She intended to become the Champion of the Unova Region, to be the pride of Teacher Shaka and Granny Long. The Champion of the Hoenn Region might also work, but ultimately, this isn't her hometown.
Unlike Ash Ketchum, who is solely focused on becoming a Pokémon Master, regardless of which region's champion.
At this point.
Baimu, too, must bid farewell to his friends.
Xiaogang is going back to Kanto to visit his parents and siblings, and along the way, to pursue his path as a Pokémon Doctor.
Xiaoguang plans to return to Sinnoh for a period of rest and then head to the Unova Region to participate in the Gorgeous Competitions there.
Alice received intel of Rayquaza's appearance near Pacifidlog Town and plans to go see it; she hasn't forgotten her primary purpose for coming to the Hoenn Region.
Mann Chong is preparing to return to the Johto Region to participate in this year's Champion League.
This news was already known to everyone at yesterday's celebration, where they had planned to be live bystanders.
Mann Chong shyly declined.
Finally, Liuqia will also continue her Gorgeous Competition idol career; not appearing in public activities for an extended period easily leads to being forgotten by the world.
Everyone has their own ideas, and their own futures.
"Thank you all so much for your support and help along the way. Until we meet again!"
Baimu raised his hand and lightly clapped with them.
"Come to the Pewter Gym to play when you have time!"
"Take care, everyone~"
"Piplup!"
"Next time, I won't lose to you!"
"Baimu, I'm going to Ore, so you better wait for me!"
"Remember to visit the Gym; Uncle and the others are surely always there, and I will be too."
"Churu~"
Everyone exchanged different words, dispersing the sadness of parting. Although their time together was not so long, the forging of friendship isn't measured by the length of time.
Not long after.
Xiaogang and the others boarded ferries headed to different places, waving to Baimu down at the pier.
Piplup cried hard.
It knows its love will once again drift away like the wind, end without result.
The time spent together wasn't enough for it to win over either Mawile or the Altered-color Milotic; everyone remained just friends.
"Goodbye! Piplup! Xiaoguang!"
Baimu smiled happily.
A hesitant little penguin wanting to find love? What a daydream!
Woo—
The siren sounded long.
The big ship set sail towards the horizon's end, until completely disappearing.
He looked at the glistening sea, squinting slightly.
"Alone again, huh."
The taste of traveling alone and traveling with others is different; both hold interest and make him deeply nostalgic for all he's encountered.
Suddenly.
The phone vibrated, the caller unknown.
Baimu answered, "Hello?"
"Hello, is this Mr. Baimu? I'm Olivia, President Luozi's secretary from the Galar Pokémon Alliance."
A calm female voice came from the other end of the line.
Olivia?
He was stunned for a moment, surprised that such a familiar figure would call him.
"What's the matter?"
"On behalf of President Luozi, I sincerely invite you to join the Galar Pokémon Alliance and become a Gym Leader of the Galar Alliance. I wonder if you have time after the Champion League to come to Wyndon City in the Galar Region for a detailed discussion?"
Wow!
Luozi wants to recruit him to be a Gym Leader?
Shanren's "Ore Emperor" plan is yet to be made public, currently only in the initial phase of boosting his exposure.
Baimu rejected without hesitation, "Sorry, Miss Olivia, please thank President Luozi for me, but I am not interested in becoming a Gym Leader of the Galar Alliance."
"Please hold on, you may not yet understand the significance of the Galar Alliance, but that's okay, you can consider it carefully and respond to me after the Champion League."
Olivia's voice remained calm; she knew well that Baimu at this moment was full of glory and pride.
Naturally, he wouldn't easily agree to becoming a Gym Leader.
But she didn't expect.
"No need, Miss Olivia. I won't be participating in the Hoenn's Champion League, nor do I have any intention of becoming a Gym Leader in the Galar Region."
Baimu let out a soft laugh, "I will become Champion, the strongest Champion of the Ore Region! Pass my regards to Champion Dan Emperor."
Click.
He hung up the phone.
At one o'clock in the afternoon.
A news item began quietly making its way to the tail end of the trending list about the Ore Region's launch of its inaugural Pokémon tournament.
Soon after, it soared straight to the top!