Chapter 244: Looking Forward to Soaring into the Sky?

Fujitora smiled in surprise, exclaiming aloud as recognition dawned on him. Meanwhile, Claudius remained calm, smiling as he nodded and said, "It seems you've heard of me?"

CP-X—an infamous and mysterious organization.

The organization's enigmatic reputation had grown significantly over the past decade since its creation by the World Government. Under the leadership of Donquixote Claudius, CP-X had carried out numerous high-profile operations. Yet, much of their work remained shrouded in secrecy, leaving the world guessing about their true scope and objectives.

Although the exact membership of CP-X was unknown, several peripheral agents had been apprehended over the years. However, interrogations rarely yielded useful information. Many of those captured weren't even aware they were part of CP-X, which only added to the organization's mystique.

One individual commonly associated with CP-X, though, was Doflamingo.

There was good reason for this assumption. Doflamingo had worked with CP-X on multiple occasions and shared the Donquixote surname with Claudius. While it wasn't unusual for people in the world to share surnames, the connection seemed too coincidental to ignore. Some speculated that Claudius had personally granted the Donquixote name to Doflamingo, reinforcing his legitimacy.

After all, the Donquixote name belonged to the Celestial Dragons.

In a world where Doflamingo wasn't aligned with Claudius, no one would ever have suspected that he was once a Celestial Dragon. Who could imagine that a member of the "gods" had been betrayed by his father, thrown out of Mariejois, and eventually turned to piracy?

But with Doflamingo's close ties to Claudius, the majority of the world believed there was an 80% chance that he was a core member of CP-X.

Still, neither Claudius nor Doflamingo had ever confirmed or denied the rumors, leaving the world uncertain. Some even speculated that the connection was a deliberate misdirection. After all, would such a secretive organization make such an obvious mistake?

In the past two years, following the events surrounding Totto Land and Cake Island, Claudius's identity had become more prominent. As a result, hearing his name immediately triggered Fujitora's thoughts, prompting his exclamation.

Though a powerful warrior in his own right, Fujitora couldn't help but feel small in comparison to Claudius. Claudius wasn't just a Celestial Dragon; he was also one of the strongest individuals in the world. The image of Claudius overpowering Big Mom—Charlotte Linlin—was still fresh in the minds of many.

Strength aside, their statuses couldn't be more different. Fujitora was a wandering ronin, likely dismissed from his last fishing job, while Claudius was a world-renowned powerhouse.

Fujitora adjusted his posture and composed himself, saying, "CP-X is very well-known, and your strength is unparalleled. Of course, I've heard of you."

Claudius smiled faintly. "Is that so?" He took a sip of tea, his demeanor relaxed and unaffected.

Setting down the cup, Claudius asked, "So, what's your game? What do you like to play?"

Fujitora's shoulders relaxed at the mention of gambling, and he chuckled. "I enjoy simple games, betting big or small. Nothing complicated."

Claudius's smile widened. "What a coincidence. I also enjoy straightforward games like that."

He tapped the bell on the table lightly, and the door opened moments later. Nia stepped inside with a calm demeanor.

Claudius raised an eyebrow. "What's this? Are you moonlighting as a croupier now?"

"Nia, why aren't you with Stussy and the others?" Claudius asked curiously.

Nia smiled and replied, "I figured you might want to have a private conversation with this gentleman. It's better to avoid having an outsider in the room, don't you think?"

Claudius nodded, realizing her reasoning. "That's a good point. I didn't think of that. You're as reliable as ever, always covering for me."

"That's my job," Nia said with a light smile.

In truth, Nia had a valid concern. If a regular croupier had been present, they might overhear something sensitive. Even if they worked for Tesoro, it wasn't worth risking a potential leak. Claudius wasn't the type to recklessly endanger innocent lives, so Nia's decision to step in was both practical and considerate.

Nia took charge of the dice clock as Fujitora and Claudius placed their bets. The game began, interspersed with casual conversation.

Despite his sharp senses, Claudius lacked any real gambling skills. Listening for dice rolls or other tricks wasn't his forte. Fujitora, on the other hand, had terrible luck but refused to cheat, believing that the thrill of gambling lay in the unpredictability of winning and losing.

As a result, the two traded wins and losses, making for an even match.

After a few rounds, Claudius suddenly asked, "From one strong man to another, I can tell you're very powerful. Where did you learn your skills?"

Fujitora hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "I'm just a drifter with no real home. I've done odd jobs here and there, worked at a fishery recently, though I'm probably fired by now."

Claudius raised an eyebrow and called out, "Big!"

Fujitora grinned. "Small!"

Nia opened the dice clock to reveal the result. Claudius laughed. "It seems luck isn't on your side this time. You've got great strength, but if you have no place to go, why not consider joining CP-X?"

Fujitora paused, his smile faltering slightly as he mulled over the proposition. The idea was undeniably tempting. CP-X was a mysterious and powerful organization, offering opportunities he wouldn't find elsewhere.

As a strong fighter, Fujitora had many options. He could join the Marines, ally with the Revolutionary Army, or even become a pirate. His strength alone would earn him respect and a high rank anywhere he went.

Even if he boarded Whitebeard's ship, he could likely become a division commander. And when Whitebeard inevitably passed, he could compete for the position of captain.

This was the privilege of strength: endless possibilities.

Still, Fujitora leaned toward the World Government's side. Though he had his grievances with their policies, his extensive travels had shown him the necessity of order. While the World Government was flawed, its presence maintained stability. Without it, the world would descend into true chaos, a hellish landscape far worse than the current state of affairs.

Fujitora had also observed that many of the World Government's failures stemmed from poor execution rather than malicious intent. Corruption among lower-ranking officials and nobles often exacerbated the public's suffering. The core policies themselves weren't entirely irredeemable.

His thoughts turned to Claudius. "Even among the Celestial Dragons, there are people like him," Fujitora mused. "It seems I've been too quick to judge."

Fujitora believed that reform was possible within the World Government. However, he recognized that starting from the bottom would be an uphill battle. For now, he had been waiting for an opportunity, a moment to rise to a position where he could truly make a difference.

Unbeknownst to him, that moment was still a decade away. In ten years, Fujitora would soar to the heights of Marine Admiral and play a pivotal role in abolishing the Seven Warlords of the Sea.