Chapter 36: Hot-blooded
At this time, Crocodile was far from becoming the ruthless "Desert King" that the world would come to fear. He had only recently set out to sea, and somehow, he'd gotten his hands on the Logia-type Sand-Sand Fruit. Captain John, recognizing the potential in him, had taken Crocodile under his wing, grooming him to be a future right-hand man.
Captain John wasn't wrong in his judgment Crocodile had immense potential. A Logia-type Devil Fruit user, especially in a crew full of seasoned pirates, was a major asset. If trained properly, Crocodile could have become John's most trusted lieutenant.
But right now, the immediate concern was escaping the Marines. John had bigger problems than nurturing Crocodile, and Crocodile's future as his second-in-command was suddenly uncertain.
"Captain, let's fight them head-on!" Crocodile said, full of youthful energy.
Captain John looked at his crew and then, with a fierce grin, declared, "Yeah, we can't let those Marine dogs think they've got us cornered. Even if we die, we'll go down biting! Fight to the death!"
Crocodile, fired up by John's words, shouted, "Yes, captain! Let's show them we're not to be trifled with!"
But John wasn't about to charge into a suicidal battle. He was a cunning man, and he'd long anticipated that they might be forced into a situation like this. He had already made preparations for a secret escape route.
"Of course, we won't just throw our lives away," John said in a low voice, his eyes gleaming with a calculating light. "There's a secret port on this island. We can use a submarine I've hidden there to make our escape."
John was always careful to leave himself an out. In every situation, he made sure he had an escape plan. Here, on this island, was no different. But the submarine was too small to carry everyone. His plan was simple: leave a group of his men behind to act as a distraction while he slipped away with a few chosen ones.
One of the younger crew members perked up. "A secret port? As expected of the captain!" he said, impressed.
"Of course!" John continued, keeping his voice steady. "But we can't just flee without a fight. That would make us look weak. Here's the plan: I'll take a few of you to the submarine while the rest stay behind to hold off the Marines. Once their warships are close enough, we'll attack them from the submarine, cause some chaos, and grab one of their ships to break through their blockade. Afterward, we'll head to East Blue, where I've got a stash of treasure buried. With that treasure, we can rebuild the crew and come back stronger!"
John's plan sounded inspiring, but it was full of holes. If anyone had stopped to think about it for a moment, they would've realized that most of them were being set up to be cannon fodder. Claudius, if he were here, would have seen through the scheme immediately John was setting his crew up as decoys while he made his own escape.
As for the treasure in East Blue? There might have been something there, but more likely than not, John was just spinning tales to keep his crew motivated.
Even Crocodile, who would later become a master of manipulation himself, didn't pick up on the deception. At this point in his life, he was still a hot-blooded teenager, full of idealism and loyalty to his captain.
Perhaps it was this very betrayal that would later shape Crocodile into the ruthless and untrusting man he would become. Maybe it was Captain John's betrayal that taught Crocodile not to place his faith in others.
"In that case, let me lead the charge!" Crocodile declared, eager to prove himself.
Captain John blinked in surprise. He hadn't planned on sending Crocodile to his death just yet Crocodile had too much potential. John had intended to take him along on the submarine and let the others die buying them time. But here was Crocodile, volunteering to lead the suicide mission.
John tried to stop him. "No, Crocodile, you should come with me. I need you at the submarine."
But before John could finish, Crocodile thumped his chest and said, "Captain, do you think I'm weak? I'm a Logia-type Devil Fruit user! It's my job to be at the front lines. I'll draw the Marines' attention and buy you time. Just be sure to move quickly on your end!"
John was at a loss. Crocodile's words made sense Logia users were notoriously hard to kill, and if anyone could buy them time, it would be him. And if John objected too much, the rest of the crew might start to get suspicious. He couldn't afford to reveal his true intentions now.
"Since you're so eager, I can't argue with that," John finally said, patting Crocodile on the shoulder. "Once you've dealt with those Marines, I'll make you my first mate!"
Crocodile's eyes lit up at the promise. "You got it, Captain! I'll do you proud!"
With that, Crocodile rallied a group of the John Pirates' remaining men and led them out of the cave, determined to face the Marines head-on.
As soon as they left, John let out a sigh of relief. "Alright, let's get to the submarine," he muttered to the few remaining men he had chosen to accompany him.
Back at the hot spring hotel, Claudius and his group were gathered in the main room. Nia was looking around in confusion. "Your Highness, where is Mr. Dragon?"
Claudius answered casually, "He said he didn't want the Marines to harm too many civilians, so he's gone to help evacuate people."
Nia was about to ask more questions when Stussy entered the room, holding a transponder snail.
"Did you get through?" Claudius asked, glancing at her.
"No luck," Stussy replied with a frustrated shake of her head. "The entire island's transponder snail signals have been cut off. I tried contacting Marine Headquarters, but they're using encrypted lines. I can't access them."
Claudius had anticipated this. When the Buster Call started, he had immediately ordered Stussy to try to contact the or the World Government to let them know that a Celestial Dragon was on the island. If they knew he was here, they would definitely call off the bombardment. But as expected, the Marines had cut off all communication in the area as soon as the Buster Call was initiated.
It made sense. Even if they were targeting the remnants of the John Pirates, wiping out an entire island, especially a civilian hot spring resort, would be a huge scandal. The Marines didn't want any word of this getting out. Afterward, they could easily blame the destruction on natural disasters Cornillo Island was, after all, a volcanic island. Once the mission was over, they could have someone like Akainu trigger a volcanic eruption to bury the truth, quite literally.
"Well, if we can't contact them, we'll just have to sit tight and wait for the Marines to land. Once they see who I am, they won't dare continue this nonsense," Claudius said with a sigh.
While a Buster Call sounded like the end of the world, Claudius wasn't too worried. As long as he wasn't killed outright by the shelling, his status as a Celestial Dragon would protect him once the Marines realized who they were dealing with. The warships' cannons couldn't hit every part of the island, and the hot spring hotel, nestled on the mountainside, hadn't been affected yet. He figured the bombardment was just to soften the island up before the real operation began Marines would eventually come ashore to clean up.
As expected, before long, Claudius spotted the Marine warships approaching the coastline. Soon after, he saw groups of Marine soldiers disembarking from the ships, led by officers.
Stussy, peering through a telescope, lowered it and said quickly, "It's Admiral Sengoku. I saw him getting off the ship."
"Sengoku, huh?" Claudius murmured. "He really likes to throw around Buster Calls, doesn't he?"
While Claudius watched the Marines, something else caught his eye. A group of rugged-looking men suddenly charged down the mountainside nearby, heading straight for the Marines. It was obvious from their appearance that these were pirates, likely the remnants of Captain John's crew, now making a desperate attempt to fight back.
At first, Claudius didn't pay them much mind. He didn't really care who these pirates were or what crime had earned them a Buster Call. But then, his eyes landed on one particular figure leading the charge a young man who seemed oddly familiar.
"Wait… is that…?" Claudius squinted. "No way, I must be mistaken. That guy looks way too young. He shouldn't have even gone to sea yet…"
Just as Claudius was questioning his own eyes, a burst of yellow sand appeared from the battlefield. A small sandstorm whipped up, tearing through the Marines who had just landed.
Claudius's jaw dropped in shock.
"Holy crap, it is Crocodile!" he exclaimed, recognizing the young pirate now. "What the hell did he do to get the Marines to pull a Buster Call on him?"
Among the group of pirates, Crocodile was still relatively weak compared to the more seasoned crew members, but the flash of his Devil Fruit powers was unmistakable. His abilities, even in their undeveloped state, were already dangerous enough to wreak havoc on the Marines.
In a matter of moments, Claudius saw a Marine Rear Admiral go down, slashed and thrown by the sheer force of the pirates' attack.
"Wow, that's brutal. These aren't your run-of-the-mill pirates, huh?" Claudius muttered to himself. "Makes sense, though. Crocodile wouldn't join just any weak crew. If he's on board, they've got to be pretty strong."
Claudius observed the battle for a few more seconds, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. Then, a grin spread across his face.
"Well, well… looks like fate has brought you to me, Crocodile," Claudius said to himself, chuckling. "You're still so young, caught up with pirates like this? What a waste of talent.
With that, Claudius's form shimmered, turning into a gust of wind as he vanished from the rooftop.
"Your Highness!" Nia called out in a panic as she saw Claudius disappear.
Chapter 37: Capture
Nia stood there, completely dumbfounded. Just a moment ago, everyone had agreed to stay put, wait for the Marines to land, reveal their identity, and then make a quick exit. And now, in the blink of an eye, His Highness had enthusiastically transformed into wind and vanished?
At that moment, Stussy spoke up, trying to calm Nia. "Don't worry. His Highness isn't weak. He probably sensed something interesting. He won't do anything too dangerous. Let's just wait for the Marines here."
Meanwhile, Crocodile, full of energy and bravado, was about to charge the Marines head-on and show them what he was made of. But suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew past him, scattering his body into countless particles of yellow sand, sent whirling into the air.
It took Crocodile a moment to pull himself back together, reforming his body. When he did, he noticed someone standing a short distance away. His first instinct was to think this was a Marine, but on closer inspection, this person looked more like a noble.
Crocodile didn't care. He raised his hand, forming a blade from yellow sand, and without a word, launched it at the stranger, intending to cut him down.
Claudius smiled, amused by Crocodile's immediate aggression. "This guy's really fierce attacks first without even asking a question," he thought to himself.
The sandy blade sliced through Claudius's body, but he remained unharmed. Seeing this, Crocodile's eyes widened in surprise. "Logia?" he muttered.
Claudius laughed. "Hahaha, yep! Logia, just like you, kid!"
"Hmph," Crocodile snorted. "Even among Logia users, there's a difference in strength. You're not Marine, so why are you stopping me?"
If it were a lesser opponent, Crocodile wouldn't have bothered with any conversationhe would have just killed them. But being proud of his Logia abilities, and now facing another Logia user, his curiosity was piqued.
"I'm here to save your life. Do you even know what you're up against?" Claudius asked with a grin.
"What else? Just some hypocritical Marines pretending to be righteous, right?" Crocodile said dismissively.
"No, not quite. You are facing Marines, yes, but this is a Buster Call. If you rush out now, it won't end well for you," Claudius explained with a laugh. "With your strength, you'd be walking straight into death."
"Buster Call?" Crocodile repeated, confused.
Seeing that Crocodile had no idea what he was really facing, Claudius filled him in on what a Buster Call entailed. When he was done, he added, "So you understand now? Sengoku, an Admiral from Marine Headquarters, is on this island. Your little tricks won't pose any threat to him. If you charge out there, you're just signing your own death warrant."
Just as Claudius finished speaking, a flash of golden light appeared on the distant coastline. Both Claudius and Crocodile turned their attention toward it.
They watched as a massive golden Buddha—a manifestation of Sengoku's Devil Fruit power unleashed a shockwave from its palm, obliterating a group of pirates trying to approach the warship, turning them into nothing more than scattered flesh and debris.
"See that?" Claudius said, pointing toward the scene. "That's an Admiral one of the Marine's strongest fighters. Your small body would be reduced to ashes in seconds."
Crocodile stood there, speechless. He had heard stories of Buster Calls and Admirals, but seeing it in person shook him. Still, he wasn't willing to give up so easily.
"Our Captain John won't go down without a fight!" Crocodile shouted, still clinging to hope. "He'll strike from the submarine soon, and we'll hit the Marines from both sides! Wait, why am I telling you this? Get out of here!"
"Captain John? That explains the Buster Call. His name alone would be enough to justify it. But a submarine, attacking from both sides? You're dreaming, Crocodile," Claudius thought to himself.
Before Claudius could respond, Crocodile raised his hand and sent another sandy blade flying toward him. This time, the sand was infused with Armament Haki, adding more force to the attack.
"Idiot," Claudius said calmly. "You've been duped by your captain. He's never coming to save you. He's abandoned you."
With those words, Claudius reached for the sword at his waist. Instead of dodging the incoming sand blade, he stood his ground, raising his weapon. The two clashing forces of Armament Haki met, and with a deft movement, Claudius deflected the sand blade with minimal effort.
The sword Claudius wielded wasn't just any blade it was the demon sword Shindō, which he had acquired from the Sabaody Archipelago years ago.
"Don't talk nonsense! Captain John isn't that kind of person!" Crocodile yelled, enraged, and lunged at Claudius, intent on turning him into a desiccated corpse.
As Crocodile reached out, yellow sand began to pour from his hand, aiming to drain the life from Claudius's body. But Claudius wasn't having it. "Damn, Crocodile! How did you go from being so cunning in the future to being this naïve now? Can't you see you're being played?" Claudius thought.
Realizing that words weren't going to get through, Claudius decided it was time to end this. His expression turned serious as the full force of his Devil Fruit power erupted. A cold mist began to swirl around him, and he extended his arm toward Crocodile.
"Eternal Frost," Claudius muttered.
A white mist shot from his arm, engulfing Crocodile. Crocodile tried to retreat, but it was too late. His arm was caught in the mist, and a sudden, bone-chilling cold spread through it.
Moments later, Crocodile's arm was completely numb. He staggered back, barely avoiding the rest of the mist. When he glanced down at his arm, it was covered in a layer of frost. With a light touch, the arm crumbled into dust.
"What... What kind of power is this? Is it some kind of ice Logia? Are you... Kuzan?" Crocodile stammered in shock.
Claudius didn't bother answering. He knew Crocodile could regenerate his arm with his sand powers, and indeed, within seconds, Crocodile had reformed his limb using yellow sand.
"No, my name is Claudius," he said with a grin. "And I'm here to save you, kid. You and I are destined to meet, so how about you stop wasting your time with this pirate nonsense and come work for me instead? Trust me, being my subordinate has a lot more potential than being stuck in some pirate crew."
Crocodile scowled. "Don't underestimate me!!!" he roared, summoning two large sand whips that lashed out at Claudius from both sides.
At this point, Claudius had had enough. He wasn't going to keep playing around. While Crocodile's powers were impressive, he was still inexperienced. Claudius knew every trick in Crocodile's playbook, but Crocodile didn't know anything about him.
Letting the sand whips strike him, Claudius didn't even flinch. The attacks bounced off an invisible barrier, leaving him unharmed. Crocodile's momentary triumph faded into confusion as he realized his attack had failed.
Before Crocodile could react, Claudius drew a plain-looking short sword from his side.
"Shoot him, Shinsō," Claudius said softly.
In a flash, Crocodile felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. Blood spattered across his vision, and he instinctively shut his eyes.
"Not good!" Crocodile thought, panicking.
Before he could open his eyes again, he felt a hand clamp around his throat, lifting him off the ground.
"Now you're done," Crocodile thought triumphantly. "Once I drain him, it'll be over..."
But something was wrong. Instead of drawing the life from Claudius, Crocodile felt a crushing pressure in his lungs. Something was being forced into his nose and throat, cutting off his air supply. He gasped, trying to cough, but the choking sensation overwhelmed him.
"The Choke of Death," Claudius said quietly. "Forced coma."
Crocodile's world began to blur as the lack of oxygen took its toll. His body went limp, and he slipped into unconsciousness.
In truth, Claudius wasn't that much stronger than Crocodile at this point in time. The key difference was that Claudius knew all of Crocodile's techniques, while Crocodile knew nothing about his. It was no wonder that Crocodile, still inexperienced, had been bested so quickly.
"Well, well, isn't this convenient?" Claudius said with a satisfied grin, holding Crocodile's unconscious body. "I was just wondering where I could find someone with potential, and here I stumble across both Dragon and Crocodile on the same day. What luck!"
In truth, if Claudius hadn't interfered, Crocodile would never have been caught by the Marines. He would have used his abilities to slip away underground and escape unscathed.
Only later would Crocodile realize he had been betrayed by Captain John, someone he once trusted. This betrayal twisted his personality, pushing him to go out to sea on his own. His first claim to fame would come from hunting down and killing Captain John, the very man who betrayed him.
From there, Crocodile would go from being just another rookie pirate to a rising star on the seas. His journey would be marked by significant events.
First, he would cross paths with Douglas Bullet. Although the outcome of that fight remained unknown, it would be a key moment in his rise. After lying low for a few years, he would re-emerge to clash with Whitebeard, a battle that would cement his reputation.
His fame would eventually catch the attention of the World Government, leading to their invitation for him to join the ranks of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
The rest, as they say, is history. Ultimately, his fall from grace would come at the hands of Luffy, who would beat him down and send him to the underwater prison Impel Down.
But right now, things were taking a different turn. Claudius had found Crocodile early young, inexperienced, and full of potential. And now that Claudius had him in his grasp, Crocodile's destiny was sure to change in ways neither of them could foresee.
Chapter 38: Celestial Dragon's Hoof
Inside the hot spring hotel, Admiral Sengoku sat facing Claudius and his entourage, clearly a bit on edge. It wasn't every day that a situation like this cropped up, and he was visibly unsettled by the implications.
"Saint Claudius, my deepest apologies. The Navy had no idea you were vacationing on this island. The Buster Call was... purely a tactical decision," Sengoku began, his voice carrying a slight tremor. He knew what was at stake here. On the surface, it was about wiping out the remnants of the John Pirates. However, Claudius, a Celestial Dragon, was present something no one had expected.
The issue wasn't that Claudius had been harmed in any way he hadn't but if this escalated, it could be viewed as a conspiracy. If word got out that a Buster Call was launched in an area where a Celestial Dragon was present, it could be seen as an act of treason. Even though the order was sanctioned by the Five Elders, if the Celestial Dragons in Mariejois wanted someone to take the fall, not even the Five Elders could protect Sengoku. Worse still, the entire Marine command might have to face the consequences.
After all, one of the Marine's primary duties was to protect the Celestial Dragons. To have a Buster Call potentially harm one? That would be catastrophic.
But Claudius, much to Sengoku's relief, wasn't planning on blowing things out of proportion. He smiled and said, "No need to apologize, Sengoku. If anything, this was my fault for being too unpredictable. I ended up causing the Marines quite a bit of trouble."
Sengoku exhaled a quiet sigh of relief. Claudius wasn't making this into a big deal. "I'm grateful for your understanding, Saint Claudius..."
"Hmm... If I recall correctly, your Buster Call this time was targeting the John Pirates, correct?" Claudius asked thoughtfully.
"Yes, that's right. Kizaru and the others are currently searching for them," Sengoku responded, a little surprised at the question, but he saw no reason to withhold any information.
"In that case, I should tell you something I just learned. Captain John and some of his crew have escaped the island in a submarine," Claudius said calmly.
"Submarine?" Sengoku's eyes widened slightly. He furrowed his brow and asked, "May I ask where you got this information, Your Highness?"
Claudius gave a light chuckle and gestured towards Crocodile, who was sitting in the corner of the room, shackled in seastone cuffs, his expression one of deep frustration. "I got it from him. He used to be one of Captain John's close confidants. Lucky for me, I caught him before he could escape."
"'Used to be' is right!" Crocodile growled angrily. "That bastard John used me as a pawn. I was ready to risk it all for him, but he just ran without so much as a warning!" (Lol you were the one at Fault)
The bitterness in Crocodile's voice was palpable. He had once been loyal to Captain John, but realizing he had been abandoned without a second thought had turned that loyalty into rage.
"Sengoku," Claudius continued, "It's clear this kid's not lying."
Sengoku eyed Crocodile for a moment, taking in the scene. Claudius hadn't hidden Crocodile's identity, nor could he. The Marine was already aware of Crocodile as a rising figure in John's crew he was even on their watch list due to his Logia Devil Fruit abilities. Claudius didn't bother with subterfuge. There was no need. Sengoku already knew.
After a moment of contemplation, Sengoku pulled out his Den Den Mushi and made a call. "Kuzan," he said after a few seconds of conversation, "freeze the surrounding waters. We've got reliable intel John's trying to escape in a submarine."
He hung up the phone, his expression firm. Without Claudius' tip, John might've gotten away. But now? Not a chance. Aokiji's ability to freeze the sea made it impossible for submarines of this era to escape. They couldn't dive deep enough or move fast enough to evade his ice.
"Thank you, Saint Claudius," Sengoku said, bowing his head slightly. "I'll make sure to report this to the Five Elders."
Claudius nodded, then smiled. "So... about this Buster Call?"
Sengoku chuckled, a little ruefully. "Well, there's no choice now. We'll have to abort it. I think this is the first time in history that a Buster Call has been called off mid-action..."
"Really?" Claudius raised an eyebrow. "This was your first time using the Buster Call?"
"Yes," Sengoku admitted. "The Buster Call is a drastic measure, after all. If it weren't for the elusive nature of John and his crew, I wouldn't have used it in the first place. And if it weren't for your tip, we might have failed to catch them anyway."
Claudius found this somewhat amusing. He'd always imagined Sengoku as the kind of man who'd used the Buster Call multiple times, especially given his cold reputation. After all, Claudius knew that Sengoku had authorized the destruction of Ohara without batting an eye. Yet here he was, admitting it was his first time calling for such a strike.
Technically, a Buster Call couldn't be stopped once initiated, but Claudius' position as a Celestial Dragon overruled that. His mere presence was enough to cancel the entire operation.
Sengoku, however, wasn't just calling it off for Claudius' sake. Now that they knew John was escaping via submarine, the focus was on capturing him. Killing innocents on the island would do nothing to achieve that. So, halting the Buster Call not only appeased Claudius but also helped the Marines avoid unnecessary bloodshed. At least now, Sengoku could rest easier knowing they hadn't caused undue harm.
"I suppose Dragon will have a better opinion of me after this," Claudius mused to himself.
He'd noticed Dragon earlier, secretly helping civilians caught in the chaos. Claudius, however, had done one better he had stopped the Buster Call entirely. While others might not grasp the full implications of what had just happened, Dorag would undoubtedly understand and remember Claudius' intervention.
Of course, Claudius had no intention of mentioning his encounter with Dragon. That particular meeting would be a secret he intended to bury in history. After all, if anyone discovered in the future that he had met Dragon who will lead a revolution things could become very complicated.
"So, what's the plan for John's crew?" Claudius asked after a moment's thought.
Sengoku smiled faintly. "Normally, if we caught them, we'd send them to Impel Down. But given the scale of this operation, the orders from above are clear total extermination."
The aim of the Buster Call was to completely wipe out the John Pirates. Even if they were captured, execution was the only option. There was no room for leniency this time.
"Really?" Claudius raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to Crocodile. "In that case, Admiral Sengoku, this kid here... I don't think he's completely rotten yet. He's crossed paths with me, and, well, I promised him his life if he gave up the information. I'm not one to go back on my word. So, how about letting him go?"
Before Sengoku could respond, Crocodile spat angrily, "Claudius, you're full of it! I'm not some snitch! I'm no traitor!"
Before he could finish, Stussy shot out her leg and kicked Crocodile in the back, sending him sprawling to the floor. "How dare you speak so rudely to His Highness?" she said coldly.
Sengoku looked uncomfortable but tried to remain diplomatic. "Your Highness, I understand your intentions, but this boy is still a pirate. A dangerous one at that. He may be young, but he's a Logia Devil Fruit user. Letting him go wouldn't be wise, especially given the orders we've received to completely eliminate the John Pirates."
Claudius understood Sengoku's hesitation. He imagined it was tough for Sengoku to let a pirate go, even if a Celestial Dragon was asking. Claudius smiled inwardly, knowing full well that if he weren't a Celestial Dragon, Sengoku would have crushed Crocodile without a second thought.
"So, if he weren't a pirate, you'd let him go, right?" Claudius asked, leaning in slightly.
Crocodile's response was immediate and defiant. "Don't even think about it! I'm a pirate, through and through! Kill me if you want, but I'll never abandon my freedom!"
"Your Highness," Sengoku said with a resigned sigh, "as you can see, he's made his choice. Even if I wanted to, I can't let him go. The boy has no intention of leaving his life of piracy."
Claudius smiled slyly. "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that. You seem to forget who I am. If he won't switch careers willingly, I can... convince him. Nia!"
Nia, stepped forward. "What do you require, Your Highness?"
"Bring me the 'Celestial Dragon's Hoof,'" Claudius said, a wicked smile creeping onto his face.
As soon as those words left his mouth, Crocodile's expression twisted in confusion. He didn't quite understand what Claudius meant, but Sengoku's face darkened.
"Your Highness, surely you don't mean..." Sengoku began, but Claudius waved him off casually.
"I'm just being practical, Sengoku. If this kid doesn't want to abandon his pirate ways, then I'll give him a little... incentive to reconsider his career path," Claudius replied smoothly.
Nia gave a quick bow and turned to leave the room, ready to carry out the order. Meanwhile, Crocodile, still ignorant of what was about to happen, glared up from the floor.
"You can kill me, Claudius, but don't think for a second that you can humiliate me into submission!" Crocodile barked defiantly.
Stussy rolled her eyes and nudged him with her foot. "You really don't know when to shut up, do you?"
Sengoku sighed heavily, realizing there was little he could do to stop what was coming. "It seems your Highness truly has everything planned out... Fine, if you're so determined, I won't interfere."
Claudius' smile widened as he looked at Crocodile. "Oh, you'll learn soon enough. Sometimes, it just takes a little push in the right direction..."
The door opened again, and Nia returned, carrying a metal branding iron in the shape of the infamous "Celestial Dragon's Hoof" the symbol burned into the flesh of slaves owned by the Celestial Dragons. Crocodile's eyes widened as the realization finally hit him.
"You... you can't be serious..." Crocodile muttered, his voice shaking with both disbelief and rage.
Claudius leaned in, his voice low and menacing. "Oh, I'm very serious. Either you accept a new path in life, or you bear the mark of the Celestial Dragon. It's your choice."
As the gravity of the situation dawned on Crocodile, Sengoku watched in silence. Claudius had laid out his terms, and there was no escaping them now.
Chapter 39: Am I a Slave Now?
Nia stepped out to complete her tasks, while Crocodile sat huddled in the corner, his expression vacant, clearly trying to process what was happening. Meanwhile, Claudius and Admiral Sengoku continued their conversation in high spirits, almost as if nothing out of the ordinary was taking place.
Before long, Sengoku received a report from Kuzan: John's submarine had been apprehended, and Kizaru and Sakazuki were on their way to support the operation. At that moment, Sengoku felt a wave of relief wash over him. With Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Kizaru working together, John and his crew wouldn't stand a chance. They were young but undeniably powerful. John's fate was sealed.
This was probably the first real conversation Sengoku had ever had with Claudius. They'd crossed paths before, but any interactions were mostly formal or through Zephyr, who had a better relationship with Claudius. Zephyr had often spoken of how different Claudius was from the typical Celestial Dragons, but now, after their exchange, Sengoku was beginning to understand what Zephyr meant.
Claudius wasn't just physically strong for a Celestial Dragon; he was sharp, well-spoken, and far from the spoiled, entitled aristocrat Sengoku had expected. In their interaction, Claudius could have easily used his status to force Sengoku into bending the rules to protect Crocodile. But instead, he chose a more nuanced approach, one that allowed Sengoku to save face while still achieving his own goals.
In that moment, Sengoku couldn't help but think: What a shame Claudius is a Celestial Dragon. If he had been a Marine, with proper training, Claudius could have become as remarkable as Kuzan, Sakazuki, or Kizaru.
Just as Sengoku was reflecting on this, the door opened and Nia returned, holding a red-hot branding iron in his hand. The sight of it caused Sengoku to let out a resigned chuckle. "Zephyr told me you weren't like the other Celestial Dragons, Claudius, but I didn't expect to witness something like this today."
Nia respectfully handed the branding iron to Claudius, who took it with a mischievous smile. "Well, Admiral Sengoku, even I have my 'Celestial Dragon' moments. After all, a bit of cruelty runs in our blood."
Sengoku smiled wryly. "I wouldn't call this cruelty, Your Highness. If anything, you're simply 'guiding' others onto the right path."
Claudius laughed. "Who would've thought? The Marine Admiral just called one of my acts a good deed! Maybe I should do more 'good' in the future."
Sengoku could only shake his head with a helpless smile. There really wasn't much he could say.
Claudius turned to Stussy. "Hold him still and get his back ready. From now on, he belongs to me. Let's see if he still wants to be a pirate after this."
Stussy complied without hesitation, stepping forward and pressing Crocodile to the ground. With swift, practiced movements, she tore his clothes apart, exposing his muscular back.
Crocodile, sensing the gravity of the situation, began to struggle, but the seastone cuffs sapped his strength, leaving him powerless. Stussy, a skilled fighter herself, easily pinned him down. Crocodile's arms were locked in place, leaving him no choice but to shout in frustration.
"What the hell are you doing, Claudius? Let me go!" Crocodile yelled, his voice laced with panic.
Claudius strolled over, the branding iron in hand, and grinned. "Relax, kid. I'm saving your life. After today, you're no longer a pirate. Your bounty will be wiped clean, and you'll have a fresh start. You should be thanking me."
In his mind, Claudius couldn't help but find the situation amusing. This is Crocodile, one of the future Seven Warlords. And now, I get to brand him with the mark of a Celestial Dragon.
"Let me go! You can't do this!" Crocodile's voice trembled with terror. Sure, the promise of having his bounty erased sounded nice, but something about this whole situation felt wrong. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was stepping into an even deeper trap.
Nia, standing by, said. "You should know what's happening, Crocodile. His Highness is about to mark you with the 'Celestial Dragon's Hoof.' Once it's branded onto you, there's no removing it. From that point forward, you'll belong to him. For life. Of course, there are perks. Most people won't dare to touch you as long as you're under His Highness' protection. But if you disobey... well, we'll make sure you understand what it means to wish for death."
Crocodile's face contorted in rage and disbelief. "A slave? You think I'll become a slave? I'd rather die here than live with that brand on me! I Crocodile will never be anyone's slave!"
"In time, you'll come to accept this, maybe even embrace it. I'm not like the other Celestial Dragons. I don't just collect slaves for fun. You'll still have your freedom, to some degree. Even Admiral Sengoku here can testify that I'm a reasonable man."
"Reasonable?" Crocodile spat, trying to struggle free. "Go to hell!"
"Relax," Claudius said, his voice calm but firm. "This is all for your own good."
With those words, Claudius pressed the searing hot brand onto Crocodile's back. A sickening sizzle filled the room as the mark of the Donquixote family—the "Celestial Dragon's Hoof" burned into his skin.
Crocodile let out a scream of pure agony. "Claudius! You bastard! I swear, I'll make you pay for this!"
Claudius casually pulled the branding iron away, handing it back to Nia. Crocodile lay on the ground, his body drenched in sweat, his muscles twitching from the excruciating pain. The brand, still fresh and red on his back, marked him as property of the Donquixote family.
He glanced at Nia, who promptly took the branding iron away. "Make sure he's treated. We saved his life, no point in letting him die from infection or something trivial."
Stussy nodded and began to drag the weakened Crocodile out of the room.
As they left, Sengoku, who had been watching the entire scene, spoke up with a slight frown. "Your Highness, are you sure Crocodile won't try to harm you in the future? I don't think he's the type to submit easily."
Claudius smiled confidently. "That's the fun part. I don't need him to submit right away. I didn't mark him just to turn him into a mindless slave. I see potential in him. He'll either come around and be useful to me, or he'll keep fighting. Either way, I win. If John could win him over, why can't I?"
Sengoku shook his head slightly, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Well, if you're that confident, I won't argue. Now that the situation with John is under control, I should go see how things are progressing. Once we've finished with the John Pirates, I'll personally escort you back to Mariejois."
Claudius chuckled. "Looks like I have no choice but to accept. After all, your Marines blew up my ship when you launched the Buster Call. Can't exactly swim back, can I?"
Sengoku grinned, though it was tinged with embarrassment. "We'll make sure you're taken care of, Your Highness."
After Sengoku left, Nia approached Claudius. "Your Highness, should we really return with the Marines? Weren't we planning to travel a bit more and scout for new talent?"
Claudius smiled. "Don't worry, Nia. We've already had an unexpected windfall. Crocodile has plenty of potential. We'll be fine."
Nia frowned slightly, still skeptical. "Him? I'm not sure. He doesn't seem very... cooperative."
Claudius laughed heartily. "Trust me, Nia. Give him time. We can work on his IQ later."
Chapter 40: Golden Lion!
Not far from Cornillo Island, a massive ship hovered high in the sky one that would make any experienced pirate or Marine tremble in recognition. If anyone saw the distinctive flag it flew, they'd immediately exclaim, "Golden Lion!!"
Yes, this airship was none other than the flagship of Golden Lion Shiki's infamous fleet. Over the past few years, Shiki had become one of the most notorious pirates, his reputation soaring to unparalleled heights.
"Captain—no, Admiral! We've cracked the Marine's communication signals from Cornillo Island and intercepted critical intel!" A pirate, dressed in shabby but practical clothing, rushed to Shiki's side, his voice excited yet filled with awe.
Shiki's sharp eyes lit up, and a powerful, almost tangible pressure radiated from him. This wasn't just his Conqueror's Haki; it was the natural aura of a man who had stood at the pinnacle of the pirate world for decades. His very presence screamed dominance and command.
After all, who was Shiki? He was the Golden Lion, a pirate whose name had made even the strongest heroes retreat in fear. His pride and aura were overwhelming, even when not consciously unleashed. The sheer force of it nearly made the young pirate kneel on the spot.
"Oh? Finally cracked it, huh? What are those bastards up to? Who's leading the operation? Is it connected to that old dog John?" Shiki asked, his voice carrying a commanding edge.
The young pirate swallowed hard, steadying himself under the weight of Shiki's presence. He couldn't help but feel that with a leader like this, the Golden Lion fleet could one day rival the glory of the Rocks Pirates, perhaps even dominate the seas like never before. He quickly pushed those thoughts aside and got to the point.
"Yes, Captain, it's related to John. The Marines completed their mission and are preparing to return to base. The fleet's being led by none other than Admiral Sengoku!"
"Sengoku?!" Shiki's eyes widened briefly before a wicked, confident smile spread across his face. "Jiehahahahaha! Sengoku? In the New World? Well, isn't this my lucky day!"
The reason why Golden Lion Shiki was feared across the seas wasn't just his ruthlessness, it was the overwhelming power of his Devil Fruit. His Float-Float Fruit ability made him a menace in naval battles. At this moment, not even Whitebeard, the so-called strongest man in the world, had as much influence as Shiki. Some even believed Shiki's fruit was the strongest Paramecia Devil Fruit in existence.
When it came to sea warfare, Shiki's dominance of the skies gave him an insurmountable edge. He didn't need to engage in a direct battle with Sengoku. All he had to do was drop heavy objects from the sky onto the Marine fleet, crushing their ships one by one.
And Sengoku? Even as a user of the legendary Zoan-type Devil Fruit, he was still bound by the sea's curse. Once his ship went under, even Sengoku would be powerless to stop Shiki's onslaught.
Normally, the whereabouts of Marine Admirals like Sengoku were kept top secret. The New World was vast, and the odds of running into Sengoku on a random day were slim. But now? Shiki felt like fate had handed him a golden opportunity. He had originally come to hunt down Captain John, who had slipped through his fingers. But if he could destroy Sengoku and the Marine fleet, it would be a devastating blow to the World Government, one that could shake the seas to their core.
"Jiehahahaha! Today's the day Marine learns who really rules the New World!" Shiki laughed maniacally, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Prepare for battle! Sengoku's mine, and so is that traitor John! Let's wipe them out!"
The young pirate, barely able to contain his excitement at Shiki's bold declaration, saluted enthusiastically. "Yes, Captain—no, Admiral Shiki! I'll relay your orders at once!"
With Shiki's command, the massive airship began to accelerate, powered by Shiki's abilities. Meanwhile, Sengoku and his fleet sailed onward, completely unaware that one of the most feared predators of the sea was closing in on them.
Unbeknownst to them, Golden Lion Shiki had set his sights on them, ready to launch a full-scale assault. The John Pirates were already finished John himself was nothing more than a corpse. Sengoku hadn't even bothered asking him about the so-called legendary treasure; John's demise had been swift and unceremonious. But Shiki? Shiki was hunting for blood.
On one of the warships, Claudius and his group were making the best of their situation, now traveling under the protection of the Marines after their ship had been destroyed.
"Though the Buster Call was unprecedentedly halted, the mission was still a complete success. The John Pirates have been completely eradicated. The Five Elders are pleased with our efforts," Sengoku said with a satisfied smile. "And, of course, Your Highness played a key role in this. Without your assistance, John might've managed to slip away."
Claudius, reclining in a chair, smiled casually. "Is that so? I never thought I'd be the subject of praise from the Five Elders. What did they have to say?"
"They commended you briefly. Of course, John's death and the success of the mission will be in tomorrow's papers at the latest. I wouldn't be surprised if your name shows up in the headlines as well," Sengoku replied with a grin.
In the past, Claudius would've shied away from such attention. Back then, he was just another Celestial Dragon, using his noble title to intimidate and manipulate. The last thing he wanted was to be in the public eye, where unwanted attention could cause complications. But now things were different. Claudius had plans—ambitions. And for those plans to succeed, he needed subordinates, people who would work for him. He couldn't do everything alone.
But attracting the right people wasn't easy, especially when they saw him only as a spoiled, entitled Celestial Dragon. The likes of Crocodile, for example, weren't impressed by noble titles. Claudius had gotten lucky with Crocodile, but he couldn't rely on luck every time. If he wanted to recruit powerful individuals, he needed something more something that inspired respect.
Reputation.
Without it, Claudius was just another noble. But with a reputation for power and ambition, people might begin to see him as a figure worth following.
Just as Claudius was about to respond, the sound of cannon fire echoed across the ship. The sharp blare of alarms followed immediately after, filling the air with tension.
Sengoku's relaxed demeanor vanished in an instant. His face turned serious as the alarm blared a sound that only went off when the fleet encountered a powerful enemy. Given that this was a Buster Call fleet, and Sengoku himself was present, that could only mean one thing: they had run into one of the most dangerous adversaries on the seas.
"Your Highness, it seems we may be in trouble. Please, stay safe. I'm going to investigate," Sengoku said, his voice urgent.
Before Claudius could respond, a deafening crash echoed outside. He turned to look out the window and saw a massive sailing ship fall from the sky, crashing into the sea nearby and sending waves crashing against the warships.
"What the hell?" Claudius muttered.
Sengoku froze in place for a moment, his face darkening with realization. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, "Damn it... it's him. Golden Lion Shiki!"
High in the sky, a figure floated above the fleet his presence unmistakable, his aura commanding. His long golden hair blew in the wind, a cigar hanging loosely from his lips. He wore a golden coat draped over his shoulders, exuding the swagger of a man who had ruled the seas for decades. Two famous swords hung from his waist, and before he even spoke, his overwhelming aura blanketed the entire fleet.
"Jiehahahahahaha! Sengoku! My old friend! Long time no see! Why don't you come out and say hello?" Shiki's voice boomed across the battlefield as he hovered in the air, his laughter echoing through the sky.
Sengoku stepped out from the cabin, his expression tense but composed. His body radiated authority and power, the very image of justice incarnate. He stared up at Shiki, his eyes narrowing. "Golden Lion, don't get too full of yourself!"
Shiki laughed maniacally. "Jiehahaha! I was right! Sengoku, you're here! This is perfect! Today's the day I send you to the bottom of the sea!"
Claudius leaned out of the window, gazing up at the figure floating above the fleet. Even he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. "So that's Golden Lion Shiki..." he murmured to himself. "No wonder they call him one of the pirate overlords. His presence alone is worlds apart from someone like John..."
...
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