Chapter 16: A Visit to Marineford?
In the Claudius Palace, within the large pond in the courtyard, two incredibly beautiful mermaid women were swimming gracefully. They seemed quite happy in the water.
These mermaids were slaves, a gift from Doflamingo to Claudius when he left Mariejois two months ago. Claudius had kept them here mainly for the sake of appearances.
Over the past two months, the two mermaids had begun to adjust to their new surroundings. They'd come to realize that their new master wasn't someone who enjoyed torturing slaves for amusement. He was even somewhat handsome and treated them with more kindness than they had expected.
Compared to their previous lives, though they still hadn't gained their freedom or left Mariejois, things were much better. They no longer had to wear the collars of slaves, weren't locked in giant fish tanks on display, and no one tossed vicious piranhas into the water to torment them for sport.
At that moment, not far from the pond, Claudius was sparring with a few men wearing slave collars, as if he was honing his combat skills against real opponents.
The two mermaid girls lay by the edge of the pond, watching the scene with curiosity.
"Mero, why do you think His Highness Claudius is doing this?" one of the mermaids asked her companion. "Isn't he one of the Celestial Dragons?"
Sori, the other mermaid, shook her head in confusion and replied, "I have no idea. Maybe he's just bored. When I first came here, I was terrified. I never imagined a Celestial Dragon like Claudius could be so strange. Not only does he not torture us, but he even removed our slave collars…"
A glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes as she asked quietly, "Lenny, do you think there's a chance he might let us go home someday?"
Lenny was silent for a moment, hope also flickering in her gaze. "I don't know, but… I have a feeling there's a chance."
"If we could go home, that would be wonderful," Sori said softly. "I miss Fish-Man Island."
In the past, when they were in Doflamingo's hands, simply staying alive had been their only hope. But after two months here, the idea of going home no longer seemed like an impossible dream. If Claudius knew about their secret hopes, he might even find it amusing. Could they really be mistaking him for a kindhearted man?
At that moment, Claudius threw a punch and sent one of the gladiator-like slaves flying. His expression darkened.
"I told you, you don't need to hold back," Claudius said, frowning. "You're not going to get in trouble if you hurt me, so why are you still being so cautious? Do you think I'm just playing games here, pretending to fight?"
The slaves, trembling in fear, knelt down in the courtyard. Their bodies were drenched in cold sweat, too terrified to respond.
Watching this, Claudius felt a wave of disgust.
These slaves had been broken stripped of their courage and hope. Especially the ones with some fighting ability, they'd been rigorously trained for Celestial Dragons, conditioned never to resist or show aggression. They'd been taught to fear causing any harm, lest they pay with their lives and bring ruin upon their fellow slaves.
Even though Claudius had promised rewards, even their freedom, if they could defeat him, none of them dared to truly fight. They treated it like a game, performing flashy moves before deliberately leaving themselves open to be easily defeated.
On the one hand, they didn't trust Claudius. He was still a Celestial Dragon, after all. They couldn't believe that beating him in a fight would lead to freedom. More likely, it would end in their deaths. On the other hand, they thought that playing along, making their master happy, might earn them a slightly easier life.
Claudius, seeing them act like mindless drones, felt even more bored and frustrated. He waved to his steward, Nia, and said, "Take them to the arena. I don't want to see these pathetic creatures anymore."
Nia nodded quickly. After a few orders, the guards came and escorted the group of trembling slaves out of the courtyard.
Nia then approached with a cup of tea, offering it to Claudius. "Your Highness, why waste your energy on these slaves? You've already given them a chance, but they're too broken to make use of it. They deserve to be slaves."
Claudius took the tea, sipping it to moisten his throat. He shook his head. "Pitiful people are always so detestable. It's not that they're weak that bothers me; it's that they're so useless that they have no value at all. No matter how many times I fight them, I can't gauge my own strength."
Claudius had been training for about six months, making significant progress. But there was no one around who could provide him with a real challenge. Originally, he thought sparring with the slaves might help, and he'd even considered freeing them if they impressed him. But the whole thing had been a massive disappointment.
He'd once thought about sneaking into the arena in disguise to fight, but when he mentioned this idea to Nia, she was so shocked that she immediately summoned the arena's owner. The poor man had nearly fainted from fear.
The mere thought of Claudius, a Celestial Dragon, getting injured in his arena terrified the man. If Claudius were hurt, his entire family would likely face execution. And if the other Celestial Dragons found out that Claudius had been fighting slaves, the consequences would be even worse.
Claudius didn't want to cause unnecessary deaths over something like this, so he ultimately abandoned the idea.
Handing the empty teacup back to Nia, Claudius rubbed his chin in thought. "If there's no other option… maybe I should visit the Naval Headquarters."
"Naval Headquarters?" Nia repeated, surprised.
"Yeah... why didn't I think of that earlier? I could go in disguise and ask Zephyr to set me up with some promising Marine recruits. It's such a simple solution," Claudius said, his eyes lighting up at the idea.
While Nia found the notion a bit far-fetched, her duty was to serve. If His Highness had made up his mind, all she had to do was carry out his wishes.
"Very well, Your Highness. I'll fetch the phone transponder so you can contact Admiral Zephyr," Nia replied.
Meanwhile, at Naval Headquarters in Marineford, Fleet Admiral Kong was reviewing some documents in his office. A few months ago, a fierce conflict had erupted in the New World between the pirate fleets of Ochoku and Golden Lion Shiki. The battle had been chaotic, but it now seemed like Shiki's forces were gaining the upper hand, while Ochoku's power had nearly been wiped out.
"Maybe in a month or two, we'll see a winner between them," Kong mused, glancing over the reports.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Admiral Zephyr walked in, wearing an odd expression.
"What's going on, Zephyr? You look… unusual," Kong remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"Something strange has happened. A Celestial Dragon from Mariejois is coming to visit us here at Marineford," Zephyr said, still sounding puzzled.
Kong blinked, searching through his papers. "What? I didn't receive any notice about that."
While it wasn't unheard of for Celestial Dragons to visit Naval Headquarters, it was a rare occurrence, often happening only once in a decade. And when it did, it was usually with a lot of pomp and ceremony, something the Fleet Admiral would definitely be aware of.
Zephyr chuckled. "No, this isn't an official visit. He contacted me privately."
"Privately? You have a direct line to a Celestial Dragon?" Kong asked, surprised.
But then he paused, a thought crossing his mind. "Wait… is it that Claudius from the Donquixote family?"
Zephyr nodded. "Yes, that's him. He called me out of nowhere, saying he wanted to visit, but asked that we not go overboard with preparations. He even said he'd be coming incognito and didn't want anyone to know he was a Celestial Dragon."
Kong let out a slow breath, shaking his head in disbelief. "A private visit, disguised? This Claudius really is unlike any other Celestial Dragon I've ever heard of."
Zephyr scratched his head. "I know, right? He said he wants me to arrange for some Marine recruits to spar with him. Apparently, he wants to test his skills."
Kong stared at him, speechless. "A Celestial Dragon wants to come here, to Naval Headquarters, just to fight? What happens if he gets hurt? We'll be the ones in trouble!"
"This is definitely unexpected," Kong finally said, still trying to wrap his mind around it.
After thinking for a moment, he sighed. "Alright, pick a couple of recruits who can put on a good show, but make sure they don't embarrass the Celestial Dragons. If we make them look bad, it'll cause us all sorts of problems."
Zephyr smiled and shook his head. "I don't think that's the best approach, sir. You don't know Claudius like I do. He's not like the others. I think he genuinely wants to test his abilities. If we handle this seriously, it could be beneficial."
Kong gave Zephyr a strange look. "Why do you say that?"
Zephyr didn't hold back. He nodded and said, "Well, for one, he's sort of like a disciple of mine. I've been working with him on some combat techniques, and I'd like to see for myself how far he's come in the last six months."
Kong sat in silence for a moment, then finally nodded. "You've always had a good eye for people, Zephyr. I'll trust your judgment on this one. But if anything goes wrong, don't expect me to go to Mariejois to clean up the mess."
Zephyr chuckled. "Don't worry. Leave it to me."
Chapter 17: Stussy?
In the waters near Naval Headquarters at Marineford, a large ship flying the World Government flag sailed slowly toward the port, the towering structures of Marineford visible in the distance.
On the deck, Claudius stood, staring at the massive fortress of justice looming ahead, a sense of awe creeping into his expression.
"I've seen Marineford in my previous life, but witnessing this grand structure in reality is something else entirely," Claudius murmured. "Just looking at it from here, you can practically feel the weight of justice in the air."
As soon as he finished speaking Nia gently draped a luxurious mink coat over his shoulders.
"Your Highness, the air here is quite cold. Be careful not to catch a chill," Nia said softly, her tone full of concern.
Claudius chuckled. "With my current physical condition, I don't think a little sea breeze will knock me down. Otherwise, wouldn't it be embarrassing to show up at Naval Headquarters like this?"
"Your efforts haven't gone unnoticed, Your Highness. I believe you'll come out on top this time," Nia replied with a smile.
"My skills are barely passable," Claudius said with a laugh. "At best, I'm just above average."
At that moment, a strikingly beautiful woman with a well-proportioned figure and wearing an elegant, tailored suit approached them from behind. She bowed her head respectfully before speaking.
"Saint Claudius, we're about ten minutes away from Marineford," she said in a soft, measured tone.
Claudius turned to look at her and nodded. "Thank you, Stussy, for the escort."
"It's an honor for CP-0 to be of service, Your Highness. Thank you for remembering my name," Stussy replied, her head still lowered in deference.
Indeed, Claudius wasn't visiting Naval Headquarters this time to flaunt his status as a Celestial Dragon. Quite the opposite he intended to keep his identity hidden. There was no need to burden the Marines he would spar with by making them feel any unnecessary pressure. Only by doing so could he get an accurate measure of his own strength.
However, Claudius couldn't just waltz into Naval Headquarters without a reason. After all, it wasn't a place one could casually visit like a public square. He needed a legitimate pretext, so he used his authority over the CP organization. The Cipher Pol, particularly CP-0, served as the shield of the Celestial Dragons, the most elite and mysterious arm of the government. Though Claudius wasn't one of the more prominent Celestial Dragons, he was still a genuine member of that privileged class, which gave him certain command over CP-0.
And so, Claudius had called upon CP-0 to arrange his transportation to Marineford, flying under their banner to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. His excuse for visiting was under the guise of "internal training and communication," making him, for the moment, a member of CP-0.
Coincidentally, the one sent to escort him was none other than Stussy, the future Queen of the Pleasure District, the mastermind behind the intelligence network known as Happy Street in the New World.
In Claudius' eyes, Stussy was a remarkable figure not because of her strength, but because of her uncanny ability to maintain her appearance. Despite being around the same age as Charlotte Linlin, Stussy looked like a woman in her early thirties, maybe even younger. She carried herself with the grace of someone much younger, and even two or three decades from now, she would still appear as youthful and radiant as she did today. It was as though time had no hold on her.
Claudius found himself intrigued by Stussy, not only because she was an attractive and capable woman but also because of her unique talents. In the back of his mind, he was already thinking about ways to recruit her into his circle someday.
After all, it wouldn't be too difficult. CP-0, despite its prestige, ultimately served the Celestial Dragons. Even if Stussy held a high-ranking position in CP-0, Claudius had the authority to pull her out of her role and assign her as his personal guard or assistant.
The only challenge would be shifting Stussy's loyalty. As someone born and raised within CP-0, her devotion was undoubtedly to the Celestial Dragons as a whole. Claudius would need to gradually cultivate her loyalty to him personally, much like he had with Nia. When Nia first arrived, she had been a standard butler, strictly loyal to the system she served. But now, her loyalty was solely to Claudius, and she was the one person he could fully trust.
Claudius gazed at Stussy silently, these thoughts running through his mind.
Stussy, feeling the weight of his stare but unsure of his thoughts, remained still, growing slightly nervous. It wasn't wise to make a Celestial Dragon uncomfortable.
After a long pause, Claudius finally made up his mind. There was no need to rush. He would establish a connection with Stussy first and let things develop over time. For now, he didn't have the power or resources to fully bring her into his fold. It was better to let her continue growing within CP-0, accumulating experience and strength.
With this thought in mind, Claudius smiled. "I have a good memory when it comes to beautiful women, so of course, I'd remember your name."
Stussy raised her head slightly at his teasing remark, a professional smile still on her lips. "Thank you for your kind words, Saint Claudius."
"Once we arrive at Marineford, remember not to reveal my true identity to anyone. Just treat me like your subordinate during our time here," Claudius instructed, his tone becoming more serious.
"Of course, Your Highness. I'll make sure of it," Stussy replied immediately.
Despite Claudius' interest in her, Stussy herself was also quite intrigued by him. She was an ambitious woman, after all. In her career within CP-0, she had dealt with many Celestial Dragons, and Claudius was nothing like the others.
From what she knew, he had once been a typical "brainless Celestial Dragon," causing trouble and indulging in excess. About a year ago, he had been tricked into eating a Devil Fruit and had almost lost his life during an incident in the New World. But after his return to Mariejois, he seemed to have transformed completely.
First, there was his appearance. Gone was the fat, sluggish figure, replaced by a strikingly handsome young man. His demeanor had changed, too. Claudius no longer had the arrogant air of the other Celestial Dragons. He carried himself with a sense of purpose, and his physical fitness was surprisingly good for someone of his status. It was clear that he had undergone rigorous training under the guidance of someone strong.
Moreover, the way he interacted with people was different. He didn't look down on those around him. Even his relationship with his butler, Nia, was notable. Nia didn't seem like a mere servant. There was a bond of trust and mutual respect between them, something Stussy had never seen with other Celestial Dragons.
But what fascinated Stussy the most was the reason for this visit. Claudius wasn't coming to Marineford to flaunt his status or conduct an inspection. He was coming to spar with the Marines, to test his own abilities.
In her more than ten years with CP-0, Stussy had never seen a Celestial Dragon voluntarily visit Naval Headquarters to train. It was almost unbelievable.
As their ship docked at Marineford's military port, Claudius disembarked, walking down the gangplank calmly.
Zephyr, who had already been informed of Claudius's arrival, stood waiting for him at the port. There was no formal reception, just a quiet meeting as Claudius had requested.
As soon as Zephyr saw Claudius, his eyes lit up with surprise. As a Marine Admiral, Zephyr had a sharp eye for detail, and the changes in Claudius were obvious. It wasn't just that Claudius had slimmed down or gained muscle; it was the way he carried himself his solid stance, his confidence, the subtle signs of rigorous training.
In just six months, Claudius had undergone a dramatic transformation. Zephyr, an experienced instructor, could immediately tell that Claudius had been working hard. His progress wasn't something an ordinary person could achieve in such a short time.
"It's a pity," Zephyr thought to himself. "If he weren't a Celestial Dragon, with this level of talent and his Devil Fruit powers, Claudius could have become an Admiral candidate alongside Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino."
Pushing the thought aside, Zephyr stepped forward to greet him. Just as he was about to bow, Claudius interrupted with a grin.
"Zephyr! It's been a while! I've missed you, old man," Claudius said cheerfully. "No need for all the formalities. Didn't I tell you before? When I'm here, treat me like anyone else. I'm not here as a Celestial Dragon, so keep that under wraps, alright?"
The warmth in Claudius's tone caught Zephyr off guard but pleased him. Smiling, the Admiral replied, "Looking at you now, Your Highness, I'm proud of the progress you've made."
Chapter 18: The Future Vice Admiral
Claudius and Zephyr chatted casually as they made their way deeper into Naval Headquarters. There wasn't a grand welcoming committee or any big names showing up to greet them, given that Claudius wanted to keep his identity under wraps. After all, if a Celestial Dragon suddenly appeared for "internal discussions" with the CP agency, it would be odd not to have the admirals or even the higher-ups like Sengoku and Kong in attendance. That would raise too many questions.
Though they didn't show up, the likes of Sengoku and Kong were certainly aware of the situation. They knew a Celestial Dragon had arrived at Marineford, likely here to test his strength against their Marines.
Claudius followed Stussy closely, keeping a low profile and playing his role as a subordinate to CP-0. He didn't draw much attention this way, which was just how he wanted it.
Laughing and chatting along the way, the group arrived at the officer training camp. This camp had only been in operation for a few years and wasn't yet fully developed. Before Zephyr officially retired and took over as the primary instructor, the training structure hadn't solidified. For now, different high-ranking officers would drop by to teach whenever they were free. Even the legendary Garp would show up occasionally to train the new recruits.
Today, it was Rear Admiral Kuzan's turn to instruct. He stood on the training field, watching over a group of Marine recruits as they practiced military combat techniques in unison. The sound of synchronized movements echoed across the field.
As Zephyr and his group approached, Kuzan turned his head and immediately recognized Claudius. His eyes lit up in recognition, but Zephyr quickly gave him a subtle look, signaling to keep quiet. Kuzan understood instantly and pretended not to know anything.
With a casual smile, Kuzan called out, "Mr. Zephyr, who do we have here?"
Zephyr grinned and replied, "The CP agency has come to engage in some internal discussions with us. This here is Crowe, a promising talent from CP-0. Why don't you find a few good men to spar with him and see if our Marines can hold their own against the CP agency?"
Kuzan wasn't slow to catch on. He immediately realized what was going on. Saint Claudius wanted to spar with the Marines under the guise of a CP-0 member.
"Sure thing," Kuzan replied smoothly. He glanced over the recruits on the field before raising his hand and calling out, "Momonga, come here!"
Claudius's ears perked up at the name. Momonga? He recognized the name immediately. In the future, this man would become a Vice Admiral in the Navy. While not particularly exceptional among the top ranks, he was solid definitely no slouch.
At this point in time, Momonga was still young, probably not even twenty yet. His body was lean but muscular, the kind of build that marked him as a highly capable fighter. It was no wonder Naval Headquarters had high hopes for him, especially given that he had Zephyr's backing as one of his protégés.
Momonga quickly jogged over to Kuzan, offering a crisp salute. "Sir!"
Kuzan smiled approvingly. "Today we've got some CP-0 members here to spar with our Marines. I want you to step up and show them what we've got. Don't embarrass us."
Momonga looked a bit surprised but quickly composed himself. He nodded firmly. "Understood, sir. Everything for the sake of justice!"
Zephyr chuckled from the side. "Of course, this is just a friendly exchange. Don't go too hard we don't want anyone getting hurt."
Although Claudius had insisted there shouldn't be any restrictions, Zephyr couldn't help but feel cautious. After all, this was no ordinary sparring match. If something went wrong and Claudius got seriously injured well, even as an Admiral, Zephyr wouldn't be able to escape the consequences.
There was no delay in starting. The training ground was cleared, and soon, Claudius and Momonga were standing face to face.
Claudius was pleased with the matchup. Momonga seemed like a solid first opponent someone who could help him gauge the limits of his current strength.
Momonga, on the other hand, was a bit skeptical. Claudius looked very young, barely older than fifteen or sixteen by his estimation. Is this really a serious opponent? he wondered.
The reality was that Claudius had developed rapidly over the past few months, thanks to his disciplined regimen of good food, exercise, and training. But in truth, Claudius was only just about to turn eleven.
"Naval Headquarters, Momonga," the young Marine greeted, introducing himself with a salute.
Claudius nodded in response. "CP-0, Crowe. Let's have a good match."
With the formalities out of the way, the atmosphere between them grew tense. Momonga wasn't one to hesitate. As soon as Kuzan gave the signal, he shot forward with a burst of speed, aiming to take the initiative. In an instant, he closed the distance between them and delivered a sharp kick toward Claudius's chest.
Claudius didn't back down. He didn't use his Devil Fruit abilities to dodge, instead opting to meet the kick head-on with one of his own. Their legs collided with a loud thud, and both men were forced back a step.
Momonga blinked in surprise. He hadn't held back, yet this seemingly younger fighter had managed to match him blow for blow. "This kid's no joke," he thought.
Claudius, too, was impressed. The force of Momonga's kick had sent a jolt of pain through his leg. It was clear that, in terms of raw physical strength, Momonga had the upper hand. But not by much, Claudius noted. Given that Momonga had been training with the Marines for two years while Claudius had only been at it for half a year, the gap in their abilities didn't seem that large.
I can keep up, Claudius thought confidently.
Their thoughts only lasted a split second. The moment both fighters regained their footing, Momonga launched another attack. This time, he disappeared from Claudius's sight in an instant.
Shave! Claudius recognized the move immediately. Sure enough, Momonga appeared behind him in the next moment, his clawed hand reaching for Claudius's shoulder to pin him down.
But Claudius was ready. He, too, had mastered the basics of the Marine Six Styles. With a burst of speed, Claudius vanished from Momonga's grasp, appearing a short distance away.
Momonga smiled to himself. "You've got the Six Styles too, huh?"
He wasn't surprised, though. Despite being known as "Marine Six Styles," the techniques were also taught within the CP organization. Marines and CP agents often exchanged skills and techniques in training.
What Momonga didn't know was that Claudius hadn't learned his Six Styles from the CP agency but from Zephyr himself. To Zephyr, the Six Styles were more than just combat techniques they were a powerful foundation for physical mastery. Through rigorous training, one could develop superhuman strength and speed, laying the groundwork for mastering Haki and even forging one's unique combat path. Zephyr himself, as well as Garp, had followed that path.
So when Claudius asked for something to help him in his training, Zephyr had been more than willing to teach him the Six Styles, along with all the insights he had gained over the years. And judging by Claudius's current performance, he hadn't squandered that opportunity.
Claudius dodged Momonga's next attack with a sidestep, but he wasn't done yet. "Finger Pistol!" he called out, throwing a sharp kick instead of a punch. While it was called "Finger Pistol," Claudius had adapted the move, channeling the force through his heel.
Momonga reacted quickly, taking a defensive stance. "Iron Body!" he declared, hardening his muscles like steel.
A metallic clang echoed through the training ground as Claudius's kick struck Flying Squirrel's chest. Though the blow was powerful, Momonga held firm, barely moving an inch.
His Iron Body is strong, Claudius thought, pulling back.
Momonga, now taking the fight seriously, reached for his sword. Drawing his blade in one swift motion, he shouted, "One Sword Style: Flying Squirrel Slash!" With a quick slash, he sent a powerful arc of energy toward Claudius, a combination of his swordsmanship and the Tempest Kick technique.
Claudius's eyes widened. A flying slash? Though it wasn't a true swordsman's slash, it was still impressive for someone so young. The energy was coming fast, and Claudius didn't have time to dodge.
Realizing this, Claudius decided to stop holding back. A thin, mist-like vapor appeared around his body, and the slash passed right through him without causing any harm. Momonga, now charging toward Claudius to finish him off, gasped in shock.
"Logia?" he muttered under his breath, realizing the kind of opponent he was dealing with.
Logia Devil Fruits were rare and incredibly powerful, often considered the strongest of the three Devil Fruit types. While he had some skill with Haki, it wasn't enough to deal with a Logia user of Claudius's caliber.
With no time to adjust his attack, Momonga barreled straight into Claudius, who stood his ground. Without missing a beat, Claudius raised his hand and grabbed him by the neck. Just as the Momonga was about to summon his Haki to fight back, he suddenly found himself gasping for air.
It wasn't the chokehold cutting off his breath, but something far more terrifying. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't inhale. His lungs screamed for oxygen, but the air around him had become unbreathable.
"Death Choke," Claudius murmured softly, his grip steady.
Unbeknownst to Momonga, Claudius had released his Devil Fruit ability, saturating the air around the him with nitrogen. With no oxygen left to breathe, Momonga's body began to falter, his strength rapidly draining as his face turned red.
Just as it seemed like the end was near, Claudius let go, withdrawing his ability and taking a step back. The suffocating atmosphere vanished, and Momonga collapsed to the ground, panting heavily as he tried to catch his breath.
Claudius smiled. "Though it might seem unfair…"
Before Claudius could finish his sentence, Momonga raised a hand, still gasping for air but managing to speak. "No… it's fine. I lost fair and square. I didn't anticipate you'd be a Logia user. In a real battle, I'd already be dead. No need to give me an easy out."
Chapter 19: The King Engine Ignites!
Momonga was straightforward and honest in his defeat. His words left a good impression on Claudius, who nodded and said, "Alright, then I'll gladly accept the victory."
At the same time, Zephyr smiled and added, "Yes, in battle, no one would question the validity of such a win. It's just that Momonga was too careless, and that's what led to his loss."
Momonga nodded regretfully and stepped back. However, Claudius wasn't quite satisfied yet. He stood in the arena, giving a meaningful look to Zephyr.
Zephyr, understanding the unspoken message, glanced over at the other Marine officers gathered nearby. Spotting the figure he had in mind, he called out, "Commodore Gion, come over and spar with this CP-0 agent, Crowe."
Claudius followed Zephyr's gaze and saw a strikingly beautiful woman with long, graceful legs stepping out from the group of Marines. She had a strong presence that instantly drew attention.
"Yes, Teacher Zephyr," Gion responded, bowing her head respectfully before walking toward the center of the training ground.
If Momonga was a rising star in the Marine ranks, then Gion was on a whole other level. Claudius knew very well that Gion wasn't just any Marine. In the future, she would become a Vice Admiral, but not just any Vice Admiral she would be one of the elite, an Admiral candidate with the codename "Momousagi" (Pink Rabbit).
An Admiral candidate wasn't an ordinary Vice Admiral. It meant she was someone on par with the likes of Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino, Marine's strongest combatants. The only thing keeping her from the full rank of Admiral was a lack of vacancy in the position.
Claudius knew that after the battle between Kuzan and Sakazuki, where Sakazuki became Fleet Admiral and Kuzan left the Marines, Gion could have stepped up to take one of the vacant Admiral positions. But she did not make the cut, as Issho and Aramaki attained the positions instead.
Regardless, this didn't take away from Gion's strength. Even now, she had the potential to stand among the strongest, and Claudius was both satisfied and excited to face such an opponent. He knew that against her, he'd have to give it his all.
Gion moved quickly, closing the distance between them with long, confident strides. When she stood before him, she introduced herself, "Naval Headquarters, Gion."
Claudius nodded and responded, "CP-0, Crowe."
With their brief introductions over, Kuzan signaled for the match to begin. As soon as he did, Gion placed her hand on the hilt of her sword, a rare and famous blade named "Jinbira," which would become her lifelong companion.
With just that motion, a fierce sword aura burst from her, and in the blink of an eye, her hand was cloaked in a pitch-black Armament Haki that flowed smoothly to her sword's hilt.
Claudius observed this and quickly made a judgment. Compared to Momonga, who had only a basic grasp of Armament Haki, Gion was far more skilled. She wasn't a beginner; she was proficient. This meant his Logia powers, which allowed him to turn into an element, wouldn't be as effective. Gion could use her Haki to strike his physical form even if he tried to go intangible.
The air around them grew tense. After a brief moment of silence, Gion made her move. The blade of Jinbira flashed from its sheath, and before the sword was fully drawn, a sharp slash cut through the air, heading straight for Claudius.
This was no mere sword swipe. Unlike Momonga's earlier "pseudo-slash," this was a true Swordsman's Slash—deadly and precise.
Claudius didn't dare attempt to evade by going intangible. If he misjudged and Gion caught him off guard like Flying Squirrel had, he wouldn't stand a chance. Instead, he moved swiftly, drawing his short sword, Shinsō, and raising it to block.
With a metallic clang, Gion's slash struck Shinsō. The blade held firm, but the sheer force behind the slash pushed Claudius back two steps.
Gion smiled slightly, seeing her advantage. She surged forward with incredible speed, whispering, "Rabbit Jump!" Her movement technique propelled her forward like a swift hare, increasing her speed to a level Claudius hadn't expected.
Before he could fully recover from the block, Gion was already in front of him. To his surprise, she didn't strike with her sword. Instead, she coated her leg in Armament Haki and delivered a powerful kick to his chest.
"Tempest Kick!" Gion shouted as her kick connected.
Claudius felt the impact explode against his chest. The force lifted him off his feet and sent him flying backward, rolling across the ground several times before coming to a stop.
From the sidelines, Nia, Claudius's butler, gasped in shock, instinctively wanting to rush forward. However, Stussy placed a hand on her arm, holding her back.
"Your Highness doesn't want his battle interrupted," Stussy said calmly. "Remember, this trip isn't about showing off his status. He came here to temper himself."
Nia hesitated but eventually nodded, calming herself down.
Meanwhile, back on the battlefield, Claudius scrambled to his feet, managing to dodge another of Gion's attacks with a hasty roll that lacked any semblance of grace. Yet, for all its inelegance, it worked.
Though the move looked clumsy, the "lazy donkey roll," as it was often called, had saved countless warriors from death over the ages. Sometimes, practicality outweighed style.
The brief respite gave Claudius a moment to breathe, but not for long. No sooner had he gotten to his feet than Gion was upon him again, her sword raised high, ready to bring it down with a force that could split him in half.
Claudius steadied himself, bracing for the impact. His Devil Fruit powers surged, and with a low growl, he raised his hands. As Gion brought Jinbira down, her blade stopped short, as if blocked by an invisible force.
Gion's eyes widened in surprise. "What is this?" she muttered.
Claudius grinned. "An invisible air shield."
Before Gion could process what had happened, Claudius released a pulse of compressed nitrogen from around his body, forcing her to leap back, her brow furrowed in caution.
"So, this is the same technique you used to subdue Momonga?" Gion asked, still watching him intently.
"More or less," Claudius replied cryptically.
The air around him shifted again, his body now radiating a different kind of pressure. He had started to compress nitrogen within his body, preparing to use it for enhanced speed and attack power. However, despite the temptation, Claudius refrained from using liquid nitrogen, a far deadlier variant of his abilities. The risk of causing irreversible damage to Gion was too high, and he didn't want to seriously injure her.
As his aura intensified, Gion hesitated. Her instincts told her that Claudius was preparing something dangerous. She raised her guard, carefully observing his movements.
Suddenly, the sound of Claudius's heartbeat filled the air, loud and rhythmic, like a powerful drum beating steadily. It was so intense that it could be heard from several meters away.
"Thump, thump, thump!"
Gion's eyes widened in astonishment. "What... what is that?"
Claudius stretched his neck, cracking it on both sides, and smirked. "It seems you're an opponent worth taking seriously."
His heartbeat, now akin to the legendary King Engine, created an oppressive atmosphere that seemed to magnify his presence. Combined with his words, it gave the impression that he hadn't even been trying up until now, completely fooling Gion.
In the next instant, white smoke exploded from Claudius's feet, propelling him forward at an incredible speed. He lunged straight toward Gion, his movements nearly a blur.
Chapter 20: Shoot Her, Shinsō!
"He's fast!" Gion thought, eyes widening in surprise as she watched Claudius' movements. His speed had more than doubled from earlier, catching her off guard. At that moment, Gion was fully convinced that Claudius had finally gotten serious.
In the blink of an eye, Claudius closed the distance between them, throwing a powerful straight punch aimed at Gion's chest. Reacting quickly, Gion stepped back to avoid the hit, thinking she'd successfully evaded the attack. But just as she prepared to counter, a sharp pain shot through her chest. Despite missing her by a hair, the punch carried an invisible force that struck her hard, sending her flying backward.
As Gion was knocked back, realization dawned on her. "So this is the power of his Logia Devil Fruit," she thought, gritting her teeth. Claudius's ability was invisible, colorless, and intangible, making it a serious threat to anyone without strong Observation Haki.
Claudius hadn't even touched her directly, but his ability to manipulate nitrogen gas had extended the range of his attacks, allowing him to hit from a distance without making physical contact. He showed no mercy, and another burst of white smoke erupted from his feet as he shot forward again, closing the gap almost instantly.
Gion found herself on the defensive, struggling to keep up as Claudius launched a series of relentless attacks, using his invisible nitrogen manipulation to disrupt her every move. The pressure he applied was intense, and her momentum from earlier had been completely crushed. Each strike forced her to react quickly, but the unseen nature of his attacks made it nearly impossible to regain control.
As she continued to evade, Gion realized something else. The air around her was getting thinner. She could feel the suffocating pressure building up Claudius was manipulating the air, depriving her of oxygen. If this kept up, she'd be in serious trouble.
"He's using every advantage he can in close combat..." Gion thought, gritting her teeth. The fight had become more challenging than she expected. His powers were more dangerous than she'd anticipated, and his fighting instincts were sharper than she gave him credit for.
Determined not to lose, Gion steeled herself. Armament Haki surged across her body, and she took one of Claudius's punches head-on, using the impact to push herself backward and create some distance between them. She landed smoothly, her breathing steady, but her gaze had sharpened.
"It seems you're worthy of my full effort!" Gion said seriously, her voice carrying a weight of determination.
Claudius blinked in surprise. "Wait, I was just pretending to be serious. Now you're saying you're about to get serious?" he thought, feeling a bit uneasy. He knew Gion would become an Admiral candidate in the future, so he couldn't underestimate her now.
Claudius remained cautious, watching as Gion took a deep breath. "Rabbit!" she whispered.
Suddenly, the air around Gion shifted. Her aura intensified, and Claudius could feel her strength surge to new heights more than double what it was before. But what caught him off guard was her sudden transformation. From her head sprouted long rabbit ears, and a fluffy white tail appeared at her back. Her eyes turned a soft peach color, and strange markings adorned her forehead.
Claudius blinked in disbelief. "A... bunny girl?" he muttered, his voice laced with amusement.
Gion's face turned a bright shade of red. She hated using her Zoan-type Devil Fruit, the Mythical Zoan, Rabbit Rabbit Fruit, for exactly this reason. The rabbit ears and tail made her feel self-conscious, and despite her immense power, she rarely used this form unless absolutely necessary. (T/N: I'm not aware of Gion having a devil fruit, but I guess this is one of the author's tweaks. Also, keep in mind this fic was written back in 2020, so you might come across some things that weren't known at that time.)
But seeing Claudius's amused expression only fueled her embarrassment and determination. Without a word, she stomped her feet, launching herself toward Claudius with incredible speed.
Her movement was so fast that Claudius could barely register it. "She's ridiculously fast!" he thought, struggling to react in time.
"Tempest Kick!" Gion called out, her voice sharp.
Before Claudius could defend himself, her foot slammed into his chest. This time, the force was much stronger, and the impact was immediate. Claudius felt a sharp pain radiate through his chest, and blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. His body flew backward, crashing into the wall of the training ground, shattering it on impact.
"Ahh, Gion's angry," Kuzan remarked casually, watching the scene unfold with a grin.
Zephyr, standing nearby, shook his head in mild exasperation but reassured Nia, who looked ready to panic. "Don't worry. Gion isn't cruel. She might be angry, but she knows how to control herself. Of course... Crowe might be in for some pain. He might not be getting out of bed for a few days," Zephyr added with a chuckle.
Claudius groaned as he lay in the rubble, his whole body aching from the blow. "Damn... all I did was call her a bunny girl. Was that really necessary?" he muttered to himself, wincing from the pain.
Despite the pain, Claudius wasn't ready to give up. Struggling to his feet, he pushed the debris away and spotted Gion leaping into the air, preparing to land another devastating attack.
"What is this? Is she going to drop out of the sky and crush me?" Claudius quipped, unable to resist a sarcastic comment even in the face of danger.
His body reacted instinctively, white smoke trailing from his feet as he rolled out of the way just in time. The spot where he had been lying moments before exploded as Gion landed, her fist crashing down with enough force to create a massive crater.
Claudius watched the scene with wide eyes. "She would've turned me into a pancake if that hit me..." he thought, shivering at the thought.
Gion straightened up, pulling her fist from the ground, her eyes still full of fury. Claudius swallowed nervously. "I thought carnivorous Zoan fruits were supposed to be the violent ones. How is a rabbit this terrifying?"
Taking a deep breath, Gion calmed herself, addressing Claudius with a stern tone. "Since you're an opponent worthy of my full strength, I'll tell you. I'm not just a regular rabbit Zoan. This is a Mythical Zoan," she said, her voice steady.
Before Claudius could respond, Gion's figure blurred again as she launched forward with another punch. Claudius barely had time to react, turning his body to gas as the punch passed through him, avoiding damage.
However, elementalizing his body couldn't save him for long. As soon as Claudius returned to his physical form, Gion was right behind him. Her rabbit paw, now transformed into a furry hand, landed squarely on his shoulder.
"I've got you now," Gion whispered, a triumphant smile on her lips.
Claudius was shocked. He could feel the pressure of her Armament Haki locking onto his physical form. There was no escaping this time.
In a flash of desperation, Claudius drew his short sword, Shinsō, intending to strike back, but Gion was one step ahead. She grabbed his wrist, forcing the blade away, and pinned him in place.
"Any last moves? If not, this battle is mine," Gion said confidently, tightening her grip.
Claudius grinned, despite the pain. "Are you sure about that?"
"Hmph, go ahead and try. I'm not afraid," Gion replied, though she remained on high alert.
"Well, I wasn't planning on using this move, but you've hurt my pride a little. So..." Claudius whispered, his tone soft yet ominous.
Gion's grip tightened even more, ready for whatever Claudius had up his sleeve. She wasn't going to let him escape.
"Shoot her... Shinsō!" Claudius murmured, his voice barely audible.
In the next instant, a flash of blood-red light filled the space between them. Gion's eyes widened in disbelief as she felt a cold, sharp pain in her abdomen. Shinsō had extended, piercing both Claudius and Gion simultaneously.
She hadn't anticipated such a reckless move. Shinsō, with its unique ability, had struck both of them, and Claudius had used the blade's lengthening power to surprise her.
Claudius, now free of her grip, took advantage of the moment. He twisted around, grabbing Gion's wrist and locking her in place. With his other hand, he pressed Shinsō's edge lightly against her neck, the blade still dripping with blood.
He leaned in, his voice low and slightly strained. "Looks like you forced me to use this. Now… you've lost."
Gion stood frozen, shocked by the sudden turn of events. She hadn't expected Claudius to have such a trick up his sleeve.