Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [506]

“Yours? What’s yours?” August gave Gary a strange look.

Seeing August playing dumb, Gary’s eyes widened incredulously. Still unwilling to believe August could be this shameless, he held onto a final shred of hope and said, “My ice cream, of course!”

At Gary’s words, August suddenly looked enlightened and raised the other ice cream in his hand. “Oh, you mean this one?”

Gary nodded.

Then, right before Gary's eyes, August took a big bite, replying solemnly, “I'm eating two!”

Gary: “?”

So, you dragged me out of bed this early just to stand in line for you?

Are you even human!?

“Honestly though, this Casteliacone is pretty good!”

“Hehe!” Hoopa chimed in mischievously.

“Nai~!” Gardevoir nodded in agreement.

Mew was too busy devouring her treat to even pay attention to August’s words.

“....”

Forget it, I don't even want to listen anymore.

...

Gary couldn’t let the ice cream incident go the entire way.

He had initially thought August was being nice by letting him off easy this morning, but clearly, he underestimated just how shameless August could be. As usual, August wasn’t acting remotely human.

Eating two ice creams by himself, isn’t he afraid of a stomachache?

Gary inwardly grumbled, yet the envy in his eyes as he watched the four happily eating ice cream ahead of him couldn’t be faked.

After walking only a short distance, they saw a crowd gathered ahead.

“Could it be another limited-edition specialty?” Gary asked curiously.

He definitely wasn’t going to fall for August’s tricks this time.

Upon approaching closer, they discovered it was a gallery holding a small exhibition. Artists had been invited to create paintings based on the theme of "Legends," drawing quite a crowd of curious onlookers.

Gary briefly scanned the artworks on display.

Most pieces featured the legendary Pokémon of the Unova region, the "Black Dragon" and the "White Dragon," though a few others depicted different legends—

“Hey, August…” Gary was about to say something to August when he turned his head and realized August had already transformed completely.

August was inexplicably wearing a brown beret, a cloak draped around his shoulders, a paint palette and brush in one hand, and even had a pipe dangling from his mouth.

Gary: “?”

As August headed into the crowd, Gary lost his composure. “You’re seriously doing this?”

Could August even paint? Why haven’t I heard about this before?

“Isn’t painting super easy?” August seemed genuinely surprised by the question.

Gary: “…”

He’s doing it again.

August confidently pushed through the crowd, registering himself with the organizer before stepping up to a blank canvas.

“I might not be good at painting other things, but if it's about legendary Pokémon…” August said casually as he began swiftly sketching outlines onto the canvas.

Set against Mt. Coronet, a green Rayquaza spiraled high above, gazing down upon Dialga and Palkia below. Around them was the ruined landscape of Spear Pillar.

“The battle at Mt. Coronet!?” Gary instantly recognized the scene.

Although only rough outlines, the painting already radiated an imposing, majestic atmosphere.

Watching the scene unfold, Gary begrudgingly admitted to himself that August’s artistic skills weren’t half bad. Moreover, no one understood the Battle of Mt. Coronet better than August—someone who had actually participated.

Compared to other artists at the scene who relied entirely on imagination and hearsay, August, who practically lived among legendary Pokémon, stood out dramatically.

His impressive performance quickly attracted the attention of surrounding artists and viewers alike.

“Is that Rayquaza from the Hoenn region? I've seen it on TV, but what about the other two Pokémon?”

“...They look like Dialga and Palkia from the Sinnoh legends, the ones who control time and space.”

“How could legendary Pokémon from Hoenn end up fighting legendary Pokémon from Sinnoh? Isn’t this just nonsense?”

August paid no attention to the murmurs around him, be they admiring or critical.

After quickly filling in details for the three legendary Pokémon, August moved on to sketch something else in a corner of the canvas.

Soon, a pink, abstract silhouette appeared at the painting's edge.

Floating invisibly above August’s head, Mew instantly widened her eyes in protest, grabbing tightly onto August’s hair.

“Mew!”

If you're going to draw me, fine—but why use that abstract nonsense those ancient guys invented!?

August, however, seemed incredibly satisfied with his creation.

A single painting, combining realism (since the Battle of Mt. Coronet really happened) and abstract art (represented by Mew).

He was truly a genius!

Except my hair is paying the price...

While August admired his masterpiece, the gallery owner approached, clearly feeling the powerful aura emanating from the artwork. His expression quickly turned respectful as he asked, “Master, may I ask what title you've given this piece?”

August glanced over his finished work thoughtfully, then replied earnestly, “This painting…is called ‘Mew Slacking Off!’”

“I'll temporarily entrust it to you!”

Before the gallery owner could ask why a painting prominently featuring Rayquaza, Dialga, and Palkia was called "Mew Slacking Off," August had already dragged Gary away, quickly disappearing into the crowd.

Left behind, the spectators gathered around August’s painting, breaking into heated discussion.

...

Having left the bustling boutiques of Mode Street behind, August and Gary now arrived at Castelia Street, the busiest avenue in the city.

“Stop pulling. Even with all my hair, I won't have any left if you keep this up…” August complained, gently peeling Mew off his head.

If he let Mew keep tugging like that, he’d end up bald sooner or later…

“Mew!” Mew huffed, turning her head away indignantly.

It was August’s own fault for painting her like that, exhibiting it publicly, and even titling it something as humiliating as "Mew Slacking Off!"

She would absolutely never forgive him for that!

Watching the sulking Mew, August smiled and magically produced a small cake out of nowhere. “Here, have some cake!”

Mew tried desperately to resist August’s bribe, but the delicious fragrance soon drifted enticingly on the breeze, sneaking into her nose.

Unable to resist temptation, she turned her head back around.

“Mew!”

Snatching the little cake from August’s hand, Mew took dainty bites. For the sake of cake, she’d reluctantly forgive him this one time.

You’re this easily bribed by a single cake!?

Watching the entire exchange unfold, Gary silently roasted her in his mind.

...

Upon reaching Castelia Street, they quickly found No. 1106 according to the map.

“A magic shop?” Gary read aloud the sign above the door, puzzled. “Why would they meet in a place like this…?”

They were the International Police—a proper organization, weren't they? Yet, their methods seemed even shadier than Team Plasma’s open speeches. Plasma at least preached their twisted ideals openly across Unova.

“It’s understandable. If you were newly appointed as head of the Unova branch, knowing your predecessor was completely wiped out by Team Plasma, wouldn’t you also be cautious?” August asked.

“Nope,” Gary answered boldly. “With you backing me up, why would I fear Team Plasma?”

August blinked in surprise. “You've got a point there. Haha!”

He knocked lightly, pushing open the door.

Inside, the room was filled with various magical props, seemingly just a normal shop selling magician’s supplies.

“Is no one here?” Gary glanced around, seeing nobody.

“Maybe they're out?”

Although he said that, a subtle blue gleam flashed in August’s eyes. He already knew exactly what was going on.

He casually picked up a deck of cards from a nearby table, shuffling skillfully and fanning them before Gary. “Pick one!”

“Huh?” Gary eyed the cards presented before him incredulously. “We're here to meet a contact. Why are you suddenly doing magic tricks...?”

Though grumbling, Gary obediently drew one card.

“This one...”

“You remember it?”

“Yeah!”

Just as Gary anticipated August would shuffle and perform a standard trick, August instead snatched the card from his hand and threw it abruptly towards a corner of the shop.

Swoosh—!

Covered in aura, the card shot forward like a blade, slicing through the air.

Clang!

A Dewott suddenly jumped out from hiding, swiftly deflecting the card with its shells.

“Whoa, whoa…are you trying to kill me?” came a voice from behind Dewott.

The camouflage fabric hanging on the wall was pushed aside, revealing a youth dressed in a blue shirt, white shorts, and a red cap stepping out from behind it.

“You should come out and greet your superior proactively, shouldn't you?” August calmly gathered up the remaining cards.

Hearing this, Nate immediately straightened, saluting formally, “Nate, code-name Black No. 2, reporting to you, sir!”

“Just kidding, don’t be so serious.” August laughed lightly.

After signaling Gary to shut the door and hang the "Closed" sign, August turned back to Nate. “Looker told me it would take you some time to reach Unova. I didn't expect you to arrive already.”

“Why haven’t you contacted Looker?” August asked.

“With the failure of our Unova branch's last mission, I suspected we might have a traitor inside,” Nate explained. “So when I arrived, I didn't notify anyone, intending to investigate first.”

“Exactly what I thought!” Gary chimed in proudly, claiming great minds think alike.

Nate turned to him, puzzled. “And you are?”

Gary’s expression froze instantly. Was this guy doing it deliberately?

He didn't even recognize him—Gary Oak! He was second-in-command at the International Police Kanto branch, second only to August himself!

Gary nearly pulled out his Suicune to teach this clueless guy a lesson about who exactly Gary Oak was.

But August, knowing Nate’s personality, placed a calming hand on Gary's shoulder to stop him. He turned to Nate curiously, asking, “Have you found any useful intelligence?”

He was genuinely curious about what information Nate, who had grown up professionally trained within the International Police, had managed to gather.

Nate nodded, producing a remote control and pressing it. Immediately, holographic projections filled the room.

“Based on my investigations, I've mapped out Team Plasma’s internal structure,” Nate stated.

The hologram displayed images of N, the Seven Sages, Colress, and several key executives.

“My investigation also revealed Team Plasma is plotting to locate Unova’s legendary Pokémon, the Black Dragon Zekrom. We must stop them,” Nate said solemnly.

August stared thoughtfully at Zekrom’s mural projected in the hologram.

Nate had managed to roughly grasp Team Plasma’s goal…which matched the story he knew quite closely.

But despite having this information, Nate didn’t act immediately and instead reached out to him…

“For some unknown reason, Team Plasma suddenly scaled back their operations a few days ago. Their operatives in Castelia vanished, and my intelligence gathering stalled completely,” Nate confessed.

Before August could speak, Gary proudly jumped in, “That was us!”

“We’ve already captured Asura, one of the Seven Sages! Team Plasma’s terrified of our strength, which is why they’re laying low.”

“We’ve also neutralized their propaganda!”

Faced with Gary’s boasting, Nate’s expression barely changed; instead, he nodded with dawning understanding. “No wonder I noticed abnormal changes in public opinion toward Team Plasma lately…”

Seeing Nate’s reaction, Gary felt like he’d just thrown a punch into soft cotton.

It felt terrible!

August smiled subtly at Gary’s pained expression.

Indeed, dealing with Nate was exactly like punching cotton. Nate suffered from emotional suppression, entering an entirely rational state when working, discarding virtually all emotional interference.

To Nate, nothing mattered more than completing the mission.

“Nate, do you know the locations of Team Plasma’s hideouts in Castelia?” August asked.

Now that he was here, he decided to clear out Team Plasma’s nests across Castelia, returning peace to the city—and justice for the Pokémon they had forcibly released…

Nate immediately brought up a list.

August glanced at the dozen or so Plasma hideouts listed.

Nate quickly added, “Since Team Plasma pulled back, I haven’t been able to confirm whether these hideouts are still active...”

“That’s enough!” August declared decisively.

If they swept through all these locations, Team Plasma’s operations in Castelia would collapse entirely in no time.

Nate’s mind momentarily stalled in confusion.

He hadn’t anticipated August’s straightforward approach. This was completely different from the task execution style he'd previously encountered.

Wasn’t a mission about careful intel gathering, uncovering enemy objectives, then striking at the perfect moment to foil their schemes and capture them in one fell swoop?

But August...

Finally noticing Nate’s bewildered reaction, Gary broke into a triumphant smile, spreading his arms grandly. “See that? That’s how we do things in Kanto!”

Nate fell deep into thought, then raised his head after a moment, sincerely saying, “Thank you. I've learned something new today.”

Gary: “?”

Exactly what did this guy learn...?

---

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!