<h4>Chapter 12: Monkeys Are Dangerous</h4>


    In the Holy Land of Mariejois, inside the residence of the gods, udius satfortably in his study, leisurely reading a book.


    Naturally, he was unaware that, thanks to Zephyr''s remarks, he had gained quite a reputation within the Naval Headquarters.


    The book udius held in his hands was one of many that Nia, had recently provided. It detailed the customs and governance of the world, specifically introducing the various national situations of the more than 170 countries allied with the World Government.


    "Although very was officially abolished, it''s not just the Celestial Dragons who tantly disregard this decree. Even among the ordinary nobles, there are still ves to be found..." udius murmured softly to himself as he read.


    This was in line with his prior understanding. While Domingo was still just a child at this time, the infamous ve trade of the Sabaody Archipgo hadn''t relied solely on his future influence to flourish.


    The business was already thriving. Celestial Dragons often bought ves when visiting the ind, and when they weren''t around, the nobles served as the primary clientele.


    For the moment, udius had no particr interest in meddling with the ve trade. Even if he had the inclination to intervene, hecked the power to do so. He wasn''t some idealistic hero who could change things with mere words.


    Aside from the ve trade operating in the shadows, most countries still operated under a feudal system. Kings ruled over their nations, and nobles were entrusted with the management of territories much like in the ancient times of his previous life. This brought udius to some deeper thoughts.


    Just as he was contemting these matters, a gentle knock sounded at the door of his study.


    "Your Highness," Nia''s soft voice called from outside.


    udius snapped out of his thoughts and replied calmly, "Come in."


    With his permission, Nia quietly opened the door and stepped into the study.


    "Any news?" udius asked, still not turning away from the book in his hand.


    "Yes, Your Highness," Nia replied with a nod, and before udius could prompt her further, she continued, "At Naval Headquarters, there is indeed a Vice Admiral by the name of Dragon. Although he hasn''t been promoted yet, many within the Marine know that he is the son of Garp, the hero of the Marines."


    "Just as I thought..." udius said with a small smile, muttering to himself.


    Garp was indeed a Marine hero, a man who clearly despised the Celestial Dragons, but whose loyalty to the Marine and the World Government was beyond question. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have risked his life during the God Valley incident.


    Even if Garp''s loyalty was to a peace shaped by the World Government''s control, it was still unwavering. At the very least, Garp had a deep love for the Marines.


    As a hero, Garp naturally hoped his son would follow in his footsteps, and it seemed he had seeded. Dragon was already a Vice Admiral a clear indication of his talent.


    Judging by Dragon''s age, he should be in his early twenties probably around twenty-three or twenty-four.


    Even without Garp''s influence, Dragon''s position as Vice Admiral was well earned.


    So udius wasn''t particrly surprised by the news.


    "Why does Your Highness have such interest in Garp''s son?" Nia asked, a little puzzled.


    udius chuckled and replied, "Because this man is rather interesting."


    Nia still didn''t fully understand. Despite her curiosity, she quickly suppressed it.


    Ever since Saint udius had returned from his "trip" to the New World, there had been many changes. His attendants, including Nia, all noticed that his temper had significantly mellowed. The once irritable and troublesome noble, known for causing daily chaos, had be a quiet figure who rarely left his estate.


    Naturally, Nia had noticed this transformation as well. Though she had her doubts, she rationalized it by assuming that udius had matured. Perhaps his experiences had calmed his mind, allowing him to adopt a more stable and level-headed approach to life.


    But udius, deep down, knew the truth. It wasn''t a mere change of mindset; it was aplete change of soul.


    As for why he was so interested in Dragon, it was because udius knew the man would eventually be the greatest enemy of the Celestial Dragons.


    He needed to find out more about Dragon''s current situation. Had he already started to distance himself from his father''s ideals? If Dragon had already begun to oppose the World Government, then udius had to act swiftly.


    If Dragon had broken away from his father''s beliefs and was preparing to go rogue, it would be disastrous for udius and the other Celestial Dragons.


    That would mean Dragon had already undergone his transformation he had already set his revolutionary ambitions.


    If that was the case, udius needed to eliminate Dragon immediately, before he grew into a greater threat.


    udius wasn''t the type to be sentimental. Even though Dragon had a legendary father in Garp, that didn''t earn him any special treatment.


    The saying "Your position determines your actions" applied here. Whatever role udius found himself in, he would act ordingly.


    If he had been reincarnated as a pirate, he would''ve lived as a pirate raiding, plundering, pursuing the title of Pirate King without a second thought.


    Had he been reborn as a Marine, he would''ve donned the cloak of justice, worked his way up to Admiral, and used the power of the Buster Call to annihte anything he found displeasing.


    And if he had been born in Dragon''s time and ended up under hismand, udius might''ve devoted himself to revolution, fighting to overthrow the corrupt powers of the old world.


    But none of those scenarios had yed out. udius had been born as a Celestial Dragon, with all the wealth, power, and privilege the world had to offer.


    Thus, his role was clear: protect the Celestial Dragons and maintain the status quo. As long as the World Government stood strong, he could continue to enjoy the privileges that came with his title. The choice was simple. There was no need to hesitate.


    That meant anyone who threatened the Celestial Dragon''s way of life had to be dealt with no exceptions.


    udius knew that while the Celestial Dragons were untouchable now, that might not be the case in twenty or thirty years. The winds of change would eventually sweep through, and whether the World Government could withstand theing storm was uncertain.


    If the World Government fell and the Celestial Dragons lost their power, everything udius enjoyed now would be taken away. Worse yet, in the aftermath of the revolution, the rulers of the old regime the Celestial Dragons would be hunted down.


    The fate of Donquixote Homing and his family was a stark reminder. Even though they had voluntarily given up their Celestial Dragon status, they were still hated by themon people, who wanted nothing more than to see them dead.


    If the World Government copsed, udius could easily imagine what would happen to him and the rest of the Celestial Dragons.


    This was why udius was determined to ensure the survival of the World Government and the Celestial Dragon''s rule.


    From his memories and understanding of the world, udius could identify several key factors that might lead to the downfall of the World Government.


    At the top of the list was Garp and his family the Monkey family.


    Their influence on the world was undeniable. Garp was a hero in the Marine, one of the strongest figures of the time.


    His son, Dragon, although currently a Marine Vice Admiral, would eventually be the leader of the revolutionary army, waging war against the Celestial Dragons and the World Government.


    And then there was Garp''s grandson Monkey D. Luffy, the future Pirate King. Though still unborn at this time, Luffy''s fate was sealed. With his protagonist''s luck, he was destined to be a major yer in the world''s future.


    Between Garp, Dragon, and Luffy, the Monkey family had their hands in all three major power structures Marine, Revolutionaries, and Pirates. It was only a matter of time before they shook the very foundations of the world.


    Of the three, udius wasn''t too worried about Garp. By the time the revolution began in earnest, Garp would be old, likely retired. Having spent his entire life serving the Marines and the World Government, it was unlikely that Garp would suddenly be an enemy.


    In fact, Garp could even be an ally, one of the few who could help hold the World Government together when the time came.


    Dragon, on the other hand, was a different story. Once he fully embraced his revolutionary ideals, he would be a direct threat to the Celestial Dragons.


    As for Luffy, udius had already made up his mind to stay out of the boy''s way. The protagonist''s aura was too strong, and getting involved with him would only invite trouble.


    Still, if Luffy continued down the path to bing the Pirate King, udius wouldn''t hesitate to eliminate him before he could cause too much damage.


    "But I''ll have to give Garp some face," udius thought. "Once Luffy enters the New World, I''ll have no choice but to deal with him. Whether it''s in basta or Enies Lobby... well, perhaps by that time, my actions might change his fate entirely."


    "As for Dragon," udius mused. "Once he bes a true threat, I''ll have no choice but to deal with him decisively. If I can handle him before he establishes the Revolutionary Army, all the better."


    For now, however, Dragon was still a Marine Vice Admiral. He was young, still bound by the ideals of justice instilled in him by his father. If udius yed his cards right, perhaps he could even sway Dragon to his side, or at the very least, neutralize his ambitions before they fully developed.


    "It''s not like I can just kill him right now, though," udius thought. "He''s still Garp''s son, and Garp, despite his disdain for Celestial Dragons, is fiercely loyal to the Marines and the World Government. If I somehow managed to eliminate Dragon through underhanded means, Garp would no doubt lose his mind ande after me."


    udius could already imagine the enraged Marine hero storming Mariejois, fists swinging, ready to punch him into oblivion.


    "I need to be careful," udius thought, his expression growing serious. "But I also need to act before it''s toote."


    Thus, his n began to take shape watch Dragon closely, steer him if possible, and if not, eliminate him before he could truly threaten the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.


    With his mind made up, udius let out a sigh, already feeling the weight of the decisions he would need to make in the future.