After a long versation, Bartholomew Kuma looked at Cudius with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. He finally asked, "Mr. Dragon, are you tellihat the books authored by the 'Sage Cudius' were actually written by him?"

  Dragon nodded. "That's right. Well, to be precise, the first two were entirely his work. The st three were a colboratioweewo of us. It was an exge of ideas, though we do have some signifit differences. He advocates for reform from the top down, while I push for a revolution from the bottom up. In that sense, we don't really see eye to eye."

  Dragon smiled and tinued, "In fact, before I learned his true identity, I nning to recruit him as a mentor for the revolutionary army."

  Cudius ughed heartily. "You trust me that much? Aren't you afraid I'll betray you? Hahaha!"

  Dragon waved dismissively. "Ideas 't be betrayed."

  Cudius smiled at Dragon's remark, knowing that Dragon's words were more polite than sincere. Sure, Dragon said Cudius was "trustworthy," but Cudius khat deep down, Dragon wasn't naive enough to put all his faith in him. Dragon undoubtedly had tingens and safeguards in pce, as any smart leader would.

  Cudius was certain that if Dragon didn't have such precautions in pce, he'd sider Dragon a fool, unfit to lead. But this was the natural way of things between them, each watched the other carefully, slowly building a fragile trust while remaining cautious.

  For now, they were friendly, and who knew? Maybe their retionship would deepen iure. But for now, there was o pick apart every unspokeail. Both men uood the game they were pying.

  After a bit more versation, Kuma had a clearer uanding of Cudius. Like many, Kuma had heard of Cudius by he Celestial Dragon who captured Shiki, helped take down John, and became the leader of CP-X. Based on these achievements, Kuma had assumed Cudius was just another powerful figure serving the Wover.

  But after meeting him in person, Kuma found his assumptions challenged. Cudius was different. If it weren't for the fact that he knew Cudius was a Celestial Dragon, Kuma might've mistaken him for a revolutionary thinker himself.

  The three of them tio chat, with Cudius and Kuma establishing a friendly rapport. After a while, Dragon seemed to remember something and shifted the versation.

  "By the way, you never did tell me why you're here in South Blue. You're not on vacation?"

  "I told you, I'm on a mission," Cudius replied nontly. "I'm here to catch Roger, the Pirate King."

  Dragon blihen looked at Cudius as if he were insane. "You? Catch Roger? In South Blue?"

  Cudius frowned, a little annoyed. "Why is that so unbelievable?"

  Dragon gave him a skeptical look. "Well, for starters, Roger's likely hiding out in the New World right now. And even if he weren't, you think you catch Roger? The Pirate King? My father's been chasing him for years and has fought him tless times. Roger's no joke, Cudius. He's on another level."

  "Are you looking down on me?" Cudius replied, clearly displeased.

  "I'm just being realistic," Dragon said. "I don't know how you mao catch Shiki, but don't let that go to your head. Roger's a differe entirely. And, as your friend, I'm advising you, if you pn to take him down, you'd better have more than just your little crew here. Yoing to need serious firepower."

  Cudius sighed. He uood that Dragon was genuine advice, out of . But what Dragon didn't know was that Cudius wasn't pnning to rely on brute force to capture Roger. He had an ace up his sleeve: Vice Admiral Garp, one of the few men capable of standing toe-to-toe with Roger.

  Still, Cudius wasn't about to expin that ton. "Yeah, yeah," he said, waving his hand dismissively. "I hear you. Don't worry, I won't be reckless."

  Dragon eyed him suspiciously but didn't press the issue. Instead, he ged the topic. "Actually, since we've run into each other, there is something I could use your help with."

  "I figured as much," Cudius said with a smirk. "So what is it? You didn't just e all the way to South Blue for no reasht? What's the favor?"

  Dragon took a sip of his drink before speaking. "It's about Kuma. He's no longer a king, he's bee a pirate, but that's not really what he wants. He's been using his time fighting off pirate forces in South Blue, which is how he earhe niame 'Tyrant Kuma.'"

  "Okay, go on," Cudius nodded.

  "Well," Dragon tinued, "I'm just letting you know he's on our side. He's w with the revolutionary army now. If you , I'd appreciate it if you'd keep a for him. Make sure he doesn't get into any trouble with Marine or the Wover."

  Cudius chuckled. "You're really dumping this on me? Why not just ask Garp? He's the Marine hero."

  Dragon smiled but shook his head. "Positions matter, Cudius. Kuma's officially a pirate, which makes him an enemy in the eyes of the Marines."

  "I see," Cudius murmured, nodding. "Alright, I get it. I'll do what I to keep Kuma safe."

  "Thanks," Dragon said sincerely. "The pn is for Kuma to tinue pying the role of a pirate for now. It's a good cover, and if there's anythihe revolutionary army, need dohat's too risky, we use him to ha."

  Cudius raised an eyebrow, catg Dragon's meaning. Dragon was subtly hinting that if Cudius needed any discreet favors iure, Kuma could help out, ns attached. It was an offer to deepen their alliance.

  Cudius smiled to himself. Dragon might not fully realize how strong Kuma was, but Cudius did. He had just been offered the assistance of one of the most powerful figures in the revolutionary army, and it was clear this "favor" could prove very useful iure.

  Their versation didn't st much longer. After a bit more chatting, Dragon and Kuma prepared to leave. As Dragon climbed bato the small boat, he called out with a grin, "Good luck catg the Pirate King, Cudius."

  With that, Dragon and Kuma sailed off, as swiftly as they had appeared.

  After they were gone, Cudius smiled to himself and stretched zily on his sun lounger. "Alright, it's time to move. Anchor up. Let's head to Bateril Isnd. I've heard the sery there is stunning, and who knows? Maybe something iing will happen."