In Sea Circle dar 1505, three years had passed sihe Ohara i. The world remained in turmoil, with no signs of improvement. If anything, the pirate forces had grown more rampant, spreading chaos across the seas and leaving a trail of destru and suffering.

  Marine, despite dug several rounds of scription to bolster its ranks, struggled to se the seas of the ever-growing number of pirates. At best, they were able to maintain a fragile sense of order.

  Meanwhile, Cudius's CP-X had flourished. Uussy's ma, Happy Street had bee a dominant for the dark world, reized as the rgest work of establishments for eai and intelligence. Branches had sprung up in key locations worldwide, with over 170 tries hosting strongholds. Even iories difficult for the Wovero reach such as Charlotte Linlin's expanding Totto Land—Happy Street had its presence.

  Dofmingo and Crocodile were thriving as well, both gaining notoriety as formidable pirates in the New World. Crocodile had assembled a powerful fleet, specializing in piracy, while Dofmingo banced his pirate persona with his growing underground business. Known as the "Joker," he was gaining reition as a middleman in the underworld, weaving es with all sorts of shady pyers.

  Umit, under Cudius's watchful eye, had expanded his shipping empire signifitly. He now trolled nearly 40% of the world's smuggling operations and was well on his way to being the "King of Shipping." However, Cudius could sehat Umit's growih was making him restless, chafing uhe heavy tributes he had to pay. Cudius was biding his time, knowing that when the moment was right, Umit's fate would be sealed, and his empire absorbed.

  Spandine, now part of CP-X, had proven to be a dependable subordinate. His experience was invaluable in developing Cudius's specialized espionage division. His long-term projevolved infiltrating and subtly influeng the World Ey Neer. Mans, that audacious "birdman," would one day have to be put in his pce.

  And then there was the matter of La. Shortly after Cudius returo Mariejois from Ohara, Dofmingo sent a "gift" from the New World. Cudius hadn't o open it to know that it was La's head. A man who once seemed like an insurmountable obstacle was now just another casualty, fotten and irrelevant. The report beled it a shipwreck, every st member of La's fleet perished, over two thousand men lost to the sea. No survivors.

  With La's demise, Cudius had asded to the position of "Patriarch of the Donquixote Family" without i. Everything had fallen into pce as expected.

  Now, Cudius found himself in the first half of the Grand Line, he waters surrounding Little Garden. He was on the Prometheus, heading for the prehistorid out of simple curiosity. He wao see the a creatures dinosaurs and perhaps capture one as a pet.

  Ihe grand library of the Prometheus, Cudius sat fortably in a chair, holding an a history book about Abasta. Tea and inse were set on a table nearby, adding to the calm atmosphere. The tranquility was interrupted by the sudden ringing of a Den Den Mushi oable.

  "So, where are you now?" came the voice on, sounding slightly amused.

  Cudius sighed, flipping a page. "What do you need, Dragon? I'm on vacation."

  Dragon chuckled softly. "You never really rest, do you? Let me guess you were part of the Ohara i, weren't you?"

  Cudius rolled his eyes, half-smiling. "I suppose you could say that."

  "What does that even mean?" Dragon asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and exasperation.

  "It means I was in Ohara at the time but wasly participating in the mai. Satisfied?" Cudius replied pyfully.

  "Close enough," Dragon said, pausing befetting to his point. "That means you had access to the books from the Tree of Knowledge. You took them, didn't you?"

  "'Took them'? You make it sound so criminal. I preserved them for the sake of safeguarding the world's cultural heritage," Cudius shot back with modignation.

  There was a silen the other end, then Dragon sighed. "So, you do have them. Let's cut to the chase I borrow some?"

  Cudius looked puzzled for a moment. "Why? Pnning to switch from leading a revolution to academia?" he asked, amused.

  Dragon chuckled again, though this time there was an edge of seriousness. "I want to see if I train schors within my own ranks."

  Cudius's expression darkened slightly. "So, you're hoping to decipher the aexts? Following in Ohara's footsteps, are you?"

  "Your insight is as sharp as ever," Dragon admitted, a note nation in his voice. "Yes, knowing that history could be crucial to the Revolutionary Army."

  "Why is everyone so obsessed with the past?" Cudius muttered, closing his book and rubbing his temple.

  "'History is a mirror that refleistakes and triumphs,'" Dragon said, quoting something Cudius had told him once.

  Cudius sighed. "Alright. I'll let you make copies of whatever you need. But let me be clear, if you're hoping to recreate Ohara's success in deg the a nguage, you're in for disappoi. The odds aren't in your favor."

  Dragon's voice hardened, but he maintained his posure. "I'm aware. But I have to try."

  Cudius hesitated, then added in a lighter tone, "I'll give you a tip Nico Olvia is still alive, imprisoned on the sixth level of Impel Dowernal Hell. She has the knowledge you're looking for. If you're serious, why not pn a prison break?"

  Dragon scoffed. "If I had the manpower for that, I'd be st Mariejois aing your pa fire."

  Cudius ughed, the sound rid unbothered. Before he could respond, Dragon cut him off. "And no, I'm not talking about breaking into Impel Down. I meant reading. I swear, Cudius, one of these days, yoing to drive me insane."

  ***

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