"It's just part of the job, Ash Ketchum has done no less than I have."
Baimu dared not take undue credit.
In terms of contributions to Pokémon, Ash Ketchum was much greater, even stepping between two battling Divine Beasts and Phantom Beasts, and once jumping into a lava pool to save a Pokémon.
The sight left the Moltres present stunned.
N shook his head and said, "It's not about doing more or less; knowing that you're doing it and have never given up is enough to move me."
"True enough."
Baimu smiled brightly and shifted his gaze.
He noticed that among the crowd stood Liu Ge, Flop, and others, inevitably feeling curious, and asked, "How come you—"
"The boss has been assigned as the deputy warden of that prison to the east, came here on special leave today."
Flop exchanged glances with several other international police, saying, "We're about the same, after all, still his team members."
Liu Ge smiled lightly, arms crossed, not speaking, as if she hadn't heard what he said.
Baimu was puzzled, "So, what does that mean?"
"Of course, it's a promotion! But the headquarters felt the boss was too young for the warden position he was aiming for..."
Flop pursed his lips, looking terrified, because Liu Ge was smilingly placing her hand on his head.
Those familiar with Liu Ge had no doubt Flop would be in serious trouble if he said another word, as she would crush his skull.
There was a burst of good-natured laughter around.
Then.
Baimu greeted the familiar residents of Cyan Iridium Street, met with the cadres of the Rainbow Team, those he took in after becoming a leader. Though not as close as with Otsuka and the others, all admired him greatly.
Among them was Huo Wu, a former member of the Rescue Organization, once captured while undercover in the Evil Dog Team.
After learning they stood on the same side, that Baimu was also a member of the Rescue Organization, and had rebuilt Magnetic Barium Street, she became as fervent an admirer as Otsuka and the others.
Though unable to blend into Otsuka's group of boys.
After seeing familiar and unfamiliar faces, Baimu spotted the Magma Team cadres, Courtney and Huo Cun, hiding under a large tree.
"How have you two been?"
"Very well... Baimu... Let's... battle again..."
Courtney's speech was still the same, words coming out one by one.
Chubby Huo Cun helplessly watched her, saying to Baimu, "Don't mind what she says. If you have free time in a couple of days, please visit Silicon City. Boss Chi Yansong can't leave right now, but he wishes to see you."
The vast lands of the Ore Region, compared to the humid and rainforest-covered Hoenn, were more suited for Chi Yansong to fulfill his ambitions.
More crucially, Ore was still an undeveloped "virgin land" in the wild.
Chi Yansong fully experienced the joy of starting from scratch to play construction games.
Unfortunately, Ore wasn't his homeland after all.
"Got it."
Baimu nodded.
After finishing meeting and greeting all familiar faces, under Shanren's lead, thousands of people joyfully escorted Baimu into Pyrite Town.
However, compared to when he left, Pyrite Town was now three times its former size.
Pyrite Arena acted as the city center, divided into residential, commercial, industrial zones, etc., based on regional functions.
Given its size, calling it Pyrite City wouldn't be an exaggeration.
The old shantytown and wasteland steampunk-style houses had been entirely dismantled, replaced by modern European-style buildings, with neatly paved stone slabs and bricks on the ground.
With shady green trees and flowerbeds everywhere, only the air remained slightly dry.
Baimu was very gratified.
Outsiders might find the wasteland steampunk style chic, but it was merely somewhat stylish.
There was no need for houses unsuitable for living to exist.
However.
Shanren mentioned he left a section of old houses in the west of the city for building a wasteland steampunk amusement park to attract future tourists.
He never missed any methods to attract outsiders.
Surprisingly.
The villa area assigned to Sand Group cadres was left intact, with the shrubs and small trees planted by Aggron's paws still present, including the large tree moved specifically to the backyard.
Shanren had hired professional gardeners to take care of it.
"Everyone, let's stop here. I'm really sorry to disturb your work time! I'll come to visit you all!"
Baimu shouted loudly to the crowd that had followed him all the way.
Unfortunately, his voice wasn't loud enough for tens of thousands to hear clearly, so there was a bit of a clamor before gradually dispersing.
Pyrite Town was still being reconstructed, so they were actually quite busy. Even the old and young had their tasks, and coming to welcome him was like a holiday for a special event.
Children were likely the most reluctant to leave, firstly because they idolized Baimu greatly, and secondly, like youths outside, they were quite resistant to going to school.
Previously, Pyrite Town only had literacy classes, no schools.
Wealthy or gang executives generally sent their children to school in Silicon City or hired a private tutor.
Shanren specially requested many teachers from the Hoenn Alliance to come to Ore for basic education, and quite a few responded.
Though many youths in the Pokémon World choose to travel after turning ten, traveling doesn't mean they completely skip school; some return to school after their travels.
Out of respect for knowledge and admiration for all professors, teachers hold a high status in the Pokémon World.
A strong sense of mission made teachers more than willing to teach in the Ore Region—
Shanren spared no expense.
With substantial rewards, a boost in credentials, and a chance to fulfill their education ambitions, how could Hoenn teachers refuse?
Even Du Juan seemed interested in coming to Pyrite Town to hold an open class.
Shanren's main intent in bringing external teachers was to introduce mainstream regional peaceful ideologies, changing the mindset of the next generation in Pyrite Town.
Changing the older generation's way of thinking was too challenging, better to focus on the future generation.
"Alright then, take a good rest, long journeys must be exhausting. I'll come find you tonight, everyone prepared a special dinner for you."
Shanren stopped in front of the villa.
N and his two sisters showed no intent to follow Baimu inside, waving to the calm Zorua.
"Woof~"
Zorua gave a puppy-like bark, jumping out of Baimu's embrace, obediently following behind N.
Otsuka and the others said goodbye early and left; after being away for over a month, despite having cell phones for communication, they missed home terribly.
Baimu nodded, being welcomed by thousands was already an immense honor; his face was almost stuck in a smile.
As the last few left.
Courtney, eager to battle, was also dragged away by Huo Cun with difficulty, with the Mightyena behind them wagging its tail like a propeller.
In an instant.
The villa and surrounding garden fell silent.
Baimu gazed into the distance, as the villa was built on higher terrain, and with mostly two to three-story low residential buildings nearby, he had a clear view of the area outside Pyrite Town.
"There's a forest and even fields..."
Back in the Quicksand Team days, he never imagined seeing lush forests outside Pyrite Town, gazing into the distance, hardly any trace of the former desert remained.
In just half a year!
Utilizing Black Technology, Pokémon, and widespread communal effort managed to create such a miracle...
In his previous life, anywhere improving soil and water would take five or ten years!
Compared to the hardworking people of Pyrite Town and Pokémon, Baimu felt his achievements over the past half year were hardly worth pride.
"Whew... Come on, brothers and sisters! We're home!"
He reopened multiple Pokeballs, summoning all his Pokémon.
Roars resounded.
Aggron was as excited as ever, hurriedly running towards the trees it had planted, caressing them like lovers.
Mawile familiarly headed into the flat villa, checking if the belongings it left behind were still there.
Blissey kindly introduced everything to partners visiting for the first time.
"Happy~"
The Altered-color Milotic, seeing the automatic lawn sprinkler, swam over excitedly, letting out a pleasurable cry as water sprayed over it.
"Mee-lo~"
The Dreepy Siblings looked around thrilled, starting their exploration.
The Dragapult at the unfamiliar place, as usual, didn't dare come out.
The Galarian Corsola just wanted a comfy spot to continue napping.
Porygon II and Altered-color Gengar were intrigued, listening to Blissey describing their days living with the Trainer.
The Giant Steelix hovered through the air, wanting to burrow back into the mountain.
Hydreigon...
Sticking to its Trainer was its lifelong wish.