In the Holy Land of Mariejois, outside the Wover headquarters, Stussy stood as usual, waiting for Cudius.

  Before long, Cudius emerged from the building, looking rexed. It seemed that his report to the Five Elders had gone smoothly.

  As for Lucci's i, Cudius hadn't brought it up, aher had the Five Elders. Clearly, it was being treated as a trivial, face-saving matter.

  Which made sense, why would the Wover offend a powerful and peteial Dragon like Cudius over a minor king from some pirate-pgued allied nation?

  As soon as Cudius stepped out, Stussy greeted him with a smile. She ed her arms around his and pressed her lithe figure close to him.

  "Hey, careful! Yoing to hit me with those," Cudius teased with a chuckle, enjoying the soft sensation against his arm.

  Stussy rolled her eyes pyfully and said with a smirk, "What? You don't like it?"

  "Ahahaha, who in their right mind wouldn't like this? I feel like the luckiest guy in the world right now," Cudius replied, ughing.

  Ever sihe little escapade with Shyarly on Fish-Man Isnd, Stussy had been noticeably more fident ahusiasti her iions with Cudius.

  Not that Cudius minded. After years of w together, there was genuine affe between them. Stussy's boldness wasn't unwele, and Cudius, who wasly shy about such things, had no reason to refuse her advances. If anything, he appreciated her attentiveness.

  Still, Cudius had his boundaries. He never forced anything, though he certainly wasn't above letting things happen naturally.

  The bustling activity in front of the Wover headquarters meant that many people saw the two of them together. Observers couldn't help but feel awed, Mariejois's own flower, Miss Stussy, was clearly on intimate terms with Saint Cudius. From that moment, anyone who ied with Stussy would have to tread carefully and show her even more respect.

  Stussy, still holding Cudius's arm, smiled and asked, "So, Yhness, what's the pn now? Shall we head back for some rest?"

  Cudius flicked her delicate nose and teased, "Resting during the day? Do you think I'm the type to waste daylight? Or are you suggesting we go appud for lht now?"

  "Yhness! You weren't this much of a rogue before. Yetting worse by the day," Stussy said, pretending to pout as she pressed against his arm again.

  Cudius felt his resolve waver for a moment but quickly regained posure. With a light flick to her forehead, he said, "Focus. We've got things to do. How about we leave the fun for ter tonight?"

  Stussy, seeing that her pyful attempts hadn't swayed him, nodded in agreement. At least she'd secured a promise for an evening together. "So, what's on the agenda now, Yhness?"

  "I promised the people of Fish-Man Isnd that I'd free every Fish-Man and Mermaid ensved here in Mariejois. That's something I 't let slide," Cudius said with a faint smile. "Besides, from what I've heard, one of the sves in particur is someone worth keeping an eye on. Even if he doesn't work for me directly, he could still be useful iure."

  Instead of returning to his pace, Cudius led Stussy toward the "House of the Gods," stopping in front of one of the Celestial Dragoes.

  Stussy g the residence, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes, and then looked back at Cudius. "Yhness, are you pnning to pi someone again? You're too much."

  Cudius rubbed his , as if p her words, before smirking. "It's not my fault—it's fate!"

  The estate before them was all too familiar. The gates had clearly been repced, and food reason. This was the residence of Rosward, a Celestial Dragon Cudius had "visited" before.

  As fate would have it, Fisher Tiger, the Fish-Man who would one day bee infamous, had somehow ended up ensved in Rosward's household.

  Thinking about it, Cudius couldn't help but sigh. "No wonder Fisher Tiger hates humans and the Wover so much. With someone like Rosward owning him, it all makes sense."

  Without hesitation, Cudius walked up to the gates and knocked loudly. "Open the door!"

  Rosward Saint, who had been rexing in the courtyard with his foolish son, Charlos froze when he heard Cudius's voice.

  "Father, that demon is here again!" Charlos cried out, his voice trembling with fear.

  "Shut up! Don't make a sound. Pretend we're not home!" Rosward hissed, equally panicked.

  As he said this, Rosward felt a pang of despair. How had it e to this? A noble Celestial Dragon, reduced to hiding in his own home, afraid of another Celestial Dragon? Life was truly too hard.

  "That damned Cudius is back... Maybe I should take a trip somewhere, get out of Mariejois for a while," Rosward muttered. "At least outside, I'm untouchable as a Celestial Dragon. Cudius might bully me here, but no one would dare outside."

  Meanwhile, outside the gates, Cudius chuckled to himself. Do you think my Observation Haki is useless? I "see" both of you basking in the sun.

  "Open up, Rosward! I know you're in there! You've got the guts to ensve people, but not to open the door?" Cudius called out, smirking as he banged oes.

  "We're a civilized anization here at CP-X. Don't make me break down the dain!"

  "Your express delivery is here!"

  "Time to pay the water bill!"

  Cudius tried a few more lines, but the house remained silent. Inside, Rosward Saint had resolved to stay quiet, no matter what.

  Growing impatient, Cudius finally shouted, "Rosward, I'm giving you some face here, but don't push it. I'm ting to three. If this door isn't open, I'll have it sealed up permaly! You'll turn your house into a prison, plete with 24-huards. Let's see if you live like that for the rest of your life!"

  Hearing this, Rosward trembled. If anyone else had made such threats, he would've ughed it off. But with Cudius, he had no doubt it could happen.

  When Cudius began ting, Rosanicked and quickly ordered his servants to open the door.

  As the gates opened, Rosward stayed far away, gring at Cudius from a safe distance. "What do you want, Cudius? I haven't provoked you! Isn't it enough that you've already caused me so much trouble?"

  Cudius smirked. "Didn't provoke me? You repced the door I so kindly gave you. I'm telling you now, you've got three days to put that iron door back up. Are you looking down on my gift? Do you not respect me?"

  Rosward nearly spat blood. You smashed that door! It wasn't even funal—it ractically a wall!

  "What do you want, really?" Rosward asked, his voice ced with desperation.

  Waving a hand dismissively, Cudius said, "Rex. I'm not here to torment you. Look at you, ag like a victim. I almost feel bad for you."

  Yoing to drive me to an early grave! Rosward cursed internally.

  "Do you have a red-skinned Fish-Man here? Bring him out. I need him for something," Cudius said firmly.

  Rosward's resolve wavered. Knowing Cudius's personality, there was no point iing. The man was relentless.

  "G him here," Rosward ordered one of his servants, resigo his fate.

  Cudius grinned and said, "See? That wasn't so hard. If you'd just talked to me like this earlier, we might even be friends by now."