Chapter Summaries

Sato's Honchkrow defeated Kurachi's Gliscor after exploiting a feigned opening and trapping it in a punishing Icy Wind. Kurachi surrendered Gliscor to preserve his team, then sent out Jolteon as Sato switched to Cacturne.

• Sato's Honchkrow and Kurachi's Gliscor fought evenly in the air for ten minutes without showing fatigue.
• Honchkrow spotted Gliscor's feigned weakness, broke through its Sandstorm with a Brave Bird-powered Heat Wave, and struck it while it was unguarded.
• Sato ordered Icy Wind, and Honchkrow overwhelmed Gliscor despite its spinning Metal Claw defense.
• Kurachi surrendered Gliscor to prevent further injury, and the referee declared Honchkrow the winner.
• Kurachi sent out Jolteon, while Sato recalled Honchkrow and chose Cacturne for the next battle.

Cacturne overcame its doubts during training and developed a battle style that combined its own strengths with Growth. In the Elite Four Ranking Match, it overwhelmed Kurachi’s Jolteon, which focused on escaping its attacks.

• Cacturne struggled to reconcile Serperior’s Growth-based style with its own Battle System, so Shiping urged Sato to let it find its own path.
• Cacturne repeatedly battled Serperior, growing more determined even as it lost, until its Growth began reversing and it chose to believe in itself.
• Cacturne used Cotton Spore to slow Jolteon, then closed in with Drain Punch and knocked it aside despite being hit by Discharge.
• Jolteon’s Thunder Wave barely affected Cacturne after it used Growth to become enormous, and Cacturne’s stomp sent Jolteon fleeing.
• Kurachi ordered Jolteon to attack with Pin Missile, but Jolteon kept dodging Cacturne’s heavy punches and wanted to surrender.

Sato’s Cacturne defeated Kurachi’s Jolteon, but Kurachi sent out Venusaur and Sato recalled Cacturne in favor of Honchkrow. Honchkrow escaped Venusaur’s Vine Whips and wore it down, then launched a charged Brave Bird as the battle continued.

• Cacturne stomped Jolteon into a pit, forcing Kurachi to recall it and send out Venusaur.
• Sato recalled Cacturne and sent Honchkrow back into battle, while Kurachi ordered Venusaur to use Toxic.
• Honchkrow’s Taunt stopped Venusaur from using Toxic, and its Aerial Ace struck Venusaur’s flower pistil.
• Venusaur caught Honchkrow with Vine Whips, but Honchkrow used Air Cutter to cut free and escape.
• Honchkrow set the field ablaze with Heat Wave, while Venusaur used Synthesis, Safeguard, and Ingrain to recover and endure the attack.
• Honchkrow alternated attacks before Sato ordered it to Fly toward the sun and unleash a charged Brave Bird at Venusaur.

Sato defeated Kurachi’s Venusaur with Honchkrow, then learned Dragon Tamer Yang was seeking contestants’ support to strengthen his claim as head of the Dragon Tamer Family. Lance rejected Yang’s maneuvering and promised the family’s Elite Four votes to Sato and Itsuki next year, though both declined them.

• Sato’s Honchkrow used Taunt to stop Kurachi’s Venusaur from Protecting itself, then knocked it out with Brave Bird.
• After returning to the stands, Sato met Dragon Tamer Yang, who invited him and Itsuki to a late-night meeting and asked whether he wanted to become an Elite Four member.
• White and the others explained that Yang was trying to gain recognition and votes to secure his position as family head while undermining Lance.
• Tsubaki angrily said Lance did not want the family-head position, and Lance returned and calmed her.
• Lance offered the Dragon Tamer Family’s votes to Sato and Itsuki next year, but both said they were not interested.
• Dragon Tamer Yang watched Sato’s group laughing together and clenched his fists.

The Elite Four Ranking Match revealed Sasaki Ippei and Tajiri Ii as rising young geniuses alongside Sato. Sato traveled to Cianwood City for an away match with Tajiri Ii, who enthusiastically treated him as an idol throughout the flight.

• Itsuki and Kikuraku struggled as their opponents adapted to their tactics, while Sasaki Ippei and Tajiri Ii maintained impressive records.
• Sato, Sasaki Ippei, and Tajiri Ii became known as the three strongest members of the younger generation, leaving Itsuki frustrated.
• Sato and Tajiri Ii were assigned to travel to Cianwood City to battle Elite Four Trainers stationed in the Whirl Islands.
• Tajiri Ii rushed to greet Sato at Silver Airport and explained that Sato's recorded battles had inspired him to become a Trainer.
• Tajiri Ii called his family to tell them he had met Sato, tried to sit closer to him on the plane, and asked a flight attendant for advice about relieving Sato's fatigue.

Sato faced Zhengdong in the Johto Elite Four Ranking Match Preliminary Round, using Sharpedo against Zhengdong’s Poliwrath. Sharpedo’s speed kept it out of Poliwrath’s reach, and Sato had it break through Surf to continue its assault.

• The secretary led Sato and Tajiri Ii to the Whirl Islands battle area, where they met Zhengdong of Cianwood City.
• Sato stepped forward to battle first, and the secretary refereed the three-Pokemon-per-side match.
• Zhengdong sent out Poliwrath while Sato chose Sharpedo, which immediately struck with Crunch after rushing in with Aqua Jet.
• Poliwrath used Mind’s Eye and Dynamic Punch, but Sharpedo sped away and peppered it with Parting Shot without getting close.
• Zhengdong ordered Poliwrath to spread Surf across the field, but Sato sent Sharpedo charging through the waves with Aqua Jet so it could resume Parting Shot.

Sato’s Sharpedo defeated Zhengdong’s Poliwrath, then Mega Evolved to overcome Drifblim’s evasive currents and explosive Aftermath. Mega Sharpedo survived the blast and remained ready to continue the battle.

• Zhengdong had Poliwrath draw in Surf to trap Sharpedo, but Sato used Frequency Resonance to feint Aqua Jet and strike Poliwrath with Zen Headbutt.
• The referee declared Poliwrath incapacitated, and Zhengdong sent out Drifblim.
• Drifblim used Micro Air Current to evade Sharpedo’s attacks and ignited it with Will-O-Wisp, burning it twice.
• Sato Mega Evolved Sharpedo and ordered Crunch, which cut through Drifblim’s defenses and triggered its explosive Aftermath.
• Mega Sharpedo emerged from the smoke with only minor scorching, while Zhengdong worried about Drifblim.

Sato’s Mega Sharpedo battled Zhengdong’s Totem Crobat in a brutal fight, and Sato secretly boosted Sharpedo with Dark Power. After Sharpedo caught Crobat in a potentially fatal bite, Zhengdong surrendered, and both Trainers treated their injured Pokémon before Zhengdong conceded the match to Sato.

• Zhengdong sent out his Totem Crobat after Sharpedo defeated Drifblim, and the two Pokémon clashed at close range.
• Sharpedo fought through Drifblim’s burn and Crobat’s poison, while Sato secretly transferred Dark Power to it through their Key Stone connection.
• Sharpedo and Crobat traded devastating cuts until Sharpedo bit the base of Crobat’s right wing, prompting Zhengdong to surrender and Sato to order Sharpedo to stop.
• Sato and Zhengdong used Heal Pulse to treat Crobat, and Zhengdong gave Sato an antidote for Sharpedo’s poison.
• Zhengdong acknowledged that Sato had won the match.

Sato learned that Vortex Tides were a recurring natural disaster threatening the Whirl Islands, then discovered one was forming offshore. The chapter ended as a massive whirlpool began to take shape after Zhengdong warned him to return to the hotel.

• At dinner, Zhengdong explained to Sato and Tajiri Ii that he and Bian Zhe monitored and redirected the destructive Vortex Tides that periodically isolated the Whirl Islands.
• Zhengdong said the tides had become more frequent in recent years and that he and Bian Zhe could only stabilize them temporarily.
• Sato declined Tajiri Ii's invitation to walk and headed to the shore, where he released Umbreon.
• Sato noticed the windless night and unusually receded sea, then received an urgent call from Zhengdong warning that a Vortex Tide would make landfall that night.
• The call was cut off as fierce winds rose and a massive whirlpool rapidly formed offshore.

Sato used his Pokémon to destroy a Vortex Tide threatening a city in the Whirl Islands, earning Zhengdong and Bian Zhe’s gratitude. Later, Gardevoir teleported him to a sea cave, where a violent blast of air erupted from within.

• Sato sent out Honchkrow, Weavile, Sharpedo, Gengar, Hydreigon, and Gardevoir to stop the Vortex Tide, but their first attacks barely affected it.
• Gardevoir’s Psychic disrupted the Vortex Tide, and Weavile and Sharpedo froze the scattered seawater into a wall of ice.
• Little Right swept a Hyper Beam through the weakened Vortex Tide and destroyed it.
• Zhengdong thanked Sato on behalf of the Whirl Islands, and Bian Zhe also expressed his gratitude before the three agreed to meet on the battlefield the next day.
• Sato returned to the shore with Gardevoir, who teleported him to a sea cave where a powerful gust burst from deep inside.

Sato and his Pokemon found an enraged Lugia guarding a Pokemon Egg deep inside a cave. After Lugia collapsed from its own Aeroblast, Gardevoir picked up the Egg, leaving Sato to wonder if she intended to steal it.

• Gardevoir used short-distance Teleport to lead Sato past repeated bursts of airflow to the deepest part of the cave.
• Sato recognized the enraged legendary Pokemon Lugia and spotted a Pokemon Egg behind it.
• Gengar helped Gardevoir defend against Lugia's attacks, and Gardevoir and Gengar struck back with Thunderbolt and Shadow Balls.
• Lugia unleashed Aeroblast, shattering the outer Protect barrier and cracking the next two before the attack faded and Lugia collapsed unconscious.
• Gardevoir Teleported to Lugia and picked up the silver white Pokemon Egg, alarming Sato.

Sato helped Lugia recover after it laid an Egg, and Lugia rewarded him with a blessing and offered to train his Flying- and Water-type Pokémon. Greninja stayed with Lugia to train while Sato prepared to leave, then asked why the Whirl Islands had been troubled by Vortex Tides and Water Tornadoes.

• Gardevoir used Healing Wish to heal Lugia, then collapsed as Sato caught her.
• Lugia thanked Sato and blessed him, granting the ocean's favor and improving the initial affection of Pokémon he caught from the sea.
• Lugia offered to train Sato's Flying- and Water-type Pokémon for half a year, and Sato presented Honchkrow, Greninja, and Sharpedo.
• Sharpedo and Honchkrow chose to remain with Sato for the Elite Four Ranking Match, while Greninja stayed with Lugia to grow stronger.
• Sato entrusted Greninja to Lugia and asked whether Lugia knew why Vortex Tides and Water Tornadoes had been attacking the Whirl Islands.

Lugia revealed that its efforts to sustain its Pokémon Egg had intensified the Vortex Tides, prompting Sato to challenge it over the resulting deaths and destruction. Their conversation turned into a confrontation, but Greninja saved Lugia’s egg from breaking, leaving Sato hesitating over whether to return it.

• Lugia told Gardevoir that suppressing its strength to help its Pokémon Egg develop had caused the Vortex Tides to grow more frequent and powerful.
• Sato questioned Lugia’s promise to make amends, and Lugia’s pressure prompted Gardevoir, Zoroark, and Gengar to protect him.
• Greninja impulsively struck Lugia with Sucker Punch, then retreated when Sato called it back.
• Lugia began building up an Aeroblast, but stopped when its egg rolled toward a stone wall.
• Greninja caught the egg with its tongue and brought it back unharmed, but Sato hesitated before returning it to Lugia.

Sato forced Lugia to agree to protect the Whirl Islands for twenty years in exchange for returning its egg, then left Greninja with Lugia for training. After returning to the hotel, Sato defeated Bian Zhe and completed his matches in the Whirl Islands.

• Sato refused to return Lugia’s egg until Lugia agreed to protect the Whirl Islands and rescue people at sea for twenty years.
• Lugia recovered its unharmed egg and offered to train Greninja, whom Sato released to choose whether to stay.
• Gardevoir sensed no hostility from Lugia, and Greninja chose to train with it while Sato left the cave.
• Sato returned to the hotel, met Tajiri Ii, Zhengdong, and Bian Zhe, and went with them to the battle venue.
• Sato defeated Bian Zhe’s Jynx and Mamoswine with Houndoom, then beat Walrein with Cacturne.

After returning to Mt. Silver, Sato faced Edward in the Elite Four Ranking Match and revealed how much Houndoom had grown. Houndoom disrupted Kangaskhan’s counterattack with Confide, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Sato returned to Mt. Silver after visiting the League-controlled Wetland Nature Preserve, Abyss Sinkhole, and Explosion Canyon.
• Dragon Tamer Yang and Kikuraku gave up their chances to face Sato in the preliminary round, while Jidu and Sasaki Ippei fought a close battle.
• Sato faced Edward, whose Kangaskhan was chosen to counter Sato’s Dark- and Ghost-type Pokemon.
• Houndoom’s Blast Burn unexpectedly exploded against Kangaskhan’s Drain Punch, and its Dark Pulse struck Kangaskhan from behind for additional damage.
• Kangaskhan used Foresight to predict Houndoom’s movement and charged with Dizzy Punch, but Houndoom used Confide to disrupt its concentration.

Sato’s Houndoom and Edward’s Kangaskhan fought through a smoke-filled barrage of explosions, ending with both Pokémon unable to battle and Kangaskhan losing. Edward then sent out Heracross against Sato’s Ariados, leaving the next matchup underway.

• Kangaskhan broke free of Houndoom’s Inferno chains and struck it with Reversal despite being burned by Overheat.
• Sato secretly directed Houndoom to make its Overheat explode, and the trainers continued ordering attacks through the thick smoke.
• The referee ruled Kangaskhan unable to battle, and both trainers recalled their severely injured Pokémon.
• Edward identified the Earth Rock Heart as the source of Houndoom’s explosive attacks, then sent out Heracross as his second Pokémon.
• Sato sent out Ariados, and Edward privately worried that Heracross’s Fighting attacks might not affect the Poison-and-Bug-type Pokémon.

Ariados overwhelmed Edward’s Heracross with poison, Psychic, and Sticky Web, but Heracross endured three Venoshocks with Bide and landed a powerful counterattack before collapsing. Ariados won the match, leaving Edward to send out his last Pokémon and hope for another chance.

• Ariados outmatched Heracross in their contest of strength, then poisoned it with Toxic.
• Ariados restrained Heracross with Psychic and Sticky Web, and Edward ordered it to use Bide against repeated Venoshocks.
• Heracross endured three Venoshocks and unleashed Bide, heavily damaging Ariados before collapsing from its injuries and poison.
• The referee declared Ariados the winner, and Edward prepared to send out his final Pokémon.

Sato’s Ariados fell to Edward’s Kecleon after the Pokémon vanished and attacked from underground, but Houndoom exploited the webs Ariados had left behind to poison and paralyze Kecleon. Houndoom’s Overheat struck Kecleon, leaving the battle’s outcome unresolved as the Gym Leader’s supporters remained confident he would win.

• Itsuki used Confusion on White, then released him as Tsubaki, Lixiang, and the others laughed.
• Edward sent out Kecleon, which vanished and attacked Ariados from underground, knocking it out with Sucker Punch.
• Sato sent out Houndoom, but Kecleon’s invisible Aqua Tails repeatedly struck it and forced it into a corner.
• Kecleon’s Aqua Tail stopped when poison from Ariados’s Poison Web took effect, and Sato ordered Houndoom to use Overheat.
• Kecleon tried to turn invisible and dodge, but an electric current paralyzed it, allowing Houndoom’s Overheat to hit it directly.

Sato learned that Xinyuan Hai, the son of Branch President Beiyuan Xin, had concealed his strength during the preliminary round. Xinyuan Hai defeated Kurachi in the final match and qualified for the Elite Four Ranking Match finals at the last moment.

• Mark told Sato that he had nearly reached the top Elite Four Reserve ranking but lost after using his ability too late to overcome the gap.
• Mark warned Sato that Xinyuan Hai was a powerful opponent with three Elite Four-level pseudo-legendary Pokémon, and explained how officials had hidden his strength during the preliminary round.
• Sato learned that Ryoko had sent Mark to warn him about Xinyuan Hai, who had forfeited against Sato during the preliminary round.
• Over the next seven days, Sato's opponents forfeited or surrendered quickly while Xinyuan Hai won two matches without drawing much attention.
• In the final preliminary match, Xinyuan Hai's Tyranitar defeated Kurachi, moving Xinyuan Hai into twelfth place and qualifying him for the finals.

After three days of rest and preparation, Sato and the other fifteen finalists gathered for the Elite Four Ranking Match finals, where the new group-based doubles format was announced. As the top-ranked contestant, Sato was given the first choice of which current Elite Four to join, and he focused on one of them.

• The preliminary rankings confirmed Sato in first place with thirty-nine wins, followed by Shu Du and Edward, while Kurachi and Xinyuan Hai also qualified for the finals.
• The organizers announced a three-day break before the finals, and George arranged the Pokémon's care while Sato reviewed each partner's abilities and battle tactics.
• President Damalanchi and Branch President Beiyuan Xin each delivered lengthy speeches at the opening ceremony before the referee announced the rules.
• The referee revealed that the sixteen contestants would form four groups, compete in 4V4 consecutive Double Battles, and send each group's top two contestants to the top eight.
• The referee called on Sato to choose his group first, and Sato studied Ryu, Gouming, Sen, and Lance before fixing his gaze on one of them.