Arceus in One Piece - Chapter 10
“You were also a member of that research institute in the past, so you should know where those stone tablets came from, right?”
“I do. One of them was sent over along with these two guys, and the other one was sent by the World Government after a cooperation agreement with Begepunk. I’m unsure about the details, but it should have come from the Lunaria tribe.”
The information matches perfectly. The Fireball Stone Tablet was originally lent to the chief of the Lunaria tribe. It’s not surprising that it ended up in the government’s hands after his defeat.
Shayna has always carried the regular Pure Void Stone Tablet.
“Does the government have any other stone tablets?”
“How could I possibly know that? I had no idea there were so many of these things before. However, based on what those people said, it seems they believe there are more than just two tablets, and another one should be in the hands of the World Government.”
Queen wasn’t too certain either, as this was just speculation. However, Arceus felt his inference was reasonable. Initially, one tablet was lost on the Lunaria tribe’s escape route, so it wouldn’t be strange for it to end up in the government’s hands.
“They seem to have researched these tablets, but they only concluded that they’re indestructible. They believe these tablets contain immense power and can unconsciously influence the surrounding environment.
They tasked Begepunk with attempting to control the power within the tablets, but he has been clueless all along.”
That’s the normal situation. Arceus is the sole owner of the tablets. While they may unconsciously influence the environment, no one can use their power without their consent.
“Oh, right. The researchers also tried to devise a device to locate the tablets, but this proposal was ultimately abandoned. The tablets appear just like ordinary stones in the research institute, with no special components inside.”
Similar to a metal detector, someone believed the tablets contained a special component. They thought that by creating a device to analyze this component, they could locate the tablets on a large scale.
However, the problem is that the tablets have never shed any residue, so there was simply no possibility of implementation.
Unable to destroy or analyze them, some even suggested using them to make armour, but that was rejected. Based on past events, there might be a special connection between the Lunaria people and the tablets, which is why they sent the Fireball Stone Tablet to this place for experimentation.
“I remember now. I saw something similar back on the Locks’ ship.”
One’s potential can be unleashed under special circumstances. Initially, Kaido didn’t pay much attention to this tablet, but its ability to create mythical creatures excited him. The technology belongs exclusively to Arceus, so naturally, he wanted to find those tablets.
Through recollection, he finally remembered why it felt familiar. The Locks’ pirate treasure trove contained a vast amount of treasure, with gold and silver being the most common.
Devil fruits, rare minerals—these were things the Locks obtained from all over the world, including from the Celestial Dragons. Among them was a tablet used to pad the bottom of a crate.
“Locks?”
“Yeah, Locks D. Gibec. The pirate crew I used to be with. Lock was a real monster with ambitions of becoming the King of the World. But five years ago, in the Valley of the Gods, that battle completely wiped out the Locks Pirate Crew. The remaining members scattered.”
The Locks Pirate Crew are true maritime overlords. Whether captain or crew, they were all influential figures. Young Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Charlotte Linlin, Kaido—all were once part of the crew.
Kaido could barely be considered an apprentice on that ship.
However, unlike adventurers who gathered because of their dreams, this was a violent group forcibly united under Locks’ absolute strength.
With everyone on board having their agendas, it was natural for them to go their separate ways when things looked bad.
The Battle of the Valley of the Gods had ended only five years ago. Although Locks was “extremely guilty” and had been erased from history and memory by the World Government, prohibiting discussion or publicity about him.
But five years was too short. Many people still knew about him, and it would take a few more years before Locks would gradually be forgotten.
Moreover, Kaido was an experienced individual. He wouldn’t heed the government’s warnings, and he spoke freely about Locks without any reservations.
Of course, the experiences on Locks’ ship were not important, so he omitted them.
“Now that the Locks Pirate Crew is no more, where did that tablet go, to the Valley of the Gods?”
“No, the so-called Valley of the Gods has long disappeared from the sea. There’s nothing there. As I said, everyone on the ship had their plans. Some died, some were captured, but many also escaped.
The one who loved treasures the most on the ship was John. If nothing unexpected happened, everything on the ship was likely taken by that guy John in the chaos.”
“Where is he now?”
“I don’t know, but it shouldn’t be too difficult to find his location with this kind of person. But dealing with him won’t be easy even if you find him. Given his obsession with treasures, it’s impossible to take things from him without a fight.
But he’s my former senior on the ship. It’s not convenient to start a fight.”
“What’s this? Do pirates talk about righteousness like this? Didn’t you say that Locks’ crew members gathered together for profit, and internal conflicts were common?”
Kaido was certainly good to his people, and he had a high tolerance level. The premise was that the person had enough strength to earn Kaido’s respect, and Arceus was the one Kaido valued most and wanted to recruit the most. He possessed the ability that Kaido coveted.
But he didn’t believe Kaido had any sentimental attachment to John.
“My relationship with him isn’t that great. What I mean is that guy isn’t easy to deal with. While finding him might not be too hard, it will take some time, and it’ll cost money too.”
Five years ago, he was just an apprentice with the Locks Pirate Crew. But times have changed. Five years have passed, and he’s no longer the same.
Moreover, he didn’t owe John anything. At a time like this, it’s natural to maximize John’s value.
Kaido didn’t ask for much, but he suggested paying the “reward” in advance this time. He was getting impatient.
“It’s not a problem. Queen, come here for a moment.” He wanted to try out more of Queen’s abilities. Now was a good time to give Kaido a little sweetener.
Moreover, besides Queen, there was no one else nearby. A surge of power entered Queen’s body, consuming less than Shayna but more than Jhin, placing him in a middle position.
Queen was already a ruthless person who could make bizarre changes to himself, so this wasn’t contradictory. However, when he used his abilities later, he found that a bunch of bananas had grown on his chin.
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