If we judge status based solely on bounty, Queen is clearly the third in command of the Hundred Beasts Pirates, except for Arceus and Kaidou. Even though Yamato is the future successor of the Hundred Beasts, her bounty doesn't surpass his, let alone other officers.
Even considering some practical factors, Queen holds a very high position in the Hundred Beasts, which he values greatly for his future path of advancement.
In the original timeline, Hawkins roamed the New World for two years before being coaxed by Kid and Apoo into forming an alliance to attack Red Hair Shanks. But Apoo had already betrayed them to the Hundred Beasts and led Kaidou to the meeting point.
Due to the gap in strength, Hawkins was forced to join the Hundred Beasts at that time.
This time is different. He voluntarily joined the Hundred Beasts and even found his stage to prove he is different from those small fry.
And the root of all this is that he is inherently a seer; divination is a major part of his life. After discovering that unfathomable whirlpool of fate, he had already decided on the direction of his future.
He was more interested in contacting the religious members of the Arceus Sect, but Queen was also a good choice, especially with the special assessment he proposed. By staying by Queen's side, promotion to an officer would certainly be faster.
However, there was a bit of an issue with the conditions Queen proposed.
"Your fortune telling is very strange, as if it's destined. You can't escape it. No matter how you calculate, at most, it can only be delayed, but there's no exemption."
Then Hawkins performed a card draw once again in front of Queen, and a card with a tower appeared at the top.
"The Tower, the only card with negative connotations whether upright or reversed. Lord Queen, your fate is very tumultuous, or rather, very stable."
Hawkins hastily addressed him as Lord Queen, yet the result made Queen not very satisfied.
"No problem, I'll give you some preparation time. Afterward, you can prove your ability to me. For now, you guys can just wait here. When things are finished, I'll take you away with me."
Hawkins was not qualified to participate in that feast, so Queen just let him wait here, while Queen himself returned to Dragon Palace City to report to Kaidou and Arceus about what had just happened.
The provocateurs weren't worth mentioning, but BIG MOM's moves were worth mentioning.
As for Hawkins, Queen planned to use time to verify his abilities. Avoiding risks is good, but if avoidance is impossible, being prepared is also excellent.
...
"Lord Arceus, I just encountered people from the BIG MOM Pirates. They seem to have their sights set on Fishman Island as well."
After returning to the banquet hall, Queen found Arceus to report the recent events. Although Kaidou did not perform any sword dances, he had entered a drunken state, now arm-in-arm with Neptune as they drank together.
If Arceus weren't here, the Hundred Beasts would likely be preparing for emergency measures.
But in his current state, Kaidou clearly wouldn't listen to reports, and Queen didn't want to attract bloodshed because of it.
"How did you handle it?"
"Already drove him away. Judging by that old woman's personality, she wouldn't start a war with us. After all, we occupied this place long ago, and it's not like we're fighting over territory. However, Perospero is going to have a bad time."
Queen didn't notice that while he was reporting the news, Yamato was wandering around the banquet hall with a notebook, intentionally gathering information from high-ranking or well-experienced fishmen or mermaids.
...
After a grand feast, the Dragon Palace Kingdom sent off the Hundred Beasts pirates, but on the way back, the revenge from the young lady began.
"Uncle Queen, I heard that the Dragon Palace Kingdom once had a secret treasure."
"Oh? What secret treasure?"
"It's something called a poison in the Jade Hand Box. I heard it can unlock a person's potential, but it comes with a heavy price. Back then, Mandfeish even brought it back for you to study.
But so many years have passed, and there seems to be no news at all."
"This... I remember it being studied, but it turned out to be worthless, just a means to trade life for a brief burst of power, too impractical. In terms of practical value, it doesn't even compare to the explosive power of that Sword Dance squad. I should be able to find it once we return to Ghost Island."
"Really, Uncle Queen, you're really dedicated."
Yamato marked a line in her notebook, seemingly catching him in the act of mishandling his past work, intending to use this as revenge for Queen's attempt at mutual destruction during the top war.
This action made Queen's heart clench. Although nothing happened, if Yamato really caught him by a slip, Kaidou might drag him off for special training.
"Miss Yamato, where did you hear about this kind of thing? Weren't you uninterested in these matters?"
"Oh, it's a secret. I'm suddenly quite interested in past events now."
Yamato's face broke into an exceptionally peculiar smile, which seemed extremely dangerous to Queen.
This smile reminded Queen of the bloodshed Hawkins mentioned, strengthening his resolve to hasten Hawkins's assessment process and quickly arrange his roster assignment.
Strength can be another matter, but this ability to divine is immensely beneficial to him.
Ordinary people need to check the weather forecast when going out; if Hawkins truly proves useful, he could also serve as a special office assistant.
...
Subsequently, the Hundred Beasts began returning to Wano Kuni, where another grand feast awaited them.
Meanwhile, the results of the top war also began to gradually ferment during this time, and thanks to the efforts of the News Bird, the world finally had some understanding of it.
[Four years ago, Red Hair Shanks rose to the ranks of the Sea Emperors, and four great pirates ruled the sea like emperors, commonly referred to as the Four Emperors.
But today, four years later, the oldest of the Four Emperors – Whitebeard, Edward Newgate, ended his life.
This signifies the end of the Four Emperors Era.
And Whitebeard's dying words were simple: ONE PIECE is real!
Reported by the World Economic News Agency - the Flame Snapper.]
Morgans commands a group of incredibly bold reporters, and the Flame Snapper is one of them. Originally the head of the Navy's photography department, he joined the World Economic News Agency after being dismissed by the Navy, bearing no remembrance of his old ties when writing this article.
But this is merely part of the report. The series of changes surrounding the top war isn't something that can be fully detailed in just a few articles.
In the Land of White Soil, Baltigo, the Revolutionary Army's headquarters, Dragon commanded the Revolutionary Army's actions in various regions, and today, the Revolutionary Army's Radio Snail rang once more.