However, such matters didn't bother him at all. Experiencing something doesn't equate to understanding it, and for Kaidou, he didn't need to worry about what Queen was concerned about, nor did he care in the slightest.
Assassination? If they really had assassins strong enough, Kaidou would actually be interested in experiencing it.
It's nothing more than some agents from the CP Agency. As pirates who first held the title of Sea Emperor, their power was honed over time, even if Morgans had exaggerated it, they inherently possessed the strength of monsters.
The CP Agency was not worth considering, much less allying with them for some petty matters.
As for his reputation...
He's a pirate, and no pirate, regardless of who they are, would have any positive image in the World Government's channels, even though most pirates never had such a thing anyway.
But even so, the World Government would regularly proclaim the terror and brutality of pirates, irrespective of what acts a pirate had actually committed, if something significant happened nearby, it undoubtedly involved them.
Be it Kaidou or BIG·MOM, Red Hair or Whitebeard, they were no exception, especially when a kingdom or island faced issues, the nearby pirates were the natural scapegoats, let alone if there were problems in such governmental experimental agencies.
Not caring is one thing, but it doesn't mean Kaidou would do nothing at all.
"Hey, what are you looking at over there, get me a nautical chart!"
The wine jug smashed next to a regular pirate, the shattered pieces startling him, and he immediately went to find what Kaidou wanted as instructed. The magnetic fields on the Grand Line were unpredictable, and one could only rely on an eternal pose, yet even in such places, nautical charts existed.
With a fixed nautical chart, at least it was possible to know where the next island was, to know whose territory this region was.
Kaidou's sudden outburst didn't surprise his men. Though Kaidou had been happily chatting away about other things a moment ago, it was the end of 1517, just hours away from 1518, and such occasions couldn't do without strong liquor.
Kaidou drinking without flipping the table was already a restrained outcome.
"What do you need a nautical chart for?"
Seeing Kaidou suddenly asking for a nautical chart, Arceus had a peculiar feeling.
"Ah rah rah, it's of course for the sake of these folks, they made it into the newspapers, and if I don't blow up an island, wouldn't they become liars? I'm doing it for their own good."
In his tipsy state, Kaidou's thoughts were remarkably clear. He couldn't care less about rumors; what others said was their business.
But the world's order was built on personal bravery; when in a good mood, he could ignore them, but when in a bad mood, he could naturally take retaliatory actions.
"Don't worry, I'll choose an appropriate island to blow up, you go on and celebrate with them, I'll go find someone to stretch my muscles with."
Twisting his neck, Kaidou stood up again. Meanwhile, a hint of coldness passed through the hearts of Yamato and Queen, as if something nasty had fixed its gaze on them.
Exchanging glances, as two individuals deeply tormented by Kaidou, they instantly understood what this feeling was about.
By common sense, Kaidou wouldn't target two people at once, and now it was a celebratory banquet, so at most, only one person would be unfortunate. But before Queen could act, he found his foot had been frozen, while Yamato had already ducked into a corner, waving apologetically at him.
The noisy hall kept him from hearing what Yamato was saying, but he made out what she meant from the movement of her lips.
[Sorry, Uncle Queen. Someone has to be the unlucky one. Go handle Father, will you?]
Breaking free from this restraint didn't take much time, but the few seconds' delay was enough to bring his gaze into contact with Kaidou's.
"Queen, it's too dull. Let's have some entertainment. Lads, this year's special activity: while I'm sparring with Queen, whoever can touch me will receive a reward!"
Under the influence of alcohol, these pirates were also enticed, while Yamato, having narrowly avoided disaster, breathed a sigh of relief.
"Indeed, when chased by a bear, you don't need to run faster than the bear, just faster than the others."
"Yamato."
"Godfather? When did you get here?"
"Not long ago. You know, if you could use half the wiles you use to deal with your father in other places, you wouldn't have people worrying about you."
"Huh?"
...
Despite some minor incidents, Ghost Island still reveled in the New Year's celebration as a whole, relatively speaking. Yet, some people were not having as good a time, such as the real instigator of the Punk Hazard incident—Caesar Clown.
On The Sea, aboard the Prison Ship, Caesar looked utterly miserable in his cell, complaining to the soldier guarding him.
"It's all my fault. Had I not been careless, this experiment wouldn't have failed. It's all my fault...
Otherwise, everyone would be just fine now..."
"That's enough, stop prattling. If you think you've erred, reflect on it properly. As one of your talents, the higher-ups should forgive you, and not all the blame falls on you. It was due to the pirate attack that things ended up this way."
"Yeah, it's not entirely your fault."
The soldiers on the Prison Ship were unaware of the true events. To cover up the scandal, the World Government falsely reported internally that it wasn't Caesar who deliberately detonated the Realm of Death, but that it was a mistake influenced by the attack.
Their supervision of Caesar wasn't strict, as Caesar always covered up his true nature. To the soldiers and experimental staff at Punk Hazard, he appeared as someone who cared for his subordinates.
Even when he lost his temper over certain matters, he would apologize afterward. This Prison Ship also periodically transferred prisoners to Punk Hazard for certain experiments, and even these soldiers were swayed by Caesar's facade, thinking he might be a bit innocent.
Hearing the soldiers' words, Caesar realized that the World Government had once again covered up the truth, which made him feel his opportunity was coming.
"Um... These handcuffs are quite uncomfortable. Could you replace them with a slightly longer chain, please?"
At his earnest plea, the soldier on duty softened and retrieved the new chains as requested by Caesar, but made a procedural error during the replacement.
Normally, they were supposed to attach the new chains before removing the old ones.
However, the guarding soldiers, thinking Caesar was a congenial scientist and now appeared genuinely repentant, didn't adhere to this procedure.
As soon as the Seastone Handcuffs were loosened, Caesar's expression changed drastically, a cruel smile replacing his previously kind demeanor.
"World Without Void!"