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…"

Claudius let out a booming laugh. "Hahahaha! Well, I've had to get stronger. In this era, those who can't protect themselves will get swept aside."

"Surely Your Highness has no need to worry about that," Stussy teased lightly. "You've already got more than enough strength to protect yourself."

Claudius shook his head, a serious look crossing his face. "It's not enough, Stussy. My goal isn't just to protect myself. I want to lead this era."

Stussy smiled knowingly. "That sounds more like the Claudius I know."

Claudius gave a satisfied nod and motioned for her to follow. "Come on, the meeting's done. Time to head out."

As they walked, Stussy glanced at him. "What did the Five Elders have to say?"

Claudius grinned, his tone brimming with pride. "What could they say? When someone like me makes a move, they have no choice but to agree. As long as I can bring in Roger, they've promised to promote me to the rank of Upper Celestial Dragon."

"The Five Elders must be very nervous about Roger if they're offering you that," Stussy remarked thoughtfully.

"Of course they are," Claudius said, nodding. "They've heard rumors that Roger knows some dangerous secrets. That only makes this better for me. The more of a threat he is, the more valuable it is when I capture him. A promotion to Upper Celestial Dragon isn't just a symbolic title it's a huge step forward in power."

Stussy's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Who would've thought? Just a few years ago, you were one of the lowest-ranking Celestial Dragons, and now you're on the verge of joining the elites."

"And this is just the beginning," Claudius said with confidence. "There are still plenty more surprises to come."

The two shared a few more casual remarks as they approached the port. There, a large ship bearing the World Government flag awaited them. On its deck stood Crocodile and Enel, both looking expectant.

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!'"