Chapter Summaries

Eichi and Tetsu entered the Pokémon Ranch, where students could safely capture Pokémon from many regions. They explored the forest, but Tetsu had not yet found a Pokémon he wanted to catch.

• Tetsu paid for entry and received a Locator Alarm for himself and Eichi.
• Eichi and Tetsu passed the security check, which registered Eichi's Beedrill, Scizor, and Heracross and Tetsu's Ampharos, Miltank, and Noctowl.
• Eichi inspected the ranch's Pokémon with Bug King Eye and found that even the weakest Tauros had good potential.
• Tetsu said he would choose a Pokémon if one caught his eye and asked Eichi to point out Pokémon with good potential.
• Eichi and Tetsu explored the forest, where Eichi spotted a Pineco with outstanding potential, but Tetsu declined to catch it.

Eichi and Tetsu encountered hostile Pokémon while searching the ranch for a Pokémon for Tetsu, escaping Ariados and Ursaring territories. Their exploration ended with a classmate fleeing from a pack of Houndoom and warning them to run.

• Ariados and Spinarak attacked Eichi and Tetsu with String Shot, but Heracross freed Tetsu and helped them escape their territory.
• Eichi noticed the leader Ariados had unusual white flames that might be connected to Overlord Aura, while Tetsu declined to choose an Ariados.
• Tetsu battled a veteran Ursaring with Miltank, but Eichi urged him to leave when another, much stronger Ursaring approached.
• Eichi and Tetsu continued through the ranch, encountering dangerous Pokémon and several with promising aptitude, while Tetsu remained excited.
• An earthquake struck, and Eichi and Tetsu saw a classmate being chased by a pack of Houndoom; the classmate warned them to run.

Eichi and Tetsu escaped a pack of Houndoom with help from Eichi’s Beedrill, then followed a lead to an icy cave where they searched for a Pokémon from another region. Deep inside, they found many Ice-type Pokémon, including a Snorunt.

• Eichi sent Beedrill to distract the Houndoom, allowing him, Tetsu, and Guang Zai to hide until the pack chased Beedrill away.
• Guang Zai explained that the Houndoom had pursued him because he had abducted their leader’s child, and he planned to return with Growlithe.
• Guang Zai told Eichi and Tetsu about a nearby icy cave that might contain unfamiliar Pokémon, so they headed there.
• Eichi and Tetsu entered the cave and reached an ice-filled hall populated by many Ice-type Pokémon.
• As they continued deeper, Tetsu spotted an unfamiliar Pokémon, and Eichi identified it as Snorunt.

Eichi and Tetsu planned to catch a low-level Snorunt guarded by a Froslass clan. Eichi lured most of the clan away, and Tetsu distracted the remaining guards so he could approach the Snorunt.

• Eichi identified the Snorunt, Froslass, and Glalie and helped Tetsu choose a sleeping novice-level Snorunt with good aptitude.
• Eichi prepared a mixture of Berries and Pokémon food to lure the Snorunt, then told Tetsu to catch it while he drew the clan away.
• Eichi and his Pokémon attacked the Snorunt to provoke the Froslass leader, who protected them and sent the clan after Eichi.
• Tetsu found two Froslass and one Glalie still guarding the area, so he sent Noctowl to distract them.

Tetsu lured a Snorunt away with food, defeated it with Ampharos, and caught it. As Tetsu hurried back after the Glalie returned, the story shifted to Eichi, who was still hiding from the Glalie leader after surviving its Hyper Beam.

• Tetsu used enticing food to draw a sleeping Snorunt away from the group, then challenged it with Ampharos.
• Ampharos dodged Snorunt’s attacks, weakened it with Thunder Shock, and paralyzed it with Thunder Wave, allowing Tetsu to catch it.
• Noctowl appeared badly wounded as several Glalie chased it, so Tetsu recalled Ampharos and ran toward the cave entrance.
• Earlier, Eichi hid with Beedrill, Scizor, and Heracross while the Glalie searched for him and the leader blasted the area with Ice Beam.
• Eichi had Beedrill and Scizor attack with Pin Missile, provoking the Glalie leader to unleash Hyper Beam; the three Pokémon protected Eichi, and the leader still failed to find him.

Eichi and Tetsu escaped the Froslass, and Tetsu registered the Snorunt he had caught at the ranch. Back in the dormitory, Eichi examined the block of ice he suspected was Unmelting Ice and searched for a book to identify it.

• The Froslass leader retreated, and Eichi and the three Pokémon emerged from beneath the ice; Eichi found a block of ice that he suspected was Unmelting Ice and stored it in his backpack.
• Tetsu ran out of the cave and warned Eichi to flee, and the two hid in the grass until the pursuing Froslass gave up; Tetsu treated Noctowl's wounds and confirmed he had caught a Snorunt.
• Eichi told Tetsu that the Froslass group seemed to have unusually high aptitude, and they left the ranch together.
• Tetsu registered the Snorunt, and a staff member explained that the Ice-type Pokémon had been brought from a Hoenn family by a Silver Academy leader who owned the Froslass leader.
• Eichi and Tetsu ate and returned to the dormitory, where Tetsu thanked Eichi for his help.
• Eichi took out the suspected Unmelting Ice and searched his desk for a book to check what it was.

Eichi asked Professor Kanter to examine a piece of Unmelting Ice, which was identified as about fifty-three years old and worth over two million. He kept it for now, impressed Professor Kanter with a perfect Pokéblock, and ended the chapter by taking his three Pokémon out to train.

• Eichi read about Unmelting Ice and decided to ask Professor Kanter to identify the piece he had found.
• Professor Kanter confirmed it was Unmelting Ice and used a machine to date it at about fifty-three years old.
• Professor Kanter estimated the ice was worth over two million and offered to help Eichi sell it, but Eichi chose to keep it while he considered what to do.
• Eichi made perfect Pokéblocks for Professor Kanter, who praised his skill and sent him back to his room.
• Eichi put the Unmelting Ice away and took his three Pokémon out to train.

Eichi struggled to cover the costs of training equipment and making Pokéblocks, so he decided to sell the Unmelting Ice he had found at the Pokémon Ranch. Tetsu eagerly agreed to buy it for two million and called home to arrange payment.

• Eichi bought training equipment from the school and used his credits to get a larger Compression Backpack from the logistics department.
• Eichi adjusted his schedule to make Pokéblocks on weekends, but his spending left him with only one hundred thousand on his card.
• Eichi asked Tetsu whether he wanted to buy the Unmelting Ice he had found in the cave at the Pokémon Ranch.
• Tetsu confirmed he wanted the Unmelting Ice after learning Professor Kanter had verified it.
• Eichi named a price of two million, and Tetsu called home to have the money transferred.

Tetsu bought Eichi’s Unmelting Ice and gave it to Snorunt, whose Ice-type moves proved about 20 percent stronger when tested with the new Skill Detection Machine. A few days later, Eichi used the machine to measure his Pokémon’s physical attacks, with Beedrill recording the highest score.

• Tetsu transferred Eichi 2.3 million for the Unmelting Ice, including an extra 300,000 after his father said it was worth more than 2 million.
• Tetsu gave the Unmelting Ice to Snorunt, then took it with Eichi to test Snorunt’s Ice-type moves on the Skill Detection Machine.
• Snorunt’s Powder Snow scored 267, and its other tested Ice-type moves were also about 20 percent stronger.
• A few days later, Eichi tested Heracross, Scizor, and Beedrill’s physical attacks on the machine.
• Heracross scored 1300, Scizor scored 1500, and Beedrill scored 3000 with Twin Needles.

Eichi tested Heracross, Scizor, and Beedrill’s attack power, then arranged training for each of them. He made Heracross practice dodging Robot Dummies while he watched Scizor train.

• Tetsu tested Ampharos’s Thunderbolt at 3,250 and let Snorunt test its own power.
• Sato tested Charizard’s Flamethrower at 3,800 and wondered how strong Eichi’s Beedrill had become.
• Eichi tested his three Pokémon’s attack skills and found Beedrill strongest, followed by Scizor and Heracross.
• Eichi recorded how repeated Swords Dance increased their attack power, then assigned Beedrill, Scizor, and Heracross different training exercises.
• Eichi activated the Robot Dummies around Heracross and warned it not to fly out, then turned to watch Scizor practice dodging a steel ball.

Eichi sought permission to leave Silver Academy for Muramasa’s Training Hall to improve Scizor’s training. Director Liu agreed to approve the long leave if Eichi passed an assessment, and later revealed that Professor Kanter had told him of Eichi’s talent in Pokémon cultivation.

• Eichi decided to seek Muramasa’s advice after Scizor said its training progress felt too slow.
• Over the course of a month, Eichi mastered the Intermediate Pokéblock recipes he had obtained and made them at perfect grade.
• Eichi asked Director Liu for leave to train at Muramasa’s hall in the forest between Violet City and Blackthorn City.
• Director Liu initially refused, but agreed to approve the leave if Eichi passed a theory or practical assessment.
• After Eichi left, Director Liu said Professor Kanter had told him about Eichi’s exceptional talent in Pokémon cultivation.

Eichi prepared for his Sunday assessment while continuing his studies and training, and told Tetsu that he planned to visit Muramasa to learn Scizor training methods if he passed. The chapter ended with Sato, who had overheard their conversation, heading to the Training Room after Eichi left.

• Eichi apologized to Teacher Xiao Lin for failing to tell her about his planned leave, and she told him the assessment would include a theory test and a practical battle on Sunday.
• Teacher Xiao Lin warned Eichi that Director Liu would find him a formidable opponent, but Eichi welcomed the challenge.
• Tetsu confronted Eichi at lunch about keeping his leave secret, and Eichi explained that he wanted to study Scizor training with Muramasa.
• Eichi told Tetsu that Director Liu considered Muramasa the strongest trainer he knew at using Scizor, and Tetsu offered to see Eichi off when he left.
• Sato overheard Eichi and Tetsu discussing the planned trip, then went to the Training Room after Eichi left the cafeteria.

Eichi passed Director Liu’s theoretical assessment with full marks and began a practical battle against him. Director Liu’s Cacnea used Ingrain and Sandstorm to withstand Heracross’s charge, then struck back with Needle Arm.

• Eichi arrived for his supervised exam and completed the difficult theory papers in less than an hour.
• A teacher graded Eichi’s papers and confirmed that he had answered every question correctly.
• Director Liu declared that Eichi had passed the theoretical assessment and led him to the Battle Arena for the practical test.
• Director Liu revealed that he would be Eichi’s opponent and sent out Cacnea.
• Eichi sent out Heracross, which charged through Cacnea’s Sandstorm with Horn Attack.
• Cacnea caught Heracross’s Horn Attack, healed the damage with energy from its roots, and struck Heracross with Needle Arm.

Eichi’s Heracross struggled to break through Cacnea’s defenses and recovery as Director Liu used the Sandstorm and Sunny Day to wear it down. Eichi found a way to counter Cacnea’s Solar Beam, and Heracross burrowed underground just before the attack hit.

• Heracross attacked Cacnea with Brick Break and Bullet Seed, but Cacnea blocked the seeds with Spiky Shield and recovered with Ingrain.
• Director Liu had Cacnea use Cotton Spore and Pin Missile to hinder Heracross, while the Sandstorm continued to drain its stamina.
• Heracross and Cacnea clashed with Pin Missile, then Heracross tried attacking from behind, but Cacnea blocked it again with Spiky Shield.
• After the Sandstorm subsided, Director Liu had Cacnea use Sunny Day to prepare a Solar Beam against the weakened Heracross.
• Eichi had Heracross use Double Team to close in, then ordered it to use Dig as Cacnea fired Solar Beam, and Heracross burrowed underground.

Eichi defeated Director Liu’s Cacnea in a practical assessment and earned approval for his leave. Director Liu gave him a letter of introduction to Muramasa, and Eichi planned to leave the day after tomorrow.

• Eichi used Heracross’s Earthquake to loosen Cacnea’s roots, then had Heracross knock Cacnea out with MegaHorn.
• A teacher declared Cacnea unable to battle, and Director Liu approved Eichi’s leave after he passed both assessments.
• Director Liu took Eichi to his office and gave him a letter of introduction for Muramasa, warning that training would cost money and urging him to stay safe.
• Eichi said he planned to leave the day after tomorrow, answered Director Liu’s questions, then hurried out of the office.

Eichi passed his assessment against Director Liu and prepared to leave the school, arranging for Tetsu and Xiao Ye to manage the class in his absence. Before setting out, he visited Tetsu’s wealthy family, trained his Pokémon, and bought a camera to take a photo with them; the chapter ended with him waiting at the estate gate, ready to depart.

• Eichi told Tetsu he had passed the assessment after battling Director Liu and asked him to keep it secret.
• Eichi accompanied Tetsu to Silver Town, met Tetsu’s family, and shared a lavish dinner with them and his Pokémon.
• Eichi trained his Pokémon, then arranged for Tetsu to serve temporarily as Vice President and Xiao Ye to take over as class president while he was away.
• Eichi informed his teachers and Professor Kanter that he was leaving, and Professor Kanter reminded him to keep making Pokéblocks.
• Eichi realized he had no photographs of himself or his Pokémon, bought a camera, and took a picture with them.
• Eichi packed his belongings and waited at the estate gate early in the morning, ready to set out.

Eichi left for Blackthorn City to begin a journey to Muramasa's Training Hall, while his classmates learned that he had taken a long leave to improve himself. In Blackthorn City, Eichi watched Claire's Gym challenge and saw her Dragonair defeat the first challenger's Ampharos.

• Tetsu sent Eichi to Blackthorn City with his mother, while Eichi's classmates learned that Xiao Ye and Tetsu would temporarily take over as class president and vice president.
• Eichi arrived in Blackthorn City, planned a route through Yoshino City and Kikyo City, and bought a train ticket for the afternoon.
• Eichi explored Blackthorn City and entered Blackthorn Gym shortly before a challenge began.
• Claire and a noble-looking challenger started a two-on-two battle, with Claire using Kingdra and the challenger using Ampharos.
• Ampharos won the first battle despite Claire's type disadvantage, but Claire's Dragonair quickly defeated it, forcing the challenger to send out his second Pokémon.

Eichi watched Claire defeat challengers before stepping in when a rampaging Tyranitar and Ursaring threatened people in the city. His Beedrill and Scizor swiftly knocked out both Pokémon, and Eichi disappeared into the crowd as witnesses tried to identify his Pokémon.

• Claire defeated several challengers, gave each one a Dragon's Lair Badge, and left Eichi to depart for the train station.
• Eichi saw a rampaging Tyranitar and Ursaring attacking people and buildings while their owners and nearby Pokémon struggled to stop them.
• Eichi sent Beedrill after Tyranitar and Scizor after Ursaring, and both Pokémon quickly knocked out their targets before they could harm the people nearby.
• Nurse Joy, Chansey, and Officer Jenny arrived to help the injured, while Aiko told her mother that Beedrill had defeated Tyranitar.
• A Zheng recognized the red Pokémon as resembling Muramasa's Scizor, saw Eichi put away two Poké Balls, and watched him disappear into the crowd.

Officer Jenny identified Eichi in surveillance footage as the boy who stopped the rampaging Tyranitar and Ursaring, while Eichi continued toward Kikyo City. In Yoshino City, he felt homesick before sharing a brief conversation with Sayuri during the Thanksgiving festival.

• Officer Jenny questioned the trainers whose Tyranitar and Ursaring had gone berserk after visiting Lake of Rage.
• Officer Jenny reviewed surveillance footage and saw Eichi’s Beedrill defeat Tyranitar and his Scizor defeat Ursaring.
• Eichi boarded the train just before it left and wondered whether Team Rocket’s research had caused the Pokémon’s rampage.
• Eichi arrived in Yoshino City, bought a ticket for the nine o’clock train to Kikyo City, and went to rest at the Pokémon Center.
• Eichi met Sayuri during Yoshino City’s Thanksgiving festival and wished her a happy Thanksgiving as she left with her mother.

Eichi left Kikyo City by bicycle and began the long journey to Muramasa's Training Hall, camping in the wilderness with his Pokémon. After feeding nearby Pokémon, he helped Scizor reunite with a Scizor family and ended the night surrounded by sleeping Pokémon.

• Eichi reached Kikyo City, assembled his folding bicycle, and rode out of the city toward Muramasa's Training Hall.
• A Zheng arrived at the train station, intending to find Senior Brother and travel with him to the Training Hall the next day.
• At Silver Academy, Tetsu struggled to manage the class without Eichi and wished for his return.
• Eichi checked his map, released Beedrill, Scizor, and Heracross, and continued cycling while the Pokémon explored nearby.
• Eichi camped for the night and used his Bug Force to draw nearby Pokémon, then fed the gathering Pokémon.
• Scizor returned with two Scizor and three Baby Scyther, and Eichi gave them food before Scizor followed the family back.