Immediately.
Da Wu, dressed in pajamas, flashed across the screen, leaving only his chest area visible, "...Baimu?"
"Yes, I'm sorry, Mr. Da Wu, but I had no choice..."
Baimu turned his head and softly instructed Hoopa to open another large Golden Ring in the room, while Balza and Mei Yali stepped back together to make space, preparing to play the part of curious onlookers.
The Golden Ring opened.
He was able to walk into the room from another direction.
From the previous position, he had to squeeze his head through before awkwardly crawling out... mainly, the posture was too embarrassing, and his skin wasn't that thick.
"Good evening, Mr. Da Wu."
As Baimu awkwardly greeted the frustrated and helpless Da Wu from not far away, he said, "Listen to my excuse... no, let me explain."
"You really need to explain—from why you're in the Carlos Region to what's behind you." Da Wu sat on the lowered bed.
The Altered-color Metagross was on the other side of the bed, and as it noticed his gaze, it raised a friendly paw to greet him.
This guy, like Aggron, had a pure older brother personality, liked to take care of younger Pokémon, was responsible, and was adored by Manon's Chespin.
"Uh, is it convenient to talk here?"
Baimu looked around, noticing the room's luxurious decor.
Is this Lysandre Labs?
It seemed that Da Wu could see through his thoughts and outright said, "Don't worry, no one will hear what we're discussing."
"..."
He deliberated for a moment on his words.
Although unclear why Da Wu seemed so certain, the other was at least the heir of a tech company; in terms of inventions, how could it fall short of Lysandre Labs?
It just hadn't been used for evil deeds.
After nearly ten minutes, Baimu finally managed to convey his ideas, the existence of Hoopa, and Liu Ge's covert actions to Da Wu.
"So it was you who called in the International Police, who had quietly relayed the message to me earlier."
After a few seconds of contemplation, Da Wu nodded understandingly.
"They passed the message to you?" Baimu was quite astonished, but upon further thought, it wasn't such an unusual move.
Liu Ge and Da Wu had fought together during the liberation of the Ore, which laid a natural foundation of trust between them. Moreover, as a Champion, the latter should surely be informed of their actions.
The issue was...
Liu Ge hadn't mentioned this move to him.
As Baimu was twitching the corners of his mouth, Da Wu turned his gaze towards Hoopa, who was curiously fiddling with things not far away.
He suddenly sighed, "Hoopa... I purposely didn't reply to your messages, and I also asked Miss Xijana not to disturb you.
"To allow you to focus on preparing for the Grand Festival and the Alliance Conference. Yet you still came over, bringing the key entity to breaking the current deadlock."
Just as expected previously.
The reason Da Wu and Liu Ge hadn't taken action was because they hadn't yet collected the counterhuman project plan of the Flashing Flame Team.
Even though the evidence collected thus far was already substantial, it wasn't enough to completely bring down Fladari and the other top leaders, and ensure the Flashing Flame Team couldn't rise again.
At this point in time.
Each party involved in the action was well aware that the Flashing Flame Team wasn't a minor nuisance but a potentially catastrophic terrorist organization!
Since it's a terrorist organization, a strategy suitable for dealing with such should be employed.
We can't let the Flashing Flame Team rebuild like the Galaxy Team or the Shadow Team repeatedly, causing further chaos.
"Uh... Mr. Da Wu, it's not that I mean to be a wet blanket, but your plan might not work..." Baimu raised his hand and stated Hoopa's precondition for opening a gateway.
Not to mention in what form the Flashing Flame Team's project plan exists... hard copy? Computer data? Getting Hoopa to understand the concept alone is very tricky.
And if it's an electronic file, it's definitely in the Flashing Flame Team's internal network, so how to log in and download covertly is a very critical issue.
"I understand, but there's no better solution in the short term."
Da Wu gazed calmly, slowly shaking his head.
The Flashing Flame Team had made their preparations complete, and it was nearly impossible for undercover agents to reach the level of accessing the complete project plan.
The only way was to steal it from the computers of cadres or even Fladari.
Fortunately, the project plan doesn't need to be submitted through another procedure to the International Police senior level; we can fully prepare the personnel in advance, ready to act.
As for the issue of Hoopa opening a gateway, he also believed it could be resolved.
"Once we get the file, we act immediately!"
Da Wu resolutely declared.
Of course.
This matter needed to be discussed with Liu Ge and Xijana to formulate a detailed action plan.
Acts against a major organization could not be as depicted in the original animation, where they just send Pokémon and charge in without a plan.
The situation could only get more complicated.
Baimu nodded, "Understood."
Once business was concluded.
Da Wu's expression quickly softened, "Lord Baimu, although I have always hoped you wouldn't get involved with the Flashing Flame Team, you are still you."
During the Ore Region period.
He had witnessed Baimu and Pokémon like Aggron valiantly charge at the Shadow Pokémon to protect those in the rear.
That scene still moved him to this day.
The bond between humans and Pokémon, the protective heart between humans and Pokémon.
At that moment, it shone like a gemstone buried in the rock, revealing unparalleled brilliance as the surface sand fell away.
Da Wu felt it was something he could never forget in his lifetime.
What made him even more pleased was that even after traveling for so long, seeing more people and Pokémon, gaining a new identity, witnessing bustling cities and vigorous wilderness.
Baimu remained unchanged.
That golden-like heart continued to beat warmly in his chest.
"Let's end this together."
Da Wu extended his hand, a smile on his face.
Baimu hesitated for a moment, then smiled and shook hands with the silver-haired young man in front of him, "Okay! Mr. Da Wu!"
"What's going on? What are you doing?"
Hoopa curiously leaned over.
"Nothing, by the way, Hoopa, we might need to trouble you especially next." He waved his hand and said seriously, "Do you know what an electronic file is?"
"Electronic file? What's that?"
Hoopa covered its mouth with its right hand, tilted its head in confusion, "Is it some new kind of doughnut?"
Baimu twitched his mouth, "Of course not, an electronic file is something like..."
In the following time.
Hoopa received detailed lessons from Baimu and the others about electronic files, computers, and other matters, to the point its small head was nearly spinning.
Da Wu also took the chance to meet Balza and his sister, and they were somewhat surprised during introductions.
The former thought that the latter two hailed from a mysterious, reclusive tribe, and believed the Valley of Creation where they lived must contain precious stones that could drive him crazy.
The latter admired Da Wu's identity.
And all his many righteous deeds akin to a firefighter, from aiding the people in the Ore Region to investigating the Flashing Flame Team in the Carlos Region.
Da Wu wasn't just the Hoenn Champion; he was even busier than a World Champion!
The three talked cheerfully with one another.
After dawn.
The group used Hoopa's power to contact Liu Ge, who had infiltrated Carlos's high society instead of going undercover in the Flashing Flame Team, to investigate who was connected to Fladari.
Upon meeting, Liu Ge didn't give Baimu a pleasant expression.
Because someone had been marketed in the Ore by Shanren to resemble "the hope of the entire village," Liu Ge also sincerely believed he should be preparing for the Grand Festival and Alliance Conference.
If it didn't work out, wouldn't Shanren's marketing expenses be wasted!?
Figure out what you're supposed to be doing!
Liu Ge was truly furious, seeing that Baimu bringing Hoopa as a breakthrough didn't change his mind, and he still thought Baimu should return to Hoenn immediately.
Baimu pretended not to notice.
After contacting Xijana, Liu Ge and Da Wu started discussing a detailed plan as the leading figures on both sides. Their communication time, though, couldn't be too long to not arouse Fladari's suspicion.
Baimu initially wanted to participate but after some thought.
Ah!
There was still someone... no, a dragon he needed to meet.
Thus he asked Hoopa to take him to a safe spot a hundred meters away from Rayquaza.
However.
The ozone layer doesn't have a safe spot.
"Long time no see—"
Baimu's voice, as he stepped out of the golden circle, was forcibly silenced by a torrent of turbulence that rendered him breathless.