Chapter 692: A Heap of Trust

"Thanks, back to you in perfect condition. Don't forget to take it to the Pokémon Center."

Baimu handed the Poké Ball containing Salamence to Did Yin Ma.

Compared to his own Pokémon, Salamence had clearly experienced far fewer intense move clashes; after the battle ended, it never recovered and had to return to its Poké Ball to rest.

Its endurance truly needs improvement.

Dragon-type Pokémon collapsing after one battle is a disgrace to dragons.

Did Yin Ma took the Poké Ball, hesitated briefly, then asked: "Boss Baimu, how… how did you manage it?"

"Which part?"

"…Every part."

"If you're asking why Salamence listens to me, there are two answers—sufficient kindness and 'bloodline.' The People of the Meteor have an innate affinity with Dragon-type Pokémon; when I show kindness, Salamence senses it."

Baimu raised one finger, then a second: "If you're asking why my Salamence won and yours didn't, there are also two answers—battle experience and the trust relationship I built from start to finish. Both are equally important; neither is superior."

Trust relationship…

Did Yin Ma chewed over the term, yet still felt confused.

What exactly counts as a trust relationship?

Like Kendall's, who dares run into the arena calling out to Wooloo to charge?

Seeing Did Yin Ma's face practically written with bewilderment, Baimu sighed and asked: "As a trainer, what do you think is the most fundamental thing?"

After careful thought, Did Yin Ma ventured: "Command… ability?"

"It's clear understanding of your own Pokémon!"

Baimu abandoned guided teaching and answered directly: "If you don't understand your Pokémon, you can never reach peak performance in breeding, battling, or daily interaction. Beyond its species traits, individual personality, and daily habits, it's vital to judge what it can and cannot do, and where its limits lie."

He pointed to the giant crater in the arena: "When Salamence was hit by Earthquake underground, didn't you think it would lose its ability to battle?"

Did Yin Ma's expression turned awkward, but he still nodded.

Baimu spread his hands: "So you have zero understanding of Salamence's limits—you had no idea it could withstand that attack. Your trust relationship is severely lacking, and trust is built entirely on understanding."

"But similar situations have happened before…" Did Yin Ma weakly rebutted.

He cut in: "First, Pokémon grow. Just because they couldn't before doesn't mean they can't later. Second, Dragon-type Pokémon are proud—they won't respond to you if they sense you don't believe in them, and you'll never get an accurate answer."

Baimu glanced at the silver monkey beside him: "You've been overprotected by your older brother, and your Pokémon rarely face moments that truly demand effort. If you want to be an ordinary breeder, fine."

"But if you want to be a trainer, don't deprive your Pokémon of opportunities to fight hard. Only through repeated advancement and breaking limits can they gradually grow strong."

Before Did Yin Ma could react, Da Zhuang and the others burst into enthusiastic applause.

As if his speech had been brilliant.

Baimu kicked the backsides of these fools irritably: "You think I didn't mean you? Or that spending half a month on the Furious has made you understand your Pokémon? All of you—go running with your Pokémon!"

"Understood!"

Da Zhuang and the others shouted back, then ran to the side with grins, releasing their Pokémon.

Did Yin Ma asked puzzled: "Running with Pokémon? Why?"

"To synchronize your pace with your Pokémon's, to observe closely their expressions during movement—this helps you judge which facial cues correspond to which battle situations."

"Also, to strengthen your will so your spirit remains at peak condition for prolonged battles. This is the basic training method taught to me by Yuan Zhi, one of the Sinnoh League's Four Guardians."

Baimu explained helpfully, then frowned: "So why are you still standing there?"

Did Yin Ma pointed at himself in shock: "Me too?"

"Not just you—everyone! Including me!" His gaze swept past Did Yin Ma to the arena trainers, including the silver monkey.

Saying this,

he released a Gulpin and fell in step behind Da Zhuang and the others.

Lady Ayana quickly released Swampert; the giant, clumsy salamander stood frozen for several seconds, then clumsily chased after her after she'd already run three or four meters ahead.

Shi Yuan Zhi walked silently, his usual routine of exercise giving him a body like a bodybuilding champion.

"Big brother, wait for me!"

Did Yin Ma handed Salamence to the arena's resident doctor and hurried after the group of arena trainers; Kendall, having finished chatting with the visiting trainers, also joined them.

In an instant,

a large crowd of people and Pokémon circled the arena's edge, running.

The visiting trainers smirked but showed no intention of joining; they packed their belongings, preparing to head to work.

It was their habit to warm up with a few battles before work, like morning exercise.

The arena trainers who hadn't joined earlier exchanged glances.

"Should we… join them?"

"Boss is already running…"

"What's he thinking? Is he really planning to hand the arena over to the Rainbow Team and just leave? Has our half-year of holding out been meaningless?!"

"Sigh, just run. Don't make Boss lose face in front of the Rainbow Team. We'll sort everything out privately later."

Said the one who once held authority.

The others grumbled, but none openly defied him.

—

The people of Huang Tie Town generally had good physical fitness.

When the Furious crew first asked Da Zhuang and the others to jog on board, they'd been astonished by their exceptional endurance.

The same held true for the arena trainers.

Baimu was pleased that half a year of leisure hadn't made them lazy.

Unfortunately,

most had forgotten the key point—synchronizing pace with their Pokémon. At first they might pay attention, but soon they ran only for themselves.

"Keep up with your Pokémon! Are you running so slow just to admire their asses?"

"Slow down! Even your Pokémon can't catch up to you!"

"Don't just stare at the road! Look at your Pokémon! Give them encouragement or a response!"

"Watch the road! Don't you see you're about to crash into something ahead?"

Baimu felt like a driving instructor, while many Arena trainers panted and grumbled in frustration.

How long had it been since someone scolded him like this?

Under the protection of the Silver Ape, no one dared to provoke the Yellow Iron Arena; in the past, how many of the local factions in Yellow Iron Town would have dared speak to them like this?

If not for the Silver Ape, Did Did Yin Ma, and Kendall silently running, they would have stopped long ago.

The few angered individuals ran blindly, and their Pokémon followed with chaotic steps.

"..."

Baimu took in every expression and movement of everyone in the arena.

The Arena trainers ranged in age from twenty to thirty; those who had just bent over following Kendall were mostly the older ones.

Of course, there were younger ones too.

Right now, the two groups showed a clear difference in attitude toward synchronized running.

No doubt about it.

Running like this will only make them grow more resistant.

Looking across all the Arena trainers, only five had decent synergy with their Pokémon—they would be the first to receive positive feedback from synchronized running.

If the rest of their training keeps pace, they'll gradually pull ahead of the others.

"Talent?"

Baimu pondered this question, yet his steps remained at a safe distance from Qianhong ahead, and his Gyarados moved with astonishing synchronicity with him.

Whether raising or lowering his arm, stepping with which foot, or where he looked.

As if one soul inhabited two bodies.

Lady Ayana glanced at the perfect harmony between him and Gyarados, then at the Wailord wobbling like a roly-poly toy as it ran, and fell silent.

The more she tried to emulate Baimu, the more she realized the gap between them.

Six months...

What exactly had he been through?

Lady Ayana momentarily lost focus and nearly stepped on Wailord's thick tail, barely pulling her leg back in time.

Yet Baimu seemed to have eyes in the back of his head—he turned and said to her, "Keep your distance. Focus your attention. Get that close and you'll fall flat on your face!"

"... Mm."

Lady Ayana suppressed the urge to kick him.

Half an hour later.

Baimu declared the session over; Did Did Yin Ma and the Arena trainers collapsed instantly, gasping for breath, while Da Zong and others leaned on their hips, wiped sweat, and grinned proudly.

They were already accustomed to this level of training.

"Today was just a collective introductory experience. From now on, you'll run like this every day—but set your own running time or distance based on your and your Pokémon's condition."

He addressed everyone: "Next, we begin Lesson Two—Basic Pokémon Battle Knowledge. Add me on Pokeline; I'll send you some e-books on battle theory."

"Read every single one! It's vital! If you can't tell what move a Pokémon is using and rely only on instinct to fight, you'll forever remain bottom-tier trainers! Oh, and I'll quiz and exam you on the material."

Exam?

Many were stunned—wasn't this just like school?

Back when the Salvation Organization recruited them, some had urged them to attend school and learn knowledge and skills, but they, accustomed to being fighters, had refused.

In the past six months, they hadn't avoided secretly seeking jobs—but most positions demanded things they couldn't meet.

There were low-barrier jobs, but after growing used to life as fighters, asking them to do certain physical labor...

"Baimu Boss, I—I can't read."

Someone raised a hand, ashamed.

Baimu froze, instinctively glancing at the Silver Ape—he couldn't believe that the Yellow Iron Arena, once a top-tier faction, had members who couldn't read!

The Silver Ape said nothing, silently glancing at Kendall.

Kendall then raised his hand, expression unchanged: "Baimu Boss, I don't know many characters either. Is there another way to learn battle knowledge?"

"... There is."

Baimu's gaze swept over everyone; those who felt his eyes lowered their heads or turned aside. "But before that, please raise your hand if you can't read."

Hands rose in small groups.

Some who couldn't read might not have raised their hands, but from ten or so out of fifty-plus, it was enough to give him a headache.

This is troublesome.

Why had he assumed they could read?

Baimu decided he needed to request funding from Shan Ren—to buy video versions of Basic Pokémon Battle Knowledge!

"I understand. Those who came this morning can stop here for now."

He nodded: "Over the next one to two months, I'll strengthen your battle skills. I can't guarantee how effective it'll be—I've never taught anyone how to battle before."

"By the way, I don't require everyone to join. If you don't want to participate, just pretend you didn't hear me when I call for assembly."

Many eyes lit up at this.

The Silver Ape frowned; Did Did Yin Ma scrambled up from the ground in a panic: "Baimu Boss! Baimu—oh no!"

The kid fell flat on his face.

Baimu patted Did Did Yin Ma's shoulder: "Do your stretches properly. Watch out for cramps. I'll come back this afternoon. Do whatever you normally do until then."

After saying what needed to be said, he left with Lady Ayana and the others.

Just as he was about to step out the door, Kendal chased after him from behind, reaching out and calling, "Boss Baimu, hold on a moment!"

"What is it, Mr. Kendal?"

Baimu turned his head.

Kendal said softly, "Why did you say it wouldn't be mandatory... You could have required everyone to take part—Boss Silver Ape would definitely have supported you! Even if they were unwilling at first, once they saw real results, they'd surely admire you for it."

"But why would I want to do that?" he asked with a smile.

Kendal was taken aback. "Didn't you say you wanted to train a batch of experimental students..."

Baimu shook his head and said, "I never said how many experimental students there would be. I have my own things to do—I can't spend twenty-four hours at the arena. Why force people who don't want to cooperate? They're tired, and I'd be even more tired. Properly training those who do cooperate already takes a great deal of my energy."

"..."

"I know that as their former superior, you want to lead them and bring back the arena's glory. But you also have to understand—people who can't face reality will only hold us back. You've seen the changes in Yellow Iron Town over the past half year more clearly than I have."

Baimu said earnestly, "If you're not satisfied, you can learn from me and then go teach them yourself. It won't make much difference."

Kendal listened to his words in silence, and was now fully convinced that Baimu had no interest in the arena.

He asked hoarsely, "Are you really going to take us to challenge other arenas?"

"Of course."

Baimu, his back to the brilliant sunlight as though cloaked in a layer of resplendent golden robes, raised both hands slightly and said at his ease, "The arena is only the starting point. In the future, there's Battle Mountain—what you all consider the trainers' holy land—and beyond it, powerful trainers hidden among the common folk.

"My goal is the peak of the world. A small arena isn't worth my stopping for."

"Boss Baimu..."

For a moment Kendal couldn't find words; he could only silently watch Baimu and the laughing Otsuka group leave.

A few seconds later.

Silver Ape came to his side and asked, "How did it go?"

"Big brother... the arena is just too small for him. Or rather, the Yellow Iron Arena has never existed in his eyes. This place can't contain him."

Kendal said with a bitter smile.

Silver Ape sighed. "True enough. But since he's willing to come to the arena and teach people to battle, he must have some expectations, right? After all, this is his hometown."

"Perhaps..."

"Sorry to trouble you to go and persuade those youngsters again. They've already wasted half a year—they can't keep wasting time."

"Not at all. It's what I should do."