Cudius finished p his wine. Dofmingo took a sip, then murmured, "queror's Haki… you think Kong has it too?"

  "What, is that surprising?" Cudius replied with a grin.

  "Well," Dofmingo began, "I've always thought of Marines as subservient to the Wover, especially the higher-ups like the Fleet Admiral. How could someone who 'follows orders' have the spirit of a queror?"

  Cudius chuckled. "queror's Haki isn't some mystical power that's only reserved for kings and tyrants. It's about having an unbreakable will, a refusal to bend, even if you work within a hierarchy. queror's Haki is about ruling yourself, being the king of your ow."

  He took a thoughtful sip, "Think about it Sengoku, the future Marine Fleet Admiral, has queror's Haki. Ace, who was once just a son under Whitebeard, had it too. Rayleigh was Roger's right-hand ma he possessed it. Even Katakuri, who never led the Big Mom Pirates, has it. queror's Haki isn't about rank. It's about your heart's refusal to submit."

  Dofmingo looked at him with genuine surprise. "Cousin, you've clearly put a lot of thought into this. Do you… have it too?"

  Cudius's face went a bit red, and he waved a dismissive hand. "Who, me? No, I just uand it a bit. queror's Haki… yeah, that's ohing I haven't awakened."

  Dofmingo burst into ughter. "Fufufufufu! After all these years, I finally have something over you, cousin!"

  Cudius shot him an irritated look. "You smug bastard! Of all the things you could bring up, you had to pick my one weakness?"

  Dofmingo just grihen added with a mischievous glint in his eye, "Don't worry, cousin. I'm sure you'll awaken it eventually. I believe in you."

  "Sure you do," Cudius replied, rolling his eyes. They both shared a ugh, the tensioween them easing.

  Dofmingo's expression then shifted to curiosity. "So, what's the pn? Are we really just here to 'get some experience,' like you said? Are we really just going to sit bad watch the show as the Fleet Admiral delivers justice to the infamous Red Earl?"

  "That's the idea. But…" Cudius took a slow sip from his gss. "My gut tells me things won't go that smoothly."

  Dofmingo raised an eyebrow. "You think Kong might… lose?"

  Cudius smirked, a glint of anticipation in his eyes. "Exactly."

  A wicked smile spread across Dofmingo's face. "Now that's something I'd like to see, the 'justice' of the Marines crushed by 'evil.'"

  Cudius gave him a pat on the shoulder. "But remember, justice always wins in the end."

  Dofmingo studied him thoughtfully. "So, you're saying you're waiting for Kong to falter… so you jump in and finish the job?"

  "Pretty much," Cudius replied, swirling his drink. "But keep in mind, he's still the Fleet Admiral. If he fails, it'll be a blow to the Wover. I 't just sit by a him lose fapletely. When the moment's right, I'll step in. And that's where you e in, too."

  Dofmingo aking his cousin's words to heart. "Uood. I'll be ready."

  The battle between Kong and Redfield was brutal, shaking the entire isnd. The town was devastated by the shockwaves of their csh. Buildings crumbled, and residents y unscious ireets, felled by the sheer force of queror's Haki that radiated from both batants. Garp, statio the port, was busy pulling civilians out of the rubble, while Cudius and Dofmingo's tavern remaianding, thanks to Trebol and the others shielding it from the worst of the aftermath.

  As the day turo dusk, Cudius gnced out the window, noting the darkening sky. "It's about time for him to show signs of wear. He's almost seventy, after all," he murmured.

  Dofmingo's eyes narrowed. "So… should we make our move now?"

  Cudius grinned, his voice low and menag. "The night is perfect."

  The two of them stepped out of the tavern together. The once lively port town y in ruins, debris scattered everywhere. Cudius rolled his shoulders, looking toward the mountaihe csh was taking pce. The ground shook as powerful waves of energy rippled through the air.

  "Doffy, help seal off the isnd. There may only be one port, but we 't risk Redfield esg by any means. We o cut off all exits," Cudius instructed.

  Dofmingo's lips curled into a smirk. "Perfect timing. I've just developed a eique I call the Birdcage."

  Without another word, Dofmingo raised his hand, his Devil Fruit powers stirring. Thin, nearly invisible threads spread out from his fingers, weaving together in the sky to create an immense cage that began to desd over the isnd, trapping everyohin its razor-sharp walls.

  Cudius watched for a moment, nodding approvingly. "Impressive," he said. "I'm heading in."

  Before Dofmingo could reply, Cudius unleashed a burst of wind, propelling himself forward. His figure blurred, disappearing into the shadows as he soared toward the mountain.

  Watg his cousin vanish, Dofmingo muttered to himself, "Looks like I'm not the only one who fly. Maybe I should work on that, too."

  As Cudius approached the battlefield, he took in the se. Fleet Admiral Kong was clearly struggling, his chest bore a deep ssh, blood seeping from the wound. His left eye was swollen shut, blood dripping down his face from a particurly brutal cut. Meanwhile, Redfield was also injured; his chest was visibly dented, likely from one of Kong's powerful punches, and his oneat hair was now disheveled. Still, he appeared to be holding up better than Kong.

  "Invisible…" Cudius whispered, activating one of his abilities.

  In an instant, his body began to blend with the air around him, being pletely invisible. It was a teique he'd developed from his Nitrogen-Nitrogen Fruit abilities, using nitrogen's colorless properties to mask his preseirely.

  "Move with the wind…" Cudius murmured as he drifted forward, blending seamlessly into the night air.

  He knew Redfield's Observation Haki was exceptional, and that it wouldn't take long before the Red t sensed his presence. But he o get as close as possible before making his move.

  Otlefield, Redfield smirked at his wounded oppo. "Kong, you should've knower than to e here alooday, I'll add the head of a Marine Fleet Admiral to my legacy!"

  Kong ighe taunt, gritting his teeth as he steadied himself. With a powerful stomp, he unched himself forward, muscles bulging, his fist crag with Armament Haki. "Justice will never fall to the likes of you, Redfield!"

  He threw a massive punch, the air itself splitting us force. "Fist of Justice!"

  Redfield's eyes narrowed, and he raised his sword, prepared to ter. "Your justids here!" He swung his bde, unleashing a slig wave of energy aimed directly at Kong's chest.

  But suddenly, Redfield's expression shifted. Sensing a new presence closing in fast, he tried to pull his sword back to defend himself, but it was too te.

  Cudius materialized in midair, his sword Shindō drawn and ready. With a fierce cry, he unleashed his attack. "Death is like the wind, always by my side! One-Sword Style—Secret Art: Blizzard!"

  A blinding white ssh burst from Cudius's bde, a trated line of pressed air that shot straight toward Redfield.

  Redfield, ag on instinct, mao raise his sword horizontally, preparing to intercept the strike. The two attacks collided in a storm of raw energy, sending shockwaves rippling across the mountainside.