Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [511]

Mew wobbled in midair, then collided headfirst into a nearby clothes rack.

Watching Mew buried under a pile of clothes, August sighed, stepped forward, and gently lifted her by the scruff of the neck.

He turned apologetically toward Elesa. "Sorry for the trouble!"

"Oh, it’s no trouble at all…" Elesa gazed curiously at Mew, eyes sparkling. "Could I take a photo with Mew? This is my first time seeing a living one!"

?!

Mew jumped in fright.

You mean you've seen a dead Mew before?!

Seeing Mew duck behind August, Elesa realized her words' unfortunate ambiguity. Clearing her throat, she quickly clarified, "I meant, this is my first time seeing Mew in person. Could I please get a picture?"

As a model, resisting the allure of a selfie with a legendary Pokémon was impossible. Plus, perhaps these photos could finally push her follower count past Iono's again…

"I don't mind, but it's up to Mew," August said cautiously.

Mew stroked her chin, pretending to deliberate deeply. Under Elesa’s hopeful gaze, she haughtily extended one paw.

"Mew!"

Elesa blinked in confusion. "…?"

What did Mew mean by this? Was this a yes or a no?

Unable to interpret Mew’s gesture, Elesa turned to August for help. He sighed, translating reluctantly:

"She says there's a modeling fee—one small cake per photo…"

Elesa: "…Huh?"

...

Ultimately, Elesa parted with an entire bag of small cakes in exchange for a photoshoot with Mew.

If this had been a professional photoshoot, this price would've been outrageously cheap. Elesa felt she'd struck gold.

Mew, equally pleased, considered herself a shrewd negotiator. Without much effort, she'd secured herself a bag of cakes…

Proudly holding the spoils earned by selling her charms, Mew sat smugly on August’s shoulder, nibbling joyfully.

August felt his dignity evaporating. To salvage some pride, he changed the subject: "Elesa, how much do you know about Team Plasma?"

"Team Plasma?" Instead of answering, Elesa countered, "August, did you come to Nimbasa City specifically to handle Team Plasma?"

"Not exactly…" August briefly explained they'd come looking for Alder. "But judging from your reaction, is Team Plasma causing trouble here?"

Though Elesa hadn't stated it outright, her expression alone hinted at something serious.

"Those guys…" Elesa's irritation was clear. "They're still shouting about Pokémon liberation, repeatedly disrupting the Pokémon Musical rehearsals. Everyone’s been on edge. That's why I'm here—to protect the troupe's Pokémon."

From her explanation, August quickly grasped the situation. In short, Team Plasma, under the banner of liberation, planned to "rescue" Pokémon from the Musical Theatre troupe and release them into the wild.

August was speechless.

These Pokémon were celebrities. Fans adored them. They enjoyed comfortable, pampered lives. Yet Team Plasma wanted them to abandon that and embrace an empty freedom in the wild?

If I were one of these troupe Pokémon, I’d think Team Plasma was nuts, August thought.

And indeed, when August communicated with the troupe Pokémon, they all shared his sentiment: Team Plasma was crazy. Performing was fun—how could anyone label it oppression?

"The League is already discussing how to handle Team Plasma," Caitlin interjected softly.

Elesa stayed silent, unimpressed. The League had been “discussing” for over a month. If another month passed without any result, she wouldn’t be surprised.

She’d long lost faith in the League’s efficiency.

Seeing Elesa’s skepticism, Caitlin persisted: "Trust me, this time it’s different! Alder-san has already made his decision."

Elesa merely shrugged. Waiting for the League to act? She'd rather rely on herself.

At that moment, a loud bang echoed. The theatre doors swung violently open.

Instantly, everyone's attention snapped toward the entrance.

Under their collective gaze, a group from Team Plasma marched boldly in, banners of Pokémon liberation raised high—only to come face-to-face with August and his companions.

"There they are! Team Plasma!" Elesa declared.

August glanced at the newcomers. None wore the robes of the Seven—now Five—Sages, only minor grunts. He saw nothing but small fry.

As August sized them up, recognition dawned upon the Team Plasma members. Their originally aggressive faces froze instantly.

Clearly, they’d recognized August too.

"Sorry, wrong place…" one member awkwardly mumbled, turning as if to quietly retreat. However, before they could escape, the door they’d kicked open slammed shut under a psychic force.

"You're already here—why leave in such a hurry?" August said coolly. "Mind telling me who's giving your orders?"

"We…we…"

Facing August, the grunts trembled, sweat dripping down their foreheads. Seeing them falter, August lost patience. "Gary, they're yours!"

"Got it!"

Gary had been itching for action. Upon hearing August’s command, he promptly threw out a Poké Ball. Given the enclosed space, he opted against the destructive Nidoking, choosing Suicune instead.

A dazzling white light flashed.

Suicune gracefully appeared, ribbon-like tails flowing around its body. It coolly surveyed the trembling Team Plasma members. Its crystal-like horn glowed, energy gathering swiftly—

Swish!

A wave of cold energy surged forward, instantly freezing the entire group of Plasma grunts solid.

Now incapacitated and helpless, their faces drained of color—but still, not one uttered a single word.

"Such pointless loyalty," Gary scoffed dismissively, recalling Suicune and summoning Arcanine.

Arcanine approached the frozen grunts, sniffed carefully, memorizing their scent. Then, following this lead, August, Gary, and the others swiftly traced Team Plasma’s route back to their hideout.

With Gardevoir’s help, the Team Plasma members at the hideout barely resisted before being swiftly subdued.

Elesa’s lingering issue had been resolved effortlessly by August.

She looked at August with newfound admiration in her eyes, unaware that Zinnia had quietly noted her expression from the side.

I’ve got to tell Blue and Sabrina about this when we get back!

---

At the very moment August dismantled Team Plasma’s Nimbasa City branch, Ghetsis’s mood plunged into absolute darkness.

Even his monocle couldn't conceal the murderous glint in his eye.

The subordinates hovering nearby tiptoed carefully, terrified of provoking him further.

“Castelia City... Liberty Garden Island... and now Nimbasa City...”

Every city August set foot in saw Team Plasma’s operations torn up by the roots. Ghetsis felt like his heart was bleeding, yet he was utterly powerless against August!

“August...” Ghetsis ground out the name, forcibly suppressing his fury. “Has the Shadow Triad arrived yet?”

He initiated a holographic communication with the Shadow Triad, clearly showing the outline of Opelucid City behind them.

“Lord Ghetsis... we have arrived,” they reported.

“The Dark Stone is with Drayden. Bring it back to me!” Ghetsis commanded coldly.

“Yes, sir!” The Shadow Triad nodded and vanished the instant the call disconnected.

Meanwhile, as the Shadow Triad prepared to snatch the Dark Stone from Drayden, Team Rocket’s trio finally found their chance to approach N.

“What business do you have with me?” N regarded the odd duo-plus-Meowth curiously.

N, possessing the unique ability to sense Pokémon hearts, had often felt the forced will humans imposed on their Pokémon, even within Team Plasma itself.

But this Meowth...

Not only could he speak fluent human language, but he radiated unwavering determination, showed absolutely no sign of resentment, and clearly trusted Jessie and James deeply.

This was a first for N, piquing his interest in the unusual trio.

The Team Rocket trio exchanged quick glances before launching into their prepared speech:

“Lord N, we wish to follow you and serve as your direct subordinates!”

This was their strategy.

Initially, they'd aimed to recruit N into Team Rocket directly, but given their current status, that was impossible. After all, within Team Plasma, N was still officially considered their leader.

So, after much debate, they'd settled on becoming N’s subordinates first, then seizing an opportunity later.

Hearing their proposal, N paused for only a moment before answering:

“All right.”

“Please, let us explain furth—wait, you agree?!” Jessie sputtered, utterly thrown off.

“Yes,” N confirmed calmly.

In N's simple worldview, anyone who treated Pokémon so kindly couldn’t possibly be a bad person.

Faced with N’s surprisingly easy agreement, all of Team Rocket's painstakingly prepared persuasion instantly went to waste.

You aren't following the script at all, N! they thought, silently lamenting. Still, the trio quickly recovered, tossing their broomsticks and mops aside to fall in step behind N. “Lord N, what's our next move?”

“Father advised me to stay away from August…but I’m curious about what kind of person he really is,” N mused aloud. “I’d like to meet him myself.”

Just moments ago, the trio had been delighted—but now their blood ran cold.

August... Was he someone you could just casually meet?!

Their minds flashed through a long list of crime bosses who had fallen at August’s hands. They stared incredulously at N, seriously doubting if he truly understood his own status.

Who was August?

Even Galarian Zapdos would probably take a few hits just flying past him.

Yes, N was technically the leader of Unova’s largest criminal organization, Team Plasma—but even Giovanni himself had fallen to August. Wasn't going to meet August directly courting death?

The trio had no intention of marching alongside N to their doom. After all, they still had Giovanni’s rescue mission to complete.

Thus, despite originally planning to expose Ghetsis’s true nature to N, the trio swiftly adjusted their tactics:

“Lord Ghetsis is right—now isn't the time to confront August!”

“Exactly! August is terrifying; he controls countless Legendary Pokémon. Facing him now would be suicidal!”

“We should wait for now, meow!”

Yet hearing their warnings only made N more determined to meet August, wanting even more desperately to rescue those Legendary Pokémon under August’s supposed domination.

Still, he wasn’t completely irrational.

He’d watched recordings of August’s battles online and knew clearly he wasn't a match yet.

So, he conceded—for now.

Seeing N abandon his immediate plan to meet August, the trio breathed sighs of relief, quickly shifting topics. “Lord N, where do we head next?”

Anywhere but to August… they silently hoped.

But just as this thought crossed their minds, N spoke again:

“The root cause of Pokémon’s suffering are Pokémon labs and the professors who run them.” N’s eyes hardened with quiet resolve. “Right now, many Pokémon Professors are attending an academic conference in Castelia City. We'll expose their true colors there.”

The trio exchanged uncertain glances, suddenly doubting their entire strategy.

Would dragging N into Team Rocket really help rescue Giovanni?

They knew perfectly well Professor Oak was currently in Castelia City. Who was Professor Oak? A close friend of August, practically family!

If anything happened to Professor Oak, August would absolutely show up.

Yet, having already deflected N once, the trio couldn’t refuse him again. Besides, confronting Oak was still marginally safer than directly confronting August himself.

Maybe, just maybe, they'd manage to escape in time...

Steeling themselves, the trio reluctantly resolved to accompany N.

After all, if they chickened out now, how could they possibly gain N’s trust, reveal the "truth," and bring him into Team Rocket’s fold?

---

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!