Queen has become the third Beast Pirates member to have a staggering bounty of 1 billion, and the highest-bounty holder among the All-Stars.
He is also the only one who has managed to double his bounty without even leaving Wano Country.
"Well done, Queen. You're now the officer with the highest-bounty, and you only need to be captured alive. Interesting, really interesting," Shayna did not use any swear words, but her tone made Queen feel extremely worried.
"What's wrong with these people? What wild imagination are they having? They shouldn't be in the Intelligence Branch; they should work for Morgan's newspaper!"
As a pirate, he wasn't afraid of having a high bounty. If he had done something to warrant the increase, he would have been thrilled.
But, he hadn't done any massacre or attacked the Marines. He was obediently conducting research on Onigashima, teaching others, enduring Kaido's training, and occasionally getting beaten up or dissed.
Even though he had done nothing, his bounty kept rising crazily like a rocket.
While he knows his role as a cover, the wild imagination of these delusional people made him a bit scared.
In case they one day deemed him a threat to the world's security...
Thinking of that terrifying scenario, Queen's forehead began to sweat.
In fact, he didn't know that if he hadn't done anything and was worried about attracting the attention of other ambitious people by being too exaggerated, his bounty would be even higher.
If it weren't for Kaido's deterrent power and the unique terrain of Wano Country, the advance team would have already set out.
"Mandrell must have done something. This guy didn't let down the expectations of Lord Sacred Beast; he has finally evolved."
Ignoring Queen, Shayna looked at Mandrell's bounty.
"By the way, stop blabbering. Where is Omanyte's intel? That's what I'm here for."
"Wait, I'll personally deliver it. I feel the world is a bit dangerous; I require more protection."
Without paying any attention to Mandrell's bounty, Queen picked up the intel and headed for Onigashima. He needs stronger power to ensure his life and safety.
Meanwhile, inside Onigashima, Yamato and her companions were reading the newspaper. They read the newspaper everyday to stay informed about the world's major events.
"Uncle Queen's bounty has increased again. Ten, hundred, thousand, 1 billion? Is Uncle Queen really that strong?"
Looking at Queen's exaggerated bounty, Yamato was extremely puzzled. After all, in her view, Queen is the weakest among all the high-ranking officers, with both King and Shayna always rude to him.
"Bounties don't necessarily reflect strength. Didn't Mr. Arceus mention that before?"
Robin, fully engrossed in the newspaper, paid more attention to outside news than Yamato and the others.
"Robin, does 'II' mean son?"
"It depends. Sometimes it refers to son, other times it means descendant or successor. Why are you asking?"
"Because of this wanted poster. Dad, is Mandrell father's illegitimate son?"
Looking at the wanted poster placed before him, Arceus understood why Yamato asked.
[Kaido II-Mandrell, Bounty: 200 million]
"Kaido II, these guys really dare to say anything. Mandrell has no real relation to your father; it's just an exaggerated title."
"Is that so?"
"Of course, but if your father does have some illegitimate child outside, who knows? I got to know him when he was already a pirate. Well, lunch break is over, back to training."
The group of people was once again brought to the training ground. Meanwhile, in the physical training ground, Ulti was working hard. She now knew that those two Devil Fruits were intentionally given to her and Page One by Kaido and Arceus.
Though the training was tough, at least the Beasts Pirates treated them, siblings, fairly well. As children of pirates, Ulti had seen others getting seriously injured for a single fruit.
She had initially thought she had stolen them on her own, but it turned out that the other party had simply allowed it to happen.
She disliked charity, so she wanted to prove that she and Page One deserved those two fruits.
At this moment, Kaido appeared to inspect the results of the training.
"Are you the one training the kids today? Where's Shayna?"
"Went to obtain intel from Queen."
As they spoke, Queen and Shayna appeared one after another. At the sight of Kaido and Arceus, Queen immediately abandoned all dignity and ran towards them.
"Boss Kaido, Boss Arceus, save me!"
Holding up his wanted poster, Queen had a tragic look on his face.
"Save me, boss! Look at those World Government ba*tards; they're after my life!"
"Worororo, doesn't it say 'Only Alive' on it? Queen, you're overthinking. Show some backbone; you're not looking good like this."
Kaido didn't take Queen's words seriously. After all, it was clearly written that he should be kept alive.
"No, Boss Kaido, those World Government guys are all delusional. If I really get caught and can't give them what they want, in the end, they'll just take me as being stubborn."
There's a term called "fate worse than death." Queen's imagination conjured up all sorts of terrifying scenarios and he was on the verge of developing persecution delusion.
"Lord Arceus, look at how excellent my Substitute is. Shouldn't you give me more life-saving abilities? This way, I can better attract fire, or else you'll have to step into the limelight."
On this day, the new generation of Beasts Pirates got to witness just how eloquent Queen could be. He explained his importance like a stand-up comedian, and ultimately, through his persuasive arguments, Arceus granted him the desired enhancement.
For example, in terms of skills, Arceus helped him perfect the special move set of Leech Seed + Protect + Substitute, a tactic that could disgust enemies.
Zoan Users were mostly people with great endurance, and this move set was very suitable for Queen. Even if the enemy was stronger, he could try to wear them down.
At the same time, Arceus gave Queen a seed.
"Lord Arceus, what is this? Do I need to cultivate it?"
"No need, it's a special item. Just carry it with you; you always make strange modifications to yourself, right? Let it stay in your body."
"Special item... Revival Herb?!"
Initially, Arceus had given them a "sit-up item", but until now, no one had used it. [TN: I think the author here means how people buy gym equipment for home but rarely use them. He is equating sit-up equipment to Revival Herb which also hasn't been used by anyone yet.]
"Not exactly, but close. It can make you slightly stronger."
Carrying the item - Miracle Seed - could increase the power of Queen's Grass-type moves.
Seeing Arceus do this, Kaido felt as the captain, he should also do something, so he decided to personally prepare a special training session for Queen.
****Please support on pat*eon for extra chapters; there is date to date subscription enabled on patreon. [There is a 7-day trial version availabe on patreon.]
https://www.pat*eon.com/dmtranslations
You can read ahead upto 75 chapters on my pa*reon.