Chapter 65: The Wind Today Is a Bit Noisy

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: The Wind Today Is a Bit Noisy

It had been some time since Roger declared himself the Pirate King on the Grand Line. Since the disbandment of the Roger Pirates, the World Government had been scrambling to track him down. They had no idea that Roger was nearing the end of his life.

In their eyes, Roger's disappearance was the prelude to some grand conspiracy, a ticking time bomb. They believed he was hiding, biding his time for something massive, so every second counted. They couldn't afford to give him any breathing room.

As a result, Marine Headquarters was in overdrive. Admirals and officers were constantly on the move, being deployed to investigate any disturbance, no matter how small.

The CP agencies weren't any different. They, too, were spread thin, tasked with hunting down rogue scholars and other potential threats. Ironically, their workload was so heavy that they had eased up on certain operations, giving some of these scholars more time to escape unnoticed.

In the Holy Land of Mariejois, in front of the towering World Government headquarters, Stussy stood quietly, waiting for someone. The soft wind rustled through her hair, brushing against her face as she gazed down the long road leading to the building.

As officials passed by, many of them greeted Stussy warmly. It wasn't just because of her striking beauty though that certainly helped, but also because of who she represented. Stussy was known to be Claudius' right-hand woman, and Claudius himself was a rising star in the eyes of the Five Elders.

The more perceptive officials had already started to treat Stussy as if she were more than just an aide. They whispered that she might be Claudius' lover, not just his subordinate. After all, how could someone as charming and influential as Stussy be just a colleague to someone like Claudius?

Stussy was well aware of the rumors, but she didn't bother correcting them. She knew the power of perception and how dangerous it could be, especially among the Celestial Dragons. Being misinterpreted as Claudius' woman was far safer than drawing the unwanted attention of other ambitious or lecherous nobles.

Still, there were moments like this where she couldn't help but notice the way the world seemed to shift around her. The wind picked up, tangling the strands of her hair slightly. Stussy murmured to herself, "The wind today is a bit noisy..."

No sooner had the words left her lips than Claudius' voice called out behind her.

"Since when did you start waxing poetic?" Claudius asked with an amused expression, walking up to her.

Startled, Stussy turned around, embarrassed that she hadn't noticed him approach. She smiled awkwardly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Your Highness, you've been getting quieter. I didn't even hear you coming..."

At the bottom of the boarding ramp, the ever-loyal butler Nia waited patiently, ready to assist her master.

As Claudius approached, Nia held out a thick mink coat with a respectful bow. She used to help Claudius put it on herself, but now that he had grown, it was a task she could no longer easily manage due to her height.

"Your Highness, the sea breeze is quite cold once we set sail. Please, wear this," Nia said softly.

Claudius smiled and draped the coat over his shoulders. "Thank you, Nia. Let's board, then. It's time to set sail."

As the ship began to pull away from the dock, Crocodile, leaning against the railing, glanced over at Claudius. "So, are you going to tell us where we're headed now?"

Claudius chuckled. "What's the rush? We're headed to South Blue this time. There's plenty of fun to be had there."

"South Blue?" Crocodile raised an eyebrow. "I thought we were going after Roger. Doesn't that mean going to the New World?"

Claudius shrugged dismissively. "Who says Roger has to be in the New World? He could be anywhere. Even South Blue."

"But for pirates, the New World is the safest place to hide. It makes more sense for him to be there," Crocodile replied, sounding exasperated.

Claudius waved his hand, clearly not concerned. "Relax. We're just taking a little detour. What could possibly go wrong in South Blue? Besides, Nia, you checked the almanac, right?"

Nia, always prepared, nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. It's an auspicious day for travel."

Claudius laughed heartily. "See? No need to worry. All is well. Set sail, men! South Blue awaits! Let's call this a 'mission vacation!'"