Seeiune's bewildered expression, Cudius smirked internally. Without giving the king a ce to interject, he tinued, "Of course, the safety of Fish-Man Isnd is a top priority for the Wover. This is something we must address with utmost seriousness. A pce as vital as Fish-Man Isnd should never have to rely on a pirate's fg for prote. Such a thing would be uable."

  Sengoku couldn't help but admire Cudius in this moment. His Highness was truly a masterful speaker. Without needing prior discussion or preparation, Cudius had subtly reframed the narrative. une's removal of Whitebeard's fg, even if temporary, was now being portrayed as a stious act of cooperation.

  Sengoku couldn't help but think, yhness, you're incredible. Without breaking a sweat, you've turhe tables and foreptune's hand.

  Cudius, seemingly oblivious to Sengoku's thoughts, turo him and said, "Sengoku, this situation does point to some serious negligenarine's part, doesn't it? Isn't it Marine's duty to ehe safety of Wovererritories? Shouldn't we protect member nations from pirates without f them to rely on paying tribute to wless criminals? Isn't this your failure as Admiral?"

  Sengoku nodded solemnly, pying along perfectly. "You are absolutely correct, Yhness. This is our failing, and it's a point of deep shame for me."

  Cudius nodded approvingly, as if Sengoku's admission of guilt had satisfied him. "Good. At least you uand the weight of your shortings. Reizing your mistakes is the first step toward improvement. Just like Kiune here, he has seen the error of his ways and acted promptly to address it. That's something to be ended."

  Turning back to Sengoku, Cudius added, "Well the's rectify this situation immediately. I want you to make a publiitment to the safety of Fish-Man Isnd right now. What's your pn, Admiral Sengoku? How do you io make up for this gross ht?"

  Sengoku's eyes gleamed with uanding. He kly where Cudius was steering this versation. "Yhness, we in Marine fully aowledge our failings. I propose that we establish a Marine base directly on Fish-Man Isnd. This base will be staffed with capable personnel, dedicated solely to proteg the isnd from aernal threats. What do you think?"

  Cudius cpped his hands together, a pleased smile spreading across his face. "Now that is a solid pn. Fish-Man Isnd pays taxes to the Wover every year, not to mention the heavenly tribute paid to the Celestial Dragons. They deserve proper prote iurn. I'll approve this initiative. In fact..."

  He paused for a moment, as if struck by a sudden idea, and then tinued, "I'll personally allocate two billion berries to assist Marine in strug this branch. Once you return to Naval Headquarters, Admiral Sengoku, visit CP-X to collect the funds. I'll have the authorization papers ready for you."

  Sengoku bowed his head slightly. "Thank you for your support, Yhness. We are deeply grateful."

  While Sengoku pyed his role perfectly, une was silently fuming. He felt pletely sidelined. Cudius and Sengoku were casually discussing the establishment of a Marine base on his isnd as if it were already decided, without even sulting him properly.

  What's worse, une knew Whitebeard's prote had cost him nothing, he and the pirate shared a personal friendship. Building a Marine base here wasn't just unnecessary; it felt invasive.

  Summoning his ce, une cleared his throat, ready to voice his objes. But before he could get a word out, Cudius waved him off dismissively. "o thank me, Kiuhis is simply the duty of the Wover. It's our responsibility to care for our member nations. Any negligen the past will be corrected starting now."

  Before une could protest further, Cudius pressed on. "I uand that pg a Marine base here might not be enough to ease all your s. After all, this era of piracy is more chaotic than ever, and Fish-Man Isnd sits on a crucial route to the New World. That's why I propose we go oep further. CP-X will also establish a statioo assist Marine in ensuring the isnd's safety. With the bined forarine and CP-X, you rest easy knowing that Fish-Man Isnd will be thhly protected."

  At this point, u pletely helpless. His thoughts were in turmoil. Marine and CP-X? What is this? Are they pnning to turn Fish-Man Isnd into some kind of military outpost?

  Cudius wasn't done. He smiled reassuringly at une and said, "You don't o worry about the financial burdeher. I know building such a base usually involves tributions from the host nation, but given the unique circumstances here, I promise not a single berry will e from the Dragon Pace treasury. Everything will be funded by Marine and CP-X."

  u like g. He didn't heir money. He didn't even want the base in the first pce! But how could he say that aloud without offending Cudius?

  While uruggled to find the right words, Cudius leaned forward slightly, his tone being more anding. "So, Kiune, what do you think of the Wover's siy? Everything I've proposed here is not mere talk, it will be done. And I assure you, I never go bay word."

  The weight of Cudius' words, bined with the iy of his gaze, left une speechless. The kirapped. On the surface, Cudius' proposals sounded reasonable, even beneficial. But beh that polished vehere was an undeniable sense of pressure, an unspoken threat that rejeg these pns might have dire sequences.

  Is this what they call "siy"? uhought bitterly. It feels more like an ultimatum.

  At that moment, Cudius' expression softened, and he smiled as if to dispel the oppressive atmosphere. "After all, Kiune, isn't it better for Fish-Man Isnd to stand uhe prote of the Wover rather than a pirate's fg? Surely you see the wisdom in that."

  He raised his wine gss, taking a leisurely sip, as if he had already secured une's agreement. For uhe message was clear: whether he liked it or not, ge was ing to Fish-Man Isnd.

  ***

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