Chapter Summaries

Yushu and Luxray used successive bursts of electric speed to win the Pokémon race after Ponyta and Absol fought and let Gogoat take the lead. The race ended with Luxray in first, while Fuko and Chihaya blamed each other for their Pokémon’s fifth- and sixth-place finishes.

• Ponyta, Absol, Luxray, and Gogoat formed the leading pack, while Mightyena and Stoutland competed behind them and Persian stopped to lick its paws.
• Ponyta and Absol battled after sparks from Ponyta hit Absol, allowing Ramos's Gogoat to move into first place.
• Yushu had Luxray use Charge and Wild Charge to overtake Ponyta, Absol, and then Gogoat.
• Ramos used Grassy Glide to regain ground, but Luxray's triple-stacked Spark carried it across the finish line first.
• Gogoat finished second, Whitney's Miltank took third, Stoutland placed fourth, and Ponyta and Absol finished fifth and sixth.
• Fuko and Chihaya blamed each other for losing the race and the prize of Pokémon food.

Yushu returned to Sinnoh after the Johto exchange event and went to Jubilife City to collect his intermediate Pokémon Breeder certificate. At the association, Taozhu accused him of advancing with Professor Rowan’s help, and Yushu faced the stranger’s taunts.

• Yushu told Whitney and Gold that he planned to return to Sinnoh, while Gold said he would challenge Gyms and pursue a championship.
• Yushu sailed back to Sinnoh with Uxie and Mew, who secretly ate food from the ship’s kitchen, then traveled from Canalave City to Jubilife City.
• At the Pokémon Breeder Association, Yushu met Joy Ling and asked to collect his intermediate qualification certificate.
• Taozhu confronted Yushu, implied Professor Rowan had helped him advance, and accused him of benefiting from connections.

Yushu confronted Taozhu at the Pokémon Breeder Association after Taozhu questioned his intermediate breeder qualification. Taozhu challenged him to a Pokéblock-making contest, and the chapter left them choosing ingredients as the competition began.

• Yushu rebuffed Taozhu’s accusations, and Joy Chun confirmed that Yushu had earned his intermediate qualification properly and reminded Taozhu to show him the required respect.
• Taozhu challenged Yushu, then backed out of a Pokémon battle after seeing Yushu’s powerful Miltank and proposed competing in Pokéblock-making instead.
• Yushu accepted Taozhu’s challenge, and Joy Chun set a one-hour contest judged by the quality of their finished Pokéblocks.
• Taozhu chose Figy Berries and several supplementary Berries to make a restorative Pokéblock while spectators praised his sensible recipe.
• Yushu selected a Chople Berry and other ingredients for a difficult functional Pokéblock, while Taozhu expected him to fail.

Yushu defeated Taozhu in a Pokéblock-making contest, then stopped Taozhu’s attack and beat him after Magcargo was defeated. Joy Ling awarded Yushu his intermediate breeder certificate and badge, and he left the association.

• Yushu and Taozhu prepared Pokéblocks while Joy Chun and the onlookers watched their techniques.
• Chansey gave Taozhu’s Pokéblock a passing score, then awarded Yushu’s spicy, warm-effect Pokéblock full marks.
• Taozhu accused Yushu of cheating and sent Magcargo to attack him, but Miltank withstood the flames and knocked Magcargo out with Body Slam.
• Yushu punched Taozhu for attacking him, while Joy Chun confirmed she would report the incident as self-defense.
• Joy Ling gave Yushu his intermediate breeder certificate and badge, and Yushu left as the onlookers praised him.

Yushu returned to Freewill Ranch after nearly two and a half months away and reunited with Aili and Shuren, who had kept the ranch running. He heard about the ranch’s progress and began planning its expansion into four areas.

• Yushu returned to Solaceon Town and found Freewill Ranch neater and more orderly than when he had left.
• Aili scolded Yushu for being gone for two and a half months, then learned he had bought twenty-five Miltank and ten Skiddo for the ranch.
• Yushu shared oden with Aili and Shuren while Mew, disguised as Eevee, charmed Aili and silenced Sylveon.
• Aili reported steady milk production and successful Berry Juice fermentation, while Shuren described the thriving orchard and flower fields and the Heracross bothering the Combee for Honey.
• Yushu outlined plans to divide the ranch into four areas, starting with livestock and Berry production.

Yushu expanded Freewill Ranch with Qingmu’s help, hiring a construction crew to build new areas for livestock, Berries, Bug-type Pokémon, and Water-types. After inspecting the completed ranch, Qingmu discovered Yushu had charged him more than three hundred thousand in construction bills, and father and son chased each other around the ranch.

• Yushu explained the ranch’s planned Honey and pond areas, then promised Aili and Shuren he would hire employees and made Aili the ranch manager.
• Yushu asked Qingmu to find a construction crew, and Qingmu brought workers to Freewill Ranch the next morning while repeatedly bragging about his son.
• The construction crew finished the expansion in ten days, and Yushu, Qingmu, Aili, and Shuren inspected the improved ranch areas and the pond’s Pokémon.
• Qingmu discovered Yushu had charged the construction materials to his account without telling him, and he chased Yushu around the ranch while Aili cheered him on.

Yushu welcomed Miltank and Skiddo to the expanded ranch, but Aili struggled to settle the newcomers and mediate a dispute between the Skiddo and Mareep. Yushu sent Staraptor and Luxray to compete for leadership, and Staraptor’s attack frightened the Mareep into panic.

• Yushu transferred twenty-five Miltank and ten Skiddo to the ranch, where the main-team Miltank calmed and led the newcomers to their pens.
• Aili brought the Skiddo toward the sheep pen, but the Mareep confronted them over territory and refused to let them settle in.
• Yushu called Staraptor and Luxray and offered leadership of the herds to whichever Pokémon could keep them in line.
• Staraptor and Luxray agreed to compete, while Combusken and Marshtomp watched from the fence.
• Staraptor struck the herds with Hurricane and then dived toward them, causing the Mareep to panic and flee.

Yushu used Luxray to herd the frightened Mareep and Skiddo after Staraptor’s intimidation attempt failed. Meanwhile, Vespiquen asserted her authority over the Bug Garden, and the chapter ended with her challenging the Heracross leader after revealing her overwhelming power.

• Staraptor repeatedly caught and returned fleeing Mareep, but they kept running because they thought it wanted to eat them.
• Luxray pinned a Skiddo, roared, and summoned lightning overhead, then led the Mareep and Skiddo obediently to their designated area.
• Vespiquen assigned the Shuckle to ferment tree sap and the Spinarak to weave webs, but the Heracross leader challenged her authority.
• Vespiquen summoned the Combee into Cloud Bee Formation, whose Helping Hand raised her aura to Early Quasi-Elite Four and forced several Heracross to their knees.
• Luxray, Staraptor, Gardevoir, Combusken, and other Pokémon sensed Vespiquen’s power and gathered to watch as she demanded that the Heracross leader submit or be beaten into submission.

Vespiquen defeated the Heracross leader and took control of the bug garden, bringing order to the ranch. Bored Mew then persuaded Combusken to seek battle experience by teaming up against stronger Pokémon, setting up a possible fight.

• The Heracross leader challenged Vespiquen to single combat, but she overwhelmed it with Air Slash and Fury Cutter before knocking it out with a final strike.
• Vespiquen became ruler of the bug garden and set Honey rewards and penalties that quickly improved the Pokémon's work.
• Aili and Shuren watched Vespiquen's victory and reconsidered their belief that Yushu was merely a skilled rancher.
• As the ranch settled into routine, bored Mew disguised as an Eevee approached Combusken during training.
• Mew urged Combusken to gain strength through battle and suggested finding an ally to face a stronger Pokémon together.

Mew persuaded Combusken and Marshtomp to team up against Luxray, hoping to enjoy a battle from the sidelines. Luxray defeated them in three moves, leaving both Pokémon unconscious and in need of more training.

• Mew convinced Combusken that teamwork made a two-on-one battle fair, then prodded Marshtomp into joining by invoking its pride and Splash Plate fragment.
• Combusken and Marshtomp chose Luxray as their opponent, believing it would hold back, and challenged it while Mew watched.
• Combusken opened with Flame Charge as Marshtomp fired Mud Shot, but Luxray broke through both attacks with Wild Charge and knocked Combusken down in one hit.
• Marshtomp used Surf, but Luxray countered with Thunderbolt, then struck Marshtomp with Crunch and sent it crashing to the ground.
• Luxray told the defeated pair they needed more training and walked away, while Mew lamented that the battle had ended so quickly.

Mew tried to find Combusken and Marshtomp a sparring partner, but Torterra knocked them both unconscious with Frenzy Plant after enduring their attacks. Meanwhile, Yushu received a shipment of Berry saplings and watched Torterra precisely prepare the orchard soil.

• Mew healed Combusken and Marshtomp after Luxray defeated them, then suggested they spar with Vespiquen, but Combusken refused.
• Combusken and Marshtomp asked Torterra to spar and attacked with ranged moves, Fire Punch, and Rock Slide while Torterra stood its ground.
• Mew used Helping Hand as Combusken and Marshtomp launched their strongest attacks, but Torterra countered with Frenzy Plant and knocked them both unconscious.
• Yushu received 360 Berry saplings, checked their quality, and called Shuren to help with the work.
• Torterra used precise Earthquake and Bulldoze to loosen the orchard soil and clear stubborn rocks while Yushu praised its work.

Yushu and Shuren planted and cared for a new orchard with help from their hardworking Heracross. Half a month later, Aili welcomed her cousin Yicheng to the ranch, where he was astonished by its size and Pokémon, then felt Vespiquen’s intimidating presence.

• Yushu and Shuren organized the Heracross into teams that planted all 360 saplings in one day.
• Shuren and the Heracross inspected the orchard morning and evening, using skills some Heracross had learned from agricultural programs.
• Yicheng arrived in Solaceon Town, and Aili met him and took him to the ranch.
• Aili showed Yicheng the ranch’s Miltank, Mareep, Skiddo, and Bug Garden, where he tasted Shuckle-fermented Berry Juice.
• Aili hurried Yicheng away after Vespiquen stared at them, and she explained that Vespiquen was strict and imposing.

Aili brought her cousin Yicheng to Yushu’s ranch for a job, where Yicheng met the intimidating new Omanyte and Omastar. Yushu interviewed him and learned he was from Kitakami, leaving Yushu eager to visit the area.

• Aili showed Yicheng the orchard, where Heracross tended the Berry trees, and told him that Yushu was an annoying but capable breeder and Professor Rowan’s student.
• Aili and Yicheng found Yushu settling Omanyte and Omastar into the pond, and the fossil Pokémon startled Yicheng.
• Aili introduced Yicheng to Yushu, who began a formal job interview while Yicheng remained nervous around the Pokémon.
• Yicheng said he was fifteen, wanted to learn from a professional breeder, and was prepared for the ranch’s workload because he had grown apples at home.
• Yushu learned that Yicheng came from Kitakami and privately resolved to find an opportunity to visit the area.

Yushu hired Aili’s cousin Yicheng as a probationary employee and put him to work learning food preparation. He harvested ripe Berries with the Heracross and made a new batch of Pokéblocks, noting that their flavor needed improvement.

• Yushu hired Yicheng for a three-month probation under Aili and told her to arrange his work and the newcomers’ meals.
• Aili claimed Yicheng as her trainee and dragged him to the kitchen to learn meal preparation.
• Yushu ordered the Heracross to harvest ripe Berries and sort them by type, warning them not to eat too many.
• Yushu processed the Berries in the workshop while Mew and Uxie watched eagerly.
• Yushu finished a batch of Coba Berry Blocks, tasted one, and recorded its slightly astringent flavor and recipe data.

Yushu experimented with Pokéblock recipes while Mew and Uxie sampled his creations, and Kurokawa and Kaixin arrived to see how much the ranch had grown. The chapter ended with Kurokawa greeting Yushu, who joked that he was broke.

• Yushu made Lansat Berry Pokéblocks that could moderately reduce the power of Psychic-type moves and began another batch.
• Mew and Uxie secretly ate Yushu's Pokéblocks, then asked him for more; Yushu allowed Mew one extra but refused further requests.
• Kurokawa and Kaixin arrived at the expanded ranch and admired its new Pokémon, larger herds, and increased production.
• Aili showed Kurokawa and Kaixin the Heracross working in the Berry orchard and introduced her younger cousin, whom she had trained to help at the ranch.
• Kurokawa entered the workshop and congratulated Yushu on striking it rich, while Yushu replied that he was broke.

Yushu sold high-grade resistance-bonus Pokéblocks to Kurokawa and arranged an order from Gardenia, then showed Kurokawa and Kaixin the unusually strong, smooth silk produced by Spinarak. Kurokawa wanted to buy the silk but said he would check its market price first, prompting Kaixin to warn him not to take advantage of Yushu.

• Kurokawa and Kaixin visited Yushu and sampled his high-grade Pokéblocks, which Kaixin praised as top-notch.
• Kurokawa haggled Yushu down from two thousand to one thousand Alliance Currency per Pokéblock, and Yushu accepted the bulk sale.
• Kaixin called Gardenia, who ordered Pokéblocks and offered to introduce Yushu to other Gym Leaders in exchange for a twenty-percent discount on the order.
• Yushu led Kurokawa and Kaixin to the Bug Garden and showed them the strong, smooth silk made by Spinarak.
• Kurokawa expressed interest in buying the silk but said he would ask around about its market price, and Kaixin cautioned him not to cheat Yushu.

Yushu showed Kurokawa and Kaixin his new Pokémon and worried about how to make his large group of Omanyte useful. Cynthia arrived at the ranch for a private visit, leaving Kurokawa and Kaixin surprised by how familiar she seemed with Yushu.

• Kaixin exposed Kurokawa's attempt to profit from Yushu's spider silk, and Kurokawa agreed to find a buyer at a fair price.
• Yushu told Kurokawa and Kaixin that he had hired Yicheng to help care for his growing number of Pokémon.
• Aili mistook Cynthia's arrival for an investigation into Yushu and offered to turn against her boss, but Cynthia explained that she had come to see him.
• Yushu showed Kurokawa and Kaixin the Omanyte, and the three struggled to think of a way for the Fossil Pokémon to support the ranch.
• Cynthia greeted Yushu and praised his ranch, while Kurokawa and Kaixin watched their warm, familiar exchange in surprise.

Yushu reunited with Cynthia, who advised him to rent out his Omanyte to help local farmers clear irrigation channels. After spending the day together, Cynthia accepted his dinner invitation and explored his home, where she noticed something unusual about the Eevee on his balcony.

• Cynthia revealed that Yushu was her junior fellow student, surprising Kurokawa, Kaixin, and Aili.
• Cynthia suggested that Yushu rent out his Omanyte to clear irrigation channels, and Yushu decided to ask Mayor Zongping to help promote the service.
• Kurokawa and Kaixin left, while Aili dragged Shuren away so Yushu and Cynthia could spend time alone.
• Yushu showed Cynthia around the ranch, and Aili and Shuren secretly watched and speculated that the two were on a date.
• Yushu invited Cynthia to dinner, and she accepted, saying she had missed his cooking.
• Cynthia explored Yushu's home and noticed that the Eevee sunning itself on his balcony seemed unusual.

Cynthia discovered that the harmless-looking Eevee was Mew after it transformed into Garchomp and defeated her partner without seriously injuring it. After dinner, Cynthia and Yushu played Pokémon Fighting Spirit, where her supposedly casual gaming skills overwhelmed him and she dodged his ultimate attack.

• Cynthia picked up the sleeping Eevee, but her Garchomp appeared and reacted to it with suspicion.
• Mew transformed into a perfect Garchomp and lured Cynthia's partner into a chase, then froze its arms and defeated it before changing into Togekiss.
• Mew returned to its Eevee form and went downstairs for dinner with Yushu and Cynthia, who noticed Pikachu's aura seemed familiar.
• After the meal, Yushu invited Cynthia to play Pokémon Fighting Spirit, and she chose Garchomp while he picked Sceptile.
• Cynthia read Yushu's attacks, countered with a powerful combo, and dodged his Sceptile's Leaf Storm ultimate.

Yushu lost two video game matches to Cynthia, who proved far more skilled than she had claimed. Mew joined in and battled Cynthia through the night, finally winning and accidentally revealing its true form to her.

• Cynthia defeated Yushu's Sceptile with Garchomp, then beat his Blaziken after dodging Flare Blitz and landing a long combo.
• Cynthia admitted she played during downtime at work, and Yushu invited her to keep playing after recovering from the losses.
• Mew eagerly joined the game, chose Gardevoir, and lost its first match to Cynthia's Garchomp before challenging her again.
• Mew rapidly improved over several rounds until it and Cynthia fought evenly through the night.
• Mew finally won with a powerful Moonblast and Dazzling Gleam combo, then transformed out of its Eevee disguise in front of Cynthia.