In a certain sea area of the New World, a Fmingo Pirate Ship sailed through calm waters. This was Dofmingo's fgship, not the rgest vessel, but unmistakably fmboyant in design.

  The Jolly Roger of the Donquixote Pirates fluttered proudly on the mast. As one of the major pyers in the New World, few dared to provoke Dofmingo, ensuring their journey was uful and devoid of flict.

  Ihe ship's , Cudius sat with Stussy, engaged in a versation that he now somewhat regretted starting.

  "It's disappointing," Cudius muttered, irritation evident in his tone. "Dragon said the Marines had ons of mass destru, but it turns out all they've got is a bomb? I thought it would be something more… innovative, like a gas on or something."

  The Marine stific division was indeed developing neons, but the project was still in its early stages. Their approach leaned more toward ventional methods, refining artillery and explosives rather thauring ihically questionable areas like chemical ons. While there had been some breakthroughs, it wasn't enough to satisfy Cudius's expectations.

  At the meeting, Cudius had learned about the existence of Dr. Vegapunk, who led the development of these ons. The mention of his name had sparked a realization.

  "Vegapunk," Cudius mused. "That guy is probably still holding back. He hasn't fully unleashed his potential yet."

  He khat one day Vegapunk's experiments would escate to airely different level, culminating in catastrophes like the destru of Punk Hazard, the secret research base of the Marine's sce division. When that happerue "ons of mass destru" would likely emerge.

  Stussy, sitting gracefully nearby, smiled at Cudius. "It's better than nothing, Yhness," she said lightly.

  Cudius sighed and shook his head, deg to let the matter drop. Truthfully, he hadn't been overly obsessed with obtaining such ons. His inquiries had been more about testing the Marine's capabilities rather than a genuine desire to use them against Charlotte Linlin.

  Turning his attention back to Stussy, Cudius asked with a pyful smile, "By the way, Stussy, you're one of the few people with an invitation to Big Mom's tea party. Are you sure it's appropriate for you to stick with me? Doesn't this mess up our pn?"

  Stussy gave him a mock gre, clearly unimpressed by his teasing. "What, am I not allowed to spend more time with Yhness?" she said with feigned indignation. "This mission is dangerous. We're dealing with Charlotte Linlin herself. Who knows what could happen? If I'm putting my life on the line, I might as well enjoy your pany while I ."

  She paused, her tone softening as she tinued, "Besides, we'll regroup before entering Totto Land. Wheime es, I'll joihers. For now, let me stay here."

  Cudius chuckled and tapped her lightly on the forehead. "What's this nonsense about not ing back? Don't worry, I'm here, aren't I?"

  This operation had been carefully pnned, but not everyone articipating directly. Sengoku, as the Marine Marshal, had to remain at Marineford to oversee operations. Simirly, the three Admirals—Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino—had been deployed together, leaving the headquarters vulnerable if they all left. To eability, Garp and Tsuru stayed behind as well, ready to handle any emergehat might arise.

  Zephyr, loired, was involved only in an advisory role. His focus remained on training the geion of Marines rather than joining frontline missions.

  As a result, only four Marines were dispatched for this mission: the three Admirals and Gioe their small heir collective strength made them a formidable force.

  The group was divided strategically across different ships. Sakazuki and the other Admirals traveled on Tesoro's ship, while Gion joined Cudius aboard Dofmingo's vessel. Mihawk and Crocodile were assigo Stussy's ship, and Enel would rendezvous with them before entering Totto Land. Stussy would then leave to joiher infiltrators.

  Bartholomew Kuma, due to his distinct appearance, acted indepely. His unique abilities made it easy for him to infiltrate Totto Land on his own, as long as he wasn't te. Cudius trusted him to hahis part of the mission without issue.

  As the de facto leader of the operation, Cudius held the highest authority. However, aware of his limited experien military tactics, he deferred to the piculously crafted by Sengoku and Tsuru. He would only take and if ued circumstances arose.

  In essehis operatiht together an overwhelming force, with high odds of success against Big Mom's pirate crew.

  As they sailed, a thought struck Cudius, auro Stussy. "I heard you were friends with Charlotte Linlin ba the day. Is that true?"

  Stussy froze for a moment before leaning against Cudius, her expression wistful. "It's true, in a way. We were close when we were kids. But you probably don't know the full story, Yhness. A long, long time ago, Linlin and I were orphans, taken in by a nun."

  She paused, her gaze distant as she delved into the past. "That nun… she wasn't what she seemed. She was actually a human trafficker w uhe Wover. But she dealt in 'premium goods'—exceptional children with potential. That's how I met Charlotte Linlin."

  Cudius nodded, finding her expnation unsurprising. "And then?"

  "I was sold to the Wover early on and traio bee a for the CP anizations. As for Linlin…" Stussy trailed off, a hint ret in her voice. "If things had gone differently, she might have followed a simir path. She could have bee a Marine or a CP agent instead of a pirate. The nun po sell her to the Woveroo."

  "But something happened, didn't it?" Cudius prompted.

  Stussy nodded. "Yes. I don't know all the details, but the nun vanished, and the Wover lost tact with her. Linlin disappeared as well. When she resurfaced, she was already a pirate. She joihe Rocks Pirates, rose to power, aually formed the Big Mom Pirates after the defeat at God Valley."

  Her voice softened as she added, "When we were kids, Linlin was kind ale. She wasn't the monster everyone sees now. It's sad how much she's ged."

  Cudius sighed. "It is sad. If things had gone differently, she could have been a powerful ally for the Wover instead of one of its greatest threats."

  The mood was briefly somber, but it was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Gion. The swordsushed open the door, her expression immediately s as she saw Stussy sitting on Cudius's p, leaning against his chest.

  Stussy smirked at Gion, her gaze pyful and teasing.

  Gion ignored her and addressed Cudius with a deliberately ft tohere's news from Crocodile. Enel has joihem ahead of schedule."

  Cudius barely registered the update, brushing it aside with a sheepish smile. "Ah, Gion, don't be mad. Actually, I didn't expect you to lose to Mihawk, you know? Would you believe me if I said that?"

  Gio him, her irritation barely cealed. Lose to Mihawk? she thought. Does he really think that's what's b me?

  Swordsmanship wasn't the issue, she had no problem admitting Mihawk's superiority. What truly annoyed her was Cudius's apparent indifferehey had been w so closely with CP-X tely, yet he hadn't takeime to visit her.

  Of course, Gion couldn't bring herself to say any of this aloud. Instead, she huffed coldly, "Don't try to make this about me. I'm not that petty."

  With that, she turned a, her steps brisk and resolute.

  Cudius scratched his head, puzzled. "What was that about?"

  Stussy ughed, cupping his pyfully. "Sometimes, Yhness, you really are clueless."

  ***

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