ing out of the Wover headquarters, Cudius walked side by side with Sengoku seemingly deep in versation.

  "Let me get this straight: the mess was caused by the Marines, but somehow it all nded on me. Sengoku, you're really something. You found the perfect job for me," Cudius said, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfa.

  Sengoku looked slightly embarrassed but managed a wry smile. "Yhness, isn't the CP-X division specifically there to handle issues that both the Marines and the CP ageruggle with? I'll admit it, there are some things that even the Marines just 't manage."

  Cudius raised an eyebrow in surprise and remarked, "I didn't expect this."

  "Didn't expect what?" Sengoku asked with a curious smile.

  "I didn't expect you, Sengoku to have such a thick skin. You're really something else," Cudius said with a tone of disdain.

  "Hahahaha!" Sengoku ughed heartily but then shook his head and said, "Ah, sometimes, there's no choice but to adapt."

  "Fine, I'll let it slide this time, but your Marines owe me one," Cudius said, arg an eyebrow.

  "And what exactly do you have in mind?" Sengoku asked, nodding with a polite smile.

  "The Stific Department," Cudius replied without hesitation.

  "This..." Sengoku hesitated for a moment, clearly finding the request somewhat tricky. After all, the Marine Stific Department was a highly sensitive unit, handling crucial teology and research.

  "Don't worry. I'm not asking to take over or and them," Cudius crified, waving his hand dismissively. "I just mean that if there's something iing or useful that I know you guys have, you won't keep it hidden from me."

  Sengoku sidered it for a moment. That request wasn't too unreasonable. After all, they all worked uhe Wover, and Cudius held a prestigious position. Refusing him ht wouldn't look good.

  In truth, Cudius had been fairly aodating to the Marines overall. He didn't make a habit of demanding favors or causing unnecessary trouble for them.

  And from Cudius' perspective, maintaining a good retionship with the Marines made seheir bat strength and unique system of "justice" could prove useful iure. Helping them up their current mess art of a rger picture.

  "Since Yhness has made this request, the Marines certainly won't keep anything good from you," Sengoku said with a smile.

  Cudius nodded in satisfa. Just retly, he'd struck a deal with Dragon over Bartholomew Kuma, and now, he'd secured an arra with the Marines as well. With all these es, the Stific Department's resources should be within his grasp soon.

  As they tinued walking, Sengoku suddenly said, "By the way, Yhness, about the matter of the warships you promised to help push along..."

  "Warships? I don't recall owing you anything about warships," Cudius replied, puzzled.

  "Ahem, it's not that you owe us. It's just that we Marines discovered that the warships produced by Water 7 are of exceptional quality. We want to increase our orders, but their produ seems to have reached its limit. They're avoiding taking on too many orders from us, so I was hoping you could put in a good word for us."

  Sengoku's tone was amiable, almost pleading, as he added, "We're all part of the same family, after all."

  Now Cudius uood. Smirking, he said, "So now you're impressed with the shipbuilding skills of Water 7? Fine, I'll help you out. But what's with the sudden rush to produany new warships? You're ly expanding recruitment right now, are you?"

  Sengoku hesitated briefly but decided to expin. "It's partly reted to the Stific Department. We've retly developed a teology that allows Seastoo be applied to warships. Ships equipped with this essentially blend in with the sea."

  "Blend in with the sea?" Cudius asked, intrigued.

  "Exactly. With this teology, the warships emit a unique signal that makes them uable to sea beasts and Sea Kings. This signifitly reduces the ces of warships being attacked by marine creatures," Sengoku expined.

  "Don't uimate this," Sengoku tinued. "Every year, at least 20% of our warships are damaged by attacks from sea creatures. While the issue is minor in most standard waters, in the New World, it's a pletely different story. The seas there are full of dangerous monsters, and our warships frequently e utack. This eology could save us an enormous amount of resources and, more importantly, the lives of tless soldiers."

  "And I assume this would also let you navigate the Calm Belt safely?" Cudius asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "In theory, yes," Sengoku admitted. "But the Calm Belt is still a high-risk area, and the teology isn't fully tested yet. We haven't officially impleme."

  Cudius rubbed his thoughtfully. "Iing. And because of this, you need more new warships? I assume it's because retrofitting old ones with Seastone is too costly?"

  "Exactly," Sengoku replied. "Seastone is incredibly valuable. Retrofitting old ships feels like a waste, so we're hoping to produce a new fleet specifically designed for this teology. That's why we need your help to speed up produ."

  Cudius smiled faintly. "So, once you have a fleet of these ships, the Calm Belt bees open for exploration?"

  "Potentially, yes. This hasn't been officially reported to the higher-ups yet. In fact, Yhness, you're one of the first to know about this outside of the Marines," Sengoku said with a sly grin.

  Cudius' i iqued. Smiling, he replied, "I see. Looks like you've been saving this little secret to win me over, huh, Sengoku?"

  "Heh, sometimes you have to give a little to get a little," Sengoku said with a chuckle.

  After a moment of ption, Cudius said, "Do you need me to cover for you?"

  "Ahem, well... given that this teology hasn't been fully tested in the Calm Belt, it's still a theoretical application. The Calm Belt is dangerous, after all. Personally, I think it'll take ahree to five years of experimentation before it's ready for full deployment. What do you think?" Sengoku said cautiously, testing the waters.

  Cudius nodded knowingly. "You're right. Rushing something like this would be reckless. If certain nosy Celestial Dragons got wind of it and decided to demand a test run through the Calm Belt for fun, only to meet with disaster, who'd take the bme? It's better to wait until the teology is pletely mature and proven before anyone hears about it."

  Sengoku was relieved to see Cudius on the same page. "Exactly! Rushing things could lead to unnecessary problems. It's always better to proceed carefully."

  Cudius added with a sly grin, "Of course, CP-X operates on the same principle, helping the Wover solve problems. Perhaps we could colborate on this? It might speed things up, don't you think?"

  Sengoku ughed and nodded. "Yhness, that's an excellent suggestion. The Marines would be happy to cooperate with you."

  Despite their cautious words about the dangers of the Calm Belt, both men were clearly aware of the enormous potential profits and resources waiting to be exploited there. For turies, the Calm Belt had remained untouched, its natural treasures and opportunities beyond reach.

  Now, with this eology, the possibility of free passage through the Calm Belt was within sight. Though dangerous, the bes were undeniable.

  For the Marines, assembling a rge fleet was entirely feasible. And for Cudius, with Water 7 under his trol, the opportunities were just as promising.

  Betweehe allure of the Calm Belt was being hard to ignore.

  ***

  Support me on patreon to read 45+ advanced chapters: patreon./Blownleaves.