Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [381]

After blocking Giovanni’s number, August handed his phone to Eevee—who was currently hugging his own fluffy tail with teary, pleading eyes—and stretched lazily, a relaxed expression settling on his face.

You dared to block me?

Well, now Giovanni could enjoy a taste of that same medicine.

As for why Giovanni had taken the initiative to remove August from his blacklist? August understood all too well: the Rocket boss was trying to fish for intel.

Clearly, Giovanni had sensed something.

But this wasn’t the right time to confront him directly.

At the research lab, August found Professor Samson Oak watering an Alolan Exeggutor while Gold peered up at it, fascinated.

“Oh! August! How did things go?” Samson waved him over.

August shook his head. “No good solutions yet. I’m planning to ask Nanu.”

Samson brightened with recognition. “Ah, Nanu! He used to be with the International Police too…”

He paused, then added, “Come to think of it, I heard Gary joined the International Police as well. Why isn’t he here this time?”

“Said he’s off trying to catch Suicune.”

“!”

Professor Samson froze, visibly stunned. “He’s already at that level? Been a while since I saw him, but catching a Legendary Pokémon… that’s no small feat.”

He, as a Pokémon Professor, knew that better than most.

“There’s a chance, maybe…” August mused.

It wasn’t that Gary was particularly strong.

It’s just… that particular Suicune was especially embarrassing.

While August chatted with Samson, Gold had already made fast friends with the Exeggutor, and was now perched on top of its head, hand shading his eyes as he scanned the horizon.

“Whoa!” he exclaimed with a loud wow.

Gold had way too much energy.

Just as August was about to call him down, Gold shouted, “Boss! There’s a bunch of people heading this way!”

Huh? Someone’s coming?

August plucked the drowsy Mew off his shoulder, shoved a Pokéblock into its paws like fueling a drone, and tossed it skyward.

“Mew, scout the area!”

Still half-asleep, Mew wobbled midair but complied, vanishing into invisibility as it drifted toward where Gold had pointed. Moments later, it sent a mental image back to August.

A crowd of Skull grunts—bandanas over their faces, skull motifs in full display—was headed straight for the lab.

Hearing the report, Professor Samson looked stunned—not because he didn’t recognize Team Skull, but because they were coming here. Though Team Skull had caused all sorts of trouble in Alola, they rarely crossed paths with him directly. This sudden intrusion into his lab was unprecedented.

While Samson was still processing the situation, Mew had already returned.

And right on cue, the Skull grunts swarmed into the clearing in front of the lab.

One of them, clearly a squad leader, immediately barked at Professor Samson, “Hey, old man! Have you seen this person?!”

He whipped out a printed photo—it was Lusamine.

Samson blinked, startled. He instinctively turned to August with a questioning look.

It was a subtle, reflexive glance—but the Skull grunts didn’t miss it.

“HEY! Old man, are you deaf or what?!”

With that, they unleashed their Pokémon.

Two Salazzle, a Swalot, and an Arbok—all ready for battle, tension thick in the air.

Samson opened his mouth, but August held out a hand to stop him. His eyes flicked over the grunts with faint amusement.

“According to League law, using Pokémon to threaten or attack a League official carries a prison sentence.”

But the grunts scoffed.

“The League? We’re Team Skull, baby!”

“If you won’t talk, we’ll just ask our way!”

“Swalot, use [Hypnosis]!”

August sighed. “I did warn you…”

He raised a hand and snapped his fingers.

And something dropped from the sky.

“Your boy Gold is here!”

Ambipom landed with a flourish, twin tails swinging—and in a flash, took out a Salazzle with a [Double Hit].

The other grunts panicked, calling out more commands, but Gold was no rookie. He’d fought the Masked Corps, tangled with Team Galactic, and trained in Hisui.

These Skull grunts? Pure cannon fodder.

“Exbo!”

Gold flicked his cue stick, launching a Poké Ball into the fray.

A blazing Typhlosion erupted forth, fire wreathing its neck like an inferno, planting itself between Gold and the incoming wave of Pokémon.

“[Flame Wheel]!”

Typhlosion surged forward, engulfed in flames, crashing into the opposing Pokémon like a meteor.

And just like that—there was no “next.”

With the grunts and their Pokémon tied up by Ambipom, Gold dusted his hands.

“All done, Boss August!”

August nodded and stepped forward. He peered at the trembling Skull grunts, who were clearly regretting life choices.

“I warned you,” August said mildly. “But you wouldn’t listen... So? Why are you here?”

“You won’t get away with this! Guzma’ll come for you!” one of them blurted out.

August chuckled. “Oh? I’d love to see how exactly he plans to do that.”

“But you—right now—you need to answer my question.” His tone turned cold.

Beside him, Gold struck a dramatic threatening pose.

The grunts shuddered, clearly spooked by how quickly Gold had wiped the floor with them.

“We—we were sent by Boss Guzma,” one stammered. “To look for President Lusamine of the Aether Foundation…”

He hurriedly held up the photo again, as if to prove he wasn’t lying.

August took it. Lusamine stared out from the image with a composed, commanding smile—completely different from the frail, vulnerable woman who had woken up under his care.

Handing the photo to Gold, August muttered, “Told you she had amnesia.”

He turned back to the grunt, curiosity flashing in his eyes. “How did you know she was here?”

“Uh…?”

The grunt froze.

Wait, she’s actually here?!

His first reaction wasn’t excitement, but pure, undiluted terror.

They told me that so easily… are they planning to silence me afterward?

Recalling every bad movie plot he’d ever watched, the Skull grunt began trembling like a leaf in a storm.

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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!