While Cudius was enjoying a rexing vacation with his panions, Spandine was aboard a sea train, sitting in a luxurious VIP private room, frowning as he reviewed the dots in his hands.

  Every sea train had such exclusive private rooms, designed for nobles and high-ranking officials. As the foremost loyal subordinate of Cudius, and sihe sea traiwork was built by CP-X, Spaurally had the privilege to enjoy such aodations.

  Dressed in a sharp bck suit, Spandine exuded an air of authority and reliability. When he wasn't around Cudius, he actually looked quite respectable, far from the sycophantic image he portrayed in front of his master.

  Across from him sat Rob Lucci, his expression as cold as ever. With his sharp, godlike features, he wore a spotless bck suit, plete with a ie and a top hat. On his shoulder perched a little pigeon, also dressed in a tiny suit.

  Spandine carefully read through the report that Lucci had handed him before asking seriously, "Lucci, are you certain about this?"

  Lucci remaiill, not uttering a word, but the pigeon on his shoulder spoke instead: "Kalifa and the others hahis matter. The intelligence is reliable, and there's been no leak. I made sure to deliver it to you as soon as possible."

  Spandine was well aware that the pigeon wasn't alive but was just an outlet for Lucci's odd hobby, his ventriloquism. He didn't particurly care, though. Instead, he mulled over the situation before , "Cssify this as top secret. Destroy all operational data. Inform your team that this iigation never happened. Uood?"

  The pigeon responded once again, "o tell me, I've already made those arras."

  Spandine didn't mind Lucci's dismissive tone. He was long aced to it.

  Satisfied with Lucci's response, Spandine gnced back at the dot.

  It taiartling information: Tom, the legendary shipwright of Water 7, was highly likely to possess the blueprints for the A on Pluton!

  CP-X, Spandine's unit, ofteed on behalf of the Wover. Their missions came directly from the higher-ups, including the Five Elders themselves. Cudius rarely o intervene in such matters, as Spandine hahese assigs indepely.

  The Wover had been searg for the A ons for a long time. As tensions at sea escated and the bance of power became increasingly precarious, there had been a growing push within the govero shift from suppressing and hiding the A ons to actively log and utilizing them.

  Of the three A ons, Uranus was the Wover's ultimate trump card, seldom deployed. Poseidon was tied to the royal lineage of Fish-Man Isnd, and due to ret ck of tact, the Wover had no clear information on its status.

  That left Pluton, the a warship whose destructive capabilities were well-doted in Wover records. They had long desired to locate and trol it.

  The task of finding these ons was shared aarine forces, the Cipher Panizations, and CP-X. Yet, despite their efforts, there had been little progress, until now.

  Spandine was stunned by this discovery. If the blueprints for Pluton were indeed in Tom's hands, this was no small matter.

  Under normal circumstances, Spandine would immediately report this to the Five Elders and begin efforts to seize the blueprints. But now, things were different. Spandine was no ordinary gover operative; he was deeply tied to Cudius.

  And who was Tom? Cudius had personally saved him years ago, in a mission where Spandine himself had been involved as aive officer of CP-9. That success had earned him his position in CP-X.

  Spandine wasn't sure if Cudius knew about the blueprints, but ohing was clear, he couldn't act without Cudius's permission. If Cudius had ser pn involving Tom, any reckless a on Spandine's part could disrupt it.

  As for the is of the Wover or even the Five Elders? Spandine didn't care. His loyalty was to Cudius. The Wover might fund CP-X with a billion berries annually, but that was insequential pared to his allegiao Cudius.

  Without hesitation, Spandine decided to suppress this information.

  After making up his mind, Spaook out his Den Den Mushi and dialed Cudius.

  At this time, Cudius was ba the Prometheus after spending a few leisurely days aboard the Gran Tesoro. Rexing on the deck with a fishing rod in hand, he was enjoying a peaceful moment.

  As he started to feel drowsy, Nia approached with a Den Den Mushi in hand.

  "Yhness, Spandine has tacted us. He says he has an important matter to report directly to you," the butler informed him respectfully.

  Cudius, a little surprised, straightened up and took the Den Den Mushi. Though Spandine was his most loyal subordinate, he rarely disturbed Cudius unless absolutely necessary.

  After taking the call, Cudius said, "Spandine?"

  "Yhness! Are you safe and well?" Spaone was obsequious, as always.

  Cudius chuckled, satisfied. "I'm fine. What's going on, Spandine?"

  Spandine wasted no time, reying the details about Master Tom and the Pluton blueprints.

  There was silen the other end, and Spandine began to feel nervous. Was Cudius angry? Had Tom been keeping this from him?

  Just as Spaarted to panic, Cudius ughed, easing his fears.

  "Hahaha! A ons, huh? Have you reported this?" Cudius asked.

  Spandine seized the opportunity to prove his loyalty. "Yhness, how could I act without your approval? I've already instructed Lucci to erase all traces of our iigation. Only a few trusted members of CP-X know about this. I've been waiting for your instrus."

  Cudius leased. "Very good, Spandine. Do you know what I like most about you?"

  "Yhness likes my obedience?" Spandine guessed.

  "No, I like that you're smart. You know how to bahings and act appropriately. By the way, how old is your son now?" Cudius asked, suddenly ging the topic.

  Spandine was delighted. "He's twenty this year. His name is Spandam. Yhness even remembers his name!"

  Cudius chuckled. "Twenty, huh? Not too young. Do you think he's ready for a position?"

  Spandiated, relut to sound overly self-serving. "Yhness, to be ho, he's not very capable…"

  "Hehehe, at least you're ho," Cudius said, amused.

  "How could I dare lie to Yhness?" Spandine replied humbly.

  "Fine, when I return to Mariejois, send him over. He start with some basic duties, serving tea and running errands."

  "Thank you, Yhness! Thank you for your kindness!" Spandine said, overjoyed.

  Cudius shifted back to the inal topic. "As for Tom and Water 7, if you've uncovered this, it means others might too. Tie up all loose ends and ensure no anizatio wind of this. Uood?"

  "Yes, Yhness," Spandine replied immediately.

  "Report to the Woverhat the whereabouts of Pluton might be in Abasta," Cudius instructed.

  "Yes, Yhness!" Spandine aowledged without hesitation.

  "Good. And Spaone down your arrogahe CP agencies have pined about you several times. Watch your attitude."

  "Yes, Yhness. I'll improve," Spandine promised quickly.

  ***

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