In the Holy Land of Mariejois, within the headquarters of the Wover, the Five Elders were gathered, deep in discussion.

  "Sengoku is making an effort to establish himself," said the bald elder softly.

  "The pn he presented does seem feasible," added the elder with a long mustache.

  After a brief exge of opinions, the blond elder cluded, "Let them meet and refihe proposal further. If it holds up, we'll approve it. This could open a pathway for us into the New World."

  With that, the Five Elders gave preliminary approval to Sengoku's pn tthen Marine operations. They also instructed Cudius to cooperate with the Marines when appropriate. The aim was tanize joint missions to terbahe growing chaos after the fall of Charlotte Linlin's Big Mom Pirates.

  Following the directive from the Five Elders, Cudius issued the Seven Warlords of the Sea summoning order for the first time. This was an unpreted move, calling together Dofmingo, Crocodile, Bartholomew Kuma, and Dracule Mihawk. Additionally, Enel and Tesoro were included as unofficial partits.

  Though Charlotte Linlin's tea party invitations had already bee out, the event itself was still months away, scheduled for the tter half of the year.

  Cudius uood the importance of such events. The Big Mom Pirates weren't just inviting Tesoro; many iial figures in the underworld had also been called. Allowing enough time for everyoo prepare was both strategid a show of respect. It was impossible to expect such promi figures to drop everything and show up within days of receiving an invitation.

  By giving everyone six months' notice, Charlotte Linlin was allowing them to adjust their schedules accly while also asserting her own influence.

  For Cudius and Sengoku, this dey was advantageous. It gave them ample time to develop a prehensive pn before making their move against Charlotte Linlin aerritories.

  As the preparations tinued, Crocodile, Dofmingo, and others began to arrive at Mariejois. Mihaas already nearby, was the first to appear. Kuma didn't o travel as he was statio Marineford. Enel's involvement was voluntary, as he wasn't officially part of the Seven Warlords system, but he chose to join the group for this mission.

  The only one feeling awkward was Tesoro. His ret iions with Cudius had been tense due to a misuanding. Tesoro, unfortable with some rumors, had repeatedly crified to Cudius that he had no iion of being Charlotte Linlin's ally or potential son-in-w. Cudius, amused by the situation, assured Tesoro that he had never doubted him in the first pce.

  With the group assembled, Cudius led them, including Mihawk and Tesoro, to Marineford. Over the past months, Cudius had frequently traveled there and had grown aced to the route. Instead of taking a ship, they boarded the sea train, which was both faster and more effit.

  At this moment, Cudius stood outside a private partment of the train, smiling as he spoke into a Den Den Mushi.

  Ihe partment, Dofmingo and Crocodile sat across from each other, pying chess. Although they didn't particurly like each other, their hostility hadn't reached the point of open flict. Their chess game was evenly matched, with her side gaining a decisive advantage.

  Mihawk, sitting nearby, occasionally offered unsolicited advice, much to the irritation of both pyers. "If you're not pying, then stay quiet," they s him.

  Stussy, seated gracefully by the window, observed the lively se with a faint smile. Peeling an e, she hahe slices to Cudius while casually discussing underworld affairs with Tesoro.

  "You're asking me what this is about? Didn't Kuma tell you?" Cudius asked over the Den Den Mushi, a pyful tone in his voice.

  "You know how difficult it is for him to tact me from Marineford," came the reply. "He only mao inform me that you've activated the Seven Warlords summoning order. So, what's the pn?"

  Cudius chuckled. "Of course, it's a major operation!"

  Oher end of the line, Dragon sighed in frustration. "No kidding. The Seven Warlords, CP-X, and Naval Headquarters all involved, this is obviously something huge. What exactly are you up to?"

  Cudius smirked. "Rex, it has nothing to do with your Revolutionary Army. For now, your issues fall uhe jurisdi of the CP anizatioher CP-X nor Naval Headquarters is currently ed with you. Go about your business."

  Dragon remained skeptical. "Should I be relieved by that?"

  "Of course! Just pray this assig doesn't nd in my p; otherwise, you'll be in trouble!" Cudius teased, ughing.

  Dragon, unimpressed, asked directly, "Is there anything in this for the Revolutionary Army?"

  Cudius raised an eyebrow. "You've got guts, trying to profit off this situation when Naval Headquarters is involved. Aren't you afraid of getting caught in the crossfire?"

  Dragon replied nontly, "Isn't that what you're here for? To make sure we don't get burned?"

  Cudius muttered under his breath, "You really do trust me, don't you?"

  Returning to the topic, he added, "Alright, here's the deal: we're pnning a strike against the Big Mom Pirates. Whether or not we mao take out that old witch, we'll definitely hit her hard. Totto Land might colpse iermath. If your Revolutionary Army is ied, you swoop in and take advantage of the chaos."

  Dragon clicked his tongue. "So, you want us to act as on fodder?"

  Cudius ughed. "You're the one . I'm just giving you the opportunity. Take it or leave it."

  "I'll think about it," Dragon replied cautiously, ending the versation on a vague note.

  Switg gears, Cudius asked, "Has Kuma provided any updates on the research?"

  Dragon sighed. "Not much yet. Isn't it still too early to expect results? Be patient."

  "You never know. If I don't ask, you might assume I've fotten and leave me in the dark," Cudius said casually.

  "Am I that unreliable?" Dragoed, clearly annoyed.

  "A little," Cudius replied with a grin.

  Dragon, ign the jab, shared what he knearently, Marine's stific division is w on some kind of advanced war on. I don't have the specifics yet. Give me more time."

  "ons of mass destru?" Cudius murmured, deep in thought.

  "It doesn't sound very humane. You're not actually pnning to use something like that, are you? Show some restraint," Dragon advised cautiously.

  Cudius scoffed. "Restraint? If this kind of on is used against pirates, who cares about humanity?"

  Dragoated. "What exactly do you mean?"

  "I'll be in Marineford soon. Once I meet with Sengoku, I'll dig a little deeper. If the Marines really have developed something like that, I'll make sure Charlotte Linlin is the first to feel its effects," Cudius said with a cold smile.

  ***

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