Chapter 1-177
Hello, Junkdog here. For those who might not know, yes, this book was one of the works removed by WN.
I'll continue uploading starting from Chapter 178 here. For earlier chapters, you can read them on Scribblehub or join my Patreon as a free member; those chapters are publicly available there.
Just a heads-up, I won't be re-uploading all the chapters here, as doing so risks another ban. I hope you understand.
Here are the links:
Patreon: patreon.com/Blownleaves.
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For newcomers, this book is an amazing read and was consistently ranked in the top 20 power rankings every week before its removal. Give it a try, I hope you enjoy it.
Below are five chapters to help you decide if this story suits your taste.
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Chapter 1: The Beginning of the Celestial Dragon
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To speak of the New World is to speak of the most treacherous sea in the entire Grand Line... No, it's more accurate to say it's the most dangerous sea area in the entire world.
The ocean here is turbulent and volatile, with bizarre phenomena occurring on a daily basis. Sailing through this region is an unparalleled experience.
In the New World, no matter how experienced a veteran might be, death can come at any moment.
After all, everything in this place shatters the understanding of even the most seasoned navigators.
Whether it's an island suspended in the sky, or a sea suddenly splitting open, or a sudden hailstorm larger than ships under a clear blue sky.
In short, no matter what unimaginable event you think of, the New World can make it happen.
Even if the ocean surface abruptly transforms into boiling magma that consumes everything, it's nothing out of the ordinary here.
And the sea is fair in its ruthlessness. It does not discriminate, regardless of who you are pirate, Marine, adventurer, noble, or merchant it doesn't matter. To the sea, every identity is equal, for you are all its children.
Currently, in the waters near the entrance of the New World, on an unnamed island, there exists a man who has lived even after he should have died.
To speak of "living" here is not quite accurate it would be more appropriate to say that this man had already died once, only for his body to be taken over by a soul from another world, beginning a new journey.
At this moment, on the shore of this desolate island, a youth who appeared to be in his teens stood. His body was plump, dressed in tattered clothing that still retained an air of former elegance. His pale blonde hair was long, his face imposing despite his swollen features, his skin morbidly fair.
At a glance, anyone could tell that this young man was no ordinary person. He seemed like one of those idle, inept nobles one who knew nothing of hardship or labor. A person whose life consisted of nothing but eating, drinking, and waiting for death.
Indeed, this young man possessed an extraordinary background. If one were to ask whether there existed anyone in the world who, from the moment of birth to their inevitable demise, enjoyed absolute privilege and authority whose power and wealth were unmatched.
The answer would be yes. Such beings did exist. They are known as Celestial Dragons, referred to as the "Nobles of the World."
To discuss the Nobles of the World, we must delve into an event that occurred 800 years ago.
It is said that 800 years ago, the royal families of twenty kingdoms banded together to form a new regime with the goal of establishing a new world order the World Government. Since then, this World Government has ruled the entire globe for 800 years.
During this period, the descendants of those twenty kings were given illustrious titles like the "Descendants of the Creator" or the "Descendants of the Gods."
These descendants are collectively known as the Celestial Dragons, the true Nobles of the World. The Celestial Dragons are the living embodiment of the World Government, as it was their ancestors who established it.
Moreover, the highest levels of authority in the World Government have always been held by the most powerful Celestial Dragons.
Thus, over the past 800 years, the status of the Celestial Dragons has been constantly "elevated."
Now, they enjoy privileges and powers that ordinary people can never dream of reaching.
To illustrate this, let's use the simplest example: a Marine Admiral the highest rank in the Marines, second only to the Fleet Admiral.
Such a person would be regarded as a figure of great stature, influence, and power across the world.
This person could authorize a Buster Call to condemn an entire island as "criminal" and erase its existence from the map.
Their strength is among the top-tier in this world. While they may not necessarily be the absolute strongest, they undoubtedly rank among the elite.
And yet, such a figure, a Marine Admiral, in the presence of a Celestial Dragon, is merely a "bodyguard."
Yes, the Celestial Dragons are so exalted that whether it's the Marines, who rule the seas, or the enigmatic CP (Cipher Pol) organizations, they are merely the Celestial Dragon's servants.
Offending a Celestial Dragon is an offense that demands retribution at the highest level. The Marine Headquarters and CP organizations must do everything in their power to maintain the dignity of the Celestial Dragons.
That is to say, should something happen to a Celestial Dragon, a Marine Admiral-level figure must personally intervene to clean up the mess.
This world is so unreasonably structured. It is because of this absurdity that the Celestial Dragons have continued to elevate themselves over the past 800 years, viewing everything beneath them as mere dust.
To them, only their own kind the Celestial Dragons are considered people. The rest are merely "slaves."
Their arrogance and disdain for others have reached such an extreme that they wear bubble hoods out of sheer self-importance, simply because they do not want to breathe the same air as the common "untouchables." Though it may seem ludicrous, this custom illustrates the pride and arrogance of the Celestial Dragons in the most blatant manner.
At this moment, the chubby youth sitting on a rock by the shore of this unnamed island was none other than a Celestial Dragon of the most distinguished rank.
"Donquixote Claudius... What a domineering name, but the person himself is a bit of an idiot, no?" the plump youth muttered as he sat on a rock, continually criticizing his predecessor.
Yes, he was a member of the Donquixote family, an authentic Celestial Dragon.
Eight hundred years ago, the Donquixote family was the royal family of Dressrosa. After forming the World Government, the family moved from Dressrosa to the holy land of Mariejois, becoming one of the 19 remaining Celestial Dragon families.
Yes, nineteen.
Among the twenty kings' descendants, the royal family of Alabasta the Nefertari family chose not to relocate to Mariejois, thus refraining from becoming Celestial Dragons.
Instead, over the course of 800 years, they have come to be seen as mere "provincial lords" in the eyes of the Celestial Dragons.
Nonetheless, the Nefertari family still holds a measure of respect in Mariejois and within the World Government.
In short, this chubby youth is a member of the Donquixote family. From a familial standpoint, one could say he is the big cousin of the future pirate overlord, Heavenly Demon Donquixote Doflamingo, older by a few years.
As for the name "Claudius," it might not mean much in this world, but Claudius knows very well that this name carries the legacy of a certain Roman emperor a name signifying power and might.
Holding a wooden stick in his hand, Donquixote Claudius scratched out a few lines on the sand, muttering to himself: "First things first, let's get a clear picture of my current situation..."
"To start, the first point is that this idiot of a predecessor somehow ended up eating a Devil Fruit. I can't change that, but at least it's a Logia-type. With my excellent brain... I shouldn't be as hopeless as that idiot, right?" Claudius murmured softly.
Yes, his foolish predecessor despite being a noble Celestial Dragon had somehow been tricked into eating a Devil Fruit. While it was indeed a Logia-type fruit, it still highlighted his predecessor's sheer stupidity.
Naturally, if the present Claudius possessed the same inexplicable sense of nobility as the current Celestial Dragons, he would rather throw a powerful Devil Fruit to the slaves as a toy than use it to enhance his own strength.
But that's not who he is.
Yes, Claudius is a far more pragmatic person.
He does not subscribe to these so-called "feudal" beliefs.
Moreover, having arrived in the world of One Piece, how could he not relish the opportunity to experience the sensation of wielding Devil Fruit powers and the extraordinary mysteries they entail?
Thus, if his predecessor hadn't foolishly consumed a Devil Fruit, Claudius would still have dreamed of developing something like the Thunder Fruit to play with. But now it seemed that dream could no longer be realized. What a pity...
"The second point is that Claudius... or rather, I... am a Celestial Dragon."
No wonder this body is so fat, bloated, and utterly wasted.
It really puts a damper on my own handsome soul...
Claudius shook his head helplessly and looked at his reflection in the fluctuating tide, sighing at the state of his own body.
Understanding the situation of being a Celestial Dragon, especially a lower-tier one like Claudius, is straightforward.
The World Government is a massive organization that has maintained world order for 800 years. It's not possible for all Celestial Dragons to be mindless idiots like Claudius.
While all Celestial Dragons share the same noble bloodline, they are divided into upper and lower classes.
To use the simplest analogy, consider the Five Elders, the highest power holders in the World Government.
The Five Elders are also Celestial Dragons, but they are of the highest order.
Individuals like them are vastly different from the trash like Claudius.
They possess sharp minds, abundant experience, and serve as the steering wheel of the World Government's ship.
In addition to the highest-ranking Celestial Dragons, there are also the middle and upper Celestial Dragons those who hold leadership positions within the Celestial Dragon families or possess some capability of their own.
These individuals can be regarded as power holders within the Celestial Dragons' social hierarchy, wielding some measure of authority and a more "normal" state of mind.
Finally, there are those like Claudius, the lowest-tier Celestial Dragons who are mere parasites, content to eat, drink, and waste away.
After examining his appearance reflected in the ebb and flow of the tide, Claudius touched his chin for a moment, finally nodding with a hint of self-satisfaction and vanity.
"From a foundational perspective, there's potential. If I can change this temperament and transform this body, I should be able to match this skin with my truly handsome soul."
The original Claudius was a textbook example of a lower-tier Celestial Dragon, existing only to eat, drink, and wait for death. He lacked any awareness or motivation to take care of his physical appearance. Over-indulgence and laziness had turned him into a repulsive "dead fat" slob.
But if one were to look past these acquired factors and consider the underlying natural foundation, Claudius could indeed become quite good-looking. After all, the Celestial Dragons, despite their flaws, have a decent standard of aesthetics. Whenever they saw someone beautiful, they would often marry them, adding these individuals to their collection of wives. This proves, at the very least, that their aesthetic sense is not skewed.
Moreover, these Nobles of the World have been consuming the finest foods and enjoying the best of life for 800 years, which means their genes remain quite strong. As such, very few among them grow up to be hideously ugly. Most of their unpleasant appearances are the result of excessive indulgence and the absence of restraint.
In conclusion, Claudius felt that if he could put in the effort to control this body's excessive desires, lose weight, and shake off the inherent greasiness, he should be able to transform into a handsome man.
After all, his cousin, Donquixote Doflamingo, would become quite a dashing figure in the future at least much more attractive than most Celestial Dragons in Mariejois.
In Claudius's opinion, this was largely due to Doflamingo's unique growth environment. If Doflamingo had stayed in Mariejois, merely existing as a Celestial Dragon, he probably would have ended up the same as the others physically and mentally decayed.
"Lastly, the reason why Claudius my predecessor ended up shipwrecked and stranded on this island is clearly due to some conspiracy. After all, by all rights, I should have already been dead," Claudius murmured softly, a complicated light flashing in his eyes.
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Chapter 2: My Predecessor Was Mentally Deficient?
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As the saying goes, "Where there are people, there are conflicts." The same principle applies to the Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land of Mariejois.
Celestial Dragons don't bother competing with ordinary "untouchables" because they have no need to contend with such lowly beings.
Anything they desire, they can simply take.
To the Celestial Dragons, they are inherently "superior." There is no need to fight because the untouchables wouldn't dare to oppose them. Could any lowborn commoner truly dare to rob a Celestial Dragon?
Therefore, conflicts among Celestial Dragons are usually restricted to their own class. Only those with equal nobility are considered their "rivals."
If you were to recount Donquixote Claudius's experiences, it would sound like a bad soap opera filled with absurdity and irony.
Don't let his status as a low-level Celestial Dragon fool you his parents were once quite influential.
They were the original heads of the Donquixote family, making Claudius, by birthright, a true "Second Generation" Celestial Dragon.
But as fate would have it, life is unpredictable, and disasters strike even those who consider themselves gods.
In the end, the Celestial Dragons are merely human, subject to the same cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death.
Claudius's parents died three years ago from an incurable illness. At that time, Claudius was just seven years old far too young to assume his father's position as the head of the Donquixote family.
With no one to take up the mantle, control of the family fell to Doflamingo's father, Donquixote Homing.
Homing was an anomaly among the Celestial Dragons.
He was kind-hearted and lacked the malicious intentions typical of his kind. He treated the young Claudius with genuine care, raising him like his own son over the past three years.
If nothing unusual had occurred, Claudius would have continued to grow up under Homing's care, living a life of luxury and indulgence until adulthood, where he could simply laze about like the rest of the useless Celestial Dragons, enjoying all that the world had to offer.
What more could a wasteful Celestial Dragon want? However, according to Claudius's memories, Homing had even planned to return the position of family patriarch to Claudius once he reached adulthood.
"If I think about it, living such an unproductive life while still enjoying everything the world has to offer… It doesn't sound half bad, does it?" Claudius murmured with a wry smile.
It has to be said, living such a life would indeed be quite pleasant no need to struggle, no need to face unpleasant matters...
But therein lies the problem...
For some reason, there seems to be an inexplicable "idealistic trait" buried deep within the Donquixote lineage, causing one or two problematic individuals to appear every so often.
In Claudius's view, these people are "mentally deficient" those who cannot comprehend reality. And, to make matters worse, Donquixote Homing, the current head of the Donquixote family, is exactly one of these individuals.
Over the past year or so, perhaps due to a trip he took with his wife and children to the North Blue where he witnessed the world's true state, Homing's idealistic trait had been fully triggered.
A prominent patriarch of the Holy Land Mariejois, a great man among Celestial Dragons, was now experiencing a sort of mental lapse. Every so often, he entertained the bizarre idea that he didn't want to be a Celestial Dragon anymore he wanted to be an ordinary man living in the "lower realms" with the common folk.
Within the Celestial Dragon class, such thoughts are considered outright lunacy the very epitome of mental sickness.
Worse yet, after contemplating this fantasy for a year, Homing hadn't discarded the notion. Instead, he was more convinced that this was the path he should follow.
As the saying goes, "Longing is the furthest distance from understanding." Homing, fixated on the simple life of ordinary people, believed it to be carefree and fulfilling.
He dreamt of living a life of farming and simplicity, never once considering the harsh realities of such a lifestyle. It was truly a classic example of the naive perspective of those who live above the world's struggles.
After all, how could a Celestial Dragon, born at the pinnacle of the world, possibly understand the hardships of the common people? It was the same as if a king told a starving peasant, "Why don't you eat meat instead?"
Due to this delusional fantasy, over the past year, Homing had begun making arrangements to create a "fallback plan" for the Donquixote family.
As the current head of the Donquixote family, Homing did have some sense of responsibility. He wasn't planning to simply disappear and leave everything behind. Instead, he began organizing the handover of the family's power and wealth.
During this process, the previously inconspicuous Claudius suddenly found himself in a very unfortunate position.
Despite his status as a useless waste, Claudius was still the legitimate heir of the Donquixote family according to both law and bloodline.
And among the Celestial Dragons, lineage is everything. It's the fundamental basis upon which their entire power structure and class system are built.
Thus, when Homing prepared to relinquish his position as head of the family, Claudius was naturally pushed into the spotlight.
Homing sincerely intended to return the leadership of the Donquixote family to Claudius. Claudius, in his former state of blissful ignorance, had no sense of the danger and eagerly accepted the arrangement, completely oblivious to the storm brewing around him.
Thinking back on it now, Claudius felt utterly speechless. His predecessor was truly a naïve and incompetent fool. He didn't even stop to consider that, beyond having a more legitimate bloodline, he had absolutely no qualifications to become the head of the Donquixote family.
First of all, there was his age. Was everyone else in the Donquixote family dead? Why else would they need a ten-year-old child to become their leader?
Secondly, due to his youth and the early death of his parents, Homing being the kind-hearted simpleton that he was—had not left Claudius with any capable supporters or advisors.
Thus, in terms of power and influence, Claudius had absolutely no foundation. He was just a worthless, powerless child.
If Claudius had been a genius, someone who showed promise and potential, perhaps the other Celestial Dragons might have tolerated his leadership, albeit reluctantly, in the hopes that he could elevate the Donquixote family to new heights in the future.
But the former Claudius was a true idiot, someone who could accomplish nothing except eat, sleep, and waste away.
So, what did the rest of the Donquixote family think? With a mediocre brat like Claudius leading them, it wouldn't be long before the once-prestigious Donquixote family fell to the bottom of the 19 Celestial Dragon families.
Thus, for the sake of both the family's honor and their own power, everyone with a shred of intelligence within the Donquixote family secretly opposed the idea of Claudius becoming the family's head.
Claudius understood this sentiment perfectly now. If it had been up to him, he wouldn't have chosen such a waste to be the head of the family either!
But that idealist Homing couldn't see the truth. He believed that returning the family's authority to Claudius was the rightful choice, that it was a moral duty to restore Claudius's position.
And so, events unfolded one after another. First, Claudius was tricked into eating a Devil Fruit prepared as a mere fruit salad, no less becoming the laughingstock of the Celestial Dragons.
This alone should have been enough, but Homing's stubbornness remained unmoved, even after Claudius became a joke among his peers. This only made things harder for those rational-minded Celestial Dragons who didn't want to see Claudius leading the family.
Forced into a corner by Homing's stubbornness and Claudius's sheer ineptitude, they had no choice but to resort to drastic measures.
Thus, the incident leading to Claudius's shipwreck occurred. After being poisoned with a Devil Fruit, he was cast out to sea. Given the way things played out, Claudius, a useless waste with no special abilities, should have died.
In fact, he did die in that shipwreck. The original Claudius's soul perished, making way for the rebirth of a new one.
Sitting on the rocky shore of this desolate island, Claudius felt exasperated as he recalled the absurd events that had transpired in his predecessor's life. If that fool had possessed just a bit of self-awareness and didn't arrogantly believe he deserved to be the head of the Donquixote family, he wouldn't have ended up dead at sea. He wouldn't have eaten a Devil Fruit, let alone become a laughingstock.
But what's done is done. There was no turning back now, and Claudius could only focus on the future.
Currently, he was stranded on a deserted island. Building a ship by himself was not entirely impossible, but the problem was that he had no experience with sailing, let alone navigating through the dangerous New World. Attempting to go out to sea would only lead to a quicker death.
Thus, from the very beginning, Claudius had no intention of building a ship to sail away. He was left with only two choices.
The first option was to do nothing, accept this damn fate, and wait here until he really died. The previous owner of this body had already chosen this path, resulting in the current situation of having a new soul occupy his lifeless shell.
The second option was to find a way to survive on this island and wait for rescue.
Yes, even if this was a conspiracy, Claudius was still a Celestial Dragon. Even if it was for appearances' sake, the Donquixote family would definitely send people to search for and rescue him.
It's just that the process might be delayed. They would likely wait until everyone was certain Claudius was dead and lost forever before making a move.
But that was enough for Claudius. He believed he could survive long enough for the rescue team to arrive and bring him back to Mariejois.
"Damn it, when I get back to Mariejois, the first thing I'm going to do is announce that I'm quitting this nonsense of being the Donquixote family's patriarch. Whoever wants the position can take it!" Claudius cursed angrily.
With his current abilities, even if he now had a different soul, it was impossible for him to immediately gain support and become the head of the Donquixote family.
Rather than struggle for a position he wasn't suited for, it was better to just give it up, change his mindset, and alter his approach.
As for whether he harbored any resentment towards those who orchestrated the downfall of his predecessor… well, not really. After all, he couldn't stand his predecessor's incompetence either.
Claudius was a practical person. He wouldn't take on the burdens of his predecessor's "debts" just because he now inhabited his body. Swearing to avenge the former owner? That's simply not going to happen...
Of course, if someone tried to kill him again in the future... well, Claudius wouldn't mind dealing with those who thought they could take him lightly.
"Well, it's useless to think about it too much now. Let's focus on how to survive until rescue comes… Damn it, a Celestial Dragon stranded on a deserted island? This is just ridiculous..." Claudius laughed at himself bitterly.
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Chapter 3: King Engine?
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The deserted island Claudius found himself on was, in a way, rather pleasant. Despite being located in the dangerous waters of the New World, this particular island was a "Spring Island." The climate was mild and temperate all year round, without the extreme shifts between hot and cold. Because of this, Claudius had an easier time surviving on the island compared to what he might have faced elsewhere in the New World.
At this very moment, a massive wild boar was desperately fleeing through the dense forest. Its eyes, which held little intelligence, were now brimming with raw terror.
Don't let the label of "pig" fool you. In reality, wild boars are formidable creatures of the wilderness. With their massive tusks, thick fur, powerful muscles, and enormous size, they often stand at the upper echelon of the food chain.
Especially the wild boar currently fleeing in fear it was no ordinary beast. This massive creature was comparable to an elephant from Claudius's previous life.
Clearly, this was another mutated creature unique to the Pirate World.
This world was bizarre, filled with exaggerated and upgraded forms of both flora and fauna. Some animals remained similar to their counterparts from Claudius's past life, while others had evolved into something far more monstrous.
For example, Sea Kings and Zunesha were so enormous that they defied common sense.
Even humans here had their own distinct changes.
Many of them were extraordinarily tall.
Take Claudius's cousin, Donquixote Doflamingo, as an example. If Doflamingo reached his full potential, he would be standing at a height of over three meters a height suitable for a proper Admiral, imposing and powerful.
And Doflamingo's height was not even considered abnormal in this world. Many others were even taller than him.
Claudius believed that if he trained well and developed properly, even though he was currently a fat, chubby kid, he wouldn't fall too far behind Doflamingo in the future.
But those were all considerations for later. Right now, why was this massive wild boar running so frantically?
That's because it had encountered the rampaging human "brat" who had been wreaking havoc on the island for the past two weeks, mercilessly hunting down all the top predators, like lions and tigers.
Yes, Claudius was currently chasing after the wild boar, panting heavily as he ran. In just two weeks, his formerly rotund body had slimmed down considerably. While traces of his old greasy fat could still be seen, he now had a somewhat muscular build.
The scene unfolding was indeed comical a ten-year-old boy was relentlessly pursuing a massive wild boar that towered over him. The wild boar, instead of turning around to fight, was fleeing in terror, which was both amusing and absurd.
"You stupid pig... can't you just... stop already?" Claudius gasped, cursing breathlessly as he glanced at the bloodied and battered wild boar ahead of him.
After taking a few more steps and feeling himself reaching his physical limit, Claudius gradually came to a halt. He took a deep breath, and his eyes suddenly sharpened.
In the next moment, his heartbeat began to accelerate, a deep and resonating sound spreading out from him, almost as if a drum was being pounded in the very core of his chest.
Boom... boom... boom... boom. The intense rhythm felt as if it were echoing through the entire area around him, reverberating like the beating of war drums.
Then, in the blink of an eye, Claudius moved again. But this time, his speed was several times faster than before.
The tiny figure, leaving behind only a faint blur, sped through the forest, following the trail of blood on the ground. In mere moments, he caught up with the frantically running wild boar.
Sensing the presence of the small human once more, the wild boar's terror only grew. It had already lost too much blood, and its strength was rapidly waning. Its pace, once full of vigor, began to slow as exhaustion set in.
However, a cornered beast is always the most dangerous. Realizing that it could no longer escape, the wild boar suddenly skidded to a stop. With a surprising agility that seemed at odds with its immense size, it performed a flawless three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turn, kicking up dirt and debris as it spun to face Claudius.
"What the hell? Since when did wild boars learn how to drift?" Claudius thought, surprised by the sight.
The wild boar, now using all the strength left in its body, charged at Claudius with deadly intent. Its four hooves thundered against the ground as it lowered its enormous, lethal tusks, aiming to skewer Claudius.
"A final struggle before death, huh? But it's useless..." Claudius murmured, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
Just as the wild boar came crashing toward him, Claudius moved again. His feet pushed off the ground as he leaped directly toward the wild boar's head.
"Death Grip!" Claudius muttered softly.
In the next instant, it looked as if the massive wild boar had collided straight through Claudius's body, reducing him to nothing but mist.
However, something strange happened next. The wild boar, after running a few more paces, began to stagger uncontrollably. It stumbled forward, its limbs twitching and thrashing about. It tossed its head violently, as if trying to rid itself of something.
But no matter how much it struggled, it couldn't escape what was happening. Gradually, its frantic movements weakened until it finally collapsed to the ground, stirring up a massive cloud of dust.
And right then, near the wild boar's nose, Claudius's figure slowly re-materialized!
Yes, even though the original Claudius was a "mentally retarded Celestial Dragon," completely incapable of even basic survival skills, his one redeeming trait was that, in his ignorance, he had eaten the Devil Fruit that was prepared for him in the form of a fruit salad.
From that moment on, Claudius became a Devil Fruit user. Despite his predecessor's lack of education and inability to even comprehend the nature of his own powers, Claudius now had a remarkable ability at his disposal.
This fruit was a Logia-type Devil Fruit, bestowing the powers of a rare gaseous element known as the Nitrogen-Nitrogen Fruit.
Claudius's predecessor, being an uneducated fool, didn't understand what kind of gas "nitrogen" was, nor did he realize the potential of his ability. As a result, he never developed it at all.
Instead, he completely wasted it.
But Claudius was different. Having received modern education and possessing a wealth of scientific knowledge, Claudius could grasp the potential of the Nitrogen-Nitrogen Fruit immediately.
Simply put, it was an ability that allowed him to manipulate nitrogen a substance that made up a significant portion of the atmosphere, more than 78% to be exact.
Being an inert gas, nitrogen had many unique properties.
Of course, Claudius hadn't yet delved deeply into developing the fruit's full potential. For now, he was simply utilizing the basic effects of his Logia-type fruit, which was more than enough to dominate this small island.
After all, none of the beasts here had the ability to use Haki, which meant Claudius didn't have to worry about whether he could be harmed or not. By turning into his elemental form, he could avoid all physical attacks.
What's more, Claudius hadn't yet discovered any element that could restrain nitrogen. So, at least for now, he didn't have to worry about elemental weaknesses.
Looking at it from one perspective, as long as no one used Haki or other special means, Claudius's current state seemed practically invincible.
The way he killed the wild boar just now was a simple application of his Logia ability.
There was no need for Claudius to develop complex techniques. All he had to do was "grip" the wild boar's nose and release his nitrogen, saturating the air around it and displacing all oxygen. Deprived of oxygen, the wild boar naturally suffocated and died.
After ensuring the wild boar was truly dead, Claudius returned to his normal form.
He touched his chin, glanced at the massive carcass, and smiled faintly.
"All things considered, my new journey hasn't started off too badly. Although the circumstances were a bit messy, I have a genuine Celestial Dragon identity and the abilities of a Logia-type Devil Fruit...
Now, as long as I lay a solid foundation, I should be able to make some waves in this world... and reshape my fate," Claudius muttered softly.
As he spoke, Claudius drew a short sword that hung from his waist.
This short sword looked somewhat like a katana from Wanokuni, though it was much shorter about two-thirds the length of a regular sword. Despite its simplicity, the sword's craftsmanship was excellent, exuding the aura of a master's work.
The white hilt was wrapped with delicate silk threads, and the scabbard, while unassuming, was adorned with subtle patterns.
This wasn't a decoration Claudius had scavenged from the Celestial Dragons' collections; rather, it was one of the three "gift packs" he had received when he first arrived in this world.
That's right as a transmigrator, how could Claudius not have a a beginner's benefit? By some divine or otherworldly blessing, he had received some 'rewards' after arriving in this world.
This short sword was named 'Shinsō', the legendary Zanpakutō wielded by Ichimaru Gin, the captain of the Third Division in the world of Shinigami.
Now, it was in Claudius's hands. However, it seemed that during the transition between worlds, Shinsō had been altered by the forces of this world's power, making it far less potent than it had been in the Shinigami world. Even so, it was still a rare and remarkable weapon.
It retained its ability to extend and retract, but its speed was no longer the absurd 500 times the speed of sound. Through continuous testing, Claudius determined that Shinsō's current maximum speed was around three times the speed of sound.
While this was certainly impressive, it wasn't overwhelmingly fast compared to some of the terrifying abilities in this world. The speed of sound is roughly the same as that of a bullet from a musket. So Shinsō's speed was only two to three times faster than a standard bullet.
This meant that, while Shinsō was a formidable weapon against ordinary opponents, it wouldn't have the same devastating effect on true masters.
Although its power had been greatly diminished due to the world's corrections, Claudius didn't mind. An indestructible sword that could extend and retract at will was still a valuable asset. He had no intention of relying solely on the sword for combat, so he accepted its current state without complaint.
After drawing Shinsō from its scabbard, Claudius made a few clean, precise cuts across the enormous wild boar's hide, creating deep incisions that allowed blood to flow freely from the carcass.
Bleeding the meat was essential. If the blood wasn't drained properly, the resulting stench and flavor would be absolutely revolting. Claudius had learned this lesson the hard way during his early days on the island, so now he took care to bleed the meat thoroughly, even if it meant a bit of extra effort.
Shinsō was the first of his three gifts, and the second gift Claudius found highly intriguing it was an ability that allowed him to freely accelerate his heartbeat at will, a phenomenon he had come to know as the King Engine!
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Chapter 4: Looking for Claudius?
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The so-called King Engine the name of this special ability originates from the world of One Punch Man. It was the signature technique of King, the so-called "strongest man on Earth." Supposedly, once King activated this ability, it was as if he entered a berserk state, capable of smashing enemies to pulp with ease.
In reality, the King Engine was nothing more than a 'gimmick.' The strongest man on Earth was simply a bluffing master, someone who survived on sheer luck no different from the likes of God Buggy in this world.
The King Engine's only real effect was its constant acceleration of the heartbeat. Yet, it was due to this 'ability' that King was mythologized as the "strongest on Earth."
When Claudius first acquired this ability, he felt rather helpless. As a pragmatic individual, he couldn't help but think, "Isn't this just a load of crap?"
Couldn't he have been granted a more practical power? If push came to shove, Claudius would have been willing to give up his beautiful blonde hair and go bald if it meant getting something more useful!
In the beginning, Claudius viewed the accelerated heartbeat ability as nothing more than a means of showing off. He didn't believe he could become the "strongest on Earth" in the Pirate World through such a ridiculous technique.
However, after several rounds of experimentation, Claudius discovered that this ability held more potential than he had initially thought. The constant acceleration of his heartbeat inevitably increased blood circulation throughout his body, which in turn could enhance his overall physical functions, including his hematopoietic ability.
Through multiple trials, Claudius confirmed at least one thing once he activated the King Engine and his heartbeat accelerated, he could indeed enter a sort of "rampage" state. It was fair to call it a "berserk mode."
The King Engine allowed him to temporarily boost his physical capabilities, improving strength, speed, and stamina. The burst of speed he had demonstrated while chasing the wild boar earlier was a prime example of what this ability could achieve.
Of course, given his current physical limitations, this was the extent of what Claudius could do. But the potential for further development and exploration of this ability was enormous.
If Claudius's body could withstand the strain, he could use the King Engine as a trump card a sudden power surge to overwhelm enemies who were otherwise on par with him.
And, if he were to add a few flashy catchphrases, like "I'm getting serious now," or "I didn't think you'd push me this far," the whole dramatic effect would be taken to another level, wouldn't it?
Thus, Claudius was actually quite satisfied with the potential of the King Engine. Whether for practical combat or pure bravado, the development possibilities were endless, making it well worth further study.
As for the last of his transmigrator gifts, it was an ability called 'Zero Hour Mizu', seemingly originating from the world of Shakugan no Shana. Claudius didn't know much about its original context.
Fortunately, there was a manual of sorts in his mind, so he was able to grasp the basics.
Zero Hour Mizu was the ability to "reset time to zero." In essence, it allowed the user to restore all their energy and vitality to a 'reset point' at zero hour.
While the concept of "existence power" didn't apply to this world, Claudius experimented with the ability and eventually figured out its utility.
Simply put, it functioned somewhat like the "Creation Rebirth" ability from Naruto. Although it didn't rely on any special energy, it could store the user's surplus energy and physical strength within Zero Hour Mizu throughout the day.
When needed, the stored reserves could be released, restoring Claudius's stamina and strength to their peak levels.
While it wasn't an overwhelmingly powerful skill at the moment, Claudius saw its potential for the future. It could be invaluable in prolonged battles, or… for engaging in more 'vigorous' activities.
"Yeah, that's right. After all, I'm still a Celestial Dragon, a world noble. There's no problem with marrying ten or even eight wives, is there? It's completely legitimate and legal.
If the body can't handle it and I overtax myself, I could always open up Zero Hour Mizu and..."
He shook his head to dispel the distracting thoughts, focusing back on the wild boar. After ensuring that the blood had drained into a small pool nearby, Claudius shifted his attention away from his fantasies.
Using Shinsō, he sliced off a few choice cuts of meat from the wild boar, ensuring to pick the most tender and flavorful sections.
"Speaking of which, it's been two weeks since I was 'killed,' right? By now, those guys should be sending a rescue team to wrap things up. After all, if I were in their shoes, I wouldn't think my previous self could survive a shipwreck alone for a full two weeks..."
As Claudius mused over these thoughts, five massive warships were steadily approaching the island from not too far away.
On the deck of one of the enormous warships stood a middle-aged man clad in a Marine coat of justice, a cigar clamped between his teeth. He wore sunglasses and kept his arms crossed, staring silently out at the vast sea.
The man's short lavender hair was slightly disheveled, and his muscular frame exuded a restrained yet formidable aura.
This man was none other than the current Marine Headquarters Admiral, Zephyr the Black Arm. Zephyr's life was a tragic yet tenacious one. As an Admiral, he held a compassionate heart and refrained from killing pirates, earning him the nickname "The Admiral Who Doesn't Kill."
But it was this very mercy that allowed seeds of evil to remain. Eventually, vengeful pirates took the lives of his beloved wife and child.
Devastated, Zephyr resigned as Admiral and redirected his focus to training the next generation of Marines. He became an instructor at the Marine Headquarters Training Camp, raising many exceptional students.
It could be said that most of the Marine's high-ranking officers in the later years were personally taught by him.
Eventually, a series of further tragedies led Zephyr to become disillusioned with the World Government and the Marines. He left to found Neo Marines, attempting to destroy the New World. His tragic yet heroic life ultimately ended at the hands of then-Admiral Kizaru, Borsalino.
But those were stories for the future. At this point, Zephyr had yet to experience such heartbreak. He was still brimming with vigor and confidence.
The task of the fleet under his command at this moment was simple yet complex to locate the Celestial Dragon, Donquixote Claudius, who had been shipwrecked in this sea more than two weeks ago!
In truth, Zephyr had no desire to get involved in such affairs. It was clear that Claudius's delayed rescue was due to the scheming and power plays of those in Mariejois.
As a Marine Admiral, while his status might seem prestigious in the eyes of the common folk, to the elites in Mariejois, he was just a useful pawn a mere errand boy.
Involvement in such matters was fraught with risk. But the problem was that the Marine Headquarters only had two Admirals at the moment. Garp adamantly refused promotion to Admiral, while Sengoku had other crucial matters to attend to.
However, when something happened to a Celestial Dragon, the highest level of authority must be mobilized to address it. So, in the end, an Admiral had to be dispatched to oversee the situation.
Thus, the burden of this mess fell onto Zephyr's shoulders.
Just as Zephyr was lost in thought, a lazy yet youthful voice called out from behind him.
"Teacher Zephyr, are you still worried about the Celestial Dragon? Honestly, I don't think there's any point. It's been two weeks since the shipwreck. Even if it were a powerful person, they'd have been devoured by sharks by now.
And that's not to mention... we're talking about a Celestial Dragon. So I think this so-called rescue mission is nothing more than a political exercise, isn't it?"
Hearing the voice, Zephyr turned around, glancing at the young man behind him. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
This young man had joined the newly established Marine Officer Training Camp two years ago. During his time as an instructor, Zephyr had discovered several promising talents, and one of them was the young man who now bore the rank of Rear Admiral on his shoulders Kuzan.
"You're right, Kuzan. This mission will most likely end in failure. It may be labeled a rescue mission, but it's more of a formality, a political obligation... However…"
Zephyr sighed and shook his head. "I'm afraid that once we return, those Celestial Dragon lords will shift the blame for Saint Claudius's death onto us, claiming it was due to the Marine Headquarters' incompetence. At that point… we'll have no recourse."
Kuzan, still inexperienced, looked at Zephyr with some surprise and asked, "What should we do then? They wouldn't really be that unreasonable, would they?"
Zephyr chuckled softly, then said, "Heh, when you become an Admiral someday and interact more with those people, you'll come to understand. Their Celestial Dragon masters are indeed that unreasonable..." Zephyr replied, his smile fading slightly.
After a brief pause, Zephyr rotated his shoulders, turning his gaze back to the horizon. "So, even if this mission is just a formality, we must do it perfectly. We can't leave any room for those lords to nitpick and blame us later. Although it's highly likely that Claudius has already perished at sea, we must proceed as if he's still alive and in need of rescue."
"That's the only way we can minimize any problems that may arise in the future."
Kuzan ran a hand through his shaggy hair, considering Zephyr's words before nodding thoughtfully. "You're right, Teacher. I'm still too young to see the bigger picture. So, what's our next course of action?"
Zephyr's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the vast expanse of ocean surrounding them. "There's only one deserted island in this sea area. If, and I mean if, by some miraculous one-in-ten-thousand chance, Claudius is still alive, he can only be on that island. So, our priority now is to search the surface waters while heading straight to that island. Once there, we'll search thoroughly for any sign of Claudius."
Kuzan nodded, understanding the plan. After a moment of contemplation, he looked up at Zephyr and softly asked, "But Teacher… what if that 'one-in-ten-thousand chance' actually happens? I mean, it seems like… some people higher up might not want Saint Claudius to return alive..."
"Stop right there, Kuzan," Zephyr interrupted sternly, his expression turning serious as he fixed his gaze on his disciple.
After a tense pause, Zephyr's expression softened slightly. He placed a firm hand on Kuzan's shoulder and spoke in a low but earnest tone, "Kuzan, you're still young, and there's much you don't yet understand. But there's one thing I want you to remember: never get too involved with those Celestial Dragons. Maybe some people above us don't want Claudius to survive, but we only need to do our duty."
He looked deeply into Kuzan's eyes, as if trying to imprint the gravity of his words into his disciple's mind. "All we need to do is what's expected of us. Even if the chances are slim, if Claudius is still alive, then we must bring him back to Mariejois safely. Understand?"
Kuzan had immense respect for his teacher, and after hearing Zephyr's heartfelt admonishment, he nodded earnestly. "I understand, Teacher. I'll remember your words."
"Good," Zephyr said, giving Kuzan a reassuring pat on the shoulder. The veteran Admiral turned back to face the sea, his gaze distant and contemplative as the fleet continued its steady approach toward the lone island.
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Chapter 5: The End of the Sea Circle Calendar 1490
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When the silhouette of the desert island appeared on the horizon, Zephyr and Kuzan's expressions both froze. They spotted black smoke rising from the island, a telltale sign that someone was lighting a fire.
"No way... Did we just stumble upon that one-in-ten-thousand chance?" Kuzan muttered incredulously.
Zephyr's eyes narrowed thoughtfully before he gave a decisive order. "It might just be what we're thinking. Quickly, tell the warship to increase speed!"
"Couldn't it just be a lightning strike or something? I mean, the chances of lightning starting a fire are probably higher than Saint Claudius being alive…" Kuzan said, smacking his lips in disbelief.
"Whatever it is, we need to check it out," Zephyr responded, quickening his pace as he prepared to land.
The warship surged ahead, closing the distance to the desert island.
Meanwhile, atop the mountain on the island, Claudius sat, grilling the wild boar he had hunted. He gazed out at the ocean, scanning the horizon from his high vantage point. His eyes caught sight of several warships swiftly approaching the island.
Taking a bite of the poorly cooked boar meat, Claudius let out a deep sigh and muttered to himself, "Finally... after all this waiting, they're coming. Have they sent someone to 'rescue' me? Or is this just to confirm my death?"
But Claudius made no move to meet the ships. After all, he was a Celestial Dragon. There was no need for him to rush. It was their job to come to him.
While it might seem arrogant, it was perfectly in line with the lofty status of a Celestial Dragon. So, Claudius remained where he was, calmly waiting, no longer forcing himself to eat the unappetizing boar. After all, as soon as he boarded a warship, he could expect food far better than this.
The Marines' warship reached the shore, and Zephyr, along with Kuzan and a contingent of Marines, quickly disembarked. They raced up the mountain, heading toward the plume of smoke.
Upon reaching the summit, Zephyr finally laid eyes on the mission's objective an unkempt and disheveled figure sitting near the fire. But there was no mistaking it; this was indeed Saint Claudius, who had been stranded after a shipwreck for the past two weeks!
As they neared him, Zephyr slowed his pace. Though he had never met Claudius before, he had heard stories. After all, a Celestial Dragon who had consumed a Devil Fruit was bound to be well-known.
The rumors painted Claudius as a spoiled young man temperamental, lacking any real ability, and incredibly difficult to deal with. Zephyr couldn't help but wonder how much anger had built up in Claudius' heart after being stranded for so long. He steeled himself, fully expecting to deal with an outburst of some sort.
Approaching Claudius cautiously, Zephyr swallowed and said softly, "Saint Claudius, I deeply regret the hardships you've faced. I'm Zephyr, an Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, and I personally led the fleet to rescue you. I'm relieved to see you in good health."
Claudius, for his part, recognized Zephyr immediately. This was a famous figure, after all a Marine Admiral with a distinguished reputation. Seeing him in person confirmed Claudius' suspicions.
When Zephyr spoke, he bowed slightly in respect. Though Marine Admirals generally received some level of respect from the World Government, they still couldn't avoid showing deference to the Celestial Dragons. However, Zephyr was not required to kneel.
Rear Admiral Kuzan and the other Marines accompanying Zephyr, on the other hand, did not enjoy such privileges. Despite feeling somewhat disgruntled, Kuzan lowered his head, preparing to give a formal bow.
But before they could complete the motion, Claudius spoke up. "It's fine. There's no need for such formality."
Zephyr and Kuzan blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback. The Marine officers froze as well. However, the soldiers had already fallen to their knees, bowing in submission before the Celestial Dragon.
Watching this scene, Claudius couldn't help but feel conflicted. While his memories told him that people often bowed and scraped before him, seeing it in reality for the first time left a different impression. These Marines, symbols of justice and strength at sea, were now groveling in front of him. It was a stark reminder of how much power the Celestial Dragons wielded.
Claudius had no desire to indulge in such theatrics. Forcing these men, especially potential rising stars like Kuzan, to debase themselves would bring him no real benefit. He might derive some fleeting satisfaction, but it would come at the cost of resentment. A man like Kuzan was destined for greatness, likely to become a Marine Admiral in the future. It was far better to show a little leniency and avoid fostering bad blood between them.
Seeing the stunned expressions on Zephyr and Kuzan's faces, Claudius waved his hand dismissively. "Let's not waste time. I appreciate you finding this island and rescuing me. But I've had enough of this place. I want to return to Mariejois immediately."
Claudius' unexpected display of good temper threw Zephyr for a loop. He had braced himself for insults or worse but was met with unexpected civility instead. Still, Zephyr didn't dare question it. Nodding quickly, he replied, "Of course, Saint Claudius. We'll see to it that you're safely escorted back to Mariejois without delay."
As Zephyr gave the command, the Marines swiftly prepared to set sail. Glancing around the island, Zephyr noticed the remnants of a fire, some half-cooked wild boar, and bones scattered about. It seemed the Celestial Dragon had truly been surviving on his own these past weeks.
"I get the feeling Claudius isn't like the other Celestial Dragons," Kuzan mused quietly.
Zephyr nodded in agreement. "Indeed. He's not quite what I expected. But maybe this experience humbled him. Who knows?"
They both shared a chuckle, Kuzan adding, "Yeah, maybe. Still, it's rare to meet a Celestial Dragon like him. I guess I was just curious."
"Well, enjoy it while it lasts. You'll probably never want to see a Celestial Dragon again after this," Zephyr said with a smile.
Meanwhile, aboard the warship, Claudius was soaking in a bath, finally able to relax after weeks of hardship. While he had been able to find water on the island, proper toiletries had been out of the question. Now, he was relishing the chance to finally rid himself of the grime and exhaustion.
"Zephyr and Kuzan... With the two of them here, I can rest easy. They'll get me back to Mariejois without any issues," Claudius murmured, sinking deeper into the warm water.
After a long, satisfying soak, Claudius stood up and examined himself in the mirror. "I've changed a bit these past two weeks," he noted, poking at the fat around his stomach.
Though he still carried a bit of extra weight, the time spent roughing it on the island had clearly toughened him up. He'd shed some fat, and his arms and legs now had a bit of muscle tone.
"Maybe with some proper training, I can finally shake off the 'greasy' label," Claudius said to himself with a small grin.
He dressed in the luxurious clothes the Marines had provided, finding them a bit loose after his weight loss. Nevertheless, they were still far more comfortable than anything he had worn on the island.
Stepping out of the bathroom, Claudius noticed that every Marine he passed immediately bowed their heads in respect. He acknowledged them casually, more to prevent them from dropping to their knees than out of any real courtesy.
Eventually, he arrived at his room on the ship. Despite being aboard a warship, the accommodations were surprisingly spacious and comfortable.
"This room's probably the result of the two weeks they spent preparing to rescue me," Claudius thought with a smirk.
Without looking back, he called out to the Marine standing outside his door, "Go prepare a proper lunch for me. And invite Admiral Zephyr to join me for the meal."
The Marine saluted and quickly replied, "Yes, Saint Claudius. I'll convey your orders immediately."
Once alone, Claudius sat down and took a sip of the tea that had been prepared for him. He murmured to himself, "Sea Circle Calendar 1490... I know a few things about what's to come, but it's best to confirm them with Zephyr."