Chapter Summaries

Yushu battled Maylene at the ranch, where Staraptor defeated her Hitmontop despite its anti-air tactics. Maylene’s next move was left unresolved as the chapter ended after the match.

• Maylene challenged Yushu to a battle, agreeing to discuss business properly afterward.
• Maylene sent out Hitmontop, and Yushu chose Staraptor to face it.
• Hitmontop struck Staraptor with Fake Out and tried to follow with Triple Kick, but Staraptor escaped into the air with Tailwind.
• Staraptor countered Hitmontop’s Gyro Ball with Brave Bird and Aerial Ace, then used Hurricane to suspend it in midair.
• Staraptor finished Hitmontop with Brave Bird, and Gardenia declared Staraptor the winner.

Yushu battled Maylene’s Lucario to learn about her Pokémon’s personalities, then impressed her with Staraptor’s recovery Pokéblock. Maylene urged him to take the breeder certification exam so he could sell his products through official channels, leaving Yushu resigned to studying for it.

• Maylene sent out Lucario, which attacked her with Aura Sphere, and she punched the blast aside before the Pokémon battled Yushu’s Staraptor.
• Staraptor and Lucario traded attacks, but Yushu used Staraptor’s retreat to bait Lucario into a Brave Bird that left it exhausted.
• Yushu ended the battle and fed Staraptor a Pokéblock that quickly restored its energy, prompting Maylene to order a two-month supply.
• Maylene told Yushu that breeder certification was required to sell Pokéblocks through official channels, and Yushu decided to try the exam.

Yushu decided to take the breeder certification exam in Jubilife City, despite Aili warning him that the pass rate was low and he had little time to prepare. He doubled Aili’s pay to secure her help, finished the ranch’s orders, and left its care to Aili and Shuren while telling Aili to learn to make Pokéblocks.

• Yushu told Aili he planned to take the breeder exam, and she warned him about its difficulty and low pass rate, but he remained confident he could pass.
• Yushu decided to leave for Jubilife City, prompting Aili to threaten to quit until he offered double pay and a bonus for the month.
• Yushu worked for several days to finish Maylene’s and Gardenia’s orders and stock three refrigerated cabinets with Pokéblocks.
• Yushu left Aili and Shuren in charge of the ranch and asked Aili to practice making Pokéblocks while he was away.

Yushu arrived in Jubilife City to prepare for the junior Breeder exam and began exploring its food stalls and Trainer School library. He obtained a library card and headed to the second-floor reference section to study.

• Aili and Shuren saw Yushu off as he left for Jubilife City, and Aili admitted that she had been trying to pressure him about the exam.
• Yushu arrived in Jubilife City, checked into a hotel near the Trainer School, and went out to find lunch.
• Uxie appeared and joined Yushu in eating snacks from stalls along the street.
• Yushu visited the Jubilife City Trainer School library and applied for a library card.
• The librarian told Yushu that Breeder exam reference books were in section C on the second floor.

Yushu used the Eye of Detection to master Pokémon nutrition and other breeding subjects during several days of intensive study. After going out for air, he met Sinnoh Champion Cynthia at an ice cream stall and helped her choose chocolate, leaving the two eating together as the crowd watched from afar.

• Yushu struggled to study Pokémon nutrition until he used the Eye of Detection to absorb and understand the material.
• Yushu spent the next several days studying at the library, rapidly working through books with the Eye of Detection.
• Yushu left the library to get some air and heard students gathering because Cynthia had arrived at the school.
• Cynthia agonized over choosing an ice cream flavor, and Yushu recommended the stall's chocolate.
• Cynthia thanked Yushu for the suggestion, and the two ate ice cream together while onlookers kept their distance.

Yushu met Cynthia at the Trainer School, where she had come to teach an open class, and impressed her with his knowledge of Pokémon breeding and Sinnoh’s legends. The conversation ended with Cynthia appreciating Yushu’s fresh explanation of Giratina and the Distortion World.

• Yushu asked Cynthia why she was at the Trainer School, and she explained that she had been invited to give an open class about Pokémon battles.
• Cynthia recognized Yushu from Lucian’s description and learned that he was studying to become a Breeder while running a ranch.
• Cynthia discussed the value of breeding knowledge with Yushu, who agreed that Pokémon health and care were essential to training.
• Yushu and Cynthia talked about Sinnoh’s legends, and Yushu described Giratina as the guardian of the Distortion World, whose role helped keep the ordinary world stable.
• Cynthia said Yushu’s explanation offered a new way to understand the legends and told him that he was special.

Yushu and Cynthia spent the evening talking, and she invited him to watch her Elite Four exhibition match with a VIP ticket. On match day, Yushu and Uxie arrived at Jubilife City's crowded stadium, where Uxie stopped to enjoy some takoyaki.

• Cynthia gave Yushu a VIP ticket to her exhibition match after they talked late into the evening.
• Yushu accepted Cynthia's invitation and promised to attend.
• On the day of the match, Yushu prepared for the event while Uxie teased him about being excited to watch an Elite Four battle.
• Yushu and Uxie reached Jubilife City's stadium and saw crowds, ticket seekers, and vendors gathered outside.
• Uxie persuaded Yushu to buy takoyaki and happily ate it near the stadium.

Yushu entered the VIP seating area for Flint and Cynthia’s match, where Lucian and Volkner questioned how he had obtained a ticket. He explained that Cynthia had given it to him, prompting the two men to tease him about their new acquaintance before the conversation turned to his breeder exam.

• Yushu followed a staff member into the VIP area and recognized Lucian beside an unfamiliar yellow-haired man.
• Lucian introduced the man as Volkner, the Gym Leader of Sunyshore Gym.
• Lucian asked how Yushu had secured a VIP ticket, and Yushu said Cynthia had given it to him.
• Yushu explained that he and Cynthia had met only two days earlier, but Lucian and Volkner suspected there was more to their connection.
• Lucian asked about Yushu’s breeder exam preparation, and Yushu said he had reviewed everything and felt nearly certain to pass.
• Volkner remarked that few people chose to pursue breeding.

Yushu watched Cynthia and Flint begin their six-on-six exhibition battle in Jubilife City. Flint’s Magmortar and Cynthia’s Gastrodon traded attacks, and the chapter ended with Gastrodon blocking Solar Beam using Muddy Water.

• Yushu explained that ranching was his main business and that he sold Pokéblocks, prompting Volkner to ask about their quality.
• The host introduced Flint and Cynthia to the cheering crowd, and they met on the field for a six-on-six battle.
• Flint sent out Magmortar, while Cynthia chose her West Sea Gastrodon.
• Magmortar’s Flamethrower clashed with Gastrodon’s Whirlpool, and Cynthia followed with Hydro Pump.
• Flint countered Hydro Pump with Solar Beam, but Gastrodon combined Muddy Water with its attack to block the beam.

Cynthia’s Gastrodon defeated Flint’s Magmortar after Rain Dance weakened its Solar Beam and Cynthia outlasted it before striking from underground. Flint sent out Drifblim next, and it covered the battlefield in Haze.

• Flint used Magmortar’s fast Solar Beam to counter Cynthia’s Water-types, but Cynthia’s Gastrodon summoned rain and weakened the attack.
• Gastrodon and Magmortar clashed with Muddy Water and Fire Blast, while Gastrodon maintained steady pressure as Magmortar’s stamina waned.
• Cynthia used Acid Armor to hide Gastrodon underground, then surprised Magmortar with Stone Edge and Earth Power, knocking it out.
• Flint recalled Magmortar and sent out Drifblim, a Pokémon that had once saved him from falling off a cliff.
• Drifblim followed Flint’s command to use Haze, filling the battlefield with thick black mist.

Cynthia overcame Flint’s Drifblim by turning its Curse strategy against it with Trick Room. Spiritomb knocked Drifblim out, giving Cynthia the round.

• Flint used Haze and Will-O-Wisp to pressure Cynthia’s Gastrodon, so Cynthia recalled it and sent out Spiritomb.
• Flint maneuvered Drifblim behind Spiritomb and used Curse, then attacked with Hex while the curse drained Spiritomb’s stamina.
• Cynthia countered with Payback, and the battle’s observers recognized Flint’s strategic approach.
• As Spiritomb and Drifblim both weakened, Cynthia used Trick Room to reverse their speed advantage.
• Spiritomb struck first with Shadow Ball and knocked out Drifblim, winning the round.

Flint battled Cynthia with Rapidash and Flareon, while Cynthia kept Gastrodon in the fight. Flareon’s Flash Fire-boosted attacks overwhelmed Gastrodon, and the chapter ended as Flareon charged in with a final Flare Blitz.

• Cynthia sent Gastrodon out again, and Flint challenged it with Rapidash’s Flare Blitz.
• Gastrodon flooded the field with Muddy Water, slowing Rapidash and turning the arena into mud.
• Rapidash tried to dry the field with Inferno, but Gastrodon combined Muddy Water with Surf to defeat it.
• Flint sent out Flareon, which absorbed its Fire Spin with Flash Fire and powered up its Fire Blast.
• Flareon’s boosted Fire Blast broke through Gastrodon’s Hydro Pump, and Flint ordered a final Flare Blitz.

Flint’s Flareon defeated Cynthia’s Gastrodon, but Cynthia sent out Garchomp, which knocked Flareon out with one Dragon Rush. Flint’s Houndoom then challenged Garchomp, but its Fire Fang began losing against Dragon Claw.

• Flareon broke through Gastrodon’s Muddy Water with Flare Blitz and knocked it out.
• Cynthia sent out her ace Garchomp, and Flint ordered Flareon to attack with Flare Blitz.
• Garchomp defeated Flareon with a single Dragon Rush.
• Flint sent out Houndoom, whose Flamethrower Garchomp split apart with Dragon Claw.
• Garchomp charged Houndoom, and their Dragon Claw and Fire Fang clash pushed Houndoom backward.

Cynthia's Garchomp defeated Flint's Houndoom, leaving Flint's Infernape to face it in a fierce close-range battle. Infernape gained power with Bulk Up and struck harder, but Garchomp continued to defend against its attacks.

• Cynthia ordered Garchomp to use Draco Meteor, knocking Houndoom out and winning the match against it.
• Flint sent out his strongest partner, Infernape, and opened with Mach Punch and Close Combat against Garchomp.
• Infernape briefly gained the upper hand in close combat, but Garchomp's Rough Skin injured it during the exchanges.
• Flint had Infernape use Bulk Up, then followed with Mach Punch and Fire Punch as Garchomp blocked its attacks.

Cynthia’s Garchomp defeated Flint’s Infernape in their exhibition match, and Cynthia won the stadium’s acclaim. The host then invited randomly selected audience member Yui onto the field to choose an exhibition battle opponent.

• Cynthia ordered Garchomp to use Earthquake, then countered Infernape’s Reversal with Dragon Rush.
• Garchomp defeated Infernape, which was knocked unconscious and declared unable to battle.
• The referee awarded the exhibition match to Cynthia, while Flint accepted the loss.
• The host announced that a randomly selected audience member could battle Cynthia or Flint, and the selection landed on Yui.
• Yui introduced herself as a Trainer preparing for the Lily of the Valley Conference, and the host asked her whom she wanted to battle.

Yui chose Cynthia over Flint and battled Cynthia’s Glaceon, losing but enjoying the experience. As the audience meet-and-greet neared its end, the final lucky seat was selected, and the spotlight landed on Yushu beside Lucian.

• Yui asked Cynthia for an autograph, explaining that she liked Cynthia more than Flint, and Cynthia wished her luck in the Lily of the Valley Conference.
• Yui battled Cynthia’s Glaceon with her Infernape, but Cynthia’s measured commands and a weakened Blizzard secured Glaceon the win.
• Flint used his reserve Magcargo to defeat another audience challenger and then reluctantly took photos for fans who mostly wanted to meet Cynthia.
• The host selected Lucian at first, alarming Flint, whose main team could not battle, before the spotlight shifted to Yushu beside Lucian.
• Lucian regretted missing his chance to battle Flint, while Flint was relieved that Yushu had been chosen instead.

Yushu agreed to battle after meeting Cynthia again, but Flint tried to claim him as an opponent. Cynthia arranged a bet that Yushu could beat Flint without Flint using his main Pokémon, leaving the crowd doubtful and Lucian wondering whether Yushu was stronger than he appeared.

• Yushu told the host he ran a ranch, then agreed to try battling instead of settling for a commemorative photo.
• Yushu greeted Cynthia, and Flint noticed that they seemed to know each other well.
• Flint volunteered to battle Yushu, arguing that he could give him a better sparring match than Cynthia.
• Cynthia told Yushu to battle Flint and proposed a bet on Yushu's victory, provided Flint did not use his main Pokémon.
• The audience and Volkner doubted Yushu could win, while Lucian recalled Yushu capturing Mars and suspected he might be more capable than he let on.

Yushu accepted Flint’s battle bet and faced his Charizard with Luxray. He used Electric Terrain and Charge to help Luxray absorb its own Thunder, then ordered it to unleash the stored power with Wild Charge.

• Flint accepted Cynthia’s bet, and Cynthia agreed to meet her own stakes if she lost.
• Flint sent out a powerful Charizard, prompting Yushu to choose Luxray after ruling out his other Pokémon.
• Yushu had Luxray spread Electric Terrain and use Charge as Charizard attacked with Flamethrower.
• Luxray struck itself with Thunder, absorbing the lightning’s power while enduring the dangerous strain.
• Flint recognized Yushu’s tactic, and Yushu ordered Luxray to channel the stored electricity into Wild Charge.

Yushu’s Luxray used Charge and Thunder to overwhelm Flint’s Charizard, then turned its burn into an advantage with Guts and won with a well-timed Wild Charge. The victory left the crowd stunned and Flint struggling to accept his defeat.

• Luxray’s boosted Wild Charge broke through Charizard’s Fire Blast and badly injured it, but Charizard answered with Fire Blast and burned Luxray.
• Yushu revealed Luxray’s Guts ability, which turned the burn into a strength boost, and ordered another Wild Charge.
• Luxray dodged Charizard’s Flare Blitz, struck its exposed back with Wild Charge, and knocked it out.
• The referee declared Yushu the winner, while the crowd, Cynthia, Volkner, Lucian, and Flint reacted to the upset.

After the exhibition match, Yushu returned to studying for the breeder exam and prepared to leave the library early on the night before it. On the way home, he ran into Cynthia enjoying a quiet moment with a campus Meowth and learned she had a rare break after the event.

• After Flint's defeat, Yushu resumed his routine, and the librarian praised him for beating an Elite Four member.
• Yushu stopped studying at eight in the evening so he could rest before the official breeder exam the next day.
• On a quiet path in Jubilife City, Yushu found Cynthia petting the Trainer School's usually haughty Meowth.
• Cynthia greeted Yushu and explained that she had stopped to play with Meowth while passing by.
• Yushu and Cynthia discussed the exhibition match, and Cynthia said the event was nearly over and she could take a brief break.