Recaps

Yushu met Professor Rowan at the Rowan Research Institute, where Rowan offered to take him on as an apprentice. After refining and publishing his Sylveon research paper under Rowan’s supervision, Yushu’s discovery drew widespread attention.

• Cynthia brought Yushu to the Rowan Research Institute, where Professor Rowan praised his paper on Sylveon and asked about his research.
• Yushu explained how he investigated Eevee’s evolution conditions and described his plans to study Pokémon evolution further.
• Professor Rowan invited Yushu to become his apprentice, and Yushu accepted, learning that Cynthia was his senior sister.
• Yushu studied at the institute and worked with Professor Rowan to polish his paper for publication.
• Yushu’s paper about Sylveon’s discovery and evolution conditions was published, and public opinion shifted after readers saw Professor Rowan listed as its supervisor.

After news of Yushu’s discovery of Sylveon spread, friends, colleagues, and family across Sinnoh reacted with surprise, pride, and envy. While studying under Professor Rowan, Yushu was invited to help distribute starter Pokémon and took on the temporary role.

• Reggie discovered that Yushu had discovered Sylveon under Professor Rowan’s guidance, then returned to training with Maylene to cope with the gap between them.
• Shuren, Aili, Kaixin, Riley, Lucian, Flint, Professor Carolina, Anna, and Qingmu read the news and reacted to Yushu’s achievement.
• At the Rowan Research Institute, Cynthia told Yushu that he had become a minor celebrity, while Yushu lamented that his goal had only been to qualify as an intermediate breeder.
• Yushu continued studying specialized knowledge under Professor Rowan and occasionally watched researchers hand out starter Pokémon.
• Researcher Xiaolin invited Yushu to distribute starter Pokémon, and Yushu accepted a temporary role at the distribution counter.

Yushu used rare Berries from Professor Rowan’s laboratory to make high-quality Crimson Flame Pokéblocks for Torchic. After eating one, Torchic evolved into a Shiny Combusken with powerful Fire-type moves, and the chapter ended with Yushu marveling at the Pokéblock’s effects.

• Yushu helped a boy choose Chimchar and a little girl choose Turtwig as their Starter Pokémon.
• Yushu asked Professor Rowan for permission to make Pokéblocks using the laboratory’s Berries, and Rowan let him use the storeroom and equipment.
• Yushu combined Dragon Fire Berries, Shituo Berries, Wepear Berries, and Razz Berries to make high-quality Crimson Flame Pokéblocks.
• Cynthia tasted and praised the Pokéblock’s quality and pure Fire-type energy.
• Torchic ate a Crimson Flame Pokéblock and evolved into a Shiny Combusken with Speed Boost, Flamethrower, and Blaze Kick.

Yushu made high-quality Pokéblocks for Cynthia’s Combusken and Garchomp, then welcomed Mesprit, who traded a Splash Plate fragment for Pokéblocks. Uxie negotiated the exchange and planned to ask Yushu for more later.

• Combusken evolved after eating Yushu’s Pokéblock and tested its new strength with a Blaze Kick before Yushu stopped it.
• Cynthia asked Yushu to make Pokéblocks for Garchomp, and he used Salac Berries to produce a block that greatly increased its affinity with Ground-type energy.
• Yushu experimented with more recipes at the research institute, including a beauty-enhancing Pokéblock for Milotic that made Garchomp unusually affectionate toward it.
• Uxie returned with Mesprit, explaining that it wanted Pokéblocks and would trade something rare for them.
• Mesprit gave Yushu a Splash Plate fragment, while Uxie secretly resolved to negotiate for more Pokéblocks later.

Yushu told Cynthia that Mesprit and Uxie were staying with him, and she promised to keep them secret. He planned to travel to Johto to find Shuckle for his ranch, but Professor Rowan stopped him with an unfinished request.

• Cynthia found Yushu with Mesprit and Uxie, learned they were his friends, and agreed not to reveal their presence.
• At breakfast, Yushu told Professor Rowan he wanted to raise Shuckle at his ranch to turn its plentiful Berries into juice concentrate and Pokéblocks.
• Yushu planned to visit the Azalea Gym in Johto to find Shuckle, while Cynthia offered to ask Lance for help and reminded Yushu to contact her if needed.
• Professor Rowan told Yushu his intermediate breeder qualification had been approved and encouraged him to pursue what he wanted.
• As Yushu prepared to leave for Johto, Professor Rowan asked him to take care of something there.

Yushu traveled from Sinnoh to Johto aboard a deluxe ship cabin arranged by Cynthia, enjoying the voyage while repeatedly catching Magikarp. Hoping to win a luxury fishing rod in the ship’s arena challenge, he watched Lanse defeat a challenger and remain champion.

• Yushu agreed to deliver Professor Rowan’s Poké Balls to Professor Elm and traveled from Sandgem Town to Canalave City.
• Yushu boarded the ship for Johto in a deluxe cabin Cynthia had arranged, then thanked her by message and teased her with the nickname “Sister Cabbage.”
• Yushu enjoyed first-class service during the voyage but caught nothing except Magikarp while fishing.
• Yushu heard that winning ten battles in the Winner’s Cup challenge would earn the Silver Scale Rod and hurried to watch.
• Lanse’s Raticate defeated Xiaoxiang’s Poliwhirl with Hyper Fang, giving Lanse his third consecutive victory.

Yushu entered the fishing-rod challenge and used his Shiny Combusken to defeat Lanse’s Raticate and Ameng’s Pelipper. After two victories, he remained in the contest, still aiming to win the luxury fishing rod.

• Yushu challenged Lanse, who kept Raticate in battle against Yushu’s Shiny Combusken.
• Combusken dodged Raticate’s attacks, then used Double Kick, Flame Charge, and Blaze Kick to knock it out and earn Yushu his first win.
• Ameng challenged Yushu with Pelipper, whose Drizzle Ability brought rain that weakened Combusken’s Fire-type moves.
• Combusken endured Pelipper’s Hydro Pump, grabbed Pelipper in midair, and slammed it down with Blaze Kick to win the battle.
• The referee announced Yushu’s second consecutive win, and the crowd urged him to keep defending his streak.

Yushu and Combusken won nine consecutive arena battles, defeating a string of opponents despite Combusken's mounting exhaustion. With the grand prize one win away, Petalburg Gym Leader Norman stepped forward to challenge Yushu and offered him time to let Combusken recover.

• Yushu ordered Combusken to defeat an Electabuzz with a feint and a fiery kick, earning its third consecutive victory.
• Combusken used Low Kick and Brick Break to knock out a heavy Rhydon, then continued winning matches against Arbok, Onix, and Alakazam to reach nine straight wins.
• Spectators noticed Combusken was nearly out of stamina, while Yushu judged that few challengers could withstand its speed and attacks.
• Norman, the Petalburg Gym Leader, revealed himself as the challenger for Yushu's tenth match and said Yushu could switch Pokémon or let Combusken recover.
• Yushu accepted Norman's offer and gave Combusken a Pokéblock before the battle.

Yushu challenged Norman with Miltank after recalling Combusken, and the two Pokémon traded clever attacks in a fierce battle. Miltank used Rollout and Milk Drink to withstand Vigoroth’s assault, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Yushu gave Combusken a restorative Pokéblock, then recalled it and sent out Miltank against Norman.
• Norman sent out Vigoroth, and Yushu opened with Defense Curl and Rollout.
• Vigoroth broke a piece of the deck and used it to knock Miltank off balance before striking it with Slash.
• Yushu switched to Rock Tomb and Rock Slide, then landed a Body Slam while Vigoroth forced its way through the rocks with Zen Headbutt.
• Vigoroth landed repeated Brick Breaks, but Miltank endured the blows and rolled away while using Milk Drink to recover.
• Miltank and Vigoroth continued trading attacks as Miltank healed much of the damage, though Yushu worried that it could not keep taking hits.

Yushu won his tenth consecutive match when Miltank and Norman’s Vigoroth knocked each other out, then received a silver fishing rod and met Norman’s family. Max eagerly inspected Yushu’s Shiny Combusken and took a Flamethrower to the face, but stayed on his feet, leaving Yushu stunned by his toughness.

• Yushu had Miltank grab Vigoroth during Rollout and crash with it through the arena railing, knocking both Pokémon out and securing his tenth consecutive win.
• Norman praised Yushu’s Miltank, and the host awarded Yushu a silver luxury fishing rod.
• Norman introduced Yushu to Caroline, May, and Max, and Max insisted his father had not been trying his hardest.
• Yushu showed Max his Shiny Combusken, and Max excitedly touched it while declaring that he would choose Torchic as his starter.
• Max reached between Combusken’s legs, prompting Combusken to blast him with Flamethrower; Max calmly praised the attack and his family laughed.
• May scolded Max after he faked an injury, and he abruptly got up and admitted that his tantrum trick was becoming less effective.

Yushu went fishing with Norman, May, and Max, but while he kept catching Magikarp, he caught Wingull and Pelipper for his ranch. After Max recognized Yushu as the breeder who discovered Sylveon, May and Max resumed bickering, and May’s fishing line pulled up a dangerous Sharpedo.

• Yushu caught several Magikarp while Norman caught Chinchou, Mantine, and Tentacruel, and May caught a Goldeen.
• Yushu used Kirlia’s Psychic to catch six Wingull and Pelipper with weather-related abilities for his ranch.
• Yushu told Norman he was an intermediate breeder, and Max recognized him as the breeder who announced Sylveon’s evolution.
• May and Max argued and chased each other around the deck after Max said he wanted to evolve an Eevee into Sylveon.
• May and Max hauled a Sharpedo aboard, alarming the passengers on the ship.

Yushu, Norman, and the others witnessed Kid and his pirates attack their ship while capturing a Wailord pod. The pirates overwhelmed the ship’s security force and began hauling away the helpless Wailord and Wailmer.

• Vigoroth knocked Sharpedo away after it lunged at May, while Max’s fishing line pulled a Wailord from the sea.
• Norman recognized that Sharpedo and Tentacruel were surrounding the Wailord pod, and Kid surfaced in a submarine and threatened to rob the ship.
• The ship’s security force battled Kid’s pirates, but Kid’s Sharpedo defeated the captain’s Walrein and smashed it through the deck.
• Kid’s pirates fired barbed tranquilizer nets at Wailord and dragged the incapacitated Wailmer toward the submarine.

Norman and Yushu fought Kid’s pirates after they attacked the submarine, with Slaking shrugging off their attacks and Kirlia, Luxray, and Rotom helping subdue them. The pirates recoiled as Slaking finished resting and rose to face them again.

• Norman sent out Slaking and challenged Yushu to see who could take down more pirates.
• The pirates attacked Slaking, but their moves barely affected it, and Slaking knocked Crawdaunt and several Pokémon out with one Hammer Arm.
• The pirates switched to ranged attacks and fired rockets, but Yushu’s Kirlia detonated them with Psychic and threw the launchers’ handlers into the sea.
• Yushu called out Luxray and Rotom, whose combined Thunder struck the remaining pirates as the passengers cheered.
• Slaking’s rest ended, and it stood up as the frightened pirates backed away.

Norman and Yushu drove back the pirates with Slaking and Rotom, but Kid unleashed his powerful Gyarados and Sharpedo. As Norman and Yushu split the fight between them, Norman prepared Slaking to counter Gyarados’s charging attack.

• Norman ordered Slaking to use Thunder, scattering the pirates, and Yushu transformed Rotom into Wash form.
• Yushu combined Rotom’s Hydro Pump with Luxray’s Thunder, routing the remaining pirates with a Thunder Water Dragon Bullet.
• Kid summoned his quasi-Elite Four Gyarados and Sharpedo, and Norman’s Slaking fought both Pokémon while Sharpedo exploited Slaking’s Truant ability.
• Yushu sent Luxray to clash with Sharpedo and told Norman he would keep it occupied while Norman finished off Gyarados.
• Kid ordered Gyarados to combine Aqua Tail with Twister, but Norman pointed out that the attack had taken too long to charge as Slaking began moving again.

Norman’s Slaking overwhelmed Kid’s Gyarados, while Yushu powered up Luxray with a Combee formation and defeated Sharpedo with Super Zap Cannon. With their strongest Pokémon defeated and their crew beaten, Kid and the remaining pirates retreated in their submarine.

• Slaking caught Gyarados’s Aqua Tail, then repeatedly slammed Gyarados onto the deck until it was defeated.
• Yushu formed a Cloud Bee Formation with Vespiquen and Combee, channeling their Helping Hand energy into Luxray and raising its strength to early Quasi-Elite Four.
• Luxray absorbed Wash Rotom’s Thunder, charged its power, and blasted Sharpedo with Super Zap Cannon, leaving it charred and defeated.
• Kid saw his crew beaten and ordered a retreat before leaping into the submarine as the remaining pirates scrambled aboard.
• Kid and the pirates began diving away in the submarine.

Yushu and Norman struggled to rescue passengers after Kid drugged Wailord into a rampage and damaged their ship. Just as Norman prepared to subdue Wailord, Lugia appeared, rescued the people in the sea, and calmed the Pokémon.

• Yushu and Norman damaged Kid's submarine, but Kid injected Wailord with a black-market Rampage Potion and escaped amid the ensuing chaos.
• Yushu, Norman, and other passengers used Pokémon to rescue people thrown overboard while Wailord's attacks badly damaged the ship.
• As the captain ordered everyone to abandon ship, Norman prepared to stop Wailord by force, and Yushu warned that the ship would sink if they did nothing.
• Lugia appeared, lifted the overboard passengers onto the deck with Extrasensory, and used Safeguard to restore Wailord's senses.

After Lugia rescued the passengers from the pirate attack, the damaged ship docked at Reef Beach Island. Steven returned with Kid captured and offered Yushu a reward, leaving Yushu set to receive both rare stones and a Mudkip.

• Lugia confirmed that the passengers were safe, then departed as the survivors cheered.
• The captain announced that the ship could not continue, so the passengers docked at Reef Beach Island and gave statements to Officer Jenny.
• Officer Jenny told Norman and Yushu that Steven had captured the Kid Pirates, and Steven arrived with Kid in custody beside Wallace.
• Steven thanked Norman and Yushu for their help, and promised to assist Norman with his Gym reimbursement claim.
• Yushu asked Steven for a Key Stone and Mega Stone instead of only a starter Pokémon, and Steven agreed to search his collection for them.
• Yushu accepted Mudkip as his starter Pokémon after explaining that he already had Torchic and did not feel suited to Treecko.

Yushu parted ways with Norman’s family and traveled to New Bark Town, where he visited Professor Elm’s lab. After discussing Eevee research, Yushu delivered the three Sinnoh starter Pokémon Professor Rowan had sent.

• Steven promised to have Mudkip transferred to Professor Elm and offered to look for the stones Yushu wanted before he and Wallace sailed away.
• Yushu gave May a notebook of Pokéblock recipes, and Norman agreed to support Yushu’s business by ordering Pokéblocks.
• Yushu arrived in New Bark Town with Uxie and discussed Johto’s Legendary Pokémon and the Burned Tower with it.
• Yushu met Professor Elm, who praised his research on Eevee and friendship-based evolution.
• Yushu gave Professor Elm three Poké Balls from Professor Rowan, revealing Chimchar, Turtwig, and Piplup.

Professor Elm’s lesson on Pokémon breeding was interrupted when Totodile and the Mudkip intended for Yushu went missing from the lab. Yushu tracked down the thief and recognized the red-haired boy as Silver, Giovanni’s son.

• Professor Elm explained Pokémon Egg Groups, Egg Moves, and breeding practices to Yushu before remembering that he needed to hand out starter Pokémon.
• Researchers discovered that Totodile and the Mudkip transferred for Yushu had disappeared from the lab.
• Yushu sent his Pokémon to search and asked Uxie to scan the area, leading him to a suspicious boy on the hill behind the lab.
• Yushu confronted the boy, who defended himself with Murkrow and Sneasel against Kirlia and Miltank.
• Yushu recognized the boy and his Pokémon as Silver, Giovanni’s son.

Yushu defeated Silver’s Murkrow, Sneasel, and Ursaring with Kirlia and Miltank, then discovered that the stolen Mudkip recognized him and eagerly joined him. Silver refused to surrender and challenged Yushu to a battle between Mudkip and Totodile, wagering his freedom on the result.

• Yushu used Kirlia’s Double Team, Magical Leaf, and Mystical Fire to defeat Silver’s Murkrow.
• Miltank repelled Sneasel’s Metal Claw and defeated it with Rollout, then overwhelmed Ursaring with repeated Rollout attacks.
• Silver released the stolen Totodile and Mudkip, but Mudkip recognized Yushu and ran to him.
• Yushu checked Mudkip’s and Totodile’s abilities and moves, while Silver took comfort in Totodile’s loyalty and fighting spirit.
• Silver refused to give himself up and challenged Yushu to a battle between Mudkip and Totodile, wagering his freedom.

Yushu accepted Silver’s challenge and Mudkip defeated Totodile with Ancient Power and Yawn. Silver returned Totodile’s Poké Ball, but it released a cloud of black smoke that left Yushu unable to see.

• Totodile taunted Mudkip into a battle, and Yushu accepted Silver’s challenge to defend his new Pokémon.
• Yushu’s Pokémon gathered to watch as Professor Elm let the battle proceed between Mudkip and Totodile.
• Mudkip countered Totodile’s attacks with Rock Smash and Ancient Power, surprising Silver with his Egg Move.
• Mudkip used Yawn at close range, putting Totodile to sleep and giving Mudkip the victory.
• Silver tossed Totodile’s Poké Ball to Yushu, but it opened and released black smoke that engulfed the area.

Yushu left New Bark Town for Azalea Town after Professor Elm gave him a Soothe Bell, then used his new Rotom Phone to reassure Cynthia and recount his adventures. Their call ended abruptly when a Pidgeot swooped at Yushu, who dodged its attack.

• Professor Elm let Silver escape with Totodile, and Silver vowed to defeat Yushu the next time they met.
• Professor Elm gave Yushu a Soothe Bell and warned him not to catch Bellsprout near Bellsprout Tower.
• Yushu left New Bark Town, hung the Soothe Bell around Kirlia's neck, and continued toward Azalea Town.
• Rotom merged with Yushu's phone, allowing him to make a video call to Cynthia from the wilderness.
• Yushu told Cynthia about his travels and encounters with Legendary Pokémon, and she said she hoped to visit Johto.
• A Pidgeot suddenly dived at Yushu, but he dodged it after Cynthia warned him.

Yushu visited the Violet Gym after Falkner’s Pidgeot nearly hit him, then agreed to enter Violet City’s annual Flying Contest. At the contest, Yushu spotted Silver among the contestants, and the opening group began its match with Falkner’s Pidgeot, leaving Yushu waiting backstage.

• Cynthia ended her call with Yushu when Lucian summoned her to approve Pokémon League documents.
• Falkner apologized after his Pidgeot flew too low near Yushu and invited him to the Violet Gym.
• Falkner told Yushu about Violet City’s Flying Contest and arranged for him to enter with his Staraptor.
• Yushu arrived at the crowded contest the next day, saw Silver among the contestants, and decided he wanted the first-place Sharp Beak for Staraptor.
• Falkner opened the contest by entering the first group with his Pidgeot, while the other contestants sent out a Fearow, a Beedrill, and a Hoppip.

Yushu entered the Flying Contest with Staraptor and faced Kiko, who sought revenge on Falkner after losing to him before. Staraptor seized the ring and outmaneuvered Kiko’s Charizard, then turned to battle it head-on as the chapter ended with Hurricane overpowering Flamethrower.

• Falkner’s Pidgeot defeated Fearow with Hurricane and Aerial Ace, then won the first group’s ring challenge.
• Silver used Murkrow’s Tailwind and Taunt to win the second group.
• Yushu entered the third group alongside Kiko, the Charizard Valley caretaker seeking revenge on Falkner, and their Pokémon began the contest.
• Kiko’s Charizard used Flamethrower to drive back the other contestants, but Yushu’s Staraptor secretly grabbed the ring first.
• Staraptor flew toward the hook at remarkable speed, and Falkner suspected it was controlling airflow around itself.
• Kiko provoked Yushu into turning Staraptor to face Charizard, and Staraptor’s Hurricane blew apart Charizard’s Flamethrower.

Yushu defeated Kiko with Staraptor, then faced Falkner, Silver, and Alun in the flying competition’s final round. While Staraptor and Pidgeot battled fiercely, Alun and Silver fought over the ring, leaving the competition unresolved.

• Yushu used Staraptor’s flame-empowered Brave Bird to knock Charizard down, then secured the ring and defeated Kiko.
• Yushu, Silver, Falkner, and Alun advanced to the final, where their Staraptor, Murkrow, Pidgeot, and Skarmory faced off.
• Staraptor and Pidgeot traded rapid attacks as Yushu and Falkner battled for aerial dominance.
• Alun sent Skarmory for the ring while Yushu and Falkner were occupied, but Silver intercepted it with Murkrow.
• Skarmory countered Murkrow’s Night Shade with Flash Cannon, then struck back against its Wing Attack with Steel Wing.