In a certain sea area of the New World, a Flamingo Pirate Ship sailed through calm waters. This was Doflamingo's flagship, not the largest vessel, but unmistakably flamboyant in design.
The Jolly Roger of the Donquixote Pirates fluttered proudly on the mast. As one of the major players in the New World, few dared to provoke Doflamingo, ensuring their journey was uneventful and devoid of conflict.
Inside the ship's cabin, Claudius sat with Stussy, engaged in a conversation that he now somewhat regretted starting.
"It's disappointing," Claudius muttered, irritation evident in his tone. "Dragon said the Marines had weapons of mass destruction, but it turns out all they've got is a bomb? I thought it would be something more… innovative, like a gas weapon or something."
The Marine scientific division was indeed developing new weapons, but the project was still in its early stages. Their approach leaned more toward conventional methods, refining artillery and explosives rather than venturing into ethically questionable areas like chemical weapons. While there had been some breakthroughs, it wasn't enough to satisfy Claudius's expectations.
At the meeting, Claudius had learned about the existence of Dr. Vegapunk, who led the development of these weapons. The mention of his name had sparked a realization.
"Vegapunk," Claudius mused. "That guy is probably still holding back. He hasn't fully unleashed his potential yet."
He knew that one day Vegapunk's experiments would escalate to an entirely different level, culminating in catastrophes like the destruction of Punk Hazard, the secret research base of the Marine's science division. When that happened, true "weapons of mass destruction" would likely emerge.
Stussy, sitting gracefully nearby, smiled at Claudius. "It's better than nothing, Your Highness," she said lightly.
Claudius sighed and shook his head, deciding to let the matter drop. Truthfully, he hadn't been overly obsessed with obtaining such weapons. His inquiries had been more about testing the Marine's capabilities rather than a genuine desire to use them against Charlotte Linlin.
Turning his attention back to Stussy, Claudius asked with a playful smile, "By the way, Stussy, you're one of the few people with an invitation to Big Mom's tea party. Are you sure it's appropriate for you to stick with me? Doesn't this mess up our plan?"
Stussy gave him a mock glare, clearly unimpressed by his teasing. "What, am I not allowed to spend more time with Your Highness?" she said with feigned indignation. "This mission is dangerous. We're dealing with Charlotte Linlin herself. Who knows what could happen? If I'm putting my life on the line, I might as well enjoy your company while I can."
She paused, her tone softening as she continued, "Besides, we'll regroup before entering Totto Land. When the time comes, I'll join the others. For now, let me stay here."
Claudius chuckled and tapped her lightly on the forehead. "What's this nonsense about not coming back? Don't worry, I'm here, aren't I?"
This operation had been carefully planned, but not everyone was participating directly. Sengoku, as the Marine Marshal, had to remain at Marineford to oversee operations. Similarly, the three Admirals—Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino—had been deployed together, leaving the headquarters vulnerable if they all left. To ensure stability, Garp and Tsuru stayed behind as well, ready to handle any emergencies that might arise.
Zephyr, long retired, was involved only in an advisory role. His focus remained on training the next generation of Marines rather than joining frontline missions.
As a result, only four Marines were dispatched for this mission: the three Admirals and Gion. Despite their small number, their collective strength made them a formidable force.
The group was divided strategically across different ships. Sakazuki and the other Admirals traveled on Tesoro's ship, while Gion joined Claudius aboard Doflamingo's vessel. Mihawk and Crocodile were assigned to Stussy's ship, and Enel would rendezvous with them before entering Totto Land. Stussy would then leave to join the other infiltrators.
Bartholomew Kuma, due to his distinct appearance, acted independently. His unique abilities made it easy for him to infiltrate Totto Land on his own, as long as he wasn't late. Claudius trusted him to handle this part of the mission without issue.
As the de facto leader of the operation, Claudius held the highest authority. However, aware of his limited experience in military tactics, he deferred to the plans meticulously crafted by Sengoku and Tsuru. He would only take command if unexpected circumstances arose.
In essence, this operation brought together an overwhelming force, with high odds of success against Big Mom's pirate crew.
As they sailed, a thought struck Claudius, and he turned to Stussy. "I heard you were friends with Charlotte Linlin back in the day. Is that true?"
Stussy froze for a moment before leaning against Claudius, her expression wistful. "It's true, in a way. We were close when we were kids. But you probably don't know the full story, Your Highness. A long, long time ago, Linlin and I were orphans, taken in by a nun."
She paused, her gaze distant as she delved into the past. "That nun… she wasn't what she seemed. She was actually a human trafficker working under the World Government. But she dealt in 'premium goods'—exceptional children with potential. That's how I met Charlotte Linlin."
Claudius nodded, finding her explanation unsurprising. "And then?"
"I was sold to the World Government early on and trained to become an agent for the CP organizations. As for Linlin…" Stussy trailed off, a hint of regret in her voice. "If things had gone differently, she might have followed a similar path. She could have become a Marine or a CP agent instead of a pirate. The nun planned to sell her to the World Government too."
"But something happened, didn't it?" Claudius prompted.
Stussy nodded. "Yes. I don't know all the details, but the nun vanished, and the World Government lost contact with her. Linlin disappeared as well. When she resurfaced, she was already a pirate. She joined the Rocks Pirates, rose to power, and eventually formed the Big Mom Pirates after the defeat at God Valley."
Her voice softened as she added, "When we were kids, Linlin was kind and gentle. She wasn't the monster everyone sees now. It's sad how much she's changed."
Claudius sighed. "It is sad. If things had gone differently, she could have been a powerful ally for the World Government instead of one of its greatest threats."
The mood was briefly somber, but it was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Gion. The swordswoman pushed open the cabin door, her expression immediately souring as she saw Stussy sitting on Claudius's lap, leaning against his chest.
Stussy smirked at Gion, her gaze playful and teasing.
Gion ignored her and addressed Claudius with a deliberately flat tone. "There's news from Crocodile. Enel has joined them ahead of schedule."
Claudius barely registered the update, brushing it aside with a sheepish smile. "Ah, Gion, don't be mad. Actually, I didn't expect you to lose to Mihawk, you know? Would you believe me if I said that?"
Gion glared at him, her irritation barely concealed. Lose to Mihawk? she thought. Does he really think that's what's bothering me?
Swordsmanship wasn't the issue, she had no problem admitting Mihawk's superiority. What truly annoyed her was Claudius's apparent indifference. They had been working so closely with CP-X lately, yet he hadn't taken the time to visit her.
Of course, Gion couldn't bring herself to say any of this aloud. Instead, she huffed coldly, "Don't try to make this about me. I'm not that petty."
With that, she turned and left, her steps brisk and resolute.
Claudius scratched his head, puzzled. "What was that about?"
Stussy laughed, cupping his chin playfully. "Sometimes, Your Highness, you really are clueless."
***
For every 100 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on patreon to read 100+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Blownleaves.