The two of them fought for an entire afternoon.
When the sky grew dark, a low-on-health Cyrus and Koshiro returned to the boat.
Kuina and Zoro, on the boat, were petrified.
The battle between Cyrus and Koshiro had clearly exceeded their imagination.
The entire small island looked as if it had been plowed over, covered in a crisscrossing network of sword marks.
Cyrus was in a more disheveled state, but Koshiro didn't look much better, even missing a lens from his glasses.
As he steered the boat back, Koshiro looked at Cyrus, who was resting against a corner of the deck. Koshiro was regretting it.
He had previously thought that although Cyrus was improving quickly, it hadn't been long, so guiding him in actual combat shouldn't be too taxing.
But a monster was a monster.
He realized he had still underestimated Cyrus.
He could imagine what it would be like to continue guiding Cyrus's battles in the future.
Should he refuse?
But this was only the first day.
Yet Cyrus was like a monster.
In this battle, aside from looking a bit exhausted, he didn't even have a scratch on him.
He had clearly seen some Sword slash land on Cyrus's body.
It seemed this guy still had many secrets.
"Zoro, once we get back and eat, I'll accept your challenge," Cyrus's voice suddenly rang out.
The petrified Zoro snapped back to his senses when he heard Cyrus call him.
After understanding what Cyrus meant, Zoro swallowed hard, then turned to look at the island that had been plowed over.
Zoro really wanted to refuse!
He was reckless, not stupid!
The battle he had just witnessed made Zoro understand that the gap between him and Cyrus was too vast.
If Cyrus were serious, there wouldn't even be a fight.
He would be defeated in a single blow.
But with Kuina right beside him, Zoro gritted his teeth and agreed.
While steering the boat, Koshiro's eyes sized up Cyrus.
His clothes were, of course, torn in many places.
But there was indeed not a single wound on Cyrus's body, not even a scrape.
'It seemed he was born with a very very strong body.'
'Could it be a natural ability, like that fire?' Koshiro guessed in his heart.
He now suddenly felt that Dragon's decision not to press his invitation was a mistake.
He had still vastly underestimated Cyrus's talent.
Cyrus, of course, had no idea that Koshiro was mistaking his data-based body for a special constitution.
But then again, the external manifestation of this data-based body was indeed very similar to some kind of monstrous constitution, like the Iron Balloon.
The powerful effect of not getting injured unless his health reached zero was still at play.
After returning to Shimotsuki Village, Cyrus replenished his health in a very short time by eating, and he also discovered something.
The amount of food he needed to eat to recover his health had increased.
Previously, maintaining his two types of Haki caused a continuous but small drain on his health, which wasn't very noticeable and could be fully compensated for by daily meals.
But after being low on health this time, the feeling was very clear.
Not only did he feel it, but Koshiro, Kuina, and Zoro also saw it.
Right now, the three of them were staring with their eyes nearly popping out and their mouths agape.
Koshiro felt that if Cyrus stayed in Shimotsuki Village for a long time, the nine million Belly he had accepted from him might end up being a loss.
As for Kuina and Zoro, they were shocked as they watched Cyrus eat an amount of food that weighed more than Cyrus himself.
"Let's go!"
Cyrus put down the bone in his hand and stood up, speaking directly to Zoro.
Zoro snapped out of his daze, understood what Cyrus wanted to do, turned to look at Koshiro and Kuina, then grabbed his three swords and followed Cyrus outside.
The expected one-hit defeat did not happen.
Cyrus treated it as a light workout to digest his food after a big meal, fighting back and forth with the three-sword-wielding Zoro using only one hand.
Occasionally, he would even use the techniques he had learned from his fight with Koshiro that day.
Of course, he wasn't using his full strength.
After all, the current Zoro couldn't withstand a single full-powered blow from him.
The exchange continued late into the night.
Cyrus didn't say it was over, and with Zoro's personality, he naturally wouldn't either.
In the end, Zoro was too tired to even get up and was carried back to the Dojo by Cyrus.
The following days basically followed the same routine.
In the morning, he practiced basics with the Dojo students. In the afternoon, he fought with Koshiro. After returning, he would deal with Zoro.
Day after day, it was quite fulfilling.
Of course, there were some interludes.
"It's finally starting."
Cyrus looked at the newspaper in his hand, feeling rather emotional.
Kuina leaned over, curious about what Cyrus was looking at.
Perhaps because Cyrus had saved her, Kuina's attitude toward him had changed, becoming more affectionate.
Of course, this had nothing to do with anything else; it was just a simple, pure kind of closeness.
Koshiro knew that Cyrus would go to the village every few days to get a newspaper and was also curious about what he was talking about.
"The Navy's three new Admirals have officially taken their posts. The former Admiral Sengoku has been promoted to Fleet Admiral. I expect the Navy will be making some big moves next," Cyrus said softly, his eyes on the World Economic News's report on the matter.
"The Navy?" Hearing this, a trace of worry flashed in Koshiro's eyes.
"Are these people very strong?" Kuina asked, looking at the photos in the newspaper with great curiosity.
"Of course they're strong. They are all top-tier powerhouses on the seas," Cyrus gave an objective assessment.
"But it has nothing to do with the East Blue. The Navy's focus is still the Grand Line," Cyrus said, stroking his chin and glancing at Koshiro.
"Yes, the Four Seas are already under the Navy's control, and there aren't any pirates with very high bounties. The Navy indeed won't invest too many troops here," Koshiro nodded.
The Revolutionary Army's focus wasn't on the Grand Line, so for now, there was no need to worry about a direct confrontation with the Navy.
"Let's go, Master Koshiro. Today's battle hasn't started yet."
The pensive Koshiro was taken aback, then a bitter look appeared on his face.
This Cyrus was really full of energy.
But that being said, he naturally wouldn't refuse.
Kuina and Zoro were used to it and didn't follow this time.
...
Late at night, the utterly exhausted Koshiro did not rest but instead took out a Den Den Mushi.
Before long, Dragon's deep voice came from the other side of the Den Den Mushi.
"Koshiro? Is something wrong?"
"You should know about the Navy's situation, right, Dragon?"
"This matter? I am indeed paying attention to it."
Dragon fell silent for a moment before answering, his attitude toward the matter clearly very serious.
"It's not aimed at the Revolutionary Army, is it?"
"You don't need to worry about that. Our opponent right now is the World Government. The Navy is more focused on pirates."
Koshiro breathed a sigh of relief. "That's for the best. Right, the Navy can't spare more troops."
"Yes. So, is there anything else?"
Dragon clearly had things to do and was ready to end the call.
"Yes, there's one more thing. It's about Cyrus."