Chapter 61: To Be the King’s Vanguard - The Seven Warlords of the Sea!

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: To Be the King's Vanguard - The Seven Warlords of the Sea!

Holy Land—Mariejois. It had been over six months since Claudius captured the Golden Lion, Shiki, and the year had now reached Sea Circle Calendar 1498.

Claudius couldn't help but feel a sense of unease about the New World. He knew that going head-to-head with the likes of Whitebeard wouldn't result in the same luck he had with Shiki. Jokingly, Claudius even sought out a few fortune-tellers to try and crack his "fate," but their vague predictions only flattered his status as a Celestial Dragon, leaving him bored and disinterested in their abilities.

During this period, much had changed across the seas.

First and foremost, Claudius' name had spread far and wide, becoming renowned across the world. He was now regarded as the "leader" of the younger generation. His reputation soared, and even the likes of Dracule Mihawk, who had been making waves as a swordsman, couldn't overshadow Claudius' achievements.

The reason for his meteoric rise was simple: the entire world now knew that a formidable figure had emerged from the ranks of the Celestial Dragons, someone who had captured the legendary Golden Lion, Shiki a feat that had shaken the world.

However, the story of Shiki's capture, as told by the World Government, had been heavily "refined" before it reached the public. The truth about Claudius and his crew stumbling upon Shiki by chance during a storm was conveniently omitted. Instead, the narrative highlighted Claudius as the mastermind behind a secretive and powerful new organization, CP-X, which was formed with the express purpose of neutralizing threats to the World Government.

The official reports portrayed CP-X as an elite unit, equal in status to the Marine Headquarters and the Cipher Pol organizations, but operating independently, answering only to the Five Elders. While the exact details remained a mystery, it was known that CP-X had been established over a year ago with the mission of taking down the world's most dangerous pirate factions, starting with the Flying Pirates.

Under this narrative, Shiki's capture was painted as a premeditated strike, led by CP-X, with support from the Marines. This version of events gave the impression that Shiki's downfall was the result of meticulous planning and strategic brilliance, rather than a lucky coincidence.

As a result, CP-X's reputation skyrocketed. Within just a few months, the organization became shrouded in mystery. People across the seas speculated about this shadowy group that seemed even more enigmatic and powerful than the notorious CP-9 or the Celestial Dragon guard unit, CP-0.

For a while, fear gripped the sea's most prominent factions. If CP-X could take down someone as powerful as the Golden Lion, then no one was safe. This fear caused many pirate crews to scale back their activities, uncertain if they were being watched by CP-X operatives lurking in the shadows.

The Marines took full advantage of this fear. With CP-X's looming presence backing them, they expanded their influence in the New World. Admiral Sengoku spearheaded the establishment of several key Marine bases, including the G-1 and G-5 branches. These bases planted the first seeds of Marine authority in the New World, making it easier for the Navy to enter and patrol the chaotic seas in the future.

While the Marines fortified their positions, the pirate world was in disarray. Shiki's arrest had left a power vacuum, and rival factions quickly moved in to claim his remaining territory. The Beasts Pirates, led by Kaido, and the Big Mom Pirates, under Charlotte Linlin, were the two biggest beneficiaries. They had devoured most of Shiki's resources and were now considered the dominant forces in the New World, second only to Whitebeard's crew.

Meanwhile, the Roger Pirates had been causing their own brand of chaos. While the Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates were busy fighting over Shiki's legacy, Roger's crew managed to sneak into Big Mom's territory and steal the Road Poneglyph, a move that infuriated Charlotte Linlin to the point of near insanity. Now, the Big Mom Pirates were hunting the Roger Pirates across the seas, determined to recover the stolen artifact.

Looking back at his time under Captain John, Crocodile couldn't help but scoff. That had been a miserable existence compared to what he had now.

Originally, Crocodile had planned to repay Claudius' kindness by defeating him, breaking free of his slave status, and resuming his life as a pirate. But over time, that plan had shifted. While he still wanted to prove himself by beating Claudius, he no longer intended to leave. Instead, he saw CP-X as a viable path for his future. Once he bested Claudius, he would formally join as a subordinate, shedding the slave label once and for all.

Claudius, for his part, noticed this change in Crocodile's attitude. Seeing that it was a positive development, he didn't press the issue.

As they enjoyed a lavish lunch together, Claudius suddenly remembered something. "Crocodile, in a year or two, when we reach the 1500s, I'm planning to let you loose."

Crocodile raised an eyebrow, frowning slightly. "What? Have you finally acknowledged my strength?"

Claudius smirked. "Not exactly. But you can't improve by staying cooped up here forever. You need to go out into the world, test yourself in real combat."

Crocodile nodded, but there was still a question lingering in his mind. "So, what's the catch? What do you want me to do?"

Claudius leaned back in his chair, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I want you to be a pirate," he said with a wicked smile. "Go out there and sail the seas."

Crocodile stared at him, puzzled. "Be a pirate? What kind of game are you playing, Claudius? Do you want me to cause trouble for the Marines?"

Claudius chuckled softly. "No, no. I'm not sending you out to create chaos... not immediately, at least. I want you to operate under the radar. You'll be an 'undercover pirate,' infiltrating the ranks of the pirate world. This will make it easier for you to gather intelligence and act when the time comes."

Crocodile narrowed his eyes, still not fully understanding Claudius' larger plan. "Infiltrate the pirates? And then what?"

Claudius leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I have a big plan in the works. Something that will take years, maybe even a decade or two to fully unfold. But if it succeeds, it will shatter the very foundation of pirate power in the world. Every major pirate force, now and in the future, will be reduced to nothing more than scattered dust."

Crocodile's interest was piqued. "What kind of plan are we talking about?"

Claudius' eyes gleamed with ambition. "For now, let's call it the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea' project. A system where we handpick the most powerful pirates and turn them into our pawns. They'll work under the banner of the World Government, keeping the rest of the seas in check. And you, Crocodile, will be the vanguard of that system a king among pirates, a pioneer for this new world order."