Claudius had given Marine everything—funding, manpower, and full backing. Yet, at such a critical moment, they couldn't even come up with a proper strategy?
Wasn't this incompetence?
I give you so much money every year, what am I funding, a bunch of freeloaders?
Because of this, Claudius' expression darkened. His goal was clear: by 1522 of the Sea Circle Calendar, he wanted the New World completely pacified, wiping out the Great Pirate Era entirely.
Yet here they were, with no concrete solutions?
The realization made him furious. His expression turned grim, and an oppressive aura filled the room.
Claudius was usually easygoing in conversation, but that didn't mean he lacked authority. Being on good terms with the Marines didn't mean he would tolerate mediocrity.
Sengoku, though no longer in the Marines, still considered them his home. Feeling embarrassed, his expression grew stiff.
Sakazuki looked visibly ashamed.
Even Borsalino, who always slacked off, put down his teacup and sat quietly.
Despite her close ties with Claudius, Gion, as an Admiral, couldn't help but feel awkward.
Meanwhile, Fujitora was absent, likely carrying out a mission.
Garp and Tsuru were also not present, leaving the room in complete silence as Claudius' powerful aura bore down on them.
After a long pause, Claudius slowly withdrew his aura, and his expression softened slightly.
He had made his displeasure clear. The Marines weren't slacking, but at the moment, they simply had no viable solution.
"So, the worst-case scenario is launching the most brainless war possible, using time and sheer brute force to wear them down?" Claudius asked in a low voice.
As Fleet Admiral, Sakazuki had to answer despite the pressure.
"That's correct. If we start the war now and advance steadily, I can guarantee that within five years, the New World will be completely cleansed!"
"Five years?!" Claudius muttered internally. By then, I'd be hanging out with old men like Zunesha, calling them 'brother'...
But he understood—if no better plan emerged, brute force was the only option.
Although time-consuming and expensive, it was still preferable to letting the pirates roam freely.
He could afford to wait five years, but that didn't mean he wanted to.
Besides, once the war started, new opportunities might arise.
Just as Claudius was about to speak, Gion suddenly whispered:
"I have some intel that might serve as an entry point. However, the details aren't fully verified, and more importantly… I'm not sure if it's enticing enough."
Hearing this, Claudius couldn't help but smile internally.
He didn't care how useful the intel was, any lead was better than blindly waging war.
"What's the situation? Let's hear it, Gion." Claudius said.
Gion nodded. Given the current tension, she didn't waste time and spoke directly.
"This matter involves internal pirate conflicts and… Douglas Bullet."
Hearing that name, Sengoku froze for a moment before asking,
"Bullet? There's news on him? Wasn't he missing for two years?"
After the Battle of Marineford, Bullet had completely vanished.
The same went for Redfield. However, unlike Bullet, Redfield had chosen to operate solo, not even showing up at Marineford after escaping Impel Down.
There were still occasional sightings of Redfield.
Rumor had it that he had awakened a Devil Fruit power, but for some reason, he seemed to have calmed down, no longer causing havoc.
He hadn't made any major moves—just occasionally appearing in reports, seemingly living a leisurely life.
Because of this, both Claudius and Marine Headquarters had chosen to ignore him as long as he didn't cause trouble.
It was a stance similar to their approach with Rayleigh.
But Bullet was different, there had been no trace of him.
So, when Gion suddenly brought him up, Sengoku was naturally surprised.
Claudius also turned to Gion, curious, already forming some guesses in his mind.
Gion nodded and continued,
"Yes, there's been confirmed intel on Bullet. He's been lying low, seemingly searching for something. And now… it appears he found it.
"We're not sure what he was looking for, but based on the intel I received, Bullet and Festa have established contact."
Hearing this, Sengoku frowned.
"Festa? That guy?" Borsalino murmured, looking puzzled.
It took Sakazuki, ever the professional, to clarify,
"Festa—the world's top event planner. He's organized and orchestrated many massive events.
"If Bullet is teaming up with him, then whatever they're planning… it's big.
"The question is—will it be enough to draw in those damn pirates?"
Claudius narrowed his eyes and muttered softly,
"A fanatic action…?"
At that moment, a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes.
He had assumed Bullet would remain quiet after escaping Impel Down, but in the end, Bullet was still playing his old game, the Pirate Expo!
This event would attract countless pirates, making it one of the biggest gatherings in recent years.
From Claudius' memory, the Pirate Expo wasn't supposed to happen for another two years.
However, considering Bullet's early release, the timeline had shifted, which made sense.
Of course, Claudius knew that this event was one giant trap.
But that didn't matter, what mattered was its potential to lure in major players.
Right now, the event's attraction was still limited, a simple pirate gathering.
But once the rumor spread that the event involved a lost treasure from the Roger Pirates, endorsed by former Roger Pirates member Bullet, it would gain massive credibility.
Still, for the Four Emperors—Big Mom, Kaido, Blackbeard, and Shanks—this alone wouldn't be enough to lure them in.
But Claudius knew exactly what would change that.
The record pointer to Laugh Tale, the final island, the location of the One Piece.
Whoever obtained it would have a direct path to becoming the next Pirate King!
Bullet didn't care about that treasure, but other pirates definitely would.
Claudius had no doubt, once the news spread, Big Mom, Kaido, and even Shiki would all be drawn in.
Even if they knew it was a trap, they wouldn't be able to resist.
Because if they didn't go, then what kind of pirates were they?
And now, with this foreknowledge, Claudius could lay the perfect ambush.
Since the trap was being set by Bullet, it would be far more convincing to the Emperors.
All that was needed was careful preparation, ensuring they gave nothing away beforehand.
That way, when the time came, Shiki and the others would walk right into their graves.
"Interesting…" Claudius mused.
"If I can get my hands on that record pointer, I won't even need the Poneglyphs, I'll have the key to cultivating the next Pirate King."
(To be continued.)
***
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