Chapter 450 - 34 to 42

At the Holy Land Mariejois, on the top floor of the World Government headquarters, the Five Elders were gathered, discussing pressing matters.

The Five Elders were the true power behind the World Government. Above them was a figure known only as "Imu," an enigmatic individual whose existence even most of the Celestial Dragons were unaware of. Imu rarely intervened, only appearing when it was necessary to "extinguish" certain threats, to erase individuals or ideas deemed too dangerous. So, unless it was an existential crisis for the World Government, most decisions were handled by the Five Elders themselves.

These five men were the highest authority within the Celestial Dragons, often referred to as the 'Supreme Celestial Dragons.'

The Five Elders of today, though not as old and frail as they would appear in later decades, were still no longer in their prime.

"The intel has come in. Six months ago, the Roger Pirates had another encounter with the Whitebeard Pirates in the New World," the bearded Elder began with a grim expression. "But what's troubling is the presence of the Wanokuni samurai on Whitebeard's ship... Kozuki Oden has indeed joined them. We were right about the Roger Pirates."

The bald Elder sighed in frustration. "First Douglas Bullet, leaves the Roger Pirates, and now they've gained another powerhouse? It's like they're playing a game we can't win."

"That's not the real issue here," the Elder with the sword cut in. "The problem is that Roger's crew has been scouring the seas, seeking the world's secrets. They're after the final island, Raftel. Normally, this wouldn't concern us much since even if they found the historical Poneglyphs, they wouldn't be able to read them. But now... with Kozuki Oden aboard, that changes everything. He could be capable of deciphering the ancient text!"

"Then we must prioritize capturing the Roger Pirates," said the Elder with blond hair calmly.

"We've already ramped up our efforts, but unlike Whitebeard, Shiki, or Big Mom, Roger doesn't have a fixed base or territory. They're always on the move. Finding them in the vast ocean is like finding a needle in a haystack," said the curly-haired Elder gravely.

"And they don't just stay in the New World. They're all over the globe. Last we heard, they were spotted in the first half of the Grand Line, but we have no idea what they were searching for," added the bearded Elder.

"What else could it be? They're clearly after more Poneglyphs," the bald Elder replied with a deep frown.

In fact, the Roger Pirates were currently in Water 7, but not for anything related to the Poneglyphs. They were there to commission a ship from the legendary shipwright, Tom. Contrary to what Claudius had thought, the famous Oro Jackson hadn't been built yet, and that's what Roger and his crew were in Water 7 to get their new, faster ship.

The World Government's fear of the Roger Pirates had only grown over the last six months. With the addition of Kozuki Oden, who could potentially read the Poneglyphs, the Five Elders had been pressuring the Marines to intensify their efforts to capture them.

But the Roger Pirates were not only trying to stay ahead of the World Government. There was a deeper, more personal reason behind their urgency Roger himself was suffering from a terminal illness. While they had found a doctor at Twin Capes who could temporarily suppress his symptoms, Roger's time was running out. The crew needed a faster ship to complete their journey before it was too late.

"To make matters worse, it seems there are other groups trying to uncover the truth of what happened 800 years ago. Scholars and other scattered forces across the seas are digging for ancient documents some of which might include the Poneglyphs," the blonde Elder said grimly. "The Marines have been sent out to deal with them multiple times, but we still haven't been able to identify exactly where they're coming from."

The bearded Elder sighed. "Roger's crew is trouble enough. Now we've got these scholars sniffing around too. This is getting out of hand."

"Could it be Ohara?" the bald Elder asked after a pause. "After all, Ohara is the most renowned center for archaeological study. They might have the knowledge to decipher these ancient texts."

"I've considered that possibility as well," the blonde Elder responded. "But at this point, it's only suspicion. Ohara is an esteemed hub of history and culture. Moving against them without concrete proof could cause a significant backlash."

The truth was, they couldn't afford to act recklessly when it came to Ohara. The island had a prestigious reputation, and any rash actions taken without evidence would undoubtedly stir up problems, not only within the academic community but possibly across nations that valued Ohara's historical contributions.

While they suspected that Ohara scholars might be behind the recent archaeological expeditions, the Five Elders were hesitant to jump to conclusions. Ohara had been peacefully coexisting with the World Government for centuries, and they believed it was unlikely that the island's scholars would jeopardize that relationship. After all, the government had been funding Ohara's research generously, allowing them to delve into ancient history and culture.

But the Five Elders were underestimating the current generation of Ohara scholars. Unbeknownst to them, those scholars were more determined than ever to uncover the truth about the Void Century an act that would eventually pit them directly against the World Government.

"This is a delicate situation. We need to be cautious. I've assigned CP-9's Chief Spandine to investigate. Though he's not the strongest or the most upstanding individual, he's diligent. I'm confident he'll bring us satisfactory results," the blonde Elder added.

Spandine was, of course, the father of Spandam, who would later go on to become the infamous leader of CP-9. Claudius had encountered Spandine before, and he knew exactly what kind of person he was a sycophantic, cowardly man who would practically grovel before the Celestial Dragons. But despite his lackluster personality, Spandine was surprisingly competent when it came to investigative work. He would indeed uncover the truth behind Ohara, setting the stage for its eventual destruction.

However, expecting Spandine to find the Ancient Weapons? That was a long shot. Even the Five Elders didn't hold much hope in that regard.

The bald Elder suddenly spoke up, breaking the flow of conversation. "What about the other matter? You didn't just put Spandine on this case. What about the Ancient Weapons? Any updates?"

The blonde Elder shook his head. "No, nothing substantial. Finding an Ancient Weapon is no easy task. I've merely told Spandine to test the waters. If he manages to uncover something, great. If not, there's no rush."

"Well, since the Ancient Weapons are tied to the historical texts, it makes sense to let him handle both tasks," the bald Elder said with a nod.

Spandine's reputation wasn't great, but at least in this instance, he would succeed in exposing Ohara. Claudius knew all too well what kind of chaos Spandine's investigation would cause in the years to come. The Ohara tragedy was fast approaching, though no one knew it yet.

"So, moving on to today's main issue," the bald Elder said, pointing at a map on the table. "What do you think of Sengoku's proposal?"

The map showed an island, Cornillo Island, one of the famous hot spring islands in the New World. Coincidentally, this was where Claudius and Dragon were currently located.

"Is the intel solid?" asked the bearded Elder.

"It's been confirmed by CP-0," the bald Elder replied. "The remnants of Captain John's pirate crew have been hiding out there."

"Then, justice must be carried out. The fleet from Naval Headquarters has been stationed nearby for a while now, correct?" said the curly-haired Elder.

The phrase "carry out justice" in this context meant only one thing a Buster Call. Cornillo Island was about to be wiped off the map.

Captain John had once been a member of the infamous Rocks Pirates, before they were disbanded after the Battle of God Valley. After that, John went solo, but in recent years, he had been driven into a corner by Golden Lion Shiki. Shiki had been on a rampage, recruiting or destroying anyone who might oppose him, trying to recreate the fearsome Rocks Pirates of old.

So far, Shiki had crushed rival pirates like Ochoku and Silver Axe. Now, he was gunning for Captain John, who had narrowly escaped one of Shiki's attacks. But John was not one to give up easily. He had hidden a vast treasure across the world, and if he managed to regroup and recover, he could easily return to power in a short time.

But Admiral Sengoku wasn't about to let that happen. He had weighed the options and decided that the only way to deal with Captain John was to obliterate him and his crew. A Buster Call would ensure that no one, including John, could escape.

Sengoku, often seen as calm and collected, was ruthless when it came to justice. He always chose the most efficient path, even if it was brutal. His cold logic would later be seen in the destruction of Ohara, and even during the Marineford War, where he was willing to sacrifice the entire Naval Headquarters to crush Whitebeard's forces. Sengoku wasn't just ruthless toward his enemies he was willing to put everything on the line to protect the World Government's interests, even if it meant heavy losses for the Marines themselves. In the waters near Cornillo Island in the New World, a massive Marine fleet was gathered. Sengoku, the Marine Admiral, stood on the deck of a colossal warship, his expression unreadable as he seemed to be waiting for news.

Behind him stood Borsalino, the future "biggest slacker" in the Marines, though now a Marine Vice Admiral. Since Dragon left, Borsalino had become a top candidate for the position of Admiral. Despite his incredible potential, his lazy and indifferent attitude was a major flaw. The only person capable of keeping him in line was Sengoku.

"Admiral Sengoku," Borsalino said casually, "the longer we wait, the more likely it is the remnants of the John Pirates will realize something's up. And not just them... Shiki's Flying Pirates are scouring the seas too. It won't be long before Golden Lion Shiki himself shows up. That could complicate things."

Sengoku kept his gaze on the horizon and replied, "We wait."

Borsalino raised an eyebrow. "What exactly are we waiting for?"

"Waiting for peace of mind," Sengoku muttered, clearly conflicted.

Though Sengoku had proposed the Buster Call to the Five Elders, it wasn't a decision he had taken lightly. It was the rational choice, but it weighed heavily on his conscience. Part of him hoped the Five Elders would reject the proposal. But if they approved it... well, he wouldn't hesitate to carry it out.

What Sengoku didn't know was that on this very island, not only was Claudius a Celestial Dragon present, but so was Dragon, the son of his good friend, Garp. If Sengoku had known that, he certainly would've thought twice before pulling the trigger on the Buster Call.

Just as these thoughts swirled in his mind, Sengoku's transponder snail began to ring. After a brief conversation, Sengoku's face turned cold, his decision made. He ended the call and spoke without turning to Polusalino.

"Return to your warship. Prepare for battle," Sengoku ordered.

Borsalino sighed, his eyes briefly narrowing. Without another word, he transformed into golden light and zipped toward his warship.

At the same time, Sengoku pulled out a golden transponder snail from his pocket. With a single press, the snail emitted a high-pitched screech.

In response, the ten massive warships of the Marine fleet began to spread out, encircling Cornillo Island. The Buster Call had officially begun.

Unaware of the chaos that was about to unfold, Claudius and Dragon were relaxing on the island.

Initially, Claudius had planned to leave after chatting with Dragon, but Dragon had convinced him to stay a bit longer, saying it would be hard to meet again after this. Dragon wanted Claudius's advice on how best to grow the Revolutionary Army.

Claudius, having nothing urgent on his plate, agreed. He decided to spend a few more days on the island, resting while discussing Dragon's plans.

In hindsight, maybe leaving earlier would have been better, as they were now about to be caught in the middle of a full-blown Buster Call.

Elsewhere on the island, Stussy was out shopping near the port with Nia. The streets were oddly quiet.

"Nia, don't you think the island has been emptier these past two days?" Stussy asked, glancing around. "It's much quieter than when we first arrived."

Nia looked around at the sparsely populated port. "You're right. There are far fewer ships arriving. I wonder what's going on."

"This island relies almost entirely on tourism to keep the local economy alive. If fewer ships are coming... maybe the weather's bad out at sea, affecting the routes?" Stussy mused, but something felt off.

In the unpredictable seas of the New World, odd weather patterns could halt travel for days. But this situation was starting to feel unusual, even for the New World.

As they talked, Nia suddenly pointed toward the water, her eyes wide. "Isn't that a Marine ship?"

Stussy turned to look. "Yes, those are Marine ships. Three of them... and that huge one in the middle is an Admiral-class ship. Only an Admiral can command one of those."

Before she could finish her thought, the three Marine warships suddenly unleashed a barrage of cannon fire. The sky filled with black dots, as shells arced toward the island.

As a seasoned CP-0 agent, Stussy's eyes widened in horror. "Nia, run! Get back to His Highness! The Marines are attacking!"

The port, which had been relatively calm moments ago, was obliterated by the first volley of cannon fire. The anchored ships were completely destroyed in the blink of an eye.

"They've destroyed the port," Stussy muttered, fear creeping into her voice. "They're cutting off our escape routes!"

Without wasting another moment, Stussy grabbed Nia's hand, and the two of them ran back toward the hot spring hotel where Claudius and Dragon were staying.

Back at the hotel, Claudius and Dragon had been startled by the thunderous booms of the bombardment. They rushed to the window to see what was happening. The hotel, built on the side of a mountain, gave them a clear view of the Marine warships shelling the port.

"Is that... the Marines?" Dragon said in disbelief. He had expected pirates or some other threat, but the sight of Marine ships bombarding the port shocked him.

"What the hell are they doing? Why are they attacking the port?" Claudius asked, just as confused.

The bombardment continued, with the warships gradually expanding their range, blasting away at the coastline.

Suddenly, Dragon's eyes widened in realization. "It's a Buster Call! That's Marine's Buster Call!"

As a former Vice Admiral of the Marines, and nearly an Admiral candidate, Dragon recognized the pattern of attack immediately. The indiscriminate, devastating bombardment was unmistakable.

"A Buster Call?" Claudius echoed, stunned.

Dragon quickly explained, "A Buster Call is an extreme measure authorized only by the highest-ranking Marine officers. It involves an Admiral leading five Vice Admirals and ten warships, all loaded with elite troops. Once it's triggered, the island and everyone on it will be annihilated. Nothing survives a Buster Call everyone and everything deemed a threat to the World Government gets wiped out."

Of course, Claudius knew what a Buster Call was. He was just shocked that he, a Celestial Dragon, had gotten caught in one. In his memories, Buster Calls had only been launched a few times: once against Douglas Bullet, again at Ohara, another time at Enies Lobby, and then later again for Bullet after his escape.

But here he was, a Celestial Dragon, randomly hit with one? This was beyond absurd.

"Are you kidding me? I'm a Celestial Dragon! Am I going to be the first Celestial Dragon to get wiped out by a Buster Call?" Claudius cursed under his breath.

Dragon, deep in thought, added, "There must be some dangerous criminals hiding on this island. The World Government wouldn't issue a Buster Call without a serious reason. Whoever it is must have been deemed a grave threat."

Claudius shot him a glance and said sarcastically, "Could it be that some traitor from your Revolutionary Army got found out? Aren't you the grave threat here?"

Dragon rolled his eyes. "As long as you haven't sold me out, I'm still clean. I'm the former Vice Admiral of the Marines. No way they'd hit me with a Buster Call."

"If I had sold you out, do you think I'd still be standing here, waiting for the Buster Call with you?" Claudius snapped back.

Despite the looming danger, the two didn't seem overly concerned. They bantered back and forth as if a Buster Call wasn't about to flatten the entire island.

The truth was, Buster Calls didn't have a perfect track record. Despite their destructive power, they hadn't always lived up to their reputation. Except for Ohara and the battle with Bullet, most Buster Calls hadn't delivered the crushing results the Marines had hoped for. That lackluster history made Claudius feel a little less worried. After all, as long as he wasn't blown to bits right away, he was still a Celestial Dragon. Once the Marines landed and realized who he was, he'd be fine.

As for Dragon, he was in a similar mindset. As long as his revolutionary ties weren't exposed, the Marines would have no reason to go after him. He still had enough credibility within the Marine ranks to avoid becoming a target.

While Claudius and Dragon strategized how to deal with the situation, elsewhere on the island, in a hidden cave, a group of ragged pirates gathered around their leader Captain John's remnants.

They had known they were exposed the moment the Marine fleet arrived. Now, gathered around their wounded captain, they were scrambling to find a way off the island.

If Claudius had been there, he would have been surprised to see a familiar face among John's crew none other than a young Crocodile. The future Warlord of the Sea was still in his teens, a mere rookie pirate.

Claudius had always thought Crocodile began his career after Roger's execution, but that wasn't the case. Crocodile had been in the game for years, even joining Captain John's crew after the disbandment of the Rocks Pirates.

Crocodile had been part of John's crew ever since, gaining valuable experience in the harsh world of piracy. After Captain John met his end, Crocodile would eventually strike out on his own, famously challenging Whitebeard and later joining the Seven Warlords of the Sea. He was one of the oldest and most experienced pirates among the Warlords, having been in the game long before some of the other notorious names made their mark.

At this time, Crocodile was far from becoming the ruthless "Desert King" that the world would come to fear. He had only recently set out to sea, and somehow, he'd gotten his hands on the Logia-type Sand-Sand Fruit. Captain John, recognizing the potential in him, had taken Crocodile under his wing, grooming him to be a future right-hand man.

Captain John wasn't wrong in his judgment Crocodile had immense potential. A Logia-type Devil Fruit user, especially in a crew full of seasoned pirates, was a major asset. If trained properly, Crocodile could have become John's most trusted lieutenant.

But right now, the immediate concern was escaping the Marines. John had bigger problems than nurturing Crocodile, and Crocodile's future as his second-in-command was suddenly uncertain.

"Captain, let's fight them head-on!" Crocodile said, full of youthful energy.

Captain John looked at his crew and then, with a fierce grin, declared, "Yeah, we can't let those Marine dogs think they've got us cornered. Even if we die, we'll go down biting! Fight to the death!"

Crocodile, fired up by John's words, shouted, "Yes, captain! Let's show them we're not to be trifled with!"

But John wasn't about to charge into a suicidal battle. He was a cunning man, and he'd long anticipated that they might be forced into a situation like this. He had already made preparations for a secret escape route.

"Of course, we won't just throw our lives away," John said in a low voice, his eyes gleaming with a calculating light. "There's a secret port on this island. We can use a submarine I've hidden there to make our escape."

John was always careful to leave himself an out. In every situation, he made sure he had an escape plan. Here, on this island, was no different. But the submarine was too small to carry everyone. His plan was simple: leave a group of his men behind to act as a distraction while he slipped away with a few chosen ones.

One of the younger crew members perked up. "A secret port? As expected of the captain!" he said, impressed.

"Of course!" John continued, keeping his voice steady. "But we can't just flee without a fight. That would make us look weak. Here's the plan: I'll take a few of you to the submarine while the rest stay behind to hold off the Marines. Once their warships are close enough, we'll attack them from the submarine, cause some chaos, and grab one of their ships to break through their blockade. Afterward, we'll head to East Blue, where I've got a stash of treasure buried. With that treasure, we can rebuild the crew and come back stronger!"

John's plan sounded inspiring, but it was full of holes. If anyone had stopped to think about it for a moment, they would've realized that most of them were being set up to be cannon fodder. Claudius, if he were here, would have seen through the scheme immediately John was setting his crew up as decoys while he made his own escape.

As for the treasure in East Blue? There might have been something there, but more likely than not, John was just spinning tales to keep his crew motivated.

Even Crocodile, who would later become a master of manipulation himself, didn't pick up on the deception. At this point in his life, he was still a hot-blooded teenager, full of idealism and loyalty to his captain.

Perhaps it was this very betrayal that would later shape Crocodile into the ruthless and untrusting man he would become. Maybe it was Captain John's betrayal that taught Crocodile not to place his faith in others.

"In that case, let me lead the charge!" Crocodile declared, eager to prove himself.

Captain John blinked in surprise. He hadn't planned on sending Crocodile to his death just yet Crocodile had too much potential. John had intended to take him along on the submarine and let the others die buying them time. But here was Crocodile, volunteering to lead the suicide mission.

John tried to stop him. "No, Crocodile, you should come with me. I need you at the submarine."

But before John could finish, Crocodile thumped his chest and said, "Captain, do you think I'm weak? I'm a Logia-type Devil Fruit user! It's my job to be at the front lines. I'll draw the Marines' attention and buy you time. Just be sure to move quickly on your end!"

John was at a loss. Crocodile's words made sense Logia users were notoriously hard to kill, and if anyone could buy them time, it would be him. And if John objected too much, the rest of the crew might start to get suspicious. He couldn't afford to reveal his true intentions now.

"Since you're so eager, I can't argue with that," John finally said, patting Crocodile on the shoulder. "Once you've dealt with those Marines, I'll make you my first mate!"

Crocodile's eyes lit up at the promise. "You got it, Captain! I'll do you proud!"

With that, Crocodile rallied a group of the John Pirates' remaining men and led them out of the cave, determined to face the Marines head-on.

As soon as they left, John let out a sigh of relief. "Alright, let's get to the submarine," he muttered to the few remaining men he had chosen to accompany him.

Back at the hot spring hotel, Claudius and his group were gathered in the main room. Nia was looking around in confusion. "Your Highness, where is Mr. Dragon?"

Claudius answered casually, "He said he didn't want the Marines to harm too many civilians, so he's gone to help evacuate people."

Nia was about to ask more questions when Stussy entered the room, holding a transponder snail.

"Did you get through?" Claudius asked, glancing at her.

"No luck," Stussy replied with a frustrated shake of her head. "The entire island's transponder snail signals have been cut off. I tried contacting Marine Headquarters, but they're using encrypted lines. I can't access them."

Claudius had anticipated this. When the Buster Call started, he had immediately ordered Stussy to try to contact the or the World Government to let them know that a Celestial Dragon was on the island. If they knew he was here, they would definitely call off the bombardment. But as expected, the Marines had cut off all communication in the area as soon as the Buster Call was initiated.

It made sense. Even if they were targeting the remnants of the John Pirates, wiping out an entire island, especially a civilian hot spring resort, would be a huge scandal. The Marines didn't want any word of this getting out. Afterward, they could easily blame the destruction on natural disasters Cornillo Island was, after all, a volcanic island. Once the mission was over, they could have someone like Akainu trigger a volcanic eruption to bury the truth, quite literally.

"Well, if we can't contact them, we'll just have to sit tight and wait for the Marines to land. Once they see who I am, they won't dare continue this nonsense," Claudius said with a sigh.

While a Buster Call sounded like the end of the world, Claudius wasn't too worried. As long as he wasn't killed outright by the shelling, his status as a Celestial Dragon would protect him once the Marines realized who they were dealing with. The warships' cannons couldn't hit every part of the island, and the hot spring hotel, nestled on the mountainside, hadn't been affected yet. He figured the bombardment was just to soften the island up before the real operation began Marines would eventually come ashore to clean up.

As expected, before long, Claudius spotted the Marine warships approaching the coastline. Soon after, he saw groups of Marine soldiers disembarking from the ships, led by officers.

Stussy, peering through a telescope, lowered it and said quickly, "It's Admiral Sengoku. I saw him getting off the ship."

"Sengoku, huh?" Claudius murmured. "He really likes to throw around Buster Calls, doesn't he?"

While Claudius watched the Marines, something else caught his eye. A group of rugged-looking men suddenly charged down the mountainside nearby, heading straight for the Marines. It was obvious from their appearance that these were pirates, likely the remnants of Captain John's crew, now making a desperate attempt to fight back.

At first, Claudius didn't pay them much mind. He didn't really care who these pirates were or what crime had earned them a Buster Call. But then, his eyes landed on one particular figure leading the charge a young man who seemed oddly familiar.

"Wait... is that...?" Claudius squinted. "No way, I must be mistaken. That guy looks way too young. He shouldn't have even gone to sea yet..."

Just as Claudius was questioning his own eyes, a burst of yellow sand appeared from the battlefield. A small sandstorm whipped up, tearing through the Marines who had just landed.

Claudius's jaw dropped in shock.

"Holy crap, it is Crocodile!" he exclaimed, recognizing the young pirate now. "What the hell did he do to get the Marines to pull a Buster Call on him?"

Among the group of pirates, Crocodile was still relatively weak compared to the more seasoned crew members, but the flash of his Devil Fruit powers was unmistakable. His abilities, even in their undeveloped state, were already dangerous enough to wreak havoc on the Marines.

In a matter of moments, Claudius saw a Marine Rear Admiral go down, slashed and thrown by the sheer force of the pirates' attack.

"Wow, that's brutal. These aren't your run-of-the-mill pirates, huh?" Claudius muttered to himself. "Makes sense, though. Crocodile wouldn't join just any weak crew. If he's on board, they've got to be pretty strong."

Claudius observed the battle for a few more seconds, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. Then, a grin spread across his face.

"Well, well... looks like fate has brought you to me, Crocodile," Claudius said to himself, chuckling. "You're still so young, caught up with pirates like this? What a waste of talent.

With that, Claudius's form shimmered, turning into a gust of wind as he vanished from the rooftop.

"Your Highness!" Nia called out in a panic as she saw Claudius disappear. Nia stood there, completely dumbfounded. Just a moment ago, everyone had agreed to stay put, wait for the Marines to land, reveal their identity, and then make a quick exit. And now, in the blink of an eye, His Highness had enthusiastically transformed into wind and vanished?

At that moment, Stussy spoke up, trying to calm Nia. "Don't worry. His Highness isn't weak. He probably sensed something interesting. He won't do anything too dangerous. Let's just wait for the Marines here."

Meanwhile, Crocodile, full of energy and bravado, was about to charge the Marines head-on and show them what he was made of. But suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew past him, scattering his body into countless particles of yellow sand, sent whirling into the air.

It took Crocodile a moment to pull himself back together, reforming his body. When he did, he noticed someone standing a short distance away. His first instinct was to think this was a Marine, but on closer inspection, this person looked more like a noble.

Crocodile didn't care. He raised his hand, forming a blade from yellow sand, and without a word, launched it at the stranger, intending to cut him down.

Claudius smiled, amused by Crocodile's immediate aggression. "This guy's really fierce attacks first without even asking a question," he thought to himself.

The sandy blade sliced through Claudius's body, but he remained unharmed. Seeing this, Crocodile's eyes widened in surprise. "Logia?" he muttered.

Claudius laughed. "Hahaha, yep! Logia, just like you, kid!"

"Hmph," Crocodile snorted. "Even among Logia users, there's a difference in strength. You're not Marine, so why are you stopping me?"

If it were a lesser opponent, Crocodile wouldn't have bothered with any conversationhe would have just killed them. But being proud of his Logia abilities, and now facing another Logia user, his curiosity was piqued.

"I'm here to save your life. Do you even know what you're up against?" Claudius asked with a grin.

"What else? Just some hypocritical Marines pretending to be righteous, right?" Crocodile said dismissively.

"No, not quite. You are facing Marines, yes, but this is a Buster Call. If you rush out now, it won't end well for you," Claudius explained with a laugh. "With your strength, you'd be walking straight into death."

"Buster Call?" Crocodile repeated, confused.

Seeing that Crocodile had no idea what he was really facing, Claudius filled him in on what a Buster Call entailed. When he was done, he added, "So you understand now? Sengoku, an Admiral from Marine Headquarters, is on this island. Your little tricks won't pose any threat to him. If you charge out there, you're just signing your own death warrant."

Just as Claudius finished speaking, a flash of golden light appeared on the distant coastline. Both Claudius and Crocodile turned their attention toward it.

They watched as a massive golden Buddha—a manifestation of Sengoku's Devil Fruit power unleashed a shockwave from its palm, obliterating a group of pirates trying to approach the warship, turning them into nothing more than scattered flesh and debris.

"See that?" Claudius said, pointing toward the scene. "That's an Admiral one of the Marine's strongest fighters. Your small body would be reduced to ashes in seconds."

Crocodile stood there, speechless. He had heard stories of Buster Calls and Admirals, but seeing it in person shook him. Still, he wasn't willing to give up so easily.

"Our Captain John won't go down without a fight!" Crocodile shouted, still clinging to hope. "He'll strike from the submarine soon, and we'll hit the Marines from both sides! Wait, why am I telling you this? Get out of here!"

"Captain John? That explains the Buster Call. His name alone would be enough to justify it. But a submarine, attacking from both sides? You're dreaming, Crocodile," Claudius thought to himself.

Before Claudius could respond, Crocodile raised his hand and sent another sandy blade flying toward him. This time, the sand was infused with Armament Haki, adding more force to the attack.

"Idiot," Claudius said calmly. "You've been duped by your captain. He's never coming to save you. He's abandoned you."

With those words, Claudius reached for the sword at his waist. Instead of dodging the incoming sand blade, he stood his ground, raising his weapon. The two clashing forces of Armament Haki met, and with a deft movement, Claudius deflected the sand blade with minimal effort.

The sword Claudius wielded wasn't just any blade it was the demon sword Shindō, which he had acquired from the Sabaody Archipelago years ago.

"Don't talk nonsense! Captain John isn't that kind of person!" Crocodile yelled, enraged, and lunged at Claudius, intent on turning him into a desiccated corpse.

As Crocodile reached out, yellow sand began to pour from his hand, aiming to drain the life from Claudius's body. But Claudius wasn't having it. "Damn, Crocodile! How did you go from being so cunning in the future to being this na?ve now? Can't you see you're being played?" Claudius thought.

Realizing that words weren't going to get through, Claudius decided it was time to end this. His expression turned serious as the full force of his Devil Fruit power erupted. A cold mist began to swirl around him, and he extended his arm toward Crocodile.

"Eternal Frost," Claudius muttered.

A white mist shot from his arm, engulfing Crocodile. Crocodile tried to retreat, but it was too late. His arm was caught in the mist, and a sudden, bone-chilling cold spread through it.

Moments later, Crocodile's arm was completely numb. He staggered back, barely avoiding the rest of the mist. When he glanced down at his arm, it was covered in a layer of frost. With a light touch, the arm crumbled into dust.

"What... What kind of power is this? Is it some kind of ice Logia? Are you... Kuzan?" Crocodile stammered in shock.

Claudius didn't bother answering. He knew Crocodile could regenerate his arm with his sand powers, and indeed, within seconds, Crocodile had reformed his limb using yellow sand.

"No, my name is Claudius," he said with a grin. "And I'm here to save you, kid. You and I are destined to meet, so how about you stop wasting your time with this pirate nonsense and come work for me instead? Trust me, being my subordinate has a lot more potential than being stuck in some pirate crew."

Crocodile scowled. "Don't underestimate me!!!" he roared, summoning two large sand whips that lashed out at Claudius from both sides.

At this point, Claudius had had enough. He wasn't going to keep playing around. While Crocodile's powers were impressive, he was still inexperienced. Claudius knew every trick in Crocodile's playbook, but Crocodile didn't know anything about him.

Letting the sand whips strike him, Claudius didn't even flinch. The attacks bounced off an invisible barrier, leaving him unharmed. Crocodile's momentary triumph faded into confusion as he realized his attack had failed.

Before Crocodile could react, Claudius drew a plain-looking short sword from his side.

"Shoot him, Shinsō," Claudius said softly.

In a flash, Crocodile felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. Blood spattered across his vision, and he instinctively shut his eyes.

"Not good!" Crocodile thought, panicking.

Before he could open his eyes again, he felt a hand clamp around his throat, lifting him off the ground.

"Now you're done," Crocodile thought triumphantly. "Once I drain him, it'll be over..."

But something was wrong. Instead of drawing the life from Claudius, Crocodile felt a crushing pressure in his lungs. Something was being forced into his nose and throat, cutting off his air supply. He gasped, trying to cough, but the choking sensation overwhelmed him.

"The Choke of Death," Claudius said quietly. "Forced coma."

Crocodile's world began to blur as the lack of oxygen took its toll. His body went limp, and he slipped into unconsciousness.

In truth, Claudius wasn't that much stronger than Crocodile at this point in time. The key difference was that Claudius knew all of Crocodile's techniques, while Crocodile knew nothing about his. It was no wonder that Crocodile, still inexperienced, had been bested so quickly.

"Well, well, isn't this convenient?" Claudius said with a satisfied grin, holding Crocodile's unconscious body. "I was just wondering where I could find someone with potential, and here I stumble across both Dragon and Crocodile on the same day. What luck!"

In truth, if Claudius hadn't interfered, Crocodile would never have been caught by the Marines. He would have used his abilities to slip away underground and escape unscathed.

Only later would Crocodile realize he had been betrayed by Captain John, someone he once trusted. This betrayal twisted his personality, pushing him to go out to sea on his own. His first claim to fame would come from hunting down and killing Captain John, the very man who betrayed him.

From there, Crocodile would go from being just another rookie pirate to a rising star on the seas. His journey would be marked by significant events.

First, he would cross paths with Douglas Bullet. Although the outcome of that fight remained unknown, it would be a key moment in his rise. After lying low for a few years, he would re-emerge to clash with Whitebeard, a battle that would cement his reputation.

His fame would eventually catch the attention of the World Government, leading to their invitation for him to join the ranks of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

The rest, as they say, is history. Ultimately, his fall from grace would come at the hands of Luffy, who would beat him down and send him to the underwater prison Impel Down.

But right now, things were taking a different turn. Claudius had found Crocodile early young, inexperienced, and full of potential. And now that Claudius had him in his grasp, Crocodile's destiny was sure to change in ways neither of them could foresee. Inside the hot spring hotel, Admiral Sengoku sat facing Claudius and his entourage, clearly a bit on edge. It wasn't every day that a situation like this cropped up, and he was visibly unsettled by the implications.

"Saint Claudius, my deepest apologies. The Navy had no idea you were vacationing on this island. The Buster Call was... purely a tactical decision," Sengoku began, his voice carrying a slight tremor. He knew what was at stake here. On the surface, it was about wiping out the remnants of the John Pirates. However, Claudius, a Celestial Dragon, was present something no one had expected.

The issue wasn't that Claudius had been harmed in any way he hadn't but if this escalated, it could be viewed as a conspiracy. If word got out that a Buster Call was launched in an area where a Celestial Dragon was present, it could be seen as an act of treason. Even though the order was sanctioned by the Five Elders, if the Celestial Dragons in Mariejois wanted someone to take the fall, not even the Five Elders could protect Sengoku. Worse still, the entire Marine command might have to face the consequences.

After all, one of the Marine's primary duties was to protect the Celestial Dragons. To have a Buster Call potentially harm one? That would be catastrophic.

But Claudius, much to Sengoku's relief, wasn't planning on blowing things out of proportion. He smiled and said, "No need to apologize, Sengoku. If anything, this was my fault for being too unpredictable. I ended up causing the Marines quite a bit of trouble."

Sengoku exhaled a quiet sigh of relief. Claudius wasn't making this into a big deal. "I'm grateful for your understanding, Saint Claudius..."

"Hmm... If I recall correctly, your Buster Call this time was targeting the John Pirates, correct?" Claudius asked thoughtfully.

"Yes, that's right. Kizaru and the others are currently searching for them," Sengoku responded, a little surprised at the question, but he saw no reason to withhold any information.

"In that case, I should tell you something I just learned. Captain John and some of his crew have escaped the island in a submarine," Claudius said calmly.

"Submarine?" Sengoku's eyes widened slightly. He furrowed his brow and asked, "May I ask where you got this information, Your Highness?"

Claudius gave a light chuckle and gestured towards Crocodile, who was sitting in the corner of the room, shackled in seastone cuffs, his expression one of deep frustration. "I got it from him. He used to be one of Captain John's close confidants. Lucky for me, I caught him before he could escape."

"'Used to be' is right!" Crocodile growled angrily. "That bastard John used me as a pawn. I was ready to risk it all for him, but he just ran without so much as a warning!" (Lol you were the one at Fault)

The bitterness in Crocodile's voice was palpable. He had once been loyal to Captain John, but realizing he had been abandoned without a second thought had turned that loyalty into rage.

"Sengoku," Claudius continued, "It's clear this kid's not lying."

Sengoku eyed Crocodile for a moment, taking in the scene. Claudius hadn't hidden Crocodile's identity, nor could he. The Marine was already aware of Crocodile as a rising figure in John's crew he was even on their watch list due to his Logia Devil Fruit abilities. Claudius didn't bother with subterfuge. There was no need. Sengoku already knew.

After a moment of contemplation, Sengoku pulled out his Den Den Mushi and made a call. "Kuzan," he said after a few seconds of conversation, "freeze the surrounding waters. We've got reliable intel John's trying to escape in a submarine."

He hung up the phone, his expression firm. Without Claudius' tip, John might've gotten away. But now? Not a chance. Aokiji's ability to freeze the sea made it impossible for submarines of this era to escape. They couldn't dive deep enough or move fast enough to evade his ice.

"Thank you, Saint Claudius," Sengoku said, bowing his head slightly. "I'll make sure to report this to the Five Elders."

Claudius nodded, then smiled. "So... about this Buster Call?"

Sengoku chuckled, a little ruefully. "Well, there's no choice now. We'll have to abort it. I think this is the first time in history that a Buster Call has been called off mid-action..."

"Really?" Claudius raised an eyebrow. "This was your first time using the Buster Call?"

"Yes," Sengoku admitted. "The Buster Call is a drastic measure, after all. If it weren't for the elusive nature of John and his crew, I wouldn't have used it in the first place. And if it weren't for your tip, we might have failed to catch them anyway."

Claudius found this somewhat amusing. He'd always imagined Sengoku as the kind of man who'd used the Buster Call multiple times, especially given his cold reputation. After all, Claudius knew that Sengoku had authorized the destruction of Ohara without batting an eye. Yet here he was, admitting it was his first time calling for such a strike.

Technically, a Buster Call couldn't be stopped once initiated, but Claudius' position as a Celestial Dragon overruled that. His mere presence was enough to cancel the entire operation.

Sengoku, however, wasn't just calling it off for Claudius' sake. Now that they knew John was escaping via submarine, the focus was on capturing him. Killing innocents on the island would do nothing to achieve that. So, halting the Buster Call not only appeased Claudius but also helped the Marines avoid unnecessary bloodshed. At least now, Sengoku could rest easier knowing they hadn't caused undue harm.

"I suppose Dragon will have a better opinion of me after this," Claudius mused to himself.

He'd noticed Dragon earlier, secretly helping civilians caught in the chaos. Claudius, however, had done one better he had stopped the Buster Call entirely. While others might not grasp the full implications of what had just happened, Dorag would undoubtedly understand and remember Claudius' intervention.

Of course, Claudius had no intention of mentioning his encounter with Dragon. That particular meeting would be a secret he intended to bury in history. After all, if anyone discovered in the future that he had met Dragon who will lead a revolution things could become very complicated.

"So, what's the plan for John's crew?" Claudius asked after a moment's thought.

Sengoku smiled faintly. "Normally, if we caught them, we'd send them to Impel Down. But given the scale of this operation, the orders from above are clear total extermination."

The aim of the Buster Call was to completely wipe out the John Pirates. Even if they were captured, execution was the only option. There was no room for leniency this time.

"Really?" Claudius raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to Crocodile. "In that case, Admiral Sengoku, this kid here... I don't think he's completely rotten yet. He's crossed paths with me, and, well, I promised him his life if he gave up the information. I'm not one to go back on my word. So, how about letting him go?"

Before Sengoku could respond, Crocodile spat angrily, "Claudius, you're full of it! I'm not some snitch! I'm no traitor!"

Before he could finish, Stussy shot out her leg and kicked Crocodile in the back, sending him sprawling to the floor. "How dare you speak so rudely to His Highness?" she said coldly.

Sengoku looked uncomfortable but tried to remain diplomatic. "Your Highness, I understand your intentions, but this boy is still a pirate. A dangerous one at that. He may be young, but he's a Logia Devil Fruit user. Letting him go wouldn't be wise, especially given the orders we've received to completely eliminate the John Pirates."

Claudius understood Sengoku's hesitation. He imagined it was tough for Sengoku to let a pirate go, even if a Celestial Dragon was asking. Claudius smiled inwardly, knowing full well that if he weren't a Celestial Dragon, Sengoku would have crushed Crocodile without a second thought.

"So, if he weren't a pirate, you'd let him go, right?" Claudius asked, leaning in slightly.

Crocodile's response was immediate and defiant. "Don't even think about it! I'm a pirate, through and through! Kill me if you want, but I'll never abandon my freedom!"

"Your Highness," Sengoku said with a resigned sigh, "as you can see, he's made his choice. Even if I wanted to, I can't let him go. The boy has no intention of leaving his life of piracy."

Claudius smiled slyly. "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that. You seem to forget who I am. If he won't switch careers willingly, I can... convince him. Nia!"

Nia, stepped forward. "What do you require, Your Highness?"

"Bring me the 'Celestial Dragon's Hoof,'" Claudius said, a wicked smile creeping onto his face.

As soon as those words left his mouth, Crocodile's expression twisted in confusion. He didn't quite understand what Claudius meant, but Sengoku's face darkened.

"Your Highness, surely you don't mean..." Sengoku began, but Claudius waved him off casually.

"I'm just being practical, Sengoku. If this kid doesn't want to abandon his pirate ways, then I'll give him a little... incentive to reconsider his career path," Claudius replied smoothly.

Nia gave a quick bow and turned to leave the room, ready to carry out the order. Meanwhile, Crocodile, still ignorant of what was about to happen, glared up from the floor.

"You can kill me, Claudius, but don't think for a second that you can humiliate me into submission!" Crocodile barked defiantly.

Stussy rolled her eyes and nudged him with her foot. "You really don't know when to shut up, do you?"

Sengoku sighed heavily, realizing there was little he could do to stop what was coming. "It seems your Highness truly has everything planned out... Fine, if you're so determined, I won't interfere."

Claudius' smile widened as he looked at Crocodile. "Oh, you'll learn soon enough. Sometimes, it just takes a little push in the right direction..."

The door opened again, and Nia returned, carrying a metal branding iron in the shape of the infamous "Celestial Dragon's Hoof" the symbol burned into the flesh of slaves owned by the Celestial Dragons. Crocodile's eyes widened as the realization finally hit him.

"You... you can't be serious..." Crocodile muttered, his voice shaking with both disbelief and rage.

Claudius leaned in, his voice low and menacing. "Oh, I'm very serious. Either you accept a new path in life, or you bear the mark of the Celestial Dragon. It's your choice."

As the gravity of the situation dawned on Crocodile, Sengoku watched in silence. Claudius had laid out his terms, and there was no escaping them now. Nia stepped out to complete her tasks, while Crocodile sat huddled in the corner, his expression vacant, clearly trying to process what was happening. Meanwhile, Claudius and Admiral Sengoku continued their conversation in high spirits, almost as if nothing out of the ordinary was taking place.

Before long, Sengoku received a report from Kuzan: John's submarine had been apprehended, and Kizaru and Sakazuki were on their way to support the operation. At that moment, Sengoku felt a wave of relief wash over him. With Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Kizaru working together, John and his crew wouldn't stand a chance. They were young but undeniably powerful. John's fate was sealed.

This was probably the first real conversation Sengoku had ever had with Claudius. They'd crossed paths before, but any interactions were mostly formal or through Zephyr, who had a better relationship with Claudius. Zephyr had often spoken of how different Claudius was from the typical Celestial Dragons, but now, after their exchange, Sengoku was beginning to understand what Zephyr meant.

Claudius wasn't just physically strong for a Celestial Dragon; he was sharp, well-spoken, and far from the spoiled, entitled aristocrat Sengoku had expected. In their interaction, Claudius could have easily used his status to force Sengoku into bending the rules to protect Crocodile. But instead, he chose a more nuanced approach, one that allowed Sengoku to save face while still achieving his own goals.

In that moment, Sengoku couldn't help but think: What a shame Claudius is a Celestial Dragon. If he had been a Marine, with proper training, Claudius could have become as remarkable as Kuzan, Sakazuki, or Kizaru.

Just as Sengoku was reflecting on this, the door opened and Nia returned, holding a red-hot branding iron in his hand. The sight of it caused Sengoku to let out a resigned chuckle. "Zephyr told me you weren't like the other Celestial Dragons, Claudius, but I didn't expect to witness something like this today."

Nia respectfully handed the branding iron to Claudius, who took it with a mischievous smile. "Well, Admiral Sengoku, even I have my 'Celestial Dragon' moments. After all, a bit of cruelty runs in our blood."

Sengoku smiled wryly. "I wouldn't call this cruelty, Your Highness. If anything, you're simply 'guiding' others onto the right path."

Claudius laughed. "Who would've thought? The Marine Admiral just called one of my acts a good deed! Maybe I should do more 'good' in the future."

Sengoku could only shake his head with a helpless smile. There really wasn't much he could say.

Claudius turned to Stussy. "Hold him still and get his back ready. From now on, he belongs to me. Let's see if he still wants to be a pirate after this."

Stussy complied without hesitation, stepping forward and pressing Crocodile to the ground. With swift, practiced movements, she tore his clothes apart, exposing his muscular back.

Crocodile, sensing the gravity of the situation, began to struggle, but the seastone cuffs sapped his strength, leaving him powerless. Stussy, a skilled fighter herself, easily pinned him down. Crocodile's arms were locked in place, leaving him no choice but to shout in frustration.

"What the hell are you doing, Claudius? Let me go!" Crocodile yelled, his voice laced with panic.

Claudius strolled over, the branding iron in hand, and grinned. "Relax, kid. I'm saving your life. After today, you're no longer a pirate. Your bounty will be wiped clean, and you'll have a fresh start. You should be thanking me."

In his mind, Claudius couldn't help but find the situation amusing. This is Crocodile, one of the future Seven Warlords. And now, I get to brand him with the mark of a Celestial Dragon.

"Let me go! You can't do this!" Crocodile's voice trembled with terror. Sure, the promise of having his bounty erased sounded nice, but something about this whole situation felt wrong. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was stepping into an even deeper trap.

Nia, standing by, said. "You should know what's happening, Crocodile. His Highness is about to mark you with the 'Celestial Dragon's Hoof.' Once it's branded onto you, there's no removing it. From that point forward, you'll belong to him. For life. Of course, there are perks. Most people won't dare to touch you as long as you're under His Highness' protection. But if you disobey... well, we'll make sure you understand what it means to wish for death."

Crocodile's face contorted in rage and disbelief. "A slave? You think I'll become a slave? I'd rather die here than live with that brand on me! I Crocodile will never be anyone's slave!"

"In time, you'll come to accept this, maybe even embrace it. I'm not like the other Celestial Dragons. I don't just collect slaves for fun. You'll still have your freedom, to some degree. Even Admiral Sengoku here can testify that I'm a reasonable man."

"Reasonable?" Crocodile spat, trying to struggle free. "Go to hell!"

"Relax," Claudius said, his voice calm but firm. "This is all for your own good."

With those words, Claudius pressed the searing hot brand onto Crocodile's back. A sickening sizzle filled the room as the mark of the Donquixote family—the "Celestial Dragon's Hoof" burned into his skin.

Crocodile let out a scream of pure agony. "Claudius! You bastard! I swear, I'll make you pay for this!"

Claudius casually pulled the branding iron away, handing it back to Nia. Crocodile lay on the ground, his body drenched in sweat, his muscles twitching from the excruciating pain. The brand, still fresh and red on his back, marked him as property of the Donquixote family.

He glanced at Nia, who promptly took the branding iron away. "Make sure he's treated. We saved his life, no point in letting him die from infection or something trivial."

Stussy nodded and began to drag the weakened Crocodile out of the room.

As they left, Sengoku, who had been watching the entire scene, spoke up with a slight frown. "Your Highness, are you sure Crocodile won't try to harm you in the future? I don't think he's the type to submit easily."

Claudius smiled confidently. "That's the fun part. I don't need him to submit right away. I didn't mark him just to turn him into a mindless slave. I see potential in him. He'll either come around and be useful to me, or he'll keep fighting. Either way, I win. If John could win him over, why can't I?"

Sengoku shook his head slightly, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Well, if you're that confident, I won't argue. Now that the situation with John is under control, I should go see how things are progressing. Once we've finished with the John Pirates, I'll personally escort you back to Mariejois."

Claudius chuckled. "Looks like I have no choice but to accept. After all, your Marines blew up my ship when you launched the Buster Call. Can't exactly swim back, can I?"

Sengoku grinned, though it was tinged with embarrassment. "We'll make sure you're taken care of, Your Highness."

After Sengoku left, Nia approached Claudius. "Your Highness, should we really return with the Marines? Weren't we planning to travel a bit more and scout for new talent?"

Claudius smiled. "Don't worry, Nia. We've already had an unexpected windfall. Crocodile has plenty of potential. We'll be fine."

Nia frowned slightly, still skeptical. "Him? I'm not sure. He doesn't seem very... cooperative."

Claudius laughed heartily. "Trust me, Nia. Give him time. We can work on his IQ later."

Not far from Cornillo Island, a massive ship hovered high in the sky one that would make any experienced pirate or Marine tremble in recognition. If anyone saw the distinctive flag it flew, they'd immediately exclaim, "Golden Lion!!"

Yes, this airship was none other than the flagship of Golden Lion Shiki's infamous fleet. Over the past few years, Shiki had become one of the most notorious pirates, his reputation soaring to unparalleled heights.

"Captain—no, Admiral! We've cracked the Marine's communication signals from Cornillo Island and intercepted critical intel!" A pirate, dressed in shabby but practical clothing, rushed to Shiki's side, his voice excited yet filled with awe.

Shiki's sharp eyes lit up, and a powerful, almost tangible pressure radiated from him. This wasn't just his Conqueror's Haki; it was the natural aura of a man who had stood at the pinnacle of the pirate world for decades. His very presence screamed dominance and command.

After all, who was Shiki? He was the Golden Lion, a pirate whose name had made even the strongest heroes retreat in fear. His pride and aura were overwhelming, even when not consciously unleashed. The sheer force of it nearly made the young pirate kneel on the spot.

"Oh? Finally cracked it, huh? What are those bastards up to? Who's leading the operation? Is it connected to that old dog John?" Shiki asked, his voice carrying a commanding edge.

The young pirate swallowed hard, steadying himself under the weight of Shiki's presence. He couldn't help but feel that with a leader like this, the Golden Lion fleet could one day rival the glory of the Rocks Pirates, perhaps even dominate the seas like never before. He quickly pushed those thoughts aside and got to the point.

"Yes, Captain, it's related to John. The Marines completed their mission and are preparing to return to base. The fleet's being led by none other than Admiral Sengoku!"

"Sengoku?!" Shiki's eyes widened briefly before a wicked, confident smile spread across his face. "Jiehahahahaha! Sengoku? In the New World? Well, isn't this my lucky day!"

The reason why Golden Lion Shiki was feared across the seas wasn't just his ruthlessness, it was the overwhelming power of his Devil Fruit. His Float-Float Fruit ability made him a menace in naval battles. At this moment, not even Whitebeard, the so-called strongest man in the world, had as much influence as Shiki. Some even believed Shiki's fruit was the strongest Paramecia Devil Fruit in existence.

When it came to sea warfare, Shiki's dominance of the skies gave him an insurmountable edge. He didn't need to engage in a direct battle with Sengoku. All he had to do was drop heavy objects from the sky onto the Marine fleet, crushing their ships one by one.

And Sengoku? Even as a user of the legendary Zoan-type Devil Fruit, he was still bound by the sea's curse. Once his ship went under, even Sengoku would be powerless to stop Shiki's onslaught.

Normally, the whereabouts of Marine Admirals like Sengoku were kept top secret. The New World was vast, and the odds of running into Sengoku on a random day were slim. But now? Shiki felt like fate had handed him a golden opportunity. He had originally come to hunt down Captain John, who had slipped through his fingers. But if he could destroy Sengoku and the Marine fleet, it would be a devastating blow to the World Government, one that could shake the seas to their core.

"Jiehahahaha! Today's the day Marine learns who really rules the New World!" Shiki laughed maniacally, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Prepare for battle! Sengoku's mine, and so is that traitor John! Let's wipe them out!"

The young pirate, barely able to contain his excitement at Shiki's bold declaration, saluted enthusiastically. "Yes, Captain—no, Admiral Shiki! I'll relay your orders at once!"

With Shiki's command, the massive airship began to accelerate, powered by Shiki's abilities. Meanwhile, Sengoku and his fleet sailed onward, completely unaware that one of the most feared predators of the sea was closing in on them.

Unbeknownst to them, Golden Lion Shiki had set his sights on them, ready to launch a full-scale assault. The John Pirates were already finished John himself was nothing more than a corpse. Sengoku hadn't even bothered asking him about the so-called legendary treasure; John's demise had been swift and unceremonious. But Shiki? Shiki was hunting for blood.

On one of the warships, Claudius and his group were making the best of their situation, now traveling under the protection of the Marines after their ship had been destroyed.

"Though the Buster Call was unprecedentedly halted, the mission was still a complete success. The John Pirates have been completely eradicated. The Five Elders are pleased with our efforts," Sengoku said with a satisfied smile. "And, of course, Your Highness played a key role in this. Without your assistance, John might've managed to slip away."

Claudius, reclining in a chair, smiled casually. "Is that so? I never thought I'd be the subject of praise from the Five Elders. What did they have to say?"

"They commended you briefly. Of course, John's death and the success of the mission will be in tomorrow's papers at the latest. I wouldn't be surprised if your name shows up in the headlines as well," Sengoku replied with a grin.

In the past, Claudius would've shied away from such attention. Back then, he was just another Celestial Dragon, using his noble title to intimidate and manipulate. The last thing he wanted was to be in the public eye, where unwanted attention could cause complications. But now things were different. Claudius had plans—ambitions. And for those plans to succeed, he needed subordinates, people who would work for him. He couldn't do everything alone.

But attracting the right people wasn't easy, especially when they saw him only as a spoiled, entitled Celestial Dragon. The likes of Crocodile, for example, weren't impressed by noble titles. Claudius had gotten lucky with Crocodile, but he couldn't rely on luck every time. If he wanted to recruit powerful individuals, he needed something more something that inspired respect.

Reputation.

Without it, Claudius was just another noble. But with a reputation for power and ambition, people might begin to see him as a figure worth following.

Just as Claudius was about to respond, the sound of cannon fire echoed across the ship. The sharp blare of alarms followed immediately after, filling the air with tension.

Sengoku's relaxed demeanor vanished in an instant. His face turned serious as the alarm blared a sound that only went off when the fleet encountered a powerful enemy. Given that this was a Buster Call fleet, and Sengoku himself was present, that could only mean one thing: they had run into one of the most dangerous adversaries on the seas.

"Your Highness, it seems we may be in trouble. Please, stay safe. I'm going to investigate," Sengoku said, his voice urgent.

Before Claudius could respond, a deafening crash echoed outside. He turned to look out the window and saw a massive sailing ship fall from the sky, crashing into the sea nearby and sending waves crashing against the warships.

"What the hell?" Claudius muttered.

Sengoku froze in place for a moment, his face darkening with realization. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, "Damn it... it's him. Golden Lion Shiki!"

High in the sky, a figure floated above the fleet his presence unmistakable, his aura commanding. His long golden hair blew in the wind, a cigar hanging loosely from his lips. He wore a golden coat draped over his shoulders, exuding the swagger of a man who had ruled the seas for decades. Two famous swords hung from his waist, and before he even spoke, his overwhelming aura blanketed the entire fleet.

"Jiehahahahahaha! Sengoku! My old friend! Long time no see! Why don't you come out and say hello?" Shiki's voice boomed across the battlefield as he hovered in the air, his laughter echoing through the sky.

Sengoku stepped out from the cabin, his expression tense but composed. His body radiated authority and power, the very image of justice incarnate. He stared up at Shiki, his eyes narrowing. "Golden Lion, don't get too full of yourself!"

Shiki laughed maniacally. "Jiehahaha! I was right! Sengoku, you're here! This is perfect! Today's the day I send you to the bottom of the sea!"

Claudius leaned out of the window, gazing up at the figure floating above the fleet. Even he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. "So that's Golden Lion Shiki..." he murmured to himself. "No wonder they call him one of the pirate overlords. His presence alone is worlds apart from someone like John..." Looking at the confident Golden Lion Shiki hovering in the sky, Sengoku felt utterly exasperated. Damn it, did I forget to check the almanac before heading out this time?

First, they nearly wiped out the Celestial Dragons on Cornillo Island with a Buster Call. Then, if not for Claudius's timely reminder, the mission to eliminate Captain John would have likely failed. And just when Sengoku thought things had finally settled down, they bumped into Golden Lion Shiki on their way back?

Of all the people on the sea, the ones Sengoku most dreaded fighting were Shiki and Whitebeard.

It wasn't that they were necessarily stronger than other pirates like Roger or Kaido, but fighting them at sea was an absolute nightmare. Shiki ruled the skies with his floating powers, while Whitebeard could summon tsunamis with a single punch. Neither fight was one you wanted to have on the open ocean.

In contrast, Sengoku wouldn't be nearly as worried about running into Roger, Kaido, or Big Mom. But here, in the open waters, facing someone like Shiki, Sengoku knew he was in for a tough battle.

And to make matters worse, they had a Celestial Dragon on board. If Claudius got killed during the fight, even if Sengoku managed to defeat Shiki, it wouldn't matter there would be hell to pay when he got back to headquarters. That thought alone filled Sengoku with frustration.

Though he felt the weight of the situation, Sengoku Admiral didn't let it show. He met Shiki's arrogance head-on, shouting, "You think you're going to kill me here, Shiki? You really believe your own hype too much. You shouldn't have come. This time, you're not leaving. I've already reserved a nice, comfy cell for you in Impel Down!"

"Jihahahaha! Sengoku, your bark's gotten louder since we last met!" Shiki cackled, unsheathing his famous twin sabers, Kogarashi and Oto, the weapons that had accompanied him through countless battles.

Without any more chatter, Shiki swung his blades downward, slicing the air itself. The violent slash tore through the sky, a sharp force bearing down on Sengoku and his warship, as if Shiki intended to cleave both in two.

But Sengoku wasn't one to panic. If Shiki were easy to handle, he wouldn't be ruling the skies. Just as the slash was about to strike, Sengoku's body swelled up, his form transforming into a towering golden Buddha over five meters tall.

With a powerful growl, Sengoku raised his hand, releasing a shockwave that met Shiki's slash in midair. The energy from the shockwave and the slash collided, dispersing in a blast of power. But Sengoku didn't stop there his shockwave continued, shooting upward toward Shiki.

Shiki didn't flinch. With a sneer, he covered his free hand in Armament Haki, punching the air and neutralizing Sengoku's shockwave.

"Jihahahaha! Not bad, Sengoku!" Shiki laughed, his voice carrying through the wind.

Meanwhile, in the cabin below deck, Claudius watched the battle in awe. It was his first time seeing such a high-level clash, and the sheer intensity was overwhelming. This was nothing like reading about it in mangas back in his old life this was raw, terrifying power, and it was exhilarating to witness.

"So that's the power of the Mythical Zoan, huh? Admiral-level strength is really something else. And Shiki's Armament Haki it's the third stage, the external release. I used to think Shiki's Haki wasn't anything special, but it looks like the steering wheel stuck in his head really does start to affect him later on..."

Claudius's thoughts were racing as he analyzed the fight.

Back in the sky, Shiki snorted as he waved his hand, and from out of nowhere, a massive sailing ship came crashing down toward Sengoku's warship. Shiki, using his Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, had lifted the ship into the sky earlier, and now he hurled it as a weapon.

"These are the ships from the pirates I've killed. You love catching pirates so much, Sengoku? Well, here, have some!" Shiki taunted, sending the ship plummeting down.

On a nearby warship, another figure couldn't stay silent any longer. Tall, strong, and filled with fiery rage, this Marine was none other than Vice Admiral Sakazuki, known as the "Marine Mad Dog."

"Great Eruption!" Sakazuki roared, thrusting his fist upward. A massive blast of magma shot into the sky, obliterating the falling ship in an instant, turning it into a rain of smoldering debris.

But Sakazuki wasn't finished. His magma fist continued its ascent, now barreling toward Shiki, who was still laughing in midair.

"Bring it on!" Shiki yelled, unsheathing his second saber and sending a powerful slash toward the magma fist. The slash cleaved Sakazuki's attack in two, redirecting the molten magma away from him.

However, the two halves of the magma attack didn't just vanish they changed trajectory and hurtled toward another warship.

Sakazuki's face twisted in shock. "Awakening! He's awakened his Devil Fruit powers!"

"Surprised? I'm the Golden Lion!" Shiki grinned, brimming with confidence.

Before the magma could destroy the ship, a cold blast of freezing energy shot through the air. Two enormous ice pillars rose from the sea, catching the magma in mid-flight and freezing it solid before the magma could hit the warship. The frozen chunks of magma fell harmlessly into the ocean below.

Shiki's smile faded slightly as he recognized the new player. "That little brat Kuzan is here too? This could be troublesome."

With Kuzan on the battlefield, the sea was no longer a guaranteed advantage for Shiki. The Marine admiral could freeze the ocean, making it harder for Shiki to exploit the terrain. Shiki had come here with the goal of sinking the Marine fleet, but now that seemed far less likely.

Just as Shiki pondered his next move, a blinding golden light streaked through the sky, hurtling straight toward him. Shiki moved to dodge, but the light transformed into the form of a man none other than Borsalino, the future Marine Admiral Kizaru.

"Ever felt what it's like to be kicked at the speed of light?" Borsalino quipped as his foot shot toward Shiki.

Shiki, with his wealth of battle experience, didn't fall for Borsalino's theatrics. He caught Borsalino's ankle mid-air, smirking as he said, "A bit too soon to try kicking me, kid."

As Shiki raised his blade to sever Borsalino's leg, Sengoku's voice boomed from below. "Now! Everyone, attack!"

Sengoku, Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino all surged forward, using Geppo to launch themselves into the air. They closed in on Shiki, attempting to surround him.

Borsalino, managing to pull his leg free, drew his Sky Cloud Sword and slashed at Shiki. But Shiki still wore a smile on his face, unbothered by the Marine's combined assault.

With a slight movement of his fingers, Shiki summoned iron pillars from one of the floating ships. The iron beams shot toward the Marines with incredible speed, imbued with his own Haki, cutting through the air like missiles.

"Fighting me in the air, Sengoku? You've got some nerve!" Shiki laughed.

Sakazuki charged in first, his body transforming into magma. But even with his quick reflexes, several of the iron pillars struck him, forcing him to shift into his elemental form just in time. If not for his quick thinking, the Haki-infused iron would have severely injured him.

"Iron Lion!" Shiki roared, and the iron pillars merged into a massive iron beast, enveloping Sakazuki. The iron lion then plummeted toward the sea, with Sakazuki trapped inside.

Sakazuki, being a Devil Fruit user, was in serious danger of being drowned. Kuzan, recognizing the threat, immediately halted his attack on Shiki. He fired a wave of freezing energy toward the ocean, creating a massive ice sheet just as the iron lion hit the frozen surface.

The impact caused the iron lion to melt into a pool of molten iron, but Sakazuki re-emerged, standing tall on the ice.

Still, even on solid ground, Sakazuki knew he couldn't keep up with a sky battle. Gritting his teeth, he stayed back, ready to apply pressure from below.

Meanwhile, Claudius watched the aerial battle from the warship's cabin, feeling a mix of awe and excitement. "Incredible. One man is holding off an Admiral and three Vice Admirals, all without breaking a sweat. No wonder Shiki's one of the strongest pirates out there. He's as powerful as Whitebeard in his prime."

Nia nervously urged, "Your Highness, we should escape while the Marines are holding him off. This place is too dangerous!"

Claudius, however, wasn't interested in running. "Escape? Where to? Kuzan's already frozen the sea there's no moving the ship now. And besides, how often do you get to see a fight like this up close? I'm not about to run away with my tail between my legs!" Claudius said with a grin, his eyes locked on the chaotic battlefield in the sky.

Nia, still on edge, tried again. "But Your Highness—"

Claudius waved her off, his excitement undiminished. "Relax. This is a rare opportunity. How often do you get to witness the Golden Lion take on an Admiral and three Vice Admirals? And besides, I doubt there's a safer place on this frozen sea than right here."

Nia bit her lip, realizing that Claudius had made up his mind. Still, she couldn't shake the anxiety gnawing at her.

At that moment, another figure entered the room. It was Stussy, looking equally concerned but more composed. "Your Highness, I've already contacted Naval Headquarters and CP-0. They're mobilizing to send reinforcements as quickly as possible. Help is on the way."

Claudius chuckled, waving dismissively. "Help? At this rate, by the time they get here, it'll be too late. We'll either have won or—well, we'll be fish food. There's no point in pinning our hopes on anyone coming to the rescue."

Watching the battle from inside the cabin didn't seem to satisfy Claudius anymore. After observing for a while, he made the decision to head to the deck for a closer view of the action.

"Your Highness, isn't that too dangerous? I may not know much about naval warfare, but even I know that Golden Lion Shiki is one of the world's top pirates. Right now, even Sengoku Admiral is struggling against him..." Nia said anxiously, trying to dissuade him.

"Hahahaha, what are you so afraid of?" Claudius laughed casually. "Look, Sengoku and the others are having trouble because they don't have the advantage in the sky. Even if I stay in this cabin, I'm not any safer than I would be on the deck. If things get really bad, I'd rather be out there at least I might get a chance to seize the moment."

Nia was about to continue pleading with him, but Stussy intervened. "His Highness is right. The danger is the same whether we're inside or outside. It's better to be where we can act if necessary."

With that, she draped a dark brown coat over Claudius's shoulders. The way he looked now arrogant, calm, and dressed like a boss oozed confidence. Still not feeling completely ready for his grand appearance, Claudius made one last stop before heading out. He rummaged through Sengoku's quarters and found a pack of cigars, the kind that were reserved specifically for Marine Admirals.

These are probably high quality, Claudius thought to himself. Without a second thought, he cut one, lit it up, and took a puff. With the cigar clenched between his teeth, he strutted onto the deck, looking every bit like a man in control.

"I swear, Your Highness, you're starting to look more like a villain by the minute," Stussy teased.

Claudius smirked, blowing a cloud of smoke into the air. "Villain, hero, it's all the same to me. As long as I get what I want, who cares what they call me?"

Meanwhile, the battle in the sky was growing more intense. Shiki, the infamous pirate, fought with unparalleled aggression, his advantage in the air allowing him to keep Sengoku and the Marines on the back foot. Despite being one of the most powerful figures in the Navy, Sengoku was struggling to keep up with Shiki's relentless attacks. The golden Buddha form of Sengoku shimmered in the sunlight, sending out shockwaves with every punch, but even that wasn't enough to push Shiki back completely.

"Palm of the Buddha!" Sengoku roared, seizing an opportunity. Borsalino, using his speed, had managed to drive Shiki backward with a precise laser strike, giving Sengoku the opening he needed. His giant palm, glowing with golden energy, slammed downward as if compressing the very air around it, creating a crushing force that aimed to end the fight right then and there.

Shiki's playful expression disappeared, replaced with one of grim determination. "Don't underestimate me!" he shouted, his voice filled with rage. His arms, now coated in an intense black Armament Haki, met Sengoku's blow head-on. The collision of forces sent shockwaves rippling outward, and at that moment, both Shiki and Sengoku unleashed their Conqueror's Haki.

The sky above them seemed to tear apart as the sheer force of their Haki clashed, creating a whirlwind of energy that blew Borsalino and Kuzan away from the battle zone.

The sea itself trembled under the overwhelming pressure, and most of the Marine soldiers on the warships collapsed from the strain of the two Conqueror's Hakis. Only the strongest among them Rear Admirals and Vice Admirals were able to stay conscious, though even they were struggling to move.

On the deck where Claudius stood, Nia was the first to fall, knocked unconscious by the sheer force of Shiki and Sengoku's power. If not for Stussy holding her up, she would've hit the floor. Even Stussy, though far stronger, was clearly suffering under the immense pressure.

Claudius, on the other hand, stood firm. Though he could feel the weight of the Haki pressing down on him like two massive mountains trying to crush him, he refused to buckle. His legs trembled slightly, but his body didn't move.

"I was born noble, above all others. A mere Conqueror's Haki... you think that's enough to overwhelm me?" Claudius whispered to himself, his voice filled with quiet determination. His eyes flashed, and then he spoke louder, with a confidence that shook his very core. "I am the king of the world!!!"

As the words left his mouth, Claudius felt the weight of the pressure lift. What had been suffocating moments before now felt like nothing more than a cool breeze. He straightened up, his movements fluid and relaxed, the pressure from the Conqueror's Haki completely gone.

Frowning slightly, he touched his forehead. "That felt strange... it was like something was about to erupt from within me. Could it be... Conqueror's Haki?"

Unlike Armament and Observation Haki, Conqueror's Haki was something you were born with, a power that came from deep within your soul. You either had it or you didn't—there was no learning it. Claudius had never thought too much about whether he possessed it. He never obsessed over it because, in his mind, Conqueror's was more of a symbolic power than a practical one. It was nice to have, sure, but it wasn't the be-all and end-all of strength.

But now... now it seemed that Claudius did have Conqueror's Haki, and not just a weak version of it. The fact that even the combined pressure from Shiki and Sengoku hadn't been enough to force it out fully... it was clear that Claudius's Haki was on another level entirely.

A grin spread across his face.

With Shiki locked in a stalemate against Sengoku, and Borsalino and Kuzan temporarily out of position, Shiki was fully focused on the Marine Admiral. He wouldn't expect a sneak attack, especially from someone like Claudius, who was still an unknown factor.

"This is my chance," Claudius thought, his eyes flashing with excitement. "Shiki's wide open."

Without hesitation, Claudius drew Shinsō, the shorter of the two swords hanging at his waist. It was fast, lethal, and perfect for the kind of strike he was about to make.

Locking his eyes on Shiki, who was still engaged with Sengoku in the sky, Claudius took a deep breath. "Go... shoot him, Shinsō!"

The short blade shot through the air like a bullet, faster than any musket, and aimed directly at Shiki.

Shiki's senses, honed over years of battle, screamed in warning. His Observation Haki flared, alerting him to the danger just in time. Without thinking, he pulled back, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow.

But Claudius's attack wasn't a complete miss. The blade grazed Shiki's cheek, leaving a deep gash that dripped blood down the side of his face. It wasn't enough to kill, but it was a message a clear one.

Shiki retreated, gritting his teeth. His sudden movement had given Sengoku the upper hand, and the pressure of the fight had injured Shiki further, blood now trickling from the corner of his mouth.

He reached up, feeling the deep cut on his cheek, part of his skull exposed from the wound. His gaze shot downward, focusing on Claudius. A young man stood there, tall and confident, with messy blond hair, a dark coat billowing around him. He held a short sword in one hand, a cigar in his mouth, and a smile on his face as if he had all the time in the world.

"It was him," Shiki thought, his eyes narrowing. "I didn't think there were any dangerous people in this fleet. I was careless... that brat nearly skewered me."

Without any hesitation, Shiki drew one of his swords and unleashed a powerful slash toward Claudius, the blade of energy cutting through the air like a lightning strike.

"Saint Claudius!!!" Sengoku shouted, his eyes wide in horror as he realized the danger Claudius was in.

Claudius didn't flinch. As the energy slash tore through the air toward him, he calmly placed his hand on the demon sword, Shindō, hanging from his waist. His eyes narrowed in focus, and with a deep breath, he murmured, "Let's see just how far apart we really are, Golden Lion."

"One-Sword Style... Justice Cross!"

In an instant, Claudius drew Shindō, his Armament Haki coating the blade in a black sheen. His heart raced, the Emperor's engine in his chest pumping out every ounce of potential he had. This strike was everything.

As Shiki's attack reached him, Claudius swung Shindō upward, intercepting the slash. The impact sent a shockwave through his body, his arms trembling under the force. The deck beneath his feet shattered, and his legs sank into the wood, but Claudius didn't break.

"Break!" Claudius roared, his muscles bulging as he pushed back with all his might. In a moment of pure power, he deflected Shiki's slash, sending it careening off into the sky, dissipating harmlessly.

"Haah..." Claudius exhaled deeply, his breath ragged, his body trembling from the sheer force of the clash. His legs remained trapped in the ruined deck, but he had managed to block the strike from one of the most powerful pirates in the world.

"I... actually did it," Claudius muttered, blinking in disbelief as he stared at his trembling hands. His arms felt like they were on the verge of breaking, and his muscles ached in protest, but he had stopped Shiki's attack head-on.

Claudius leaned heavily on Shindō for support, his mind racing. The sheer power he had just faced left him in awe, and for a brief moment, he felt the overwhelming gap between himself and the top figures of the world. But the fire in his heart hadn't dimmed it had only grown stronger.

"So this... is what it's like," Claudius whispered, a wild grin slowly spreading across his face. His heart was pounding with exhilaration, his body aching from the strain, but none of that mattered. He had tasted a fragment of true power, and now he wanted more.

"I want this kind of strength," he said quietly, almost to himself. "No, I need it. This... this is the power that rules the world."