Today on their journey, Ash & Co. are still on their way to Ecruteak City, when a Tauros comes charging down the path. They jump back to allow it to pass. Looking further down the road, Ash notices an old man walking along, directly in the Pokémon's path. He takes a shortcut down a small slope to save him. The old man is about to send a Pokémon out, but Ash arrives and sends in Bulbasaur, ordering it to use Vine Whip to grab hold of the Tauros and reign it back a little. The Tauros then charges, but Bulbasaur expertly dodges. It comes back around for another charge, but Bulbasaur dodges again. Ash orders it to use Vine Whip on it's legs, tripping it up, then to use Sleep Powder, sending the Pokémon to sleep. The old man watches all of this, clearly impressed. The owner of the Tauros run over, recalling the sleeping Pokémon, and thanks Ash. He explains that he was practicing with his Pokémon, when a Beedrill flew down and stung it. The old man then goes up to Ash, telling him how well he has trained his Bulbasaur. He goes on to tell him that if he is interested in Pokémon, that he may have a job for him.

He takes them to a nearby Dojo. As they stand outside, Ash wonders what the sound coming from inside is. The old man tells them that it is his granddaughter's foolish idea of Pokémon Training. He explains that for centuries the Dojo has been an honoured school for Fighting Pokémon. Going inside, they see the old man's granddaughter and her Hitmontop training some students. Ash & Co. watch her training methods in wonder, but the old man isn't impressed. After the training session, the students leave, but not before bowing to the old man. Misty wonders why they bowed to him, so he reveals that he is the Shihan of the Dojo. His granddaughter walks over, asking if he is going to introduce Ash & Co. He introduces Ash to her as the person who will be taking over the Dojo from him, much to Ash's shock. His granddaughter doesn't think he's being serious, saying that she is the one who will be taking over the Dojo. He tells her that he would never let her be Shihan as one must teach the traditional ways of battle, dismissing her methods as ballet. She tells him that he is teaching Pokémon to be winners, but he continues to mock her. When Ash tries to stop the argument, the Shihan's granddaughter tells him that he will have to beat her and Hitmontop first if he is to become the new Shihan. He tells her that he never said he wanted to take over, but she orders him to send out his Fighting Pokémon. He tells her that he doesn't have one. She wonders how he expects to take over the Dojo without one, but the Shihan points out that he has a Bulbasaur, saying that Ash's has many of the traits of a fighter; perhaps more than her Hitmontop does. As she challenges Ash to a battle again, someone else enters the Dojo saying that he will battle. He introduces himself as Shiro, telling them that he has come to challenge the Shihan of the Dojo to a Pokémon Battle. The Shihan's granddaughter recognises him as a trainer who has earned the nickname "The Dojo Destroyer" among the local Dojo. He confirms that he is who she thinks, telling them that when he wins he earns the plaques from the front of the Dojo. He says that he has 11 already and is hoping to make it an even dozen. The Shihan asks him why he does it, so Shiro explains that he is planning on opening his own Dojo and wants his students to respect him. The Shihan accepts the challenge, but tells Shiro that he will not triumph.

On a nearby rooftop, Team Rocket watch. They plan to try and steal Hitmontop for the Boss.

Back at the Dojo, the battle is about to begin. A one on one Pokémon Battle between Kenzo, the Shihan of the Dojo, and Shiro. The match begins with Shiro sending out Hitmonlee. Kenzo calls out Machoke, but the act of throwing the Pokeball puts his back out. As Machoke emerges from the ball, it's back goes too. Ash & Co. rush over to see if he's alright. Kenzo's granddaughter, seeing that her grandfather is in no shape to battle, offers to take his place. He refuses, saying that she can't take on an opponent like Shiro, but she insists that she can. Reluctantly he relents and a new battle is announced. It will now be a match between Kenzo's granddaughter, Chigusa and the challenger, Shiro. The battle begins with Shiro ordering Hitmonlee to use Rolling Kick, but Hitmontop blocks it. Chigusa orders Hitmontop to use it's own Rolling Kick, but Hitmonlee blocks. She orders it to keep going, then orders it to use Rapid Spin, then Triple Kick. With instructions from it's trainer, Hitmonlee manages to dodge the attacks, then knocks Hitmontop off balance with Double Kick. Shiro orders it to use Jump Kick, knocking Hitmontop back, then Hi Jump Kick. Hitmontop seems nearly beaten, but still manages to get up. Shiro then orders Hitmonlee to end the match, when a cloud of smoke covers the field. As it clears, everyone notices both Hitmontop and Hitmonlee trapped in a net as Team Rocket appear, reciting their motto. Ash orders Bulbasaur to use Razor Leaf, freeing the captured Pokémon. Jessie and James send out Arbok and Victreebell to recapture them. Jessie orders Arbok to use Poison Sting, but the two Pokémon dodge the attack. Shiro orders Hitmonlee to use Jump Kick, but Victreebell's Sleep Powder stops it in it's tracks. As James orders Victreebell to attack, Ash orders Pikachu to stop it. It jumps, knocking Victreebell back to the balloon. Bulbasaur then uses Vine Whip on Arbok, throwing it back to the Trio too. Ash orders Bulbasaur to use Razor Leaf, slicing the balloon and sending Team Rocket blasting off again. With the Trio dealt with, Shiro recalls Hitmonlee, saying that he and Chigusa can finish their match tomorrow. She tells him that they will be ready. He politely bows and walks away.

That night, Chigusa is all fired up to battle Shiro the next day. Kenzo tells her that if she battles the same way as she did earlier, she will lose, saying that she needs training. He asks Ash if he and Bulbasaur could show his granddaughter some of their techniques. He reluctantly agrees.

To train for tomorrow's battle, Kenzo has Chigusa have a battle against Ash. The match begins with Ash ordering Bulbasaur to spin it's vines like Hitmontop spins. He tells Chigusa to think of it as Hitmonlee's kicks. Realising that it may be worthwhile after all, Chigusa orders Hitmontop to attack. Bulbasaur dodges. She orders Hitmontop to keep attacking, but Bulbasaur dodges every attack. She then orders Hitmontop to use Rapid Spin, then Triple Kick, but Bulbasaur dodges just like Hitmonlee did; with carefully timed instructions from it's trainer. Ash orders Bulbasaur to use Vine Whip, knocking Hitmontop off balance. It then uses it's vines to restrain Hitmontop as it delivers a Tackle, defeating it's opponent. Kenzo declares the match over; Ash and Bulbasaur are the stronger team. Chigusa asks Ash to tell her his secret to dodging Hitmontop's attacks. He is unable to find the words to explain, but Kenzo says that they won because they are a team. She protests, saying that she and Hitmontop are a team too. Kenzo explains, saying that just because a trainer and their Pokémon are battling the same opponent, it does not mean that they are truly a team. He goes on to tell her that spinning can be an effective offence, but it makes it difficult for Hitmontop to sense the next attack, putting it in danger; something a wise trainer would have known how to avoid. Realising that her grandfather is right, she falls to her knees, asking Hitmontop's forgiveness. She asks it to give her another chance, promising that the two of them will be a real team. She asks if Ash and his Bulbasaur would train with them some more. He agrees, telling her that they will train all night if they have to.

The next day, Shiro returns to pick the battle up where it left off. The battle begins with Chigusa ordering Hitmontop to use Rapid Spin. Reasoning that Hitmontop won't be able to sense their attacks while it's spinning, Shiro orders Hitmonlee to attack with Rolling Kick. With instructions from Chigusa, Hitmontop dodges every attack. Shiro orders Hitmonlee to knock it's opponent off balance with Double Kick, but Hitmontop blocks every attack while still managing to remain spinning. Shiro orders a Hi Jump Kick, but Hitmontop turns and begins spinning on it's side. Chigusa orders it to use Triple Kick. Hitmonlee manages to dodge the first two strikes, but gets hit by the third, defeating it. With Hitmonlee defeated, the match goes to Chigusa and her Hitmontop. Shiro recalls his Pokémon and graciously accepts his defeat. Suddenly Team Rocket return in a giant Meowth robot. They use one hand to grab Hitmontop, but Bulbasaur cuts it free with Razor Leaf. Meowth launches the other hand at Bulbasaur, but Hitmontop knocks it back with Rapid Spin. It flies back and hits the robot in the face. Ash then orders Pikachu to use Thunderbolt, sending the Trio blasting off again.

Later that day, Ash & Co. bid farewell to Kenzo and Chigusa. Chigusa tells them that she will learn to be a Shihan from her grandfather. And as they wave them off, Ash & Co. continue on their journey through Johto.

This episode guide has been written by The Librarian.

Characters appearing in this episode

Ash

Misty

Brock

Jessie

James

Meowth

Ash's Pikachu

Pokémon appearing in this episode

• Pikachu belonging to Ash
• Meowth

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