After ending his call with Dofmingo, Cudius picked up his phone snail again, this time dialing a lio Water 7.

  Water 7 had flourished i years, thanks in no small part to the dominance of Tom's Shipbuilding pany. Without any anti-monopoly ws in this world, Tom's pany had effectively monopolized the city's shipbuilding industry. Backed by Cudius, a Celestial Dragon, Tom's pany grew wealthy and powerful.

  During the eic downturn that had gripped Water 7, Tom aggressively acquired smaller shipbuilding firms on the isnd. With Marine and CP-X providing a steady stream of orders, business was booming. The city itself had bee practically synonymous with Tom's Shipbuilding pany.

  When Tom answered the call, his voice was brimming with gratitude. He first thanked Cudius sincerely for everything he had done for Fish-Man Isnd and for liberating the Fish-Man sves in Mariejois.

  Cudius accepted the thanks without reservation, then listened as Tom reported the pany's test financial figures. The pany was raking in massive profits, and Tom detailed every aspect of their growth.

  Cudius listened politely, though not too attentively. Oom had finished his report, Cudius offered a few words of praise before cutting to the main topic.

  "Tom, the World Summit is just a few months away," Cudius began.

  Tom, momentarily puzzled, asked, "Yhness, what does that have to do with us? Is Water 7 expected to participate? As you know, while our city is uhe banner of the Wover, we're not part of the system of franchise tries. We're cssified as a municipality and don't meet the qualifications to attend, right?"

  Tom was correct. Water 7 was uhe Wover's prote but was not sidered a franchise try. Uhe 170 franchise nations, municipalities like Water 7 operated indepely, eleg their own leaders and g themselves. Currently, Tom was the de facto leader of the city, as the shipbuilding industry was its lifeblood.

  Cudius chuckled. "You're right, Master Tom. Under normal circumstances, Water 7 wouldn't qualify to attend the World Summit. However, you're one of my people now, and CP-X does have the authority to participate."

  Tom's shipbuilding pany had been fully acquired by Cudius and ied into CP-X's operations. While Tom himself hadn't officially joined CP-X, he was essentially an employee of Cudius, serving as his chief shipwright.

  Tom didn't argue, though he remained curious. "So, what does Yhness need from us? Is there something specific you'd like us to do at the summit?"

  "Exactly," Cudius replied with a nod. "We're going to make some money and expand our business. I've heard the sea train teology has been successfully tested?"

  Tom's eyes lit up at the mention of the sea train. "Yes, it's irial stage. There are still some minor details that need adjustment, but overall, it's funing well."

  "In terms of safety and speed, the teology is reliable?" Cudius asked.

  "Absolutely," Tom said fidently. "The system is both fast and safe. Just a few tweaks, and it'll be perfect."

  "Good. In that case, I'm pg an order on behalf of the Wover," Cudius decred. "I want you to use the sea train teology to ect Water 7 to Enies Lobby as quickly as possible. From there, the tracks should extend to Marine Headquarters at Marinford, with the final stop being Mariejois. you hahis?"

  As Cudius spoke, his tone was decisive. He didn't hesitate to exercise CP-X's authority, which allowed him to a behalf of the Wover without seeking further approval.

  Tom was stunned for a moment before replyihusiastically. "Of course, Yhness! We've already built the first-geion trains. All that remains is to y the tracks. stru should move quickly, I guarantee everything will be ready before the World Summit begins!"

  "Excellent," Cudius said. "Ohe tracks are finished, we'll preserain teology at the World Summit and sell it to other tries. I have no doubt it'll bring us a lot of business."

  This project served multiple purposes for Cudius. On one hand, it was a lucrative opportunity. Oher, it ractical advahat could ge the world's infrastructure. And finally, it gave him a ce to showcase his achievements at the World Summit, proving to the Five Elders that he able and effective leader.

  ---

  Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters in Marinford, a private meeting was underway in the office of Fleet Admiral Kong. The room was filled with Mariop brass, all gathered to discuss uping operations.

  "The World Summit is fast approag. The escort list for this year's attendees will be finalized in a few days," Kong said, addressing the group. "Sengoku, I trust you'll hahe arras?"

  Sengoku, who was busy scribbling in a notebook, replied without looking up, "Uood."

  Kong gnced curiously at Sengoku, w what had him so absorbed, but decided to let it go for the moment. He tinued assigning tasks to the other officers in the room.

  Turning to Zephyr, Kong asked, "What's the status of the Smoke-Smoke Fruit?"

  Zephyr smiled. "The didate hasn't been finalized yet, but I expect it'll go to the top recruit from this year's training camp. There's a young Marine named Smoker who shows a lot of promise. I'm keeping an eye on him."

  "Good," Kong replied. "If he develop into someone like Sakazuki or Kuzan, it'll be a great addition to our ranks."

  The versation tinued for a while, with Kong delegating responsibilities and finalizing pns. However, his curiosity eventually got the better of him. He turned back to Sengoku and asked, "Sengoku, what are you w on so seriously?"

  Without looking up, Sengoku replied, "I'm drafting pns to add 200 new warships to the fleet over the hree years. I also want to establish seven new Marine branches and repair sixteeing ones. I'm just finalizing the numbers."

  The room fell silent.

  Kong nearly spat out the tea he'd been drinking. "Two hundred warships!?"

  Marine warships weren't just ordinary ships. They were massive, heavily fortified vessels equipped with advanced onry and coated with seastone. Each ship cost approximately 200 million Berries, acc to the current rates from Water 7.

  Sengoku's request for 200 new warships alone amouo 40 billion Berries. Adding seven new Marine branches and repairing sixteen others would push the total cost well past 100 billion Berries. bined, Sengoku was effectively proposing nearly 200 billion Berries in additional expenses.

  Even Kong, a seasoned leader, was left speechless. Around the room, the other officers were equally stunned. Garp, always oo break the tension, burst into ughter.

  "Pfft! Sengoku, have you lost your mind? Do you think we've got a mountain of gold lying around? Where are we supposed to find that kind of money? Did someone promise you a massive budget increase or something?" Garp teased, spping the table as he ughed.

  Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino, and even Gion were visibly shocked. Only Tsuru remained calm, clearly aware of the underlyiails.