Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [465]

Malva asked pointedly, "Aren’t you worried I might only be pretending to cooperate, secretly planning to betray you?"

August smiled calmly at that. "The fact that you’re openly asking me proves you don’t have that intention. And besides…even if you betray me, I’ll just catch you again."

Fair enough.

Thinking about August's overwhelming strength, Malva found herself unable to refute his words.

Finally, she sighed deeply and nodded. "I'll join."

August extended his hand with a grin. "Welcome to the International Police, Kanto Division!"

Malva reached out to shake his hand, memories involuntarily surfacing of the last time she had done so—back when she was still an Elite Four member and a famous news anchor, preparing to interview August to boost her career.

Who could’ve guessed I'd go through so much, only to end up working under him?

She couldn’t help but marvel bitterly at how unpredictable fate was.

Shaking off those wandering thoughts, Malva looked up at August earnestly. "I'll be in your care from now on."

From this day forward, she was once again part of the League.

...

When August reappeared at the café with Malva in tow, Diantha’s expression turned distinctly strange.

Her questioning gaze seemed to ask clearly: "Are you really going to recruit Malva into the International Police?"

Recruiting a former Elite Four member who had been an unprecedented undercover agent was a risky move.

August simply nodded confidently in response.

If he chose to trust someone, he did so wholeheartedly. While others might struggle to handle Malva, he had no worries. Under his command, Malva would only further the cause of justice.

Diantha opened her mouth a few times but ultimately stayed silent.

Since August had made up his mind, he must have his reasons. And with his strength, even if Malva tried anything, she couldn’t possibly stir up real trouble.

If Diantha’s attitude towards Malva was cautious, then Sabrina’s gaze was filled with vigilance and suspicion.

It wasn’t Malva’s former Team Flare membership that concerned Sabrina—after all, she herself had been a Team Rocket Executive—but rather Malva herself.

Especially after glancing briefly at Malva's figure, Sabrina’s suspicion deepened even further.

Malva had been quietly observing her new colleagues, and upon noticing Sabrina’s wary gaze, she paused briefly. However, having specifically interviewed August before, she quickly deduced the reason for Sabrina’s hostility.

Her eyes flicked between August and Sabrina, instincts honed from years as a news anchor compelling her to stir the pot:

"Chief August, it seems the relationship between you and your female subordinate isn't as simple as you claim?"

Sabrina froze awkwardly, discreetly sneaking a glance at Blue.

Blue, who had been feeding Latias, also paused slightly.

August: "…"

Maybe I should just lock Malva back up!

Seeing their varied reactions, Malva’s mischievous personality—which had been sealed by her imprisonment—instantly resurfaced. Her instincts screamed that there was juicy gossip here, just waiting to be uncovered.

How interesting!

Though tempted to continue, Malva wisely realized that provoking August too much might land her in serious trouble.

She quickly changed the topic: "So, what's our next step?"

True to her experience as a renowned host, Malva understood precisely when to stop.

Sabrina secretly sighed in relief.

Blue relaxed as well, resuming her gentle smile.

August, pretending nothing happened, pulled a communicator from his pocket and tossed it casually to Malva. "This is your internal communicator. I'll add you to the group chat—give yourself a code name."

After entering the group and seeing the bizarre nicknames everyone used, Malva fell silent momentarily.

"I think my real name is just fine…" she murmured.

She'd long passed the embarrassing phase of using silly nicknames—especially after spotting someone in the group called "Just_Call_Me_Young_Master_Gary."

How narcissistic could someone be to choose a nickname like that?

August smirked. "Sorry, but that's not how we do things in my Kanto Division…"

Under Malva’s wary gaze, August swiftly made a few taps on his phone.

[ 'Malva' has been renamed by Admin to 'Pink-Haired_News_Anchor'.]

[GardevoirSupremacy]: Everyone, welcome our new member @Pink-Haired News Anchor!

[Gold]: Welcome!

[Silver]: That nickname though…

Malva clenched her fists tightly in frustration.

This was definitely payback—blatant revenge!

Just as Malva was preparing to rename herself, another notification caught her attention:

[You have received an invitation from group member 'Just_Call_Me_Young_Master_Gary' to join the 'August_Anti-Fan_Club'.]

"Hmm?"

Malva raised an eyebrow curiously.

Could it be that August was unpopular even among his own subordinates?

Intrigued, she clicked "Accept."

...

August had no clue Gary had created an anti-fan group, nor that Malva—within ten minutes of joining the Kanto Division—had already joined it.

After successfully renaming Malva, August felt utterly refreshed.

"Everything's wrapped up here. It's time to head back to Johto!" he announced.

Unexpectedly, Serena reacted with the most excitement.

"Really?!" Serena exclaimed joyfully, forgetting even about her Fennekin.

Could her long-awaited reunion with Ash finally happen?

"Yeah," August nodded. "The Indigo League preliminaries just ended. If we leave now, we'll make it for the round of sixteen."

This year's Indigo League was important to August. He wanted to see whether Ash, after learning the special [Return] technique he’d taught him, could break his curse and finally win the League.

Unlike Serena’s excitement, Diantha was somewhat surprised. "You're leaving already?"

She hadn’t expected him to leave Kalos so suddenly—she’d wanted to show him around as thanks for all he’d done.

"It's just to watch the tournament. I’ll come visit again when I have time!" August assured her warmly.

Diantha quickly realized she’d overreacted. Of course, she knew about the Indigo League being hosted in Johto—the first major tournament after Lance became the region's Champion.

August heading back to support Lance was only natural. In fact, if not for her responsibilities handling the aftermath of Lysandre’s capture, Diantha herself would have loved to join him.

"Then I'll eagerly await your next visit!" Diantha said, her face lighting up brightly.

Beside her, Diantha’s Gardevoir reluctantly waved goodbye to August’s Gardevoir. Despite the short time, they had already become good friends.

"Definitely," August promised.

After Diantha left, Blue asked, "Are we taking the airship back?"

Blue’s expression was perfectly normal, as if nothing unusual had happened earlier.

August felt slightly nervous but maintained a calm facade.

"No, this time we're trying something new," he said, looking pointedly at Hoopa, who froze nervously mid-bite into a donut.

Hoopa had an immediate bad feeling.

"Hoopa, can you teleport us back to Johto?" August asked.

"Hoopa…?" Hoopa dropped the donut in shock.

Teleporting from Kalos to Johto?!

Do you even know how far that is?!

Hoopa shook its head vigorously, signaling it was impossible.

But August’s next words stunned it further: "Actually, I know you can't do it alone…"

Hoopa: "?"

Then why ask?!

August smiled gently. "But what if it wasn't just one Hoopa?"

He waved the [Prison Bottle] meaningfully. "With this, it should be doable, right? It might be tough for you, though…"

"Help, Hoopa!" Hoopa immediately tried fleeing.

But August had already opened the bottle.

Red energy surged into Hoopa’s body, drawing it outside. Everyone followed, seeing Unbound Hoopa floating cautiously, shrinking timidly upon seeing August.

August patted Hoopa reassuringly. "Hoopa, teleport us to Mt. Silver in Johto. You should know that location, right?"

He picked a landmark just to be safe, considering Hoopa had been sealed for a century.

Relieved that August wasn’t punishing it or summoning Arceus, Hoopa quickly nodded.

A golden ring formed, opening a large portal.

Malva eyed it uncertainly. "Is…this safe?"

August hesitated briefly. "Probably…?"

The legendaries had already tested these portals firsthand. Besides, Hoopa wouldn’t dare mess around after being disciplined by Arceus.

Hearing August’s vague answer, Malva stepped back nervously. Blue, Sabrina, and Serena also instinctively stepped back.

Baraz and Meray trusted Hoopa but hesitated, not wanting to leap ahead of their boss.

Seeing everyone hesitate, August shook his head. "Fine, I'll go first!"

With Mew on his left shoulder, Meowstic on his right, and Gardevoir and Latias at his side, he boldly stepped through the portal.

Blue and Sabrina anxiously watched August vanish.

Seconds dragged on with no sign of him. Anxiety grew.

"He’s okay…right?"

They exchanged worried glances, temporarily forgetting their earlier awkwardness.

Just as Latios nearly dove through, August reappeared, covered head-to-toe in mud along with his Pokémon.

"Pfft…" Sabrina immediately burst out laughing.

August shot a dirty look at Hoopa. "Hoopa, what location did you pick? The moment I arrived, a bunch of Quagsire playing in mud tackled me!"

"Hoopa…" Hoopa hung its head guiltily.

Seeing August unharmed, Blue sighed in relief. "So it’s safe?"

"Yeah…safe enough."

Everyone relaxed. "Let’s go!" August called.

Once they all crossed safely, Hoopa surprised itself by successfully following through its own portal.

As they celebrated, a cheerful horde of muddy Quagsire rushed forward for hugs.

"Watch out!" August warned—but too late.

Covered in mud, they couldn’t stay mad at the adorable Pokémon.

Sabrina smiled warmly. "Mt. Silver’s hot springs are famous. How about we take a dip?"

August’s spirits instantly brightened.

---

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!