Spandine had kept himself far from the battlefield the entire time. With his complete ck of combat ability, he feared being accidentally caught in a stray shockwave and meeting an untimely demise.

  As Cudius's loyal subordinate and an expert sycophant, Spandine had no desire to die pointlessly. Cudius, for his part, had also ordered him to stay put. He didn't want Spandine getting himself killed when he was far more useful alive. So, the man had been stationed at the sea train terminal.

  Now, the station was practically deserted. All but one sea train had departed, taking the civilians to safety. The vast hall stood empty, save for a group of CP-X agents in bck suits waiting in silent formation.

  Spandine paced restlessly. He rubbed his chin and muttered to himself, "The sounds of battle have stopped. His Highness and the others should be returning soon... right?"

  He wasn't worried about their victory.

  Two Marine Admirals, Lucci, and His Highness Cudius himself? He'd have sooner bet on pigs sprouting wings than on that team losing.

  He remembered a conversation he'd once had with Lucci. He'd asked the young assassin how he measured his strength compared to an Admiral. Lucci had replied, "I haven't fought one, but I'm confident I wouldn't lose."

  Spandine had taken that confidence to heart. He figured Lucci might not actually be Admiral-level, but if the fight was at least 5–5 or 4–6, that was still terrifyingly impressive.

  And then there was Cudius. The Celestial Dragon who beat Big Mom into submission. Spandine couldn't imagine any scenario where this mission would fail, unless Whitebeard himself suddenly came charging in with his entire fleet.

  And if that happened, the whole isnd would already be gone.

  His musings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps echoing from outside.

  Laughter and casual conversation followed. The tension drained from Spandine's body. They're back.

  Moments ter, Cudius walked in first, fnked by Borsalino and Kuzan. All three appeared completely untouched, clothes crisp, not a hair out of pce. It was as though they'd just returned from a springtime stroll rather than a fierce battle.

  Behind them came Lucci and the rest of the CP-X team. Lucci moved with his usual rigid, military precision, his eyes locked straight ahead as he followed Cudius like a shadow.

  Next came Kalifa, Jabra, Kaku, and Blueno. Kaku and Blueno were dragging Weevil's unconscious, bulky body between them. The oversized pirate hung limply, his short legs swaying comically with each step.

  Jabra strolled behind them, one hand casually gripping Buckin's unconscious form by the colr. The old woman dangled like a ragdoll.

  Not a single scratch on our side.

  Spandine broke into a wide smile. Of course it turned out like this. How could it not?

  He hurried over and bowed low before Cudius.

  "Your Highness! As expected, there's nothing you can't handle!" he said with his usual sycophantic enthusiasm.

  Cudius chuckled. "Spandine, you didn't disappoint me either. You did a great job with Lucci. The kid's a monster."

  Hearing Cudius's praise made Spandine practically glow.

  Lucci was his protégé, after all. He'd helped mold the young assassin into what he was today. And though he rarely said it aloud, Spandine considered Lucci like a surrogate son, especially since his own child wasn't exactly Admiral material.

  He bowed again. "I'm honored, Your Highness. Training Lucci was my pleasure!"

  Cudius gave a satisfied nod. "Get these two locked up and prepare to transfer them to Marineford."

  "Yes, Your Highness. Everything's ready," Spandine said promptly.

  He turned and gestured toward the CP-X agents. The team immediately advanced, snapping seastone cuffs onto Weevil and Buckin before hauling them toward the waiting sea train.

  Borsalino and Kuzan climbed into the train car together, while Lucci and his team followed to oversee the prisoners.

  Cudius remained on the ptform, watching Spandine with an expression that shifted from amusement to something softer.

  He realized that Spandine had been at his side for over a decade now. The man had started as an ambitious, sharp-tongued opportunist, but he'd proven himself fiercely loyal. Cudius had trusted him with countless sensitive operations, and Spandine had never failed him.

  His hair had more gray in it now, and his face bore the lines of long years in service.

  Cudius cpped a hand on his shoulder.

  Spandine froze, wide-eyed. His boss didn't hand out gestures of affection often.

  "Spandine," Cudius said, his tone unusually soft. "How long have we been doing this together?"

  Spandine's mind raced for the answer. After a moment, he smiled.

  "Your Highness, it's been fifteen years. You recruited me at the end of 1500, just after the Great Pirate Era kicked off."

  "Fifteen years…" Cudius repeated, more to himself than anyone else.

  "Yes. You were working on the Seven Warlords of the Sea project and came to Water 7 to see Tom about building your ship. That's when I started working with you."

  Cudius chuckled softly. "Time flies, huh?"

  "It does indeed, Your Highness."

  "For all these years, I've kept you running around like crazy. Never gave you a proper break, did I?"

  Spandine shook his head vigorously. "Your Highness, serving you has been the greatest honor of my life! Besides, thanks to you, I've made something of myself. Walk into any meeting nowadays, and I can make some pretty big waves."

  He hesitated for a second before adding, "I mean... not to brag, but I've ridden your coattails all the way to the top."

  Cudius ughed at the honesty. "Well, you're not wrong. You have quite the reputation these days. And your power base with CP-X isn't exactly small either."

  Spandine straightened his posture slightly, pride evident on his face.

  Cudius gave his shoulder another pat. "The World Summit's coming soon. After that, big changes are coming. And when they do... I'll be putting even more on your pte. Think you can handle it?"

  Spandine's eyes glistened. He gave a sharp nod.

  "Your Highness, I've always been power-hungry. If you told me to retire tomorrow, I'd be miserable. Give me more responsibilities. I'll take them all."

  Cudius's lips twitched into a grin. "You're a greedy bastard, Spandine."

  "Absolutely, Your Highness."

  The two men shared a brief ugh.

  Then Cudius's tone turned more serious. "What we're pnning... it's going to change the world. And if it goes south, we'll be going down together."

  Spandine's smile didn't waver. "Your Highness... you've never lost before. Why would that change now?"

  Cudius blinked.

  Spandine's grin widened. "And even if we fail, what better way to go out than alongside a legend like you?"

  For a moment, Cudius was silent. Then he ughed again, low and genuine.

  "You're right," he said, squeezing Spandine's shoulder. "I've never lost before. And I'm not about to start now. Get ready, Spandine. Promotion and fortune are headed your way."

  Spandine bowed low. "Thank you, Your Highness. I won't let you down."