Early in the m, with the assistance of the pace maids, Cudius pleted his m routine of washing and dressing. He didn't wear the iic white robe of the Celestial Dragons, nor did he wear the ary bubble helmet that most of them used to protect themselves from the "filthy air" of oners. Instead, he opted for simple, practical clothes that allowed for easy movement.

  At the moment, Cudius erf basic exercises in his vast courtyard.

  To the people of Mariejois, Cudius's behavior seemed odd, and though there were whispers about him, nobody took it too seriously. Why? Well, it was simply a part of the reputation the Donquixote family had earned over the turies. Among the Celestial Dragons, the Donquixote family was sidered a bit etric. For over 800 years, they had sistently produced individuals who, in the eyes of other Celestial Dragons, seemed a bit... unhinged.

  Take, for example, his uncle Homing, who reparing to move to North Blue. Then there was La, who pardoned sves as if it were a casual gesture. Now, Cudius was ted among these "oddities" because of his new lifestyle.

  So, when Cudius chose not to wear the typical holy robes, refused to don a bubble helmet, and instead spent his time in physical training, other Celestial Dragons dismissed it as just another odd quirk of the Donquixote family. At most, they might gossip about him during idle versations over meals.

  Cudius himself couldn't care less. He wasn't the type to leave his estate unless absolutely necessary, and he wasn't ed with the rumors. Let people say what they wanted. As a Celestial Dragon, and a member of the Donquixote family no less, as long as he didn't cross any major lines, no one would interfere with whatever "nonsense" he decided to indulge in.

  After pleting a set of exercises based on the instrus left by Zephyr, Cudius wiped the sweat from his brow. His training had left him feeling refreshed but slightly fatigued.

  As he caught his breath, Nia, the maid who had retly beore familiar with Cudius, approached with a stack of freshly uowels, fragrant and soft.

  Over the past few days, Nia had noticed signifit ges in her iions with Cudius. Not only did he seem to genuinely appreciate her presence, but he even joked with her occasionally. Perhaps the most notable ge was that Cudius had allowed her to sit a with him during meals a privilege that made the other servaremely envious.

  Nia had e to uand his temperament and now felt far more at ease around him, repg her initial fear with a sense of camaraderie.

  "Yhness," Nia said gently, watg Cudius wipe his sweat, "I've heard that it's possible to overdo the foundation training. If you push yourself too hard, it might actually harm your body. The tea I prepared is warm and ready for you. Why don't you take a break before tinuing?"

  Had it been a few days earlier, Nia wouldn't have dared to make such a suggestion. But now, she spoke with ease, knowing that Cudius would take her words in stride.

  Cudius chuckled and threw the towel back to her. "Is that so? Well, if you say so, I'll rest for a bit."

  He knew his own limits. Over the past few days, he had been studying his Devil Fruit abilities alongside his physical training. While his stamina was bolstered by the regeive effects of his fruit, he wasn't in any rush. He was tent tress slowly and steadily, building his foundation step by step.

  He sat down at a small table in the courtyard, taking a few sips of the warm tea Nia had prepared.

  In the world of pirates, people often believed that sheer hard work alone could move mountains and part seas. But the truth was more nuanced. Hard work was essential, yes, but talent was just as important. And on top of that, material resources pyed a crucial role.

  Cudius had no she of talent. Ever since he had awakeo his new life, he had been diligent in honing his skills. As for material resources, well, as a Celestial Dragon, those were practically endless. Wealth and influence were at his disposal without him even needing to ask. And those in Mariejois who sought favor with him would scramble to shower him with gifts and assistance.

  In his experience, achieving mastery often involved some level of injury or wear and tear on the body. This was where resources became invaluable without the right support, it was easy to develop lingering injuries. But with the right tools, one could unlock their full potential.

  Take the tea he was sipping, for example. It wasn't just a drink; it ecially formuted to enhahe bes of physical training, unlog tent potential in the body. While Marine soldiers might dream of having access to such luxuries, even they couldn't afford to match the level of extravagahat Cudius enjoyed daily.

  This was the stark reality of power ah.

  It was the same in Marine headquarters. Talented recruits were weeded out through rigorous sele processes, and the best were sent to elite programs like the Officer Training Camp, which monopolized high-ranking Marine positions. The Marines fuheir best resources into these select few, ensuring that they had every advantage on their path to greatness.

  Without such bag, it would be impossible to succeed so easily.

  Cudius was in a simir situation. He was born into the highest echelon of society he didn't have to worry about financial struggles or ck of support. As long as he didn't waste his potential and worked hard, his future achievements would undoubtedly be impressive.

  As Cudius sat, Nia gently fanned him to stave off the summer heat. Meanwhile, Cudius absently touched his , deep in thought. Slowly, he raised his hand, and wisps of white smoke began to form at his fiips.

  Nia wasn't surprised by this; she had grown aced to seeing Cudius practice his Devil Fruit powers. She watched with curiosity as the smoke deransf into something far more tangible liquid nitrogen.

  Cudius had been studying the powers of his Nitrogen-Nitrogen Fruit in earely. He had discovered that by pressing nitrogen gas, he could de into liquid form. And liquid nitrogen was no small thing it was an incredibly powerful tool.

  For starters, it was extremely cold. When it vaporized, it absorbed heat rapidly, freezing anything it came into tact with. The frostbite caused by this freezing process was irreversible, making it a dangerous and effective on.

  Additionally, liquid nitrogen was chemically i and didn't support bustion. In theory, it could be used to ter fire-based abilities. Cudius even suspected that, if developed fully, it might hold its own against Akainu's magma-based powers.

  And this was just one application of the Nitrogen-Nitrogen Fruit. There were tless other possibilities waiting to be explored. But for now, Cudius was taking things slow. The development of a Devil Fruit's power was a long-term process that required patiend practice.

  The mist of nitrogen gas enveloped the cup of tea oable. After a few seds, the once warm tea had frozen solid.

  Cudius smiled in satisfa and tapped the frozen cup with his fihe teacup shattered into tiny shards, demonstrating the sheer power of the freezing nitrogen.

  "Ah!" Nia gasped in surprise.

  Cudius turo her, amused. "What's the matter? Were you scared?"

  Nia shook her head, her curiosity piqued. "No... It's just strange. I didn't feel any cold ing from it."

  Cudius chuckled. "That's the nature of liquid nitrogen. By the time you feel the cold, it's already too te."

  He g his hand, still trailing wisps of nitrogen. "This is the power of sbined with the abilities of a Devil Fruit. Some might ugh at me for possessing this ability, but I find it full of potential."

  Nia nodded, but after a moment, she hesitated. "Yhness... I have a question. I'm not sure if I should ask it."

  Cudius, intrigued, smiled at her. "Go ahead. Ask away."

  Nia took a breath, gathering her ce. "You are a Celestial Dragon desded from the Creator and a god among men. You have anything in this world with just a word. So why do you work so hard to increase your strength?"

  Cudius's smile deepened, and his expressiohoughtful. His gaze became distant as he spoke softly, "People who have no worries must have fht, Nia. Today, I may be a god walking in the world... but who guarahat will always be the case?"

  Nia was left speechless. In her mind, the Wover and the Marines were uable forces. Who in the world could possibly challehe Celestial Dragons? Hadn't they ruled the world for over 800 years?

  Cudius saw the fusion in her eyes and tinued, "Without strength to support it, this so-called 'godhood' is nothing more than a castle in the sky. It looks magnifit on the surface, but it's fragile. All it takes is a single blow, and everything will colpse."

  Although Cudius enjoyed his current life as a Celestial Dragon, he wasn't naive. He khat somewhere, beyond the horizons of the world he could see, forces were brewing.