"I just don't have the habit of being a broker, but thank you for your kindness."
Baimu didn't even glance at the contract and politely said, "Please allow me to contact my companion first."
He walked to a corner and began making a phone call.
"Broker?"
Chi Yansong was slightly taken aback, realizing that his earlier words had caused a misunderstanding. For a moment, he had a perplexed expression on his face, torn between amusement and disbelief.
Who would have thought that a mere "introduction" could lead to such a negative association?
This young man's temper is quite explosive.
He nodded inwardly. In his view, talented people having a temper was perfectly normal. Does Huo Cun behave like a normal person? Yet still, she's one of his Grand Generals.
Similarly, Huo Cun's temper isn't all that great either.
These are all understandable.
The important thing is to facilitate this transaction: ensuring that the Magma Team receives recognition akin to the Ocean Team while completing new collaborations with the Ore Region.
A piece of land with technological potential yet to be extensively explored.
Great!
Wonderful indeed!
Chi Yansong felt his long-lost passion igniting once again.
Meanwhile.
Baimu had started a conversation with Shanren.
It seemed to be late night in the Ore Region, and Shanren was just about to sleep when he received Baimu's call.
"Ah~ Brother, what grand achievement have you done this time to share with me?"
Shanren yawned widely from the other end of the line.
Baimu then succinctly and swiftly explained to him about Chi Yansong, from the Magma Team's philosophy to why he got involved with them.
After hearing this, Shanren remained silent for a long time.
Just as unease filled his heart, Shanren said, "Baimu, you really are a sinful man."
"Huh?"
"There are only two former criminal organizations in the Hoenn Region, and both happen to encounter you, and both want to invest in you. If you're not sinful, who is?"
"Uh... it's not my wish..."
"Wishing or not, didn't they voluntarily come to you? What does that mean? It means you have the potential to destroy the world with crime! Luckily, as a member of the Rescue Organization, I pulled you back from the abyss—"
"Crazy?"
"Hahahaha, you call me late at night and don't allow me to joke with you? But I'm indeed curious about this Magma Team. Their ideology is to develop technology, benefit humanity, expand land, and reduce conflicts, right? Leave it to me."
Shanren's confident voice eased Baimu slightly.
If asked which humans are worthy of his unwavering trust, this brother would be one of them.
Switching gears.
He gave Shanren's phone number to Chi Yansong.
Chi Yansong straightforwardly requested a video call with him, and once agreed upon, both sides began to communicate.
Courtney sneakily moved to Baimu's side, shifting from inviting him to join to persuading him to sign the contract and collaborate, constantly launching a verbal assault.
Baimu understood Master Bao's remark about why Courtney said Huo Cun might be harsh towards her.
This girl has no concept of personal space or boundaries!
"Pokémon battle... If I win, will you agree then?"
"Aren't your Pokémon all being treated?"
"We can battle afterward…"
"Then let's talk about it later."
"I can teach you... how to make Pokémon... Super Evolve..."
"I don't even have a Key Stone, how will you teach me?"
"Borrow you..."
Honestly, Baimu was tempted, but his sharp mind understood that getting involved with Courtney would be troublesome, so he decisively refused.
Meanwhile.
Chi Yansong completed a brief meeting with Shanren, the mayor of Pyrite Town.
Both parties seemed quite satisfied.
After turning off the communication, Chi Yansong turned his gaze towards Baimu, stood up, and approached him with a hint of surprise in his eyes, "I didn't expect you to be the leader of the Rainbow Team after all. Clearly, my earlier conversations were indeed lacking, and I must apologize to you here."
"No need..."
"Baimu, why not reconsider this contract?"
He once again picked up the contract from the table and softly said, "Forgive my earlier vague remarks; there's absolutely no broker fee in it. It merely contains sponsorship clauses. How could I have pre-drafted such a contract when I wasn't even aware of the Ore Region's existence at first?"
"..."
"Engaging with the Ocean Team, you surely understand we used to be adversarial organizations. Although we've reconciled now, and most of our operations don't overlap, overt and covert competitions aren't scarce."
Chi Yansong smiled, "Wouldn't it be better for you to be a bridge of healthy competition rather than us continuing to look for other trainers, possibly creating a hostile competitive existence?"
"Furthermore, contributing to our cooperation when planning construction in the Ore Region, don't you think?"
His words were already very courteous.
Even accounting for his personal feelings, sensitive topics were lightly avoided.
Baimu also understood introducing the Magma Team's infrastructure projects in the Ore Region is irreversible. For the locals, it qualifies as a positive development.
The Ore Region lacks talent now, regardless of the domain.
Behold how some regions in Hoenn have flourished with Magma Team's participation.
Even if only a tiny portion of the credit belongs to the Magma Team, it counts as formidable.
"Then I humbly accept."
Baimu realized this would be a profitable win-win-win situation.
Seeing him accept, Chi Yansong's face revealed a slight smile, and Courtney covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes turning into delightful crescent moons.
——
Magma Team Resting Lounge.
Baimu looked at the unfamiliar ceiling, surrounded by his Pokémon.
"Do you think, even after making a lot of money, why does it feel so empty and lonely?"
He turned his head.
The Ocean Team started at five million in the first round, increased to eight million later, and the Magma Team, per the new contract, doubled—though their intelligence source is unclear, they offered sixteen million without hesitation...
Is land development this lucrative?
"Chido~"
The Giant Jaw Mawile with bandages nudged his arm, indicating shopping would alleviate the emptiness and loneliness.
The Mega Camerupt's Big Explosion was indeed impressive, injuring the Giant Jaw's epidermis. Fortunately, the Giant Jaw is derived from Mawile's corneal layer, with few pain nerves on it.
Chansey had a minor burn, but thanks to its Natural Recovery Trait, it healed almost completely soon after.
Aggron was mostly unharmed from start to finish...
Mightyena's Evil Fluctuation and Rush weren't significantly stronger than a tickle.
"Wait until we get to Mauville City, then let's see." Baimu reached to touch Mawile's face, but it moved back discontentedly, indicating even a trainer shouldn't be this frivolous!
It's fine to hold your hand though.
It placed its hand in Baimu's.
"..."
Baimu chuckled silently.
Suddenly.
The lounge door opened, and Courtney walked in, "Baimu... the Molten Rock Armor... the preparation has been made..."
[Molten Rock Armor].
It's like what Courtney wears, claimed to withstand lava without flinching—it's a special privilege provided by Chi Yansong as a gesture of friendship.
In the game, players wore Molten Rock Armor and accompanied Mega Rayquaza into space.