Recaps

Li Wei prepared for Roland’s visit while balancing his Breeding Center work and watching his Pokémon train. The chapter ended with Roland announcing that she would arrive the next day to cheer at the Master League.

• Li Wei told his parents that Roland was coming to visit, and they excitedly discussed getting ready for her.
• Li Wei finished filming a candied sweet potato video and let Dayou eat the promised plates while he returned to editing.
• Li Wei checked on his Pokémon as they trained, praised Lucario for helping manage the group, and observed Farfetch'd defeat Corvisquire in battle.
• Li Wei reviewed his upcoming work caring for Cynthia's, Steven's, and Lance's Pokémon, while his parents planned a four-day employee hot spring trip that he would skip.
• Roland messaged Li Wei that she would arrive at the Breeding Center the next day and cheer to her heart's content.

Li Wei taught Korrina the Knight Breathing Technique and explained how it could help her control Lucario’s aura during Mega Evolution. Roland arrived at the Breeding Center, reunited with Li Wei and Lucario, and went inside to greet Li Wei’s parents.

• Li Wei taught Korrina the Knight Breathing Technique and explained its benefits and limits.
• Li Wei said the technique could help Korrina and Lucario control the stronger aura of Mega Evolution.
• Roland arrived on Salamence and reunited with Li Wei and Lucario with their customary high fives.
• Li Wei fed Salamence his homemade Poffins, and Roland said she planned to stay until after the Water Festival and enter with Milotic.
• Roland greeted Wen Hui and gave her gifts from Unova while Li Wei’s father startled Li Wei as he watched from the shadows.

Roland visited the Jubilife Breeding Center, reunited with Leon and the family, and introduced her championship team before heading to the berry orchard to see Grandpa Lian. There, Snorlax helped himself to berries, and Roland learned that Cynthia often praised her.

• Roland greeted Leon and gave him a massager set, then gave Li Wen a fishing rod she had won in a competition.
• Roland introduced her Pokémon and told Leon she was researching the fall of Ancient Unova and its envisioned ideal future.
• Roland took Snorlax to find Grandpa Lian while her other Pokémon stayed at the Breeding Center.
• Snorlax ate ripe Pecha Berries in the orchard, and Grandpa Lian welcomed him to keep eating.
• Roland met Luo Ye and Xiao Meng, who told her that Cynthia often praised her as one of a kind.

Roland visited Li Wei’s Breeding Center, tasted his cooking, and learned that his Ancient Statue belonged to a set of seven relics tied to an unknown legend. After touring the center and meeting its Pokémon, she found Diancie training with the Carbink.

• Roland arrived at the Breeding Center and received a warm welcome before praising Li Wei’s Mapo Tofu.
• Li Wei showed Roland the nearly finished Pokémon Restaurant and explained the Breeding Center’s facilities and Pokémon.
• Roland recognized Li Wei’s Ancient Statue as an artifact from an ancient civilization and described the legend of collecting it with six other relics.
• Roland met Shaymin, Snorlax, the Milotic, Florges, Tauros, and the Miltank during her tour.
• Li Wei took Roland to the cave, where Diancie and the Carbink practiced a Fairy-type training method they had learned from Valerie.

The Master League’s top sixteen were announced, and the round-of-sixteen draw set several Elite Four and Champion matchups. With the Knockout Round starting the next day, Li Wei and his companions also prepared for the Water Festival.

• The Master League group stage ended with sixteen competitors advancing, including group winners Wallace and Bruno and runner-up Lucian.
• Referee Rotom began the random draw, pairing Steven with Flint and Leon with Drasna.
• The draw matched Wallace against Lorelei and Cynthia against Lucian.
• Lance drew Drake, while Diantha was paired with her friend Caitlin; Raihan and Bruno also learned their opponents.
• The draw concluded, and the competitors prepared for the Knockout Round and the next day’s Water Festival.

Jubilife City launched its Water Festival, drawing residents, tourists, and Li Wei’s family and coworkers to the northern coast for fishing, Pokémon contests, and water racing. Li Wei arrived with his group and planned to enter the sea-fishing event and Pokémon Contest, while the festival crowd spread out across the venue.

• Mayor Luca organized a large Water Festival to expand Jubilife City’s cultural and recreational life.
• Li Wei’s friends and colleagues prepared to attend, while Brock, Misty, and Green made other plans.
• Li Wei’s group loaded food and drinks onto a rented bus and traveled to the northern coast.
• The festival offered whale-watching and sea fishing, a Water Pokémon Contest, and water racing, with valuable prizes for the top three in each event.
• Li Wei told everyone to explore the festival and meet back at the parking lot at eight that night.

Li Wei attended the Ripple Water Festival, registered for its Pokémon Contest with his companions, and met Gardenia. He joined Akin, Crystal, and Yellow for the Whale-Watching Fishing excursion.

• Li Wei received a notification about a shiny Water-type Pokémon nearby and told his group when to meet back that evening.
• Li Wei registered for the Pokémon Contest with Roland, Mizuki, and Shiyin, and Bai'an asked him for an autograph.
• Li Wei spotted Blue, who planned to sell merchandise at the festival, and then met Gardenia, who was visiting for fun.
• Li Wei left to join the Whale-Watching Fishing excursion and met Akin, Crystal, and Yellow by the gathering point.
• Li Wei introduced Roland, Mizuki, and Shiyin to Akin before the group set off for the excursion.

Li Wei joined a free whale-watching fishing trip during Jubilife City’s Water Festival, where Rotom explained the local Wailord pod to tourists. After the fishing competition began, Yellow caught a huge Mantine while Akin struggled with a string of low-scoring Pokémon, and Li Wei settled into a quieter patch of sea before his rod finally moved.

• Li Wei, Yellow, and Diancie watched Wailord and Wailmer from the boat while Rotom described the Pokémon to the passengers.
• Li Wei, Akin, and Yellow set out to fish, with Li Wei choosing a Lapras and Yellow riding a Dewgong.
• Elder Uncle Li Wen caught a Lumineon and successfully captured it with a Dive Ball.
• Yellow reeled in an enormous Mantine, while Akin repeatedly caught Magikarp and then a Goldeen.
• Li Wei moved to a quieter patch of sea with Milotic, and his fishing rod began to move.

Yellow won the Whale-Watching Fishing event, and Li Wei joined the crowds for the Ripple Festival Pokémon Contest. The contest began with Diancie among the contestants, while the chapter left the Master League knockout round still to come.

• Yellow won the fishing competition with a Shiny Gorebyss, while Elder Uncle placed second and Roland placed third.
• Yellow received a Super Fishing Rod and a custom surfboard voucher, Elder Uncle got Good Rod upgrade components, and Roland won a Water Stone.
• Li Wei took Lucario and the others to a seaside restaurant before the Ripple Festival began.
• Bai'an introduced the Ripple Festival, its stages, and the judges, including Fantina from the Hearthome Gym.
• Yellow watched as Li Wei prepared Diancie for the contest, and Bai'an opened the performances.

At the Riverside Arena, Li Wei watched the Water-type Contest performances before making his own dazzling debut with Diancie. After shaping nested pink diamond hearts, he began his final move, Moonblast.

• Roland impressed the judges with Milotic’s fluid Water-type performance, while other contestants showcased Pokémon including Jigglypuff, Glameow, and Incineroar.
• Akin and his Ambipom, Tailor, performed an unusual billiards routine in midair that earned enthusiastic applause.
• The audience cheered as Li Wei took the stage and introduced Diancie with a brilliant Dazzling Gleam.
• Diancie used Diamond Storm to form a large pink diamond heart around a smaller one, displaying astonishing control.
• Li Wei began Diancie’s final move, Moonblast, bathing the diamond hearts in silvery light.

Li Wei and Diancie faced Gardenia and Cherubi in the Ripple Conference finals, using dazzling moves to outscore their opponents. The battle ended with time running out, applause filling the venue, and the result left unstated.

• Gardenia's Cherubi opened with a graceful Magical Leaf, but Diancie countered it with Diamond Storm and lowered Gardenia's score.
• Diancie used Power Gem and then a faceted pink Light Screen to withstand Cherubi's Petal Blizzard, scattering rainbow light across the stage.
• Gardenia ordered Cherubi to use Solar Beam, and Li Wei answered with Diancie's Moonblast.
• Diancie's Moonblast overcame Solar Beam and filled the sky with pink motes as he bowed; time ran out and the audience applauded.

The Water Festival ended successfully, and Li Wei planned to help Farfetch'd evolve by arranging its first Gym challenge. As Mayor Luca began planning a bigger festival for next year, Li Wei prepared for the Top Breeder Exam and the Annual Meeting.

• Akin won the Water Racing event with Mantine, while Roland finished second with Milotic; Lt. Surge revealed that his ship's instruments had failed at sea, and Lance offered to investigate with him.
• Li Wei received three Lansat Berries and planned to pair them with a meal for Farfetch'd before arranging an opponent for its evolution battle.
• At Wyndon Stadium, Wallace, Caitlin, Cynthia, Raihan, Steven, Leon, Lance, and Bruno advanced through the Knockout Round, while Cynthia and Roland departed for the Research Forum Summit.
• On November 16, Mayor Luca praised the Water Festival's success and proposed holding it in August and linking it with the Pokémon Contest venue next year.
• Mayor Luca prepared to run for Sinnoh League President in the coming year's leadership election, and Li Wei said he would vote for him.

The first Pokémon Master League ended with Leon defeating Cynthia in the final after Gigantamax Charizard overcame Garchomp. Leon celebrated his title, while Cynthia vowed to win next time.

• On November 17, Leon celebrated the completion of the Pokémon Restaurant renovations, and Li Wei posted a photo of the venue while noting it would open in late December.
• Akin invited others to join the upcoming P1 Fighting Championship, and Li Wei encouraged Korrina to enter so she and Riolu could gain experience.
• On November 21, Cynthia and Leon battled through a six-on-six final until Garchomp faced Gigantamax Charizard, whose G-Max Wildfire wore Garchomp down and secured Leon's victory.
• Red, Blue, Yellow, Akin, and Lance discussed the Master League final in the Chat Group, with Lance praising Leon and reflecting on his own earlier defeat to Cynthia.
• Leon accepted the championship trophy and thanked Cynthia for their hard-fought battle, while Cynthia congratulated him and promised to win next time.

After losing to Leon, Cynthia spoke with Li Wei and looked ahead to challenging Gigantamax Charizard again. Li Wei traveled to Oreburgh City with Farfetch'd to battle Roark and help Farfetch'd grow stronger.

• Leon questioned whether he could remain unbeatable without Dynamax and resolved to keep working until he could face Red without constraints.
• Cynthia told Li Wei she would go to Goldenrod City and then visit her grandmother, and she looked forward to trying his desserts.
• Li Wei prepared Farfetch'd for a battle that could help him evolve into Sirfetch'd, while Farfetch'd continued serving as the Breeding Center's mediator.
• Li Wei left for Oreburgh City with Lucario, Metagross, and Farfetch'd, leaving Shaymin at the Breeding Center.
• Li Wei entered the Oreburgh Gym to meet Roark, who had agreed to battle him and put Farfetch'd under pressure.

Li Wei challenged Roark to a one-on-one battle to prepare Farfetch'd for evolution, and Roark sent out his powerful Tyranitar. Farfetch'd landed two consecutive critical hits but struggled through Tyranitar's attacks as the battle continued.

• Li Wei and Roark agreed to a one-Pokémon battle, with Rotom volunteering to referee.
• Roark sent out his Tyranitar, and Farfetch'd overcame its initial shock to face it.
• Tyranitar used Rock Slide, but Farfetch'd dodged through the rocks and struck it with a critical Night Slash.
• Farfetch'd dodged Tyranitar's Crunch and landed another critical hit with Leaf Blade.
• Tyranitar's Earthquake shook the field, and Li Wei ordered Farfetch'd to use Brave Bird.

Li Wei’s Farfetch'd battled Roark’s Tyranitar at Oreburgh Gym, landing its third critical hit and evolving into Sirfetch'd. The newly evolved Pokémon faced Tyranitar in a final clash, with both trainers ordering powerful attacks.

• Farfetch'd dodged Tyranitar’s Fire Blast and Dark Pulse, then met its Double-Edge charge head-on and stayed standing.
• Roark Mega Evolved Tyranitar after praising Farfetch'd’s resolve.
• Farfetch'd landed a third critical hit with Night Slash, triggering its evolution into Sirfetch'd.
• Sirfetch'd learned Meteor Assault, and Roark and Li Wei ordered it and Tyranitar to clash with Meteor Assault and Heavy Slam.

Li Wei and Roark's battle ended in a draw after Mega Tyranitar and Sirfetch'd knocked each other out, and Roark explained why Gym Leaders supported Trainers regardless of whether they challenged the Pokémon League. Back at the Jubilife Breeding Center, Li Wei introduced the newly evolved Sirfetch'd to the other Pokémon and employees.

• Mega Tyranitar's Heavy Slam and Sirfetch'd's Meteor Assault collided, leaving both Pokémon unable to battle and the match a draw.
• Roark and Li Wei took Tyranitar and Sirfetch'd to the Pokémon Center, where Roark explained his responsibilities as a Gym Leader and affirmed that all Trainers mattered.
• Li Wei shared lunch with Roark, invited him to the Breeding Center's December party, and then returned to the center on Metagross.
• Li Wei released Sirfetch'd at the Jubilife Breeding Center, where the other Pokémon gathered to greet the newly evolved Pokémon.
• Arcanine eyed Sirfetch'd's leek, but Li Wei stopped it and Arcanine agreed to leave the leek alone.
• Mizuki and the employees admired Sirfetch'd's evolution, and Mizuki said she had doubted Li Wei could achieve it.

Cynthia celebrated winning the Silver Award at the Research Forum Summit while turning down Li Wei’s invitation because she did not want to neglect the Breeding Center. As the year ended, Li Wei prepared for the Top Breeder Exam and the Breeding Center decided to add both Vulpix and Rockruff next year.

• Cynthia won the Silver Award for a research report she had completed on her own.
• Li Wei invited Cynthia out, but she declined because she wanted to keep the Breeding Center running for its customers.
• Cynthia returned to Celestic Town to relax by continuing her research into ancient records, while the Breeding Center set its year-end closure and holiday schedule.
• Li Wei weighed Lycanroc at 51.6 kilograms and continued its weight-loss routine before planning to take it to Celestic Town.
• At the staff meeting, Leon and Li Wei agreed to introduce both Vulpix and Rockruff as breeding populations next year.
• On December 2, Li Wei left for Jubilife Airport to travel to Lily of the Valley Island for the Top Breeder Exam.

Li Wei took the first two rounds of the Sinnoh Top Breeder Exam, confidently completing a difficult written test and identifying subtle care needs among five Pokémon. The morning session ended, with the second round scheduled for that afternoon.

• Li Wei arrived at the Sinnoh League headquarters for the Top Breeder Exam, drawing attention from the gathered Senior Breeders.
• Li Wei rested instead of cramming, then followed Nurse Joy to the examination hall when the first round was about to begin.
• Li Wei quickly answered the difficult written test on Pokémon physiology, ecology, Berry reactions, status conditions, and regional breeding needs.
• Professor Rowan, Nurse Joy Yukino, Samaranch, and Lucian supervised as the contestants observed five Pokémon without touching them.
• Li Wei identified the Ponyta's social anxiety, Pikachu's static electricity from dry weather and energy imbalance, and Shieldon's need for diabase tuff in its diet.
• Nurse Joy collected the observation answers and sent the contestants to rest before the afternoon round.

Li Wei prepared stamina-restoring Pokémon Food for an Aron in the Top Breeder Exam’s second round, impressing the judges with his skill and steady improvement. He waited for the results and the final round scheduled for the next day.

• Li Wei checked into a hotel on Lily of the Valley Island with Lucario and Metagross while the judges rested after the morning exam.
• Nurse Joy introduced the second-round task: contestants had to prepare food that restored stamina and relieved fatigue for a Pokémon they selected.
• Li Wei chose an Aron and made food using Sitrus Berries and Wiki Berry while the judges watched his precise work.
• Aron ate Li Wei’s food and pressed the very satisfied button, while the four judges tasted their portions and praised the result.
• The judges scored the round using Aron's rating for sixty percent of the score and their ratings for the remaining forty percent, then announced that the final round would take place the next day.

Li Wei completed the final round of the Top Breeder Exam by demonstrating his bond with Mega Lucario, while other Senior Breeders showcased their Pokémon’s training. The judges finished scoring and announced results would be posted in seven days, but a man in a crimson suit stopped Li Wei as he was leaving.

• Li Wei reassured his parents that he felt confident about passing the exam, then chatted with Cynthia and the others in the group chat.
• Nurse Joy explained that the final round required each participant to demonstrate a Pokémon they had personally trained in depth.
• Li Wei used Mega Evolution and directed Lucario through a Bone Club demonstration, impressing the judges with Lucario’s training and abilities.
• Rob demonstrated Glaceon’s ice shield, which he said was inspired by Li Wei’s Diancie, while Wakaba showed how precisely Bibarel could carve objects.
• The judges finished deliberating, and Nurse Joy announced that exam results would be posted on the Pokémon League’s website in seven days.
• Li Wei added Wakaba and Rob on LINE, but a man in a crimson suit called out to him as he was leaving.

Lucian invited Li Wei to become a Special Investigator for the Sinnoh League, citing his experience catching Pokémon Hunters and his strength. Li Wei accepted, and a new optional quest to punish criminals who exploited Pokémon appeared.

• Lucian invited Li Wei to dinner at the Snorlax Restaurant and praised how he had raised Lucario and Metagross.
• Lucian explained that the Sinnoh League needed investigators to stop Pokémon Hunters and asked Li Wei to become a Special Investigator.
• Li Wei considered how the role could suit his Pokémon and help reduce the burden on Cynthia, then accepted the position.
• A new optional quest appeared, and Lucian welcomed Li Wei to the Investigator force.

Li Wei accepted the Pokémon League’s offer to become a Special Investigator, though his identity would remain secret to guard against Pokémon Hunters and possible League informants. After explaining the role, Lucian shared his Psychic-type training log with Li Wei before leaving, and Li Wei prepared to rest and return home the next day.

• Li Wei accepted Lucian’s invitation to become a Special Investigator after deciding the Pokémon League needed more help dealing with Pokémon Hunters.
• Lucian explained that Special Investigators mainly arrested Pokémon Hunters and sometimes handled Legendary Pokémon incidents through negotiation.
• Lucian told Li Wei that his Special Investigator identity would be kept hidden because Pokémon Hunters might have informants or strong counter-surveillance.
• Lucian and Li Wei discussed breeding, books, and training, and Lucian sent Li Wei a file of his Psychic-type training log, including notes on Gallade’s Power-Up Punch.
• Lucian said goodbye after about half an hour, and Li Wei planned to rest before returning home the next day.

Li Wei accepted Lucian’s invitation to become a Pokémon League Special Investigator and told his parents and Cynthia, who agreed they would fight alongside each other. He joined the group chat as Lance recruited investigators, while the members discussed their choices and fell into a familiar argument.

• Li Wei told Leon and Wen Hui he had accepted Lucian’s invitation, and they urged him to stay safe and avoid overworking himself.
• Cynthia explained that her absence had been for League business, and Li Wei promised to help her as a fellow Special Investigator.
• Li Wei stayed awake with Lucario and Metagross, then read the group chat as Lance recruited members and announced plans for a Special Investigator chat group.
• Blue accepted Lance’s invitation, Red declined, and Akin accepted an open Investigator role while joking about its privileges.
• Lance expressed surprise that Li Wei had accepted Lucian’s invitation, and Lt. Surge and Akin argued over whether Li Wei had been weak when he started out.

Lt. Surge’s disappearance led the Pokémon League to investigate a mysterious fog-covered stretch of sea, while Li Wei learned he had placed first in the Top Breeder Exam. As the League’s investigation continued without answers, Li Wei celebrated his result and promised to follow developments.

• Lance explained that Lt. Surge’s boat had vanished from radar records and that he and Lt. Surge had found an unexplained fog-covered area at sea, which the League was now investigating with Green’s help.
• Li Wei returned to his routine at the Jubilife Breeding Center after receiving his Special Investigator ID and telling his family and Dayou about his new role.
• Li Wei checked the exam results with his friends and found that he had placed first with scores of 97, 98, and 96, while only Wakaba and he had passed.
• Li Wei celebrated with everyone at the Breeding Center and messaged Cynthia, who apologized for missing the celebration because she was occupied with the investigation into Lt. Surge’s disappearance.
• Li Wei told Cynthia to update him if anything happened, while the investigators continued exploring the fog-covered sea without finding answers.