Sengoku had his plans, but Claudius wasn't without his own.
The Calm Belt, an untapped reservoir of immense natural resources, was a place Claudius had been eyeing for a long time. However, for the longest time, he hadn't found a practical way to exploit it. His original idea was to wait until Amazon Lily came into play specifically, to see if their unique "sea serpent biotechnology" could be of any use.
He'd also considered the Seastone-coated ship technology used by the Marines to navigate the Calm Belt. Yet, he wasn't sure when exactly this technology had been developed. From his memory, this innovation came into play during the Summit War, when Vice Admiral Momonga used it to summon Boa Hancock to fulfill her Warlord obligations.
As of now, Claudius wasn't sure if Marine had already perfected the technology. This uncertainty was part of the reason why he had always wanted to probe deeper into Marine's mysterious Scientific Division. Technology, after all, was the primary driver of progress. Even something seemingly simple could lead to massive breakthroughs and unimaginable profits.
Now, however, Claudius didn't need to chase after the technology himself, Sengoku had delivered it right to his doorstep. Only an idiot would refuse such an opportunity.
Why had Claudius spent so much effort maintaining close ties with Marine's upper echelons over the years? Was it purely out of nostalgia for Zephyr's kindness? Perhaps a little, but not nearly enough to justify his actions.
The real reason was far more practical: Claudius wanted to influence Marine Headquarters in the long term. He aimed to make his personal presence felt within the Marine hierarchy.
While direct control over Marine similar to how the World Government wielded authority was ideal, Claudius knew it wasn't realistic. Marine's structure was too insulated, its systems too rigid. It wasn't a power easily infiltrated or controlled. So, he settled for a different approach: gradually accumulating influence within Marine, waiting for the right opportunity to leverage the banner of "justice" to his advantage.
And this opportunity had finally arrived. Sengoku's proposal to use Claudius as a shield for broadening Marine's financial resources wasn't just about tapping into the Calm Belt. It was about opening a door, one that allowed Claudius to embed himself in Marine's operations.
Once this door was opened, Marine, having tasted the benefits, wouldn't be able to close it again.
For Claudius, the profits of the Calm Belt were secondary. The real prize was the influence and leverage this arrangement gave him over Marine. After all, wealth was just money, but power was the ability to shape events.
The World Government kept Marine under control by holding their purse strings. The threat of cutting military expenditures was enough to force even someone like Akainu to compromise. No matter how fiery his "absolute justice" burned, even Akainu had no choice but to bow to reality when the World Government controlled the funding.
But now, thanks to Sengoku, Claudius was planting a seed of independence within Marine. With this new financial channel, Marine wouldn't be as constrained by the World Government's budgetary whims.
From Sengoku's perspective, this deal was a minor gray area, barely a violation. With Claudius covering for them, it was a negligible risk. Claudius was a Celestial Dragon, the very embodiment of the World Government's legitimacy. So long as the money was technically coming from Claudius, it was just an extension of the system itself.
But from Claudius' perspective, this was much more significant. He was laying the groundwork to influence the World Government's strongest force, making it easier to sway Marine's actions in the future.
As for the immense profits of the Calm Belt, Claudius felt that with his identity and Marine's partnership, those profits were already as good as his. Even if this arrangement lasted for seven, eight, or ten years before the World Government caught wind of it, Claudius wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
If they did catch on, what could they even say? Claudius could easily argue that all the money had gone toward strengthening the World Government's forces, specifically Marine and CP-X. It wasn't as if he were embezzling funds or using the money for personal gain.
After all, both Marine and CP-X were officially part of the World Government. Claudius could even frame it as a move to reduce the World Government's financial burden, sparing them from the need to provide annual funding.
Although Sengoku himself lacked the authority to formalize such a deal, Claudius was confident in his own ability to convince the Five Elders if necessary.
He could present the Calm Belt's development as a win-win. If the World Government attempted to control it directly, at least half the resources would be lost to corruption before reaching their hands. Claudius, however, had no need for such underhanded tactics. As a Celestial Dragon, the World Government's wealth was already his wealth, there was no reason to siphon funds.
By placing himself in charge, Claudius could ensure all resources were collected efficiently and allocated transparently. And with this newfound wealth, Marine and CP-X could strengthen their forces, stabilizing the seas and securing the World Government's rule.
It was a proposal that ticked every box.
Of course, all of this hinged on Claudius remaining loyal and not overstepping his bounds. But as a Celestial Dragon especially one as high-ranking as he was, Claudius had a natural advantage in earning trust.
After carefully weighing the pros and cons, Claudius decided that Sengoku's plan was not only feasible but highly advantageous for everyone involved.
Sharing a knowing look, Claudius and Sengoku both broke into laughter. The understanding between them had deepened, and without others to intrude, their alliance now felt solidified.
Placing a hand on Sengoku's shoulder, Claudius said with a grin, "Sengoku, I'll make sure Water 7 prioritizes this project. We'll push aside any unimportant orders and focus all our efforts on your Marine and CP-X ships. Let's make sure we complete these experimental results as soon as possible to serve the World Government."
"Hahahaha, much appreciated, Your Highness," Sengoku replied with a smile.
"There's no need to stand on ceremony," Claudius said grandly. "Up until now, perhaps there's been a bit of distance between us. But starting today, we're truly on the same side. Don't worry, Sengoku I'll never shortchange your Marines. How about a fifty-fifty split? I won't take advantage of you."
Sengoku's eyes widened slightly at the offer. He had been prepared to settle for a three-to-seven or even a four-to-six split, given the weight of Claudius' involvement and his role as a protective shield. To hear Claudius suggest an even fifty-fifty split without hesitation was beyond generous.
Claudius, a Celestial Dragon, had no need to make such an offer, but the fact that he did was enough to leave Sengoku thoroughly impressed.
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