In Pyrite Town.
The Rescue Organization is the savior that has lifted hundreds of thousands from misery.
Countless people worship them and wish to join them as part of their ranks.
But in certain districts, such as the ones formerly controlled by the Quicksand Team and the Evil Dog Team, the residents not only want to join the Rescue Organization, but even more so, the Rainbow Team.
Just because.
The leader of the Rainbow Team is Baimu.
Once upon a time, the Quicksand Team exploited Cyan Iridium Street and Copper Mill Street to the extreme, turning countless people into shadows of their former selves; once the Evil Dog Team was destroyed, Magnetic Barium Street was left in ruins, with local residents starving and in rags.
Once the Ergin Forces attacked, brandishing slaughter with their Shadow Pokémon; once, the Shadow Pokémon were unstoppable, and resistance forces retreated again and again.
It was Baimu who, by leading by example, constrained his subordinates and brought a stable life to the people of the two streets.
It was Baimu who rebuilt the buildings on the ravaged Magnetic Barium Street without looting any possessions and instead trading them all for food to give to the refugees.
It was Baimu who, as the leader of the Rainbow Team, held back the high pressure from the Ergin Forces, commanding all civilians to evacuate the districts.
And it was Baimu who, when everyone had been forced to retreat to subsequent lines of defense, went against the current with countless Pokémon to fight against the Shadow Pokémon of the Ergin Forces!
Perhaps all he did had other reasons, perhaps he had numerous people helping him to advance step by step.
Yet it doesn't stop everyone from deeply admiring this young man who has grown from a boy to a man.
After all.
Before the Rescue Organization stood in front, no superior had ever done what he did.
No superior had ever ignored their own interests, given up everything within reach, and cared about whether everyone had a place to stay or a next meal.
No superior had ever openly restrained his subordinates, not letting them bully civilians casually.
And no superior had ever punished subordinates for oppressing civilians!
Let alone, disregarding their own safety and advancing against the current with Pokémon, just to earn time for reinforcements to arrive and for the Rescue Organization to rise up.
Without Baimu's presence, many people might have already died from exhaustion, hunger, sickness... or even been killed!
So it doesn't matter if the other districts in Pyrite Town don't know what Baimu did.
It doesn't matter if the Ore Region doesn't know what Baimu did either.
Only within the jurisdiction of the Rainbow Team.
Everyone remembers the kindness he bestowed on each person, remembers his heart that was different from any other superior.
The Ore Region is a wild land.
But the Pyrite Town People are not wild; they know gratitude, remember everyone who has been good to them, everyone who has helped them.
There are many heroes in the Rescue Organization.
Liu Ge, Flop, Shanren... and many others.
But in the hearts of the people within the Rainbow Team's jurisdiction, only Baimu is their hero!
A hero returns home, greeted by tens of thousands!
"Welcome home——!!"
The moment Baimu stepped out of the car, the shouting roared like thunder, even causing the ground of Pyrite Town to shake violently!
The salute of the cannons resounded!
The music harmonized!
Countless people and Pokémon raised their hands and banners, exerting all their strength to let him hear their voices.
What a formidable scene!
Countless people within Pyrite Town looked out to the town's outskirts upon hearing it, knowing what was happening outside even though they didn't go out to welcome him.
The only leader of the Rainbow Team, the legendary "Demon Wood," has returned!
"Everyone! I'm back!!"
Baimu responded loudly, looking at those familiar faces, those pairs of burning eyes, even if he had expected it, the warmth surged continuously in his heart.
The choices he made back then after much hesitation truly weren't wrong.
This is his hometown.
It is the place where countless people would look forward to his return, knowing the news and putting aside all work matters to specially welcome him back!
Standing at the forefront, Shanren opened his arms, greeting with a smile.
"Welcome back, our dear Chairman of the Rainbow Group."
"I am so honored, dear Mayor of Pyrite Town!"
Baimu returned the smile, then both extended their hands to shake each other's firmly, just like the moment they made an agreement outside the villa.
Soonafter.
N stepped forward with a beaming smile, holding a woven flower crown to place on his head. But that wasn't the end; he slightly tilted his head as if to kiss Baimu's cheek.
There was a commotion around, and quite a few people covered their children's faces.
"Zorua..."
A helpless complaint suddenly arose.
Then, the "N" who made the motion of kissing chuckled mischievously, and like a successfully executed prank, leaped into the air and transformed back into a small black fox.
Baimu, with quick eyes and hands, swiftly caught it and held it in his arms, his fingers swiftly and precisely scratching under its chin and along its spine, "That's for your prank!"
"Ah! Ah... hmm~ mm~"
Zorua's expression quickly changed from anger to comfort, and within two seconds, it was coquettishly wriggling.
N's sister, Babina and Helena, were speechless beside them.
One must know that although N's Zorua loved to play pranks on people it knew, it had never been close to anyone other than N, and now it was acting coquettishly in Baimu's arms!
The two couldn't help but glance at the real N standing behind Shanren.
"Baimu!"
N seemed oblivious, he only approached with a friendly smile to gently hug Baimu, "Welcome back, my friend! You indeed never let me down!"
He blinked as if hinting at something.
Baimu understood that he had likely communicated with Shadow Lugia and the Lugia Mother and Child.
As a friend to Pokémon, N cares equally for every Pokémon, whether or not it's a Legendary Pokémon. And Baimu, who aided the three Lugia, undoubtedly made N very happy to have trusted the right person.