At the entrance of the Wover's headquarters in Mariejois, Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood with his arms crossed, maintaining a rexed posture as if waiting for someone.

  As for the Marine officials he had brought with him, figures like Sakazuki, Garp, and others they had already followed Kong into the building. By now, they were likely seated in the feren.

  Sengoku, however, remained outside, clearly waiting for a specifidividual.

  Before long, a familiar figure approached, the noble silhouette of Saint Cudius, walking at a leisurely pace. Following close behind him was Queen Stussy.

  Sengoku smiled, stepping forward to greet him.

  Cudius also grinned, quiing his stride. When they met, Sengoku was the first to speak.

  "Yhness, it's only been a few days, yet you seem to be in eveer spirits."

  Cudius chuckled. "Good ends to have that effe people. With the way things are progressing, I'm about to ge the entire ndscape of the New World. Of course, that makes me happy."

  "Hahahaha! A grand ambition, but a tough battle lies ahead," Sengoku replied with a ugh.

  Cudius patted him on the shoulder and smiled. "With thousands of Maries at your and, why should I fear a few pirates? Besides, I have you, don't I?"

  "You have my word, we won't let you down," Sengoku assured him.

  After exging greetings with Stussy, Sengoku walked alongside Cudius, and the three of them ehe headquarters building.

  ---

  Inside, security was as strict as ever, and the halls were filled with high-ranking officials and nobility.

  Seeing the Fleet Admiral and Saint Cudius walking together, many of those present instinctively felt that something signifit was about to unfold.

  Specution ran through their minds, perhaps it was reted to the uping Reverie?

  But guessing ointless. They had no choice but to tiheir own business while waiting for news.

  Sengoku led Cudius to the feren. The door en, indig the meeting had yet to start. The Five Elders had not yet arrived.

  However, even before stepping ihey could feel the tension in the air.

  Ihe CP agency representatives were in a heated dispute with Marine Headquarters.

  "ander Kong, you're biased toward the Marines just because they're your people!

  Three times now, we've requested Marine reinforts. If they had arrived on time, the damn Revolutionary Army wouldn't have escaped!"

  A masked CP official smmed his hand oable in frustration, gring at Garp, Sakazuki, and Tsuru oher side.

  Garp, however, was pletely unfazed. He casually sipped his tea and munched on his senbei, paying no attention to the outburst. His thick-skititude made it clear, he couldn't care less.

  Tsuru also remained indifferent, her expression calm as she sipped her tea. If you want to pin, go ahead. I won't waste my breath arguing with you.

  It wasn't that Marine Headquarters feared the CP agencies, far from it. They simply didn't see the o engage in pointless arguments.

  Besides, the current Marines had a sense of superiority.

  At present, the Marines had everything, funding, manpower, resources, and overwhelming military strength. Their forces exceeded a million soldiers.

  In trast, these CP agents were nothing but bureaucratiouths. Why bother taking them seriously?

  Tsuru atient. Garp was indifferent.

  Sakazuki, however, had no such restraint.

  The moment the CP agent finished speaking, Sakazuki scoffed coldly.

  "Watch your tone before you speak.

  Marine Headquarters is not your subordinate anization don't fet that.

  The Revolutionary Army is your responsibility. You failed. Don't try to dump your mess onto us.

  Requesting reinforts is just that, a request.

  If Marine has avaible forces, we help. If not, we don't. There's no rule that says we have to up after you."

  Sakazuki's words were sharp and unfiving.

  His belief in absolute justice made him i of inpetence, and he had never beeo hold back his opinions.

  The CP agent was momentarily stunned, uue back.

  After all, Sakazuki was right. Their request for Marine assistance was just that, a request. There was no obligation for Marine Headquarters to ply.

  And at this moment, Marine's full focus was on the Whitebeard Pirates. They had no time to themselves with CP's failures.

  Kong chuckled, knog oable to get everyone's attention.

  "This meeting isn't for useless bickering," he said.

  "Right now, we o cooperate. The Three Great Powers must work together on this operation.

  Set aside your petty grievances for now.

  And be warned, if anyone causes unnecessary problems, they'll ao me.

  Marine Headquarters has nothing to lose here. If this operation falls apart, it won't be our reputation on the line."

  The CP agents fumed silently.

  They had already failed multiple missions against the Revolutionary Army, leading to growing frustration. Now, they were expected to work with the very Marines who barely tolerated them?

  And to make matters worse, Kong was clearly fav Marine Headquarters over them.

  But they had no choice but to hold back their rese.

  Just as another CP official was about tue, the sound of approag footsteps silehe room.

  Cudius stepped ih a broad grin.

  "Hahahahaha! I could hear you all from outside, sounds lively in here!"

  ---

  The moment Cudius ehe masked CP agent known as Gis immediately straightened up. The other CP agents followed suit, standing at attention with visible respect.

  Not just them—Garp, Tsuru, even Sakazuki stood up as well.

  Sakazuki, who once had strong opinions about Cudius and the Warlord of the Sea system, no longer held ament.

  Because now, this Celestial Dragon was Marine Headquarters' greatest financial backer.

  Billions of Berries flowed into Marine funding every year, thanks to Cudius.

  Under his influence, Marine forces had expanded, strengthened, and prepared freater battles.

  With each passing year, Sakazuki saw a Marine force more capable of exeg absolute justice.

  To him, this was what a Celestial Dragon should be. If all Celestial Dragons were like Cudius, the world would already be at peace!

  Kong greeted him warmly. "Saint Cudius, wele."

  Cudius chuckled. "No need for formalities, everyone, sit down and rex."

  With that, he and Sengoku made their way to their seats. As always, Cudius took the position directly opposite the Five Elders, with Stussy to his left and Sengoku to his right.

  Once seated, Cudius turo Gis.

  "Gis, today's meeting is CP-X's responsibility. Whatever tensio between you and Marine, settle them ter.

  This operation is too important for ao screw up.

  If anyone causes problems, don't expect me to be merciful."

  Gis's heart tightened.

  It was clear—Cudius was warning them.

  The CP agencies might serve the Wover, but Cudius and Marine Headquarters were w as one.

  If they made trouble here, they wouldn't just be angering Marihey'd be crossing him.

  Though uled, Gis quickly responded with deep respect.

  "Uood, Yhness. We will prioritize the greater good."

  Cudius smirked. "Good."

  Leaning back, he pulled out a cigar, lit it, and took a sl.

  The Five Elders had yet to arrive, but there was no rush.

  For now, Cudius was tent to chat with the assembled powerhouses, easing the tension in the room.

  With him present, the hostility between Marine and CP agencies gradually faded.

  ***

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