Chapter 327: An Invitation from the Magma

The time came to three in the afternoon.

Somehow tricked into coming all the way to Dashan, having fought some bizarre battle with Captain Huoyan, and then somehow boarding the Magma Team airship with her.

Finally.

Under Captain Huoyan's lead.

All Baimu met Chief Chiyansong, who most likely harbored all sorts of bizarre intentions.

He recalled that in the anime, this Magma Team boss had been drawn with very small eyes and a square, blocky face, looking somewhat comical — not like Giovanni, who, despite being a comic figure, still retained a certain commanding presence.

In reality, Chief Chiyansong's appearance leaned much closer to his look in the Pokémon remakes.

Wearing a pair of high-tech-looking glasses, his crimson hair combed meticulously back, dressed in a black-and-red greatcoat that covered most of his body, appearing to be in his early forties — he gave a very solemn and serious first impression.

The two exchanged glances.

"Seeing is believing, Mr. Baimu. Thank you for the instruction you've given my unpromising subordinate."

Chief Chiyansong rose, and his very first words were extremely polite — he even extended his hand.

All Baimu was slightly surprised; he hadn't expected the very person who had taken the initiative to send Captain Huoyan to cause trouble to actually show him a pleasant face. And given the age gap between them, it would have been perfectly normal for the other party to be a bit less courteous in his speech.

But since the man was meeting him with a smile, even though he couldn't figure out the other's angle, he had no choice but to shake his hand. "The honor's mine, Mr. Chiyansong. Everyone's seen how your Magma Team has developed the land of the Hoenn continent."

"Oh? I didn't expect Mr. Baimu to know so much about our Magma Team?"

Chief Chiyansong's gaze flickered.

"I don't deserve the praise — I've just read a bit more news, that's all. Also, just call me Baimu." All Baimu didn't show off his knowledge of the Magma Team, replying with great modesty.

"Hahaha, since you're so straightforward, I won't hold back either."

Chief Chiyansong got straight to the point: "I wonder if you'd be interested in joining the Magma Team?"

"Joining... the Magma Team?"

He slightly furrowed his brow, glanced at Captain Huoyan beside him whose expression had suddenly turned a little excited, and shook his head without hesitation. "Thank you for the kind offer, but I already belong to an organization."

"Team Aqua?"

Chief Chiyansong wasn't angry either; a smile appeared on his face.

"No, it's an organization from my hometown. It's in a remote place, so you probably haven't heard of it."

All Baimu pretty much understood what this fellow had called him here for—

Poaching!

After discovering that Team Aqua had gained a partner who could set the Hoenn Contest scene on fire without any marketing, the Magma Team couldn't sit still and had specifically arranged for Captain Huoyan to come try and poach him.

Tricking someone into coming to Dashan might not have been Chief Chiyansong's idea — it was Captain Huoyan's own initiative.

Most likely, she'd wanted to confirm through battle whether he had real substance or not.

Captain Huoyan, due to personal feelings, got a bit worked up as things went on and ended up fighting to the finish — fortunately, his temper was still fairly decent.

Chief Chiyansong, meanwhile, was very interested in the remote little organization All Baimu had mentioned. After hearing the name Rescue Organization, he immediately went online to search it.

After a brief look, he fell into a short contemplation.

On the other side.

Captain Huoyan was trying to persuade All Baimu to join the Magma Team. "Chief Chiyansong... is a very amazing person... If you move forward with him... you absolutely won't regret it..."

"I have my own goals, so I won't trouble Mr. Chiyansong."

"Having goals... you can tell Chief Chiyansong... he'll definitely help you... as long as you come with us..."

"I already have plenty of people helping me, so no need."

"If you join the Magma Team... I can assist you..."

"Thanks, but no need."

All Baimu refused her ten times over, leaving Captain Huoyan extremely frustrated. She genuinely wanted him to join the Magma Team so she could analyze him to her heart's content.

And Captain Huoyan's main point of interest in him lay in the deep trust relationship between him and his Pokémon, and that utterly unconditional trust.

As if, once his command was given, his Pokémon would definitely do exactly as he said — that unwavering certainty.

Of course.

Most importantly of all, there was that presence.

Although it was only a fleeting glimpse, in the instant Mega Camerupt used Explosion, she had sensed a cold and sharp aura emanating from All Baimu, as if a sharp blade might stab toward her at any moment.

As if he had already experienced such frightening situations countless times and grown used to them, and had even safely made it through even more dangerous scenes.

How could someone wrapped in so many mysteries not pique her interest?

The last time she'd felt this way was with Chief Chiyansong. Unfortunately, compared to Chief Chiyansong, All Baimu seemed far more stubborn — utterly impervious to persuasion.

Young Lady Huoyan, who hadn't unlocked any negotiation skills, blamed it all on the latter.

And at this moment.

"I see — the Rescue Organization of the Orre region..."

Chief Chiyansong spoke slowly. "This really is a place I'm not very familiar with — human technology developing naturally, Pokémon all imported from outside, a paradise for humanity..."

Hmm?

Why was his tone starting to rise as he spoke?

All Baimu's heart jolted, and he immediately recalled that Chief Chiyansong was essentially a human supremacist, hoping to expand more land to solve the problem of territorial disputes, to expand the range of activity for land creatures, and hoping that technological development could bring humanity a better future.

A vast land like the Orre region, with no native Pokémon, was clearly very much to Chief Chiyansong's liking.

Sure enough.

Chief Chiyansong suddenly clasped his hands together and said with a smile: "Baimu, I'm very interested in the development of the Orre region. I wonder if you could introduce me to other members of the Rescue Organization located there?"

This guy... has some kind of ambition sprouted again?

He wants to create a region without Pokémon?

No way.

If he actually pulls this off, not to mention whether I can answer to n, that young man might very well come after me with killing intent.

The Pokémon who were forcibly brought to the Orei region have already endured more than enough suffering; without a good environment to recuperate, n absolutely cannot agree.

Pokémon supremacists and human supremacists...

"This request is too much of a stretch?"

Seeing that All Baimu still hadn't spoken, Chief Chiyansong snapped his fingers, and Captain Huoyan beside him produced a contract from who-knows-where, saying:

"This is a sponsorship contract, with an amount double that of Team Aqua's. We, Team Magma, have no other demands either — as long as you, just like them, have the emblem tattooed on your chest and help me get in touch with the rescue organization, this contract is yours."

The boss of Team Magma wore a thoroughly confident expression.

Unexpectedly, upon seeing the contract, All Baimu refused even faster than before. "No, I won't accept this contract. But if Mr. Chiyansong wants to meet members of the rescue organization, that can certainly be arranged."

If money could have corrupted him, he would have fallen back in the Orei region long ago, and he wouldn't have spent his first month out traveling worrying over money.

Back then, Iron Town had been overflowing with money.

So this contract, with introducing the rescue organization as its condition, he would definitely not accept.

But rather than letting Chief Chiyansong go find people on his own later, All Baimu preferred to leave this matter to Chi Yan Song to handle. He trusted that this being with grand ambitions would certainly deal with Chief Chiyansong's affairs properly.

Regardless of whether the latter had any improper intentions.

And upon hearing All Baimu's such firm refusal, Chief Chiyansong was momentarily stunned, his expression both solemn and strange.

"Why? Your relationship with Team Aqua should only be a cooperative one, right? Could it be that your contract has some sort of special clause?"

"It's not that."