Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [577]

August promptly criticized Gary Oak for his arrogant statement.

It wasn’t as if there was absolutely no one capable of matching their current lineup.

Wasn't there still Arceus, after all?

As soon as August thought of Arceus, he remembered the pile of lottery draws he’d let stack up for ages, and Cogita’s smiling face surfaced vividly in his mind.

He felt an immediate headache coming on.

The sudden surge of [Dynamax] anomalies all over Galar sparked heated debate online.

Some people speculated it was a sign of impending disaster. Others expressed worry. A few even suspected it was a sinister plot by some criminal organization aiming to overthrow the Galar region.

Of course, the last kind typically ended up having their posts deleted and accounts banned, never causing so much as a ripple online.

After having multiple accounts banned one after another, even August had to admit that Macro Cosmos and Rose’s control over Galar was several orders of magnitude stronger than Ghetsis’s ever had been.

“Compared to Rose’s methods, Ghetsis’s control over public opinion is practically child’s play,” August remarked with feeling.

Gary Oak was already used to August’s habit of casually dragging Ghetsis out to ridicule at every opportunity.

Gary randomly clicked open a trending video.

It was footage captured by a bystander, showing Pryce instantly freezing the raging Darmanitan.

The comments below already numbered in the tens of thousands, spanning every possible viewpoint.

Some people didn’t recognize Pryce and asked whose general this was to display such terrifying bravery.

Others recognized Pryce immediately and expressed their worry over this year’s World Championships.

And some were carefully analyzing Pryce’s strength.

[Goal: Ice-type Pokémon Master]: I've analyzed the footage frame-by-frame. It took exactly 2.62 seconds for Pryce to freeze that Darmanitan—and that's a [Zen Mode Gigantamax Darmanitan], with dual Ice and Fire typing! This Delibird’s strength is terrifying!

[Iron Sandbag Plays Basketball]: Honestly, this year’s Championship Trainers are in trouble. Pray you don't run into Pryce!

[Oleana Fan Club]: Strongly oppose criminals participating in the Championships!

[Gardevoir Protection Society Member]: From a rational, objective, and neutral perspective, Pryce did save Stow-on-Side. I support Pryce.

Gary watched the arguments flying through the comments.

Then he turned to August, asking, “August, what do you think about the online discussions?”

“I sip coffee while I read them,” August replied casually, taking a sip from his cup.

Kubfu mimicked August, taking a sip as well—but its face immediately twisted at the bitter taste.

August laughed at Kubfu’s exaggerated expression. Taking the coffee away, he handed Kubfu a bottle of juice instead.

Only after drinking the juice did Kubfu manage to shed its mask of suffering.

But a moment later, Kubfu became downcast.

Because in Kubfu’s mind, only little kids drank juice…

It wanted to become as powerful as the Mewtwo it had seen that day, a Pokémon strong enough to become Boss August’s trusted partner!

Seeing Kubfu’s depressed look, August patted its head reassuringly:

“Drinking juice doesn’t make you childish, and drinking coffee doesn’t make you mature. What truly matters is your heart.”

Kubfu stared down at its own chest, puzzled, trying to understand August’s words.

But August didn’t explain further.

Some truths couldn’t be understood just by hearing—they required Kubfu to grasp them on its own.

But in Gary’s eyes, August was just fooling around with underage Pokémon again.

“Everyone’s rankings seem to be rising pretty quickly…” Gary Oak opened the World Championship rankings page.

On it, real-time rankings for the championship were clearly displayed.

Giovanni, Pryce, Cyrus, Maxie, Archie, and Lysandre—all had already advanced successfully into the Ultra Ball tier.

“It was never difficult in the first place. What’s really worth watching is who makes it into the Master tier,” August said, turning his head to the side. “Right, Giovanni?”

Giovanni shot August a glance, feeling as if even a single word to him was a waste of his own life.

Giovanni’s stubborn non-cooperation left August lamenting the lost opportunity for entertainment.

“Oh right, August, didn’t you say there was evidence of Rose’s crimes here in Stow-on-Side? Aren’t we going to gather that evidence?” Gary asked.

“How do you know I haven’t already collected the evidence?” August replied casually.

“Huh?”

Gary didn’t understand.

Just sitting here counted as collecting evidence?

As Gary puzzled over it, Mew—who’d been missing all day—flew over carrying a camera and landed beside August.

Panting from exhaustion, Mew passed the camera to August, then collapsed atop his head.

August gently stroked Mew’s head and opened the camera to check the pictures. Inside were numerous detailed photos of the energy plant’s interior—

Including shots of Eternatus in slumber.

“Mew!”

At the mention of Eternatus, Mew waved its tiny paws animatedly.

She explained how she’d almost gotten caught and was only saved by her incredible speed…

Giovanni glanced at Eternatus’s image, eyes narrowing slightly, before quickly returning to his usual indifferent look.

August calmly put the camera away as though nothing had happened.

“So, are we going to arrest Rose next?” Gary eagerly rubbed his hands together.

August shook his head.

“Why not?”

“If we arrest Rose now, what happens to the Galar World Championships?” August asked solemnly.

“So you’re saying—”

“No rush. Let's toy with him a little first!” Just as August spoke, there was a sudden commotion outside the café.

Many customers inside rushed outside, acting as if some superstar had appeared.

“What’s going on?” Gary asked curiously.

Hearing Gary’s question, a local Galarian replied excitedly, “Chairman Rose is here!”

The local Galar residents—who were completely unaware their futures were being gambled away by Rose in his plan to solve Galar’s energy crisis a thousand years from now—were fanatically devoted to Rose.

Objectively speaking, Rose had indeed brought rapid economic growth to Galar and popularized the extremely flashy [Dynamax] battles. In fact, besides Rose himself, Galar didn't even have any real villainous organizations to speak of, making it second only to Paldea in terms of safety.

“Chairman Rose, please sign this autograph!”

“Chairman Rose, I want to have your baby!”

“You’re so handsome, Chairman Rose!”

Hearing the crowds’ exaggerated cheers, August strongly suspected these were paid fanatics hired by Rose.

He found it genuinely difficult to associate Rose with the concept of "handsome."

As August continued watching Rose, Rose—who was busy signing autographs for his adoring fans—suddenly sensed something. Looking up, his gaze met August’s.

The standard, rehearsed smile on Rose’s face froze instantly.

Though his lips continued to curve in their practiced smile, all warmth immediately disappeared from his eyes.

Rose hadn’t expected to see August here.

Instantly, countless thoughts flashed through Rose’s mind…

Was August here by coincidence? Or had he discovered some clue?

And if August knew about Eternatus beneath the energy plant, what would he do?

Chaotic thoughts surged through Rose’s mind.

But, after all, he was someone who had the entire Galar region under control.

Even at a time like this, Rose didn’t panic.

He steadied himself, calmly signed autographs for several fans, dispersed the crowd politely, then walked over towards August. "I believe this is our first time meeting, isn’t it, August?"

Seeing that Rose hadn’t immediately left but instead came over himself, a playful smile flickered at the corner of August’s mouth—but vanished quickly as he replied, “Indeed, Chairman Rose. It really is our first meeting!”

Rose sharply caught the brief flash of amusement on August’s face, causing his heart to skip a beat, and a vague unease crept into his mind.

But when he remembered how flawlessly he'd handled everything regarding Eternatus, he reassured himself. August shouldn't have discovered anything yet.

“I’d like to apologize again for the changes to the World Championship rules.” Rose deliberately picked at a sore spot.

“It’s fine, it's just a minor thing. I stopped caring long ago. After all, I’m not such a petty person,” August replied smoothly.

Gary Oak and Giovanni silently questioned that claim.

Rose obviously didn’t believe August’s words either; August’s pettiness was famous. After giving a perfunctory smile, Rose’s eyes landed on Giovanni standing behind August.

“You must be the former Team Rocket leader, Giovanni. Thank you for helping deal with the recent [Dynamax Pokémon] incidents,” Rose said politely.

Privately, Rose was thinking he might be able to leverage the strength of these former criminal organization leaders. He didn’t believe that these people would wholeheartedly stand with August.

He thought well.

But Giovanni only gave Rose a playful half-smile and said nothing.

Giovanni’s silence caused the atmosphere to stiffen instantly.

But Rose was clearly a master at easing tensions. His expression froze for a brief moment, a flash of irritation crossing his eyes, before swiftly returning to normal.

“I still have some things to handle, so I'll excuse myself first. I'll see you again at the World Championships in Hammerlocke!”

After saying this, Rose hurried away with his entourage.

“How was it?” August asked lightly.

Gary Oak: “So fake!”

If he hadn't known anything about Rose beforehand or hadn’t seen the earlier evidence, he might've actually thought Rose seemed friendly. But now the only word he had left to describe Rose was fake.

August nodded in agreement, then looked toward Giovanni.

Giovanni said coldly, “A little clever, but nothing more.”

Initially, Giovanni had considered contacting Rose for cooperation after hearing he was trying to revive Eternatus.

But after meeting Rose face-to-face, Giovanni immediately discarded the thought.

He acknowledged that Rose wasn't a fool, but mere cleverness like this was nowhere near enough to deal with August.

August smiled faintly at Giovanni’s reaction.

...

Hammerlocke City.

As the largest city in Galar, Hammerlocke featured the region’s best-equipped stadium: Hammerlocke Stadium.

Aside from the stadium itself, the city’s most striking landmark was Rose Tower.

Just how narcissistic did you have to be to name an entire skyscraper after yourself...?

“In the future, I’m going to build a Gary Oak Tower too!” Gary clenched his fist, gazing intently at the tower in the distance.

August: “......”

Indeed, that kind of stupid declaration fit perfectly with his impression of Gary Oak.

“August!”

A familiar voice called out from afar.

August raised his head to look and saw Cynthia approaching quickly before suddenly embracing him.

August froze briefly before his expression shifted into mild resignation.

Gary Oak: “?!”

Is this something I’m supposed to see?!

Gary instantly felt like he might be silenced by August in the next second for witnessing such a shocking secret.

Yet unexpectedly, August didn't silence him.

He didn’t even seem surprised.

Something was wrong—terribly wrong!

Was August really not worried that Gary might tell Blue or Sabrina?

Of course, Gary Oak, who hadn’t experienced the events in Paldea, didn't realize that August had already walked through the fires of a true harem battlefield.

As Gary spun wild theories in his head, Cynthia finally noticed Giovanni standing nearby.

She carefully looked Giovanni up and down, then turned to August, her eyes full of questions.

Clearly, she wanted to ask: August, is it really okay to just let Giovanni walk around freely like this?

“Don’t worry,” August reassured Cynthia gently.

At that moment, another shout came from farther away.

Everyone turned their heads to see Sabrina and Blue walking over with shopping bags, accompanied by Zinnia, White, and the others.

Seeing this, Gary immediately wore an expression of delighted anticipation.

He was fully prepared to watch August get tortured by Sabrina and Blue in a few moments—and was ready to fan the flames from the sidelines.

Why?

Don’t ask. The reason was simply that August hadn’t beaten him up in three whole days.

Yet, contrary to Gary’s expectations, while Sabrina and Blue’s expressions were subtly complicated when they first saw Cynthia, the three soon began greeting each other like friendly sisters.

Gary: “?”

Did I not wake up yet?

Even Sabrina, Blue, and Cynthia could get along harmoniously now?

How could you let August pass through so easily!?

Just as Gary felt deep sorrow and indignation and was about to say something, a hand landed heavily on his shoulder.

“What’s wrong? Did you have something to say?”

Gary’s entire body stiffened instantly, his head shaking desperately like a rattle drum.

“Nope, nothing at all!”

After Cynthia’s arrival, the others soon arrived as well.

Lusamine, Lillie, Platinum... and even Iono.

Iono?

August glanced over at Iono, who looked as though she was half-dead. He asked in confusion, “What’s wrong with you, Iono?”

Last time he saw her, she was bouncing around full of life.

How had she become like this after just one month?

“Achoo—!” Iono sneezed miserably, her voice weak, “Caught a cold...”

She followed with several more sneezes and a violent shiver.

“Vee~!” Eevee hopped onto Iono’s shoulder, wrapping her large fluffy tail snugly around Iono’s neck, attempting to keep her warm.

“Thank you, Eevee!” Iono responded, deeply touched.

“Wait a sec...”

August summoned Hoopa, opened a ring portal, and brought Celebi over directly.

“Bi~?” Celebi blinked confusedly at being suddenly dragged here.

“Please help cure Iono’s cold,” August requested gently.

Hearing his words, Celebi raised its tiny hand, releasing a shower of glowing green specks.

Almost immediately, Iono’s pale complexion visibly improved, quickly regaining its natural healthy glow.

---

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!