Chapter Summaries

Tetsuya oversaw Combusken and Roggenrola’s training at Pewter Gym before checking on Pidgeot in the Wind Pressure Room. He ended Pidgeot’s session after reviewing its progress and the limits of its Heat Wave training.

• Tetsuya directed Combusken’s core, leg, and energy-control training while asking it to keep an eye on Roggenrola.
• Tetsuya told Roggenrola to stop training its moves soon and later absorb 500 grams of Rock No. 3.
• Tetsuya watched Pidgeot train against strong winds and reviewed its level, move proficiency, and improvements in flight and speed.
• Tetsuya called an end to Pidgeot’s training and warned it that he was shutting down the wind pressure generator.

Tetsuya finished his Pokémon’s training and discussed the upcoming Kanto Gym Successor competition with Brock over dinner. Brock explained the rules and assessed Tetsuya’s advantages, leaving Tetsuya set to compete in his place in ten days.

• Tetsuya stopped Pidgeot’s training, recalled his Pokémon after their sessions, and joined Brock for dinner.
• Tetsuya told Brock he planned to leave in ten days, when Roggenrola would be near Normal Level.
• Brock explained that the competition’s rules could change to accommodate competitors with fewer Pokémon, but Tetsuya’s team details had to be submitted in advance.
• Brock said Tetsuya would receive information on the other thirty-one competitors from the Kanto Gyms.
• Brock pointed out that Tetsuya’s Pidgeot, Combusken, and breeding methods gave him advantages, and admitted Tetsuya had beaten him in their private battles.

Tetsuya reviewed the other Gym contestants before traveling to Vermilion City to board the luxury cruise ship St. Anne. He settled into his VIP room and began exploring the ship’s comforts.

• Tetsuya considered the risks of Combusken’s potential and reviewed profiles of the contestants Brock had sent him.
• Tetsuya concluded that the three other trainers with Gym investment were his main opponents, though he was content with earning the prize money even if he did not win.
• Ten days later, Tetsuya arrived at Vermilion Harbor and boarded the St. Anne with his VIP ticket.
• An attendant guided Tetsuya through the ship’s facilities and showed him to his fourth-deck room.
• Tetsuya admired the ocean view, relaxed with a drink, and went to shower after his journey left his back sore.

Tetsuya relaxed in his golden bathroom aboard the St. Anne while calculating the huge costs of training his Pokemon. As the ship began its voyage, he sent his Pokemon for complimentary VIP grooming and headed to dinner, settling into a vacation state.

• Tetsuya soaked in the hot spring and reflected on the costs of raising Combusken, Pidgeot, and Roggenrola, estimating that Roggenrola’s training would be especially expensive.
• Tetsuya considered getting a haircut after realizing he had neglected his appearance for months.
• Tetsuya called room service to arrange massages and grooming for Pidgeot, Combusken, and Roggenrola.
• The St. Anne began moving, and Tetsuya handed his Pokemon’s Luxury Balls to a staff member for service.
• Tetsuya learned the buffet restaurant was open and went to the first floor for dinner.

Tetsuya met Reiji, a Cerulean Gym competitor, at dinner aboard the St. Anne and refused Reiji’s request for a battle. He left the restaurant as an argument began and went to exercise on the promenade.

• Tetsuya enjoyed a meal made with rare natural ingredients at the St. Anne’s restaurant.
• Reiji introduced himself and told Tetsuya he considered him one of only a few worthy opponents in the competition.
• Reiji challenged Tetsuya to a 2v2 battle before the competition, offering 500,000 as a wager.
• Tetsuya refused, explaining that his Pokémon were in therapy, the wager did not interest him, and they might meet in the semifinals or finals.
• Reiji loudly proclaimed that weak trainers and Pokémon were unworthy of nurturing, drawing strange looks from nearby diners.
• Tetsuya finished his meal and left as voices began arguing behind him, then strolled along the promenade to exercise.

Tetsuya spent the night sea fishing aboard the St. Anne, chatting with the other passengers and catching two Magikarp before releasing them. After he left, the elderly gentleman told his granddaughter, a golden-haired woman, that he had enjoyed meeting him.

• Tetsuya asked a waiter for a fishing rod and joined the passengers sea fishing, where trainers watched over the designated areas.
• Tetsuya chatted with an elderly gentleman and the other fishers, joking with them as they waited for bites.
• Over two hours, Tetsuya caught two Magikarp and tossed them back into the sea.
• Tetsuya left when his wristwatch chimed to say his Pokemon had finished their care, and the fishers speculated about his connection to Brock and Pewter Gym.
• The elderly gentleman left to meet his granddaughter, who teased him about enjoying the ship without his wife.

With the ship’s Pokémon tournament still several days away, Tetsuya gave himself and his Pokémon time to relax before heading to the arena to scout the competition. He spotted a powerful Scyther among the contenders and continued looking for other opponents worth noting.

• Tetsuya checked the itinerary and learned that the tournament would take place on the fourth and fifth days of the voyage.
• He let Pidgeot, Combusken, and Roggenrola out of their Poke Balls, gave them badges, and told them to relax while keeping up light training.
• After waking the next morning, Tetsuya let Pidgeot fly and Roggenrola rest while Combusken went to play at the artificial beach.
• Tetsuya ate breakfast on the deck, then went to the arena to watch battles and assess possible opponents.
• Tetsuya noticed that a Scyther had won several battles and judged it to be a strong Pokémon belonging to a Gym heir.

Tetsuya spent the morning watching the St. Anne’s training grounds before joining Asakawa Chinatsu for an afternoon of Pokémon fishing. He settled in with Pidgeot as Combusken and Roggenrola slipped away to play.

• Tetsuya watched the training grounds for potential opponents but found no one worth noting.
• Tetsuya returned to his room, fed his Pokémon, and made himself hamburgers for lunch.
• Tetsuya met Asakawa Chinatsu on the neighboring balcony, and they agreed to go fishing for Pokémon together.
• Combusken and Roggenrola secretly followed Tetsuya and Chinatsu toward the sea before heading to the amusement area.
• Tetsuya greeted the other Trainers at the fishing area, then began fishing with Pidgeot beside him.

Tetsuya met Professor Rowan while fishing and spent several hours discussing Pokemon research with him. He left with new knowledge and an invitation of sorts to return the next day, while the other fishermen saw him as a promising young trainer.

• Tetsuya caught a Qwilfish, and Pidgeot sent it back into the sea with Whirlwind.
• Professor Rowan introduced himself, and Tetsuya recognized him as the researcher whose papers he had read.
• Tetsuya asked Professor Rowan detailed questions about Pokemon evolution, and Rowan answered them at length.
• After two or three hours of discussion, Tetsuya stopped to digest what he had learned and arranged to return the next day.
• The other fishermen praised Tetsuya as a rare young learner and predicted that Kanto would produce another commoner genius.

Tetsuya spent the days before the St. Anne Exchange Tournament studying opponents and improving his connections, then entered his first match against Iron Man. His Roggenrola gained the advantage over Furret, leaving the battle underway.

• Tetsuya spent two days studying battles, fishing with Professor Rowan, and getting to know other Trainers.
• Tetsuya attended the St. Anne Exchange Tournament, where contestants began elimination battles under a 2v2 format.
• Tetsuya waited through several matches before facing Iron Man from WW City Gym.
• Tetsuya sent out Roggenrola against Iron Man's Furret and ordered it to set Stealth Rock and attack from a distance.
• Iron Man's Furret dodged Roggenrola's attacks while closing in, but it suddenly paused and was struck by several Smack Down rocks.

Tetsuya used Roggenrola’s Stealth Rock and Gravity to knock out Iron Man’s Furret, then sent Combusken against Hitmonchan. The two traded blows at close range without Combusken falling behind, and Iron Man realized that dragging out the fight could hurt him.

• Iron Man ordered Furret to push through Roggenrola’s attacks, but hidden Stealth Rock in Roggenrola’s Gravity field knocked Furret out.
• Iron Man sent out Hitmonchan, which used Swift to hit Roggenrola before Tetsuya switched in Combusken.
• Tetsuya’s unusually large Combusken opened with Flamethrower, and Hitmonchan countered with Vacuum Wave.
• Iron Man ordered Hitmonchan to close in with Mach Punch, while Tetsuya had Combusken meet it with Flame Charge and Thunder Punch.
• Combusken and Hitmonchan fought at close range, and Iron Man was surprised that Combusken held its own.

Tetsuya defeated Iron Man in the morning and advanced through the quarterfinals, then watched Reiji battle to assess him as a potential opponent. After avoiding Reiji’s dramatic challenge, Tetsuya learned from Asakawa Chinatsu that many regulars had attended the tournament.

• Combusken paralyzed and burned Hitmonchan before defeating it with an uppercut and Double Kick, ending Tetsuya’s match against Iron Man.
• Tetsuya had his Pokemon treated, reviewed their performances, and returned to the arena after lunch to observe Reiji’s battle.
• Reiji won his match by capitalizing on small advantages, and Tetsuya assessed Reiji and the other leading contenders as possible championship obstacles.
• Tetsuya defeated an opponent with two Normal Level Pokemon in the quarterfinals while most of the top contestants avoided one another; Reiji also won against a Gym heir and revealed the strength of his Pokemon.
• Reiji called Tetsuya his acknowledged opponent and interpreted Tetsuya’s attempt to leave as a strategic display, while Tetsuya hurried back to his room to avoid him.
• Asakawa Chinatsu told Tetsuya that many people had watched the competition and that it was an annual pastime for them.

After easily defeating Otake Tomitomi in the quarterfinals, Tetsuya prepared for his semifinal match aboard the St. Anne. He briefly thought he spotted Cynthia on the deck before joining the other semifinalists to draw their opponents.

• Tetsuya learned that Otake Tomitomi, whose Beedrill and Scyther were outmatched by his Pokémon, would be his quarterfinal opponent.
• Tetsuya planned revenge on Reiji for shouting his name in public, then made brief notes on Otake Tomitomi’s team.
• Combusken defeated both of Otake Tomitomi’s Pokémon with Fire-type moves, advancing Tetsuya to the semifinals.
• While waiting for his next match, Tetsuya glimpsed a golden-haired woman and wondered whether she was Cynthia.
• After the final quarterfinal ended, Tetsuya joined the other three contestants onstage to draw their semifinal opponents.

Tetsuya faced Kajiyama in the opening semifinal match of the 3v3 battle and gained the upper hand with Combusken. The chapter left Poliwhirl suffering Combusken’s Thunder Punch after Kajiyama’s Rain Dance left it briefly vulnerable.

• Tetsuya, Reiji, Hayata, and Kajiyama took the stage as the four Gym representatives who had reached the semifinals.
• Tetsuya drew Kajiyama for the opening match, while Reiji was matched against Hayata.
• Tetsuya and Kajiyama sent out Combusken and Poliwhirl, then their Flamethrower and Water Gun clashed in the arena.
• Tetsuya used Agility to help Combusken pressure Poliwhirl with repeated Flamethrowers, forcing it to retreat and dodge.
• Kajiyama had Poliwhirl endure Fire Blast and use Rain Dance, but Tetsuya sent Combusken in with Quick Attack and Thunder Punch.
• Combusken struck Poliwhirl with electrified claws while it was recovering from Rain Dance.

Tetsuya’s Combusken defeated Kajiyama’s Poliwhirl, but Kajiyama sent out Pelipper and its Drizzle Ability put Combusken at a disadvantage. Tetsuya switched to Pidgeot, which overwhelmed Pelipper with speed and attacks, leaving Kajiyama relying on Protect.

• Tetsuya used Low Sweep to knock Poliwhirl off balance and interrupted its Mega Punch.
• Combusken landed a Thunder Punch that knocked Poliwhirl out, and Kajiyama recalled it and sent out Pelipper.
• Tetsuya confirmed Pelipper had Drizzle and recalled Combusken before Water Pulse could hit, sending out Pidgeot instead.
• Pelipper fired rapid Water Guns, but Pidgeot dodged them, created Double Team afterimages, and charged with Wing Attack.
• Kajiyama ordered Pelipper to use Protect as Pidgeot’s attacks closed in.

Tetsuya’s Pidgeot defeated Kajiyama’s Pelipper with a Substitute and Mimic strategy, but Ponyta then knocked Pidgeot out. Tetsuya sent out Combusken to face Ponyta, and both trainers opened by using Agility.

• Tetsuya’s Pidgeot evaded Pelipper’s Hyper Beam with Substitute and copied the move with Mimic, knocking Pelipper out.
• Kajiyama sent out Ponyta, which used Flame Charge to defeat Pidgeot before it could recover with Roost.
• Tetsuya sent out Combusken after recalling Pidgeot.
• Tetsuya ordered Combusken to use Agility while Kajiyama had Ponyta use Agility and charge in with Body Slam.

Tetsuya defeated Kajiyama after Combusken used Bounce and Rock Slide to knock out Ponyta, securing his place in the final. He watched the next semifinal matchup while reviewing mistakes from his battle and considering how to improve his commands.

• Combusken used Bounce to strike Ponyta from above, then traded Double Kick and Stomp with it.
• Combusken hit Ponyta with Rock Slide twice, knocking it out and giving Tetsuya the match.
• Tetsuya shook hands with Kajiyama, who vowed to win next time, and Tetsuya replied that he would still win.
• Tetsuya returned to the arena to watch Reiji from Cerulean Gym face Hayata from Saffron Gym, since the winner would be his finals opponent.
• Tetsuya reviewed his battle and identified mistakes involving Combusken's Blast Burn and Low Sweep, his switches against Pelipper, and Pidgeot's U-turn and Air Slash.

Tetsuya watched Reiji defeat Hayata and advance to the final against him, then reviewed his own matchup plan. He settled on his approach while preparing to retrieve his Pokémon and face Reiji.

• Tetsuya reflected on the mistakes in his commands during his earlier battle.
• Reiji's Swalot defeated Hayata's Hypno with Shadow Ball, but Hayata's Lunatone then knocked out Swalot.
• Reiji's Drapion outlasted Lunatone and badly injured Hayata's Exeggutor before falling in battle.
• Reiji sent out Staraptor, which quickly defeated Exeggutor and secured his place in the final against Tetsuya.
• Tetsuya went to retrieve his Pokémon and considered how to use Combusken, Roggenrola, and Pidgeot against Reiji's team.

Tetsuya battled Reiji in a three-on-three match, using Roggenrola’s field traps and unusual Rest-and-Snore strategy to defeat Swalot before Combusken took down Drapion. Reiji had one Pokémon left, while Tetsuya’s Combusken remained in the battle.

• Tetsuya and Reiji sent out Roggenrola and Swalot, and Roggenrola laid Gravity, Stealth Rock, and Arena Trap across the field.
• Reiji used Koffing, Sludge Bomb, Yawn, and Encore to keep Roggenrola asleep, but Tetsuya had it use Snore to damage Swalot while recovering with Rest.
• Swalot lost its combat capability after three minutes of Snore and Shadow Ball, and Reiji sent out Drapion.
• Drapion defeated Roggenrola with Poison Jab and Pin Missile, after which Tetsuya sent out Combusken.
• Combusken wore Drapion down with ranged attacks, then trapped it in quicksand and defeated it with repeated Flamethrowers.

Tetsuya defeated Reiji in their tournament battle after Pidgeot finished off Staraptor, earning the competition’s Champion Reward. The chapter ended with the reward announced as an Evolution Stone of his choice and a Charcoal with a 10% effect.

• Tetsuya’s Combusken and Reiji’s Staraptor fought through a series of attacks until both were left unable to move.
• Tetsuya sent out Pidgeot, which defeated Staraptor with Gust and secured his victory over Reiji.
• Reiji congratulated Tetsuya on the match, shook his hand, and left to have his Pokémon treated.
• Tetsuya had his Pokémon taken to Miss Joy for treatment and went to the podium to receive his prize.
• The host announced that Tetsuya’s Champion Reward was an Evolution Stone of his choice and a Charcoal with a 10% effect.