Chapter Summaries

Shen Qi left Lorelei after training with her and set out for the Summer Race, stopping to visit Akiho and Gangzao before reaching Cerulean City. During the Pokémon Trainer division draw, he learned that Chloe would race in his preliminary group.

• Shen Qi reviewed his Pokémon’s progress, said goodbye to Lorelei, and agreed to check on Cassidy and Butch at the Viridian City Security Bureau.
• Shen Qi drove through Island 5 and Island 3, where Akiho and Gangzao thanked him for the publicity and offered him sponsorship for the Summer Race.
• Shen Qi reached Cerulean City, checked into a riverside hotel, and spent time playing with Golett.
• The Summer Race draw placed Shen Qi in Group 11 with Chloe, who would drive the Class A car Cerise Castle.

Shen Qi entered the Summer Race aiming to secure prize money, and discovered that the Rainbow Flying Sword would be competing under its new driver, Feiyue. He reached the Refreshing Village course and began qualifying with Lopunny learning the co-driver role.

• Shen Qi found Feiyue and the Rainbow Flying Sword in his group and decided to gauge her ability while aiming to beat her for the prize money.
• Shen Qi drove Little Sheep to Refreshing Village, where staff greeted him respectfully and he spotted the Rainbow Flying Sword nearby.
• Shen Qi prepared for qualifying with Lopunny in the passenger seat, assigning her to practice handling Chansey's buffs.
• Shen Qi entered a fast bend, explained that it was gentler than it looked, and told Lopunny to prepare Helping Hand.

Shen Qi qualified Little Sheep for second place while training Lopunny to support him and learning why Golett wanted to become stronger. At the track, Feiyue confronted Ayaka’s abusive fans and deliberately forfeited her qualifying run to make clear that she was Rainbow Flying Sword’s driver.

• Shen Qi and Lopunny helped Little Sheep tie for the fastest qualifying time, but a 0.3-second difference put them in provisional second place.
• Shen Qi reassured Lopunny about her weaker buffs and explained that his own improvement was limited because he already knew the course.
• Golett refused to be carried because he believed he needed to become stronger to protect Shen Qi and the others.
• Ayaka’s fans harassed Feiyue for driving Rainbow Flying Sword, and Feiyue confronted them with a baseball bat and threatened them with Weezing’s Poison Gas.
• Feiyue sent Krookodile to drive Rainbow Flying Sword to the Service Bay and accepted last place in qualifying rather than let the fans claim the car belonged to Ayaka.

Shen Qi raced the Little Sheep in the Preliminaries while conserving his Game Items and practicing his driving. Feiyue, after skipping the Qualifying Race, began a rapid pursuit from last place and caught up to the qualifying positions, leaving Shen Qi willing to let her pass.

• Feiyue refused to bet with the spectators and left her Qualifying Race time displayed as a dash, keeping the Rainbow Flying Sword in last place.
• Shen Qi reassured Lopunny before the Main Race and decided to rely on his own driving, using only the [Adaptive Spoiler] and [Adaptive Tire] among his Game Items.
• Shen Qi and Lilligant used the Little Sheep’s handling and modified tires to overtake the leading car in the furrowed field obstacle, though the T2 driver soon reclaimed first place with Fly.
• Shen Qi finished the first lap in second place while the Rainbow Flying Sword remained last, then heard the commentators announce that Feiyue had begun pursuing the lead pack.
• Feiyue overtook cars rapidly and reached fifth place, while Shen Qi maintained his pace and decided he could let the Rainbow Flying Sword pass.

Shen Qi qualified for the next round as Feiyue’s Rainbow Flying Sword deliberately rattled the other drivers, then visited Florges’s dessert truck. Two Hoenn TV Station journalists apologized for spreading rumors about his Spring Race withdrawal and gave him their old footage and draft, whose headline revealed a fabricated romantic scandal.

• Feiyue’s Rainbow Flying Sword finished fifth, advancing while its pressure caused another driver to lose a qualifying position.
• Feiyue challenged Shen Qi to a duel in the finals, and Shen Qi accepted.
• Shen Qi took his Pokémon to Florges’s dessert truck, where Mary and Xiao Dai apologized for their past reporting and handed him their camera and original draft.
• Lilligant and Lopunny examined the materials with Shen Qi, and he found a draft headlined “Driver Shen Qi's intimate private rendezvous with a little beauty before the race.”

Shen Qi was arrested after a photo of him meeting the Lurantis Sisters sparked jealousy, then used his detention-room break to speak with Li Ke about the Pewter Science Museum. Li Ke revealed that he had secured Hinako’s control of the museum and planned to confess his feelings, while Shen Qi asked whether he would help research Hisui Pokémon.

• A newspaper photo showing the Lurantis Sisters blowing Shen Qi kisses upset Lilligant and Florges, and Officer Jenny arrested Shen Qi after he admitted he had met them before.
• Shen Qi watched a Group B preliminary match with security guards while detained, then received a call from Li Ke.
• Li Ke told Shen Qi that he and capable colleagues had helped Hinako secure control of the Pewter Science Museum after Mao Xiong’s death.
• Li Ke said Mao Xiong’s wife and son had died in a plane crash and worried that his unacknowledged children might still challenge Hinako’s control.
• Li Ke told Shen Qi that he planned to confess his feelings to Hinako once matters settled down.
• Shen Qi asked Li Ke whether he would research Hisui Pokémon, after seeing Zinnia’s message about finding a lead in Mt. Coronet.

Shen Qi considered how Zinnia’s research, Li Ke’s scientific work, and his racing goals could advance, then checked the Summer Race’s new group assignments. He discovered his Mt. Moon Foothills group included Chloe’s Cerise Castle and Wen Jiu’s Toy Car, leaving him wary of the competition.

• Shen Qi told Li Ke that Zinnia had found clues about unknown Hisuian Form Pokémon, and Li Ke offered the Pewter Science Museum’s support for future research.
• Lilligant, Florges, and Lopunny sprayed Shen Qi with perfume after Lilligant learned he had secretly met the Lurantis Sisters, and they made him wait before showering.
• Shen Qi learned that Lisia had advanced with her newly evolved Dewott and warned her that her next group included four T2 drivers.
• Shen Qi checked his own assignment and found that he would race on the Mt. Moon Foothills course in hot weather.
• Shen Qi spotted Chloe’s Cerise Castle and Wen Jiu’s Toy Car among the competitors in his group.

At the Summer Race, Shen Qi met Koji, a Pokémon High School student and fan who hoped to earn his T3 certification. Koji revealed that he was Ruri’s son from Kumquat Island, and Shen Qi considered the unusual choice to attend Pokémon High School despite his family’s resources.

• Shen Qi encouraged Lopunny to conserve her strength by staying in her Poké Ball during the Qualifying Race and coming out for the Main Race.
• Officer Jenny interrupted Shen Qi as he tried to persuade Lopunny to shave her fur, then asked him to sign her coworker’s T-shirt.
• Koji introduced himself to Shen Qi as a Pokémon High School student and trainee driver with 181 Driver Points.
• Koji told Shen Qi he was a fan and introduced his Starmie and Cubone.
• Koji revealed that he came from Kumquat Island and was the son of Ruri, the North Star of the Orange Islands’ Southern Cross.

Shen Qi qualified for the Summer Race despite Lopunny fainting before her opening boost, then rested in the heat and discussed Lilligant’s racing plans. The chapter left Shen Qi preparing for the Main Race while acknowledging that they lacked experience in the Summer Race and T2.

• Koji told Shen Qi that he and Ruri had supported Pokémon High School after judging it for themselves, and Shen Qi left to qualify.
• Lopunny fainted inside the partially activated Poké Ball, so Shen Qi switched to Chansey and completed qualifying with an average lap time of 8 minutes, 18 seconds.
• Shen Qi cooled off in the Service Bay, adjusted the Little Sheep’s tire pressure, and replenished his fluids after the hot qualifying run.
• Shen Qi told Lilligant she should have entered the July Summer Race rather than T2, since her heat tolerance might have helped her place and win prize money.
• Lilligant accepted that she and Shen Qi lacked experience in the Summer Race and T2.

Shen Qi learned why some T2 Drivers had earned certification before lining up for the Route 4 race, where he studied Wen Jiu’s unusual Toy Car and tested his cornering skills against the competition. He overtook Chloe on the dangerous Mt. Moon Foothills track and pulled ahead, while the race continued.

• Lilligant explained that T2 certification could be earned through two regional finals appearances within three years, and that older, less competitive races had produced some weaker T2 Drivers.
• At the starting line, Shen Qi saw Wen Jiu’s Toy Car fitted with Dragon Head, Phoenix Tail, and side Guide Rollers.
• The race began, and Shen Qi followed the T3 driver ahead while avoiding risky acceleration on the bumpy, hazardous track.
• Shen Qi adjusted Little Sheep’s suspension to handle the rough corners, then let Chloe’s faster Cerise Castle pass so he could judge her driving.
• Shen Qi saw Chloe brake too early and concluded she could not yet control Cerise Castle on the unfamiliar track.
• Shen Qi overtook Chloe at a corner apex with bursts of Helping Hand and widened the gap.

Shen Qi finished the Summer Race’s second round in second place while Chloe advanced in fifth, and Koji was eliminated. After consoling Koji and caring for his Pokémon, Shen Qi was approached by Officer Jenny, who ordered him handcuffed.

• Shen Qi watched Toy Car use its guide rollers to force its way through an S-bend, then saw it lose places after its showy tricks cost it speed.
• Little Sheep finished the first lap in second, while Cerise Castle surged to second on a straight before falling back to fifth in the turns.
• Little Sheep finished the race in second place, Cerise Castle advanced in fifth, and Koji was eliminated in seventh without earning Driver Points.
• Shen Qi comforted Koji, who promised to stay in Cerulean City and cheer for him, while the Love Savings Bank charge reached 99%.
• Shen Qi changed clothes, praised Lopunny and Golett, and fed his Pokémon after the race.
• Officer Jenny arrived with handcuffs, and Shen Qi tried to explain himself as she ordered him cuffed.

Shen Qi discovered that the Love Savings Bank could recharge the reusable Physique and Energy Comprehension Cards, restoring access to their benefits. After using a card to improve his energy control, he began considering the Trainer Skill Disassembly while still confined to the Detention Room.

• Shen Qi used the Love Savings Bank to restore the Adaptive Spoiler and realized he could also recharge the Physique Card.
• Shen Qi concluded that the special Chansey cards were reusable and spent some of the bank's charge to refill the Physique Card.
• Shen Qi used an Energy Comprehension Card 1, improving his control of several energy types and raising his Normal-type energy proficiency to 100%.
• Shen Qi recalled Lorelei's basic Trainer Skill, Disassembly, and considered practicing it in the Detention Room.
• The chapter explained how Trainers used Disassembly to remove status conditions and altered states, and why the skill could be difficult to use safely in battle.

After mastering Normal-type Energy Coordination in the Detention Room, Shen Qi learned the Trainer Skill Dismantle and left with Officer Jenny misunderstanding what he had been doing. Back at the hotel, he found Lisia’s Dewott fleeing from her room because he disliked being dressed up, and Shen Qi took him inside to confront Lisia.

• Shen Qi used his Normal-type Energy Coordination to reconstruct Dismantle, raising his proficiency to 5%.
• Officer Jenny found Shen Qi practicing in the Detention Room and mistakenly thought he was doing something inappropriate.
• Shen Qi met Lisia’s cheerful Druddigon in the hotel lobby and learned how much she enjoyed her new life as a Contest Pokémon.
• On the way to Lisia’s room, Shen Qi encountered her distressed Dewott, who explained that he hated his pink bows and decorations.
• Shen Qi decided to bring Dewott inside and tell Lisia off for dressing him against his wishes.

Shen Qi learned that Dewott enjoyed dressing up but fled from women who tried to hug him, then defended his choice to keep racing the Little Sheep. After Lisia warned him that his third-round group was a group of death, he checked the lineup and saw that 21 T2 Drivers remained.

• Shen Qi mistakenly thought Dewott disliked accessories, but Azumi explained that Dewott liked contests and dressing up while feeling shy around women.
• Shen Qi lamented that pretty girls did not like him, and Lisia blushed when Azumi asked whether she liked him.
• Azumi questioned Shen Qi's refusal to change vehicles, but he insisted he would keep racing alongside the Little Sheep.
• Lisia warned Shen Qi that his third-round group was especially dangerous, and he checked the groups on his phone.
• Shen Qi saw that 21 of the original 53 T2 Drivers remained after two elimination rounds.

Shen Qi prepared for a difficult third knockout round, then began qualifying with Chansey and Lilligant supporting the Little Sheep. The chapter left him launching into the race, determined to post a time near eight minutes ten seconds.

• Shen Qi learned that his group included eight T2 drivers and the Rainbow Flying Sword, and he prepared for the race by maintaining the Little Sheep and resting early.
• At the Service Bay, Shen Qi reassured Lilligant about the Lurantis Sisters, then struggled to explain how much he knew about them.
• During qualifying, several drivers posted times faster than eight minutes fifteen seconds, and Shen Qi judged that he needed to go all out to have a chance at the finals.
• Shen Qi coordinated with Chansey to prepare Helping Hand and Work Up, while Lilligant prepared to use Chlorophyll in the sunny conditions.
• When the red lights went out, Shen Qi launched the Little Sheep, used Helping Hand, and activated its racing abilities.

Shen Qi drove the Little Sheep through the Qualifying Race, using its upgraded engine and enhanced vision to finish provisionally second. During the break, Ayaka confronted Feiyue, who rejected her and vowed to defeat Shen Qi before the drivers were called to the Starting Point.

• Shen Qi used [Global Eye] and [Wish Necklace] to navigate the unfamiliar course at high speed, but lost time when the Little Sheep's tires slipped after it used Magnet Rise over a sand pit.
• The Little Sheep finished in 8 minutes 9.6 seconds, placing provisionally second behind a T2 at 8 minutes 9.3 seconds, while Feiyue's Rainbow Flying Sword recorded 8:11.
• Feiyue shouted back at spectators who jeered at her, while Shen Qi changed out of his soaked Racing Suit and noticed Chloe resting with Yamper and Eevee.
• Ayaka arrived and told Feiyue she had done well and that she would take over, but Feiyue declared Ayaka unworthy of racing the Rainbow Flying Sword and challenged Shen Qi.
• After the top five qualifiers finished within 8 minutes 23 seconds, officials called all drivers to the Starting Point.

Shen Qi raced the Little Sheep in the Summer Race, countering the Rainbow Flying Sword’s explosive Belly Drum start and a T2 driver’s Sandstorm. He used Dodo’s copied abilities and the [Global Eye] to find an opening and overtake into third, leaving the race still underway.

• Shen Qi prepared Lilligant and Dodo to boost the Little Sheep before the race, while two drivers withdrew because of mechanical trouble and heatstroke.
• Feiyue launched the Rainbow Flying Sword into second place with a Belly Drum-powered burst, and Shen Qi recognized that its modified engine could sustain the energy cost.
• Shen Qi overtook into third, then used Dodo’s Trace to copy Slush Rush from the car behind and Sand Veil from the Sandstorm user ahead.
• Shen Qi held off the trailing car while the Sandstorm obscured his long-range view, then spotted an approaching crosswind obstacle after the driver reduced the storm’s range.
• Shen Qi combined Sand Veil, [Nene Ninja Technique], and the Little Sheep’s turbo to overtake the car ahead at the bend.

Shen Qi battled Feiyue and Wind Horse for position during the first lap of the elimination race, using Little Sheep’s Pokémon-assisted techniques to overtake and defend. As the cars reached the starting line, Shattered Moon still led, while Shen Qi chased Wind Horse and the Rainbow Flying Sword for second.

• Shen Qi realized Shattered Moon had anticipated the Wind Tunnel by following an energy line, and the driver overtook Feiyue and Shen Qi to take the lead.
• Feiyue pulled a mocking face at Shen Qi before accelerating ahead, while Wind Horse climbed through the field and threatened his position.
• Shen Qi used Dodo’s Magnet Rise to fly through a tight corner, briefly moving Little Sheep ahead of the Rainbow Flying Sword.
• Shen Qi overtook Feiyue at another corner, but Wind Horse used Haze to clear nearby buffs and surged past both cars.
• The Rainbow Flying Sword used Belly Drum to reclaim second, and Shen Qi combined Helping Hand boosts to pursue Wind Horse as they reached the starting line.

Shen Qi and Little Sheep survived a tense race to qualify for the finals, then an investigation exposed Wind Horse’s illegal camera system. Cai Xia was banned for five years, and the chapter ended with a bitter exchange about the data that had led to her downfall.

• Shen Qi overtook Feiyue’s Rainbow Flying Sword, then used Little Sheep to fend off its pursuit and qualified in fourth place.
• After the race, officials called Shen Qi and Cai Xia in to have their cars inspected for illegal modifications.
• Inspectors found a hidden camera in Wind Horse’s Rear Wing, a transmitter, and a display built into Cai Xia’s Helmet, revealing that she had been viewing the track ahead.
• Cai Xia admitted that she had resorted to cheating after her career faltered, and the Organizers revoked her Summer Race results and banned her from Class T Competitions for five years.
• Cai Xia complained that Shen Qi’s data had gotten her banned, and he replied that she did not make a living from racing.

Shen Qi started the Cerulean City Summer Race finals in sixth place, but heavy rain inside Cerulean Cave pushed Little Sheep back to seventh. He activated [Wish Necklace] and [Global Eye] to search for a chance to recover, while Wen Jiu’s Toy Car surged into second on the cave’s treacherous course.

• Cai Xia and her associate discussed using the race to make Shen Qi suffer an apparent accident and draw out the force supporting his research.
• Shen Qi earned sixth place on the starting grid despite rain preventing Lilligant from using Chlorophyll, then resolved to beat Feiyue before challenging Ayaka.
• The Summer Race finals began in Cerulean Cave, and Shen Qi used Dodo’s Download Ability as the cars set off.
• Heavy rain and poor visibility left Little Sheep in seventh, so Shen Qi reactivated [Wish Necklace] and [Global Eye] while looking for a passing opportunity.
• Wen Jiu’s Toy Car overtook from third to second in the cave, while Feiyue’s Rainbow Flying Sword remained fourth and Lisia fell to eighth.