Sengoku didn't o meet at the library. Instead, Cudius was waiting for him at an o-view restaurant, prepared to have lunch together.

  The entire restaurant was surrounded by a massive aquarium, creating a ambiance. In fact, the aquarium itself served as the sourany of the restaurant's ingredients.

  Dining here felt like eating at the bottom of the o, a novel experience.

  Cudius was already seated, casually nibbling on some snacks. Before long, ered with Sengoku.

  Unlike when she had greeted Teach, where she kept a cold and distant demeanor, things were different this time. Teach irate, and Nia khat no matter what, Cudius would ruly bring that man under his and. So, she had maintained a stern expression and an aloof attitude the eime.

  Of course, Teach was shrewd enough to know his pce, he could bend when necessary and endure when needed.

  Sengoku, however, was another matter entirely. Nia knew he was an "old friend" of His Highness, with an unusual retionship that went beyond rank and status, they were genuine acquaintances.

  Thus, her demeanor was far more weling now. She wore a pleasant smile and even engaged in small talk with Sengoku along the way.

  Sengoku, for his part, uood very well that Nia was someone deeply trusted by Cudius. She rivy to almost everything, and in all likelihood, she was something even more signifit to him. His wife? That might be a stretch. Mistress? That didn't sound quite right either. Whatever the case, men uood these things.

  If Cudius had known what Sengoku was thinking, he probably would've snapped, What the hell do you know? Go deal with Tsuru first before you talk to me!

  Regardless, Sengoku didn't uimate Nia simply because she was a butler. On the trary, he ehe versation, exging a few lighthearted jokes with her along the way.

  Upon reag Cudius's table, Sengoku chuckled and said, "I'm not even here yet, and you've already started eating, Yhness?"

  "I keep a strict schedule for my meals. Ever heard of obsessive-pulsive disorder?" Cudius replied with a griing down the half-eaten pastry in his hand.

  "I don't buy that for a sed," Sengoku muttered, shaking his head.

  With that, he pulled out a chair and sat across from Cudius. Nia, ever attentive, promptly refilled both their cups with hot tea.

  Sengoku didn't particurly mind that Cudius had already started eating.

  "Haha, I heard the Marines are pnning to relocate their headquarters to G-1?" Cudius asked, smiling.

  Sengoku picked up a small pastry from the table, took a bite, and smacked his lips. "So, Gion really couldn't keep it to herself, huh? Leaking fidential information to you already? Tch, I suppose I should start residering a few things..."

  Cudius rolled his eyes. "I didn't even pin about you transferrio a branch."

  "It's not a demotion. It's an important mission," Sengoku expined instinctively. But then he paused, realizing something, and chuckled. "Why am I even expining myself to you? Looks like Gion really has found herself a backer."

  "Hahahaha! What do you think?" Cudius ughed heartily.

  After exging a few more jokes, Sengoku got to the main topic. "Gion told me that Yhness has e up with a pn to deal with e?"

  Cudius turo Nia. "Bring out some hot dishes."

  Nia nodded ao ha. Cudius then turned back to Sengoku and smiled. "Let's eat while we talk."

  As their meal began, the two of them indulged in a vish lunch. At a nearby table, Robin and the others were dining separately.

  Between bites, Cudius began outlining his thoughts and strategies to Sengoku.

  Sengoku took a piece of juicy sea beast meat, chewed twice, and then furrowed his brows. "From the inside?" he asked in surprise.

  "Exactly," Cudius said. "The biggest problem with the Whitebeard Pirates is that they're too spread out, it's impossible to catch them all at once. If a direct fight turns unfavorable, e simply retreat. But if we attack from within, the situation ges."

  He took a sip of tea and tinued with a smirk, "If we secure the right hostages, we'll have all the leverage we need."

  Sengoku narrowed his eyes. "And who exactly do you pn to take hostage, Yhness?"

  "Only the most important ones. When we're ready to act, we'll seize Weibull first. Then, we go after the Whitebeard Pirates' key captains—Marco, Jozu, Thatch, Vista. Every single one of them," Cudius said casually, taking another sip of tea.

  He paused briefly before adding, "With both his adopted and biological sons on the line, do you really thie will just sit still?"

  Sengoku exhaled sharply. "Weibull isn't necessarily e's son..." He trailed off, then shook his head. "Not that it matters. No one prove it either way. If nothing else, we frame it as retribution for Zephyr."

  He tapped his fingers oable. "But capturing Mard the others won't be easy. You do realize they rarely leave e's side?"

  "That's exactly what I wao discuss today." Cudius leaned forward slightly. "I've already turned one of e's 'sons' against him."

  Sengoku, who had just raised his tea cup, nearly spilled it in shock. "You're serious?"

  "Why would I lie?" Cudius nodded.

  The Whitebeard Pirates were famous for their loyalty and camaraderie. The Marines had tried to sow discord among them before but never succeeded. Yet now, Cudius was g to have flipped one of them?

  "Who is it?" Sengoku asked quickly.

  "Teach. Marshall D. Teach," Cudius said in a low voice.

  Sengoku blinked, momentarily puzzled. Who?

  Then, realization dawned on him, and he chuckled bitterly. "An ordinary crew member? Sure, he calls e 'father,' but—"

  "He's not just some random crew member," Cudius interjected. "He's been with e for decades. He's close to Mard the others. Retly, there was that Dark-Dark Fruit i at sea, you've heard about it, haven't you?"

  Sengoku frowned in thought, then nodded. "Right... that was Enel, wasn't it? I heard Mard Shanks almost fought over it. We Marines inteo intervene, but by the time we got there, the situation had already settled. Enel's presence made things even messier, so we decided to back off."

  Cudius smirked. "What you might not know is that the whole i was triggered by Teach. He wahe Dark-Dark Fruit, and that's what set everything in motion. That fruit is in my possession now, that's why I was able to turn him."

  Sengoku stroked his beard thoughtfully. "And you trust him?"

  "Wheime is right, I'll have Teach capture a Whitebeard captain and deliver them to us. We'll then stage a public execution, f e into an all-out war," Cudius said firmly.

  Sengoku's eyes gleamed with i. He tapped the table lightly before nodding. "In other words, you wao start making preparations now?"

  With careful pnning and a of surprise, the Marines could amass their full strength and crush the Whitebeard Pirates in one decisive battle. They would have to be patient, waiting for the perfeent to strike.

  And when that moment came, with both an internal defector aernal pressure, victory would be within reach.

  Sengoku had to admit, he was tempted. The Marines had already built up siderable power, and they were preparing to relocate their headquarters into the New World. If they could elimihe Whitebeard Pirates beforehand, wouldn't that be the perfect prelude?

  Marg into the New World with suentum, who would dare challehe Marines?

  "Yes," Cudius said. "But this pn requires careful coordination. We'll o move step by step. I've already ordered Teach to prove his worth by taking out Moria first."

  Sengoku nodded. "That makes sense. We 't entrust him with such a critical mission without seeing his capabilities first."

  As for Moria? her Cudius nor Sengoku cared about him in the slightest. His fate was already sealed.