Chapter 1477

"How did you bring it back?"

"Not bring it back and just leave it there to fend for itself?"

"Exactly! That way it would've gone off to the mine tunnels, right?"

"..."

Baimu fell into thought, then realized Polygon Phone's words weren't wrong; under normal circumstances, Koko Dora should've been let run off on its own.

But why did he still bring Koko Dora back?

— Bossgodora!

He instantly recalled the situation at the time, realizing everything had proceeded under the covert influence of his own ace monster.

As the party involved, it should be clear on the story that happened; what was its reason for doing this?

The biggest reason Baimu crossed into this era was to trace his ace's past, to uncover the source of their meeting, just like the Pikachu depicted living together with Kangaskhan at the start of the journey.

That episode made Baimu genuinely want to pop champagne for the journey; who knew it would get worse and worse later, sparking dissatisfaction from too many people.

Of course he could've just gotten the answer straight from Bossgodora's mouth, but he felt since he'd arrived at this critical time point, he might as well use his own eyes to go see, to go witness it personally.

But the situation before him made him feel he perhaps needed to ask Bossgodora for the full story.

So.

He went to the living room outside the room.

Bossgodora and Koko Dora were both here; they seemed to be communicating something. Upon seeing him approach, Koko Dora immediately shrank behind the sofa, like a stray cat brought home for the first time.

"Geh!"

"Guroar."

The great monster could naturally guess Baimu's intent.

It was the ace — not only the strongest in power, but also the most in sync with the Trainer's heart.

Facing Baimu's questions, Bossgodora did not answer directly, but began to recount in fragments.

Regarding the past, Bossgodora had never cared much.

For it, nothing was more important than its memories with Baimu; these truly memorable experiences it kept in its heart, while the less important past it threw to the back of its mind.

Bossgodora had never tried to recall why it was in the abandoned mine tunnels of Kotetsu Town, or why it managed to meet Baimu.

Until returning to the current time node.

Images originally stuffed into a memory corner, hazy and foggy, emerged one by one; Bossgodora remembered many things.

For instance, what Baimu was more concerned about: why the past it appeared in the abandoned mine tunnels. And based on what reason it would disregard its own safety to actively help him when he was in dire straits.

"Guroar."

It was to wait for you.

A soft glimmer rose in Bossgodora's lake-blue eyes.

All of this was destined; it would definitely meet Baimu, definitely live together, grow together, adventure together, meet all kinds of new partners, gain all kinds of honors and fame, and ultimately ascend to the supreme peak.

The source lies in today.

The inexplicably chaotic dungeon, the collapsing building, the Sandshrew pinned under the rubble, and that massive figure that helped it.

How could it have forgotten?

Bossgodora could only blame the past it for being too stupid, mixing up many things; for the current it, the time was also too far back.

Don't look at it being only three-plus years; for some high-growth-potential Pokemon, the life span is equivalent to an eighteen-year-old youth recalling their two-or-three-year-old self.

Many tragic experiences weren't too worth the past it committing to memory, so it only remembered the most important thing.

Waiting, and harboring anticipation.

Because someday that person would appear and take it away, so it lay dormant underground, silently waiting.

"So that's how it is."

Baimu understood.

Turns out every meeting had a reason; it was the result of their covert maneuvering.

This time-space traversal was undoubtedly Arceus's deliberate arrangement, just so fate-matched partners could meet each other.

He embraced Bossgodora, pressing his face tight against its lowered head, "You've worked hard, whether in the past or now."

"Guroar."

Worth it.

To be able to successfully meet him, even waiting longer is fine.

The two with hearts in sync drew the attention of Koko Dora under the sofa; it dazedly poked its head out, tilting its head to watch this scene.

"Geh?"

The bewildered and curious look drew a smile from Baimu.

"You don't seem too bright right now."

"... Roar."

Bossgodora let out a helpless huff.

It was never a particularly smart Pokemon to begin with; its current wisdom was all granted by its super-high energy level.

To put it cruelly, without Baimu it's just an ordinary Koko Dora found anywhere in caves.

But it's also unique; after all, in this world only it could save that boy who, in that dark mine tunnel, was driven to a dead end by a Rhyhorn.

Baimu approached Koko Dora.

Not having seen the great monster at this stage for so long made him feel a trace of pity, "But pretty cute. Hungry? Feed you something?"

"Geh."

Koko Dora slowly backed away, still staying extremely wary.

Baimu took a step forward, and it took a step back.

The encounter in the Pokémon shop left it hostile toward humans at this moment; though it had just been rescued, the hostility remained evident.

He instinctively reached for the iridescent Pokémon block, but upon reflection, he had exchanged it for an iron ingot from the oddish Gastly.

"Come, eat something."

Baimu tossed the palm-sized iron ingot over.

This was Bisharp's daily "snack," like spicy strips—something to chew on when idle.

Cacturne was startled, first fleeing behind the sofa, then seeing it was only an iron ingot, it hesitantly stepped out.

After sniffing it twice, it immediately grabbed it and continued hiding behind the sofa to gnaw.

Pokémon merchants only give them food enough to avoid starvation, preventing them from regaining strength and causing trouble; Cacturne hasn't had a full meal in a long time.

Especially since it's an iron ingot.

Bisharp watched this scene speechlessly, nearly understanding why trainers feed them this.

Because they originally bonded over iron ingots.

"Grrr."

Don't tease it—it's still weak now! You can't play with it!

Baimu laughed heartily upon hearing this: "Weak is good! Making weak Pokémon strong is the trainer's duty!"

"..."

Hearing this, Bisharp's mind grew hazy, more fragmented memories becoming clear; seeing Baimu still about to tease Cacturne, it suddenly reached out and pulled.

"What are you doing?"

Baimu, forced to retreat, puzzled, teased back: "You're not jealous, are you?"

Bisharp rarely glared at him: "Grrr!"

Not at all!

It worries that Baimu has left too deep an impression on Cacturne, which might affect the future.

... Has it already affected things?

Bisharp watched as Cacturne finished the iron ingot, half its head emerging from behind the sofa, and sighed inwardly.

Foolish, or perhaps naive, making it too easily trusting of others, leaving a faint trace in its heart.

The sky outside gradually brightened.

After the chaos, Huang Tie Town had long been unusually peaceful, and Baimu, this dragon who crossed the river, played an indispensable role.

In Silicon Beryllium City, Dennis also received the news.

But compared to the losses of various factions, he cared more about Elder Ejin's attitude—having escalated to this point, claiming no discovery would surely be false.

As expected.

Not long after, he was summoned to the city hall.

In the mayor's office, the short and stout Elder Ejin bluntly said: "That whatever Qingmu, was he sent by you?"

Dennis paused slightly before replying: "Yes."

Elder Ejin scrutinized him: "How come I've never heard before that you have such a person under you?"

"Because..."

"Forget it, not important—he did well."

Before he could think of an explanation, Elder Ejin suddenly interrupted him, holding a report detailing the River Guild's unpaid funds: "Huang Tie Town's side—time to give them a knock; they actually dared to embezzle that much of my money!"

Dennis stared blankly at the report.

Elder Ejin continued: "But let him act small—too big a fuss is no good; best to let those mole people spit out the money without bloodshed! Understood?"

"... Understood."

Dennis's expression returned to calm.

Elder Ejin waved his hand: "You may go."

Dennis left the office, facing the closed luxurious door, he exhaled a turbid breath and self-mockingly smiled.

Clearly aware of Elder Ejin's nature, why would he still have an illusion?

This guy—from head to toe, his eyes only see money.

Perhaps he could once see some things clearly, but now Elder Ejin is a completely muddled old man.

The rescue organization ought to exert itself, to save the present Oulei!

Albert, waiting outside, softly said: "Should we contact Mr. Qingmu?"

"No, let him freely express himself—this isn't doing well, is it?" Dennis actually also found it quite amazing.

A dragon tamer actually looking at ledgers, and really finding clues—like an athlete suddenly becoming a university professor!

—

Huang Tie Town.

When all major powers sat upright, waiting for Baimu to come door-to-door to audit accounts.

He himself remained lingering in the hotel, with no intention of going out.

"Really not going to find trouble with those people?"

The multi-hand phone actually felt a bit unsatisfied; it had watched a financial-type TV drama shortly before crossing over, and thought the aura of the financial bureau going to the bank to audit accounts was quite cool.

Baimu shook his head: "No need, we're not here to contribute to the Shadow Team."

That report was not submitted by him; it was the town mayor's report aimed at his superior, which his superior then forwarded to Elder Ejin.

The funds embezzled by the River Guild were so large that the town mayor realized this might be a merit—one that could not only make up for last night's Pokémon auction house losses, but also earn a great merit worthy of reward!

As long as he could extract money from the mouths of these Huang Tie Town factions, he could certainly return to Silicon Beryllium City!

Huang Tie Town?

It's impossible to stay here!

Therefore, early this morning the town mayor quickly sent people to wait on the first floor of the hotel, but who knew Baimu did not come downstairs with his Pokémon.

The Pokémon on the upper floor was still persuading.

"You don't have to do it for the sake of contribution, you know—causing trouble for this group of people, making them all feel insecure, should be a good thing for those at the very bottom, right?"

The Pokémon said that when the people above get busy, they have no chance to oppress those below for a long time.

Upon hearing this, Baimu felt somewhat hesitant.

Actually, compared to continuing the audit, he would rather know how Bossuodola plans to send Kekodola to the abandoned mine.

"Guhou."

Bossuodola let out a low growl, wanting to act on its own.

Baimu blinked in surprise, "You want to act on your own? In Huang Tie Town? Is that possible?"

Bossuodola gestured that it wanted to borrow the Shiny Gengar, while also reassuring the trainer to relax, as its familiarity with Huang Tie Town is in no way inferior to his.

Most importantly, it actually also wants to go see that mine, to return to the place where it first met Baimu.

After a brief hesitation, Baimu agreed, for he still trusts Bossuodola greatly.

Thus, the trainer and his ace went their separate ways.

Baimu continued with the audit, seeking trouble from those evil factions, while Bossuodola and Kekodola, with the help of the Shiny Gengar, advanced toward the abandoned mine.

The anxious town mayor's forces downstairs, upon seeing him appear, immediately greeted him with joy, "You've worked hard, my lord! Where are we going today?"

"To the Liushateam."

Baimu unhesitatingly chose his former employer.

Although he didn't want to meet his current self, he still hopes that he and those around him can live a little better.

Eh?

Now, looking back, it's true that there was a period when no one from above came to cause trouble.

He also precisely relied on this blank period to save up a sum of money, and together with his companions, became an outer member of the Liushateam.

Baimu chuckled.

One drink, one peck—everything has its fixed number.

He strode forward with long steps, a large crowd following behind him.

Meanwhile, behind the hotel, the Shiny Gengar sneaked out and, following Bossuodola's hint, advanced toward a certain direction in Huang Tie Town.

Inside its belly, Bossuodola and Kekodola each revealed one eye.

"Ge?"

"Guhou."

Bossuodola straightforwardly responded to Kekodola's question, indicating it wants to bring it to find its fated person.

Kekodola's small head is filled with great doubt.

What does "fated person" mean?

The Shiny Gengar chuckled and interjected, "Hen ga~ hen ga!"

It means someone who will unconditionally be good to you, who likes you from the bottom of their heart, and who always shows a smile when looking at you.

Kekodola subconsciously thought of Baimu.

It really has been a long time since it treated someone so kindly, so upon hearing the Shiny Gengar's answer, the first thing that came to mind was him.

Bossuodola reached out with a claw in the alternate dimension space and tapped its head.

"Guhou!"

Don't think randomly! He's mine!

Kekodola wanted to huff at Bossuodola, but also felt it probably couldn't beat this big guy, yet it still felt indignant in its heart.

Why wouldn't that person be its fated one?

"Jie xixixi..."

The Shiny Gengar laughed nonstop.

Bossuodola sighed helplessly, it fears nothing more than this kind of thing, and yet the Shiny Gengar actually added fuel to the fire.

Although the Shiny Gengar doesn't understand this plan, the big monster has already prepared for the aftermath cleanup.

Unbeknownst to the Shiny Gengar, which was quietly flying toward impending disaster, it soon arrived outside Huang Tie Town, circled a few times, and found that abandoned mine.

Bossuodola looked at this place, its expression somewhat dazed.

"Guhou..."

Fate, the place of beginning.