Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [518]

After wrapping things up at Driftveil Gym, Gary and the others split into two groups and left first.

Only Clay, Lacey, and Giovanni remained inside the gym.

Clay stared at Giovanni with a complicated expression.

“It’s been a long time... Giovanni.”

As fellow Ground-type Gym Leaders, Clay naturally knew Giovanni from the old days. Back then, he’d even enjoyed Giovanni's straightforward personality, and they got along well enough.

What he hadn't expected was that while his own nickname "Boss Clay" was just for show, Giovanni turned out to be an actual crime boss.

In front of this "old friend," Giovanni dropped his act.

Glancing around at the damaged gym still under repair, Giovanni sneered, “To be left in such a sorry state by mere Team Plasma grunts—Clay, seems you're getting weaker every year…”

Perhaps he'd spent too much time around August lately, as Giovanni's words had grown sharper, subtly barbed.

Clay choked a little at Giovanni's jab, but remembering how embarrassing the recent events had been, he couldn't think of a good comeback.

At this moment, Lacey stepped forward, crossing her arms protectively in front of Clay, puffing up her cheeks indignantly.

“Don’t talk about my dad like that!”

Watching Lacey bravely defend her father, August once again marveled at how someone as rugged as Clay had produced such an adorable daughter…

Giovanni regarded Lacey with interest. “So, this is your daughter? She's got spirit… How about joining Team Rocket?”

Hearing Giovanni's offer, Clay jumped as if his tail had been stepped on. “Dream on!”

“Hey... I'm still right here. Are you ignoring me completely?” August interrupted dryly, feeling that Giovanni had become a bit too carefree after his brief taste of freedom.

Recruiting new members in front of me?

Has confinement made him lose his mind completely?

Giovanni chuckled softly. Seeing August intervene, he said nothing more, merely slipping back into his amiable mask as if nothing had happened.

Deciding that staying longer might invite further trouble, August turned to leave. “If there’s nothing else, I'll head out first.”

Clay nodded, while Lacey eagerly called out, “Mr. August, when you have time, please come visit Blueberry Academy! I'll be your guide!”

August smiled warmly. “Definitely, when I get the chance!”

Speaking of Blueberry Academy… August suddenly recalled he was technically still a professor at Celadon University.

He'd yet to teach a single class, though—truly a terrible record.

Better resign when I have the time.

“You’re heading to Opelucid City next?” Giovanni asked abruptly as they walked along the street.

“Oh? Does Giovanni-san have some helpful thoughts?” August teased, deliberately emphasizing the honorific to mock him slightly.

No matter how many times Giovanni had endured August’s provocations or told himself to remain calm, he still felt his blood pressure rise.

Giovanni steadied himself and managed to say calmly, “Not particularly. But if you're headed for Opelucid, I might have some… resources there that could assist you.”

“Hmm?” Now August was genuinely surprised.

Firstly, he’d believed he'd completely dismantled Team Rocket's operations in Kanto and Johto, yet Giovanni apparently still had hidden forces. Secondly, Giovanni's motives were highly suspect.

“You'd actually be that kind-hearted?” August asked skeptically.

“Your words earlier convinced me,” Giovanni replied earnestly. “I've made many mistakes. For Silver’s sake, I can't afford to keep walking this path. I want to change…”

His tone was sincere, matching perfectly the redemption arc of a criminal seeking atonement.

However…

“I don't buy it.”

Come on now, this is Giovanni we're talking about!

If you told him Giovanni would make the right decision facing world-ending stakes, August would believe you.

But just moments ago, Giovanni was openly recruiting Lacey into Team Rocket right in front of him. Expecting August to believe Giovanni was sincerely trying to help out of goodwill…?

That was as believable as Mew swearing she'd never steal cake again.

Mew abruptly lifted her head. “Mew?”

She could've sworn someone was talking about her…

Seeing August remain unconvinced, Giovanni sighed softly and didn't push further, adopting an indifferent demeanor as if he genuinely didn't care.

Inwardly, August scoffed. Giovanni had used this trick—the “playing hard-to-get” strategy—countless times on Gary before.

Even Gary wouldn’t fall for it anymore. Did Giovanni really think August would be fooled?

Yet, exposing Giovanni outright would be boring…

August purposely allowed a flicker of doubt to flash briefly across his face, just enough for Giovanni to notice, before quickly hiding it away.

Silence fell once again, each man silently plotting his own schemes as they continued walking.

As one of Unova’s key battle facilities, the Battle Subway was also an important transportation hub.

Each subway train featured battle cars, where trainers battled each other for Battle Points. Through multiple rounds, the eventual winners earned special trophies.

Unlike the simplified eight routes in the games, in reality, aside from intercity connections, each city had its own extensive subway network, forming Unova’s unique—and the world's largest—battle facility.

Upon entering the Battle Subway, a giant poster featuring Alder came into view.

In the poster, Alder flashed his trademark hearty smile, surrounded by his Pokémon. Bold brushstrokes enthusiastically proclaimed:

[Welcome to the Battle Subway!]

This must be the endorsement Alder mentioned before…

August quickly bought two tickets to Opelucid City from the automatic ticket machine.

As they walked to the platform, several trainers waited with their Pokémon, chatting about the recent incidents across Unova.

Giovanni glanced around with interest. “Quite the lively place…”

A chaotic environment like this would be ideal for escape.

Yet…

Giovanni glanced at August beside him and quickly suppressed those thoughts.

It's not the right time yet.

Noticing Giovanni’s continued inaction, August silently lamented the missed opportunity to have fun at Giovanni’s expense.

Just then, the subway train arrived.

Before stepping aboard, August suddenly turned to Giovanni. “We have some time before reaching Opelucid. How about a battle?”

Giovanni smirked slightly. “Heh.”

“I'm serious—no legendary Pokémon. Want to give it a try?” August pressed.

Seeing Giovanni remain silent, August teased loudly, “Don’t tell me the mighty boss of Team Rocket doesn't even dare accept a simple challenge?”

Sensing the attention of nearby trainers shifting toward them, Giovanni felt a vein twitch in his forehead.

Won’t this guy ever stop?

Though reluctant, Giovanni knew that August wouldn’t stop pestering him until he accepted. Swallowing his pride, he reluctantly agreed.

It was just a Pokémon battle, after all.

Yet as they entered the battle car, Giovanni couldn't resist commenting sharply, “You truly have no shame. It’s hard to believe you're actually part of the International Police.”

August blinked in mock surprise, then beamed brightly. “Why, thank you!”

Giovanni fell silent again.

When dealing with someone like August, who had no discernible bottom line, ordinary insults were completely ineffective.

“Wait, isn’t that… the Pokémon World Champion, August?!”

“Yeah, that's him! I’ve watched his battle with Leon countless times—I’d recognize him anywhere!”

“I had no idea August had come to Unova!”

Inside the battle car, trainers quickly surrounded August upon recognizing him.

After patiently signing autographs for his eager fans, Giovanni quietly mocked from the sidelines, “You certainly are popular…”

“Can't help it,” August replied cheerfully. “Being the World Champion and busting numerous criminal organizations tends to do that. You're partly responsible for my popularity too, Giovanni-san!”

Giovanni scoffed coldly, saying nothing more, simply taking his position and pulling out a Poké Ball.

Only then did the gathered trainers finally notice Giovanni standing there.

“Isn't that… Giovanni?”

“What?! Team Rocket’s boss Giovanni?”

“Yeah! The one Champion August captured!”

Initially pleased at being recognized, Giovanni’s face darkened with every word overheard from the trainers.

August couldn't suppress his laughter.

“Looks like your reputation precedes you, Giovanni…”

Giovanni ignored him, tossing out his Poké Ball.

Beedrill appeared, its silver twin-needles gleaming coldly in the light. Its intimidating presence silenced the noisy onlookers immediately.

August shook his head slightly. “You’re the Team Rocket boss—intimidating rookies like this is beneath you!”

With that, August tossed out his own Poké Ball.

Deoxys emerged gracefully, nodding as August signaled. Its tentacles swiftly formed a barrier around them, enclosing August and Giovanni in an airtight space.

“What’s that Pokémon? It looks amazing!”

One trainer discreetly had their Sneasel attack Deoxys’s barrier, leaving not even a scratch.

“Amazing!”

“That's our champion!”

Listening to the whispers, Giovanni stared bitterly at Deoxys.

His heart bled.

That's… that's supposed to be MY Pokémon!

August then released his chosen Pokémon. Contrary to Giovanni’s expectation, it wasn’t Gardevoir—but…

“Woo~!”

Dragonite instantly embraced August, affectionately rubbing its large head against him, knocking Mew right off August’s head.

“Mew!” protested Mew, waving angrily at Dragonite.

Dragonite scratched its head sheepishly at the reprimand.

“Alright, alright,” August sighed, lifting Mew up again. “Dragonite, this fight’s yours!”

“Woo!”

Dragonite faced Beedrill seriously. It wasn’t the same Dragonite from before—after absorbing all the [Dragon Crystals], it was now worthy of the title "Mini Dragon Pillar," not to mention the [Draco Plate] it held.

No referee was needed.

August and Giovanni locked eyes briefly, and the battle commenced immediately.

“Beedrill! [Agility]! [Poison Sting]!” Giovanni attacked swiftly, full of restrained fury.

His time imprisoned hadn't dulled Giovanni's edge—if anything, it sharpened his fighting spirit. Now, he unleashed it fully upon August!

Facing Beedrill’s attack, Dragonite calmly spread its wings—

[Hurricane]

A fierce wind erupted inside the enclosed space, deflecting the poison needles harmlessly aside. With no room to dodge, Beedrill faced the onslaught directly.

Giovanni calmly countered, “[Fury Cutter]!”

Beedrill swiftly sliced through the wind, scattering it effortlessly.

Onlookers gasped in awe.

August, unfazed, simply commanded, “[Safeguard]!”

Protected from status conditions, Dragonite barreled straight through Beedrill’s [Sludge Bomb]—

[Fire Punch]

—and launched a blazing fist directly toward Beedrill.

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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!