Bab 101: Chapter 101: Ideals
Under the warm West Blue sun, the vast sailing ship glided over the calm seas, its silhouette gleaming against the backdrop of a clear sky. This wasn't just any ship; it was the pride of the Donquixote family, the Prometheus, proudly flying the Celestial Dragon insignia. However, this symbol was slightly unique, its traditional hoof mark was adorned with a bright purple flower in the center, the emblem of the Donquixote family.
The Prometheus was a spectacle. At the bow was a large statue of a sea god, a formidable guardian for this grand vessel. Reinforced with thick armor plating on its sides, the ship could easily withstand heavy assaults. Armed with a hundred and nine cannons spread across its bow and sides, the ship's firepower was nothing short of terrifying, able to reduce any enemy fleet to wreckage in minutes.
Beyond its defenses, Prometheus was a floating palace of luxury. The deck was so expansive it resembled a grand courtyard, large enough to host a game of polo or horse races. The deck was lined with lush green grass, complete with a sunken swimming pool and lounge areas. Rising four stories above deck, the ship even boasted a massive glass aquarium, teeming with marine life, from vibrant fish to graceful turtles and even a few sharks. At its center was an opulent restaurant, encircled by the aquarium's translucent walls, creating a dining experience that rivaled the finest establishments in the world.
Among the ship's many features, there was also a library, a place Claudius had meticulously designed to house a vast collection of books. Although the shelves were still mostly bare, Claudius had grand plans to fill them, especially with the knowledge preserved within Ohara's famed Tree of Knowledge. With some luck, he mused, he might even add a few ancient texts, including the elusive Poneglyphs, to his collection.
"Island sighted! I see a large tree in the middle of it, that must be Ohara!" Enel's voice rang out from the hot air balloon tethered to the Prometheus's upper deck. From his vantage point, Enel had been scanning the seas for any signs of danger, telescope in hand.
Claudius set down the book he was reading, took a bite from a slice of cake nearby, and asked casually, "Any Marine ships in the area?"
"Nope, the coast is clear," Enel replied.
Claudius chuckled. "Looks like we've beaten them to it. Perfect timing! If all goes well, that Tree of Knowledge will be coming with me."
As the Prometheus drew closer to Ohara, a crowd began to gather at the island's port. The townspeople stared in awe at the massive vessel, whispering among themselves.
"That's… the Celestial Dragons' banner!" an elderly man exclaimed, panic creeping into his voice. The crowd began to scatter, wary of the ship and its feared passengers. Everyone knew the reputation of the Celestial Dragons, being in their presence often meant trouble, and people were all too eager to avoid it.
Standing on the deck, Claudius watched the townsfolk retreat with a faint sense of pity. "Poor souls," he murmured. "They have no idea what's coming."
At his side, Stussy, now dressed in a sharp white suit, gave him a curious look. "Your Highness, do you intend to help them? There must be many innocent people here…"
Claudius shook his head. "Innocent or not, can you guarantee there aren't any scholars here studying forbidden texts?" he asked pointedly.
Stussy hesitated, eventually shaking her head. "No… I can't."
"Exactly," Claudius replied softly. "No one can. And if any of them manage to escape with that knowledge… well, that's a risk the Marines won't take. But I'm not here to judge them. I'm just here for the books." He grinned, turning his gaze toward the towering Tree of Knowledge in the distance.
Once the Prometheus docked, Claudius and his entourage disembarked, descending down a ramp that extended to the port. They hadn't gone far when they were approached by an elderly man with a distinctive hairstyle resembling a clover—Dr. Clover, the renowned scholar and head of Ohara's archaeological institute. The old man moved forward with the intent to kneel, showing his respect.
Claudius, however, held up a hand to stop him. "No need for that," he said gently, helping the man up. For someone of Dr. Clover's age, bowing or kneeling might just do more harm than good, Claudius thought.
"Are you Dr. Clover?" Claudius asked.
Dr. Clover nodded respectfully. "Yes, that is correct. I am honored by your visit, Your Highness. May I ask your name?"
"Claudius. Donquixote Claudius," he replied with a polite smile.
"A great honor, Lord Claudius," Dr. Clover responded, bowing his head. "How may we be of service?"
Claudius walked with the old man, gesturing toward the distant tree. "I'd like to see the Tree of Knowledge," he said, "and there are two things I'd like to accomplish during my time here. Shall we?"
"Of course," Dr. Clover agreed, falling into step beside him. After a pause, he asked, "And what might those two things be, if I may inquire?"
"Firstly, I'm looking for a certain… large individual. From what I've heard, a giant has recently been seen here. Does that ring any bells?" Claudius asked nonchalantly.
Dr. Clover's brows knitted slightly. "A giant? I haven't seen any giants on this island, I'm afraid."
Claudius waved off the concern. "No matter. I'll handle that myself. As for the second matter, I need your help with something."
Dr. Clover inclined his head. "And what might that be?"
Claudius looked at him with a faint smile. "I want to take all the books from the Tree of Knowledge. You and your scholars can help me prepare them for transport."
Dr. Clover froze, staring at Claudius in shock. "You… you want to take all the books? The Tree of Knowledge holds the history of mankind, a treasure trove of culture and wisdom. Surely you can't mean—"
"Oh, I assure you, my ship has more than enough space to accommodate the collection," Claudius replied breezily, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Dr. Clover's mind raced, struggling to process what he was hearing. "Lord Claudius, the books of Ohara… they are more than just objects. They represent centuries of knowledge, preserved by generations of scholars…"
Claudius met his gaze, his tone softening slightly. "And that's exactly why I want to preserve them, Doctor. You've done a remarkable job here, but the truth is… you don't have the means to keep them safe. Not anymore."
A heavy silence fell between them. Dr. Clover's face paled as he began to grasp the unspoken implications. "Your Highness," he said, voice shaking slightly, "we in Ohara have safeguarded this knowledge for thousands of years."
Claudius nodded sympathetically. "Yes, and look where that's brought you. The world isn't as forgiving as it once was. You may call it a pursuit of knowledge, but to others, it's a threat. Some things… are better left buried. Don't you agree, Doctor?"
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