Arc 23Chapters 551–575
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Shen Qi returned to racing preparations after visiting Lisia, aiming to enter the T2 Race while Florges adjusted to the Normal World Line and sought Mega Stone ore. He brought the Little Sheep to Huzang for a new engine, but Luxray blocked him from entering the repair shop.
Shen Qi returned to Pokémon High School, where he learned that Xiao Chun had become student council president and was considering a future as a school services teacher. Xiao Chun explained how Principal Gui had supported the school and helped fund the newly paved road.
Shen Qi visited Principal Gui, who invited him to represent Pokémon High School in future friendly battles, and Shen Qi welcomed the idea. After his T2 registration was approved, Shen Qi went to Huzang's Repair Shop to test Little Sheep's newly modified engine.
Shen Qi tested Little Sheep after Huzang installed a rotary engine and confirmed that its unusual high-speed power suited him. Huzang explained that the upcoming T2 Expansion Race could bring unpredictable challenges, leaving Shen Qi to prepare for a competition unlike any before.
Shen Qi prepared Little Sheep and secured sponsors for the upcoming T2 Expansion Race in the Yunying Mountains, while Lilligant chose to focus on the Autumn Race. Blissey returned to Ruins Valley to train her ranged Egg Bomb, but her aim and speed still needed work.
Blissey began treating injured Pokémon on Island 6 and prepared medicinal broth, while Shen Qi showed Koji the young Golurk he had hatched. The chapter left Koji marveling at Shen Qi’s powerful lineup.
Shen Qi prepared to leave Island 6 for the T2 Expansion Race in the Yunying Mountains, while Wooper revealed that Blissey had been making the Pokémon in Ruins Valley sick. Shen Qi reached Pewter City, where Li Ke was waiting to welcome him at the Pewter Science Museum.
After helping Li Ke regain control of the Pewter Science Museum, Shen Qi settled in at the curator’s quarters while Florges shared desserts at a picnic area. The T2 Expansion Race groups and unusual one-way formats were announced, and Shen Qi learned his own group would race a single lap on a course that doubled back to the start.
Shen Qi learned that his first T2 Expansion Race round was a 433-kilometer rally and prepared with Dodo, Blissey, and Pelipper. Lance urged him to crush Clair, who was competing in his group, and Shen Qi decided he had a chance to reach the next round; the chapter then opened at the rally venue, where he greeted Archer and saw Clair.
Shen Qi began the 433-kilometer rally in Little Sheep, then chose the tunnel route after the track split. With the cars scattered and his position unknown, he used a new tactic to extend [Global Eye]’s range and prepare to race all out.
Shen Qi used Little Sheep’s expanded Global Eye to navigate a hazardous tunnel, where he was overtaken by a driver using Splash to bounce past obstacles before he reclaimed the lead. After enduring the tunnel’s traps and fatigue, Shen Qi finally emerged onto Blazing Mountain and spotted a sharp bend ahead.
Shen Qi struggled with a low-pressure section that weakened Little Sheep’s engine, then chose to pit at the first service point for fresh tires and an energy refill. He left in seventh place and continued across rough terrain, switching to off-road tires as the grueling rally passed its halfway point.
Shen Qi navigated a dangerous ravine of fissures and wooden bridges, where Moon Shard’s daring use of Splash let him surge ahead. After the obstacle, Shen Qi approached the second service station in sixth place, just one spot short of qualifying, as another competitor retired.
Shen Qi finished fifth in the T2 Expansion Race rally and qualified for the second round, despite his phone overheating and Little Sheep struggling to pass a Mustang. After discovering that the angler Wilton was Yellow’s uncle, Shen Qi prepared to attend an evening banquet during the three-day break.
Shen Qi attended the Driver Alliance banquet in the Yunying Mountains after advancing to the second round of the T2 Expansion Race, where his Little Sheep and its rotary engine drew attention. He met Bill and encountered Kenta’s Crystal Onix, learning more about Kenta and his connection to Pinkan Island.
Shen Qi inspected Kenta’s modified race car and diagnosed an airflow problem before joining a group photo at the banquet. The next day, Lilligant placed third in the T3 Autumn Race, while Shen Qi learned that his next T2 Expansion Race would be a long circuit event against Feiyue and realized he would need Lilligant’s help.
Shen Qi reunited with Lilligant in Pewter City and celebrated her third-place finish in the Autumn Race with his Pokémon. He discussed his upcoming circuit race and planned to rely on his Pokémon as a support crew, while accepting that he might be eliminated.
Shen Qi met Gym Leader Erika at the banquet and learned why she had stopped during the Rally to support her struggling navigator, Talonflame. He then prepared Little Sheep for the second-round circuit race, faced Feiyue’s challenge, and received word that an eliminated driver wanted to join him as co-driver.
Shen Qi recruited Taichi as pit crew for the T2 Expansion Race after learning the younger driver admired him. Despite their teamwork and Taichi’s encouragement, Shen Qi qualified ninth and began the circuit race from the back half of the grid.
Shen Qi and Little Sheep finished eighth in the second round of the T2 Expansion Race, and Shen Qi recognized how far his driving and Trainer abilities fell short of the experts. After the race, Taichi praised him for holding his starting position, while Shen Qi considered how he could improve.
After his elimination from the T2 Expansion Race, Shen Qi encouraged Lilligant and agreed to help Taichi apply for a midyear assessment at Pokémon High School, leaving the final choice to him. Shen Qi then prepared to travel to Slateport City to search the Shanhai Group’s meteorite collection for Mega Stone ore before heading to Melemele Island.
On the S.S. Tidal, Shen Qi noticed suspicious trainers searching the ship, then received a Pokémon emotional-script prompt that nearly destroyed his phone. A Pa'u Style Oricorio suddenly emerged from beneath a table and clung to him.
Shen Qi tried to rescue a frightened Sensu Style Oricorio aboard the S.S. Tidal, but his attempt to hide her from her pursuers led Officer Jenny to mistake the situation for misconduct. He ended the chapter confined in the ship’s Detention Room.
Shen Qi learned that Oricorio was fleeing Pokémon Trainers who wanted to force her to serve them, and offered to hide her in Slateport City before helping her return to Alola. After Oricorio grew comfortable enough to sleep beside him in the Detention Room, Officer Jenny released Shen Qi the next morning.
Shen Qi met Du He in Slateport City and arranged to inspect Shanhai Group’s stone collections for a Mega Stone. The next morning, Shen Qi gave Oricorio the choice of staying in her Poké Ball or coming out for breakfast.