<h4>Chapter 83: Ship</h4>


    In the Holy Land of Mariejois, within the ptial quarters of udius, a certain quietness had settled in. With Crocodile off on his own adventures, the pce felt emptier, and Enel, left without his usualpanion, seemed a bit lonely. To fill his time, he threw himself into intense training.


    Meanwhile, udius sat leisurely by the pond, enjoying a chat with two beautiful mermaid sisters who had been gifted to him by his cousin, Domingo. They had be quite the conversation partners in the otherwise grand but quiet pce.


    "So, is Fish-Man Ind really as amazing as you say?" udius asked, a smile on his face. "One day, I''ll have to visit. Maybe I''ll bring you two along for the trip."


    The two mermaids were eagerly sharing tales of the ind''s enchanting beauty, the unique underwater scenery, and the vibrant, colorful coral reefs. It was clear they missed their homnd, and they painted a picture of Fish-Man Ind as a true paradise under the sea.


    Yet, as udius mentioned taking them back someday, he noticed a mix of excitement and hesitation in their expressions. Seeing this, udius chuckled softly.


    "When the timees, you''ll be free to return home," he said warmly.


    One of the mermaids, named Mero, looked at him in surprise. "Truly, Your Highness? You would let us go?"


    "Of course. When have I ever broken my word?" udius replied, a genuine smile ying on his lips.


    The other sister, Lenny, pped her tail against the water in excitement, her face lighting up. "Your Highness, you are truly kind!"


    After their initial excitement, the sisters exchanged looks, and Mero added with a touch of sadness, "But... after all this time, it would feel strange to leave. You''ve treated us well, Your Highness. Unlike others, you never saw us as mere ''fish'' or ves. Life here, though different, has beenfortable. It''s hard to imagine leaving."


    "Are you saying you''d miss me?" udius teased.


    Both mermaids blushed slightly, and Mero admitted, "Perhaps a little. We''d worry you''d be lonely without us here."


    udius nced around his grand yet mostly empty pce. Unlike most Celestial Dragons, he kept few servants, only Nia and a small group of maids to manage his affairs. He wasn''t exactly surrounded by throngs of people.


    "Lonely, huh?" udius murmured, as if considering it for the first time. Then heughed and reassured them, "Well, if I do start missing you two, I''ll juste and drag you back. How does that sound?"


    The sistersughed, and Lenny replied, "We''d dlye back if Your Highness called for us. We could never forget our time here."


    "But don''t get too excited," udius said with a grin. "It''ll probably be a year or two before I actually make the trip. Until then, you''ll just have to make do with Mariejois."


    The sisters pouted in mock disappointment, sshing the water yfully. "Your Highness, you''re so wicked! Telling us now only to make us wait."


    "Hey, I''m a Celestial Dragon. Being a little wicked is practically my job," udius said,ughing along with them.


    As they enjoyed their light-hearted banter, Stussy walked into the courtyard, a smile on her face. She greeted the mermaids politely before turning to udius. "Your Highness, Vice Admiral Garpsent a message. He''s inviting you to join him for a ''vacation'' in South Blue."


    "A vacation?" udius scoffed, seeing right through the proposal. "That old dog Garp just wants to drag me into his schemes. I''m sure this ''vacation'' has less to do with rxing and more to do with his... side mission in South Blue. Marine and CP have been crawling all over that region, trying to snuff out any traces of Roger''s legacy."


    udius was certain Garp''s true intentionsy with Rouge, Roger''s lover, who was rumored to be hiding out in South Blue. Although udius respected Rouge as the mother of Roger''s child, he knew any involvement on his part could invite a world of trouble. If he were seen aiding her, it could undermine the trust Five Elders had ced in him,plicating his standing within the World Government.


    "No, I won''t be going," udius said, shaking his head. "Let Garp handle his own business. I''m not about to risk my position for his whims."


    "Understood. I''ll politely decline on your behalf," Stussy said. "Do you need me toe up with an excuse?"


    udius waved his hand dismissively. "No need. He''ll figure it out."


    After a moment, udius''s eyes brightened with an idea. "Stussy, don''t you think it''s about time we had our own ship?"


    Stussy looked at him, slightly surprised. "Our own ship, Your Highness?"


    "Yes. I''m tired of grabbing whatever vessel happens to be avable in Mariejois''s port. It''s about time I had something custom-built to my own tastes," udius said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "A powerful ship, designed exactly how I want it. We could travelfortably, without relying on the standard issue Marine ships."


    Stussy chuckled. "If you want a ship, Your Highness, I''m sure there are plenty of shipwrights who''d be eager to build one for you. In fact, you''d probably have a fleet of luxury vessels gifted to you if you asked."


    udius shook his head. "No, this has to be different. I want one of the best ships in the world... or at least one that rivals them," he said, clearly envisioning something grand.


    Seeing his enthusiasm, Stussy asked, "And do you have a particr shipbuilder in mind?"


    udius grinned. "Yes, the best. I''m thinking we should head to Water 7. Roger''s ship, the Oro Jackson, was built by a shipwright there a man named Tom. I want him to build our ship."


    "Should I make the arrangements?" Stussy asked.


    udius nodded. "Yes. Let''s leave as soon as possible. Knowing Garp, he might decide to drop by here if he doesn''t hear from me soon. I''d rather avoid getting roped into whatever he''s nning."


    "Understood, Your Highness. I''ll start the preparations immediately," Stussy said, already turning to handle the details.


    After Stussy left, udius turned back to the mermaid sisters, who had been listening intently. "Would you two like toe along? I imagine you get pretty bored stuck here all the time."


    "Really, Your Highness? You''d take us with you?" Mero asked, her eyes wide with excitement.


    "Of course," udius said with a reassuring smile. "It''s a small thing. Consider it a change of scenery."


    The sisters looked at each other, grinning, and Lenny beamed, "We''d love to go, Your Highness!"


    udiusughed. "Good! Then get ready. We''re off to Water 7 tomission the grandest ship the seas have ever seen!"