Above a certain area of the North Blue, a massive sailing ship was gliding through the calm waters. This was the Prometheus, Cudius's personal ship.

  At this moment, Cudius lounged on a sunbed, sungsses perched on his face, basking in the sunlight. Nearby, Stussy and Nia were engaged in an intense game of badminton. The two women, both dressed in bikinis, moved with energy and grace, creating a rather delightful se for Cudius's enjoyment.

  "I've told you before, don't get so worked up, Doffy," Cudius said casually, speaking into the Den Den Mushi in his hand. His gaze, however, remained fixed owo women as they pyed.

  "Cousin, you of all people should uand the significe of the Ope-Ope Fruit," Dofmingo's voice came through, his tone sharp with frustration.

  "What's so special about it?" Cudius asked zily.

  "You—" Dofmingo paused, seemingly at a loss for words, before tinuing with a hint of indignation, "Don't tell me you've never heard the rumors?"

  "Ahahahaha, so you admit it's just a rumor?" Cudius responded, amused.

  "It may be a rumor, but hasn't it already been proven true?" Dofmingo retorted immediately.

  "And how exactly was it proven?" Cudius asked, still sounding amused.

  "If it were just some ordinary Devil Fruit, would the Wover pay a staggering five billion berries for it? Would the Five Elders personally assign you to oversee the matter?" Dofmingo snapped back.

  "Ahahahaha, you've got a point there," Cudius replied, still sounding nont.

  "Cousin, you take this seriously for once? We're talking about immortality here! Immortality! Even if you don't care, I do!" Dofmingo said, his frustration evident.

  "Immortality, huh? Doesn't that sound b to you, Doffy?" Cudius said with a chuckle.

  Dofmingo was silent for a moment before replying, "I wouldn't know, but I'd still like to live a few more years."

  "You might not live longer if you get involved with the Ope-Ope Fruit," Cudius said suddenly, his tone serious.

  "Are you tellio give it up? Hand something this valuable over to the Wover? To the same bastards who exiled me from Mariejois and tossed me into the mud?" Dofmingo's voice was filled with bitterness and pt.

  "Well, isn't Rosinante already in the mix? If he does his jht, the Wover won't get it either," Cudius replied with a light ugh.

  "Rosinante is Marine, cousin," Dofmingo said in a low, grim tone.

  The mention of Rosinante seemed to spark more anger in Dofmingo. If not for his brother, the situation wouldn't have spiraled to this point.

  As a broker in the underground world, Dofmingo had initially po keep the Ope-Ope Fruit for himself. The five billion berries? He could afford it, but he had no iion of paying. His pn was simple, steal it.

  But Rosinante, ag as a Marine undercover, had gotten wind of the deal before Dofmingo could act. This plicated matters, as Rosinante could easily report everything to Marine, and by extension, the Wover. To cover his tracks, Dofmingo had no choice but to e to the Wover and feign loyalty, which led to the current situation.

  Without Rosinante in the picture, Dofmingo would have already taken the fruit for himself.

  "Isn't this the perfect opportunity to deal with him, then? If Rosinante really gives the Ope-Ope Fruit to Law, what's the problem? As long as Marine doesn't find out about Law, we keep ourselves out of it," Cudius said with a knowing smile.

  "And who's to say Rosinante will actually give the fruit to Law?" Dofmingo asked after a brief silence.

  "He's your brother, Doffy. You know him better than anyone. Don't you?" Cudius said calmly.

  Dofmingo was quiet again for a moment before saying, "Fine. If Law gets the fruit, he'll belong to me. No problem, right, cousin?"

  "Ah, that's your business. Don't worry. I'm not ied in the Ope-Ope Fruit at all," Cudius replied dismissively.

  "Even if you say that, it's immortality we're talking about. Are you seriously not tempted?" Dofmingo asked skeptically.

  It was clear that the fruit's rumored ability to graernal life had captured Dofmingo's imagination. His suspi of Cudius was rooted in his own obsession, a Cudius didn't seem bothered by it.

  "Is that the only way to achieve immortality?" Cudius said with a chuckle.

  Dofmingo was taken aback for a moment befhing as well. "The Fountain of Youth? That's just a legend. Too vague, too unreal. If you ask me, Devil Fruits are far more credible."

  "Perhaps. But don't fet about pure gold," Cudius said, smiling faintly.

  "That's just another myth, isn't it?" Dofmingo replied, his tone skeptical.

  "Isn't the Ope-Ope Fruit also a 'myth'?" Cudius tered.

  Dofmingo had no respoo that. After a moment, he sighed and said, "Alright, cousin. Trafalgar Law is mine. I'll leave the rest to you."

  Dofmingo had e to realize that following Cudius's advice was his best option. As far as he was ed, they just o py their roles, Dofmingo as the dutiful broker, cooperating with Marine and the Wover as if nothing were amiss.

  Of course, Rosinante would iably try to disrupt things. When that happened, Dofmingo po turn a blind eye, subtly aiding Rosinante in delivering the fruit to Trafalgar Law. Once Law had ed the fruit, Dofmingo would ehe bme fell squarely on Marine and Rosinante.

  If everythi acc to pn, Dofmingo could then manipute Law, gaining trol of the Op-Op Fruit ily.

  As for Rosinante? Dofmingo no longer had any illusions about him. His brother's betrayal had destroyed any lingering sense of familial loyalty.

  Meanwhile, Cudius had his own reasons for being involved. Beyond the Ope-Ope Fruit, he was ied in X Drake, the son of Barrels. Drake had great potential. One day, he would bee one of the Supernovas and even infiltrate Kaido's crew as an undercover Marine.

  Such a promising individual was worth Cudius's attention. He saw Drake as a potential asset, someone who could either assist Lucci or serve as Cudius's tact within Marine.

  "Well, Trafalgar Law is yours, but make sure to keep everything under s. The Wover 't know about this. As far as I'm ed, my job is just to ensure you don't screw up. If Marine and the Wover want to throw fits ter, let them deal with it themselves," Cudius said with a carefree ugh.