Inside Cudius' pa Mariejois, Cudius was staring at the little girl standing before him with an expression of surprise.

  After dealing with the mess involving Charros, Cudius had decided he'd had enough of the sve market aurned directly to his pace, apanied by his "trophies" and the newly purchased Hancod her sisters.

  As for Charlos, the expected retaliation never came. It seemed even his father, Saint Rosward, had accepted the reality of the situation. Fag Cudius' wrath again was not worth the trouble, and the st thing Rosward wanted was for Cudius to go on another rampage.

  Cudius hadn't given it much thought. What was a Celestial Dragon anyway? Just another obstacle to kick out of his way.

  After returning, he had instructed Nia to have the newly acquired subordinates ed up. They were filthy after their ordeal and needed fresh clothes and care. The four young children he had picked up were the first to be atteo, as they required less time and attention. Most of them were simply regur kids, but one of them stood out to Cudius.

  The little girl standing in front of him was uedly familiar. At first, Cudius hadn't noticed anything unusual; she looked just like an ordinary, albeit unusually cute, little girl. But as he questioned her, Cudius began to realize why she was different.

  This girl's name was Koa. It might not have meant much by itself—names repeated often enough across the world but the fact that she was captured and sold from an isnd called Foolshout Isnd made Cudius take a closer look.

  "What's with today? It's like the sve market is full of hidden treasures," Cudius thought, mildly amused.

  First, he had stumbled upon Fisher Tiger, locked up in a cage, then the Boa sisters. Not long after, he had entered the tragic couple, Tesoro and Stel. Now, while looking for a few pymates for Ace, he had uionally discovered Koa.

  If Cudius' memory was correct, this Koa would grow up to be an important figure in the Revolutionary Army, known affeately as "The Sed Sister."

  Koa, at this moment, didn't bear the same hardened, resolute demeanor she would e to have after being rescued by Fisher Tiger iure. But she was visibly nervous, which was hardly surprising given her situation. Cudius could only imagihe darkness she must have eo end up here.

  "I really have found anem," Cudius thought, a smile pying on his lips.

  Iure, Koa would be known for her incredible skills, even learning fish-man karate, which spoke to her talent and adaptability. Cudius figured that if she could master that, then with the right training, she would pick up other forms of martial arts, like the Rokushiki, with ease. She might not be far behind Rob Lucci, aalented young protégé of Cudius' who was currently training under Spandine.

  Returning his attention to Koa, Cudius sidered her future potential. She wasn't just skilled in bat; she had an impeccable knack fanization and reliability. In the Revolutionary Army, she was known for her uny ability to maasks so effitly that Sabo would often joke about having nothio order her to do because she had already do.

  This made Cudius smile inwardly. Ace, although young, was showing signs of being highly capable, but there was still that spark of "wildness" in him. Even as a baby, Ace had shown a rambunctious side. He wasn't oo py quietly with plush toys but had an immediate i in toy swords and guns.

  Ace was now three or four years old and olite and well-mannered, but Cudius could still see the fire in his eyes. He had always thought about finding someoo plement Ace's strengths and cover his weaknesses, someone who could be a trusted ally. Until now, no one had seemed suitable. But Koa might be the answer.

  "If they grow up and develop feelings for each other, and end up as a pair, that would be perfect," Cudius mused, smiling to himself. Then he paused as the thought took root, realizing the implication. If Koa ended up with Ace, that would mean the "Sed Sister" would bee the "Sister-in-w."

  Cudius burst out ughing at the thought.

  Startled, Koa took a nervous step back before realizing what she had done and hurriedly stepped fain, eyes fixed on the floor.

  "Koa, isn't it?" Cudius said, his voice softening. "There's o be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you. This pce is your home now, so rex. From today onward, you're no longer a sve. Let's see... you think of me as yodfather."

  Of course, Cudius meant this in a strictly paternal sense, not in any dubious way. From this day forward, Koa would be under his prote. As for the Revolutionary Army and whatever influence Dragon might have, Cudius didn't care. If Dragon couldn't grow the Revolutionary Army without Koa, that was on him.

  As for Sabo, well, if he found himself without a partner because of this twist of fate, it was just as well that Ace gained a valuable panion. Cudius felt no guilt over it.

  Koa stayed silent, the nervousness still etched on her face despite Cudius's attempts to reassure her. After a few more moments of f words, he dismissed her to rest.

  With that taken care of, Cudius stepped into the courtyard for a walk. Nia followed closely behind, ready for whatever task might be needed.

  "It's ary to mark them, isn't it?" Cudius remarked.

  "Yes, Yhness," Nia replied. "The three sisters, Tesoro, and Stel already bear the mark of the Celestial Dragon's hoof. It's the on branding, of course."

  Cudius touched his thoughtfully. "Hmm... Koa will have to bear a mark as well. But branding is too cruel. Let's use a tattoo instead. Something elegant that symbolizes she's under my prote."

  Nia's lips curved in a small smile. "She might not uand the signifiow, but when she grows up, she'll know what an honor it is."

  Cudius nodded. "And as for the others, have the hoof of the Celestial Dragon covered with the crest of the Donquixote family. It's time they bore my name instead of that symbol of oppression."

  "Yes, Yhness," Nia replied, already mentally arranging the task ahead.

  ***

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