After all, among these four people, Ash Ketchum has the most travel experience but the least vigilance.
Sarina generally looks up to Ash Ketchum, occasionally relying on Hitron, but if Ash Ketchum is not present or is in some kind of predicament, she can definitely take the lead.
As for Youx Lijia, there's even less to say; she's optimistic, mischievous, with no opinions of her own except when picking a bride for her brother.
Hitron is the only young inventor who is barely reliable.
Why barely?
Because it's not normal for someone to keep inventing things that either explode or burn hair, you feel like if he were to research bombs, he would certainly make extraordinary achievements.
Actually, among the four, there's also a hidden brain—Pikachu—but it's quite difficult to persuade it.
The group sat down around the campfire.
Hitron was the first to speak:
"Mr. Baimu..."
"You can just call me Baimu."
"Alright, may I ask if you have some business with Ash Ketchum and me?"
"To be precise, I'm not looking for you two; I'm looking for the one in Youx Lijia's bag." Baimu said with a smile, pointing at Youx Lijia's bag.
Youx Lijia curiously opened her waist bag and said, "Looking for Dedenne?"
"Dedenne?"
Dedenne poked its head out in confusion.
Meanwhile, Hitron suddenly realized something and exchanged glances with Ash Ketchum and Sarina, with their expressions becoming serious again, asking: "Are you... trying to take Squishy?"
"Zygarde?"
In the small yellow bag, another green creature resembling a snail emerged.
"Take Squishy?"
Youx Lijia's face changed dramatically, quickly closing the bag, and protested: "No! Don't take Squishy!"
Baimu said somewhat helplessly: "Of course not, rest assured. I'm here to seek cooperation with Z1... Squishy."
"Cooperation?"
The group looked at each other in confusion.
He was about to explain when he caught sight of Z1 gazing at him solemnly.
Then, a grand but slightly sharp voice echoed in his mind.
"Are you the will of the earth?"
"The will of the earth?"
Baimu froze for a moment, and the first scene that flashed through his mind was the deepest part of the Divine Hall of Awakening before coming here.
He couldn't help but look down at himself, meeting the puzzled gazes of Ash Ketchum and the others, asked: "May I ask why you say this?"
"...Don't mind it; it was my mistake."
Unexpectedly, Z1 responded with a sentence about its error in judgment, then retracted its head.
Baimu: "..."
Alright then.
Once we rescue Z2, I'll interrogate you later, see whether you'll speak then.
He looked at Ash Ketchum and the others and said: "I assume you have encountered the Flashing Flame Team before, and these people are capturing Squishy and the other Zygarde Core to use their power to kill others in Carlos."
"Kill..."
Ash Ketchum and Hitron were full of disbelief, Sarina covered her mouth with her eyes trembling, and Youx Lijia's slender eyebrows raised in anger.
The newly re-emerged Z1 also quietly watched Baimu speak.
Volcanion, who was listening, sneered.
"That's humanity for you; not satisfied with just persecuting Pokémon, they want to use Pokémon to persecute their own kind as well, hahaha."
"That's only a portion of humanity; your generalization is too broad."
He replied and continued: "To stop their plot, I hope to gain Squishy's help and, together, infiltrate the Flashing Flame Team's base to rescue the other Zygarde Core before they can manipulate it."
"Wouldn't that be too dangerous..."
"Of course, I won't be acting alone; many will join in the effort."
Baimu glanced at the distance, where Porygon II had just confirmed that Rocket Team wouldn't hear their conversation and continued quietly:
"If I'm not mistaken, Flashing Flame Team is about to take action, which is why I've come here for Squishy's help."
"I agree!"
Z1 promptly agreed.
This made Baimu swallow all the persuasion he had prepared; he looked at Z1 in surprise, as did Ash Ketchum and the others.
Z1, who seldom agrees to people, is particularly active today?
Youx Lijia exclaimed: "Squishy is really alright?"
"Zygarde..."
Z1 nodded and then relaxed.
During its escape, it seemed to have transferred part of its power to Manon's Chespin, causing the latter to fall unconscious, and it has become weak and frail, like Ultraman, their battles have a time limit.
"Then, big brother, do you need to take Squishy?"
Youx Lijia looked at Baimu with pity.
As the Preparatory Trainer who made a later agreement with Z1, she naturally couldn't bear to part with Z1, but she understood the importance of this matter from its tone.
"Not necessarily, you can accompany Squishy. Of course, you won't be assigned tasks; it's too dangerous."
Baimu laughed.
He actually had another reason for seeking out Ash Ketchum and his group—to leverage the absolute justice buff they possess.
No matter how their battle power fares in League battles, whenever they face evil, Ash Ketchum and Pikachu never lose to anyone.
If he couldn't succeed personally, he had Divine Beast allies as backup.
There's no reason not to have such a humanoid super buff by my side to ensure the operation's success.
Youx Lijia beamed, thrilled not to have to deal with any inner conflict, stood and cheered, "Yay! I don't have to part with Squishy!"
"Dedenne!"
"Magearna~"
Feeling her joy, Dedenne and Magearna joined in shouting.
"Hmph!"
Volcanion snorted, but his gaze was notably gentle when looking at Magearna.
Hitron affectionately watched his sister and bowed his head in gratitude toward Baimu: "Sorry, my sister has troubled you."