Chapter 193: CP-X's Business Empire System Takes Shape!

At the bustling port of the Sabaody Archipelago, a large, grand ship docked. The ship's flag bore the symbol of a Pele coin, a clear sign of a merchant vessel. Its imposing size and polished appearance gave off an air of wealth and prosperity.

As the gangplank was lowered, a man with a striking presence disembarked. He wore an ostentatious pink suit, a bold statement in itself. His slicked-back hair shone under the sunlight, and a pair of black sunglasses hid his eyes. Gold adorned him from head to toe: every finger had a ring, and a massive chain hung heavily around his neck. He exuded the unmistakable aura of wealth, though it teetered on the edge of being overdone.

This man was none other than Gild Tesoro.

Since parting ways with Claudius, Tesoro had fully embraced the opportunities presented to him. He understood Claudius's subtle directives and plunged headfirst into the shipping business, quickly mastering its intricacies. But shipping was just the beginning, he expanded his ventures, establishing casinos on various islands.

One of his proudest achievements was a partnership with Crocodile. Together, they had invested in Alabasta's Rainland, constructing the massive and opulent casino city, Rain Dinners. Additionally, Tesoro had forged an alliance with Doflamingo, becoming a key player in the latter's dark-world operations by acting as a "freight contractor."

Despite having less than a year to work with, Tesoro's rapid success spoke volumes about his business acumen. His ventures flourished, exceeding all expectations.

Now, with his sights set even higher, Tesoro dreamed of creating the world's largest entertainment hub. It would be an all-encompassing city with a casino at its core, surrounded by various entertainment and leisure facilities.

Originally, Tesoro had planned to head to the New World to further expand his reach. However, when he received Claudius's summons, he immediately set aside his plans and rushed to the Sabaody Archipelago. Luckily, he was already in the vicinity, so Claudius didn't have to wait long.

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At the Marine outpost on Sabaody Archipelago, Claudius was inspecting the area while enjoying a cup of tea.

The moment Tesoro saw Claudius, he didn't hesitate to rush forward. In a dramatic display of loyalty, he dropped to his knees before Claudius and said respectfully, "Your Highness, it's been far too long. Your most loyal servant, Tesoro, is here to pay his respects."

Claudius raised an eyebrow, smirking at the display. "Looks like you've been spending too much time with Spandine. Not bad, you've managed to pick up his flair for flattery. Get up already."

Tesoro stood up with a wide grin. "Spandine is a vital part of CP-X. His spy network spans the world, and many of his operatives hold important positions. Maintaining a good relationship with him has proven invaluable for my business dealings, as I'm sure Your Highness has noticed."

Claudius chuckled. "I've heard about your exploits. You've done well, Tesoro—better than I expected. Keep it up."

Tesoro's face lit up with joy at the compliment. "Thank you, Your Highness. I'll make sure to live up to your expectations!"

Claudius nodded, setting his teacup down. "I didn't call you here just for pleasantries. I've got something for you to handle."

"Whatever Your Highness commands," Tesoro replied without hesitation.

"Well," Claudius began, leaning back slightly, "it's business-related. Since I intend for you to oversee CP-X's financial operations in the future, why don't you guess what I'm about to ask of you?"

Tesoro fell silent, his brow furrowing in thought. He had been pondering this very question on his journey here. After a moment, he ventured a guess.

"Is it about Umit, the so-called 'Shipping King'? The wolf who doesn't know how to show gratitude? Are you planning to deal with him and have me take over his operations?"

Claudius laughed heartily. "Smart guess."

Tesoro grinned. "I recall Your Highness mentioning Umit before. That's why I initially focused on the shipping industry, it seemed like the logical step. I've already gained some experience in the field, and I'm prepared to take over whenever you see fit."

Claudius's expression turned approving. Umit had been on his radar for a long time. While the man had initially been respectful, his growing influence and arrogance had begun to show cracks in his loyalty.

Claudius had tolerated him, biding his time and letting Umit's business flourish under his shadow. But now that Tesoro had proven himself a capable successor, the time had come to cut Umit loose.

"Exactly," Claudius said. "It's time for you to replace Umit. This will allow you to consolidate your position and give you the resources you need to pursue your ambitions. But that's just one part of the plan. Care to take another guess?"

Tesoro smirked, realizing that Claudius wouldn't summon him for something as straightforward as taking over Umit's business. There had to be more to it.

After some thought, he said, "Perhaps it's about the business opportunities on Fish-Man Island? Your Highness has invested a lot there recently. It seems like you're laying the groundwork for something big. Fish-Man Island has enormous potential, if its wealth can be tapped, the returns will be limitless."

Claudius's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Very good, Tesoro. You're right. Fish-Man Island represents a gold mine of untapped potential. And with the groundwork we've laid, it's time to turn that potential into profit. I'll leave the management of Fish-Man Island's commercial ventures to you."

Tesoro straightened, determination shining in his eyes. "I won't let you down, Your Highness."

Claudius nodded. "But there's one more task, one even bigger than the first two. Can you guess?"

This time, Tesoro hesitated. He scratched his head, trying to think of what could be larger than taking over Umit's shipping empire or managing Fish-Man Island's wealth. After a while, he shook his head. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I can't figure it out."

Claudius smiled knowingly. "That's no surprise, it's a classified matter. Few people know about it. But if we succeed, it will lay the foundation for something that could last a century or even a millennium. Pay close attention, Tesoro."

Tesoro's breath hitched, excitement flickering in his eyes. He could feel the weight of the trust Claudius was placing in him.

"Your Highness, I'm listening," Tesoro said solemnly.

Claudius's tone became serious. "Marine scientists have developed a new technology that allows safe passage through the Calm Belt, reducing much of the associated risk. Using Amazon Lily as a central hub, we plan to expand operations throughout the Calm Belt. With the labor force from Fish-Man Island, we'll extract resources from the sea floor—minerals, rare materials, and more."

He continued, "Your job will be to oversee the development of this project and ensure the resources are sold efficiently. Combine this with Umit's shipping network, and the possibilities are endless. The Calm Belt is a treasure trove waiting to be unlocked. Do you understand the importance of this mission?"

Tesoro's voice was steady, filled with resolve. "I understand perfectly, Your Highness. I'll give it everything I have."

Claudius smiled warmly. "Good. But don't overburden yourself. Let me know if you need support."

Tesoro grinned. "There's no such thing as too much work when it comes to serving you, Your Highness. Besides, I've already started assembling a team. When the time is right, I'll introduce them to you."

Claudius leaned back, satisfied. The foundation of CP-X's business empire was solidifying, and with talents like Tesoro at the helm, the future looked brighter than ever.