Chapter Summaries

Ash and his friends traveled toward Pallet Town while discussing Team Rocket and its unusual trio. At lunch, Charizard challenged Dragonair and was quickly struck by Water Pulse, but the battle continued as their attacks collided.

• Ash told Eichi they were close to Pallet Town and invited him to meet his welcoming mother and try her cooking.
• Ash and Brock discussed how unusual Team Rocket's trio was compared with the ruthless criminal organization Eichi described.
• Charizard challenged Dragonair after watching it defeat Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle the previous night.
• Ash agreed to let Charizard battle Dragonair, but Charizard ignored his command to use Flamethrower and charged instead.
• Dragonair hit Charizard with Water Pulse, knocking it to the ground, then blocked its Flame Pillar with another Water Pulse.

Charizard lost to Xingqi’s Dragonair, and Ash took it to eat after agreeing to talk with it. At the League Building, Lance told Lorelei and Kikuko that the Pokémon League would fill an Elite Four vacancy after next year’s tournament, while he faced a choice between becoming a Champion and keeping his current position.

• Brock warned Misty that Charizard’s impatience and refusal to follow Ash’s commands put it at a disadvantage.
• Dragonair defeated Charizard with Water Pulse, and Xingqi told Ash to talk with Charizard while he went to eat.
• Ash returned with Charizard, which went to eat but remained hostile toward Dragonair and appeared eager for a rematch.
• Lance joined Lorelei and Kikuko at the Elite Four office, where they noted that Bruno had not arrived.
• Lance explained that expanding League territories meant the League would select a new Elite Four member after next year’s tournament, as he could hold only one position.
• Lorelei urged Lance to become the Chengdu region’s Champion, but Lance said he wanted to become Kanto’s Champion.

Lance learned that the upcoming Master Tournament would determine a younger Elite Four, and he planned to keep pursuing the Kanto Champion title. Meanwhile, Ash’s Pikachu lost badly to Eichi’s Heracross, while Charizard continued challenging Dragonair without becoming obedient.

• Lorelei, Lance, and Kikuko discussed the Master Tournament’s age limit and Lance’s repeated failures to become Kanto Champion because Lorelei defeated him before he could reach the title.
• A staff member summoned Lance to the Chairman’s office about Team Rocket, and Lance left Lorelei and Kikuko to continue talking about his chances in the tournament.
• Ash’s Pikachu used Thunderbolt against Eichi’s Heracross, but Heracross endured the attack and knocked Pikachu down with a charge.
• Brock treated Pikachu, and Eichi and Brock advised Ash not to challenge Eichi’s stronger Pokémon; Ash agreed not to pit Pikachu against Heracross again.
• Misty noted that Ash’s Charizard kept challenging Dragonair and losing, and Ash concluded that they might need to go to Charizard Valley to make it obey.

Ash returned to Pallet Town with Misty, Brock, and Eichi, and reunited with his mother, Hana. Professor Oak received long-awaited Bug-type research materials while the travelers joined Ash’s family for lunch.

• Professor Oak refused an invitation to attend the Master Tournament, then received news that the Bug-type research materials he had been waiting for were ready.
• Hana prepared lunch at home while Mismagius cleaned, anticipating Ash’s return.
• Ash and his companions arrived in Pallet Town, where Ash greeted Uncle Alon and hurried home.
• Ash reunited with Hana and introduced Misty, Brock, and Eichi as his friends and traveling companions.
• Hana welcomed the group inside and brought out lunch as Eichi checked Mismagius’s aptitude and level.

Eichi stayed at Ash’s home in Pallet Town with Misty and Brock, shared a meal, and learned that Ash had admired his League performance. After exploring the town and noticing its unusually strong Pokémon, Eichi returned as Ash became eager to ask Hana about Pallet Town’s champions.

• Hana served dinner, and Ash, Eichi, Misty, and Brock praised her cooking before going upstairs to see Ash’s room.
• Ash showed the group his Pokémon plushies and a photo and figurine of Eichi, then explained that Eichi’s Indigo League performance had inspired him.
• Hana told Misty, Brock, and Eichi that their rooms were ready, and the group took afternoon naps.
• Eichi walked around Pallet Town, saw Trainers with powerful Pokémon, and noticed a boy with three especially strong Pokémon.
• Eichi returned to find Ash, Misty, and Brock awake, and Brock explained that Pallet Town was known as the hometown of champions.
• Ash excitedly decided to ask Hana whether many champions had come from Pallet Town.

Ash learned that several retired Indigo League champions lived in Pallet Town, including Professor Oak, and went with Eichi, Misty, and Brock to visit him. Professor Oak welcomed them and let them tour his laboratory, where they were amazed by its advanced equipment.

• Hana told Ash that Professor Oak, Alon, and Qian Yu had all once been Indigo League champions.
• Ash decided to seek guidance from the former champions, and Eichi invited him to visit Professor Oak with Misty and Brock.
• Professor Oak remembered that Ash had returned and planned to apologize for forgetting to greet him.
• Professor Oak welcomed the group, recognized Eichi by his reputation for training Bug-type Pokémon, and served them hot water with help from his Mismagius.
• Professor Oak let Ash, Eichi, Misty, and Brock tour his laboratory, where Misty and Brock stared in amazement at its equipment.

Ash showed Misty, Brock, and Eichi Professor Oak’s vast ecological park, where many Pokémon lived. After they met Ash’s Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and Tauros herd, Professor Oak invited Eichi to discuss Bug-type Pokémon research, and the group spotted his Dragonite.

• Professor Oak explained that intelligent systems cared for the laboratory’s Pokémon and opened the ecological park for the group to explore.
• Eichi scanned the Pokémon and found that most had modest potential, while Nidoking and Nidoqueen were high-level Pokémon who had grown up alongside Ash.
• Professor Oak described how Pokémon could leave with compatible Trainers and invited Eichi to discuss his Bug-type training methods after the tour.
• Ash led Misty, Brock, and Eichi across the grassland, where they greeted Ash’s Tauros herd and its leading Tauros.
• A flying figure appeared in the distance, and Ash identified it as Professor Oak’s Dragonite.

Eichi and Ash met Professor Oak’s enormous, powerful Dragonite, which took Eichi’s Dragonair to visit its fellow Pokémon. The group continued exploring Professor Oak’s grounds and encountered a Champion-level Gyarados at a lake and waterfall.

• Eichi scanned Professor Oak’s Dragonite and discovered it was level 89 with Champion aptitude.
• Dragonite greeted Eichi’s Dragonair, then asked to take it to meet its descendants and friends.
• Eichi explained that he could understand Pokémon, and he gave Dragonair permission to go with Dragonite.
• Dragonite carried Dragonair away, and Eichi and Ash continued across the grasslands with Brock and Misty.
• The group reached a lake and waterfall, where Eichi saw Professor Oak’s Intermediate Champion-level Gyarados.

Eichi, Ash, Misty, and Brock explored Professor Oak’s Pokémon habitats before reaching the Dragonite clan. Eichi’s Dragonair defeated a stronger Dragonair and earned the clan’s respect, leaving Eichi to treat its wounds and inspect the clan’s many promising Pokémon.

• Eichi and the others toured the habitats of Professor Oak’s Pokémon, including an enormous level 89 Kangaskhan.
• They reached the Dragonite clan’s lakeside habitat, where Eichi’s Dragonair battled another Dragonair to prove its strength.
• Eichi’s Dragonair won the intense battle with Hyper Beam, despite its opponent being a higher level.
• The opposing Dragonair and the clan accepted Eichi’s Dragonair, and Professor Oak’s Dragonite showed it recognition.
• Eichi praised Dragonair, treated its wounds with a Potion, and saw that the clan contained many Dratini, Dragonair, and Dragonite with outstanding potential.

Eichi and his companions visited Professor Oak’s Pokémon habitats, where they saw many exceptionally talented Dragon-type Pokémon and met Dragonite, who kept Dragonair behind for training. After dinner, Professor Oak told Eichi that he had first heard of him through his old friend and Eichi’s teacher, Jiang Ben.

• Eichi, Ash, and Brock visited Dragonite’s cave and saw its gemstones and sleeping Dragonair.
• Eichi agreed with Dragonite that Dragonair would stay for battle training and be sent back later.
• Eichi and the others returned to Professor Oak’s laboratory, where automated vehicles delivered food to the Pokémon habitats.
• Professor Oak, Hana, Ash, Brock, and Eichi ate dinner together.
• Eichi spoke with Professor Oak in his office, where Oak explained that Jiang Ben had first told him about Eichi’s promise and Bug-type training years earlier.
• Professor Oak revealed that he and Jiang Ben had been middle-school classmates and old traveling friends.

Professor Oak explained how Eichi’s Bug-type Pokémon inspired Jiang Ben’s research and gave Eichi a rare Potential Enhancement Liquid that could greatly improve any Pokémon’s aptitude. Eichi accepted the precious gift, which could help him strengthen Dragonair and his other Pokémon.

• Professor Oak told Eichi that Jiang Ben’s research into Bug-type Pokémon had advanced after examining Eichi’s powerful Pokémon and studying data from the Unova Region.
• Professor Oak revealed that the Pokémon League had developed medicines to improve aptitude, though the necessary materials were scarce.
• Professor Oak showed Eichi four kinds of Potential Enhancement Liquid and explained that the blue liquid was tailored for Dratini while the yellow, red, and green liquids worked on broader groups of Pokémon.
• Professor Oak explained that the green liquid worked on every type, including Bug-type Pokémon, and could raise an ordinary Pokémon’s aptitude to at least the first stage of outstanding.
• Eichi hesitated to accept the valuable green liquid, but Professor Oak told him that he deserved it.

Eichi accepted Professor Oak’s valuable Pokémon evolution liquid, revealed his Bug Force, and discussed Bug-type Pokémon with him. That night, a masked intruder broke into Oak’s office, where the lights suddenly came on and an unknown message appeared.

• Professor Oak gave Eichi four tubes of valuable liquid and warned him to keep them hidden from thieves.
• Eichi admitted that he had Bug Force, a power that improved and healed Bug-type Pokémon, and Professor Oak recognized it as a new ability.
• Eichi shared his breeding ideas with Professor Oak, who listened and took notes before Eichi returned to sleep.
• A dark figure disabled the camera and entered Professor Oak’s office with help from a Gengar and a device that bypassed the security locks.
• The office lights suddenly came on as the intruder reached the desk, and an incomprehensible message appeared.

After spending the night reflecting on his discussion with Professor Oak, Eichi returned to the laboratory and resumed their research conversations. Dragonair arrived ready to train with Dragonite for several months, and Eichi prepared to give it both types of Potential Enhancement Liquid.

• Eichi returned to Ash's house and found everyone awake, with Hana waiting for him with noodles.
• Eichi reviewed his Pokémon's strength and decided to have Dragonair try the Potential Enhancement Liquid.
• Eichi arrived at Professor Oak's laboratory and learned that Officer Jenny had arrested a thief who had tried to break in.
• Eichi and Professor Oak discussed Legendary Pokémon and Bug-type Pokémon research as they walked across the grounds.
• Dragonite brought Dragonair to Eichi, and Dragonair said it would stay for several months to train with Dragonite.
• Professor Oak said the Green Tube and Blue Tube could have stacking effects if used in that order, and Eichi prepared both for Dragonair.

Eichi learned that the Elite Four Selection Match would begin in half a year and decided to enter, despite Professor Oak warning that he was still too young. After visiting Professor Oak’s institute, Eichi set his sights on finding Bruno for a preview of an Elite Four member’s strength, while Director Liu called to discuss the competition.

• Eichi gave Dragonair two medicines, and Professor Oak had Venusaur use Sleep Powder so Dragonair could rest under Dragonite’s care.
• Professor Oak confirmed that the delayed Elite Four Selection Match was approaching, and Eichi said he wanted to compete and challenge powerful Trainers.
• After leaving the institute, Eichi decided to seek out Bruno, who he believed was training in the stone forest near Pallet Town.
• Bruno read messages about the coming selection match and hoped a powerful new opponent would emerge.
• Director Liu called Eichi and told him the Elite Four Selection Match would officially begin in half a year.

Eichi learned that he had to compete for one of Silver Academy’s ten recommendation slots for the Elite Four Selection Match. He was determined to win a slot and planned to find Bruno the next morning.

• Eichi told Director Liu he wanted to enter the Elite Four Selection Match, and Director Liu explained that Silver Academy could recommend graduates who did not qualify by winning the League Tournament or becoming Gym Leaders.
• Director Liu said the academy would award its ten recommendation slots through Pokémon battles among applicants; 129 people had registered, with around thirty returning competitors expected to join them.
• Eichi felt the pressure but said he was excited to battle powerful Trainers and would secure one of the slots.
• After ending the call, Eichi decided to find Bruno, then went out the next morning without telling Ash and the others where he was going.

Eichi battled his way through the Forest of Rocks, defeating waves of Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon while training his team. He reached Bruno, but an approaching Onix caused Bruno to open his eyes.

• Eichi entered the Forest of Rocks and used his Bug Force to sense the Pokémon around him.
• Eichi sent Heracross to defeat Geodude and then fend off more Geodude and Graveler.
• As the noise drew in nearby Pokémon, Heracross battled for an hour and defeated a large group that included Tyranitar, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and Golem.
• Eichi used his Bug Force to restore his Pokémon’s stamina and led his group toward Bruno, whom he had sensed meditating nearby.
• Eichi sensed a low-level Onix approaching Bruno, and Bruno abruptly opened his eyes.

Bruno defeated a wild Onix with overwhelming physical strength before accepting Eichi’s challenge to a three-on-three battle. The chapter ended as Bruno and Eichi sent out Hitmonchan and Scizor, revealing a major gap in their Pokémon’s levels.

• Bruno burst from beneath a boulder and defeated an attacking Onix with punches, kicks, and a powerful throw.
• Eichi introduced himself to Bruno and explained that he was training his Pokémon on Michaya Mountain.
• Eichi challenged Bruno to a three-on-three battle, and Bruno accepted.
• Bruno sent out Hitmonchan while Eichi sent out Scizor.
• Eichi saw that Hitmonchan was an Intermediate Champion at level 81, while Scizor was a Late Elite Four at level 70.

Eichi's Scizor battled Bruno's much stronger Hitmonchan, using speed and new techniques to keep fighting despite heavy damage. Scizor dodged a finishing Fire Punch with Double Team and surrounded Hitmonchan, then prepared to use Cross Chop.

• Scizor and Hitmonchan exchanged Bullet Punch attacks, and Hitmonchan sent Scizor crashing into a boulder.
• Scizor fired Pin Missile, but Hitmonchan used Vacuum Wave to shatter most of the needles before the rest struck it.
• Scizor combined its needles into a spinning Mega Pin Missile and followed with Bullet Punch, but Hitmonchan countered with Fire Punch and knocked Scizor down.
• Bruno said Scizor was bound to lose and ordered Hitmonchan to finish it with Fire Punch, but Scizor escaped the attack with Double Team.
• Eichi ordered Scizor to use Cross Chop while Hitmonchan stood surrounded by its duplicates.

Eichi’s Scizor fought Bruno’s Hitmonchan but lost after their attacks collided, leaving Eichi down the first round. They sent out their next Pokémon, and Eichi saw that Bruno had chosen another Hitmonchan, an early Champion-level Pokémon.

• Eichi’s Scizor used Substitute with Double Team to fool Hitmonchan, then attacked with a charged Cross Wind Blade.
• Hitmonchan detonated the Cross Wind Blade with Cross Chop and crashed into a crater, but it leaped back out ready to fight.
• Scizor used Vacuum Wave against Hitmonchan’s Double Team, then clashed with Hitmonchan’s Mach Punch using Bullet Punch.
• Hitmonchan struck Scizor’s vital point and knocked it unconscious, so Eichi recalled Scizor and conceded the first round.
• Eichi and Bruno each sent out another Pokémon, and Eichi saw that Bruno had chosen an early Champion-level Hitmonchan.

Eichi's Golisopod battled Bruno's Hitmonchan in a fierce close-range match, enduring heavy kicks and eventually gaining the upper hand with a coordinated series of attacks. Hitmonchan regained consciousness and used Double Team to evade Golisopod's next strike, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Eichi sent out Golisopod, and Bruno remarked that the Pokémon was unknown in the regions he had visited.
• Golisopod and Hitmonchan traded close-range attacks, with Hitmonchan's powerful kicks and Golisopod's claws injuring both Pokémon.
• Bruno had Hitmonchan use Focus Energy, while Eichi ordered Golisopod to fire Pin Missile.
• Hitmonchan destroyed most of the Light Needles with Low Kick, but Golisopod landed Surprise Attack and Slash, knocking Hitmonchan down.
• Hitmonchan recovered just before Golisopod's next strike and used Double Team to evade it.