Queen became the third member within the Hundred Beasts Pirates to have his bounty reach ten billion, making him the highest-bounty member among the big names.
He's also the only one whose bounty doubled without even leaving Wano Kuni.
"Not bad, Queen. You're now the highest-bounty official, and they only want you captured alive. Interesting, really interesting."
Shaina didn't use a single curse word, but her tone made Queen feel quite troubled.
"Are those people insane?! What are they imagining again? These people shouldn't be in the intelligence department; they should work at Morgans' newspaper!!"
As a pirate, he's not afraid of having a high bounty. If he actually did something to increase it, he'd be ecstatic.
But he hadn't massacred a town or attacked the Navy. He was just honestly conducting research on Ghost Island, teaching others, enduring Kaidou's training, and occasionally getting beaten up.
Yet, even though he did nothing, his bounty continued to soar like it was on a rocket.
Although he knew he served as a smoke grenade, the imagination of those brainiacs frightened him a bit.
What if one day they thought he was a threat to world security...
Imagining such a terrifying scenario, sweat began to bead on Queen's forehead.
Actually, he didn't know, if he hadn't done nothing and worried about attracting other ambitious types, his bounty would be even higher.
If Kaidou hadn't had enough deterrence and Wano Kuni's terrain wasn't so unique, the advance team would have already set out.
"It must be Mandfeish who did something, right? This guy didn't disappoint the Holy Beast Lord's expectations and has finally evolved."
Ignoring Queen, Shaina looked at Mandfeish's wanted poster instead.
"By the way, stop your nonsense now, where's the information on Omanyte? That's what I'm here for."
"Wait, I'll personally deliver it later. I feel the world is a bit dangerous and I request enhanced protection..."
Queen didn't even notice Mandfeish's wanted poster; he grabbed his stuff and headed to Ghost Island, he needed more power to ensure his life safety.
...
Meanwhile, on Ghost Island, Yamato and the others were also reading the newspaper, which was their way to stay informed on world affairs every day.
"Uncle Queen's bounty has increased, ten billion? Is Uncle Queen really that strong?"
Looking at Queen's inflated wanted poster, Yamato was quite puzzled, because in her view, Queen was the weakest among the high-level officials, with both King and Shaina treating him poorly.
"Bounties don't always reflect one's strength, didn't Mr. Arceus say so?"
Robin was staring intently at the newspaper, her focus on outside news was much greater than Yamato and the others.
"Robin, doesn't II mean son?"
"Depends, sometimes it can mean son, other times just heir or descendant, why do you ask?"
"Because of this wanted poster, godfather, is Mandfeish father's illegitimate child?"
Looking at the wanted poster presented to him, Arceus understood why Yamato would ask such a question.
[Kaidou II - Mandfeish, bounty of two billion Belly]
"Kaidou II, these guys really dare to say, Mandfeish has nothing to do with your father, it's just an exaggerated title."
"Really?"
"Of course, but with your dad, you never know; I knew him when he was already a pirate. Alright, lunch break's over, time to resume training."
The group was once again dragged back to the training grounds, and off to the side, Ulti was working hard at the fitness training ground. She also learned one thing, those two fruits were deliberately given to her and Page One by Kaidou and Arceus.
Although the training was tough, at least the Hundred Beasts were decent to them siblings. As a pirate's child, she'd seen others fight to the blood for a single fruit.
Originally thinking it was something she stole, it turns out it was all a deliberate allowance.
She didn't like charity, so she sought to prove that both she and Page One were worthy of those two fruits.
At that time, Kaidou appeared, he was there to inspect the training progress.
"Is it your turn to train these kids today? Where's Shaina?"
"She went to find Queen to handle intelligence..."
While speaking, Queen and Shaina appeared there in succession. Upon seeing Kaidou and Arceus, Queen immediately abandoned his dignity, rushing over to them.
"Big Brother Kaidou, Big Brother Arceus, save me!"
Holding up his wanted poster, Queen looked rather heroic in his desperation.
"Save me, my lords! Look at those bastards in the World Government, they want me dead!"
"Guhuhuhu, doesn't it say capture alive? Queen, you're overthinking it. Have some backbone, how does this look?"
Kaidou didn't take Queen's words seriously; after all, it's written clearly that they need him alive.
"No, Big Brother Kaidou, those World Government guys are brainiacs; if I actually get caught and can't provide what they want, they'll think I'm being tight-lipped...."
There's a term called a fate worse than death, Queen imagined all sorts of horrific scenarios, his persecution paranoia was almost coming out.
"Lord Arceus, given how excellent my Stand is, shouldn't you grant me more life-preserving abilities? That way I can better serve as a lightning rod, otherwise won't you have to step into the spotlight?"
That day, the younger generation of the Hundred Beasts Pirates witnessed just how eloquent Queen could be. He explained his importance like a performer, and eventually, through his arguing, Arceus agreed to enhance him a bit.
For instance, in terms of skills, he was helped to perfect a unique skill set: Leech Seed + Protect + Stand, a rather annoying strategy for enemies.
Zoan-type Ability Users are generally like tanks, and this skill set was quite suitable for Queen; even if the enemy was somewhat stronger, he could attempt to wear them down.
At the same time, he handed Queen a seed.
"Lord Arceus, what is this? Should it be cultivated?"
"No need, this is a special item; carry it with you in the future, don't you always modify yourself in strange ways? Have it stay inside you."
"Special item... Resurrection Grass?!"
Back then Arceus had given them the sit-up item, but until now, no one had used it.
"No, but close, it will make you a bit stronger."
The carried item - Miracle Seed, can enhance the power of Queen's Grass-type skills.
Arceus had made his gesture, so Kaidou felt he should do something as the captain, deciding to prepare a special training session for Queen...