Although the Five Elders only wanted Cudius to ehat the ari royal family in Abasta would be more cooperative, Cudius's ambitio further. He aimed to eventually bring Abasta entirely under his trol. As for the ari royals, they would just have to step aside. If he was feeling particurly magnanimous, Cudius might even escort them to Mariejois and pel them to join the Celestial Dragons.

  However, for the past 800 years, the ari family had ruled Abasta with fairness and dignity. Their reputation was deeply rooted among the people, so Cudius khat taking over couldn't be doh sheer force. It required a subtler approach—a "boil the frog slowly" strategy that would gradually weaken their influend allow him to assume trol without sparking rebellion.

  If Cudius succeeded in taking over Abasta, he would gain signifit military power, which would undoubtedly prove advantageous iure.

  To execute this pn, Cudius decided to pce Crocodile in charge. In the inal story, Crocodile had orchestrated a masterful scheme that brought the ari family to the brink of colpse. If not for the sudden appearance of the Strairates disrupting everything, Crocodile might have bee like Dofmingo, a pirate ruler of a kingdom affiliated with the Wover.

  As for the "ued factor" of the Strairates, Cudius was not ed. As long as Crocodile maintained his focus aerminatioing that fledgling crew should be easy. And if Luffy did indeed make a move on Abasta, Cudius wouldn't hesitate to stop him. Abasta could very well be the end of Luffy's pirate journey, with Impel Down as his destination.

  Before Crocodile could make his move, preparations were bei in motion on all fronts. Cudius was finalizing pns for the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a strategy that was nearly plete. The first didate he inteo reend was Crocodile.

  Only two steps remained.

  The first step was for the Wovero officially annouhe implementation of the Seven Warlords of the Sea system. It would be presented as a strategy to trol piracy by recruiting formidable pirates, granting them the right to plunder uhe dition that they would curb the activities of other pirates and, when needed, respond to the gover's summons to assist in various operations.

  The Wover had already agreed to Cudius's pn years ago, but the ditions hadn't been right for its execution until now. The world's growing u had reached a level where even solutions that resembled "drinking poison to quench thirst" were acceptable. The criteria set for the Seven Warlords of the Sea pn had finally bee.

  The sed step required Crocodile to make a bold move to shake the seas. This would not only demonstrate his loyalty to the Wover but would also prove his power and influence.

  inally, Crocodile had proposed challenging the Whitebeard Pirates. Cudius had sidered the idea and, while he knew Crocodile would almost certainly lose, he saw the potential bes. If Crocodile could survive the enter, his reputation would skyrocket, making his promotion to Warlord justifiable.

  Of course, the risk was high. If Whitebeard's temper fred and Crocodile was killed, Cudius's pns would be in ruins. But si was Crocodile's choice, Cudius chose to respect it.

  However, the situation had ged. With Dougs Bullet and Byrnndi World making their moves, Cudius persuaded Crocodile to dey his challeo Whitebeard. There would be opportuer, once Crocodile's strength grew.

  Crocodile ultimately agreed with Cudius. He knew he wasn't yet a match for Whitebeard, let alone for Cudius himself. But as the "Stro Man in the World," Whitebeard was a target everyone wao test themselves against. Even Cudius felt the urge from time to time.

  For now, the pn was for Crocodile to join Cudius and the Marine forces on Cybori Isnd, take down Dougs Bullet and Byrnndi World, and use their defeat as a stepping stohe Wover would then spread word of Crocodile's triumph, elevating his reputation and positioning him as the first Warlord.

  With Crocodile established as one of the Seven Warlords, he would have the legitimacy to infiltrate Abasta. Once his pn succeeded, Cudius would have pleted his mission. Officially, the Wover would have trol over Abasta, but iy, the power would be in Cudius's hands, being both sides.

  True to Garp's words, his modified warship moved like an unleashed beast, cutting through the sea at breakneck speed.

  Cudius khe story behind it. Garp had inally modified this ship to hunt down the Roger Pirates, but by the time it was pleted, the age er had already ended, and the ship's intended purpose had never been realized.

  On the sixth day, Garp and Cudius caught up with Sengoku's fleet.

  Sengoku's warship was a se of high activity, with notable figures gathered to finalize battle pns.

  "If we're going to catch them both, we o split our forces into two groups. But the team handling Dougs Bullet shouldn't be overwhelmingly powerful," Sengoku said, pausing before adding with a smile, "although that's easier said than done."

  As the dominant force at sea, Sengoku had plete faith irength of the Marines.

  Just as Cudius had thought their lineup was impressive, Sengoku shared the se. If they truly threw their full strength at Dougs Bullet, the battle could be over in half a day, with little left but dust and echoes. Such overwhelming force could crush Bullet's fighting spirit entirely.

  But to lure Byrnndi World into the trap, they o create the illusion of a protracted fight—a stalemate.

  Sengoku tinued, "So for the team handling Dougs Bullet, it'll be me, Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Gion."

  He paused, feeling that the lineup might still be to. If they weren't careful, they'd overpower the eoo quickly. "On sed thought, Sakazuki should stay on standby," Sengoku decided.

  Cudius couldn't help but chuckle at that. "A problem of being to, huh?"

  The room erupted in ughter. Yes, it was true. Being too powerful really was a unique kind of problem.