Chapter 1263

"Using Mega Evolution against a challenger?"

The Rotom Phone exclaimed in surprise, "Are all Gym Leaders in Kanto this high-level?"

Those able to achieve Mega Evolution together with their Trainer are, without exception, ace Pokémon, and to use an ace in a Gym challenge...

One can only say it is extremely rare.

But Baimu had only been in Kanto for half a day and had already run into it twice.

Once was Naruhodo, the other time was this unlucky bastard before him; who knew how many Badges the opponent had.

He watched Kasumi press her hands together, apologizing non-stop to a golden-haired onee-san, and raised an eyebrow, "Sakura?"

"It's her, the facial recognition matched."

The Rotom Phone's camera turned toward the blue-haired onee-san serving as referee, "The second sister of the Mermaid Sisters, Ayame... the third sister, Botan, isn't here."

Yes, Botan.

Sharing the same name as a certain Empress of Team Galactic whom I adventured with not long ago.

It must be mentioned that the Cerulean Gym now ranks among the Eight Famous Gyms of Kanto, having completely escaped the threat of closure, and no longer needs to rely on water ballet performances to subsidize household expenses.

And all of this is inseparable from Kasumi's efforts.

To protect her family's Gym, she overcame the psychological trauma of nearly being swallowed by a Gyarados in the past, and simultaneously raised it to the point of being capable of Mega Evolution.

Her formidable strength earned her the title of 'Playful Mermaid'.

Unfortunately, even with such effort on her part, the Cerulean Gym's fame worldwide still falls short of the 'Cerulean City Water Ballet' and the 'Mermaid Sisters'.

Most tourists coming to Cerulean City come mainly to watch the water ballet, not to challenge the Gym Leader.

To the point where the Cerulean Gym of the past was like a circus, and the current Cerulean Gym is like an aquarium.

Baimu looked around, "How come I don't see Kojirou?"

"Who is Kojirou?"

The Rotom Phone searched the internet, found no information on this person, and couldn't help but feel curious.

Baimu said, "He used to travel with Satoshi and Kasumi; it's normal you don't know him."

Rotom Phone: "..."

Why does that tone sound like you traveled with them too?

You knowing him would be even more abnormal!

Forget it.

Trainers always spout some weird, unverifiable knowledge; Rotom Dex No. 2 has long since gotten used to it.

And the reason Baimu was looking for Kojirou was because he recalled that Sakura seemed to have mutual feelings with Kojirou — a plot point from the side stories.

Unfortunately, by the Best Wishes series, there were no more such side stories about old friends, and Kojirou and Sakura's story ended without a trace.

Did they succeed in the end?

Baimu's gossipy heart burned strong; he was extremely curious about the aftermath of his childhood memories.

Like finishing a novel long ago, only to suddenly discover it had a hidden bonus chapter.

"Let's go!"

He walked down the steps into the arena, and the instant he released his suppressed aura, he immediately drew the attention of Kasumi and Gyarados.

Gyarados warily poked more than half its body out of the water, then revealed a puzzled expression.

How does this person look a bit familiar?

"Baimu!"

Kasumi's delighted cry jogged its memory.

Ah!

It's the Trainer of the Shiny Menas's little sister!

Gyarados's eyes brightened slightly, "Roar~"

It swiftly swam forward, its massive body churning the pool, waves surging and splashing against Baimu's calves.

"Gyarados! Stop fooling around!"

Kasumi, running forward, shouted, then grinned at him, "Long time no see! You're here for the World Championships, right? I saw the preview for your match with Wataru!"

Baimu stepped a few paces to the side, avoiding the waves surging from the pool, and nodded, "Right. Landed in Goldenrod, dropped by to see you and Takeshi — is he at the Gym?"

"That I wouldn't know."

Kasumi was very happy.

Although she wasn't that close with Baimu, the fact that he made a special trip to visit her touched her quite a bit.

Eldest sister Sakura and second sister Ayame approached in surprise.

"You are... Champion Baimu?"

"The Orange League Champion actually knows my little sister! Incredible!"

Both their personalities were on full display at this moment: Sakura the gentle and virtuous type, Ayame like a vigorous, energetic sports girl.

Recall the anime mentioned Ayame likes working out, exercising at a club called 'Instant Muscle Gain', preparing for the next water ballet performance.

Kasumi was quite displeased with her second sister's tone, "What do you mean 'actually'? Is it weird that I know Baimu?"

Baimu explained kindly, "I'm on good terms with Satoshi, friend of a friend is a friend, right?"

"Satoshi? Ah~ that boy Kasumi always keeps mentioning."

Sakura covered her mouth and laughed.

Kasumi instantly felt embarrassed and annoyed, punching her twice.

As the youngest of the four Cerulean Gym sisters, she was always ganged up on and teased by her sisters, all kinds of jokes.

The reason she originally left the Gym to travel with Satoshi was also because she couldn't stand this.

After many years, as her mind gradually matured, she slowly grew accustomed to it, yet occasionally she still could not bear it.

"Roar~"

Gyarados swam back and forth, its gaze fixed on Baimu's waist, searching for the Poké Ball where Miltank resided.

"Honored guests have arrived; please allow us to entertain you properly."

Sakura said with a smile, inviting them.

Baimu naturally had no objection and went to the reception parlor in the Cerulean Gym specially used for entertaining guests.

Gradually.

The happy Xiaoxia became a bit unhappy.

Because her sisters clung to Baimu, one on the left and one on the right, she simply had no room to insert herself; fortunately Baimu always managed to steer the conversation her way, so she did not end up appearing isolated on the outside.

Soon, Xiaoxia's third sister, Botan, arrived.

Looking at their completely different hair colors — gold, blue, red, and orange — Baimu marveled that this was indeed the Pokémon world.

What ordinary person could imagine their mother was the same one?

And with Botan joining the fray, Xiaoxia had even less chance to interject; coupled with the arrival of a new challenger, she was forced to leave in a huff.

The unlucky challenger became the outlet for venting her anger.

"Starmie! Mega Evolve!"

"Chaa!?"

"Oh, looks like you don't know that... then, Hydro Pump!"

"Chaa!"

Starmie spun in midair, a thick pillar of water firing from its core gem like a laser weapon!

Boom!

Terrifying water surged straight toward the heavens, nearly shattering the large lamp fitted with a protective shell.

"No—"

The challenger cried out in despair.

—

The sun set.

Night fell.

Baimu was invited to dine at the Gym, but when Sakura proposed he stay the night, he flatly refused.

"What a pity I couldn't catch your water ballet performance this time; hope there'll be another chance in the future."

"Yeah, the next performance is in just four days~"

Sakura cupped her cheek, saying regretfully, "Sorry for the poor hospitality to the Champion~"

"Just call me by my name. I'm friends with Xiaoxia, and you're her sisters, so there's no need to be so formal."

Baimu said with a smile.

He was basically certain Xiaojian was not at the Cerulean Gym, and that he hadn't succeeded with Sakura.

What a shame.

Hearing him say that, Xiaoxia's sisters took the cue and started calling him by his name directly.

Seeing he was about to leave, the three not-very-serious sisters finally gave Baimu and Xiaoxia a chance to talk privately.

"Sorry about that, my sisters caused you trouble."

Xiaoxia apologized sincerely first.

She could tell Baimu didn't really like close contact with people, often dodging some of Sakura and the others' intentional or unintentional intimate gestures.

Baimu shook his head and said, "Not at all. The sisters are very warm; thank you for your hospitality."

"Really? Then I'm relieved."

Xiaoxia let out a breath of relief, a smile reappearing on her face. "Good luck in the tournament! I believe you'll definitely beat Wataru!"

Baimu said, "You're a Kanto Gym Leader, after all; isn't cheering for an outsider a bit inappropriate?"

"You're my friend, so how are you an outsider?"

Xiaoxia declared righteously, "Besides, I'm not close with Wataru either, so of course I support the person closer to me!"

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Without much idle chat, he waved goodbye and disappeared into the street lit by streetlamps.

"Hah..."

Xiaoxia exhaled a faint white breath.

A voice suddenly came from behind — her sister Sakura: "Reluctant to part?"

She jumped, turned around, and saw all three sisters behind her, complaining, "Geez! Don't you know you're bothering people!"

"Testing him, that's all — a handsome, gentlemanly man of character, makes you want to know if he's consistent inside and out."

Second sister Ayame stuck out her tongue. "Result's not bad, little sis, you're lucky!"

Third sister Botan admonished, "A good man like that is in high demand, you'd better hold on tight!"

Xiaoxia felt rather helpless and shouted, "You three... jealous old maids! I said Baimu and I are just friends! Don't go deciding things on your own!"

"Hm?"

"Old?"

"Maids?"

The three Mermaid sisters' eyes sharpened, their edge fully revealed as they reached out and pinched Xiaoxia's cheeks. "Your sisters are in the bloom of youth! Where do you get 'old maids'!"

"Watch me tear your mouth apart!"

"You've been playing the lead in those water ballets a few times, and you've gotten full of yourself, haven't you?"

"Ow ow ow—"

Xiaoxia begged for mercy without hesitation, saying all the nice things before finally gaining freedom.

But regarding Baimu, her attitude remained the same: "Someone went out of their way to take a detour to visit me—you guys really shouldn't do that next time."

Seeing her so serious, Yinghua and the others promised they wouldn't mess around next time.

But as soon as the conversation shifted, they couldn't help but start teasing her again.

"Our little sister is truly devoted—she's always liked that spiky-haired Pikachu boy."

"Is that little brat really that good?"

"My little sister only loves that one type~"

"Huh? If my little sister doesn't like Baimu, I think I can have a chat with him."

"So you actually like that type?"

"Handsome and strong—how could anyone not like him? Yinghua-jie probably likes him too, right? Tall, big, polite and disciplined—just imagining being held by him feels so comfortable~"

"Mm~ really not bad~"

"Ah! You two lovestruck fools!"

The three sisters giggled and laughed as they walked into the dojo.

"..."

Xiaoxia knelt on the ground, truly out of options.

As she sighed, a yellow-skinned duck approached, cradling its head, looking utterly confused, "Gwa?"

"Psyduck~ I'm being bullied again, wuu wuu wuu~"

Xiaoxia hugged the Psyduck she once hated most but now loves most, rubbing against it back and forth.

The Psyduck remained confused, "Gwa~"

"Wuu wuu wuu, but you're still nice~" Xiaoxia completely ignored its expression.

In the past, she often thought Psyduck was a heartless idiot, but slowly she realized Psyduck was just slow to react.

As for its love for her, Psyduck is no less than any other Pokémon.

This realization made Xiaoxia feel guilty, and gradually that guilt turned into affection.

Feeling the warmth of her trainer's embrace, Psyduck's dazed expression gradually softened, it returned the hug, and a faint blush appeared on its cheeks.

"Gwa~"

"Buh~ buh~"

One person and one duck held each other for a long time.

In the hotel, Baimu received a message from Xiaoxia's older sisters and replied symbolically with a few words.

"Women in the Pokémon world can sometimes be quite scary."

He sighed with emotion.

The Rotom Phone said: "Women who openly show affection for you are indeed quite rare."

"Is that so?"

"Isn't it? I remember the girls who got along well with you were either battle maniacs or completely focused on their careers."

It listed Liuqi, Xiaoguang, Xiaoyao, and so on, extending all the way to Lady Ayana, Nimo, Yuewu, and Captain Huoyan.

The Xiaoxia we saw earlier also counts—she clearly has the intention to battle Baimu.

But after going through multiple gym battles during the day, her main Pokémon like Gyarados were out of condition, so battling Baimu wouldn't let her unleash her full strength—she could only give up.

Rotom Phone: "Of course, your female fan count online is extremely high."

Baimu's handsomeness is obvious—his rise to fame in the Super Contest was largely due to his looks in performance outfits.

Only later did the impressive performance of Big Mouth Baby come into play.

Simply put, his strength was so outstanding that people largely overlooked his appearance.

The power-focused faction in the Pokémon world is no less than in reality.

On the surface: "Strength is a matter of version, handsomeness is a lifetime thing," but in reality: "How could there be such a handsome Pokémon (to Gyarados)!"

Strength! Is beauty!

"Never mind those—tomorrow we'll go to Ci Gray City to check things out; if we don't see Xiaogang, we'll withdraw."

Baimu is very much looking forward to meeting Professor Oak.

His interaction with the Huilan three sisters that evening was quickly forgotten, and he fell asleep early.

The next day.

Baimu didn't go back to Huilan Gym, instead riding the Three-Headed Dragon straight across Mount Tsukimi.

"The wild Pippi here seem to have come from outer space."

He passed by a deep pit, saw the huge meteorite inside, and said.

In the Original Series, the wild Pippi of Mount Tsukimi danced around the meteorite under the moonlight—gorgeous and wonderful.

Rotom Phone: "Universe... speaking of the universe, I recall the rocket of Unit-01—I estimate it won't be long before it launches."

"Is it really preparing to leave?"

Baimu only just remembered this existence.

Nowadays, the Rotom Phone is all the rage—Professor of Akihabara is busy every day updating system software, competing with the Rotom Phone Company, and hasn't tinkered with his strange little inventions in a long time.

Rotom Phone: "Of course! That's its wish! I hope it can find a habitable planet."

"Maybe it can."

Baimu recalled the Mystery Dungeon series—that's a planet where only Pokémon exist.

Humans appear in the story's background, or as the protagonist's previous incarnation.

Unit-01 is lucky; it's estimated to be able to find that planet.

The three-headed evil dragon passed through Moon View Mountain, flew over Route 3, and successfully arrived at the location of the first gym of the First Generation series—a nightmare for players who started with Charmander—

Cinnabar City!

Just like the Cerulean Gym, Brock's Cinnabar Gym was also nearly shut down.

His mother once converted the Rock-type Gym into a Water-type one.

After much back and forth, the gym leadership was eventually taken over by his younger brother, Jiro.

Don't let Jiro's young age fool you—he is a Trainer who has trained a Super Armored Rhydon and has battled Joy's Latias.

'Joy' 'Latias'.

What an obscure combination—when Baimu from his childhood saw it, he was completely dazed.