Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 171: Chapter 170: Queen’s Bewildered Expression

The members of MADS are numerous, but only two were incorporated and heavily utilized by the World Government. One is Vegapunk, hailed for his technology that’s 500 years ahead of its time. He is undeniably the leader of the Science Class.

Currently ranking second in the Science Class is Caesar Clown, also a member of MADS. Initially, the members looked down on each other.

Even though Vegapunk was called the world’s best, they didn’t think themselves inferior, and some even considered themselves superior in certain specialized fields.

”That blundering hog Queen deciphered more of the Bloodline Factor? Impossible!”

The forced incorporation of MADS by the World Government was primarily due to their discovery of the Bloodline Factor, an area where many conducted their unique research.

Post-incorporation, Vegapunk created the first Artificial Devil Fruit using Kaidou’s Bloodline Factor. However, it was rumored to be a failure, and Vegapunk ceased further research in that area afterward.

Currently, he is researching the conditions for Devil Fruit manifestation, specifically how to make non-living entities consume Devil Fruits.

Nevertheless, Caesar didn’t abandon this line of research; he believes it still has extensive prospects.

Artificial Devil Fruits, human gigantification, and large-scale massacre weapons form his three research projects. However, most of his efforts are now focused on the latter weapon.

The World Government prioritizes this, as the former two are considerably challenging.

MADS also has its hierarchy of disdain; Queen looks down on Judge, while Caesar somewhat despises Queen. He accepts being inferior to Vegapunk but refuses to concede Queen achieving a breakthrough in his field of research.

[Queen is suspected to have deciphered the Bloodline Factor and achieved certain accomplishments.]

”How could that guy possibly be ahead of me? Impossible, absolutely impossible!” he said, continuing to review the delivered data.

Self-proclaimed ”genius scientist” Caesar Clown is a truly mad individual, willing to perform various acts for his research. Arrogant, cunning, insidious—many words could describe him.

Yet he dares not display much in front of Queen due to his bully-the-weak mentality and fear of death; he was very cautious facing Queen’s superior force.

”The power of thunder, electromagnetic cannon...modified human weaponry...that scoundrel is just like Judge, opting for this type of application... No, not quite—there’s still a distinction...”

Despite his vile character, Caesar possesses his own abilities. According to this report, Queen utilized the Bloodline Factor and modified people technology to develop a special war weapon.

The source of the Bloodline Factor is likely Kaidou, as most of the Hundred Beasts’ abilities discovered thus far are fire and thunder-related, stemming from Kaidou’s Azure Dragon Fruit capabilities.

This report is not to convey anything else but to prompt the Science Class to expedite a plan, namely the war weapon project.

Queen’s exclusion from incorporation was not just due to his willingness and character; despite the cruelty of his research, as long as it served the World Government, they would remain silent.

One reason for Queen’s exclusion is the World Government’s belief that his technology is inferior to Caesar Clown and Vegapunk’s.

They refuse to accept their judgment could be wrong; if Queen can achieve something, Vegapunk and Caesar surely can too.

Originally, they had a war weapon plan, but it was shelved due to its immense difficulty. Yet now, it is being brought forward.

From this point, the World Government Science Class starts researching Project 184, codenamed Peacekeeper.

As Vegapunk is currently engaged in another project, the task is temporarily entrusted to Caesar. ℴℴ𝘮

Meanwhile, due to analyzing Kaidou’s true interests, CP0 temporarily halted communications with him. The World Government requires transactions but won’t act subserviently to be manipulated.

Related items can also be procured on the Black Market, leading them to surmise that Hundred Beasts’ intention isn’t to sever trade completely but perhaps to demand a higher price.

Wano Kuni thus enters another phase of peaceful development; even Omanyte has been idle lately, as the frequency of calls has noticeably decreased after that buzz.

Only one person remains puzzled—Queen, who is staring at his Wanted Poster doubting his life.

Even when Shaina approached, he didn’t notice—a previously impossible scenario where his body would automatically signal an alert as soon as Shaina got close.

This time, the alert mechanism even collapsed, exemplifying the impact this event has had on him.

”Queen, Queen? Queen! Damn it... Must I resort to violent means?” Over the years, she has ceased attacking Queen unnecessarily, at least not during normal interactions.

She came to retrieve Omanyte’s surveillance records, with regular messages accumulated over a day or two barring emergencies.

Shaina was unsure where that thing was kept, but Queen ignored her despite her speaking normally, compelling Shaina to resort to more traditional methods.

As proof, pain is a stronger attention grabber than sound.

”Can’t you be gentler, woman!”

”Huh? I tried speaking to you politely, yet you ignored me; is it still my fault now? What are you dazing about?”

”Look at this.”

Queen handed his Wanted Poster to Shaina, although she found nothing exceptional about it.

”What’s so great about looking at your own face? Haven’t you looked in the mirror enough?”

”That’s not the point; the point is here, only alive. What the hell did I do? Why does the Wanted Poster change every few days—what’s in that World Government’s brains?”

Previously, while industriously cultivating Berry, his bounty suddenly soared to 444 million, making him the highest-ranked official under Kaidou and Arceus.

This time, he again did nothing, barely leaving Wano Kuni once, yet the Wanted Poster changed again; although the price didn’t rise, the ”only alive” clause is far graver than a price increase.

It’s also the World Government’s new consideration; while their analysis department believes their judgments are infallible, the present situation is bizarre. Misjudging Queen’s technical prowess would inequitably cost the World Government.

Amending a Wanted Poster is a simple task, taking little effort—hence Queen received this new bounty.

Nonetheless, the World Government’s investigations into the Beast Pirates persist unabated; they bear too much unknown material, thus investigating them becomes that CP0 squad’s exclusive duty.

They have the most contact with the Beast Pirates, and comparatively speaking, are the most knowledgeable about them...