In the lounge of the Gran Tesoro, Tesoro was discussing something with Cudius. Not far away, Stel and Nia were happily chatting. Meanwhile, Stussy was still wandering around the o, clearly skilled and thhly enjoying herself.

  "Yhness, isn't this a bit too rushed? While Fujitora is strong, and the iigation shows no ing background es, this still feels a bit uain," Tesoro said hesitantly.

  He rarely questioned Cudius's decisions, but this time, he couldn't help expressing his s.

  Cudius, however, smiled fidently. When it came to Fujitora, it wasn't so much about trusting his strength or loyalty, that wasn't the point. What Cudius trusted was Fujitora's ideals and ambitions.

  In Cudius's opinion, Fujitora was undoubtedly a man of lofty principles. From certain ahe two of them were kindred spirits, as long as nothi astray.

  Fujitora's iy and moral code wouldn't allow him to betray others, making that possibility extremely unlikely.

  As for the role Fujitora would py, Cudius already had a pn.

  His subordinates already included capable figures like Crocodile, Dofmingo, and Enel. ting Tesoro, there were already enough people to hahe operational side of things.

  There was o ie Fujitora into that structure. At the same time, Cudius couldn't just leave him in a peripheral position or assign him to work under someone like Spandine.

  Instead, Cudius's pn was to assign Fujitora to CP-X, where he could operate with retive freedom.

  Fujitora had a pent fambling, and the CP-X anization would be set up uesoro's financial system. This structure was essential, Cudius's ework of forces was interected through a robust financial system built on Tesoro's Golden Bank. This setup ehat these otherwise disparate fas remaiightly bound together.

  Given its importaesoro needed prote. His personal strength wasn't particurly impressive—not weak, but far from extraordinary. In the absence of the Golden Fruit, he was merely average in bat.

  Assigning Fujitora to act as a bodyguard was both logical and strategic.

  Fujitora accepted the arra without protest. Although Cudius had personally invited him and appeared to pce great trust in him, Fujitora uood that some level of testing was iable. True trust always took time to develop.

  Cudius's ultimate pn for Fujitora was far more ambitious. Once Fujitora had built a foundation of trust within CP-X, Cudius inteo position him as a key pyer in his long-term strategy for Marine Headquarters.

  That's right—Cudius wanted Fujitora to bee a Marine Admiral. Only by pg someorusted in such a high-ranking position could Cudius solidify his trol over the Marines.

  This pn hinged on timing. It required the Marine Headquarters to undergo a signifit upheaval. Cudius anticipated such a ge, especially since Fleet Admiral Sengoku would eventually step down.

  When that time came, the power struggle between Sakazuki and Kuzan would iably surface. The two men had fually opposing ideals, and Cudius believed the oute of their flict redictable.

  If Kuzan became the new Fleet Admiral, Sakazuki would likely remain as an Admiral but harbor rese. Oher hand, if Sakazuki asded to Fleet Admiral, Kuzan would almost certainly resign as an Admiral.

  Either sario would leave a vacy among the Admirals, creating the perfect opportunity for Cudius to push Fujitora into the position.

  Wover scription would not even be necessary. Fujitora, with his record in CP-X and the work Cudius was building, would already be a trusted didate. pared to unknown recruits brought in through scription, someone like Fujitora, who had worked with CP-X and proven his reliability would seem like the safer choice.

  However, for all this to happen, Marine Headquarters o undergo a drastic transformation. And if such a transformation didn't happen naturally, Cudius repared to engi himself.

  "When the Marines gh their iable ges, that will be the moment I fully take trol. By then, there will be o ceal my iions anymore. First, we'll up the Wover. Then, we'll up the seas!" Cudius thought to himself with determination.

  Returning to the present, Cudius waved his hand dismissively and said with a smile, "Don't overthink it. Just treat him as a bodyguard for now. Share what he o know, but don't burden him with unnecessary details."

  Seeing Cudius's fideesoro no longer felt any s and nodded in agreement.

  Then, as if recalling something, Tesoro added, "Oh, Yhness, we might be getting news about the Gold Gold Fruit soon."

  "Oh?" Cudius's i iqued. "What do you mean?"

  "I've got a treasure hunter named Mad w on it," Tesoro said with a grin.

  "Mad?" Cudius froze for a moment, then ughed. "What a name."

  The name sounded oddly familiar, but Cudius couldn't immediately recall where he'd heard it before. Treasure huesoro's tact… Could it be the guy who discovered pure gold?

  "Is he a Devil Fruit user? Does he have a -reted ability?" Cudius asked after a moment's thought.

  Tesoro was surprised. "You know him, Yhness? What an honor for him."

  So it was him. Cudius felt a surge of nostalgia.

  Tesoro tinued, "He's excellent at log treasures. He cims to have found a lead on the Gold Gold Fruit. I've arranged for him to colborate with Dofmingo. With Dofmingo's resources and Dammit's knack for treasure hunting, we might locate the Golden Fruit soon."

  Cudius houghtfully. Although the fruit hadn't been fouhe pieces were falling into pce. He was fident that no one would be able to take it from him.

  However, this treasure hunter, Mad…

  After thinking it over, Cudius said, "If he actually finds the Gold Gold Fruit, make sure to cultivate his loyalty. Someone like that could prove useful iure."

  Tesoro smiled. "If he earns your favor, Yhness, it will be the greatest fortune of his life. Could it be that Yhness is also ied in other treasures?"

  Cudius ughed and said, "Why not? The Fountain of Youth, the Emerald Capital, the Sea of Jewels, Pure Gold… There are tless legendary treasures in the world. Who's to say some of them aren't destined for me?"

  Tesoro took note of Cudius's i and made a mental o rey this to Mad. If the treasure hunter could deliver more surprises, it would undoubtedly please Cudius, strengthening Tesoro's own position in the process.

  With that, their versation wound down. Seeing that Stussy was still enjoying herself onboard the ship, Cudius decided to extend their stay for a few more days, allowing everyoo rex and enjoy their vacation to the fullest.