The Impact

"Road Sign Stone? How boring. I'll remember it." Although he seemed indifferent to the news, Shiki had clearly taken it to heart.

Roger left behind some One Piece in Laugh Tale, and even he was curious about it; it's safe to say that almost everyone on this sea is curious about it.

The Ancient Weapon he desired most was likely hidden by Roger on the Laugh Tale.

However, becoming the King of the World and destroying direct governments is what he wants to do; they have other important matters to attend to at the moment.

"Complete our plan, accelerate the progress of IQ research, and get it ready for use."

The Flying Pirates discovered an island called Weil, inhabited by thousands of specially evolved creatures. Research revealed that their evolution was due to a plant called "IQ".

It can stimulate the brains of animals and induce different evolutionary processes depending on the environment.

The Flying Pirates discovered that the main reason was a mysterious substance called IQ. When extracted and injected into animals, it would cause them to evolve in their fighting style, and might even evolve special abilities.

Therefore, Shiki wanted to use this to develop a special drug that would make animals grow to enormous sizes and become ferocious, greatly enhancing their fighting power.

This formed a terrifying army of animals born of destruction.

If he were to release these animals into the Holy Land Mary Geoise and the Marine Headquarters, they would definitely cause them enormous damage. After all, it would be difficult to achieve one's dream by relying solely on one's own strength, or even the strength of the Flying Pirates.

Besides having top-tier combat strength, the Flying Pirates also lacked numerical superiority.

So Shiki claimed the island for himself and used his abilities to take it to the sky. In the Sky Kingdom, there was another huge island, surrounded by smoke and clouds, which was Weil.

All of this is happening in secret, and it has only just begun.

"Yes, the research is progressing rapidly. We are gathering more scientists, especially in the field of biology. With Indigo's research, we believe we will be able to achieve results within a few years," Rhine nodded and smiled.

IQ is extremely important. Once mastered, it can provide a huge advantage in mid-to-high-end combat power during wartime and inflict significant damage on the enemy.

With sufficient funding and more scientists, Shiki's research on IQ will certainly not take twenty years; the timeframe will be greatly shortened.

While the Road Sign Stone is important, it won't disappear. The current war in the Chaos Sea also needs it. If Whitebeard really has to take action, only he can withstand him.

The Babarossa Kingdom, the center of the Beasts Pirates' territory, features a significant landmark: a massive palace shaped like a pair of bull horns and a skull.

The main members of the Beasts Pirates also gathered together.

After experiencing the luxurious comforts of the Combat Pyramid on Pagila Island, Kaido and his crew made some modifications to their own base, somewhat mimicking the interior of the Combat Pyramid.

In terms of comfort, it's much better than before.

"Can this news be confirmed? I know that the old woman possesses a red Poneglyph." Kaido, sitting in the head seat, did not ask about Krell, the King the Conflagration of the Beasts Pirates, which was unusual for him. Kaido was very clear about King's origins.

As a descendant of the gods, Jhin knows many things, including some of the world's secrets.

Kaido, who was once Charlotte Linlin's comrade-in-arms, has seen that stone with his own eyes, because it once belonged to the Rocks Pirates.

After Rocks' death, Big Mom seized a portion of Rocks estate, which included the Road Sign Stone.

"If we ignore some details, this information should be correct; four Road Sign Stones are indeed needed to reach Laugh Tale." Jhin's thoughts were impossible to discern beneath his black mask.

"There's a high probability that Wano Country possesses the Road Sign Stone, because the Poneglyph were created in Wano Country nearly eight hundred years ago, and the script of the Poneglyph is the secret language of the Kozuki Clan of Wano Country."

Jin said in a deep voice, but like Katakuri, he also had some doubts about what the person or force that sent this message wanted to do.

"Is it simply to let the world know this news, or is it to cause some trouble for these forces?"

If it's the former, it's difficult to find out; but if it's the latter, the scope can be narrowed down to people who have had friction with or are even hostile to these forces.

"Whatever their plans are." Kaido held his gourd in one hand and his other hand on his spiked club at his waist. He raised his head and gulped down the wine, which dripped down Kaido chin.

"Ha!"

"We need to at least seize one of the Road Sign Stone first. That way, the person prophesied will surely come looking for us." Kaido looked at King with a burning gaze.

"That's right." King nodded, he understood Kaido's meaning very well.

Kaido never considered himself Joy Boy, and he received a lot of information from King, especially regarding the prophecy of eight hundred years ago.

If that person has the Road Sign Stone, according to the prophecy, they will surely learn the secret of the Void Century, which is to reach the Laugh Tale. In order to obtain the Road Sign Stone, they will definitely come to find them.

Kaido was also curious about who that person was.

The others present were confused, unsure of what their governor and second-in-command were discussing. What prophecy? And who exactly was that person?

However, since their governor did not want to talk about it, they did not ask any further questions, but instead changed the subject.

"Going to war now would not be a good idea," Krell frowned.

"Leaving aside the Whitebeard Pirates, there's the Night Pirates sandwiched between us and Wano Country, covering a vast area of the sea. The closest to us is the Big Mom Pirates, but there's also a large group of forces mixed in, including powerful new star pirate crews like Shanks and the Joker, as well as the Moonlight Pirates."

"At this point, instigating a war with any force would be a tough nut to crack, and it wouldn't benefit us at all."

As the strategist and mastermind of the Beasts Pirates, Krell must consider the interests of the entire group.

"Ignore that old woman, give her some face. Set your sights on Wano Country and steal a Road Sign Stone. I want the Road Sign Stone, not a rubbing." Kaido didn't care about any of that and stated his demands. Now that he had made up his mind, he didn't care if it meant going to war with Wano Country.

He still had some connection with Big Mom, so taking the Road Sign Stone from Big Mom's stronghold wouldn't be so easy.

Although Wano Country is powerful, he also wants to experience the true power of Wano Country's samurai swords.

He's a dragon! The legend of Dragon Slash in Wano Country made Kaido feel uneasy and harbored some hidden hostility. He naturally wouldn't provoke the strongest Whitebeard, so Wano Country was the only option left.

"Sigh." Krell sighed, feeling a headache coming on. Since their governor was like this, they, his men, had no choice but to follow suit.

"Alright then, let's stabilize things for now and avoid any rash actions. Give me some time to gather information about Wano Country. After all, we don't even know where the Road Sign Stone is located. It's impossible for our pirate crew to subdue Wano Country on our own."

Krell knew this wasn't so simple.

These words calmed Kaido down. He realized that one cannot rely solely on passion; one needs to have a plan and be prepared.

On the other hand, the Big Mom Pirates Whitebeard Pirates, who were also involved in the matter, had most members unaware of the Road Sign Stone; only a few key officers and Whitebeard knew.

Roger told the Whitebeard Pirates the location of the Road Sign Stone. After declaring his protection of Fish-Man Island, Whitebeard obtained the Road Sign Stone and hid it in a secret place.

They were somewhat puzzled that someone had guessed this, putting the Whitebeard Pirates in the spotlight.

The result was correct, but the direction was wrong.

What angered them, however, was that the person who sent the message dared to claim that their Pops had been defeated by Roger. Their Pops was the "World's Strongest," how could he possibly have lost?

Although they had a good impression of the Roger Pirates, they would never admit to such a thing.

The Whitebeard Pirates' affiliated forces were equally furious. While they were somewhat surprised that their Pops possessed the Road Sign Stone, they found it reasonable and were even pleased.

What's wrong with the World's Strongest Man possessing a Road Sign Stone?

However, it was absolutely impossible for Roger to defeat Whitebeard. They had also learned about that battle from the Whitebeard Pirates: the battle lasted for three days and three nights before a truce was reached, meaning there was no winner.

The enraged Whitebeard Pirates have begun to take action, searching for and even offering bounties in the Underworld, wanting to capture the person who spread the message and teach them a lesson.

This is a complete slander against the Whitebeard Pirates and against Whitebeard.

News from the high seas naturally did not escape the notice of Wano Country. The Daimyo from all over Wano Country the Capital of Flowers, gathered at the Shogun's residence to discuss the potential impact of this matter on Wano Country.

The opening of Wano Country to the Wano Country had both advantages and disadvantages, but overall, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages. At least life changed significantly and became more comfortable, and many things from the sea entered Wano Country.

However, this matter will definitely have a great negative impact on Wano Country, so they want to ask their lord, the current Shogun of Wano Country, Kozuki Oden.

They were all aware of Oden's experiences: he had sailed the seas, joined the Whitebeard Pirates, and even boarded Roger Pirates's ship, helping him become the Pirate King.

"The Kozuki Family does indeed possess two Road Sign Stones." Faced with the doubts below, Oden did not conceal anything; his retainers, such as Nekomamushi and Inuarashi, already knew this.

Everyone present was someone he trusted, so there was no need to hide anything.

"The number of spies from various factions will definitely increase in the future, so we need to be more careful. Should we make some preparations?"

Faced with a question from a Daimyo, Oden stroked his chin and nodded. "Have the samurai patrolling the port and along the coast of Wano Country be more vigilant. From now on, strictly control any outsiders entering Wano Country."

The current situation is already quite good for Wano Country; this semi-open environment is very suitable.

Having a thorough understanding of Wano Country and the sea, Kozuki Oden was also aware that his vision of complete openness was impossible for Wano Country and would have great disadvantages.

After all, there are significant differences in customs and cultures. What Oden wanted was to absorb some things from the sea into Wano Country and allow the people of Wano Country to go out, see the outside world, and better understand it.

Oden's wish can be said to have been fulfilled; now it's time to make Wano Country a better place.

"If anyone dares to provoke us, let them try and see the power of Wano Country. It's been a long time since I've fought, let's see if my sword is still as sharp as it used to be." Oden laughed Haki, placing one hand on the sword at his waist.

"Yes, General." Inside the General's residence, the various Daimyo and important ministers of Wano Country bowed their heads and said respectfully.

The two Road Sign Stone belong to the Kozuki Family, so they naturally Wano Country as well. To try to seize the Road Sign Stone without their approval is to be an enemy of the entire Wano Country.

Regardless, they need to be prepared.

Outside the New World, at Marine Headquarters, Sengoku said, "Let the World Government deal with this. We can focus on development for the next few years." Sengoku didn't want to get involved in this kind of thing; seizing the Road Sign Stone would inevitably lead to war.

The navy had only recently stabilized, and he didn't want to cause any more major trouble.

Moreover, given the World Government's economic situation, it is not sufficient to support the Navy in launching a major war.

"However, we can't just ignore it. Let's send intelligence agents to Wano Country to gather information." That's what he said, but Sengoku had no hope at all. Infiltrating Wano Country was an extremely difficult task. After all, Wano Country was different from the outside world, and its customs and names were all unique.

When outsiders come to Wano Country, even if they wear kimonos, style their hair like the Wano Country, exchange a few words, or just observe their actions, it's easy to tell they're from out of town.

These outsiders will be under close scrutiny, and any unusual movements will be noticed.

Sengoku was more concerned about Sora's condition. After being in a coma for three months, Sora finally woke up, but he was still lying in bed and unable to move.

Kong's condition was extremely fragile. Three months had not significantly improved his injuries; they had only stabilized. Since he was unable to eat, he was being kept alive through injections of nutrition.

After waking up, the recovery speed was much faster, thanks to Kong's powerful vitality and the abilities of the Mythical Zoan.

However, a full recovery was impossible; Kong still bore hidden injuries.

He now needs care from others, having lost both arms, but his pride requires him to do many things on his own, except for essential matters.

The Navy and the World Government have both pursued the mechanical arm of the Night Pirates, but it has now been completely blocked by the Night Pirates.

Genetics plays a crucial role in the creation of robotic arms. To prevent a robotic arm from being bought and traded, it is bound to the individual's genes, symbolizing exclusivity; each robotic arm is custom-made.

If the robotic arm is replaced with one from a genetically incompatible person, it becomes unusable and is essentially just scrap metal. This is also a way to protect the product and the technology.

The World Government immediately dispatched intelligence agents. This matter concerns the Void Century; if they could seize even one Road Sign Stone, they might be able to cut off the pirates' hopes and prevent the secrets they are trying so hard to hide from being exposed.

The World Government doesn't need a second Pirate King at all.