Outside the hidden cave.
Baimu raised his head, watching the Delibird carrying a large cloth bag fly away. It was hard to imagine that this penguin, only slightly taller than a person's waist, could carry such a large item.
"Won't it suffocate?"
It should be breathable?
He turned to look inside the cave, where an Evil Dog Team Member had already changed into the Quicksand Team uniform, although it looked a bit loose.
"Luckily, Evil Dog Team uniforms are unisex."
Baimu ignored the team member's unpleasant expression and put on the Evil Dog Team uniform. Although a bit tight in places, it was still acceptable.
"What's the point of doing this?" The Evil Dog Team Member couldn't help but say, "You're exposed easily! Do you think others are brainless?"
"Exposed then exposed."
He chuckled, "I just need that person to be momentarily confused, and I need your cooperation."
During the search, he had already realized this person was female.
Though he was disappointed about the gender aspect, there was no other choice. After all, he managed to capture someone without injury, the kind who was scared to die, so he could make do with her.
The main reason for keeping her was because of the radar function. Although he couldn't use the enemy's wristband, it was fine to have the enemy use it themselves.
He had also checked just now, and the various functions of the wristband were still on and not turned off.
The person said coldly, "What if I don't cooperate?"
"Then you can forget about redeeming your Pokémon." Baimu's expression remained unchanged, "How about I also take your two thumbs?"
"..."
The person fell silent.
Baimu continued, "You should actually feel lucky that you still have some use, otherwise your fate would be the same as my teammate, Retaliation.
"By the way, you wanted to knock him down earlier? Why? Did you dislike him and want to beat him up?"
"I wouldn't do such a thing!"
The Evil Dog Team Member turned her head indignantly.
At this time, claiming to have had a sudden rush of kindness wouldn't be believable, so she simply said nothing.
Baimu chuckled lightly, "Whether you would or not doesn't matter, as long as we cooperate sincerely, I guarantee you'll come out unscathed, and you can buy back your Pokémon at a bargain."
"...Really?"
"You can think I'm lying, that's your freedom. Alright, it's almost time, let's get ready. The radar activation time is in two minutes."
He put on a cloak, took out a black face mask from his bag, and put it on the Evil Dog Team Member before silently walking out of the cave.
The Aerial Rotom followed behind the two, recording all of their actions and conversation, and transmitted it outside.
Broadcasting on various screens.
No matter where the audience was, small discussions started.
The focus of the discussion was naturally whether Baimu and the female Evil Dog Team Member could fool the others.
In the arena, many people felt he was overconfident, believing there was no chance of getting caught, while others thought it could be turned around and approached strategically.
In short.
Not many people favored Baimu.
The reason was, of course, the previous battle didn't rely on direct confrontation, he took down the opponent using a sneak attack, which didn't showcase much strength, and the subsequent handling wasn't impressive either.
Your teammate got so miserable, and you didn't chop off your opponent's arm? Dull, very dull.
'Too inexperienced.'
While they gave a low rating, they ignored other screens and kept their eyes on Baimu's.
At the banquet in Silicon City.
A little more spectators appreciated Baimu, mostly those indifferent to gruesome scenes and who acted swiftly.
Although the ambush plan seemed a bit crude, taking down the opponent in such a short time was still commendable.
If not for Mayor Ergin yet to give the first reward, they might also express some recognition.
It should be soon.
They looked at Ergin on the second floor, chatting and laughing with a few people, very curious about who would be the lucky one.
At the Quicksand Team's base.
The previous low-pressure environment had eased a lot, apart from complaints about Baimu being too merciful, there were no other objections, just waiting for the Delibird to bring back the injured members.
During chats among Quicksand Team logistics personnel, the 550,000 reward was inevitably mentioned, guessing who might have sent it.
"Definitely Ayana big sis."
"I think so too, when I reported earlier her eyebrows were almost flying with joy..."
"Stop talking! Look! Someone's approaching!"
Someone interrupted the discussion excitedly, pointing towards the large screen in the distance.
Although there was also a smaller projector within the base for viewing, they preferred the larger one.
The others looked over and saw on the screen's center simplified map, a flashing red dot was moving towards a blue dot.
At the same time, in the detailed following shot, an Evil Dog Team Member cautiously moved forward, walking on the same path Baimu had once taken.
In another frame, the female Evil Dog Team Member wearing Quicksand Team attire was backed against a giant rock, crouching behind with Baimu and Vibrava cautiously hiding out.
His hiding position ensured that he couldn't be seen from other directions, waiting leisurely for the prey to come to him, a prime example among seasoned strategists.
The radar usage opportunity entered countdown.
Outside the arena, spectators who loved gambling opened their books, betting on whether that person would fall for it.
Amid the noisy discussions, battles occurring elsewhere garnered attention from only a small portion.
The producer cleverly minimized scenes without battles and enlarged those with battles or impending battles.
The Quicksand Team's logistics personnel also joined the betting, each holding their tickets nervously looking at the screen, not even noticing when the Delibird brought back the injured, only turning reluctantly when someone called them.
On the screen.
At the moment the radar countdown ended, both sides simultaneously activated it.
The light screen emerged, and both Baimu and the Evil Dog Team Member saw the flashing red dot located nearby!
This close!?
Not good, strike first to gain the upper hand!
Bang bang!
The Evil Dog Team Member instantly opened two Pokeballs, releasing a sturdy Mightyena and a Houndoom with curved horns like a Doberman.
"Go! That person is right ahead!"
He whispered, running forward with the barking two giant dogs.
Turning the corner of the obstructing and sight-blocking rugged giant rock.
He saw a rather empty place in the corner of the mountain cliff junction, seemingly like a road entrance, with a person in a Quicksand Team jersey against a rock, in a twisted position appearing painfully.
Aerial Rotom hovered in the air, camera facing the ground.
Did they just defeat someone?
Was that Delibird earlier sending away our people?
A trap? Pokémon ambush? Hmph! Might as well turn it around and use it!
Multiple emotions flashed through the Evil Dog Team Member's mind, involuntary joy leaked from the corner of his mouth, and he suddenly raised his arm, "Battle request! Charge!"
"Howl!"
"Woof!"
Beep.
The wristband emitted a low hum, indicating the battle request was approved, and distant responding battle cries followed.
However.
Why did the sound seem to come from behind the rock? Did they throw the wristband back there?
The Evil Dog Team Member watched the two Pokémon leaping forward, subconsciously slowing his pace, a difficult to describe sense of danger causing his heart to race.
"Go ba—"
"Right on target!!"