Other workers hurriedly denied it; they couldn't afford such a charge. Although there are laws in Wano Kuni, in this world of force, real judgment is based on personal will.
People whom Kaidou favors can be forgiven no matter how excessive their actions, while those he doesn't like may get punished over trivial matters.
The consequences of making trouble unreasonably are quite terrifying.
"He just likes furry things, and besides, he's a senior, our words won't matter."
"I see he's fine, let him lay there longer to remember better."
Finally, the doctor gave up on emergency treatment and just set him aside to prevent wasting medical resources. As the Berry planting area expanded, the reserves within the Hundred Beasts increased but were not intended for this kind of use.
Kaidou's labor forces were largely exploited, as different crops suited different temperatures. To expand planting areas while reducing guard personnel, Kaidou brought back several Sky Islands from various seas, forming a multi-level planting structure above Wano Kuni.
Besides the highest level where Ohara residents live, there are high-altitude farming, planting, and training areas because Kaidou realized training in oxygen-thin areas yields better results, thus creating the Island Cloud training ground.
In addition to regular training, they undergo special high-altitude anaerobic training.
Dispersed at two thousand meters in altitude are four Sky Islands, with the training ground located even higher above Ohara's residential island, at around three thousand meters. These five Sky Islands have become a unique scenery for the Hundred Beasts.
Seven years have passed since the Ohara incident, and most people have forgotten the events of the past, while their current lives are relatively good. The research materials have never been lacking as the Hundred Beasts, sailing everywhere to find Plates, brought back many ancient texts.
Some paleontologists are even more thrilled, with some, like Robin, developing a keen interest in Pokémon, and their current research focuses on Pokémon's extraordinary development.
Pokémon evolution seems too miraculous for them to comprehend. Instant evolution is astonishing, and when trying to explain it using existing knowledge, only extraordinary development somewhat fits the situation.
But it's only a partial fit. They haven't seen many Pokémon, like Mareep evolving into Ampharos, Carkol resembling a mine cart, low-floating Geodude, or honey-secreting Sweet Bamboo. Any kind of Pokémon presents a new facet to them.
Seven years later, their activity areas are no longer limited to the small Sky Island; Wano Kuni also allows them access. At the edge of the vines, a tall figure slowly climbed up—Saul, who had been staying here all along.
His projects faced changes due to many occurrences, so he remained here. The Giant Race typically lives up to 300 years, so this time was insignificant for him.
On his back, a wide straw hat was added, a product from Bianli Village.
Bianli Village, located in Kuri, is renowned in Wano Kuni for its expertise in weaving hats. He had just gone down to pick up goods.
Kaidou has an extraordinary tolerance for strong combat power. As an adult Giant, Kaidou valued his combat prowess.
The overall strength of the Giant Race is tremendous, especially since he is connected to a Giant Country, and those Giant Countries are some of the world's strongest nations.
He doesn't care about the other's former Navy identity, and though he hasn't joined, he accepts life here. Ever since arable land appeared on the Sky Islands' expansion, Saul began his farmer life.
However, his gigantic form prevents the Thousand-Year Dragon from carrying him, forcing reliance on the sturdy vines grown by Arceus for climbing. The first time going down startled the people of Wano Kuni, as he's considerably taller than Kaidou.
There are also some Ohara scholars on the high-altitude farms; Pokémon attract those researching animals, while these Berry-like special crops intrigue the botanists.
In recent years, they even managed to find and cultivate an extinct crop, which is also one of the materials Asie needs.
"Saul, you're back?"
"I'm back, and here are the things brought back by those pirates; they found a Poneglyph."
Saul took out a gray stone from his satchel and placed it before Olvia.
"....It's a text documenting events. It seems the doctors' some conjectures need reevaluation."
There are many blanks in history, and each new text suggests some things need overturning, but they don't feel discouraged because it means they're one step closer to the historical truth.
"Olvia, I saw Robin..."
"You see her every day, don't you?"
"I mean, I saw how she interacts with those pirates' children, and it looks quite fun. The people here, too—despite being under pirate control, have more smiles than the people I met on missions before."
"Some navy aren't as good as these pirates; there are too many stains on the word justice."
Saul's mind has long matured. He doesn't blindly believe what he sees, knowing that pirates who rob and slaughter far outnumber the developing ones like the Hundred Beasts.
What he can't accept is how the Navy and World Government are capable of doing what the Hundred Beasts have done, yet they continue to act strangely.
Robin should've grown up normally and become a world-renowned scholar given her talent, but now she lives under pirates' shelter, though fortunately, they get along well.
"This is the world. You should now know what history we're exploring, right?"
"Yes, I know why the World Government chose to erase you back then. Even though only a corner was revealed, they can't allow any possibility of the world knowing such things.
But I don't understand, after so many years, they clearly have the power to gather all the Poneglyphs worldwide, yet they haven't done so. What would happen if those Poneglyphs came together?"
"I don't know; that's something we haven't figured out either."
The conversation ended there, and Saul took out a small shovel, tending to the island's crops like bonsai.
...
On Ghost Island, as Saul said, Robin has grown accustomed to this life and enjoys interacting with others, though some are not so pleased. Ulti looked ahead warily as Jack, who had been away for a year, returned.