At the Isshin Dojo, Roronoa Zoro was training harder than anyone else. His dedication and effort surpassed all the other apprentices bined. Retly, he'd been pushing himself so hard that every day he practiced until he could no longer move and had to be carried back to his room.

  Now, he y in his room, his body ag and immobile, staring at the ceiling as though lost in thought.

  The door suddenly opened, and Koshiro entered.

  "Master!" Zoro called out upon seeing him, struggling to get up.

  "There's o get up. Just lie down, Zoro," Koshiro said kindly, smiling as he gently pressed Zoro's shoulders back down to the bed.

  "You've dohis to yourself again. Haven't I told you? Even during training, you o know when to rex. If you push too hard, you'll harm your body," Koshiro said softly.

  Zoro nodded but said with determination, "I ha, Master. Every day I feel myself getting just a little bit stronger."

  Koshiro nodded but didn't press further. Instead, he asked, "Why are you so desperate to push yourself this hard?"

  "Isn't it obvious? I o surpass Kuina," Zoro said without hesitation.

  Koshiro smiled faintly and replied, "Kuina is gone now. There's no o in the dojo who challenge you."

  "She didn't leave," Zoro said stubbornly. "She just followed those people to the sea. Sooner or ter, I'll go to the sea and find her. She defeated me 1,250 times and then just left? How could I accept that? I'll make sure I beat her, fair and square!"

  Indeed, Cudius and his group had left Shimotsuki Vilge some time ago, and Kuina had been persuaded to leave with them. This had left Zoro behind, frustrated and alone, with a burniermination to one day surpass his rival.

  It wasn't that Cudius had dismissed Zoro's potential, on the trary, he'd briefly sidered taking the boy along as well. But Koshiro had already beeant about letting Kuina go, and Cudius felt it would be unfair to take away both of Koshiro's most talented apprentices.

  Even I have my limits, Cudius had thought at the time, deg to leave Zoro behind. Besides, Kuina needs guidao avoid a tragic fate, but Zoro? That kid is tougher than steel. He'll be fine on his own.

  ---

  Meanwhile, somewhere iers of East Blue, Cudius's ship, Prometheus, drifted leisurely. With both of his primary goals aplished—recruiting Mihawk into the Seven Warlords of the Sea and seg Kuina—Cudius had no immediate pns.

  The operations of CP-X were running smoothly, the Wover was advang its agenda, and the seas were momentarily calm.

  Crocodile and Dofmingo had already joihe Seven Warlords of the Sea, and Bartholomew Kuma would soon follow. With Mihawk on board, that made four Warlords, leaving just three spots to fill. Ohe lineup was finalized, the annou would undoubtedly cause waves across the seas.

  For now, though, there was little else for Cudius to do. He decided to linger i Blue for a while, taking in the beauty of the so-called "Sea of Peace."

  ---

  Holding a Den Den Mushi in one hand, Cudius eaking in a calm tone, giving orders.

  "Is everything firmed?" Cudius asked.

  "Yes, Yhness," Spandied. "As you suspected, East Blue's Marine presence has decayed signifitly. The long period of peace here has led to pcy, and as a result, corruption has taken root among the ranks."

  Although Spandine wasn't physically present i Blue, CP-X had agents statiohroughout the region. At Cudius's casual suggestion, Spandine had already iigated the situation and firmed the state of decay.

  "As I thought," Cudius muttered. "Inform the Marihat they'll be dug a joint operation with us. We're going to house i Blue. I want every corrupt official and unfit Marine rooted out. We ot allow the people of East Blue to suffer at the hands of pirates and Marines. If wets out about this kind of neglige'll be the Wover's reputation that suffers."

  "Uood, Yhness. Your passion for the people is truly inspiring. If the citizens of East Blue knew of your efforts, they would sing your praises," Spandane said with a sycophantie.

  Cudius chuckled. "Perhaps."

  Hearing this, Spandine resolved to carry out the operation to the best of his ability. Ensuring Cudius's name became synonymous with justi East Blue could only be his career.

  Fortunately, East Blue wasn't pgued by many powerful pirates. The Buggy Pirates and the Bck Cat Pirates were the most notable threats, and even they were minor pared to crews in the Grand Line. Shanks's Red Hair Pirates occasionally passed through, but they never caused trouble, treating the region more like a vacation spot.

  As f, he hadn't yet made his way to East Blue, and it seemed likely he never would. Like Fisher Tiger, Arlong was now w as forced bor in the Calm Belt mines, courtesy of the Marines and Cudius's initiative.

  With most of East Blue's threats ralized, the region eaceful, but the real problem y with the Mariatiohere. From the corrupt Captain Nezumi to the delusional Axe-Hand Man, the damage caused by these so-called protectors far outweighed any harm inflicted by the pirates.

  ---

  After finishing the call, Cudius grabbed an e from the table, peeling aing it. Smiling, he muttered, "Sweet. East Blue es... I've cleared the path for you, so just grow them in peace, Bell-mère and Nami."

  Cudius had retly visited Cocoyasi Vilge, where he'd met the young Nami, her sister Nojiko, and their adoptive mother Bell-mère, a former Marine.

  At the moment, the three were living happily in their quiet vilge. However, Captain Nezumi occasionally harassed them, though nothing serious had happened—yet.

  Remembering this, Cudius decided to take a, which was why he'd instructed Spao up East Blue's Marines. While it artly out of sympathy for the vilgers, it was also out of respect for Bell-mère, a strong woman who had fought for her family.

  By doing so, Cudius hoped to alter Cocoyasi Vilge's future. Perhaps this would prevent Nami from being a pirate, allowio stay in the vilge and focus on growing es.

  Of course, Cudius had overlooked one key detail: Nami's dream was far bigger than her vilge. She wao map the entire world. Even if she didn't bee a pirate, she would undoubtedly find her way to the sea.

  ---

  "Yhness!" Robin's voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts. The young girl came running from the deck, looking armed.

  "What's wrong?" Cudius asked, surprised by her panic.

  "It's Mihawk!" Robin said, her tone urgent. "He's in the library, trying to ssh the Poneglyph!"

  Cudius froze for a moment, then narrowed his eyes. "That bastard…"

  Before Cudius could even move, Mihawk came strolling dowairs, his usual stoic expression intact.

  "What the hell were you doing?" Cudius demanded angrily.

  "Nothing," Mihawk replied calmly. "I went to explore your library, and the girl told me the stoablet couldn't be destroyed. I was curious, so I tested it. Don't worry, I didn't damage anything."

  "And?" Cudius asked, his toill sharp.

  "It's true. I couldn't cut it. Not with my current strength," Mihawk admitted. Then, with a serious expression, he added, "But one day, I will. Sooner or ter, I'll cut through that stone."

  "You're delusional!" Cudius snapped. "That's part of my colle, and you think I'll let you destroy it?"