Oop floor of Marineford's Naval Headquarters Hospital, in the most advanced ward equipped with the best medical teology, Cudius y on a hospital bed in a patient gown, looking rexed. It would be hard to believe that just a few ho, he had been fiercely battling Gion in a high-stakes training matarrowly winning with a risky, self-sacrifig move.

  The aftermath of that fight had nearly given several bystanders a heart attack especially those aware of Cudius's true identity. Zephyr himself had almost suffered a heart attack from the shock.

  After all, Cudius retending to be a CP-0 recruit. If he were genuinely just a potential agent, even with all his promise, an actal death during training wouldn't have been the end of the world. Marineford could hahat without too much pressure.

  But Cudius wasn't just any recruit he was a Celestial Dragon. If he were injured, people might grumble, but if he died, it would be airely different story. The fallout would be catastrophic.

  Despite the tension, after Cudius had executed his "mutual destruove and pierced both himself and Gioill mao stand victorious. Zephyr, using his seasoned eyes, could see that though Cudius was seriously injured, it wasn't life-threatening. To avoid exposing Cudius's identity, Zephyr had to restrain Nia, Cudius's panig butler, as well as Stussy, who had been quietly freaking out.

  Zephyr's impression of Cudius had shifted over time. When they first met, Zephyr had pegged him as just another spoiled Celestial Dragon, a troublemaker. But after their enter in the New World, Zephyr had seen a glimpse of Cudius's potential and had passed down to him valuable training teiques.

  Now, after seeing Cudius fight again, Zephyr's opinion had ged dramatically. Cudius wasn't just talented he was fearless and ruthlessly determihe fact that Cudius was willing to stab himself to ensure victory in what was essentially a sparring match left a deep impression.

  At that moment, Zephyr realized that Cudius wasn't just a typical Celestial Dragon. He was the kind of person who had the grit and drive to push through pain, hardship, and limitations. He had both talent and tenacity, a bination Zephyr admired. If Cudius had been a Marine, Zephyr would have groomed him to bee a future Admiral, maybe even a Fleet Admiral. It was a shame such potential was locked within the fines of the Celestial Dragons.

  By Cudius's bedside Nia atteo him, him tea and keeping him fortable. Despite the battle he had just endured, Cudius appeared at ease, though there was still a hint of soreness in his movements.

  However, Nia's expression darkened every time her eyes flicked to the other bed in the room. Under her breath, she muttered curses aimed at its oct.

  This was a three-person ward, the most elite medical facility in Marineford. Normally, only top officers like Admirals or the Fleet Admiral would use it. But in cases of injury, it was also made avaible to those Marines deemed promising future leaders.

  Lying oher bed was her than Gion, the odore who had beeed by Cudius in their intense sparring match. Despite Cudius winning the bout, Gion's physical dition was far superior to his, thanks to her Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit abilities, which granted her enhanced vitality and recovery.

  Even so, Gion had suffered a serious wound from Cudius's Shinsō. While Zoan fruits, especially the Mythical ones, were known for their incredible resilience, she was still too io be up and about. Thus, Gion had been pced in the same elite ward as Cudius to recuperate.

  As Nia tio gre at Gion, the odore smirked and said, "Heh, if I didn't feel the ruthlessness you dispyed during that fight, I'd think you were just some pampered noble's son, lounging around with your maid fussing over you."

  Cudius chuckled and replied, "What's wrong, Gion? Are you upset about losing?"

  Gion's expression turned slightly sour. It was true Cudius hadn't been strohan her in raw power. In fact, in terms of physical strength and skill, he was slightly weaker. But the fact remained: in the end, he had won. He had shown the resolve to risk everything for victory, and that was something she had to respect, even if it frustrated her.

  "I'm not someone who 't admit defeat," Gion said after a pause, her voice firm despite the sting of the loss.

  "Good to hear," Cudius said, a teasing smile on his face. "I wouldn't want to have to stab myself again just to prove my point."

  As they exged words, Cudius reflected och. He khere was still a siderable gap between his strength and Gion's. His victory had beeo his boldness rather than sheer power. He had leveled the pying field with his determination and a willio take drastic risks.

  Based owo sparring sessions, Cudius had a clearer uanding of his own strength. pared to the average Marine odore, he was undoubtedly stronger. In terms of raw power, he was well above someone like Momonga, but he still had some ground to cover before reag the level of the top-tier odores like Gion.

  heless, he wasn't disced. He khat with more training and effort, he would eventually surpass even someone as formidable as Gion.

  After a brief exge, Cudius turned his attention away from Gion. As impressive as she was both as a fighter and as a beautiful woman he found his thoughts drifting toward the man lying ihird bed in their shared ward.

  That man was her than Monkey D. Dragon, the future revolutionary leader who would one day be sidered the world's most dangerous criminal. To Cudius, the ce of running inton here felt almost too good to be true.

  Dragon, the son of Marine hero Garp, was a figure surrounded by mystery. At this point, Dragon was still a respected Marih a promising future ahead of him, someone people believed would one day bee an Admiral, or perhaps even the Fleet Admiral. His presen this elite ward was no surprise, given his status and potential.

  However, it seemed Dragon's injuries weren't too severe, as he and about, helping himself to tea and snacks while occasionally chatting with Gion. Cudius had noticed they were on familiar terms, which made sense. Gion had a close retionship with Garp, often referring to him casually as "Little Garp." It was no surprise she knew Dragon well, too.

  Despite sharing the ward, Dragon had only exged a few polite words with Cudius, aowledging him as just another CP-0 recruit. He hadn't given Cudius much attention sihen.

  As Dragon quietly read a book, his serious expression gave off a schorly air. He didn't resemble the man who would one day be the leader of a worldwide revolution. Without the familiar blood-red tattoos on his face courtesy of Garp's infamous slipper discipline Dragon looked more like an intellectual than a soldier.

  Cudius, watg Dragon out of the er of his eye, couldn't help but ugh inwardly. "What luck! I was just w how I could get closer to this guy, and now we're stu the same hospital room! Patient friends, huh? Perfect."

  Indeed, before ing to Marineford, Cudius had prepared himself for a potential enter with Dragon, though he hadn't expected it to happen so soon or under such circumstances.

  Putting thoughts of Gion aside, Cudius shifted his focus ton. He had to make his move carefully, so as not to waste this golden opportunity.

  "Now that Dragon's here, Gion's not my priority anymore," Cudius mused. He turo his butler and said, "Nia, could you grab that book I brought with me? I'd like to read a bit."

  Nia, quick as always, nodded and asked, "Whie would you like to read, Mr. Crow?"

  Cudius preteo think for a moment before replying, "Hmm... How about 'Civil Rights'?"

  As soon as Cudius said the title, Dragon's eyes flickered with i. Though he tried to maintain his posure, Cudius noticed his subtle rea.

  Nia hurriedly fetched the book from Cudius's bag and ha to him. Smiling, Cudius opehe book and casually read aloud a famous quote: "The people are the most valuable, society es sed, and the ruler is the least important..."

  Dragon's eyes sharpe the words, his curiosity clearly piqued.

  Uo hold bay longer, Dragon leaned forward slightly and asked, "My friend, what book is that you're reading? And where I find a copy?"

  Cudius smiled inwardly. "Hook, line, and sinker."

  Feigning mild fusion, Cudius looked up at Dragon and replied, "Oh, this? It's called Civil Rights, but I doubt you find it in any stores..."