Night.
Baimu and Genji were having dinner together at Elder Qing Liu's home.
The elder had a great-granddaughter named Youzi, who was about five years old. She often held onto a soft and fluffy Goomy, speaking in a gentle voice and looking adorably cute.
She really liked Baimu, holding onto his coat hem ever since he entered the door.
The funny part was Genji seemed to like Youzi too, but Youzi dared not even glance at him, as if afraid he might eat her.
Baimu noticed the Old Celestial King's stern face concealed a hint of hurt, making him want to laugh but not dare to.
Crucially, he couldn't quite understand why children were afraid of Genji, whereas Ash Ketchum and Xiaoyao were perfectly normal and even willing to tour Genji's ship.
Is it a mindset issue?
That's the only explanation.
Overall, the dinner atmosphere was still quite pleasant, as Genji reminisced with great enthusiasm about his past failures due to blind arrogance—
Well, he assumed Baimu was hearing it for the first time.
In short, Genji used to win battles frequently, becoming arrogant in his youth, until a streak of losses made him finally wake up and correct himself, eventually soaring to the top of Hoenn's Four Heavenly Kings.
He felt very gratified seeing Baimu achieve such impressive results and receive countless praises without showing any signs of overconfidence.
In reality.
Such false fame wasn't enough to make Baimu arrogant.
To speak of fame and power, the time when the Quicksand Team had just taken over the Evil Dog Team's territory, before the Rescue Organization had fully revealed its intentions was far more exaggerated.
Although Pyrite Town seemed insignificant compared to the outside world, Baimu had already been promoted by Cang Zhilang to the cadre level, equivalent to Liu Ge, with several districts under his jurisdiction, nearly ten thousand people relying on his whims.
If he wasn't fond of someone, a word would see them disappear by the next day, every day people came to offer gifts seeking his favor, and flattering words had long become monotonous.
Yet, in the face of the inevitable downfall of the Quicksand Team and the rise of Genji-led Old Shadow Team, Baimu firmly adhered to his principles, confidently standing beside Liu Ge and Shanren.
Thus, the superficial fame from winning championships and tournaments was utterly insignificant.
Moreover, he was bearing the expectations of countless people.
After dinner.
Baimu indulged in his favorite activity—interacting with others' Pokémon.
Elder Qing Liu's Altaria was getting older, its blue feathers somewhat dim, but it still had a melodious voice, perfect for being the lead singer of the Meteor Village's opera group.
Genji's Pokémon mostly shared his character, regardless of their fierce looks, they were basically quiet and rarely made a sound, suspected to be due to their age.
Similar to how the brood in the Dragon Nest lazed around, idle and asleep when not battling.
The Volleyball Spirit Shelgon was very cute, rarely moving but occasionally joining in the antics of the Dreepy siblings, its little eyes darting around amusingly.
Salamence inexplicably grew closer to Aggron, and the two even took to gazing at the moon together...
Giving off a big brother caring for a smaller one vibe.
Anyway, when Baimu dropped by, "Aunt Xue" greeted him warmly, none of the ferocity from battles present, she even squinted with an elderly aunt and uncle vibe.
Presbyopia?
Considering the lifespan of Dragon-type Pokémon, non-pathological issues like presbyopia shouldn't occur, Genji's own eyes were fine!
He just regarded it as a habit of Salamence.
Whereas Genji carried around Flygon, which seemed to have fallen for the altered-color Milotic at first sight, showering affection since dinner till now.
Old fool!
With its decades of age, Flygon was fond of a young one not even ten years old... no, not even five!
Fortunately, Hydreigon was strong in internal strife and even stronger externally, serving as a physical barrier, firmly wedged between it and Milotic forbidding Flygon from getting close.
Thus, the two dragons currently couldn't stand each other, even argued once, stopping only when Genji discovered it.
Thanks to Porygon II's vivid translation, Baimu learned that Flygon accused Hydreigon of being lucky to win—resonance was due to luck.
Hydreigon taunted it wasn't much better, was Electric Light that fast normally? If it was, it would've been used long ago.
Thus, the two agreed to find another opportunity for a match tomorrow, without any Trainer commanding.
Without the interference of a Trainer, real skill can be assessed.
By the way.
Baruto was once again withdrawn.
Baimu had already gotten used to it.
This guy was reclusive, rarely interacting with other Pokémon, preferring to observe secretly, constantly dwelling on various bizarre thoughts, so it retreated to a corner drawing circles whenever losing battles.
At first it ran off, but was caught by Hydreigon who comforted then threatened it—
Run off again and get caught with revealing paint and perform in the crowded city center, then visit Dragon Nest to be interrogated by ten female Dragapult as to why it stole Brother Dragapult's scandal.
Despite the initial look in Baruto's eyes at it being like seeing an Evil Ghost, it didn't run after subsequent losses to Adam and Mikoli inducing its withdrawal.
Celebratory indeed.
Although figuring it out was pretty much impossible, eventually it would need to keep battling until it won, then all would be well.
Didn't win?
Fight again.
Even if it couldn't beat Genji's Pokémon, battling against other trainers' Pokémon a couple more times could rebuild its confidence.
This guy's mindset wasn't strong, not as fierce as it used to be in the wild.