Momonga was straightforward and ho in his defeat. His words left a good impression on Cudius, who nodded and said, "Alright, then I'll gdly accept the victory."

  At the same time, Zephyr smiled and added, "Yes, in battle, no one would question the validity of such a win. It's just that Momonga was too careless, and that's what led to his loss."

  Momonga nodded regretfully and stepped back. However, Cudius wasn't quite satisfied yet. He stood in the arena, giving a meaningful look to Zephyr.

  Zephyr, uanding the unspoken message, gnced over at the other Marine officers gathered nearby. Spotting the figure he had in mind, he called out, "ion, e over and spar with this CP-0 agent, Crowe."

  Cudius followed Zephyr's gaze and saw a strikingly beautiful woman with long, graceful legs stepping out from the group of Marines. She had a strong presehat instantly drew attention.

  "Yes, Teacher Zephyr," Gion responded, bowing her head respectfully before walking toward the ter of the training ground.

  If Momonga was a rising star in the Marine ranks, then Gion was on a whole other level. Cudius knew very well that Gion wasn't just any Marine. Iure, she would bee a Vice Admiral, but not just any Vice Admiral she would be one of the elite, an Admiral didate with the ame "Momousagi" (Pink Rabbit).

  An Admiral didate wasn't an ordinary Vice Admiral. It meant she was someone on par with the likes of Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino, Marine's stro batants. The only thing keeping her from the full rank of Admiral was a ck of va the position.

  Cudius khat after the battle between Kuzan and Sakazuki, where Sakazuki became Fleet Admiral and Kuzahe Marines, Gion could have stepped up to take one of the vat Admiral positions. But she did not make the cut, as Issho and Aramaki attaihe positions instead.

  Regardless, this didn't take away from Gion's strength. Even now, she had the potential to stand among the stro, and Cudius was both satisfied aed to face su oppo. He khat against her, he'd have to give it his all.

  Gion moved quickly, closing the distaween them with long, fident strides. Wheood before him, she introduced herself, "Naval Headquarters, Gion."

  Cudius nodded and responded, "CP-0, Crowe."

  With their brief introdus over, Kuzan signaled for the match to begin. As soon as he did, Gion pced her hand on the hilt of her sword, a rare and famous bde named "Jinbira," which would bee her lifelong panion.

  With just that motion, a fierce sword aura burst from her, and in the blink of an eye, her hand was cloaked in a pitch-bck Armament Haki that flowed smoothly to her sword's hilt.

  Cudius observed this and quickly made a judgment. pared to Momonga, who had only a basic grasp of Armament Haki, Gion was far more skilled. She wasn't a beginner; she rofit. This meant his Logia powers, which allowed him to turn into a, wouldn't be as effective. Gion could use her Haki to strike his physical form even if he tried to go intangible.

  The air around them grew tense. After a brief moment of silence, Gion made her move. The bde of Jinbira fshed from its sheath, and before the sword was fully drawn, a sharp ssh cut through the air, heading straight for Cudius.

  This was no mere sword swipe. Unlike Momonga's earlier "pseudo-ssh," this was a true Swordsman's Ssh—deadly and precise.

  Cudius didn't dare attempt to evade by going intangible. If he misjudged and Gion caught him off guard like Flying Squirrel had, he wouldn't stand a ce. Instead, he moved swiftly, drawing his short sword, Shinsō, and raising it to block.

  With a metallig, Gion's ssh struck Shinsō. The bde held firm, but the sheer force behind the ssh pushed Cudius back two steps.

  Gion smiled slightly, seeing her advantage. She surged forward with incredible speed, whispering, "Rabbit Jump!" Her movement teique propelled her forward like a swift hare, increasing her speed to a level Cudius hadn't expected.

  Before he could fully recover from the block, Gion was already in front of him. To his surprise, she didn't strike with her sword. Instead, she coated her leg in Armament Haki and delivered a powerful kick to his chest.

  "Tempest Kick!" Gion shouted as her kick ected.

  Cudius felt the impact explode against his chest. The force lifted him off his feet a him flying backward, rolling across the ground several times before ing to a stop.

  From the sidelines, Nia, Cudius's butler, gasped in shock, instinctively wanting to rush forward. However, Stussy pced a hand on her arm, holding her back.

  "Yhness doesn't want his battle interrupted," Stussy said calmly. "Remember, this trip isn't about showing off his status. He came here to temper himself."

  Nia hesitated but eventually nodded, calming herself down.

  Meanwhile, ba the battlefield, Cudius scrambled to his feet, managing to dodge another of Gion's attacks with a hasty roll that cked any sembnce of grace. Yet, for all its inelega worked.

  Though the move looked clumsy, the "zy donkey roll," as it was often called, had saved tless warriors from death over the ages. Sometimes, practicality outweighed style.

  The brief respite gave Cudius a moment to breathe, but not for long. No sooner had he gotten to his feet than Gion on him again, her sword raised high, ready t it down with a force that could split him in half.

  Cudius steadied himself, brag for the impact. His Devil Fruit powers surged, and with a low growl, he raised his hands. As Giht Jinbira down, her bde stopped short, as if blocked by an invisible force.

  Gion's eyes widened in surprise. "What is this?" she muttered.

  Cudius grinned. "An invisible air shield."

  Befion could process what had happened, Cudius released a pulse of pressed nitrogen from around his body, f her to leap back, her brow furrowed in caution.

  "So, this is the same teique you used to subdue Momonga?" Gion asked, still watg him ily.

  "More or less," Cudius replied cryptically.

  The air around him shifted again, his body now radiating a different kind of pressure. He had started to press nitrogen within his body, preparing to use it for enhanced speed and attack power. However, despite the temptation, Cudius refrained from using liquid nitrogen, a far deadlier variant of his abilities. The risk of causing irreversible damage to Gion was too high, and he didn't want to seriously injure her.

  As his aura intensified, Gioated. Her instincts told her that Cudius reparing something dangerous. She raised her guard, carefully his movements.

  Suddenly, the sound of Cudius's heartbeat filled the air, loud and rhythmic, like a powerful drum beating steadily. It was so intehat it could be heard from several meters away.

  "Thump, thump, thump!"

  Gion's eyes widened in astonishment. "What... what is that?"

  Cudius stretched his neck, crag it on both sides, and smirked. "It seems you're an oppo worth taking seriously."

  His heartbeat, now akin to the legendary King Engine, created an oppressive atmosphere that seemed to magnify his presence. bined with his words, it gave the impression that he hadn't everying up until now, pletely fooling Gion.

  In the instant, white smoke exploded from Cudius's feet, propelling him forward at an incredible speed. He luraight tion, his movements nearly a blur.