On the way to Ecruteak City, Ash and friends see a flying Pidgey being attacked by a huge Fearow and decide to intervene. They bring the Pidgey to the next town and luckily find its home, and discover it is a member of the "Carrier-Pidgey Express", a business run by a boy named Malachi and his grandfather. They deliver letters to the nearby islands. Ash and friends join Malachi as he goes to make his rounds for the day, but Team Rocket appears and wants to capture all of the Pidgey.

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?