The small storm brewing in the East Blue had no real impact on anything. It took Claudius three or four days before he even heard about the outcome.
And when he finally did, he was utterly speechless.
Luffy had suffered an almost comical fate.
He had barely done anything at sea—his only notable action was taking down the Krieg Pirates, which was actually a good deed.
And yet, just because he called himself a pirate, he was slapped with a 30 million Berry bounty.
Then, before he could even leave the East Blue, Garp personally arrested him and sent him to Impel Down.
Claudius genuinely wanted to ask Luffy to his face:
"What king are you trying to be?"
But when he thought about it, doing so would be too arrogant—too much like bullying.
Who was he, Claudius? Even if Luffy was supposed to be the protagonist, so what?
So in the end, Claudius just chuckled, treating the whole thing as nothing more than a joke.
"Garp even asked you to publish this in the World Economy Newspaper?" Claudius asked, amused.
Sitting across from him was Morgans, the bird-like journalist.
Morgans had once been a mere opportunist, but now he had completely turned his life around. Who would have thought that Saint Claudius would seize the highest authority within the World Government?
Thankfully, Morgans had been quick to kiss up to him and hadn't made the mistake of opposing this powerful new ruler.
Now, he held onto Claudius' thigh for dear life.
He had successfully climbed to the rank of a high-ranking official in the World Government.
The Minister of the Press and Propaganda Department.
His administrative authority was vast.
Aside from the World Economy Newspaper, every newspaper, publishing house, and news outlet that operated openly fell under Morgans' jurisdiction.
Anything deemed inappropriate could be shut down or outright banned.
This time, Morgans had come to report on the quarter's activities—but more importantly, to remind Claudius of his loyalty.
Hearing Claudius' question, Morgans chuckled and said, "That's right. But since it wasn't really a big deal, I just made the call myself and helped Vice Admiral Garp get the news out there."
Claudius smirked. It really wasn't a big deal. Nothing worth fussing over.
"Garp is really putting on a show with this one," Claudius remarked, amused.
Catching his own grandson and sending him to Impel Down, then making sure the newspapers report on it?
To an outsider, it might seem like Garp had a few screws loose—but Claudius, knowing the deeper context, understood what was really going on.
This was all for the sake of the Red Hair Pirates.
"So, Red-Haired Shanks, you want to turn my grandson into a pirate?"
"Alright then, I'll just flip the whole table. I'll take my grandson and lock him up in Impel Down. And as for that straw hat Roger left behind? I'll burn it to ashes if I have to!"
Claudius wasn't sure how to evaluate the whole situation.
If anything, it felt kind of stupid.
"Catching your own grandson just to spite Red-Haired Shanks? What kind of nonsense is this?" Claudius muttered to himself.
But he didn't dwell on it for long.
Turning back to Morgans, he said, "Moving forward, I want you to pay closer attention to the relocation efforts for the citizens of Fish-Man Island. The transition to the Calm Belt must be handled properly. Make sure everything runs smoothly—got it?"
Morgans grinned. "Understood, Your Highness. The people of all races are welcoming this change with open arms."
"I'll also get statements from the Longarm Tribe, the Mink Tribe, the Giants, and the Tontatta Tribe."
"Some words of congratulations from them should help paint this transition in a positive light."
Claudius' eyes lit up.
This guy really knew how to do his job.
"Hehehe, that's exactly the approach I want. Go ahead with it," Claudius said approvingly.
"Oh, and write up a few lighthearted stories to accompany the news."
"For example, something about a shipwrecked man being rescued by a mermaid, leading to a heartwarming romance."
"It's a cliché story, but ordinary people love that kind of thing."
"The goal is to establish a positive image for Fish-Man Island."
"But don't go overboard with it. Use your best judgment."
Morgans quickly nodded. "You're absolutely right, Your Highness. I'll take care of it immediately."
---
Meanwhile, in the West Blue, the Red Hair Pirates had docked at a remote island.
Despite the chaotic state of the New World, they remained unbothered.
As one of the Four Emperors, they should have been deeply involved—but Shanks simply didn't care.
"Pirates are supposed to be the freest people on the sea," Shanks had said.
"Why waste time on meaningless politics?"
Back in Roger's era, the Roger Pirates had never even bothered with territory, yet they still achieved the title of Pirate King.
The Marines and the World Government could only target those who had established territories in the New World.
For the Red Hair Pirates, it didn't matter.
Even if Shiki or Big Mom wanted to avoid conflict, they could simply abandon their territories.
But, of course, those kinds of pirates would never let go of their power.
That was the difference in their ideals.
And because of that, Shanks had no interest in their struggles.
He had also heard the news.
The other three "old members" of Rocks' crew were having a reunion.
But Shanks had never been part of the Rocks Pirates.
He was just a baby when they ruled the seas.
He wasn't their "member," so there was no reason to get involved.
And so, while the New World was engulfed in chaos, the Red Hair Pirates had simply sailed off to the West Blue.
At that moment, Beckman sat on the ship, reading a newspaper while the crew resupplied.
"Capone Bege, huh? The gangster turned pirate… I can't tell if that's a smart move or a stupid one."
Before, the Marines had been preparing a massive crackdown on organized crime, something led by Admiral Kuzan under the new Security Department of the World Government.
Gangs would be the first to suffer.
So from that perspective, Bege choosing piracy might have been a wise move.
But considering how the Golden Age of Piracy was now ending…
Even Beckman, as sharp as he was, couldn't say whether this was a good decision or not.
"Who cares? Maybe the guy just got bored of being a crime boss and wanted a change," Yasopp muttered, polishing his gun.
Beckman skimmed through the rest of the newspaper, finding nothing particularly interesting.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small article in the bottom-left corner.
"Vice Admiral Garp captures an East Blue pirate with a 30 million Berry bounty."
At first, he laughed.
"World News must be desperate if they're printing such trivial stories."
But as he kept reading, his expression suddenly changed.
He turned his head and asked, "Yasopp, what's your kid's name again?"
"Huh? Usopp. Why?"
Beckman exhaled sharply. "Damn it. Then this is real.
Luffy was arrested and sent to Impel Down… and his friends went with him.
One of them was named Vinsmoke Sanji.
The other… was Usopp."
Yasopp froze. Then he snatched the newspaper, reading it over with a bitter expression.
"Well… looks like my son's doing five years in prison."
Beckman sighed and whispered, "The captain completely lost this bet."
The future wasn't changed by pirates.
It was changed by Claudius, a Celestial Dragon.
And Roger's legacy?
It had failed to live on.
Luffy's adventure had barely begun and yet, it was already over.
(To be continued.)
***
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