At this moment Nusjuro was visibly in a much better mood. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Now this is what it means to have capable people on your side. Cudius' ability to deliver results at critical moments clearly set him apart. He was shaping up to be the most reliable Celestial Dragon of his geion, a rarity that Nusjuro couldn't help but appreciate.

  Without even needing direct orders, Cudius had taken the initiative to address the Revolutionary Army issue. Uhe CP agencies, who had spent years only managing to capture small-time pyers, Cudius' CP-X had mao grab two cadres in a single operation. To Nusjuro, this demonstrated that CP-X roving to be aremely useful anization.

  Meanwhile, Cudius was breathing a quiet sigh of relief. The operation had goer than he could have hoped, and now he could take the credit while passing off the risks. Putting on a fident front, he said, "I've always kept the guidance of the Five Elders in mind, never daring to sck off. It's my responsibility to tribute to the Wover, and it's the very purpose of CP-X to solve problems for our cause."

  Hearing this, Nusjuro's satisfa grew even further. He nodded approvingly and said, "It's good to hear you think that way. Excellent work, Cudius."

  Cudius nodded humbly and added, "Once Spandine escorts the captured Revolutionary Army operatives baariejois, CP-X will trahem to the CP agency for interrogation. I trust they'll yield results soon enough."

  This was Cudius' way of skillfully passing the responsibility along. He knew very well that the operatives Dragon had handed over were likely expendable pawns. Even if they were cadres, Dragon would have thhly prepared them to give false leads or useless information. Anything gleaned from interrogating them would likely turn into traps for the Wover.

  Cudius wasn't about to step on those ndmines. His role was done, he had captured them and earhe credit. What happened was someone else's problem.

  Gis, however, wasn't privy to this subtext. Hearing Cudius' gesture, he was geouched. "Thank you for yenerosity, Yhness. Our CP agency will spare no effort in interrogating these operatives and seg aable intelligence. We'll strive to ralize the Revolutionary Army as soon as possible."

  Cudius waved his hand in an almost magnanimous fashion and said, "Of course, of course. We're all part of the same family. It's only right to support one another."

  The sense of satisfa he felt at passing the responsibility while being thanked for it was almost addictive. Not bad. Not bad at all. Maybe I should 'help' like this more often, Cudius mused.

  Unaware of Cudius' real iions, both Gis and Nusjuro tiard him with approval. Nusjuro, in particur, was especially pleased with how Cudius had shared the credit so generously. "Look at Cudius' mi and awareness," Nusjuro said, casting a critical g both Sengoku and Gis. "Now pare it to yencies. Don't you feel ashamed? Both of you represent vital branches of the Wover, yet you 't cooperate sincerely. Why 't you work together more like this?"

  After a few more words of reprimand, Nusjuro took a sip of tea to calm himself. Then, in a slightly more rexed tone, he said, "In the end, I just want you all to focus on the bigger picture. Do your jobs, cooperate, and take a page from Cudius' book."

  Setting down his teacup, Nusjuro turned back to Cudius. "Speaking of which, you've always shown a knack for flexibility as. What's your take on this 'Pirate Emperor' situation? Any ideas on how we should ha?"

  Cudius froze for a moment. Is this what they call shooting yourself in the foot? I really was on vacation, I didn't give this matter a sed thought!

  Scratg his head in mild embarrassment, Cudius replied, "Well, regarding this 'Pirate Emperor' situation—specifically Whitebeard, I must admit that CP-X hasn't had the bandwidth to focus on it yet. My knowledge oter is limited, and I'd prefer not to speak out of turn. Perhaps I could learn from the perspectives of others here before my own thoughts?"

  Nusjuro sidered this for a moment. He houghtfully, reasoning that Cudius had indeed been occupied with Abasta and the Revolutionary Army. While CP-X roving to be an effective anization, it was still retively new and cked the resources and legacy of the older CP agencies. It was only natural that Cudius couldn't tackle everything at once.

  "I see. That's uandable," Nusjuro said.

  Cudius, sensing Nusjuro's leniency, quickly added, "However, ohis meeting cludes, CP-X will begin looking into the matter. I assure you, we'll do everything we to support the Wover on this issue."

  "Heh, when you say that, Cudius, it really puts me at ease," Nusjuro said with a smile.

  Satisfied for now, Nusjuro turned his attention to Sengoku. "Alright, Sengoku, what about Marine? Do you have any strategies or termeasures?"

  Sengoku resisted the urge to sigh. I say we have nothing? Keeping his expression posed, he answered, "From what I see, the situation in the New World is retively stable at the moment. While Marine has mao pnt a few footholds in the region, they're still new. Expanding Marine's influen the New World to create an effective deterrent will take siderable time.

  "As for the Whitebeard Pirates specifically, if it es to a direct frontation, Marine Headquarters is fident we defeat them."

  Nusjuro frowned slightly. Sengoku's response felt like empty words. If Marine 't even handle a single pirate crew, what good are they? But at the same time, Nusjuro khe reality, mobilizing enough forces to take on Whitebeard directly would destabilize the entire region. It wasn't a question of whether Marine could win, it was a question of whether they could afford the sequences of such a fight.

  I asked for ideas beyond brute forusjuro thought with irritation. Instead, all I get is this pretense of readiness. Do they think I don't uand the stakes?

  Still, Nusjuro chose not to escate things further with Sengoku. He turo Gis instead. "What about the CP agency? Any ideas?"

  Gis hesitated, clearly unfortable. After a moment of thought, he said, "Our CP agency is expl options to destabilize the Whitebeard Pirates from within. If we sow discord and create internal divisions, that would be ideal."

  Hearing this, Cudius nearly ughed out loud. Internal divisions? You're talking about Whitebeard's crew here, one of the most famously united groups in the New World! Their ehos is built around loyalty and family. Unless you somehow have the Dark-Dark Fruit and a lio Teach himself, good luck with that nonsense!

  ***

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