"Clown!"
"Just showing off!"
"Really think you're something?"
"He absolutely doesn't dare, how could he have that kind of guts!"
A rustling of conversations began.
Harsh talk like this is very common in the Quicksand Team.
After all, it's just talk, who can't do it? Is spewing trash talk difficult?
But the calm and composed Baimu, who appeared as if he hadn't said anything at all earlier, made them worry, even if they repeatedly convinced themselves that he didn't dare do such a thing.
Wasn't it agreed that there's no background?
Lord Ayana actually went to pick him up personally? And pulled Otsuka along?
What if he actually does it?
What if I get implicated?
What if he's not just talking big, but serious?
They say the biting Poochyena doesn't bark, but this guy seems like he's ready to bite at any moment!
In the end, do I have a conflict of interest with him?
The guy just wants to coexist peacefully, why target him, unless there's some benefit in it.
Yeah!
A lot of people suddenly realized, why provoke such a fool who's ready to fight to the death at any moment, when the competition ends and everyone parts ways.
After exchanging glances, these guys immediately withdrew or hid their hostility towards Baimu.
Nothing happened.
The atmosphere returned to its original state.
But inside, an unwilling gaze also withdrew, knowing that doing something unfavorable would only expose oneself, there would eventually be a day to eliminate that guy.
With a hand on Otsuka's pale lips and shoulders, Baimu looked around, slightly surprised at his words having immediate effect.
The effect was astonishingly good, are they all "smart people"?
To be honest, he always thought the Quicksand Team's punks lived only for talk and face, with no foresight, today is an eye-opener.
That's good.
Saves more talk.
"Let's battle, Otsuka, but remember to be gentle with your Pokémon, I only have Aron, if anything goes wrong, I won't be able to participate in the competition."
Baimu patted the boy beside him on the shoulder.
"Why!"
Otsuka gritted his teeth angrily.
"Why... aren't we good friends, Otsuka?" He looked at the other in surprise, "You behaving like this makes me unhappy!"
Who's good friends with you!
Otsuka's face almost twisted into a mask of agony, yet faced with Baimu's crude threats, after much internal struggle, he chose to comply meekly, being pulled along by a weak force.
Like an elementary school student whose lunch money is robbed by an older student.
The surrounding gaze towards Otsuka was filled with pity, no one wants to bend over backward, but reality is often helpless.
Better him than me, Otsuka, please!
——
Although Aron joined five days ago, due to a right leg injury, Baimu hadn't allowed it to properly battle yet.
Today is a serendipitous moment, finding a good sparring partner.
Thinking it might be easier to gain level or evolution opportunities with this than with Cheng Hong and their Pokémon... at what level does Aron evolve into Lairon?
Baimu couldn't remember.
Actually, there's no need to remember, Pokémon evolution mostly relies on opportunities, on sudden insight, like the Bulbasaur evolution ceremony in Mysterious Garden, or the large migration of Silcoon evolving into Beautifly in Littleroot Town forest.
Once the time comes it'll evolve, although it's somewhat related to levels, it's not absolute.
That's how it is, grabbing the opportunity is incredibly difficult.
"Come on, this is our first battle." Baimu encouraged Aron, the more battles and practice, the easier to find the chance for evolution.
Not far away.
Otsuka, furrowed brow and face troubled, held two Pokeballs, and shouted angrily, "Hey! Which one are you selecting?"
Baimu: "Show them all! Who knows what Pokémon you have! Hurry it up!"
"You—"
Otsuka gritted his teeth in anger, opened the two Pokeballs in hand.
Bang bang!
With a light sound, an alert-eyed Graveler and a hunched Sandshrew landed, their energetic appearance starkly different from many Pokémon held by Quicksand Team members.
"Hmm... why haven't you helped your Graveler evolve through communication? Are you waiting for something?"
Baimu looked at Otsuka curiously, "Or is Graveler devalued after evolving, inconvenient for you to sell?"
"Who's selling Pokémon! And what on earth is communication evolution!" Otsuka shot back, and soon saw a disdainful yet scornful gaze.
"Eh—don't you even know about communication evolution? Truly a disgraceful Trainer!"
"You, I, what do you care! Are we battling or not, so much drivel!" Otsuka's face turned blue then red.
Baimu waved his hand, "Of course battle, just start with Graveler."
The other should have been a Trainer for quite some time, yet doesn't know communication evolution, Quicksand Team certainly has communication exchange machines, maybe Otsuka simply lacks knowledge?
It's a bit strange.
Then, under Otsuka's command, the half-human tall rock rolled not far from Aron.
"I'll let you attack first!"
As the battle commenced, Otsuka seemed to regain his confidence, said quite arrogantly.
"Okay."
Baimu didn't humble himself either, given it's his first time formally directing a Pokémon battle, not everything is familiar, "Iron Wall!"
"Goo!"
Upon hearing his voice, Aron's surface immediately emitted a deep silver halo, orange-red energy surged ahead under its feet, symbolizing a growth in capability.
The opponent having Ground Attribute, four times countering Rock and Steel Attributes Aron, recklessly attacking could easily get it killed, using Iron Wall at the beginning to enhance defense ability is reassuring no matter how much it increases.
Otsuka saw this and laughed, "Haha, being timid won't win a battle! Graveler, use 'Rollout' and 'Defense Curl'!"
"Growl!"
Graveler bellowed, tightly pressing its two stout arms against its surface, and at the moment the orange-red energy surged, it rolled forward swiftly!
This combo Graveler obviously practiced many times, hence the rapid execution speed.
Rumble rumble—
The ground kept vibrating as it rolled rapidly, yet Baimu remained calm.
"Dig and await your opportunity!"
Swish swish...
A great deal of sand flew, Aron seemingly sunk into water disappearing from view, narrowly missing the rolling Graveler, quite unfortunate.
Baimu showed a look of relief, although 'Rollout' as a Rock Attribute move wasn't particularly effective against Aron, but who knows how much damage it would cause.
He was about to speak, when he saw Graveler's endorsement didn't diminish, rolling straight towards him!
In crisis, he abruptly rolled sideways evading, though smeared with dust, he avoided Graveler's 'Rollout' attack.
"Did you have Graveler attack me? Seriously?"
Baimu looked at the gloating Otsuka with a solemn expression.
"Gah!" Otsuka's smile froze on his face, for some reason his heart raced, he turned his head aside unwilling to meet the gaze, "You were directly in the path of Graveler's movement, blame me? Besides, that's how battles are, never considering trainers, getting hit is your bad luck!"
Would you damn well look at him while talking!
The several secretly watching cursed inwardly, yet oddly Otsuka never acted so cowardly before, how today with Baimu, he's like Raticate seeing Meowth.
"…True, it's my problem."
Baimu's stern expression softened, since Trainers are also in the field, being hit by Pokémon attacks is inevitable. Upon reflection, I was indeed in Graveler's unavoidable path.
He just harbors certain caution towards Otsuka, leading to thinking it was intentional.
He turned around, immediately seeing Graveler aggressively make a big turn, edging on the wire mesh sparking much fire.
Speed increased.