"The God of Fishing"

Cynthia and Lucian went to the Pastoria Library to research.

Johan and Flint, who were somewhat interested in the upcoming fishing tournament, had to prepare—things like fishing rods, bait, and other essentials.

Of course—

Johan hadn't forgotten that he also had an important task: dealing with the Pokémon hunters.

As for Flint—

Being a Fire-type specialist, she had little interest in fishing. And going to the library to read was even less appealing to her.

So after arriving in the city center, she wandered off, probably looking for a battle with another Trainer.

—

Pastoria City's central café.

This café was quite famous throughout Sinnoh, especially for its renowned Poké Puffs.

In a corner of the café—

Johan sat across from Anabel, who was dressed in a sharp black suit.

Anabel handed Johan some documents related to their target.

"The leader of this operation is a Pokémon hunter known as 'Gyarados,' a wanted criminal by the League and our primary target for this mission."

She slid over a photo.

It showed a middle-aged man with a fierce expression, a dark complexion, and a cross-shaped scar on his face.

"They picked their timing well. With the fishing tournament allowing boats to head out to sea, they'll likely blend in with the participants."

She paused before continuing—

"So, I plan to have some of my colleagues enter the tournament undercover."

Johan coughed and finally spoke up.

"In that case, count me in."

"You're entering too?" Anabel looked surprised. "Wait… are you a fishing expert?"

Expert?

"Well, not exactly," Johan tilted his head slightly. "At most, I'm just a passing fisherman."

Regardless—

Fishermen never go home empty-handed!

"I see." Anabel nodded.

With Johan participating, those Pokémon hunters wouldn't be escaping through the tournament.

"That said, I'll need a favor from your department for the tournament." Johan added.

Anabel became more serious.

"Go ahead. If it's within reason, we'll provide full support!"

As long as he wasn't asking for a hundred officers, it was fine.

The International Police were always short on manpower.

"Uh… can you lend me a fishing rod?"

Anabel: "?"

"Preferably with some pre-mixed bait," Johan added.

Wait—

You're a fisherman… without a rod?

"I— I understand. Handsome probably brought extra. I'll borrow one for you."

Even "Handsome" was here?

It seemed the International Police were taking this mission very seriously.

After a bit more discussion, Anabel left to handle other matters.

Johan, on the other hand, stayed to enjoy the café's famous Poké Puffs with his Pokémon.

"Ka-kaah~!"

Gengar rolled up its tongue and devoured the Poké Puff in one gulp.

"Oowoo~~"

Ninetales was also enjoying them one bite at a time.

"The taste is really good," Johan commented after trying one himself.

"We should bring some back for Gallade and the others. With Gallade's cooking skills, it might even be able to replicate them."

—

Just as they were eating, a commotion broke out outside.

"Popplio!"

Hmm?

Johan instinctively turned toward the window.

A flustered Popplio was darting through the crowd, eyes filled with fear. It occasionally blew bubbles from its nose, encapsulating pedestrians and their Pokémon.

"Popplio, the Sea Lion Pokémon. A pure Water-type. It tirelessly practices creating large bubbles, Rotom!"

Rotom Pokédex briefly lifted its head from a slice of cake and provided the description.

This was one of Alola's starter Pokémon.

Its final evolution, Primarina, was known for having one of the most beautiful singing voices in the Pokémon world.

"Ka-kaah~~"

Gengar scratched its head.

That little guy seems really scared.

Right then—

The panicked Popplio dashed straight toward the café.

"Ninetales," Johan called softly, standing up and moving toward Popplio.

"Pop?"

The frightened Popplio suddenly noticed Johan, as well as his Ninetales and Gengar beside him.

Its anxiety only increased, and it reflexively blew out another large bubble from its nose.

Johan's vision flickered with Popplio's Pokédex entry.

A quick scan, and he immediately understood why it was so afraid.

It had once been abused by a group of cruel individuals. Although it had been rescued, the trauma left it unable to trust Trainers, fearing humans in general.

Johan sighed.

Before Popplio's bubbles could reach him, Gengar casually caught them.

"Ka-kaah?"

The round, purple ghost toyed with the bubbles, finding them rather amusing.

"Pop? Popplio?"

Popplio froze in confusion.

"Popplio," Johan crouched down, smiling gently at it.

He released a subtle wave of Aura—

A warm, reassuring presence spread outward, gradually calming Popplio's nerves.

"Popplio!"

Meanwhile—

Lana was pushing through the crowd, anxiously searching for Popplio.

She had rescued this Popplio from Team Skull not long ago, but its past trauma made it hard for it to trust anyone.

Today, Mallow had invited her to try Pastoria's famous Poké Puffs.

She thought it would be a good idea to let Popplio taste them as well.

But when a group of people approached them, Popplio panicked and ran away.

"Popplio!"

Mallow cupped her hands around her mouth and called out.

After a bit more pushing through the crowd—

Lana finally spotted Popplio.

But when she saw what it was doing, she froze.

Mallow, who had caught up, also stood in stunned silence.

—

The once-panicked Popplio—

Was now shyly taking a Poké Puff from the hand of a handsome young man with a gentle smile.

"Take your time. There's more if you want," the young man said, his voice warm as he lightly patted Popplio's head.

"Popplio!"

The delicious Poké Puff made Popplio clap its fins happily, eyes forming crescent moons.

"That's…" Mallow was shocked.

It was her first time seeing Popplio so comfortable around a stranger.

Even Lana, its Trainer, had never seen it act this way.

At that moment—

Popplio noticed Lana and Mallow approaching.

It hesitated, still afraid of the people in the crowd, but eventually waddled toward them.

"Popplio!" Lana immediately scooped it up, finally breathing a sigh of relief.

"Pop! Pop!"

The surrounding crowd, realizing there was no more commotion, gradually dispersed.

"You're… Johan-sensei?"

Mallow rubbed her eyes, recognizing the young man.

Actually—

Johan had recognized them first.

Two of Ash's future classmates at the Alola Pokémon School.

And future Trial Captains—Lana, the Water-type Captain, and Mallow, the Grass-type Captain.

Johan had a particularly strong impression of Lana.

Because of her—

Feebas' reputation had plummeted.

But also because of her—

The world where Groudon suffered alone never came to be.

Since they were rivals, it had to be fair—

Groudon couldn't fly, and Kyogre had to be fished up!

This girl—

She was undoubtedly… The God of Fishing!

As for Mallow—

Johan also had an impression of her, mostly because her family ran a restaurant, and she was a great cook.

However—

She had a habit of experimenting with new ingredients, sometimes adding completely bizarre elements—like Thunderbolt-flavored dishes.

A true master of cursed cuisine.

Alola Pokémon School was full of hidden talents.

"Johan-sensei?"

Hearing Mallow's surprised tone, Lana also looked up and recognized him.

Johan smiled.

"You know me?"

They both nodded in unison.

The ever-enthusiastic Mallow explained,

"Professor Kukui often shows us your battle videos as training material!"

"Professor Kukui, huh…" Johan nodded.

The same guy who once invited him to Alola as a guest teacher—The Masked Royal.

Though—

Johan's expression became slightly strange.

Using his battles as study material for kids…

Was that really okay?

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Powerstones?

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