Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [468]

August turned and walked away.

Malva watched him go, astonished. "You seriously didn’t catch that Tyranitar?"

August shrugged. "There are so many Pokémon in this world—I can’t possibly catch every one I come across."

Reasonable and persuasive.

Yet…

"I don't think Tyranitar sees it that way," Malva pointed behind August.

He turned to look, realizing Tyranitar had silently risen at some point and was now quietly following him from afar.

As soon as their eyes met, Tyranitar immediately ducked behind a tree, attempting to hide its massive body.

August: "…"

Is it trying to act cute? How can something that huge possibly hide itself?

"Just ignore it. It’ll probably leave eventually," August sighed.

It wasn’t that he had anything against Tyranitar.

But everyone knew a Larvitar had to consume an entire mountain’s worth of soil to evolve into Pupitar.

The Farfetch'd kitchen brigade back at the Kanto Branch was already swamped with daily meals for Salamence, Snorlax, and Mew. Add a Tyranitar to the mix, and August worried those poor birds would be stressed to the point of shedding feathers.

They continued toward the Silver Conference venue, captured poachers in tow.

Contrary to August’s expectations, Tyranitar stubbornly followed them all the way.

"Why don’t you just catch it?" Sabrina suggested.

To be honest, having a gigantic Tyranitar following close behind them was pretty nerve-wracking.

"Besides," Sabrina added, "it might scare the competitors and audience at the Silver Conference."

Hearing this, August let out another sigh.

It was troublesome, being so charismatic.

Even casually rescuing Pokémon now led to being chased down to accept their affection.

August took a Great Ball from his waist and approached Tyranitar. "You wanna be my Pokémon?"

"Tyran—!"

Tyranitar hesitated, then shook its head.

August: "?"

An awkward silence descended.

Malva: "Pfft—!"

Seeing August rejected for the first time, Malva felt the embarrassment from her earlier clownish behavior instantly evaporate.

August glared darkly at Tyranitar. "Then why are you even following me? You find this amusing?"

Had Gary been here, he’d definitely laugh and say August was flustered.

At this moment, one of the captured poachers timidly spoke up: "Um… it might be because we took its child?"

Everyone immediately turned toward the poacher who’d spoken.

The poacher leader wished he could smack the talkative idiot upside the head.

Do you have to spill everything? Can’t you see the Demon Ranger’s already in a bad mood?

Exactly as he’d feared, August’s eyes quickly turned toward him.

"Deliberately concealing criminal evidence… How nice."

I wasn’t! I didn't!

August had sealed his mouth shut when he was arrested—he couldn’t have said anything if he'd wanted to!

The poacher leader felt deeply wronged.

Next, August turned back to the poacher who’d spoken up: "Voluntarily confessing crimes, huh? Blue, take note of that and inform the judge to give him a lighter sentence."

Instantly, the other poachers regretted being slow to speak up.

From the confiscated illegal goods, August retrieved Larvitar’s Pokéball and released it.

A frightened-looking Larvitar appeared, its anxious expression instantly replaced with joy when it spotted Tyranitar. Happily, it rushed toward its parent.

Reunited, the two Pokémon lumbered off together.

Only after Tyranitar and Larvitar vanished from sight did the group look away.

"I thought you'd throw a tantrum out of embarrassment," Malva remarked slyly.

August shot her a disdainful glance. "Don’t project your Team Flare habits onto me."

Malva: "…"

Chatting with August was definitely a guaranteed cure for low blood pressure.

"Let’s hurry," August urged. "We've already wasted enough time—any later, and the match will be over!"

Saying that, he continued toward Silver Town nearby.

...

Since this was the first major tournament Lance had organized since becoming Johto’s Champion, the Silver Conference was being conducted with the utmost prestige.

When August entered Silver Town, the streets were packed with tourists and vendors selling merchandise.

His first instinct was to scan the vendors for Team Rocket’s familiar trio, but he quickly remembered—they were still stranded back in Hisui, courtesy of him.

August made another mental note to pick them up when he had free time. Then he realized that he and his entourage had attracted attention.

Trainers weren’t unusual, but World Coronation Series Champions were rare sights indeed.

Even rarer was a Champion dragging along a group of people clearly dressed like poachers.

"Champion August!"

"Is the Champion also competing in the tournament?"

"Are those captured poachers behind you?"

Hearing the question from someone particularly imaginative, August felt exasperated. Is your imagination that wild? How could you possibly think I’m here to compete?

Sending him to participate would be outright bullying children. One [Draco Meteor] from Rayquaza could wipe out all the contestants combined.

August wanted to meet whoever asked that ridiculous question, but so many excited fans had gathered he couldn't pick anyone out.

More bizarre questions quickly followed.

"August-san, there’s talk the League is banning Legendary Pokémon in the next World Championships—do you feel personally targeted?"

What nonsense is this? Absolutely not. Pure fiction. I've always respected the League's decisions.

"August-san, is your girlfriend Iono not here today?"

When did Iono become my girlfriend? This is outrageous—I’d know if that happened, right?

"We’re from the Gardevoir Protection Association. Given your exceptionally high bond with Gardevoir, have you considered marrying her?"

Who? Who leaked that?!

The increasingly absurd questions kept coming. August felt he’d explode if he answered even one.

Beside him, Malva’s eyes sparkled brightly.

Back in Kalos, she’d believed her interview skills as a newscaster were unmatched, reaching the pinnacle of journalism.

But now in Johto, she realized just how much room she still had to improve.

If she'd asked even one of these fan questions during her past interviews with August, ratings would’ve exploded!

August felt thoroughly overwhelmed by his own fans.

Thankfully, at that moment, Officer Jenny, whom August had contacted earlier, finally arrived. "Please, everyone, make way!"

Officer Jenny managed to restore order. August breathed a sigh of relief and addressed her. "These are the poachers I mentioned earlier. I’ll send their exact charges and evidence to your email shortly. I'll leave them with you!"

Before Jenny could respond, August swiftly handed over the criminals and bolted toward the venue.

Time to run!

He really couldn’t handle these overly passionate fans.

They weren’t this wild in Kalos…

"That’s because the Silver Conference attracts hardcore Pokémon battle enthusiasts," Sabrina calmly pointed out.

Logical and convincing.

Regardless, August had successfully escaped.

Only upon arriving at the VIP suite Lance had reserved for him did he finally relax.

Inside, Gary and the others had already gathered.

When August entered, Gary was seriously giving Pearl advice, pretending to be a sharp-eyed coach.

"Pearl, your Infernape is agile, but against opponents like Beedrill, keep your distance. Close-range fighting is too risky with little room for mistakes…"

With August gone the past couple of days, Gary had thoroughly enjoyed playing the coach.

Though one lingering question remained—why had that newcomer apologized so suddenly earlier?

As Gary pondered this, he heard a familiar voice behind him:

"Leader of August’s Anti-Fan Club?"

Gary instinctively replied while turning, "Shh, I told you never to call me that outside—if August overhears…"

He froze mid-sentence.

"If I overhear, then what?" August asked with a dangerous smile.

"Au-August!" Gary shot up from his seat, his face turning a sickly green. Who betrayed me?!

August continued smiling. "I heard you’re the Kanto branch’s top expert on me?"

"I… that was just a joke!" Gary stammered nervously, feeling cold and stiff all over.

Suddenly, Gary realized exactly who’d betrayed him—the pink-haired news anchor!

That newcomer! She was the only one he'd told that to. No wonder she apologized!

Gary’s heart burned with indignation. He’d helped her out kindly, yet she'd repaid him with betrayal!

That wasn’t important now, though.

What mattered was…

Gary glanced at August’s smiling face, recognizing a familiar expression—Danger Level 3: Smiling with hidden knives.

He knew exactly what came next: August would pat his shoulder.

August patted his shoulder.

Then reassure him falsely.

"Don’t worry—it’s just a chat group. Am I really that petty?"

Then reveal his true motive.

August continued smoothly, "I’m just curious—who else is in that group?"

He'd forgotten to check earlier, and Malva refused to lend him her phone again. Respecting privacy, August had chosen Gary as his new target.

Gary stiffened resolutely. "Kill me if you want—I’ll never betray my group members!"

August clicked his tongue. "I didn’t expect you to be this loyal. Fine, forget it."

Gary had grown up. August felt proud.

Gary blinked suspiciously.

August would never let me off this easily. There must be a trap!

"I won’t give you even a scrap of information!" Gary declared defiantly.

August: "…"

Just then, the door opened, and Ash entered with Pikachu, Misty, and Brock. "Gary! They were out of popcorn, so I got chips instead!"

Seeing the crowded room, Ash exclaimed happily, "August?!"

Pikachu also brightened but quickly guarded its cheeks warily, recalling previous pinches.

August felt exasperated. I just pinched your cheeks—no need for that look!

Meanwhile, Serena joyfully anticipated Ash recognizing her, but when he finally turned, he asked confusedly, "Who are you…?"

Crack.

Serena felt her heart shatter.

August covered his face. Oh, Ash… You really are hopeless.

---

T/N: oh ash...

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!