On the way to Ecruteak City, Ash saves an old man from getting trampled by a rampaging Tauros. Seeing promise in Ash, he invites everyone to his Dojo. Before he can do anything, a trainer named Shiro appears and wants to battle Kenzo for leadership of the Dojo. Due to his bad back, his granddaughter Chigusa steps in, much to his annoyance. However, Team Rocket crashes the battle, and even though they defeat them, they must call off the battle for one day. Kenzo however does not believe Chigusa has the talent to battle Shiro or eventually take on the Dojo. Instead, he wants Ash to do it. Ash does not want to, so he Misty, and Brock decide to help Chigusa train with her Hitmontop and prove that she can defeat Shiro the next day. When it comes time for battle, will she be able to defend the Dojo?

Ash and friends arrive at a lake where a competition called the Seaking Catching Competition is going to be held. The goal is to catch the biggest Seaking, and the winner gets the grand prize of a trophy and a year's supply of chocolate. Ash, Misty, and Brock decide to enter, and the competition becomes super important to Misty when a trainer with a Poliwrath insults her and her Poliwhirl and says she has no chance against him. She sets out to prove that she can beat him.