One Piece: King of the World

Chapter 247 – Welcome to CP-X!

Fujitora smiled to himself.

At this moment, he found himself genuinely intrigued by CP-X—or at least by the version of CP-X that Claudius had described.

It didn't sound like a purely violent organization, but rather one that worked quietly behind the scenes to benefit the people. The idea that a faction of the Celestial Dragons could represent the will of the World Government for reform? That was something remarkable, almost destined.

The only thing holding him back was the thought of the Marines. If he joined CP-X, wouldn't that mean he was giving up any future with the Marines?

For years, Fujitora had dreamed of joining the Marines, upholding justice and protecting the innocent. That aspiration had been a driving force in his life. The idea of abandoning it entirely stirred a faint sense of reluctance.

But the thought of CP-X kindled an unfamiliar enthusiasm within him. After all, joining CP-X would still be a way of serving justice, wouldn't it?

It wasn't that he doubted Claudius, how could someone of such high status need to trick him? Fujitora was confident in his own abilities, but he wasn't so conceited as to think he was the most important person in the world. A Celestial Dragon had no reason to spin an elaborate tale just to deceive him.

Besides, he could always approach this cautiously. He could join CP-X, observe its operations firsthand, and make a decision from there. If CP-X turned out to be a morally bankrupt organization focused only on maintaining the World Government's authority, then he could always walk away. And if it came to that... well, joining the Revolutionary Army might still be an option.

Yes, that was the plan.

What Fujitora couldn't have known, however, was that Claudius already had certain ties to Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army. If Fujitora had stopped to consider Claudius's words more deeply, he might have realized that Claudius, a Celestial Dragon who kept pirate allies, might also have connections to revolutionaries.

But that possibility was too far-fetched to be believed. It never even crossed his mind.

Still, Claudius wasn't entirely sure how to proceed. He felt as though backtracking might compromise his own dignity, but he couldn't just leave things hanging awkwardly.

Fortunately, Nia who had served Claudius for years, immediately picked up on the situation. As an experienced and perceptive attendant, she spoke up in a soft tone. "Your Highness, you seem to admire Lord Fujitora greatly. Meeting such a talented individual amidst the vastness of the seas is no small opportunity. Wouldn't it be worth helping him, perhaps by recommending him to the Marines?"

Nia's suggestion provided a graceful way forward. Claudius gave her a subtle look of approval before turning his attention back to Fujitora.

Fujitora, meanwhile, was momentarily stunned. Was he really this sought after?

Claudius nodded and said, "Nia makes a fair point. Whether you join CP-X or the Marines, you'd still be working for the World Government and striving to make the world a better place.

"I do have some influence within the Marines. If you're interested, I could recommend you for a position, though I'm afraid the best I could manage is getting you appointed as a Rear Admiral. Beyond that..." Claudius trailed off, shaking his head slightly.

Rear Admiral? Fujitora's heart stirred. Claudius's words carried a casual tone, but they revealed just how much power and influence he wielded.

After a brief pause, Claudius's eyes lit up. "You know, CP-X and the Marines frequently work together. If you're hesitant, you don't need to rush. Join CP-X for now, and when the time is right, I'll help you build the trust and qualifications you need to transfer to the Marines. Who knows? You might even become an Admiral one day!"

Claudius chuckled, clearly joking, but Fujitora found his words oddly compelling. This was the best of both worlds, wasn't it? Joining CP-X would allow him to test the waters, and if it didn't align with his ideals, he could still leave. On the other hand, if CP-X turned out to be the organization he hoped it was, then he'd have no reason to go anywhere else.

Having thought it through, Fujitora smiled and said, "Your Highness Claudius, after all you've said, how could I refuse? To do so would make me seem ungrateful."

"Hahaha! That's excellent to hear," Claudius replied with a grin. He extended his hand. "Welcome to CP-X."

Fujitora clasped Claudius's hand with a firm grip, sealing their agreement. In that moment, a new superior-subordinate relationship was born.