Queen looked at the newspaper and said.
The article on the newspaper described a laboratory explosion caused by a meteor hitting the facility, causing a pipeline leak, but it didn't take up much space.
"Looks like you two don't have to worry for now."
Queen glanced over the article and handed the newspaper to Shaina. At this moment, both Shaina and King were in their ordinary human forms. With only the two of them on the ship, they didn't need to worry about their identities being exposed.
"A drug production laboratory? Those people really dare to say anything..."
Looking at the description in the newspaper, Shaina was exasperated.
A research institute on the Red Earth Continent had been razed to the ground. Such an event naturally couldn't be concealed, but in their description, the essence of the institute was transformed into an important site for pharmaceutical research.
There wasn't a single mention of the Lunarians, but the front-page headline reiterated the characteristics of the Lunarians and stated that providing information would result in a generous reward upon confirmation.
"Actually, it was indeed a pharmaceutical research institute there, with the world's top analysis facilities and equipment..." Queen only said half of the sentence, retreating under Shaina's murderous gaze.
But what he said was true. This research institute developed extremely effective drugs because their test subjects were people, conducting drug experiments directly on individuals from various races.
As for human rights? Do people from non-adhering countries count as people, do slaves count? Those individuals were merely consumables there.
The Lunarians were indeed special, with extremely high resilience, but they were very similar to humans, making them perfect test subjects for better observing drug reactions.
The newspaper emphasized the importance of that research institute and stated that it would be rebuilt in a short time.
"If they rebuild it, we'll just destroy it again if need be."
Arceus' voice was steady, indifferent to the impacts that destroying the place would cause.
After transforming into the Undead Race, the emotions of Flygon had become more indifferent, and its actions became more aligned with the Undead Race. Arceus was similar but also completely different.
He was the true leader, but in certain matters, his approach would be influenced by Arceus, especially regarding extreme disdain for deceit.
In his prime, Arceus could create not just a few Pokemon, but directly become the creator deity of a world. Destroying a research institute was nothing to him, and if someone truly crossed his line, he wouldn't hesitate to destroy a nation.
Searching for the Plate, reclaiming his powers, and then overturning the throne were things that needed to be done in the future.
The foundation of a big tree was already decayed, and no amount of trimming the dead branches would solve the problem. It had to be solved at the root.
Or, as they say, plant a new tree.
"Holy Beast Lord, you don't need to act. With your given strength, I will burn them all to ashes."
Then Shaina continued flipping through the newspaper to see what had happened during the time she and King had been out of touch with the world.
It's worth mentioning that the World Government didn't mention the Lunarians, nor was Kaidou's situation accurately reported, only stating that he escaped from prison again, describing him as a Devil Fruit user.
Looking at the information on the newspaper, Arceus even felt a bit of regret, as the opportunity to make money was gone.
"Kaidou's ability user status has been exposed. Initially, I was thinking of taking advantage of that."
"Taking advantage?"
"Yeah, none of you have bounties now, only Kaidou does. You could pretend to be bounty hunters, hand Kaidou over to the Navy Base, claim the reward, and then let him escape by himself. What a great opportunity. By the way, does the Navy pay the bounty immediately?"
"If the base has enough funds, it would be settled immediately. If not, it would take some time to deliver. With Kaidou's bounty, I'm afraid the South Sea's branch might not be able to afford it."
Most pirates carry bounties, which gave rise to the profession of bounty hunters. Corruption in the branch offices is definitely more severe than at the headquarters, but regarding this portion of the money, they usually won't touch it, especially with higher bounties.
Even the laziest Navy would want order and peace in their jurisdiction. Defeating a pirate to deliver them to the Navy Base indicates they are stronger than that pirate. Forcing out a stronger pirate for some Belly is something only fools would do.
Though occasionally, you do encounter such fools.
"One billion two hundred seventy-three million Belly, what a shame. If we could do that twice, the funding would be enough."
Hearing Arceus' plan, Queen was tempted. One billion two hundred seventy-three million is Kaidou's current bounty, and the purchasing power of Belly now is far stronger than thirty years later. Even one successful attempt would resolve his research funding woes.
As one of the veterans of the Hundred Beasts Pirates, Queen had significantly contributed to its formation.
Everything about this pirate crew owes to Queen's generous contribution—the ship he prepared, the route he set, even the money spent was his.
You couldn't expect three people who escaped from a research institute, with one freshly hatched from an egg, to have money. In his youth, Kaidou had some sense of duty; initially, he'd rely on kingdoms, then after being wanted, he'd rely on the Navy, turning himself in when hungry and escaping after eating his fill.
That's why Arceus thought of milking Kaidou for all he's worth. He was already used to it. In the past, Kaidou would go to the Prison Ship for buffet-style meals—this time, it should be no problem to take without giving.
However, this was based on Kaidou's ability user status not being exposed. Otherwise, with a large number of Seastone locking him, Kaidou would turn into a muggle. Plus, with the Navy guarding him, it might cost additional manpower to rescue him.
Though, as memory describes, Kaidou got captured dozens of times and lived just fine, who knew how he did it exactly. If they truly messed up, their number one wage earner would be lost.
"By the way, Queen, how much money do you have left?"
"Roughly a few million, but that's no issue. We can just seize a ship. Isn't Big Brother Kaidou recruiting followers? They would have ships."
"No, it's just that I want to buy some supplies when we dock... Kaidou! Stop sleeping! Wake up!"
While skimming through the news on the newspaper, Arceus casually chatted with Queen, but paused halfway through. That's because he saw some special news.
[The John Pirates suddenly appeared in the South Sea, attacking Navy Branch 277.]
No pirate from the Four Seas would openly attack a Navy Base—neither did they have the capability. Moreover, the newspaper clearly stated that the John Pirates were from the Grand Line.
Now, he needed Kaidou to confirm whether this John was the John they were looking for.