Iers near Naval Headquarters at Marineford, a rge ship flying the Wover fg sailed slowly toward the port, the t structures of Marineford visible in the distance.

  On the deck, Cudius stood, staring at the massive fortress of justiing ahead, a sense of awe creeping into his expression.

  "I've seen Marineford in my previous life, but witnessing this grand structure iy is something else entirely," Cudius murmured. "Just looking at it from here, you practically feel the weight of justi the air."

  As soon as he finished speaking Nia gently draped a luxurious mink coat over his shoulders.

  "Yhness, the air here is quite cold. Be careful not to catch a chill," Nia said softly, her tone full of .

  Cudius chuckled. "With my current physical dition, I don't think a little sea breeze will knock me down. Otherwise, wouldn't it be embarrassing to show up at Naval Headquarters like this?"

  "Your efforts haven't gone unnoticed, Yhness. I believe you'll e out on top this time," Nia replied with a smile.

  "My skills are barely passable," Cudius said with a ugh. "At best, I'm just above average."

  At that moment, a strikingly beautiful woman with a well-proportioned figure and wearing a, tailored suit approached them from behind. She bowed her head respectfully before speaking.

  "Saint Cudius, we're about ten minutes away from Marineford," she said in a soft, measured tone.

  Cudius turo look at her and nodded. "Thank you, Stussy, for the escort."

  "It's an honor for CP-0 to be of service, Yhness. Thank you for remembering my name," Stussy replied, her head still lowered in deference.

  Indeed, Cudius wasn't visiting Naval Headquarters this time to funt his status as a Celestial Dragon. Quite the opposite he inteo keep his identity hidden. There was o burden the Marines he would spar with by making them feel any unnecessary pressure. Only by doing so could he get an accurate measure of his own strength.

  However, Cudius couldn't just waltz into Naval Headquarters without a reason. After all, it wasn't a pe could casually visit like a public square. He needed a legitimate pretext, so he used his authority over the CP anization. The Cipher Pol, particurly CP-0, served as the shield of the Celestial Dragons, the most elite and mysterious arm of the gover. Though Cudius wasn't one of the more promi Celestial Dragons, he was still a genuine member of that privileged css, which gave him certain and over CP-0.

  And so, Cudius had called upon CP-0 te his transportation to Marineford, flying uheir bao avoid drawing unnecessary attention. His excuse for visiting was uhe guise of "internal training and unication," making him, for the moment, a member of CP-0.

  tally, the oo escort him was her than Stussy, the future Queen of the Pleasure District, the mastermind behind the intelligework known as Happy Street in the New World.

  In Cudius' eyes, Stussy was a remarkable figure not because of her strength, but because of her uny ability to maintain her appearance. Despite being around the same age as Charlotte Linlin, Stussy looked like a woman in her early thirties, maybe even younger. She carried herself with the grace of someone much younger, and even two or three decades from now, she would still appear as youthful and radiant as she did today. It was as though time had no hold on her.

  Cudius found himself intrigued by Stussy, not only because she was an attractive and capable woman but also because of her ualents. In the back of his mind, he was already thinking about ways to recruit her into his circle someday.

  After all, it wouldn't be too difficult. CP-0, despite its prestige, ultimately served the Celestial Dragons. Even if Stussy held a high-ranking position in CP-0, Cudius had the authority to pull her out of her role and assign her as his personal guard or assistant.

  The only challenge would be shifting Stussy's loyalty. As someone born and raised within CP-0, her devotion was undoubtedly to the Celestial Dragons as a whole. Cudius would o gradually cultivate her loyalty to him personally, much like he had with Nia. When Nia first arrived, she had been a standard butler, strictly loyal to the system she served. But now, her loyalty was solely to Cudius, and she was the one person he could fully trust.

  Cudius gazed at Stussy silently, these thoughts running through his mind.

  Stussy, feeling the weight of his stare but unsure of his thoughts, remaiill, growing slightly nervous. It wasn't wise to make a Celestial Dragon unfortable.

  After a long pause, Cudius finally made up his mind. There was o rush. He would establish a e with Stussy first ahings develop over time. For now, he didn't have the power or resources to fully bring her into his fold. It was better to let her tinue growing within CP-0, accumuting experiend strength.

  With this thought in mind, Cudius smiled. "I have a good memory when it es to beautiful women, so of course, I'd remember your name."

  Stussy raised her head slightly at his teasing remark, a professional smile still on her lips. "Thank you for your kind words, Saint Cudius."

  "Once we arrive at Marineford, remember not to reveal my true identity to anyone. Just treat me like your subordinate during our time here," Cudius instructed, his tone being more serious.

  "Of course, Yhness. I'll make sure of it," Stussy replied immediately.

  Despite Cudius' i in her, Stussy herself was also quite intrigued by him. She was an ambitious woman, after all. In her career within CP-0, she had dealt with maial Dragons, and Cudius was nothing like the others.

  From what she knew, he had once been a typical "brainless Celestial Dragon," causing trouble and indulging in excess. About a year ago, he had been tricked iing a Devil Fruit and had almost lost his life during an i in the New World. But after his return to Mariejois, he seemed to have transformed pletely.

  First, there was his appearance. Gone was the fat, sluggish figure, repced by a strikingly handsome young man. His demeanor had ged, too. Cudius no longer had the arrogant air of the other Celestial Dragons. He carried himself with a sense of purpose, and his physical fitness was surprisingly good for someone of his status. It was clear that he had undergorous training uhe guidance of someorong.

  Moreover, the way he ied with people was different. He didn't look down on those around him. Even his retionship with his butler, Nia, was notable. Nia didn't seem like a mere servant. There was a bond of trust and mutual respect between them, something Stussy had never seen with other Celestial Dragons.

  But what fasated Stussy the most was the reason for this visit. Cudius wasn't ing to Marineford to funt his status or du iion. He was ing to spar with the Mario test his own abilities.

  In her more than ten years with CP-0, Stussy had never seen a Celestial Dragon voluntarily visit Naval Headquarters to train. It was almost unbelievable.

  As their ship docked at Marineford's military port, Cudius disembarked, walking down the gangpnk calmly.

  Zephyr, who had already been informed of Cudius's arrival, stood waiting for him at the port. There was no formal reception, just a quiet meeting as Cudius had requested.

  As soon as Zephyr saw Cudius, his eyes lit up with surprise. As a Marine Admiral, Zephyr had a sharp eye for detail, and the ges in Cudius were obvious. It wasn't just that Cudius had slimmed down ained muscle; it was the way he carried himself his solid stance, his fidehe subtle signs orous training.

  In just six months, Cudius had undergone a dramatic transformation. Zephyr, an experienced instructor, could immediately tell that Cudius had been w hard. His progress wasn't something an ordinary person could achieve in such a short time.

  "It's a pity," Zephyr thought to himself. "If he weren't a Celestial Dragon, with this level of talent and his Devil Fruit powers, Cudius could have bee an Admiral didate alongside Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino."

  Pushing the thought aside, Zephyr stepped forward to greet him. Just as he was about to bow, Cudius interrupted with a grin.

  "Zephyr! It's been a while! I've missed you, old man," Cudius said cheerfully. "No need for all the formalities. Didn't I tell you before? When I'm here, treat me like anyone else. I'm not here as a Celestial Dragon, so keep that under s, alright?"

  The warmth in Cudius's tone caught Zephyr off guard but pleased him. Smiling, the Admiral replied, "Looking at you now, Yhness, I'm proud of the progress you've made."