In the waters of the New World, a massive sailing ship quietly cut through the waves, flying the insignia of an official World Government caravan. It looked like an ordinary merchant vessel, nothing that would attract undue attention.
But standing on its deck were some of the mightiest figures in the world: Marine Headquarters' Fleet Admiral Kong, Vice Admiral Garp, renowned as the Marine Hero, and Claudius, the young Celestial Dragon. Their target was none other than Patrick Redfield, also known as the "Red Count," and their destination—Bat Island.
Claudius hadn't had many opportunities to meet Fleet Admiral Kong before, and the two didn't share any particular friendship. In fact, he didn't know much about him at all. But in the days they'd spent together, Claudius had come to appreciate that Kong was a straightforward, stubborn man, but not inflexible. The Fleet Admiral had a strong personality yet remained approachable, and they'd quickly found a mutual respect.
"It should be close now, right?" Claudius asked, watching the record pointer in his hand as it swayed in the direction of their destination.
Garp, an old sea dog with years of experience, didn't even bother with the pointer. After a moment of thought, he said, "Another half a day, give or take."
"This mission is as covert as it gets. I didn't even bring any Marine soldiers along. Just the three of us know about it. I doubt that Redfield would ever expect such a small force," Fleet Admiral Kong remarked with a smile.
Claudius looked at him, curious. "Is he really as arrogant as they say? Always working alone, never trusting anyone?"
Kong nodded. "Exactly. That's why he's earned the nickname 'Lonely Red.' He refuses to rely on anyone."
"Well, this time we'll shatter that pride of his and send him straight to Impel Down," Garp said, clenching his fists with a dangerous grin.
Kong nodded in agreement. "Garp, once we reach Bat Island, you'll station yourself at the port. That place has a peculiar geography, there's only one port for getting in or out, and the rest of the island is surrounded by cliffs. As long as you hold the port, he won't be able to escape. I'll handle him myself."
"Huh? You're planning to take that bastard on solo, Kong?" Garp asked, clearly surprised.
"Yes," Kong replied. "As long as the port's secured, it'll be like trapping a fox in a cage. I'll deal with him personally."
Claudius raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit uneasy. He wanted to tell Kong that, as strong as he was, he might not fare so well in a one-on-one with Redfield. If his memory served, Kong had indeed gone toe-to-toe with the Red Count on Bat Island once before... and lost due to exhaustion. Redfield, however, didn't get far afterward, as Garp had jumped in and pummeled him into submission, sealing his fate in Impel Down.
Looking at Kong, who was older than Garp by a decade and well into his seventies, Claudius couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and concern. This man had been fighting for the World Government his entire life. Even when Sengoku, his younger colleague, would later retire, Kong would continue to serve well into his nineties. A lifetime of loyalty and sacrifice, it was something Claudius couldn't help but respect.
With this in mind, Claudius asked, "And what about me, Fleet Admiral Kong? Where do you need me?"
Kong, fully aware of Redfield's strength, didn't want to put Claudius at unnecessary risk. Despite Claudius's impressive abilities, he was no match for someone of Redfield's caliber just yet. And with Claudius's high status as a Celestial Dragon, Kong felt an added responsibility to ensure his safety.
After a moment, Kong said, "Why don't you observe from a safe distance? You can see everything unfold, but without getting too close to the action."
In other words, they wanted him to watch from the sidelines. But Claudius didn't take offense. He understood that Kong's intention was to keep him safe, not to belittle him. Besides, he suspected there would be other ways for him to contribute. So, with a relaxed smile, he replied, "Understood. My experience is nowhere near as extensive as yours, Fleet Admiral. CP-X will gladly learn from you on this mission, haha."
"Glad to hear it," Kong said with a smile of his own, appreciating Claudius's lack of arrogance. He'd met too many young talents who, brimming with pride, threw themselves recklessly into danger. But Claudius showed a rare combination of strength and humility, which Kong respected.
Thinking back, he'd seen many promising Marines fall to their own hubris. Even the Whitebeard Pirates had eventually met disaster because Ace had been too headstrong to heed Whitebeard's warnings. Arrogance was a killer.
After chatting for a few more minutes, Kong asked, "I heard you have people on Bat Island already?"
Claudius nodded. "My cousin is stationed there. But don't worry, Fleet Admiral, his cover won't raise any alarms for Redfield."
"Oh, you mean that candidate for the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea' project that Sengoku mentioned? His Highness Doflamingo, right?" Kong asked, recalling their conversation.
"That's right, though please don't call him 'Your Highness' around him. He's sensitive about it. He was stripped of his Celestial Dragon status when his father took him to North Blue," Claudius replied with a chuckle.
"Got it," Kong replied, slightly embarrassed by his mistake.
As they closed in on Bat Island, Doflamingo himself was preparing on the shore, waiting for Claudius's arrival.
"So I'm supposed to face off against the infamous 'Lonely Red,' Patrick Redfield? I barely got my feet wet in the New World, and I'm already dealing with a legend?" Doflamingo muttered to himself, a cold gleam in his eyes. A wicked grin spread across his face. "Fufufufu... cousin, I see you're making me prove my worth."
"If you can't endure this, you'll never reach the top," he recalled Claudius saying over the Den Den Mushi before this mission. "This is a chance to show the World Government your value. Make a good impression, and we'll both benefit in the future."
Doflamingo hadn't reached the level of patience he'd have in the future, but under Claudius's guidance, he'd learned to control his impulses. This mission was just another step in his ascent, a necessary sacrifice for a greater reward.
Meanwhile, deep within Bat Island's dense forests, Redfield examined a worn scrap of parchment he had just uncovered. The markings on it hinted at a place called "The Sleeping Ancient Town," and he frowned, unfamiliar with the name.
"The Sleeping Ancient Town... never heard of it," Redfield murmured. His latest quest had brought him here, searching for a rare Zoan Mythical Devil Fruit he'd heard rumors about. He intended to find it and harness its power, thinking it might prove useful in his future endeavors.
Little did he know, however, that the World Government had already set a trap for him—a net that had taken months to weave and was about to be sprung.
If he truly wanted that fruit, it would have to wait. It would be over twenty years before Blackbeard would one day come to free him from his cell in Impel Down...