Cudius nodded and said, "Yes, it's pretty much what Sengoku id out."

  Without waiting for any responses, he tapped the ash from his cigarette and tinued, "The reason I'm calling this the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea' project is that I want CP-X to gain trol over seven powerful pirates. Think of them as knights under a king—warriors who clear the path for their liege. That's the role I envision for the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

  This time, Nusjuro was the first to react, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "The theory sounds reasonable. What exactly do you have in mind?"

  Cudius grinned. "Well, what I've just described is the cept. The actual pn is much more plex. I estimate that it will take at least ten, perhaps evey years to see it fully realized. But despite the long timeline, if we succeed, it will have a massive impact. I believe it's worth the iment."

  "Alright then," Nusjuro said with a nod, indig a measure of approval. "If the e is worthwhile, let's hear the details."

  His words set the tone for the meeting, signaling that the Five Elders were tentatively in favor of the idea. After all, even if Cudius hadn't proposed it now, the Wover would eventually e up with its own version of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. However, that approach would likely result in a situatiohe warlords were only "trolble" in name, while iy, they remained self-serving pirates. Cudius's method, oher hand, seemed far more promising.

  "The first point," Cudius began, "is that we 't reveal their affiliation just yet. For now, they should tio operate as pirates. Take Crocodile and Dofmingo, for example. What we o do is provide them with some breathing room. CP should immediately halt any assassination pns against them, and the Marines should ease up on their efforts to hunt them down."

  There was ation in Cudius's voice. Gis, despite his high rank, was ultimately a servant to the Celestial Dragons. He bowed respectfully and replied, "As you and."

  After a moment of silence, Sengoku gave a relut nod. "The Marines will loosen their pursuit."

  Cudius's smile widened as he tinued, ", we o expand our roster of didates. Currently, I only have two promising options—Crocodile and my cousin. But I pn to scout for more didates over time. For instahere's a young talent named Enel under my care. He possesses the Thunder Fruit and shows great potential. I'll send him out to sea to start building his reputation as a pirate, as a preliminary step towards being one of the Seven Warlords."

  Nusjuro nodded. "Indeed, seleg the right individuals is crucial. In just half a year, you've already cultivated two prospects. The era of the great pirates could st for quite some time, so you've got plenty of time to get this right. Don't rush."

  Even Nusjuro, with all his influence, uood that such things couldn't be rushed.

  Cudius agreed. "The third point is that both the CP agend the Marines should offer these prospects some 'support.' By bag them discreetly, we ot only eliminate less desirable, untrolble pirates but also help our chosen didates establish a reputation. It's a win-win."

  Sengoku sidered Cudius's suggestion and, after a brief hesitation, nodded. "If done correctly, we could make it work."

  In fact, Sengoku was already thinking ahead, sidering whether the Marines should also cultivate their own pirates as spies. For example, Whitebeard had a pent for adopting sons. If they could pce a couple of agents in his crew, they might be able to deliver a critical blather crucial informatiohe time was right. It was a tactigoku would indeed pursue iure—like with Drake, who was trained as a Marine spy and ter infiltrated Kaido's ranks.

  "That's the general framework of the pn," Cudius said, ing up his proposal. "If there are no objes, I'll submit a formal report to you five shortly."

  There was o rush into legalizing piracy just yet. Ohe Seven Warlords were fully established, they could solidify their roles as 'allies' of the Wover all at once.

  Nusjuro exhaled a cloud of smoke, a ptive look on his face. "Your CP-X certainly knows how to deliver ued strategies. First, there was Golden Lion and Roger, and now, you're presenting a practical respoo the age of piracy."

  He paused, then nodded approvingly. "I'm ined to authorize this proje principle, pending the others' agreement. Soon, CP-X will have the mao take charge of the Seven Warlords of the Sea initiative."

  Cudius's face lit up with a broad smile. "I'm grateful, my lords!"

  Nusjuro gnced around the room. "Does anyone else have anything to add?"

  Seeing no further objes, he cluded, "Very well. Let's all get back to our respective duties and proceed acc to the decisions reached in this meeting."

  With that, he stood ahe room. Sengoku Cudius before departing, his mind already busy with the implications of this "pirate ma" strategy.

  Cudius wasn't bothered by Sengoku's silence. He simply aowledged the Admiral with a smile, then turo the CP agents and asked, "Is Spandine here?"

  A man standing at the back of the CP group quickly stepped forward, removing his mask. "Yes, Yhness Cudius, I'm here!"

  "Good. Stay behind for a moment; I have a few words for you," Cudius instructed.

  Spandine's superiis, chimed in, "Spandine, don't let His Highness down."

  Once everyone else had filed out, Cudius gri the subservient Spandine. "I hear you've retly gotten your hands on some promising recruits in CP-9?"

  Spandine, bent at the waist in a humble bow, responded enthusiastically, "Well, our CP-9 't pare to the caliber of didates Yhness is raising. Enel is truly an exceptional talent, put him in the Marines, and he could be an Admiral someday!"

  Cudius chuckled. "Your fttery skills are improving."

  "I live to please, Yhness," Spandine replied with a broad smile.

  Cudius's expression turhoughtful. "There's someone named Rob Lucci, right?"

  Spandine paused before quickly replying, "Yes, we have a young recruit by that name who's still in training."

  "Good. Keep training him for now. I'm ied in this kid. Once his training is plete, send him to me. No problem with that, is there?" Cudius said, patting Spandine on the shoulder.

  "No problem at all, Yhness! If you're ied, we'd be hoo send him to you. Even if you wanted all of CP-9, it would be our privilege," Spandine answered eagerly.

  Cudius chuckled again. "You've got a good attitude, I'll give you that. If you ever need a favor, let Stussy know. As long as it's nothing too eous, I'll see what I do."

  With that, he left the meeting room, still smiling.

  Spandine remained behind, bowiedly. "Thank you, Yhness! Thank you, Yhness!"