Chapter Summaries

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.

Qingliu trained Agumon to push Pepper Breath beyond its usual limits so he could learn the stronger Baby Burner, using Pokéblocks and Heal Spray to help him recover. After a long day of practice, Agumon sensed his limit and refused to stop.

• Qingliu explained that Agumon could build up more energy than Pepper Breath normally allowed and release it as Baby Burner.
• Agumon struggled to suppress his instinct to fire Pepper Breath, then repeatedly practiced pushing his energy and flames to their limits.
• Qingliu gave Agumon Dragon-type Pokéblocks to restore his strength and treated his injured mouth with Heal Spray.
• Agumon completed ten training rounds over more than half a day, repeatedly firing Pepper Breath at the boulder.
• After Qingliu called the hundredth shot the limit, Agumon kept charging his attack because he had sensed how much fire he could withstand.

Qingliu guided Agumon as he learned Small Explosion, a powerful attack that blasted a deep crater into a boulder. Agumon was left exhausted and hungry, while Qingliu realized Agumon might also be able to learn Pokémon moves that match his type.

• Qingliu urged Agumon to control the flames and imagine Small Explosion as a larger Pepper Breath.
• Agumon gathered the energy for Small Explosion and fired it at a boulder, leaving a deep crater with scorched cracks.
• Agumon toppled over from exhaustion, but Qingliu discovered he had simply become extremely hungry and gave him Pokéblocks.
• Qingliu checked Agumon's information and saw that Small Explosion consumed much of his stamina.
• Qingliu concluded that Agumon could learn other Digimon moves and wondered whether he could also learn matching Pokémon moves.

Qingliu and Agumon continued training, improving Agumon’s moves while building his stamina and physical fitness. After worrying about dwindling supplies and money, Qingliu decided their next step was to battle nearby wild Pokémon so Agumon could gain experience and levels.

• Qingliu had Agumon train Pepper Breath and Razor Claw alongside Mini Blast, which Agumon fully mastered by the end of the day.
• Qingliu took Agumon jogging the next morning to build their stamina and explained that Trainers needed to be prepared for wild Pokémon attacking them.
• Agumon ate Pokéblocks after the run, and Qingliu noticed that the food had helped him recover and grow stronger, though their supplies and money were running low.
• Qingliu planned morning conditioning and afternoon move practice, then decided to take Agumon to battle nearby wild Pokémon for experience.

Qingliu and Agumon defeated another Beedrill, but their repeated battles had made them feared throughout the jungle, leaving them with few Pokémon to train against. As they wondered where to find more opponents, a training opponent came looking for them.

• Agumon defeated a Beedrill that had attacked him before, and Qingliu noted that it had been expelled from its colony.
• Qingliu and Agumon tried to find battles with Ekans and Mankey, but all of them fled when they appeared.
• Qingliu recalled that Agumon had beaten nearly every local Pokémon, including the level 19 Skarmory, making them a taboo in the jungle.
• Agumon reached level 14 and seemed close to level 15 as Qingliu worried about their dwindling food and lack of training opponents.
• A training opponent came looking for Qingliu and Agumon.

Candice found Qingliu training in the woods, where Agumon’s Pepper Breath nearly hit her and her Pokémon. After the two traded jokes and their Pokémon met, Candice challenged Qingliu to another battle.

• Candice followed Sneasel’s lead toward the smell of fish and found Qingliu and Agumon by a campfire.
• Snover prepared to use Icy Wind, but Agumon’s Pepper Breath shot through the bushes and fizzled out before reaching Candice and her Pokémon.
• Qingliu apologized, and Candice accused him of repeating a trick from their previous battle.
• Agumon greeted Sneasel, which tried to slash at him before Snover stopped it.
• Candice explained Sneasel’s prickly temperament, then challenged Qingliu to battle again.

Qingliu accepted Candice’s challenge and proposed that Agumon fight all three of her Pokémon at once. Candice’s coordinated trio launched their first attack, leaving the battle’s outcome unresolved.

• Candice challenged Qingliu and chose Sneasel, while Qingliu confirmed Agumon was still his only Pokémon.
• Qingliu proposed a three-on-one battle, and Candice agreed after realizing he and Agumon were serious.
• Candice ordered Snover and Snorunt to attack with Powder Snow, added Snover’s Razor Leaf, and sent Sneasel charging with Quick Attack.
• Qingliu watched the trio’s coordinated opening assault and wondered whether defeating all three would yield combined experience.

Qingliu and Agumon battled Candice’s Sneasel, Snover, and Snorunt, with Candice’s coordinated attacks trapping Agumon in midair. As Sneasel prepared to finish it with Bite, Qingliu revealed that Agumon had mastered a new move and ordered it to use Small Explosion.

• Agumon’s Pepper Breath disrupted Snover and Snorunt’s cover, allowing Sneasel to close in and strike first with a Quick Claw-boosted Metal Claw.
• Agumon countered Sneasel’s attack with Razor Claw and forced it back, but Candice regrouped and coordinated Ice Shard, Icy Wind, Double Team, and Headbutt.
• Agumon jumped to avoid Snorunt’s attack, and Sneasel ambushed it from above while Snover’s Icy Wind froze its joints.
• Candice expected Sneasel’s Bite to finish the battle, but Qingliu ordered Agumon to use its newly mastered Small Explosion.

Qingliu and Agumon defeated all three of Candice’s Ice-type Pokémon, leaving Candice shaken and doubting her ability to inherit the Gym. Qingliu urged her to treat Sneasel before its condition became fatal.

• Candice ordered Sneasel to withstand Agumon’s Small Explosion, but she and Sneasel tried to dodge when they realized how powerful it was.
• Small Explosion overwhelmed Candice’s snowstorm shield and knocked Sneasel unconscious, leaving it critically injured.
• Qingliu directed Agumon to defeat Snover with Pepper Breath and knock out Snorunt with its claw.
• Candice stared at her defeated team and began doubting whether she was capable of inheriting the Gym.
• Qingliu patted Candice on the shoulder and told her to get Sneasel treated before it died.

After Agumon defeated Candice’s team, it reached level 15, and Qingliu decided to return to Solaceon Town. He planned to challenge the Lost Tower to find stronger opponents for Agumon and earn money.

• Candice treated Sneasel after Agumon’s Small Explosion injured it, while Qingliu noted that Agumon had reached level 15.
• Qingliu and Candice shared grilled fish, and Candice admitted the battle had shown her flaws and renewed her determination to keep improving.
• Candice asked whether Qingliu planned to challenge Cynthia, and Qingliu said he was returning to Solaceon Town because he needed money and new training opponents.
• Candice realized Qingliu meant to challenge the Lost Tower, whose Ghost-type Pokémon and floor rewards could serve both his needs.
• Qingliu judged that Agumon’s improved strength and reduced stamina cost for Small Explosion might let it use the move twice.

After Cynthia cleared the Lost Tower, a string of challengers failed to follow her example, disappointing Solaceon Town’s mayor and the reporters waiting for a story. When Candice arrived to challenge the tower, Qingliu entered ahead of her, and everyone outside waited for him to fail, but nearly half an hour passed without any sign of him.

• Trainers repeatedly failed to clear the Lost Tower, and many reporters left Solaceon Town to pursue a story in Veilstone City.
• The mayor lamented that the failed challengers had not brought the publicity he wanted for Solaceon Town.
• Candice arrived with Qingliu, and the mayor and assistant recognized her as a promising challenger.
• Reporters surrounded Candice, separating her from Qingliu, who encouraged her and entered the Lost Tower.
• The mayor and reporters expected Qingliu to fail quickly, but nearly half an hour passed without anything happening.

Qingliu and Agumon entered the Lost Tower’s first floor, where Qingliu used his panel to spot two Zubat hiding in the darkness. Agumon quickly defeated both Zubat, leaving the other Pokémon on the floor stunned.

• Qingliu explained to Agumon that Ghost-type Pokémon were making the eerie noises in the Lost Tower.
• Qingliu spotted two level 16 Zubat hanging from a rod and warned Agumon to prepare for battle.
• Qingliu ordered Agumon to attack, and Agumon defeated the first Zubat with Pepper Breath and Razor Claw.
• Qingliu tracked the second Zubat with his panel and directed Agumon to defeat it with Pepper Breath.
• Agumon accepted a Pokéblock as the other Pokémon hiding in the shadows wondered who the challengers were.

Qingliu and Agumon fought three Misdreavus who tried to frighten and bite them, but Agumon remained unafraid and countered with Pepper Breath. Qingliu ended the stalemate by directing Agumon to use the walls to close in, leaving Agumon poised to attack the Misdreavus at close range.

• The three Misdreavus appeared and charged at Qingliu and Agumon, seeking revenge for their defeat five days earlier.
• The Misdreavus bit Agumon, but Agumon showed no fear and asked Qingliu for permission to burn them.
• Qingliu told Agumon to use Pepper Breath, and the Misdreavus dodged the fireballs while evading and startling Agumon.
• Qingliu analyzed the Misdreavus's speed and directed Agumon to charge toward a corner.
• Agumon ran up the walls, turned toward the Misdreavus, and prepared Pepper Breath at close range.

Qingliu and Agumon defeated the first floor’s Misdreavus, and Agumon reached level 16 before they headed upstairs. Outside, the Town Mayor, Candice, and the reporters assumed Qingliu had failed until he finally appeared on the stairway surveillance feed.

• Agumon defeated the Misdreavus that tried to trap him with Mean Look, and Qingliu confirmed that it had a physical body.
• Agumon leveled up from level 15 to level 16 after defeating the first-floor Pokémon.
• Qingliu checked for remaining threats, recalled Agumon into his Poké Ball, and headed toward the second floor.
• The Town Mayor and reporters assumed Qingliu had failed because he had stayed inside longer than the usual time to clear the first floor.
• Candice worried that something had happened to Qingliu and Agumon as they remained absent from the surveillance feed.
• Qingliu appeared at the stairway entrance on the surveillance feed.

Qingliu cleared the Lost Tower’s first floor after spending more than twenty minutes inside, astonishing the mayor’s assistant and drawing the attention of reporters. He reached the second floor with Agumon, where three smoky Pokémon rushed toward them.

• The mayor’s assistant saw Qingliu emerge into the passage and realized he had cleared the first floor after setting a record for the longest successful attempt.
• The mayor ordered the assistant to alert the town’s media outlets and bring Qingliu the first-floor reward.
• Reporters rushed to film the surveillance feed, while one reporter questioned Candice about Qingliu and his strength.
• Candice identified Qingliu as her friend, said he was stronger than her, and refused to answer questions about his Pokémon.
• Qingliu entered the second floor, opened Agumon’s Poké Ball, and ordered Agumon to use Pepper Breath on three approaching Pokémon.

Qingliu and Agumon fought three Gastly, using Small Explosion to knock out the two that knew Hypnosis. With only the strongest Gastly remaining, Qingliu ordered Agumon to resume the attack.

• Agumon peppered the charging Gastly with fireballs, then failed to hit one with Razor Claw because its gaseous body drifted out of reach.
• Qingliu identified Hypnosis as the main threat and told Agumon to keep firing Pepper Breath while avoiding Razor Claw without a command.
• The strongest Gastly used Mean Look on Agumon, but Agumon showed no fear and began gathering flames.
• Qingliu drew the strongest Gastly away and ordered Agumon to use Small Explosion on the other two Gastly, knocking them both out.
• Qingliu asked whether Agumon could continue, then ordered him to clear a path with Pepper Breath and attack the remaining Gastly with Razor Claw.