When everything is compared, when Kurozumi Orochi torments the citizens of Wano Kuni, and the Hundred Beasts bring a brand new change, the citizens will understand who they should really support.
According to what Kaidou described about the state of Wano Kuni and his own scattered memories, to completely rule Wano Kuni and make it accept the Hundred Beasts like here, it would take considerable effort.
At this time, an unopened box caught his attention.
"What's that?"
"I don't know, that old lady said it was a gift from Kurozumi Orochi. Just open it and see."
As the box was opened, a stone tablet appeared inside, but this time Arceus felt no joy at all, and his expression turned thoroughly dark.
Kurozumi Higurashi, who had left, just felt the wind and waves suddenly grow stronger, unaware of what had happened.
The people on the island just looked up to the sky, the clouds seemed thicker than before.
Kaidou, King, and other strong individuals sensed the change in Arceus' demeanor, while for someone like Setsuna, who was underage, this aura was a terrifying horror.
She didn't know how to describe this feeling, but she felt that it might be akin to the legend of the Lord of Zou from the Fur Race becoming angry, instinctively wanting to lean on Zeraora, who has been her most solid support for the past three years.
But this time it was different, Zeraora was showing even worse signs.
"Zeraora, are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?" Seeing Zeraora suddenly squatting down, Setsuna didn't understand what was happening; she just felt that there was an extremely terrifying aura emanating from Arceus.
She couldn't comprehend why Zeraora's reaction was so intense.
Although Zeraora was much stronger than Setsuna, being a creation of Arceus, any intense emotional change from Arceus would also affect them.
After all, they were too close to Arceus; if they weren't on this island, they wouldn't be so gravely impacted.
"I'm fine, just a little uncomfortable, don't worry about me..."
If even Zeraora was like this, then Chansey and Miltank's condition was even worse. The Chanseys, who were taking care of the babies, sat on the ground huddled together, trembling, and the Miltanks taken out to feed by the Hundred Beasts members were the same.
"Damn it, daring to deceive me with this thing...."
Normal things wouldn't affect him, but two things were absolutely unacceptable to Arceus: others touching his Plates, and deception.
And now, someone had presented a fake Plate right in front of him.
"What's wrong with you?"
In all these years, Kaidou had only seen Arceus in this state once, in the research institute a few years ago. After that, Arceus's emotions had always been stable—though he experienced joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, it was within normal emotional ranges.
This oppressive feeling... it was even more terrifying than back then.
Then, a Dark Pulse was released by Arceus, shattering the counterfeit Plate into dust.
"A fake?" Kaidou knew what the real Plate looked like; it was a miraculous creation upon which even his Thundering Hakken could not leave any mark.
Moreover, he always carried his Plate Radar, which hadn't shown any reaction; he had no idea this was a fake Plate before opening it.
"Yes, a man-made fake. These people are truly naive."
Actually, the existence of this fake Plate was partly related to Kaidou. Previously, he had released a smokescreen at a tea party, intending to cast armor using these indestructible Plates.
Those unaware of the real situation took his reason as true, including Kurozumi Orochi and his cohorts.
Originally, they wanted to please him, but since they couldn't find such items, they had the idea of making a fake one.
The known strongest material in Wano Kuni was the Seastone.
Around the Seastone, there's a companion mineral; it has the hardness like Seastone but lacks the ability-suppressing features, making it the best material for armors.
Additionally, Wano Kuni is home to the finest craftsmen, who have special methods to forge Seastone and its companion minerals.
So, a high-quality imitation Plate, crafted from the companion mineral based on the picture Kaidou provided, came into existence. Kurozumi Orochi assumed Kaidou wouldn't discern it was a fake, as it practically possessed all the described features.
Regardless of its shape or whatever, it was crafted to the highest craftsmanship standard of Wano Kuni.
However, this Plate only possessed the outward appearance, lacking any substance, allowing it to deceive others but not Arceus, who could tell it was fake with just one glance.
Kurozumi Orochi intended to curry favor with Kaidou, but instead, he hit two of Arceus's sore spots: the Plate and deception.
"I understand. King, Queen, inform the little ones, prepare for war."
"Huh?"
"Since they deceived you, then they have to pay the price. Although Wano Kuni is important, whatever, we'll think of something else later; it's just Wano Kuni, darn it, I won't believe I can't take it down!"
Kaidou didn't like meaningless losses, but in the Hundred Beasts Pirates, only these officers were his true priorities. If it meant holding Arceus at this level of anger, even a war leading to heavy casualties would be acceptable.
"Hold on."
Upon hearing Kaidou say this, Arceus, who was at the height of his rage, actually calmed down. After all, he was no longer the purely original Arceus; he had his own thoughts, and seeing Kaidou willing to amend his plans for him, he could barely suppress his anger.
"Kaidou, as a favor to you, I'll temporarily let the Kurozumi Family be, but after your plan is completed, that will be their demise."
To infiltrate Wano Kuni, Kurozumi Orochi is the best opportunity. A xenophobic country greatly needs the help of a local.
Orochi's actions violated Arceus's taboos, but because of Kaidou, he granted them a temporary reprieve. Nevertheless, the outcome would not change. However, in the remaining time, the Hundred Beasts would drain all his value before the final "judgment."
Humans always consider things from both sides; Kaidou could choose to go to war earlier, but he could also choose to endure for a little longer and settle accounts after the autumn.
"In that case... let's have a feast!"
"Ah-haha?" He was a bit unable to follow Kaidou's train of thought. Though he proactively suggested not going to war immediately, throwing a feast the very next moment still caught him off guard.
"When you're unhappy, you should hold a feast. We're pirates; what's more fun than a banquet? Occasionally, you should join in; always watching from the side—what's the fun? Let's go, little ones, it's time for a feast!"
The original summons hadn't been sent out, so a grand feast was held within the Hundred Beasts Pirates. The ordinary pirates weren't sure why there was a feast, but it didn't matter; what mattered was thoroughly enjoying it.
And as Arceus's mood calmed, the Pokemon on the island were no longer afflicted, returning to their original life rhythm....