Early in the morning, with the assistance of the palace maids, Claudius completed his morning routine of washing and dressing. He didn't wear the iconic white robe of the Celestial Dragons, nor did he wear the customary bubble helmet that most of them used to protect themselves from the "filthy air" of commoners. Instead, he opted for simple, practical clothes that allowed for easy movement.
At the moment, Claudius was performing basic exercises in his vast courtyard.
To the people of Mariejois, Claudius's behavior seemed odd, and though there were whispers about him, nobody took it too seriously. Why? Well, it was simply a part of the reputation the Donquixote family had earned over the centuries. Among the Celestial Dragons, the Donquixote family was considered a bit eccentric. For over 800 years, they had consistently produced individuals who, in the eyes of other Celestial Dragons, seemed a bit... unhinged.
Take, for example, his uncle Homing, who was preparing to move to North Blue. Then there was Lancelot, who pardoned slaves as if it were a casual gesture. Now, Claudius was counted among these "oddities" because of his new lifestyle.
So, when Claudius chose not to wear the typical holy robes, refused to don a bubble helmet, and instead spent his time in physical training, other Celestial Dragons dismissed it as just another odd quirk of the Donquixote family. At most, they might gossip about him during idle conversations over meals.
Claudius himself couldn't care less. He wasn't the type to leave his estate unless absolutely necessary, and he wasn't concerned with the rumors. Let people say what they wanted. As a Celestial Dragon, and a member of the Donquixote family no less, as long as he didn't cross any major lines, no one would interfere with whatever "nonsense" he decided to indulge in.
After completing a set of exercises based on the instructions left by Zephyr, Claudius wiped the sweat from his brow. His training had left him feeling refreshed but slightly fatigued.
As he caught his breath, Nia, the maid who had recently become more familiar with Claudius, approached with a stack of freshly laundered towels, fragrant and soft.
Over the past few days, Nia had noticed significant changes in her interactions with Claudius. Not only did he seem to genuinely appreciate her presence, but he even joked with her occasionally. Perhaps the most notable change was that Claudius had allowed her to sit and eat with him during meals a privilege that made the other servants extremely envious.
Nia had come to understand his temperament and now felt far more at ease around him, replacing her initial fear with a sense of camaraderie.
"Your Highness," Nia said gently, watching Claudius wipe his sweat, "I've heard that it's possible to overdo the foundation training. If you push yourself too hard, it might actually harm your body. The tea I prepared is warm and ready for you. Why don't you take a break before continuing?"
Had it been a few days earlier, Nia wouldn't have dared to make such a suggestion. But now, she spoke with ease, knowing that Claudius would take her words in stride.
Claudius chuckled and threw the towel back to her. "Is that so? Well, if you say so, I'll rest for a bit."
He knew his own limits. Over the past few days, he had been studying his Devil Fruit abilities alongside his physical training. While his stamina was bolstered by the regenerative effects of his fruit, he wasn't in any rush. He was content to progress slowly and steadily, building his foundation step by step.
He sat down at a small table in the courtyard, taking a few sips of the warm tea Nia had prepared.
In the world of pirates, people often believed that sheer hard work alone could move mountains and part seas. But the truth was more nuanced. Hard work was essential, yes, but talent was just as important. And on top of that, material resources played a crucial role.
Claudius had no shortage of talent. Ever since he had awakened to his new life, he had been diligent in honing his skills. As for material resources, well, as a Celestial Dragon, those were practically endless. Wealth and influence were at his disposal without him even needing to ask. And those in Mariejois who sought favor with him would scramble to shower him with gifts and assistance.
In his experience, achieving mastery often involved some level of injury or wear and tear on the body. This was where resources became invaluable without the right support, it was easy to develop lingering injuries. But with the right tools, one could unlock their full potential.
Take the tea he was sipping, for example. It wasn't just a drink; it was specially formulated to enhance the benefits of physical training, unlocking latent potential in the body. While Marine soldiers might dream of having access to such luxuries, even they couldn't afford to match the level of extravagance that Claudius enjoyed daily.
This was the stark reality of power and wealth.
It was the same in Marine headquarters. Talented recruits were weeded out through rigorous selection processes, and the best were sent to elite programs like the Officer Training Camp, which monopolized high-ranking Marine positions. The Marines funneled their best resources into these select few, ensuring that they had every advantage on their path to greatness.
Without such backing, it would be impossible to succeed so easily.
Claudius was in a similar situation. He was born into the highest echelon of society he didn't have to worry about financial struggles or lack of support. As long as he didn't waste his potential and worked hard, his future achievements would undoubtedly be impressive.
As Claudius sat, Nia gently fanned him to stave off the summer heat. Meanwhile, Claudius absently touched his chin, deep in thought. Slowly, he raised his hand, and wisps of white smoke began to form at his fingertips.
Nia wasn't surprised by this; she had grown accustomed to seeing Claudius practice his Devil Fruit powers. She watched with curiosity as the smoke condensed, transforming into something far more tangible liquid nitrogen.
Claudius had been studying the powers of his Nitrogen-Nitrogen Fruit in earnest lately. He had discovered that by compressing nitrogen gas, he could condense it into liquid form. And liquid nitrogen was no small thing it was an incredibly powerful tool.
For starters, it was extremely cold. When it vaporized, it absorbed heat rapidly, freezing anything it came into contact with. The frostbite caused by this freezing process was irreversible, making it a dangerous and effective weapon.
Additionally, liquid nitrogen was chemically inert and didn't support combustion. In theory, it could be used to counter fire-based abilities. Claudius even suspected that, if developed fully, it might hold its own against Akainu's magma-based powers.
And this was just one application of the Nitrogen-Nitrogen Fruit. There were countless other possibilities waiting to be explored. But for now, Claudius was taking things slow. The development of a Devil Fruit's power was a long-term process that required patience and practice.
The mist of nitrogen gas enveloped the cup of tea on the table. After a few seconds, the once warm tea had frozen solid.
Claudius smiled in satisfaction and tapped the frozen cup with his finger. The teacup shattered into tiny shards, demonstrating the sheer power of the freezing nitrogen.
"Ah!" Nia gasped in surprise.
Claudius turned to her, amused. "What's the matter? Were you scared?"
Nia shook her head, her curiosity piqued. "No... It's just strange. I didn't feel any cold coming from it."
Claudius chuckled. "That's the nature of liquid nitrogen. By the time you feel the cold, it's already too late."
He glanced at his hand, still trailing wisps of nitrogen. "This is the power of science combined with the abilities of a Devil Fruit. Some might laugh at me for possessing this ability, but I find it full of potential."
Nia nodded, but after a moment, she hesitated. "Your Highness... I have a question. I'm not sure if I should ask it."
Claudius, intrigued, smiled at her. "Go ahead. Ask away."
Nia took a breath, gathering her courage. "You are a Celestial Dragon descended from the Creator and a god among men. You can have anything in this world with just a word. So why do you work so hard to increase your strength?"
Claudius's smile deepened, and his expression grew thoughtful. His gaze became distant as he spoke softly, "People who have no worries must have foresight, Nia. Today, I may be a god walking in the world... but who can guarantee that will always be the case?"
Nia was left speechless. In her mind, the World Government and the Marines were unbeatable forces. Who in the world could possibly challenge the Celestial Dragons? Hadn't they ruled the world for over 800 years?
Claudius saw the confusion in her eyes and continued, "Without strength to support it, this so-called 'godhood' is nothing more than a castle in the sky. It looks magnificent on the surface, but it's fragile. All it takes is a single blow, and everything will collapse."
Although Claudius enjoyed his current life as a Celestial Dragon, he wasn't naive. He knew that somewhere, beyond the horizons of the world he could see, forces were brewing.