Bateril Isnd, located oskirts of the South Blue, was a small, peaceful pce. The isnd had a single small town with few residents. The climate erfect, the sery picturesque, and the pace of life was unhurried. It was the kind of pce where people lived simply, with everything self-sustained, and there was little need for outside trade or tourism.

  As Cudius's small cruise ship slowly docked at the isnd's port, it became clear just how quiet this pce was. The only other boats around were small fishing sampans. Ne ships or mert vessels, no tourists bustling about. This ce that time seemed to have fotten.

  "What's so special about this pce? It's just some backwater isnd," Crocodile grumbled as he stepped off the boat, taking in the surroundings with an unimpressed scowl.

  "You o clear your head, Crocodile," Cudius snapped, shooting him an irritated gnce. "Don't fet, you lost over two billion to me in that dice game ba Ridy Isnd. sider this a ce to se your filthy, gambling-addicted soul before you throw it all away in another o."

  That's right. Crocodile had a bad gambling habit, the kind of person who just couldn't stop ohey got started. Ba Ridy Isnd, he had gotten carried away, losing over two billion berries to Cudius in a single night. Cudius had nearly lost his mind right then and there.

  Rubbing his eyes sheepishly, Crocodile mumbled, "It's just two billion. Once I get back to sea, I'll pay you ba no time. Don't be so stingy, Cudius. You're a Celestial Dragon, after all…"

  "Oh? Really?" Cudius smirked. "I 't wait to see you fulfill that promise. In the meantime, let me give you some advice, stay out of the os until you've paid me back. You might just lose whatever little you have left."

  "You're so uptight!" Crocodile growled, clearly annoyed. "One day, I'll just open my own o, and then it won't matter how much I lose, it'll all e bae, right?"

  Cudius raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? And I suppose that's yrand pn?"

  In truth, Crocodile wasn't far off. Later in life, he did open a massive o in the rain-battered region of Abasta. That o, named Rain Dinners, became the rgest in the first half of the Grand Line, raking in more mohan most could dream of.

  As they strolled into Bateril Isnd, Cudius surveyed the area, gng left and right as if he were looking for something specific. Stussy, walking beside him, noticed and asked, "Yhness, what exactly are you searg for?"

  "Huh? Didn't I tell you before we came here?" Cudius asked, genuinely surprised.

  "Tell us what?" Stussy respoilting her head in curiosity.

  "I'm here to find Roger, of course," Cudius said casually. "Didn't I say I came here to catch him?"

  At that, Stussy burst out ughing. She wasn't the only one. Crocodile snickered, and even Nia couldn't help but smile as she tried to hide her amusement. Enel, not quite uanding what was going on but sensing the mood, also grinned awkwardly.

  "What's so funny?" Cudius demanded, clearly annoyed. "What's wrong with what I said?"

  "Oh, nothing," Stussy said, trying to suppress her giggles. "But, Yhness, why do you think Roger would be on this tiny isnd? He's the Pirate King! It seems a little far-fetched, doesn't it?"

  "Yeah," Crocodile chimed in. "Are you really suggesting that the Pirate King, Roger, would be hiding out on some tiny isnd like this? What, did he decide to retire here and live the simple life as a farmer?"

  "I mean, e on, if you really want to find Roger, we should be heading to the New World," Nia added, her voice ge clearly unvinced by Cudius's logic.

  Cudius waved them off. "Fet the New World. I've got a bad feeling about that pothing but trouble there. Look at me: I've been in South Blue for months, and it's been smooth sailing, not even a storm. What does that tell you? It means South Blue is my lucky spot. I'm staying put."

  He then crossed his arms fidently. "And as fer, everyohinks he's in the New World. But he's too clever for that. He'd never hide where people expect him to. So, I bet he's here, on this quiet little isnd, living a peaceful life. Maybe he even found a woman, got married, aled down."

  Nia gave a small, indulgent smile, not b tue further. She knew Cudius had his whims, and there was no point in trying to ge his mind once he'd set his sights on something.

  Stussy, however, wasn't going to let it go that easily. With her hands on her hips, she challenged him, "Yhness, no offense, but there's no way Roger's here. I'd bet my life on it."

  "Oh?" Cudius raised an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting a bet?"

  Stussy grinned. "Yes, a bet! If I win, you owe me a favor, one dition that I ask for at any time, no questions asked."

  Crocodile immediately jumped in. "t me in! If I win, I don't owe you that two billion anymore."

  Cudius looked at them both, then turo Nia and Enel, raising his eyebrows. "What about you two? Care to joi?"

  Enel shook his head, saying, "I trust Yhness."

  Nia smiled politely. "Everything I have is already yours, so I'll sit this o."

  Cudius ughed. "You two are smart. Alright then, it's a bet! Crocodile, if you lose, you'll owe me another four hundred million berries. And Stussy…" He trailed off, his eyes gng over Stussy's figure with a mischievous grin. "If you lose, you'll owe me a little favor. Something… personal."

  Stussy felt a shiver run down her spi his suggestive tone, but she was fident in her victory. With a smirk, she accepted the terms. "Deal!"

  Crocodile nodded in agreement, grinning. "Let's find out where Roger's hiding."

  Cudius stood tall and stretched. "Alright the's go find Roger, shall we? Hahaha!"