Cyan Iridium Street.
The place where Baimu grew up.
The area there was cramped, with shanties, broken brick houses, and tin houses everywhere.
The environment was dirty and messy, even the water wasn't very clean.
Everyone fought tooth and nail to work and huddled together for warmth just to barely survive, while also enduring the exploitation from top to bottom by the Quicksand Team, making it unimaginable how they managed to endure.
Later, he luckily escaped a chase by connected individuals in the abandoned mine with the help of an Aron and survived the charity battle royale, earning Liu Ge's appreciation and promotion to squad leader.
The folks on Cyan Iridium Street were thus finally free from their fate of being oppressed.
And as Baimu grew stronger step by step, life on Cyan Iridium Street improved along with him, so much so that they didn't even need extra support from him. With less embezzlement and exploitation by wicked people, the residents naturally were no longer in distress.
During the liberation battle.
Most people joined the Rescue Organization, and Cyan Iridium Street was destroyed by Shadow Pokémon and bombs, leaving nothing but countless rubble and ruins.
But "home" was not lost because of this.
Instead, with the complete victory of the liberation battle, they truly gained their own home, obtaining the right to a peaceful and happy life just like other regions.
Up until now.
The shanties and broken brick houses have turned into rows of brand new townhouses, and the water flowing from the taps is no longer murky yellow but clear tap water.
Outside, not only can you see greenery, but also many Pokémon.
The elderly are looked after, and the young are nurtured.
These are all what Baimu witnessed with his own eyes before setting out on his journey, and further realized from the photos taken later by Shanren, Cheng Hong, and others.
While being deeply grateful to the Rescue Organization.
The people of Cyan Iridium Street never forgot the child whom they selflessly fed, giving up portions of their own food to raise, and who later led them step by step into the light.
Even as he set out on his journey, needing no longer their protection, they always thought of when he would return.
Return to Pyrite Town, return to Cyan Iridium Street, their shared home.
"Everyone is waiting for you!"
Cheng Hong spoke softly, and the others nodded in agreement.
Uncontrollable tears and expectant gazes deeply moved Baimu as he embraced his familiar companions.
He solemnly said, "I will return! But... not just yet."
"Why? I heard from the mayor that after the Ever Grande Conference, it's the Champion Alliance of the Hoenn Region… Baimu, let's go back to Ore; everyone will acknowledge you as Ore's Champion. Don't become Hoenn's Champion, okay?"
Otsuka wiped away his tears and pleaded.
This guy seemed not to consider Baimu's inability to defeat the Hoenn Four Heavenly Kings and Champion Da Wu, as if he could do it just because he wanted to.
After all, in Otsuka's heart, Baimu could laugh victorious over all foes, except for that one defeat to Shanren.
"Idiot! I have other things to do!"
He lightly tapped the other's head, settling the surge of emotions within, and said, "I definitely can't attend the Champion Alliance, but I have some final matters to wrap up."
He once thought about attending the Champion Alliance to battle only the Four Heavenly Kings without challenging the Champion.
Because whether win or lose, it would be rather disadvantageous for him and Shanren's forthcoming "Ore Replica of the Dan Emperor" plan.
It was only later, through a stroke of luck, when he stayed at the Glazed Gym and sought advice from Mikoli, an experienced member of the Champion Alliance, that he realized how presumptuous his thoughts were.
Not to mention whether he could even defeat the Four Heavenly Kings.
Abandoning the Champion's title defense battle means withdrawing after defeating the Four Heavenly Kings, and without a sufficiently convincing reason, how could the Hoenn Alliance allow such arbitrary participation and withdrawal?
Furthermore.
The Champion Alliance not only serves the tournament winners but also the Four Heavenly Kings.
They also covet the champion's throne, striving years on end to overthrow the champion, and defeating them only to casually withdraw would be considered disrespectful to them.
One careless move.
Could severely damage Baimu's reputation.
After Mikoli explained everything, in the afternoon practice, he brought out his full roster of main Pokémon to battle with him, and then stated after the battle that if participating in the Champion Alliance was merely for boosting fame.
Then he might as well have a public match with him.
To defeat the Master of the Gorgeous Competition, former Champion Mikoli, would certainly make him famous!
Baimu, who got "beaten soundly," resolutely admitted his mistake and gave up on participating in the Champion Alliance.
He understood that Mikoli's objections were not at all because he was "greedy for fame," but rather about the sanctity of the Champion Alliance.
The Hoenn is a place where thousands of Trainers pursue their dreams; how could it work according to his whims?
Either participate and face fair loss or victory.
Or don't even enter the competition!
If you're giving up.
You must have the resolve to abandon everything!
Mikoli, as someone who voluntarily relinquished the champion position, clearly knew that wanting both at the same time was an unstable path.
Hence, upon stepping down, he proactively battled Da Wu in a world-announcing champion substitution match and suffered a crushing defeat!
Baimu gradually snapped back to reality, taking out some envelopes and handing them to Otsuka and others, saying: "In these days while I'm wrapping up, feel free to roam around the Hoenn Region, capture Pokémon if you like, buy whatever you wish to, and have fun.
"If the money runs out, come to me for more; once I'm done with my things, I'll come to take you back to Ore, understand?"
Receiving the yellow envelopes, the few responded in excited unison: "Understood!"
It had been a long time since they heard Baimu tell them what to do; it was truly nostalgic.
As for going with him?