In the Holy Land of Mariejois, withiial quarters of Cudius, a certain quietness had settled in. With Crocodile off on his own advehe pace felt emptier, and Enel, left without his usual panion, seemed a bit lonely. To fill his time, he threw himself into interaining.

  Meanwhile, Cudius sat leisurely by the pond, enjoying a chat with two beautiful mermaid sisters who had been gifted to him by his cousin, Dofmingo. They had bee quite the versation partners iherwise grand but quiet pace.

  "So, is Fish-Man Isnd really as amazing as you say?" Cudius asked, a smile on his face. "One day, I'll have to visit. Maybe I'll bring you two along for the trip."

  The two mermaids were eagerly sharing tales of the isnd's entiy, the unique uer sery, and the vibrant, colorful coral reefs. It was clear they missed their homend, and they painted a picture of Fish-Man Isnd as a true paradise uhe sea.

  Yet, as Cudius mentioaking them baeday, he noticed a mix of excitement aation in their expressions. Seeing this, Cudius chuckled softly.

  "Wheime es, you'll be free to return home," he said warmly.

  One of the mermaids, named Mero, looked at him in surprise. "Truly, Yhness? You would let us go?"

  "Of course. When have I ever broken my word?" Cudius replied, a genuine smile pying on his lips.

  The other sister, Lenny, spped her tail against the water iement, her face lighting up. "Yhness, you are truly kind!"

  After their initial excitement, the sisters exged looks, and Mero added with a touch of sadness, "But… after all this time, it would feel strao leave. You've treated us well, Yhness. Uhers, you never saw us as mere 'fish' or sves. Life here, though different, has been fortable. It's hard to imagine leaving."

  "Are you saying you'd miss me?" Cudius teased.

  Both mermaids blushed slightly, and Mero admitted, "Perhaps a little. We'd worry you'd be lonely without us here."

  Cudius gnced around his gra mostly empty pace. Unlike most Celestial Dragons, he kept few servants, only Nia and a small group of maids to manage his affairs. He wasly surrounded by throngs of people.

  "Lonely, huh?" Cudius murmured, as if sidering it for the first time. Then he ughed and reassured them, "Well, if I do start missing you two, I'll just e and drag you back. How does that sound?"

  The sisters ughed, and Lenny replied, "We'd gdly e back if Yhness called for us. We could never fet our time here."

  "But don't get too excited," Cudius said with a grin. "It'll probably be a year or two before I actually make the trip. Until then, you'll just have to make do with Mariejois."

  The sisters pouted in mock disappoi, spshing the water pyfully. "Yhness, you're so wicked! Telling us now only to make us wait."

  "Hey, I'm a Celestial Dragon. Being a little wicked is practically my job," Cudius said, ughing along with them.

  As they eheir light-hearted banter, Stussy walked into the courtyard, a smile on her face. She greeted the mermaids politely before turning to Cudius. "Yhness, Vice Admiral Garp sent a message. He's inviting you to join him for a 'vacation' in South Blue."

  "A vacation?" Cudius scoffed, seeing right through the proposal. "That old dog Garp just wants t me into his schemes. I'm sure this 'vacation' has less to do with rexing and more to do with his… side mission in South Blue. Marine and CP have been crawling all over that region, trying to snuff out any traces er's legacy."

  Cudius was certain Garp's true iions y with Rouge, Roger's lover, who was rumored to be hiding out in South Blue. Although Cudius respected Rouge as the mother er's child, he knew any involvement on his part could invite a world of trouble. If he were seen aiding her, it could undermihe trust Five Elders had pced in him, plig his standing within the Wover.

  "No, I won't be going," Cudius said, shaking his head. "Let Garp handle his own business. I'm not about to risk my position for his whims."

  "Uood. I'll politely dee on your behalf," Stussy said. "Do you need me to e up with an excuse?"

  Cudius waved his hand dismissively. "No need. He'll figure it out."

  After a moment, Cudius's eyes brightened with an idea. "Stussy, don't you think it's about time we had our own ship?"

  Stussy looked at him, slightly surprised. "Our own ship, Yhness?"

  "Yes. I'm tired of grabbing whatever vessel happens to be avaible in Mariejois's port. It's about time I had something -built to my own tastes," Cudius said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "A powerful ship, desigly how I want it. We could travel fortably, without relying oandard issue Marine ships."

  Stussy chuckled. "If you want a ship, Yhness, I'm sure there are plenty of shipwrights who'd be eager to build one for you. In fact, you'd probably have a fleet of luxury vessels gifted to you if you asked."

  Cudius shook his head. "No, this has to be different. I want one of the best ships in the world… or at least ohat rivals them," he said, clearly envisioning something grand.

  Seeing his enthusiasm, Stussy asked, "And do you have a particur shipbuilder in mind?"

  Cudius grinned. "Yes, the best. I'm thinking we should head to Water 7. Roger's ship, the Oro Ja, was built by a shipwright there a man om. I want him to build our ship."

  "Should I make the arras?" Stussy asked.

  Cudius nodded. "Yes. Let's leave as soon as possible. Knowing Garp, he might decide to drop by here if he doesn't hear from me soon. I'd rather avoid getting roped into whatever he's pnning."

  "Uood, Yhness. I'll start the preparations immediately," Stussy said, already turning to hahe details.

  After Stussy left, Cudius turned back to the mermaid sisters, who had been listening ily. "Would you two like to e along? I imagine you get pretty bored stuck here all the time."

  "Really, Yhness? You'd take us with you?" Mero asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

  "Of course," Cudius said with a reassuring smile. "It's a small thing. sider it a ge of sery."

  The sisters looked at each rinning, and Lenny beamed, "We'd love to go, Yhness!"

  Cudius ughed. "Good! The ready. We're off to Water 7 to ission the gra ship the seas have ever seen!"

  ****

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