Is this guy really human?!
This was the gray Tauros's instinctive thought. It was more inclined to believe that Red was a humanoid Pokémon rather than an ordinary weak human.
Just the faint aura emitted when Red stared directly at it was enough to make Tauros tremble all over, and it also caused the once-proud Tauros to feel discouraged.
"Lose to me and become my companion," Red said calmly, taking out the Safari Ball placed at his waist and revealing his purpose to Tauros.
Tauros nodded. As the leader of its herd, it had no reason to refuse Red's challenge. If it chose to turn around and run away at this moment, then it would no longer be the gray raging bull feared throughout the Safari Zone.
Seeing someone daring to challenge their leader, the other Tauros all became restless, each one wanting to step forward and teach Red a lesson on behalf of their leader. But they were quickly stopped by the gray Tauros. It wanted to defeat Red with its own strength.
(You probably can't even beat a single finger of his…)
This wasn't Tauros deliberately belittling its companions, but rather out of concern for their safety. After all, even Tauros itself wasn't completely confident that it could defeat Red.
"Everyone, come out."
Red threw out the five Poké Balls at his waist, first letting Tauros see his current traveling team.
Giant Steelix, Crimson Gyarados, Scizor, Milotic, and Cubone appeared before the many Tauros.
Beedrill, Charizard, and Pidgeot—these three Pokémon—had been sent back to Professor Oak's Laboratory by Red after the original team reunited and rested for a day, replaced by Milotic and Cubone.
The moment Crimson Gyarados appeared, it let out a roar, forcefully intimidating the attack power of the many Tauros. Some Tauros that possessed the Intimidate Ability tried to retaliate, but because the gap between their strength and Crimson Gyarados was far too great, their collective Intimidate effect was still unable to resist Crimson Gyarados's intimidation.
"Relax, Tauros. These will all be your companions in the future. I'm just introducing them to you first. They all welcome newcomers," Red said leisurely, telling Tauros not to be too nervous.
(Is this really welcoming me?)
Tauros snorted as if questioning. The gaze of Crimson Gyarados clearly looked like it wanted to kill it—was that supposed to be welcoming?!
'Newcomer, you'd better join obediently. Don't make the master personally teach you a lesson!' Crimson Gyarados said disdainfully, believing that Red taking action against a minor character like Tauros was simply a waste of time.
As the leader, how could Tauros tolerate being looked down upon by Crimson Gyarados like this? Enraged, it used Take Down against Crimson Gyarados. Seeing this, Crimson Gyarados disdainfully used Aqua Tail, striking the charging Tauros and sending it flying in a single blow, showing not the slightest bit of mercy.
"Roar—"
To clear the battlefield, Crimson Gyarados let out a roar, intimidating the other Tauros into fleeing.
Some of the weaker Tauros were so frightened that they immediately turned and ran away. Others who trusted the gray Tauros chose to stay where they were. Although their legs trembled in fear, they still gathered the courage to stare directly into Crimson Gyarados's eyes.
"As a leader, the subordinates you command are excellent," Red praised, appreciating Tauros's leadership ability.
After struggling for a moment, Tauros scolded its subordinates and ordered them to leave immediately. It did not want its subordinates to get hurt because of it, and it planned to face Crimson Gyarados's attacks alone.
"Tauros, from the very beginning I said the battle was between you and me. Don't be so nervous."
Red signaled Crimson Gyarados to step back with his eyes, then walked in front of Tauros and assumed a fighting stance.
Although it didn't understand Red's behavior, the cautious Tauros did not immediately launch an attack. Instead, it paced back and forth, trying to observe Red's weaknesses.
"Since you won't attack, then don't blame me for being rude."
As soon as the words fell, an Aura Sphere precisely struck Tauros's body. Tauros looked at the Aura Sphere forming again in Red's hands with astonishment, momentarily stunned in confusion.
"When battling, never relax and expose a flaw. Even the slightest distraction could lead to a fatal mistake!" Red reprimanded, telling Tauros to heighten its vigilance.
"Gulp!"
Tauros swallowed and focused its attention. If Red had chosen to launch a sneak attack just now, it might have already fallen here.
Rather than simply using overwhelming force to crush its opponent, Red preferred to use this battle to make Tauros develop the desire to join the team.
In Red's view, the Tauros before him was far from ordinary. Remaining in this small Safari Zone was truly a waste of its talent. Instead of willingly binding itself here for the sake of the herd, Red hoped Tauros would go out and witness a much broader world.
To attack Red from a distance, Tauros used Stone Edge. Countless stone blades floated around Tauros, and under its control, they rapidly shot toward Red.
Without even needing to use Teleport, Red simply moved around and avoided the stone blades, the Aura Sphere in his hands flying toward Tauros once again.
Seeing this, Tauros's forehead flashed with purple light. It stepped forward to meet the Aura Sphere and used Zen Headbutt, breaking through the Aura Sphere's power in one move.
'As expected of someone who can become the leader of a herd!'
As a leader of a clan himself, Giant Steelix was extremely satisfied with Tauros's performance and also hoped Tauros would agree to join Red's team.
'With proper training, its strength might become even more outstanding,' Scizor added.
Seeing that his old companions had acknowledged Tauros's strength, Crimson Gyarados stopped talking. As for the younger ones, Milotic and Cubone, they wisely kept silent and obediently watched Red's battle, hoping to learn some subtle combat details from it.
"It's time to get serious," Red murmured.
Blue light shone from his eyes as he used psychic power to control Tauros's body, restricting its ability to move.
Tauros moved its stiff body in shock, trying to break free from the mental control. But this attempt was stopped by Red, and another Aura Sphere struck Tauros's body. The powerful impact caused Tauros to collapse onto the ground.
"Do you think it's so impressive just because you dominate one area?" Red questioned, using words to shatter the restless arrogance in Tauros's heart. "Is ruling this tiny Safari Zone really something you should be proud of?"
Tauros was reprimanded by Red's words until it was unable to refute them. It did indeed harbor a trace of arrogance. After all, most of the Pokémon in the Safari Zone were depressed and had no will to fight. Tauros could indeed be considered one of the dominant rulers of this place.
"Follow me, Tauros! Travel with me, broaden your horizons, and become stronger. I don't want you to foolishly stay here, gradually wasting your talent."
"Roar—" x2
"Clang!"
Giant Steelix, Crimson Gyarados, and Scizor simultaneously extended their invitations to Tauros, hoping it would not miss this rare opportunity.
'But I still have my own herd…' Tauros struggled internally.
'If a herd falls into ruin just because the leader changes, then that herd has no need to exist!' Giant Steelix said coldly, rebuking Tauros's naivety.
Giant Steelix had once been busy as the Onix leader of Mount Hideaway. But so what? Could the reason of the group restrict Giant Steelix's determination to become stronger?
That was clearly impossible. Not to mention the herd would select a new leader again, Giant Steelix also did not want its entire life to be restrained by that hypocritical sense of moral responsibility.
"If you're willing to become my companion, then enter this Safari Ball. I'll place it here and wait for you to join."
After saying that, Red placed a Safari Ball in front of Tauros and let Tauros make its own choice.