Pyrite Town was successfully liberated.
However, the Rainbow Team did not disband. From Shanren to Ayana, Otsuka, Cheng Hong, and others, they still considered themselves part of the Rainbow Team.
Key members who temporarily became Rainbow Team members also seemed to have no objections.
"Isn't this not so great? We just finished and now a small group emerges."
Baimu was worried that the Rainbow Team might split the Rescue Organization, which was unfavorable for Ore's future development.
More importantly, he felt a sense of having claimed the fruits of victory.
Shanren glanced at him strangely, "What's wrong with that? Moreover, what kind of small group is this? Shouldn't you perceive it as an emerging faction?"
"Everyone considering themselves part of the Rainbow Team means they all want to stick with you. Besides, haven't I told you the reason for establishing the Rainbow Team?"
"..."
He remained silent.
Seeing him rather serious, Shanren had no choice but to say: "Let me ask you a question, who do you think contributed the most in the battle of Pyrite Town?"
"Everyone contributed greatly... Okay, Liu Ge?"
"See, you're quite clear. Although he has little reputation among the civilians, within the Rescue Organization he's the leading figure. In the future, with a bit of publicity, he can naturally become the dominant force in Pyrite Town."
"So, you're going to compete with him."
"Exactly, if you don't strive, you'll never gain leadership. I understand your concerns. But this is peaceful competition, you think Liu Ge doesn't know what I'm doing? He didn't stop it, implicitly agreeing."
"...How do you compete?"
"Besides relying on actual achievements, how else can one compete? Right now, Pyrite Town most needs reconstruction and revitalization of industries; whoever does well will get the mandate of the people. And to accomplish these, sufficient manpower is indispensable. What do you think Pyrite Town lacks most now?"
"Money?"
"How could it be money! Do you know how much money was seized after capturing those illegal traders in the Underground City? Right now, what Pyrite Town lacks is talent!"
"With money, doesn't talent come..."
"The people attracted by money, what's the difference between them and those old profit groups? Though it might sound one-sided, you must understand that Pyrite Town most lacks young, ambitious, and motivated talents with dreams."
Shanren was full of grand plans, and the Rainbow Team was his bridge to realizing his ambition, "Continually attract more people to join, only then Pyrite Town has a future."
Baimu had nothing to say.
The person before him was not a recent idealist emerging from Ivory Tower; he understood well what was feasible and what was not in the past Pyrite Town, yet still advanced firmly.
Maybe, through his efforts, Ore could truly have a bright future like Galar...
"You don't need to look at me, you also have a tough task ahead, now just enjoy the spoils of victory." Shanren patted his shoulder, "Do well in your role as the leader of the Rainbow Team, and wait for the day I entrust you with an important task."
Baimu: "Hm!?"
Seeing Shanren's peculiar smile, an idea inevitably formed in his mind—
This guy wouldn't make him catch the Divine Beast, would he?
Ore Region, as a Side Story Region, doesn't have its own Legendary Pokémon. Just, unless aiming to dominate the world, or like Eternatus, which can create a special environment, most Legendary Pokémon don't really matter whether they exist or not.
It's probably not to that extent.
Baimu thought silently to himself.
In fact.
Within the Rainbow Team's territory, people indeed were more accepting of Baimu from a civilian background at the top, rather than a Rescue Organization that seemed to have suddenly emerged but actually lurked by their side for years.
When they found out that those who once exploited them turned into those serving them, their support for Baimu became more sincere and fiery.
Whenever Baimu casually wandered around the Quicksand Team's old territory, he often saw people stopping their work to greet him warmly, salute, showing true respect.
In response, he pondered over the Rescue Organization's efforts.
Despite lurking in the shadows for long, over the years they had been subtly instilling the concepts of right and wrong, oppression by the upper class among the civilians, indirectly causing the lower middle class to start slacking, preventing certain organizations from continuing to expand.
In many unseen places, they had already placed their pieces, so this victory was definitely not just a stroke of luck, but a reward for their years of cultivation.
——
Within a couple of days, Genji and his crew along with a group of Dragon Tamers quietly departed.
According to the old captain, he missed his ship; having lived a life at sea, staying too long inland was uncomfortable.
Came silently, left silently.
Their stance of asking for no returns commanded respect from many.
"Shouldn't this deserve a monument or something."
Baimu expressed such sentiment, though in the Pokémon World, it's rarely customary to erect monuments for humans, especially the living.
But, if one must speak, they actually took something with them—
The Dragon Tamers took a vial of Baimu's blood, stating they would use modern instruments to determine which lineage Baimu belonged to, to clarify who his ancestors were.
For the Dragon People, heritage is extremely important, especially clarifying the ancestors.
Baimu, though, couldn't help but feel anxious again.
If it turns out they were wrong, would it cause a rift with the Dragon People? It probably wouldn't be to that extent; if they were small-minded, they wouldn't have come to aid the Ore Region.
"Why haven't you left?"
What puzzled Baimu was Wu staying behind.
"Pyrite Town still needs me. Besides, I'm looking forward to the Ore Alliance forming, and the Challenge Alliance becoming the Champion!"
Wu laughed, "I know Shanren has high hopes for you, but the Champion position has always been reserved for the region's strongest, am I allowed to compete?"
Almost all Dragon Tamers aim to reach the status of Four Heavenly Kings or above, Wu was no exception.
"Of course there's no problem."
Baimu had no interest in the predesignated Champion; having more contenders means more desire to advance.
However.
When will the Ore Alliance officially form? When will the Alliance Conference and Champion Alliance be launched?
With these questions, Baimu went to ask Liu Ge.
He said that the alliance's matters were mainly decided by Silicon City; given the current situation, it's hard to successfully establish within half a year.
"Uprooting Shadow Team's influence over Ore Region is more challenging than we imagined. Moreover, qualifications for Alliance participation and Champion Alliance standards need to be strictly formulated..."
Liu Ge shook his head, "We cannot do coarse work like Ergin, who even planned on appointing a champion. Besides being a laughing stock, what significance does such an alliance hold?"
"Moreover... Shanren still needs time to grow."
He slumped over the table as if fatigued, his wine-red hair draping over the desk, looking quite bright. He smiled, "What do you think my dream is?"
"——To save the Ore Region?"
"No, after that, or should I say before that."
"You wouldn't aim to be Champion too, would you?"
"Bingo~"
Liu Ge gestured with his right hand into the shape of a firearm, mimicking hitting the bullseye, "It's the Champion. I'm actually clueless about administration; I've grown tired in just a few days.
"Once Shanren achieves enough merit, I'll gladly hand over Pyrite Town to him; others likely won't have objections either."
Turns out this person wasn't planning to compete with Shanren...
No.
This person intends to compete with me!
Baimu's eyes widened, Liu Ge continued smiling and said, "So get ready, kid, I'm not giving up the Champion position to you!"
"I wouldn't ask for anything more!"
He nodded vigorously.
Suddenly realizing that even in the Ore Region, many trainers coveted the Champion's throne.