The day after the Team Rocket base infiltration, public opinion remained calm.
However, behind the scenes, following Lance's confidential report, the League had already engaged in several confrontations with Team Rocket.
Neither side wanted to completely sever ties so quickly, so both made concessions: Team Rocket entirely withdrew from Silph Co., handed back control, and agreed not to pursue Lance's responsibility; in turn, Lance was transferred out of Kanto and sent to the Johto region, setting the stage for his eventual rise to Champion there.
In addition to this, a mysterious figure known as "Hunter K" entered the purview of all major organizations. Many groups began to consider recruiting this neutral figure, whose combat prowess seemed comparable to the Dragon Master Lance.
At Team Rocket Headquarters, Archer returned to give his report, focusing heavily on Aomori's information.
"Boss, should we take action against this Hunter K?"
"Don't worry about him." Giovanni stroked the furry head of the Persian at his feet, his eyes glued to the computer screen in front of him.
On the screen was a pink Pokémon suspended in a liquid.
"Soon, I will possess invincible power. In the face of this power, all others are nothing."
Giovanni gave a look of unparalleled arrogance.
…
Hunter K, the subject of attention for all the major organizations, was currently preparing to enter the Safari Zone.
The Safari Zone, also known as the Wild Area, housed numerous Pokémon for trainers to capture.
New trainers who possess a Pokédex and are certified by the League receive free entry for their first visit, but subsequent entries require payment.
Aomori was not a League-certified new trainer, so he had to pay out of pocket. He had no intention of sneaking in as Sabrina had suggested, as he disliked getting things for free.
More importantly, he had acquired a substantial amount of funding from the Team Rocket base and was not short on cash for the time being.
There were quite a few visitors to the Safari Zone today. Aomori entered through the main gate and chose a less crowded line to queue up in.
It took over ten minutes before it was his turn.
"Next, please." Lisa, the receptionist, felt the area around her suddenly brighten. She looked up and saw Aomori, instantly freezing as if her soul had been taken.
It wasn't just her; Aomori had attracted many eyes during the ten minutes he waited, but he was already used to it and remained completely unaffected.
"Hello, I'd like to enter the Safari Zone." Aomori used his psychic power to gently prompt the inexperienced young girl.
"Ah! Yes, yes!" Lisa's face turned completely red, her mind flustered. She lowered her head and whispered, "Are you alone? Do you have a girlfriend? No, I mean, do you have any companions entering the Safari Zone with you?"
"No."
"Alright, please show your identification."
Aomori handed the ID that Sabrina helped him procure to the easily embarrassed receptionist. The name on the ID was also "Aomori."
"Okay, please wait a moment."
The walls of the reception office were covered with large photographs, mostly of a man posing with various Pokémon. One of the photos featured a Dratini.
Dratini evolves into Dragonair, with its final evolution being Dragonite—an extremely rare Pokémon that has become legendary in many places, making it difficult even for Sabrina to find one.
A popular rumor among the public claimed that there was an island somewhere at sea inhabited by many Dragonite, Dragonair, and Dratini, and only the recognized Dragon Masters could enter and capture them.
The current generation's sole Dragon Master was Lance.
After seeing the performance of Lance's Dragonair and Dragonite, Aomori was very impressed with their power. If he could capture one, it would certainly be worth it. A large part of his reason for coming here was, in fact, the Dratini.
Knowing the storyline, he was aware that there was indeed a Dratini and a Dragonair hidden in a certain pond within this Safari Zone.
Lisa, who had been secretly watching Aomori, noticed his interest in the Dratini photo and offered all the information she knew about Dratini: "Aomori-san, did you know that a Dratini really did exist here in the Safari Zone a long time ago?"
"A long time ago? It's not here anymore?" Aomori asked, following her lead.
"Yes!" Lisa nodded emphatically, pointing to the photo. "The man with the Dratini is Kaiser-san, our owner. Thirty years ago, Kaiser-san accidentally rescued the Dratini and took that photo. But when the news of the Dratini spread, many trainers came here seeking it. They never found the Dratini, but since they had already come all this way, they stripped the Safari Zone clean of its other Pokémon."
"Later, the Safari Zone fell into decline for a long time, and the Dratini never appeared again. Some people speculate that because too many people disturbed its peaceful life, it left the Safari Zone and found another habitat."
Lisa sighed. "Kaiser-san regretted it immensely and then established the strict restrictions on the Safari Zone that remain today."
"That's a real shame. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of a Dratini," Aomori said with "regret." "By the way, since this is my first time here, can you tell me about the rules for hunting inside?"
"Of course!" Lisa handed Aomori a notice and proceeded to explain: "Pokémon battles are prohibited in the Safari Zone. You can only use a fishing rod and certain wilderness tools, and you cannot use your own Poké Balls. Each time, we provide you with 30 special Safari Balls, and once they are used up, your hunting trip is over."
"I see. Is there a time limit?"
"All personnel must leave the Safari Zone before closing time in the evening."
"Understood." These restrictions were within his expectations, but he didn't take them seriously. Once he avoided the patrols, he could do whatever he wanted.
Lisa slowly processed Aomori's admission, and if she hadn't seen the clenched fists of the people waiting in line behind him, she might have dragged the procedure out until tomorrow.
"Aomori-san, here are your pass, fishing rod, and 30 Safari Balls. Please keep them safe."
"Thank you." Aomori accepted the items and followed the directions into the Safari Zone.
"I wish you a pleasant hunt!"
Lisa watched his retreating figure wistfully, waving goodbye.
"Receptionist, could you hurry up? I've been waiting for ages."
"Why the rush? Why all the noise? Can't you see I'm busy?"
"I..."
Beauty is justice!
While another master was achieving success in enlightenment in the world, Aomori had already entered the Safari Zone.
The Safari Zone featured mountains, water, plains, and basins, with wild Pokémon everywhere. Especially the Tauros, which look similar to cows, freely galloped across the grasslands in herds, kicking up clouds of dust.
Aomori wasn't in a hurry to find the Dratini. He avoided the patrols and surveillance, found a secluded spot, and sent out Ditto.
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You can read the ahead chapter on Patr-eon if you're interested: p-atre-on.c-om/Overgod [Just remove the hyphen to access normally]