Recaps

Xinhai and Torchic defeated Trainer Matsumoto’s Swellow in the fourth round of the Devon Challenge, while Shali learned she would face Suzuki Ai and resolved to prepare with Eevee. After treating Torchic, Xinhai studied his next opponent’s information, unaware that Nurse Joy planned to judge the challenge and assess him.

• Torchic used Quick Attack, Ember, and Flame Charge to defeat Swellow, earning Xinhai the fourth-round victory.
• Xinhai, Yingnan, and Shali checked their fifth-round matchups, and Shali discovered she would battle Suzuki Ai, whose Ralts had impressed her.
• Xinhai shared his notes on Suzuki Ai’s Ralts, and Yingnan and Xinhai encouraged Shali to face the match with confidence; she vowed to give it her all with Eevee.
• Nurse Joy returned Torchic’s Poké Ball to Xinhai after confirming his chest bruise had been treated, then found her invitation to judge the Devon Challenge and decided to assess him.
• Xinhai planned training for Torchic and Ralts, studied his opponent’s notes, and prepared strategies for possible situations.

Shali faced Suzuki Ai in the fifth round, sending Eevee to battle her Ralts while Xinhai and Yingnan watched. The fight became a test of endurance, and Xinhai worried that Suzuki Ai might be a Psychic user as the outcome remained uncertain.

• Shali prepared for the next day's battle while Yingnan bought intelligence from a dormitory friend, and all three Trainers and their Pokémon studied and trained through the night.
• Xinhai met Shali and Yingnan outside the department store, reassured nervous Shali, and accompanied them into the arena.
• Shali took the field against Suzuki Ai, and both Trainers sent out Eevee and Ralts to begin their match.
• Eevee and Ralts traded Quick Attack, Teleport, Psybeam, and Swift as Shali and Suzuki Ai adapted to each other's tactics.
• Xinhai told Yingnan that Suzuki Ai's Psychic strength could give her an advantage if she was a Psychic user.

Suzuki Ai revealed her psychic abilities and defeated Shali after Ralts trapped and repeatedly slammed Eevee with Psychic. Shali surrendered, and Xinhai and Yingnan escorted her and the injured Eevee to seek treatment.

• Xinhai and Yingnan suspected Suzuki Ai was a psychic after Ralts sensed her growing Psychic-type energy.
• As Eevee charged, Suzuki Ai opened her glowing eyes, and Ralts immobilized it with Psychic.
• Ralts repeatedly slammed Eevee into the ground until Shali surrendered to stop the attack.
• The referee declared Suzuki Ai the winner, and Shali carried her bruised Eevee from the arena.
• Xinhai and Yingnan found Shali in the crowd and led her away to get Eevee treated.

Xinhai returned to the arena and began his battle against Chiba Taro, whose Snivy used an unusual technique to greatly strengthen Leaf Tornado. The chapter ended with Torchic back on its feet as Snivy, weakened after the attack, sent two Magical Leaves toward it.

• Shali rode Xinhai's folding bicycle to take Eevee to the Pokémon Center while Xinhai and Yingnan returned to the arena.
• Xinhai entered the ring to face Chiba Taro and sent out Torchic against Chiba Taro's Snivy.
• Torchic's Flame Charge collided with Snivy's Leaf Tornado, and the attack knocked Torchic away.
• Chiba Taro had Snivy use Magical Leaf and Growth, then unleashed a much stronger Leaf Tornado before Growth was complete.
• Xinhai realized Snivy had channeled the unfinished Growth into its attack as the weakened Snivy sent two Magical Leaves at Torchic.

Xinhai and Torchic defeated Chiba Taro and Snivy in an exhausting battle, earning Xinhai a place in the next stage. While Torchic recovered at the Pokémon Center, Xinhai reviewed his opponents’ information and prepared for the upcoming matches.

• Torchic dodged Snivy’s attacks and struck it with Flame Charge and Ember, but Snivy recovered some strength with Giga Drain and stood again.
• Xinhai had Torchic leap over Snivy’s Leaf Tornado and attack with Flame Charge, leaving Snivy unable to battle and securing Xinhai’s victory.
• Chiba Taro recalled Snivy and vowed to win next time, while Xinhai took his injured Torchic for treatment.
• Xinhai told Yingnan about his victory and left him to prepare for his own match with Mudkip.
• At the Pokémon Center, Shali told Xinhai that Eevee was fine and said she would cheer for him during the main tournament the next day.
• Xinhai studied his opponent notes until the Center announced that Torchic’s treatment was complete.

After Torchic recovered, Xinhai encouraged Yingnan to keep pursuing their dream of becoming Pokémon Masters despite his doubts. The tournament draw assigned them to separate arenas, and they headed off to face their next opponents.

• Xinhai collected his recovered Torchic, reunited with Ralts, and waited at the Pokémon Center for Yingnan.
• Yingnan arrived with his injured Mudkip, and Xinhai invited him to clean up and cool off in his room.
• Yingnan admitted he was losing confidence against contestants from influential families, but Xinhai reminded him of their shared dream and urged him to keep moving forward.
• Yingnan regained his resolve, and he and Xinhai bumped fists before collecting the recovered Mudkip and eating at the Pokémon Center.
• Xinhai and Yingnan went to the department store for the tournament draw and learned that Xinhai would face Jiro Hayama in the fifth match at the third arena, while Yingnan would face Changshun Juejing in the seventh match at the first arena.
• Xinhai and Yingnan wished each other luck and split up to reach their respective arenas.

Xinhai watched Trainer Kato and Trainer Ishikawa’s Pokémon fight in a fierce sixth-round tournament match. As Charmander gained the upper hand over Machop, Xinhai and his Torchic grew excited for the battles ahead.

• Xinhai met Jiro Hayama in the waiting area, and Jiro warned him to enjoy his final battle.
• Trainer Kato’s Charmander and Trainer Ishikawa’s Machop traded attacks, dodging and countering moves such as Flamethrower, Force Palm, and Dragon Claw.
• Trainer Ishikawa used Machop’s Focus Energy, while Trainer Kato had Charmander fill the arena with Smokescreen; the Pokémon continued clashing through the smoke.
• Charmander and Machop fought head-on with Dragon Claw and Brick Break as their trainers and the crowd cheered them on.
• Xinhai noticed Charmander growing stronger as Machop began to tire, and the warmth of Torchic’s Poké Ball reflected the excitement of the battle.

Trainer Kato's Charmander defeated Trainer Ishikawa's Machop, and Xinhai began his match against Jiro Hayama's unusually fast Murkrow. Xinhai and Torchic exploited Murkrow's attack to trap it with Rock Tomb and launched a barrage of stone fragments, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Trainer Kato's Charmander overwhelmed Trainer Ishikawa's Machop with its energy claws and won the match.
• Xinhai watched several more battles before stepping into the arena to face Jiro Hayama and his Murkrow.
• Murkrow's Taunt provoked Torchic into charging recklessly, but Xinhai called it back to its senses and adjusted his tactics.
• Xinhai kept Torchic at a safer distance with Flame Charge and used Ember to disrupt Murkrow's attacks, but Murkrow's Screech forced Torchic to retreat.
• When Murkrow pursued Torchic with Gust, Xinhai ordered Rock Tomb; Torchic raised stone pillars and hurled fragments at the trapped Murkrow.

Xinhai defeated Jiro Hayama’s Murkrow with Torchic and advanced to the challenge tournament’s main event. After treating Torchic and studying the other contestants, he bought tournament intelligence from a boy by bargaining the price down to one thousand League Coins.

• Torchic shattered Murkrow’s defense, overcame its Haze, and knocked it out with Flame Charge, earning Xinhai Bai Mu a place in the next round.
• Xinhai met Kato Yun, exchanged Pokédex friend requests with him, and treated Torchic’s minor wounds.
• Xinhai watched the remaining matches, recorded information about the contestants, and learned that the main event would begin the next morning.
• A boy offered Xinhai a notebook of detailed intelligence on the advancing contestants for five thousand League Coins.
• Xinhai said he could consult Sugimoto Hideo’s copy instead, and the boy agreed to sell him the notebook for one thousand League Coins.

Xinhai and Yingnan prepared for the Devon Challenge main tournament after comparing the contestant information they had bought. The matchups were announced, leaving Xinhai set to face Rhyhorn trainer Kaito Yoshida in the fourth battle and Yingnan to face Riko Matsuda in the eleventh.

• Xinhai bought a contestant-information notebook for a thousand League Coins, then learned Yingnan had paid 3888 for the same information.
• Xinhai and Yingnan returned to the Pokémon Center, treated Torchic and Mudkip, and studied the contestant information before the tournament.
• At the crowded venue, Xinhai greeted Kato Yun, and Yingnan explained that Kato Yun was an heir to a prominent Petalburg City family.
• Yingnan identified Panshijian as a relative of future Rustboro Gym Leader Roxanne while he and Xinhai discussed the formidable contestants.
• The host introduced the four judges and announced the main tournament matchups, pairing Xinhai against Kaito Yoshida and Yingnan against Riko Matsuda.
• Xinhai recognized Kaito Yoshida's Rhyhorn as a difficult type disadvantage, but confidently promised Yingnan he would win.

Xinhai and Torchic fought Kaito Yoshida and Rhyhorn, using Double Team and Torchic’s growing speed to evade attacks and wear Rhyhorn down. Kaito ordered a maximum-power Earthquake as a last attempt, and Torchic raced toward the arena’s edge as the move struck.

• Xinhai and Kaito Yoshida began their match with Torchic facing Rhyhorn, and both Pokémon exchanged Rock Tomb and Flame Charge attacks.
• Xinhai used Double Team to confuse Rhyhorn, then Torchic evaded its broad Rock Tomb barrage and raced through the rocks toward Rhyhorn’s side of the field.
• Morisaki and Director Nakamura discussed Torchic’s Speed Boost, while Nurse Joy explained that Xinhai was a traveling trainer who shared a strong bond with his Pokémon.
• Torchic used its boosted speed and guerrilla tactics to dodge Rhyhorn’s attacks and wear it down, while Rhyhorn grew frustrated and less accurate.
• Kaito ordered Rhyhorn to use maximum-power Earthquake, and Xinhai sent Torchic racing toward the arena’s edge as the attack began.

Xinhai and Torchic defeated Kaito Yoshida’s Rhyhorn after evading its Dragon Pulse and overcoming its powerful Rock-type attacks. After the referee declared Torchic the winner and the trainers shook hands, Xinhai took Torchic to the treatment room, where Nurse Joy and Chansey began treating its strained muscles.

• Torchic avoided most of Rhyhorn’s Earthquake by running along the arena’s energy barrier, and Kaito Yoshida renewed his resolve to fight.
• Rhyhorn used Dragon Pulse, but Torchic dodged it with Quick Attack and countered with Rock Tomb.
• Torchic blocked Rhyhorn’s rain of stones and struck it with stone pillars, leaving Rhyhorn unable to battle.
• Kaito Yoshida conceded, and the referee declared Xinhai Bai Mu the winner before the two trainers shook hands.
• Trainer Morisaki and Director Nakamura praised Xinhai’s strategy and discussed Rhyhorn’s inherited Egg Moves and potential.
• Xinhai brought Torchic to the treatment room, where intern Nurse Joy and Chansey used the healing machine to treat its muscle strains.

After Nurse Joy treated Torchic, Chansey gave Xinhai an egg, which he accepted and carried back to the contestants’ seats. He watched Kiyotaki’s Scyther defeat Piplup, then recorded the tournament results as Yingnan prepared to battle.

• Nurse Joy confirmed Torchic had fully recovered, and Chansey gave Xinhai an egg as a sign of affection.
• Xinhai let Yingnan touch the egg, then packed it safely into his backpack.
• Xinhai and Yingnan watched Kiyotaki’s Scyther defeat Piplup, earning Kiyotaki a place in the next round.
• Xinhai suspected Kiyotaki’s choice of Scyther meant the Pokémon Transfer Device might soon appear, then recorded the advancing contestants.
• The referee called Yingnan’s match against Matsuda, and Yingnan headed to the arena with Mudkip.

Yingnan defeated Riko Matsuda’s Vulpix with Mudkip and advanced, while the second-round draw matched Xinhai against Maruyama Takumi and Yingnan against Kazu Sato. The next battle began between Sora Takeuchi’s Treecko and Yosuke Kuroiwa’s unusually large Geodude, with Geodude charging through the dust toward Treecko.

• Yingnan used Mudkip’s mud and rock attacks to defeat Riko Matsuda’s Vulpix, earning a place in the second round.
• Yingnan took Mudkip for treatment, and the second-round draw paired Xinhai with Maruyama Takumi and Yingnan with Kazu Sato.
• Sora Takeuchi and Yosuke Kuroiwa began the first battle of the second round, releasing Treecko and an enormous Geodude.
• Treecko dodged Geodude’s Magnitude and fired Bullet Seed, but Yosuke ordered Geodude to Rollout through the sand and dust.

Sora Takeuchi's Treecko defeated Yosuke Kuroiwa's Geodude with a carefully set Grass Knot and a powerful Rock Smash, advancing in the tournament. Xinhai then began his match against Maruyama Takumi, whose Growlithe proved powerful but slower than Torchic, and the battle continued with Growlithe preparing to use Flamethrower.

• Sora Takeuchi used Treecko's Magical Leaf and Quick Attack to draw Geodude into a Rock Smash that sent it flying.
• Treecko used Bullet Seed to obscure the arena, then set Grass Knot along Geodude's path while Geodude pursued with Rollout.
• Treecko tripped Geodude with Grass Knot and struck it with another Rock Smash, leaving it unable to battle and advancing Sora Takeuchi.
• The host announced Xinhai's match against Maruyama Takumi, and both trainers sent out Torchic and Growlithe.
• Torchic dodged Growlithe's Flame Charge and used Ember, but Growlithe pushed through the attack until Torchic escaped its Fire Fang with Quick Attack.
• Maruyama Takumi ordered Growlithe to pursue Torchic with Flame Charge and use Flamethrower at close range.

Xinhai and Torchic defeated Maruyama Takumi and Growlithe after surviving a powerful Flamethrower and using Speed Boost and Rock Tomb to turn the battle around. Xinhai advanced, and afterward he visited the treatment room where Growlithe was being treated.

• Growlithe fused Flame Charge with Flamethrower, but Torchic used Speed Boost and Quick Attack to escape the golden-orange flames, badly scorched.
• Torchic used Speed Boost to evade another Flamethrower along the arena's energy barrier, then outran Growlithe and attacked it with Rock Tomb.
• Growlithe was struck by repeated rocks, and Maruyama Takumi surrendered before the referee finished counting, giving Xinhai the victory.
• Xinhai treated Torchic's burns with Burn Spray, recalled it into its Poké Ball, and went to check on Growlithe.
• Xinhai entered the treatment room, where Chansey was using Heal Pulse to treat Growlithe as Nurse Joy and Maruyama Takumi watched.

After Xinhai's battle with Maruyama Takumi, Joy Luo and Chansey treated Torchic for injuries caused by repeatedly pushing his Speed Boost Ability to its limits. Torchic recovered, but his scorched feathers became a source of amusement before Joy Luo offered him and Ralts Pokéblocks.

• Joy Luo told Maruyama Takumi that Growlithe had healed but needed two days of rest, then warned Xinhai that Torchic's injuries were more serious and could have caused lasting damage.
• Chansey scolded Xinhai for risking Torchic, and he promised to be more careful; Joy Luo advised him to balance Torchic's power with recovery and consider a Beginner Body-Enhancing Potion.
• Chansey used Heal Pulse while Joy Luo monitored Torchic, and Xinhai learned that the potion cost 100 League Points.
• After Torchic recovered, Xinhai and Joy Luo laughed at his charred feathers, and Ralts joined in before giving him a Pokéblock.
• Joy Luo learned that Ralts had hatched from an egg Xinhai's father obtained, then offered Pokéblocks to Torchic and Ralts.

Xinhai left the treatment room after Torchic and Ralts recovered, then returned to the tournament with Yingnan. Yingnan began his battle against Kazu Sato, and Mudkip’s Rock Slide badly injured Sneasel, leaving the match ongoing.

• Joy Luo advised Xinhai not to trim Torchic’s scorched feathers, and Xinhai recalled Torchic and Ralts before leaving the treatment room.
• Xinhai returned to his seat and encouraged Yingnan, who went to the arena for his match against Kazu Sato.
• Mudkip’s Mud Shot was frozen by Sneasel’s Icy Wind, and Sneasel dodged most of Mudkip’s Water Gun attacks before taking a hit.
• Kazu Sato sent Sneasel through mist with Quick Attack, but Yingnan had Mudkip use Rock Slide to strike her with multiple rocks.
• Morisaki and Director Nakamura criticized Kazu Sato for overlooking Mudkip’s abilities, and Nakamura noted that he would discipline him later.

Yingnan defeated Kazu Sato’s injured Sneasel with Mudkip, advancing to the next round. Panshijian and Eguchi Enichi began their battle, with Larvitar smashing apart Mudkip’s incoming boulder.

• Yingnan exploited Sneasel’s injured leg and defeated it with Mudkip’s attacks, earning a place in the next round.
• Kazu Sato recalled his unconscious Sneasel and left the arena while Yingnan celebrated with Mudkip.
• The referee announced Panshijian’s match against Eguchi Enichi, and both Trainers sent out Larvitar and Mudkip.
• Panshijian ordered Larvitar to use Rock Slide, which broke through Eguchi Enichi’s Mudkip’s Rock Tomb defense.
• Larvitar and Mudkip charged through their clash, and Larvitar used Rock Smash to break apart the boulder Mudkip hurled at it.

Eguchi Enichi’s Mudkip fought Panshijian’s Larvitar across a shattered arena, trading powerful attacks despite Larvitar’s overwhelming strength. The battle ended with Mudkip collapsing after Counter collided with Larvitar’s final strike.

• Larvitar used Earthquake to fracture the arena and then attacked Mudkip with Iron Tail, Rock Throw, and Rock Slide as Eguchi Enichi directed Mudkip to fight back.
• Mudkip’s Double-Edge knocked Larvitar down, but Larvitar quickly recovered and continued pressuring it with heavy attacks.
• Eguchi Enichi guided Mudkip behind a boulder to survive Rock Slide, but Larvitar charged through Mud Shot and trapped Mudkip against the rocks.
• Mudkip fought Larvitar’s Take Down with repeated Rock Smash attacks, but Larvitar drove it back and shattered the rock behind it.
• Panshijian ordered Larvitar to finish the exhausted Mudkip, and Mudkip’s Counter collided with Larvitar’s attack before Mudkip flew into the energy barrier and fell still.

Panshijian’s Larvitar defeated Eguchi Enichi’s Mudkip, and the second round ended with eight Trainers advancing. Xinhai drew Kato Yun for the next round and began their match with Torchic facing Kato’s Charmander.

• Larvitar defeated Mudkip, advancing Panshijian as Eguchi Enichi carried Mudkip to the treatment room.
• Panshijian praised Larvitar and promised it an extra meal, while Yingnan and Xinhai worried about facing its formidable strength.
• The host announced the eight Trainers advancing to the top eight and revealed the third-round matchups, including Bai Mu versus Kato.
• Xinhai prepared to face Kato Yun, whose unusual Dragon Dance technique he considered troublesome, and Yingnan encouraged him before the match.
• Xinhai and Kato released Torchic and Charmander, then both Trainers ordered their Pokémon to use Flame Charge.

Xinhai’s Torchic battled Kato Yun’s Charmander, trading fiery attacks as both trainers adapted to the other’s moves. The fight continued with Charmander preparing to meet Torchic’s charge, while the observers recognized Kato Yun’s mastery of Fire and Dragon energy and Nurse Joy considered investing in Xinhai.

• Xinhai’s Torchic dodged Charmander’s opening charge with Bounce, then attacked with Rock Tomb and Quick Attack.
• Kato Yun’s Charmander used Double Team and Flame Charge to counter Torchic, and its attack sent Torchic tumbling to the ground.
• Torchic evaded Charmander’s follow-up Flame Charge, then kept its distance as Charmander used Dragon Dance.
• Xinhai sent Torchic rushing back with Rock Tomb, but Charmander destroyed the rocks with Dragon Pulse and charged in with Flame Charge and Dragon Claw.
• Trainer Morisaki and Director Nakamura praised Kato Yun’s ability to combine Dragon and Fire energy, while Nurse Joy decided Xinhai met her standard for investment.

Kato Yun's Charmander defeated Xinhai's Torchic after Torchic's repeated boosts strained its legs beyond their limits. In the treatment room, Joy Luo warned Xinhai about Torchic's worsening muscle damage and prescribed rest and massages while Charmander finished treatment.

• Charmander broke through Torchic's Fire Spin and Rock Tomb, then struck it with Dragon Rush and left it struggling to stand.
• Despite its injured legs, Torchic charged at Charmander again as Xinhai hesitated over Joy Luo's warning.
• After the battle, Joy Luo told Xinhai that Torchic's leg muscle damage was twice as severe as before and ordered three days without intense exercise.
• Joy Luo gave Xinhai ointment and instructions for massaging Torchic twice daily, then called Kato Yun to collect Charmander after its treatment finished.

After losing to Kato Yun, Xinhai agreed to a rematch and left Torchic’s treatment room with Ralts. He watched Yingnan’s battle against Ruri, which ended with Mudkip launching a Hydro Pump at Squirtle’s Withdraw.

• Kato Yun thanked Joy Luo, confirmed Charmander had recovered, and challenged Xinhai to a future rematch; Xinhai agreed.
• Joy Luo finished treating Torchic, warned Xinhai to avoid strenuous activity for three days, and offered to help if anything came up in Rustboro City.
• Xinhai comforted Ralts about his loss, then watched Panshijian’s Larvitar defeat Treecko in the second battle.
• Yingnan and Ruri began their battle with Mudkip and Squirtle, and Squirtle’s powerful High-Pressure Water Gun surprised Yingnan.
• Yingnan’s Mudkip blocked Squirtle’s attacks with Rock Tomb and countered with Hydro Pump as Ruri ordered Squirtle to use Withdraw.

Trainer Ruri’s Squirtle defeated Yingnan’s Mudkip, advancing her in the challenge tournament. Xinhai comforted Yingnan after learning Mudkip needed three days of rest, as the tournament’s final four were announced.

• Squirtle used Rapid Spin and Spin Crash to overpower Mudkip, then knocked it unconscious with a spiraling Hydro Pump.
• The referee declared Squirtle the winner and Ruri advanced; Yingnan took Mudkip to Nurse Joy for treatment.
• Xinhai messaged Yingnan to comfort him and watched Suzuki Ai’s Ralts defeat Slowpoke.
• Yingnan joined Xinhai in the stands and said Mudkip would recover after three days of rest.
• The host announced that the challenge tournament’s final four had been decided.