While Drake was still going down the wrong path, Hawkins had already used a special method to join the Beasts Pirates and even earned Queen's favor.
It wasn't because his ability was particularly strong, but rather because his fortune-telling power aligned so well with Queen's interests that Queen gave him a few special things.
In terms of physical skills, Hawkins definitely couldn't beat Drake. But with the powers of the Straw-Straw Fruit combined with the items Queen gave him, Hawkins became a tough opponent for any Devil Fruit User who wasn't well-versed in Haki.
From the moment Drake was ambushed with Seastone nails by Hawkins, his defeat was already sealed. If he could find a secluded place, he might have had a chance to pull the nails out, but in the middle of battle, Hawkins never gave him that chance.
"Lord Scotch, the intruder has been defeated. What are your next orders?"
"Well done. I'll report everything truthfully to Lord Queen. You don't need to worry about what comes next."
Drake had half achieved his goal — he had successfully entered Wano Country. The only problem was, he entered as a prisoner.
That was the Beasts Pirates' preferential treatment for Super Rookies. If a Super Rookie caused trouble, they would be granted the opportunity to mine at the Udon Quarry.
As for how long they would be kept there, well, that depended entirely on Kaido's mood.
Once Kaido remembered this matter and decided to recruit new members, the prisoners at Udon Quarry would have their chance. But currently, Kaido wasn't even on Onigashima, and no one but Kaido himself knew when he'd return.
While Super Rookies in the New World were still fighting for their future, Yamato and Robin had already arrived on Charicific Island and were carrying out their research.
More accurately, it was Robin who was doing the research. Yamato was just serving as a translator.
Human-to-Pokémon communication wasn't fully developed. Unless someone had spent a long time living with a specific Pokémon, it was difficult to understand the meaning behind their words.
But Yamato was different. The Power of Viridian allowed her to communicate with any Pokémon, including the Charizards on the island.
With Yamato's help, Robin successfully reached the island's Dragon's Nest, where she saw many newly hatched Charmander and dragon eggs that had yet to hatch.
Without Yamato's assistance, Robin would never have been able to enter this area. Before the eggs hatch, female Charizards are unusually aggressive, and even the male Charizards might get beaten up by them.
Even with Yamato leading the way, the Charizards still kept a wary eye on Robin. Occasionally, sparks flared from the corners of their mouths.
"See? I told you waiting that extra half a month for me was worth it. You wouldn't have made it here on your own."
"That's true. But are you sure it's okay to be this relaxed?"
"Why not? Look, the egg over there is about to hatch."
The two of them didn't wander around but instead stayed quietly in a corner. The Power of Viridian had its limits. Just being allowed into this area was a show of respect from the Charizards toward Yamato. In this kind of situation, they naturally wouldn't go roaming about.
Besides them, there was also a slightly scared Lizzi.
Technically, its type had the advantage over Charizard. But there were too many Charizards here. Water can extinguish fire, but fire can also boil water. If they really angered this group of Charizards, Lizzi's water might just evaporate before it could do anything.
And if luck was bad, and there happened to be a Charizard with Water Absorb hidden among them, it would be even more unlucky.
Just in case, it was doing its best to reduce its presence, and had even activated stealth mode.
A flame-patterned egg was enveloped in a white glow, and under the watchful eyes of several Charizard, a newborn Charmander entered the world. The blazing flame on its tail indicated it was in excellent health, and not long after, it began to curiously observe this mysterious world.
"Pokémon evolution and birth are always so miraculous. No matter how many times I see it, I never get bored."
"Well, it is life created by Dad. Isn't it only natural?"
"True. Alright, let's not disturb them any further. We should leave this place for now."
After leaving the cave, the two of them arrived at the mountain peak. Watching the Charizard flying in the sky, Robin pulled out a long scroll and began sketching by summoning multiple arms with her ability.
Compared to using a camera to capture images, sketching offered an entirely different perspective, and it also helped her train her ability.
More than a dozen arms simultaneously sketching different scenes. This was far more complex than simple combat.
"You're heading to the Kingdom of Giants after this, right?"
"Yeah, I'm planning to go check it out. Giants can live up to 300 years, three times the human lifespan. They must have a different perspective on history. Maybe I'll discover some new information."
"I see. I won't be going with you then. Red Hair seems to have a good relationship with them, but he's not the warlike type. The seas aren't peaceful lately, so be careful."
"I've got experience, so don't worry about me. You should think more about yourself. Lord Arceus wouldn't warn you about being cautious around someone familiar without a reason."
Robin had been training herself to multitask, so even while drawing, she casually chatted with Yamato.
That warning had indeed stuck in Yamato's mind; she just hadn't figured anything out yet.
Robin did have some guesses, but she didn't dare to speak them aloud. If even Arceus hadn't said it directly, it meant he didn't want to spell it out for Yamato. So in that case, she couldn't give a direct answer either and only offer a subtle reminder.
"Is Dad being overly cautious? Does he think there's a traitor among the people I know?"
"Maybe Lord Arceus meant something else."
"Something else…"
Yamato suddenly seemed to think of something. In a slight panic, she rummaged through her bag and pulled out a Vivre Card. Seeing it violently flutter, a dark shadow immediately clouded her expression.
"Damn it! I completely forgot about him! That b*stard father counts as someone I know too! Robin, goodbye! I'm outta here!"
"Wait.."
That Vivre Card was Kaido's. Since Kaido often disappeared while drunk, the high-ranking members of the Beasts Pirates all carried his Vivre Card so they could confirm if he was still alive and locate him if needed.
And the closer the target was, the more violently the Vivre Card would flutter. The way it moved just now clearly meant that Kaido was already nearby.
Without saying another word, Yamato had already vanished from Robin's sight.
"You running off like that will just make things worse…"
Robin covered her face helplessly. If Yamato had stayed on Charicific Island, Kaido might've shown some restraint for the sake of the Charizard family on the island, at least enough to keep from affecting their lives.
But Yamato had chosen to flee. If she managed to shake him off, that would be fine. But if she couldn't, and ended up blocked by Kaido in an open area, that would mean Kaido could unleash his full power without any scruples.
And just as Robin had expected, the moment Yamato left, she was immediately intercepted by Kaido.
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