Chapter 26: I'm a Celestial Dragon Too!
Claudius wasn't the only one who recognized Rayleigh. If the legendary swordsman hadn't spoken up, sitting quietly in the last row, it was likely no one would have noticed him at all. But as soon as Rayleigh placed his bid against a Celestial Dragon, he attracted the attention of everyone present.
Rayleigh wasn't just some random nobody; he was the vice-captain of the Roger Pirates.
Years ago, his name might not have been as widely known, but after the Battle of the Valley of the Gods, the Roger Pirates though defeated by the World Government had become a major force, gaining a spot on the government's blacklist.
In recent years, the Roger Pirates had been constantly pursued by Marine Hero Garp and had clashed frequently with other powerful pirate crews, such as Whitebeard and Golden Lion. Their infamy had grown, and Rayleigh, once just a skilled swordsman, was now widely known as "Silver Rayleigh."
At this point in time, he hadn't yet earned the epithet "Dark King", but his reputation as a formidable pirate was well established. His bounty was set at 1.2 billion Berries, a testament to his notoriety.
To put things in perspective, the bounties of prominent figures like Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and the future Emperors like Big Mom and Kaido hadn't yet skyrocketed to the four-billion mark. Whitebeard's bounty, for instance, was around 2 billion Berries, bolstered by his participation in the Battle of the Valley of the Gods. The others, like Kaido, were hovering around the one-billion range. So Rayleigh's bounty, during this period, was considered extremely high full of prestige.
"Isn't that the deputy captain of the Roger Pirates?"
"It's Silver Rayleigh!"
"No wonder he dared to bid against a Celestial Dragon!"
"Should we inform the Marines? Marineford isn't far from here…"
While Claudius was still processing his surprise, he noticed more details about the group surrounding Rayleigh.
Sitting next to Rayleigh was a man with an unremarkable appearance but an overwhelmingly commanding presence. Just from the way he sat there, one could feel the aura of authority and dominance radiating off him.
He was casually holding a half-empty bottle of cheap booze, dressed in a standard pirate captain's coat and hat, looking a bit drunk. Despite his rough appearance, the intensity in his gaze and the weight of his presence were unmistakable.
There was no doubt about it—this man was none other than Gol D. Roger, the future Pirate King who would one day trigger the Great Pirate Era!
"Didn't they say to keep a low profile and avoid causing trouble? We're almost done coating the ship. We're too close to Marineford. I really don't want to run into that troublesome guy, Garp," Roger muttered helplessly, clearly frustrated by Rayleigh's antics.
Rayleigh, however, wasn't the least bit concerned by Roger's complaints. He merely laughed and replied, "But that blade is truly a masterpiece. You know how I make a living, right? How could I pass up a blade like that?"
Roger glanced at the unassuming Western sword hanging from Rayleigh's waist and sighed. "I get it. You're always on the lookout for quality swords…"
"Exactly. I'm a swordsman after all. When I see a blade of this caliber, it's only natural I want to buy it, right?" Rayleigh responded with a grin.
Before Roger could continue arguing, a burly man with sunglasses and a ponytail interjected with a playful smirk, "Captain Roger, Rayleigh's already drawn attention. You're just wasting your breath trying to talk sense into him. We should wrap up here and leave as soon as possible. Who knows, someone might have already alerted the Marines by now."
Roger scratched his head in irritation. "Damn it, Gaban, you just love egging him on, don't you? If Garp does show up, we'll leave you behind. We'll be waiting for you at Fish-Man Island!"
"Hahahaha, I've got no problem with that. But I think Garp wouldn't bother with me he'd be more interested in chasing after you, Captain," Gaban laughed heartily.
Watching this scene, Claudius was astounded. It wasn't just Rayleigh Roger himself was here, as well as the elusive Scopper Gaban. They were practically parading around Sabaody Archipelago!
"Who would have thought that the Roger Pirates were hiding out here on Sabaody? If Garp found out, I bet he'd drag Dragon along just to raise hell in the New World…" Claudius thought, a grin forming on his lips.
While Claudius was absorbed in these thoughts, the Celestial Dragon seated in front of him seemed to take offense at the way Rayleigh and his companions ignored his status.
Fortunately, he didn't escalate the situation. Instead, he called out again, raising the bid to 600 million Berries.
Claudius couldn't help but shake his head in exasperation. The behavior of these lower-level Celestial Dragons always embarrassed him. Instead of participating in a proper auction, where financial power determined the winner, they resorted to flaunting their status and attempting to intimidate others. It was pathetic.
And considering who Rayleigh and his group were, these tactics would have no effect. They wouldn't back down just because a Celestial Dragon tried to throw his weight around. If anything, it just made the Celestial Dragon look even more foolish.
Sure enough, Rayleigh casually raised the bid by another 50 million Berries, completely unperturbed.
"Just as I thought, the Roger Pirates aren't exactly swimming in wealth," Claudius mused. The Roger Pirates, after all, were notorious for not engaging in traditional trade or business ventures. Any funds they had likely came from looting and pillaging. No way they could casually toss out hundreds of millions of Berries without blinking.
Most of their money probably came from plundering other pirates or wealthy merchant caravans. If Claudius remembered correctly, there were even rumors of the Roger Pirates toppling entire nations.
"Seven hundred million!" The Celestial Dragon in front of Claudius shouted furiously, glaring in Rayleigh's direction. "Who do you think you are, daring to compete with me, Saint Rothschild ? Do you know who I am?"
Claudius sighed inwardly. This was precisely why he hated revealing his status as a Celestial Dragon outside Mariejois it was just embarrassing.
The Rothschild family was a perfect example of this. No sense of true nobility, no understanding of propriety. They behaved like spoiled brats, trying to bully people with their status in a place where money spoke louder than titles.
And Rayleigh? He'd rather snap his sword than bend to the will of a Celestial Dragon.
Knowing he had to step in to maintain some semblance of dignity for his kind, Claudius glanced at Nia and nodded.
Understanding immediately, Nia ignored Rothschild's angry outburst and calmly raised the paddle. "800 million Berries."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Everyone had already been on the edge of their seats, watching a fierce bidding war between a Celestial Dragon and the Roger Pirates. But now, another heavyweight had jumped into the fray?
Who was this audacious bidder who dared to raise the stakes without hesitation? Who would ignore both the Celestial Dragons and the Roger Pirates and confidently place such a high bid?
The attention of the entire auction hall shifted to Claudius and his group. Even Roger and Rayleigh looked over curiously, wondering who had entered the fray.
Saint Rothschild, caught completely off guard, turned around with a furious glare. "Who the hell are you?! How dare you..."
But before he could finish, Claudius raised his hand and casually flicked his fingers. A small, invisible surge of nitrogen gas struck Rothschild squarely across the face, producing a crisp slap sound. Though it didn't cause any visible harm, it left Rothschild stunned.
Not just Rothschild—everyone in the room was left speechless.
The Roger Pirates had at least played by the rules of the auction house. But who was this man who dared strike a Celestial Dragon, and in the face no less?
"Rothschild, my dear cousin, I don't need you telling me what to do," Claudius said calmly from his seat, not even bothering to stand. His voice carried an undertone of disdain, as if Rothschild were no more than an insignificant pest.
Rothschild, finally realizing who it was that had hit him, grew even more incensed. "Claudius! You bastard! You dare strike me? Even my own father has never laid a hand on me!"
"Well, consider it a favor. I'm educating you on behalf of your father. This is an auction, not some social gathering where you can throw your weight around. Either place your bid or shut up and go home."
Claudius's words were sharp and unyielding, his tone brooking no argument.
The Donquixote family, to which Claudius belonged, was notorious even among the Celestial Dragons for their eccentric and unpredictable nature. Not long ago, a member of the Donquixote family had even descended to the "lower world" to live among commoners. If Claudius kept this up, it wouldn't be surprising for him to develop an even wilder reputation within Mariejois.
Claudius' temper was well-known among the Celestial Dragons, and slapping around fellow Celestial Dragons was nothing new for him. As long as he didn't cause any permanent injuries or deaths, no one would bother to step in. Disputes among the Celestial Dragons often played out this way petty rivalries escalating into physical altercations that were later resolved or swept under the rug.
The most critical factor here was the family background. And in this regard, the Donquixote family was far more influential than the Rothschild family. Among the nineteen Celestial Dragon families, the Donquixotes were in the top tier, while the Rothschilds languished in the bottom ranks.
Rothschild knew this well. He wasn't so foolish as to escalate a conflict he couldn't win. Trembling with rage, he jabbed his finger at Claudius several times before finally huffing in frustration. Without another word, he turned around, gathered his entourage, and stormed out of the auction house, utterly humiliated.
The other onlookers finally put two and two together. No wonder the man had dared to bid against both the Roger Pirates and another Celestial Dragon. He was one of them an even higher status Celestial Dragon.
The realization settled in, and the room's atmosphere shifted. People began murmuring amongst themselves, some with admiration and others with relief that they hadn't gotten involved.
"Who would've thought… He's a Celestial Dragon too."
"And not just any Celestial Dragon… He's got a bigger presence than Rothschild."
"Did you see that? He didn't even flinch when he slapped Rothschild! I didn't know there were such gutsy Celestial Dragons…"
Meanwhile, another Celestial Dragon who had been sitting beside Rothschild glanced uneasily at Claudius before turning to look at the exit. After a moment of hesitation, he decided to follow Rothschild out of the auction hall.
Although he didn't have much of a relationship with Claudius, he was somewhat friendly with Rothschild. Sitting next to him, competing for slaves, and coming to the auction together wasn't a coincidence. Besides, they'd already won the bid for the giant slave earlier. Staying now would just add more awkwardness to the situation.
After all, he didn't want to provoke the notorious oddballs of the Donquixote family and risk getting slapped in front of everyone. There was no honor in that.
With the two of them gone, Claudius relaxed, his mood much improved. He glanced over at the Roger Pirates, then gave Rayleigh an apologetic smile, as if to say, Sorry for the trouble caused by that idiot earlier.
This caught both Rayleigh and Roger off guard.
"Well, well… Who would've thought there'd be a Celestial Dragon like him? Quite the amusing fellow," Roger said with a chuckle, finding the entire situation more entertaining than anything else.
Rayleigh looked back at Claudius, an unreadable expression on his face. Then, with a small sigh, he slumped back in his seat and placed his hand on his chin, appearing contemplative.
"What's wrong? You're not going to continue bidding?" Roger asked, confused. "You liked the sword, didn't you?"
Rayleigh glanced at Roger and smiled wryly. "That guy named Claudius did us a favor by shutting down that troublesome Rothschild. If I keep bidding, it'd make me look petty. I'm not shameless enough to ignore that. Let's just leave it at that."
Chapter 27: Shinsō Confronts Rayleigh!
With Rayleigh the handsome, troublemaker out of the picture, no one else dared to challenge Claudius for the Demon Blade Shindō. Why, you ask? Well, it was simple: no one in their right mind would dare.
The fact that Claudius managed to win a renowned sword ranked among the Twenty-One Great Grade Swords at a minor auction like this was already a pleasant surprise. After all, the swords in this category were coveted treasures, weapons that could only be wielded by true masters of the blade.
The only reason Shindō was even up for auction was because it was a cursed blade an item most people avoided. Otherwise, it wouldn't have ended up in such a lackluster place. As soon as it resurfaced, swordsmen of great renown would have gone to great lengths to claim it.
That was also why Shindō had never risen to the level of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades, despite its quality. Its sinister nature held it back. If it had been forged without its malevolent aura, it might have climbed even higher perhaps even becoming something akin to the First Generation Kitetsu, whose terrifying reputation overshadowed its status as a cursed blade.
Rayleigh, as a veteran swordsman, could see through to Shindō's true potential. But even he, despite his keen eye, knew it wasn't worth getting entangled with the Celestial Dragons over it. He understood that Shindō's reputation didn't match its capabilities. That was why he had risked drawing attention to himself by bidding against Celestial Dragons.
Now, though, Shindō had ended up in the hands of another Celestial Dragon. Rayleigh felt a pang of regret. He doubted any Celestial Dragon would ever put the blade to proper use. More likely, it would be treated as a mere trinket, left to gather dust.
He couldn't imagine any Celestial Dragon wielding a cursed blade in battle. More than likely, it would become a status symbol a sign of wealth and power rather than skill and strength.
After the auction concluded, Claudius had Stussy arrange for the transport of his newly acquired items, including the Logia-type Swamp-Swamp Fruit and the Demon Blade Shindō. He then continued exploring Sabaody Archipelago at a leisurely pace.
He didn't worry in the slightest that someone might try to rob him of his purchases. This was Sabaody Archipelago, after all an island practically under the control of the Celestial Dragons. If anyone dared to act against him, an Admiral would descend upon them faster than they could even blink.
Stussy, having spent more time with Claudius recently, had become familiar with his personality and quirks. She was no longer as reserved as when they first met. Smiling, she commented, "I thought you might end up buying a few slaves, Your Highness, but instead, you went for a Devil Fruit and a cursed blade."
The Devil Fruit was particularly surprising. Celestial Dragons generally viewed Devil Fruits as mere playthings, not worth their time. Buying one at an auction wasn't something she'd seen before.
Claudius laughed. "What can I say? I'm a man of refined tastes. Sometimes, you just have to buy what catches your eye."
"Spending over a billion Berries on a whim? It's good to be rich and willful, I guess…" Stussy thought silently, but she didn't voice her thoughts. Instead, she continued to chat with Claudius as they strolled through the area.
"Your Highness, if we go any further, we'll reach the illegal port. It's not exactly the safest place. Maybe we should head back?" Stussy suggested gently.
She was right the port in the illegal zone was one of the most dangerous spots on the entire island. It was like a backdoor exit. If things got too heated on Sabaody, people often fled through this port to make a quick escape.
Claudius nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm, maybe you're right. Let's turn back."
He had been somewhat tempted to take a look at the famed Oro Jackson, the ship that would one day carry Roger and his crew across the Grand Line. But then he thought better of it. If Roger and his crew were this brazen, parking their ship out in the open, it would only be a matter of time before Garp showed up to exchange "old friends' greetings" with Roger.
No need to get involved in such matters now. There'd be plenty of time to visit Sabaody again in the future. He might even choose this island as his first base of operations. It was conveniently located a crucial hub with easy access to New World, and more importantly, it was close to Mariejois, allowing him to maneuver efficiently.
Just as Claudius turned to leave, he heard an all-too-familiar arrogant voice echoing from a small hill in the distance.
Claudius frowned. "What's that idiot up to now?"
The arrogant voice belonged to none other than Saint Rothschild, the fool Claudius had slapped earlier at the auction. Curious, Claudius gestured for his group to follow him up the hill to get a better view.
What he saw left him incredulous.
Rothschild was sitting atop a large Fish-Man slave, glaring down at a group of people surrounded by his entourage. And those people just so happened to be members of the Roger Pirates.
Saint Rothschild was ordering his servants around like a wannabe general, boasting that none of the pirates would leave Sabaody alive. He promised to capture every last one of them and haul them back to Mariejois as slaves.
"Is this guy out of his mind?" Claudius thought, genuinely stunned. "Picking a fight with Roger's crew? This is a whole new level of stupidity."
Unable to vent his frustration on Claudius earlier, Rothschild had turned his ire toward the Roger Pirates, whom he blamed for sparking the initial conflict. He thought capturing them would restore his dignity as a Celestial Dragon.
Rothschild sneered down at the pirates, completely unaware of the impending danger. "On your knees, all of you! Maybe if I'm in a good mood, I'll let you keep your lives," he said, voice dripping with arrogance.
Roger and his crew stood silently, not making a move. To Claudius, it was clear they were contemplating whether to wipe the floor with this fool or just leave.
But to Rothschild, their silence was a sign of fear and submission. His smug smile widened.
"See? They're scared stiff. They know they can't afford to anger me."
On the other side, Rayleigh glanced at Roger. "What's the plan, Captain?"
"Just kill them," grunted Douglas Bullet, the hulking newcomer of the Roger Pirates.
Douglas Bullet was a fierce addition to the crew. Though he was one of the junior members, his strength was undeniable. He was a former soldier who had gone rogue after being betrayed by his commanding officer. After decimating the forces that had wronged him, he had been marked as a highly dangerous criminal by the World Government. Eventually, he ended up joining Roger's crew.
His style was brutal and direct. For someone like Bullet, killing a Celestial Dragon was just another day at the office. After all, with the bounties on their heads, they were already condemned men. What difference did one more crime make?
However, Roger shook his head. "There's no need to kill him. But we can't just walk away, either. Let's rough him up a bit enough to make him wish he was dead. The World Government can heal him up later. As long as he's not dead, it'll blow over."
Rayleigh chuckled at Roger's confident tone. Typical Roger brimming with bravado even when discussing breaking a Celestial Dragon. But Roger was right. As long as they didn't kill Rothschild, they wouldn't stir up as much trouble. They could still carry on with their journey.
"Let me handle this one," Rayleigh offered, stepping forward. He didn't even bother drawing his sword. Using his blade on trash like Rothschild would be a disgrace.
With a single step, Rayleigh closed the distance. He moved with such speed that it seemed almost casual. He didn't need to go all out crippling a Celestial Dragon hardly required his full strength.
But just as Rayleigh was about to deliver his blow, something happened.
A flash of steel, faster than the eye could see, shot out from a distant hill.
"Shoot to kill, Shinsō!" Claudius murmured softly.
A silver light zipped across the air, targeting Rayleigh with pinpoint accuracy. The sword extended impossibly fast, its blade glinting in the sunlight as it aimed for Rayleigh's chest.
Rayleigh's eyes widened in surprise. Even with his enhanced vision and Observation Haki, the speed of the blade caught him off guard. It wasn't a slash it was as if the entire blade had been shot straight at him, the tip hurtling towards him at breakneck speed.
"Damn!" Rayleigh grunted, channeling Armament Haki into his hand. He caught the blade just before it could pierce his skin. The force of the strike pushed him back several steps, his feet digging deep furrows into the ground.
Claudius, witnessing the scene, was momentarily stunned. He had fully expected Rayleigh to dodge, never imagining he would try to catch Shinsō with his bare hands.
But before Rayleigh could fully comprehend the situation, Claudius' thoughts commanded Shinsō, and in an instant, the blade retracted back to its original form, resting peacefully in its scabbard.
Rayleigh stared at his empty hands, feeling a bit awkward. He had just attempted to catch the strange, flying blade, but before he even realized what was happening, it had already vanished. Did he really fail to catch it?
If Claudius could hear what Rayleigh was thinking, he might have laughed out loud. Seriously? Did Rayleigh actually think he could just snatch Shinsō out of his hands? This wasn't some ordinary weapon this was like a piece of bound gear from a game. Did Rayleigh really believe he could simply take it away? He was definitely overestimating himself.
Chapter 28: A Little Low?
After Rayleigh's attack was blocked, he didn't make another move. Instead, he looked up at Claudius and his group on the hill, his expression a mixture of confusion and surprise. He couldn't quite understand why Claudius had stepped in to stop him.
Wasn't this the same guy who slapped another Celestial Dragon earlier? By all logic, there shouldn't be any good blood between the two, so why defend him now?
"You're the guy from the auction house, aren't you? Crowe, right? What's going on here?" Rayleigh asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Claudius. Donquixote Claudius," Claudius corrected him with a soft smile.
"So you are a Celestial Dragon," Rayleigh said, grinning. "Makes sense. Only someone like you would dare to hit another Celestial Dragon."
Claudius chuckled. "And weren't you about to hit him too? It looks like the title of Celestial Dragon doesn't mean much to you."
At this point, Roger, who had been quietly observing the exchange, burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! We're pirates! Obeying laws isn't exactly our thing. Whether we hit your Celestial Dragons or not, the Marines will come after us anyway. If we lay a hand on them, it won't make much of a difference.
We've already got plenty of heat on us, and it's not like we have a fixed base of operations. Catching us won't be easy," Roger said, still laughing heartily.
"Fair enough," Claudius nodded. "That logic holds up. But you see, I happened to witness the whole thing. And as a Celestial Dragon, I can't just stand by and watch you bully Rothschild like that."
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow, his surprise evident. "Didn't you just bully him yourself not too long ago?"
Claudius glanced at Rayleigh, then calmly explained, "That's different. I'm a Celestial Dragon. How I handle him is an internal affair. But you guys? You're pirates. If you attack him and the world sees, it'll be a disgrace to all Celestial Dragons. And if our reputation is tarnished, that includes me. So, of course, I have to step in."
Rayleigh blinked in understanding and nodded slightly. Before he could respond, Rothschild, still furious, jumped into the conversation.
"Claudius, you b*! Don't meddle in my affairs! Do you think these filthy pirates can actually bully me? I have twice as many servants as they do!" Rothschild spat, pointing an accusing finger at Claudius.
"What an idiot…" Claudius muttered under his breath, utterly unimpressed.
Roger, meanwhile, was laughing so hard he could barely catch his breath.
"Hahahaha! Exactly, what an idiot! I always thought all Celestial Dragons were like him, but I didn't expect someone like you among them!" Roger said, wiping a tear from his eye.
But just as his laughter subsided, an intense pressure began radiating from him. It was a force so powerful it seemed to distort the very air around them. Claudius felt the pressure settle heavily on his chest, as if an invisible weight was pressing down on him.
Stussy, standing beside Claudius, gasped in shock, her eyes wide. "Conqueror's Haki! That's Conqueror's Haki!"
Claudius wasn't particularly surprised. After all, this was Gol D. Roger, the man who would eventually become the Pirate King. Of course, he would possess the legendary Conqueror's Haki. Still, the force wasn't directly aimed at Claudius, and even Nia, his butler, only felt a slight strain from the pressure.
However, on Rothschild's side, things weren't so easy. Roger's Haki swept through the area, causing all of Rothschild's servants to collapse unconscious, leaving him standing there alone and utterly bewildered.
"W-what did you just do?" Rothschild stammered in fear.
Claudius shook his head in frustration. While there were certainly powerful figures among the Celestial Dragons, idiots like Rothschild made Claudius wonder how long he could survive being associated with such incompetence.
"See now? Your servants are useless! Get out of here already!" Claudius snapped at Rothschild.
Rothschild, sensing that the tides had completely turned against him, no longer had the arrogance from earlier. With Claudius berating him and Roger's overwhelming power looming over him, he hastily ran towards Claudius, leaving his unconscious servants behind.
Claudius turned to the Roger Pirates and said calmly, "You've settled your score. No one is stopping you now. Why haven't you left yet? Unless you're thinking of following me back to Mariejois?"
Roger, still intrigued by Claudius, studied him with curious eyes. While he had crossed paths with Celestial Dragons before, especially during the God Valley Incident, he had never met one like Claudius. This one was… different.
After a brief silence, Roger grinned and suddenly asked, "You know, being a Celestial Dragon seems pretty boring. Why don't you come with us? The world's a big place, and we're setting out to find its end. It'll be an adventure like no other. What do you say?"
For a moment, Claudius was taken aback. Did Roger just invite him one of the Celestial Dragons to join his pirate crew? Was he serious?
Not only was Claudius stunned, but so was everyone else around them. Rayleigh quickly snapped out of it and scolded Roger, "Roger, are you out of your mind? If he gets on our ship, we'll never be able to escape! The World Government and Marines would hunt us down like never before!"
Rayleigh had a point. If Claudius joined the Roger Pirates, the World Government would undoubtedly label it as a kidnapping, and the Marines would stop at nothing to destroy the crew. Plus, if word got out that a Celestial Dragon had become a pirate, it would be an enormous blow to the World Government's prestige.
Roger rubbed the back of his head with an awkward smile, realizing his mistake, while Claudius finally snapped back to reality.
Did he want to join Roger's crew? If he weren't a Celestial Dragon, living a cushy life in Mariejois, he might have seriously considered it. If he were just some random guy living in Sabaody, he'd probably be begging Roger for a spot on the ship right now. The chance to see the end of the world and uncover its secrets? It was a tempting thought.
But the reality was, Claudius was a Celestial Dragon. He had power, status, and a life of luxury awaiting him. Joining the Roger Pirates was a fool's errand.
So Claudius remained silent, and Roger, realizing how absurd his offer had been, let the moment pass. The tension in the air became awkward, and the group fell into silence.
It was at that moment that Copper Jabba spoke up. "Captain, someone probably called the Marines after the scene at the auction house. If we don't leave soon, things might get troublesome."
Roger blinked as if suddenly reminded of their situation. "Ah, right! I've got a feeling Garp's already on his way here!"
With that, the Roger Pirates made a quick decision to leave the island before the Marines arrived. But before they left, Roger called back to Claudius with a grin.
"Hey, what I said earlier still stands! If you ever get tired of being a Celestial Dragon, come find us!"
Before Roger could finish, Rayleigh clamped a hand over his mouth, muttering, "Enough with that already. If this guy actually takes you up on that, we'll be in way over our heads."
And just like that, the infamous Roger Pirates left Sabaody, though Claudius couldn't help but scratch his head in confusion. The whole encounter felt… off. This was the future Pirate King? Why did he seem so… casual?
Still, Claudius knew one thing for sure despite how strange the encounter had been, Roger and his crew were not to be underestimated. Today, things had gone oddly smoothly, but that didn't mean future encounters would be so harmless. These men were dangerous, no doubt about it.
Just as Claudius was lost in thought, his butler Nija received a phone call. After answering a few questions, she approached Claudius with a serious expression.
"Your Highness, there's been an incident at Mariejois."
Claudius frowned. "What kind of incident?"
"The Homing family has returned, but they were stopped at the port. There seems to be some kind of dispute…" Nia explained.
After a moment of thought, Claudius remembered. Ah, yes. It had been nearly three months. The Homing family, after realizing they couldn't make it in North Blue, had come crawling back, hoping to reclaim their status as Celestial Dragons.
But this was ridiculous. They had left voluntarily, throwing away their noble title. And now they wanted back in? As if the position of Celestial Dragon was a revolving door.
"What's more, they left everything behind when they ran off. How do they expect Lancelot, who's been managing things for the past three months, to just step aside now that they're back?" Claudius thought, shaking his head in exasperation.
This was no small matter. The Homing family was essentially trying to re-enter Mariejois as if nothing had happened, expecting to pick up where they left off. But among the Celestial Dragons, their departure had already branded them as traitors. Coming back now wasn't going to be as simple as they thought.
Claudius sighed. "Do they think the other Celestial Dragons will just welcome them back with open arms?"
After a brief pause, he made his decision. "Let's head back to Mariejois and see what's going on."
Chapter 29: Aftermath
Claudius turned around and prepared to leave, deciding it was best to distance himself from the scene before things got worse. His group quickly followed him, while Rothschild, now left alone and leaderless, stood looking lost and confused.
His "servants" were all knocked out cold from the earlier events. After seeing what had transpired, he finally understood there were people in this world who didn't care about his status as a Celestial Dragon. Fear crept into his heart. Realizing he'd be safer sticking with Claudius, he shamelessly decided to tag along.
"Wait for me! Claudius, wait up!" Rothschild yelled, waddling after them as fast as his short legs would allow.
Claudius heard him, but he didn't bother to turn around or acknowledge him. He couldn't care less. If Rothschild wanted to follow them, fine. One more didn't make a difference.
The Sabaody Archipelago wasn't far from Mariejois on the Red Line, and before long, Claudius and his crew arrived at the port of Mariejois.
By this time, Rothschild seemed to have had a change of heart. Not only was he no longer resentful over the slap Claudius had given him earlier, but he also stuck to Claudius like glue, pestering him with questions.
"Is Devil Fruit delicious? You can't swim anymore, right? Doesn't that feel weird?"
"I heard you just came back from Naval Headquarters! What were you doing there? Was it fun?"
"Who were those pirates back on the island? Why weren't they afraid of us Celestial Dragons?"
Claudius, preoccupied with his own thoughts, grew increasingly irritated by Rothschild's incessant chatter. Finally, he snapped.
"Can you shut up for a second, you idiot? Don't you have your own ship back on Sabaody? Your servants are still there, right? What are you doing following me?"
Rothschild, seemingly oblivious to Claudius's growing annoyance, simply shrugged. It was as if the earlier slap had knocked some sense into him or knocked it out, perhaps. He certainly didn't seem to care about being insulted now.
"Those guys are so boring. I only went to Sabaody because things were too dull here in Mariejois. But you seem to be having a lot more fun." Rothschild said casually.
Claudius looked at him in disbelief. "I slapped you, called you an idiot, and insulted you in front of everyone. Don't you feel the least bit angry? You're a Celestial Dragon, aren't you?"
Rothschild rubbed his face, contemplating for a moment. "You know, my father never hit me, and no one's ever called me an idiot before. But maybe that's why I find you interesting! You're not like the rest of us. I remember you being different before, too. I'm curious what happened to you?"
Claudius stared at him in disbelief, thinking, Is this guy for real? Does he actually have Stockholm syndrome?
With a sigh of frustration, Claudius shot Rothschild a disgusted look. "Can you just leave me alone? I'm not interested in talking to you."
"Why not? Aren't we both Celestial Dragons?" Rothschild asked innocently.
"You're of no use to me. Unless you're willing to be my subordinate, I've got nothing to say to you," Claudius replied coldly.
He figured that would be enough to get Rothschild off his back. After all, who in their right mind would willingly become someone else's subordinate especially a fellow Celestial Dragon?
But to his shock, Rothschild immediately responded, "Fine, I'll be your subordinate!"
Claudius froze for a moment, utterly stunned. "Rothschild, you're more than ten years older than me, and you're a Celestial Dragon. Have some dignity!"
There was no way Claudius could casually accept someone like Rothschild as his lackey. Not only was he a fellow Celestial Dragon, but Claudius was also trying to keep a low profile. Drawing unnecessary attention by taking in Rothschild as a subordinate would only create more problems back at Mariejois. He didn't need the extra scrutiny right now.
Moreover, Rothschild was a total liability. If Claudius accepted him, he'd likely have to clean up after Rothschild's messes, and the last thing he needed was to be dragged into even more trouble.
Still, the situation wasn't without its advantages. Claudius realized that Rothschild might be useful later. As he moved up the ranks within Mariejois, there would come a time when having someone like Rothschild in his corner might prove beneficial. He just needed to bide his time.
With that thought in mind, Claudius softened his tone slightly, no longer treating Rothschild with the same disgust.
Before long, their ship docked at the port of Mariejois. As they disembarked, Claudius noticed a commotion nearby. A large group of Celestial Dragons was arguing with a few lower-ranking officials.
Claudius squinted, recognizing one of the figures in the crowd. It was his cousin Doflamingo, whom he hadn't seen in three months.
Ignoring Rothschild, who was still struggling to get off the ship, Claudius quickly made his way over to where the argument was taking place.
"You can't just come back now, Homing! You left for North Blue on your own. You've been stripped of your Celestial Dragon status!" one of the Celestial Dragons shouted angrily.
Homing looked worn and defeated, his face lined with stress. "I understand that," he pleaded, "but at least let my two sons stay in Mariejois…"
Standing beside him were Doflamingo and Rosinante, both of them dirty and disheveled. It was clear they hadn't had an easy time during their absence.
Claudius couldn't spot Homing's wife anywhere. Perhaps she had passed away in North Blue, or maybe she was still on the ship. Either way, it didn't look good.
The Celestial Dragons refused Homing's request. They weren't about to let Doflamingo and Rosinante stay, fearing that the boys would grow up harboring resentment for how their father had been treated.
Just as the argument was reaching a boiling point, Claudius finally arrived. "Doffy, why are you back?" he called out.
At the sound of his voice, Doflamingo's aggressive demeanor crumbled. The moment he saw his cousin, tears welled up in his eyes. All the anger and frustration he had been holding back came rushing out.
"Cousin!" Doflamingo cried, running toward Claudius with a loud wail. "I've had such a miserable time!"
Without hesitation, Claudius embraced Doflamingo, allowing the boy to cry and wipe his tears on him. Despite the dirt and grime, Claudius didn't push him away. He listened as Doflamingo poured out his grievances how he had fallen from the privileged life of a Celestial Dragon to being persecuted and bullied by the very people he once looked down upon. He even shared how his mother had passed away due to the hardships they had endured.
As Claudius listened, he began to understand the situation more clearly. During their journey to North Blue, Doflamingo's mother had fallen ill. After they settled down, their identity as former Celestial Dragons was exposed. The once "untouchable" masses had quickly turned into a vengeful mob, looting their wealth and tormenting them. Doflamingo's mother hadn't survived the ordeal.
In the end, Homing had no choice but to return to Mariejois with his sons, abandoning their failed attempt at living outside the protected bubble of the Celestial Dragons.
Claudius did some quick math. In the three months since they'd left, they had likely only spent about a week in North Blue before fleeing back. And in that short time, they had been utterly broken by the harsh realities of the outside world. It made Claudius rethink his own situation he needed to be cautious about any future steps.
Claudius glanced at Doflamingo and Rosinante, feeling a pang of sympathy for the two boys. Not only were they dealing with their mother's death and their father's failed ambitions, but now they had to carry the burden of his grand proclamations as well.
No wonder, in the future, Celestial Dragons would still refuse to let Doflamingo and Rosinante return, even after Homing's death. Claudius had always wondered why the Donquixote family had been so thoroughly rejected. But now it made sense now, even if he died, the stigma he left behind would prevent Doflamingo and Rosinante from ever being accepted back into Mariejois.
Homing, clearly overwhelmed by frustration, dragged his sons away without another word. As they passed by, he glanced at Claudius, his expression filled with helplessness and defeat. He tugged Doflamingo along, and the boy reluctantly let go of Claudius, his tear-streaked face still looking back at his cousin.
Claudius sighed deeply as he watched them walk away. He quickly instructed his butler, Nia, to gather all the money they had on hand. Stepping forward, he shoved the small pouch of Bailey into Doflamingo's arms.
"Doffy, this is all I can do for you right now. Use the money to take care of yourselves. I'll send someone to help you in secret once things calm down. Just… live well, alright?"
Doflamingo looked up at his cousin, his eyes filled with gratitude. He nodded, wanting to say something more, but before he could speak, Homing tugged him away again, pulling him and Rosinante back toward their ship.
Chapter 30: Doffy, You Are My Brother!
Sea Circle Calendar, mid-1496. It had been five years since the Doflamingo Homing family caused a stir by trying to return to Mariejois.
According to the original course of events, by 1493, Doflamingo would have grown tired of watching his father, Homing, continuously fail, blaming him entirely for their family's downfall. In his frustration, Doflamingo would have killed his father in North Blue, severed his head, and brought it back to Mariejois, hoping this act would allow him to reclaim his place among the Celestial Dragons.
But things had played out differently, thanks to Claudius's involvement. Over the past few years, many aspects of the situation had changed.
For one, Claudius had secretly sent people to look after Homing and his family. The man had once done him some small favors. Claudius didn't want to see him meet such a tragic end, nor did he want his unlucky cousin, Doflamingo, to be driven to the point of murdering his own father and falling into an irredeemable darkness.
Thanks to Claudius's quiet interventions, the Doflamingo family managed to live somewhat decently in North Blue. While they weren't living in luxury, they were at least able to eat meat three times a day.
In fact, if it weren't for Homing's stubborn pride, the family wouldn't have struggled so much. Celestial Dragons like Claudius had been helping them in secret, but Homing, being the hardheaded fool he was, refused to fully accept the assistance. Claudius could only offer them small amounts of money and send people to deal with minor problems from behind the scenes. Beyond that, there wasn't much he could do.
Homing, having no real skills to make a living, spent his days doing menial jobs in the local town with his sons, scraping by with the little money they earned.
Meanwhile, Claudius had grown. He was now a young man at the age of seventeen, and the last traces of his boyish features had long since faded. His appearance had undergone significant changes over the past five years.
First, his height had shot up. He was now over 2.5 meters tall, with no signs of slowing down. It wouldn't be surprising if he reached the "standard Admiral height" of three meters before his twenties.
His physique had developed well too. His muscles were strong but not bulky well-defined and athletic. He was neither fat nor too lean; his body was well-proportioned. Claudius had always been a handsome boy, and over time, his features had matured. While he still bore a resemblance to the Doflamingo of later years, he lacked that sinister, devilish aura. Instead, he radiated a sense of confidence, strength, and warmth.
As for the person he was currently sparring with on the deck of a luxurious ship flying the World Government's flag, it was none other than the beautiful Stussy, a rising star in CP-0.
In the past few years, Stussy had aligned herself closely with Claudius. Though she was already quite capable on her own, being a part of CP-0 and handling several significant missions, her relationship with Claudius had elevated her status even further. She had become one of his trusted confidants.
Originally, Claudius hadn't intended to bring Stussy under his wing so quickly, but she seemed to recognize that Claudius was a different kind of Celestial Dragon one with a future worth betting on. Over time, she'd positioned herself squarely in his camp, and now, she was practically part of his inner circle.
On the deck, Stussy launched a swift attack, her fingers coated in Haki, brushing past Claudius's short blonde hair, narrowly missing his ear. Before she could follow up, Claudius grabbed her arm with a firm grip, the sound of bones creaking under pressure. Despite the pain, Stussy managed to free herself by kicking Claudius in the chest, but as she landed and tried to regain her footing, she saw Claudius grinning at her.
"Too late…" Claudius said with a smirk.
In the next moment, Stussy felt an invisible force strike her in the chest, sending her flying off the deck and crashing into the sea below.
Claudius laughed, shaking off the combat stance. Not far away, his butler, Nia, rushed forward with a black mink coat, draping it over his shoulders as she asked with concern, "Your Highness, are you alright? She kicked you pretty hard just now."
Claudius chuckled, "I'm fine, just a little sore."
As if on cue, Stussy climbed back onto the deck, soaked from head to toe, looking like a wet cat. With a pout, she complained, "Your Highness! I'm a woman, you know! Can't you go easy on me?"
"Hahaha! I believe in equality, Stussy. No special treatment just because you're a woman," Claudius teased, still grinning.
Stussy glared at him as she rolled up her wet sleeves, revealing her arm, which now sported five dark bruises in the shape of Claudius's fingers. She winced as she rubbed the sore spot. "Your Armament Haki has gotten seriously strong, Your Highness. Even with Haki and Iron Body, I still got hurt. If I were anyone else, my arm would've snapped."
Claudius raised his arm, flexing his fingers as a layer of black Armament Haki coated his skin. He nodded in satisfaction. "I've gotten the hang of Armament Haki and Observation Haki, but I've heard there's a higher level to Armament Haki…"
Stussy nodded, explaining, "Yes, Armament Haki has three stages. The first is coating using Haki to enhance your attacks, like when you grabbed me just now, even though you're a Logia-type Devil Fruit user. The second is hardening, where you cover parts of your body in Haki for enhanced defense and attack. The third is emitting Haki, allowing you to strike from a distance, like what you just did."
Claudius already knew most of this, but he smiled and said, "It takes time to fully master Haki. What I used just now wasn't Armament Haki, though. I'm still not at that level it was one of my abilities."
"Ah yes, the 'Vitality Bomb,'" Stussy said with a smile.
Claudius nodded. Just as he was about to continue the conversation, Nia pointed out, "Your Highness, we're almost there Cornillo Island."
Cornillo Island, a famous hot spring island in the New World, was a popular tourist destination. It wasn't too far from the Red Line, a quick seven- or eight-day sail on a fast ship. But Claudius hadn't come for a vacation he was here to meet an old friend.
That friend was none other than Monkey D. Dragon, son of Vice Admiral Garp.
Claudius hadn't seen Dragon since they parted ways in the hospital at Marineford, but they had stayed in touch through phone calls. Over time, they had become genuine friends.
Earlier that year, a major event had shaken the Naval Headquarters: Dragon, who had been in line for a promotion to Admiral, had suddenly resigned from the Marines, much to the shock of the higher-ups. Despite the efforts of Sengoku and Zephyr to change his mind, Dragon had walked away from it all, and shortly after, he disappeared.
Claudius hadn't heard from him in a while, but about two weeks ago, Dragon had reached out, asking him to meet on Cornillo Island for an important discussion. Claudius, intrigued by what Dragon might have to say, had agreed to the meeting, which is why he was now in this part of the New World.
As they approached the island, Claudius smiled. "Finally, after so long at sea, we're here. I wonder what Dragon wants to talk about this time."
Before Claudius could say more, the phone worm on the table rang. Expecting it to be Dragon, he reached over and picked it up. To his surprise, it was Doflamingo.
Claudius grinned and asked, "Doffy? What's going on? Need some help? You know your cousin's always here for you."
There was a pause on the other end. Then Doflamingo's voice came through, quieter than usual. "Cousin... I ate a Devil Fruit."
Claudius's smile faded slightly. He sighed, "And?"
"I'm leaving home. I can't stand it anymore. I'm done with Father and Rosinante. I need to get away from this life… this isn't who I am…"
Claudius wasn't surprised. He knew that Doflamingo's personality didn't mesh well with the humble life Homing and Rosinante were content with. He had been waiting for this moment.
"So, what's next for you? Need my help?" Claudius asked gently.
"You're really going to support me?" Doflamingo asked, sounding surprised.
He had expected his cousin to try to talk him out of it or offer some kind of advice. But Claudius wasn't questioning him at all.
"Doffy, you're my brother. No matter what you decide, I'll support you," Claudius said with a soft smile.
...