Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [182]

Silver noticed the change in August’s expression and immediately released Sneasel, keeping it on high alert.

August closed his eyes, extending his [Aura] senses to scan the area.

“No need to stay on guard. There’s no one around,” he said.

Silver wasn’t sure how August could be so certain, but August didn’t offer an explanation.

Slowly, August walked to the spot where he had last met Lance’s subordinate and carefully examined the area.

Nothing.

Then, he glanced down into the depths of Slowpoke Well.

…Don’t tell me he fell in there.

Frowning, August decided to release Arcanine.

He patted the Pokémon’s head. “Take me to your Trainer.”

Fortunately, he had borrowed an Arcanine. Otherwise, tracking the missing agent would have been much harder.

Arcanine sniffed the air, then turned toward the nearby forest.

August wasn’t surprised that the trail led somewhere unexpected.

“Lead the way.”

He signaled to Silver before following Arcanine into the trees.

...

As they moved deeper into the forest, August began to spot more clues.

Shredded fabric.

Frozen trees.

All evidence of a fierce battle.

August bent down and picked up a torn scrap of cloth.

The texture was familiar.

Because he had a uniform made of the same material.

“…Team Rocket,” August muttered.

Silver’s expression darkened. “Team Rocket… I’ve heard of them. A gang of criminals.”

While investigating the Masked Man’s faction, Silver had come across many stories about Team Rocket.

Even though they hadn’t targeted him personally—and were even fighting against the Masked Man’s group—he had no good opinion of them.

August didn’t comment.

Now wasn’t the time to tell Silver the truth about his origins.

Instead, he focused on the frozen leaves in his fingers, feeling the lingering bitter cold.

“…Their opponent is an Ice-type Pokémon master. A strong one.”

August reached for Gardevoir’s Poké Ball, debating whether to continue investigating.

There were only so many Ice-type specialists in Johto and Kanto.

Besides Lorelei, who was likely back at Sevii Island, the only one left was Pryce.

…Damn it.

Just thinking about Pryce gave August a headache.

He had come to Johto only to recruit Silver—not to pick a fight with Pryce.

Mewtwo was still at home.

But Lance had helped him a lot… and his subordinate was missing.

August couldn’t just ignore it.

I really need to buy a portable Poké Ball storage device…

With that thought, he recalled Arcanine and released Gardevoir.

“Gardevoir, teleport us to the nearest Pokémon Center.”

August never rushed into uncertain fights.

If he was going up against Pryce, he needed Mewtwo by his side.

Gardevoir nodded, activating Teleport.

A second later, August and Silver disappeared from the forest.

They reappeared inside the Pokémon Center’s transfer room.

Nurse Joy turned, startled, as August casually flashed his badge and contacted Blue to have Mewtwo’s Poké Ball sent over.

Then, he turned to Silver.

“You wait here at the Pokémon Center. I’ll find the agent and come back.”

Before Silver could respond, August teleported away again.

Silver: “…”

…Wait.

Did that mean August wasn’t joking when he said Silver was the weakest Trainer in the Kanto Division?

For the first time, Silver began doubting his own strength.

...

August reappeared in the forest and immediately released Mewtwo.

Holding its signature spoon, Mewtwo’s psychic energy flared.

"Who’s our target?" it asked, eager for battle.

Lately, Mewtwo had been refining its abilities, so it was excited for a real fight.

“This opponent could be extremely dangerous… Just follow my lead.”

August and Mewtwo resumed following Arcanine’s trail toward the heart of the forest.

As they moved forward, the temperature dropped noticeably.

More and more trees were coated in ice.

Then—

The sounds of battle echoed from ahead.

August signaled for Mewtwo and Gardevoir to hide as he crept closer.

Through the frost-covered branches, he caught a clear view of the fight.

Just as he had suspected.

One side was Team Rocket—led by Petrel, one of the four Rocket Admins.

His Weezing was half-frozen, struggling against the relentless cold.

Petrel looked frustrated. “Pryce, are you seriously picking a fight with Team Rocket!? We’ve never even bothered you before!”

Petrel was having a terrible day.

Between the chaos caused by the Masked Man’s faction, and his already overwhelming workload, he had just wanted to take a break.

He had brought a few rookie members to Azalea Town to kidnap some Slowpoke—

Only to get caught by an undercover League investigator.

Still, an ordinary investigator was nothing to him.

But just as he finished disposing of that nuisance and was about to return to base, he ran into Pryce.

And Pryce had chased them down alone.

Sitting in his wheelchair, Pryce remained calm, his face as unreadable as ever.

Hearing Petrel’s complaints, he simply said, “As a Gym Leader, I cannot stand idly by while Team Rocket commits evil.”

Tap.

Pryce gently knocked his cane against the ground.

At the same time, his Swinub—who had been resting quietly—suddenly opened its eyes and unleashed a blast of [Powder Snow].

“Again!? Dodge it!” Petrel shouted.

His subordinates tried to evade, but not all of them were fast enough.

A few unlucky ones, along with their Pokémon, were instantly frozen in place.

Petrel’s expression grew darker.

“…Just a Swinub, and it’s doing this much damage?”

He had never expected a mere Swinub to be this powerful.

Getting beaten by the Masked Man’s faction had been humiliating enough.

And now, even a single Gym Leader was giving him this much trouble?

If word got back to Team Rocket that he had been overpowered by Pryce and a Swinub, how was he ever supposed to maintain his reputation?

What would Giovanni think of him!?

“Damn it!”

Just then, the ground beneath Pryce bulged upward.

A Raticate burst out, its glowing fangs aimed straight at Pryce’s throat with [Hyper Fang].

Watching Pryce’s completely defenseless posture, Petrel smirked.

Got you, old man.

Pryce subtly moved his fingers, about to counter—

But then—

His expression shifted slightly.

And his gaze drifted toward a certain spot in the forest.

---

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!