Chapter Summaries

Roy’s Annihilape defeated Nurse Joy’s Latias in two punches, and Roy showed Nurse Joy his strength and Pokémon training. The next morning, Roy left Olivine City for Cianwood City while Nurse Joy set off toward Hoenn.

• Nurse Joy had Latias battle Roy’s Annihilape, which knocked Latias out with two punches after using Bulk Up.
• Nurse Joy took Latias downstairs for treatment, then returned to find Roy lifting a heavily loaded barbell while Misdreavus trained Mimikyu.
• Nurse Joy saw Roy’s pink Joy family card, and Chansey later woke Roy and dragged him downstairs for breakfast.
• Roy told Nurse Joy he was heading to Cianwood City, while Nurse Joy planned to travel through Violet City and Goldenrod City before sailing to Hoenn.
• Nurse Joy left the Pokémon Center on Latias after suggesting that she and Roy battle again, and Roy flew toward Cianwood City on Dragapult.

Roy crossed the bay from Olivine City to Cianwood City with Dragapult and landed on an undeveloped tidal flat. Marshadow left to answer Ho-Oh’s call, and Roy settled in with his Pokémon on the beach.

• Roy learned that Cianwood City was on an island across the bay from Olivine City and flew there on Dragapult.
• Roy challenged a group of Trainers racing on Flying-type Pokémon, and Dragapult sped past them.
• Roy landed on an undeveloped tidal flat away from the crowded beach.
• Marshadow told Roy that Ho-Oh had called him, and Roy gave him a Spatial Bracelet filled with Pokéblocks before he left.
• Roy released his Pokémon, and Golurk contemplated the sand and sea while Ancient Gengar relaxed and Annihilape went fishing.

Roy and his Pokémon found an ancient chest full of gold and silver coins on the seabed. Mimikyu discovered a coin carrying Ghost-type energy, and Roy identified it as a Gimmighoul Coin.

• Mimikyu showed Golurk her sand sculpture, and they built sandcastles while Misdreavus made statues of Palossand and Froslass.
• Roy ate the fish Annihilape caught, then prepared metal-infused Pokéblocks for Dhelmise.
• Dhelmise sensed something underwater and used Golurk’s help to haul an old chest onto the beach.
• Roy opened the chest and found ancient gold and silver coins, which Ancient Gengar said he had never seen before.
• Mimikyu found a larger gold coin containing Ghost-type energy, and Roy’s System Scan identified it as a Gimmighoul Coin.

Roy visited Cianwood City’s Gym and surprised its leader, Chuck, by pretending to challenge the dojo. After they reunited and reminisced about training with Bruno, Chuck asked Roy what he had really come for.

• Roy and Mimikyu found 44 more Gimmighoul coins in the chest, bringing his total to 45, and he stored them separately.
• Roy reached the Cianwood Gym and arrogantly demanded that Chuck come out to face him.
• Chuck appeared with his apprentices, then recognized Roy and dismissed them so the two could talk privately.
• Roy and Chuck recalled meeting at Bruno’s dojo, where Bruno defeated Chuck and let him train in the Extreme Fighting Technique.
• Chuck remembered Roy sneaking him out for skewers, their punishment from Bruno, and Roy’s strength as a Ghost-type Trainer.
• Chuck asked Roy why he had come to visit.

Roy forced Chuck to accept a highest-difficulty Gym challenge and learned about Cianwood City's upcoming Martial Arts Tournament. The three-on-three battle began with Roy's Intermediate King-level Annihilape facing Chuck's Level 78 Conkeldurr.

• Roy showed Chuck three S-engraved Gym Badges, including Blackthorn City's Rising Badge, and proved his strength by describing Misdreavus's victory over an Intermediate King-level Haxorus.
• Roy physically escorted Chuck into the Cianwood City Gym after Chuck tried to refuse his challenge.
• Chuck explained the upcoming Martial Arts Tournament rules, and Roy said he planned to compete for the Gold Belt.
• Roy accepted the rules for Cianwood City's three-on-three highest-difficulty Gym battle and sent out Annihilape.
• Chuck sent out his Level 78 Conkeldurr, which held a Flame Orb.

Roy’s Annihilape battled Chuck’s Conkeldurr, whom Annihilape had lost to in an earlier match. Annihilape gained the upper hand with Screech and Rage Fist, but Conkeldurr’s powerful Facade forced them into a contest of strength.

• The referee started the match, and Conkeldurr activated his Flame Orb while Annihilape prepared to avenge his previous loss.
• Conkeldurr used Foresight to make Annihilape vulnerable to his attacks, while Annihilape used Bulk Up to raise his Attack and Defense.
• Conkeldurr drove Annihilape into a corner with Brutal Swing and Brick Break, but Annihilape’s Screech lowered Conkeldurr’s Defense and let Annihilape escape.
• Annihilape struck Conkeldurr with Rage Fist, but Conkeldurr recovered enough to deflect another blow and defend himself.
• Conkeldurr used his boosted Facade to shatter Annihilape’s energy barrier, and Annihilape braced against the stone pillars to stop them from coming down.

Annihilape defeated Conkeldurr in a fierce battle, overcoming confusion by trusting Roy’s instructions. Though nearly unable to continue, Annihilape stood back up with his aura surging, leaving Chuck stunned.

• Conkeldurr drew Annihilape out of the shadows and battered him with his stone pillars and Dynamic Punch, while Annihilape countered with an increasingly powerful Rage Fist.
• As Dynamic Punch confused Annihilape with illusions, Roy told him where to strike, and Annihilape trusted Roy, dodged Conkeldurr’s attack, and landed a heavy Rage Fist.
• Annihilape and Conkeldurr charged at each other, and their final clash shattered Conkeldurr’s pillar and left Conkeldurr unable to battle.
• Roy infused Ghost Power into the nearly collapsed Annihilape, who regained his strength and stood up as Chuck watched in shock.

Roy’s Annihilape and Chuck’s Heracross knocked each other out of the fight, but Heracross gained an Attack boost and began powering up. Roy Mega Evolved Chandelure, leaving Heracross dodging a relentless barrage of attacks.

• Chuck sent out his Moxie Heracross after Conkeldurr was unable to battle.
• Annihilape struck Heracross with a near-maximum-power Rage Fist, but both Pokémon became unable to battle.
• Heracross’s Moxie raised his Attack, and Chuck had him use Swords Dance.
• Roy brought out Chandelure, forcing Heracross to abandon Swords Dance and dodge Flamethrower.
• Roy Mega Evolved Chandelure, who pressured Heracross with repeated attacks until Heracross used Dig to escape underground.

Mega Chandelure defeated Heracross and began preparing to boost its power, forcing Chuck to send out Pangoro. The chapter left Roy facing Chuck’s newly revealed Pokémon in the Arena.

• Mega Chandelure drove Heracross from the ground with its attacks, while Heracross hurled rocks at it and dodged its moves.
• Chuck ordered Heracross to use Throat Chop, and Heracross struck Mega Chandelure but took heavy damage from Flamethrower.
• Heracross tried to use U-turn, but Mega Chandelure hit him with Fire Blast and knocked him out.
• Roy commanded Mega Chandelure to use Nasty Plot as Chuck recalled Heracross and sent out Pangoro.
• Roy scanned Pangoro and discovered that it had the Scrappy ability.

Roy defeated Chuck in their Gym battle, with Mega Chandelure overcoming Pangoro and earning Roy the Strike Badge. Chuck awarded Roy the badge after the referee declared him the winner.

• Chuck ordered Pangoro to strike Mega Chandelure with Bullet Punch and then slam it down with Storm Throw.
• Mega Chandelure used Protect and attacks to fend off Pangoro, while Roy had Pangoro use Double Team and Floral Healing.
• Pangoro combined Double Team with Substitute to approach Mega Chandelure, but Mega Chandelure secretly burned him with Will-O-Wisp.
• Mega Chandelure weakened Pangoro with a barrage of moves, and Pangoro collapsed just short of landing his final punch.
• The referee declared Roy the winner, and Chuck gave him the Strike Badge.

Roy stayed at Chuck's Gym until the Martial Arts Tournament and defeated Chuck in a hand-to-hand bout. Chuck then gathered the Gym's apprentices, intending to use Roy to show them that stronger fighters existed.

• Roy accepted the Strike Badge and told Chuck he had been holding back during their match the previous year.
• Roy announced he would stay at Chuck's Gym until the Martial Arts Tournament, and the two argued about their past trip together.
• Chuck challenged Roy to a hand-to-hand fight, and Roy adapted to Chuck's judo and threw him repeatedly until Chuck admitted defeat.
• Chuck decided to use Roy to teach his restless apprentices a lesson and ordered them to gather everyone from the training ground.
• Dozens of apprentices assembled below the ring as Chuck prepared to address them.

Chuck offered the Cianwood City Gym apprentices five times their usual contribution points if they could force Roy out of a small circle. Roy effortlessly defeated each challenger and left the apprentices furious and eager to try again.

• Chuck drew a small circle around Roy and promised five times the monthly contribution points to anyone who made Roy step outside it.
• Roy kicked out a Taekwondo apprentice, resisted a Judo apprentice's throws, and flung another apprentice away without moving from the circle.
• A massive Sumo apprentice charged Roy, but Roy stopped him, lifted him overhead, spun him around, and tossed him out of the ring.
• Roy taunted the silent apprentices, and the remaining Fighting-type apprentices charged into the ring.

Roy defeated Chuck’s Gym apprentices and then joined Chuck, Rena, and Machamp for a hearty meal at Chuck’s home. The evening ended with Roy teasing Chuck about his weight while Chuck struggled to understand how Roy could eat so much without gaining any.

• Roy threw every Gym apprentice out of the ring without stepping beyond Chuck’s circle, and Chuck rewarded the apprentices with double contribution points.
• Chuck brought Roy to his home, where he introduced him to Rena and Machamp.
• Roy praised Rena’s cooking and ate bucket after bucket of rice, while Machamp joined the meal and Rena explained that she made Pokéblocks for the Gym’s Pokémon.
• Rena remarked that Chuck’s belly had grown flabby, and Roy joked that Chuck should eat less.
• Chuck gave Roy extra bowls of rice as Roy teased him about supposedly gaining weight from drinking water.

Roy taught Chuck's Gym apprentices the Extreme Fighting Technique before Chuck asked him to pick up a special guest from the Galar region for the Martial Arts Tournament. At the harbor, Roy met the guest: the elderly Mustard.

• Roy demonstrated the Extreme Fighting Technique to Chuck's Gym apprentices while Chuck worried about how much food Roy was eating.
• Chuck asked Roy to pick up a special guest for the Martial Arts Tournament, and Roy agreed in exchange for two extra dishes.
• Roy flew with Dragapult to Cianwood City's harbor and waited for the guest among the arriving travelers.
• An elderly man approached Roy unnoticed, and Roy recognized him as Mustard.

Roy escorted Mustard, the former Galar Champion and Damaranch’s invited tournament judge, from the harbor to Cianwood Gym. Mustard tested Roy’s strength and recognized him as Damaranch’s surprise, then asked to test Annihilape once they reached the Gym.

• Roy recognized Mustard as the legendary former Galar Champion, and Mustard claimed he had come only to judge the Martial Arts Tournament.
• Roy released Dragapult to offer Mustard a ride, but Mustard chose to walk and asked Roy about his martial arts training.
• Mustard suddenly pressed down on Roy’s shoulder to test his strength, and Roy struggled to break free.
• Annihilape appeared to defend Roy, but Roy stopped him from attacking; Mustard recognized Roy as Damaranch’s surprise and asked Annihilape to hit him with the punch from the Edge Cup.
• Mustard agreed to continue to Cianwood Gym before testing Annihilape, then asked Roy whether he knew who he was.

Roy let Mustard test Annihilape’s strength, and Mustard overwhelmed him with effortless fighting skill before catching his strongest Rage Fist with one hand. Mustard then released his level 96 Urshifu, leaving Roy and Annihilape facing the pressure of a Champion-level Pokémon.

• Roy showed Mustard around the Cianwood City Gym and took him to the Arena to test Annihilape’s fists.
• Mustard caught Annihilape’s Rage Fist with one hand and challenged him to a battle after learning the move grew stronger with each hit.
• Mustard repeatedly dodged Annihilape’s attacks and kicked him away, even when Annihilape used his shadow to attack from behind.
• Annihilape built Rage Fist to maximum power and struck Mustard with a massive Ghost-type punch, but Mustard caught it with one hand.
• Mustard released his level 96 Urshifu (Single Strike Style), whose power startled Roy and made Annihilape recall Marshadow’s pressure.

Roy sparred with Mustard, a former Galar Champion, and watched Urshifu teach Annihilape the move Wicked Blow. After Mustard agreed to judge the Martial Arts Tournament, Chuck invited him and Damaranch to his home, where Roy ended up sharing a room with Mustard.

• Roy charged Mustard and was repeatedly knocked down, then accepted his hand and praised his strength.
• Urshifu demonstrated Wicked Blow for Annihilape, who watched and considered the move.
• Chuck arrived with Damaranch, recognized Mustard, and eagerly got his training uniform signed.
• Damaranch confirmed Mustard would be a guest at the Martial Arts Tournament, and Mustard revealed to Roy that he was a former Champion and Leon's master.
• Chuck invited Mustard and Damaranch to stay at his home and assigned Mustard to Roy's room, telling Roy to sleep on the floor in Machamp's room.

Roy helped prepare Cianwood City's Gym for the Martial Arts Tournament and registered visiting Trainers while the city filled with competitors. He claimed he would win the tournament, and the reporter dismissed him as joking as she moved on to interview other participants.

• Chuck woke Roy and put him to work at the Gym, while Rena grew comfortable with Mimikyu and Misdreavus helping in the kitchen.
• Roy saw his Pokémon exercising with Mustard and Urshifu before Chuck brought him to the Gym to register and verify tournament participants.
• Roy greeted Bado and Maylene, learned Bruno's dojo apprentices still endured Bruno's punishing training, and registered their information.
• Nobuhiko told Roy that Morty's Gengar had defeated him and his Pokémon in a Gym battle in Ecruteak City.
• A reporter asked Roy who would win the tournament, and Roy said the champion was standing before her; she assumed he was joking and turned to interview other Trainers.

Iono recognized Roy in the Martial Arts Tournament livestream and began streaming the tournament for her audience. At Cianwood Gym, Roy spotted the disguised Gurkinn arriving with Korrina, while Gurkinn sensed someone watching him but could not find them.

• Iono saw Roy on the tournament livestream and told Bellibolt and Mismagius that he was their Pokéblock-sending Master.
• Iono started an early stream, greeted her viewers, and switched her broadcast to the Martial Arts Tournament.
• Roy helped verify tournament challengers at Cianwood Gym and recognized the disguised Gurkinn by his exposed eyebrows.
• Korrina urged Gurkinn to hurry and register for the tournament.
• Gurkinn sensed someone watching him, searched the crowd, and found no one looking his way.

Korrina arrived late to Cianwood City’s Martial Arts Tournament registration after pirates delayed her ship, but Roy helped her register. She and her Lucario were accepted as contestants and were sent to the Pokémon Center for an examination.

• Gurkinn and Korrina hurried to the Cianwood Gym, but registration verification had already ended.
• Roy sent a Gym apprentice to lunch and offered to handle Korrina’s registration.
• Korrina explained that pirates in Hoenn’s waters had delayed her ship, and Roy registered her using her ID Card.
• Korrina registered her Lucario for the Pokémon Martial Arts Tournament, while Gurkinn watched Roy warily.
• Roy told Korrina to get Lucario examined at the Pokémon Center so she could receive her contestant number badge.