Tauros struggled, pacing back and forth, not knowing what to do. On one side was its determination to become stronger; on the other was its responsibility toward the herd.
Seeing that Tauros did not make a decision immediately, Red quietly remained where he was. He put two fingers together and made a soft "shh," signaling the other Pokémon not to disturb Tauros.
At the same time, in the management room, Kaiser was unexpectedly attacked by unknown assailants.
A small poison gas bomb smashed through the window from outside, releasing a silent, colorless, odorless knockout gas.
Still reminiscing over the photo of Dratini, Kaiser heard the noise and was about to take out the two gas guns at his waist to go outside and teach the intruder a lesson. But he soon discovered that his body was gradually losing strength, and his heavy eyelids slowly closed.
"Who… exactly are you people…" Kaiser struggled weakly.
A group of more than ten people wearing black uniforms marked with a large "R" barged into Kaiser's management room.
"So the rumors weren't fabricated after all. I didn't expect a Dratini to exist even in this small Safari Zone."
The young man standing at the front of the group picked up the photo of Kaiser and Dratini and smiled confidently. He had always believed that rumors must have evidence first, which was why he had ordered his subordinates to come to the Safari Zone.
"Captain Matsu, the equipment for capturing Dratini is ready."
Matsu nodded upon hearing this. His right hand tapped the intelligence device on the back of his left hand. The screen displayed the names of various areas in the Safari Zone. Among them, the location called Dragon Valley was highlighted in red letters, clearly indicating that Matsu believed Dratini lived there.
"Destination—Dragon Valley!" Matsu ordered, leading the group toward Dragon Valley.
Meanwhile, on Red's side…
The herd of Tauros that had fled earlier returned to the same place. This time, their expressions no longer showed fear but instead looked toward the gray Tauros with a gaze of blessing.
If their leader could grow stronger under Red's training, the Tauros would offer their blessings. They did not wish to bind the gray Tauros's life because of the herd.
'Leader, don't you want to become stronger?'
'I've seen you gaze at the starry sky in sorrow countless times. I feel that this isn't the life you truly want.'
'If the herd declines because you leave, then it only means we relied on you too much. We want to earn a new habitat through our own efforts!'
Many Tauros urged the gray Tauros, hoping it would not bury its talent because of the herd.
"Your herd admires you greatly, and they also hope you can become 'free'." Red extended his right hand toward the gray Tauros. "Come, Tauros. I need your strength!"
After struggling for a long time, Tauros finally made its decision. It first nudged the Safari Ball on the ground, voluntarily allowing itself to be captured.
Under the witness of Red and five Pokémon, the Safari Ball did not shake at all. Then, with a "ding," Tauros was perfectly captured.
Immediately afterward, the Safari Ball moved once, and the gray Tauros reappeared. After receiving permission from Red through a glance, it turned around and ran back toward its herd to give a final farewell.
In order to quickly select a new leader, several older Tauros were battling each other to determine the strongest among them.
Among them, the two most experienced Tauros were clashing their horns, using their immense strength to suppress each other.
Seeing that the herd had begun choosing a new leader, the gray Tauros finally sighed in relief. It came to Red's side and rubbed its cheek against Red's right hand, declaring its loyalty.
[Ding, Ability-Stacking System successfully stacked the Sheer Force ability onto Tauros!]
"Pokémon: Tauros (Shiny: Gray)
Type: Normal
First Ability: Anger Point
Second Ability: Sheer Force
Moves: Horn Attack, Zen Headbutt, Take Down, Thrash, Stone Edge, Iron Tail…
Personality: Energetic and hot-tempered, possessing outstanding leadership ability
Background: A shiny Tauros born in the Safari Zone. From a young age it was treated coldly by the herd, but through powerful strength and a clever mind, it repeatedly helped the herd obtain habitats. Gradually it gained the herd's recognition and eventually became their leader.
It often longs to become stronger and is unwilling to remain confined to the Safari Zone. Sometimes it stares blankly at the starry sky."
"Come back for now, Tauros."
Red took out the Safari Ball and recalled Tauros, then turned and headed toward Kaiser's management room.
Dragon Valley was inhabited by Dragonair and Dratini. Red could let his own Dratini go there for company while also training Dratini's current strength.
A moment later…
Even before entering the door, Red sensed something was wrong. It was far too quiet. A faint smell in the air made him frown, realizing that something might have happened to Kaiser.
Red quietly used Teleport and used his psychic power to isolate the remaining poison gas in the room. After observing the room for a moment and confirming there were no enemies present, he helped Kaiser up from the floor where he had fainted.
"Mr. Kaiser, wake up quickly!"
Red touched the chair that still retained some warmth and glanced at the shattered photo lying on the ground, instantly realizing that the intruders' target was the Dragonair and Dratini in Dragon Valley.
"Dragon Valley… Dratini!"
The unconscious Kaiser was awakened by Red's slap. After seeing Red, he quickly pointed toward Dragon Valley, signaling Red to hurry there to provide support, afraid that Team Rocket might capture the Dragonair and Dratini mother and child.
"Don't worry, Mr. Kaiser. Dratini and the others will definitely be fine," Red assured him. At that moment, the teleportation device behind him delivered Dratini's Poké Ball.
Even before coming to the management room, Red had already used the Pokédex to notify Professor Oak, asking him to send Dratini's Poké Ball to the Safari Zone.
...
Dragon Valley
Clear lake water and silver-white rocks—this beautiful scenery was now ruined by the sudden intrusion of Team Rocket.
The team led by Matsu clearly relied heavily on technology. Within moments, they had already set up capture equipment, waiting for Matsu's order.
"Let me see where the Dratini of Dragon Valley are…"
After speaking, Matsu put on the infrared thermal imaging glasses handed to him by a subordinate and began scanning the Pokémon living at the bottom of the lake.
"Quite a lot of trash fish."
Matsu snorted disdainfully. If he weren't worried about alarming Dratini, he would have already ordered his subordinates to throw explosives into the lake and blast all the Pokémon at the bottom out into the open.
"Oh? Seems like there's an unexpected surprise too~"
Matsu revealed a hint of excitement. Not only had he discovered Dratini, but he had also unexpectedly found its evolution—Dragonair.
"Good things come in pairs~" Matsu laughed, then coldly ordered his subordinates, "Quickly install the ultrasonic interference devices!"
"Understood!"
The subordinates quickly moved into action, dividing into four areas to install ultrasonic interference devices and submerging them underwater. Instantly, the machines released special sound waves, causing many Pokémon living beneath the lake to fall into a state of chaos and begin attacking everything around them indiscriminately.
"Once the trash fish all float to the surface, it'll be the death of Dragonair and Dratini!"
With that said, Matsu threw two Poké Balls from his hand. Rhydon and Magmar appeared beside him, waiting for the targets to show themselves.
Soon, because the Pokémon beneath the lake attacked each other in confusion, many were severely injured and floated to the surface. Their faces showed confusion and pain, unable to understand what had just happened.
"What a miserable yet beautiful sight. Even the true master of this lake can't help but make a move now!"
Just as the words fell, the enraged Dragonair burst out from the lake in its chaotic state, soaring into the air before Team Rocket and glaring furiously at Matsu below.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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