One Piece: King of the World - Chapter 245: Rayleigh—“Who’s the one badmouthing me all the time?”

... he World Government, but his strength and self-awareness made him reluctant to start from the bottom. It wasn't just arrogance, though that played a part, but also the pragmatic realization that he simply didn't have the time to waste climbing the ranks.

After all, if he had to spend years building a reputation and earning trust, wouldn't that time be better spent gambling?

But now, an opportunity had presented itself. Claudius, of all people, had personally approached him. This ...