Water 7 wasn't Cudius's final destination; it was just a stop along the way. While there, he received news of a mineral discovery in the Calm Belt. Using the opportunity, he briefly discussed the sea train project eg the Calm Belt with Tom.

  This time, Cudius's ultimate destination was Little Garden. Yes, Little Garden agaie several previous attempts, he still hadn't mao set foot on the prehistorid. Every time he approached it, some crisis would arise, f him to return to Mariejois to mahe situation.

  This time, Cudius meticulously studied the almanac before setting off, firming it was an auspicious day for travel. After sulting with his intelligework, he was fident that nent matters would require him to return to Mariejois anytime soon.

  With everything in order, Cudius embarked on his holiday voyage aboard the Prometheus, apanied by his friends.

  Currently, however, Cudius was still in Water 7. He had to coordih Sengarding the Calm Belt sea train project. After all, the development of the Calm Belt was a joiure between CP-X and Marine, with a 50-50 partnership.

  Not only did Cudius pn to leverage seastone enviroal fusion teology, but he also inteo persuade Mario i in the Calm Belt sea train project.

  Sitting in the municipal building on the highest floor, Cudius held a cup of tea in one hand while a Den Den Mushi sat oable in front of him. Through the window, he gazed at the cityscape of Water 7.

  tally, his visit overpped with the impending arrival of Aqua Laguna." This massive tsunami threateo engulf the entire isnd, sweeping everything in its path. Cudius had never witnessed such a spectacle and decided to stay ara two days to observe it.

  After the tsunami subsided, the city would collect high-tration sea salt, a unique resource harvested from the turbulent waters. Over the years, Water 7 had marketed this salt as a rare and precious product, boasting miraculous properties, cims that Cudius found amusing but effective. The product had bee a profitable export, eagerly sought by outsiders.

  As the sky darkened and steady rain began to fall, Tom expihat this was the precursor to Aqua Laguna's arrival.

  ---

  "Yhness, the Prometheus has been prepared, but Robin refuses to leave. She says she'll 'live and die' with the Great Library," Stussy said with a teasing smile as she ehe room.

  Cudius g her and chuckled. "Live and die? As if my ship would sink. Don't worry, Water 7 has weathered Aqua Laguna for years. They've even tur into a tourist attra. Where's Nia?"

  "Nia says she wants to stay on the ship as well," Stussy replied with a grin.

  "Really?" Cudius shook his head in mock exasperation. "What a stubborn pair."

  At that moment, the Den Den Mushi oable rang. Seeing the caller, Cudius smirked. It was Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

  Cudius picked up the receiver and said with a pyful tone, "Busy man, Sengoku."

  Sengoku's voice, though tired, carried a cheerful note. "I 't pare to you, Yhness. I hear you're enjoying Water 7?"

  "Yes, I'm here for Aqua Laguna. I've never seen it before, so I thought I'd take a look," Cudius replied casually.

  "Another vacation, huh? I'm jealous," Sengoku said with a chuckle.

  "If you're that envious, why nn as Fleet Admiral and join me? Five insurances, one housing fund, and three months of paid vacation every year," Cudius joked.

  "Spare me," Sengoku replied, ughing.

  After exging pleasantries, Sengoku asked, "So, what did you want to discuss earlier? I was in a meeting and couldn't answer."

  "Well, I wao discuss your Marine Sit," Cudius began, but before he could finish, Sengoku interrupted, sounding surprised.

  "You already know about the i? Is CP-X's intelligework really that fast?" Sengoku asked, astonished.

  Cudius blinked in fusion. "I? What are you talking about? I was referring to the seastoeology for the Calm Belt project."

  Realizing his mistake, Sengoku sighed and expined, "Ah, I jumped to clusions. Well, since you'll find out soon enough, I may as well tell you. Something big happe Punk Hazard."

  "Punk Hazard?" Cudius asked curiously.

  Sengoku tinued with a mix of frustration and helplessness. "Caesar —the stist in charge of researg ypes of bombs and artillery, was secretly experimenting with chemical ons. We turned a blio his unauthorized work, but this time, he caused a major act. There was a gas leak, and now the entire isnd is covered in toxic gas.

  "The base is a total loss, the research equipment is destroyed, and many personnel were killed. Punk Hazard has bee uninhabitable, wiped off the map entirely. Do you know how much we ied in that pce? It's a disaster!"

  Cudius couldn't help but ugh inwardly but kept his tone sympathetic. "I take it you're pretty upset."

  "Upset? I want tle that b*****d Caesar myself! Years of iment, down the drain. Do you know how much cutting-edge equipment we had there?" Sengoku mented, his voice filled with bitterness.

  "What about Caesar?" Cudius asked, steering the versation.

  "We're pnning to send him to Impel Down for a few years. Once he's served some time and cooled off, we'll reinstate him. He's too valuable to simply discard," Sengoku admitted.

  Cudius houghtfully. This was the privilege of being a teical talent: even after causing massive damage, Caesar's expertise made him indispensable.

  ---

  As Sengoku tio vent, Cudius saportunity. Caesar's skills were indeed exceptional, and if pruided, he could be an asset. Handing him over to Crocodile or Dofmingo for future projects could yield signifit results.

  "Well, Sengoku, if nothing else, this i proves that Caesar's on has potential," Cudius remarked.

  "It has potential, sure," Sengoku replied, "but such ons are banned under Wover w. They're too destructive and uhical."

  Cudius smirked. "The w might prohibit them, but that hasn't stopped the Wover from bending the rules when it suits their agenda, has it?"