Chapter Summaries

N challenged Jing He with a Sunny Day team but lost 6–1 after Ceruledge defeated his Volcarona in a Terastallized clash and reached peak Champion level. N left the battle having earned Jing He's praise and new tactical advice.

• N sent out Talonflame, which renewed Tailwind before Jing He changed Ceruledge into Armarouge and knocked it out with Armor Cannon.
• N sent out Ninetales, which restored Sunny Day, used Imprison and Nasty Plot, then Baton Passed its boost to Volcarona.
• N and Jing He Terastallized Volcarona and Ceruledge into Fire types, and the two Pokémon battled with powerful Fire-type attacks.
• Ceruledge used Clear Smog and Switcheroo to reach Volcarona, then cleaved through its Fire Blast; both Pokémon fell, but Ceruledge reached peak Champion level.
• N forfeited with the score at 6–1, and Jing He praised him before suggesting additional tactics for his team.

Jing He welcomed Reshiram and Zekrom with a punishingly spicy meal, while the Masters Tournament’s exchange battles brought Pryce a victory over Drake and exposed Spinel’s suspicious methods. After Spinel used an unknown enhancement on his Pokémon and revealed a Paradox Pokémon, the tournament organizers secretly decided to monitor him and arrest him when he lost.

• Jing He served Reshiram and Zekrom a spicy Groudon Special that boosted their power, then accidentally gave Volkner an even hotter serving without the ingredients meant to mellow it.
• Drake challenged Pryce over an old rivalry, and the two battled with Mega Evolution and an Ice-type Z-Move as Pryce defended his position.
• Koga challenged Spinel, who was posing as Gibeon, and Jing He and Sakaki noticed that Spinel’s Pokémon fought unnaturally and seemed enhanced by Rakua Element.
• Spinel brought out the previously unknown Paradox Pokémon Iron Treads and Terastallized it into a Steel type, putting Koga at a severe disadvantage.
• The Pokémon League’s organizers inspected Spinel’s team but could not detect the enhancement, so they secretly ordered him watched and planned to arrest him when he lost.

After Volkner joined the Master Ball Class, the Masters Tournament draw paired Jing He against Spinel in the first match. Koga brought Jing He information about Spinel’s preparations, and Jing He resolved to defeat him on the battlefield.

• Volkner defeated Kibana and secured a place in the Master Ball Class, while Steven Stone and Brandon also advanced.
• The Masters Tournament draw paired Jing He with Gibeon, whose contestant was Spinel, for the first match of the first day.
• Koga visited Jing He and showed him documents and a map detailing Excellence Company’s support and Spinel’s prepared Pokémon.
• Jing He rejected Koga’s suggestion to attack Spinel’s associates and vowed to beat Spinel in the tournament.
• Koga proposed a marriage alliance involving his younger sister, and Jing He refused, saying he only liked Cynthia.
• After Koga left, Jing He decided to prepare for battle and try to end the match quickly.

Jing He faced Spinel in the first battle of the Masters Tournament and abandoned his usual patient style to overwhelm Spinel’s Pokémon. The chapter ended with Tyranitar unleashing Precipice Blades against Annihilape’s powered-up Rage Fist, leaving the arena shattered and Spinel stunned.

• Spinel resented Jing He’s grand introduction and prepared to face him, while spectators noticed Jing He’s unusually cold, angry demeanor.
• Jing He’s Tyranitar created a Sandstorm, then moved before Beheeyem could use Trick Room and knocked it out with Crunch.
• Jing He ordered Tyranitar to use Dragon Dance while Spinel hesitated, then Spinel sent out Annihilape with a maximum-power Rage Fist stored up through accumulated rage.
• Spinel’s Annihilape launched its 350-power Rage Fist, but Jing He ordered Tyranitar to use Precipice Blades.
• Tyranitar’s Precipice Blades erupted beneath Annihilape and blasted it into the air, devastating the arena as Spinel stared in shock.

Jing He dominated Spinel’s Masters Tournament battle, knocking out four Pokémon in quick succession as Spinel struggled to respond. Spinel then sent out Entei, setting up the next clash.

• Tyranitar used Precipice Blades to knock out Annihilape and shatter Beheeyem’s Trick Room.
• Spinel sent out Iron Treads, but Tyranitar feigned exhaustion, struck with Earthquake, and finished it with Stomping Tantrum.
• After the battle moved to a forest field, Spinel sent out Flutter Mane and activated Sunny Day, but Tinkaton knocked it out with Fake Out and Gigaton Hammer.
• Spinel recalled Flutter Mane and, refusing to accept such a humiliating defeat, sent out Entei.

Jing He defeated Spinel’s rampaging Sky-rending Flame to advance to the Masters Tournament Top Eight, then arrested Spinel and used a staged confession to sow suspicion among the Explorers. He arranged for Spinel and his subordinates to be released so their internal conflict could reveal more about the organization, and turned his attention to the next tournament battle.

• Spinel sent out Sky-rending Flame, a powerful Paradox Pokémon that had been badly affected by the Rakua Element and could no longer be controlled.
• Sky-rending Flame battered Tinkaton with Raging Fury, but Tinkaton stopped its charge with Gigaton Hammer and knocked it unconscious with Play Rough.
• Spinel forfeited, and Jing He advanced to the Top Eight after winning the match 6–0.
• That night, Jing He, Koga, and Pokémon League and International Police officers arrested Spinel outside a warehouse as Excellence Company trucks left the area.
• In the vehicle, Jing He pretended that Spinel was revealing details about the Explorers and the Rakua Element, causing Spinel’s subordinates to suspect him.
• Jing He ordered Spinel’s subordinates released and Spinel held for forty-eight hours before being sent to Paldea, hoping suspicion would trigger conflict within the Explorers.

Jing He watched the Masters Tournament as the remaining battles decided the Eight Masters. Leon defeated Volkner in the final match, and the tournament moved on to the battles for a place in the Top Four.

• Wataru defeated Lorelei 6:4 after using Terastallized Dragonite against Lorelei’s Gigantamax Lapras, becoming the second contestant to advance.
• Cynthia defeated Diantha 6:2 and advanced into the Eight Masters.
• Steven Stone defeated Pryce 6:5 with Shiny Metagross and advanced.
• Kikuko defeated Brandon, while Sakaki defeated Mustard and Geeta narrowly defeated Alder, securing their places among the Eight Masters.
• Leon defeated Volkner 6:4 after Volkner’s Infernape defeated three of Leon’s Pokémon, completing the Eight Masters lineup.

After the Masters Eight groups and matchups were announced, Jing He discussed Paldea with Sakaki and reconsidered how he would face Cynthia. While preparing his team’s battle gimmicks, he discovered that Dragonite might be able to Mega Evolve.

• Professor Oak and Kikuko oversaw the draw, placing Jing He, Geeta, Cynthia, and Steven Stone in Group A, and Wataru, Leon, Sakaki, and Kikuko in Group B.
• Jing He told Sakaki that Excellence Company might create an opening for Team Rocket in Paldea, though the region’s situation was complicated.
• Sakaki advised Jing He to consider whether Cynthia would want him to fight at full strength, helping Jing He resolve his doubts about their possible matchup.
• Gengar brought the matchups: Jing He faced Geeta, Cynthia faced Steven Stone, Sakaki faced Kikuko, and Wataru faced Leon.
• Jing He reviewed Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, Gigantamax, and Terastallization, then noticed Dragonite gesturing toward his Key Stone.
• Jing He infused the Key Stone with Aura, sensed a connection with Dragonite, and asked whether Dragonite could really Mega Evolve.

Jing He went to Hoenn to ask Rayquaza whether Dragonite could Mega Evolve, and Rayquaza confirmed it while giving Dragonite a Grass Green Orb fragment. Jing He sensed a Mega Evolution response as Dragonite took flight, then returned to Wyndon as Wataru and Leon began their Masters Eight battle.

• Jing He told Cynthia he suspected Dragonite could Mega Evolve and planned to verify it with Rayquaza in Hoenn.
• Jing He and Dragonite met Rayquaza at Sky Pillar, where Rayquaza confirmed Dragonite could Mega Evolve and gave Jing He a Grass Green Orb fragment and a meteorite carrying Cosmic Energy.
• Dragonite swallowed the Grass Green Orb fragment, and Jing He used his Key Stone to sense a response before Dragonite took flight.
• Jing He returned to Wyndon and watched Wataru and Leon begin their Masters Eight match.
• Wataru used Gyarados to create rain and pressure Leon's Charizard, but Leon sent out Seismitoad and Wataru answered with Kingdra.

Wataru defeated Leon in a fierce final-Pokémon clash to advance to the Masters Tournament Top Four. The next day, Jing He faced Geeta, whose opening Glimmora was met by Indeedee, and Jing He’s first Expanding Force struck with overwhelming power.

• Wataru and Leon fought to a 5:5 score before their Gigantamax Pokémon clashed, and Dragonite’s rain-boosted Max Lightning defeated Charizard.
• Leon and Wataru shook hands after the battle, and Leon told Wataru to leave Teacher Jing He to him.
• Jing He prepared to face Geeta, dismissed the Rocket trio’s barely readable note, and entered Wyndon Arena as spectators discussed their chances.
• Geeta thanked Jing He for his past help to the Paldea League, and both Trainers sent out Glimmora and Indeedee.
• Geeta ordered Glimmora to set Stealth Rock, but Indeedee spread Psychic Terrain and unleashed Expanding Force, crushing Glimmora into the ground.

Jing He’s Indeedee and Tinkaton disrupted Geeta’s Spikes strategy while battling her Glimmora and Dragapult. Geeta brought out Cryogonal to force another switch, but Urshifu immediately stopped its Roar by grabbing it by the throat.

• Indeedee unleashed repeated Expanding Forces against Geeta’s Glimmora, forcing Geeta to recall it after it laid Toxic Spikes and failed to set a second layer.
• Geeta sent out Dragapult, which used Dragon Dance and Dragon Cheer, but Indeedee copied its boosts with Psych Up and used Baton Pass to switch out before Dragon Tail could force her away.
• Jing He sent in Tinkaton, which used its hammer to clear hazards, then struck Dragapult from above with Play Rough and drove it into the ground.
• Geeta had Dragapult use U-Turn to bring in Cryogonal, which used Roar to force Tinkaton out and bring in Urshifu amid the hazards.
• Cryogonal tried to use Roar again, but Urshifu rushed forward with Sucker Punch and Night Slash and seized Cryogonal by the throat.

Jing He’s Urshifu and Dragonite dismantled much of Geeta’s hazard-based strategy, defeating Cryogonal and Chesnaught. Geeta sent Dragapult back into battle, and Dragonite met its Dragon Darts with Dragon Claw as the battle continued.

• Geeta ordered Cryogonal to use Rapid Spin, but Urshifu overpowered it, hurled it into the air, and defeated it with a powerful Aura-infused punch.
• Geeta sent out Chesnaught, whose Leech Seed prompted Jing He to switch Urshifu for Dragonite, which avoided the Toxic Spikes by taking to the air.
• Chesnaught used Roar, but Dragonite countered with Dragon Cheer before striking with Air Cutter and Hurricane; Chesnaught fell after using Pain Split to drain Dragonite’s stamina.
• Geeta recalled her hazard strategy and sent Dragapult back into battle, while Jing He let Dragonite stay in to face it.
• Dragapult fired Dragon Darts, and Dragonite knocked the two Dreepy aside with Dragon Claw before Jing He ordered Dragon Rush against Dragapult’s Dragon Pulse.

Jing He’s Dragonite defeated Geeta’s Dragapult, but Geeta sent out a powered-up Bisharp and used Flying-type Terastallization to counter its Fighting moves. Jing He then revealed Dragonite’s Mega Evolution, leaving both Champions and the crowd stunned as Mega Dragonite prepared to unleash Thunder.

• Dragonite revealed Dragapult by covering it with snow during Blizzard, then defeated it in a Dragon Rush clash, putting Jing He ahead 3–0.
• Geeta sent out Bisharp, whose General Ability boosted its strength, and used Flying-type Terastallization to resist Dragonite’s Aura Sphere.
• Bisharp split the Aura Sphere with its blade, then wounded Dragonite with Kowtow Cleave and a spinning blade attack.
• Dragonite’s fury rose as Bisharp attacked, and Jing He activated Mega Evolution.
• Mega Dragonite emerged with enormous white wings and a glowing crystal orb on its tail, astonishing Geeta, Wataru, Leon, and the audience.
• Jing He ordered Mega Dragonite to use Thunder.

Jing He defeated Geeta 6:1 after Mega Dragonite overcame Bisharp, revealing that Dragonite could Mega Evolve through a connection to Rayquaza. The news spread widely, and as the Masters Tournament continued, Jing He headed to watch Cynthia face Steven Stone while keeping his prediction diplomatic.

• Jing He and Mega Dragonite defeated Geeta's Bisharp, and Jing's remaining Pokémon went on to secure a 6:1 victory over Geeta.
• After the match, Jing He restrained an excited Wataru, who wanted to know whether Dragonite could Mega Evolve; Jing He explained that Rayquaza's power had been involved.
• Wataru resolved to keep working toward Mega Evolution with his own Dragonite, while news of Dragonite's Mega Evolution spread across the internet.
• The Masters Tournament moved on to Cynthia's match against Steven Stone, and Jing He told reporters that the winner would win.

Cynthia defeated Steven Stone in a closely matched Masters Tournament battle, with Garchomp outlasting Shiny Mega Metagross after reverting from Mega Evolution. Sakaki then beat Kikuko, completing the semifinal lineup of Wataru, Sakaki, Jing He, and Cynthia.

• Steven Stone and Cynthia declared that they wanted to advance and battle Jing He before beginning their match.
• Cynthia and Steven Stone traded Pokémon and knockouts as hazards, Tailwind, and Trick Room shaped the battle.
• Cynthia’s Garchomp broke through Trick Room to defeat Cradily, then faced Steven Stone’s Shiny Metagross in their Mega Evolutions.
• Garchomp reverted from Mega Evolution and outlasted Shiny Mega Metagross, giving Cynthia the victory and a semifinal place.
• Cynthia told Steven Stone that she would send him Jing He’s location so he could challenge him later.
• Sakaki defeated Kikuko in the final quarterfinal, setting the final four as Wataru, Sakaki, Jing He, and Cynthia.

After the Masters Tournament semifinals were set, Jing He and Cynthia prepared to battle, with both insisting on giving the other their full strength. The match began at Wyndon Arena with Cynthia sending out Milotic and Jing He sending out Urshifu, whom he called Bear Coaching.

• After Kikuko's battle with Sakaki, the semifinals were set as Jing He versus Cynthia and Wataru versus Sakaki.
• Jing He visited Cynthia, where he joked about using Mewtwo before promising to battle her with everything he had.
• Red and Green arrived with Professor Oak to watch the semifinal, while the audience gathered at Wyndon Arena.
• Jing He rallied his Pokémon to stop holding back, and he and Cynthia agreed that the loser would give the winner leg massages for a month.
• Cynthia sent out Milotic as Jing He sent out Urshifu, whom he called Bear Coaching, and the referee began the battle.

Jing He and Cynthia battled with everything they had, and Jing He’s Urshifu and Ice Ninetales defeated Milotic and Spiritomb. Cynthia sent out Lucario to face Ice Ninetales, whose strength had been sharply reduced by Spiritomb’s Memento.

• Cynthia’s Milotic used its Flame Orb to activate Marvel Scale, but Urshifu broke through its hot-water defenses and knocked it out with a combination of Rapid Strike and Single Strike techniques.
• Cynthia sent out Spiritomb, and Jing He recalled Urshifu and chose Alolan Ninetales to counter it.
• Ice Ninetales blocked Spiritomb’s Confuse Ray, avoided Night Shade, and defeated it with a Fairy Plate-boosted Moonblast.
• Cynthia sent out Lucario, and Jing He realized Spiritomb had used Memento to greatly lower Ice Ninetales’ Attack and Special Attack before fainting.
• Cynthia ordered Lucario to use Extreme Speed and Meteor Mash against Ice Ninetales.

Jing He and Cynthia’s battle continued as Lucario and Ceruledge knocked each other out, leaving Cynthia behind in Pokémon count. After the break, Togekiss and Dragonite took the field and eased the tense mood by happily playing together.

• Jing He switched Ice Ninetales for Ceruledge, and Lucario used its Aura to suppress Ceruledge’s senses while striking it with Bone Club and Earthquake.
• Ceruledge and Lucario traded attacks, with Ceruledge transforming into Armarouge to fire Flamethrower and Aura Sphere before switching back to fight at close range.
• Jing He ordered Ceruledge to use Armor Cannon while Cynthia’s Lucario used Earthquake, and the resulting blast knocked both Pokémon out.
• Cynthia entered the intermission with three Pokémon remaining, while Jing He had five; Jing He wondered whether she had saved Mega Evolution for Garchomp instead of Lucario.
• Jing He sent out Dragonite as Cynthia sent out Togekiss, and the two Pokémon played together in the air, softening the tension between their Trainers.

Cynthia’s Togekiss defeated Jing He’s Dragonite, but Serperior then overwhelmed Gastrodon with a powerful Leaf Storm. The battle reached its final matchup as Cynthia sent out Garchomp, which immediately targeted Jing He.

• Cynthia’s Togekiss used Tailwind and Angel Kiss to disrupt Dragonite, then won a clash of Air Cutters before Dragonite broke free with Outrage and knocked Togekiss out with Ice Punch.
• Cynthia sent out Gastrodon, and Jing He answered with Serperior, which transformed the battlefield into a forest with Grassy Terrain.
• Gastrodon raised its defenses and tried to reflect Serperior’s Leaf Storm with Mirror Coat, but Serperior unleashed enough power to knock it out.
• Cynthia sent out her final Pokémon, Garchomp, which landed on the field and pointed its claws at Jing He.

Jing He and Gengar battled Cynthia’s Mega Garchomp in the deciding match of their tournament battle. Gengar defeated Garchomp, and the referee declared Jing He the winner.

• Cynthia sent out Garchomp, and Jing He’s Gengar volunteered to battle before Jing He chose it over Ice Ninetales.
• Cynthia Mega Evolved Garchomp, which attacked with Dragon Rush and Earthquake while Gengar dodged with Phantom Force.
• Jing He Mega Evolved Gengar, whose black mist helped it evade Earthquake before it put Garchomp to sleep with Dark Void.
• Cynthia used Sleep Talk to make the sleeping Garchomp perform Swords Dance, but Gengar stole its boosts with Spectral Thief and weakened it with Icy Wind and Will-O-Wisp.
• Cynthia’s Garchomp and Jing He’s Gengar launched final attacks at the same time, and Garchomp collapsed unconscious.
• The referee declared all six of Cynthia’s Pokémon unable to battle and announced Jing He as the winner.