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Ash shook his head with concern. This man was being incredibly careless. Unlike with Dratini, whose existence was already known by others, Kaiser had prominently displayed the photo for everyone to see. Wasn't that practically inviting people to discover his secret?
After hearing Ash's words, the older man before him appeared startled. Thinking it through carefully, he realized that Ash was right, especially considering what had happened all those years ago.
The League had strengthened protection measures for Safari Zones since then. It was no longer as it once was, but many Trainers still claimed they were here to capture Pokémon when they were actually searching for Dratini. That explained why Kaiser remained so suspicious of outsiders.
After listening to Ash's explanation, Kaiser had to admit it made sense. Just as he was about to say something more, he noticed the three young Trainers had already begun walking away.
"Yikes! That was terrifying. What's wrong with that man?" Misty exclaimed, still trembling after they had left. Being held at gunpoint was genuinely frightening.
"He just wants to protect Pokémon. Let's forget about it," Ash replied calmly. Normally, he would have been angry about such treatment, but knowing Kaiser's backstory, he couldn't hold it against him.
"It sounds like you know something about that man, Ash," Misty observed as they continued walking.
"It's not really a secret. You'd know if you paid attention to the news. Before all this, there weren't any capture limits in this Safari Zone!" Ash explained, glancing at the Poké Ball case in his hand.
"What? Does that mean Trainers could capture as many Pokémon as they wanted?"
Misty was surprised by this revelation. True, there were plenty of Pokémon here, but having no capture limit seemed unusual.
"Exactly! That man's name is Kaiser, and he was the warden here many years ago."
"Back then, rumors spread that he had discovered a Dratini in this Safari Zone. As soon as the news got out, it attracted massive attention. Even researchers like Professor Oak were drawn to the area."
As Ash spoke, Misty and Brock finally understood that the photograph of Kaiser with Dratini was indeed authentic.
"What happened next?" Brock asked.
"Besides researchers, countless Trainers hoped to capture the rare Dratini. Trainers from regions all over the world flocked here."
"Did they ever find Dratini?" Misty asked, her curiosity piqued.
"No. There hasn't been a single sighting of Dratini since then."
"But the Trainers who came looking for Dratini captured other Pokémon without restraint. What was once a thriving Safari Zone turned into a barren wasteland. Even after all that, no one found Dratini."
Although capturing Pokémon had been permitted at the time, those Trainers were only interested in Dratini. They captured other Pokémon not for training but simply because they could.
Brock and Misty frowned upon hearing this. Those Trainers had taken so many Pokémon, most of which they probably never trained properly. Many likely suffered the tragic fate of abandonment.
"The League eventually intervened. They established rules prohibiting Pokémon hunting specifically for Dratini and created new regulations. Now, each Trainer entering the Safari Zone can capture no more than thirty Pokémon."
In Ash's opinion, thirty was still an alarming number, let alone unlimited captures.
"No wonder Kaiser was so agitated earlier. He must blame himself," Brock said thoughtfully. "Now I understand why he reacted that way."
If Kaiser hadn't allowed news of Dratini to spread, the rare dragon Pokémon wouldn't have been hunted, and the Safari Zone wouldn't have been devastated.
"I thought he was just a mean person, but it seems I misjudged him!" Misty admitted, scratching her head in embarrassment.
"Let's forget about it and start looking for Pokémon to capture!" Ash suggested.
Ash didn't want to dwell on the subject any longer. Although there wasn't a time limit like in the games, time was still passing minute by minute, and they shouldn't waste it.
"You're right!" Misty agreed excitedly, and the three of them began searching for Pokémon.
They wandered through the Safari Zone. While there were indeed many Pokémon here, the area was vast. It was difficult to imagine that such an enormous place had once been nearly emptied of Pokémon.
"Ash, have you found any special Pokémon yet?" After walking for a while, Misty hadn't had much luck. Most of the Pokémon she'd seen on the plains were Ground-types, which didn't interest her as a Water-type specialist.
"Shh!"
Suddenly, Ash raised his hand, signaling for silence. Misty and Brock were startled by his abrupt gesture and quickly joined him behind some bushes to peer at what he'd spotted.
Under a Berry Tree, a green Pokémon stood with its arms extended, revealing massive, sharp scythes. With a swift motion of its blades, it sliced through the air, causing Berries to fall from the tree. Using its scythes, it picked up the Berries and began eating them.
"Scyther! That's a powerful Pokémon," Brock whispered. Scyther was indeed a formidable Bug-type Pokémon.
Known for its proud personality and warrior-like nature, it was considered a natural fighter among Bug-type Pokémon. Even Trainers like Misty, who typically disliked Bug-types, had to admit it looked impressive.
"That's the one I want!" Ash declared quietly. He selected a Poké Ball from his case and enlarged it.
In the anime timeline, Ash had never captured a Scyther, but now he was determined to add one to his team. In his previous life, when playing Pokémon games, he'd always made sure to catch one whenever possible.
Moreover, Scyther was naturally powerful, which suited Ash's preferred battling style. He moved carefully, creeping closer while Scyther continued eating Berries.
Instinctively glancing around to ensure the coast was clear, Ash aimed the Poké Ball at Scyther.
"Go for it!"
With a soft grunt of effort, he threw the Poké Ball directly at Scyther. The green and white sphere sailed through the air toward the Bug Pokémon.
In that instant, Scyther, though busy eating, sensed something unusual. Its eyes flashed with awareness, and it spun around with incredible speed, swinging the flat side of its blade.
THWACK!
Using the back of its scythe with remarkable precision, Scyther deflected the incoming Poké Ball, sending it flying in another direction.