Chapter Summaries

Kaim and Cynthia returned to Sinnoh, where Steven welcomed them and helped Kaim meet a Beldum that might join his team. The chapter left Steven examining three rare orbs Kaim gave him, while Cynthia quietly asked where he had found them.

• Ishana gave Kaim and Cynthia her contact details and teased Cynthia about hiring her as a wedding planner someday.
• Kaim and Cynthia arrived in Dezuogen City and reunited with Steven, who invited them to his home.
• Steven gave Kaim a Beldum he had caught, and Kaim agreed to work with it temporarily so they could see whether they were a good fit.
• Kaim thanked Steven by giving him the Adamant Orb, the Lustrous Orb, and the Griseous Orb.
• Cynthia asked Kaim where he had gotten the three orbs as Steven examined them.

Kaim met with Cynthia and Steven, gave Steven rare gems he had mined in Sinnoh, and learned that a historic tournament for regional Champions was being planned. The tournament was expected to take place at the Indigo Plateau, where Red might compete, while Kaim left the Champions to talk with his Pokémon.

• Kaim explained that he had mined the gems with Kota while Cynthia was away at the conference in Alamos Town, and Steven thanked him for the gift.
• Steven and Cynthia challenged each other with their fighting spirit until Kaim told them to take any battle outside.
• Steven revealed that the Pokémon League Management Committee and the PWT Management Committee were planning the first Champion Tournament for Champions from several regions.
• Steven said the tournament would likely be held at the Indigo Plateau, and Kaim wondered whether Red would enter.
• Steven praised Kaim's growth, and Metang led Kaim and Kuroki outside while Cynthia and Steven remarked on how readily Pokémon took to him.

Cynthia and Steven shared stories about Kaim’s past before the group met the Dewford Town Gym Leaders, Fu and Lan, who challenged them to a battle. Cynthia proposed teaming up with Kaim for a tag battle, despite his limited double-battle experience.

• Cynthia asked Steven to recount how he had met Kaim, and Steven described finding him at Meteor Falls and receiving his help.
• Steven explained that Kaim had trained his Pokémon in an unusual way, and that he had taught Kaim to rebuild his fundamentals.
• After lunch, Kaim and his companions met the twin Gym Leaders Fu and Lan, who said they wanted to test their teamwork against strong opponents.
• Fu and Lan explained that they had heard of Kaim’s hard work and wanted to battle him, but Kaim admitted he had little experience with double battles.
• Cynthia proposed a tag battle pairing herself with Kaim against Fu and Lan, and Kaim agreed.

Kaim and Cynthia defeated Lan and Fu in a tag battle, with Little Black and Glacia overcoming Solrock and Tsukine. That night, Kaim stood outside the Tokosane Space Center with Metang and told Daigo that he was still learning to get along with him.

• Kaim and Cynthia faced Lan and Fu in a one-Pokémon-per-trainer tag battle with no items allowed.
• Little Black and Glacia worked together to wear down Solrock and Tsukine, while Kaim struggled to keep track of the battle.
• Little Black knocked out Tsukine with Feint, securing victory for the Shiragami pair after Solrock had also fallen.
• Kaim and Cynthia celebrated their win with a high-five as Steven watched from the stands.
• That night, Kaim met Daigo outside the Tokosane Space Center and said he and Metang were not yet getting along, though Metang shared his ambition.

Kaim reminisced with Daigo about their travels and the reasons he returned to battling, then spoke with Cynthia about Metang, his team, and their first Double Battle together. He and Cynthia agreed to keep practicing, unaware that they would later enter a Double Battle competition together.

• Kaim and Daigo discussed Kaim’s history studies, family, and new role as a Gym Leader while walking from the Space Center.
• Kaim and Daigo recalled traveling together more than ten years earlier, and Kaim explained that Cynthia’s strength had inspired him to return to battling.
• Cynthia joined Kaim by the shore, praised his developing team, and reassured him that he was helping his Pokémon thrive.
• Kaim and Cynthia talked about enjoying their first Double Battle together and agreed to aim higher and practice again.
• Kaim and Cynthia returned to Daigo’s house without knowing they would later enter a Double Battle competition together.

Cynthia, Steven, and Kaim visited Hoenn's Battle Frontier, where they met Dazura, the Battle Factory's Frontier Brain and Kaim's former university acquaintance. Dazura learned that Kaim was now a substitute Gym Leader, then began showing the group around the facility.

• Steven brought Cynthia and Kaim by boat to the Battle Frontier and explained its facilities and Symbol challenges.
• Dazura arrived in place of the proprietor and recognized Kaim, revealing that they had studied different subjects at the same university.
• Dazura asked where the visiting Gym Leader was, and Steven revealed that Kaim was serving as Veilstone Gym's substitute Gym Leader.
• Dazura was surprised by Kaim's new role and said he wanted to battle him, but could not because the Battle Factory was under renovation and his Pokémon were away.
• Dazura led the group around the Frontier and pointed out the Battle Tower, where Anabel served as Tower Tycoon.

Kaim toured the Battle Frontier with Cynthia, Steven, and Datsura before choosing to challenge the Battle Arena. He registered for a timed battle against an experienced Trainer, with Metang watching from the sidelines.

• Datsura showed Kaim and the others the Battle Frontier facilities and explained how each tested a different quality.
• Kaim learned that League and Gym achievements could reduce the records required to challenge a Frontier Brain, and Datsura gave him a Frontier Pass.
• Kaim chose the Battle Arena, and Cynthia and Steven discussed how his balanced team and thoughtful approach had been shaped by their guidance and Steven's influence.
• Kaim registered for the Battle Arena and entrusted a Poké Ball to Cynthia, who released Metang to watch him.
• Kaim faced an Ace Trainer with two completed seven-win streaks in a timed, three-Pokémon elimination battle; the opponent said the match was his sixth on the path toward challenging the Frontier Brain.

Kaim won seven consecutive battles at the Battle Arena and earned the chance to challenge its captain. After resting briefly, he took the field to face Lady Xiaoshu, while Cynthia doubted his stamina would hold up against a powerful Brain.

• Kaim's Lucario defeated Lagrarlji with Extreme Speed, and Kaim went on to win his battle against Alakazam.
• Kaim continued winning until he had claimed seven consecutive victories, defeating the final opponent after Zweilous's Water Pulse knocked out Scizor.
• A Karate King told Kaim that Lady Kogumi had invited him to battle, and Kaim asked to rest for fifteen minutes before accepting.
• Cynthia and Steven congratulated Kaim, and Cynthia warned that his fatigue could make even a middling Brain difficult to beat.
• Kaim entered the field before a large crowd, where the announced Battle Arena captain, Lady Xiaoshu, ran out to meet him.

Kaim battled Kogomi in a timed team match, winning the first decision with Lucario before Lucario and Zweilous were defeated by Little Black. The match moved to Kaim’s final Pokémon against Kogomi’s last, with the outcome still undecided.

• Kaim’s Lucario defeated Kogomi’s Heracross by decision after surviving a boosted Reversal.
• Kogomi sent out Little Black, and Lucario weakened it before being knocked out.
• Kaim sent out Zweilous, who used Ice Beam to freeze the field and limit Little Black’s movement.
• Little Black and Zweilous fought until time ran out, and the decision went to Little Black.
• Kaim reassured Tritodon that its loss was not its fault, then prepared to send out his final Pokémon.

Kaim defeated Kogomi in a Frontier battle and received the Symbol of Courage. After lunch with his companions and the Frontier Brains, Cynthia arranged to battle Kogomi that afternoon.

• Kaim used Staraptor to defeat Little Black by exploiting its failed Feint and finishing it with consecutive attacks.
• Kaim overcame Nucknin’s Confuse Ray, then knocked it out with Brave Bird to win the match.
• Kogomi awarded Kaim the Symbol of Courage and invited him and his companions to lunch in the Brain Room.
• Kogomi reacted with surprise to Kaim’s four-year Badge journey, and Kaim discussed his connections and training with the group.
• Cynthia asked Kogomi to battle her that afternoon, and Kogomi agreed to let her start without preliminary matches.
• Dazura pulled Little Wu away when she leaned too close to Kaim.

Kogomi challenged Cynthia to a team battle, and Lucario defeated Blackie before Gengar turned the match around. Cynthia sent out Milotic against Gengar, and the battle continued with both sides still fighting.

• Kogomi took Cynthia to the Pokémon Center, while Datsura noticed Cynthia's rings and teased Kaim about their relationship.
• Kogomi and Cynthia began their team battle, sending out Blackie and Lucario.
• Lucario overwhelmed Blackie with its speed and Close Combat, then won all three referee judgments.
• Kogomi sent out Gengar, which exploited Lucario's weakened defenses and defeated it with Confusion.
• Cynthia sent out Milotic, which interrupted Gengar's Hypnosis with Hydro Pump and began recovering stamina with Aqua Ring.
• Gengar attacked Milotic with Shadow Ball.

Cynthia and Kogomi’s battle came down to Milotic and Gino Gasa, then to Garchomp and Gino Gasa. Cynthia defeated Kogomi, earned another Frontier symbol, and left after encouraging Kaim to keep improving.

• Milotic defeated Gengar, then battled Kogomi’s Gino Gasa while poisoned; the judges awarded Gino Gasa the victory.
• Cynthia sent out Garchomp against Gino Gasa, and the two Pokémon traded powerful attacks.
• Garchomp concealed itself in a dense Sandstorm, leaped above it, and defeated Gino Gasa with Dragon Rush.
• The referee declared Cynthia the winner, and Kogomi accepted the loss and handed over her Frontier Pass.
• Kogomi engraved a golden symbol on Cynthia’s Frontier Pass, and Cynthia encouraged Kaim to keep developing his skills before leaving the field.

Cynthia and Kaim said goodbye to their Hoenn friends and returned to Nanjō City, where Kaim fell asleep on the boat and Cynthia secretly took a photo of them together. After arriving home, Cynthia spoke with Kaim’s family about his upbringing and reassured Nada that Kaim was grateful to his parents.

• Dazura promised to battle Kaim another time, while Kogumi vowed to challenge Cynthia and Kaim again after her losses.
• Kaim and Steven talked before boarding separate boats, and Steven thanked Kaim for their friendship before departing for Desso City.
• Cynthia and Kaim boarded the boat to Nanjō City, where Kaim fell asleep and Cynthia held his hand and took a photo of them together.
• After dinner, Cynthia went looking for Kaim and found Tan watching a battle on television; Taki joined Tan and they discussed Ishana and Kaim.
• Nada described his regret over being strict with Kaim, and Cynthia told him Kaim had said he was grateful to his parents.

Kaim and Cynthia left Hoenn after a week of family visits and adventures, then returned to their life together in Sinnoh. Cynthia asked Kaim to teach her how to cook, and he agreed to plan a lesson for dinner.

• Kaim and Cynthia said goodbye to Kaim's family, Mikuri, and Lucia before boarding a ship to Sinnoh.
• As Hoenn disappeared from view, Kaim said visiting had been the right choice, and he and Cynthia thanked each other for the trip.
• The next morning, Cynthia let Kaim sleep after he nestled against her in his sleep, and they later discussed her afternoon Pokémon League interview.
• Cynthia asked Kaim to teach her how to cook, reminding him that she had wanted to learn housework before.
• Kaim agreed to plan a cooking lesson for dinner and said he would buy the ingredients while Cynthia was at her recording.

Cynthia left Kaim and their Pokémon at home to be interviewed at Jubilife TV about the Pokémon League and her approach to battling. As the interview moved toward questions about her private life, she reflected on her growing relationship with Kaim and her wish to grow alongside him.

• Cynthia changed into her familiar black outfit, left Kaim at home, and headed to the recording in Jubilife City.
• Kaim brought out his Pokémon, who played and relaxed together while he started the laundry.
• During a break at Jubilife TV, Cynthia received a photo of Kaim and the Pokémon doing laundry and thought about his growth and their future together.
• Cynthia told the interviewer that she had given her all in the League, enjoyed battling, and believed trainers grew stronger by loving their Pokémon.
• The host began asking about Cynthia's private life.

Cynthia discussed her travels, work, and household shortcomings during a recording while Kaim searched the Mio City Library for information about Giratina. He found little material on Giratina and left with a book, then spoke with Toogan at the harbor about mining, friendship, and repaying kindness.

• Cynthia told Shikimi that Alto Mare had left the strongest impression on her and explained how she persisted through difficulties in battling and archaeology.
• Cynthia admitted she was poor at housework and relied on Kaim to clean before she and Shikimi finished the recording.
• Kaim searched the Mio City Library for Giratina documents but found only a brief legend about Giratina's exile to the Distortion World.
• Kaim met Toogan at the library, and Toogan invited him to talk at the harbor.
• Toogan praised Kaim for learning mining from Heita to find an Adamant-type Stone for a friend, and Kaim called Steven an oddball.

Kaim spoke with Oukan about his work as a stand-in Gym Leader and his future before agreeing to try mining with him. Later, Kaim began teaching Cynthia to cook curry, guiding her through preparing rice and vegetables.

• Oukan praised Kaim’s sincerity and offered to help him with his Gym Leader duties while Sumo studied abroad in Galar.
• Kaim told Oukan that he planned to remain in Sinnoh and described how much he had enjoyed mining; Oukan invited him to mine together in Mio City.
• After a challenger arrived at the Gym, Oukan left, and Kaim went to the supermarket before returning home.
• Cynthia came home eager for her cooking lesson, and Kaim had her change clothes and tie back her hair before they began making curry.
• Kaim taught Cynthia to measure and rinse rice, use the rice cooker, peel vegetables thinly, and remove potato sprouts properly.

Kaim taught Cynthia how to prepare vegetables and cook curry, guiding her through safe knife handling, frying, simmering, and adding the roux. Cynthia made steady progress and continued learning the final steps of the dish.

• Cynthia practiced peeling and chopping vegetables as Kaim taught her to curl her fingers and use less force with the knife.
• Kaim stood behind Cynthia and guided her hands as she cut carrots, then she chopped the onions and potatoes herself.
• Kaim showed Cynthia how to fry the meat and vegetables in the right order, and she stirred the meat until it cooked through.
• Cynthia measured water into the pot and simmered the ingredients over medium heat, then followed Kaim's example to skim off the scum.
• Kaim explained how to break up the curry roux and dissolve it evenly, and Cynthia prepared to try it herself.

Cynthia learned to cook curry with Kaim, and their dinner conversation recalled how she had encouraged him to return to battling. Later, she saw Metagross talking with Mikaki in the garden and learned that Kaim’s battles had inspired Metagross to train harder.

• Cynthia followed Kaim’s instructions to cook curry, while Kaim prepared a salad and set the table.
• Cynthia and Kaim ate the curry she had made, and they discussed Kaim’s return to battling after Cynthia urged him not to give up before giving his best.
• Cynthia praised Kaim’s persistence as a student, and Kaim challenged her to make curry on her own next time.
• Cynthia found Kaim watching Metagross and Mikaki talk in the garden and learned Metagross had been training eagerly to become a true member of the team, inspired by Kaim’s Battle Frontier match.

Kaim and Cynthia shared a quiet evening before a bonus scene showed them making a flower ring together. Cynthia kept the ring on her left ring finger, while Kaim hinted that he planned to give her something meaningful someday.

• Kaim told Metagross he could not lose, and Cynthia resolved to improve her cooking so she could repay Kaim.
• Cynthia and Kaim relaxed together in a meadow, where Kaim made a ring from white clover after Cynthia taught him how.
• Kaim placed the flower ring on Cynthia's left ring finger without realizing what the gesture implied.
• Cynthia refused to remove the ring, and Kaim said she would find out someday what he had planned to do.