Chapter Summaries

Chapter summary

Xu Mu awakens in a world where humans and Pokémon live together, carrying the memories of a sixteen-year-old boy whose father disappeared years earlier. Though Xu Mu was a Pokémon champion in his previous life, he has no desire to become a Trainer: he sees the profession as dangerous and would rather live comfortably, find someone he loves, and travel. He decides that school is pointless and plans to leave, while his mother prepares to take him to a hatchery to choose a Starter Pokémon.
Before they go, Xu Mu opens a coming-of-age gift from his absent father—and discovers a Poké Ball containing Greninja, an extraordinarily powerful Pokémon. Greninja introduces himself as Xu Mu’s Starter and offers a friendly greeting. When they touch, a “Pokémon Check-In System” activates in Xu Mu’s mind. The system reveals Greninja’s details and lists three battle-related tasks, including fighting at school, winning at the Dawn Gym, and taking the National High School League championship.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu begins determined to avoid the exhausting, dangerous Trainer life, but Greninja’s arrival and the system’s goals immediately complicate that plan. His attitude toward his missing father shifts comically from contempt to hopeful curiosity after receiving the gift.
• Xu Mu’s mother is introduced as caring and gentle. Xu Mu feels awkward calling her “Mom,” but quickly becomes protective of her and resents the father who left her to raise him alone.
• Greninja is powerful, cheerful, and personable. He readily accepts Xu Mu as his Trainer, while Xu Mu is both astonished by Greninja’s strength and amused—and slightly exasperated—by his lively nature.

Significant themes

• Ambition versus comfort: Xu Mu rejects the conventional goal of becoming the strongest Trainer, even as events push him toward that path.
• Family and responsibility: Xu Mu’s affection for his mother and complicated feelings about his absent father emerge as he settles into his new life.
• Unexpected change: The gifted Greninja and newly activated system overturn Xu Mu’s plans and set up a larger journey.

Plot points

• Xu Mu rejects the system’s goal of making him stronger. He wants a quiet life and believes powerful people can handle the world’s problems.
• He brings Greninja home and introduces him to his mother. Since Xu Mu now has a Starter Pokémon, they no longer need to visit the Hatching House.
• Xu Mu tells his mother he wants to drop out of school so he can see the world on his own terms. She asks whether someone—especially his absent father—influenced him, but Xu Mu says it is his own decision.
• His mother accepts his choice and offers to contact his teacher. Xu Mu instead leaves to handle it himself, bringing Greninja along and planning to register him.
• At Fengcheng No. 1 High School, Xu Mu announces his decision to the administrators. They dismiss him as impulsive and argue that leaving a prestigious school would waste his opportunities. The chapter ends with the vice principal warning that he may end up doing exhausting manual labor.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu is set on avoiding the Trainer path and prioritizing personal freedom over strength, status, or conventional success. He remains calm but firm when school officials challenge him.
• His mother is caring and cautious, initially worrying that Xu Mu’s missing father may have influenced him. Ultimately, she trusts her son enough to support his decision.
• Greninja is eager to serve and protect Xu Mu, interpreting the introduction to Xu Mu’s mother as a sign of trust. Xu Mu treats him casually and remembers to bring him along, though he keeps Greninja concealed until he can be registered.
• The school administrators, especially the vice principal, treat Xu Mu’s decision as childish and focus on the security and opportunity the school provides.

Significant themes

• Personal choice versus conventional expectations: Xu Mu rejects the assumption that success means education, power, or becoming a Trainer.
• Family support and trust: His mother supports his autonomy even though his plans are unfamiliar to her.
• Freedom versus security: Xu Mu favors a self-directed life, while the school argues that its resources offer a safer, more promising future.
• Comic irony: Xu Mu wants to avoid becoming powerful, yet he already has a capable Pokémon and a system urging him toward strength.

Plot points and events

• Xu Mu declares that he wants to leave school, explaining that he does not want to become a Trainer and would rather travel and learn what matters to him.
• The vice principal challenges him on whether he can survive in a world where dangerous Secret Realms appear unpredictably. Xu Mu insists that he can protect himself, but the school leaders doubt him.
• The head of discipline, Yu Hailong, proposes a Pokémon battle to settle the matter. The vice principal promises that if Xu Mu wins, he can arrange Xu Mu’s withdrawal himself.
• In the school gym, Xu Mu and Yu prepare for a one-Pokémon match. Yu sends out Sceptile; Xu reveals Greninja, whose unexpectedly advanced presence shocks the school leaders.
• The leaders worry that a beginner could be harmed by relying on a powerful Pokémon he has not raised himself. Xu, however, trusts his abilities and his bond with Greninja.
• The chapter ends just as the referee starts the battle, with Greninja excited but uncertain whether he should follow Xu Mu’s commands.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu remains calm and determined despite the adults’ scolding. His confidence hints at extensive experience and hidden strength: he thinks of himself as a repeat global tournament champion and knows Greninja can protect him.
• The vice principal acts out of concern for Xu Mu’s safety, though his frustration escalates into a firm challenge.
• Yu Hailong believes Xu Mu needs a lesson and accepts the match readily.
• The school leaders move from disbelief to alarm when they see Greninja, interpreting its strength as a possible danger to an inexperienced Trainer.
• Xu Mu and Greninja show an easy, close rapport. Greninja is eager to fight alongside him, but its comically overthought concern about obeying orders contrasts with Xu Mu’s assurance.

Significant themes

• Safety versus independence: The educators see school and training as protection, while Xu Mu insists on choosing his own path.
• Experience versus appearances: The adults judge Xu as a novice based on his age and status, unaware of his past expertise.
• Power and responsibility: Greninja’s strength raises questions about whether a young Trainer can safely command a powerful Pokémon.
• Trust and partnership: Xu Mu’s confidence in Greninja—and Greninja’s desire to please him—suggest that their relationship may matter as much as raw strength.

Key plot points and events

• Xu Mu battles school director Yu Hailong’s Sceptile with Greninja. Greninja’s speed and strength overwhelm Sceptile, ending the match with Water Shuriken and Dark Pulse.
• The principal identifies Greninja as early Elite Four level, astonishing the school officials.
• The system announces that the battle has completed a check-in task, granting Greninja Battle Bond. Xu Mu realizes the system has maneuvered him into making Greninja stronger.
• Greninja kneels to Xu Mu and calls him “Little Master,” choosing to follow him out of genuine respect rather than merely because Xu Mu’s father told him to.
• Battle Bond begins to activate when Xu Mu touches Greninja. Xu Mu tells him to suppress the transformation so they do not reveal it in front of the crowd; Greninja obeys.
• Xu Mu again asks to withdraw from school. Vice Principal Liu and Yu Hailong reinterpret his earlier request as a one-year leave of absence. The principal then proposes that Xu Mu represent the school in the National High School League, leaving Xu stunned.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu shows sharp battle instincts and calm command of Greninja, but remains determined not to become a Trainer. His private anger at the system contrasts with his composed behavior in battle.
• Greninja demonstrates both exceptional power and discipline. His voluntary pledge signals that he has accepted Xu Mu as his master, and he trusts Xu Mu enough to suppress Battle Bond when asked.
• Yu Hailong is humbled by the defeat and quickly supports the vice principal’s version of Xu Mu’s school arrangement.
• The vice principal and principal shift from discussing Xu Mu’s departure to finding a way to keep his talent connected to the school, with the principal proposing a league championship campaign.

Significant themes

• Strength and recognition: Xu Mu’s battle reveals that he and Greninja far exceed the school’s expectations.
• Trust and loyalty: Greninja’s allegiance changes from an obligation inherited from Xu Mu’s father to a personal choice.
• Control and restraint: Xu Mu chooses to conceal Greninja’s new power, while Greninja shows discipline by obeying.
• Comic resistance to destiny: Despite growing stronger and being recruited for competition, Xu Mu keeps insisting he does not want to become a Trainer.

Plot points and events

• Xu Mu initially insists on dropping out of school, dismissing competitions and exams as pointless. Yu Hailong and the principal persuade him to enter a competition instead: in exchange, he can receive a Rookie Trainer license without an exam, take a year off, and choose a Pokémon from the principal’s home.
• Xu Mu agrees, partly because unlicensed people are limited to one Pokémon. He treats the license as a formality and remains more interested in traveling and enjoying life.
• At principal Xiao Tianyang’s home, Xu Mu discovers a yard full of rare Fire-type Pokémon, including Charmander, Chimchar, and Cyndaquil. Xiao explains that they are offspring of his longtime Pokémon.
• Xu Mu rejects the lively or combative Charmander and chooses one that appears unambitious, gazing blankly at the sky.
• When the principal introduces the Charmander as Xu Mu’s partner, the Pokémon seems to recognize that it has finally been chosen and can reveal its true strength.
• Greninja unexpectedly emerges from its Poké Ball. It and Charmander size each other up and immediately recognize one another as powerful.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu remains carefree and resistant to conventional expectations, but accepts the competition and Trainer license when they offer practical benefits. His choice of Charmander reflects his preference for a seemingly laid-back partner.
• Yu Hailong shows unusual concern for Xu Mu, going to great lengths to prevent him from abandoning school.
• Principal Xiao Tianyang uses his authority and treasured Pokémon to persuade Xu Mu, then lets him choose freely from his Fire-type Pokémon.
• Charmander appears idle but is secretly confident and eager to explore beyond the yard. Its meeting with Greninja hints that it is far stronger than Xu Mu assumes.
• Greninja and Charmander form an immediate mutual assessment, each sensing the other’s strength.

Significant themes

• Freedom versus conventional paths: Xu Mu resists school and formal expectations, while others try to preserve his opportunities.
• Appearances can mislead: The Charmander Xu Mu chooses for seeming unambitious may conceal formidable ability.
• Partnership and potential: Xu Mu’s new Trainer status begins with choosing a companion, and the mutual recognition between Charmander and Greninja foreshadows their future relationship.

Key plot points and events

• Xu Mu assumes his newly assigned Charmander is weak and lazy, but Charmander’s nervous reaction to Greninja’s invitation to spar hints at his cautious nature.
• After checking Charmander’s status, Xu Mu discovers he is actually Early Pseudo-Elite Four strength, with an impressive range of powerful moves and a Solar Power ability. Charmander achieved this by staying in the beginner village for years, battling weaker Pokémon while refusing to evolve.
• The principal refuses Xu Mu’s request to exchange Charmander, relieved to have finally gotten the troublemaking Pokémon out of his backyard.
• Xu Mu registers as a Rookie Trainer, triggering the system’s congratulatory message. The principal mistakes Xu Mu’s frustration for excitement.
• The principal tells Xu Mu they will travel to Flame City the next day for a high-school league tournament. Competing could complete two of the system’s missions, which Xu is determined to avoid.
• At home, Xu’s mother offers to support him if he wants to leave school. Her kindness moves him, and he decides to enter the tournament, promising to bring her a trophy.

Character developments

• Xu Mu remains determined to resist becoming a Trainer and resents the system’s efforts to make him stronger. His mother’s support, however, brings out his affection and a renewed desire to make her proud.
• Charmander is revealed as a powerful but extremely cautious Pokémon. He values safety above all and has deliberately stayed unevolved despite years of training.
• Xu Mu’s mother shows unconditional support for her son, contrasting with the school’s pressure to keep him competing.
• The principal is relieved to be rid of Charmander and assumes Xu Mu is excited about becoming a Trainer.

Significant themes

• Irony and misunderstanding: Xu mistakes a formidable Pokémon for a weakling, while others repeatedly misread his frustration as enthusiasm.
• Caution versus ambition: Charmander’s survival-first philosophy parallels Xu’s desire to avoid the risks and obligations of becoming a Trainer.
• Family support: Xu’s mother’s acceptance gives him comfort and motivates him more effectively than institutional pressure.
• Resistance to fate: Xu fights the system’s attempts to guide his progress, even as events keep pushing him toward strength and competition.

Character interactions

• Greninja challenges Charmander to spar, but Charmander recoils; Xu intervenes to keep Greninja from intimidating the new companion.
• Xu asks the principal to exchange Charmander, but the principal refuses and privately celebrates having transferred the troublesome Pokémon.
• The principal registers Xu as a Rookie Trainer and announces the upcoming tournament, while mistaking Xu’s anger for excitement.
• Xu’s mother gently offers to help him take leave from school. Touched by her faith in him, Xu chooses to compete and promises her a trophy.

Key plot points and events

• Xu Mu leaves home for Flame City to compete in a tournament. His mother gives him money and worries over his safety; Greninja lightens the farewell by promising to protect him.
• The old principal and Yu Hailong drive Xu Mu to Flame City. During the trip, the principal asks about Charmander and discusses Pokémon training, giving Xu Mu practical knowledge about items and Pokéblocks.
• Xu Mu worries about the pressure to win, but the principal insists he is strong enough and threatens to make him attend school for a year if he loses. He also leaves Yu Hailong responsible for keeping Xu focused.
• At the hotel, Yu Hailong explains the arrangements and nearby training facilities. Xu Mu realizes the principal has taken the car, apparently to prevent him from running away.
• In their room, Greninja settles in casually, while highly suspicious Charmander checks for surveillance, Psychic-type traces, and ambushes before declaring the room safe.
• With the tournament two days away, Xu Mu tells the Pokémon he wants them to go easy on opponents. Greninja is eager to fight, and Charmander flatly refuses to hold back.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu’s mother is proud of her son but visibly emotional about his departure; Greninja reassures her with exaggerated devotion to the Xu family.
• Xu Mu remains anxious and reluctant about the tournament, joking that the principal and others seem to be pushing him along a path set by his “system.”
• The old principal is teasing but supportive, using pressure and humor to keep Xu committed. Yu Hailong accepts his role as Xu Mu’s chaperone and caretaker.
• Greninja is loyal, spirited, and eager to battle. Charmander’s extreme caution contrasts with that eagerness, and its fierce competitive attitude surprises Xu Mu.

Significant themes

• Family and loyalty: Xu Mu’s mother’s concern and Greninja’s promise frame his journey as a family-supported undertaking.
• Pressure and responsibility: Xu Mu feels pushed toward success, while the principal and Yu Hailong take steps to keep him on course.
• Contrasting temperaments: Greninja’s enthusiasm and Charmander’s vigilance shape the team’s preparation—and foreshadow potentially forceful tournament battles.

Plot points and events

• Xu Mu returns to his hotel room with food and finds Greninja and Charmander training on their own, surprising and embarrassing him because he has not even made them a training plan.
• Greninja eagerly accepts the food, while Charmander keeps exercising and secretly waits to make sure the food is safe before eating.
• Reading a Flame City travel guide, Xu Mu becomes more interested in the volcano’s attractions—and the women he imagines might be there—than in the Magma Gym.
• Greninja and Charmander discuss the Gym and decide to train together that night. At 11:30 p.m., they slip out while Xu Mu sleeps.
• At the Magma Gym, Greninja defeats an apprentice’s Pokémon. Gym leader Chen Qi arrives, and Greninja declares that he and Charmander intend to challenge the Gym without a Trainer.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu is bemused by his Pokémon’s independence, then distracted by his own plans for sightseeing. He remains unaware of their nighttime excursion.
• Greninja is diligent, proud of his training, and eager to help Xu Mu become a stronger Trainer. He takes the initiative in organizing the Gym challenge.
• Charmander remains intensely cautious, even suspecting the food might be unsafe. Yet fear of danger also motivates him to train, and he readily joins Greninja’s plan.
• The Pokémon bicker playfully over Greninja’s dislike of being called “frog,” while developing a cooperative bond. At the Gym, Flareon translates between Greninja and Chen Qi.

Significant themes

• Pokémon agency and independence: Xu Mu recognizes that his Pokémon have their own motives and choices.
• Caution and courage: Charmander’s fear makes him vigilant, but it also pushes him to seek strength.
• Unconventional partnership: Greninja and Charmander act on their own, challenging the assumption that a Trainer must lead every battle.

Key plot points and events

• Greninja forces Chen Qi, the Magma Gym Leader, to hand over his Badge after defeating the Gym’s Pokémon. He then leaves with Charmander, apparently headed for Charizard Valley.
• The next morning, Xu Mu wakes to find Greninja and Charmander asleep beside him. His system announces that Charmander’s tasks—winning at the Magma Gym and winning a battle in Charizard Valley—have been completed, granting a Mega Charizard X Evolution Stone and the Red Lotus Karmic Fire ability.
• Xu Mu is baffled and angrily accuses the system of completing tasks without him. Noticing his Pokémon are dirty and Charmander has a scorched patch, he suspects they went out and fought while he slept.
• Yu Hailong brings news that an absent Trainer’s Greninja and Charmander defeated Chen Qi in a six-on-one battle. When Greninja wakes briefly and greets Yu, the truth becomes obvious: Xu Mu’s Pokémon acted on their own.
• Xu Mu worries the incident might affect his upcoming Rookie League competition. Yu Hailong thinks it should not, and Xu resolves to keep a low profile while accepting that the Gym challenge is already done.
• Yu explains that the preliminaries begin the next day and consist of four one-on-one rounds; the main competition will feature two-on-two matches. Charmander overhears and quietly decides to get stronger.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu remains an unwilling, easygoing Trainer: he is furious at the system and startled by his Pokémon’s independence, but quickly resigns himself to the consequences and calmly eats breakfast.
• Greninja is confident and self-directed, treating the Gym battle as easy and then continuing on to Charizard Valley. His exhausted return suggests he faced powerful opponents there.
• Charmander is also proactive and ambitious. After its battles and new power, it listens to the tournament details and resolves to train harder.
• Yu Hailong is excited by the Gym news, then realizes Xu Mu’s Pokémon were responsible. He is impressed by Xu Mu’s calmness and offers to accompany him at the competition.
• Xu Mu and Yu share a comic exchange: Yu can scarcely believe Xu’s Pokémon won without their Trainer, while Xu insists he only learned about it that morning.

Significant themes

• Pokémon autonomy and ambition: Greninja and Charmander take initiative without Xu Mu, pursuing battles and growth on their own.
• The contrast between Trainer and Pokémon: Xu Mu is laid-back and reluctant, while his Pokémon are driven and increasingly powerful.
• Comedy through misunderstanding and understatement: Xu’s outrage at the system and calm acceptance of a major Gym victory contrast with Yu’s disbelief.
• Growth and competition: The new abilities and upcoming Rookie League establish the next challenge, especially for Charmander.

Plot points and events

• The Preliminary Tournament begins, and Xu Mu is assigned to Field Six.
• He chooses Charmander for his first match. Charmander defeats the opponent’s Kingler immediately with Inferno, leaving the opposing trainer stunned.
• The referee declares Xu Mu a top-seed-level competitor and assigns him to Group D for the main tournament.
• Though Charmander is uninjured, it insists on a medical examination and then persuades Xu Mu to buy ten expensive Potions.
• With his afternoon match still ahead, Xu Mu spends the morning watching the tournament—mostly, he claims, to assess the female contestants.
• After the morning matches, a red-haired girl confronts him, shouting that she has finally found him.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu tries to work up the courage to approach a pretty girl but is called to battle before he can. He remains relaxed and self-deprecating, and playfully scolds Charmander after its overwhelming victory.
• Charmander is newly confident after gaining the Red Lotus Strange Fire, dismissing the Water-type Kingler as an easy opponent. It also shows a comically cautious, self-indulgent side by demanding a checkup despite being healthy and buying Potions for future use.
• Xu Mu and Charmander have a teasing, affectionate dynamic: Xu Mu complains about Charmander’s needless medical visit and spending, but ultimately lets it have its way.
• Charmander and the other Pokémon plan to return to Charizard Valley for extra training, eager to grow stronger despite Xu Mu’s wish that they would take it easy.
• The opposing trainer goes from mocking Charmander to being shocked by the instant defeat. The referee, meanwhile, recognizes Xu Mu as a serious contender.

Significant themes

• Comic contrast: The match is brief and one-sided, while the aftermath—medical fussing and Potion shopping—gets more attention.
• Trainer and Pokémon bonds: Xu Mu’s exasperation is tempered by affection, while Charmander’s caution and ambition shape their partnership.
• Ambition versus ease: Xu Mu wants a low-key tournament life, but his Pokémon actively seek more training and greater strength.
• A looming encounter: The red-haired girl’s sudden confrontation sets up the chapter’s next development.

Key plot points and events

• At the tournament, Yue Fan confronts Xu Mu, accusing him of humiliating her master, Chen Qi, and the Magma Gym. Xu Mu realizes the dispute stems from his recent gym challenge and apologizes for the trouble his Pokémon caused, but argues that winning a gym challenge is nothing to apologize for.
• Xu Mu leaves without resolving the argument. Yue Fan vows to face him in the main tournament, seemingly overlooking that he defeated all six of her master’s Pokémon.
• Xu Mu advances through the preliminaries with ease: Greninja quickly defeats his Rookie Trainer opponents and secures his place in the main tournament.
• That night, Greninja sneaks out with Charmander to train in Charizard Valley, hoping to improve and help Xu Mu win. Charmander secretly packs a large supply of Potions, wary of getting hurt.
• The next morning, Xu Mu finds Charmander wrapped head to toe in bandages. Removing them reveals only a small scrape on Charmander’s arm, exposing how dramatically he treated the minor injury.

Character developments

• Xu Mu remains calm and self-assured when challenged, though Yue Fan’s anger makes him more wary of approaching attractive women.
• Yue Fan is proud and fiercely loyal to her master and gym. Unable to persuade Xu Mu through words, she decides to challenge him in battle.
• Greninja is ambitious and devoted to Xu Mu, planning to use his own training as a way to support his trainer’s goals.
• Charmander is comically cautious about injury, overpacking Potions and exaggerating a minor scrape with excessive bandages.

Significant themes

• Misunderstanding and pride: Yue Fan interprets Xu Mu’s gym victory as a personal humiliation, while Xu Mu sees it as a legitimate challenge.
• Loyalty and ambition: Greninja’s secret training reflects his desire to help Xu Mu succeed.
• Comedy through contrasting perspectives: Greninja imagines Xu Mu diligently scouting opponents, while the narration reveals Xu Mu was mainly watching the women in the stands; Charmander’s melodramatic bandaging provides another comic contrast.

Character interactions

• Yue Fan confronts Xu Mu angrily; he answers calmly but refuses to accept blame for winning.
• Greninja and Charmander sneak off together to train, with Greninja questioning Charmander’s excessive precaution.
• Xu Mu scolds Greninja for failing to watch Charmander, then discovers Charmander’s injury is far less serious than his bandages suggest.

Plot points and events

• Xu Mu stops reprimanding Greninja and Charmander for wanting to get stronger, affirming that his Pokémon should be free to pursue their own goals. He suggests they rest before the Rookie League, but Charmander argues for more training, and Greninja agrees.
• The next morning, Xu Mu finds Charmander covered in bandages again after another secret training session. He expects the day’s two-on-two match to be straightforward, though he worries the exhausted Pokémon might lose.
• Yu Hailong tells Xu Mu that the Rookie League opening ceremony will feature thirty-six Charizard lighting an altar bonfire. At Purgatory Volcano, the ceremony begins normally—until a powerful tremor near Charizard Valley disrupts it.
• Chen Qi sends for the City Lord and heads toward the Secret Realm. A large group of Charizard bursts out, forcing an evacuation and prompting Chen Qi and other Trainers to intercept them.
• The scarred leader attacks Chen Qi’s Charizard and demands to know where the “blue frog” who beat up his wife is. The chapter reveals that Greninja has been challenging female Charizard in Charizard Valley, using tactics that have made them furious.

Character developments

• Xu Mu accepts that his Pokémon’s ambition belongs to them, even though their relentless training leaves him exasperated and worried.
• Charmander remains cautious but is determined to seize Charizard Valley’s rare opportunities to grow stronger.
• Greninja is persuaded by Charmander that real battles are essential for improvement, and joins the midnight training.
• Chen Qi responds quickly to the emergency, prioritizing civilian safety and the protection of Charizard Valley.

Character interactions

• Xu Mu tries to rein in his Pokémon, but Charmander persuades Greninja—and effectively Xu Mu—to tolerate their training.
• Yu Hailong casually explains the ceremony and Flame City’s abundance of Charizard.
• Chen Qi attempts to question the scarred Charizard, but the enraged leader attacks first and demands Greninja’s whereabouts.

Significant themes

• Autonomy and responsibility: Xu Mu recognizes that caring for his Pokémon does not mean controlling their ambitions.
• Growth through challenge: Charmander and Greninja see difficult battles as necessary for becoming stronger.
• Comic reversal and consequences: Xu Mu’s ominous expectation that something will go wrong is fulfilled by a crisis caused by Greninja’s earlier battles.

Plot points and events

• Greninja retreats into his Poké Ball when a furious, scarred Charizard arrives with a force from Charizard Valley. Charmander’s gestures help Xu Mu guess Greninja has somehow provoked the Charizard king.
• Scarred Charizard is hunting the “blue frog” who has been attacking female Charizards, including his favorite wife. He threatens to break an agreement and go to Flame City if the culprit is not handed over.
• Chen Qi realizes the search is for the same Greninja who recently defeated his Pokémon, but a comic misunderstanding leaves his Charizard croaking like a frog before Chen Qi finally understands.
• Xu Mu decides to face the situation rather than hide. With Yu Hailong’s Fearow, he flies up to Scarred Charizard and identifies Greninja as his Pokémon.
• Instead of admitting that Greninja has been attacking Charizards, Xu Mu claims Greninja and Scarred Charizard’s wife are in love. He urges the king to accept their supposed romance and move on.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu stays bold and quick-thinking, but his attempt at diplomacy relies on a wildly improvised story.
• Greninja avoids confrontation by returning to his Poké Ball, while Charmander mocks him and Xu Mu wonders what trouble he has caused.
• Chen Qi and his Charizard struggle to communicate: Chen Qi mistakes “frog” for “Shellder,” embarrassing his Charizard and prompting the unexpected croak.
• Yu Hailong is stunned by Xu Mu’s nerve, but lends him Fearow and warns him to be careful.
• Scarred Charizard is driven by anger and grief over the attacks on his wife. Xu Mu’s speech reframes the conflict as romantic betrayal, confusing the Charizard crowd.

Significant themes

• The chapter’s humor comes from miscommunication, misunderstood motives, and the escalating gap between what is actually happening and what everyone believes.
• It also parodies romantic advice: Xu Mu invokes acceptance and “wishing them happiness” to manage a dangerous confrontation, despite having no evidence of an affair.

Plot points and events

• Scarred Charizard, enraged by Xu Mu’s earlier humiliation, attacks him with Flamethrower. Greninja blocks it, and the confrontation escalates.
• Flame City’s lord, Lin Haiyuan, intervenes with his Rapidash, but Charizard ignores him and attacks. Lin’s Inferno clashes with Dragon Pulse, though Rapidash is outmatched.
• Xu Mu asks Lin to stand down so he can face Charizard himself, hoping to avoid a wider conflict that could endanger the city.
• Xu reveals Greninja’s hidden Battle Bond ability. Greninja transforms into Bond Form, reaching peak Elite Four-level strength. Though still weaker than Charizard, Greninja has a type advantage and Xu’s confidence in their partnership.
• Their first exchange begins: Greninja evades Charizard’s dive with Double Team, lands Toxic, and uses Protect to withstand Fire Blast. The observers cheer as Greninja gains a slight early advantage.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu chooses to reveal his secret power after seeing Lin risk himself to protect a stranger. He shows concern for others and deep trust in Greninja.
• Greninja is eager to defend Xu and fights in close sync with him, turning their bond into a tactical advantage.
• Lin Haiyuan demonstrates courage and responsibility by confronting a far stronger opponent, then reluctantly allows Xu to take the risk himself.
• Scarred Charizard is driven by wounded pride and anger, but also insists on fighting fairly by not exploiting his aerial advantage.
• Chen Qi watches anxiously and excitedly, jokingly promising to forgive Greninja for defeating all six of his Pokémon if Greninja wins.

Significant themes

• The strength of trust and partnership between Trainer and Pokémon.
• Courage and self-sacrifice in the face of overwhelming power.
• The risks of unchecked anger—and the danger a powerful battle poses to bystanders.

Plot and events

• Xu Mu’s Greninja faces Scarred Charizard, a peak Master-rank Pokémon. Though Greninja is repeatedly pushed to the brink, Charizard is already weakened by Toxic, and his Fire-type attacks also damage him through recoil.
• Greninja survives with skillful counters, including Mat Block against Dragon Rage and Protect against a surprise Solar Beam. Xu Mu’s first use of Battle Bond drains him, but he keeps directing Greninja.
• The pair repeatedly clash Surf against Flare Blitz. As Charizard weakens, Xu Mu has Greninja switch to evasive, circling attacks, then intercepts Charizard when it tries to recover with Roost.
• Both Pokémon are left exhausted after a final collision. Xu Mu’s outrageous taunts provoke Charizard into coughing blood and collapsing, securing Greninja’s victory.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu and Greninja fight in close coordination, shouting together and adapting their tactics as the battle changes. Xu Mu endures Battle Bond’s strain and helps Greninja exploit Charizard’s fatigue.
• Scarred Charizard begins as a fierce, dominant opponent, but Toxic, recoil, and repeated Water attacks steadily wear him down. Xu Mu’s insults finally push him over the edge.
• Lin Haiyuan urges Xu Mu onward and is astonished when he wins. Yu Hailong celebrates loudly, while Chen Qi is left stunned and physically shaken. The watching contestants are amazed.

Significant themes

• Teamwork and perseverance: Xu Mu and Greninja keep fighting despite exhaustion and near-defeat.
• Tactics over brute force: Greninja’s counters, evasions, and timing help overcome a stronger opponent.
• Exploiting weaknesses: Charizard’s poison, Water-type vulnerability, and Flare Blitz recoil turn the battle in Greninja’s favor.
• Humor amid danger: Xu Mu’s crude taunts provide comic relief—and an unexpected final blow to Charizard’s pride.

Key plot points

• After losing to Greninja, the scar-faced Charizard keeps its promise and gives Lin Haiyuan more than a dozen Pokémon Eggs, including an unusually bright egg containing its own offspring. Lin gives that special egg to Xu Mu and praises him.
• Lin encourages Xu Mu to become a Trainer. Xu Mu privately suspects the advice is a dangerous trap, then leaves, baffling Lin.
• The tournament resumes, and Xu Mu’s victory over a Master-level opponent has left the other competitors intimidated. He meets Yue Fan, the woman who challenged him earlier, but she avoids him.
• Xu Mu draws Yue Fan in the round of sixty-four. Though he greets her cheerfully, he tells Charmander to fight without restraint. Charmander overwhelms Yue Fan’s Braixen, and Yue Fan leaves the field in tears.
• Spectators are shocked and angry, while others warn their friends not to face Xu Mu. He earns the nickname “Flower-Destroying Ruthless Hands—Fengcheng Xumu.”
• Back at the hotel, Director Yu Hailong asks what Xu Mu will do with the Charizard egg. Xu Mu jokingly suggests it could be Charmander’s future mate; Charmander promptly dives into its Poké Ball.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu remains powerful, self-assured, and comic: he accepts praise without boasting, but distrusts encouragement to become a Trainer because he sees the profession as dangerous. He is outwardly friendly to Yue Fan yet treats their match ruthlessly, then laments his continued lack of a girlfriend.
• Lin Haiyuan admires Xu Mu’s composure and strength, but is puzzled by his reaction to the career advice.
• Yue Fan goes from challenging Xu Mu to feeling embarrassed and overwhelmed by his victory.
• Charmander readily follows Xu Mu’s uncompromising battle instructions, but rejects the idea of having a mate.
• Yu Hailong is astonished by Xu Mu’s win and curious about the egg’s fate.

Significant themes

• Power and reputation: Xu Mu’s skill far exceeds what people expect from a Rookie League contestant, making him feared and famous.
• The danger of the Trainer’s life: Xu Mu views the profession as hazardous, even as others see it as his natural future.
• Comedy through contrast: Xu Mu’s genial manner contrasts with his harsh battle strategy, while his confidence and romantic loneliness provide the chapter’s humor.

Key plot points and events

• Xu Mu and Charmander decide the rare Pokémon Egg needs a new Trainer: Charmander rejects the idea of having a sibling, while Xu Mu would rather not be outdone romantically by his Pokémon.
• Xu Mu and Greninja continue training in Charizard Valley. Their Battle Bond coordination improves until they can repeatedly defeat the Master Class Scarred Charizard.
• Charmander refuses to evolve and buys an Everstone, reasoning that opponents will underestimate him if he stays small.
• Xu Mu wins the Rookie League championship with little difficulty. Female opponents forfeit because of his reputation, while male contestants are defeated by Charmander’s Fire Blast.
• During his acceptance speech, Xu Mu announces that he will find a Trainer for the offspring of a Master Class Charizard. With the Pokémon League’s approval, he turns the announcement into a public auction.
• Bidding rises from five million to thirty million League coins. Mr. Zhao wins the Egg, intending it for his son. Xu Mu verifies the payment and entrusts the Egg to him.
• Xu Mu receives the championship prize—a top-grade Flame Orb—and heads back to Fengcheng with Yu Hailong.

Character developments

• Xu Mu becomes more skilled and confident in commanding Greninja through Battle Bond, but remains shamelessly money-minded and playful.
• Charmander shows no interest in evolving, preferring the tactical advantage of being underestimated.
• Greninja continues to serve as Xu Mu’s training partner, with their teamwork growing increasingly polished.
• Scarred Charizard is repeatedly defeated and effectively forced to accept Xu Mu and Greninja’s presence.
• Mr. Zhao comes across as courteous and influential, though his main purpose in the chapter is securing the Egg for his son.

Significant themes

• Training through adversity: Repeated battles improve Xu Mu and Greninja’s coordination.
• Strategic self-presentation: Charmander treats his unevolved form as an advantage, while Xu Mu uses his championship speech to create a public spectacle.
• Money and status: The Egg’s auction reveals the wealth and competition surrounding rare Pokémon.
• Comedy and anti-climax: Xu Mu’s easy championship victory feels empty, and his crude humor and fixation on money undercut the expected grandeur of the occasion.

Character interactions

• Xu Mu and Greninja build trust through their repeated fights with Scarred Charizard.
• Xu Mu and Charmander share an openly self-interested but affectionate dynamic: both make decisions based on their own priorities.
• Chen Qi tries to secure the Egg for the Magma Gym, but is outbid by Old Man Sun and then Mr. Zhao.
• Xu Mu’s improvised auction draws in spectators, judges, and influential bidders, turning his victory ceremony into a bidding contest.

Key plot points and events

• After Xu Mu wins the championship, the Old Principal celebrates enthusiastically. Xu Mu is unimpressed, so Yu Hailong tells the principal about Xu Mu’s extraordinary battle in Charizard Valley; the story leaves the principal speechless.
• Xu Mu skips the school’s victory banquet and goes home. He gives his mother a card containing five million, explaining that he earned the money during the tournament and has plenty more.
• The gift moves his mother to tears. The two share a rare, tender moment, and she supports his long-held dream of traveling, asking only that he rest and take care of himself.
• Ten days later, Xu Mu has wrapped up school matters and planned his trip. His first destination is the newly opened Viridian Forest Secret Realm.
• The system reveals that Greninja’s and Charmander’s beginner tasks are complete and assigns new challenges: Greninja must battle Entei, while Charmander must participate in a Master Class battle in Viridian Forest.
• Xu Mu initially resists the difficult tasks, but the system says he will meet the first girl he truly loves in Viridian Forest. He immediately becomes eager to go.

Character development

• Xu Mu remains detached from public praise and reluctant to be treated as a Trainer, but he is generous toward his mother and deeply values her affection. His excitement about meeting his future love quickly overtakes his complaints about the system.
• Xu Mu’s mother shows the quiet resilience behind her gentle manner. After years of hardship and private grief, she is moved by her son’s support and encourages him to pursue his dream.
• The Old Principal goes from triumphant celebration to stunned silence after hearing about Xu Mu’s achievements beyond the championship.
• Greninja and Charmander have grown considerably stronger and apparently keep training on their own, even when Xu Mu suspects they have sneaked out.

Significant themes

• Family love and unspoken pain: Xu Mu’s gift and his mother’s tears reveal affection that neither has found easy to express.
• Independence and personal dreams: Xu Mu wants to travel the world rather than follow the expected path of becoming a Trainer.
• Ambition and comic irony: Xu Mu complains about the system’s dangerous challenges, yet eagerly accepts the Viridian Forest task once it promises romance.

Character interactions

• Xu Mu’s calm attitude contrasts with the Old Principal’s exuberance; Yu Hailong’s account of Charizard Valley changes the mood.
• Xu Mu awkwardly offers his mother money, then comforts her as she cries. She responds with affection and gives him her blessing to travel.
• Xu Mu’s thoughts and dialogue with the system provide comic banter, especially as he swings from rejecting the Viridian Forest challenge to rushing toward it for love.

Plot points and events

• Xu Mu flies to Stone City after the system hints that his destined woman is in the Viridian Wilds. He hurries from the airport to his hotel and then onward to the Secret Realm.
• At the hotel, Charmander carefully checks the room for Pokémon and surveillance devices before Xu Mu insists they leave.
• Once inside the Viridian Wilds, Xu Mu ignores the surroundings and scans the other visitors for a potential romantic match. Finding no promising prospects, he decides to head deeper into the forest.
• Xu Mu hears a young woman cry for help and rushes toward the sound, calling out, “Miss, don’t panic! I’m coming!”

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu is single-mindedly focused on finding the woman predicted by the system. He has little interest in training or becoming a serious Trainer, though his Pokémon misread his decision to venture deeper as a sign of new ambition.
• Charmander is cautious and protective, checking the hotel room for threats and worrying about Xu Mu’s judgment. It mistakenly assumes Xu Mu may be seeking stronger opponents.
• Greninja is loyal and eager to improve. It interprets the trip as a training opportunity and believes Xu Mu wants it to prove its strength.
• The Pokémon bicker and speculate about Xu Mu’s behavior while also caring for him: Greninja cools him with Water-type energy, and Charmander absorbs heat to prevent him from overheating.

Significant themes

• Romantic obsession versus responsibility: Xu Mu’s pursuit of his imagined destined partner takes priority over training and practical concerns.
• Miscommunication and comic irony: Xu Mu’s motives are repeatedly misunderstood by his Pokémon, who imagine he is becoming more dedicated to battling.
• Loyalty and care: Despite their confusion and complaints, Charmander and Greninja protect Xu Mu and remain committed to him.

Plot points and events

• Xu Mu hears a girl calling for help and rushes downstream, where he finds her struggling in a river with a crying Gible.
• Though Xu Mu cannot swim, he jumps in anyway. Greninja uses Surf to rescue Xu Mu, the girl, and Gible.
• The girl thanks Xu Mu and introduces herself as Cynthia, a young traveler from Western Europe. She explains she is exploring the Eastern Lands before enrolling at Eastern Academy next year.
• Xu Mu gives her a towel, dry clothes, and shelter in a tree hollow, where he makes a campfire and gives her privacy to change.
• Xu Mu recognizes Cynthia as the future Sinnoh Champion from his previous life and is thrilled that she matches the girl his system predicted was destined for him.

Character development and interactions

• Xu Mu is impulsive and self-involved: he jumps into the river despite being unable to swim, initially motivated by the girl’s appearance. After recognizing Cynthia, his excitement turns into intense admiration and fantasies about their supposed compatibility.
• Cynthia is presented as kind, adventurous, and independent. She is traveling alone, shows concern for Gible, and responds warmly to Xu Mu’s help. She seems younger and less imposing than the famous Champion Xu Mu remembers.
• Greninja acts as the practical rescuer, saving Xu Mu from his own recklessness and signaling that it cannot explain his strange reaction.
• Xu Mu and Cynthia discover that they are both traveling alone during a gap year before returning to school, which Xu Mu interprets as fate bringing them together.

Significant themes

• Recklessness versus competence: Xu Mu’s foolish dive contrasts with Greninja’s calm, effective rescue.
• Fate and romantic idealization: Xu Mu treats their shared circumstances as proof they are destined for each other, while Cynthia’s feelings remain unknown.
• Identity across worlds: Xu Mu’s recognition of Cynthia from his previous-life knowledge creates a gap between the celebrated Champion he remembers and the younger girl he meets.
• Care mixed with objectification: Xu Mu provides genuine practical help, but his attention is also repeatedly focused on Cynthia’s appearance.