Crocodile was in an excellent mood. He felt like he was about to wipe out his two billion berry debt. If Claudius kept betting with him like this, maybe after a few rounds, he'd even have Claudius owing him money.
"Sigh," Crocodile let out a contented sigh, lost in thought.
Claudius glanced at him, his expression curious. "What are you sighing about? Feeling good, huh?"
"I was just thinking," Crocodile began with a smug grin, "if I'd been betting with you from the start, I wouldn't be in debt at all. You'd be the one owing me money by now."
"Oh? Is that so?" Claudius chuckled. "Well, Crocodile, let me give you some advice, don't get too happy just yet."
"Hahahaha, what are you talking about?" Crocodile laughed, feeling even more confident. "I'm about to win back more than two billion berries!"
"Or maybe you're about to lose 400 million more," Claudius said, his voice laced with amusement as he gave Crocodile a mischievous smile.
"You really think so?" Crocodile scoffed. "No way. Stussy agrees with me, right?"
However, when Crocodile turned to his "comrade-in-arms" for confirmation, he noticed something strange. Stussy wasn't laughing or smiling; instead, her eyes were fixed on a distant fruit stand, her expression frozen. Confused by her silence, Crocodile followed her gaze.
And then he saw it.
His face paled, his heart skipped a beat, and his lips quivered as he whispered, "No way... Is that really him?"
Stussy looked at Claudius with wide, astonished eyes, as if seeking confirmation. Claudius patted her gently on the shoulder and said with a satisfied grin, "See? When have I ever been wrong? Trying to sneak one by me never ends well."
Stussy, still shaken, asked, "Your Highness, you've been with us the entire time. You didn't gather any intelligence or do anything out of the ordinary. So how in the world did you know Roger would be on this remote island?"
Claudius simply smiled, offering no real explanation. "Ah, who knows?"
That mysterious smile sent a shiver down both Stussy and Crocodile's spines. Over the years, they'd spent a lot of time with Claudius, thinking they had a good grasp of his capabilities. But in this moment, they realized how little they truly understood about him.
"For someone in charge, it's important not to show all your cards," Claudius said with a chuckle. "Keep your subordinates guessing."
Whether it was their imagination or not, both Stussy and Crocodile found themselves feeling a new level of respect, or perhaps fear toward Claudius.
At a humble fruit stand nearby, a scruffy-looking man sat with his legs propped up and a cheap bottle of wine in hand. He wore an old vest, his hair long and unkempt, and his whole appearance screamed "sloppy drunk." Yet, despite his disheveled look, the woman sitting beside him was a stark contrast—beautiful, graceful, and with a gentle smile.
The scene looked odd, almost surreal. The woman, with her beauty and calm demeanor, seemed entirely out of place next to such a scruffy man. It was like seeing a beauty and a beast together.
Claudius recognized her instantly, Portgas D. Rouge, the woman who would one day be known as the mother of Ace. And the man sitting beside her, despite his ragged appearance, was none other than the most wanted man in the world: Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King.
Roger's once-legendary presence was now buried under layers of grime and weariness. His face was thinner, his beard much longer, and his aura once so commanding was now subdued. Yet, even with his unkempt appearance, Claudius could still make out the unmistakable features of the Pirate King.
It seemed that no one else on the island had recognized Roger. He was hiding in plain sight, blending into the peaceful life of the island. But Claudius, who had come specifically to find him, saw through the disguise immediately.
Roger, too, noticed Claudius's group staring at him. His carefree expression tensed as he recognized the Celestial Dragon. He had seen Claudius before, back on the Sabaody Archipelago. And with Claudius's reputation growing in recent years, there was no mistaking him.
Roger wasn't worried for himself, he had faced countless dangers before. But now, for the first time in a long while, he felt anxiety. Not for his own sake, but for Rouge. His family.
His fingers tightened around the neck of the cheap wine bottle, and his piercing eyes locked onto Claudius as the distance between them closed.
Claudius approached the fruit stand, grabbed two oranges from the table, and casually said, "Two oranges, please."
Rouge, still smiling warmly, reached out to take payment. But just as she extended her hand, Claudius glanced up and said, "I didn't expect to find you here, Roger."
At those words, Rouge froze mid-movement, her hand hanging in the air. Before Roger could say anything, she quickly tried to recover. "You must be mistaken. My husband's name isn't Roger. He's just a simple man."
But Roger interrupted her, his voice calm. "No, Rouge, it's no use."
He turned to Claudius, offering a faint smile. "Long time no see, Claudius. Or should I say, Your Highness?"
"Call me whatever you like," Claudius replied with a grin as he began peeling one of the oranges. He popped a slice into his mouth, his eyes lighting up. "Mmm, not bad! The perfect balance of sweet and sour. I like it."
Roger laughed heartily. "Ahahaha, my wife grew those herself. Impressive, isn't she?"
Claudius nodded appreciatively. "Very impressive. I have to say, I'm a little envious. A scruffy guy like you managed to find such a beautiful wife."
Roger, now fifty-three years old, looked every bit his age, while Rouge appeared no older than twenty-four or twenty-five. The age gap was almost comical. Claudius couldn't help but be amazed that Roger, in his later years, had managed to win over someone so much younger.
It was clear that Roger, the "old cow," had found himself some "tender grass," and Claudius couldn't help but feel a little envious.
Roger rubbed his scruffy beard, grinning cheekily. "Maybe it's because I'm handsome."
Claudius gave him a look of disdain. "Is that why they call you the Pirate King? Because of your thick skin?"
Roger laughed even harder. After taking a swig from his bottle, he stretched his neck and asked, "So, what's the plan, Claudius? Are you here to catch me?"
Claudius tossed the orange peel into a nearby trash can, his expression casual but his intent clear. He didn't try to hide anything.