One Piece: King of the World

Chapter 106: Chapter 106: Naval Headquarters Request for Assistance?

"Prehistoric island, Little Garden. I'm almost there," Claudius said, smiling.

"Little Garden?" Dragon's voice carried a hint of surprise. "What are you going there for? There's nothing there but giant beasts."

"I told you, it's a vacation. Why do you care so much? Is it so strange that I'd want to catch a couple of dinosaurs as pets?" Claudius replied, feigning annoyance.

"The last time you said you were on 'vacation,' you ended up capturing Gol D. Roger. I'm not buying it!" Dragon retorted without hesitation.

"This time, I swear it's just a vacation," Claudius said, slightly embarrassed.

"Alright, whatever you say. I'm not too far from there myself, so I'll send someone your way soon," Dragon said after a brief pause.

"If there's nothing else, I'm going to hang up now. I'm trying to read, you know. Books are the ladder to human progress. Are you deliberately trying to hold me back? Is my being too powerful troubling you?" Claudius teased.

Dragon sighed, as if resisting the urge to snap back. Finally, he said, "Actually, there's one more thing I need your help with."

"Oh?" Claudius raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Ahem, well, let me start with some good news. I have a son," Dragon said, his tone revealing a rare hint of joy.

Claudius paused for a moment, doing the mental math. It did seem about the right time. "Congratulations," he said dryly. "But what does that have to do with me?"

"Hahaha, well, I'm quite busy with my duties, and I don't have time to look after him. I thought that if you, my dear brother, could spare the time, you could help take care of him. Maybe even be his godfather?" Dragon said, chuckling.

"No way. I'm not interested. Goodbye," Claudius said flatly, hanging up the phone without hesitation.

On the deck of his ship, Dragon stared at the Den Den Mushi in disbelief. "Is he serious? Is babysitting that much trouble?" he muttered, venting his frustration at Claudius. After a moment of silent deliberation, he sighed, resigned, and picked up the phone again. This time, he dialed a number that stirred up memories and emotions.

The voice on the other end was as gruff as ever. "Dragon? You scoundrel! Do you know what you're doing? Starting a Revolutionary Army? That's treason!"

Dragon pulled the phone away slightly, sighing. "I have news, old man. You have a grandson."

"What did you just say?" Garp's voice lost all its usual bluster. "Repeat that!"

"I said, you have a grandson," Dragon replied, this time with a smile.

Meanwhile, back on the Prometheus, Claudius put down the phone and muttered a few choice words. "Do they both think I'm running a daycare or something?" It was almost comical how similar Garp and Dragon were in that regard—both thinking Claudius would drop everything to play caretaker.

"Monkey D. Luffy," Claudius murmured, shaking his head with a half-smile. Taking care of Ace was already enough of a challenge; he didn't need to add Luffy to the mix, especially considering Luffy's future. The kid was a walking magnet for chaos, and Claudius didn't want to deal with that.

If he got involved now, what would happen when Luffy inevitably became a pirate? How would Claudius handle that situation? The thought alone made his head ache. It was better to stay detached, so that if the time came, he could act decisively. He'd spare him for Garp's and Dragon's sake, maybe even lock him up in Impel Down to keep him out of trouble. But for now, he'd rather not get involved.

With his reading interrupted by Dragon, Claudius's interest in his book waned. Looking around, his eyes fell on the little girl sitting on the steps of the library.

It was Nico Robin. In the three years since the fall of Ohara, Robin had begun to heal, at least outwardly. She wasn't as haunted by sadness as she had been when she first came aboard. Now, she sat leaning on the handrail, engrossed in a book.

During these years, Robin had rarely left the Prometheus, even when they docked at Mariejois. She preferred the solace of the ship's grand library. It was so well-stocked that one could spend a lifetime reading without running out of material.

"What are you reading, Robin?" Claudius asked with a smile.

Robin looked up at him, her dark eyes calm. "The history of Alabasta," she replied.

"Really? Looks like we're on the same page," Claudius said, surprised.

"You have the first volume, right? I finished that one a few days ago. I'm reading the second volume now," Robin said softly.

In these years, Robin had essentially become a walking index for the Prometheus library. If Claudius ever needed a specific book, she could locate it in no time.

Robin didn't hate Claudius, per se. She understood that he hadn't been responsible for Ohara's destruction; he had only sought to preserve its knowledge. But she held a deep-seated resentment for the World Government, which inevitably colored her feelings toward him.

Claudius could sense her conflicted emotions, but he never tried to explain himself. What would be the point? Telling her he was a reformer at heart would sound hollow. Time would be the ultimate judge of his intentions.

Before Claudius could continue the conversation, his personal Den Den Mushi rang again. Glancing at it, he saw it was from Spandane.

"Odd timing," Claudius muttered before answering.

"Your Highness Claudius," Spandine's voice came through, dripping with his usual obsequiousness.

Claudius chuckled. "What's the matter, Spandine?"

"We've located Douglas Bullet, Your Highness. CP-X agents and Marine intelligence have pinpointed his position. It seems Marine is preparing to make a move as well. Should we join in?" Spandine asked.

Before Claudius could answer, Nia entered holding the World Government's official phone. "Your Highness, Marine Fleet Admiral Kong is on the line. They're requesting CP-X's assistance in a covert operation, with authorization from the Five Elders."

Claudius sighed, realizing he couldn't avoid this one. "Looks like I don't have a choice, Spandine. Get ready."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Spandine replied eagerly.

With a smile, Claudius put down the phone. "Just when I thought I'd have a quiet day."

***

Bonus Chapter.

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