HOR04

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←	HOR03 : Traveling Trainer Tokio

Pokémon Horizon

HOR05 : Rockruff's Secret

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Mastering the Z-Move

Please upload an image of this chapter.

習得せよ!Zワザ

Info

Shogakukan	Chapter 4 in Vol. 1
VIZ Media	Event 4 in Vol. 1
Series	Pokémon Horizon

Other

Location

Melemele Island

Mastering the Z-Move! (Japanese:習得せよ!Zワザ ) is the fourth chapter of the Pokémon Horizon manga.

Plot

Akira and Rockruff are shoved off a high cliff by an elderly gentleman. The man laughs heartily as their friend Mana calls after them in despair. As he is falling, Akira recounts the events which led up to this scenario.

The same man who had just shoved him off the cliff opens the door of his home and welcomes Akira and Mana. He introduces himself as Hala, the island's kahuna.

Indoors, Mana says that Professor Kukui suggested that they visited during the island challenge. Rockruff bites what he thinks is a bone but it is Hala's white moustache. Akira says they've come to Hala so that they can get stronger and that he would be able to teach them an incredible move.

Hala asks if they have come to learn the Z-Move, but Akira is unfamiliar with the term. Hala explains that a Z-Move is a powerful move in which the Trainer draws out the full power of their Pokémon, and leads them outside to demonstrate. With his Crabrawler in front of him, he points to a nearby rock and strikes a pose. The bracelet on his wrist glows, and adjusts his pose as though dancing until he stops in a particular position. His Crabrawler charges forward at high speed, demolishing the rock.

Akira is impressed, and Hala explains he instilled Crabrawler with Z-Power, but says it can only be used by Trainers who are at one with nature. Mana remarks that the Z-Move looked like the move Rockruff uses sometimes, and Hala then examines Rockruff and the red stone on its neck. He calls the Pokémon mysterious, and says that a Z-Ring is needed to use a Z-Move. He gives Akira and Mana Z-Rings, which are similar to the bracelet on his wrist.

Mana tries out her new Z-Ring with Rowlet, and her Pokémon flies forward at high speed, earning praise from Hala.

Though initially reluctant, Akira attempts to perform the sacred dance too, but the Z-Move fails as Rockruff stays where it is and looks puzzled at Akira. Hala says this could be because Akira grew up in the city and can't communicate with nature. He says Akira must take on a Trial to become one with nature, and defeat the Totem Pokémon Lucario. Akira doesn't understand what it means to become one with nature, and Hala points out the vast tropical island around them, saying they are surrounded by nature.

When asked what a Pokémon Trainer is, Akira fails to give a good answer by just saying it is someone who gives commands to their Pokémon. Hala then pushes Akira and Rockruff off the cliff, telling Akira to find the answer in nature.

Akira and Rockruff land in water, and Hala shouts down to them that they can train to become one with nature as much as they like there. As they reach the water's edge, a Wimpod appears. Hala shouts to them that it is usually fearful, and that if Akira can get it to drop its guard, he will have succeeded in becoming one with nature.

Sitting under a waterfall, Akira attempts to become one with nature, but is perturbed by a log falling over the waterfall and onto his head. Rockruff rushes over with concern for its Trainer, but Akira insists that he won't fail. He climbs a tree for some fruit and eats it for supper at his campsite.

The next day, after more contemplation under the waterfall, Akira gathers many berries to eat, and says to himself he has become a nature survivor. But having mastered survival skills, he remembers that he is there to master the Z-Move. He calls to Rockruff, who appears worse for wear having been battling against wild Pokémon.

With Rockruff watching, Akira once again tries the Z-Move, but with no success. Deflated, Akira wonders what else the answer could be to what a Trainer is, other than someone who gives commands to a Pokémon.

Noticing that Rockruff is very tired and injured from battling once again, the next day Akira follows it to see just how strong the wild Pokémon in the area are. He enters a cave, where Rockruff is facing the Totem Lucario. Rockruff barks, and meets the gaze of the powerful Totem Pokémon.

Lucario attacks with Aura Sphere which hits Rockruff hard. The resilient Puppy Pokémon recovers quickly and jumps forward to attack Lucario again, but takes another blow from the Totem Pokémon. With Rockruff defiant but hurt, Akira stops the battle, realising Rockruff is battling in order to improve, and for the Trial to be over. Rockruff attempts to break free from Akira's hold to continue fighting, but Akira wants Rockruff to trust him and wait until he has mastered the Z-Move.

Back sitting under the waterfall, Akira is deep in thought and realises that a Z-Move isn't a command given by a Trainer to their Pokémon, it is rather that a Trainer fights alongside their Pokémon. He wants to fight alongside Rockruff.

Later on, Hala and Mana are trying to find Akira and Rockruff, and are surprised to find them alongside a Wimpod who is not fearful of them. Mana is very pleased and surprised that the pair have become one with nature, but her surprise quickly turns to fear as she realises that Akira and Rockruff are surrounded by so many of the Bug/Water Pokémon.

Hala says that a true Trainer is one that stands side-by-side with their Pokémon, and that Akira has become one with nature.

The Totem Lucario then appears and Akira and Rockruff engage it in battle together. Akira performs the Z-Move dance, using the knowledge and skills he acquired by becoming one with nature to draw out Rockruff's full power. Rockruff begins to glow, and charges forward, using the Z-Move Breakneck Blitz on Lucario. Lucario is sent hurtling backwards into the rocks behind it.

The Totem Pokémon acknowledges the accomplishment, and Hala declares the Trial is complete. Akira has become one with Rockruff.