Chapter 681: Welcome Home!

In Huang Tie Town.

The Rescue Organization is the savior who freed hundreds of thousands from suffering.

Countless civilians worship them and wish to join and become part of them.

But unlike the former Sandflow Team and former Evil Dog Team districts, the residents here don't just want to join the Rescue Organization—they want to join the Rainbow Team.

Just because.

The leader of the Rainbow Team is Baimu.

Once, the Sandflow Team brutally exploited Iridium Street and Copper Smith Street, turning countless civilians into living ghosts; once, the Evil Dog Team was destroyed, Barium Avenue lay in ruins, and its residents starved and went naked.

Once, Elder Ejin's forces arrived, wielding Dark Pokémon and raising their blades; once, the Dark Pokémon were unstoppable, and resistance forces retreated again and again.

It was Baimu who led by example, restraining his subordinates to bring stable lives to the people of these two streets.

It was Baimu who rebuilt the shattered buildings of Barium Avenue, taking nothing for himself, instead converting every resource into food for the refugees.

It was Baimu who, as leader of the Rainbow Team, stood firm against Elder Ejin's forces and ordered all civilians to evacuate the district.

It was still Baimu who, when everyone else collapsed and retreated toward the next defensive lines, charged against the tide, leading countless Pokémon to fight Elder Ejin's Dark Pokémon!

Perhaps his actions had other reasons; perhaps countless others aided him to advance step by step.

But none of that lessens the deep reverence the people hold for this young man who grew from a boy into a man.

After all.

Before the Rescue Organization stepped into the spotlight, no superior had ever done what he did.

No superior had ever abandoned his own interests, forsaken everything within reach, and cared whether people had homes or their next meal.

No superior had ever openly restrained his subordinates from bullying civilians.

And no superior had ever punished his own men for oppressing civilians!

Not to mention risking his own life to march against the tide with Pokémon, merely to buy time for reinforcements to arrive and for the Rescue Organization to rise up.

Without Baimu, many would have already died from exhaustion, starvation, illness… or been killed!

So it doesn't matter if other districts of Huang Tie Town don't know what Baimu did.

It doesn't matter if the Orai region doesn't know what Baimu did.

Only the territory under the Rainbow Team's control.

Everyone remembers the kindness he gave each person, remembers his heart, unlike any other superior's.

Orai is a wilderness.

But the people of Huang Tie Town are not savages—they know gratitude and remember every person who treated them well and helped them.

The Rescue Organization has many, many heroes.

Master Liu Ge, Flippo, Shan Nian… and so on.

But in the hearts of the people in the Rainbow Team's territory, only Baimu is their hero!

The hero returns home, greeted by ten thousand!

"Welcome home—!!"

The moment Baimu stepped out of the vehicle, the shouts roared like thunder, shaking the very ground of Huang Tie Town!

Cannon salutes fired!

Music played in unison!

Countless people and Pokémon raised signs and banners, pouring every ounce of strength into making him hear their voices.

What a scene!

Countless people inside Huang Tie Town turned to look outside at the noise; though they didn't come out to greet him, they knew exactly what was happening.

The Rainbow Team's sole leader, the legendary 【Demon Wood】—has returned!

"Everyone! I'm back!!"

Baimu shouted back, looking at those familiar faces, those blazing eyes—even though he had expected it, a warm current kept surging in his heart.

His earlier restless decision had been right.

This was his hometown.

A place where countless people awaited his return, dropped everything the moment they heard the news, and came out specially to welcome him back!

Shan Nian stood at the front, arms wide open, smiling.

"Welcome back, our beloved chairman of the Rainbow Group."

"I'm truly honored, respected mayor of Huang Tie Town!"

Baimu smiled back, then both extended their hands and gripped tightly, just as they had done outside the villa when they made their promise.

Then.

N stepped forward with a grin, holding a woven flower crown to place on Baimu's head—and that wasn't enough; he tilted his head slightly, as if about to kiss Baimu's cheek.

The crowd erupted in shock; many covered their children's faces.

"Solrock…"

A weary complaint suddenly rang out.

Then the figure making the kiss motion laughed mischievously, leaped into the air, and transformed back into a small black-furred fox.

Baimu moved swiftly, snatching it up and pulling it into his arms, his fingers swiftly and precisely scratching its chin and back, "You little trickster!"

"Ah! Ah… hmmm~ mm~"

Solrock's expression quickly shifted from initial anger to comfort, and within two seconds, it began wriggling cutely.

N's sister Babena and Helenna were speechless.

They knew N's Solrock loved playing pranks on familiar people—but never showed affection to anyone except N. Now it was cuddling in Baimu's arms!

Both couldn't help but glance at N's true self standing behind Shan Nian.

"Baimu!"

N acted as if he heard nothing, stepping forward with a friendly smile and gently hugging Baimu. "Welcome back, my friend! You never let me down!"

He blinked, as if hinting at something.

Baimu understood he had likely communicated with Dark Lugia and the Lugia mother and child.

As a Friend of Pokémon, N cared equally for every Pokémon, whether legendary or not. Baimu's aid to the three Lugia had clearly delighted N—he had judged the right person.

"It's just my duty. Ash did no less than I did."

Baimu dared not claim undue credit.

In terms of devotion to Pokémon, Ash far surpassed him—he had once stood between two battling Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, and even leapt into a pool of lava to save one.

Even the Flareon present had been stunned.

N shook his head. "What does it matter how much you did? Knowing you were doing it, and never gave up, is enough to move me."

"That's true."

Baimu smiled brightly, shifting his gaze.

He noticed among the crowd stood Master Liu Ge, Flobo, and others, and couldn't help but ask, "How did you—"

"Boss was assigned as deputy warden of the eastern prison. He took special leave to come today."

Flobo exchanged glances with several other International Police officers. "We're much the same—we're still his team members."

Master Liu Ge smiled faintly, arms crossed, silent as if he hadn't heard a word.

Baimu was confused. "Then what does this count as?"

"Of course it's a promotion! But Boss was certain he'd get the warden's post—yet headquarters thought he's too young…"

Flobo clamped his mouth shut, face pale with fear, because Master Liu Ge was smiling sweetly with her hand resting on his head.

Those familiar with Master Liu Ge had no doubt that if Flobo spoke another word, she would crush his crown completely.

A wave of good-natured laughter rose around them.

Then.

Baimu greeted the familiar residents of Cinnabar Street and met the junior members of Rainbow Team—all recruited after becoming officers. Their bond wasn't as close as with Dazhuang and others, but each deeply admired him.

Among them stood He Wu, a member of the Rescue Organization who had once infiltrated the Growlithe Gang and been captured by him.

Since learning they were on the same side—that Baimu was also a member of the Rescue Organization and had helped rebuild Magnetite Street—she had become a fervent admirer equal to Dazhuang and the rest.

Yet she could never fit into Dazhuang's male clique.

After meeting face after face—some familiar, some strange—Baimu spotted Captain Huoyan and Huocun, both Flame Team officers, hiding beneath a large tree.

"How have you both been?"

"Good… Baimu… let's fight again…"

Captain Huoyan still spoke in her old way—bit by bit, word by word.

Fat Huocun looked at her helplessly and said to Baimu, "Don't mind her. If you have time in a couple of days, please visit Silber City. Chief Chiyansong can't leave, but he wants to see you."

The vast lands of Orea, compared to the humid, rainforest-covered Hoenn, suited Chief Chiyansong's ambitions better.

More importantly, Orea was an untouched "virgin land" with minimal wilderness development.

Chief Chiyansong fully experienced the joy of building from scratch, like playing a base-building game.

Unfortunately, Orea was not his homeland.

"I understand."

Baimu nodded.

After greeting all familiar faces, under Shan Ren's guidance, thousands of citizens joyfully surrounded Baimu as they entered Huang Tie Town.

Yet compared to when he left, Huang Tie Town had tripled in size.

Centered on the Huang Tie Arena, the town was divided into residential, commercial, and industrial zones according to function.

By scale, calling it Huang Tie City now would be no exaggeration.

The former shantytowns and post-apocalyptic steam-punk houses had all been demolished, replaced by modern European-style villas, with streets paved in neat stone and brick.

Trees cast shade, flowerbeds dotted the landscape—only the air remained somewhat dry.

Baimu was deeply pleased.

Though outsiders might find the post-apocalyptic steam-punk style cool, it was merely superficially appealing.

Homes unsuitable for living had no place here.

Yet.

Shan Ren told him he had preserved a patch of old houses in the west city, planning to turn them into a post-apocalyptic steam-punk amusement park to attract tourists in the future.

He never abandoned any means to draw outsiders.

Surprisingly,

the villa district allocated to officers by the Sand Team's Sand Division had not been torn down—the shrubs and saplings planted by the Bronzong's own claws still stood, including the large tree deliberately moved to the backyard.

Shan Ren had hired professional gardeners to care for them.

"Everyone, please stop here! I'm sorry to have disturbed your work hours! I'll come visit you again!"

Baimu called out loudly to the crowd that had escorted him.

Unfortunately, his voice wasn't loud enough to reach ten thousand people, so it took a long while of noise before they gradually dispersed.

Huang Tie Town was still in its infancy—everyone was extremely busy. Even the elderly, children, and women had their own duties; today's gathering to welcome him was a special holiday.

The children were probably the least willing to leave—they deeply admired Baimu, and like teenagers elsewhere, they resisted going to school.

In the past, Huang Tie Town had only literacy classes, no school.

Wealthy families or gang leaders typically sent their children to Silber City for schooling, or hired private tutors.

Shan Ren, to promote education, had requested many teachers from the Hoenn Alliance to come to Orea for basic instruction—and surprisingly, many responded.

Although many teenagers in the Pokémon world choose to travel after turning ten, traveling doesn't mean they completely stop schooling—some return to school after their journeys.

Out of respect for knowledge and reverence for all Doctors, teachers hold a high status in the Pokémon world.

A strong sense of mission also makes teachers eager to come to the Orre region to teach—

The pay from Shanren is generous.

With generous compensation, a chance to build credentials, and the opportunity to fulfill their educational ideals, how could teachers from Hoenn possibly refuse?

Du Juan seems to want to come to Huang Tie Town to teach a public course.

Shanren brought in outsiders as teachers mainly to introduce mainstream regional ideals of peace and change the atmosphere of Huang Tie Town's next generation.

It's too difficult to change the mindset of the older generation; better to look toward the next.

"If that's the case, rest well—you must be exhausted from the long journey. I'll come find you tonight; everyone has prepared a banquet specially for you."

Shanren stopped before the villa.

N and his two sisters also had no intention of entering with Baimu; they waved at the calm Solrock.

"Aow~"

Solrock let out a puppy-like bark, leapt out of Baimu's arms, and obediently followed behind N.

Da Zong and the others had long since bid farewell and left; after being away for over a month, even with cell phones to stay in touch, they missed home terribly.

Baimu nodded; to be welcomed by thousands was already an immense honor—his face was nearly stiff from smiling.

The last few people departed.

Captain Huoyan, eager to battle, was likewise dragged away with effort by Huocun; behind them, the Houndoom panted, its tail spinning like a propeller.

In an instant.

Silence settled around the villa and garden.

Baimu gazed into the distance; since the villa was built on higher ground, and the surrounding area was mostly low, two- or three-story houses, he could clearly see what lay beyond Huang Tie Town.

"There are forests and farmland…"

Back during his Sandshrew Team days, he never imagined he'd see lush forests beyond Huang Tie Town—now, at a glance, not a trace remained of the former desert.

Only half a year!

Black tech, Pokémon, and the united efforts of all people together have wrought such a miracle…

In his past life, where in the world ever managed soil and water restoration in less than five or ten years?

Compared to the hardworking people of Huang Tie Town and their Pokémon, Baimu felt his own achievements over the past half-year were nothing to be proud of.

"Huh… Come on! Brothers and sisters! We're home!"

He reopened all the Poké Balls, summoning every Pokémon.

Roars echoed.

Bonsly was still as excited as ever; it hurried toward the trees it had planted, touching them as if caressing a lover.

Jigglypuff walked confidently into the spacious villa, eager to see if its belongings were still there.

Chansey kindly introduced the newcomers to the place.

"Happy~"

The Shiny Milotic, spotting the automatic lawn sprinkler, brightened its eyes and swam over; when the water drenched its body, it let out a blissful cry.

"Mii~"

Dratini and Dragonair looked left and right, excitedly beginning their exploration.

Dragonite, in an unfamiliar place, naturally stayed hidden.

Galarian Sunflora just wanted to find a comfortable spot to keep sleeping.

Porygon2 and the Shiny Haunter listened intently as Chansey described the trainer's and their daily life here.

The giant Steelix drifted through the air, wanting to return to the mountains and burrow.

Salamence…

Its only wish in life was to cling to its trainer.