It was not until almost two years after Lepanto that Kubad finally was homeward bound toward his beloved metropolis. The war between the Catholic holy league and the Ottoman Empire had sputtered along for over a year after the conquest of Cyprus and the battle off Lepanto. During that time, Kubad remained in Venice, first as prisoner and then as negotiator. The Ottoman captive received many visits from Grimani in the weeks after Lepanto. At first, it was clear, the venerable Venetian nobleman was dropping by merely to gloat. Gradually, however, the tone of his conversation changed, as he discussed with unease the contrast between a becalmed Venetian arsenal and one in Istanbul that reportedly hummed with unparalleled bustle. In early April, 1572, an edgy Grimani advised Kubad of the rumored launch at the arsenal in the Golden Horn of a fleet of some 200 refurbished and newly built galliots, galleys, and other vessels.

News from the wider world soon confirmed Grimani's fears that Lepanto would prove a sterile victory.