Small head, big dilemma.
If it were two days ago, faced with this situation, Dragapult would definitely choose to become invisible and act as if nothing happened.
Avoidance is shameful but useful, right.
But right now... Dragapult is unsure how Baimu views it; at least it feels more fondness towards Baimu, or else it would have dodged yesterday when its tail was pressed against the head.
Thus, conflicts are often undesirable.
The invisibility and observation from the past few days also made it realize that the Trainer has absolute authority in command.
Don't be fooled by the occasional silence; in reality, a combo strategy was already formulated last night or earlier.
For example, what move the opponent used, and how should one respond to it? When the opponent kicks, should one retreat or brace against it?
Every aspect has been carefully studied based on existing intelligence, and corresponding decisions have been made.
No matter how many times Dragapult observed, it found it amazing and couldn't help but wonder how this person always seems to know the opponent's thoughts, as if every point were crystal clear.
However, "obedience" is indeed a bit difficult for it.
Its body reacts faster than its brain can think, what can it do?
With an outward calmness but an active inner mind, Dragapult's brain was about to turn into mush; in the end, it simply imitated Corsola by staying silent and flying back.
Whatever happens!
Breaking the jar is its final stubbornness.
However, as it approached Baimu, Dragapult could not help but feel uneasy. Seeing Baimu raise a hand, it instinctively closed its eyes and lowered its head, like a puppy ready for a scolding.
"Well done, great job."
Only a gentle warmth was felt on the top of its head. It opened a tiny slit and found that instead of the imagined gloomy or angry face, there was only a peaceful smile and sincere gratitude.
"Waddles..."
Dragapult raised its falling triangular head, saw Baimu passing by and talking with a stranger, and couldn't help but blink.
The Trainer... always so easygoing.
Yes.
Having observed for so long, it hardly ever saw the person in front of it angry at any other Pokémon, at most touching its head with a helpless smile, or feigning disdain by scolding a couple of times -
Among them, Hydreigon was the most scolded.
It overthought things.
For a moment, Dragapult felt deeply ashamed of its previous thoughts, wishing to immediately return to its Pokeball, only relaxing a bit once its form was hidden, feeling a sense of inner peace.
And upon seeing Baimu turn around, its heart couldn't help but flutter, eyes drifting, even invisibly, not daring to meet his gaze, looking as if to say, "Pay no attention to me, pay no attention to me."
It even forgot that it was hidden.
Baimu remained calm, or perhaps he was already used to it, asking softly: "Are you there?"
Dragapult hesitated for a moment, responded softly.
"... Waddles~"
"Let's go, let's find a place to stay at the Pokémon Center."
——
Shuijing City.
As the largest tourist city in the eastern Hoenn, it is known as "where land ends, the sea begins."
For Baimu, Shuijing City is not only where he won the fourth ribbon of the Gorgeous Competition but also an important starting point for his journey to Mossdeep City and Glazed City.
Standing on a high slope overlooking the distance, he could see bustling ports with numerous ships coming and going, carrying people from all over the world. A towering lighthouse like a jade sculpture reflected soft light under the sun.
"What a bustling port city..."
Baimu suddenly thought of Jinqing Port in the Ore Region. Lately, he has been focusing on Gym challenges and participating in the Gorgeous Competition, not keeping in contact much with Shanren. Yet, thoughts of Ore frequently crossed his mind.
In the beginning, when he first arrived in Hoenn, he never had such thoughts. Now, months later, he finds himself increasingly missing it.
Undoubtedly.
What he misses is not the chaotic days in Pyrite Town, nor those monsters and ghosts who disregard them, but the land, that vast expanse needing transformation with the help of many.
Part of him belongs there.
It is said that recently Aggron often exchanges thoughts with Steelix about its mountain, asking how the transformation is going.
"Ore..."
Baimu narrowed his eyes slightly, while Dragapult beside him wondered why he would display such an expression.
Ore?
What is Ore?
It gently moved its body, stirring up a breeze that caught the attention of a nearby Snubbull.
"Snubbull?"
Like a pink bulldog, Snubbull sniffed around curiously, noticing that its Trainer had walked far, promptly making a dash to catch up.
"Waddles..."
Dragapult hid beside Baimu, secretly letting out a breath.
It really doesn't like canine Pokémon, because whenever it passes by them, they bark as if mad, scaring dragons; this one seems pretty fierce and probably of the same ilk.
While pondering, Dragapult noticed Baimu moving forward, immediately scampering behind, not unlike the previous Snubbull.
Shortly after.
Baimu, leaving the Pokémon Center, stayed at the famous Shuijing lodging.
The biggest feature here is its proximity to the sea and remoteness from the port, allowing intimate observation of the surging blue sea and the islands faintly revealing their outlines.
In the Hoenn eastern sea, besides several important towns existing in games, there are also countless scattered small islands.
The animation features an island specifically for training battle referees.