Chapter Summaries

Akesato and Satoru Gojo assembled students and Kyoto staff at HLA to film a music video, confusing and embarrassing the women who had come along. After Utahime Iori and Gakuganji Yoshinobu read Akesato’s song, they took the lead in an energetic performance that turned the store into a music-video set.

• Akesato and Satoru Gojo gathered Yuta Okkotsu, Toge Inumaki, and several Kyoto women at HLA to prepare for a music video.
• Maki, Mai, and Momo Nishimiya watched the men’s awkward dance rehearsal and considered leaving, while Kasumi Miwa happily photographed Satoru Gojo.
• Utahime Iori arrived and confronted Satoru Gojo, who had summoned her and Gakuganji Yoshinobu to sing and accompany the music video.
• Akesato gave Utahime Iori and Gakuganji Yoshinobu the song and composition titled “Lost in Paradise.”
• Utahime Iori and Gakuganji Yoshinobu quickly learned the song and performed it as the others danced through HLA.

After filming the music video, Akesato revealed Swablu, the new Pokémon he had obtained through Utahime Iori’s singing. The discovery suggested that collecting Pokémon memes required a strong stimulus, and Akesato gained a Flying type to fill a major gap in his team.

• Mai Zenin’s filming crew praised Maki Zenin’s appearance and asked the girls to consider joining an agency, while Kasumi Miwa and Momo Nishimiya wondered whether it could bring money or a chance to meet Sebastian.
• After the music video wrapped, Satoru Gojo found a blue bird in the equipment pile, and the group gathered around to admire it.
• Akesato explained that the bird was Swablu and that he had obtained her after Utahime Iori sang, with the egg hatching during the filming.
• Akesato connected Swablu’s arrival and Rika Orimoto’s manifestation to his theory that Pokémon memes needed subjective stimulation before they could be collected.
• Akesato celebrated that Swablu’s evolution into Altaria could eventually let her carry him in flight and provide him with a soft place to sleep.

Akesato settled Swablu and Gardevoir for the night, then spoke with Darkrai about Kyoto’s Cursed Spirits and the risks surrounding the public appearance of Pokémon. As Darkrai warned him of an approaching presence, Ultimate Mechamaru arrived to meet Akesato.

• Akesato tucked Swablu and Gardevoir into bed before Darkrai joined him on the rooftop and reported on Kyoto’s Cursed Spirits.
• Akesato discussed including Osaka in a future trip to help Swablu gain Levels, and Darkrai agreed to protect them.
• Akesato worried that Gakuganji Yoshinobu and the higher-ups might react to Pokémon being revealed publicly, but hesitated to have Darkrai investigate in unfamiliar Kyoto.
• Darkrai warned Akesato that someone was approaching, and Akesato recognized the arriving figure as Ultimate Mechamaru.
• Ultimate Mechamaru told Akesato he had come because Akesato had requested a meeting through Mai, and revealed that he monitored Pokémon’s movements.

Akesato approached Mechamaru with an offer to help his body in exchange for mech-building assistance, but Mechamaru rejected him and left. Akesato decided to proceed cautiously, mindful that Mechamaru might already be working with Kenjaku and Mahito.

• Akesato recognized Mechamaru's technological capabilities as a serious threat and thanked him for approaching alone.
• Akesato offered Mechamaru equipment-making work and help with his body, but Mechamaru doubted he could be healed and refused to share a way to contact him.
• Mechamaru said he had no friends, then flew away from the rooftop, leaving Akesato to consider his emotional isolation.
• Akesato reflected on Mechamaru's feelings for Kasumi Miwa and the possibility that he was spying for Kenjaku and Mahito.
• Akesato chose to stay cautious and turned his attention to what he needed to do about Kamo Noriki.

Tokyo and Kyoto drew their lineups for the Individual Match, and Akesato secured the first position for Tokyo. He entered the arena and challenged Kyoto School to face him all at once.

• Gakuganji explained the Individual Match rules, and Maki noted that the format favored powerful fighters like Akesato and Yuta Okkotsu.
• Gakuganji offered to welcome Akesato to Kyoto, but Akesato declined and said he intended to stay in Tokyo.
• Kamo Noriki urged Kyoto School to focus on representing themselves well despite their slim chances of winning.
• Kinji Fukamachi drew fifth, Yuta Okkotsu drew sixth, and Akesato drew first for Tokyo School.
• After his companions encouraged him to take the opportunity, Akesato entered the arena and called on all of Kyoto School to fight him together.

Akesato challenged Kyoto School to face him together, then defeated the third-year student he had beaten the day before with Darkrai’s speed and ambush attacks. He left Kyoto School stunned and called for the next opponent.

• Kyoto School students questioned Akesato’s strength, and Kamo Noriki warned him not to provoke them or break the rules.
• Akesato taunted Kyoto School and invited its students to attack him together, prompting the third-year student he had defeated yesterday to enter the arena.
• Akesato lounged with his head in Gardevoir’s lap as his opponent prepared to unleash his Cursed Technique.
• Darkrai dodged the opponent’s attack, blocked his cursed tool, and struck him with Quick Attack and Feint Attack.
• Darkrai clamped its claws around the opponent’s throat, leaving Kyoto School silent as Akesato called for the next challenger.

Akesato and Darkrai faced Momo Nishimiya in the exchange event, where Darkrai revealed he could fly and defeated her in an aerial battle. Momo surrendered safely after Akesato intervened, and Akesato called for the next contestant.

• Darkrai retreated into the shadows after Akesato defeated the first Kyoto School contestant, who bowed and left the arena.
• Momo Nishimiya flew into the arena on her broom and attacked Akesato and Gardevoir with Sickle Weasel.
• Darkrai used Ominous Wind to cancel Momo's attack, boost his speed, and pursue her through the air.
• Momo used aerial maneuvers to evade Darkrai, but Darkrai sealed her Summoning Manipulation Technique with Binding Spell, sending her falling from her broom.
• Akesato sent Swablu to catch Momo, and Momo surrendered after Swablu pecked her; Akesato then called for the next contestant.

Akesato sent Darkrai to fight Aoi Todo, whose experience and skill overwhelmed Darkrai despite his strength. Akesato then brought out Playful Panda, and the chapter ended with the tiny Pokémon repeatedly charging at Aoi Todo as he dodged.

• Aoi Todo challenged Akesato and charged Darkrai after acknowledging him as a formidable opponent.
• Darkrai's Quick Attack and feints barely harmed Aoi Todo, who countered with heavy punches.
• Darkrai used Hypnosis, but Aoi Todo resisted the sleep by slapping himself and then outmaneuvered Darkrai with refined grappling techniques.
• Darkrai recognized he could not overcome Aoi Todo and looked to Akesato, who approved and summoned Playful Panda.
• Playful Panda struck the ground with a powerful Body Press, then repeatedly charged Aoi Todo while he dodged.

Aoi Todo was overwhelmed by Playful Panda and Darkrai until his Cursed Technique turned their attacks against each other. After Playful Panda accidentally hurt Darkrai, it accepted the power of darkness and evolved into Dominant Panda, ready to face Aoi Todo.

• Playful Panda called Darkrai into the fight, and the two Pokémon knocked Aoi Todo down and attacked him together.
• Aoi Todo clapped his hands and used his Cursed Technique to switch places with Playful Panda and Darkrai, causing Darkrai to take a barrage of punches.
• Playful Panda roared in anger and guilt after hurting Darkrai, and Darkrai's primordial darkness flowed through their connection.
• Playful Panda accepted the power it had previously rejected and evolved into Dominant Panda.
• Dominant Panda fixed its gaze on Aoi Todo and prepared to adapt to its new form and continue the fight.

Aoi Todo used his Cursed Technique, Injustice Game, to outmaneuver Akesato’s Pokémon and launch a surprise attack. Gardevoir revealed that she could use the same technique, leaving Todo wounded and declaring them siblings born of different fathers and mothers.

• Aoi Todo revealed that clapping let him swap positions with others using Injustice Game, confusing Darkrai and Dominant Panda.
• Akesato ordered Darkrai and Playful Panda to use area attacks that could limit Todo’s swaps.
• Todo used the Pokémon as a distraction and switched places with Gardevoir to attack Akesato.
• Gardevoir stopped Todo’s punch with an invisible force, then swapped places with Dominant Panda, which struck Todo.
• Akesato revealed that Gardevoir could also use Injustice Game, and Todo called them siblings born of different fathers and mothers.

Akesato’s Pokémon defeated Aoi Todo, who accepted the loss but became convinced Gardevoir was his little sister and entrusted her to Akesato. With Todo removed from the training grounds, Akesato turned to face Kamo Noriki.

• Aoi Todo imagined Gardevoir as his little sister and challenged her to surpass him, startling her with his sudden affection.
• Gardevoir, Dominant Panda, and Darkrai worked together to restrain Todo and launch him into the sky.
• Satoru Gojo used Blue to bring Todo back safely and confirmed that he had lost to Akesato’s team.
• Todo praised Gardevoir as his little sister and asked Akesato to make her happy before Darkrai dragged him away.
• Akesato looked toward Kamo Noriki and called for the next match.

Kamo Noriki used Blood Manipulation and concealed blood packs to trap Akesato’s Pokémon and reach him with a powerful strike. Akesato blocked the attack with one hand, leaving their brothers’ match unresolved.

• Kamo Noriki entered the battlefield and refused Akesato’s offer to surrender or call for backup.
• Kamo Noriki fired arrows at Akesato, but Darkrai shattered them and Gardevoir stopped his arrow storm with Psychic.
• Akesato sent Dominant Panda and Darkrai to attack Kamo Noriki, who used hidden blood packs to bind them and rush toward Akesato.
• Kamo Noriki overwhelmed Gardevoir’s defense with blood-stained debris and struck at Akesato with his inherited pushing technique.
• Akesato blocked Kamo Noriki’s strongest strike with one hand and said, “Boxer briefs, boxer briefs.”

Akesato defeated Kamo Noriki in close combat and exposed how thoroughly he had prepared to counter Blood Manipulation. Kamo renewed his attacks after Akesato provoked him, but his final Crimson Binding and Blood Bullet failed, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Akesato stopped Kamo Noriki with a Chuunibyou Correction Palm and mocked him while Kamo's fighting spirit faltered.
• Akesato challenged Kamo to fight without Pokémon and taunted him about the Kamo family's leadership, prompting Kamo to attack again.
• Akesato countered Kamo's blows, then explained that judgment mattered more than a Cursed Technique for a Family Head and warned him about leading the family against Satoru Gojo.
• Kamo discovered that Akesato's transparent coating and coagulant prevented him from controlling blood on Akesato's body.
• Kamo used Crimson Binding and fired a Blood Bullet, but Akesato blasted through the blood net and dodged the projectile.

Akesato taught Kamo Noriki to think beyond conventional Blood Manipulation, demonstrating how the technique could be adapted for new uses and criticizing Noriki’s limited approach. Noriki accepted the advice, but Akesato concluded that Noriki would remain constrained until he broke free of his conservative thinking.

• Akesato demonstrated a water-based imitation of Supernova, and Todo, Panda, and Maki recognized how Blood Manipulation could turn it into a powerful splash attack.
• Akesato explained that Blood Manipulation’s versatility made it demanding to master, and contrasted its balanced strengths with the specialized advantages of Limitless and the Ten Shadows Technique.
• Akesato criticized Kamo Noriki for relying on blood packs, stimulants, and direct attacks instead of exploring the technique’s broader possibilities.
• Akesato proposed hiding blood inside bullets so Noriki could control their path or make them explode, and argued that modern firearms could outperform bows and arrows.
• Kamo Noriki admitted that Akesato’s advice made sense and thanked him, but Akesato privately told him that conservative ideology was shackling his thinking and limiting his technique.

Akesato challenged Kamo Noriki to question the traditions and expectations that had shaped him, warning that blindly catering to others could leave him powerless to fulfill his own goal of restoring his birth mother's place in the family. After their match, Kamo Noriki heard Akesato speaking with his mother and recognized the voice from his memories, finally calling her “Mom.”

• Akesato argued that Kamo Noriki's age-old habits and obedience to the Kamo family kept him from seeking new ways to use Blood Manipulation.
• Kamo Noriki realized that his traditional clothes and inherited fighting methods reflected expectations he had absorbed since becoming the heir at eight.
• Kamo Noriki reaffirmed that he wanted to become Family Head so he could bring his birth mother back, while Akesato warned that blind compromise could undermine that goal.
• Akesato called his mother after the match and said he had taken down four opponents, leaving the rest to Maki and the others.
• Kamo Noriki recognized his mother's voice and cried out “Mom,” a name he had not used since he was eight.

Kamo Noriki realized that Akesato was his younger brother, Kamo Noritsuna, and that their mother had been Akemi. After Akesato forfeited his next match, Noriki withdrew too, apologized to Utahime Iori, and left with a changed view of obedience and compromise.

• Kamo Noriki recognized Akesato as his younger brother, Kamo Noritsuna, and connected him to their mother, Akemi.
• Akesato forfeited his next match and asked Panda and Maki to take over.
• Panda entered the training ground, but Kamo Noriki declined to fight and returned to the stands.
• Utahime Iori recorded Kamo Noriki's forfeit, and Noriki apologized for having been too full of himself.
• Kamo Noriki refused to reveal Akesato's secret to Gakuganji Yoshinobu and reflected that obedience and compromise could be means rather than ends.

After Tokyo School’s decisive victory at the goodwill event, Akesato stayed behind in Kyoto to gauge the Kamo family’s response and investigate a newly acquired template. He sent Gardevoir back to protect Akemi while his friends returned to Tokyo, then faced teasing about his relationship with Mai.

• Tokyo School won the event 2-0, with Panda and Maki finishing the remaining matches after Akesato had defeated four Kyoto contestants.
• After the schools exchanged formalities, Akesato told his companions to return to Tokyo while he stayed in Kyoto for two more days.
• Akesato explained to Satoru Gojo and Panda that staying behind would help him assess the Kamo family’s plans and respond if they made a move.
• Akesato sent Gardevoir back with Maki to protect Akemi and watch for anyone approaching her with hidden motives.
• Akesato reassured Maki that he had concealed trump cards, including a Trainer-exclusive template he had acquired before Swablu.
• Maki warned Akesato not to pursue her sister, prompting Panda and Satoru Gojo to tease him as he protested.

Akesato sent Mai Zenin to invite Kamo Noriki to meet, stirring Noriki’s regrets about his mother and his hesitation to act. Mai delivered the message and noticed how much Noriki resembled Akesato, leaving him speechless.

• After the Tokyo delegation left, Akesato messaged Kamo Noriki through Mai Zenin and asked to meet him in person.
• Kamo Noriki regretted not reaching out to his mother and worried that he lacked Akesato’s freedom and strength.
• Mai visited Noriki at his dormitory and told him Akesato wanted to meet.
• Noriki asked how Mai knew Akesato, then questioned why Akesato had stayed in Kyoto to meet him alone.
• Mai said Noriki and Akesato seemed alike, leaving Noriki unable to respond.

Mai convinced Kamo Noriki to keep Akesato’s secret meeting private, then helped him follow Akesato’s plan to slip away from campus. That night, Kamo Noriki and Akesato finally met.

• Mai challenged Kamo Noriki to answer Akesato’s message and promised to bind herself with a Kikaku not to reveal their meeting.
• Kamo Noriki confirmed that he and Akesato were close brothers and recalled how independent Akesato had been since childhood.
• Mai relayed Akesato’s advice about preparing more firearms, and she and Kamo Noriki discussed the possibility of using guns to deliver a Black Flash.
• Akesato sent a plan for Mai and Kamo Noriki to request leave to select firearms, then sneak away to meet him nearby.
• Mai and Kamo Noriki carried out Akesato’s plan, and the half-brothers finally met after nightfall.

Akesato met Kamo Noriki in Kyoto and discovered Mai Zenin had followed them to keep watch. He then gave Noriki a video call with his mother, Akemi, leaving Noriki overwhelmed as he saw her face.

• Akesato met Kamo Noriki in a Kyoto backstreet, still dressed as a wandering swordsman after sightseeing.
• Mai Zenin emerged from the shadows, admitted she had followed them out of curiosity, and offered to keep watch while they handled their business.
• Akesato teased Mai and promised to send her what he had prepared, leaving her flustered as she hurried off to keep watch.
• Akesato teased Kamo Noriki about his mature appearance, then tossed him a phone with a video call to Akemi already open.
• Kamo Noriki saw Akemi appear on-screen and called her "Mom."