Chapter Summaries

Sato defeated Wallace to win the Pseudo-Elite Four Tournament after Milotic beat Tyranitar and Gardevoir quickly defeated Milotic. The chapter ended with Sato accepting the Champion Trophy and certificate at the award ceremony.

• Milotic outlasted Tyranitar's Giga Impact with Aqua Ring, and Tyranitar fainted, giving Milotic the win.
• Sato sent out Kirlia, who evolved into Gardevoir and revealed her Intermediate Elite Four strength.
• Gardevoir lifted Milotic and slammed her into a crater, winning the match for Sato after Wallace's six Pokémon were defeated.
• Sato and Wallace shook hands and bantered as the crowd cheered their match.
• Phoebe defeated Ryoko for third place, and Damalanchi presented Sato with the Champion Trophy and certificate.

After hearing that George had left and sent him a letter, Sato escaped the fans and banquet, then joined Pheobe, Ryoko, Lance, Itsuki, and Nurse Joy Lixiang for a disguised night-market outing. The group set off to enjoy the food, while Pheobe lamented that Sato had not dressed in women's clothes.

• Mark told Sato that George had left and tried to open George's letter, but Sato ordered him to keep it sealed.
• Sato used Ralts's Teleport to escape his excited fans and return to the banquet.
• Sato left the dinner early with President Damalanchi's permission, followed by Pheobe, Ryoko, and Lance.
• Pheobe invited Sato to the night market, and Ralts convinced him to go for the food.
• Lance arranged disguises, and the group went to the night market with Itsuki and Nurse Joy Lixiang.
• Pheobe said she regretted that Sato had not worn women's clothes, and Ryoko and Nurse Joy Lixiang agreed.

After winning the tournament, Sato spent the evening eating festival snacks with his friends and unexpectedly met Cynthia, who was visiting from Sinnoh. As the group got to know her, Lance and Itsuki teased Sato about her possibly coming to watch his match, while Cynthia joined the others in sneaking up on them.

• Sato ignored the group's jokes about women's clothes and bought extra festival snacks to share, while Ralts and Gengar helped themselves.
• Sato recognized Cynthia at a goldfish-scooping stall and asked why she was there; she said she was on vacation.
• Lance, Phoebe, Ryoko, Lixiang, and Itsuki introduced themselves to Cynthia, and Lance recognized her as a prominent newcomer among Sinnoh investigators.
• Lance and Itsuki suggested Cynthia had traveled to watch Sato's final, while Cynthia told the girls she had once lost a battle to Sato and traveled with him and his friends afterward.
• Cynthia denied coming to watch Sato compete, then followed Phoebe, Ryoko, and Lixiang as they tried to sneak up on Sato and the others.

Cynthia left for Sinnoh after teasing Sato and challenging him to a proper battle next time. The next morning, Sato was summoned to President Damalanchi’s office, where he was about to meet the president.

• Cynthia revealed that she was an investigator and flew toward the airport on her Elite Four-level Garchomp, telling Sato they should battle properly next time.
• Sato realized Cynthia likely knew his nickname because she had watched his championship match, while Ryoko and the others admired Garchomp’s strength.
• Sato shared midnight snacks with his Pokemon and joked with Ralts before everyone settled in for the night.
• Two of President Damalanchi’s secretaries arrived the next morning to escort Sato, and he got ready after finishing his training.
• Sato reached President Damalanchi’s office, and the president called him inside.

President Damalanchi met with Phoebe, Wallace, and Sato to discuss their futures after the tournament, encouraging Phoebe to focus on her growth and Wallace to pursue a new path through Pokémon Contests. He suggested that Sato train at Rainbow University as both a teacher and student, then revealed that he had called them to discuss rewards for the tournament’s top three.

• Damalanchi praised Phoebe’s work as an investigator, and Phoebe said she planned to take time off to focus on her progress.
• Damalanchi criticized Wallace for losing confidence after his defeat but urged him to boldly create a new path through Pokémon Contests.
• Damalanchi praised Sato’s achievements while warning that he lacked the vigor of someone his age.
• Damalanchi suggested that Sato spend time at Rainbow University as both a teacher and a student, citing Lance’s breakthrough there.
• Damalanchi told Phoebe, Wallace, and Sato that he had called them to discuss their rewards as the tournament’s top three.

President Damalanchi awarded Sato and the other two S-Class information database authority, Elite Four Reserve status with Ninth Level Rank Treatment, and a Pokemon hatchling with Elite Four Level Talent of their choice. They reached the cultivation room and were cleared to choose their hatchlings.

• Damalanchi announced the three rewards and explained the privileges attached to S-Class authority and Ninth Level Rank Treatment.
• Sato valued the S-Class database authority most, while he and the other two thanked Damalanchi for the rewards.
• Damalanchi dismissed them to collect their Pokemon hatchlings, and a secretary escorted them to the Logistics Department.
• After staff inspected their claim application, they allowed Sato and the other two to begin choosing hatchlings in the cultivation room.

Sato chose an Elite Four Level Absol despite learning that its past had made it hostile toward human Trainers. Professor Wen approved his decision and hoped he would succeed, while Damalanchi learned of the choice.

• The staff member let Sato, Phoebe, and Wallace choose Pokémon hatchlings through a tablet, while Professor Wen offered to explain their backgrounds.
• Sato selected Absol, and Professor Wen warned him that it was healthy but hostile toward humans after suffering under a Poaching Gang.
• Professor Wen explained that the unclaimed Absol might eventually be sent to a Breeding Base, prompting Sato to decide to take it.
• Sato confirmed his choice, saying he specialized in Dark Type Pokémon and wanted to try communicating with Absol.
• Damalanchi heard that Sato had chosen Absol after receiving a report in his office.

After winning the tournament, Sato returned to Dark Night Town and read a letter from George, who revealed that he had run away from home in Kalos and promised to return. George also told Sato that Mark had trained alone in Dark Night Forest and helped Arbok break through.

• Sato, Phoebe, and Wallace chose their Pokémon, then said goodbye as Phoebe and Wallace prepared to return to Hoenn.
• Sato flew back to Dark Night Town with Honchkrow and sent his trainees to bed when they rushed out to greet him.
• Mark demanded to see Sato's trophy, but Sato made him fetch George's letter first.
• Sato put the Champion Trophy in a locked display cabinet and began reading George's letter.
• George wrote that he had secretly run away from home in Kalos, hoped to return, and had seen Mark train in Dark Night Forest until Arbok broke through.

Sato read George’s letter saying he had returned to Kalos to grow stronger and would be home within half a year, then introduced a young Absol to his Pokémon. After Absol recoiled from the Pokémon’s intimidating welcome, it found humans seemed much less frightening by comparison.

• George wrote that Mark had pushed himself to become stronger, and that George had returned to Kalos to confront his past and improve as a breeder.
• Sato accepted George’s request for half a year and privately planned to visit Kalos afterward.
• Mark tried to get into Sato’s trophy cabinet, then woke early the next morning hoping to see the trophies, only to find Sato had gone to train.
• Sato introduced Absol to his Pokémon and asked them to help it get used to its new home before he gradually approached it himself.
• Absol used Quick Attack against Sato, who stopped the other Pokémon from intervening and sent Absol back with a flick.
• Zoroark, Tyranitar, Ariados, and the others crowded around Absol with forced smiles, frightening it so much that humans seemed friendlier afterward.

Gym Leader Sato’s Skorupi evolved into Drapion during a challenger’s complaint about its typing, and Drapion dominated the battle. After Drapion defeated Rapidash and Pidgeot with critical-hit Sucker Punches, the challenger surrendered.

• Skorupi defeated a challenger’s Machoke, and Sato sent the challenger away for more training.
• Sato’s next challenger objected that Skorupi was not a Dark-type Pokemon, prompting Sato to reveal that it was his weakest Pokemon.
• Skorupi evolved into Drapion, whose Poison and Dark types satisfied the challenger’s demand.
• The challenger sent out Rapidash, but Drapion endured Flame Wheel and knocked it out with a critical-hit Sucker Punch.
• Drapion caught Pidgeot’s Aerial Ace and defeated it with another critical-hit Sucker Punch, causing the challenger to surrender.

Sato spent a month handling challengers at the Dark Night Gym, earning it a strong reputation while giving his Pokémon more battle experience. As he prepared to teach at Rainbow University, he continued working to gain Little Absol’s trust and offered it a choice once it became strong enough to defeat Drapion.

• Sato accepted the Dark Night Gym’s many challengers, rotated Pokémon through battles, and awarded badges selectively to Trainers who showed promise and strong bonds with their Pokémon.
• Sato made badge recipients watch Drapion crush more opponents, and the Gym’s challengers left believing they had been lucky and needed to train harder.
• After a month, the crowds returned to normal and the Dark Night Gym’s reputation soared, while Sato agreed to study at Rainbow University and serve as an honorary lecturer.
• Sato tried to earn Little Absol’s trust, but it remained hostile toward him even as it accepted training from Zoroark and the others.
• Little Absol refused food after realizing humans had supplied it, then fainted; when it woke, Sato promised it could choose whether to return to the wild or become their partner after it defeated Drapion.

Sato gradually earned Little Absol’s trust by giving it food and respecting its space, while Ralts and Wigglytuff stayed to care for it. With the Gym back to normal, Sato planned a trip to Rainbow University, and Mark asked to travel to the Orange Islands.

• Sato offered Little Absol food and an agreement, then left it with Wigglytuff, Pikachu, and Ralts.
• Little Absol ate a High-Grade Energy Cube and shared its food with Ralts, who declared that she would protect it.
• Ralts stopped Pikachu from stealing food and sent it flying into the bushes.
• Over the next few days, Sato visited Little Absol from a respectful distance, and it gradually got used to his presence.
• Sato put a trip to Rainbow University on his agenda after the Gym returned to normal.
• Mark told Sato he wanted to travel to the Orange Islands, and Sato agreed after telling him to hand over his Gym duties.

Sato traveled to Celadon City and visited the Spring Winter Pokemon Orphanage, hoping to help Little Absol overcome its fear of humans. As Little Absol watched the Pokémon and people together, Umbreon suggested it try imagining humans as Pokémon, and Absol became willing to consider it.

• Sato left Dark Night Town in Honchkrow’s care, entrusting the Gym to Little Ming and Si'an before flying to Celadon City.
• Sato went to the Spring Winter Pokemon Orphanage and told Dean Dongfu he wanted to contribute after learning about its work.
• Sato released Umbreon and Little Absol, and Dean Dongfu noticed Absol keeping its distance because of trauma from being captured by poachers.
• Dean Dongfu led Sato through the orphanage, where Little Absol saw Pokémon living happily alongside humans but assumed they had been enslaved.
• Umbreon encouraged Little Absol not to let hatred blind it and suggested it imagine humans as Pokémon, prompting Absol to consider the idea.

After seeing the close bonds between elderly residents and their Pokemon at the Spring Winter Pokemon Orphanage, Sato gained a calmer perspective and Little Absol experienced a warm interaction with Dean Dongfu. The next day, Sato took Umbreon and Little Absol around Celadon City to show Little Absol how humans and Pokemon lived together.

• Sato watched elderly people and their Pokemon care for and play with each other in the orphanage yard.
• Dean Dongfu told Sato that Little Absol might acknowledge him if he offered it a sincere heart, then gently caressed Little Absol without being attacked.
• Sato thanked Dean Dongfu, declined to press her about accepting his donation, and returned to his hotel with Umbreon and Little Absol.
• The next morning, Sato trained while Little Absol watched, then asked Umbreon to look after it as they went exploring.
• Sato showed Little Absol the Pokemon working and living alongside people throughout Celadon City.

Sato arrived at Rainbow University to begin work as a teacher and enroll as a Trainer Academy student, bringing Little Absol and Umbreon with him. After completing his procedures, he learned that his counselor was Erika, who turned bright red when Sato pointed out that she had not properly introduced herself.

• Sato helped Little Absol understand that some humans were dangerous while others protected peace, and Little Absol began walking beside him and Umbreon.
• Sato contacted Rainbow University and arrived to register as a teacher and student at the Trainer Academy.
• An excited counselor recognized Sato at the university gate, hurried away without him, and later returned to guide him through campus.
• Students recognized Sato and shared news of his arrival on the university forum, drawing a crowd to the Trainer Academy's Instructor Office Building.
• The counselor completed Sato's procedures and introduced herself as Erika, a first-year Trainer Academy counselor, before Sato corrected her that it was her first self-introduction.

Sato settled into the office and residence Rainbow University had prepared for him before Erika took him to meet Dean Mingxi. Dean Mingxi welcomed Sato and teased Erika about being attracted to him.

• Erika explained Sato’s special lecturer appointment and led him through the admiring students to his new quarters.
• Sato inspected the well-equipped office and apartment, thanked Erika for preparing them, and left Umbreon and Little Absol there to rest.
• Erika took Sato to the dean’s office and introduced him to Dean Mingxi.
• Dean Mingxi praised Sato’s appearance and teased Erika, who blushed in embarrassment.

Sato joined Rainbow University as a lecturer and arranged his first public class after students crowded around him during a visit to the Breeder Academy. He entered the packed lecture hall on Saturday and found that even a group of old professors had come to listen.

• Dean Mingxi told Sato that he would teach unrestricted public classes and could attend any courses he wished, while Erika would help arrange his lectures.
• Sato returned to his room, found Umbreon and Little Absol had finished their food, and released the rest of his Pokémon.
• Students crowded into the Breeder Academy classroom to see Sato, disrupting the old professor’s lesson, so Sato decided to hold a public class.
• Sato asked Erika to schedule the public class for the weekend in a lecture hall so he would not overshadow other teachers.
• On Saturday, Sato entered the full lecture hall to loud applause and saw rows of bald old professors seated at the back.

Sato taught a lively public class at Rainbow University, prompting students and professors to reconsider how trainers and Pokémon should work together in battle. His practical lessons were warmly received, and the students eagerly asked when he would teach again.

• Sato opened his class by asking students what role a trainer played in a Pokémon battle, and students offered opposing views on whether trainers or Pokémon should take the lead.
• Erika argued that Pokémon competitions should be led by Pokémon, asking why they were called Pokémon Trainers rather than Pokémon Battlers.
• Sato explained that the balance between a trainer’s tactics and a Pokémon’s strength depended on the opponents, while lasting growth came from daily training, experience, and learning.
• Dean Mingxi watched the broadcast and approved of Sato’s practical focus, seeing him as valuable outside support for her efforts at Rainbow University’s Trainer Academy.
• Sato raised further questions about training, battles, bonds, dodging, and move choices, keeping the class engaged as it ran overtime.
• Students asked when Sato would teach again, and he hinted that his next class might take place in a better venue.

After his first public class went well, Sato planned a practical battle demonstration for his next lesson. At the Training Ground, Drapion defeated Pikachu in a sparring match, while Little Absol watched.

• Sato finished his public class to applause and later saw students praising the uploaded lecture video on the Campus Forum.
• Erika urged Sato to arrange another public class, and Sato chose a battle demonstration in the gymnasium.
• Sato took Little Absol, Pikachu, and Drapion to the Training Ground and refereed a sparring match between Pikachu and Drapion.
• Pikachu attacked with Agility and Electroweb, but Drapion boosted its abilities with Acupressure and caught Pikachu after anticipating its movements.
• Sato stopped the battle, explained Pikachu's mistakes, and told Drapion that he could understand it now that it was a Dark Type Pokémon.

Sato invited Little Absol to join his Pokémon’s training, then settled into a regular routine of classes and evening training at the academy. As his Pokémon grew stronger, anticipation built for his second Public Class, which students suspected would teach practical battling.

• After treating Drapion and using Umbreon’s Wish to aid its recovery, Sato approached Little Absol and invited it to train with the group; Little Absol accepted.
• Sato attended academy classes each day, and students across the school became curious about which classes he would audit and improved their behavior in case he visited.
• Sato made Little Absol his evening training priority, while its determination also pushed Drapion and Pikachu to work harder.
• Sato reviewed battle recordings with Zoroark and the other experienced Pokémon, whose progress included several small-stage breakthroughs.
• When Sato’s second Public Class was announced for Saturday in the gymnasium, students from several academies sought tickets, expecting practical battle instruction.