"It was a mistake! But what's even stranger is that four hours have already passed, and she still hasn't come knocking. Zeraora hasn't told me anything either. That's the real headache here."
Queen had no idea that his actions had temporarily been noted down in a little notebook, just waiting for the right time to settle the score.
"Speaking of which, Uncle Queen, let's join forces for now. I'll let go of that whole thing where you tried to go down together with me for now."
"Hold on, what do you mean 'let go of for now'?? That issue isn't over yet?!"
Queen keenly caught the key point. From the look on Yamato's face, it seems that matter was still not over yet.
"Ahem, don't mind such details. Judging by the way my father is acting, my Substitute plan might have failed. You don't want to get dragged into sparring with my increasingly getting powerful father, right?"
"I definitely don't, but Miss Yamato, you seem to have forgotten something. Boss Kaido's attention has always been more focused on you than me, especially in recent years.
In theory, as long as you're around, I'm safe."
"But I can just leave whenever I want. Worst case, I'll run away from home and hide out for half a year. I don't believe Father can keep finding me forever. Have you thought about what you'll face during those six months?"
Queen and Yamato were each grabbing the other's weak points. After a round of debate, they finally formed a temporary anti-Kaido victim alliance. But judging from their scheming before the alliance was even formed, both were ready to betray the other at any time.
While the two of them were plotting their next moves, Kuzan had made his way to the banquet hall's bar and started drinking alone. Even though he had temporarily joined the crew, he had no intention of immediately bonding with this group of pirates.
Strangely enough, it was his pet and mount, Camel, that had already integrated into Onigashima.
In the kitchen of Onigashima, Camel was showing off its prowess. Although it wasn't as large as an Emboar or Tyranitar, after being modified into an Empoleon, it became a medium-sized Pokémon, which didn't feel cramped in the kitchen.
A tuna was tossed into the air, and by the time it came back down, it had already been sliced into sashimi by Camel's sharp wings.
Clap, clap, clap.
A round of applause broke out as the muscular men in the kitchen cheered for Camel's moves. This wasn't an ordinary kitchen, but rather the "Macho Gym Kitchen" on Onigashima, filled with fitness fanatics and Machamps.
Seeing the buff men around him, Camel seemed to have found a new purpose. Life here was far more fulfilling than traveling with Kuzan.
Though Kuzan didn't take the initiative to blend in with the group, he couldn't fend off the enthusiastic pirates offering him drinks. Regardless of whether he was a former Admiral, since Kaido said he was one of their own, the Beasts Pirates trusted Kaido without question.
After a few rounds, Kuzan couldn't keep refusing and ended up being forcefully drunk.
The next day, after sobering up, Kuzan began touring Wano Country, observing what he could see, while Queen watched him nervously from the surveillance room, worried he might stir up trouble.
Meanwhile, Setsuna continued her daily work on Zou Island. However, Pedro arrived at Onigashima earlier than expected. Zunesha had just moved to a location very close to Wano Country, and upon receiving the message, Pedro returned directly to Onigashima via Corviknight Taxi.
He also brought along four sets of Moon Stone belts - an essential tool for training rookies on Zou Island to master Sulong.
Compared to the old days, when there was only one training opportunity per month, the current Zou Island had much more time available for Sulong training.
"Duchess should've already told you. Starting today, I'll be helping you master Sulong. Be prepared. I'll be very strict."
"Learning Sulong is a very serious process. Even if you are the Duchess' children, if you can't do it, then you simply can't. If this ability is not used properly, it's not an enhancement. It becomes something that could cost you your life."
"You've probably seen this before. It's a transformation device made from Moon Stone provided by Lord Arceus. Once you wear it and press this button, the Moon Stone will come into contact with your body and trigger the transformation."
Pedro put the belt on himself, but he only demonstrated the motions and didn't actually press the button.
"This action is very simple. Next.."
"Like this, Brother Pedro?"
Carrot had already pressed the button ahead of time. As the energy from the Moon Stone affected her body, her figure grew taller, her short golden hair instantly turned into long, snow-white hair, and her small rabbit tail began to fluff up and lengthen.
Amidst the crackling sound of electricity, Carrot felt a tearing pain, coupled with a sudden surge of power within her body, forcing her to her knees.
"Idiot! I didn't tell you to press it now! The rest of you, did you see that? Rushing into Sulong without proper training will turn you into this. A mindless beast driven only by slaughter."
Pedro took out the bell Zeraora had prepared for him and was just about to bring Carrot out of the state when her reaction made him stop.
"Brother Pedro, I don't think it's as serious as you said."
"You can stay conscious during your first transformation? Carrot, looks like you're a natural-born warrior."
Being able to maintain consciousness during one's first time entering Sulong is not an easy feat for Minks. Those who can do it are invariably top-tier warriors.
Seeing such exceptional talent among his students, Pedro temporarily changed his plans. Given the current situation, he could teach them even more.
"Carrot, hang in there. Let me see where your limits are. Bepo, you're up next. Don't let a little girl outdo you."
…..
"Lord Arceus, sorry for disturbing you. Here's today's intel. Please take a look."
While Pedro was training the young ones, a person who looked like a child entered Arceus's office. Her name was Bao Huang, Kaido's secretary. During Shayna's absence, she had taken over the work here as well.
"If it's important, just tell me directly."
"Yes, sir. There hasn't been any major event lately. Aside from former Marine Admiral Kuzan joining us, the other is the 'revival' of Byrnndi World."
"World? What did he do?"
"According to reliable intel, a few days ago, Byrnndi World attacked a Celestial Dragon who was out traveling. Three warships and World Government vessels were sunk by World, but unfortunately, the Celestial Dragon was saved by the Marines at the risk of their lives."
"Now, the World Government is summoning the Shichibukai, seemingly intending to eliminate him."
"But it's a bit strange. By usual protocol, this kind of matter should warrant the dispatch of a Marine Admiral. But for some reason, none of the current three Admirals have made a move."
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