At the edge of the training ground, littered with traces of battle.
"Hello, I'm Sazanami, the warden here."
The Time-Lost Wanderer named Sazanami introduced himself as he extended a hand toward Luo Mu.
He clearly wanted to shake hands.
But in the Hisui Region, that was not a common way to greet someone.
It could be said that this unconscious action perfectly matched Sazanami's origins.
—He came from a technologically advanced modern era. As the Subway Boss responsible for running the Nimbasa City Battle Subway, the etiquette of receiving "guests" had practically been carved into his instincts.
"Hello, I'm Luo Mu."
Luo Mu smoothly reached out and shook his hand in return, his introduction equally brief.
He also did not miss the flicker of surprise in Sazanami's slightly weathered eyes as he returned the handshake.
"Looks like I'm the first person who's on the same wavelength as you."
At Luo Mu's teasing remark, Sazanami merely nodded.
Although he had no memory of the term "same wavelength," somehow, he understood what Luo Mu meant.
Ever since he had begun moving forward with nothing but a blank slate for memories, he had vaguely understood that he might not belong to this land—or even this world.
Here, he could only feel an intense sense of alienation. His personality had inevitably grown withdrawn, and he had thrown himself wholeheartedly into training Pokémon.
Whether it was the Gliscor that had just battled Infernape or his other Pokémon, he had caught and raised them on this land with Poké Balls after receiving the Pearl Clan's help.
Sazanami undoubtedly felt grateful toward the Pearl Clan, and toward Pearly.
Had Pearly not defied all opposition to take him in, he might have quietly died in the wilderness back then, alone and lost.
But gratitude was all he felt.