Chapter 187: The Championship Struggle

Huang Tie Town was successfully liberated.

Yet the Rainbow Team did not disband; from Shan Nian down to Lady Ayana, Da Zhuang, and Cheng Hong, all still identified themselves as the Rainbow Team.

Crucially, even those temporary members who had joined as rescuers seemed to have no objections.

"This isn't very good—forming a small group right after the battle ends."

Baimu worried the Rainbow Team might be seen as splintering the Rescue Organization, harming future Oure development.

More importantly, he felt a sense of having seized the spoils of victory.

Shan Nian gave him a strange look. "What's wrong with that? Besides, what's this 'small group'? Shouldn't you see it as a new faction?"

"Everyone identifying as the Rainbow Team shows they all want to follow you. And haven't I already explained to you why we formed the Rainbow Team?"

"..."

He said nothing.

Seeing how serious he was, Shan Nian sighed. "Let me ask you this: in the battle of Huang Tie Town, who contributed the most?"

"Everyone contributed greatly... alright, Master Liu Ge?"

"You know it well. Though he has little reputation among civilians, within the Rescue Organization he leads. With just a little promotion, he'll naturally become Huang Tie Town's dominant figure."

"So you must compete with him."

"Exactly. If you don't fight for it, you'll never gain control. I know what you're worried about—but this is fair competition. Do you think Master Liu Ge doesn't know what I'm doing? His silence is his approval."

"... How do you compete?"

"How else but through achievements? Huang Tie Town currently needs reconstruction and industrial revival most. Whoever does it best will earn the people's trust. And to accomplish this, you need enough manpower. What does Huang Tie Town lack most right now?"

"Money?"

"How could it be money! Do you know how much we seized after arresting those underground merchants? Huang Tie Town's greatest shortage right now is talent!"

"With money, you can attract talent..."

"People drawn by money are no different from those profit-seeking groups of the past. Maybe that's overly simplistic, but you must understand: Huang Tie Town most needs young talent with dreams and drive."

Shan Nian's mind was full of grand plans, and the Rainbow Team was his bridge to realizing his ambitions. "Attract more people continuously, and Huang Tie Town will have a future."

Baimu had no reply.

This man before him was no idealist fresh out of an ivory tower—he had already learned what could and could not be done in old Huang Tie Town, yet he pressed forward with unwavering resolve.

Perhaps under his efforts, Oure could truly have a brilliant future like Galar...

"Don't look at me. Your own task is just as heavy. Enjoy the fruits of victory for now," Shan Nian slapped his shoulder. "Do your job as the Rainbow Team's leader. Wait for the day I entrust you with an important mission."

Baimu: "Huh!?"

Seeing the strange smile on Shan Nian's face, he couldn't help but think—

Could this guy be planning to make me capture a Legendary Pokémon?

Oure, as a side region, has no Legendary Pokémon of its own. But unless you're aiming to dominate the world or create a special environment like Urshifu, whether or not you have most Legendary Pokémon hardly matters.

It probably won't be that.

Baimu thought silently.

In fact,

People within the Rainbow Team's territory truly accepted Baimu—a commoner—as their top leader, rather than the Rescue Organization, which had secretly lurked among them for years.

When they saw former outer members who had once exploited them now serving them, their support for Baimu became even more sincere and fervent.

Just walking casually through the former Sands Team's territory, Baimu often saw people pause their work, warmly greet him, bow deeply, and show him profound respect.

As he responded, he thought of the Rescue Organization's efforts.

Though long hidden in the shadows, over the years they had quietly instilled in civilians notions of right and wrong, of being exploited by the upper class—indirectly causing the lower and middle classes to disengage and preventing further expansion of corrupt organizations.

They had also placed their moves in countless unseen places. In other words, this victory was no stroke of luck—it was the reward of years of careful cultivation.

—

Two days later, Shi Yuan Zhi departed with his crew and a group of Dragon Tamers.

According to the old captain, he missed his ship; living on land too long made him uncomfortable after years at sea.

"Jian Lai"

He came silently, and left silently.

His attitude of asking for nothing earned him deep respect from many.

"We should really build a monument for him."

Baimu made this remark, but in the Pokémon world, humans rarely erected monuments—especially not for the living.

But if you must say it, they did take something with them—

The Dragon Tamers took a vial of Baimu's blood, saying they'd use modern instruments to test it, to determine which lineage he descended from and thus identify their ancestral origins.

For the Dragon Folk, lineage was extremely important—especially knowing one's ancestors.

Baimu couldn't help feeling uneasy again.

What if they turned out to be wrong? Would that sour relations with the Dragon Folk? Probably not—they wouldn't have come to aid Oure if they were that petty.

"Why didn't you leave?"

Baimu was surprised that Awu had stayed behind.

"Huang Tie Town still needs me. Besides, I'm looking forward to the formation of the Oure League—so I can challenge it and become Champion!"

Awu grinned. "I know Shan Nian has high hopes for you, but the Champion title has always belonged to the strongest in the region. Count me in as a competitor, right?"

Nearly all Dragon Tamers aimed to reach the Elite Four or higher—he was no exception.

"Of course."

Baimu had no interest in being the predetermined Champion; more competitors meant more motivation to advance.

Yet.

When will the Ore League officially be established? And when will the League Conference and the Champion League be held?

With such questions in mind, All Baimu ran off to ask Master Liu Ge.

The other party indicated that the main decisions regarding the League were being made over in Silicium City, and given the current situation, it would likely be difficult to get it built within half a year.

"The task of rooting out Team Shadow's influence on the Ore region is more arduous than we imagined. Furthermore, the qualifications for participating in the League Conference, as well as the standards for the Champion League, all need to be strictly formulated…"

Master Liu Ge shook his head. "We absolutely cannot do the kind of crude, slapdash work that Elder Ejin does — he was even planning to just handpick the Champion. What meaning would a League like that have besides becoming a laughingstock?"

"Besides… Mountain Rens still needs time to grow."

He slumped forward onto the desk as if exhausted, his wine-red hair spilling over the office desk, looking rather striking. He smiled and said, "What do you think my dream is?"

"—To save the Ore region?"

"No. After that — or rather, before that."

"You don't also want to become Champion, do you?"

"Bingo~"

Master Liu Ge shaped his right hand into a gun and mimed a bullseye. "That's right — Champion. Honestly, I'm completely clueless when it comes to administration; just a few days of it has been more than enough to wear me out.

"Once Mountain Rens has racked up enough merits, I'll be able to hand Yellow Iron Town over to him. I doubt the others will have any objections."

So this one isn't planning to compete with Mountain Rens after all…

Wait, no.

This one is planning to compete with me!

All Baimu's eyes went wide, while Master Liu Ge laughed and went on, "So be ready, kid — I won't be giving up the Champion seat to you!"

"I couldn't ask for more!"

He nodded firmly.

Suddenly he understood that even in the Ore region, there were plenty of trainers eyeing the Champion's throne.