Fujitora smiled as he pondered Cudius's offer. His heart leaoward w for the Wover, but his strength and self-awareness made him relut to start from the bottom. It wasn't just arrogahough that pyed a part, but also the pragmatic realization that he simply didn't have the time to waste climbing the ranks.

  After all, if he had to spend years building a reputation and earning trust, wouldn't that time be better spent gambling?

  But noportunity had preseself. Cudius, of all people, had personally approached him. This was no ordinary offer, it was a golden ticket to a higher position.

  Cudius was a figure shrouded in mystery, with tless rumors surrounding him. As the leader of CP-X and a Celestial Dragon, his presence carried immense weight. And though much about CP-X was unknown, ohing was certain: it was an anization of extraordinary power.

  Even Naval Headquarters, the so-called overlords of the sea, were often described in the press as "cooperating with CP-X," though the truth of those colborations was usually the opposite. This was rgely due to the Wover's hierarchical structure, where CP-X was officially sidered a higher-level agency than Marine forces.

  Publicly, this elevated CP-X's prestige. After all, if even the mighty Naval Headquarters could only "assist" CP-X, it emphasized the tter's significe. Fujitora khat joining CP-X would catapult him straight into the upper echelons of the gover—no endless waiting, no starting from the bottom.

  Still, there was hesitation in his heart. CP-X was heavily tied to the Celestial Dragons, and Fujitora held deep disdain for their corrupt ways. While Cudius himself seemed different from the typical Celestial Dragon, he was still part of that privileged css.

  Moreover, CP-X's true purpose was shrouded in secrecy. Fujitora had s about what kind anization it really was. Was it merely a violent arm of the Celestial Dragons, created to protect their dominance? If so, that was a far cry from the justice Marine cimed to stand for.

  Take the Seven Warlords of the Sea as an example. Fujitora had heard that this institution, dominated by CP-X, was established as a means to trol pirates. While it seemed pragmatic, the idea of granting privileges to criminals never sat well with him. Could CP-X, the mastermind behind su institution, truly be a force food?

  His doubts lingered as he spoke. "I have thought about serving the Wovero tribute to this turbulent era. But to be ho, I'd prefer to join the Marines."

  Cudius frowned slightly at Fujitora's respo wasirely surprised. He asked, "If that's the case, why haven't you joihem yet? Naval Headquarters has been expanding i years. With your strength, they would've weled you."

  Fujitora smiled awkwardly, unsure how to expin his reluce. Could he admit that he had no i in starting as an ordinary soldier? That he was only eyeing the position of Marine Admiral? Saying such a thing out loud might e across as arrogant and absurd.

  Before Fujitora could respond, Cudius tinued, "With your abilities, it would be no problem to join the Marines and quickly achieve the rank of Rear Admiral or even Vice Admiral. But there's a catch—qualifications.

  "Naval Headquarters is a massive, mature institution. Rising through the ranks requires more than just strength. It demands merit, time, trust, and above all, experience. Without these, advang too quickly would destabilize the system."

  Hearing this, Fujitora nodded in agreement. "That's true. And to be ho, this is one of the reasons I've hesitated."

  Cudius nodded, a knowing smile on his face. "Exactly. As the leader of CP-X, I've entered many people like you, folk masters, skilled individuals who remain hidden from the world. Those with real talent often live like this for one of two reasoher they ck ambition and prefer a life of freedom, or they're biding their time, waiting for the right moment to showcase their talents."

  He paused, then added, "Take a retired pirate friend of mine, for example. He fits the first category. These days, he lives like a salted fish, spending his time coating ships and moog off a wealthy woman."

  Meanwhile, on Sabaody Archipego, Silvers Rayleigh sneezed as he coated a ship. He frowned, rubbing his nose, and muttered, "Who's badmouthing me again?"

  As he tinued w, Rayleigh found himself bored. Coating ships brought in steady ine, but it was far from exg.

  "Maybe I should sell myself to a rian again," he thought with a grin. "Steal some treasure, disappear for a few months, and live the high life…"

  Ba the , Fujitora smiled skeptically at Cudius. "A retired pirate friend? Yhness sure has iing es. Aren't you a Celestial Dragon? Shouldn't your retionship with pirates be more… adversarial?"

  Fujitora's thoughts raced. "A Celestial Dragon with pirate friends? That's almost as strange as me being a gambler with ambitions to join the gover…"

  However, seeing Cudius speak so didly, Fujitora chose not to voice his doubts. Instead, he found himself warming to Cudius's unventional approach.

  "The sed type," Cudius tinued, "are those with ambition. They have grand ideas but ck the opportunity to a them. Outwardly, they may seem aimless, but in truth, they're honing their skills, waiting for the right moment to rise."

  Hearing this, Fujitora's eyes lit up. Cudius's words struck a chord, as if he had seen through him entirely.

  "I'd say you belong to the sed group," Cudius said, his voice calm and measured. "Given your strength and your i in joining the Marines, it's clear you're not someone who's tent with mediocrity. You're waiting for the right opportunity to prove yourself."

  Fujitora couldn't help but admire Cudius's insight. He felt as though the man before him had unraveled his very soul. At that moment, he no longer doubted Cudius's petence.

  With a respectful nod, Fujitora responded, "Yhness, you've hit the nail on the head."

  ***

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