Chapter Summaries

Nincada’s history of being abandoned and finding a home with Old Ariados explained why it hesitated to leave the colony. After Old Ariados encouraged it to go, Nincada chased after Eichi and asked to travel with him so it could grow stronger and one day protect the Ariados.

• Old Ariados told Eichi that Nincada’s former Trainer had abandoned it after blaming it for repeated losses.
• Old Ariados explained that Nincada had saved it during a Houndoom attack, so it had brought Nincada to the Ariados colony, where Nincada gradually found acceptance.
• Nincada admired Beedrill’s strength, and Beedrill told it that Eichi could help Bug-type Pokémon grow stronger and would never abandon them.
• Nincada dreamed of becoming a powerful champion but worried that leaving would mean Old Ariados had no one to keep it company.
• As Eichi prepared to leave, Old Ariados urged Nincada to follow him, and Nincada asked Eichi to take it along so it could become stronger and return to protect the colony.

Eichi caught Nincada and began caring for it and restoring its lost potential as he prepared to train it for its evolution. Elsewhere, Sato and Kona each won Gym battles in the Chengdu region.

• Eichi accepted Nincada onto his team, and Nincada left the Ariados colony with him.
• Eichi reached a Pokémon Center, where Nurse Joy found that Nincada was malnourished and injured, then treated its hidden injuries.
• Eichi fed Nincada generously, obtained research materials about it from Senior Brother A Yuan, and began restoring its potential with Bug Force.
• Sato defeated Yasushi’s Fearow with Charizard at Violet City Gym and received Yasushi’s Badge, bringing his total to four.
• Kona defeated a Miltank with Corviknight at Goldenrod Gym.

Eichi returned to Tokiwa Town after more than three months of traveling and reunited with his family. He then visited the Beedrill colony in Viridian Forest, where the leader saw how much Black Stripe had grown.

• Kona defeated Whitney’s Miltank and received her fourth badge.
• After more than two months passed, Eichi returned to Tokiwa City and learned that Amelie was taking the Advanced Breeder assessment.
• Eichi went home, reunited with Mr. Yoshino and Xiao Yu, and shared photographs and stories from his travels.
• Eichi rode to Viridian Forest and met the scarred Beedrill leader.
• Eichi released Black Stripe, and the Beedrill leader sensed that its child had surpassed it.

Black Stripe returned to the Beedrill colony, defeated its leader, and became the new leader, leaving Eichi and the others behind to take responsibility for the colony. The next morning, Eichi prepared Nincada to evolve, and Nincada’s transformation began.

• Black Stripe defeated the Beedrill leader in battle, and the leader named it the new head of the colony.
• Eichi and his Pokémon said farewell to Black Stripe, then left the colony while Black Stripe watched them go.
• Eichi returned home, framed Black Stripe’s photograph, and trained with his Pokémon despite everyone’s low spirits.
• The next morning, Eichi took his Pokémon to the Small Woods and removed Nincada’s Everstone so it could evolve.
• Nincada’s body stiffened as energy surged through it, and it closed its eyes as if it had died.

Eichi used Bug Force to help Nincada evolve into Ninjask and Shedinja, then tested their newly learned moves with Heracross and Scizor. He left satisfied with their progress after discovering that both had learned seven moves.

• Eichi poured Bug Force into Nincada, which evolved into Ninjask and Shedinja.
• Eichi noted that both Pokémon had gained levels and improved aptitude, and that Shedinja retained Nincada's memories.
• Eichi had Heracross spar with Ninjask, whose speed increased as the battle continued and whose attacks revealed several newly learned moves.
• Eichi stopped the spar and had Shedinja face Scizor, while Scizor refrained from attacking seriously.
• Shedinja used seven newly learned moves on Scizor, and Eichi was satisfied despite their limited effect.

Eichi trained his Pokémon and visited Teacher Arno as the Indigo League approached, while leaders in the Chengdu and Kanto regions prepared for the coming tournaments. Director Liu pinned his hopes on Eichi to help Silver Academy gain resources, and Indigo Academy chose Sheng Yi to defend its honor.

• Eichi told Xiao Yu stories about his travels over lunch, then visited Teacher Arno and discussed Pokémon and his ideals.
• Eichi trained his six Pokémon in the Small Woods and noted that Beedrill had reached the Early Gym Leader stage, while Scizor and Heracross had also grown stronger.
• Sato and Kona met in Blackthorn City, agreed to challenge the Gym together, and said they looked forward to meeting at the Silver Tournament.
• Director Liu considered Silver Academy's tournament entrants and hoped Eichi would help him improve the academy's standing and secure more resources.
• At Indigo Academy, the director decided to send Sheng Yi to compete for the Indigo League championship and ordered more students to enter the Silver Tournament for rewards.

Eichi traveled to Indigo Plateau and registered for the Indigo League, where he reunited with Sakamoto Ryuichi. The competition had not yet begun, and Ryuichi started explaining its rules and benefits to him.

• At the academy, the Director told Sheng Yi that the Indigo League was counting on him, and Sheng Yi declared he would win before leaving.
• After Sheng Yi left, a tall boy criticized him, while Shida accused the academy leaders of believing fake records and vowed to win the championship himself.
• Eichi cycled for seven days from Tokiwa City to Indigo Plateau, which was already crowded with competitors and spectators.
• Eichi registered at a Pokémon Center by presenting his Identity Card and badges, and Nurse Joy gave him a room card for Competitor Village.
• Eichi reunited with Sakamoto Ryuichi, who said he had searched for Zapdos for a month without finding it.
• Ryuichi told Eichi that competitors could stay in Competitor Village and eat at Indigo Plateau restaurants for free, then began explaining the Indigo League rules.

Eichi and Ryuichi explored Competitor Village before the Indigo League opening ceremony and encountered a stranger who gave Eichi an uneasy feeling. At a market, they joined Xiao Mu in confronting a bespectacled man who was accusing a little girl of ruining his clothes.

• Eichi and Ryuichi found Eichi’s assigned room in Competitor Village and went for a walk among the arriving contestants.
• Eichi noticed a brown-haired man whose ordinary appearance seemed to conceal something unusual.
• Eichi and Ryuichi browsed the crowded market and stopped when a bespectacled man blamed a little girl for staining his suit with ice cream.
• Xiao Mu stood up for the little girl, who insisted that the man had bumped into her.
• Ryuichi and Eichi stepped forward to support Xiao Mu, and she greeted them with relief.

Eichi and Ryuichi helped Xiao Mu and a little girl confront a bespectacled man who falsely accused the girl of running into him. After Kakugawa's camera proved the man had caused the collision, he apologized and fled; the group later gathered to discuss the Indigo League, whose opening ceremony arrived the next day.

• Ryuichi challenged the bespectacled man's accusation, but no one in the crowd initially stepped forward to confirm what happened.
• Bu Liang Ren and Kakugawa arrived, and Kakugawa showed footage proving the bespectacled man had tripped and collided with the little girl.
• The crowd condemned the bespectacled man, who apologized to the girl and fled after Ryuichi told him to leave.
• A masked person in a black overcoat glanced at Eichi before leaving, and Xiao Mu sent the little girl back to her parents.
• Eichi, Ryuichi, Xiao Mu, and Bu Liang Ren discussed competing in the Indigo League and thanked Kakugawa for his help.
• After a day of conversation, Eichi and the others reached the opening ceremony of the Indigo League.

Eichi and Ryuichi joined the crowds to watch the Sacred Flame pass through town, while Officer Jenny monitored the route for trouble. The torch reached Indigo Stadium, where President Delia lit the flame and officially opened the Indigo League.

• Ryuichi urged Eichi to arrive early, and they waited along the Sacred Flame's route.
• Eichi chatted with Xiao Mu, Bu Liang Ren, and Kakugawa while Officer Jenny watched the ceremony route on surveillance screens.
• Eichi sensed powerful Trainers hidden among the spectators as the torchbearer and President Delia passed by.
• Eichi, Ryuichi, Xiao Mu, Bu Liang Ren, and Kakugawa headed to Indigo Stadium, where the contestants gathered backstage.
• President Delia lit the Sacred Flame at Indigo Stadium and declared the Indigo League officially open.

Eichi entered the Indigo League and began his first match against Xiao Ou in the Water-type arena. The chapter left the battle just beginning, with Tentacool and Ninjask facing each other.

• Eichi and the other contestants paraded through the stadium as the Indigo League opening ceremony began.
• Shi Xiaoming, Amelie, Keiko, Xiao Yu, and Mr. Yoshino watched Eichi appear on television and cheered him on.
• After the ceremony, Eichi learned that his first opponent was Xiao Ou and that their match would take place in the Water-type arena.
• Xiao Feng met Eichi backstage and said he hoped to face him later so he could win their rematch.
• Eichi entered the arena, where Xiao Ou sent out Tentacool and Eichi sent out Ninjask.

Eichi's Ninjask overwhelmed Xiao Ou's team during their battle on the Water-type field. After Ninjask defeated Tentacool and Pidgeotto with Fury Cutter, Xiao Ou sent out Kamex as his final Pokémon, and Eichi ordered another Fury Cutter.

• Xiao Ou's Tentacool attacked Ninjask with Water Gun, but Ninjask dodged with an afterimage and knocked Tentacool out with Fury Cutter.
• Xiao Ou sent out Pidgeotto, which attacked with Wing Attack before Ninjask struck it three times with Fury Cutter and defeated it.
• Xiao Ou recalled Pidgeotto and sent out his final Pokémon, Kamex, while accepting that victory was unlikely.
• Eichi ordered Ninjask to use Fury Cutter again, and Xiao Ou told Kamex to withdraw into its shell.

Eichi defeated Xiao Ou in the first round of the Indigo League, then watched the other matches and continued advancing through the next three days. Xiao Mu was eliminated in the fourth round after Anasen defeated her and seriously injured all her Pokémon.

• Eichi’s Ninjask dodged Kamex’s Water Cannon and defeated it, winning the match against Xiao Ou.
• Xiao Ou accepted his loss and resolved to return stronger, while Eichi praised Ninjask and left the arena.
• Eichi met Xiao Mu at the Pokémon Center, and later learned that she, Ryuichi, and Bu Liang Ren had all passed the first round.
• Eichi advanced easily through the next three days of the Indigo League as the schedule gave contestants one round per day.
• Anasen defeated Xiao Mu with two Gym Leader-level Pokémon and seriously injured all of her Pokémon.

After learning that Anasen had cruelly injured Xiao Mu’s Pokémon, Eichi drew him as his next opponent and entered their match determined to avenge her. Eichi sent out Heracross against Anasen’s Raticate, and the battle began with their first clash.

• Anasen had tormented Xiao Mu’s Pokémon before severely injuring them, leaving them in the Pokémon Center’s infirmary; Eichi and his friends visited Xiao Mu to comfort her.
• The tournament draw paired Eichi against Anasen in the top sixteen, and Eichi vowed to defeat him for Xiao Mu.
• At Indigo Stadium, Eichi saw Elite Four members Lorelei and Bruno before preparing for his match.
• Anasen sent out his Gym Leader-level Raticate, while Eichi chose Heracross for the three-on-three battle.
• Eichi ordered Heracross to use Horn Attack against Raticate’s Crunch, and the Pokémon collided in the middle of the field.

Eichi’s Heracross turned the battle around against Anasen’s Raticate with aerial attacks and exposed its real body through Double Team. The Pokémon clashed in a final Hyper Beam and MegaHorn collision, whose outcome remained uncertain.

• Heracross countered Raticate’s Scary Face and Hyper Fang, though Raticate’s bite temporarily disabled one of Heracross’s hands.
• Eichi ordered Heracross into the air, where it battered Raticate with Bullet Seed and then struck its real body through Double Team with Pin Missile.
• Heracross powered up with Swords Dance and charged Raticate with Super Horn Attack as Anasen commanded Hyper Beam.
• Heracross’s MegaHorn collided head-on with Raticate’s Hyper Beam, creating a massive shockwave as the battle’s decisive moment began.

Eichi's Heracross defeated Anasen's Raticate after overpowering its Hyper Beam, and Eichi sent Scizor out to face Anasen's Magneton. Scizor gained the upper hand in their opening exchange, but the battle continued as Magneton prepared Thunder and Scizor attacked again.

• Heracross split Raticate's Hyper Beam and charged through it, knocking Raticate unconscious in a collision that cratered the arena.
• Anasen recalled Raticate after the referee declared Heracross the winner, while spectators and students backstage reacted to Eichi's victory.
• Anasen sent out Magneton, and Eichi recalled his injured Heracross and chose Scizor as his second Pokémon.
• Magneton fired Thunderbolt, but Scizor dodged, closed the distance, and struck Magneton while being shocked in return.
• Anasen ordered Magneton to use Thunder as Scizor appeared in front of it and swung its pincers down with Bullet Punch.

Eichi’s Scizor struggled against Anasen’s Magneton, whose all-around Reflect and electric attacks kept it pinned down. Scizor finally broke through with Cross Cut, but Magneton remained airborne and resilient as the battle continued.

• Magneton used Reflect to blunt Scizor’s attacks, then spread Electric Terrain across the battlefield.
• Scizor used Double Team to get behind Magneton, but Anasen revealed that Reflect could cover Magneton from every direction and paralyzed Scizor with Thunder Wave.
• Magneton fired Tri Attack at Scizor, which answered with Hidden Power and a Fire Pillar before regaining movement and escaping with Double Team.
• Scizor used another Double Team to distract Magneton, then struck it from behind with Cross Cut after Reflect expired.
• Magneton stopped itself in midair after the hit, while Scizor’s speed dropped from the electric currents.

Eichi switched off Scizor’s Weight Training Device, allowing it to overcome Magneton and win with a powerful attack. Anasen sent out his third Pokémon, Primeape, and Scizor insisted on continuing despite its exhaustion.

• Eichi discreetly used the remote to switch off Scizor’s Weight Training Device, which Lorelei and Bruno noticed from the stands.
• Scizor’s speed surged, and it struck Magneton before the lightning from Magneton’s attack hit the spot where Scizor had stood.
• The referee declared Magneton unable to battle, giving Scizor the win, and Anasen recalled it in frustration.
• Anasen sent out Primeape, whose strength and imposing presence made Eichi consider switching Scizor out.
• Scizor refused to return to its Poké Ball, so Eichi let it continue as the referee started the next battle.

Eichi used Scizor’s flight and a deceptive combination of Double Team and Substitute to wear down Anasen’s Primeape. Primeape eventually identified and struck Scizor, sending it crashing to the ground.

• Primeape charged at Scizor, but Scizor flew out of reach and attacked it with Pin Missile and Hidden Power.
• Primeape dodged Scizor’s Fire Pillar, blocked it with Rock Tomb, and hurled boulders and Thunderbolt at Scizor without hitting it.
• As both Pokémon tired during the aerial battle, Eichi ordered Scizor to use Double Team and Substitute, sending clones toward Primeape while others prepared Cross Chop.
• Anasen chose to ignore the approaching clones, but Scizor’s real body was among them and struck Primeape from behind.
• Primeape endured Scizor’s pincer attacks, found an opening, and punched Scizor, knocking it to the ground.

Eichi defeated Anasen in the Indigo League match when Scizor’s Substitute ambushed Primeape with a powerful Cross Chop. The victory put Eichi in the top eight, while both battling Pokémon collapsed and Anasen left in disbelief.

• Scizor’s Substitute revealed itself and struck Primeape with two charged wind blades, overwhelming Anasen’s attempt to dodge.
• The smoke cleared to reveal Primeape unconscious in a crater, and the referee declared Eichi the winner after all three of Anasen’s Pokémon had been defeated.
• Scizor collapsed after its victory, and the audience cheered for Eichi as Anasen ran backstage without attending to Primeape.
• Xiao Feng reflected on his losses to Bu Liang Ren and Eichi and began to shed some of his arrogance.
• Bruno, Lorelei, and a middle-aged man watched Eichi depart, while Ryuichi, Bu Liang Ren, and the Senior Students congratulated him backstage.