One Piece: King of the World

The meeting with Lucci and Spandine didn't last long. Claudius outlined the mission to Sky Island, explained their cooperation with the Marines, and provided clear instructions. After that, there was little else to discuss.

Before they left, Claudius encouraged Lucci, telling the boy to work hard, keep honing his skills, and never settle for mediocrity. As motivation, he handed them rewards—not ordinary Berries, but treasures collected from other Celestial Dragons' homes.

These treasures, though once simply decorative items in his residence, were now repurposed by Claudius. He had kept a few pieces he fancied for his personal collection and intended to use the rest as rewards for his subordinates. After all, handing out treasures like these carried far more prestige than simply giving money.

Overjoyed with the gifts, Spandine left with Lucci to begin preparations for the Sky Island mission. As for the dangers of heading to such an unpredictable place, Spandine didn't dare complain. With Claudius backing the operation and Marine forces leading the charge, all he could do was grit his teeth and rise to the occasion.

Sitting by the pool in his courtyard, Claudius found himself staring into the still water, his thoughts drifting. The absence of the mermaid sisters, who had once graced this pool, left a subtle pang of loneliness in his heart. He used to chat with them here, but now, all that remained was the empty water.

"Cousin? Cousin? Why aren't you saying anything?" Doflamingo's voice cut through his thoughts, snapping Claudius back to the present.

Claudius chuckled softly, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Ah, sorry about that. I got lost in thought for a moment. You know, age catches up to all of us."

"Furufurufuru, age? Cousin, you're what—still in your twenties?" Doflamingo teased with a laugh.

"Barely holding onto my twenties," Claudius replied with a grin. "I'm almost hitting my thirties. Unlike you young people, I'm getting up there."

After exchanging some lighthearted banter, Claudius returned to the matter at hand. "By the way, what were you saying earlier?"

"Figures you weren't listening. Furufuru," Doflamingo said, his tone amused. "I was saying I planted a 'nail' in the Marines. Since they're not exactly friendly toward us, I thought it was only fair to play a little dirty in return."

"Oh? And what's the situation?" Claudius asked with genuine curiosity.

"Vergo," Doflamingo answered, his tone smug. "I placed him in the Marines as an undercover agent. If something happens with Rosinante or if the Marines try anything funny, Vergo will keep me informed. It's always good to have a backup plan."

Claudius chuckled. "You've got things well thought out, I see. But speaking of the Marines, I've managed to make some pretty big gains with them myself this time."

He proceeded to explain the details of his recent cooperation with the Marines. Doflamingo, quick-witted as always, immediately grasped the significance.

"Furufurufuru! You're on a whole different level, cousin. I was over here patting myself on the back for planting a spy, and you've gone and shaken down the Marines for funding. Impressive!"

"Well, it's not every day the opportunity presents itself," Claudius said, smiling. "Speaking of which, I need your help with something connected to all this."

"Let me guess," Doflamingo interrupted with a smirk. "Sky Island. The golden land."

Claudius raised an eyebrow, impressed. "That's exactly it. Your abilities will be invaluable for the Sky Island mission. With you there, it'll be much safer, and we'll avoid unnecessary losses."

Doflamingo's Devil Fruit powers, particularly his ability to manipulate strings, made him an ideal candidate for the perilous journey to Sky Island. He had no objections, as his own curiosity about the legendary land of gold piqued his interest.

"According to my intel, there's a Poneglyph and a golden bell up there. Leave those to me," Claudius added.

Doflamingo chuckled awkwardly. "What's that supposed to mean? Like I'd try to pocket the gold?"

"Hahahaha! Wouldn't you?" Claudius teased.

"Yes," Doflamingo replied without hesitation, prompting both men to burst into laughter.

Claudius didn't mind. He trusted Doflamingo enough to let him take a cut of the loot, it was only fair to compensate him for his efforts. "Just don't touch the Marines' 50%, alright?"

"Of course, cousin. I wouldn't do anything to ruin your plans. You can count on me," Doflamingo said, nodding.

Satisfied, Claudius continued, "You'll rendezvous with Spandine and the Marines at the top of the West Sky Peak. It's important that we use people we can trust for this mission."

After wrapping up the details of the Sky Island operation, Doflamingo brought up another matter. "Cousin, any updates on the Seven Warlords of the Sea? I've been waiting impatiently."

Claudius sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'm swamped right now. With the World Summit just around the corner, Mariejois is in chaos. But don't worry; we'll create the perfect opportunity when the time comes."

The year was 1508 of the Sea Circle Calendar, and the World Summit—a gathering of the world's leaders held every four years was fast approaching. This event was one of the reasons the World Government was so eager to resolve issues with Whitebeard and Fish-Man Island. It was also why Sengoku was currently overburdened, as the Marines had to escort royalty from various nations to the summit.

"When's the timing?" Doflamingo asked, his voice laced with impatience.

"Right before the World Summit begins," Claudius explained. "When this year's Heavenly Tribute is being delivered, I'll tip you off. You'll rob the shipment, and we'll use the incident as leverage to get you into the Seven Warlords of the Sea. The World Government won't be able to refuse, and it'll all look perfectly natural."

Doflamingo grinned. "Heh, robbing the Heavenly Tribute? That's a pretty bold move, cousin. It'll definitely make waves."

"Exactly. The bolder the move, the less anyone will suspect it was orchestrated. The Five Elders are already on board, so there's nothing to worry about," Claudius assured him.

"Since you've given the green light, I'll handle it," Doflamingo replied confidently.

The two exchanged a few more words before ending the call.

"World Summit…" Claudius murmured, leaning back in his chair.

This year's summit was significant for Claudius. For the first time, he would participate, as Fish-Man Island was expected to send representatives. While he wasn't overly concerned about the event itself, he recognized the importance of being prepared.

"There are some key points I'll need to raise carefully," Claudius thought to himself, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I may not have the luxury of acting recklessly."

***

Bonus

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