Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [470]

If things continued like this, August would end up taking all the credit!

Exchanging a glance, Lance and Koga tacitly changed the subject.

Lance asked, “How did you manage to take down Team Flare so quickly?”

Before leaving, August had complained at length about how challenging Team Flare would be and how long it might take. Yet barely two weeks had passed, and Team Flare had already become history.

Thinking about it carefully, Team Flare’s destruction ranked second only to Team Aqua and Team Magma among organizations August had dismantled…

“To be honest, luck played a part,” August shrugged casually. “What could I do? Lysandre practically delivered himself to my doorstep—I couldn’t just let him go, right?”

Lance fell silent.

August was flexing again.

In all his years with the League, Lance had never heard of a major criminal willingly turning himself in, especially not the leader of a powerful regional crime syndicate.

But since August said so…

Lance could only assume Lysandre had foolishly fallen into August’s trap, leading directly to his arrest.

Rest in peace, Lysandre.

“What about Lysandre Labs and the Holo Caster Company in Kalos?” Lance asked, focusing on his main concern.

“I haven’t asked yet—wait, don’t tell me you’re…” August stared at Lance in mock shock.

Was Lance finally tired of being overshadowed by Steven? Was he planning to use his family’s wealth to acquire a major company and surpass Steven’s personal fortune, becoming Kanto’s wealthy gentleman rivaling Hoenn’s Steven Stone?

Lance didn’t know exactly what August was imagining, but judging by August’s exaggerated expression, it definitely wasn’t anything good.

With a dark face, Lance clarified, “I was just wondering if we could introduce the Holo Caster technology to Johto…”

As the Johto Champion, Lance was eager to achieve something meaningful. Bringing such advanced technology to Johto would be a significant achievement.

“I’ll ask,” August offered, dialing Diantha’s number.

After a brief conversation, August shook his head under Lance’s expectant gaze.

“We’re too late. Kalos’s League Council just set up a special management committee to take over the Holo Caster Company.”

Lance looked disappointed.

However, August’s tone shifted, “But it’s not impossible…”

Lance perked up. “What do you mean?”

“Acquisition isn’t possible, but cooperation might be. Without Lysandre, the company’s rapid growth will inevitably slow, so the Kalos League is open to partnerships right now.”

Seeing Lance’s growing interest, August smiled slightly, “For the details, you should talk directly with Diantha—I won’t get involved.”

“Thanks!” Lance replied earnestly.

“What’s there to thank?” August shrugged again. He had simply made a phone call to ask about the situation.

But Lance saw it differently. Ultimately, it was because August defeated Lysandre and Team Flare that this opportunity existed at all.

Beside them, Koga quietly nodded in agreement. Unable to contribute anything meaningful, nodding along was all he could do now.

With the Team Flare discussion finished, the conversation naturally shifted to the ongoing Silver Conference.

“The trainers from your Kanto Branch have gained quite a following,” Lance remarked.

Indeed, at this year’s Silver Conference, the Kanto Branch continued to make waves, with Pearl and Diamond both advancing into the quarterfinals.

August’s expression was calm.

Although Pearl and Diamond had joined the Kanto Branch relatively recently, they had still attended his Hisui summer training camp. Not making the top eight would’ve been truly strange.

Speaking of fans, August recalled the chaotic group he'd encountered earlier. Just remembering their bizarre questions gave him chills.

“The Silver Conference needs stronger security,” August stated.

Misunderstanding August’s concern as fear of Team Rocket remnants, Lance confidently assured him, “Don’t worry—I’ve prepared thoroughly. If Team Rocket dares show up, they won’t leave alive.”

August: “…”

I don’t think we're talking about the same thing…

Koga, formerly of Team Rocket himself, offered his analysis, “According to my experience, Team Rocket is likely in deep hiding. They wouldn’t launch a pointless attack like targeting the Silver Conference.”

No sooner had Koga finished speaking than the phone on Lance’s desk rang urgently.

Both August and Lance stared at Koga simultaneously.

“Haha…” Koga laughed dryly. “Must be something else—there’s no way the timing’s that perfect, right?”

Under their watchful gazes, Lance answered the call on speaker.

“Champion Lance! Team Rocket just attacked the Goldenrod Radio Tower, broadcasting demands for Giovanni’s release within three days or they’ll strike again!”

Koga froze.

He’d just casually spoken—now, wasn’t he a crow’s mouth in Lance and August’s eyes?

Seeing Koga’s awkwardness, August sympathetically patted his shoulder. “Don’t overthink it. On the bright side, Team Rocket must still fear us; at least they didn’t attack the Silver Conference venue directly.”

Koga: “…”

What kind of comfort is that…

No matter where Team Rocket attacked, it was undeniably a provocation against the League.

After quickly assessing the situation, Lance instructed Goldenrod’s prosecutors on damage control.

Ending the call, Lance turned decisively to Koga.

Koga cleared his throat defensively. “I swear I didn’t jinx us…”

Lance sighed. “I know—but I’m assigning you to track Team Rocket’s movements in Goldenrod.”

Releasing Giovanni was out of the question.

Ignoring Johto League’s stance, given August’s complicated love-hate history with Giovanni, could he possibly release him easily?

Right now, Lance himself couldn’t leave the tournament, while Will, Karen, and Bruno each had other duties, leaving only Koga available.

Koga bitterly regretted opening his mouth. As a former Team Rocket executive, he knew firsthand how difficult finding them would be if they truly wanted to hide.

Seeing Koga’s despairing face, August chuckled and patted him again.

“Relax, you have three whole days, right?”

Koga departed with a defeated look.

Watching Koga’s retreating figure, August turned to Lance. “Will he be alright alone?”

Lance waved dismissively. “This initial reconnaissance suits him perfectly. He is a ninja, after all.”

August agreed. If Koga hadn’t faced him back then, he certainly wouldn’t have been captured so easily.

Seeing Koga off, August decided it was time for him to slip away too. Not because he didn’t want to catch up with Lance, but because he feared staying might burden him with more unexpected work.

He still planned on going back to enjoy the drama unfolding among his friends.

“I’ll come back when I have time!” August said breezily, already halfway out the door.

Lance: “…”

We only haven’t seen each other for two weeks—what’s there to catch up on?!

...

Returning to the Kanto Branch’s temporary residence in Silver Town, August found the place bustling.

Hoopa and Gold had already hit it off, laughing and chatting like longtime buddies.

Blue and Sabrina had gone shopping, accompanied worryingly by Mew.

August wasn’t worried for Mew herself, but rather for Blue and Sabrina’s wallets. Given Mew’s habit of wanting to sample every snack—and pitifully begging if refused—he hoped their wallets could survive the trip.

Regarding Blue and Sabrina’s unusual harmony, August suspected some secret alliance had formed between them. Whether it would be good or bad for him remained unclear.

Meanwhile, Baraz was laughing uncontrollably at Pearl and Diamond’s comedic routine. Seeing usually stoic Baraz bond instantly with those two was genuinely surprising.

Ash remained blissfully oblivious in the center of a tense trio: Misty, Bayleef, and Serena. While the three subtly battled for Ash’s attention, Ash innocently smiled without a care, totally unaware of the perilous situation he was in.

Brock desperately tried to rescue Ash, but the boy’s obliviousness left Brock feeling utterly helpless.

Yet amidst the chaos…

Only Gary sat alone in a corner, frantically deleting chat records from his phone, trying to erase evidence.

Seeing this, August smiled wickedly. Approaching Gary quietly, he suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder, making Gary jump in panic and almost drop his phone.

Clutching the phone desperately, Gary exhaled shakily. “What’s up, August?”

Despite Gary’s attempt to appear innocent, his nervousness screamed guilt.

August glanced pointedly at the tightly-held phone without attempting to take it.

Instead, he sighed dramatically, “Gary, in this digital age, deleting local chat logs is useless.”

“All conversations are backed up on cloud servers. If I really wanted, I could access them easily.”

Gary froze instantly. After a moment of panic, he steadied himself.

Cloud servers? Was August forgetting he had Porygon? With Porygon, firewalls were mere paper! Deleting records was a piece of cake.

Seeing Gary regain confidence, August calmly pierced his bubble.

“You’re thinking about your Porygon, aren’t you?”

Gary denied feebly, “I don’t know what you mean…”

Ignoring his denial, August pressed on, “Indeed, Porygon is powerful—but where exactly is your Porygon right now?”

“My Porygon is obviously—” Gary reached for his belt and suddenly froze.

He remembered now—he’d lent his Porygon to August earlier and had completely forgotten to ask for it back.

Realizing this, Gary’s face went pale.

August smiled calmly, delivering the crushing blow, “Exactly. Your Porygon is currently busy studying with Professor Turo and Professor Sada in Area Zero. Faraway water can’t put out nearby fires—you’re too late.”

Gary panicked completely. “Can I still confess now?”

August’s response was a chillingly warm smile.

“What do you think?”

Gary wailed dramatically, “August, have mercy!”

...

After his confrontation with August, Gary wandered dazedly, muttering incoherent pleas like “August, you tricked me,” and “I’m innocent.”

Seeing this, most assumed Gary was just enduring another of August’s usual pranks.

But certain others broke into cold sweats.

Especially Gold, who nearly jumped out of his skin when August casually called over, “Gold, come find me at the training ground later.”

Gold nodded nervously, feeling his heart race. Whatever August planned, Gold knew protesting was useless.

Watching Gary rally himself weakly, Gold rolled his eyes. “Face it—you're no match for August.”

Gary refused stubbornly, convinced August had some hidden weakness.

Observing Gary deep in thought, Gold shook his head hopelessly.

---

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!