Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [486]

International Police Headquarters.

The Salamence carrying August and Gary Oak descended onto the helipad at the International Police Headquarters, guided and flanked by two Corviknight.

As August recalled Salamence into its Pokéball, Gary glanced curiously around, taking in the sight of the headquarters for the first time.

Situated discreetly on an island, the International Police Headquarters was notably understated, mirroring the organization’s usual low-key style.

Yet beneath its humble appearance lay formidable security measures. Flocks of Corviknight patrolled the skies around the island, ready to attack any unauthorized intruders who ignored initial warnings. Everyone knew how troublesome a single Corviknight could be—let alone an entire flock. Even as the reigning Kanto Champion, Gary understood that any attempt to force his way in would likely end in defeat.

“Come to think of it, this is my first time visiting HQ since joining the International Police…” Gary muttered, glancing around with open curiosity.

Thinking back, it was strange that a so-called "senior officer" like him had never even visited headquarters before.

“What’s so strange about that?” August replied calmly. “We operate globally, and our branches handle field operations. HQ mainly coordinates orders and resources. Technically, we’re a semi-secret organization. It’d be stranger if everyone knew exactly where headquarters was.”

Although, truth be told, this was August’s first visit to HQ as well.

Gary smacked his forehead. “Oh yeah, that makes sense!”

“…” August couldn’t help wondering if the Gary in front of him was secretly Ash in disguise. The Gary I used to know wasn’t this dense…

Just then, a woman approached them, dressed in a sharp secretary’s uniform and high heels.

“Welcome back to headquarters, Chief August!”

August was already very familiar with the Director's secretary, having frequently communicated with her previously.

“It’s been a while. Is the Director here?” he asked.

August wasn’t here just to sightsee. He'd come at the Director’s direct request. Otherwise, he'd much rather stay comfortably at the Kanto Division petting Eevee.

“Please follow me; the Director is already waiting for you!” She promptly led the way.

As they entered the main building, Gary acted like a shorts-clad kid experiencing the big city for the first time, openly gawking at his surroundings.

Not that he could help it—the scene at HQ was beyond anything he'd imagined.

He'd thought that the Kanto Division under August already had an unusually high ratio of Pokémon employees. Yet here at headquarters…

There were even fewer trainers than Pokémon working inside the building.

“So, the International Police’s fondness for hiring Pokémon staff started at headquarters?” Gary asked aloud.

The secretary glanced back and replied, “Hiring Pokémon significantly reduces the risk of infiltration.”

Protecting themselves from infiltration by criminal groups was an essential task for the International Police, an integral force supporting the Pokémon League's justice system. An 18-year-old freshly graduated trainer might be a planted spy—but Pokémon hatched directly from eggs certainly couldn’t be compromised.

“There’s another reason, too,” August interjected. “Pokémon staff can also double as security forces. Basically, they get paid clerk salaries but also serve as part-time guards.”

Gary nodded, finally understanding.

The secretary’s smile grew slightly strained at August’s blunt phrasing. While what he said wasn't technically incorrect, couldn’t he have phrased it in a more pleasant way?

They were clearly giving Pokémon meaningful employment opportunities, yet August made them sound like exploitative capitalists instead of advocates for human-Pokémon harmony.

She considered saying something, but remembering August’s significant contributions over the years, she sighed inwardly and kept quiet. Whatever, if August says it like that, so be it!

Soon, they reached the Director’s office.

She gently knocked on the door.

“Come in,” came a voice from inside. The secretary pushed open the door and ushered August and Gary inside.

…

Gary had experienced many “firsts” today:

His first time at International Police HQ, his first glimpse of their internal operations—and now, his first encounter with the Director himself!

Looking at the Director standing before him, Gary felt mildly disoriented. He had always imagined the head of such an agency to have a commanding, imposing presence, but…

The friendly-looking middle-aged man accompanied by an Alcremie didn’t fit the image of someone who commanded such a powerful enforcement agency.

Noticing Gary’s bewildered look, the Director easily guessed his thoughts but merely smiled kindly in response, turning instead to August.

“You’ve worked very hard lately,” he said sincerely.

The Director had personally witnessed August’s dedication and outstanding achievements, so his words were genuine.

“I was just doing my job,” August replied modestly before shifting the conversation. “But I assume you didn’t summon me just to offer praise.”

At August’s words, the Director’s expression turned serious.

“It seems you've guessed correctly. I do have something urgent to discuss…”

August’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What is it? Another criminal organization causing trouble—or resurfacing?”

The remnants of Team Magma and Team Aqua? Perhaps Team Galactic or Team Flare’s surviving elements? August rapidly considered various possibilities.

He quickly dismissed Pokémon Hunters—they were minor nuisances incapable of significant threats. Even if they grew bold, their worst would be illegally poaching rare Pokémon. Hardly a major crisis.

Under August’s inquisitive gaze, the Director silently handed him a file.

August flipped through it briefly, brow furrowing deeply.

“Has the situation already deteriorated to this extent?”

Hearing this, Gary felt unbearably curious, desperate to know what critical news had caused August’s sudden grim expression. But they were in the Director’s office, so he had no choice but to contain his curiosity.

The Director nodded gravely. “If it weren’t this serious, I wouldn’t have called you here personally…”

August nodded resolutely. “Leave it to me.”

Just those four simple words provided immense reassurance.

After all, August had never failed before, no matter how formidable the adversary. Hearing August’s confident assurance, the Director visibly relaxed. In his eyes, August’s acceptance meant the matter was already halfway resolved.

After addressing the serious topic, the Director decided to lighten the mood.

Smiling, he said, “Of course, I didn't call you here solely for that.”

“If I recall correctly, you've mastered [Aura] abilities, correct?”

“That’s right.”

It was all recorded in the reports August had submitted.

The Director smiled warmly, retrieving a box from beneath his desk.

“Then I think you'll appreciate this gift!”

He opened the box, revealing a Pokémon Egg patterned in striking shades of blue.

At that moment, August’s [Aura] activated instinctively, sensing the subtle yet vigorous [Aura] radiating from the egg.

He already had a guess, yet he still asked, “This is…?”

“A Riolu egg,” the Director confirmed, exactly as August had suspected.

August gazed at the egg thoughtfully. Although legend said each Aura Guardian inevitably partnered with their own Lucario, he had never anticipated receiving his first Lucario this way.

He reached out and gently tapped the egg. The Pokémon egg seemed to sense his [Aura], shaking vigorously in response.

“Thank you. I truly like this gift!” August smiled warmly, handing the egg to his Gengar lurking in the shadows for safekeeping.

The Director nodded contentedly. “As long as you like it.”

Rewards for August’s contribution to the League had sparked significant discussion at International Police Headquarters.

Some had suggested further increasing the Kanto Division’s funding, but their budget was already so generous they couldn’t even spend it all—adding more seemed pointless.

Others proposed giving August another promotion… but that felt insufficient compared to his achievements.

Thus came the idea of gifting him a Riolu egg.

In fact, if August hadn’t explicitly declined already, the Director would’ve gladly given him his own position.

He sincerely believed the International Police would flourish even more under August’s leadership.

But sadly… August had no interest whatsoever.

From August’s perspective, being Chief of the Kanto Division was already perfect. He could work when he felt like it, slack off whenever he wanted…

Why trade that for the stressful position of International Police Director?

After receiving the Riolu egg, August quickly took his leave.

Walking away from the HQ building, Gary still hadn’t fully processed what had happened. “That’s it?”

It’s over just like that?
They’d come all this way—okay, not that far, strictly speaking—but wasn’t this still making a mountain out of a Diglett hill?

August caught the expression on Gary’s face.

“If it was just for an egg, obviously I wouldn’t bother. But this changes things,” August said, waving the file in his hand.

He tossed the file casually to Gary. “Take a look yourself.”

Gary’s curiosity had already been piqued, wondering what could’ve possibly required August’s personal attention.

A moment later…

“Is this really true?” Gary blurted out, stunned.

“Would the Directorhimself give us fake information?” August sighed helplessly.

There wasn’t much content in the file—only two key points.

First, Team Plasma was actively spreading its doctrines in the Unova region. Their incendiary speeches had caused severe unrest and widespread disturbances throughout Unova.

The second point was related to the Snag Ball smuggling case August had previously reported.

Following the leads August provided, the International Police’s Unova branch uncovered an entire underground smuggling network spanning Orre and Unova.

Technically two separate matters, yet intimately connected—Team Plasma’s fingerprints were all over the smuggling ring, implicating even some officials within the Unova League itself. The scope of the corruption was alarming.

According to the report, the Unova branch investigating these issues had recently been ambushed. Though they’d managed a tactical retreat, their losses were heavy, and they were no longer capable of containing Team Plasma.

Right now, the situation in Unova was barely being held together by Looker, who'd just arrived a few days ago, and the local division head.

Even worse, the Unova branch had uncovered evidence suggesting Team Plasma was planning a scheme that could threaten the entire region…

Unova stood on the brink of collapse—one spark away from losing all control.

Hence the Director had specifically reached out to August, hoping he could put out the fire.

“I didn’t expect Unova’s situation had gotten this bad…” Gary muttered gravely.

His thoughts drifted to Kanto and Johto. Without August, those regions probably wouldn’t have fared much better.

August suddenly turned around, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. “Gary, are you secretly badmouthing me again?”

Gary froze for a second, feeling extremely wronged. Sure, he used to mentally roast August all the time, but right now he was genuinely complimenting him!

He’d been praising August internally, yet here he was being accused unjustly!

Listening to Gary’s protests, August’s expression turned skeptical.

Considering how often he’d exploited Gary’s goodwill, could Gary really be praising him?

If Gary wasn’t lying…

Did he develop Stockholm syndrome? August wondered with growing unease.

Naturally, August kept these thoughts to himself, patting Gary reassuringly on the shoulder. “Next time you want to praise me, just say it to my face.”

Gary: “…”

He’d never met someone this shameless before.

But remembering it was August, he quickly came to terms with it.

After quietly roasting him internally once more, Gary asked aloud, “So, what's next? Are we going straight to Unova, or…”

“We’ll head back to Kanto first,” August said calmly.

Better to sharpen the axe before cutting wood.

Yes, Unova’s situation was dire, but it wasn’t as if Team Plasma’s airship was already hovering over Opelucid City.

They needed to prepare thoroughly before heading out.

Gengar trailed quietly behind August, carefully cradling the Riolu egg. It had absolutely no idea what August and Gary were discussing—but frankly, it didn’t need to know.

As far as Gengar was concerned, all it needed to do was loyally follow its boss’s footsteps!

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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!