Ash was originally going to search for Pokémon in the Galar region, alongside Goh, but an unexpected turn of events led to him training with Leon instead. What Leon calls "training" is actually him playing and interacting with his Pokémon and while this surprises Ash, he also feels a strong kinship with him. Meanwhile, Goh runs into Sonia, who's in the middle of searching for Pokémon on her own and learns of a surprising side to the undefeated Champion from her.