Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [294]

“World Championship?”

Of course August knew what that was. But when Lance brought it up—

“You haven’t heard? Registration for this season’s World Championship is about to begin,” Lance explained.

August really hadn’t been paying attention to that sort of thing lately.

“If you’re planning to compete, it’s best to register early. First-time participants have to start at the lowest rank,” Lance added, explaining the rules.

The World Championship had four tiers, from lowest to highest: Poké Ball Class, Great Ball Class, Ultra Ball Class, and Master Ball Class.

According to the rules set by the Pokémon Battle Committee, anyone entering for the first time must start from the Poké Ball Class.

Since August had never entered before, he’d have to begin at the bottom.

That was exactly why Lance had reminded him to sign up early.

August nodded with a small smile. He’d never been interested in steamrolling rookies at League tournaments—but the World Championship? That was something that piqued his interest.

It was, after all, the most prestigious event in the Pokémon world.

Decision made, August nodded at Lance to indicate he’d be entering, then casually pulled out his phone and posted the news in the office group chat.

The chat seemed calm on the surface—but everyone was clearly lurking.

The moment August sent his message, a flood of replies exploded forth.

As always, Gary was the first to respond.

[I, Gary Oak, shall never bow]: Hmph! This young master is a Champion of the Indigo League! I’ll definitely make the Masters Eight!

[GardevoirBestGirl]: lol

[PsychicPrettyGirl]: lol

[Blue (Do Not Disturb - Working)]: lol

[LoyalDevoteeOfLordRayquaza]: lol

[Gold]: I mean, I feel a little bad saying this about Gary-senpai but... lol

…

Saffron City.

Gary stared at the string of “lol”s on his phone, feeling thoroughly underestimated.

“Masters Eight is nothing—” he began typing furiously—

—but his phone suddenly floated into the air, seized by telekinesis.

He turned and saw Sabrina reclining on a lounge chair, holding August’s Togepi in her arms. “August said no phones until your run’s finished.”

Gary: “…”

Helpless, he grit his teeth and resumed running.

His Pokémon jogged alongside him, joining in the training.

He had to work hard—he’d shock them all soon enough!

While Gary was sweating through training, August was already at the airport, preparing to fly to Sinnoh.

What he didn’t expect, though, was to spot Professor Oak in the waiting area.

“Professor Oak?”

The professor looked equally surprised. “August? What a coincidence—are you heading to Sinnoh too?”

…

The Sinnoh region lay northeast of Kanto, made up of the main island split vertically by the Mount Coronet range and a number of smaller satellite islands.

From the air, you could clearly see how the mainland was divided by the massive mountain range.

“We’ll be landing soon…”

August looked out the window, a long-forgotten tension creeping in.

Why the nerves?

He knew exactly why.

He had way too many of those alpaca’s plates stuffed in his bag.

Anyone would be nervous.

But to Professor Oak watching him, the tension seemed like excitement at arriving in a new region.

“This isn’t my first visit to Sinnoh,” Professor Oak said, smiling. “I’ve picked up a bit about it over the years.”

“They say in Sinnoh mythology, the world was created by the Original One—Arceus.”

“There are even several ruins tied to Arceus. If you’re interested, I can ask Professor Rowan to arrange a tour for you.”

“Uh…”

August had a sentence stuck in his throat.

He was already on Arceus’s radar—visiting its shrines would basically be waving a flag that said ‘please smite me now’.

But the offer came from a good place, so he could only nod politely.

Professor Oak beamed, thinking he’d done August a favor.

Just then, the plane began its descent—but the cabin suddenly erupted in noise.

August looked up to see a flight attendant being held hostage by a Crobat, which was now gliding toward the cockpit.

Was this… a hijacking?

August's expression turned strange.

If he wasn’t mistaken… this was the second time.

The first was when Cynthia came to Kanto and her plane got hijacked.

Now he was flying to Sinnoh and—bam—another hijacking.

Do Team Galactic have a thing for hijacking planes?
Is this some weird Sinnoh tradition?

Despite the sarcasm swirling in his head, his actions were fast and precise.

While Professor Oak was still reaching for his Poké Ball, August scooped up the sleeping Eevee in his arms and yeeted it at the hijacker.

“Bui?”

Jolted from a nap, Eevee was barely awake as it sailed through the air and slammed directly into the Crobat.

SCREEECH—!

The Crobat shrieked.

Eevee, purely on instinct, slapped it across the face.

It looked like a normal attack from a very normal Eevee.

But the moment her paw landed, Crobat let out a strangled screech and collapsed, instantly KO’d.

Everyone in the cabin was stunned.

Even the flight attendant being held hostage.

“Bui...!”

Still dazed, Eevee shook her head and yawned.

Then she saw the hijacker reaching for another Poké Ball—

BAM!

Another slap. The hijacker hit the floor, out cold.

Everyone stared at the unconscious hijacker… and at the adorable, yawning Eevee standing calmly where he fell.

Did… a Bidoof just take out a hijacker?

What kind of cracked Bidoof is this?!

While the passengers buzzed with gratitude and awe, the cabin jolted as the plane began final descent.

They had arrived in Jubilife City.

...

“Thank you for your help!”

After speaking to the passengers, Officer Jenny of Jubilife City turned to August with gratitude.

“It was nothing,” August replied.

After all, he’d only taken action because it was his plane. No way he’d let someone hijack it in front of him.

“By the way… that guy—he was with Team Galactic, right?” August asked.

Seriously—of all times to hijack a plane, they picked this one.
Did they already know he was coming and send someone to intercept him?

As he pondered that, Officer Jenny nodded. “Yes, according to our database, the hijacker was a known member of Team Galactic. He has two prior arrests for endangering public safety with his Pokémon. Judging by the timing, we believe his real target was Professor Oak, who’s attending the academic summit.”

“….”

Oh.

So it wasn’t about him at all.

August had overestimated his importance.

They were actually after Professor Oak…

He didn’t know why Team Galactic would want to kidnap the professor—but in a way, not being targeted was good news.

After chatting briefly with Officer Jenny, August and Professor Oak were just about to leave when—

A familiar voice called out from around the corner: “You sure made a splash, huh, August?”

August turned—and saw Koga, dressed in full ninja gear, red scarf fluttering, arms crossed as he leaned coolly against the wall.

He clearly thought his dramatic entrance would catch August off guard.

But August just looked him up and down.

“You spent a lot of time perfecting that look, didn’t you…”

“…”

Koga nearly sprained his back.

That’s not the point!

The point is—I came to pick you up!

August, as if reading his mind, added, “Lorelei already messaged me before takeoff saying you’d be picking me up.”

“I’m just surprised you came all the way in. I figured you’d wait outside.”

Koga felt thoroughly deflated.

So much for the surprise factor.

After pulling himself together, Koga asked, “You came to Sinnoh to deal with Team Galactic too?”

Ever since August suggested they come support the Sinnoh League against Team Galactic, Koga and Lorelei had been fighting on the front lines.

Before arriving, Koga had looked down on Team Galactic—likely due to his Rocket background.

But after actually engaging them in battle, he realized just how wrong he’d been.

They might’ve been a step behind Team Rocket, but Galactic was still top-tier. Dangerous. Unrelenting.

Especially last month, when Sird showed up in Galactic uniform with Darkrai, wiping out the entire International Police division in Sinnoh.

That nearly gave Koga an existential crisis.

Wait—Sird is with Team Galactic?!

Doesn’t that mean even Giovanni got fooled?!

He was desperate for August’s presence to ease the pressure on his sanity.

Hearing the question, August gave him a look usually reserved for idiots. “Why else would I be here?”

Koga: “…”

Deep breaths. You can’t beat him in a fight…

Still, Koga breathed easier.

He’d spent the past few days studying everything August had done in Kanto and Johto while Koga was in prison.

If anyone could handle Team Galactic, it was him.

When they were enemies, August was a nightmare.

Now that they were on the same side? Koga felt peace at last.

“So… when are you planning to strike?”

“No rush. I’ve got something to take care of first.”

Right on cue, a sleek black luxury car pulled up.

A silver-haired butler stepped out and gave a respectful bow. “Mr. August. I am Sebastian, butler to the Berlitz family.”

“The master has been expecting you. Please, this way.”

Sebastian… butler…

The words gave August an intense feeling of déjà vu. He twitched.

Suppressing the urge to comment, he nodded. “Alright—let’s go.”

He motioned for Koga and Professor Oak to join him.

Koga, having spent time in Sinnoh, was familiar with the Berlitz family—and was shocked August knew them personally.

Professor Oak, knowing August’s reason for coming, wasn’t surprised.

The Berlitz estate was in Sandgem Town, where Professor Rowan’s lab was also located. With time before the summit, Oak figured he might as well hitch a ride and pay Rowan a visit.

The car rolled smoothly away from the airport.

...

Sandgem Town.

The vehicle passed through grand gates and into a sprawling estate, stopping in front of a lavish mansion.

August stepped out, scanning the surroundings without much reaction.

Richest family in Sinnoh? Looks about the same as our HQ, just… bigger.

As he silently judged, two people stepped out to greet them—one was Dr. Berlitz, whom August had spoken to via video call.

The other was his wife, Yanase Berlitz—also a Pokémon Professor.

Both had taken part in the Rayquaza capture plan years ago under the Pokémon Association.

But now… both looked visibly exhausted.

“Mr. August, Professor Oak… and this gentleman here…”

Koga: “…”

“This gentleman”?!
He was a former Gym Leader and Rocket Executive, for Arceus’ sake!
Did he not even get a name?!

August chuckled.

He gave Koga a teasing look before nodding at the Berlitz couple.

“No time to waste. Let’s get straight to it.”

The professors agreed readily, leading August, Oak, and “this gentleman” inside.

They passed through tight security before reaching a bedroom.

In the center, surrounded by high-end medical equipment, lay a girl—Platinum Berlitz—fast asleep. Her brows were furrowed, her sleep clearly uneasy.

August’s eyes flickered with blue light.

From her body, his [Aura] sensed a thick, oppressive negative energy.

That must be what was keeping her comatose.

“Looks like a buildup of negative energy is the cause,” Professor Oak confirmed after checking the readouts.

The Berlitz couple nodded.

August turned to them. “Just so we’re clear—I don’t know much about Darkrai. I’ll do my best, but I can’t promise anything.”

“Please—we’re counting on you,” they said earnestly.

August nodded, then reached for the GS Ball at his waist.

Pop—

A flash of white light, and Celebi appeared in the room.

Professor Oak’s eyes lit up.

Were it not for the seriousness of the situation, he would’ve leapt into a discussion about Celebi right then.

“Bii?”

Celebi looked around, puzzled by the unfamiliar surroundings.

“Can you help her?” August asked, pointing to Platinum on the bed.

Celebi hovered over and examined her for a moment.

Then it raised its hand.

A soft green glow began to fill the room…

---

T/N: eevee = bidoof yes yes

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!