The Ryugu Pa Fish-Man Isnd was vast and magnifit, rivaling even the opulence of Cudius' own pace.

  Although Fish-Man Isnd was somewhat isoted from the rest of the world, it was clear they were far from destitute. In fact, the grandeur of the pace showcased the isnd's wealth and affluence.

  Cudius, alongside his ente, followed Kiuo the pace. Walking behiune was a burly blue-skinned man who caught Cudius' attention. The man's presence felt familiar, and after a moment nition, Cudius realized who he was looking at her thaure Warlord of the Sea, Jinbei.

  Jinbei, still retively young at this time, carried himself with a calm dignity and exuded strength. Yet, there was something faintly endearing about him, a certain unpolished charm that seemed out of pce given his imposing stature.

  Notig Cudius' lingering gaze, une smiled and introduced him. "This is my most trusted subordinate, Jihe captain of the Ryugu Pace Guard."

  "So it really is him," Cudius thought to himself. Then, with a polite smile, he said aloud, "You certainly look the part, impressive and anding."

  "Thank you for your kind words, Saint Cudius," Jinbei replied, his deep voice resonating through the hall.

  Cudius returhe smile but didn't tio focus on Jinbei. While Jinbei was undoubtedly strong and loyal to Fish-Man Isnd, Cudius had no particur ambitions ing him at the moment. For now, Cudius had no iion to sway Jinbei's allegiance. After all, his heart beloo Fish-Man Isnd, and while the Celestial Dragons held no ill will toward him, earning his loyalty would be no simple feat.

  Still, Cudius mused that iure, as he built stroies with Fish-Man Isnd, perhaps their retionship might evolve. But that was a matter for aime.

  For now, Cudius followed une and his party into the Ryugu Pace. The pace's interior was just as impressive as its exterior, a masterpiece of uer architecture. une had prepared a grand ba in honor of Cudius' visit, and Cudius graciously accepted the hospitality.

  The ba was vish and enjoyable, a dispy of Fish-Man Isnd's rich culture and ary delights. After the feast cluded, the room was cleared, leaving only a small group: Sengoku, Stussy, une, Princess Otohime, and Cudius himself. It was time to get down to business.

  Seated with a gss of deep-sea wine in hand, Cudius took a sip and marveled at its unique fvor. "This wine is remarkable. The taste is unlike anything on the surface. I wonder what ingredients were used to make it."

  une chuckled at Cudius' praise, and Cudius turned his attention ba with a smile. "Fish-Man Isnd truly is a remarkable pce. Lenny and Mero weren't lying to me about how beautiful it is."

  At the mention of the two names, une raised an eyebrow. "Lenny? Mero? I believe I heard those the harbor earlier. Are they part of your esteemed ente, Yhness?"

  Cudius paused, his expression briefly thoughtful. "You could say that, though it's a bit plicated. Lenny and Mero are mermaid girls from Fish-Man Isnd. They were... previously sves in Mariejois, and by w, they beloo me."

  At these words, une and Otohime's expressions darkened. Despite Cudius' otherwise cordial demeanor, hearing him speak of their people as sves ainful reminder of the injustices Fish-Man Isnd had endured for turies.

  Notig the shift imosphere, Sengoku quickly intervened. "There's been a misuanding! Please don't take this the wrong way."

  "Yes, exactly," Stussy added, her tone calm and reassuring. "His Highness Cudius is not like the other Celestial Dragons. Over the years, he has dohing but protect Lenny and Mero. They are not merely his subordihey are his friends. His Highness has never restricted their freedom."

  Cudius nodded, his expression softening. "That's true. Lenny and Mero are my dear friends. Their return to Fish-Man Isnd is something I struggle with, as I'll certainly miss them. But at least we're not far apart. Mariejois and Fish-Man Isnd aren't so distant, we'll always be able to see each ain."

  Hearing this, une and Otohime visibly rexed. It was unlikely Cudius would lie so openly about such matters, especially wheruth could be easily uncovered.

  "I see. It seems we misuood you, Yhness. Please five us," une said, bowing slightly.

  Cudius waved it off with a smile. "No offeake's move on to the reason for my visit."

  He leaned forward slightly, his tourning more serious. "As you both may know, I'm not just a Celestial Dragon. I also oversee CP-X, an anization uhe Wover. oal is to improve the world, to address its fws and weaknesses. And, as you are undoubtedly aware, one of the most gring issues within the Wover is its treatment of Fish-Man Isnd."

  As Cudius finished, Sengoku chimed in, his voice steady. "Exactly. We won't deny the faults within the Wover. That's why we're here today, to address these issues and work toward a solution that bes both sides."

  une's expression grew heavy, his tone ced with doubt. "I'm grateful that Yhness is willing to aowledge these problems, but... I must be ho. We of Fish-Man Isnd have little faith in humans from the surface."

  Otohime looked at her husband with , but she remained silent, letting him speak.

  Cudius houghtfully. "I uand pletely. turies of mistreatment and oppression ot be uh words alorust must be earhrough as, not promises."

  After a brief pause, Cudius tinued. "That's why I've e here with siy. I'm sure you've already heard about what transpired in Mariejois and Sabaody Archipego. I imagiravels quickly to Fish-Man Isnd."

  Otohime g une before nodding. "Yes, we've heard of it. Despite our isotion, Fish-Man Isnd often receives visitors from the surface. We are irely disected, and we know of your efforts on behalf of our people."

  Cudius smiled. "Good. Then you uand that the measures I've taken are only the beginning. The Wover is determio demonstrate its itment to Fish-Man Isnd, and I'm here to make that clear. However, there is oter we must address directly."

  une's expression tightened, a hint of apprehension crossing his face.

  Cudius leaned back slightly, his tone measured. "It's that Fish-Man Isnd has sought prote uhe fg of Edward e—Whitebeard. The Pirate Fg is a public decration, ohat ot be ignored. Am I corre saying this?"

  uated, unsure how to respond. Before Cudius and Sengoku's arrival, the isnd had temporarily removed Whitebeard's fg, but the implications of Cudius' words left him uneasy.

  Cudius smiled, waving a hand dismissively. "Don't worry. I'm not here to reprimand you. I see that the fgs have already been removed, which demonstrates your uanding of the matter. That's all that o be said."

  une nodded relutly. "Yes, we... we took them down."

  "Good," Cudius said with a nod. "Reizing and correg a mistake is the mark of a wise leader. With this step, we move forward without issue."

  ***

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