Chapter Summaries

Eichi confronted Raider, the ninth-ranked 8th Grade student, after Raider followed him through the forest and challenged him to battle. Eichi’s Golisopod unleashed an unfamiliar Water Tornado that overwhelmed Raider’s three Fire-type Pokémon, leaving them unconscious.

• Da He trained his Pokémon relentlessly because he feared he was falling farther behind Eichi.
• Eichi sensed Raider and a growing group of followers tracking him as he continued along the route.
• Raider stepped out to challenge Eichi and sent out Cyndaquil, Magmortar, and Magcargo.
• Eichi sent out Beedrill, Scizor, and Golisopod, surprising the onlookers with Beedrill’s high energy level.
• Beedrill and Scizor’s Mega Pin Missile attacks pierced Raider’s combined Flamethrower, and Golisopod’s Water Tornado knocked out all three of Raider’s Pokémon.

Eichi defeated Raider’s second group of Pokémon after already overwhelming his first three, proving far stronger than the students watching from the shadows. Raider was left unable to accept the loss, while Du Cang and the others reconsidered the warning about Eichi’s strength.

• After his first three Pokémon were defeated, Raider insisted he had not lost and sent out Dewgong, Pidgeot, and Vileplume.
• Eichi ordered Beedrill, Scizor, and Golisopod to attack Raider’s new Pokémon.
• Beedrill interrupted Dewgong’s Ice Beam and struck it with electricity, while Scizor knocked Pidgeot down and pelted it with Light Needles.
• Golisopod dodged Vileplume’s Razor Leaves, cut through its Vine Whips, and knocked it unconscious with its samurai sword and Light Cones.
• Dewgong, Pidgeot, and Vileplume all lost the ability to fight, and Raider struggled to accept their defeat.
• Du Cang, Bei Wu, Xuan Xin, and the other hidden observers recognized that Eichi’s strength exceeded their expectations.

After defeating Raider, Eichi claimed his Star Beads, but a student used a diversion and Alakazam to steal Eichi’s pocket. Beedrill and Scizor recovered it, leaving Eichi with over a hundred Star Beads as he continued toward the rankings.

• Raider handed Eichi all of his Star Beads after admitting defeat, and the onlookers left to spread the news.
• Four Gym Leader-level Pokémon ambushed Eichi while Alakazam used Confusion to steal his pocket and flee with its trainer.
• Eichi revealed that he had anticipated an attempt and sent Beedrill and Scizor after the thieves.
• Scizor defeated Alakazam and struck the orange-haired student, while Beedrill recovered Eichi’s pocket.
• Eichi received the pocket with more than twenty additional Star Beads, bringing his total to over a hundred.

Eichi found a hidden cache of Star Beads guarded by a powerful Tyranitar family and launched a coordinated operation to retrieve them. Beedrill took the bag but was struck by Tyranitar, while Scizor and Heracross fought the other Tyranitar.

• Eichi discovered a nest containing two Tyranitar and three Rhyhorn, with hidden Star Beads inside a nearby tree hollow.
• Eichi sent Beedrill, Scizor, and Heracross to retrieve the Star Beads while drawing the Tyranitar away from the nest.
• Scizor and Heracross provoked one Tyranitar into charging after them, while Beedrill flew into the tree hollow.
• Beedrill found the bag of Star Beads, but the other Tyranitar noticed the disturbance and attacked it as it escaped.
• Beedrill blocked a blow with its Twin Needles and created clones to evade Tyranitar's next attack.
• Heracross pushed back the Tyranitar it faced, and Scizor charged in with its pincers.

Eichi and his Pokémon collected Star Beads from guarded sites while the academy monitored the students’ progress. With the final day approaching and more than four hundred and sixty beads in his pouch, Eichi planned to challenge strong opponents, but the top contenders could still take his beads.

• Heracross and Scizor escaped with the Star Beads after Tyranitar fell, and Eichi counted fifty-two beads before making searching for more his priority.
• Scizor returned from battling Tyranitar with wounded Dragonair and Joltik, and Eichi healed them as the group continued onward.
• Director Zhi Guan heard reports that Du Cang, Bei Wu, Xuan Xin, Li Lizhi, Kawasaki, and Eichi were among the strongest students, and he said the final day would decide the championship.
• Eichi defeated an Elite Four-level Golem guarding a hidden pouch and added its fifty-four Star Beads to his collection.
• With the final day approaching, Eichi decided to challenge stronger students, while other competitors feared being targeted for their Star Beads.

Eichi found a hidden Star Bead in the nest of a powerful Fearow flock, and Beedrill stole it while Scizor and Heracross drew the flock away. With Scizor and Heracross surrounded and under attack, Eichi sent Beedrill to help and rushed toward them with Golisopod.

• Eichi searched the area and found a Star Bead hidden in the Fearow leader's nest.
• Scizor and Heracross distracted the Fearow while Beedrill entered the nest, took the Star Beads, and escaped as the flock pursued it.
• Heracross struck the Fearow leader from above, but Scizor and Heracross were soon surrounded by the flock.
• Beedrill returned to Eichi with the Star Beads, and Eichi sent it back to help Scizor and Heracross before heading there with Golisopod.
• Scizor fought off several Fearow, but the flock kept attacking and a clash of fire and star-shaped beams erupted.

Scizor and Heracross fought off a flock of powerful Fearow but became surrounded as the Fearow leader joined the battle. After unleashing devastating attacks, they faced fresh Elite Four-level opponents and resolved to take on the whole flock.

• Scizor and Heracross battled the Fearow, with Heracross knocking several out despite taking repeated hits.
• The Fearow leader arrived, adding to the Pokémon’s troubles as more Fearow surrounded them.
• Scizor spun into a flaming tornado and knocked out several Fearow, while Heracross’s Swords Dance and MegaHorn felled a group attacking with Steel Wing.
• Scizor struck more Fearow with Cross Wind Blade, but two Elite Four-level Fearow charged at it while the leader and another Elite Four-level Fearow targeted Heracross.
• Scizor and Heracross exchanged a glance and prepared to take on a hundred Fearow.

Scizor and Heracross fought off the Fearow while exhausted, until Beedrill arrived and began rescuing them. Eichi and Golisopod joined the battle, with Golisopod attacking the Fearow from the ground.

• Heracross and Scizor used Protect and counterattacks to knock several Fearow out of the sky, but the Fearow leader and the remaining flock overwhelmed Heracross as its barrier faded.
• The Fearow leader struck at Heracross with Steel Wing, but Beedrill arrived in time and blocked the attack after powering up with Agility and Swords Dance.
• Beedrill used Light Needles and Twin Needles to take down Fearow and moved to rescue Scizor from its attackers.
• Eichi and Golisopod arrived, and Golisopod fired a massive Water Pillar that blasted a Fearow into the sky.

Eichi and his Pokémon defeated a flock of more than fifty Fearow after a grueling battle, then reached the final resting site on the eve of the Cross-Country Race’s last day. The contestants prepared for tomorrow’s challenges, while Xuan Xin remained confident but uncertain about securing a top-three finish.

• Golisopod defeated two Fearow on the ground while Beedrill, Scizor, and Heracross fought the flock, and Beedrill eventually knocked down the Fearow leader.
• Eichi apologized to Scizor and Heracross, shared his Bug Force with them, and recalled them to rest.
• A hidden student witnessed the battle, recognized Eichi, and concluded that Eichi was a contender for the top three.
• Eichi reached the lakeside resting site, set up his tent, and prepared dinner for his Pokémon before the final day.
• Du Cang and the other contestants considered their opponents, while Xuan Xin felt confident about placing in the top three but knew it was not guaranteed.

As the final day of the Cross-Country Race approached, Kawasaki and Eichi each targeted the other for his Star Beads while teachers debated who would win. Eichi slept soundly, woke before his alarm, and prepared breakfast as the powerful contestants gathered for the day.

• Kawasaki decided that taking Eichi's Star Beads could secure the championship, while Eichi also set his sights on Kawasaki's Star Beads.
• Teachers discussed Du Cang, Xuan Xin, Kawasaki, and other contenders, and a plump teacher hinted that Eichi might win after a battle he had witnessed that afternoon.
• Eichi slept well and woke just before his alarm as the final day began.
• Eichi washed up by the river with other strong contestants, greeted Xuan Xin, and returned to his tent to make breakfast.

Eichi faced Kawasaki’s challenge during the Cross-Country Race’s final battles, while students began fighting over Star Beads. The battle opened with Eichi using four Pokémon against Kawasaki’s six Elite Four-level Pokémon.

• Kawasaki hurried after Eichi with his lackeys as the students reached the plains and the final battles began.
• Du Cang challenged Teng Kong, prompting other students to challenge higher-ranked opponents and start battles across the field.
• Kawasaki challenged Eichi for his Star Beads, and Eichi accepted.
• Kawasaki sent out six Elite Four-level Pokémon, while Eichi released only Scizor, Beedrill, Heracross, and Golisopod.
• Kawasaki ordered his Pokémon to attack, and Beedrill’s Pin Missile shattered Venusaur’s Razor Leaf before striking it.

Eichi’s Pokémon overwhelmed Kawasaki’s poorly coordinated team, quickly knocking out Golem, Rapidash, Blissey, and Arbok. Heracross defeated Arbok while the remaining Pokémon continued fighting.

• Golem’s Earthquake struck Venusaur, Rapidash, Arbok, and Blissey, while the flying Pokémon and Golisopod avoided it.
• Heracross, Scizor, and Golisopod attacked Kawasaki’s Pokémon, and Golisopod used Water Tornado to knock out Golem and Rapidash.
• Golisopod evaded Blissey’s Thunder Fang and knocked it into the ground with Shadow Claw.
• Heracross dodged Arbok’s Poison Jab, slapped it repeatedly, and slammed it into a tree, knocking it unconscious.

Eichi defeated Kawasaki in a Pokémon battle and took the Star Bead from him. After Kawasaki fled, Eichi recalled his Pokémon and went to watch Du Cang's battle.

• Eichi's Pokémon defeated Arbok, Corviknight, Venusaur, and Blissey, leaving Kawasaki with no Pokémon able to battle.
• Eichi declared the battle over and demanded Kawasaki hand over the Star Bead.
• Kawasaki refused, so Beedrill struck him, sent him flying, and took the pocket containing the Star Bead.
• Kawasaki left with his lackeys after glaring hatefully at Eichi.
• Eichi recalled his Pokémon and went to watch Du Cang's battle.

Du Cang defeated Teng Kong’s team decisively, then met Eichi and recognized him as a contender to win the Cross-Country Race. They left together to watch the other battles.

• Du Cang’s Blastoise defeated Steelix, Hitmonchan, and two more of Teng Kong’s Pokémon, while Nidoking’s Hyper Beam finished off the last two.
• Teng Kong checked on his defeated Pokémon and handed Du Cang his pouch.
• Spectators argued over whether Du Cang or Eichi was the academy’s strongest student after Eichi’s victory over Kawasaki.
• Du Cang introduced himself to Eichi, and the two praised each other’s strength.
• Du Cang said he believed one of them would win the Cross-Country Race, and he and Eichi went to watch the other battles.

Eichi watched Xuan Xin and Bei Wu win their battles, then wagered fifty Star Beads against Xuan Xin and won when A Ping lost. The group reached the finish line, where Bei Wu led the Star Bead rankings with 460.

• Xuan Xin defeated her opponent with her coordinated Eevee team, while Bei Wu won his battle and moved on without joining the others.
• Xuan Xin challenged Eichi to wager fifty Star Beads on the outcome of a battle between A Ping and another student.
• Eichi used his heightened senses to recognize the opponent’s Ghost-type Pokémon were setting a trap, and he bet against A Ping.
• The opponent’s trap defeated all six of A Ping’s Pokémon, so Xuan Xin handed Eichi fifty Star Beads.
• Eichi, Xuan Xin, Du Cang, and the other victors continued to the finish line, where the rankings showed Bei Wu in first place with 460 Star Beads.

Contestants submitted their Star Beads, and Li Lizhi, Xuan Xin, and Du Cang successively took first place as their totals were revealed. Eichi stepped forward to submit his own Star Beads, leaving the crowd waiting to see whether he could surpass Du Cang.

• Li Lizhi submitted 482 Star Beads and took first place from Bei Wu.
• Xuan Xin submitted 520 Star Beads and moved ahead of Li Lizhi, while the three contestants who had teamed up with her entered the top thirty.
• Du Cang submitted 651 Star Beads and took first place, prompting the crowd to assume he had won the race.
• Eichi stepped forward and handed the teacher his wristwatch, shoulder badge, and pocket, whose weight made the teacher's expression change.

Eichi won the Cross-Country Race with a record-breaking 860 Star Beads after Director Zhi Guan revealed that Eichi had found four hidden caches. After the award ceremony and the return to the academy, Eichi, Du Cang, and Li Lizhi went to Director Zhi Guan’s office.

• The electronic rankings placed Eichi first with 860 Star Beads, knocking Du Cang down one spot.
• Xuan Xin stopped accusations of cheating, and Director Zhi Guan explained that Eichi had found and collected Star Beads hidden in the forest.
• Du Cang congratulated Eichi and described failing to take Star Beads guarded by Ursaring, while Xuan Xin congratulated him on winning.
• Director Zhi Guan declared Eichi the champion and awarded him a trophy, saying he would suggest modeling next year’s trophy after Eichi.
• Director Zhi Guan also awarded trophies to Du Cang and Li Lizhi, and the competitors returned to the academy by bus.
• Eichi, Du Cang, and Li Lizhi went to Director Zhi Guan’s office after the others left.

Director Zhi Guan explained the Cross-Country Race rewards, including cash prizes, enhancement agents, custom shoes, and a high-tech cloak, while Eichi learned he would be the model for next year’s trophy. The chapter ended as Director Zhi Guan opened a black case from the second reward box.

• Eichi, Du Cang, and Xuan Xin agreed to battle three days later, on the weekend.
• Director Zhi Guan announced the race rewards: cash prizes for the top three, ten enhancement agents for 3rd Place, custom shoes for 2nd Place, and a high-tech cloak for 1st Place.
• Director Zhi Guan told Eichi that he would be the model for the next Cross-Country Race trophy, and Eichi thanked him.
• A beautiful girl delivered two boxes containing the rewards for the top three places.
• Xuan Xin chose enhancement agents from the first box, and Director Zhi Guan opened a black case from the second box.

Eichi collected his rewards from Director Zhi Guan, rested for two days, then met Du Cang and Xuan Xin at the Battle Hall for their challenges. His three-on-three battle with Xuan Xin began with Heracross gaining the upper hand against Umbreon, but both Pokémon created numerous copies as the fight continued.

• Director Zhi Guan showed Eichi a pair of memory-metal shoes and a black-and-red cape, and Eichi put the cape in his backpack.
• Eichi returned to his dormitory and spent two days resting and having fun before his spirits recovered.
• Du Cang called Eichi to the Battle Hall, where he and Xuan Xin had arranged their challenges.
• Xuan Xin sent out her Umbreon, and Eichi chose his higher-level Heracross for their three-on-three battle.
• Heracross pushed Umbreon's Shadow Ball back at it, then struck it with Bullet Seed as Umbreon tried to evade and used Double Team.
• Eichi had Heracross use Double Team as well, and it created dozens of copies.

Xuan Xin’s Umbreon was defeated when Eichi’s Heracross broke through its Protect with MegaHorn, so she sent out her Vulpix. Vulpix began pressuring Heracross with powerful fire attacks, leaving Eichi’s Pokémon surrounded by Fire Spin.

• Heracross uncovered Umbreon’s true form and knocked it down with an attack.
• Umbreon used Double Team and Protect, but Heracross broke through its barrier with MegaHorn and defeated it.
• Xuan Xin recalled Umbreon and sent out her level 63 Vulpix.
• Vulpix fired a powerful Flamethrower that Heracross narrowly dodged.
• Vulpix spread Fire Spin around the Battle Arena, surrounding Heracross.