Meanwhile, the news of the incident at the Sabaody Archipelago and Mary Geoise had completely erupted across the seas, and the reason was naturally the emergency extra edition from the World Economy News Paper.
Although the entire event had been broadcast using Den Den Mushi, very few people had actually been able to watch the live feed, meaning there were still many people on the seas who had no idea what had just happened.
This time, for the sake of such massive news, Morgans had spared absolutely no expense.
Free newspapers were printed in every corner of the world and distributed across the ocean at top speed.
The effect of this reckless approach was that the news was seen by countless people in an extremely short amount of time, and whether they lived in the Four Seas or either half of the Grand Line, the report on this major incident spread like wildfire.
"The Collapse of the Holy Land of Mary Geoise"
"The Strike That Pierced the Red Line"
"Hunter Guild President, Cyrus"
The newspaper clearly contained content written by several different reporters, and those who hadn't known the news beforehand were left stunned after reading the headlines.
Or rather, the entire world fell silent as everyone who saw the newspaper was utterly shocked by the recorded events.
Even people who had never left their home islands in their entire lives knew what kind of untouchable existence the Celestial Dragons were, yet someone had actually attacked them and even destroyed the very place where they lived.
Hunter Guild President, Cyrus.
Although this name and identity had appeared in the papers during his clash with Rayleigh, everyone now finally understood the true weight that name carried.
...
In the West Blue.
"Godfather, this favor is worth a fortune now!" Vito looked at the newspaper in his hand, which couldn't help but tremble.
Hearing this, Capone Bege clenched his teeth around his cigar, as even the mafia boss found it hard to believe.
"This favor can't be used!" Bege shook his head after a long silence, frankly admitting he didn't dare to cash it in.
Vito looked at his boss strangely.
"What kind of situation would let me use this favor?" Bege asked after a moment, noticing his subordinate's confused expression.
Although he had agreed to help Cyrus as an investment in a future favor, the potential return was now so massive that Bege considered it a dangerous hot potato.
When interacting with a figure of this caliber, a single misstep could lead to consequences his family couldn't survive, and moreover, the World Government had yet to officially state its position.
"However, the West Blue is no longer a place to stay for long. The Grand Line is where we need to be!"
As Bege spoke, his eyes held a strange light, as if he had just made a firm decision.
...
In the Kano Country.
Don Chinjao sat on a huge block of ice, stroking his pointed head with one hand while holding a newspaper in the other.
"Old man, Cyrus is too strong," Sai said, his face flush with excitement. It hadn't been long since they met, and Cyrus had already caused such a massive incident.
It was amazing... this was exactly how a true man should act!
Chinjao glanced at the excited Sai.
"His strength can handle this kind of situation, but can yours?" the old pirate snorted, his beard and eyes flaring.
Different people had to act according to their own limits, and if the Happo Navy were the ones to attack a Celestial Dragon, the entire Kano Country would suffer the consequences.
The power Cyrus was displaying now was simply too exaggerated, far stronger than when they had clashed before.
If Cyrus had shown this kind of power back then, Chinjao knew he would have likely been defeated in a very short time.
"Old man, so what about us?" Sai asked in a low voice, looking at the pensive leader.
"We are not qualified to intervene in this matter. One misstep could lead to our complete annihilation," Chinjao warned with a solemn expression.
"I know, old man!" Sai replied, his face falling with disappointment before he was suddenly sent flying by a heavy punch from Chinjao.
"You bastard, get back to practicing the Hasshoken properly! And don't enter the Grand Line for the time being!" Chinjao roared, thoroughly annoyed.
...
Aboard the marching warships of Germa 66 in the North Blue.
Vinsmoke Judge stood before his daughter and sons with a newspaper clutched tightly in his hand.
Previously in the West Blue, he had taken over the mission to attack Doflamingo's armories from Cyrus and reaped huge profits.
Even though Cyrus had destroyed a large portion of the facilities, what remained was still a massive money-printing machine.
A huge number of the seized weapons were used to equip Germa's own soldiers, and the surplus was sold off for a fortune.
Therefore, Judge had been keeping a close eye on any news regarding Cyrus.
The reports of his clash with Rayleigh had already shocked the King, as the man was the former Pirate King's first mate, but he never expected that even bigger news was yet to come.
At this moment, even Judge's three normally unruly sons were behaving themselves in the face of such overwhelming power.
"Father!" Reiju noticed Judge's stunned expression and spoke up to remind him. "Cyrus previously said that he wanted us to send people to join the Hunter Guild!"
This was part of their deal from the armory incident, but there had been no news about this Hunter Guild until now, and the debut was earth-shattering.
"Yes, make a trip to the Grand Line. Find a way to contact the people from the Hunter Guild and ask about their requirements."
Judge naturally had no objections to this plan, and in fact, even if this incident hadn't happened, he still would have wanted to build a strong connection with Cyrus.
A powerhouse of this caliber was certain to become one of the world's new hegemons, and the Hunter Guild might soon become a top-tier power on par with the Marines.
Getting in on the ground floor would naturally yield immense benefits for the Vinsmoke family.
"I understand," Reiju nodded.
"Father, we want to go too!" Judge's eldest son, Ichiji, spoke up immediately upon hearing this.
"No!" Judge firmly denied the request, well aware of the situation with his three genetically modified sons.
They were his most satisfactory creations, but their lack of empathy meant they were not suited for this kind of delicate diplomatic task, and he had to avoid any unnecessary complications.
...
In the East Blue, at Marine Branch 16.
Captain Nezumi stared at the newspaper in his hand, unable to stop trembling.
'What the hell is going on?' The corrupt Captain could hardly believe his own eyes.
He had already found it incredible when Cyrus fought Rayleigh, but now the young man had actually done something like this.
This was an act that not even the world's most heinous criminal, Pirate King Roger, had ever accomplished.
Attacking a Celestial Dragon, fighting two Admirals, destroying the Red Line, and even attacking Mary Geoise—any one of these acts was enough to shock the world, yet Cyrus had done them all in a single afternoon.
Thinking about how he had just met Cyrus face-to-face not long ago, Captain Nezumi broke out in a cold sweat.
From their brief interactions, Cyrus had clearly seemed like an easygoing person.
'Why? Why would he do something like this now? Wasn't he a Pirate Hunter?' Nezumi pondered this before shaking his head rapidly.
"No, no, this isn't something I should be thinking about." Captain Nezumi shot to his feet. "Prepare a warship! I'm going out on patrol!"
He knew he really shouldn't overthink the situation, but he had to follow through on the regional sweep Cyrus had ordered him to do before.
...
In Shimotsuki Village.
The dojo was closed for the day, so the village students hadn't come to train.
At this moment, inside the quiet dojo, one adult and two children were staring at each other.
Koshiro, kneeling before a low table, frowned down at the newspaper spread out across the wood, his expression extremely grave.
Kuina and Zoro, on the other hand, simply looked bewildered.
"I never imagined he would grow to such an extent," Koshiro spoke, his eyes fixed on the front-page picture.
The image showed a massive sun crashing into the Red Line, and from the photograph alone, one could vividly feel the sheer destruction the impact had caused.
"That guy... he's actually this strong."
Even the usually single-minded Zoro felt a bit dejected at this moment.
The gap between them was so vast it was hard to comprehend, leaving Zoro's mind in absolute chaos.
"Cyrus clearly said that Kuina and I would become the world's greatest swordsmen, and then he would just coast along," Zoro muttered, complaining about the broken promise.
This comment immediately earned him a sharp glare from Kuina.
After rolling her eyes at Zoro, she looked back at her father with a deeply worried expression on her face.
"Father, is Cyrus okay?"
"Hmm?" Koshiro was taken aback and looked up at his daughter. "Right now, you should be asking if everyone else is okay!"