Currently, there are still Marine surveillance ships in the outer seas of Wano Country. The Beasts Pirates are not unable to deal with them, but simply unwilling to. Even if they get rid of one batch, another will arrive after a while. At least this group of surveillance ships knows not to be annoying, so they've just been left in that area.
After all, they can't monitor anything anyway. At most, they can only send a signal when Kaido goes out.
The situation with undercover agents is different from theirs, but there are some similarities.
It's unknown what an unknown undercover agent might do, but they can control what information a known one is aware of, guiding them to act according to their intentions.
To complete their mission, undercover agents can be even more loyal in their work, and may even get cooperation from their former force, which in a sense is very convenient.
"Do you have any specific plans?"
"No, things like this you can handle as you see fit. When you feel he's no longer useful and becomes an eyesore, just dispose of him."
"Yes, I understand."
Queen had already thought of a whole set of plans to squeeze out the last bit of value from the other party, but the fundamental purpose was not to shift the blame.
He had been blamed for so many years, he was already used to it.
The blame was heavy, but it also brought fame. According to the intel Queen collected from the Underworld, in outside rumors, he had long become known as a genius scientist.
Throwing off the blame would mean discarding this fame, which for the very attention-loving Queen, would be extremely painful.
With Hawkins now helping him avoid risks, Queen's goal had evolved from just shifting the blame to survive, into enjoying the benefits while avoiding risk.
After finishing his report, Queen left Onigashima and returned to his lab in Ringo, but on the way, he still felt a bit annoyed.
"Those b*stards, even my last unpolluted land has been polluted."
There's no major pirate crew that can ensure their ranks are completely clean. Among outside forces, subordinate crews, and vast territories, there are bound to be plenty of spies.
Even the Beasts Pirates are no exception. Through a series of measures and equipment, and with Rotom's assistance, Queen barely managed to keep Wano Country and Onigashima clean, relying on Wano's unique terrain.
Now with Drake showing up, it meant Queen's painstakingly built comfort zone was already ruined.
"Let me think about how to deal with that guy... Hey, Jack? Is now a good time to talk?"
He dialed Jack's number again, and this time it wasn't Alcremie who answered, but Jack himself.
"It's a good time, Brother Queen. Do you have any orders?"
"Keep that kid under your command for now. Give him a promotion first, let him lead a team to attack Marine patrol ships in the New World. When the time is right, transfer him to the main island. I have other plans."
"Yes, I understand."
Jack's attitude made Queen feel quite pleased. He was one of the few higher-ups who spoke to him with respect.
"By the way, don't act too weird. Don't let that guy notice anything's off. We've got plenty of time."
"Rest assured, Brother Queen."
"Jack, you may have misunderstood something. My last sentence was directed at your Alcremie. You just stay as you are."
"Alc~remie"
After receiving a definite reply, Queen hung up the phone and walked back to his laboratory.
"Let me see, Rumble Ball Q3.0 failed again. The person who eats it becomes extremely irritable. That guy happens to be an Ancient Zoan, so I'll have him test the drug when the time comes. Muhahaha, this way I won't have to worry about being held accountable if something happens to our own people after eating it. I really am a genius."
Q is the form name Queen gave to the Rumble Ball he modified. At first, he thought this thing wouldn't be too difficult. But as time passed and the experiments went on, Queen realized he had underestimated it.
It's not so easy to alter the wavelength of a Devil Fruit. He did manage to create a drug that consumes a massive amount of stamina to induce full-body berserk mode, but the perfected version is still in the experimental stage.
The one Kaido ate last time definitely can't be considered a successful example. If something like that were distributed, Queen's remaining life would probably be in constant danger.
For example, if Kaido got drunk and ate it again, or if Yamato randomly got curious about it and ate it…
Thinking of those not-so-pleasant scenarios, Queen began planning for the future again, occasionally letting out bizarre laughter.
"You see, that guy Queen is just like that. He gets carried away easily. When he's getting carried away, throwing cold water on him is the best way to calm him down."
Behind Queen, Omastar crawled over to Shaymin and started telling the story of its snail life and its experiences with Queen.
"Back in the day, one Water Gun was enough to startle him. Later, he developed an automatic rain-blocking device, and the effectiveness of Water-type moves dropped. That guy's skin is thick and his flesh tough. Spike Cannon doesn't really work on him either.
Maybe you can try Air Slash? It'll definitely give him a different kind of experience."
"Forget it. He's working pretty hard growing flowers. I won't do that."
Omastar's twisted sense of humor didn't rub off on Shaymin. Otherwise, Queen would surely have had even more terrifying experiences.
At this time, Onigashima had already lost the liveliness it had during the previous banquet. All the senior officers had left, King included.
Kozuki Hiyori's change in attitude gave King more time to carry out other missions outside.
These days, no one knows where the Beasts Pirates' boss will show up while riding his dragon. Yamato has also inherited her father's habits, her location is only confirmed when she posts an update.
Although she says she's looking for plates, it's more like she's touring the various nations.
The two of them have enough deterrent power, but they can't guarantee showing up at the needed places on time. Fortunately, the Beasts Pirates currently have enough manpower to handle situations within their territory.
Right now, King was on his way to suppress some pirates. After Whitebeard's death, the Beasts Pirates have become the foremost power in the New World, which has drawn a lot of attention their way.
As new pirate rookies continue to pour in, the Beasts Pirates' territory had faced wave after wave of assaults.
Not only King, but Zeraora and Shayna had also begun taking on similar missions. Misu was maintaining the reputation of the cult alongside Tiger. Almost everyone available has begun taking action.
Only Queen insisted on staying on the main island under these circumstances, intending to wait out the storm in the outside world.
Compared to the chaos out at sea, Wano Country feels like a paradise.
Da... da... da...
A raptor was running along the streets of Wano Country, with a local child riding on its back. These raptors were not brought in from outside by the Beasts Pirates, but are native creatures that live in Wano Country.
The closed-off Wano Country has many wondrous creatures; compared to them, things like raptors and white boars are actually much more normal.
Hanging on their sides were two backpacks filled with newspapers issued by the Beasts Pirates, and the people on their backs were paperboys currently selling newspapers on the street.
Raptors are quite intelligent, so they were domesticated by the people of Wano Country long ago. After the Beasts Pirates arrived, they became even more obedient.
Those who refused to submit long ago became nothing more than extra servings on the dinner table. Only the bloodlines of the domesticated individuals have been passed down to today.
"Here's your newspaper, half a silver coin, thank you."
As the boy handed over the newspaper, the raptor beneath him also raised the money box in its hands, watching until the other party placed the broken half of the silver coin into the box before shifting its gaze away.
Half a silver coin is equivalent to fifty Berries in the outside world, an extremely cheap amount in present-day Wano Country.
"Hmm, the outside world is still so dangerous. It's better here."
The content of the newspaper came from a very simple source: they would take Morgans' newspaper, reprint it, add some content tailored for Wano Country, and then distribute it internally.
Merchant ships being attacked, islands invaded, people looted: there are countless such news across the seas. Morgans' newspaper only highlighted sensational, malicious incidents.
Sometimes there are even more astonishing reports, like the destruction of entire nations.
Everything needs a point of comparison. The current quality of life in Wano Country is already very high, and under such circumstances, the misfortunes of the outside world only further highlight the beauty of life within Wano Country.
At the same time, the newspaper also features its unchanging main theme:
"The Wise King protects the safety of Wano Country. As long as the Wise King is here, Wano Country will remain a paradise."
This sentence had already become a truth in Wano Country. Even if someone doesn't believe in it, reality leaves them speechless.
Those in charge of the newspaper didn't alter the content as reality is often more fantastical than fiction. The things that happen on the outer seas need no embellishment; they are shocking enough on their own.
For example, one island suffered a drought, resulting in decreased food production and their failure to offer tribute to the Big Mom Pirates, ultimately leading to their destruction. Compared to that place, Wano Country, which has only some taxes, is already far more benevolent.
Only mentions of the Marines and certain pro-World Government rhetoric were removed. The information Wano Country now receives about the outside world is under the control of the Beasts Pirates, with a heavy filter applied. That filter has already caused a major shift in the perspectives of Wano Country's citizens.
After skimming over some overseas affairs, the style of the newspaper changed as well. The newspaper was divided into several sections.
The first half covered recent events across the seas, and the latter half belonged to a religious publication, with its content entirely decided by members of the Arceus Cult.
The raptor ran along the streets of the Flower Capital, and the number of newspapers in the bags on either side gradually decreased. After selling all the newspapers, the boy arrived at a dojo in the Flower Capital.
With practiced ease, he tied the raptor's reins outside the door and picked up his wooden sword, preparing to enter the dojo.
"Isn't that Yuichi? Have you already sold all the newspapers for today?"
"Yes, they're all sold. Uncle Kentaro, are you also here to study at the dojo?"
"No, no, I'm just bringing my son Yuta here to learn. He's not like me, maybe he can grow up to become a samurai."
Times have changed. Kentaro, who used to help milk Miltank, is now a father. Even his own child is old enough to start learning.
Back then, after luckily finding the Onyudo Fruit, Kentaro received a large reward and even became the owner of a purchasing station. He's now a wealthy man.
But he didn't want his child to follow in his footsteps. A merchant will always remain a merchant. Relying solely on business will never lead to true success. Kojiro is one of the rare exceptions in Wano Country over many years. Such achievements of "following the dragon" are not often seen.
In the understanding of Wano Country, the samurai class represents upward mobility. If one can become a samurai through hard work and training and pass the Shinsengumi selection, then he will no longer be an ordinary commoner.
When Kentaro was young, he didn't have such capability, so he wanted to pave the way for his son.
"By the way, how is your father doing? I heard he accidentally fell and broke his leg earlier."
"He's mostly recovered now. In a few more days, he'll be able to work again."
"That's good. If needed, go buy some Miltank milk, it's very helpful for bone recovery."
Kentaro had crossed paths with Yuichi's father a few times. Just as Kentaro was about to ask for more details about the dojo, a bell rang in his ears.
"Ah, training is starting. Goodbye, Uncle Kentaro."
Hearing the assembly bell, Yuichi bowed to say farewell and walked into the dojo first. Kentaro waited for a while longer before entering the enrollment area with his son under someone's guidance.
But along the way, what he saw were not students practicing, but dueling ducks.
"Far~fetch'd!"
"Far~fetch'd!"
Two Galarian Farfetch'd stood at opposite ends of the dojo. Under the referee's instruction, they bowed to each other. Then they hefted their large leeks and began the match.
The heavy leeks became extremely agile in their hands. Even though it was just a leek, Kentaro saw something like sword energy being swung by the Farfetch'd.
"That move is a diagonal slash... and that one... is it Iai without a sheath?"
Kentaro's perception was limited and couldn't identify the techniques precisely. He only thought they were strong. Meanwhile, around the two Farfetch'd, more Farfetch'd seemed to be waiting for something.
By the time Kentaro arrived, the battle between the Farfetch'd was already nearing its end. As the leek swept through the air, its opponent was struck and fell to the ground. At that moment, a dazzling white light enveloped the victorious Farfetch'd's body.
The seemingly heavy leek was also wrapped in the white light and split into two parts. When the light faded, the leeks in its hands had turned into a one-handed sword and a shield. Its brown feathers had mostly turned white.
Wild Duck Pokémon - Sirfetch'd, the evolved form of Galarian Farfetch'd.
In the game, evolving Farfetch'd into Sirfetch'd is very simple, just land three critical hits to trigger evolution.
But here, it's much more difficult. Landing critical hits is not just a matter of luck as in the game, but something that requires dedicated training.
When a Galarian Farfetch'd has been through countless battles and its skills become formidable, the power of evolution within it naturally awakens. This is the reason the Farfetch'd gather in the dojo.
Holding their leeks, they are learning kendo. Through this method, they can enhance their strength, aiming to complete their evolution today.
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