Baimu: "..."
Liu Ge: "You are an exceptionally talented child. To ensure that more young people like you emerge in Ore, we must strive hard for it."
"But I..."
"You were born in Ore, grew up in Ore, you are an Ore person, this land is your homeland, nothing to do with bloodline." Liu Ge seemed to know what he wanted to say.
"Moreover, having a heart of gold amidst the mire cannot be done through bloodline alone."
Upon hearing this, Baimu's mind inevitably became a bit confused.
Although he had already speculated about many things, truly hearing it firsthand...
He understood that Liu Ge and Flop were truly planning to accomplish something earth-shattering, significant enough to directly change the entire Ore Region.
And he himself stood at the historical turning point, about to decide his own fate.
Should he do nothing and wait for everything to end quietly, or leave here early to avoid being implicated?
Or should he bravely get involved and strive to be a trailblazer of the times?
"Shanren, is Shanren also one of your people?" Baimu asked softly.
Liu Ge responded calmly, "If you're asking about the international police organization, no. But if you mean saving Ore, I can give you an affirmative answer.
"He left Ore to wander through different regions, and now at this critical juncture, he's back in Ore simply to contribute to changing this area. He is a kindred partner to us."
Kindred partner!
Baimu's heart trembled, emotions incredibly complex.
"This day won't be long in coming. We are fully prepared, and what should happen has already happened."
Liu Ge looked at him, "I know you have thoughts of going to other regions, please bear with it a bit longer, you will soon be able to do so as you wish."
"Will leaving now cause trouble for you?"
"Not exactly trouble, but to some extent, it will indeed affect the smooth progress of the plan. After all, your fame is great now, too many people are watching you, and it's also very dangerous for you."
"..."
"In the future, if you need to check on Deino's situation, bring it here. We have a Pokémon transfer device that can teleport to the outside world."
Liu Ge patted Baimu on the shoulder, seemingly seeing the clutter in his heart, "That's all for today. You don't need to feel burdened. I'm telling you this not to make you do anything, but to let you know what we are going to do. You have the right to know all of this."
Hard to respond.
Baimu could only nod, get up, and walk out, forgetting even to say goodbye to Flop and the others, silently leaving the office building.
Flop and others watched his back, couldn't help but say:
"Did you perhaps tell him too much at once?"
"Sooner or later, it has to be said. In just a few days, we'll need to take action again. I'm worried I won't have the chance to tell him anymore." Liu Ge sighed.
Flop and others couldn't help but laugh, "It's just the beginning, and you reckon you're doomed already?"
"I never said that, you jinxes!" Liu Ge slapped his forehead hard, "I said there's no time!"
——
That night.
Baimu couldn't sleep.
Because he realized he seemed to no longer need to rack his brains for a way to escape. As long as Liu Ge and the others took action, with Pyrite Town and even the whole Ore Region in turmoil, there would be countless opportunities to leave.
For now, all he needed to do, all he should do, is wait patiently.
Pull one hair and the whole body is moved. Since they have made waves between the Quicksand Team and the Evil Dog Team, Liu Ge and the others are sure to take it further—
Originally, the town mayor who mediated at Pyrite Town left, making it the perfect time for them to make big moves!
Suddenly, Baimu understood the words Shanren said previously, realizing that soon, something significant that might drag him into it was about to happen.
"...Alas."
He sighed.
The reason for his insomnia was partly being stunned by what Liu Ge and others intended to do, and partly by his own confusion.
Initially, he felt Pyrite Town was even worse than a cesspool, only turning people into illiterates and idiots like Chaitian and Jian, hastening his plan to escape as far away as possible.
But upon hearing that Liu Ge and the others were about to carry out a comprehensive reform of the Ore Region, even already in action, he couldn't help feeling a bit puzzled.
Leaving was imperative.
Experiencing more of the wonders of the Pokémon World was one of the things he wanted to do.
However.
In what capacity should he leave here and head to other regions...
Who exactly is he?
The descendant of a Dragon Tamer? An Ore person choosing to escape from turbulent environments? A traveler from an Otherworld? He could traverse anywhere, so why did he end up in Ore?
As well as the things he deeply desires.
Recalling his past life, vivid memories of the past resurfaced. Baimu realized that he actually missed the land he once lived in, despite its many problems, the four words 'hard to leave one's homeland' were clearly imprinted in his heart.
In this life.
The episodes of living in Pyrite Town, those joyful and painful memories, are not false; they are even clearer than in his past life.
Is Ore considered home for "Baimu"?
Yes.
He knows this very clearly; no matter how bad Pyrite Town is, he grew up here, so he naturally harbors a deep attachment.
Just like many Pokémon, people survive by standing on solid ground.
"Baimu" was once unwilling; before merging with himself from another world, "he" wanted to resist those oppressors, to let everyone around him have enough to eat and receive wages that match their labor.
Ultimately, what made him give up was the product known as "reality."
He didn't have that kind of power, so he could only endure it all, enduring again and again until another Baimu arrived, turning into a brand new person.
Yet he still had to endure.
The more he understood, the more he realized the immense mighty power needed to change society, something he couldn't achieve, a heavy responsibility he couldn't carry.
Continued endurance was the only way.
But at this moment, he suddenly discovered a large team, gallantly charging toward the high peak he dared not climb, proudly declaring that the mountain would soon fall at their feet.
Even planning to topple mountains higher than this.
So, standing at the crossroads of life, how should he choose?
To go with them, to topple that mountain, and even higher mountains, or to head toward another path he considered brighter?
Either way is fine.
Baimu knows that no matter which path, he will have a glorious life, as for never regretting... who doesn't have regrets in life?
No one can completely predict that they will take a better, more correct path.
It's time to make a choice.
He looked at the ceiling, imagining a coin in his mind, tossing it into the air, Heads and tails were the two paths.
The moment the coin flew up, the choice was already determined—
He decided to participate in the transformation of Ore.
There are many reasons.
For example, taking advantage of the transformation of Ore, to secure a place in New Ore, to create a home for himself, to create things that are hard to obtain in other regions but belong to him.
For example, his strength is rapidly increasing; it won't be long before he has the strength of a cadre or even beyond.
For instance, the "fifty steps" he has taken, the food, clothing, and expenses of Aggron and others, the large numbers in his bank account, aside from legitimate labor income, how much blood and tears of Pyrite Town's lower-class civilians are hidden behind the thirty million rewarded by the Quicksand Team.
This is a responsibility he should bear.
For example, the neighbors who raised him on Cyan Iridium Street, not to say he has to be responsible for them for a lifetime, but at least he should ensure they live a normal life, right? Without them, how could an orphan like him have survived to grow up?
For Cheng Hong, Otsuka, and others, he simply cannot leave them and escape alone.
Yes.
Liu Ge and the others are about to bring a brand new world to the civilians of Pyrite Town, but revolution is not a dinner party; there will inevitably be sacrifices. Can Cheng Hong, Otsuka, and the others really stay uninvolved?
Of course, the most important point.
Baimu decided not to endure anymore.
Enduring for a while makes him more and more angry, retreating a step makes him feel even more wronged.
What is it that he's wanted to do most since growing up enduring it all? Smash those who bullied them, smash those ridiculous unspoken rules, transactions with money, protection fees!
It's all to ensure the old have security and the young are cared for, everyone has enough food, everyone stands proud!
For good people to be rewarded! Evil to be punished!
As he grew older, this idea became clearer and clearer.
If other regions can do it, why is Ore any different? Why should Ore be the world's garbage dump?
If all of this fails to succeed, when Baimu thinks back, he will surely feel choked every time he remembers it.
Only by stepping on those evil parties, making those oppressors wail in agony, sending those who bully the weak to the Spirit Realm or prison, he can truly be at peace.
Ultimately, it's incredibly satisfying for him to despise others on a moral level and to destroy his opponents with the strengths they are most proud of.
Baimu is truly unwilling to look back on this period when he is old and regret not having given these damn bastards a solid kick!
Upon thinking of this.
He clenched his fist fiercely at the air, making a firm decision.
To go.
But he must leave Ore gloriously, with head held high, so that one day he stands at the world championships among Champions and Celestial Kings.
When the host announces his arrival from the Ore Region.
Only then can he face all challenges with utmost confidence!
The path of the strong is not one to be escaped from!