Luozi!?
Baimu's mind was shaken as he realized he had mistaken someone for another upon a closer look.
The middle-aged man in front of him had the same bronze skin, a sexy and neat mustache on his chin, and wore a sharp gray suit.
However, he neither had Luozi's flowing long bangs nor his pronounced paunch.
The most important thing was that Baimu recognized him.
"Dennis... Uncle?"
"It's been half a year, Baimu. I never thought it would take so long before we could meet in person."
Dennis showed a gentle smile on his face.
Stationed in Silicon City, he had only been to Pyrite Town once in the past six months, for official business, and by then, Baimu was already away on a trip, nowhere to be found.
You could say their only "meeting" was during a phone meeting regarding the Rainbow Team, but due to the formal occasion and urgent situation, they didn't have the chance to talk privately.
Baimu didn't know how to respond, so he could only smile and look towards behind Dennis.
A tall, gentle-looking man stood there, nodding respectfully as Baimu looked over.
Dennis introduced him with a smile: "This is my secretary, Albert. I planned to come alone, but he found out."
"President, if we can't reach you at critical times, everyone will be troubled," Albert said, in a low voice, his expression inscrutable.
The title of President comes from the full name of the Rescue Organization —
[Rescue Alliance of the Ore Region].
As the current leader, Dennis is naturally called President.
He laughed heartily, spreading his hands helplessly, "As you can see, I'm not even my own master now, there's just too much to do, I wake up troubled every morning."
"Shanren often says the same, you two are really alike," Baimu remarked politely.
Unexpectedly, Dennis seemed pleased by this comparison: "Do you really think so?"
Huh?
What's going on?
Baimu was completely unprepared for such an odd reaction from Dennis to a casual comment. He didn't recall Shanren ever talking about Dennis either...
No mention seemed normal?
After all, who among friends talks about their dad, just all about wanting to be like their dad!
Suddenly.
Albert spoke up, "President, there are too many people around. Perhaps you and Mr. Baimu could find a quieter place to sit and chat."
"You're right. A bustling street is indeed not the best place for leisure talk," Dennis nodded in agreement.
Baimu calmly indicated his willingness to follow the host's lead, pondering the reason for being called over.
Official business?
It didn't quite seem like it.
There's no official business discussed in private, and surely it wasn't just for a casual chat...
The three of them arrived at a quiet coffee shop on the street corner, almost devoid of customers.
The owner didn't seem to be a native of Ore, speaking with a distinct Carlos accent — yes, even though the Pokémon animated world magically spoke a single language globally, regional accents still differed.
Like Johto people, their accent was as distinct as a northeastern dialect.
Dennis and Baimu took their seats in sequence.
Initially, Albert intended to stand, but upon being reminded that it would attract too much attention, he discreetly took another seat instead.
Clearly, he had no intention of eavesdropping on their conversation.
"I apologize for making you come all the way out here, but there really isn't much opportunity to visit over there," Dennis said, showing none of the airs of the highest leader in Ore, instead, acting just as Baimu addressed him, as a kind uncle.
He softly said, "I imagine you're quite busy as well, so I'll get straight to the point. I have a couple of important matters to discuss with you. The first one is regarding your commendation—"
"Commendation?" Baimu was slightly surprised.
Dennis nodded, saying, "Yes, didn't Shanren give you an outside mission? The task of finding the lost Lugia, which you completed splendidly. You not only brought back the darkened Lugia but also brought an additional pair of Lugia.
"Especially the newly arrived two Lugia, the people from the meteorological bureau told me that Ore's climate has already improved due to their frequent rain, and recently, daytime temperatures have noticeably decreased."
He smiled and added, "Also, as the face of Ore, you've attracted a large amount of foreign aid and business partners for the region. The mysterious scientific tool you captured is also a solid achievement."
Baimu was astonished, but outwardly replied, "However..."
"No need to decline, the organization will not shortchange any contributing member. Your contributions to the region haven't gone unnoticed by any of us. Moreover, I hear you've also invited special agricultural talent?"
Dennis, clearly aware of the Valley of Creation group, sighed, "When you chose to travel abroad, many people suggested disbanding the Rainbow Team altogether, fearing that the Fourth Generation Shadow Team would emerge from it.
"It was Shanren who stood against the majority to retain the Rainbow Team, and fortunately so, otherwise we really wouldn't know how to place you."
Baimu didn't know what to say, quietly sipping the coffee Albert brought him.
Who would've thought that the fundamental reason the [Pyrite Town's Special Security Department] wasn't dismantled was due to him, no wonder he took the title of president without lifting a finger, and no one in Silicon City even spoke against it.
"Of course, position is position, reward is reward. If you have any needs, feel free to mention them to Shanren. The organization will satisfy whatever is feasible," Dennis spoke generously.
Baimu slightly nodded to show his understanding.
To be honest, having long considered himself the Ore Champion, he never expected any returns from the Rescue Organization, given that in his view, Ore would inevitably become the territory of him and Shanren sooner or later.