Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [207]

For Pryce, the shrine in Ilex Forest was even more important than the Mahogany Gym or the Masked Corps' base.

Was it because I appeared near Azalea Town too many times and exposed myself…?

Once again, Pryce felt just how troublesome Team Rocket could be.

Even the slightest opening would get them on his tail.

He was tempted to give the order to launch a strike on Team Rocket immediately and secure the area around Ilex Forest to keep everyone out.

But after staring at the message on his communicator for a while, Pryce calmed himself.

Team Rocket was merely suspicious—they didn’t truly know his objective.

If they had, based on how Team Rocket operated, they wouldn’t be making a grand show of a search. They’d be quietly setting traps, waiting for him to take the bait.

If he sent someone now to confront them head-on, that would only confirm their suspicions—it would practically scream that the area was his weak point.

Not only would it be useless, it’d make things worse.

So…

After a brief pause, Pryce composed a reply:
If all of Team Rocket’s forces are out in the field, then locate their Johto base… and destroy it.

That was Pryce’s strategy.

The master of tactical shifts!

If Team Rocket was searching Azalea Town, then he’d hit them where it hurt: their home base in Johto.

Pryce didn’t believe Giovanni would still be in the mood to scour the woods if his own headquarters got blindsided.

He and Giovanni were fundamentally different.

Pryce wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice the entire Masked Corps if it meant reaching his goal. But would Giovanni really be willing to risk all of Team Rocket on an unconfirmed “weak point”?

To Pryce, the answer was obvious.

[Grunt]: Understood.

---

Blackthorn City – Blackthorn Gym

August and Blue were led into the gym by staff members.

Clair was already waiting for them in the center of the arena.

“Hello, Gym Leader Clair. I’m the official examiner for this—” August had just begun his introduction when Clair cut him off.

“My brother already told me.” Clair said calmly.

August: “.....”

That was the first time he’d ever been cut off mid-introduction.

Off to the side, Blue covered her mouth, trying not to laugh at August’s blank expression.

August muttered in his head, Thanks for the heads-up, Lance, then turned back to Clair and said:

“Since you already know why I’m here, let’s get to the point. We need your cooperation for this operation.”

“No problem,” Clair agreed readily. “But first, I want a battle.”

“…?”

August looked baffled.

Clair had already pulled out a Poké Ball and was gripping it tightly, eyes sharp with anticipation. “My brother said you’re strong. I want to see for myself!”

“Let’s do a one-on-one. Make it quick. Don’t worry, it won’t take much of your time.”

She was brimming with confidence.

Having spent years training in the Dragon’s Den, Clair was sure she wouldn’t lose to anyone.

Even if Lance had returned, she’d be bold enough to challenge him. And now, before facing Lance again, she wanted to test her training by battling August.

And now that she’d said all that—what could August do?

“Alright, but… you’re sure you want to keep it quick?” he asked her again.

“Of course. Show me what you’ve really got!” Clair said, full of pride.

“Well, since you asked for it…” August replied, pulling a Poké Ball from his belt.

No referee was needed. They both threw their Poké Balls at the same time.

Clair sent out a Kingdra, its presence powerful—seahorse-like body, curled dragon horns on its head, exuding battle intent.

And on August’s side…

Mewtwo hovered mid-air, clutching its massive spoon of psychic power, gazing down at Kingdra with overwhelming pressure.

Clair blinked in disbelief.

A Pokémon I’ve never seen before…

She prided herself on knowing nearly every Pokémon from both Kanto and Johto—she even recognized many from other regions. But this one was entirely unfamiliar.

"August, is she the enemy?"

Mewtwo’s voice echoed telepathically in his mind.

“No. A sparring match. Keep it controlled… make it quick,” August told him.

Mewtwo nodded, understanding how to proceed.

At the other end of the field, Clair took a breath and called out, “[Twister]!”

Kingdra inhaled deeply, then released a howling vortex from the tube-like snout of its mouth—a raging tornado whipped toward Mewtwo.

But Mewtwo didn’t even flinch.

The massive spoon spun in his hand a few times. Then Mewtwo gripped it tight and slashed it downward.

A blade of psychic force tore through the air, slicing the oncoming [Twister] clean in half.

And it didn’t stop there—the psychic blade kept going, rushing straight toward Kingdra.

“Kingdra, dodge!” Clair shouted.

Kingdra tried to move—but its body was locked in place by an invisible force. It couldn’t budge.

It could only watch helplessly as the blade of psychic energy came down on it.

And then, just before it hit—

It vanished.

The blade dissipated harmlessly.

Mewtwo drifted down and landed silently beside August. Thanks to recent training, his control over his power had grown far more refined.

August looked at the stunned Clair and smiled.

“Thanks for the match.”

Clair blinked, finally snapping out of it, and gave a pained smile.

“I lost.”

One hit—and her ace, Kingdra, had been neutralized.

Challenging him had been far more reckless than she realized.

But as she admitted defeat, Clair was already thinking.

If someone with August’s strength needed the support of Gym Leaders like her… then how strong must their enemies be?

She wasn’t the type to keep things to herself. She asked her question directly:

“Who’s the enemy? Is it Team Rocket?”

Just a few days ago, Team Rocket had attacked Mahogany Gym. It was an open provocation against the Johto League. Was that why August was here?

August looked at her, utterly puzzled. “Lance didn’t tell you? You agreed to help without even knowing who we’re up against?”

He didn’t even know what to say.

But Clair had her own logic. “Doesn’t matter who they are. They’re enemies of the League, right?”

Lance hadn’t mentioned who the enemy was—but since he’d asked her, it couldn’t be anything shady.

August: ……

Honestly… that makes too much sense.

In any case, as a Gym Leader under the League’s banner, Clair wouldn’t refuse unless it was absolutely necessary.

Finally, under Clair’s watchful gaze, August said:

“Our enemy is… the Masked Corps.”

---

This is a fan translation of 人在实教，一之濑你会后悔的 by 作者：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!