<h4>Chapter 164: Chapter 164: The World Government’s First Evil Dog?</h4>


    Inside udius''s pce, he sat in his study, a calm and refined atmosphere enveloping the room. Two teacups were ced on the table, and an expensive incense burned steadily, its soothing fragrance aiding concentration and tranquility.


    In his hand, udius held a book he had brought back from Fish-Man Ind. It detailed the customs and culture of the ind, and at the moment, his attention was fixed on a section describing Fish-Man Street.


    Fish-Man Street''s history was neither too long nor too short. Years ago, it had already been thergest and most chaotic area on Fish-Man Ind, a ce crawling with troublemakers. At that time, it was barely under control.


    A few years back, the royal pce of Ryugu Kingdom attempted reforms, transforming Fish-Man Street into thergest orphanage on the ind, hoping to bring order to the chaos.


    But corruption, as always, found its way. It wasn''t unique to the World Government—every organization and nation was vulnerable. Even the Revolutionary Army wasn''t exempt from traitors.


    Due to mismanagement and ack of oversight, the original chaos of Fish-Man Street returned. However, this time, the situation worsened.


    When the orphans were relocated there, they became fresh recruits for the existing gangs and criminals, adding fuel to the fire. As a result, Fish-Man Street devolved into the most dangerous and anarchic ce on Fish-Man Ind. Previously, it had been somewhat manageable; now, even the royal pce was powerless against it.


    "Failed reforms often lead to greater chaos. I guess that principle holds true no matter the world," udius murmured as he flipped through the book.


    Combining what he read with what he had observed firsthand, he came to a conclusion. "The root of Fish-Man Ind''s problems is the absence of a strong leader. Without decisive leadership, situations like this are inevitable." He smiled faintly, his thoughts wandering.


    While King Neptune of Ryugu Pce was a good ruler who genuinely cared about his people, hecked the iron will necessary to deal with chaos. In such turbulent times, a strong hand was essential.


    udius thought about Hody Jones, a figure who would rise in the future. Though Hody''s goals were undeniably malicious, his methods were brutally effective. He captured pirates who dared to wreak havoc on Fish-Man Ind and turned them into ves, asserting a twisted form of order.


    When udiuspared Neptune to someone like Hody, he couldn''t help but shake his head. Neptune, despite being born into royalty, almost had his reign ended by someone like Hody. If Neptune had adopted even half of Hody''s ruthlessness, Fish-Man Ind wouldn''t have suffered so much under the pirates'' exploitation.


    But in the grand scheme of things, udius saw Neptune''s weakness as an advantage for his own ns. A weaker king made it easier for udius to maneuver. "I have no intention of educating Neptune. As long as he follows my arrangements and helps me achieve my goals, that''s enough. All I need is for Fish-Man Ind to work under me."


    As these thoughts swirled in his mind, there was a knock at the study door. udius''s butler, Nia, entered and bowed slightly. "Your Highness, Fisher Tiger has been cleaned up. Should I bring him in to see you?"


    udius nodded casually. "Let him in."


    Nia nodded, stepped back, and momentster, Fisher Tiger walked into the room.


    The towering Fish-Man, his red skin covered in whip scars, looked physically strong despite his weary expression. On his chest, the hateful symbol of a Celestial Dragon''s hoof had been burned into his flesh. His eyes, filled with a mix of wariness and suppressed hatred, fixed on udius.


    Despite the hatred gleaming in his gaze, Tiger stopped just inside the room, bent his knees slightly, and prepared to kneel. He had been a ve long enough to know the rituals necessary to survive in the presence of a Celestial Dragon.


    Fisher Tiger was a man who could endure humiliation when it served his purposes. If kneeling to udius could give him a chance, he wouldn''t hesitate. But in his heart, he swore: If I get the chance, I''ll burn Mariejois to the ground.


    Before his knees touched the ground, he felt an invisible force stop him mid-motion. Surprised, he hesitated as udius spoke, his tone calm andposed.


    "There''s no need for unnecessary gestures," udius said. "From the hatred in your eyes, I can tell you''re not someone who''s willing to bow to me. Kneeling would be meaningless. Take a seat."


    If not for their opposing positions, udius would have admired Fisher Tiger. The man had the courage to set Mariejois aze and free countless ves, showing extraordinary bravery and a sense of responsibility. That, in itself, was worthy of respect.


    However, udius was still a Celestial Dragon, and someone like Tiger, who sought to destroy his "hometown," was ultimately a threat to his interests. Allowing Tiger''s rebellion to flourish would disgrace the Celestial Dragons and the World Government, something udius would never tolerate.


    Even so, udius believed in giving respect where it was due. There was no need to humiliate a man like Tiger by forcing him to kneel.


    Fisher Tiger remained silent, his eyes now tinged with confusion. He studied udius for a moment before stepping forward and taking the seat across from him.


    On the table before him was a cup of tea. Without waiting for udius to say anything, Tiger picked it up and drank.


    "Although I don''t know your intentions, I''ll thank you for removing my ve cor," Fisher Tiger said after setting the cup down.


    udius closed the book in his hands and smiled faintly. "I don''t have a habit of putting cors on people unless it''s absolutely necessary."


    "That means, like the others, you keep ves," Fisher Tiger said quietly.


    udius didn''t deny it. Although he rarely relied on ves, it was true that he owned some. However, unlike others who enved innocents, udius only kept criminals pirates and other scum under his control.


    "Yes, I do. But not many. And those I keep are hardly innocent," udius replied honestly.


    Fisher Tiger was silent for a moment before nodding slightly. "Thank you for your honesty."


    "Nothing to thank me for," udius said with a faint smile. After a brief pause, he added, "I haven''t introduced myself yet. My name is Donquixote udius, a Celestial Dragon here in Mariejois.


    "I don''t know how long you''ve been a ve, but if it hasn''t been too long, you might have heard of me."


    A sharp glint appeared in Fisher Tiger''s eyes. Although he''d been given a bath and some clean clothes, this was the first time he learned the name of the man before him.


    He had heard of Donquixote udius, a Celestial Dragon unlike any other. udius''s reputation had reached even the darkest corners of the sea. He was the mysterious leader of CP-X, a man whose name alone inspired fear and awe.


    "Donquixote udius," Fisher Tiger said softly, his tone heavy with meaning. "The legendary and elusive leader of CP-X. Your name is known across the seas, but your face... No one ever sees it."


    udius smiled, pleased by the recognition. "So, it seems my reputation precedes me?"


    "In our eyes," Fisher Tiger replied, his voice calm but cutting, "you''re the World Government''s most vicious dog. Now that I know you''re a Celestial Dragon, the title suits you even more."


    ***


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