The person didn't seem to intend to leave directly.
Instead, he called back the Flygon and jogged over to Natsuhiko.
Just when Natsuhiko was about to angrily question why the Flygon had been sent to attack him, he saw that person bowing at a perfect ninety degrees.
This made Natsuhiko unable to react.
His stern expression softened a little, but he didn't speak; he just crossed his arms, wanting to hear what the person had to say.
"I'm sorry, sir!"
Then, he heard the man sincerely apologize.
Natsuhiko wanted to say that if apologies were useful, then what was the point of fists, but fortunately, he didn't carry on the bad habits from his past life.
He simply frowned and asked, "Why did you attack me?"
At the same time, he sized up the person's appearance and clothing.
He was very tall, at least one meter ninety. Judging by his face, he looked much younger than Natsuhiko imagined, probably only sixteen or seventeen years old.
But his attire was bizarre, wearing something resembling an animal fur vest underneath a long gray linen cloak with special buttons on the shoulders. Upon closer inspection, one could see that these buttons were carved from some creature's bones.
A gray scarf wrapped around his neck, covering half his face, tied to the buttons on both shoulders.
This outfit had an old-world appearance and did not fit modern clothing styles; instead, it seemed somewhat ancient.
'An ancient person?' The thought seemed a little amusing to Natsuhiko.
Upon hearing Natsuhiko's words, the man slowly raised his head, scratching the back of his head with a silly smile, "Really sorry, the Flygon mistook you for someone else."
"Someone else?" Natsuhiko raised an eyebrow.
Even though the man's tone seemed sincere and his attitude showed no hint of pretense, why did his words sound so unconvincing?
"Yes, an abominable thief! A Pokémon thief!" The man seemed a bit angry.
A Pokémon thief?
A Pokémon Hunter?
Thinking back carefully.
When the Flygon attacked earlier, it seemed Natsuhiko was indeed throwing a Pokeball at a defeated Whiscash.
"Who are you?" Natsuhiko changed the topic.
"Ryuzi, a Dragon Tamer!" He answered decisively with a bright and sunny smile.
A Dragon Tamer...
Speaking of Dragon Tamers, Natsuhiko couldn't help but think of the Dragon Taming Race living in the Dragon Cave in Johto, and his good friend, the future Dragon-type Elite and Champion, Dragon Master Lance!
However, it's not only the Dragon Taming Race in Yanmo City, Johto, that can be called "Dragon Tamers."
To Natsuhiko's knowledge, in Shenhe Town, Hilona's hometown in Sinnoh, known as the oldest town in Sinnoh, there are also Dragon Tamers.
And in the Hoenn Region as well...
Thinking of this, Natsuhiko suddenly had a hunch about Ryuzi's identity, or rather, his origin, based on his attire.
"Are you... one of the 'Meteor People'?" Natsuhiko tentatively inquired.
Ryuzi showed a look of surprise and amazement, "Sir, you know the 'Meteor People'?"
Seeing his reaction, Natsuhiko was about ninety-nine percent certain that Ryuzi indeed was one of the 'Meteor People'.
The 'Meteor People' are an ancient tribe in the Hoenn Region, arguably the indigenous people. However, with the passage and evolution of time, this tribe gradually faded from historical stage.
In the untraceable history, on one particular night, a meteor shower lit up the sky, and a conflict arose between Primordial Groudon and Primordial Kyogre, which was later stopped by Rayquaza. It was around that time that the 'Meteor People' came into existence, worshiping Rayquaza and respectfully referring to it as "Master Dragon God."
At that time, Pokeballs hadn't been developed yet, and the relationship between Pokémon and humans was filled with conflict and tension.
The 'Meteor People' who worshipped Rayquaza started to attempt communication, understanding, recognition, familiarity, and mastery of certain Dragon-type Pokémon's habits, gradually becoming Dragon Tamers, the initial Dragon-type Pokémon Trainers.
This sincere faith from the 'Meteor People' finally elicited a response from Rayquaza, who accepted these worshippers.
Thus, a thousand years later, another meteor crossed the sky, awakening the slumbering Groudon and Kyogre. The 'Meteor People' prayed to Rayquaza, and successfully received a response. Rayquaza once again quelled the battle between Groudon and Kyogre.
This is roughly the information and history that Natsuhiko had learned about the 'Meteor People'.
Although vague, it clearly illustrates the long-standing history of this tribe and their connection to Rayquaza, which should still be preserved to this day.
In fact, the Dragon Taming Race who once lived in the Dragon Cave also became Dragon Tamers through a similar process. However, after Rayquaza's appearance, the 'Meteor People' gradually faded into silence, whereas the Dragon Taming Race remains quite active, even holding a significant position within the powerful league.
That's why very few people know about the 'Meteor People' now, which is why Ryuzi was so surprised when Natsuhiko revealed his 'Meteor People' identity.
"I had a 'teacher' who was very interested in such history, Pokémon, and other related knowledge. I heard stories about the 'Meteor People' from him. I was just trying my luck, didn't expect it to be true."
Natsuhiko once again attributed his knowledge to a non-existent 'teacher'.
Although not many know about the 'Meteor People', Natsuhiko believes there are still some within the League aware of their existence, because many places in the Hoenn Region bear traces and documents left by the 'Meteor People', the most typical being Luminous City.
Also, don't underestimate this tribe that has withdrawn from the stage of history; they didn't retreat due to decline, quite the contrary, they chose to retreat at the peak of their strength.
Normally, these people are strong enough to rival Devon Company, led by Flint.
From this, it's evident how powerful the 'Meteor People' are.
"Hahaha—is that so? I didn't expect myself to admit it, but your teacher must be very knowledgeable," Ryuzi said with a somewhat sheepish grin.
Through this brief exchange.
Natsuhiko formed a rough impression of the simple-smiling young 'Meteor People' in front of him.
Pure, straightforward, not skilled at verbal subtleties.
Perhaps because the 'Meteor People' have been isolated from the world for so long, coupled with their simple nature, they lack much of the outside world's intrigue and maneuvering.
When the person said they mistakenly took him for someone else, it wasn't an excuse; they truly mistook him for someone else.
"You said earlier that your Flygon mistook me for someone else, who is this 'someone else'?"
Because Natsuhiko was aware of the 'Meteor People' and didn't show much anger despite the earlier unfriendly attack, Ryuzi naturally developed some goodwill towards him.
So he didn't hide anything, or perhaps he simply didn't understand the concept of hiding, and said, "There was a person who broke into the 'Meteor Village', stole some of our precious items and a Dragonling, and I chased him here to get the things back."
Listen.
Having precious things and Pokémon stolen, yet just wanting the thief to return them.
Is this a normal way of thinking for a person?
Wait a second.
"A Dragonling?"