Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 1098: Chapter 1085: Kuzan-san, Xi Xi Dancer Wei Junjie_2

Finally, it led to Hawkins only focusing on fortune-telling without explaining the predictions, leaving Queen to understand the meaning behind his words only when events occurred.

At this moment, looking at Kuzan and Yamato, two users of Ice Ability, Queen felt he had realized that being shrouded in gloom means just that.

”No, mixed feelings... Miss Yamato, do you really plan to let him attract Kaido’s attention?”

This was the only thing that brought joy to Queen, as if it truly succeeded, his days could become much more peaceful.

His Armament Haki is now very strong, but upon thinking of the source of it, Queen felt pain.

The increase in Kaido’s strength is a good thing for the Hundred Beasts, but not necessarily for unique individuals like Yamato and Queen.

It’s not that they don’t want to grow stronger, but Kaido always ignites a fire in strange places; if Kuzan can draw away Kaido’s focus, this gloom won’t be too bad.

”Yeah, this strength should be sufficient.”

”Sounds nice, but I still think the future will look quite miserable...”

Queen now envies those who can foresee the future; if possible, he wants such an ability himself.

However, this world is inherently idealistic, and given Queen’s current status, it’s not surprising if his Observation Haki advances to Future Sight any day now.

”Don’t worry, if anything bad happens, I’ll remember you fondly, Uncle Queen. I once visited an island famous for crafting wreaths; they say nearby islands all buy from there.”

”...Your saying this doesn’t reassure me at all!!”

Queen was not at ease about this but was powerless to change the established facts, given that Arceus had already consented; saying anything more was pointless, still, Queen took some ”salvage” measures.

He informed other high-level officers of the Hundred Beasts about this, and ordinary pirates stationed on Ghost Island received word as well; their order was that if a large-scale cold wave appeared, immediately fire signal flares, and Queen would take responsibility for any resultant consequences.

This was the source of Queen’s confidence now; he did not believe that Kuzan could silence him instantly; if Kuzan really acted, as long as Queen could sound the alarm, that would be enough.

Eventually, Queen also boarded the Pokemon Ship and returned to Ghost Island, his attention almost entirely fixed on Kuzan.

”I say, staring at people like that affects sleep, am I that attractive to you?”

Adjusting the blindfold to the position above his head, Kuzan’s gaze was filled with resignation.

”Heh, do you think these words will make me drop my guard? Dream on, I’m telling you, just because you’ve set foot here on Ghost Island doesn’t mean you can do anything; you will learn that when facing absolute power, any plot is futile.”

”I’ve heard those into science are madmen; so, renowned as the Hundred Beasts’ top scientist, is your brain also off-kilter? Your young lady stands right there; do you think I’d do anything to you in front of her?”

”You won’t, but she might ignore it, watch the spectacle then act.”

”Huh?”

Kuzan, having joined the Hundred Beasts recently, couldn’t understand this affair even after less than half a month in.

When the Pokemon Ship returned to Wano Kuni, Zeraora also set off with her child, and meanwhile, the message Queen issued was posted on the ”Rotom Website” of the Hundred Beasts, reaching all their subordinate officers.

”Have you heard? Miss Yamato recruited the former Admiral; that Aokiji is now one of us.”

”Lord Queen said it’s temporary, caution everyone about that guy, and let’s see what happens later.”

The news spread quickly via the Rotom network, sparking lively debates among regular pirates.

”Doesn’t matter, whether he’s an Admiral or not, as long as Lord Arceus and Lord Kaido are here, we’re unbeatable; this is what they call... oh right, ’knowing the times’.”

”Do you disrespect Lady Ghost Princess? Lord Kaido said then that her strength is enough to handle things solo now.”

”Lady Ghost Princess and Governor Kaido have a gap in strength, but we’ve gained an extra combat power now, haven’t we?

If that person’s suspect, at least a High-Level Official could resolve it, for us, signaling flare is all; forget that burden, prepare for tonight’s banquet, hey! Red Flag, stop daydreaming, what are you thinking?”

Seeing Drake lost in thought nearby, the pirate tossed him a bottle of rum.

”Don’t worry about such things, they’re irrelevant to us; or wait, you boy might someday become a Numberer; Jack has already promoted you to Combat Team Leader, that’s positive progress.”

Regular members unaware of Drake’s identity already considered him one of them, thinking his daze was about worry.

They didn’t realize Drake was worried, just not about what they assumed.

[Admiral Aokiji in such a role... Impossible... It must be the Headquarter’s plan, surely...]

The news of a former Admiral joining pirates was a bolt from the blue for Drake.

Executing an undercover mission, he hoped Kuzan was like him but lacked the rank to understand Kuzan’s actions, leaving him only to comfort himself this way.

Apart from undercover agents like Drake, most pirates found it exciting as it indirectly verified their strength.

A minority of pirates shared thoughts akin to Queen’s.

Yet regardless of their thinking, the Pokemon Ship continued its journey normally, arriving back at Wano Kuni a few days later.

...

”Finally back, welcome to our territory—Wano Kuni.”

The Pokemon Ship re-entered Wano Kuni from the Hidden Port, while Kuzan’s camel swam itself along the waterfall; as long as the Gyarados didn’t attack, this kind of penguin could climb waterfalls.

”Wano Kuni, indeed a mysterious place.”

Wano Kuni, long closed-off and enigmatic, became even more impermeable after the Hundred Beasts took control, ensuring its secrets from the outside.

”Seems... not bad.”

”Obviously, it’s our territory; who would let their home become a wreck?”

The original timeline’s Wano Kuni aside, now, the core domains of the Sea Emperors are all in this style; Cake Island demands life tributes and guards against Charlotte Linlin’s uncontrollable Anorexia Nervosa.

But beyond those two points, Cake Island enjoys a high happiness index; even the cruel Perospero behaves like a gentle figure handing candies to children there.

A mundane yet peaceful Sphinx Island, a prosperous Wano Kuni; these territories offer prosperity surpassing most affiliate nations.

”Alright, stop sightseeing; come with me to register your identity, and I’ll prepare a unique badge for you.”

Queen intended to categorize Kuzan separately; not a proven spy, neither truly embraced as one of them, yet distinct from strangers; he planned a special grading.

Meanwhile, Speed came with the Radio Snail in hand.

”Miss Yamato, Lord Queen, orders from Lord Arceus—requesting Miss Yamato to... uh... bring Mr. Kuzan for registration, instructing Lord Queen to take the penguin to Ghost Island to meet him.”

Conflicted over addressing Kuzan, Speed passed on Arceus’s orders, as Shaina had used the Pokemon Ship’s Radio Snail for command relay.

”Lord Arceus wants to see me and the penguin?”

”Yes.”

”Me, not Kuzan?”

”Yes, Lord Queen, I am certain I didn’t mishear the name.”

Queen pointed to himself, confirming repeatedly that Speed hadn’t mis-cited the command, then handed the registration task to Yamato; after all, who handled it didn’t matter much, he could modify it later.

Still, he couldn’t understand why Arceus wished to meet him rather than Kuzan, until arriving at Ghost Island—then understood everything, even moved...