In the Holy Land, Mariejois, within the headquarters of the Wover, the Five Elders were gathered. Representing the highest authority, the five of them sat quietly, listening to the voice of a Den Den Mushi. Their expressions were a mix of disbelief and intrigue.

  "We're currently on our way baariejois," Cudius's voice came through the phone. "And as luck would have it, I ran into Garp while he was on vacation in South Blue. So, rest assured, security won't be an issue. The news is fidential, and no one is likely to stir up trouble."

  The bald Elder leaned forward, his tone incredulous. "Cudius, this isn't something to joke about lightly. Are you seriously saying you've captured Roger?"

  "Of course, I'm not joking," Cudius replied with a chuckle. "How could I face the five of you if I dared to lie about something like this?"

  The Elder with the beard spoke up, his voice sharp. "You didn't just find someone who looks like Roger, did yer's been a ghost for years, her the Navy nor the CP agencies could catch him."

  Cudius sighed in mock exasperation. "I'm not an idiot. I tell the difference. And even if I somehow got it wrong, do you think Garp would make the same mistake?"

  After a pause, Cudius tinued, "Didn't I tell you before? CP-X was created to handle what the Navy and the CP agencies 't. It wasn't impossible to catch Roger, it was just a matter of time. Oh, and speaking of impossible, I've been to the sky too."

  The bald Elder couldn't help but ugh. "You really are proud of yourself, aren't you? But if this is true, then you've certainly given us a moal surprise. CP-X didn't disappoint. When you return, we'll increase our support for yanization. And as promised, your assion to the highest rank among the Celestial Dragons won't be overlooked."

  "Thank you, Your Excellencies," Cudius responded, his voice smooth with satisfa.

  Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters in Marineford, Fleet Admiral Kong sat stunned, listening to Garp's report through a Den Den Mushi. Around him, high-ranking officers like Sengoku were gathered, all wearing expressions of disbelief. They had spent so much time hunting fer without success, and no who was supposed to be on vacation was telling them that Cudius had captured him?

  "So, you're saying Roger has been captured and you're on your way back?" Admiral Kong asked, still trying to process the information.

  "I already told you, I didn't catch him. Cudius did. I went to South Blue to deliver something to him, and by sheer luck, I stumbled into him capturing Roger. He actually pulled it off," Garp said, sounding both amused and frustrated.

  Sengoku raised an eyebrow, his voice filled with suspi. "Garp, don't tell me you knew Cudius was onto something, and that's why you went to South Blue?"

  "Are you kidding me?" Garp barked into the Den Den Mushi. "Would I ever do something like that?"

  Of course, Garp vely fot the versation he'd had with Cudius not long before, where they'd discussed keeping Roger's whereabouts between them. For noyed the part of the i vacationer who just happened upon a great event.

  After a few more words, Garp firmed that they would return to Mariejois as quickly as possible and then ehe call.

  Sengoku and the h-ranking officers stood in silence for a moment, struggling to their heads around the situation.

  Fleet Admiral Kong, still staring at the now-silent Den Den Mushi, finally muttered, "Is CP-X really that capable?"

  Sengoku stroked his , clearly puzzled. "As far as I know, they weren't supposed to be that powerful. On paper, they've developed a bit, but I thought they were mostly a shell anization. This whole thing with Roger, it doesn't make any sense."

  Chief Staff Officer Tsuru, who had retly been promoted, g Sengoku thoughtfully. "Perhaps we've uimated them. After all, the operations within Mariejois have always been somewhat… unventional. CP-X isn't under our and, nor are they subordinates. We really don't know hoable they might be."

  Sengoku frowned, processing her words. "Are you suggesting there might be unknown powers or assets under Cudius's trol?"

  "Who's to say?" Tsuru replied cryptically.

  At that moment, Zephyr, now serving as the Marines' chief instructor, smiled and chimed in. "e on now, is it really se that CP-X might have capabilities we don't know about? Think about it after all these years, has anyone ever fully uood the scope of the CP agencies? It's poio overthink this. And besides, Cudius isn't our enemy. If CP-X is strohahought, that's a good thing for us."

  Fleet Admiral Kong nodded and knocked oable with his knuckles. "Zephyr's right. Cudius and CP-X aren't like the rest of the CP agencies. He has a solid retionship with the Navy, and if they're strohahought, that only bes us. There's o pry into it any further."

  Sengoku took a deep breath and nodded in agreement. "You're bht. The fact remains, this is a good thing for us."

  After a moment of silence, Sengoku spoke again. "We o start preparing. Fleet Admiral, you'll o tact the higher-ups. We have to decide what to do with Roger. Are we taking him to Impel Down, or are we moving straight to execution?"

  "Roger's not just any pirate," Tsuru interjected. "Since he became the Pirate King, the number of pirates in the world has skyrocketed. I think it's highly likely they'll want to make an example of him. Aion seems more probable."

  "o discuss that further," Fleet Admiral Kong said, waving a hand. "The decision's already been made. Roger must die. Start making preparations for his execution."

  Sengoku nodded. "Uood. I'll order the recall of all our forces currently searg fer. We o focus our efforts on his execution. There 't be any slip-ups, especially with the threat of a prison break or a public rescue attempt."

  "Agreed," Fleet Admiral Kong said. "I'll firm the location of the execution with the higher-ups as soon as possible. Once we have the details, I'll let you know. In the meantime, make sure everything else is in order."

  Sengoku nodded and began making pns. He couldn't help but smile as he said, "I few years, we've mao take down some of the biggest names Ochoku, John, Golden Lion, and ner. Once Roger's executed, things should calm down. Maybe those big pyers in the New World will finally settle down."

  Zephyr chuckled, joining the versation. "Yeah, after this, we might finally be able to catch our breath."

  Little did they know, an unpreted storm was quietly building. The execution er, the Pirate King, wouldn't calm the seas, it would ighem, setting the stage for the most chaotic era the world had ever seen. The Marines' battle was far from over. In fact, it was just beginning.

  *****

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