Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [524]

August observed the girl’s genuinely confused expression and fell into thoughtful silence.

So this girl really is Rosa, not Whitley?

But then, how did she end up here? Shouldn't Rosa be back in Mistralton City?

Wait... Mistralton City?

All at once, August realized what probably happened.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, Zinnia’s voice rang from outside the door: “Rosa, what’re you doing just standing there? Go on in!”

With that, Zinnia gently pushed Rosa forward and spotted August.

“Hey, August! Mission accomplished, and without any accidents! Don’t call me dumb ever again!”

At that, Gary, still fiercely battling Giovanni in Pokémon Monopoly, flushed slightly.

What’s that supposed to mean? Are you implying I'm the dumb one?

Gary mentally protested. His mishap at Relic Castle had been intentional—absolutely intentional! He deliberately went to the lowest level to catch Volcarona.

Yep, completely deliberate!

While Gary consoled himself, Giovanni’s expression grew increasingly irritated. Was there no one in August’s Kanto Division who could stay focused on their tasks?

Ignoring Gary, August turned to see Caitlin, White, and Elesa follow Zinnia inside.

Even though August knew Rosa’s identity, he pointed casually at the obviously nervous girl and said, “Mind introducing us to...?”

Before he finished, Rosa quickly interjected, “I’m Rosa! Sixteen years old, a student at the Trainers’ School, and a rookie trainer! Please take care of me!”

August stared at her.

She’s sixteen?

She definitely didn’t look it.

Zinnia chimed in casually, “We were dealing with Team Plasma when Rosa showed up. Caitlin insisted on secrecy, so we had no choice but to kidna—uh, I mean, bring her along!”

You were about to say ‘kidnap’, weren’t you?

Rosa’s eyes widened indignantly as she turned to Zinnia.

From Zinnia’s story, August quickly grasped the situation.

But isn’t that a little too coincidental?

Rosa just happened to appear when Caitlin’s team was handling Team Plasma?

Still, coincidence didn’t automatically make Rosa suspicious—it might truly be a stroke of luck.

Watching Rosa and Zinnia’s staring contest, August couldn’t decide if this Rosa resembled her game counterpart or Whitley from Pokémon Adventures.

If it were the former, no issue; but the latter would mean she might actually be an undercover Plasma operative...

Numerous possibilities flashed through August’s mind, only to be quickly dismissed.

Whoever she is, since she's here, I'll simply recruit her.

“Interested in joining the Kanto Division?” August asked bluntly.

“Eh?!”

Caught completely off-guard, Rosa squeaked in shock.

...

In the end, Rosa didn’t join immediately—it was far too sudden.

“Who asks someone to join on the very first meeting?” Gary muttered incredulously.

Beside him, Rosa nodded repeatedly in agreement.

August shot Gary a pointed glance.

Feeling the weight of August’s stare, Gary hastily shut his mouth, returning his focus to Monopoly against Giovanni. “I’m activating a Takeover card! Beedrill Department Store is now mine—I’ve got this!”

Temporarily shelving Rosa’s recruitment, August noticed Iris had finally found her target. She quietly sidled up beside Zinnia.

“Hello, I’m Iris!”

“Iris? A new recruit?” Zinnia asked curiously.

“No, not yet...” Iris shook her head, privately puzzled.

From August’s sudden invitation to Rosa just now, and Zinnia’s casual remark, does Mr. August recruit people into the International Police so easily? Aren’t the entry requirements supposed to be extremely strict?

Despite her confusion, Iris hadn't forgotten her main goal. She wasn't here for small talk.

With a bright smile, she asked sweetly, “Zinnia-senpai, I heard you really love Dragon-type Pokémon?”

Oblivious as ever, Zinnia’s eyes lit up immediately. “You love Dragon Pokémon too?”

“Yes! I've been training under Drayden-san for years, aiming to become a Dragon Master!” Iris explained eagerly.

Just as Zinnia thought she’d found a kindred spirit, Iris’s tone suddenly turned mournful.

“But recently, I’ve had a huge problem...”

“What’s wrong? Tell me! I might be able to help!” Zinnia patted her chest confidently, completely unaware she'd fallen into Iris’s carefully laid trap.

“Really?” Iris’s eyes sparkled. “I've always wanted to see a truly powerful Dragon Pokémon up close, but I've never had the chance!”

A truly powerful Dragon Pokémon? Isn’t that Lord Rayquaza himself?

Zinnia instantly adopted a proud, reverent pose. “Allow me to formally introduce you to our savior, Lord Rayquaza!”

Not expecting it would be this easy to meet Rayquaza, Iris discreetly made a victorious gesture.

Under Iris’s eager gaze, Zinnia carefully pulled out a polished, almost glowing Master Ball, cradling it lovingly.

“Behold, Lord Rayquaza!”

“Can I please see Lord Rayquaza’s majestic form?” Iris pleaded.

“Of course!”

Zinnia pressed the button on the Master Ball with a flourish.

Nothing happened.

Faced with Iris’s expectant stare, Zinnia scratched her head awkwardly. “Must’ve been the wrong pose.”

She rubbed the ball nervously, then lifted it high overhead dramatically, drawing stares from everyone nearby. “Come forth, Lord Rayquaza!”

Silence.

Rayquaza still refused to emerge.

As Iris grew increasingly skeptical, Zinnia began panicking.

Did Lord Rayquaza abandon me?!

With that thought, Zinnia felt her heart shatter. She frantically tried every ridiculous pose imaginable, yet Rayquaza still wouldn’t appear.

With tears welling, she turned desperately toward August, voice trembling, “August, Lord Rayquaza doesn’t want me anymore!”

She looked pitiful, like an abandoned puppy.

August, busy discussing Team Plasma’s underground base beneath the Pokémon League with Caitlin, turned around with confusion. “Huh?”

“No matter how I call him, he won’t come out!” Zinnia sobbed dramatically.

August glanced around, suddenly realizing the issue. His face immediately filled with disbelief.

“It’d be a disaster if Rayquaza actually responded to you right now!”

“What?!” Zinnia didn’t understand why August spoke so harshly.

“You’re indoors right now! If Rayquaza came out, what would be left of this building?” August sighed deeply.

Zinnia froze.

So...that’s why?

She stood dumbly for a moment before breaking into relieved laughter.

August groaned quietly to himself. How had he ever been greedy enough to recruit this girl into the Kanto Division just for a few [Mega Stones]?

She’d singlehandedly dropped the average IQ of the entire division by at least ten points.

Ignoring Zinnia, now proudly describing Rayquaza’s greatness to Iris again, August clapped his hands loudly to attract everyone’s attention.

“All right, since we’re all here, I officially announce the operation against Team Plasma has begun!”

The group immediately perked up, excited at last.

Finally! It was time to deal with Team Plasma!

After witnessing their numerous wrongdoings recently, everyone was silently itching to see Team Plasma brought to justice.

“According to our intel, Team Plasma has gathered near Dragonspiral Tower, awaiting N’s arrival with the Light Stone. Our objective is to strike when they're fully assembled and capture them all at once!”

August turned to Caitlin. “To prevent their escape, Caitlin, please discreetly coordinate trainers from nearby cities to blockade the roads without alerting Team Plasma.”

Caitlin nodded firmly. “I’ll contact Skyla from Mistralton Gym and Brycen from Icirrus Gym to surround the tower.”

Though few in number, they could at least prevent any stragglers from fleeing.

“The main attack will be handled by us International Police!” August declared. “Giovanni and I will confront N and Ghetsis directly. The Seven Sages will be your responsibility—can you handle it?”

Gary and the others nodded confidently.

Giovanni had other thoughts, but outwardly remained expressionless.

Satisfied, August concluded his plan.

As head of the Kanto Division, he was determined to recover the pride the Unova Division had lost to Team Plasma!

---

Meanwhile, at Dragonspiral Tower, Team Rocket’s Meowth-shaped balloon slowly descended before a formation of Team Plasma members led solemnly by Ghetsis and the remaining four Sages.

Even Ghetsis, N’s adoptive father, respectfully greeted him:

“My King, we have awaited your arrival.”

N glanced upward at the ancient tower, then turned to Team Rocket’s trio, who hastily handed over the Light Stone.

Stone in hand, N calmly commanded, “Follow me into the tower.”

Ghetsis shot a brief look toward Jessie, James, and Meowth before solemnly accompanying N with the four priest-like sages into the tower. The remaining grunts stood guard below.

Watching the leaders enter, Team Rocket huddled together nervously.

“You think N actually believed us?”

“Who knows, meow!”

“He must’ve! Otherwise, we'd be captured for speaking badly of his ‘father.’”

Their whispers annoyed a nearby Plasma executive, who snapped, “Quiet! Show some respect!”

Jessie smugly placed hands on hips. “We’re Lord N’s direct subordinates—mind your own business!”

“That’s right!”

“Exactly, meow!”

The executive swallowed his annoyance bitterly.

Why did Lord N pick these idiots as subordinates instead of me? So frustrating!

Unbeknownst to either Team Rocket or Plasma, everything was clearly visible to the hidden Kanto Division members nearby.

August nudged Giovanni teasingly, “Seems your subordinates are really enjoying themselves with Team Plasma.”

Giovanni maintained stony silence, refusing to entertain August’s jokes further.

Nate hesitated, “Are we really fine letting Team Rocket mix with Plasma?”

“Those three?” August scoffed knowingly. “Trust me, one plus one doesn’t always equal two—it might be less than one.”

Giovanni internally agreed wholeheartedly.

Suddenly, someone shouted from Plasma’s side, “Who’s there?!”

“What’s wrong?” an officer demanded.

“I thought...the tree talked just now...”

His companions stared incredulously.

Talking tree? Ridiculous.

Laughing, the officer casually commanded his Liepard, “Use [Night Slash] on that tree!”

“Nyah!” Liepard lunged—but immediately bounced back, yowling in pain, as the tree shimmered and transformed into a person.

Gary sighed loudly. “See? I told you pretending to be trees wouldn’t work!”

---

This is a fan translation of 我，宝可梦称号大师！ by 落唯 白良. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!