The moment Cyrus's words fell, two pointed cat ears popped out from within Kuina's black hair.
Zoro's eyes nearly bulged out of his head!
"It really is a Cat-Cat Fruit!"
Cyrus nodded.
The patterns on the fruit were very similar to a cat's paw pads.
After all, a fruit's appearance was related to its ability, just like the Flame-Flame Fruit he ate had Flame patterns on it.
However, when Cyrus saw the two tails swaying behind Kuina, his eyes narrowed.
'Two tails.'
'A Mythical Zoan?'
'But it was also possible there were cats with two tails.'
Cyrus stroked his chin and said, "What abilities do you have?"
Hearing Cyrus's question, Kuina raised her hand, and blue flames covered her palm.
That confirmed it.
It really was a Mythical Zoan.
Ancient Zoans and regular Zoans didn't have this kind of ability.
But this was good too.
The general upper limit for Mythical Zoans was higher.
"Hah!"
As Cyrus was thinking, Kuina suddenly leaped up, appearing before him in the blink of an eye, her fist smashing towards his forehead.
Thump!
Cyrus's finger, moving faster despite her starting first, tapped Kuina on the forehead, sending her flying backward in a spin.
This time, however, Kuina's forehead remained smooth.
"Her recovery, or rather, her defense has improved a lot, and her speed has also increased significantly."
Cyrus nodded slightly.
Cats were naturally agile animals.
And the most basic ability of a Zoan fruit was to greatly enhance a person's various physical attributes.
"It seems I'm still no match for you."
From that one exchange, Kuina knew that although she had improved, the gap between her and Cyrus was still huge.
"You expect to catch up to me just by eating a fruit?"
Hearing this, Cyrus said with a strange expression.
"No, I just wanted to see how far away I still am."
Kuina shook her head, and the two ears on her head twitched, seemingly an unconscious action.
"Are there any other abilities?"
Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits all had special abilities.
Kuina thought for a moment, and the two tails behind her ignited with blue flames, then disappeared.
Then, Kuina pounced towards Cyrus again.
Raising a hand to block Kuina who had lunged at him, Cyrus had a peculiar look on his face.
Her tails disappear to boost her own strength?
This ability looked somewhat familiar.
The speed and power Kuina was now displaying had greatly increased.
Her body turned into an afterimage, circling Cyrus and attacking.
Cyrus blocked the attacks coming from all around with one hand, while his other hand stroked his chin, pondering Kuina's ability.
"Alright!" Cyrus said.
The afterimage that was Kuina stopped her attacks and stood still, her ears also retracting.
"Very good!"
Cyrus nodded.
At the very least, what she had shown so far was already quite impressive.
Kuina's enhancement didn't seem to have a time limit but was related to her stamina.
That made sense.
He himself was data-based, so his time limits were basically fixed.
But Kuina didn't have a data-based ability; using her powers would consume her own stamina.
"I feel like it's a two-fold increase!" Kuina said after thinking.
Zoro, who was watching from the side and Koshiro, who had walked out, had remained silent, watching the exchange between Cyrus and Kuina.
"A Mythical Zoan's abilities are definitely not just this. But you'll have to develop the specifics yourself," Cyrus advised.
For other types of Devil Fruits, he could at most offer suggestions.
But he wouldn't be staying in Shimotsuki Village for too long. How Kuina should use her abilities would be up to her.
"Zoan fruits all have their own focus."
Robin's voice sounded, and everyone turned to look at her as she walked over.
Robin's gaze swept over Kuina, and she spoke with a smile.
"Even if it's a Mythical Zoan, if it's a Cat-Cat Fruit, the speed increase will be more significant."
"You know about this?"
Cyrus looked at Robin.
"Historical records have documented many Devil Fruit users. Legend has it that the Red Line was created a long, long time ago by a powerful ability user. Of course, that's just a legend," Robin said with a smile.
"I'll use the ability as a supplement," Kuina stated.
"Thats a good idea!"
Cyrus nodded upon hearing this.
This idea coincided with his own.
"For the next few days, if there's anything you want to know, or any problems with your training, you can come ask me." Cyrus said, then nodded towards Koshiro.
"By the way, want to have another match?"
Cyrus suddenly thought of something and asked Koshiro.
Koshiro was taken aback, then looked at Cyrus with a strange expression.
Kuina, Zoro, and Robin at the side all showed looks of anticipation.
Koshiro shook his head directly.
"I haven't been feeling well lately. It's not a good time to fight."
Koshiro left this sentence behind and turned to walk away, his steps a bit quick.
Kuina and the others were a little disappointed.
Zoro, on the other hand, immediately challenged Kuina again.
He wanted to see what level the changed Kuina had reached.
And then, he got beaten up.
"She's already mastered Observation Haki!" Robin said in a low voice to Cyrus, watching the two fight.
"Yes, not only Observation Haki, but she's probably close to Armament Haki too. You need to work hard as well. After all, you're much more older than them," Cyrus whispered in reply.
Robin's expression stiffened.
'Older?'
But she did indeed need to work harder.
...
For the next few days, Cyrus peacefully stayed in Shimotsuki Village, guiding Kuina, Zoro, and Robin, feeling quite content.
Meanwhile, the news about Cyrus in that newspaper had already caused some waves across the seas.
No one would take it lightly.
The deterrent power of two Admirals was quite substantial.
Of course, some people felt the report was exaggerated.
Especially the identity of a Pirate Hunter.
It seemed someone was fanning the flames in the dark, amplifying the title of "Cyrus the Pirate Hunter."
For Pirates, the title of Pirate Hunter would obviously make them uncomfortable.
Many capable Pirates were thinking of encountering Cyrus, then defeating him to make a name for themselves.
Of course, many others had become curious about Cyrus.
...
In the New World, aboard the Red Force, a banquet was underway.
The reason for this banquet was naturally because a friend of the captain, Shanks, had come to visit.
However, the visit had been quite eventful.
The island not far from the ship, covered in sword scars, was the result of this visit.
"It seems you've made up your mind." Hawkeye said with a straight face.
Of course, this expression was his default state.
"Hahaha, since we're in the New World, we naturally have to conquer a large stretch of the sea!"
Shanks laughed heartily, and his crew members around him all laughed in unison.
Seeing Shanks like this, Hawkeye picked up the newspaper beside him.
"Another strong guy has appeared in the Pirate King hometown. A master swordsman this time."
Seeing the newspaper Hawkeye held out to him, Shanks was taken aback and took it.
"Pirate Hunter Cyrus, clashed with Aokiji and Kizaru?"
Shanks scanned it briefly and spoke in surprise.
The crew members who had been laughing merrily fell silent.