In addition to the growing number of familiar faces in the crowd, Crocodile had also blended into the sea of onlookers. His oraightforward demeanor had started to evolve, as he leaned more and more into the image of a pirate. Standing not far from him was a man with an imposing and ominous figure, Moria. His sharp, ghastly appearance made him stand out, and like everyone else, he seemed eager to withe execution of Gol D. Roger.

  Above them all, perched on the roof of a nearby building, stood a man in a kabuto cap and a long cloak. It was her than the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon, watg everything unfold with quiet iy.

  Cudius, unaware on's presence, was engaged in versation with his cousin, Dofmingo. However, Dragon's sharp eyes had already spotted Cudius among the crowd. His gaze shifted to Dofmingo, and a slight frown crossed his face.

  "So, he's ected to the Donquixote family of North Blue," Dragon muttered to himself. "Could Dofmingo be the hidden power bag Cudius? But from what I remember, the Donquixote family wasn't supposed to be particurly iial anymore…"

  Since Roger's capture, Dragon had been suspicious that Cudius possessed some secret force that allowed him to achieve what no one else had. Now, seeing Dofmingo and his ente, Dragon's suspis only deepened. Still, even with this realization, he couldn't quite figure out how Cudius had mao capture Roger.

  Meanwhile, Cudius and Dofmingo tiheir versation.

  "Cousin," Dofmingo began with a grin, "after Roger's execution, I pn to ehe Grand Line as a pirate."

  "Oh? You're leaving North Blue behind?" Cudius asked with an amused smile.

  "North Blue is too small," Dofmingo replied, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "I've stirred things up enough there. It's time to head to the Grand Line—aually, New World. Once I've built up enough power, I'll return to cim what the Donquixote family once owned."

  Cudius raised an eyebrow. "Ah, I see. You mean Dressrosa—the kingdom that was once ours, ba the day?"

  "Exactly," Dofmingo said, a dangerous light flickering in his eyes. "Eight hundred years ago, we ruled Dressrosa. If I 't return to Mariejois, then I'll take back what rightfully belongs to us. It's time."

  Cudius chuckled, impressed by his cousin's boldness. "You've got a point. If you mao seize Dressrosa, I'll make sure the paperwoes through properly. I'll see to it that you're reized as the rightful king."

  Dofmingo ughed, his trademark grin widening. "Furafurufurufu! Then I'll owe you one, cousin. It seems you've solidified your standing in Mariejois. Has that rat La been giving you any trouble?"

  At the mention of La, Cudius's expression darkened for a moment, before he waved it off with a smirk. "Give me trouble? Do you think I'm still the same as I was back then? I'm an upper Celestial Dragon now. La should t himself lucky if I leave him alone. He's in no position to give me trouble."

  Dofmingo's eyes widened in surprise. "Upper Celestial Dragon? Already?"

  Cudius nodded, looking satisfied. "I made a deal with the Five Elders. If CP-X could capture Roger, they'd promote me to the upper ranks. They've fulfilled their end of the bargain."

  Dofmingo's griurned, sharper than ever. "So, cousin, does that mean you'll finally deal with La? After all, he caused you quite a bit of trouble ba the day."

  Cudius's eyes gleamed dangerously. "I've moved past what happened back then. But if La crosses my path ets in my way… well, acts happen, don't they? Especially with things about to get chaotic."

  Dofmingo smirked knowingly. "It sounds like you've already got something pnned."

  Cudius chuckled darkly. "I wouldn't call it a pn just yet, but let's just say the idea is taking shape. Why? Were you thinking of handling him yourself?"

  "Is there an opportunity?" Dofmingo asked, his ambition barely hidden.

  "There will be," Cudius replied, his voice low. "Wheime es, I'll let you know."

  Dofmingo's grin grew even wider. "I'll be ready, cousin. Thank you for keeping me in mind."

  Their versation tinued for a few more minutes, until Cudius casually asked, "How's Rosinante doing these days? I haven't seen the kid in a while."

  Dofmingo's cheerful expression faltered for a brief moment. He sighed, shaking his head. "He's still the same. We… don't see eye to eye on many things."

  Cudius nodded, sensing there was more to the story but deg not to press further.

  Just then, a otion rippled through the crowd, and both Cudius and Dofmingo turheir attention toward the square.

  Marine soldiers had formed a path through the throngs of people, separating the square in half. The road they had cleared led directly to the execution ptform, where Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, Gion, Kuzan, and other Marine officers stood at the ready. Although a rescue attempt was unlikely, the Marines weren't taking any ces. Their presence was meant to disce anyone fr to disrupt the execution.

  Soon, the square grew quiet, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. Cudius and Dofmingo, both standing tall, could see over the heads of the crowd, their eyes locked on the far end of the street.

  "It's time," Cudius murmured.

  Dofmingo nodded silently. The sound of g s echoed through the air as the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, finally appeared.

  Roger's wrists and ankles were shackled, the s jangling with each step he took. Despite the restraints, he moved with an air of fidence, his burgundy captain's coat trailing behind him. He didn't look like a man walking to his death—he looked like a king asding to his throne.

  Dofmingo's eyes widened in awe. "So that's the Pirate King… resence."

  Cudius nodded. "Yes, that's Roger. Araordinary man. It's a shame."

  "What's a shame?" Dofmingo asked curiously.

  "It's a shame that he's about to die," Cudius said softly. "The world will be a little less iing without him."

  Dofmingo g Cudius, surprised by the hint of sadness in his cousin's voice. He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but for a moment, it seemed like Cudius truly mented Roger's fate.

  The crowd watched in silence as Roger walked down the road, his eyes fixed ahead, his expression calm. Even in s, the Pirate King exuded a power and charisma that left everyone in awe.