In the middle of the Sea Circle dar year 1497, rgely unnoticed by the world, a new anization called Happy Street began to emerge and expand within the underworld. Meanwhile, Umit had essentially taken trol of the shipping business in Mariejois.

  This small ripple, like a butterfly fpping its wings, might seem insignifit now, but could lead to major ges iure.

  Ihe grand paariejois, Cudius sat leisurely in a rog chair, engrossed in a book. His butler, Nia, ehe study holding an at ledger.

  Hearing the door open, Cudius gnced up and smiled at Nia.

  Nia returhe smile and said, "I saw Crocodile st out earlier. Did he upset you again, Yhness?"

  "Me? No, not at all. I'm far too generous for that. It's just that he lost to me again during our m training, and instead of closing the gap between us, it seems to have widened. He's been sulking all day."

  Cudius chuckled softly.

  Nia, clearly not surprised, shrugged. "Crocodile might be skilled, but how could he pare to you, Yhness? Of course he lost."

  "W for free, is he? He should be ashamed," Nia tinued with a snicker. "You've fed him, given him drink, eve him study Zephyr's teags without charge, aill dares to challenge you. If he loses, it's only what he deserves."

  Cudius smiled again. "Young talents need proper nurturing. Let him struggle now. One day, he might grow into someone worth my attention."

  ging the topiia pced the ledger on Cudius' desk. "Yhness, this is Umit's at book for the year. As per reement, he's given us 30% of his profits. That's about four billion Berries."

  "Not bad," Cudius hough he didn't bother looking at the ledger. He trusted Nia pletely when it came to finances.

  Though Umit had aligned himself with Cudius, Cudius never fully trusted the man. Umit was ambitious, and Cudius sehat deep down. So, he didn't bring Umit into CP-X or any of his inner circles. Instead, he just demanded 30% of Umit's business profits annually iation.

  Cudius had noticed Umit's reluce, but as a powerful Celestial Dragon, and with the bag of the Five Elders, Cudius could shut down Umit's business with a mere word. Umit had no choice but to ply.

  "Any issues with the at?" Cudius asked.

  "No discrepahe numbers check out," Nia replied.

  "Good. Split it in half. Send one half to Stussy, ahe rest for emergencies. Umit might be obedient now, but we 't be too sure about the future."

  Nia then asked, "Would you prefer to repce him? After all, someone like him be sed out any time."

  Cudius shook his head. "Not yet. He's petent enough for now. Once his business gre enough, and I find someone more reliable, I'll take both him and his empire iroke."

  Seeing that Cudius had no further pns for Umit at the moment, Nia moved on. "There's news from the Sabaody Archipeger's crew has been spotted there again."

  "Roger, huh?" Cudius mused, a smile pying on his lips. "This might be the st time they ehe New World."

  By mid-1497, Cudius khat in about a year and a half, Roger would find the final isnd, Raftel, and bee the Pirate King a title that would threaten the Wover. Afterward, Roger would disband his crew, marry in South Blue, and then, with his health failing, surreo the Marines. His execution i Blue's Loguetown would mark the start of the Great Pirate Era.

  "Did Garp catch them?" Cudius asked.

  "No, unfortunately. Garp Vice Admiral is currently in the New World. Roger's crew has been spotted in a tavern in the wless area," Nia replied.

  "A tavern? Could it be Shakky's Rip-off Bar?" Cudius asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Nia was surprised. "How did you know, Yhness?"

  Cudius chuckled. "That pce is a little famous for more than just its drinks. Some people fall in love there, you know?"

  If memory served, that tavern was where Silvers Rayleigh and Shakky started their romance. Rayleigh would ter retire in Sabaody and live there with Shakky.

  Nia smiled, though a bit fused. "I get the feeling you're alarticurly ied in news aber's crew, Yhness. Why is that?"

  Cudius ughed heartily. "Roger was the first pirate bold enough to invite me aboard his ship. Besides, I've got a feeling that they'll do something truly world-shaking soon."

  "Regardless, Yhness, you should prepare. Zephyr will be arriving shortly to see you," Nia informed him.

  "See me? Why?"

  "I heard there was an attaarineford's residential area by a group of pirates. Zephyr's family was caught up in it."

  Marineford, the headquarters of the Navy, housed not only Marine officers but also their families. Retly, a group of pirates had the audacity to attack the living quarters, causing a huge sdal and embarrassing the Navy.

  Zephyr's family was one of the targets, but Cudius had made arras years ago to station CP-0 operatives in Marineford. Thanks to their prote, Zephyr's family was unharmed.

  Zephyr, having discovered that Cudius had secretly protected his family, was now ing to thank him personally.

  After putting the pieces together, Cudius houghtfully. "Zephyr's visit is timely. I had something I wao ask him anyarticurly about the Marine Sit."

  "The Sit? Why are you ied in them, Yhness?" Nia asked, curious.

  Cudius smirked. "Well, as head of CP-X, I rank the same as the leaders of the CP anizations, the Fleet Admiral of the Marines, and others. I'm not directly under any military and, but cooperation is only natural. Marine's sce division might have some iing projects, don't you think? At the very least, I'm curious to see if there's anything that could enhahe power of the Marsh-Marsh Fruit."

  Not long after, Zephyr arrived at the gates of the paia went out to greet him, and soon he was escorted to Cudius.

  Cudius hadn't seen Zephyr in some time, but upon seeing him, he smiled warmly. "Zephyr, it's been a while."

  Zephyr strode over quickly and grabbed Cudius by the arm, his expression sincere. "Yhness, thank you. If it weren't for you, I don't know what might have happeo my family."

  Cudius waved him off casually. "No need for thanks, Zephyr. I barely remember making those arras."

  "Even so, Yhness, you saved their lives. I owe you a great debt," Zephyr said, his tone serious.

  After exging more pleasahe two sat down. Cudius, always quick with a jest, said, "Zephyr, I must say, you've been a bit negligent this time. Isn't today rather important?"

  Zephyr blinked, fused. "Important? Is today a special day?"

  Cudius stared at him. "You don't kner's crew is in Sabaody Archipeght now. Aren't you pnning to capture them?"

  Zephyr chuckled, shaking his head. "Ah, Yhness, you're not aware. I've already resigned from my position in the Marines."

  "Resigned?" Cudius was genuinely surprised. "You're leaving the Navy?"

  "irely. I'm stepping down from the position of Admiral. Ret events have made me reflect deeply. I'm no longer suited for the responsibilities of an Admiral, especially iurbulent times. I think it's better for me to retire from active duty and focus on training the geion of Marines," Zephyr expined with a calm smile.