In the Isshin Dojo, Cudius and Koshiro sat opposite each other, a tea tray with a tea set pced between them. Koshiro was demonstrating his tea-making skills.

  Meanwhile, Mihawk sat in a dark er of the dojo, his bck sword resting by his side. The faint light of the evening illuminated his face as he appeared deep in thought, occasionally frowning and making slight gestures with his hands, as if trying to grasp something intangible.

  To be ho, after Cudius fought Mihawk, his impression of the man took a bit of a hit. Perhaps it was because Mihawk had yet to earle of the world's greatest swordsman, and therefore cked the sharp aura and dominant presehat came with such a title.

  At the moment, Mihawk seemed more like a sword-obsessed man than a true master. While he possessed an aristocratic bearing, it wasn't the kind of grandeur Cudius had expected.

  Especially after their battle, Cudius felt that Mihawk hadn't yet achieved the level of mastery that would and the utmost respect. Perhaps, in a few years, when Mihawk truly became the stro swordsman in the world, Cudius would see him in a different light.

  Cudius had inally po recruit Mihawk into the Seven Warlords of the Sea program, but Mihawk's elusive nature had always made him difficult to track down. This enter in Shimotsuki Vilge had beeirely tal.

  However, sie had brought them together, Cudius inte up the idea, though it didn't feel like the right time just yet. Mihawk, after their duel, seemed to have gained some new insight and ime to process it. Cudius decided not to disturb him for now.

  Koshiro elegantly performed a series of moves as he brewed the tea. Finally, he poured a cup for Cudius and smiled. "Yhness, would you care to taste it?"

  Cudius picked up the teacup, his curiosity piqued. He took a sip, expeg something remarkable, but found it to be quite ordinary. He frowned slightly and took another sip, trying to dis any hiddeh in the fvor, but it was still just... average.

  After a moment of silence, Cudius put the teacup down and said sincerely, "I must admit, Mr. Koshiro, perhaps because I ck a refined pate, I don't taste anything special in this tea."

  Koshiro froze for a moment, then scratched his head awkwardly and ughed. "Hehe, well, the truth is, Yhness, I only started learning tea-making two days ago."

  Cudius blinked in surprise, stunned by the revetiohought to himself: Are you seriously showing off your tea-making skills after just two days of practice? Do you think I, as a Celestial Dragon, am this easily impressed?

  The two of them exged awkward gnces, her knowing what to say. Finally, Cudius cleared his throat and broke the silence. "Ahem, let's fet about that. Speaking of which, I've heard of you, Mr. Koshiro."

  Koshiro quickly seized the opportunity to move past the embarrassing moment. "And I've heard of you, Yhness. A friend of mieions you, though I didn't reize you at first."

  "Hahaha, really? Then we must be talking about the same friend," Cudius said with a ugh.

  Though Cudius had known of Koshiro's existence for a while, it was Dragon who had mentioned him during a versatiohe Den Den Mushi.

  Simirly, Koshiro had heard of Cudius, albeit through Dragon's stories about the unusual Celestial Dragon.

  Thanks to their mutual e with Dragon, the versation flowed more naturally.

  They began discussing kendo.

  Cudius, however, wasn't particurly ied iopic. His swordsmanship was rgely self-taught, with the basics learned from the sword-wielding sves under his and. After that, his progress was fueled by natural talent and a unique fighting style that incorporated his Devil Fruit abilities. He was far from a pure swordsman.

  He listeo Koshiro's theories about cepts like "cutting iron" and "cutting paper" but couldn't rete much. However, he did admire the passion Koshiro showed as he expihese ideas.

  At the same time, Cudius couldn't help but aowledge Mihawk's potential. Despite their earlier duel, Mihawk's single-minded dedication to kendo was something Cudius cked. It was no wonder Mihawk would one day cim the title of the world's greatest swordsman.

  After some more discussion, Koshiro asked with a smile, "By the way, Yhness, what brings you to East Blue this time?"

  That was a good question. Cudius couldn't help but want to give Koshiro a thumbs-up for his timing.

  "Ah, nothing too pressing," Cudius replied casually. "Perhaps you've heard about the Seven Warlords of the Sea program? It's been in effect for a while now. So far, we've only mao recruit one member—Crocodile, the sand crocodile but that's not nearly enough."

  "I see," Koshiro said, nodding. "And do you have anyone else in mind?"

  "Actually, yes," Cudius replied. "One of them is Bartholomew Kuma. I believe his strength aation make him an excellent fit."

  Koshiro poured another cup of tea for Cudius and asked, "And the sed?"

  Cudius goward Mihaas still sitting in the er, and said, "I hadn't thought of two before, but now that you mention it… what do you think of Mihawk?"

  Koshiro raised his eyebrows in surprise but nodded. "Him? He's an excellent choice."

  Hearing his name, Mihawk looked up, frowning slightly. "What are you two talking about? Is it something about me?"

  "It's nothing. Just keep w on your kendo," Cudius said, waving him off. "I'll talk to you privately ter."

  Though curious, Mihawk didn't press further. He went back to his thoughts, still immersed in his world of swords.

  Cudius turned back to Koshiro and ged the subject. "Actually, I'm also looking for a Devil Fruit—a Logia fruit, the Mera Mera no Mi. I heard it might be i Blue. As the local authority, do you have any leads on its whereabouts?"

  Koshiro's expression turhoughtful. As the de facto leader of Shimotsuki Vilge, he was well-ected and had the resources to assist the Revolutionary Army discreetly. After a moment, he nodded. "Yes, I do know where it is."

  Cudius leasantly surprised. "Really? That's fantastic! Mr. Koshiro, could you tell me where it is? I'd owe you a great debt of gratitude!"

  Koshiro hesitated, scratg his head awkwardly. "Well, it's actually in my storeroom."

  Cudius was dumbfounded, staring bnkly at Koshiro. It took him a moment to process the information. The Mera Mera no Mi was just sitting in Koshiro's storeroom? How did that even happen?

  But Cudius quickly recovered and said, "Would you be willing to part with it? I'd be happy to pay handsomely for it."

  Koshiro smiled. "As it happens, I was already pnning to sell it. There's no market for it here i Blue, and I'd been thinking of giving it to a friend."

  In the inal timeline, without Cudius, Koshiro would indeed have sold the fruit to support the Revolutionary Army or fund the expansion of the Isshin Dojo. Though not a revolutionary himself, Koshiro was a close ally on and supported his ideals.

  "Haha, what great lue!" Cudius excimed. "Name your price, Mr. Koshiro. Let's strike a deal, money for the fruit. We'll do busihe proper way."

  Koshiro named a price of 300 million berries. Cudius, however, didn't want to shortge him. The Mera Mera no Mi was worth far more, especially in the New World, where it could fetch a billion berries if sold to the Marines.

  After some iation, they settled on 500 million berries, a fair price for both sides. Cudius paid without hesitation and successfully acquired the Mera Mera no Mi. The transa had been so smooth it felt almost surreal to him.

  Was it really this easy? Cudius thought to himself, still a little incredulous. But after sidering the circumstances, he realized it truly had been that simple.