Deck.
The Bosozoku were like geese with their necks tightly clenched.
"Uh... uh..."
They looked at each other, bewildered and confused.
Especially the Mohawk leader couldn't believe it, knowing that Electabuzz's Electric Shock was always effective, except against those attributes where the effect was minimal, usually knocking one out with one shot.
How could it hit the altered-color Milotic without effect and instead knock down Electabuzz?
This can't be right!
The applauding and mocking gazes of the onlookers pierced the Mohawk leader like needles, his face flushing as he quickly recalled the fainted Electabuzz and awkwardly shouted while pulling out another Pokeball:
"Don't- don't be so smug! This is just the first one! Best of three!"
The Mohawk used "Unreasonable Behavior".
The Bosozoku outside the field were not to be outdone, using "Long Howl" on the Mohawk continuously.
The Mohawk's attack increased!
However, neither the Mohawk's taunt nor the disdainful encouragement from the onlookers affected Baimu who did as he pleased.
"Can you use Self-Rebirth?" he asked expectantly, looking at the altered-color Milotic eager in front of him.
The altered-color Milotic brewed for a while and then shook its head sadly.
"Miro..."
Real battles are indeed the most effective way to improve strength, but learning moves still requires that sudden-inspired moment. Relying on self-inflicted injuries to trigger the epiphany of "Self-Rebirth" seems less than ideal.
Insufficient pressure? Limited understanding? Both are possible.
"No worries, just treat it as accumulating real combat experience."
Baimu softly comforted, about to accept the challenge when he noticed a crew member trying hard to approach through the crowd.
Regretfully, he recalled the altered-color Milotic.
Even though crew members won't stop usual Pokémon battles, the Bosozoku, who are prone to cause disorder, are definitely under their close watch.
They naturally won't allow others to be troubled by them.
"Hmm? You scared?"
The Mohawk leader saw his reluctance to continue fighting, a sudden joyful expression on his face, but before he could say anything, a shout came from the crew member who finally pushed through.
"What are you doing!?"
The Bosozoku collectively froze, not fearing the crew member, but the call device in the crew member's arms that could contact Officer Jenny at any time.
On the ferry, they had nowhere to run and could easily be caught once ashore.
"Tch!" The Mohawk leader's face turned sour, waving his hand, "Guys! Let's go! No fun!"
They fled the deck quickly like they were escaping.
The crowd cheered again, and the little girl and Pichu who were mocked heavily were also full of smiles. Bad guys being driven away and punished is a joy for all who crave order.
More Coordinator Trainers gathered around Baimu, sending friend requests amid constant praise.
They might have the ability to deal with the Bosozoku thugs as well, but remained fond of the former who kept his composure throughout.
With a clear mind, fear not even if the sky falls.
This demeanor made many yearn for him.
Baimu was happy to engage with more Coordinator Trainers, tired of being stared at like a thief sitting in the preparation room.
A little while later.
The outline of Glazed City slowly appeared on the other side of the horizon.
This once volcanic island now was not only packed with large and small houses within the crater but also the exterior was densely built, and entering it no longer required arduous diving efforts, with large enough tunnels facilitating ship passage.
Unfortunately, as the ferry passed through the tunnel, the excessively large Glazed City didn't let Baimu see the giant tree in the game, nor was the Divine Hall of Awakening visible, built who knows where.
Only a stretch of pure white square houses entered his sight.
They looked a lot like the tourist holy land of his previous life - Santorini in Greece.
"City of Glazed People..."
He was a bit curious about how many descendants of the Glazed People remained in Glazed City, but probably more than the Meteor People given Glazed City's openness to outsiders.
The ferry docked.
Baimu disembarked quickly to find lodging; Glazed City, with days of Mikoli Club preparation was already festive, with posters everywhere of Mikoli holding a trophy and ribbon, as lively as a festival.
The dock was crowded, people squeezing Pokémon, Pokémon squeezing people; if he didn't hurry he might not even find a place to sleep.
——Who was the brain behind banning online hotel reservations?
Baimu's heart felt stifled at the thought of Porygon II searching all night without finding a hotel allowing online booking, pondering whether to create a Secret Base using secret power on a wall and stay there.
Unventilated may still be better than wandering or sleeping rough.
Shortly after he left.
The Bosozoku feeling frustrated after searching for him unsuccessfully, originally intending to sneakily follow him after disembarking, but he vanished in an instant!
How could he run so fast!
——
Half an hour later.
Baimu left Pokémon Center speechless under Miss Joy's apologetic expression.
How come there were no rooms available two days ago?
Exactly how many tourists came to see the Mikoli Club in Glazed City?
Hadn't Ash Ketchum and his crew in the anime comfortably stayed at the Lakefront Hotel at the drop of a hat?
He took out his phone, wondering if Shanren's home had a sea view apartment in Glazed City, or maybe ask Adam, and if Adam couldn't help...