One Piece: King of the World

Chapter 199: Claudius: 'Are There Any Weapons of Mass Destruction?

In the large combat conference room at Marineford, the key players from the Marines sat on one side, while Claudius and his group sat opposite them. It was an unusual gathering, the Marines and pirates facing each other without hostility or conflict.

Doflamingo, sitting comfortably, occasionally glanced at Marine Marshal Sengoku through his orange-tinted sunglasses, the corners of his mouth curling into a wicked smile. His expression suggested a shared history, perhaps even a sense of irony. After all, they had once operated like chess pieces in a game of espionage, each aware of the other's covert dealings.

Crocodile, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair with a cigar between his lips, looking completely at ease. His frequent visits to Marine Headquarters alongside Claudius had long since made him familiar with the high-ranking officers, and he exuded an air of indifference.

Bartholomew Kuma, massive and silent, sat rigidly in his seat, a Bible in his hands. He paid no attention to anyone in the room, engrossed in his reading.

Mihawk rested his famed black blade, Yoru, against the back of his chair. His demeanor was as relaxed as ever, one leg crossed over the other. Having been to Marine Headquarters before for discussions about swordsmanship, he was neither nervous nor unfamiliar with the surroundings.

Seated beside Claudius were Tesoro and Stussy. Tesoro, despite his wealth and status, was visibly tense. As one of the focal points of this operation, he couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment, fidgeting in his chair.

Stussy, on the other hand, appeared perfectly composed. She had visited Marine Headquarters countless times and was well-acquainted with its officers. Her close friendship with Gion, the Marine swordswoman, made her interactions with the Marine higher-ups natural and easy. She smiled and chatted as though this were any other day.

On the Marine side, most of the officers maintained their usual demeanor. Only Sakazuki sat stiffly, his expression as hard as stone. Even so, the tension was more subdued than usual.

Despite the Seven Warlords' reputation as pirates, Doflamingo and Crocodile were known to have connections with the Marines through their "undercover" roles. Mihawk, though officially classified as a pirate, was widely recognized as a neutral figure whose sole interest lay in the pursuit of swordsmanship.

Bartholomew Kuma was an even stranger case. Although technically a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he had a unique and secretive arrangement with the Marines. Claudius, as a representative of CP-X, had vouched for Kuma's loyalty, ensuring that he rarely left Marineford after joining.

The complex relationships between the individuals present explained why even Sakazuki managed to restrain his temper. He sat in silence, his rigid expression betraying his discomfort, but refrained from any outbursts or sharp remarks.

Sitting across from Claudius, Gion maintained a frosty demeanor, her expression making it clear she was still annoyed by his previous antics.

Meanwhile, Garp, the ever-relaxed Marine hero, happily munched on donuts, casually chatting with Zephyr in between bites. His carefree attitude stood in stark contrast to the seriousness of the meeting.

Tsuru reviewed the documents in her hands with sharp focus, meticulously checking for any details that might need adjustment.

"As for Charlotte Linlin herself," Tsuru added, "capture her if possible. If not, she must be neutralized on the spot."

With the briefing complete, Sengoku asked, "Does anyone have suggestions or concerns?"

Most of the Marines remained silent, having already discussed the plan extensively. Sengoku's question was primarily directed at Claudius and his group.

Claudius nodded thoughtfully before speaking. "I have a question."

"Go ahead, Your Highness," Sengoku replied.

"What contingencies have we prepared in case the operation fails?" Claudius asked calmly.

Sengoku blinked, momentarily caught off guard. While the possibility of failure had been considered, the assumption was that the participants—elite combatants—would be able to retreat safely.

"If the operation fails, everyone will evacuate," Sengoku replied. "We'll scatter if necessary. With the caliber of individuals involved, retreat shouldn't be an issue."

Claudius chuckled. "You misunderstand me. I'm not worried about whether we can retreat. My concern is this: even if the operation fails, we should aim to leave a lasting mark. Otherwise, all this effort will have been for nothing."

Sengoku frowned. "What do you suggest?"

Claudius leaned forward, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "We should establish a secondary objective. For example, if the plan fails, we should destroy Whole Cake Island, the heart of Totto Land."

Sengoku's gaze shifted to the three Admirals—Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino. With their devastating Logia powers, leveling Whole Cake Island wouldn't be an issue.

Claudius, noticing Sengoku's glance, shook his head. "No, no, no. The Admirals will likely be occupied during the battle. Their powers might not be available for such a task. That's why I propose a backup plan."

He smiled darkly. "Do we have any... superweapons? Something like a massive bomb or a large-scale destructive device? Such a weapon could serve multiple purposes—buying time, covering our retreat, or delivering a decisive blow."