Onboard Hundred Beasts' ship, King was observing the group of slaves Olga had bought.
King's gaze sent chills down their spines, causing them to huddle together on the deck.
"You handle this group yourself, how you deal with them is your own business, I won't help you."
"Ah, I know, just find an inhabited island and let them off. Spending money to buy their freedom is already charitable; I don't plan to waste time sending them back home, nor do I have the ability to do so."
"Olga, you seem to be overly naïve."
"Huh?"
"Nothing, you'll understand later." King only spoke half the truth—wisdom is far less substantial than reality; experiencing reality reveals the great gap between ideals and the real world.
En route back to Kaidou's territory, they needed to dock for supplies. Olga had already removed the chains from the slaves long before, but when Hundred Beasts crew lowered the gangplank, not one of them dared to leave.
"Go on, you're free now."
"They don't dare to leave, you see the scars on them, they're old wounds, likely from whippings, they've probably been with those slave traders for a long time.
The imprint of slavery is not just on their bodies but etched in their hearts. If I'm not mistaken, someone has likely said similar words to them in the past."
Promises of freedom, yet whoever dared to leave faced even more dreadful punishments. King himself understood the methods of those slave traders, having endured them, although that trader met his end by King's hand.
The life of a fugitive was certainly a very unpleasant ordeal.
From their eyes, he could see whether their inner hope had been completely extinguished—yearning for freedom cannot be hidden. At this moment, not a ripple stirred their gaze, proving their spirit had long died.
King didn't depart to procure supplies; the cargo on the ship was far more important, be it timber from the Treasure Tree Adam or materials for crafting pure gold—they required his personal protection.
After simply restocking fresh water, the ship continued its voyage, shrouded by Olga's abilities, resembling a ghost ship upon the sea, undetectable to outsiders.
"Olga, actually you don't need to concern yourself with such matters; freeing them might not be a good thing."
On pirate ships, rank was often determined by status. Ordinary members of Hundred Beasts were unaware Olga had lived over a hundred years; besides Queen, each leader of Hundred Beasts had their own lineage.
Yet, her position still deserved the title of 'big sis.'
"This is the New World; if you let them go, they might soon be captured again or die in some corner."
"Right, after all you've bought them back, big sis, just keep them as servants."
It's quite normal for pirates to curry favor with officers. The personalities of the top members of Hundred Beasts were notably odd, even now nobody knew what King and Shaina looked like or understood their characters.
Queen and Olga's preferences were easily grasped, and saying these few words cost nothing, so they shared a few thoughts.
"Ah, it's so annoying, why does something so simple become so complicated."
In the end, she brought them back, keeping them at the current base to tidy up, do odd jobs and such.
Olga's training grew more intense, with various trivial matters ultimately intensifying her desire for strength.
Some time later, Arceus's exploration ship returned, though he hadn't gained any fruitful outcomes, as the islands explored lacked the items he sought.
Before the ship could dock, reception arrangements were already in place on the island.
"Welcome back, Lord Sacred Beast."
"Hmm." He didn't inquire whether Shaina had gained anything, as if she had, the Radio Snail would surely have contacted him, now they awaited news from Kaidou's side.
"Kaidou hasn't returned yet?"
"Um... Lord Sacred Beast, haven't you been reading the newspapers lately?"
"No, I haven't encountered News Bird recently."
He noticed the Wanted Poster news. When the seaworthy pirates saw Arceus get the newspaper, everyone was too frightened to breathe, as moments prior Arceus had just vanquished a Sea King.
However, he didn't rage, at least it appeared so to the pirates. They resumed sailing as though nothing had transpired.
Arceus wasn't too upset; in fact, he had anticipated this result—those establishing bounties always had some issues with their heads.
If a search for the unluckiest in the bounty list commenced, Blackbeard would likely top it, having spent decades in concealment only for his bounty to never exceed thirty billion, then suddenly three who surpassed it appeared overnight.
Moreover, the structure of the Four Emperors underwent a massive shift, with three others closely tied, which seemed utterly absurd.
With the bounties of species like Chopper and Bepo among others, the World Government's judgment was within his expectation.
Such matters weren't worth his time, though should opportunity arise, resolving them en route was an option.
Afterward, they hadn't encountered News Bird again.
"You'll understand once you've read it."
Shaina had compiled recent intelligence; Kaidou filled the newspaper's front page again, encountering trouble during his travels.
This time it wasn't the Navy but rather a Great Pirate from the New World. Arceus hadn't heard of this flag, thus didn't pay much heed, more so since the news wasn't about his capture but rather his solo rampage over the opponent's territory.
By relying on his bug-level skill, Protect, it was practically unimaginable to inflict mortal wounds before Kaidou's stamina was entirely depleted.
Neither side was able to outwit the other, though the pirate crew on their home turf was evidently at a disadvantage.
After a few more days, Kaidou flew back as well, marking a few more red crosses on the map, indicating the absence of Plates there.
This didn't signify these places could be completely ignored; while Plates wouldn't relocate, who knows if someone might bring them to an island already searched? There was much yet to be done in the search.
Kaidou couldn't stay away from his territory indefinitely, temporarily refraining from departing again. Queen was previously busy constructing his plantation plan, having succeeded in extracting seeds from Tropius's bananas.
Tropius's bananas are unique, with internal seeds that are degraded but not completely so, retaining one plantable seed within.
Through his diligent seedling work, the first batch of banana seedlings emerged successfully. However, Agricultural Island's soil in Kaidou's territory was unsuitable for banana cultivation, hence he went out seeking a new small island.
After some time, Olga finished training, bringing the gifted Treasure Map to find Arceus.