The world was in an uproar.
Cyrus had attacked the Holy Land, killed Celestial Dragons, and pierced through the Red Line, meaning most people could have guessed that the World Government would issue a bounty for such actions.
But this bounty amount was just too absurd, wasn't it?
The combined bounties of the three Pirate Emperors in the New World barely surpassed this figure, and the bounties of those three monsters were already something that the great pirates of the sea could only look up to.
Yet now, Cyrus's bounty had reached such an untouchable level.
"It's perfectly normal!" Morgans declared, being the first to receive the news.
After all, even the World Government and the Marines needed his help to spread the posters.
However, regarding the matter of live-streaming the great battle, Morgans didn't think the World Government would let it go, and they would probably cause trouble for him later.
After releasing the news according to the instructions of the authorities, Morgans answered his secretary's confusion.
"Anyone who does something like this will get a high bounty. But this time, Cyrus's bounty is indeed ridiculously high, far exceeding anyone else's in history." Morgans's initial excitement from the big news had passed, and he had now entered a state of post-scoop clarity.
"In that case, no one will be able to claim this bounty. Why would they do this?" the beautiful secretary asked, still confused.
"Because it's a target!"
A cold smile appeared in Morgans's eyes, as he could naturally see through the World Government's intentions.
The World Government knew this matter couldn't be hidden.
Even without the newspaper's live broadcast, the pierced Red Line and the half-vanished Holy Land made it impossible to cover up.
With his 9.9 billion Belly bounty, Cyrus had now become a giant torch on the seas, attracting everyone's attention and gaze.
There would inevitably be plenty of clueless fools who would challenge Cyrus, simply because this sea was full of unhinged individuals.
Moreover, once this bounty was announced—far surpassing that of Whitebeard and the other two Emperors—Cyrus was implicitly placed in opposition to these three great pirates, even if he had no contact with them.
After all, pirates don't coexist peacefully.
'So they're trying to cause trouble for Cyrus even if they know it's useless?'
A playful glint flashed in Morgans's eyes.
"Continue reporting on this incident. Also, how can a title like 'Flame Demon' be Cyrus's epithet? Let's change it. 'Flame Swordsman' sounds very good," Morgans ordered, stroking his beak with a wing.
"Yes, President." The secretary nodded and quickly turned to leave.
"Make sure this news reaches every corner."
...
The huge impact of the 9.9 billion Belly bounty was even more shocking than the live broadcast, and for a time, the entire sea was discussing this matter.
Of course, there were also those who were just learning about it for the first time, such as the crew of the Perfume Yuda, which had entered the Calm Belt early on.
After leaving the Sabaody Archipelago, Boa Hancock headed straight back to Amazon Lily, but the Empress's mood was not good at the moment.
The reason was naturally that Rayleigh had rushed her to leave, and since Hancock's feelings for Rayleigh were akin to those for a close elder, she was even angrier than usual.
She was still sulking on the way back, meaning some of the Sea Kings in the Calm Belt were completely out of luck.
Any giant Sea Kings that tried to attack the Perfume Yuda were instantly turned to stone and sank to the bottom of the sea.
"Big Sis!" The green-haired Boa Sandersonia rushed into the main cabin of the Perfume Yuda, waving a newspaper in her hand with a look of pure disbelief.
"Hmm?" Seeing her second sister's expression, Hancock frowned.
"Cyrus... he... he!" Sandersonia stammered upon seeing Hancock's expression.
'Cyrus?'
Hearing this name, Hancock's mind conjured the image of the man who had taken her Perfume Femur head-on back at the archipelago.
"What about him?" Hancock stood up, walked over to her sister, and took the newspaper.
"He killed a Celestial Dragon!" Sandersonia blurted out, having finally recovered her voice.
"What?" Hancock, who had been looking down at the newspaper, froze before suddenly looking up at her sister with a face full of astonishment.
"Big Sis, it's true! Not only did he kill many Celestial Dragons, but he also destroyed half of Mary Geoise and even pierced through the Red Line!" Sandersonia nodded frantically.
"How could this be?" Hancock's expression was dazed.
'Killed a Celestial Dragon?'
Few people even dared to mention such a thing, let alone put it into practice!
Hancock collapsed into a sitting position, though her pet snake, Salome, had already slithered over to catch her falling body.
The Empress's expression was stiff as she looked down, her gaze falling entirely on the newspaper in her hand.
A moment later, her pupils trembled violently.
'Is what's written here true?' Hancock's psychological trauma regarding the Celestial Dragons had always existed, as her past as a slave was something she desperately tried to hide.
In Hancock's mind, the Celestial Dragons were people no one dared to defy, simply put, because of her past, the Empress suffered from a severe case of PTSD.
So, upon learning what Cyrus had done, Hancock was completely stunned.
Her sister called out to her several times from the side, but she didn't respond.
"Big Sis?"
Seeing Hancock motionless with her eyes glazed over, Sandersonia gave her a gentle push.
This nudge immediately brought Hancock back to her senses.
"Cyrus-sama, where is he now?"
Hancock immediately stood up and asked with an urgent expression.
"It doesn't say where Cyrus-sama went. Is he injured?"
'Huh?'
Seeing Hancock's reaction, her second sister was stunned for a moment, but she quickly understood her sister's concern.
"No, the newspaper doesn't say."
"Get the latest newspaper! No, turn back immediately!" Hancock gave the order, then changed it again.
"But Big Sis, we don't know where Cyrus is."
"I don't care about that! Turn back immediately!" Hancock's voice rose a few notches.
"Uh, yes, Sister!"
After Sandersonia left the main cabin, Hancock sat down on Salome again, her eyes falling on the newspaper in her hand as she looked at the pierced Red Line and the destroyed Holy Land.
The image of Cyrus reappeared in Hancock's mind, and although she had only met him that one time, the young man's figure grew ever taller in her mind.
Hancock's eyes became shiny, as if they were about to overflow with tears!
"Cyrus-sama will definitely be fine. But where is Cyrus-sama now?"