199. The First Cooperation Between The Three Major Institutions!

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Graeme needs to help the Five Elders make money, but Akira knows that suggesting this goes against common sense. Instead, he should be thinking of ways to bring down the bank, right?

But after some thought, Akira realized that even if CP's bank was destroyed, it wouldn't change the cautious nature of the Five Elders. They wouldn't suddenly trust the Marines to handle things independently. The most likely outcome would be the cancellation of the entire project, like it never existed. For the Five Elders, "stability" and "unchangeability" are what matter most.

Plus, CP is already destined to fall under Akira's control. Any money earned from Marine's confiscated properties would eventually find its way back to him anyway. So, Akira thought, "I have to help."

However, he couldn't act directly or risk giving the Five Elders any hint of his involvement. The connection between him and CP had to remain invisible. That meant CP needed a true money-making genius.

At that moment, a name popped into Akira's mind: Gild Tesoro!

In the future, Tesoro controls 20% of the entire world's wealth—a real financial mastermind. Because of his connection to Stella, he can't join the Marines, but he'd be perfect for CP, making money for Akira behind the scenes.

With a smile, Akira turned to Graeme and said, "Your CP has a money-making genius. Just go and take him. Give him full authority."

"Who is it?" Graeme asked, clearly puzzled. He had no recollection of such a talent being under his command.

If anyone else had said this, he might have been skeptical, maybe even dismissive. But since it came from Akira, the one personally endorsing it, Graeme had no reason to doubt.

"Gild Tesoro," Akira said.

"No impression," Graeme muttered as he searched his memory but came up blank.

"He's in CP, go look for him," Akira responded calmly. He wasn't surprised by Graeme's confusion. After all, Tesoro was still a small-time figure at this stage, yet to display his true talents. If Akira didn't already know the future, even he might not recognize Tesoro's potential if the man was standing right in front of him.

"Alright, I'll have my people track him down as soon as I get back," Graeme agreed, nodding seriously.

"One more thing," Akira added, "this guy holds a grudge against me. You can use that to your advantage."

"Grudge against you? Got it. I know how to handle it." A cold gleam flickered in Graeme's eyes, though he didn't say much more on the matter.

With their next steps set, the conversation between them fell quiet. Both turned their attention toward the director's office.

At the door, Magellan and the other wardens stood by, waiting anxiously. A dozen pairs of eyes, filled with expectation and nervousness, were focused on them.

Akira smiled slightly, raising his hand and signaling for Magellan to approach.

"Director, Fleet Admiral Akira seems to be calling you," one of the wardens whispered to Magellan.

"You all wait here," Magellan instructed, taking a deep breath before striding forward with purpose.

Under the watchful gaze of everyone, Magellan approached Akira and Graeme.

As the three of them began their discussion, the wardens whispered among themselves.

"Do you think the CP0 captain will agree?"

"I'm not sure, but I hope so. This might actually cover up this whole shameful mess."

"Why did Fleet Admiral Akira go out of his way to help us?" one of the wardens muttered. "If I remember right, we almost clashed with him not too long ago."

"You idiot! How can you say something like that right now? Fleet Admiral Akira's mind isn't as petty as yours!" another warden snapped, clearly annoyed.

"You're right. If CP0 really agrees to our proposal, Fleet Admiral Akira will be like a father to me from now on," someone else chimed in, half-joking.

"Agreed! If he trains here in the future, I won't care what he does. He could capture all the female pirates just for comfort, and I'd still support him!"

The wardens continued their chatter, voicing their hopes for a successful outcome. Even Deputy Director Hannyabal, who constantly dreamed of becoming the director, couldn't help but share in their enthusiasm about the situation.

Meanwhile, the CP0 agents standing behind them exchanged glances and shrugged. They were well aware of the dynamics at play. Being resurrected by Akira from the past, they already had a good idea of what decision their captain would make. If Akira, their master, asked for something, the captain wouldn't refuse.

"Hey, look! The director seems really excited," a sharp-eyed warden suddenly pointed out, causing a stir.

Everyone quickly turned their attention.

At that moment, Magellan—who normally wore a fierce expression to intimidate others—was grinning from ear to ear. Whatever news he had just heard from Akira must have been good. He gripped Akira's hand tightly, overflowing with gratitude.

Seeing this, the wardens began to speculate, feeling their hearts lift with excitement.

"Wait... could it be...?"

They exchanged glances, and without saying a word, they could all see the joy reflected in each other's eyes.

Apart from Graeme's promise to help cover up the situation, the wardens couldn't think of any other reason that would make their director so excited at a time like this.

Once everything was settled, the leaders of the three major institutions stepped forward. Akira stood in the center, with Graeme on his left and Magellan on his right, clearly establishing the hierarchy of the moment.

Graeme spoke in a deep, commanding tone: "If you can recapture all the escaped prisoners within a week, I can suppress what happened today and treat it as a minor riot."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Otherwise, I will have to report it truthfully."

Everyone listened in silence as Graeme continued, "And let me make this clear—this issue has nothing to do with CP. The only reason I'm agreeing to help is out of respect for Fleet Admiral Akira."

His eyes swept over the wardens, his tone hardening. "So, I expect you all to keep quiet. If you can't hold your tongues and harm CP, there will be consequences."

Graeme wasn't just making empty threats. Although he had agreed to Akira's request, he wasn't going to let CP be dragged down if someone from Impel Down slipped up and leaked the truth. A warning was necessary to protect his own interests.

After Graeme finished speaking, there was a long, stunned silence. The wardens stared back, wide-eyed and speechless, clearly dumbfounded.

They hadn't expected this at all.

The seemingly stern and uncompromising CP0 captain had been persuaded by Fleet Admiral Akira to take a risk on their behalf.

The only sound breaking the silence was the collective gasps from the wardens, who were now trying to process the unexpected turn of events.

"Hiss...!"