Chapter Summaries

Cynthia told Tetsuya that Hunter J, Gilder, and Team Rocket might be targeting the Lake Guardians, then asked him for advice on raising a Togepi. Tetsuya agreed to share his ideas but warned that his training plan was still only a hypothesis.

• Cynthia explained that the League had sent her to investigate Hunter J’s activity near Lake Verity and her connection to Gilder and Team Rocket.
• Tetsuya reasoned that Gilder, rather than Hunter J or Team Rocket, was the likeliest threat to the Lake Guardians and their abilities.
• Cynthia revealed that she planned to raise a seventh Pokemon and showed Tetsuya a Togepi Egg she had traded a Dragon Fang for.
• Cynthia asked Tetsuya for advice on Togepi’s food and Affection evolution, and offered to pay for his guidance.
• Tetsuya agreed to help but said his Togekiss training plan was still an unproven hypothesis.

Tetsuya and Cynthia discussed whether Steel and Fairy might be recognized as new Pokémon Types before Cynthia decided to buy the Energy Cube recipe he made for Togepi, Togetic, and Togekiss. Cynthia explained that Mr. Berlitz’s analysis of Tetsuya’s Togetic’s energy had convinced her, leaving Tetsuya surprised that Mr. Berlitz had come from Sinnoh to Kanto.

• Cynthia asked whether Galarian Meowth and Cufant supported the theory of a new Pokémon Type, and Tetsuya agreed they were strong evidence for Steel.
• Tetsuya explained why Steel and Fairy would be difficult to confirm and said that researching a new Type required extensive work.
• After considering how Togekiss and the others’ energy reactions differed, Cynthia decided to purchase Tetsuya’s Energy Cube recipe for them.
• Cynthia said Mr. Berlitz had found Tetsuya’s Togetic’s energy universally applicable among its kind, which helped her trust the recipe.
• Tetsuya asked whether Mr. Berlitz had come from Sinnoh to Kanto.

Tetsuya agreed to make customized Energy Cubes for Cynthia after clarifying the breeder transaction, then prepared a strategy for his Water Field elimination match against Itagaki Sadahisa. On April 2, he used Pidgeot’s speed to keep Braviary at a distance, and Itagaki responded by ordering Braviary to use Encore Scary Face.

• Cynthia explained that she wanted Tetsuya to make Energy Cubes for her Pokémon, and Tetsuya researched the transaction rules before agreeing to provide the formula and service.
• Tetsuya described the berry ingredients for Togepi’s future Energy Cubes, and Cynthia arranged an eight-figure advance payment with regular payments to follow.
• Cynthia declined Tetsuya’s invitation because she had plans with Lorelei, and the two went their separate ways.
• Tetsuya studied Itagaki Sadahisa’s Braviary and planned to use Pidgeot’s greater speed to kite it on the Water Field.
• During their April 2 match, Tetsuya ordered Pidgeot to use Agility to escape Braviary’s Tailwind and keep its distance.
• After Braviary fell behind Pidgeot, Itagaki ordered it to use Encore Scary Face.

Tetsuya’s Pidgeot wore down Itagaki Sadahisa’s Braviary with speed and evasive tactics until Sadahisa switched in Eelektross. Tetsuya then used U-turn, and a new Pokémon appeared as Eelektross dived underwater.

• Itagaki Sadahisa tried to slow Pidgeot with Scary Face, but Tetsuya dodged with Quick Attack and kept attacking from range.
• Tetsuya’s Pidgeot outran Braviary, while Sadahisa repeatedly used Tailwind to keep up.
• After Tailwind faded, Sadahisa had Braviary use U-turn to switch out and sent in Eelektross.
• Eelektross dived underwater to evade Pidgeot’s U-turn, and Tetsuya’s next Pokémon appeared.

Tetsuya used a water-capable Rhyperior to defeat Itagaki Sadahisa’s Eelektross and Cinccino, then relied on Pidgeot to finish the battle against Braviary. He won his final Elimination Round match and advanced to the Top 64 at the Indigo Plateau Conference.

• Tetsuya sent out Rhyperior, which entered the Water Field without fear, and used Scary Face to unsettle Eelektross.
• Itagaki Sadahisa ordered Eelektross to use Discharge on the water, but Rhyperior’s Lightning Rod absorbed the electricity.
• Rhyperior overpowered Eelektross with Hammer Arm, Superpower, and Surf, knocking it out.
• Tetsuya kept Rhyperior in against Cinccino, and Rhyperior defeated it with Surf despite taking heavy damage.
• Itagaki Sadahisa’s Braviary knocked out the weakened Rhyperior, and Tetsuya sent out Pidgeot to face it.
• Tetsuya defeated Itagaki Sadahisa, advanced to the Indigo Plateau Conference Top 64, and looked forward to the Main Arena.

Tetsuya and his friends celebrated reaching the Top 64 before drawing their brackets for the Main Arena. Tetsuya drew the opening match against Sugiyama Kage and entered the stadium as the first battle was about to begin.

• Tetsuya, Yezang, Harakaido Kabei, and Yamashiro Kimiya celebrated their Top 64 placements while discussing their chances in the tournament.
• At the April 3 draw, Tetsuya drew A1, making him the first contestant to compete that day.
• Yezang and Luping drew against each other, Harakaido Kabei and Yezang were matched for C3, and Yamashiro Kimiya drew championship favorite Shinagawa Seiji.
• Tetsuya prepared notes on Sugiyama Kage's Donphan, Feraligatr, and Wobbuffet before leaving for the arena.
• The commentator introduced Tetsuya and his Pokémon to the packed Indigo Plateau Stadium as he emerged from the Player Tunnel for his opening match.

Tetsuya and Sugiyama Kage began their 6v6 battle, and Tetsuya’s Serperior defeated Sugiyama Kage’s Donphan through a combination of Grassy Terrain, Magical Leaf, Grass Knot, and Leech Seed. Sugiyama Kage sent out his second Pokémon, Wobbuffet, while Tetsuya still had all six Pokémon available.

• Tetsuya and Sugiyama Kage sent out Serperior and Donphan to open their full-roster battle.
• Tetsuya had Serperior spread Grassy Terrain and build up a swarm of Magical Leaves as Sugiyama Kage prepared Donphan’s Defense Curl and Rollout.
• Sugiyama Kage ordered Donphan to charge through the dust and use Fire Fang, but Serperior tracked it with Magical Leaf and struck it with Grass Knot.
• Tetsuya had Serperior use Leech Seed on Donphan, draining its remaining stamina and causing it to lose the ability to battle.
• Sugiyama Kage recalled Donphan and sent out Wobbuffet as his second Pokémon.

Tetsuya struggled to break through Sugiyama Kage’s Wobbuffet, whose counters and Encore left Serperior trapped in a battle of attrition. After a prolonged Leech Seed stall weakened both sides, Wobbuffet finally failed to dodge, and Tetsuya ordered Serperior to strike with Magical Leaf.

• Tetsuya tested Wobbuffet with Mega Drain, but Wobbuffet returned the attack and Encore forced Serperior to repeat the move until it grew exhausted.
• Tetsuya recognized that Serperior lacked the moves needed to disable Wobbuffet and chose Leech Seed as his remaining counter.
• Wobbuffet repeatedly dodged Leech Seed with Splash while Tetsuya and Sugiyama Kage maintained their focus through a lengthy stalemate.
• Wobbuffet’s Splash slowed and its tail went limp, allowing several Leech Seeds to hit and surround it with green vines.
• Tetsuya commanded Serperior to attack the weakened Wobbuffet with Magical Leaf.

Tetsuya and Sugiyama Kage’s battle continued as Serperior and Wobbuffet knocked each other out with Destiny Bond. Togekiss then faced Golduck in an evenly matched fight, which Sugiyama Kage tried to turn in his favor with Rain Dance.

• Tetsuya realized Wobbuffet was preparing to use Destiny Bond, but Serperior’s Magical Leaf attacks triggered Encore and left it continuing the wrong move.
• Wobbuffet used Destiny Bond and fainted, taking Serperior down with it.
• Tetsuya sent out Togekiss while Sugiyama Kage chose Golduck, and Golduck opened with Screech before attacking with Icy Wind.
• Togekiss dodged Icy Wind by flying high and launched Air Slash, while Golduck evaded the attacks by diving into the arena pool.
• Sugiyama Kage tried to have Golduck use Disable, but Tetsuya’s Follow Me disrupted it; Golduck then used Muddy Water, and Togekiss exposed its position with Magical Leaf.
• Sugiyama Kage had Golduck use Rain Dance to hinder Togekiss’s flight and drain its stamina.

Tetsuya’s Togekiss defeated Sugiyama Kage’s Golduck, giving Tetsuya a strong lead at halftime. In the second half, Togekiss faced Quagsire and struck it with Aura Sphere, leaving Sugiyama Kage struggling to contain Tetsuya’s versatile Pokemon.

• Golduck intensified its Rain Dance, but Togekiss used Ally Switch to redirect Golduck’s Water Pulse and then flinched it repeatedly with Air Slash until it lost combat capability.
• The first half ended with Sugiyama Kage having lost Donphan, Wobbuffet, and Golduck, while Tetsuya had lost only Serperior.
• After the fifteen-minute halftime break, Tetsuya kept Togekiss in battle, while Sugiyama Kage sent out Quagsire.
• Quagsire used Amnesia and Rock Tomb to withstand Togekiss’s Air Slash and hide among rocks, but Togekiss’s Aura Sphere tracked it through the gaps and sent it flying.

Tetsuya's Togekiss defeated Sugiyama Kage's Quagsire but fell to Feraligatr, leaving the battle poised for an ace match. Tetsuya sent out Blaziken, which used Agility and vanished from sight.

• Tetsuya ordered Togekiss to counter Quagsire's Sludge Bomb with Psycho Shock, then prepared Solar Beam as Quagsire used Stockpile.
• Tetsuya's Solar Beam struck Quagsire before it could complete a second Stockpile, and Quagsire collapsed before it could use Spit Up.
• Sugiyama Kage sent out Feraligatr, which attacked Togekiss with Hydro Pump, Ice Fang, and a water-wrapped tail strike, knocking it out.
• Tetsuya sent out Blaziken against Feraligatr and ordered it to use Agility.
• Blaziken's red feathers glowed, and it vanished from everyone's sight.

Tetsuya and Blaziken defeated Sugiyama Kage’s Feraligatr and final Pokémon, Nidoqueen, to win their Indigo Plateau Conference match. Tetsuya advanced to the Top 32.

• Blaziken dodged Feraligatr’s Aqua Tail and overwhelmed it with Thunder Punch and Superpower, driving it into Torrent range.
• Sugiyama Kage sent Feraligatr charging with Surf and Waterfall, but Blaziken evaded with Bounce and U-turn before striking it with Shadow Claw.
• Tetsuya had Blaziken use Aura Sphere to hit Feraligatr as it struggled to rise, and the referee declared it unable to battle.
• Sugiyama Kage recalled Feraligatr and sent out Nidoqueen, but Blaziken defeated it ten minutes later, securing Tetsuya’s victory and place in the Top 32.

Tetsuya advanced to the Top 32 and watched the tournament while his friends prepared for their matches. On the third day, Yezang and Luping began their battle with Incineroar and Electivire charging at each other.

• Sugiyama Kage congratulated Tetsuya after losing to him and left to care for his Pokémon.
• Tetsuya healed his Pokémon, then rejoined Yezang, Luping, and Yamashiro Kimiya in the athletes' stands as they watched the tournament and discussed its contenders.
• Yezang pointed out Shinagawa Seiji as a strong championship contender, while he and Luping bickered about their future strength.
• Tetsuya ate dinner alone, greeted Lorelei and Cynthia when they entered the restaurant, and returned to his room to sleep.
• On the third day, Yezang and Luping sent out Incineroar and Electivire and ordered them to charge at each other with Fire Punch and Thunder Punch.

Tetsuya watched Yezang narrowly defeat Luping before learning that he would face Grass specialist Hatayama Natsuko in the Top 32. He opened their battle with Blaziken, and Hatayama quickly used Leafeon's Baton Pass to bring in Torterra, which took a direct Flamethrower and needed to recover.

• Yezang's Incineroar narrowly defeated Luping's Electivire, but Luping's Sceptile then knocked Incineroar out.
• Yezang's Bisharp defeated Sceptile after landing a second critical hit, sending Yezang into the Top 32.
• Tetsuya learned that he would face Hatayama Natsuko, while Yezang drew the opponent Kimiya had faced in the previous round.
• Tetsuya began his match against Hatayama by sending out Blaziken against her Leafeon and attacking with Flamethrower.
• Hatayama used Leafeon's Baton Pass to switch in Torterra, which was badly burned by Flamethrower before she ordered it to use Synthesis.

Tetsuya’s Blaziken defeated Hatayama Natsuko’s Torterra with boosted speed and a perfectly timed Blaze Kick. Natsuko sent out Abomasnow next, and the chapter ended as Blaziken charged while Abomasnow used Protect.

• Tetsuya ordered Blaziken to attack Torterra with Flamethrower, while Hatayama Natsuko defended with Rock Tomb and countered with Earthquake.
• Tetsuya had Blaziken use Heat Wave while its Speed Boost let it evade Torterra’s Rock Slide and circle it at high speed.
• Hatayama Natsuko ordered Torterra to break through Heat Wave with Rock Polish, then recover with Synthesis as Tetsuya had Blaziken use Bulk Up.
• Torterra destroyed Blaziken’s Fire Spin with Energy Ball, but Blaziken followed with a precisely timed Blaze Kick and knocked Torterra out.
• Hatayama Natsuko sent out Abomasnow, whose arrival brought a sudden drop in temperature, and ordered it to use Protect against Blaziken’s Flame Charge.

Tetsuya’s Blaziken defeated Hatayama Natsuko’s Abomasnow by breaking Protect with Ember before striking with Flame Charge, then battled her Ludicolo. The fight continued under Ludicolo’s rain as Tetsuya ordered Blaziken to use U-turn.

• Tetsuya’s Blaziken used Ember to break Abomasnow’s Protect before Flame Charge knocked it out.
• Hatayama Natsuko sent out Ludicolo, her strongest remaining option against Blaziken.
• Hatayama Natsuko’s Ludicolo spread bubbles across the field with Bubble Beam, and Blaziken tried to conduct electricity through them with Thunder Punch.
• Ludicolo used Rain Dance, weakening Blaziken’s Fire-type moves as rain began to fall.
• Tetsuya ordered Blaziken to use U-turn.

Tetsuya’s Blaziken exploited Ludicolo’s tendency to dance at rhythmic sounds to overcome its rain-enhanced attacks. Blaziken defeated Ludicolo with a series of close-range strikes, leaving Hatayama Natsuko’s team further behind.

• Rain weakened Ludicolo’s Bubble Beam, and Blaziken used U-turn to strike it while Ludicolo danced to its rhythmic footsteps.
• Hatayama Natsuko ordered Ludicolo to use Water Gun, but Blaziken tore through the attacks with its claws while Ludicolo began dancing again.
• Tetsuya commanded Payback as Blaziken closed the distance and kicked Ludicolo into the air.
• Blaziken followed with Low Sweep, and the referee declared Ludicolo unable to battle and Blaziken the winner.

Tetsuya began the second half of his match against Hatayama Natsuko by sending out Pidgeot, while Hatayama struggled to recover from the first half's decisive defeat. Pidgeot quickly knocked out Leafeon and pressured Roserade, leaving Hatayama panicked as the battle continued.

• During the break, Tetsuya decided to keep Blaziken off the field and rely on his other Pokemon to finish the match.
• Tetsuya and Hatayama resumed the battle, sending out Pidgeot and Leafeon.
• Pidgeot's Air Slash and repeated Quick Attacks overwhelmed Leafeon, and the referee declared it unable to battle.
• After the referee urged her to continue, Hatayama sent out Roserade.
• Tetsuya ordered Pidgeot to use Hurricane, and Hatayama panicked and told Roserade to dodge.

Tetsuya’s Pidgeot defeated Hatayama Natsuko’s Roserade, and Tetsuya urged her to trust her Pokémon. Hatayama Natsuko rallied and sent out her final Pokémon, Shiftry, as the next battle began.

• Roserade used Ingrain to endure Pidgeot’s Hurricane, then struck Pidgeot with Energy Ball.
• Tetsuya had Pidgeot use Swift repeatedly, and Roserade collapsed after freeing itself from Ingrain.
• Tetsuya told Hatayama Natsuko to believe in her Pokémon, and she quietly thanked him.
• Hatayama Natsuko sent out Shiftry, and Tetsuya commanded Pidgeot to use Agility while she ordered Shiftry to use Icy Wind.

Tetsuya’s Pidgeot defeated Hatayama Natsuko’s Shiftry in the Indigo Plateau Conference, securing Tetsuya’s place as the first Top 16 contestant. The chapter ended with the commentator announcing his advancement.

• Tetsuya had Pidgeot wear Shiftry down by dodging its attacks and forcing it to spend more stamina.
• Hatayama Natsuko had Shiftry use Swagger, provoking Pidgeot and leaving it Confused with boosted Physical Attack.
• Shiftry struck Pidgeot with Leaf Blade, but Pidgeot retaliated with U-turn and knocked Shiftry out before returning to its Luxury Ball.
• Tetsuya sent out Serperior as the commentator announced that he had become the first Top 16 contestant.