Molten Rock Armor.
A divine armor that allows players to stand on Mega Rayquaza's head and break through the planet's atmosphere.
Of course, that's the Cosmic Suit version.
This time, Magma Team made Baimu a suit version and a casual version—
Two sets of clothes for the League Conference, two sets for the Gorgeous Competition, and two sets for daily wear, with black and silver-gray as the main colors. Initially, Courtney's idea was to make them in the black and red tones of Boss Chi Yansong.
Baimu decisively rejected it.
A black and red suit isn't that Fladari? He didn't want to wear something too similar to the lion-headed guy.
Feeling dejected after her proposal was rejected, Courtney suggested embroidering more Magma Team insignias in other places, like on ties, underwear, and so on.
Baimu, spotting this in time, rejected it again.
This kid's thinking is a bit peculiar, and he's really not good at dealing with it.
During this period, Huo Cun, who appeared in the animation, also showed up. In his memory, this person was also a square-faced, skinny guy, but in reality, he saw a fat man.
Hmm.
Huo Cun had gained weight.
He had forcibly gained weight from the appearance in the Gemstone version to the Gemstone Reproduction version, looking particularly odd. Although Aquan was still the red-haired, fair-skinned guy from the animation...
Didn't you two rival organizations plan the timing of your makeover?
The opponent appeared mainly to see who had the ability or influence worthy of such a high sponsorship fee from inside the team.
Including a bit of intention behind it.
But when he saw Courtney pestering Baimu, the provocation on his face instantly disappeared, replaced by an emotion called sympathy.
Huo Cun even quietly pulled him aside to warn him to be more cautious.
"Once this kid takes an interest in someone, she locks onto the target tightly and often has no sense of personal space. Beware of her crawling out from under your bed at night, or from the closet, curtains, or sofa..."
"Is she a ghost?"
"You could totally say that!"
"Eh?"
Baimu was chilled by what he was told.
"Good luck with that. Of course, it could just be me overthinking it, she has gotten more normal these past two years." Huo Cun patted Baimu's shoulder regretfully, "You'd better find an opportunity to clearly tell her you don't like it."
The last person tormented by Courtney, according to him, was Boss Chi Yansong.
Hence, it's evident that Boss Chi Yansong really had a big leader's temperament.
Baimu looked at the very serious Huo Cun and Courtney, who hadn't taken her eyes off him, and started to ponder.
Should I...
Make a run for it?
——
Five in the afternoon.
With Huo Cun's friendly help, Baimu made a run with six pieces of Molten Rock Armor.
Of course, he had mentioned to Courtney that staring at someone for too long can be creepy. Still, she didn't understand it at all and even asked why he was scared.
Isn't liking someone supposed to mean you follow them closely?
Baimu looked into those innocent eyes full of "curiosity," speechless for a moment.
He knew she was just like Mawile, before realizing something, no matter how much you said, it would be pointless. One doesn't understand the meaning of liking, the other can't distinguish between curiosity and liking.
Overall, Mawile was much cuter, way more adorable, yeah.
Before leaving.
"I'll suggest to Boss Chi Yansong to give her more tasks. That's about all I can do for you." Huo Cun said seriously with his rounded belly.
"Good man!"
Baimu was deeply moved, and his impression of him instantly changed from a former bad guy to a not-so-bad bad guy.
Then he left without looking back.
Although Courtney couldn't really do much, mostly just cling to people all day and eagerly spar. But for someone who values personal space, the clinginess was too much to handle.
Just thinking about being watched all day was unbearable for him.
At the same time.
Considering he's been in the spotlight a bit too much recently and always being watched when going out.
Baimu decided to forgo going to Mauville City to get the fourth badge and instead detoured to reside in Verdanturf Town for a while.
Not just to avoid Courtney, but to escape others' attention as well.
The ultimate goal is to return gloriously to the Ore Region with fame. Before fully growing up, too much attention could affect his later Pokémon training.
Anyway, there's still a long time before the League Conference and the Gorgeous Festival to improve Porygon, Galarian Corsola, and Zweilous, get them to learn more usable moves for official contests, and then challenge the Lavaridge Gym, Fallarbor Conference, and so on.
Let's skip the Verdanturf Conference.
Having Aggron and the others always on the field might result in lacking battle experience for other Pokémon.
Hmm... Galarian Corsola has already been in two battles.
Mainly, the first three gyms were mostly physical attack-heavy, with its Absorption Power, it's very suitable for battles.
Baimu knew he currently lacked overall team strength, having too few usable Pokémon, always limited to the few starter Pokémon.
Not that relying on Aggron's combat strength is bad, but Pokémon battles are ultimately three-on-three or six-on-six team battles. He must connect the later Pokémon with the initial ones.
Like how in the animation, most trainers seemed to battle six-on-six, but it ended up like one-on-one. He didn't want to follow those guys.
And after he left not long.
A message came to his phone, and it was from Courtney.
The sentences in the message were much more normal, saying she'd be out on tasks for a while, and when she returned, she'd find him to battle again.
"Looking forward to our next battle, to analyze you more."
Such scary content!
Although it was a normal challenge request, Baimu felt a shiver down his spine, simultaneously grateful for Huo Cun's response.
No wonder he's aiming to be Magma Team's best member!
——
Route 103.
This road connects to Route 110, which is also precisely where the Magma Team's base is located.
Heading left from here leads to Verdanturf Town, and heading right leads to Mauville City.
However, going to Verdanturf requires crossing a large inland lake, and near Verdanturf Town, there are towering mountains. Without going through Route 117 and Kalu Tunnel, you'd have to climb over or go around.
In terms of distance, it would certainly be a detour.
But along the way, you'd likely see more Wild Pokémon, and occasionally bump into trainers for an exciting Pokémon battle, which Baimu was happy to do.
Thus.
He began a rather long outdoor adventure.
On one hand, training his Pokémon, while on the other, moving closer to Verdanturf Town.
Yet one afternoon.
By the river, Baimu was about to start his daily normal simulation, when he saw a talent in the selectable talent slots that surprised him greatly.
[Villain Role (Join a Villain Organization)]
White Talent?
It was a white talent, right?
Baimu rubbed his eyes, confirming it was indeed an ordinary talent. But in dozens of simulations, this was the first time this talent appeared.
Lately mingling too much with villains, so they threw him a villain role?
But before, when he was just a small villain foot soldier, this thing never showed up!
He quickly recalled the region he selected earlier—
Johto!
Oh crap, it's Rocket Team!