However, until the bus arrived at the entrance of the arena, Ayana didn't say another word.
No one knew whether she had run out of words or simply didn't remember to speak.
This bizarre behavior made the participants even more nervous, and they felt a sense of unease, as if dealing another blow upon getting off the bus.
"Little ghosts, I hope next time you get onto this bus, there will still be fifteen of you."
The female driver laughed heartily, speaking words that seemed like encouragement but only made the atmosphere more uneasy, as she watched everyone disembark.
They were already late, and the area near the arena entrance was crowded with all sorts of people, some in convertibles or motorcycles, sheltering under awnings and open tents of different colors to avoid the direct sunlight.
Judging from the patterns on the awnings, it was evident that not only the Evil Dog Team and Quicksand Team were stationed here; this "gathering" had also attracted other groups.
In the sky, strange light green drones were flying, with cameras aimed at the ground, their infrared sensors flashing continuously.
Right near the entrance, a disproportionately large silver screen displayed various scenes within the camp.
"Ah... Aerial Rotom, quite something new."
Baimu squinted up at the sky; those drones flying back and forth were undoubtedly the special Rotom that appeared in the latest Pokémon animations before the crossover.
It's uncertain whether this is still considered cutting-edge technology at this point.
Had the 'audience' arrived? Or perhaps the pre-game introduction was underway? There might even be commentary.
He followed the main group to the encampment, where most of the tents were earth-colored and decorated with simplified sandstorm tornado motifs, belonging to the Quicksand Team.
The Evil Dog Team's decoration was a large Mightyena head, and their tents were primarily in grayish-black hues.
Conveniently located right along their path.
Who arranged this?
Baimu suddenly had a bad premonition, and this feeling soon came true.
Under the Evil Dog Team's awning, several people in gray-black uniforms suddenly pointed and whispered at them before rushing into the tent, leading to a large group pouring out.
"Hey! Look who it is, isn't this Ayana?"
The short, robust man at the front, with a dark face, had a mischievous grin, "Come on out, little ones, see for yourself, the legendary rose of the Quicksand Team! Hehehe!"
Behind him, a group of Evil Dog Team members around the same age as Baimu and others let out arrogant chuckles and laughter.
About fifteen of them... is this all?
Baimu silently observed within the crowd.
"Which hole did you crawl out from? Have we met?"
Ayana showed a hint of confusion, ignoring the sudden change to a grim expression on the dark man's face, and said indifferently, "Since when did the Evil Dog Team have someone like you? Each generation is worse than the last."
"Hehehe, wait till I dismantle your two legs, then you'll know what kind of person I am." Snarling with hostility, the dark-faced man took out a Pokeball.
"If you want to fight, I'll accompany you; there's no need for so much nonsense."
Ayana was also preparing to make a move.
When the two leaders acted, their underlings naturally couldn't sit back idly. Whether participating or not, those in the crowd pulled out their Pokeballs or spoke harsh words.
Otsuka wanted it all, his expression suddenly became fierce as he angrily cursed and prepared to fight.
The uproar caught the attention of those around, and more people came over to join the fun, faces gleaming with excitement, eager for the chaos.
But without a doubt, with the Aerial Rotom's surveillance, this fight absolutely wouldn't happen. Just when Ayana and the dark-faced man were about to make a move, a man in a suit appeared abruptly.
No one knew when he arrived, nor where he came from.
Baimu felt like he just blinked, and the man was there, quite eerie.
"Hey, fighting any form of Pokémon battle is forbidden in the camp, please don't cause problems for us, alright?"
The stranger spoke with a fake smile, his tone direct.
And surprisingly, when Ayana and the dark-faced man saw the mediator, they suppressed their tempers and backed off, pretending nothing had happened.
"Come with me, both of you. The boss has something to discuss with you. Also, please restrain these participants. If any issues arise before the competition starts, the ones above won't take responsibility."
After the mediator finished with a sarcastic tone, he turned and left.
The usually domineering Ayana, as if not noticing the mediator's tone, turned to the group, "Stay in the encampment for a while; don't wander around aimlessly. Don't start fights, but verbal jabs are fine, got it?"
"Yes!"
Baimu and the others responded in unison, curiously watching the mediator.
A representative from the organizers?
It seemed as if Ayana didn't argue a single word; perhaps behind him was either the mayor of Pyrite Town or the owner of Pyrite Arena.
Meanwhile, the dark-faced man equally cautioned his Evil Dog Team participants, then followed behind the mediator with great swag at a safe distance from Ayana.
With the leader gone, those who came to watch the commotion mostly dispersed as well.
The participants from both sides eyed each other, as their previously calmed minds surged again.
Seeing an enemy brought feelings of anger to the surface, especially since a conflict had just erupted. At such a young, hot-blooded age, how could anyone hold back?
It wasn't long before the argument started again.
"A gang of trash hiding behind women, bah!"
"Since when could a gray-skinned dog speak human language? You look almost decent, let's hear a couple of barks!"
"What the hell did you just say?"
"Dog barking?"
With back-and-forth insults, the noise quickly escalated from sarcasm to straightforward confrontation. Amidst this, Baimu joined in a few taunts, maintaining a united stance with the surrounding Quicksand Team members.
Then.
The situation changed again.
All of a sudden, a person from the Evil Dog Team stepped forward, his eyes filled with a hidden hostility, scrutinizing the Quicksand Team without any hesitation. Baimu noticed significant shifts in Otsuka's expression as this person appeared.
"Why him?!"
"Isn't he already over twenty?"
"Evil Dog Team is cheating! He's way over age!"
Amidst the uproar, Baimu got a clear look at the person in question's appearance—it indeed didn't match someone just eighteen, more like twenty-eight or thirty-eight, with his physique, facial features, or demeanor not matching a young male's.
"Tsk."
The Evil Dog Team member sneered disdainfully, with his gleaming white teeth prominent under the scorching sun, "What a waste of time, you're all worthless scum. Go wash your necks and wait obediently to die."
The look in this man's eyes was like a ravenous Houndoom, bloodthirstily targeting everyone's throats, causing the Quicksand Team to feel a sense of alarm and dread.
But after saying this, the Evil Dog Team member turned and headed back into the tent, the other Evil Dog members exchanged glances, threw a few more harsh words and followed him.
Clearly showing absolute submission to that guy.
The Quicksand Team also didn't linger, quietly turning back towards their encampment.
On the way, through Otsuka's quiet introduction, Baimu understood that person's background.
In the traditional confrontations of the Pyrite Town forces, even if things often got serious and rules weren't followed, there still was an unwritten rule—soldier against soldier, general against general, to avoid "big bullies small".
The person just now, named "Jian," was a well-known rising star of the Evil Dog Team, considered equivalent to a full member of the Quicksand Team, yet capable of commanding squad leader level Pokémon.
In other words, in this competition among regular members, there was a squad leader level Trainer included.
No wonder everyone was so worried.
Don't underestimate a mere ten-level difference; if the Pokémon species value is generally high, the differences in overall strength become apparent, just like in games where suppression is quite easy.
Unless there's a reverse attribute.
Aware of the heavy atmosphere in the encampment, Baimu was silently contemplative.
Otsuka, assuming he was worried, forced a smile, "It's alright, can't win, we can still run, right? At worst, run if we encounter them."
"Can't escape... Evil Dog Team's Pokémon excel at tracking..."
Yuan Du interjected softly.
Baimu turned his head, sized up Yuan Du thoughtfully, his expression freezing for a moment, "Wha-What's up?"
"Nothing."
He shook his head.