When the silhouette of the desert isnd appeared on the horizon, Admiral Zephyr and Kuzan's expressions both froze. They spotted bck smoke rising from the isnd, a telltale sign that someone was lighting a fire.

  "No way... Did we just stumble upon that one-ihousand ce?" Kuzan muttered incredulously.

  Zephyr's eyes narrowed thoughtfully before he gave a decisive order. "It might just be what we're thinking. Quickly, tell the warship to increase speed!"

  "Couldn't it just be a lightning strike or something? I mean, the ces of lightning starting a fire are probably higher than Saint Cudius being alive…" Kuzan said, smag his lips in disbelief.

  "Whatever it is, we o check it out," Zephyr responded, quiing his pace as he prepared to nd.

  The warship surged ahead, closing the distao the desert isnd.

  Meanwhile, atop the mountain on the isnd, Cudius sat, grilling the wild boar he had hunted. He gazed out at the o, sing the horizon from his high vantage point. His eyes caught sight of several warships swiftly approag the isnd.

  Taking a bite of the poorly cooked boar meat, Cudius let out a deep sigh and muttered to himself, "Finally... after all this waiting, they're ing. Have they sent someoo 'rescue' me? Or is this just to firm my death?"

  But Cudius made no move to meet the ships. After all, he was a Celestial Dragon. There was no need for him to rush. It was their job to e to him.

  While it might seem arrogant, it erfectly in lih the lofty status of a Celestial Dragon. So, Cudius remained where he was, calmly waiting, no longer f himself to eat the uizing boar. After all, as soon as he boarded a warship, he could expect food far better than this.

  The Marines' warship reached the shore, and Zephyr, along with Kuzan and a ti of Marines, quickly disembarked. They raced up the mountain, heading toward the plume of smoke.

  Upon reag the summit, Zephyr finally id eyes on the mission's objective an u and disheveled figure sittihe fire. But there was no mistaking it; this was indeed Saint Cudius, who had been stranded after a shipwreck for the past two weeks!

  As they neared him, Zephyr slowed his pace. Though he had never met Cudius before, he had heard stories. After all, a Celestial Dragon who had ed a Devil Fruit was bound to be well-known.

  The rumors painted Cudius as a spoiled young man temperamental, g any real ability, and incredibly difficult to deal with. Zephyr couldn't help but wonder how muger had built up in Cudius' heart after being stranded for so long. He steeled himself, fully expeg to deal with an outburst of some sort.

  Approag Cudius cautiously, Zephyr swallowed and said softly, "Saint Cudius, I deeply regret the hardships you've faced. I'm Zephyr, an Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, and I personally led the fleet to rescue you. I'm relieved to see you in good health."

  Cudius, for his part, reized Zephyr immediately. This was a famous figure, after all a Marine Admiral with a distinguished reputation. Seeing him in person firmed Cudius' suspis.

  When Zephyr spoke, he bowed slightly in respect. Though Marine Admirals generally received some level of respect from the Wover, they still couldn't avoid showing defereo the Celestial Dragons. However, Zephyr was not required to kneel.

  Rear Admiral Kuzan and the other Marines apanying Zephyr, oher hand, did not enjoy such privileges. Despite feeling somewhat disgruntled, Kuzan lowered his head, preparing to give a formal bow.

  But before they could plete the motion, Cudius spoke up. "It's fihere's no need for suality."

  Zephyr and Kuzan blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback. The Marine officers froze as well. However, the soldiers had already fallen to their knees, bowing in submission before the Celestial Dragon.

  Watg this se, Cudius couldn't help but feel flicted. While his memories told him that people often bowed and scraped before him, seeing it iy for the first time left a different impression. These Marines, symbols of justid strength at sea, were now groveling in front of him. It was a stark reminder of how much power the Celestial Dragons wielded.

  Cudius had no desire to indulge in such theatrics. F these men, especially potential rising stars like Kuzan, to debase themselves would bring him no real be. He might derive some fleeting satisfa, but it would e at the cost of rese. A man like Kuzan was destined freatness, likely to bee a Marine Admiral iure. It was far better to show a little leniend avoid f bad blood between them.

  Seeing the stunned expressions on Zephyr and Kuzan's faces, Cudius waved his hand dismissively. "Let's not waste time. I appreciate you finding this isnd and resg me. But I've had enough of this pce. I want to return to Mariejois immediately."

  Cudius' ued dispy of good temper threw Zephyr for a loop. He had braced himself for insults or worse but was met with ued civility instead. Still, Zephyr didn't dare question it. Nodding quickly, he replied, "Of course, Saint Cudius. We'll see to it that you're safely escorted baariejois without dey."

  As Zephyr gave the and, the Marines swiftly prepared to set sail. Gng around the isnd, Zephyr noticed the remnants of a fire, some half-cooked wild boar, and bones scattered about. It seemed the Celestial Dragon had truly been surviving on his own these past weeks.

  "I get the feeling Cudius isn't like the other Celestial Dragons," Kuzan mused quietly.

  Zephyr nodded in agreement. "Indeed. He's not quite what I expected. But maybe this experience humbled him. Who knows?"

  They both shared a chuckle, Kuzan adding, "Yeah, maybe. Still, it's rare to meet a Celestial Dragon like him. I guess I was just curious."

  "Well, enjoy it while it sts. You'll probably never want to see a Celestial Dragon again after this," Zephyr said with a smile.

  Meanwhile, aboard the warship, Cudius was soaking in a bath, finally able to rex after weeks of hardship. While he had been able to find water on the isnd, proper toiletries had been out of the question. Now, he was relishing the ce to finally rid himself of the grime and exhaustion.

  "Zephyr and Kuzan... With the two of them here, I rest easy. They'll get me baariejois without any issues," Cudius murmured, sinking deeper into the warm water.

  After a long, satisfying soak, Cudius stood up and examined himself in the mirror. "I've ged a bit these past two weeks," he noted, poking at the fat around his stomach.

  Though he still carried a bit of extra weight, the time spent roughing it on the isnd had clearly toughened him up. He'd shed some fat, and his arms and legs now had a bit of muscle tone.

  "Maybe with some proper training, I finally shake off the 'greasy' bel," Cudius said to himself with a small grin.

  He dressed in the luxurious clothes the Marines had provided, finding them a bit loose after his weight loss. heless, they were still far more fortable than anything he had worn on the isnd.

  Stepping out of the bathroom, Cudius noticed that every Marine he passed immediately bowed their heads in respect. He aowledged them casually, more to prevent them from dropping to their khan out of any real courtesy.

  Eventually, he arrived at his room on the ship. Despite being aboard a warship, the aodations were surprisingly spacious and fortable.

  "This room's probably the result of the two weeks they spent preparing to rescue me," Cudius thought with a smirk.

  Without looking back, he called out to the Marianding outside his do prepare a proper lune. And invite Admiral Zephyr to join me for the meal."

  The Marine saluted and quickly replied, "Yes, Saint Cudius. I'll vey your orders immediately."

  Once alone, Cudius sat down and took a sip of the tea that had been prepared for him. He murmured to himself, "Sea Circle dar 1490... I know a few things about what's to e, but it's best to firm them with Zephyr."