Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [493]

"Code name: Black No. 2?"

August was certainly familiar with that name—both before and after joining the International Police.

Even before his own entry into the organization, Black No. 2 had been hailed as the youngest genius ever promoted to Inspector level. Although August later broke his record for the fastest promotion, Black remained one of their top elite agents.

"When does he arrive?" August asked.

"Should be soon," Looker replied. "Headquarters notified me two days ago, but they didn't specify exactly when he'd get here."

August considered that for a moment. "Give me the latest intel you have on Team Plasma."

Looker nodded seriously. "I’m in Nuvema because we’ve received reports of Plasma activity around both Nuvema and Accumula Town..."

August mentally cross-checked Looker’s intel with what he already knew from his memories, finding the Unova branch wasn't entirely useless. At least their intel gathering was quite decent.

"Leave Team Plasma to me," August said decisively. "Once you’ve made contact with Black, give me his contact information."

Looker nodded firmly. Countless criminal organizations had learned—often painfully—that entrusting August with these kinds of missions was unquestionably the safest bet.

After wrapping up the discussion, August turned to look for Mew. He found Professor Juniper holding out a small cake as bait, examining Mew closely with a stethoscope-like device, and scribbling notes in a notebook.

Mew, completely absorbed by the cake, ignored Juniper’s probing, entirely forgetting her earlier wary stance.

"…"

Seeing Mew's current state, August suspected that literally anyone holding sweets could easily kidnap her.

Juniper noticed August looking over and immediately grew flustered. "Sorry—I’m just so fascinated by Mew..."

She felt a bit embarrassed; researching a trainer’s Pokémon without permission wasn't exactly proper etiquette for a Pokémon Professor.

August chuckled lightly. "Actually, Mew and I don't exactly have a Trainer-Pokémon relationship."

"Oh?" Professor Juniper looked surprised. Given how close August and Mew appeared, she'd assumed he'd captured Mew. "Then your relationship with Mew is…?"

Before August could explain further, Zinnia eagerly jumped in, raising her hand like a child in class. "I know! August is Mewtwo’s papa, and Mew is Mewtwo’s mama!"

Thump!

August instantly knocked Zinnia flat with a swift punch.

He faced Juniper's confused gaze, calmly correcting, "In a way, Mew and I are more like family."

Zinnia clutched her head, muttering from the floor, "Isn't that exactly what I said...? Why’d you hit me?!"

Barely had she finished complaining when August fired an [Aura Sphere] at her.

Finally…peace returned.

An awkward silence fell until Juniper broke it, handing Mew, now cradling a pile of cakes, back to August. "Thank you—and thank Mew for cooperating! My research will surely make breakthroughs now."

"Are you sure you don't want to continue? Maybe pull out a few hairs for DNA? I also have some ancient murals depicting Mew—Ow! Let go, Mew!"

August struggled to pry Mew’s tiny jaws from his arm, finding two clear rows of bite marks and some cake crumbs there.

He stared at Mew incredulously. "Are you a puppy?"

"Mew!" she responded defiantly, paws on hips.

This was punishment for mentioning my dark history!

Mew wouldn't have minded losing a few hairs, but those ancient murals were absolutely off-limits!

Juniper watched their interaction thoughtfully. Initially, she'd doubted August’s description of Mew as "family," but it was clear their bond wasn't merely trainer and Pokémon.

...

After August promised never to mention Mew's embarrassing past again, she finally settled down, lying on his head and fiddling with his phone.

August turned back to Professors Oak and Juniper. "You mentioned an upcoming academic conference. Is the location decided? Team Plasma’s been stirring up trouble recently."

While Plasma currently claimed to be liberating Pokémon from trainers—which shouldn’t involve academics—August knew never to underestimate the moral lows such criminal organizations could sink to.

After all, they’d even sent people to block airport runways. Nothing Plasma did would surprise him now.

Professor Oak laughed reassuringly. "No need to worry. I brought my Dragonite along this time."

He'd come prepared, having heard rumors about Unova's recent unrest. Oak’s Champion-level Dragonite would indeed hold its own—provided Plasma’s key figures, Ghetsis, N, or Colress didn't intervene personally.

As long as they're not going to Opelucid City… August thought briefly, only for Professor Juniper to brightly announce:

"The conference's theme is Unova's ancient history, and it's scheduled to take place in Opelucid City!"

August: "…"

He struggled not to criticize openly.

Why do you keep choosing the most dangerous places possible? Are you hoping Plasma freezes the entire Pokémon academia when they attack Opelucid?

"Is it possible to change the location?" August tried diplomatically. "Opelucid City…its fengshui doesn't feel very auspicious."

"Fengshui?" Oak and Juniper exchanged a bewildered glance. Did August, an International Police officer, actually believe in fengshui?

"Is there something wrong with Opelucid City?" Caitlin, who'd been quietly listening, now asked curiously.

Oak and Juniper turned expectantly toward August.

"Nothing yet…" August said vaguely, reluctant to reveal the original storyline he remembered—Plasma attacking Opelucid and freezing the city with Kyurem. Mentioning events that hadn't occurred yet would be far too alarming.

But Oak, deeply trusting August’s instincts, seriously considered relocating the conference.

"Although the conference is hosted by the Unova League," Professor Oak mused, "Juniper and I could jointly recommend a venue change."

This was the true influence Pokémon Professors wielded!

"If possible, change it—just in case," August agreed. Better safe than sorry.

Professors Oak and Juniper nodded thoughtfully.

Just then, Gary swaggered over proudly, fresh from his double victory in battling and bickering with Ash.

"August, where are we headed next?"

August narrowed his eyes dangerously. "I'll give you one chance to rephrase that…"

Sensing the threat, Gary immediately shrank back. "Ahem! Sorry, slip of the tongue. I meant, as your most loyal subordinate from the Kanto Division, is there any mission you'd like me to undertake?"

Definitely not intimidated!
He was simply concerned about Unova’s safety—that's why he yielded.
Yes, that must be it!

August withdrew his intimidating gaze. "Next, we’ll go to Accumula Town and see what Plasma is up to."

And perhaps encounter N or Ghetsis there. Capturing even one of them would disrupt Plasma significantly.

"Let’s show those Plasma losers the strength of Master Gary!" Gary rubbed his hands gleefully.

August raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you start channeling Gold?"

Gary: "…"

Just then, Zinnia, still lying dazed on the floor, suddenly sprang upright like a startled Magikarp. "What happened? Why did I suddenly pass out?"

"Probably fatigue," August said casually.

"Then why does my head hurt…?" Zinnia groaned, rubbing her skull.

"You probably hit the floor on the way down—perfectly normal."

"Oh, is that it?" Zinnia nodded blankly, before brightening instantly. "Caitlin, let’s go hang out!"

Caitlin stared at Zinnia, suddenly reconsidering August’s earlier warning about idiocy being contagious.

...

Accumula Town: a small town north of Nuvema and south of Striaton City.

The town itself had no significant industry, its biggest attraction being the Battle Club.

When August mentioned the Battle Club, Gary—familiar with August’s previous Rocket Game Corner raid—immediately leapt to conclusions. "Could this Battle Club actually be a Plasma hideout?"

"You're overthinking it…" August sighed.

Suddenly, three familiar figures blocked their path, thrusting flyers into their hands.

"Please check out tonight’s performance!"

The trio froze, terrified, upon recognizing August and his group.

Jessie, James, and Meowth, disguised in casual clothing, broke into cold sweats. After landing in Castelia, they'd found temporary jobs distributing flyers while plotting to capture Pikachu again. Never had they imagined running into this terrifying man again!

August glanced briefly at them. The disguised Team Rocket trio held their breath, convinced he'd spotted them, but August simply took a flyer without comment.

"You're interested in this?" Gary asked incredulously. "Our mission is Team Plasma!"

"Watching a show won't delay us," August replied calmly. Then, smiling faintly at the trembling trio, he asked, "Right?"

They hurriedly nodded frantically.

"Exactly!"
"It's a must-see!"
"Absolutely unmissable, meow!"

"See?" August said innocently to Gary.

Gary: "…"

Something felt incredibly off.

After they left, Team Rocket collapsed into an alley, shivering in relief.

"Why’d we run into him here?"
"Who knew handing out flyers was this dangerous?"
"Terrifying, meow!"

"We should inform Plasma—" James started.

Jessie interrupted quickly, "Are you insane?"

Meowth’s eyes gleamed cunningly. "Jessie’s right, meow! Let them fight! Then we'll swoop in and take advantage!"

"Yes!" Jessie exclaimed. "Perfect opportunity to rebuild Team Rocket!"

The trio instantly envisioned promotions, Giovanni’s praise, and capturing Pikachu—until a stern voice snapped them back to reality.

"You three slacking off?"

They jumped nervously.

Meanwhile, after walking a good distance, Gary suddenly stopped, realization dawning.

"Those three just now…I swear I’ve seen them somewhere before."

---

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!