"Cheers—"
Clink!
The crisp sound of glass clashing.
Baimu smiled brightly as he withdrew his champagne glass, his gaze shifting from the people in front of him to those around.
The wide-open street was filled with rows and rows of rectangular dining tables, the shops on either side were brightly lit, with food freely available to anyone.
Familiar people and various Pokémon joyfully enjoyed the food, bursts of laughter occasionally reached their ears.
Even the young children and Pokémon played together freely.
The Aggron were blended in the crowd, with Mawile focused on desserts, while the Corsola and Baruto resisted crowded places, hiding in the villa waiting for Baimu to bring them treats, otherwise they were playing around with the children.
The Altered-color Gengar and the Dreepy siblings were even leading a group of mischievous kids running wild everywhere.
The lively atmosphere was akin to some celebration.
It wasn't just this street; distant streets were equally bright, constantly echoing noisy sounds.
[Welcome Banquet].
Shanren didn't specially gather the heads of various enterprises aiding Pyrite Town to introduce himself and bond in a lavish banquet hall. Nor did he arrange meetings in his villa, instead he just gathered with familiar comrades, partners from the Rainbow Team.
Shanren chose to revel with the community.
Let everyone who knows him share the joy of his return.
The Dragon Slayer finally becomes a dragon...
This saying might not hold true in the Pokémon World.
"What? Not used to it?"
Seeing Baimu dazing off, Shanren took a sip of champagne and said casually, "The idea was mine, but initially, it was only planned for Cyan Iridium Street; after all, you can't just spend money carelessly.
"In the end, your few good brothers secretly went and talked to the people on other streets, causing me to be stuck in the office. Those people insisted on participating with their own drinks and food... if anyone's to blame, blame Otsuka."
Upon hearing this, Baimu looked at Otsuka and the others sitting at the back table, these guys were eavesdropping, and when they noticed the two looking over, they immediately got up and slipped away.
These guys ran with laughter, faces smug, almost making Baimu feel itchy wanting to hit them.
However.
Seeing their youthful appearances, Baimu remembered that this group of younger brothers were about the same age as him.
In a previous life, at most, they'd be high schoolers.
Even in mainstream regions, teenagers at this age would either be traveling doing what they want, or attending school.
And looking back at Otsuka and the others' lives, reflecting on that charity event throwing hundreds together to duel within a fixed range, it's hard not to feel the disparities of the world.
But the Rescue Organization gave the young people of Pyrite Town the right to choose.
Baimu raised his glass: "I just admire you more and more, cheers."
"Thanks for the compliment, cheers."
Shanren smiled and clinked glasses with him.
Clink!
"What about Ying Yuan's matters, have you thought about it?" Shanren nodded toward Ying Yuan, who was awkwardly declining food others offered.
Ying Ma boldly downed a dozen beers, competing toe-to-toe with Cheng Hong, the leading figure of Cyan Iridium Street's younger generation, besides Baimu.
Unfortunately, he clearly couldn't hold his liquor; a third in, he was already dizzy, being cautiously stopped by those nearby.
Ying Ma, having already finished his beer, laughed heartily, shouting proudly:
"My boss can't beat your boss, but you can't out-drink me! I won! Hahaha—burp~"
He suddenly covered his mouth, his face turning bluish-purple, and ran out to find a corner to puke loudly.
The crowd watching found it hilarious.
Baimu withdrew his gaze, shook his head slightly, saying: "I can only temporarily act, this time back I wasn't planning to stay too long, maybe one or two months, truly managing Pyrite Arena is too burdensome for me."
After the battle, Ying Yuan claimed a sudden awakening, wanting to travel with Ying Ma to take care of his younger brother and broaden his horizons, enhance his strength.
In this situation, the Rescue Organization entrusted Pyrite Arena to Ying Yuan couldn't be managed, hence decided to hand it over to Baimu.
By ancient rule, the arena should be governed by the strongest Trainer in the area.
Baimu decisively refused, stating he'd at most temporarily act.
Why truly inherit when you can choose the Glazed Gym?
"One or two months!"
Shanren exclaimed, although knowing Baimu wouldn't stay in Ore permanently, he didn't expect it to be this brief.
He softly replied: "If I wanted to be just a regular Regional Champion, I'd stay in Ore, but I want to be world number one."
His tone was calm, as though world number one was within reach as long as he desired it.
And Ore Champion was already within his grasp.
Even Shanren, filled with confidence in him, couldn't help but lament hearing this: "You're really shameless, voicing this in Ore could make plenty want to kill you."
"No worries, if they don't come for me, I'll go for them."
Baimu smiled slightly: "During this period, I plan to visit every corner of Ore Region, seeking chances to battle with those arena leaders, Masters of Battle Mountain."
"You..." Shanren didn't understand his intentions.
Baimu then shared his judgment made during the battle with Ying Yuan, regarding various fundamentals of Ore Trainers being weak.
Shanren looked perplexed.
"Is that true?"
"Huh? Didn't you study abroad, participated in several league conferences, this sort of thing—" suddenly he remembered Shanren only got runner-up in the conferences, and upon returning focused on resisting Shadow Team alongside regional development.