"So… what if I said I wao take revenge on Mariejois?"

  Dofmingo's voice came hesitantly through the phone. He paused for a moment, as if waiting for Cudius's response, but before Cudius could answer, he quickly added, "Of course, not revenge on you, cousin. I know you've always treated me well. If it weren't for your support over the years, I probably wouldn't have made it this far. And if my father hadn't stubbornly refused your kindness, we wouldn't have ended up living in such a miserable state…"

  Cudius didn't hesitate. Dofmingo wanting revenge on Mariejois made seo him. After all, Cudius himself had pns to turn Mariejois upside dowhe time was right. He wasn't pnning on staying a Celestial Dragon forever.

  A few years ago, he'd been too young, still figuring things out. Back then, Cudius cked the strength and influeo make any real moves. But now, things were different. He might not be at the peak of his power yet, but he was more than capable of holding his own in this vast o. If he were in the Navy, he figured he could easily hold the rank of Vice Admiral by now.

  His age was no longer a limitation, and he was beginning to think it was time to start ying the groundwork recruiting allies, building up his own forces. Cudius k would be a long process before he had enough power to pull off what he nning, but that was fine. He was still young, and there lenty of time.

  Now, with Dofmingo at a breaking point with his family and ready to strike out on his own, things were aligning in Cudius's favor. Dofmingo ime to rise to power, to establish himself. Perhaps, by the time Dofmingo succeeded, he would be a valuable ally in Cudius's own pns.

  So, rather than stopping him, Cudius fully inteo support him. Their bond had grown stronger over the years, and Dofmingo essentially saw Cudius as the only family member who truly uood him.

  Sure, Dofmingo might want to carve his own path for a while, aiming to create his empire, but Cudius was fident. When Dofmiually realized he needed more, there was a high ce he would fall under Cudius's banner pletely.

  This was the perfect time for iment.

  "I've already told you, Doffy," Cudius said with a smile, "you're my brother the person I trust most. You know you're my only family. So, whatever you decide to do, even if it's taking revenge on Mariejois, I'll support you. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing those pompous fools taken doeg myself. Maybe our timing will be perfect."

  "The only family…" Dofmingo whispered to himself.

  His eyes reddened. Despite his resolve to strike out on his own, he was still just a thirteen-year-old boy. His mother had passed away. His father had dragged their family from the heights of privilege to the depths of despair. His younger brother, Rosinante, didn't uand him at all, holding on to na?ve ideals and fantasies that Dofmingo found insufferable.

  If he were to t the people who truly uood him, only his cousin Cudius came to mind. Now, hearing Cudius call him his only family stirred something deep within Dofmingo's heart.

  Though he still had his father and brother, none of them were like Cudius. Cudius was the only one who really uood him the only one who was truly family.

  If Cudius had known what Dofmingo was thinking, he might have felt a pang of guilt. It was true that he had some thoughts of using Dofmingo for his own purposes, but it was also true that, aside from that, Dofmingo really was his only family. Cudius didn't sider Homing or Rosinante as family. In his eyes, they were more like burdens or nuisances.

  "I k, cousin. I knew you'd support me," Dofmingo said, his voice filled with excitement. "Let's turn this world upside down together, the two of us!"

  "Hahaha, exactly!" Cudius ughed. "We'll turn this world on its head."

  After a moment, Cudius's tone shifted as he asked, "So, what's your pn? What do you need from me? Just tell me, Doffy."

  Dofmingo paused for a sed, then said, somewhat shyly, "Cousin, do you know about Haki?"

  "Huh? Of course I do. You should know I've always been ied in that sort of thing," Cudius replied.

  "Good. Something strange happened retly. While I was fighting a mob that was bullying Rosinante, I suddenly awakehis power called 'queror's Haki.' Because of that, a few people approached me. They seem to think I have the potential to be a king. They've pledged their loyalty to me, calling me 'Young Master.' With them by my side, I'm ready to make my move."

  As Dofmingo expined, Cudius felt a wave of disbelief wash over him. He had spent years honing his skills, pushing himself to the limit, but he hadn't mao awaken queror's Haki. Meanwhile, his cousin, after suffering in North Blue, had actally unlocked it and, on top of that, had people lining up to pledge their allegiao him.

  Cudius couldn't help but pare their experiences. He had worked so hard to earn every bit of power, even managing to recruit Stussy into his circle. But Dofmingo, despite his miserable circumstances, had mao awaken queror's Haki and gain followers just like that.

  Cudius thought with a wry smile. Why is no one falling over themselves to be my follower?

  Then he remembered Rothschild, the Celestial Dragon who had begged to be his subordinate ba Sabaody Archipego. Cudius had turned him down, of course. Maybe he shouldn't have been so quick to refuse?

  Dofmingo really does have the protagonist's tempte if only he wasn't a vilin, Cudius thought with amusement. Born into a Celestial Dragon family, cast down into hardship, and now rising through sheer force of will. And now, he's awakened queror's Haki.

  Cudius sighed inwardly. In a different world, Dofmingo could have easily been the main character of some epic saga.

  He even has me behind him, like some powerful menture. Damn, the kid's got it all.

  "Cousin? Cousin, are you still there?" Dofmingo's voiterrupted Cudius's thoughts.

  "Ah, yeah, sorry. Just lost in thought for a moment," Cudius said, brushing it off. "So, what's your move?"

  "I'm going to form the Donquixote Family. I'll start by taking trol of the area where we've been living. I'll bee the biggest power in the region's underground, and from there… I'll keep growing," Dofmingo expined. His voice was filled with determination, and it was clear he'd been thinking about this for a long time.

  Cudius listened carefully. Everything retty much as he'd expected. Dofmingo nning to build his own crew, get involved in the underworld, expand his influence, aually take on the Wover.

  There were a lot of holes in Dofmingo's pn, but Cudius khose would get filled iime. As Dofmingo gained experience, he would grow stronger, smarter, aually bee the infamous "Heavenly Demon."

  Oningo finished ying out his pn, Cudius asked, "So, how I help you? What do you need from me?"

  There was a brief silen the other end before Dofmingo spoke, sounding a bit embarrassed. "Well… I was hoping… you could lend me some money, cousin. Just to get started."

  Cudius blinked in surprise. All Dofmingo wanted was a loan? Given how difficult life had been for him in North Blue, Cudius had expected him to ask for something bigger.

  His heart went out to his cousin. It was clear how muingo had suffered. Feeling a surge of brotherly affe, Cudius spoke generously.

  "We're brothers, Doffy. You don't o borrow anything from me. When you left Mariejois, you gave me all your sves. Think of this as me returning the favor. I'll send you one billion Baileys to start. Is that enough? If you need more, don't hesitate to ask."

  "One… one billion?" Dofmingo stammered. Having lived in poverty for so long, he had lost touch with the value of money. For years, he'd been scraping by, barely able to earn enough to survive. Now, his cousin was him one billion Baileys as if it were nothing. It was more than he could've imagined.

  Moved to tears, Dofmingo said emotionally, "Cousin, you're the best. Don't worry, I won't let you down. I'll make something great of myself, and I'll repay your trust."

  "Hahaha, you're part of the Donquixote family, Doffy. I know you'll rise to bee someone important. Work hard, and if you ever need anything else, just let me know. As long as I help, I will," Cudius said with a hearty ugh.

  After exging a few more words, the call ended. Cudius put the receiver down and gazed out toward the isnd that was now in clear view.

  "Finally, the wheels are in motion. The figures of this era are slowly starting to move. I 't afford to g behind," Cudius muttered to himself, a sense of anticipation swelling in his chest.

  Nia standing nearby, heard his words and asked, "Yhness, what are you thinking about?"

  "Hahaha, nothing too serious. Just feeling a bit reflective," Cudius replied with a grin.

  Meanwhile, at the port of illo Isnd, Dragon had just stepped off a small boat. He turo goward the horizon and noticed a rger ship flying the Wover's fg approag the dock.

  "That's probably him," Dragon said quietly, watg the ship draw closer. "It's been years since we st met. I wonder if Mr. Crowe has ged… and if he'll agree with my ideas."

  Instead of leaving, Dragon stayed at the harbor, waiting for the ship to dock, curious to see if the man he had invited Cudius was indeed onboard.

  At the same time, in the Holy Land of Mariejois, the headquarters of the Wover, the Five Elders were gathered together, deep in discussion. The tides of the era were shifting, and by 1496, the tremors of ge had already begun to be felt around the world.