Ch. 401The Clash of Strength and Skill, the Final Zacian!
Chapter Summary:
The Clash of Strength and Skill, the Final Zacian!
Key Plot Points and Events
- Gloria sends out her stronger Single Strike Urshifu, “Big Bear,” against Xingye’s already weakened Ceruledge.
- Ceruledge initially matches Urshifu’s overwhelming power, but Gloria reveals that Urshifu can attack without direct contact by projecting force around its fist. This counters Bitter Blade’s healing effect and allows Wicked Blow to defeat Ceruledge.
- Ceruledge accepts its defeat positively, having gained valuable experience from the battle. Xingye recalls it, though he is now worried because he has lost his best Dynamax counter.
- Xingye sends out Iron Bundle against Gloria’s Inteleon. Inteleon repeatedly interrupts Iron Bundle with precise Snipe Shots while moving at high speed.
- Iron Bundle eventually analyzes Snipe Shot and redirects one of the attacks back at Inteleon, defeating it with Freeze-Dry. However, Cinderace immediately defeats the weakened Iron Bundle with a powerful Blaze Kick-like attack.
- Xingye sends out Gengar, secretly using Zoroark’s Illusion to disguise it. Cinderace attacks the illusion, allowing Zoroark to trap it in an illusionary assault and defeat it.
- Gloria responds by Gigantamaxing Urshifu. Its G-Max One Blow destroys Zoroark’s Illusion and knocks Zoroark out immediately.
- Gholdengo survives one attack by using a gold Substitute, but Xingye switches to Gengar to endure Urshifu’s final Gigantamax attack.
- As Urshifu returns to normal size, Gengar launches a surprise Play Rough attack. Its Fluffy Ability lets it withstand Urshifu’s physical blows, and it battles through strategy rather than raw power.
- Gengar uses darkness, Spirit Shackle, arrows, and Curse to wear Urshifu down. Even after Urshifu breaks free and uses ranged Wicked Blow shockwaves, Gengar avoids direct confrontation and eventually defeats it.
- The score becomes 5–3, with Gloria seemingly down to one Pokémon while Xingye still has three. Almost everyone assumes Xingye has won.
- Gloria reveals her final Pokémon: Zacian. Its sudden appearance shocks Xingye and Gengar, ending the chapter on a cliffhanger.
Character Developments
- Ceruledge demonstrates loyalty and selflessness by volunteering to fight Urshifu despite being injured. Its defeat becomes a learning experience rather than a crushing failure.
- Xingye continues to show trust in his Pokémon, listening to Ceruledge’s judgment and adapting creatively throughout the battle. He relies on deception, switching, abilities, and tactical timing instead of depending solely on raw power.
- Gloria proves herself an exceptionally prepared and adaptable Trainer. She studies Xingye’s battle footage, develops a counter to Ceruledge’s Bitter Blade, and uses Urshifu’s unusual long-range force attacks effectively.
- Gengar reveals major growth since its earlier defeat of Urshifu. It combines resilience, deception, ranged attacks, Curse, and evasive tactics to overcome an opponent stronger in direct combat.
- Urshifu shows tremendous power and determination but begins to recognize that strength alone is insufficient. Its second defeat by Gengar suggests it may need to learn greater technique and adaptability.
- Zoroark is established as a particularly dangerous and ruthless Pokémon whose unusual battle style has been deliberately kept hidden.
- Gloria is revealed to have saved an extraordinary final trump card, overturning the apparent certainty of Xingye’s victory.
Significant Themes
- Strength versus skill: The chapter repeatedly contrasts Urshifu’s overwhelming physical power with Gengar’s technical precision, deception, and mobility.
- Adaptation and learning: Pokémon and Trainers analyze opponents, develop counters, and improve through defeat. Ceruledge and Urshifu both treat loss as an opportunity to grow.
- Trust between Trainer and Pokémon: Xingye allows Ceruledge to make its own decision and consistently coordinates with his Pokémon rather than imposing every choice.
- Hidden abilities and deception: Zoroark’s Illusion, Iron Bundle’s analysis, Gengar’s unexpected endurance, and Urshifu’s projected strikes all emphasize that appearances can be misleading.
- Overconfidence and incomplete information: Gloria’s failure to remember Zoroark’s Illusion nearly costs her Cinderace, while Xingye’s lack of information about Gloria’s final Pokémon leaves him uneasy.
- Persistence after defeat: Several Pokémon continue fighting despite exhaustion, treating setbacks as part of their development rather than final failures.
Important Character Interactions
- Xingye consults Ceruledge before committing it to battle, showing mutual respect and cooperation.
- Gloria’s preparation directly counters Ceruledge’s healing strategy, creating a battle of Trainer analysis as well as Pokémon strength.
- Zoroark exploits Gloria’s mistaken belief that she is fighting Gengar, defeating Cinderace through Illusion and psychological manipulation.
- Gengar and Urshifu’s rematch mirrors their earlier encounter. Urshifu seeks to overcome its former defeat, but Gengar wins by proving that technique can defeat superior strength.
- Gloria’s final conversation with her last Pokémon shows her confidence and respect for Xingye as a worthy rival.
- The chapter ends with Xingye’s shocked reaction to Zacian, signaling that the battle—and Gloria’s comeback possibility—is far from over.