In the reader group poll, Zhen Si received 29 votes, while Ash received 26.
In the comments poll—counting only the votes under the author's note—Zhen Si also received 39 votes, while Ash received 11.
Even including the votes under yesterday's leave-of-absence chapter, without counting duplicate voters across both comment sections, Ash could only gain 22 more votes, while Zhen Si would gain another 9 as well.
Thus, the result was decided: Chimchar would stay with Zhen Si.
Meanwhile, Ash's side would be strengthened to make up for the lack of a Sinnoh ace.
For now, the plan was to have him catch Gible earlier. Since he had only just obtained his second badge, and Gible's final evolution was relatively fast among pseudo-legendaries, it would be reasonable for it to reach its final form by the time of the Pokémon League.
However, Zhen Si's Sinnoh team already had several Supreme Overlords: Metang, Electabuzz, Chimchar, and Drapion, which he would catch later.
Aside from moving up Ash's capture of Gible, he would also catch another Pokémon to balance out the power levels.
After all, it would not be interesting if the gap in strength between rivals was too great. If Ash had been the one entrusted with Chimchar by Zhen Si, Zhen Si would have been strengthened as well.
As for which Pokémon he should catch, readers were welcome to offer suggestions.
It did not have to be limited to Sinnoh Pokémon, but don't make the suggestions too outrageous.