Chapter 326: Magma Airship

"You win…"

Captain Huoyan recalled her Houndoom, a faint blush rising on her delicate little face.

Her eyes were sparkling; she might as well have had the word "curious" written across her face in big letters.

Baimu walked toward her alongside Aggron, but her gaze stayed locked on the former the whole way, never once drifting toward Aggron.

This left the latter feeling a bit sheepish.

"Well then, how about we head to a Pokémon Center first, let Camerupt and the others recover, and talk about whatever once we're there?"

Baimu asked tentatively, "The nearest Pokémon Center is only five kilometers from here. It'll be quick."

"Roar~"

Aggron nodded in agreement. Wary of Houndoom, it had not held back. Although a Pokémon's condition would stabilize quickly once recalled into its Poké Ball, the sooner it received treatment, the better.

Captain Huoyan shook her head. "We're… going to see the boss!"

She was seen pulling a walkie-talkie from her pocket. "Battle's over… come pick us up…"

Huh?

Baimu froze.

Then he suddenly looked up at the sky.

He saw, in the sky that had been cleared of fog by the big explosion and regained its brightness, mottled light flickering, and a massive shadow appearing as if from nowhere—its crimson outer plating and volcano-like markings strikingly vivid.

This was undoubtedly Team Magma's airship. Overall it looked fairly normal, not too bizarrely shaped. Apart from its excessively large main body, which resembled an oversized helicopter, it had four enormous turbine fans spinning with a whoosh—

How had he not noticed something this loud?

What on earth was its stealth principle?

Camouflage?

As Baimu was thinking, the rear hatch on the airship opened, and two vehicles resembling self-balancing scooters flew down from it, quickly arriving at their side.

"Captain Huoyan!"

The two saluted Captain Huoyan in unison.

She, however, ignored them and turned to look at Baimu. "The flyer… can you ride it…"

"…I'll go up on a Pokémon."

He shook his head. From his quick observation, this thing's piloting principle was different from a hover bike's, so he wouldn't torment his Pokémon—who were waiting for treatment—just to learn how to drive it.

Bang!

Baimu raised his hand and released Steelix.

"Rooar…"

The latter's massive frame naturally exuded an oppressive aura, like a mountain standing before them.

The two Team Magma members looked shocked, unable to stop themselves from holding their breath. Although they had already seen it through the camera up in the air, a top-down view was absolutely nothing compared to looking up at it from below—that was what truly chilled the heart.

What they found even harder to comprehend was that Steelix was actually carrying Baimu and flying up into the sky!?

Huh!?

Was Steelix actually a Pokémon that could fly?

"Captain Huoyan…"

They couldn't help but look at Captain Huoyan beside them, only to find that at some unknown point she had already piloted her flyer after him, without even saying goodbye to them.

But that really was Captain Huoyan's personality—too lazy to say an extra word to anyone she wasn't interested in, but willing to chase after someone she was interested in with everything she had.

One big reason she had joined Team Magma was because of her interest in the boss, Chief Chiyansong.

The two Team Magma members exchanged a glance, then began fighting over the last flyer, and in the end the two of them squeezed onto one and made their way toward the airship in the sky.

——

Baimu stood on Steelix's head and soon approached the rear hatch of the Team Magma airship.

Speaking of which.

It was the latter's first time flying this high, so it took a bit of effort.

And when Steelix curiously peered into the hatch, the Team Magma members inside who had come to meet them saw that enormous head and all showed slightly intimidated expressions.

Fortunately Captain Huoyan arrived quickly, which made them immediately compose themselves.

"Captain Huoyan, my lord!"

One person stepped forward holding a tray.

Captain Huoyan placed her three Pokémon onto the tray, then turned to look at Baimu, who had recalled Steelix and was looking around with great interest. "Your… Pokémon…"

"No need, let me go to the Pokémon Center myself after we've finished talking."

Baimu waved his hand.

He was indeed bold enough to come to Team Magma's airship alone, but handing over his injured Pokémon just like that was another matter—until he knew Chief Chiyansong's purpose, he couldn't fully trust them.

Even though Captain Huoyan certainly wouldn't pull any tricks.

Hearing this, the other party didn't press the issue, only saying to the person beside her: "Tell the control room… make a stop at the Pokémon… Center first…"

"Yes!"

The Team Magma member said nothing more, bowed, and turned to leave with the few Poké Balls.

Baimu's face showed a touch of admiration. "Thank you."

This kid is actually this considerate? He'd always thought she was some kind of yandere crazy girl…

Captain Huoyan didn't answer, only showed an excited smile. "I'll take you on a tour… of the airship…"

"Sure!"

It happened that he was also a bit curious about the airship's construction, so he agreed.

And so.

Under Captain Huoyan's lead, All Baimu went to basically every place he could go — from the command control room to the crew's living quarters, and even the weapons room.

Wherever they passed, Magma team members turned to look; no one could believe that the Captain Huoyan my lord, who normally couldn't even be bothered to say two extra words, would actually have a day of introducing the airship's structure to someone!

Normally only Lord Huocun and Chief Chiyansong get that kind of treatment, right?

Who on earth is this kid?

And feeling the curious gazes of the surrounding Magma team members, All Baimu also felt tremendous pressure.

If his memory wasn't failing him, this airship had at least several hundred people inside, and most of the interior materials had an extremely strong weakening effect on Pokémon moves — if a fight broke out, getting away might not be easy.

As he looked around, Captain Huoyan told him the Pokémon Center had arrived.

"Oh! Thank you!"

——

Magma team base.

Chief Chiyansong was looking at a document.

Knock knock~

"Enter."

He took off his glasses, set down the document, and rubbed his brow.

A Magma team member entered the door. "Chief! Captain Huoyan's battle with All Baimu is over!"

"And the result?"

"... Captain Huoyan suffered a narrow defeat; all three Pokémon lost their ability to fight. All Baimu — none of All Baimu's Pokémon fell!" After a brief hesitation, the Magma team member loudly announced the result.

"Oh?"

A strange look appeared on Chief Chiyansong's face. "A crushing defeat? Was Mega Evolution used? Did the opponent also have Mega Evolution?"

"Uh... it was used. The opponent didn't have Mega Evolution..."

The Magma team member's voice grew quieter.

"And yet they didn't win."

Chief Chiyansong's face showed neither joy nor sorrow. The computer beside him automatically opened a webpage about All Baimu. "Where did Team Aqua find such a talent?"

When Magma team was a criminal organization, he already understood very well the importance of talent. Now that it had been changed into a land development company, the desire for talent had not only not decreased, but had actually grown.

Trainers and Coordinator trainers like All Baimu, who were especially famous and also strong in battle, they were also very eager for.

Thinking of this.

Chief Chiyansong made a decision in his heart. "Where are they now?"

"They're heading this way toward the base right now!"

"Very good."