.

Azelf paused, then suddenly asked:

"Ying?"

What's your dream?

Its voice echoed directly into their minds—Gengar, Ninetales, Tinkaton, Charcadet, and Rotom all heard it simultaneously.

"Ka-kaah?"

Dreams?

Gengar hesitated.

It had a lot of dreams...

Like helping Johan become the strongest Trainer, eating every delicious food in the world, or becoming the ultimate "Lord of Fear".

As it was thinking—

Alolan Ninetales suddenly spoke up.

"Oowoo~!"

To stay with Johan forever!

"Ka-kaah!"

"Cha!"

"Goka!"

"Rotom!"

The others froze for a moment—then enthusiastically agreed.

They weren't sure if it technically counted as a dream—but it was something they were deeply committed to.

"Ying?"

Then, something unexpected happened.

Azelf lifted its tiny hand, shielding its eyes—

As if blinded by something incredibly bright.

What did it see?

So dazzling!

From Gengar, Ninetales, Tinkaton, Charcadet, even Rotom—it saw a blazing aura, a manifestation of pure conviction.

Azelf was shocked.

It had never seen such solidified will before.

Even though, from a legendary perspective, these Pokémon's lifespans were limited—

Their resolve was undeniable.

They were willing to dedicate everything to this belief.

For the first time ever—Azelf felt compelled to acknowledge this level of determination.

So—

It left behind a tiny, white tooth where it had been sitting.

Then, without another word—

It vanished.

"Marsha..."

Marshadow blinked.

Wait... you're just gonna leave?

And you took the Pokéblocks with you?!

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar looked down at the tiny tooth, scratching its head.

Huh?

What's this?

This "friend" was so strange.

First, Uxie left behind a tiny claw.

Now, Azelf had left a tiny tooth...

Neat, but...

Couldn't they coat it in some poison first?

Would it kill them to add a bit of venom before gifting these things?

—

Back on the battlefield—

"Johan, we've lost."

With the match over, Jasmine and Maylene accepted their defeat graciously.

Honestly?

They thought their strategy was pretty solid.

Their timing was perfect.

If they had knocked out Kubfu, they might have been able to defeat Dragonite using Steelix and Medicham together.

But...

Their strategy had been read from the start.

And the biggest issue?

Johan had seen through their entire "High Jump Kick Medicham + Pure Power" setup—

Because he had used the exact same strategy before.

With the right combo moves, Medicham could be a devastating sweeper in double battles.

Unfortunately for them...

Johan knew it all too well.

—

"Wow... only a true Fighting Master could read Medicham's abilities this well," Maylene thought.

—

Johan patted Maylene's shoulder, smiling.

"Hey—I'll introduce you to someone in a few days."

A fellow "strong girl".

Maylene and Bea should have a lot in common.

And if he added Korrina from Kalos into the mix—

They could debut as the "Fighting-Type Trio"!

—

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freёnovelkiss.com.

With his battle over, Johan returned to the spectator area, sitting beside his Pokémon.

As he glanced at Alcremie, now laughing and playing with his team, he smirked slightly.

He wasn't going to rush things.

After all—

"Bosses choose their employees...but employees also choose their bosses."

If Alcremie preferred to stay at Seven Stars Restaurant, he wouldn't force it.

"Ka-kaah~"

As soon as he sat down, Gengar tugged at his sleeve.

"Hmm?"

He looked down—Gengar opened its palm, revealing a tiny, white tooth.

Johan blinked.

"Wait... did you lose a tooth?"

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar's eyes widened in mock outrage, flashing its perfectly white, intact teeth.

How dare you question my dental health?!

—

Johan rubbed his temple.

Looking at the tooth in his hand...

Then at Charcadet's egg, where the tiny claw from Uxie was still attached.

Uxie's Claw.

Azelf's Tooth.

...And if they added Mesprit's Feather—

They'd have everything needed to craft the "Red Chain".

Oh no.

Was he actually about to get dragged into this mess?!

There was no way he was setting foot in Lake Verity now!

No way.

—

Still...

Johan glanced at Gengar, who grinned back at him.

...Oh well.

Our little ghost is still ridiculously cute.

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Powerstones?

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