Chapter Summaries

Qingyu gave his Pokémon a relaxing picnic with Nemona after a slow Monday at the Sunshine Gym. Eevee’s painting revealed a Shiny Rayquaza watching them from the sky, leaving Qingyu stunned.

• Qingyu reflected on the worsening bullying at Naranja Academy and considered warning Geeta about Team Star’s eventual formation.
• Qingyu advised a Cinccino Trainer at the Sunshine Gym, then decided to let his tired Pokémon rest after three days of battles.
• Qingyu and Nemona held a picnic near Cabo Poco, where wild Pokémon crowded around for food while Eevee painted and Riolu sparred with Pawmo.
• Eevee’s painting showed a patch of black in the sunset, and Qingyu looked up to see a Shiny Rayquaza staring down at him.

Qingyu exchanged daily messages with Cynthia, who praised Riolu’s progress and offered him 500,000 to make a Bug-type strategy video. The chapter ended with Qingyu considering the paid request and joking that he was living off a rich woman.

• Qingyu noticed a black Rayquaza watching Eevee, then saw it vanish before he could approach it.
• Qingyu replied to Cynthia’s messages and filmed Riolu meditating for her.
• Aaron, Flint, and Lucian speculated about why Cynthia kept checking her phone, with Lucian assuming she was studying Trainer videos.
• Cynthia asked Qingyu to explain Bug-type strategies in a stream and transferred him 500,000.
• Qingyu considered making the video, noting that several challengers had recently requested a Kricketune strategy guide.

Qingyu accepted Cynthia’s request to demonstrate Bug Pokémon tactics and prepared to use his original Bug Baton Pass strategy on stream. After Riolu secretly stole the Gym’s cookware to make heavier weights, Qingyu announced he might stream the Gym evaluation and began the Bug Pokémon showcase.

• Qingyu accepted Cynthia’s request and considered how to make Bug Pokémon tactics work despite their drawbacks.
• With the Gym quiet, Qingyu napped while Riolu trained and decided it needed heavier weights.
• Riolu stole the metal cookware from the kitchen to make weights, leaving Qingyu unable to cook.
• Qingyu discovered Riolu had taken the cookware, while Eevee silently celebrated that he could not try cooking again.
• Qingyu returned to streaming, mentioned a possible Friday Gym evaluation, and introduced his original Bug Baton Pass tactics.

Qingyu introduced a Bug Relay strategy and built a team led by Kricketune, drawing the attention of Aaron and the other Sinnoh Elite Four members. The chapter left Qingyu facing Lance in a ranked battle, with Aaron watching to see whether the strategy could help him overcome his own training bottleneck.

• Qingyu explained how an all-Bug team could use a swarm mentality and pass boosts among its members.
• Qingyu selected Kricketune, Yanmega, Scizor, Scolipede, Heracross, and Drapion for his Bug Relay team and began climbing the ranks.
• Aaron, Lucian, and Flint waited at Sinnoh League headquarters to watch Qingyu's stream after Cynthia recommended it to Aaron.
• Aaron recognized that Qingyu's lineup resembled his own team and respected the streamer's plan to build a strategy around weak Bug Pokémon.
• Qingyu's matchmaking paired him against Lance, prompting Lucian and the others to watch closely.

Lance arrested poachers before turning to Pokémon Champions to hone his skills for the coming Master Rules. He faced Qingyu in a ranked battle, where Kricketune’s unexpected Baton Pass strategy left the match unresolved.

• Lance froze a group of poachers with Dragonite’s Blizzard and left the police to handle them.
• Lance reflected on his duty to uphold justice and began a ranked Pokémon Champions session to prepare for the Master Rules.
• Qingyu was matched against Lance and recognized his dragon-heavy team, joking about its many Flying-types while choosing Kricketune as his lead.
• Lance sent out Aerodactyl against Kricketune, which survived Aerial Ace after Qingyu ordered it to use Sing.
• Qingyu had Kricketune use Baton Pass, revealing that it carried a Blunder Policy.

Qingyu used Kricketune’s Blunder Policy and Baton Pass to set up Scolipede, but Lance recognized the strategy and disrupted it with Whirlwind. Qingyu preserved most of his team and brought Aerodactyl close to defeat as the battle’s tactical contest continued.

• Kricketune’s Sing activated its Blunder Policy when it missed, letting it pass a Speed boost to Scolipede before Aerodactyl nearly knocked it out.
• Scolipede used Protect to block Aerodactyl’s Stone Edge and gained a Speed Boost.
• Lance ordered Aerodactyl to use Whirlwind, which blew Scolipede off the field and forced Qingyu to send out Yanmega.
• Yanmega used Detect to block Aerodactyl’s Stone Edge, while Qingyu noted that Aerodactyl was now within knockout range and that his Baton Pass team remained mostly intact.

Qingyu battled Lance in a difficult Pokémon match, using Yanmega, Drapion, Scolipede, and Scizor to counter Lance’s powerful team. After the score reached 4-2, Qingyu realized Kricketune might be his only path to victory.

• Yanmega defeated Aerodactyl with Ancient Power, then fell to Dragonite’s Stone Edge while breaking its Multiscale.
• Drapion knocked out Dragonite with Ice Fang and survived Earthquake using its Air Balloon, bringing the score to 2-1.
• Qingyu used Scolipede’s Speed Boost and Baton Pass strategy as Lance’s Gyarados applied pressure with Dragon Dance and repeated attacks.
• Scizor used Baton Pass boosts and Dual Wingbeat to defeat Gyarados, then later finished off Lance’s Charizard with Bullet Punch after Charizard knocked out Drapion with Blast Burn.
• The score reached 4-2, but Qingyu’s remaining Pokémon were weakened and Lance still had Kingdra and Dragonite; Qingyu realized Kricketune might carry the battle.

Qingyu defeated Lance in a brutal battle by using Kricketune's Perish Song to trap Dragonite in a countdown it could not escape. The viewers celebrated the victory, and Qingyu savored his win.

• Qingyu's Heracross used Flame Orb and Guts to trade blows with Lance's Kingdra, leaving both unable to battle.
• Qingyu sent out Kricketune, which used Perish Song before Lance's Dragonite knocked it out with Extreme Speed.
• Qingyu's Scolipede tried to use Dig, but Lance's Dragonite countered with Earthquake and knocked it out.
• Qingyu's Scizor used Protect and Bullet Punch, but Dragonite remained standing until Perish Song made it lose the will to battle.
• Qingyu won 6-5, the viewers praised Kricketune, and Qingyu said the battle felt amazing.

Qingyu’s Bug Relay team defeated Lance in a dramatic online battle, and Professor Oak praised the match in a popular comment. After Qingyu wrapped up training with Eevee and Riolu, Friday arrived for their Gym assessment with Rika.

• Lance accepted his loss to Qingyu’s Bug team and considered ways to give the Indigo League’s younger Trainers more opportunities.
• Flint, Lucian, and Aaron watched the battle, and Lucian saved the recording so they could study Qingyu’s tactics.
• Qingyu won one and lost one of two more ranked matches before ending his stream in shame after Kricketune was knocked out quickly.
• Qingyu posted a video of his victory over Lance, and Professor Oak left a highly liked comment praising the battle and the potential of Pokémon beyond their base stats.
• Qingyu checked Professor Oak’s verified profile, then spent the final training day preparing Eevee and Riolu before Friday’s Gym assessment with Rika.

Qingyu prepared for the Paldea League’s gym assessment, where Rika would test him in a two-on-two battle as Geeta observed. The assessment began with Rika sending out her powerful Clodsire and Qingyu choosing Eevee, while Qingyu focused on defeating one of Rika’s Pokémon rather than winning outright.

• Nemona worried that Qingyu might fail the assessment and force Sunshine Gym to close, while Qingyu reassured her and prepared for the battle.
• Geeta arrived to serve as judge because the assessment had been moved forward, and Rika introduced herself as Qingyu’s examiner.
• Rika set the assessment as a two-on-two battle, with Qingyu taking the first move.
• Rika sent out her unusually large Clodsire, and Qingyu chose Eevee, intent on defeating Clodsire rather than winning the assessment.
• Geeta started the battle as she and Rika watched Qingyu’s first move.

Qingyu used Eevee’s Steel-type Terastallization to conceal a propeller-like held item and counter Rika’s Clodsire. The battle continued with Rika impressed by Qingyu’s strategy.

• Eevee trembled at the sight of Rika’s powerful Clodsire, and Geeta recognized its excitement as a warrior’s tremor.
• Qingyu Terastallized Eevee into a Steel type and ordered it to use Confuse Ray.
• Rika commanded Clodsire to use Earthquake, and Qingyu told Eevee to jump to avoid it.
• As Eevee reached the peak of its jump, a hidden propeller emerged from its Tera emblem and let it maneuver through the air.
• Rika realized Qingyu had concealed Eevee’s held item with the Terastallization emblem and praised his creativity.

Qingyu used Eevee’s Take-copter to evade Clodsire’s attacks and turn its Stealth Rock against it, but discovered that Rika’s Clodsire grew stronger by Stockpiling energy. He pressed on with Swift despite Eevee’s fatigue, leaving Clodsire ready to unleash its stored power.

• Qingyu had Eevee use Defog with the Take-copter to sweep away Clodsire’s Stealth Rock and send the rock fragments crashing back at it.
• Geeta and Nemona praised Qingyu’s counterattack, but Clodsire emerged almost unharmed.
• Qingyu recognized that Clodsire had used Stockpile, and Rika explained that it could build up defenses before releasing or swallowing its stored energy.
• Qingyu ordered Eevee to use Swift, allowing Clodsire to reach its maximum stored energy while Eevee grew tired.
• Rika commanded Clodsire to unleash all of its stored energy at once.

Qingyu used Riolu’s Fake Out to interrupt Clodsire’s charged Spit Up, causing the attack to explode inside Clodsire and win the battle. Rika declared Qingyu had passed the assessment and pressed him to explain how many plans he had prepared.

• Qingyu sent Eevee back with Baton Pass and brought Riolu onto the field as Clodsire gathered energy for Spit Up.
• Riolu struck Clodsire with Fake Out just as the stored energy reached its limit, making the attack detonate prematurely.
• Clodsire collapsed from the explosion, while Riolu’s paws went numb from the shock wave.
• Nemona cheered, and Geeta and Rika were astonished that Qingyu’s relatively inexperienced Pokémon had defeated Clodsire.
• Rika ended the assessment, confirmed Qingyu had passed, and asked how many battle plans he had prepared.

Qingyu passed his Gym assessment after defeating one of Rika’s Pokémon, though he doubted his tactics could overcome her strength. Geeta and Rika agreed that Qingyu had exceptional talent and Geeta intended to give him time and experience to grow into a Gym Leader; back at the Gym, Qingyu suspected he had completed the system mission.

• Qingyu reflected on how his plans against Rika’s Clodsire had fallen apart and credited Riolu’s decisive play and Rika’s opening for his victory.
• Geeta announced that the assessment results would be shared in the League group chat after all the Gym Leaders had been assessed.
• Rika told Geeta that Qingyu was exceptionally talented but still lacked the strength to lead one of the Eight Gyms.
• Geeta said the Gym Leader position would give Qingyu experience to grow, and Rika realized Geeta had likely arranged the assessment with his future in mind.
• Qingyu returned to the Gym, reassured Nemona that it was safe, and saw new text appear before his eyes that suggested he had completed the system mission.

After Qingyu passed Rika’s Gym assessment with a perfect score, he realized the system’s mission had been steering him toward a place among Paldea’s Eight Gyms. He received powerful training rewards, and Riolu returned to the Isle of Armor Dojo, where it met Leon.

• Qingyu realized that defeating Rika’s Clodsire had fulfilled a mission aimed at securing his place among Paldea’s Eight Gyms, despite the system’s misleading notifications.
• Qingyu received 5,000 growth points, an optimized Power Item Set, and a Wish-Granting Treasure Map, which he planned to use to help Eevee grow stronger.
• Riolu traveled to the Isle of Armor Dojo wearing its new weights, while Qingyu let Eevee rest after the Gym battle and decided to wait for signs before considering evolution.
• Riolu arrived at the dojo and greeted Mustard’s wife before joining the two Kubfu Masters in the Training Room.
• Leon noticed Riolu, and Mustard praised the Pokémon’s talent and its Trainer’s confidence, prompting Leon to express interest in meeting Qingyu.

After resolving the gym crisis, Qingyu took a day off and accepted Nessa’s invitation to commentate on her Galar ranking match against Milo. The battle began at Turffield Stadium with Pelipper and Bellossom facing off, and Qingyu spotted that Nessa had prepared a counter to Milo’s weather strategy.

• Qingyu woke late, fed Eevee and his other Pokémon, and decided to spend his day off watching videos.
• Nessa messaged Qingyu to invite him to watch her match against Milo and critique her performance, and he agreed.
• At Turffield Stadium, Nessa encouraged herself before entering the packed arena as Qingyu started a livestream to commentate.
• Qingyu introduced himself to his viewers and noted the luxurious stadium and the challenge posed by Milo.
• Milo and Nessa opened with Bellossom and Pelipper, and Qingyu predicted Milo would use Sunny Day to counter Pelipper’s Drizzle.
• Qingyu noticed Nessa’s Pelipper was wearing Clear Glasses and realized she had prepared a counter to Milo’s tactic.

Nessa used Qingyu’s advice and an unexpected Choice Specs Pelipper to knock out Milo’s Bellossom, then deployed Quagsire to steal Ludicolo’s Life Orb. The battle continued with Milo unsettled by Nessa’s dirty strategy.

• Milo ordered Bellossom to use Sunny Day, but Nessa’s Pelipper struck first with a rain-boosted Hurricane and knocked it out.
• Qingyu explained that Pelipper held Choice Specs, which boosted its damage but locked it into one move.
• Milo sent out Ludicolo and ordered Thunder Punch, but Nessa recalled Pelipper and switched in Quagsire.
• Ludicolo hit Quagsire with Energy Ball, but Quagsire survived with its Focus Sash and used Thief to steal Ludicolo’s Life Orb.
• Milo wondered whether he had been too conservative as Nessa’s strategy left him reeling.

Milo and Nessa traded Pokémon and tactics as the battle swung back and forth, with Milo using Sunny Day to disrupt Nessa’s rain strategy. Nessa then Dynamaxed Pelipper and prepared to unleash Max Airstream, leaving the match poised for its decisive clash.

• Quagsire stole Ludicolo’s Life Orb before Toxapex trapped it in a long battle of attrition, ending in a one-for-one trade.
• Milo sent out Eldegoss against Golisopod, whose attack and Ability scattered cotton across the field before Eldegoss used Sunny Day.
• Nessa’s Pelipper used Air Slash to knock out the exhausted Eldegoss, while Sunny Day cleared the sky and boosted Milo’s Shiftry through Chlorophyll.
• Nessa recalled Pelipper, Dynamaxed it, and commanded Max Airstream as Qingyu predicted the same move.

Nessa defeated Milo at Turffield Stadium after using Dynamaxed Pelipper to knock out Shiftry and Gigantamax Flapple. After the match, Qingyu considered Kingdra’s other Ability while planning the next Gym assessment.

• Milo Dynamaxed Pelipper, and it knocked out Shiftry with Max Airstream, leaving the score at 4-2.
• Milo sent out Gigantamax Flapple, and Nessa ordered Pelipper to use Max Hailstorm.
• Flapple used Max Guard against Pelipper’s attack, but Pelipper’s next Max Hailstorm broke its Dynamax form and knocked it out.
• Nessa defeated Milo’s remaining Pokémon, and the referee declared her the winner.
• Qingyu ended his stream and noticed Nessa had brought Kingdra instead of Drednaw, prompting him to consider Kingdra’s other Ability for the next Gym assessment.

After Nessa defeated her opponent, Teacher Yu invited her to his livestream to discuss Kingdra, while Rose urged her to use Gigantamax in her next battle against Gordie. The chapter ended with Qingyu preparing another lesson for Nemona at the Sunshine Gym.

• Nessa celebrated her unexpected victory and read Teacher Yu’s message congratulating her and inviting her to discuss Kingdra on his livestream.
• Nessa accepted Teacher Yu’s invitation and looked forward to learning about Kingdra.
• Rose praised Nessa’s performance and suggested that she use a Gigantamax Pokémon in her next battle against Gordie to attract more fans.
• Nessa agreed to use Gigantamax again in her next battle and left Rose.
• Nemona arrived at the Sunshine Gym, where Qingyu revealed he had prepared another lesson involving a nasty trick.