Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [481]

With the lofty goal of rescuing Boss Giovanni, Jessie, Meowth, and James were instantly fired up, acting as if they'd been injected with adrenaline.

Thus began the trio's lively discussion on how best to use their newfound funds to rebuild Team Rocket and save their beloved Boss.

“Let's recruit people! Expand Team Rocket, capture Pikachu first, and then rescue the Boss!”

“Hiring people with money is too unreliable, meow! Team Rocket isn't a club anyone can just join. I say we build a super-powerful robot instead! We’ll use the robot to catch Pikachu, and then trade Pikachu for the Boss!”

“I agree about catching Pikachu first,” James interjected thoughtfully, “but I doubt this amount of money will suffice. Why don't we invest it to earn even more first?”

James was undeniably the heir of a wealthy conglomerate—though he'd run away from home, his capitalist mindset remained intact.

The three immediately fell into a heated argument, each convinced their idea was best.

After arguing fruitlessly for half the day, the trio exchanged glances, suddenly filled with nostalgia for the days when their Boss was around.

We really miss you, Boss!

Expressions turning melancholic, they eventually agreed to find that little brat and Pikachu first.

Watching the dejected trio finally leave, August and Blue stepped out from the side.

“You're really letting those three go?” Blue asked, puzzled. “They're seriously discussing how to rebuild Team Rocket and rescue Giovanni. Aren’t you worried about Team Rocket making a comeback?”

August looked toward the departing figures of Team Rocket's trio and chuckled softly. “If it's those three rebuilding Team Rocket… honestly, I wouldn’t mind seeing Team Rocket rise again.”

He was genuinely curious about what kind of organization they'd create.

Though, catching Pikachu first was indeed the priority…

Seeing August chuckling to himself, Blue shook her head slightly, deciding it was pointless to dwell on the matter any longer.

“Are you heading to Paldea next?”

“Why would I go to Paldea?” August asked, confused.

“Huh? Didn't you promise Iono you'd appear on her stream?”

At the mention of Iono, Eevee, who had been sulking ever since August cut back its allowance, suddenly perked up, ears twitching energetically.

“Vee!”

August: “...”

You never get this enthusiastic about anything else. You’re that fond of Iono? How about I just evolve you into Jolteon right now…

Sensing August’s stare, Eevee immediately snuggled up against him, acting adorably spoiled.

Looking down at Eevee's eagerly wagging tail, August sighed helplessly.

He truly had no resistance to Eevee's adorable antics.

Because…

She really is just too cute!

But going to Paldea was definitely out of the question.

Although August was intrigued by cheese Snowcloaks, whenever he thought of Geeta's habit of roping people into unpaid labor, he felt maintaining his peaceful life required staying far away from Paldea.

After postponing his collaboration with Iono once again—and prompting Blue to hurry Iono along on her delayed documentary—August returned to his manor.

As soon as he entered the estate, August spotted Slowbro and Psyduck playing with Hoopa.

Hoopa had created a portal using its golden rings, placed one on the ground, and at Slowbro's instigation, Psyduck jumped through, falling out of another ring high above in freefall, only to fall back through the ground-level portal.

Under gravity’s influence, Psyduck accelerated until only a yellow blur remained.

“Here we go—Psyduck Cannonball!” Hoopa excitedly shouted, adjusting the exit portal toward the nearby lake.

In the next instant, Psyduck shot out like a bullet, skimming across the water’s surface at near-supersonic speed before crashing into Snorlax’s belly.

Duang!

Snorlax's stomach compressed dramatically, then snapped back, sending Psyduck soaring skyward at the same velocity.

Right then, another yellow silhouette appeared midair. Raichu puffed out its round belly proudly, bouncing Psyduck back downward into the lake.

Splash!

After two rebounds slowed its momentum, Psyduck landed in the water, splashing Dialga and Palkia who stood by the shore.

When Swampert finally retrieved Psyduck, the poor duck clutched its head, thoroughly dizzy.

“Slow~!”

At that moment, Slowbro—no, Slowpoke—was already prepared for launch.

Having removed Shellder from its tail to revert into Slowpoke, it underwent the same process as Psyduck, launched into the air by Hoopa's enthusiastic cry of “Go, Slowpoke Cannonball!”

After bouncing spectacularly, it too ended up in the lake.

Togepi was already impatiently bouncing up and down, waiting eagerly for its turn…

“What exactly are you guys doing?” August's voice abruptly rang out.

The Pokémon jumped, suddenly noticing August had appeared nearby unnoticed.

Caught!

Instantly, all Pokémon stood obediently still.

Slowpoke adopted an expression of vacant innocence. Psyduck, still dizzy, steadied itself only after Slowpoke grabbed its tail.

Hoopa hurriedly hid its rings behind its back, shaking its head furiously as if saying: I didn’t do anything!

August snorted softly, “Don’t bother hiding. I saw everything!”

Hearing this, Hoopa panicked even more.

“So, this is what you do when I'm away?” August glanced pointedly at Hoopa, who shrank back guiltily. “Look at Psyduck—it's still dizzy!”

Hoopa shrunk even smaller, quickly blurting out, “It was all Slowpoke’s idea, Hoopa!”

It decisively sold Slowpoke out.

Slowpoke jolted, eyes widening in disbelief. “Slow—!”

It couldn’t believe Hoopa had betrayed it. Even Slowpoke’s normally vacant eyes showed genuine shock.

Hoopa guiltily averted its gaze, unable to meet Slowpoke’s stare.

“Toki prii~!” Togepi flailed its tiny arms anxiously.

It hadn't even had its turn yet!

August stared sternly at Slowpoke and Hoopa. Just as the two Pokémon were anxiously awaiting their punishment, August suddenly smiled warmly.

“It’s alright. You can keep playing—just be careful.”

Saying this, he scooped up Mew and Eevee, both eagerly waiting for their turns, and headed into the villa.

Even after August disappeared from view, Hoopa and Slowpoke stood frozen in disbelief.

August actually let them off that easily?!

Was that really August just now?

As the two Pokémon remained stunned by this unexpected mercy, Togepi impatiently tugged at Hoopa.

“Toki prii~!”

It had waited so long—it was finally Togepi's turn to fly!

…

When August told Giovanni the wonderful news—that Jessie, James, and Meowth had secured funding and were planning to rebuild Team Rocket—Giovanni’s body trembled with sheer excitement.

“No need to thank me,” August said generously.

What could he say? He was simply the kind of man who repaid hatred with kindness.

Even after Giovanni had repeatedly targeted him, August was still willing to give Team Rocket another chance.

Thinking of this, August nearly moved himself to tears with his own benevolence.

Giovanni’s hands trembled as he tried to calm himself down, but no matter how he tried to deceive himself, there was one undeniable truth:

Team Rocket—the organization he’d poured his entire life into—was completely finished!

Believing those three fools who couldn't even capture a single Pikachu could rebuild Team Rocket was as absurd as believing a meteor would knock August unconscious tomorrow.

But reality was cruel, and Giovanni had no choice but to accept it.

At this moment, Giovanni felt utterly hopeless.

Seeing Giovanni’s despair, August judged the timing was perfect and asked, “So, want to join the Suicide Squad I set up?”

“Suicide Squad?”

“Oh, it’s a name I just came up with. Basically, it’s a team formed by all of you former evil organization leaders! Pryce is the captain. If you join now, I can appoint you vice-captain.”

“How about it? Will you join? The path to redemption is right here!” August said, smiling invitingly.

“Join you… Did you really think I’d agree?” Giovanni sneered.

August raised an eyebrow.

Giovanni calmly straightened his slightly wrinkled jacket, adjusted his tie and cuffs, then looked coldly at August. “I, Giovanni, was once the leader of Team Rocket—and in the future, I will only ever be the leader of Team Rocket!”

“Save your charity for those two idiots.”

After speaking, Giovanni closed his eyes and fell silent.

However, his words immediately triggered dissatisfaction from behind.

“Hey! Who are you calling idiots?!”

“Say that again if you dare!”

Maxie and Archie were glaring, visibly outraged.

August sighed helplessly. Giovanni didn’t even name anyone specifically, yet these two eagerly jumped to take the insult. Didn’t that mean they admitted it themselves?

On this point, Giovanni truly wasn't wrong.

As for Giovanni’s refusal…

“Since you won’t agree, I guess I’ll have to send Silver to have a talk with you. Giovanni, you don’t want to see Silver’s disappointed expression, do you?”

Giovanni’s eyelids twitched almost imperceptibly at the mention of Silver…

August caught this reaction perfectly.

Smiling, August greeted Pryce casually, then walked away, whistling.

Only after the sound of the door closing echoed did Giovanni open his eyes, his expression dark.

“That evil, shameless, despicable August!”

For the International Police to recruit someone like August was simply lowering the moral standards of League personnel!

Yet the most frustrating thing was that right now, Giovanni was completely powerless against August.

...

When August returned to the living room, Cogita looked up and smiled warmly. “Finished threatening him already?”

August widened his eyes dramatically. “How can you accuse me like that! What do you mean, ‘threatening’…”

Cogita just smiled quietly, watching August’s exaggerated performance.

Facing Cogita’s penetrating gaze, August struggled briefly before finally surrendering. “This isn't called threatening; it’s the International Police guiding someone toward good behavior!”

“Besides, compared to my minor act of guiding Giovanni toward virtue, shouldn’t you reflect on why you were eavesdropping on our conversation?” August countered righteously.

Cogita couldn’t help but admire August’s shameless ability to turn the tables in such situations.

In response, she spread her hands helplessly. “I was born with good hearing. Maybe you should lower your voice next time?”

August: “...”

Fine, you're Arceus’ human form, you’re superior, you're high and mighty. I surrender, okay?!

Blue, watching August lose this verbal battle, couldn’t hold back her laughter.

At that moment, a psychic ripple appeared as Sabrina teleported into the villa, having just finished her duties at Saffron Gym. Seeing Blue laughing and August looking irritated, her curiosity ignited immediately.

“What happened?”

“Oh, it went like this…” Blue, already in an unspoken alliance with Sabrina, cheerfully recounted August’s embarrassing moment.

August: “...”

Laugh all you want now! Six hours until dark—just wait till tonight, then you’ll be crying…

Having Meowscarada brew him a cup of coffee, August was just about to head to the training ground to check on Gary, who was sparring with Gold, when Cogita suddenly spoke again:

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”

Forgetting something?

August raised an eyebrow. Seeing Cogita’s gaze fixed meaningfully on him, he quickly realized what she meant.

Looking at the three mysterious rewards on the system panel, August lifted his chin arrogantly. “Real pros never open loot boxes.”

With that, he turned on his heel and proudly walked off.

Watching August’s retreating figure, Cogita smiled in amusement.

She wasn’t worried. After all, she knew August wouldn’t be able to resist for long.

With that in mind, Cogita returned to the novel in her hands.

August arrived at the battle arena shortly afterward.

Diamond and Pearl had stayed behind in Johto for an interview. Gary, spurred on by Diamond’s recent victories, had immediately dragged Gold onto the training grounds to spar upon his return.

“Poli! [Hydro Pump]!”

“Scizor, dodge it!”

The crimson Scizor danced across the battlefield, skillfully evading the [Hydro Pumps] from Politoed as it quickly closed in.

Seeing Scizor approach rapidly, Gold waved his hand decisively. “[Bounce]!”

Politoed sprang into the air, narrowly avoiding Scizor’s [Bullet Punch]. The punch struck where Politoed had just stood, scattering rubble and embedding Scizor’s claw deeply into the ground.

Gold’s eyes brightened immediately.

“Heh, now the advantage is mine! Politoed, [Body Slam]!”

Politoed fell rapidly, aiming straight at Scizor.

But at that very moment, Gary spoke calmly:

“You fell for it!”

The instant Gary’s words fell, Scizor effortlessly yanked its claw free from the ground, swinging upward at the descending Politoed.

A collision erupted!

Boom!

The resounding crash echoed throughout the training grounds as Politoed was knocked backward by Scizor’s powerful strike.

Before Politoed could even hit the ground, Scizor raised its other claw, opening it as dazzling silver energy rapidly gathered within.

---

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!