Chapter 637: Loz

A solemn symphony.

Colorful ribbons fluttering in the sky.

The audience's deafening cheers and shouts, countless ecstatic and fervent gazes, faces flushed with pure exhilaration.

Baimu had witnessed such grand celebrations in person before.

But.

This time was different.

The Chaldea Conference was the starting point of his journey as a trainer, the solid foundation upon which he built his path toward the Orre Champion and even the World Champion.

An infinitely long future still awaited him beyond this.

The meaning was different; his heart naturally felt vastly different.

He took a deep breath, gazed at the slowly approaching Super Machamp, and thrust his fist forward, his emotions surging.

Steel-clad claws met his in a light clash.

"Won!"

"Grrrr!"

Together they raised their right arms, bathed in the sunlight after the rain, their eyes gleaming brightly.

In an instant.

The ten thousand cheers grew even louder; countless spectators rose spontaneously, clapping wildly to thank and congratulate the victor for their brilliant battle.

Xiao Guang clapped in admiration, saying, "No doubt about it—this battle was decisive."

Pachirisu shook its ball-like ears wildly: "Boo-jja!"

Xiao Gang nodded and said, "Yes, it's clear Baimu poured his entire will into this final match. He's stepping forward toward an even more distant future… I must also hurry my progress toward becoming a Pokémon Doctor."

His own dream had only just set sail—it was time to set out again!

Beside him.

Manchou clapped enthusiastically.

After winning the Silver Conference, he had earned the chance to challenge the Johto League Champion.

He had originally planned not to enter, his only thought being to return to the Hoenn region to meet Sugimori, the "rival" he had unilaterally decided upon.

But after watching Baimu's battle, Manchou felt he needed to join the Johto League.

No matter where he ended up, he believed he would gain new experience and grow further!

"Congratulations, Baimu…"

Miss Liuqi whispered, clapping with both sorrow and joy.

The excited Togekiss sensed its trainer's low spirits and turned its head, comforting her with its cottony wings: "Jjuru…"

As her closest partner, how could Togekiss not know why she felt this sadness?

"Thank you, Xiao Xiao Qingqing~"

Miss Liuqi wrapped her arms around Togekiss's slender neck, the regret of parting from her friend fading slightly; she turned her gaze once more to Baimu below, responding to the cheers, her heart filled only with sincere joy.

Inside the arena.

Baimu recalled Machamp into its Poké Ball and turned to walk down from the trainer's seat.

To his surprise, Alice had already been waiting at the very bottom.

"Congratulations, Baimu!"

The brown-skinned girl extended her hand, her brown-red eyes clear as mirrors, smiling openly: "Fighting you taught me so much—I'm sure this will become precious experience for both of us!"

Truly outstanding!

He thought to himself, Winning without arrogance, losing without despair—how many people can truly live by these six simple words?

At just over ten years old, Alice had reached such maturity, with clear goals and the drive to pursue them—how could she not achieve extraordinary things in the future?

"I'm the one who should thank you—your Dragon Heart moved me once again. I look forward to our next battle—let's both keep pushing forward, Alice!"

Baimu lightly shook her hand.

Alice nodded seriously, "Definitely! We're agreed—next time we fight!"

The two exchanged a smile.

Alice then walked ahead toward the player's tunnel, while Baimu signed an autograph for an excited spectator who had jumped straight into the arena and was being held by staff.

This earned him another wave of cheers.

In the locker room.

The moment the door closed.

Alice drew a sharp breath, slid down against the door, hugged her knees, and felt a white mist cloud her vision, her nose painfully stiff with unshed tears.

I can't accept it…

So unfair…

More unfair than any loss she'd ever suffered—a hundred times, a thousand times worse!

She clenched her fists, forcing back her tears.

"That's right! This isn't the end! I will become a Dragon Master! Whether it's Baimu or Siriona, I will defeat them all!"

Alice's breathing gradually calmed. She washed her face in the restroom, looked at her slightly reddened eyes, and pointed at her reflection in the mirror, smiling: "So childish! If Xiao Zhi saw this, he'd definitely laugh at me. Hehe."

Yet she did not know.

At that very moment, Xiao Zhi and Pikachu at home in Pallet Town were watching the TV, happy for Baimu but worried for her.

"Alice will pull herself together!"

"Pika pika!"

Meanwhile.

In another parallel timeline's future, she had been able to control her emotions after losing to Sirana at the Eight Masters Tournament, but seeing Ash, she broke down in tears immediately.

Undoubtedly, deep within Alice's heart, Ash was a cherished companion worthy of tears.

Then, after enduring a brutal battle that should never have existed.

How would Alice's future change?

No one knew.

Inside the arena.

Staff from the Event Bureau bustled about, efficiently organizing the battle arena and setting up the award podium—they had to finish all preparations before sunset.

Among the spectator seats.

Many people rose from their seats, invited by the Event Bureau to enter the arena for a close-up view of the award ceremony.

Though they were expected to stand, many hesitated not at all, eager to get as close as possible to the champion, Baimu.

The media also headed toward the arena.

Their work required them to capture close-up shots of Baimu's expression as he held the trophy.

But along the way, people inevitably began to discuss.

"Is the Champion League next?"

"I wonder how far he'll go."

"Defeating the Four Guardians shouldn't be a problem, right? I saw how strong his Super Bisharp was."

"Not necessarily—you must remember Shi Yuan Zhi has been a Four Guardian for over forty years; his experience is fundamentally unmatched!"

"If battle experience really matters that much, how did Champion Dawu and former champion Mi Ke Li ever reach the throne?"

"You—"

"Stop arguing. Champion Dawu… he hasn't been seen in a long time. He won't miss the Champion League, will he?"

"Uh."

"Hmm…"

The media exchanged glances.

Most Champions have side careers—like Agatha the prosecutor, Jade the archaeologist, and Carole the actress.

Professional Champions like Adik and Champion Dan Di are truly rare.

Especially a Champion like Dawu, who collects rocks as a hobby and roams the world—many suspect he treats his side job as his main one.

As for a Champion who resigned and then reclaimed the title, Dawu is the first in history.

Of course.

Missing the Champion League is merely a joke.

Dawu simply avoids appearing unless necessary—he is by no means unreliable.

Five in the afternoon.

The sky faintly turned golden.

Beneath the blazing sacred flame.

Baimu received the trophy he had long desired from Dama Lanqi, Chairman of the League Executive Committee.

The man chuckled, "Congratulations, Baimu!"

"Thank you very much."

He bowed slightly with sincerity, then turned and raised the golden double-eared trophy high, drawing applause from the crowds below and the spectator seats.

Countless blind flashes snapped furiously.

The media immediately posted images with captions, announcing the grandeur of the Sinnoh Region's Celestica Tournament.

Not long after.

A web article titled "Sinnoh's Biggest Winner This Year" topped the trending charts; netizens from other regions clicked in and were stunned to find a composite photo of Baimu winning both the Grand Festival and the Celestica Tournament.

Many were already familiar with him—his previous trending topic still lingered in the top five.

But netizens from other regions never expected that the winner of Sinnoh's Grand Festival was also him!

Even if these were only regional competitions, the number of people in history who had won both titles could be counted on one hand.

A top-trending hashtag.

Successfully etched Baimu's name into the memories of countless influential figures—former titans of the battling world, or powerful Trainers at the world's peak.

Loz Tower.

Olivia, Vice President of the Malocmon Group, clicked her stilettos against the CEO's office door.

"Come in."

A warm, resonant voice came from within.

Olivia pushed the door open and saw a man in a gray suit seated in the boss's chair, playing a match-three game on his phone.

She kept her expression neutral and bowed respectfully. "Good afternoon, Chairman."

"What's happened, Olivia?"

Loz set down his phone, rose calmly, twirled a strand of hair around his fingertip, and smiled faintly. "Is it about our Champion?"

Olivia shook her head and handed him the tablet. "Not at all. Please look at this."

"Hmm?"

Loz took the tablet and saw a handsome boy—his dignified posture, holding both the tournament trophy and the festival trophy, was enough to make many pause in admiration.

He gently swiped downward, and his lips curled higher with each slide. "So this is the candidate you recommended?"

"I believe his image and demeanor are sufficient to succeed Lady Popola as Gym Leader. I'm certain Lady Popola would be pleased upon seeing him."

Olivia recalled Popola's repeated resignation reports and spoke softly.

At eighty-eight years old, letting her continue would indeed damage the reputation of the Galar Regional All-Star Tournament.

If she steps down directly, who will inherit Popola's Gym? The Second Corps' Gym Leaders?

We can only find a new outstanding Trainer.

After Baimu, who owns a Gigantamax Garganacl, trended online, he successfully caught Olivia's attention; from an objective standpoint, she believed Baimu stood little chance of defeating Champion Dawu and becoming the Hoenn League Champion Master.

If so, why not recruit him into the Galar League? If Baimu truly possesses the talent to surpass Champion Dan Di, why not make him a Regional Champion someday?

Even if it's virtually impossible.

As Loz's secretary, she knew better than anyone just how powerful Dan Di was.

On the other side.

Loz finished reviewing Baimu's file and nodded: "He's truly suitable. With his talent in the Brilliant Contest, it wouldn't be surprising if we produce a second Brilliant Contest Master."

Having unearthed someone like Dan Di, Loz not only possesses exceptional business acumen but also a keen eye for talent.

Merely from the data Olivia gathered, he could instantly judge that Baimu's future was limitless.

"Then the task of inviting him is yours, Olivia. I believe with such a young man joining us, our League will become far more interesting."

Loz toyed with his bangs using his index finger.

Olivia nodded, then tapped once more on her tablet: "The Pokémon World Championship (PWCS) project has entered the review phase. They have only one requirement: to appoint a Pokémon Battle Committee to oversee the matches..."

"Irrelevant. These aren't important. What matters is arranging Master-level matches and the Eight Masters' Exchange Battles here in Galar. Everything else is negotiable."

Loz chuckled lightly: "Don't forget our advantage, Olivia. As long as audiences love Gigantamax battles, no one can stop Galar's rise!"

"Understood."

Olivia bowed slightly, then straightened and stepped back: "Allow me to take my leave, Chairman."

Loz said: "Don't overwork yourself, Olivia. Some things aren't that urgent."

The office door closed.

The refined middle-aged man walked to the floor-to-ceiling window behind him, gazing at the distant palace arena blooming like a garden of flowers, a smile on his lips.

Gigantamax...

This is Galar's lifeline.

He would never allow this land to return to the past!

—

Outside a café in Shalour City.

Baimu, wearing a hat and non-prescription glasses, sat at a small round table, glancing down at his watch.

Meanwhile.

Several hurried youths ran from the end of the street, then dashed past him without even looking, frantically scattering in all directions.

He sighed, stood up, and followed them, grabbing one of the yellow-haired youths by the shoulder.

"Hey!"

The youth spun around, stared at him, then scowled: "Who the hell are you? Don't bother me!"

The other youths turned to look as well.

Baimu's expression darkened instantly; his grip shifted from the shoulder to the hair, yanking hard backward!

"Who the hell are you calling 'the hell'? Did they teach you that in remedial class?"

The moment he said that.

The youths who had been closing in froze; one of them, relatively handsome, exclaimed in delight: "Baimu!"

The others rubbed their eyes and joined in, equally thrilled: "Baimu!"

As soon as they shouted, people around them turned to look.

Baimu covered his face and dragged the yellow-haired youth—Tsukasa, whom he hadn't seen in ages—toward a quieter spot; the latter didn't cry out in pain, only wore an expression as if he were dying.

This made Cheng Hong and the others burst into laughter.

After they left.

The crowd around them finally reacted—but by then, the group had vanished.

Inside the park.

Baimu released Tsukasa's hair and scolded: "You haven't changed a bit! All your studying went to waste! Still this hot-headed when you're out?"

"I'm sorry..."

Tsukasa bowed his head obediently, hands clasped together in front of him.

He genuinely hadn't recognized Baimu—after all this time away, his face had changed slightly, and he was wearing glasses and a hat.

"Stop looking so pitiful."

Baimu turned to the others: "How many people did he bully while I was gone? Tell me honestly."

Reunion was supposed to be joyful.

But Tsukasa turned out to be this unreliable.

Cheng Hong and the others dared not lie, insisting Tsukasa had never bullied anyone—in fact, he and his Pokémon had been officially appointed as tree-planting role models by the mayor of Shanren Town.

Even those he'd once bullied now got along well with him.

One could say Tsukasa was a completely different person now.

"How can I believe that?"

Baimu eyed the obedient Tsukasa skeptically.

Tree-planting role model?

Cheng Hong said: "Tsukasa just really wanted to see you. When he got the call, he was the most eager—he nearly jumped out the window... I think earlier he was just overexcited and didn't want to be disturbed by strangers."

The others nodded in agreement: "Yeah, yeah."

"Otsuka doesn't bully people. He even feeds Pokémon regularly."

"Baimu, you misjudged him this time. Sure, his foul mouth just now deserved a scolding, but he really has never bullied anyone."

Everyone chimed in, one after another.

Baimu listened, then looked again at the silent Otsuka and said, "Looks like I spoke carelessly and wronged you. I'm sorry, Otsuka."

"No, uh, it's nothing."

Hearing that, Otsuka raised his head and waved his hands frantically.

"What do you mean it's nothing? 'A scholar apart three days should be looked at with new eyes'—me judging you by old standards was my own fault." Baimu gripped his arm. "Let's just pretend none of that happened…"

Then—

He threw his arms around everyone and shouted, "Long time no see! Everyone! I missed you all so much!"

Before seeing them he hadn't felt a thing, but the moment they were in front of him, a flood of memories welled up.

The Otsuka and the others, held in his embrace, heard it, and tears spilled out unbidden as they wailed loudly.

"Boss!"

"Captain, I missed you too!"

"Baimu! Everyone on Qingyi Street has been watching you on the news! They're all waiting for you to come back!"