As usual, the Five Elders started off by speaking with Kong, reviewing the details of the ret mission. Cudius, who had been through this process several times before, was pletely at ease. As a Celestial Dragon, he was well-aware of the high level of trust these Elders had in him. They appreciated those who were petent and obedient, rewarding them with privileges and resources that few others could imagine.

  Meanwhile, Cudius had wandered over to the wine et against the wall, rubbing his as he carefully ied the sele without a word to the Five Elders. His casual, almost mischievous attitude didn't seem to bother the Elders o—in fact, they seemed to tolerate it with amused smiles.

  Cudius eventually picked out a bottle from the bottom shelf, his eyes lighting up. "Sfindax 1450, a true cssic… out-of-print, aged over fifty years," he murmured. Not b to ask permission, he uncorked the bottle, poured himself a gss, and leaned back against the wall, sav the taste.

  The Five Elders g each other, their smiles turning wry as they watched him. Cudius's easy-going style and fidenly seemed to make them like him more.

  After some time, Kong finished his report, and the Five Elders took a moment to refle the information.

  "So… Dofmingo?" one of the Elders murmured.

  Cudius took a sip from his gss, swallowed, and then spoke up. "That's right. Doffy has always wao return to Mariejois, but I know that doesn't align with protocol, so I vinced him to be patient. I told him that as long as he serves the Wover well, the five of you would surely reize his efforts. And maybe, wheime is right, he could return."

  The bearded Elder chuckled. "Yes, we recall the matter from back theurning to Mariejois isn't something to be taken lightly, but… rules are made by people, after all. If Dofmingo truly prove his value, we'd be open to having another capable Celestial Dragon among our ranks."

  "I'll pass that along to Doffy," Cudius said with a slight smile. "I'm sure he'll be even more motivated to serve."

  With that settled, the topic shifted back to the ret mission. The bald Elder spoke up. "Redfield… has he been secured?"

  "Yes," Kong replied, nodding. "Garp has personally escorted him to Impel Down, where he'll be pced iernal Hell. Giveiming, he should be safely locked away by now."

  "Good. You did an excellent job," the bald Elder said approvingly. Then, after a brief pause, he turo Kong and asked, "What do you think of the position of ander-in-Chief? Are you ied?"

  Kong was momentarily taken aback, but he quickly nodded. "Of course. As a soldier, there's no greater honor than reag that rank."

  "Hahaha, well said," the Elder chuckled.

  Before Kong could tihe Elder went on, "We do sider you the ideal didate for the position. After all these years of service to the Marines and the Wover, your achievements certainly qualify you. But… the timing isn't right."

  Kong houghtfully, uanding the unspoken text.

  "It seems you're already aware," the Elder tinued, "but Marine Headquarters isn't in the best positiht now. If you were to leave, it would throw the anization into a leadership vacuum. Sengoku is ready to take over as Fleet Admiral, but the Admirals' positions would be left unfilled. Kuzan, Borsalino, and Sakazuki may be strong, but they still e of the experiend maturity required for the role. They'll need a few more years to grow into their potential."

  "Exactly," Kong agreed. "For now, I have no iion of leaving the Marines."

  "Good. We're gd you uand the importance of this. But know that wheime is right, the role of ander-in-Chief will be yours. Until then, we'll hold the position open for you," the bald Elder said calmly.

  Kong smiled, bowing his head slightly. "Thank you, honored Elders."

  With Kong's future settled, the Elders gave him some additional instrus before dismissing him. Uanding that a more private versation was about to begin, Kong wisely excused himself, leaving Cudius aloh the Five Elders.

  The bearded Elder turo Cudius, grinning. "How's the wine?"

  "It's fantastic. Probably the best I've had in years," Cudius replied with a grin, holding up his half-empty gss. "I might just take the rest of this bottle home with me."

  "Yetting more and more fortable around here, aren't you?" the bald Elder chuckled. "But it's fine. reciate your… uyle."

  The bald Elder, his smile turning thoughtful, tinued, "You hahis mission well. I'll admit, Kong was nearly at his limit. You really saved us from a close call."

  "Just doing my job," Cudius replied with a modest shrug. "After all, CP-X was created to hahe world's more… plicated issues."

  "Well said," the curly-haired Elder remarked, nodding approvingly. "You've earned quite a reputation, along with power, status, ah. We almost don't know what to offer you as a reward. So, tell us—what do you want this time?"

  Cudius rubbed his thoughtfully, then shook his head. "Holy, I don't need anything at the moment."

  The bald Elder chuckled, as if he'd expected that ahen he leaned forward slightly, his tourning casual but probing. "By the way, Cudius, I heard you've had a bit of trouble with La in the past?"

  Cudius raised an eyebrow, then replied calmly, "It wasn't much. He tried to start something with me, but I'm not particurly ied in him."

  "Good, good. It's important that Celestial Dragons look out for one another," the blond Elder said with a smile. "If any of us were to cause trouble within our own ranks, well… that wouldn't be tolerated."

  Cudius hough he sensed a subtle implication in their words. Were they telling him not to bother with La? Or was there an underlying message of support?

  As he pohis, the bald Elder cleared his throat and tinued, "Ohird day of month, we'll be sending the head of the Donquixote family to Dressrosa to pay a diplomatic visit to the Riku royal family. I believe La will be traveling to the New World around that time… but of course, this isn't of any to yht?"

  A slow, wicked smile spread across Cudius's face. The message was clear: the Elders were giving him free rein to handle La as he saw fit, even in New World territory.

  "Yes, of course. I'm not ied in that at all," Cudius replied, his eyes glinting with a scarlet light.

  ****

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