"Dratini!" Kaiser was so overwhelmed with excitement that he nearly lost control.
About thirty years ago, when the Safari Zone was still completely open, rumors of a Dratini sighting had already begun circulating.
Back then, Uncle Kaiser was still a young adventurer, and he too was drawn to the Safari Zone. In the end, he was the only one who truly laid eyes on the legendary Dratini.
The moment he saw it, Kaiser was captivated by Dratini's noble and enchanting aura. In his heart, he sighed in relief: thank goodness it was him who had found the Dratini. If it had been discovered by others, its fate would have surely been tragic.
Instead of capturing that Dratini, Kaiser chose to apply for the position of Safari Zone Warden. From then on, he silently protected it, sealing away all rumors so that Dratini remained nothing more than a legend.
And now, after thirty years, Kaiser finally laid eyes on Dratini once more.
"It doesn't seem to be the same one. Thirty years have passed—it can't possibly not have grown at all." Kaiser muttered to himself.
He still remembered that the Dratini he saw thirty years ago had a unique star-shaped mark on its horn. Whether it was a birthmark or a scar left by humans, he couldn't say.
But the Dratini now nestled in Miltank's arms had a horn as smooth as a mirror.
"Bwooo—!" At that moment, a Dragonair suddenly rose from the lake's surface. And on its horn was the very same star-shaped mark Kaiser remembered.
"Dragonair…" Tears streamed down Kaiser's face. He knew—this was the very same Dratini from thirty years ago.
Dragonair had originally surfaced in search of its child. But upon seeing Kaiser, an inexplicable sense of familiarity welled up in its heart, and it instinctively swam toward him.
"Is it really you… Dragonair…" Kaiser wrapped his arms around Dragonair's slender body, his thirty years of longing all bursting forth in tears.
Dragonair lowered its head, tears flowing as well.
Yozora, Ash, and the others all stood quietly, deeply moved by the bond that spanned three decades.
After a long time, Kaiser finally released Dragonair and turned his gaze toward the Dratini resting in Komai's Miltank's embrace. Smiling, he asked, "Dragonair, you've had a child?"
Dragonair nodded.
"That's wonderful." Kaiser's smile widened with genuine joy. Just then, Dragonair turned and called softly to the Dratini sleeping in Mei's arms.
But the little one didn't stir—not even opening its eyes.
So Dragonair shifted its gaze to Mei.
Mei suddenly felt awkward. Earlier, when she didn't know Kaiser's true identity or intentions, she'd dared to glare at him.
But in front of Dragonair, she had no temper at all. Even she could tell at a glance—this was clearly Dratini's real mother.
So Mei gently nudged Dratini awake and reluctantly placed it into the water.
"Wuuu…" Dratini awoke to see its mother and immediately swam over joyfully, rubbing its tiny head against Dragonair's body, purring and nuzzling for affection.
Dragonair's expression softened into pure tenderness as she lowered her head, indulging in intimate mother-child affection.
The scene radiated warmth and harmony, like a painting come to life. Only Mei lowered her head, reluctant and wistful.
Watching the beautiful tableau before him, Yozora sighed inwardly. In such a tender moment, anyone standing here would feel like an intruder.
"Am I really going to take Dratini away from Dragonair's side?" Yozora asked himself silently.
If Dragonair had several children, it wouldn't feel so cruel. But after thirty long years, she had only this one…
To take away her only child—wouldn't that be too heartless?
That thought made Yozora hesitate.
But then, Dratini swam back again—right into Mei's arms. It was clear it had grown very fond of her.
Encouraged, Mei hugged Dratini tightly, grooming it affectionately with her tongue, making the little one giggle and squeal with joy.
"Mei…"
Seeing Mei's radiant, joyful smile, Yozora froze. As though making up his mind, he looked straight at Dragonair and said:
"Dragonair, I want to take Dratini with me—to let it see the wider world. What do you think?"
"Yozora…!" His words struck like thunder. Ash, Brock, and Misty all gasped in shock.
"You brat, you—!"
Even Kaiser was stunned. He shouted at Yozora, "You fool! Do you understand the value of Dratini? You want to take it away? Can you guarantee its safety?"
"Of course I can," Yozora replied firmly.
The value of a Dratini?
Perhaps thirty years ago, Dratini was priceless. But in today's world—even one with Champion-level potential—its worth was maybe around a hundred million.
Did Yozora truly need to doubt whether he could protect something worth a mere hundred million?
"Stop bluffing, kid! You're just a rookie trainer! You want to take Dratini? Fine! But first, you'll have to get past me!" Kaiser roared, pulling a Poké Ball from his belt. But before he could throw it, Dragonair blocked him.
"Wuuu!" Dragonair fixed its eyes on Yozora, letting out a cry. At once, an overwhelming aura crashed toward Yozora like a tidal wave.
But as an Aura Guardian, Yozora could hear Dragonair's heart through its aura. He repeated its intent:
"You're saying, if I want to take Dratini, I must first defeat you—to prove I have the strength to protect it?"
Dragonair blinked in surprise that he understood, then nodded.
"Very well." Yozora nodded too. His opponent was an Elite Four–tier Pokémon. If he could defeat it, he truly would prove his strength.
Pokémon: Dragonair
Type: Dragon
Level: Elite Four (early stage)
Potential: Champion
Evaluation: A strong individual, gifted with excellent bloodline within its species.
…
The system's appraisal was intriguing.
Clearly, Dragonair had Champion potential. Yet the system still rated it as only "excellent" within its species.
Which meant—Dratini, Dragonair, and Dragonite were simply that powerful as a species. Even their weakest individuals were likely Elite-level in potential.
Champion potential was merely "excellent."
Only those with pseudo-legendary potential—or even greater—were truly worthy of the title of king.
As expected of a pseudo-legendary lineage—their bloodline was beyond extraordinary.
"Beedrill, I choose you!" With a flash of red light, Yozora summoned his long-unseen Beedrill.
…
…
(End of Chapter)