Baimu waited at the mountainside villa until the sun was high in the sky.
"Where is Professor Oak now?"
"He's almost at the research institute." The Porygon Phone relayed Professor Oak's location.
Although Baimu had let him explore freely and trusted his constitution, the professor was getting on in years. It was only right to keep an eye on him.
Still, an elderly rookie was indeed a rookie. Despite getting beaten up by wild Pokémon while darting around everywhere, he somehow continued exploring with boundless enthusiasm and curiosity.
He would not even rest when told to.
He seemed determined to visit every corner of Platinum Silver Mountain in a single day.
But without a map, Professor Oak had clearly gotten lost. He could only follow the man-made irrigation channels, turning left and right until he finally arrived near the Hisui Ecology Research Institute.
Then he was drawn in by the Pokémon from the Hisui era there.
After some consideration, Baimu decided to go over and take Hisuian Zorua back to its "family home" while he was at it.
"Come on, we're going to the research institute."
"Awoo?"
Hisuian Zorua jumped down from the treadmill, hope flashing in its eyes.
Was he finally going to let it go?
Wonderful!
It was finally escaping its misery!
Hisuian Zorua swished its fluffy tail and followed Baimu like a little puppy.
Seeing that it could return to its former wonderful life of eating, drinking, and lazing around, its paws no longer ached, its head no longer hurt, and it could run five kilometers in one go again.
Afraid of being left behind, it stuck close to Baimu, circling around his advancing steps and weaving back and forth through every gap it could find. It was practically glued to him.
Baimu laughed in exasperation. "Are