"I think the cept of the Seven Warlords of the Sea is fasating. Legal pirates? That's certainly a unique approach," Dragon said with a slight smile.

  If one were unaware of Cudius' deeper iions, they might think this was just the Wover's attempt to divide pirate forces, creating a schism between allies and enemies.

  But Dragon knew Cudius too well. To him, the Seven Warlords of the Sea represented something far more signifit. It was a calcuted move by Cudius, a strategy to build his personal powerbase uhe very banner of the Wover itself.

  Normally, the Seven Warlords of the Sea were tools wielded by the Wover. But in Cudius' hands, this system had the potential to bee a bde aimed back at the heart of the gover itself, a force that could betray them from within if necessary.

  "Well, yes, I do work for the Wover. Naturally, I should be doing my part to ease their burdens. In this age of rampant piracy, one has to find ways to patch the leaks in the ship, don't you think?" Cudius said with a casual smile, his tone so gehat it seemed as though he had no hidden agenda.

  Dragon smiled too but made no effort to expose Cudius' "mask."

  "So, do you think e of our people within the Seven Warlords of the Sea?" Dragon asked, his tone light but purposeful.

  "You mean Bartholomew Kuma?" Cudius raised an eyebrow.

  "Exactly. sidering his reputation and strength, he seems to fit the criteria for the Seven Warlords of the Sea, doesn't he?" Dragon nodded.

  "Oh, he certainly fits the profile," Cudius aowledged. "But let me make ohing clear, Dragon. By pushing Kuma into this position, you're essentially slipping a piece of your puzzle into my hand. And while that's a tempting offer, it's not enough pensation for what you're asking."

  Bartholomew Kuma, or "The Tyrant," was infamous across the seas. Though ruthless toward other pirates, he rarely targeted civilians or caused unnecessary destru. His calcuted approach had earned him fear and respect, making him a prime didate for the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

  However, Kuma wasn't one of Cudius' people. While Cudius didn't need all the Warlords to be under his trol, he certainly intended for most of them to be. He even had pns to include Dracule Mihawk in the group, not because Mihawk was someone Cudius could manipute, but because Mihawk's apolitical and solitary nature would reassure the Woverhat the Seven Warlords wereirely Cudius' pawns. Mihawk erfect "mascot" for the anization an unassuming, ral figure.

  As for the rest of the Seven Warlords, Cudius already had his own list in mind. Crocodile was a guaranteed choice, as was his own cousin, Donquixote Dofmingo—two seats filled.

  Other didates like Georia didn't i him, and Jihough notable, had no immediate relevance since he was still loyal tu Kingdom. The remaining slots were tentatively assigo Hancock, Enel, and Ace. That left one final position, which Kuma could potentially fill, but only if Dragon made it worth Cudius' while.

  "Don't you think you're being a bit greedy? 'Not enough pensation,' really?" Dragon frowned.

  "Greedy? You must be joking," Cudius retorted. "Do you think Seven Warlords of the Sea positions are like cabbages sold oreet? That there's an endless supply? I'm holding onto a limited resource here, Dragon."

  Dragon rubbed his temples, clearly annoyed but unwilling tue further. After a moment's thought, he sighed. "Fine. What do you want? How much is it going to e?"

  Cudius smirked. "Simple. After Kuma joins the Seven Warlords of the Sea, I get a share of whatever bes your Revolutionary Army reaps from his position."

  "You're not even trying to hide yreed, are you?" Dragon raised an eyebrow. "Do you even know what we io use Kuma for?"

  "I don't know, and frankly, I don't o. But whatever it is, I'm sure it'll pay off handsomely for you, won't it?" Cudius replied, still smiling.

  Dragon didn't deny it. Although Cudius didn't have all the details, he had a general idea. Dragon inteo use Kuma to infiltrate the Marines' stific division and exploit its resources. That was likely just one piece on's rger scheme, but it was enough to justify Cudius' terms.

  Cudius himself had some influence over the Marines' stific division, but directly utilizing it would draw too much attention from the Wover. If he wao keep certain gains hidden, he needed a proxy like Kuma.

  After a long pause, Dragon finally nodded. "Fine. Let's do it."

  "What, no teroffer?" Cudius asked, genuinely surprised.

  "Would it make a difference if I tried?" Dragon replied, giving Cudius a sharp look.

  "Not at all," Cudius said with a grin. "Business is business, after all. Mixing it with personal retionships only plicates things."

  Dragon snorted. "I figured as much. Still, don't think you've won here. The ime you need a favor, don't bme me if I make you pay dearly for it."

  "Hahaha! I'll take my ces," Cudius ughed heartily.

  The two tio discuss the arra briefly. Cudius assured Dragon that Kuma's position in the Seven Warlords of the Sea would be reserved, but reminded him that the pn was long-term. Dragon would o be patient and allow Cudius to move at his own pace.

  Dragon had no choice but to agree. He could only urge Cudius to expedite the process as much as possible.

  ging the subject, Dragon casually poured himself a cup of tea and asked, "What's the deal with Crocodile going to Abasta? What are you plotting?"

  Cudius raised an eyebrow as he sipped his tea. "What do you mean, 'what am I plotting'? Crocodile went there on his own. Why are you poking your o this?"

  Dragohe teapot down and, after a brief silence, said, "Let's not beat around the bush. The ari royal family in Abasta, they're good people. Are you pnning tet them?"

  Cudius was quiet for a moment before pg his teacup oable. Meeting Dragon's gaze, he replied, "And if I said yes?"

  A glint of uanding flickered in Dragon's eyes, and he asked, "Is there no way to avoid this?"

  Cudius sighed, feigning helplessness. "It's irely up to me, you know. I am still a servant of the Wover, after all. And the ari family… well, let's just say their refusal to fully cooperate with the Gover has made them a target. They've been talking about redug their Heavenly Tribute payments. You imagine how well that went over."

  In truth, the Five Elders hadn't explicitly ordered an atta Abasta. But Cudius didn't hesitate to use them as a scapegoat, framing his own pns as mere obedieo higher orders.

  Now, it wasn't about what he wao do to the ari family. It was about following the will of the Wover. Surely, Dragon could uand that Cudius had no choi the matter… or so Cudius wanted him to believe.

  ***

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