Chapter Summaries

Shiping celebrated the Space Rift’s reduced appearances and offered to guide Sato and Cynthia toward Champion-level training. Their first lesson became a free-for-all battle, where Shiping’s three Pokémon quickly overwhelmed much of their team.

• Shiping told Sato and Cynthia that the Space Rift was appearing less often and offered to share his Champion-level experience.
• Shiping inspected their Pokémon and arranged for the Sinnoh Alliance to install a teleportation machine the next day.
• Shiping sent Weavile, Froslass, and Serperior to battle the twelve Pokémon in a free-for-all.
• Garchomp attacked Serperior, but Serperior blocked its Dragon Claw and grew stronger with its Complete Version of Growth.
• Weavile froze Lucario and knocked out Arcanine, while Froslass suppressed Zoroark and Serperior’s Leaf Blade helped drive more Pokémon from the field.
• After five minutes, only Garchomp, Lucario, Zoroark, Spiritomb, Umbreon, and the accelerating Sharpedo remained.

Sato and Cynthia fought Shiping’s team with sacrifice plays and Mega Evolution, but Froslass’s Destiny Bond took down Sharpedo and Shiping’s remaining Pokémon defeated Garchomp and Zoroark. The battle ended with Sato and Cynthia’s team wiped out, while Sharpedo earned the distinction of being the match’s standout despite falling alongside Froslass.

• Sato and Cynthia sacrificed Umbreon and Spiritomb to support Zoroark’s enhanced Eternal Night illusion, while Sharpedo knocked Weavile away from Lucario.
• Shiping ordered Serperior to use Grassy Terrain, dispelling the illusion, and Froslass froze Lucario with a point-blank Blizzard.
• Sato Mega Evolved Sharpedo after it reached six speed boosts, and Cynthia Mega Evolved Garchomp as both Pokémon advanced in strength.
• Sharpedo repeatedly struck Froslass with Crunch despite Will-O-Wisp weakening its attacks, but Froslass used Destiny Bond to take Sharpedo down with her.
• Serperior defeated Garchomp with Dragon Tail, and Weavile overcame Zoroark, leaving Sato and Cynthia’s team wiped out.

Sato struggled to understand how his Pokémon could progress from Elite Four to Champion level, so Shiping taught him that conviction was the key. The chapter left Sato questioning his own and his Pokémon’s determination, while Shiping teased him about Cynthia.

• Gardevoir joined training but demonstrated that it had already mastered its available moves and techniques, then Teleported back to the kitchen to make lunch.
• Sato asked Shiping how his Pokémon could advance beyond Elite Four level, and Shiping explained that Sato’s strongest Pokémon were approaching Champion level while Froakie was still building its foundation.
• Shiping told Sato that conviction distinguished Champion-level Pokémon and trainers, prompting Sato to consider which of his companions truly wanted to become the strongest.
• Shiping said that understanding his own and his Pokémon’s determination would also help solve Gardevoir’s training problem.
• Sato asked whether Cynthia had the same issue, and Shiping teased him by calling Cynthia his girlfriend; Sato denied it.

During the last day of their vacation, Cynthia kissed Sato and told him she had made her choice, leaving him stunned by the river. Sato recovered and hurried to the Training Ground, determined to respond rather than let her get away with it.

• Shiping trained Sato and Cynthia's Pokemon, giving them specialized instruction through his own Pokemon.
• Lucario led Sato to the river, where Cynthia was sitting with Glaceon and Umbreon.
• Cynthia told Sato to sit with her and remarked that Pokemon who liked each other did not hide it.
• Cynthia kissed Sato on the cheek and said she had made her choice, leaving the rest for him to decide.
• Cynthia rode off with Garchomp to train, while Sato warned Umbreon and Glaceon to keep quiet about what had happened.
• Sato jumped up and headed for the Training Ground, determined to make his own move.

Sato nervously asked Cynthia whether holding hands meant they were dating, and Cynthia agreed. As their Pokémon celebrated or planned future battles, Gardevoir prepared a lavish lunch and resolved to become stronger.

• Sato approached Cynthia at the training ground, and she nervously tried to hide her reaction by giving Garchomp impossible training commands.
• Sato took Cynthia's hand, apologized after squeezing it too hard, then gently held it again when she did not pull away.
• Sato asked Cynthia if they were dating, and Cynthia firmly agreed.
• Shiping and the Pokémon watched from the bushes as Froslass claimed credit, Lucario warned Sato silently, and Tyranitar approved of the pairing.
• Gardevoir watched from the wooden house, felt happy for Sato, and resolved to become stronger while preparing a lavish lunch.

After confirming their relationship, Sato spent a year training under Shiping while Cynthia visited whenever her missions allowed. The chapter ended with Gardevoir defeating Shiping’s Froslass in a training battle and earning praise for its growth.

• Cynthia and Sato confirmed their relationship, and Sato received permission from Damalanchi to continue training with Shiping.
• Sato checked in with Mark and George, who reported progress in their careers and plans for the future.
• A year passed as Sato and Cynthia continued meeting between her missions, while Glaceon and Umbreon enjoyed being together.
• Gardevoir held its ground against Froslass’s blizzard and struck with Dark Pulse during Froslass’s brief opening.
• Shiping praised Sato’s timing and Gardevoir’s use of the Frequency Resonance Method, and Sato credited Gardevoir’s hard work.

Sato reunited with Cynthia, then left the mountains with Shiping to return to Sinnoh society and pursue his goal of becoming Champion. At Lily of the Valley Island, Zhengxi challenged him to a six-on-six battle that was broadcast across every region.

• Cynthia arrived at the training ground, and Sato walked with her while they discussed his plans to leave the mountains and Shiping's intention to visit old friends.
• After lunch, Sato and Shiping packed their belongings and left the wooden house, with Sato calling out directions as Shiping flew away on Altaria.
• Cynthia led Sato and Shiping southeast, and they heard Heatran roar a farewell during their journey.
• After three to five days, the group reached Lily of the Valley Island, where Dowashi celebrated Shiping's return and Sato's reappearance surprised young Trainers.
• Zhengxi, the Sinnoh Alliance's new Rookie King, challenged Sato to an all-out six-on-six battle, and the match was broadcast live across every region.

After vanishing for nearly a year, Sato reappeared to face Zhengxi in a televised 6v6 battle, drawing attention from friends and followers across several regions. Sato’s Zoroark swiftly defeated Zhengxi’s Infernape and then unleashed Dark Burst against Yanmega.

• Mark recognized Sato on the live broadcast and sprayed Moomoo Milk in surprise.
• Shigeru told George that Sato was battling Zhengxi, and George rushed off to watch without answering Shigeru’s question about himself.
• Sato and Zhengxi began their 6v6 battle, and Sato sent out Zoroark while Zhengxi chose Infernape.
• Zoroark dodged Infernape’s Mach Punch and knocked it out with Sucker Punch in one strike.
• Zhengxi sent out Yanmega, and Sato’s Zoroark used Dark Burst to overwhelm the arena as Yanmega fled upward.

Sato's Zoroark defeated Zhengxi's Yanmega by trapping it in a terrifying Illusion, then withdrew so Greninja could make its public debut. Greninja battled Zhengxi's Breloom, and Sato interrupted Breloom's feint with a well-timed Aerial Ace.

• Zoroark covered the arena in a Dark Domain and made Zhengxi believe Yanmega was engulfed by increasingly powerful flames, prompting Zhengxi to concede.
• Zoroark dispelled the Illusion and revealed that Yanmega was unharmed, then returned to Sato's side.
• Sato sent out Greninja for its first public appearance, and Zhengxi replaced Yanmega with Breloom, which had a type advantage.
• Greninja and Breloom traded Water Shuriken and Bullet Seed as they fought to a stalemate.
• Zhengxi signaled Breloom to prepare Seed Bomb, but Sato anticipated the ploy and ordered Greninja to interrupt it with Aerial Ace.

Sato’s Greninja defeated Zhengxi’s Breloom and Octillery, using Protean to counter Zhengxi’s attacks and dominate the battle. Zhengxi sent out his next Pokémon as Sato’s Absol entered the field.

• Sato’s Greninja defeated Zhengxi’s Breloom with Aerial Ace, giving Sato his first victory.
• Zhengxi sent out Octillery, which hit Greninja with Thunder Wave and Charge Beam.
• Greninja’s Protean changed it to Ground type, letting it withstand Charge Beam and counter Octillery with Sucker Punch.
• Greninja changed to Flying type and defeated Octillery with Aerial Ace, leaving Zhengxi four Pokémon down.
• Zhengxi recalled Octillery and chose one of his two remaining Pokémon as Sato’s Absol entered the field.

George explained Greninja’s type-changing ability to Shigeru, who decided to pursue a special Squirtle instead. Meanwhile, Sato’s Absol battled Zhengxi’s Nosepass and landed a surprise Future Sight strike, leaving their match unresolved.

• George explained Greninja’s ability to Shigeru and persuaded him to seek a special Squirtle instead of Froakie.
• Professor Oak promised to find Shigeru a special Squirtle.
• Zhengxi sent out Nosepass to face Sato’s Absol.
• Absol evaded Nosepass’s attacks in the smoke while setting up Future Sight.
• Absol emerged from underground and used Future Sight to knock Nosepass back, then revealed a Water Pulse in its mouth.

Sato’s Absol defeated Zhengxi’s Nosepass, leaving Metagross as Zhengxi’s last Pokémon. Both trainers Mega Evolved their aces, and the chapter ended with Absol and Metagross trading attacks.

• Absol broke through Nosepass’s Protect with Feint and knocked it out with Superpower.
• Zhengxi sent out his final Pokémon, Metagross, and Mega Evolved it.
• Sato Mega Evolved Absol, and the battle resumed with Metagross charging in with Bullet Punch.
• Absol escaped Metagross’s attack with First Impression and countered with Sucker Punch.
• Metagross met Sucker Punch with Meteor Mash, then swung a steel arm at Absol, forcing it to leap away.

Sato’s Absol defeated Zhengxi’s Metagross after countering its Gravity and Hammer Arm strategy with Psych Up and repeated Sucker Punches. With Zhengxi’s six Pokémon defeated, Sato won the battle and was greeted by the cheering crowd.

• Metagross used Gravity and Hammer Arm to restrict Absol and build up its Gyro Ball, while Sato adapted by using Iron Tail and Dark Pulse to create distance.
• Absol used Sucker Punch against the slowed Metagross, but Zhengxi revealed that he had been setting up Gyro Ball as his finishing move.
• Sato had Absol use Psych Up to match Metagross’s lowered Speed, weakening Gyro Ball, then followed with Encore and another Sucker Punch.
• Metagross’s Miracle Eye was reflected by Mega Absol’s Magic Bounce, and Absol landed a third Sucker Punch to defeat it.
• The referee declared Sato the winner after Zhengxi’s six Pokémon had fallen, and Absol briefly accepted Sato’s praise before turning aloof again.
• Sato acknowledged the cheering spectators, who celebrated his return.

After Sato defeated Zhengxi, Shiping rejected the Sinnoh Alliance’s offer to stay and left for Unova, while Sato returned to Johto. The chapter ended with news of Shiping’s centuries-long role as Sinnoh’s guardian overtaking the trending story about Sato and Cynthia.

• Sato defeated Zhengxi, and Branch President Dowashi praised Sato while Zhengxi watched in dismay.
• Shiping refused the Sinnoh Alliance’s new identification and invitation to stay, telling Dowashi he wanted to return to Unova.
• Sato told Shiping he had arranged for Lian Wu to meet him in Unova, and Shiping boarded his flight.
• Sato and Cynthia held hands at Lily of the Valley Airport before Cynthia sent Sato off to Johto.
• Photos of Sato and Cynthia trended in Sinnoh, then were overtaken by a post detailing the region’s centuries of guardians, including Shiping.

Sato returned to Dark Night City, reunited with the people at Dark Night Gym, and saw how much the city and Gym had grown. After a week of overseeing the Gym, he applied for the Johto Region Elite Four Ranking Match and set out for Mt. Silver as the tournament approached.

• Sato returned to Dark Night City on Honchkrow and was welcomed by Nicole, Uncle An, and the Gym apprentices.
• At Dark Night Gym, Sato reunited with Si'an, Ponyo, and Lota, praised Ponyo for her work as Acting Gym Leader, and met the new apprentices.
• Sato spent a week at the Gym meeting staff, overseeing its work, and guiding the apprentices.
• During a video call, Sato told Cynthia he planned to enter the Johto Region Elite Four Ranking Match, and Cynthia urged him to win first place.
• Sato flew toward Mt. Silver, while Lance, Sen, and Ryu also headed there for the approaching Ranking Match.

Sato reunited with the Dragon Quest Adventure Team and entered Johto’s Elite Four Ranking Match alongside Lance and Itsuki. After learning the competition’s rewards and rules, he was drawn as the first match’s opponent, Lin Bai of Ecruteak City.

• Sato reunited with White, Itsuki, Nurse Joy Lixiang, Clair, and Lance, and they shared news of their lives and recent achievements.
• Sato, Lance, and Itsuki submitted applications for the Elite Four Ranking Match and learned its rules and schedule.
• Lance explained that forty-three Elite Four-level Trainers had registered and described the rewards, including valuable training spaces and a chance at a Champion-level Pokémon.
• The Johto Alliance opened the competition, and the first-round draw paired Sato of Dark Night City against Lin Bai of Ecruteak City.

Sato’s Golden Eyed Gengar defeated Lin Bai’s Gengar in the opening match of their Elite Four Ranking Match, surprising the spectators and Lin Bai. Lin Bai sent out Dusclops next, and Sato answered by choosing Weavile.

• Sato and Lin Bai sent out their Gengars, and both tried to use Imprison before the Pokémon vanished into Dimensional Space to fight.
• After ten minutes, Sato’s Golden Eyed Gengar emerged victorious, while Lin Bai’s Gengar fell incapacitated.
• Sato’s Gengar returned to his shadow after declaring that one round was enough, leaving Lin Bai stunned by its defeat.
• Lin Bai recalled his Gengar and sent out Dusclops, prompting Sato to put away his prepared Poké Ball.
• Sato sent out Weavile, and Lin Bai recognized that Sato had chosen it to provoke him.

Sato's Weavile defeated Lin Bai's Dusclops after uncovering its Eviolite, but Dusclops used Memento to leave Weavile badly weakened. Lin Bai sent out his final Pokémon as Sato took another round.

• Weavile struck Dusclops with repeated Sucker Punches while Lin Bai used Will-O-Wisp and Pain Split to hinder it and recover its stamina.
• Sato had Weavile use Taunt, interrupting Dusclops's Pain Split and forcing it to rely on attacks.
• Sato realized Dusclops was holding an Eviolite and had Weavile knock it off before attacking again.
• Weavile defeated Dusclops, but Dusclops used Memento, sharply weakening Weavile before it was recalled.
• Lin Bai recalled Dusclops and sent out his third and final Pokémon.

Lin Bai and Sato’s Elite Four Ranking Match opened with a clash between Dragapult and Hydreigon, ending in Sato’s victory after a devastating close-range attack injured both Pokémon. Sato took Hydreigon to the Pokémon Center and reflected on how difficult future matches would be.

• Lin Bai sent out Dragapult, surprising Sato, who then chose Hydreigon for the match.
• Lin Bai ordered Dragapult to strike first with Sucker Punch, severely injuring Little Left before Sato’s planned attacks could land.
• Little Right and Little Three fused Dark Pulse and Dragon Pulse into a powerful blast that struck both Dragapult and Hydreigon.
• The referee declared Hydreigon the winner after Lin Bai’s three Pokémon had all fallen.
• Sato and Lin Bai rushed their injured Pokémon to the Pokémon Center, where Sato considered his narrow victory and the stronger opponents ahead.

Sato and Itsuki continued their Elite Four Ranking Matches, with Itsuki defeating Dragon Tamer Yang after both Trainers Mega Evolved their Pokemon. Sato then faced the independent Trainer Kurachi, whose Gliscor was dwarfed by Sato's Honchkrow as their battle began.

• Itsuki defeated Chang Feng in the first-round match with Slowbro and returned to the viewing area.
• Sato won his second match against a Johto conglomerate Trainer, using Umbreon and Weavile while conserving his strength.
• Sato and the Dragon Quest Team discussed the tournament's other standout competitors and prepared for the next day.
• Itsuki defeated Dragon Tamer Yang after Mega Evolving Slowbro and wearing down Mega Charizard Y.
• Sato won an easier match before being paired against Kurachi, who entered the battle with Gliscor against Sato's enormous Honchkrow.