Recaps

Qingliu lured the Unown into blasting open a blocked passage in Solaceon Ruins, completing his exploration and activating his Summoning Panel. The panel summoned Agumon, whose status identified it as a hungry Dragon-type Pokémon, leaving Qingliu stunned by the arrival of a Digimon in the Pokémon world.

• Qingliu provoked the Unown guarding Solaceon Ruins and led them through the corridors to a dead end.
• Qingliu evaded the Unown's Hidden Power attacks, then slipped through a crack their blasts opened in a boulder.
• Qingliu entered the ruins' final area, and his exploration progress reached 100%, making a random Pokémon summon available.
• Qingliu activated the Summoning Panel, which opened a passage and brought out Agumon.
• Qingliu examined Agumon's panel information and learned that it was a level 12, hungry Dragon-type Pokémon with Tough Claws.

Qingliu examined Agumon’s panel and realized the Digimon had unusually high potential and three more forms to reach. After Agumon asked where it was, Qingliu told it this was not the Digimon world and began learning about its unfamiliar origins.

• Qingliu studied Agumon’s stats and concluded that its strength and future evolutions could surpass even powerful Pokémon.
• Qingliu eagerly accepted that Agumon could become a valuable partner to train.
• Agumon asked Qingliu whether they had met and where they were, explaining that it urgently needed to return to File Island.
• Qingliu told Agumon that this was not the Digimon world, and Agumon wondered whether Qingliu was human.
• Qingliu suspected Agumon had never met Taichi Yagami and asked it more questions to learn about it.

Qingliu befriended a hungry Agumon by sharing his fruit, and Agumon vowed to protect him from the hostile Unown. When more than thirty Unown surrounded them in the ruins, Agumon struck first and knocked one out with a single fireball.

• Qingliu learned that Agumon came from File Island and had entered the passage while looking for stranded fish.
• Qingliu shared his wild fruits with Agumon, whose friendship toward him rose sharply as he accepted the food.
• Agumon refused to take more than half the fruit and decided to repay Qingliu by catching fish for him.
• More than thirty furious Unown flew into the ruins and attacked Qingliu’s presence.
• Agumon declared Qingliu his friend and knocked one Unown out instantly with a fireball.

Qingliu watched Agumon overwhelm a swarm of Unown with repeated Pepper Breath attacks and identified their stronger leader. After the leader attacked Qingliu, Agumon chased it toward him, and Qingliu launched Agumon upward for a Razor Claw strike.

• Agumon charged into the Unown swarm and repeatedly blasted them with Pepper Breath, knocking several down and suppressing the group.
• Qingliu scanned the Unown and found that most were around level seven and knew only Hidden Power; he spotted their level-nine leader watching for an opening.
• Qingliu directed Agumon to attack the leader, but the Unown dodged and fired a blue energy attack at Qingliu.
• Qingliu dodged the attack and told Agumon to focus on the leader, which Agumon pursued with Pepper Breath until it was scorched and slowed.
• Qingliu used his hands and knee as a springboard to launch Agumon toward the leader as Agumon readied Razor Claw.

Agumon used Razor Claw, empowered by its Tough Claws Ability, to overwhelm the Unown leader and destroy its Hidden Power in an instant. The defeated Unown broke down crying, leaving Qingliu and Agumon unsure how to respond.

• Qingliu reasoned that Tough Claws boosted Agumon's Razor Claw by fifty percent, potentially matching Pepper Breath in power.
• Agumon lunged at the Unown leader with Razor Claw, while the leader unleashed its full-strength Hidden Power and tried to flee.
• Agumon's attack shattered Hidden Power without harming its claws, leaving the Unown leader stunned by how easily it had been defeated.
• The Unown leader began crying, and the other Unown joined in, including those Agumon had knocked down.
• Agumon stopped before finishing off the leader and looked to Qingliu, who wondered if he and Agumon had bullied the Unown.

Qingliu left the ruins with Agumon after deciding not to disturb the Unown, then explained the statues and the ruins’ history. He revealed that the site held an Arceus Plate fragment and the Spear Key, and planned to return for them later before heading into the forest to find food and a town.

• Qingliu left fruit for the sobbing Unown and led Agumon out of the ruins.
• Agumon admired the ruins and asked about the statues, and Qingliu identified them as legendary Pokémon guarding a site at least two thousand years old.
• Qingliu explained that ancient people had worshipped Arceus at the ruins and revealed that a lost Plate fragment and the Spear Key were hidden inside.
• Qingliu decided to leave the objects untouched until he and Agumon were stronger, since powerful Unown might still guard the ruins.
• Qingliu and Agumon headed into the forest to find food and then locate a nearby town.

Qingliu and Agumon got lost in the forest while trying to reach Solaceon Town, then used a simple sun-and-shadow method to find their bearings. Qingliu discovered that Agumon had leveled up after battling the Unown, leaving him wondering how Agumon’s evolution would work in the Pokémon world.

• Qingliu and Agumon wandered through the forest and realized they had lost their way to Solaceon Town.
• Qingliu used a twig’s shadow and two stones to work out their direction while Agumon waited beside him.
• Qingliu asked Agumon whether its strength had improved, and Agumon confirmed that it felt stronger and more energetic.
• Qingliu checked Agumon’s information panel and saw that its level had risen from 12 to 13 after the battle with the Unown.
• Qingliu wondered whether Agumon would evolve automatically at a certain level or need a Digivice or Badge.

Qingliu planned to reach Solaceon Town, gather information, and prepare for the dangers ahead by helping Agumon evolve. After finding Oran Berries in a forest clearing, they ate and decided to gather extras to sell on the road.

• Qingliu mapped out his immediate route to Solaceon Town and considered how ancient ruins and the panel might help Agumon evolve.
• Qingliu used a shadow and a stone to confirm their direction and realized they were only slightly off course.
• Agumon admitted he was hungry, and Qingliu spotted a fruit-laden Oran Berry tree in a sunny clearing.
• Agumon rammed the tree to knock down berries, then shared one with Qingliu before eating several himself.
• Qingliu told Agumon to gather more Oran Berries so they could eat them while traveling and sell the surplus in Solaceon Town.

Qingliu and Agumon traveled through the forest with a backpack of Oran Berries, stopping by a river within sight of a town to rest for the night. Agumon spotted a Magikarp and began blasting the river with Pepper Breath to catch it.

• Qingliu and Agumon gathered fifty Oran Berries and made a bark backpack to carry them.
• Qingliu and Agumon crossed the forest, avoiding wild Pokémon, and reached a river near a town.
• Qingliu decided they would camp by the river rather than risk reaching town after dark.
• Agumon heard a large fish enter the water and ran to the river to catch it for Qingliu.
• Qingliu scanned the river and identified a leaping fish as a level-five Magikarp, which he thought was not worth eating.
• Agumon fired repeated blasts of Pepper Breath toward the river.

Qingliu and Agumon caught fish by heating the river with Pepper Breath, then Qingliu grilled ordinary carp while Agumon returned the Magikarp to the water. As Qingliu relaxed by the fire, a figure with a small mountain atop its head crept toward them from the forest.

• Agumon used repeated Pepper Breath attacks to boil a patch of the river and surfaced a dozen unconscious Magikarp.
• Agumon brought the Magikarp to Qingliu, who explained they were too bony to eat and that he would not eat intelligent Pokémon.
• Qingliu found an ordinary carp in a Magikarp's mouth and asked Agumon to return the Magikarp to the river.
• Qingliu cleaned and grilled the carp while Agumon caught more fish and tossed the Magikarp back into the water.
• As Qingliu recalled his childhood beside the fire, a figure with a small mountain atop its head emerged from the forest and crept closer.

Qingliu and Agumon discovered that a Pokémon had stolen one of their roasted fish, but they could not find it. Agumon blamed himself for leaving Qingliu alone, and Qingliu tried to reassure him before abruptly silencing him.

• Qingliu noticed that one roasted fish was missing and searched nearby with his panel, but it detected no Pokémon.
• Agumon offered to retrieve the stolen fish, then accepted one of the remaining roasted fish from Qingliu.
• Agumon realized that his delay might have left Qingliu in danger and felt guilty about it.
• Qingliu told Agumon they were both at fault and tried to stop him from arguing.
• When Agumon opened his mouth to speak, Qingliu thrust his hand into it.

Qingliu and Agumon encountered Aipom returning the grilled fish it had stolen, with Snover apparently forcing it to apologize. Qingliu held Agumon back and studied both Pokémon as the strange confrontation unfolded.

• Qingliu convinced Agumon to face their troubles together, raising their friendship to 70.
• Qingliu noticed a nearby Pokémon, and he and Agumon watched a shadow approach their camp.
• Aipom emerged carrying the stolen grilled fish, and Agumon prepared to attack before Qingliu stopped him.
• Qingliu identified Aipom as restrained and spotted Snover behind it.
• Snover urged the frightened Aipom to return the fish, and Aipom offered it back to Qingliu and Agumon.

Qingliu learned that Aipom had stolen his grilled fish and that Snover had stopped it, then thanked Snover and traded the fish for two refreshing ice balls. When Qingliu asked why Snover was living in Sinnoh’s warmer central region instead of the snowy north, Snover’s smile froze.

• Qingliu discovered that Agumon could understand Pokémon and asked it to question Aipom and Snover separately.
• Agumon learned that Aipom had stolen Qingliu’s grilled fish, but Snover had intercepted it and made it return the food.
• Qingliu warned Aipom not to steal again, and Aipom hurried into the forest.
• Qingliu thanked Snover and traded the returned grilled fish for two ice balls, which he and Agumon enjoyed.
• Qingliu asked Snover why it lived in central Sinnoh rather than the colder northern mountains, and Snover’s smile froze.

Qingliu met Snover while it was hiding from its Trainer, Candice, and learned that the two were having trouble getting along. After Qingliu persuaded Snover to come out, Candice agreed to discuss what had happened, leaving Qingliu poised to hear both sides.

• Qingliu offered Snover grilled fish and learned that someone searching nearby was connected to it.
• Snover hid behind a rock when Candice approached, then ran behind Qingliu instead of greeting her.
• Candice introduced herself as Snover's Trainer and said they were traveling to become the Gym Leader of Snowpoint Gym.
• Qingliu advised Candice that returning Snover to its Poké Ball would not resolve their resentment and offered to give an objective opinion.
• Qingliu spoke privately with Snover, which then came out from behind him and sat beside him.

Qingliu learned why Snover had run away from Candice and confronted her about neglecting her Pokémon and lacking self-control. As Candice struggled to defend her dream of becoming a Gym Leader, Snover stepped between her and Qingliu to protect her.

• Candice tried to encourage herself after seeing Snover respond to Qingliu while continuing to ignore her.
• Qingliu learned that Candice had left Snover to challenge Hearthome’s Gym alone while she stopped to admire a fashionable dress, and that Snover had run away after losing.
• Candice apologized to Snover, but Snover refused to forgive her.
• Qingliu told Candice that she needed self-control to become a Gym Leader and said she did not deserve the position as she was.
• Candice insisted that she could change, but Snover stepped in front of her and silently asked Qingliu to stop hurting her Trainer.

Qingliu challenged Candice and Snover to prove their resolve in battle, sending out the unknown Pokémon Agumon. Candice and Snover fought back with a layered attack, but Agumon broke through and reached Snover.

• Snover defended Candice, and Candice declared she would keep working with Snover to become a qualified Gym Leader.
• Qingliu proposed a battle, and Candice and Snover accepted.
• Candice’s Pokédex identified Agumon only as a mysterious Pokémon with no available data.
• Candice ordered Snover to attack with Ice Shard and Icy Wind, then concealed Leafage behind the icy wind.
• Agumon dodged the attacks, shredded the Leafage with Razor Claw, and reached Snover.

Qingliu and Agumon overwhelmed Candice’s Snover in battle, first with a powerful claw strike and then with Pepper Breath. Though badly injured, Snover stood again to show Candice he still wanted to fight.

• Candice ordered Snover to dodge Agumon’s claws, but Agumon struck him and sent him flying across the clearing.
• Candice had Snover use Leafage and Icy Wind while moving to obscure his position, but Agumon answered with Pepper Breath and blasted through both attacks.
• Pepper Breath struck Snover with devastating force, and Agumon blocked Candice from reaching him.
• Candice prepared to release two more Pokémon, but Snover raised a hand to stop her and struggled back to his feet.
• Candice understood that Snover still wanted to prove they could achieve their goal, and she began to cry.

Candice tried to create an opening to recall Snover, but Qingliu ordered Agumon to unleash a full-power Pepper Breath. The blast exploded before hitting Snover, leaving Candice and Snover confused as Qingliu joked that it was only an ordinary battle.

• Candice decided to obscure the battlefield with Snover's moves so she could recall it.
• Snover used Leafage and Leech Seed to conceal the area and bind Agumon.
• Candice ordered Snover to use Powder Snow and Icy Wind to spread the cover across the battlefield.
• Snover's Snow Warning began bringing snow down, and Qingliu told Agumon to use Pepper Breath at full power.
• Agumon tore free of the vines and fired a powerful blast that burned through Snover's moves, but it exploded before striking Snover.
• Candice and Snover stared in confusion as Qingliu laughed and said it was an ordinary battle, not a Shadow Duel.

After Qingliu and Agumon staged a dangerous battle, Candice and Snover began to recognize how much they cared about each other. Qingliu reflected on the battle’s purposes and considered visiting Snowpoint Temple, where a powerful creature lay asleep.

• Candice and Snover shared grilled fish by the campfire and sat peacefully together after their fight.
• Agumon asked Qingliu why he had held back, and Qingliu explained that he had threatened Snover to make her and Candice realize their feelings for each other.
• Qingliu considered the battle a way to repay Snover’s kindness and test his commands and Agumon’s strength.
• Qingliu thought about Candice’s connection to Snowpoint City and wondered what he might summon at Snowpoint Temple.
• Qingliu recalled that a powerful creature slept deep beneath Snowpoint Temple.

Qingliu helped Candice and Snover reconcile, then asked to inspect Candice’s Poké Ball belt, which she misunderstood as an intimate advance. The chapter ended with Qingliu confused by her reaction.

• Qingliu considered whether exploring Regigigas could charge his panel, but decided to wait until he was stronger and Candice had become a Gym Leader.
• Qingliu accidentally saw under Candice’s skirt when he stretched, and Candice shrieked.
• Candice thanked Qingliu for feeding her and Snover, and said Snover had recovered after eating an Oran Berry.
• Candice asked whether Qingliu had staged their battle to help her and Snover reconcile, and Qingliu told her to keep working on their relationship.
• Qingliu explained that he had helped because Snover had helped him, then asked to inspect Candice’s Poké Ball belt.
• Candice mistook Qingliu’s request for an intimate advance, while Qingliu only wanted to examine the Poké Balls.

Qingliu accepted a Poké Ball from Candice and shared a cover story about Agumon, earning her trust while keeping Agumon’s true origins secret. The next morning, they reached Solaceon Town, where Candice spotted a familiar blond girl in a crowd.

• Candice gave Qingliu a Poké Ball so he could keep Agumon in it.
• Candice promised to keep Agumon’s identity secret, and Qingliu told her Agumon came from File Island and could translate Pokémon speech.
• Candice and Snover bonded with Agumon while Qingliu watched, believing he had strengthened Candice’s trust in him.
• Candice and Qingliu traveled together overnight and reached Solaceon Town the next morning.
• Candice noticed a blond girl in a noisy crowd, and Qingliu realized he recognized her too.

Qingliu and Candice visited the Lost Tower in Solaceon Town, where trainers battled Ghost-type Pokémon for rewards. There, Qingliu recognized the young champion candidate receiving a gift as Cynthia, the future Sinnoh Champion.

• Qingliu went with Candice to the Pokémon Center to have their Pokémon treated and planned to sell his Oran Berries.
• Candice explained that the Lost Tower had been turned from a cemetery into a paid trial ground where trainers fought Ghost-type Pokémon for rewards.
• Qingliu learned that the tower's Pokémon grew stronger on higher floors and that no eligible trainer had cleared it before.
• Candice pointed out a girl receiving a gift before a crowd of photographers and said she could become the Lily of the Valley Conference Champion.
• Qingliu recognized the girl as Cynthia, the future Champion of the Sinnoh Region.

Qingliu encountered Cynthia and her powerful Gabite in Solaceon Town, then encouraged Candice to pursue her own ambitions rather than compare herself unfavorably with Cynthia. He resolved to train Agumon so he could eventually challenge Cynthia and test it against Gabite.

• Qingliu inspected Cynthia’s level 30 Gabite and learned about its strength, moves, and hostile reaction to his staring.
• Candice teased Qingliu for staring at Cynthia, and Qingliu learned that she admired Cynthia despite growing up compared to her.
• Candice dismissed the idea of competing with Cynthia because their goals differed, but Qingliu urged her to aim to become the world’s number one Gym Leader.
• Qingliu told Candice he intended to challenge Cynthia someday and wondered whether Agumon could match Gabite after evolving.
• Qingliu decided to begin training Agumon once he had sold all the Oran Berries.

Qingliu sold forty-five Oran Berries at the Pokémon Center and used the proceeds to stock up on supplies for several days of special training. As Candice worried he might challenge Cynthia, Qingliu dismissed the idea and began planning training focused on physical conditioning and move variety.

• Qingliu accompanied Candice to the Pokémon Center, where Nurse Joy treated Snover and reviewed the quality of his Oran Berries.
• Nurse Joy offered Qingliu 990 League dollars for the forty-five Berries, and he accepted the sale.
• Nurse Joy offered Qingliu a future discount, and he used the money to buy Pokéblocks, six Poké Balls, and healing sprays.
• Candice asked whether Qingliu planned to challenge Cynthia after his special training, and Qingliu teased her for thinking a few days of training could close the gap.
• Qingliu considered a training plan built around improving physical stamina and giving his Pokémon a wider variety of moves.

Qingliu bought supplies in Solaceon Town, then took Agumon out to begin special training aimed at expanding the power of Pepper Breath. Agumon agreed to train so he could protect Qingliu, and the chapter ended as Qingliu prepared to teach him a new way to use the move.

• Qingliu considered developing variations of Agumon's two signature moves because he could not afford TMs.
• Nurse Joy gave Qingliu discounted supplies and a backpack, and he left the Pokémon Center with Candice.
• Qingliu bought camping and travel essentials at the market, then left Solaceon Town.
• Qingliu released Agumon from his Poké Ball and explained his plan for special training; Agumon agreed because he wanted to protect Qingliu.
• Qingliu led Agumon to a clearing and set a massive boulder as the target for Pepper Breath training.
• Agumon worried that the boulder was too large, and Qingliu said he would teach him a new way to unleash a more powerful Pepper Breath.