As soon as Claudius decided to set sail, his team moved with impressive speed. Several strong servants pushed a large fish tank through the halls of Mariejois, in which swam the mermaid sisters, Mero and Lenny. Claudius and Stussy led the way, while Nia, the head butler, walked beside them, holding little Enel's hand. They made their way across Mariejois toward the port, drawing the attention of passersby.
Many people looked on with envy, including several other Celestial Dragons. After all, mermaids were a rare and prized sight in Mariejois, and Claudius was in possession of not one, but two. When they realized it was Claudius the rising star among Celestial Dragons walking ahead, any thoughts of jealousy quickly shifted to respect.
Once they departed, Claudius's luck with the sea remained as unpredictable as ever. It had been over two weeks since they left Mariejois, and while they hadn't been in a hurry, leisurely passing a few islands here and there, they didn't stay long in any one place. However, one thing was clear: the sea was teeming with pirates.
On almost every island they visited, pirate flags flew high at the ports. If there was an island where they didn't see at least one or two pirate ships docked, it felt strange. Islands with strong defensive forces or stationed Marines were somewhat safer, but on others, piracy was rampant. Many islands were raided three or even four times a day, with different pirate crews clashing in chaotic fights for territory and plunder.
Claudius knew this pandemonium was part of the initial madness sparked by Roger's declaration, marking the dawn of the Great Pirate Era. As time passed, both the Marines and local islands would adapt, managing the chaos better. For now, though, the sea was a frenzied mess.
As Claudius's ship approached the waters near Water 7—a hub of shipbuilding on the Grand Line the capital city of shipwrights looked bustling as ever. The constant traffic and trade kept the place alive and thriving, unlike other islands that struggled amidst the surge in piracy.
But the commotion on land had little to do with Claudius, who was lounging comfortably on a sun chair on the deck, reading the daily news. Most recent headlines were dominated by reports of new rising pirate stars, including his "associates" Crocodile and Doflamingo, along with other names like Mihawk and Moria.
On the other side of the deck, Stussy and Nia were enjoying a game of badminton, dressed in bikinis that showed off their athletic and toned figures. The game wasn't easy, though, as the sea breeze often disrupted their shots, adding an extra challenge.
Meanwhile, Enel had found his own way to relax he sat by the railing, fishing rod in hand, patiently waiting for a catch. He seemed to have developed a fondness for the tranquility of fishing, despite his usual impatience.
In the water below, two graceful mermaid figures swam in joy, diving and surfacing like dolphins, occasionally leaping out of the water in elegant arcs before splashing back down. It was Mero and Lenny, clearly ecstatic to be back in the ocean after so long in captivity. Claudius had allowed them to swim freely, only asking that they return to the ship when they were tired. For the most part, they stayed in the water, only climbing aboard to rest before diving back in.
Claudius was amused by their loyalty. If they wanted to escape, they could have done so easily by disappearing into the vast ocean. But they stayed, perhaps out of genuine attachment to their Celestial Dragon master, or perhaps out of a sense of gratitude. Either way, Claudius felt a touch of pride.
As he lounged, Stussy suddenly paused in the middle of her game, looking out to sea. She was so distracted that Nia's badminton shot bounced off her head, but she ignored it, calling out, "Your Highness, looks like we've got another group of… visitors."
Claudius didn't even glance up. "Enel," he said calmly.
Enel sighed, setting down his fishing rod. "Are they really coming at us again? These pirates are so annoying. Your Highness, I don't think I want to be a pirate anymore."
Claudius laughed. "Then maybe you should be the kind of pirate who cleans up the trash! Take control, keep them in line, and take out those who don't obey!"
Enel's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Right! When I'm the boss of the pirates, I'll make sure they listen, and anyone who doesn't… I'll wipe them out!"
Rising to his feet, Enel spotted the pirate ship closing in on them, clearly aiming to launch an attack. With a focused look, he raised his arm, lightning crackling around him.
"Divine Judgment!" Enel shouted, sending a massive bolt of lightning into the sky. Moments later, a powerful thunderbolt descended, striking the pirate ship with terrifying accuracy. The ship was obliterated in a flash, shattered to pieces, with nothing left but debris floating on the water.
Satisfied, Enel returned to his spot by the railing, picking up his fishing rod as if nothing had happened. Claudius glanced over, chuckling, "Good work, Enel. I don't think they'll be bothering us again."
Stussy laughed as well, leaning over to Enel. "Divine Judgment, hmm? That's a grand title. Do you plan on becoming a god someday, Enel?"
Enel, who had been puffed up with pride just moments ago, suddenly looked sheepish. "No, no, of course not. But His Highness here, he's like a god on Earth, right? So, as his follower, that makes me something like a divine messenger! Isn't that right, Your Highness? That's why my punishment is Divine Judgment!"
Claudius chuckled from his spot on the lounge chair. "Sure, Enel, we'll go with that. Just keep at it."
Nia smirked, arching an eyebrow at Enel. "A god's envoy, is it? Quite the grand ambition for a young fisherman."
Claudius, amused, intervened, "Alright, alright, don't tease the kid too much." He glanced at the small device on the table next to him—a Log Pose, its needle shifting back and forth.
"We must be getting close to Water 7. The needle's movements are becoming more frequent," Claudius noted with a smile.
For someone who had taken several trips across the Grand Line, he'd picked up a few tricks of navigation. The Log Pose needle tended to stabilize when an island was far off, but as they drew nearer, it would oscillate and adjust rapidly, indicating the proximity of their destination.
Satisfied, Claudius reclined once more, his gaze shifting to Enel. "You're doing great, Enel. Thunder Fruit is indeed one of the strongest Logia fruits out there. Keep honing your skills."
Enel gave a proud nod but stayed silent, focusing once more on his fishing.