Giovanni: Promote Lance and Give Him a Raise! Cynthia’s Home.

"Hahaha, that was a good joke."

Johan chuckled dryly.

Lana might seem quiet and reserved, but she had a playful side.

She loved making exaggerated jokes—like how she once caught Kyogre, a Super Gyarados, or even Lugia while fishing.

She also claimed that the Masked Royal's opponents included Dialga, Palkia, and Darkrai.

Most people, after a brief moment of confusion, could tell she was joking. But some—like her younger sisters and Ash—always took her seriously.

Johan was only laughing dryly because—

Even though he knew it was a joke… she could actually do it.

Lana was in Pastoria for the fishing tournament, accompanied by her father.

Her father was a fisherman—his gear and technique were top-tier, but his luck was abysmal. He could barely catch anything.

Lana's father wasn't a concern.

But Lana herself was absolutely one of the tournament's top contenders.

Seeing that Johan understood her joke, Lana smiled shyly and looked down.

After chatting a bit more—

Lana and Mallow learned that Johan was also participating in the tournament.

But when they found out he didn't have a fishing rod or bait prepared, Lana, as a way to thank him for helping Popplio, immediately offered to lend him some gear.

After finishing their Poké Puffs, the three of them headed to the central hotel in Pastoria City.

Lana showed Johan the fishing gear she had brought.

"Th-This one should do…"

Lana pursed her lips and carefully selected what she considered to be her best and most perfect fishing rod.

It was a collapsible rod with a light blue handle. With a press of a button, the rod extended. Once the line, reel, float, hook, and bait were attached, it was fully assembled.

A very convenient, portable setup.

"Are you sure?"

Johan asked.

It looked like her favorite rod.

But Lana just smiled shyly.

"A true angler… can catch Kyogre even with the simplest rod."

Johan: "…"

She then took out a matching float, reel, and hook from her tackle box.

"Wait!"

Johan's eyes widened when he saw the Misty-shaped fishing hook.

Could this setup be the exact one she used to catch Kyogre?!

Hiss—

Johan felt like he was witnessing—

A golden legend!

A top-tier fishing setup!

"What's wrong?" Lana asked.

"Ahem." Johan cleared his throat. "That… that's Misty."

Lana blushed slightly and muttered, "I'm a fan of hers…"

"When fishing, just attach the bait here," she explained softly, demonstrating the process.

"This is a special bait I made, designed specifically for Sinnoh's waters and fish."

At that moment—

Johan realized.

With this top-tier gear, top-tier bait, and his own fishing skills—

This tournament…

He might actually win!

"Thanks in advance." Johan smiled.

Forget about the rod Anabel's colleague was going to lend him.

A true angler needed top-tier equipment!

—

The next day, the weather was perfect.

The sea was calm, with gentle waves shimmering under the sunlight.

Wingull glided across the sky, while Pelipper dove in and out of the water, splashing in white arcs.

Cynthia stood at the pier, her hair swaying in the breeze. She tucked a few strands behind her ear and smiled confidently.

Pastoria's fishing tournament was about to begin, and Cynthia had brought out her prized fishing gear.

Watching this picturesque scene, Johan couldn't help but feel a little more cheerful.

The tournament had attracted many participants.

Some, like Johan, had decided to join days ago. Others, like Lana, had traveled from different regions. Some had even planned for months in advance.

The prizes were also generous.

First place would receive a top-tier fishing rod co-developed by Devon Corporation and Canalave City, valued at several million Pokédollars!

Second and third place would get a Shell Bell and a Water Stone, respectively.

Even those who didn't place in the top three would receive a high-quality Sitrus Berry set as a consolation prize.

With rewards this appealing, it was no wonder the tournament had so many competitors.

However—

With so many people gathered, there were also hidden dangers.

As the highest-ranking officer present after Anabel, Johan had already spotted a few International Police colleagues discreetly signaling him from the crowd.

Among them—

Was "Handsome," dressed in full fishing gear and looking ready for action.

"Have you gathered all the intel?" Johan asked.

Cynthia smiled warmly.

"Lucian is handling it."

Nearby—

Lucian had set up a sunshade, a chair, and a table.

Dressed in a suit, he sat with his legs crossed, reading a book. A massive pile of books surrounded him.

It looked like he had a lot of research to do.

Johan shook his head slightly.

Ultimate research assistant Lucian—activated.

Next to him, Flint slumped in her chair, covered in bruises.

Apparently—

Yesterday, she had unknowingly wandered into an angler's sacred fishing spot.

Her loud battle challenges and blazing flames had scared away all the fish.

This was basically a declaration of war.

She had barely escaped with her life after nearly being beaten into repentance by every angler there.

So today, she was completely drained.

—

"Aren't insects usually used as bait?"

Aaron, who had spent all day finding a fishing rod, looked at Johan and Cynthia's bait.

Then he looked at his own container full of bugs.

He scratched his head.

Yesterday, he and his Pokémon had spent hours in the forest collecting these.

"Normal insects aren't very effective in these conditions," Johan explained.

Everyone was using bait made from berries mixed with special ingredients to enhance aroma and dispersal.

"Ohhh~~"

Aaron nodded.

Then he glanced at his Dustox with a thoughtful expression.

Dustox: Σ(дlll)

—

"Ka-kaah~!"

Gengar, wearing sunglasses, leaned against Garchomp, whispering in its ear.

The moment we hook a big one, we rush in and pin it down!

Garchomp gave Gengar a side glance.

Do you think too highly of them?

No offense, but Johan and Cynthia look impressive, but they won't catch anything big.

Gengar grinned.

"Ka-kaah~~"

Silly shark, that's where you're wrong.

If there's no big catch…

We'll make one ourselves!

Garchomp suddenly understood.

The two Pokémon exchanged knowing smiles.

—

The tournament officially began!

Many participants immediately set sail.

The tournament offered boat rentals, with different sizes and models available.

The Plus edition fishing boats were said to have a big catch boost—

Faster, sleeker, and—most importantly—more expensive.

Johan had to admire the tournament's marketing strategy.

Slap a "Plus" on it, and suddenly they could charge way more.

And people still rushed to rent them.

These boats allowed anglers to reach prime fishing spots faster, including areas with stronger waves.

And as every seasoned angler knew—

Bigger waves, bigger fish!

Some contestants, however, chose to ride their Pokémon instead.

But that had a downside—

The movement from surfing could scare off rare Water-types.

Lana and Mallow were riding a Lapras.

Others rode Walrein, Swampert, Tentacruel, or even Mantine.

Johan even saw one guy surfing on a Snorlax.

That thing's making waves like a tsunami…

But the most ridiculous sight—

Was someone surfing on a Squirtle.

Johan could tell—

That Squirtle was seconds away from drowning.

"Handsome" also noticed and silently glanced at his Croagunk.

Croagunk:凸(｀△＋）

Johan, Cynthia, and Aaron rented a medium-sized boat and leisurely set off.

"Ka-kaah~~"

Gengar paddled gently, guiding them toward a prime fishing spot.

At the judge's signal—

Countless fishing lines were cast into the water.

Some people quickly reeled in Water-type Pokémon.

The tournament had a point system.

Magikarp was worth 1 point.

More uncommon Pokémon, like Luvdisc, Finneon, and Chinchou, had higher values.

The highest-scoring Pokémon was Milotic.

Johan considered—

Should I catch a Water-type today?

Then—

He felt a tug on his line.

Excited, he reeled it in—

An orange Magikarp flopped onto the boat.

Johan: "…"

Cynthia: pulls up another Magikarp

The two exchanged glances.

Well—

At least neither of them was empty-handed.

—

Meanwhile, beneath the sea—

As the fishing tournament heated up—

A submarine moved silently through the depths.

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Powerstones?

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