Chapter 1491: The Rocket's Original Heart

"I come from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land, journeying to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek scriptures..."

Baimu spouted nonsense with a straight face.

Yanbai Chief Lei Mu lowered his head to look at him, anger gradually surfacing on that ferocious face: 'Are you looking down on me?'

Although it couldn't understand what the Great Tang of the Eastern Land was, or what worshipping Buddha and seeking scriptures in the Western Heaven meant, it could tell the other party was mocking it.

"Roar—"

The three-headed evil dragon's roar hadn't even left its throat before Baimu swiftly pressed it down.

"I'm here to find my friend."

He had no intention of fighting Yanbai Chief Lei Mu, at least not now; after all, he was fundamentally a person who longed for peace.

The words had just fallen.

Baimu looked behind Yanbai Chief Lei Mu, and it, sensing the same, turned its body slightly to the side, avoiding presenting its rear to the former.

"Baimu!"

The arrival was none other than Miss Xijiana.

She rode on the back of a Salamence, her face, arms, and thighs still wrapped in bandages and gauze, giving her a somewhat shattered beauty.

Baimu smiled and waved at her, "Long time no see! Miss Xijiana! You really are still here!"

Yanbai Chief Lei Mu looked at the two acquaintances, its wariness dropping by half, 'If you're not here to challenge me, then leave quickly!'

It leaped up violently, its massive tail erupting flames like a rocket thruster, propelling its body to fly far away rapidly.

Miss Xijiana watched it depart, then turned to ask, "Did you come to capture Chief Lei Mu?"

"No, I just came to see you."

Baimu flatly refused; Platinum Mountain already had enough Pokemon, he had no plans to add another problem child—wait, maybe a problem Laozu Sect?

Anyway, Chief Lei Mu going to Platinum Mountain would only bring harm, no benefit.

A trace of strangeness flashed across Miss Xijiana's face, and she said, "To think the World Champion would personally make a trip? I'm truly honored."

"Alright, enough talk, take me to where you live." Baimu waved his hand.

Miss Xijiana glanced at him, "Come with me."

Under its Trainer's signal, Salamence flew toward a certain place.

The territory where Chief Lei Mu resided was an abandoned mine; at the foot of the mountain were many buildings that hadn't been demolished, and Miss Xijiana's temporary residence was here.

Called temporary, but she had lived here for nearly a year and a half.

—The interior was so spartan you couldn't tell it was a young girl's room, but it suited Miss Xijiana's personality perfectly.

She herself was a person who advocated minimalism and did as she pleased.

Strictly speaking, Baimu hadn't interacted with her many times, yet they had traveled together, so he had some understanding of her living habits.

"You usually eat this?"

He casually lifted the lid of the pot on the stove; inside was a cooled, pitch-black substance, seemingly some kind of paste.

Miss Xijiana angrily snatched the pot lid back, "I like eating it!"

The shadows in the room concealed her reddened ears and neck, but they couldn't escape Baimu's eyes.

He smiled and said, "Change your taste once in a while; you know, I really like cooking for people."

"Not needed!"

Miss Xijiana tried to push him out the door, only to see Salamence outside gnawing on snacks the Shiny Gengar had shared with it.

The pair inadvertently made eye contact; Salamence's chewing slowed infinitely, even becoming a bit guilty-looking.

Miss Xijiana laughed in anger, "Salamence—"

"How about a feast!"

Baimu cut off her words, walking up to Salamence and stroking its head.

Salamence carefully looked at its Trainer, "Roar?"

"..."

Miss Xijiana gradually became a bit powerless; the corners of her usually cold, hard mouth inevitably curved up slightly: "I give up on you guys."

"Roar!"

Salamence instantly grew excited.

Baimu tossed out his batch of Pokeballs and clapped his hands, "Cooking time! Everyone, come lend a hand!"

"happy~"

"Chi-dong!"

"Ge-ga!"

The many Pokemon responded; while the Shiny Gengar continuously pulled things from its belly, some helped arrange cookware and tables, some washed and processed ingredients, and some waited nearby for the meal to start.

Miss Xijiana tried to join the helping ranks, but clearly, years of being away had not honed her cooking skills.

At the very least, her efficiency couldn't compare to Blissey's at all.

And as golden light shimmered inside the wok, the tempting fragrance drifted on the wind into the depths of the abandoned mine, drilling into the nose of Chief Lei Mu who wanted to sleep but couldn't.

'...'

It was a bit annoyed.

Fundamentally, Chief Lei Mu was a Pokemon that liked quiet, but Baimu's Pokemon were too noisy, and the food he made was too fragrant... ah no, too pungent.

Its nature knowing no patience, it rushed straight out of the cave, heading toward the abandoned residential area at the mountain's foot.

Bastiodon and other Pokemon distinctly sensed a massive threat approaching, and all turned their gazes toward Chief Lei Mu's position.

This guy hovered in mid-air, looking down on everyone from above: 'What are you doing in my place! I should have told you to leave quickly!'

Chief Lei Mu issued its final warning.

Baimu raised his head and shouted, "Want to try some? It tastes pretty good—you probably haven't had human food before, right?"

"Not interested!"

"Don't stand on ceremony with me—if you want to fight, we'll challenge you after we finish eating. How about that, Chief Lei Mu?"

"..."

This Chief Lei Mu is a character from the movie *Chief Lei Mu vs. Holy Swordswoman Karyl*, and his biggest trait is that he follows the rules.

He doesn't allow a third party to interfere when his opponent challenges him, nor does he allow his opponent to flee midway before admitting defeat.

But as long as you admit defeat, he won't bother you anymore.

"Try something unfamiliar once in a while, Chief Lei Mu."

Baimu met its gaze without fear, saying, "In an endless, long life, shouldn't there be some fun?"

Xijiana looked at him, then at the silent Chief Lei Mu in the sky.

The scene fell silent for a moment.

After a few seconds.

Chief Lei Mu then descended from the air, maintaining a certain distance from Baimu, Xijiana, and the others.

Clearly, it agreed with Baimu's suggestion.

Xijiana couldn't help but sigh: "You might be the most suitable person in the world to tame this legendary dragon."

She had been here nearly a year and a half, and gaining Chief Lei Mu's trust alone had taken a year.

Who would have thought Baimu could settle it with just a few words?

"No such thing."

Baimu smiled and said, "It just doesn't dare to act rashly."

The stronger the Pokémon, the more wary it becomes when encountering something it perceives as a threat.

If someone else spoke to Chief Lei Mu like that, they'd only get a 【Glacial Blaze】 or 【Ice Volt】 in return.

Chief Lei Mu held back because it couldn't figure out his intentions.

Xijiana studied him closely, felt no significant change from before, and didn't know what was going on with Chief Lei Mu.

Shortly after.

Her long-dormant taste buds were satisfied, and as she was enjoying it, she saw the Flying Dragons and other Pokémon eating in tears—she couldn't help but feel helpless and annoyed.

After Chief Lei Mu finished tasting, it said nothing, just spun the disc at top speed, then pushed forward with its small claws like a Tyrannosaurus.

"Another bowl!"

The attitude was obvious.

Baimu naturally wouldn't let his Pokémon fight on an empty stomach, so he made sure everything was available.

After the meal, naturally came battle time—Chief Lei Mu has an ice castle deep in the mines, a dedicated battleground.

"Come on, let's see what the Void Dragon is made of!"

He led his own Pokémon in a charge toward the ice castle.

That day.

The already abandoned mine became even more desolate.

The splendid ice castle turned into icy ruins, but Chief Lei Mu wasn't angry—on the contrary, he found it refreshing.

The wheel battle led by a Level 100 Bidoof made it, which hadn't properly exercised in years, finally feel the thrill of combat.

To the point that when Baimu left, it was somewhat reluctant to see him go.

Xijiana's Pokémon felt the same reluctance.

"I'll regularly send food to the nearest Pokémon Center for you—remember to pick it up." Baimu gave Xijiana no chance to refuse.

She stayed here mainly for training, not waiting for Chief Lei Mu to go soft and submit to her.

Trainers in the Pokémon world always have their own unique training methods.

Watching Baimu's retreating back, Xijiana let out a long breath.

"Hah..."

—

The final stop in Unova is Blueberry Academy.

But since it's summer vacation, most students, including Utsuro, have gone back home.

So Baimu only saw Du Ruo.

"Why didn't you go back to Shuanglong City?"

"If you knew my grandfather Xia Ka, you wouldn't have that question." Du Ruo slumped over the activity room table like a lump of mud.

His personality really is nothing like his grandfather's.

Baimu then asked, "Want to go play at Ourei Academy?"

"..."

Du Ruo shot up slightly, wary, and asked, "I won't be able to come back if I go, will I?"

"Do I look like a kidnapper to you?"

Baimu countered with a smile.

Du Ruo said, "I really want to believe in the conscience of a world champion... Ouch!"

He only got half the sentence out before the rest was punched back by Baimu.

"Violence opposed!"

Du Ruo protested loudly.

Baimu said, "Banshiro is at Ourei Academy—you should know him."

"That 'Explosion-Head Buffalo'?" Du Ruo pursed his lips, clearly, given his personality and habits, he didn't get along too well with Fan Shilang.

"Anyway, if you're bored, come play at Orei Academy."

Baimu felt rather sorry for this youth who had a home but couldn't return to it.

But the boy's ideals clashed with his own grandfather's, and he was unwilling to go back and argue with his family, so Baimu couldn't just casually interfere.

Du Ruo pressed his palms together: "Thank you for your concern, I'll certainly engrave it on my heart, never forget it for all eternity..."

This guy's smart-mouth skills are on par with his own!

Baimu more or less understood why Zi Yu didn't look too favorably on Du Ruo.

Principal Xi Lan wasn't there, and there wasn't much worth seeing nearby, so he returned to the Orei region that very day.

Then Baimu received the news.

"Team Rocket trio catching Pikachu in Paldea?"

This matter was told to him by Xiao Yin; Xiao Yin's source was overhearing Musashi let something slip while contacting the Team Rocket trio.

These guys...

A dog can't change its habit of eating shit.

School's out for summer break on this end, and they ran off to Paldea to mess with Xiao Zhi, huh?

Baimu didn't understand why they were doing this, still planning to continue developing on Team Rocket's side?

When he called to ask, all three were somewhat embarrassed.

"It's like this, Baimu, think about it, we've been chasing that brat and Pikachu for so many years, so many regions, and suddenly we stopped for half a year..."

"Sorry meow, we know we were wrong meow, don't fire us meow."

"Catching Pikachu has already become a part of our lives, Baimu!"

They explained earnestly.

After listening, Baimu was silent for a moment, then said: "Then if you successfully catch Pikachu, how would you handle it?"

Xiao Ci Lang subconsciously said: "Of course hand it over to Boss Baimu—"

Musashi hurriedly corrected: "Sakaki! Ah no, Baimu? Sakaki? Ahhh! Whatever! Go catch it first!"

As she spoke, she got a bit left-brain-fighting-right-brain.

"We'll work hard to catch it meow!"

Meowth's answer was the most practical.

What Baimu said was practically a false proposition; if the Team Rocket trio could actually successfully catch Pikachu in the end, then they wouldn't be the Team Rocket trio anymore.

No matter what methods or measures they adopted, in the end it was always just popping champagne halfway through.

To the unprecedented extent that Baimu accepted their behavior.

"Forget it, as long as you're having fun."

Catching Pikachu had already become their underlying code; a person can reform, but they cannot not catch Pikachu.

He continued: "I only have one request, don't do things that harm others without benefiting yourselves or petty thieving, just focus on catching Pikachu."

"YES, sir!"

The trio on the other end of the video call saluted in unison.

In fact, compared to catching Pikachu, the Team Rocket trio's more numerous black marks came from them every so often doing things that harm others without benefiting themselves.

They styled themselves as protecting world peace, but often did things that nearly destroyed peace, regardless of whether it was their intention or not.

After the video call ended, the Team Rocket trio started preparing robots in full swing.

This time they'd prepared half a year's wages, only preparing to go all-in at this moment.

"Victory or defeat hangs on this one move!"

"Pikachu! We're coming!"

"Super Invincible Meowth-Man Promax! Activate meow~!"

The forest was left with the sounds of the robot moving, and the trio's rampant laughter.

Half an hour later.

Boom—!!

Three figures streaked across the sky like meteors.

"What an awful feeling/meow~!"

And below, Xiao Zhi hugged Pikachu and looked toward the direction the Team Rocket trio disappeared, saying: "As expected, they appeared again! This Team Rocket gang!"

"Pika-chu~"

Nemo stood beside him, gazing at the three figures flying far away, "Always feel like they look kinda familiar..."

Xiao Zhi then said unconcernedly: "Let's hurry and challenge the Gym!"

He, too, was used to the Team Rocket trio's existence; when he didn't see them for the first half of the year, he actually found it strange.

Without a doubt, the Team Rocket trio had likewise become a part of Xiao Zhi's journey.

Believe their story will surely continue for a very, very long time.

Baimu's side naturally received news of the Team Rocket trio's failure, but he wasn't interested in the process, only curious which Pokémon Xiao Zhi had caught.

"That brat's..."

"There's a Fuecoco and a Wattrel meow!" Meowth's memory of this was very clear.

Baimu asked again: "No Flying-type Pokémon?"

"Haven't seen any for now."

The Team Rocket trio all shook their heads.

Baimu said: "Alright then, you guys strive to bring back a new partner too, it's a rare trip to Paldea after all, isn't it?"

The three of them felt a little embarrassed upon hearing that.

"Well, we don't have any money left to buy Poké Balls for now."

"We spent it all, meow."

"We don't even have dinner sorted out yet..."

The trio from Team Rocket looked pitiful.

Baimu chuckled: "You deserved it. Suffer through it—this is the price you pay for messing with others."