Chapter 1124

"You doing this... is it..."

"Don't worry, friendship must be mutually screwed over to be solid!"

Baimu gave a thumbs-up to praise himself; Porygon2 was left speechless.

It knew what the Trainer was saying——

The "grudge" of enrolling in Naranja Academy.

Although it hadn't caused him any trouble, on the contrary he had gotten to know Nemona, this useful... cough cough, friendly Champion-level friend because of it.

But one must return a favor for a favor!

However, the Elite Four challenge doesn't require the Regional Champion to participate; staying at the venue would at most make him an audience member and mascot.

"Puni~o!"

Greavard's strained voice drew Baimu's attention.

He turned his head and shockingly discovered little Greavard straining against a small bottle of yogurt, but because it was operating through a layer of clothing, it found it very difficult to peel open the thin foil lid.

The yogurt box was nearly crushed by Greavard.

He chuckled: "Let me do it!"

*Tear~*

"Puni o!"

Greavard's eyes shone; it carefully picked up the spoon and dug into the yogurt to eat, eating with great relish.

Having left North Province for nearly two months, it had gradually adapted to modern life; liking to hide behind Baimu was also unrelated to shyness, purely a result of habit.

By the way.

After filming several videos together with Mawile, the comment section clamored for Greavard to open its own account, but was refused.

Little Greavard had zero interest in filming videos alone, and had no intention of becoming a star or popular.

It only wanted to stay by Baimu's side, living peaceful and interesting days.

This matter was thus dropped.

Meanwhile, Mawile and Shiny Gengar's accounts flourished.

The former filmed daily vlogs, dance videos, etc.; the latter posted game guides and playthroughs, and even livestreamed once.

Interestingly, this track wasn't theirs alone; there were already Pokemon stars who had filmed movies and became top influencers, with fans double or even several times theirs!

Joining PokeTube has become the current trend; Gyms, Elite Four, and Pokemon Professors all have accounts.

Baimu even scrolled past Serena and Braixen!

Hearing Serena's voice through the screen felt wondrous; the internet is truly too amazing!

Several hours later.

The plane landed in Motostoke.

Galar happened to be at dusk; Baimu walked out of the airport with Greavard, observing the residents' expressions.

When he gazed into the distance at the brightly lit Motostoke Stadium, and the giant silver Ferris wheel "Motostoke Eye" flashing with silver light, he thought the large-scale Gigantamax phenomenon should not have occurred yet.

This point was confirmed after Baimu asked passersby and Porygon2 carefully checked.

The plotline is still in the prologue.

An omen?

I'll think carefully about what to do in a bit.

"Shan Shan scolded you, want to see the message?"

"Not looking."

Baimu decisively had Porygon2 delete those few messages, and reported Shan Shan's private account.

Porygon2 sweated: "The way you guys express friendship is so weird."

"Heh, that's because you haven't seen Ash x Gary, Ash x Paul!" He let out a disdainful cold laugh.

In a blink, he arrived at the Rose Tower.

This is Motostoke's largest and most luxurious five-star hotel, providing free accommodation year-round for Gym Leaders who come here to battle.

Many star-chasing fans therefore choose the Rose Tower, just for a chance to meet their idols.

When Baimu arrived, the main entrance happened to be blocked by group after group of fans.

"Bro~ who are you guys waiting for?"

He curiously asked one of them.

That person sized up the mask-wearing Baimu and asked: "Tourist? Today is the match between The Crusher and The Melancholy Performer!"

"The Crusher? The Melancholy Performer?"

Never-heard-before names made him freeze, then he realized these two might be nicknames, "Sorry, I really am from outside, may I ask who these two actually are..."

That person answered: "Battle Court Gym Leader Mawga and Stow-on-Side Gym Leader Niezhi. Let me tell you, a pretty boy like Mawga can only attract female fans; real men have to look at Niezhi!"

The on-site preaching made Baimu's scalp tingle; he agreed repeatedly to brush it off and stepped into the hotel lobby.

He thought so the Motostoke Stadium battle is between these two.

If I have time, eat their share?

Baimu felt since he rarely comes to Galar, he might as well reach Master Ball tier before going back.

Solve Rose's problem first.

Unlike the game's voluntary surrender ending, in the anime Rose disappeared together with his secretary Oleana after Eternatus was caught.

There might still be their plot after the anime?

He didn't think too much; after checking in at the front desk and just about to follow the bellhop to his room, a call came from behind.

"Champion Baimu? Is that you?"

Baimu turned his head, and a girl with short black twin-tails came into view.

A pink miniskirt paired with a black blazer, plus the Morpeko on her shoulder, made her look both cute and cool.

Yo! Marnie!

She was his favorite female character in Sword and Shield!

Baimu took off his mask and asked with a smile, "It's me. May I ask what's the matter?"

A flush of excitement rose on Marnie's face, her voice distorting as she said, "I-I'm your fan! My name is Marnie! I'm from Spikemuth!"

"Thank you, Miss Marnie. I'm honored."

He felt rather surprised.

Aren't all normal Galar people fans of Champion Dan Di? Or else fans of one of the Gym Leaders.

What does it mean to be a fan of another region's Champion?

Marnie lightly pressed her chest and said, "Do you have time right now? I'd like to ask you some questions, please!"

She bent at the waist and bowed.

Baimu was also curious what she wanted to ask, so he had the waiter take them to a place where they could talk.

As it happened, there was a quiet café in the hotel.

The two took their seats, and Morpeko jumped onto the wood-grain square table, looking curiously at Ogerpon.

"Bokure?"

"Bonnie-o~"

The cries unique to Pokémon startled Marnie greatly; she had originally thought Ogerpon was Baimu's younger sister or child.

But soon, she shifted her attention to the protagonist.

Marnie first lowered her head in apology, "Sorry to bother you, but I have many doubts I want answers to, and only you can answer them."

Baimu: "Oh? Questions only I can answer?"

"Yes!"

The girl took a deep breath and said with utmost sincerity, "Please teach me how to revitalize my hometown!"

As expected, it was this matter.

Baimu was speechless; Marnie's game characterization and anime characterization were the same, both embarking on the journey to challenge the League in order to revitalize her hometown Spikemuth.

Her goal was to defeat Champion Dan Di and become Champion, attracting tourists to boost Spikemuth's economy.

To tell the truth, given the situation in Galar where Gym Leaders are divided into major and minor leagues, Nianzi's ability to firmly hold a spot among the eight major Gym Leaders without relying on Gigantamax is enough to show his strength.

Looking at the girl's golden, expectant gaze, Baimu apologized with regret.

"I'm very sorry, but I can't give you the answer you want. Wedgehurst's revitalization was very special; I'm afraid you won't be able to replicate it……"

As soon as these words left his mouth, the light in Marnie's eyes instantly dimmed.

But Baimu spoke again, "However, regarding the process of Wedgehurst's revitalization, I don't mind telling you; perhaps you can gain some inspiration from it."

"——Thank you very much!"

Marnie cheered up instantly.

She tried hard to smile, but seemed not quite used to it, so she pressed her fingers to the corners of her mouth and squeezed out a smile.

"Pfft! Hahaha!"

Baimu really couldn't hold back, laughing as he praised, "Miss Marnie is so cute! I believe you'll gain quite a few loyal fans!"

Marnie's face was very red, "Please don't mind."

After that, from Wedgehurst's liberation to the start of its revitalization, he gave an explanation of the series of changes that occurred in just three short years.

And to Marnie, these contents were simply comparable to stories from legends.

"Incredible……"

She covered her mouth, realizing that she indeed had no way to replicate Wedgehurst's revitalization process.

But Baimu also made her understand that the path she was currently walking was not wrong.

The two discussed for a long time.

Until Nianzi's figure appeared at the café entrance and strode over with long, quick steps.

"Marnie! Why are you here? Who is this person——Huh? Wedgehurst Champion?"

The pale-faced young man raised his brows slightly.

Marnie hurriedly stood up and said, "Big brother! I ran into the Champion by chance, and he kindly helped answer some of my confusion; the Champion generously answered them all for me!"

Hearing this, Nianzi extended his right hand and said in an unrestrained manner, "I see. Thank you for looking after my younger sister!"

"It's nothing. Nice to meet you, Gym Leader Nianzi."

Baimu shook hands with him and added, "Since your big brother has come, let's stop here for today."

Marnie hastily said, "Wait! Champion! Please battle with me!"

A battle?

Both of them looked at her in unison.

Nianzi said, "Marnie you——"

"Big brother, I just want to know how far the current me is from the Champion."

Marnie took out her phone and said, "My current ranking is Great Ball tier 143rd, very close to Ultra Ball tier. I want to adapt to the pressure in advance!"

Her goal is the Galar Champion; sooner or later she will face those powerful opponents.

She just happened to run into another Champion.

Marnie didn't want to give up the opportunity.

Baimu nodded, "Of course."

Niezi moved his lips, but ultimately said nothing.

He had high hopes for his sister, wishing she would inherit the Spikemuth Gym so he could focus on his band.

Of course, Niezi's thinking mainly stemmed from his affirmation of Mary's talent.

Since young Mary got Morpeko, her Trainer talent gradually emerged, and now Niezi feels he can completely step down.

Unfortunately, Mary's goal is directly aimed at the championship, and she has no plans to take over the Spikemuth Gym for the time being.

—

Gong Sect Stadium.

The stands on all four sides were empty.

As the Gym Leader, Niezi requested temporary use of the stadium and quickly received permission.

As the main venue for the Eight Masters, Gong Sect Stadium naturally lacks the grass turf seen in games, and certainly has no diverse, elaborate field types.

But it has one feature—it's big enough!

Ordinary battle fields are no longer than seventy meters, but Gong Sect Stadium's field length might even reach one hundred fifty meters.

Therefore, it also needs to use echo equipment to amplify the Trainer's voice source, so that Pokémon won't be too far away to hear the Trainer's commands.

A floating Rotom drone flew in and announced the rules in a flat tone.

Mary and Baimu are both in the Ultra Ball tier; although their rankings are relatively high, this does not affect the general rules.

One or two Pokémon can be used in battle.

The reason he was able to battle Zhimi three-on-three last time was mainly because the opponent had reached the Great Ball tier, and the rules were forcibly upgraded as a result.

"Please give me your guidance!"

Mary shouted loudly and threw the ball forward.

Bang!

Light flashed.

The skin turned emerald green, and a long-haired, fur-covered Abominable Snowman appeared.

Baimu's chosen Pokémon is the Gigantic Steel Snake.

"Roar!"

It hadn't fought in an official match for a while, and excitement flashed in its copper-cast eyes.

Mary's expression was serious; she knew Gigantic Steel Snake was Baimu's main Pokémon, possessing Mega Evolution power, and its strength should not be underestimated.

"Match start!"

With the Rotom drone's command, both sides issued their orders.

"Throw down harsh words."

"Dragon Dance."

"Huh-ga!"

The Abominable Snowman's attack speed is extremely fast; from halfway across the field, it cursed the Gigantic Steel Snake, provoking the latter's emotions.

—Trait【Prankster】.

It can use status moves at a faster speed.

Although the Abominable Snowman is ugly to the point of being horrifying, thanks to this excellent trait and its excellent move pool, it has a high usage rate in both singles and doubles.

Its reputation has shifted from initially being disliked for its looks to later being considered somewhat acceptable.

After all, Pokémon fans' aesthetics are highly flexible—even the grotesque Gyarados can loudly praise its handsomeness.

Of course.

Baimu was once one of them.

"Howl..."

Gigantic Steel Snake's eyes turned icy; its lateral steel bones rotated and twisted, and its massive body writhed forward.

When the Abominable Snowman left the field, it quickly moved to the other half of the area.

Blue and orange light alternated.

The ability either decreased or increased.

Mary held two Poké Balls; Gigantic Steel Snake, only second to the enormous size of Dynamax, kept approaching, making her somewhat nervous.

"Go ahead! Bandana Thug!"

"Huh-luh!"

Bandana Thug entered the field, first grabbing its shed skin and moving sideways, with considerable speed.

Gigantic Steel Snake let out a roar, its massive form leaping like a fish!

Boom!

The air emitted a low groan as if squeezed by a massive object, with brownish-red misty energy coiling around it, like rising blood mist!

Mary shouted sharply: "Cheeky Strike!"

"Huh-luh!"

Bandana Thug rolled sideways to dodge Gigantic Steel Snake's impact, simultaneously slamming both palms together.

Clap!

A milky-white shockwave surged!

In an instant, the thick mist on Gigantic Steel Snake's body was dispersed, its rotating lateral steel bones froze in place, but its massive form still slammed heavily into the ground due to inertia.

Thud!

The ground violently trembled, dust and sand flew up!

Dodged it!

Mali exclaimed happily: "Take this chance to use a true qi blast!"

"Gulu—"

Her response was a painful groan.

Immediately, the drifting smoke and dust, as if sucked away by a vortex, dispersed, revealing the large steel snake with Xu Xu rotating its horizontal steel frame, and the bandana thug caught in its tail clamp.

Mali's pupils contracted sharply: 【Bound tight】?

But the large steel snake wasn't supposed to be hit by the palm strike ambush and fall into a shrinking state?

It recovered so quickly!

Mali sensed something was wrong and shouted: "Again!"

Don't let the large steel snake successfully use its high-powered move to take away the bandana thug!

"Gulu!"

The bandana thug endured the pain of being squeezed, gathering white light and trying to break free with both hands.

The spectator stands.

Nie Zi saw Baimu reveal the enormous wristband.

"Now is the time for enormous enlargement—"

"Oh? The fight is heating up!"

A rather magnetic male baritone suddenly sounded, and a middle-aged man in a gray suit arrived beside Nie Zi, accompanied by a beautiful secretary with a cold expression.

Loz, president of the Galer Alliance, the culprit who caused Baimu to abandon the Four Heavenly Kings tournament and rush here, was now watching the battle in the arena with interest.

(End of chapter)