Recaps

Xinhai and Torchic defeated a trainer in Rusturf Tunnel, then traveled to Rustboro City. At the Pokémon Center, Xinhai registered for the Ever Grande Conference and arranged a twenty-day stay.

• Torchic defeated the explorer-dressed trainer’s Sandshrew with Flame Charge and Quick Attack, earning Xinhai two hundred League Coins.
• Xinhai gave Torchic and Ralts Energy Cubes, declined further battles, and continued through Rusturf Tunnel to Rustboro City.
• Xinhai took a taxi through Rustboro City, admired its landmarks, and arrived at the Pokémon Center feeling carsick.
• Xinhai asked Nurse Joy to check his Pokémon and registered for the Ever Grande Conference.
• Xinhai arranged twenty days of free lodging at the Pokémon Center and headed upstairs to his room.

After arriving safely in Rustboro City, Xinhai reunited with Torchic and Ralts, checked in with his parents, and learned about a Devon Corporation battle tournament. Yingnan picked him up so they could hurry to register before sign-ups closed.

• Xinhai collected Torchic and Ralts after their treatment, fed them, and shared Berry pudding with them.
• Xinhai called his parents, Nami and Yantai, and told them he had reached Rustboro City safely and planned to train before challenging the Gym.
• Yantai told Xinhai about the Devon Corporation tournament and recommended an Explorer's Station for accurate Rusturf Tunnel maps.
• Xinhai called Yingnan, then met him outside the Pokémon Center and declined to ride on his crowded Dodrio.
• Yingnan told Xinhai they were going to register together for Devon Corporation's tournament before registration closed that day.

Xinhai and Yingnan registered for the Fourteenth Devon Pokémon Challenge and attended its opening exhibition match. After Blaziken and Swampert fought to a draw, the competition was set to begin.

• Yingnan explained the challenge rules and prizes to Xinhai while they waited to register, and both paid the entry fee and received their passes.
• Xinhai and Yingnan returned to the department store the next day and joined the crowd gathered around the battle arenas.
• The host introduced two Rustboro City Trainer School teachers, the Inferno Trainer with Blaziken and Takigawa Trainer with Swampert, for an exhibition match.
• Blaziken and Swampert traded attacks in a fierce battle that lasted more than ten minutes and ended in a draw.

Xinhai and Yingnan watched the tournament draw and several early matches before a battle between Trainer Yamazaki’s Aron and Trainer Ishikawa’s Machop became a close contest. Aron’s Body Press missed, and Machop dodged the attack, leaving Ishikawa ready to counter with Low Kick.

• The tournament drew matchups, placing Xinhai in Match 23 on the third platform and Yingnan in Match 73 on the first.
• Xinhai and Yingnan watched the early matches, including a nervous contestant whose Mudkip lost to Lotad and whose Trainer broke down crying.
• Trainer Yamazaki sent out Aron, while Trainer Ishikawa chose Machop for the thirteenth match they watched closely.
• Aron used Iron Defense and Body Press, but Machop countered with Low Kick and knocked Aron down.
• Aron splashed mud into Machop’s face to interrupt Brick Break, then chased it with Body Press as Machop tried to retreat.
• Machop dodged Aron’s final lunge by rolling aside, and Trainer Ishikawa ordered it to use Low Kick.

Machop defeated Yamazaki’s Aron with Low Kick, and Xinhai met Shimizu Shali and her Eevee after the match. Shali’s battle against Tanaka began, with Eevee landing a successful attack before Poochyena prepared to counter.

• Machop used Low Kick to knock Aron out, and the referee declared Ishikawa the winner.
• Yingnan explained Machop’s strategy to Shali, who introduced herself and exchanged contact information with him.
• Eevee jumped onto Xinhai’s shoulder and patted his cheek, making Shali laugh and hurry away in embarrassment.
• After another match, Shali and Tanaka were called to battle, and Shali sent Eevee against Tanaka’s Poochyena.
• Eevee avoided Fire Fang, used a heart-shaped attack to infatuate Poochyena, and hit it with Swift; Tanaka then ordered Poochyena to use Bite.

Shali and Eevee won their match, then Xinhai defeated Fujita’s Zigzagoon in his own battle. Xinhai, Yingnan, and Shali went to a Pokémon-themed restaurant together, where they ordered meals for themselves and their Pokémon.

• Shali and Eevee defeated Poochyena with Iron Tail, and Xinhai and Yingnan praised their teamwork.
• Shali met Xinhai and Yingnan, and the three talked until Xinhai was called to battle Fujita.
• Xinhai’s Torchic dodged Zigzagoon’s attacks and defeated it with Flame Charge, earning Xinhai the win.
• Xinhai, Yingnan, and Shali decided to eat together, and Shali led them to a nearby Pokémon-themed restaurant.
• The group released their Pokémon at the restaurant, chose dishes from the menu, and Yingnan placed their order.

Yingnan, Shali, and Xinhai enjoyed a meal with their Pokémon before returning to watch the tournament. Yingnan then won his first arena battle with Mudkip, defeating Trainer Kato’s Rattata.

• Yingnan, Shali, and Xinhai shared food with their Pokémon, then left the restaurant and bought cold drinks to escape the summer heat.
• The three returned to Arena One and watched the matches while recording information about strong contestants.
• Yingnan entered the arena to face Trainer Kato, sending out Mudkip against Kato’s Rattata.
• Yingnan ordered Mudkip to interrupt Rattata’s Focus Energy with Rock Slide, then catch it as it charged with Quick Attack.
• Mudkip endured Rattata’s Bite and struck it with two punches, defeating it and winning the match for Yingnan.

After Yingnan's injured Mudkip recovered at the tournament treatment room, Xinhai, Yingnan, and Shali returned the next morning for the second round. They learned their match assignments and watched the opening battle at the third arena as Xinhai studied an opposing Trainer's Torchic for comparison with his own.

• Yingnan took Mudkip to the tournament treatment room, where a nurse treated its wounds in a treatment chamber.
• Xinhai, Yingnan, and Shali agreed to meet at the department store the next morning, then returned to their lodging and rested with their Pokémon.
• Xinhai met Yingnan and Shali at the department store, and they watched the first round until it ended and the second-round draw began.
• Xinhai drew Match 7 on the third arena, Yingnan drew Match 27 on the first arena, and Shali drew Match 19 on the third arena.
• Xinhai, Yingnan, and Shali went to the third arena, where Sakamoto and Kaneko began a battle between Torchic and Poliwag.

Kaneko Ryuichi's Torchic defeated Sakamoto Jiro's Poliwag, and Xinhai studied the battle before facing Trainer Ishii. Xinhai's Torchic gained the advantage over Sandshrew, and the chapter ended as both trainers called out their next moves.

• Kaneko Ryuichi's Torchic overcame Poliwag's Bubble Beam and defeated it with Ember and Quick Attack, advancing Kaneko to the next round.
• Xinhai and Yingnan analyzed the battle, noting Torchic's focus on Fire-type power and speed and Poliwag's strong training.
• Xinhai entered the arena to battle Trainer Ishii, whose Sandshrew faced his Torchic.
• Torchic used Flame Charge to evade Swift and Bulk Up while Sandshrew dug underground, but Sandshrew struck Torchic from below before it could attack.
• Torchic's Flame Charge and Speed Boost let it evade more Swift attacks and close in on Sandshrew; Trainer Ishii ordered Stomping Tantrum as Xinhai told Torchic to jump.

Xinhai and Torchic defeated Trainer Ishii and his Sandshrew in the second round, then learned Ishii was an apprentice from the Rustboro City Gym. After Torchic recovered, they watched Ikeda Yingjie defeat Aoki Yazi and her Budew in the fourteenth match.

• Torchic dodged Sandshrew's Stomping Tantrum and used Quick Attack to knock it down, winning the match for Xinhai.
• Xinhai, Yingnan, and Shali took Torchic to the Pokémon Center, where Shali recognized Trainer Ishii's uniform as belonging to the Rustboro City Gym.
• Xinhai and his friends discussed how later-round competitors would be stronger, and the nurse finished treating Torchic.
• Xinhai and his friends watched Ikeda Yingjie battle Aoki Yazi, whose Budew struggled against Ikeda's Houndour.
• Aoki Yazi forfeited after Houndour's Fire Fang overwhelmed Budew, giving Ikeda Yingjie the victory.

Shali and Eevee defeated Ogawa and Wooper, earning a place in the next round, while Yingnan began his battle against Matsuda and Phanpy. Yingnan and Mudkip kept attacking through the smoke as Phanpy searched for them and countered with Rock Tomb.

• Xinhai watched a close Water-type battle between Mudkip and Corphish before Shali was called to the arena.
• Shali sent out Eevee against Ogawa's Wooper and used Quick Attack, Swift, and Bite to keep Wooper under pressure.
• Eevee's final barrage of Swift knocked Wooper out, and the referee declared Eevee the winner.
• Shali congratulated Ogawa, then left with Eevee to clean and check for injuries while Yingnan prepared to battle.
• Yingnan sent Mudkip against Matsuda's Phanpy, and the Pokémon traded Mud Shot, Water Pulse, and Rock Tomb attacks.
• Yingnan ordered Mudkip to continue using Mud Shot as it dodged Phanpy's rocks within the smoke.

Yingnan defeated Trainer Matsuda in the tournament and took Xinhai to explore Rustboro Trainer School, whose extensive facilities and resources astonished him. Yingnan admitted that the school had given him confidence to compete with Xinhai, and the two reaffirmed their friendship and rivalry.

• Yingnan used Mud Shot, Rock Slide, and Water Pulse to defeat Trainer Matsuda's Phanpy and advance in the tournament.
• Yingnan and Xinhai left the venue and went to visit Rustboro Trainer School.
• Yingnan showed Xinhai the school's training grounds, breeding rooms, energy rooms, and vast library of move and breeding manuals.
• Yingnan told Xinhai that the school's resources and strong classmates had given him confidence to compete with him.
• Xinhai and Yingnan clasped hands as their Pokémon cheered around them.

After leaving the Trainer School, Xinhai planned martial-arts-based training paths for Torchic and Ralts to help them surpass their rivals. He finished Torchic’s speed-focused plan and began outlining Ralts’s psychic training and footwork before their match the next day.

• Xinhai left the Trainer School with Torchic and Ralts, resolved to train harder than Yingnan and the others.
• At the Pokémon Center, Xinhai reviewed his training journal and used his martial-arts knowledge to design a development plan for Torchic.
• Xinhai planned for Torchic to build speed and fighting skills through stances, kicking and fist techniques, Eagle Claw training, and Jeet Kune Do.
• Xinhai outlined Ralts’s training around perception, Calm Mind, and precise Confusion, and considered using Skill Swap to help her develop Anticipation.
• Xinhai sent Torchic and Ralts to rest before their match the next day, then continued writing footwork techniques to help Ralts handle close combat without Teleport.

Xinhai finished planning Ralts's martial arts training and reflected on how to develop an Advanced Calm Mind method. The next morning, he joined Yingnan and Shali for the third-round draw, then watched the opening battle and predicted Pikachu was about to lose to Bulbasaur.

• Xinhai added Wing Chun and Tai Chi to Ralts's training plan and noted that martial arts required adapting to opponents in combat.
• Xinhai admitted he did not know enough about meditation to create an Advanced Calm Mind method, then went to sleep beside Torchic and Ralts.
• Xinhai met Yingnan and Shali at the department store, where they received their third-round match assignments.
• The three watched the first battle, in which Bulbasaur used status powders and Vine Whip to keep Pikachu at a distance and withstand its Thunderbolt.
• Yingnan and Shali discussed Bulbasaur's advantages, and Xinhai announced that the match's winner was about to be decided.

Xinhai explained how a collision between Energy Balls had caused a dangerous dust explosion, disqualifying both trainers. Yingnan then battled Trainer Terada, and the chapter ended as Mudkip struggled to stand and Yingnan ordered Hydro Pump.

• Pikachu and Bulbasaur's Energy Balls collided, triggering a secondary dust explosion that knocked both Pokémon out.
• Xinhai explained the danger to Yingnan, and the referee disqualified both trainers for violating the Battle Safety Code.
• Yingnan took the stage to battle Trainer Terada, who sent out Beautifly against his Mudkip.
• Mudkip's Rock Slide and Mud Shot slowed Beautifly, but Beautifly used concealed Stun Spore to paralyze Mudkip.
• Beautifly's Silver Wind shattered Mudkip's rock shield and knocked it down, but Mudkip struggled back to its feet as Yingnan ordered Hydro Pump.

Yingnan defeated a Trainer’s Beautifly with Mudkip, then took both Pokémon to the Pokémon Center for treatment. Xinhai and Shali watched Trainer Ishikawa’s Machop defeat Kimura’s Corphish, leaving Shali worried about the increasingly strong competition.

• Mudkip defeated Beautifly with Hydro Pump, and the exhausted Pokémon on both sides collapsed after the referee declared Yingnan the winner.
• Yingnan and Beautifly’s Trainer congratulated each other and agreed to take their Pokémon to the Pokémon Center for treatment.
• Yingnan told Xinhai and Shali he was leaving, and Shali wished him luck before he departed.
• Trainer Ishikawa’s Machop overcame Kimura’s Corphish with decisive attacks, including Thunder Punch and Low Kick, and won the match.
• Xinhai praised Ishikawa’s tactics, while Shali worried about facing strong opponents and Xinhai encouraged her to study opponents and manage Eevee’s condition.

Shali defeated Kobayashi’s Treecko in a hard-fought battle, though Eevee was badly injured and had to go to the Pokémon Center. Xinhai and Yingnan discussed how the tournament’s increasingly strong competitors would make qualifying for the main tournament more difficult.

• Shali and Kobayashi sent out Eevee and Treecko, and their Pokémon exchanged attacks across the battlefield.
• Shali’s Eevee forced its way through Treecko’s Bullet Seed and struck it with Facade, then both Pokémon were knocked down in their final clash.
• Eevee managed to stand while Treecko collapsed, and the referee declared Shali the winner.
• Shali took Eevee to the Pokémon Center, leaving Xinhai to watch the battles and record details.
• Yingnan joined Xinhai, and they discussed the tougher matches ahead and the challenge of reaching the main tournament.

Xinhai watched the tournament before entering the arena to battle Trainer Asakawa and his Bagon. Torchic disrupted Bagon’s Dragon Dance and gained the upper hand, but the battle continued as Torchic moved behind Bagon for another attack.

• Yingnan and Xinhai watched Torchic defeat Meditite with a Quick Attack followed by Blaze Kick.
• Xinhai entered the arena to face the arrogant Trainer Asakawa, who sent out a Bagon that drew gasps from the crowd.
• Xinhai had Torchic use Focus Energy to ignore Bagon’s Scary Face, then evade its Dragon Breath attacks with Flame Charge and Quick Attack.
• When Bagon began Dragon Dance, Torchic used Ember to harass it, but Asakawa ordered Bagon to keep dancing.
• Xinhai had Torchic use Sand Attack to blind Bagon, then struck it with Flame Charge and interrupted Dragon Dance.
• Bagon’s Dragon Breath missed as Torchic used Quick Attack to circle behind it, with flames blazing around Torchic’s legs.

Xinhai and Torchic defeated Trainer Asakawa and Bagon to advance in the tournament. After Torchic received treatment, Xinhai praised it and returned with it to the department store, planning to keep training.

• Torchic used Blaze Kick to strike Bagon, then dodged its powerful Dragon Rage with Double Team and Flame Charge.
• After Bagon exhausted itself with Dragon Rage, Torchic landed a final Blaze Kick, and the referee declared it unable to battle.
• Trainer Asakawa recalled Bagon and left the arena as Xinhai advanced and went to watch the other matches with Yingnan.
• Xinhai took Torchic to the Pokémon Center for treatment and recorded details of the battle while waiting.
• Once Torchic had recovered, Xinhai praised it and headed back to the department store, reminding it that they would train that night.

Xinhai watched the third-round matches with Yingnan and Shali, then helped Shali prepare for her fourth-round battle against Yuta Matsumoto. After the draw, the three studied Torchic’s moves and worked out a strategy to disrupt its speed-based tactics.

• Xinhai brought lunch to Yingnan and Shali, then took over recording match notes while Shali ate.
• Zangoose defeated Morita’s Cacnea after a close battle in the third arena.
• The third round ended, and the draw assigned Yingnan the thirteenth match in the first arena, Xinhai the twenty-seventh in the third arena, and Shali the ninth in the third arena.
• Shali identified her opponent as Yuta Matsumoto and found her notes on his Torchic, which likely had the Ability [Blaze].
• Xinhai proposed that Shali use fast attacks, Double Team, Sand Attack, and Swift to disrupt Torchic’s rhythm, and the three refined the plan together.

Shali and Eevee defeated Yuta Matsumoto and his Torchic after following Xinhai and Yingnan’s battle plan. The group headed to Arena One for Yingnan’s match, where Xinhai suggested that contestant information might be sold in the next round.

• Shali took Eevee into the arena to face Yuta Matsumoto and his Torchic.
• Eevee used Double Team, Sand Attack, and Swift to counter Torchic’s attacks and keep control of the battle’s pace.
• Eevee defeated Torchic, and Shali thanked Xinhai, Yingnan, and Eevee for their part in the victory.
• Shali, Xinhai, and Yingnan hurried to Arena One, where they watched a Makuhita and an Electrike battle.
• Xinhai told Shali and Yingnan that people might sell information about contestants in the next round, and Yingnan said he was confident about his upcoming match.

Xinhai watched Mudkip and Meditite battle after reflecting on the need to grow stronger before Hoenn’s future threats emerged. Yingnan entered the arena and his Mudkip exchanged blows with Miura’s Meditite, with the match still underway when the chapter ended.

• Makuhita lost to Electrike after enduring its Thunderbolt and collapsing before the referee’s count ended.
• Xinhai worried that Team Magma, Team Aqua, and Groudon would threaten Hoenn, and resolved to become stronger.
• Yingnan was called to battle Trainer Miura and entered the arena with Mudkip against Miura’s Meditite.
• Mudkip and Meditite traded attacks, and Meditite used Thunder Punch to stagger Mudkip before Miura ordered it to pursue with Force Palm.

Yingnan and Mudkip defeated Trainer Miura and Meditite in a fierce battle, then befriended Miura after praising his and Meditite’s strength. Yingnan reunited with Xinhai and Shali, and the group headed to the third arena for Xinhai’s battle.

• Yingnan used Supersonic and Mud Shot to disrupt Meditite and break through its Confusion barrier.
• Mudkip overwhelmed Meditite with repeated Mud-Slaps, then endured Swift and countered with Rock Smash and Rock Slide.
• Meditite fought back with Swift and Force Palm, but Mudkip’s Hydro Pump defeated it and the referee declared Yingnan the winner.
• Yingnan congratulated Miura, added him as a friend, and returned to Xinhai and Shali with Mudkip.
• Xinhai asked Yingnan to introduce him and Shali to Miura, then the group went to the third arena for Xinhai’s battle.

Xinhai and his companions watched Suzuki Ai’s Ralts defeat a Shinx in the arena. After the battle, Suzuki Ai approached Xinhai when their Ralts noticed each other, and the chapter left them introduced, with her male Ralts eager to get close to Xinhai’s Ralts.

• Xinhai, Yingnan, and Shali arrived at the third arena and watched a Shinx battle a Ralts.
• Suzuki Ai’s Ralts evaded Shinx’s attacks, strengthened herself with Calm Mind, and used Psychic to immobilize and defeat him.
• Shinx’s Trainer surrendered, and the referee declared Suzuki Ai’s Ralts the winner.
• Suzuki Ai noticed Xinhai’s Ralts and approached him after the two Ralts communicated with each other.
• Suzuki Ai introduced herself to Xinhai, Yingnan, and Shali, while Xinhai stopped her male Ralts from floating toward his own Ralts.

Xinhai watched the tournament battles and recorded what he learned before entering the arena with Torchic to face Trainer Matsumoto’s Swellow. After both Pokémon built up speed and strength, Torchic turned the chase around and charged at Swellow with Quick Attack.

• Xinhai soothed Ralts after Suzuki Ai left, then studied and recorded techniques from the ongoing matches.
• When his turn came, Xinhai left Ralts with Shali and stepped into the arena to battle Trainer Matsumoto’s Swellow with Torchic.
• Torchic used Sand Attack to make Swellow miss, then landed several Embers that scorched its wing.
• Both Pokémon used Focus Energy, and Torchic’s Flame Charge met Swellow’s Quick Attack and Wing Attack, sending Torchic crashing to the ground.
• Torchic got back up and used repeated Flame Charges to outrun Swellow’s Quick Attack, then charged at it with Quick Attack of its own.