Before the start of this year's World Summit, over 170 participating nations, along with smaller member regions like Water 7, had begun their delivery of the Heavenly Tribute.
For nations unable to meet their tribute obligations, expulsion from the World Government awaited. Meanwhile, numerous other nations, waving their treasures in hand, were eagerly trying to join the system, seeking the benefits of membership.
Unlike the 50 countries officially attending the World Summit, the collection of Heavenly Tribute began earlier and extended much longer, sometimes spanning up to half a year.
About a month after the World Summit concluded, the joint operation between Marine Headquarters and Claudius—dubbed the "Sky Island Gold Expedition" finally came to an end.
All the gold from Sky Island had been transported down to sea level. When its total value was finally assessed, it far exceeded the initial estimates of Claudius and Sengoku.
At first, the two had estimated that the treasure of the Golden City on Sky Island would be worth at least 50 billion berries. Both felt this was a conservative yet satisfying number.
However, once the gold had been delivered, CP-X and Marine Headquarters organized an expert team to evaluate the treasure over two weeks. Their conclusion? The total value of the haul reached a staggering 500 billion berries—ten times the initial estimate.
To be fair, it wasn't entirely Claudius and Sengoku's fault for underestimating the value. Based solely on the weight and purity of the gold, the treasure was worth approximately 300 billion berries.
But much of the gold wasn't just raw material, it was crafted into intricate artifacts with over 400 years of history. Items like crowns, jewelry, and scepters carried immense historical and cultural value. The legendary reputation of the "Golden Land" only added to their worth.
Still, much of the gold had been used as simple building material—bricks, walls, and decorations which lacked significant historical value. Otherwise, the Golden Land's total value could have easily exceeded a trillion berries.
This realization left both Sengoku and Claudius feeling a tinge of regret.
The treasure, valued at 500 billion berries, was split evenly between Marine Headquarters and Claudius. Each party walked away with 250 billion berries worth of gold.
At Marineford, in a secret harbor used by the Scientific Division, 25 old warships sat docked. On the decks of these ships, large piles of gold lay under canvas covers, awaiting distribution.
Inside the harbor, Marine leaders led by Sengoku inspected one of the warships. When the canvas was pulled back, the dazzling brilliance of the gold beneath lit up the surroundings, leaving the group momentarily stunned.
"This…" Fleet Admiral Kong murmured, his expression betraying his astonishment. After a moment of composure, he gestured to the other warships in the harbor and asked, "Are all 25 of these warships filled with gold?"
Sengoku grinned, his excitement barely contained. "Yes, Fleet Admiral. Every single one of the 25 warships is loaded with gold, both on the deck and in the cargo hold."
Garp stepped forward, reaching into the pile and pulling out a handful of gold nuggets. Smacking his lips, he said, "Even though our annual military budget is worth more than this, it's no wonder people lose their minds over gold when they see it in person."
Marine military expenditures reached hundreds of billions of berries annually, so these leaders were used to hearing such figures. But seeing a literal mountain of gold in front of them was something else entirely.
"With this amount of gold," Sakazuki muttered, his gaze intense, "a hundred new warships would no longer just be a dream!"
Tsuru, the Chief Staff Officer, remained composed, though her calm demeanor now was in stark contrast to her reaction when she first saw the Golden Land on Sky Island. "Having the gold is one thing," she said. "But the question remains, how do we liquidate it? We don't exactly have an abundance of accessible channels for cashing this out."
Gion, toying with a gold bracelet she had picked up, nodded. "She's right. We can't move too much gold at once without drawing attention, and finding the right buyers will be a challenge."
Kong turned to Sengoku. "What did you and His Highness discuss about this?"
Sengoku's grin widened. "It's actually quite simple. For the warships we need, we can trade directly with gold nuggets. The Tom Shipbuilding Company in Water 7—owned by His Highness—can handle the transactions. That alone will take care of a large portion of the gold. As for the rest, well, we can use it as wages for Marine personnel or exchange it for military expenses in smaller amounts, ensuring it doesn't attract too much attention."
Zephyr nodded in agreement. "That makes sense. With an organization as large as ours, digesting the gold internally shouldn't be too difficult, as long as we're cautious."
"Then let's start with the warships," Kong concluded. "The rest can be dealt with later as needed."
The conversation shifted to the topic of developing the Calm Belt. The preliminary plan had been finalized, with both Claudius and Sengoku agreeing to use Amazon Lily as the focal point of operations. From there, the Marines would begin expanding their influence across the Calm Belt.
Meanwhile, in Mariejois, Claudius was lounging in his courtyard, holding a phone snail as he spoke with Doflamingo.
"So, cousin, how do you like the gift I sent you?" Doflamingo's voice came through the snail, laced with amusement.
Claudius's gaze rested on the golden clock now adorning his courtyard. With a chuckle, he replied, "It's excellent—but tell me, why are two of my ships missing?"
The truth was that the Marine's share of 25 old warships had been handed over to Claudius without hesitation. Since these ships were slated for decommissioning and destruction to protect their technology, gifting them to a Celestial Dragon like Claudius posed no risk.
"Furufurufuru… Two ships missing? Oh, that. If I recall, they seemed to have sunk halfway during transport," Doflamingo teased, his tone dripping with mock innocence.
Claudius smirked but didn't press the issue. "Fine. Just don't draw too much attention when you're spending. I need to keep things low-key on my end. You understand?"
"Relax, cousin," Doflamingo assured him. "In the underworld, no one's going to question the origins of gold."
Satisfied, Claudius shifted the topic. Picking up a piece of paper from his table, he lowered his voice. "By the way, take note of this. The last batch of Heavenly Tribute will be transported from…" He whispered the details to Doflamingo, who quickly jotted them down.
"Furufurufu… Cousin, after this job, I should finally become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, right?" Doflamingo asked with anticipation.
"Of course," Claudius replied with a grin. "And after that, you can head to Dressrosa. The World Government will tacitly approve your claim, provided you handle everything cleanly."
"Don't worry," Doflamingo said confidently. "I'll make sure it's flawless."
After wrapping up the conversation with Doflamingo, Claudius turned his attention to Tesoro, who approached him respectfully.
"Your Highness, you wanted to see me?" Tesoro asked.
"Yes, Tesoro," Claudius said with a smile. "How's your training coming along?"
Tesoro's eyes gleamed with confidence. "I think I really have a knack for this, just as you said, Your Highness."
"Hahaha, good. I like confident people," Claudius said. "In that case, it's about time I send you out to handle something important."
Tesoro truly seemed to have a talent for finance. While his initial progress was slow due to his lack of a foundation, once he grasped the basics, his growth became rapid. Over the past two years, he had absorbed knowledge that even skilled teachers might struggle to impart.
With a significant amount of spare gold in his possession, Claudius decided it was time to expand. On one hand, he planned to strengthen CP-X; on the other, he was preparing to entrust a portion of his wealth to Tesoro.
"I have a large amount of gold in my possession," Claudius said, his tone calm yet encouraging. "I'm going to hand it over to you, Tesoro. This world is vast, you should go out and see it for yourself."
Tesoro didn't hesitate, responding with conviction, "Your Highness, I promise you won't regret this."
Claudius smiled. "Good. What you choose to do with it is entirely up to you. Just remember: don't disappoint me."
Claudius's confidence in Tesoro wasn't unfounded. After years of mentoring and training, he had every reason to believe in him. Tesoro wasn't stepping out into the world empty-handed. With Claudius's backing, both financial and in terms of connections—failure seemed highly unlikely.
Of the 23 ships laden with gold under Claudius's control, five were assigned to Tesoro. Another five were handed to Stussy to further expand operations on Happy Street.
Three ships were allocated to Enel to help with his development, and two were given to Crocodile to aid his continued operations in Alabasta.
Out of the remaining eight ships, three were earmarked for Spandine to strengthen CP-X's secret service network and further infiltrate the World News. The last five ships were set aside as reserves for emergencies and for the planned joint development of the Calm Belt with the Marines.
After receiving his assignment, Tesoro left Mariejois with his wife, Stella, as well as a team of CP-X personnel. What he intended to do with the resources, Claudius left entirely up to him.
In the courtyard of his palace, Claudius sat by the pool, watching the water ripple. Without turning around, he said, "What are you staring at me for?"
Behind him stood Hancock, silent and pensive. After a moment, she asked, "What you said earlier—was it true?"
"What did I say?" Claudius replied with a faint smile.
"That you'd help Nine Snake Island's development?" Hancock asked, her voice soft but serious.
"Ah, that," Claudius said with a small laugh. "Yes, the plan is to include Nine Snake Island in the Calm Belt development. But it's not purely an act of help, it's a mutually beneficial arrangement. We need a foothold in the Calm Belt, and Nine Snake Island is an ideal location. Plus, having allies like you makes the partnership natural."
"Why did you choose Nine Snake Island?" Hancock asked, her voice quieter now.
Claudius turned to look at her, his gaze warm as he smiled. "Because of you."
Hancock's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushing slightly. Before she could say anything, Claudius continued, "Don't overthink it. The truth is, I don't know of any other inhabited islands in the Calm Belt. Of course, your presence played a role too. Because of you, Nine Snake Island and I are natural allies."
"Do you think I'll help you?" Hancock asked sharply, her voice rising.
"Of course," Claudius said casually. "Won't you?"
Hancock's gaze wavered, and though she seemed flustered, she eventually nodded. "I will."
A moment later, she added in her usual haughty tone, "But don't misunderstand! I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it for Nine Snake Island. As its crown princess and first in line to the throne, I have a duty to ensure its prosperity."
"Ahahaha, then I owe my thanks to Nine Snake Island," Claudius said with a hearty laugh.
Hancock scowled at his teasing tone but said nothing. Over the time she had spent with him, she had realized that Claudius loved to poke fun at her. Yet, despite his jokes, she knew he was someone she could rely on.
After a moment of silence, Hancock asked quietly, "Like Mero and Lenny, will it be time for me and my sisters to regain our freedom when you enter the Calm Belt?"
Claudius looked at her in surprise. "Why would you think that? Haven't I already told you?"
"Told me what?" Hancock asked, her brow furrowing. She searched her memory for any mention of her freedom but came up empty.
"Didn't I say you'd never escape from the clutches of this great demon? Hahaha, don't you remember?" Claudius laughed, clearly enjoying himself.
Hancock's expression froze before her face twisted in frustration. "Claudius! With words like that, I won't help you anymore!"
"But you'll still help Nine Snake Island," Claudius said with a knowing smile.
Hancock opened her mouth to retort but found herself at a loss. Her face flushed with anger—or perhaps embarrassment—and she stormed off, her long black hair swishing behind her.
Claudius chuckled as he watched her go. "You didn't say you wanted to leave me specifically, though," he murmured to himself.
After Hancock left, Claudius remained by the pool, gazing at the swimming fish with a faintly melancholic expression. One by one, those close to him were leaving. He had already sent Lenny and Mero away, Tesoro and Stella had departed, and soon, Hancock and her sisters would leave as well. The circle around him was growing smaller.
As he lingered in this introspective mood, the phone snail in his hand suddenly rang. Glancing down, Claudius frowned slightly before picking it up.
"Spandine? What is it?" he asked.
"Your Highness," Spandine greeted, his tone respectful. "I wanted to consult you about something before proceeding."
Claudius's brow furrowed. "What's the issue?"
"There's been an incident in North Blue," Spandine began. "The Amber-lead disease in White Town—Flevance—has finally been exposed. A large-scale epidemic has broken out, and the situation has spiraled into riots. The CP agency has been tasked with handling the matter and has requested CP-X's assistance. Should we get involved?"
Claudius was silent for a moment before responding in a low voice, "If it's not absolutely necessary, don't involve yourself. Focus your efforts on finding the Mera-Mera Fruit instead."
"Understood, Your Highness," Spandine replied immediately. "I'll decline the request."
Two months passed quickly, and by now, Claudius had made his way to the Prometheus, currently anchored in East Blue.
Stussy lately, had grown increasingly restless. While she continued to manage operations on Happy Street, most of her work had shifted to "remote control," allowing her to remain by Claudius's side almost constantly. Like a devoted companion, she rarely left him, the dynamic between them increasingly intimate.
Their relationship had already reached its natural peak, and Claudius, who always held the upper hand, made sure Stussy was fully obedient to him.
On the deck of the Prometheus, Stussy was lounging in a bikini, relaxing in the swimming pool and playfully splashing water with Nia.
Nearby, Ace was engaged in a spirited game of badminton with Koala. The two had grown close over time, their bond resembling that of childhood friends.
Although Claudius had previously arranged for several other companions to accompany Ace, the boy showed little interest in them. Ace seemed to only enjoy spending time with Koala, who, as a genius in her own right, could match Ace's energy and intelligence. Their connection seemed to come from mutual understanding, making them the perfect pair of companions.
Seeing Ace's indifference toward his other friends, Claudius had those children sent home. Before arriving in East Blue, he even arranged for Koala and Ace to visit Foolshout Island to reconnect with Koala's family.
When Koala's parents learned that their daughter was now friends with the "son of a Celestial Dragon," their emotions were a whirlwind of pride and anxiety. They urged Koala repeatedly to take good care of Ace and maintain their relationship.
Meanwhile, Claudius was reclining on a sun lounger on the deck, dressed casually in black sunglasses, a cigar in one hand, and a glass of juice resting on the small table beside him. A phone snail sat nearby as he chatted with someone on the line.
"I saw the report," Claudius said with a smile. "The World Government is condemning you fiercely for this 'rebellious act.' But don't worry—they won't take any serious action against you. Just hold on to the Heavenly Tribute for now. You need to act convincingly, after all. Once the timing is right, I'll send Spandane to wrap things up, and then you'll officially become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
On the other end of the line, Doflamingo was in North Blue, having successfully intercepted the final shipment of Heavenly Tribute. While the World Government was, of course, aware of what had happened, they also knew it was part of Claudius's arrangements. Given the potential benefits, they had no reason to object.
"North Blue is in chaos right now, cousin," Doflamingo said with a chuckle. "You're ruthless. Did you really have to destroy Flevance in one stroke?"
"Flevance…" Claudius murmured, touching his chin thoughtfully. His tone carried a tinge of emotion.
The disaster at Flevance, caused by the outbreak of Amber-lead disease, was a stain that the World Government could not escape. The government had been complicit from the start, profiting massively from the platinum-lead trade.
For over a century, the rare and luxurious material had been a highly lucrative business. The World Government had made more than 100 billion berries from the venture, all while concealing the hidden dangers of platinum-lead mining.
The material, harmless in its processed form, became deadly during mining as it released harmful radiation into the air. Over time, this radiation caused the devastating and hereditary illness known as "Amber-lead disease."
In the end, it was this disease that led to Flevance's destruction.
"Brutal as it may seem, I didn't have a hand in this one," Claudius said with a smile. "Don't pin blame on me for no reason."
"Even if you didn't, you're complicit," Doflamingo said with a sly laugh.
"If that's the case, then everyone is an accomplice," Claudius muttered. "Greed is what caused this mess in the first place."
He paused, his thoughts drifting. Now that Doflamingo was operating in North Blue, there was a chance Trafalgar Law might cross paths with him. If so, Law might seek to join the Donquixote family. Claudius couldn't help but think of the larger implications of this scenario, the involvement of Rosinante, the tragic fallout, and the looming significance of the Ope-Ope Fruit.
The Ope-Ope Fruit was a dangerous wildcard. While it held immense potential, Claudius had no desire to handle something so volatile while being a member of the World Government. It was a fruit that couldn't be ignored, yet couldn't be kept without inviting immense risk.
As for Trafalgar Law, Claudius considered him a talented individual, but one whose presence might bring unnecessary complications. He decided it would be best to keep his distance from Law for now. Perhaps the boy could be used as a pawn in the future, but for now, he could play freely without interference.
The situation with Rosinante also concerned him. Claudius realized that Rosinante's actions would likely cause significant problems for Sengoku and the World Government. If Rosinante truly cut ties with Doflamingo, the entire situation might serve as an opportunity to remove this "nail" from Doflamingo's organization.
"By the way, cousin," Doflamingo said, interrupting Claudius's thoughts. "What's your business in East Blue? Did something catch your eye, or is this really just a vacation?"
"Vacation…" Claudius chuckled. "You know me too well. Everyone always teases me about that. Every time I take a 'vacation,' it seems to bring trouble."
"So, it's not a vacation?" Doflamingo asked with a grin.
"No, I'm here for business," Claudius said. "I told you before to help me keep an eye on the Mera-Mera Fruit, but you didn't find much. Spandine, however, did. He tracked its presence to East Blue, so I'm here to look for it myself."
"Ah, you've got the advantage, cousin," Doflamingo said with a laugh. "You've got an entire organization working for you, while I have to handle everything on my own."
"Hahaha, well, you're doing fine," Claudius replied. "Just remember, while I'm handling the Mera-Mera Fruit, you'd better not drop the ball on the Gold Gold Fruit. That one is critical for us."
"I'll do my best, but what if someone else claims it first?" Doflamingo asked.
"Whoever gets it, I'll take it from them," Claudius said firmly. "That fruit is non-negotiable."
"What if it's Whitebeard?" Doflamingo teased.
"Then I'll make plans to send him to the West sooner than expected," Claudius said, laughing.
The Gold Gold Fruit was too important to Claudius's plans. It was essential for Tesoro's development, which in turn was vital to Claudius's future economic framework. Allowing it to fall into the wrong hands would be a disaster.
After exchanging a few more words with Doflamingo, Claudius ended the call. His gaze shifted to the two women in the pool, a faint smile of amusement tugging at his lips.
"Your Highness," Stussy called, waving at him. "Why don't you come join us?"
Claudius raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to provoke me, Stussy? You know I'm a Devil Fruit user."
"If you come down, I'll show you this!" Stussy teased, tugging at her bikini for a split second, offering the barest hint of skin. Claudius nearly choked on his cigar, coughing in disbelief.
Shaking his head, he replied, "No thanks. Besides, if I'm right, it should be about time now."
"Time for what?" Stussy asked, feigning disinterest. "Are you afraid I'll get even with you in the water for last night?"
Claudius smirked. "After the way I treated you last night, who knows what kind of revenge you'd have planned?"
Stussy blushed but huffed in protest. "Your Highness, how can you say such things out loud?"
"You've been far bolder than me," Claudius retorted with a grin.
Scoffing, Stussy turned back to Nia, dismissing him with a flick of her hand.
Turning to the map of East Blue spread out on his table, Claudius's smile faded into a more focused expression. His next destination was Shimotsuki Village.