Now that Zoro had followed Kuina out of East Blue, and Luffy would likely be taken away from East Blue as well if nothing unexpected happened, Sanji might end up staying in East Blue forever afterward.
Of course, it was also possible that some other incident would occur and make him leave East Blue.
After all, because of Cyrus's existence, the situation across the entire sea had already changed beyond recognition.
At this point, there were not even many people on the sea discussing the Pirate King's great treasure anymore.
After all, when people opened their eyes now, the news they saw was either about the Marines or about the Hunter Guild.
As for pirates—or rather, the pirate camp as a whole—their momentum had already weakened after Whitebeard and Big Mom's defeat.
Even though Kaido remained, something had happened to him as well, and his whereabouts were currently unknown.
As for Red-Haired Shanks, although his fame was already great now, the timing was unfortunate.
If Cyrus had not entered the New World, Shanks, who had reached Elbaf, might already have become one of the pirate emperors of the New World.
The title of Four Emperors could have been shouted across the sea.
But now, before Red-Haired Shanks's emperor title could even be announced, the other three pirate emperors had already encountered Cyrus.
Even if there was a corrective force at work, Cyrus could not imagine how the current situation could possibly be corrected.
Reiju looked at Cyrus.
Suddenly receiving news about the younger brother who had fled made her thoughts rather complicated.
However, after that brief moment of inner confusion, she quickly calmed down.
She could naturally guess that since Cyrus had taken the initiative to mention this matter in front of her, it meant he had likely already guessed Sanji's relationship with her, or rather, with Germa.
"Thank you. However, please do not tell my father about this matter."
After hesitating for a moment, Reiju voiced her request.
Cyrus did not refuse as he nodded.
"Fine."
"Thank you, Chairman Cyrus."
Hearing this, Reiju thanked him, her face full of gratitude.
"In truth, even if your father knew, it wouldn't matter. After all, this person has drawn the chairman's attention." Crocodile suddenly spoke.
Although he did not know the details, judging from Reiju's reaction, he could already guess the general situation.
Hearing this, Reiju's heart stirred, and she subconsciously raised her head to look at Cyrus.
"If possible, have him participate in the upcoming exam. I hope he joins the Hunter Guild."
"Understood."
Hearing this, Reiju immediately relaxed.
That alone was enough. No matter how arrogant her father was, he should know that some things could not be done.
"Also, you can begin making preparations. Although we may not necessarily need to evacuate, if the need arises, we must withdraw immediately. After that, it will be open war." Cyrus spoke.
"Our preparations…"
Crocodile's expression shifted, and he subconsciously opened his mouth.
"Changes always come faster than plans. Besides, the Marines and the World Government will not just watch the Guild continue developing rapidly."
Cyrus turned his back to them as he continued speaking.
"A winner and loser must be decided eventually, and I will not lose."
"Understood."
Hearing Cyrus's words and tone, Crocodile nodded with a grave expression.
"Do we need to gather manpower?" He asked.
"No. Not now."
Cyrus shook his head.
"To a certain extent, this war first requires me to decide the outcome."
As he spoke, Cyrus turned his head and looked at Crocodile.
"Also, the World Government currently possess one of the Ancient Weapons, and they have already obtained its energy source."
"Is it the thing you had the Revolutionary Army pay attention to? The World Government has already succeeded?"
Crocodile knew a little about the situation.
He knew the Revolutionary Army had previously made a move regarding Vegapunk, and he knew their objective.
It was one of Vegapunk's studies.
"Mm. The Revolutionary Army's strength is not weak. I'll contact you afterward. If necessary, join forces with the Revolutionary Army."
Cyrus waved a hand and walked outside.
"I'll go to Mary Geoise first, but I won't make a move immediately. The bounty money should be delivered soon."
As his voice fell, Cyrus had already disappeared through the door.
Looking at the door that vanished into thin air, Crocodile's expression turned serious.
"The chairman looks very confident."
Reiju noticed Crocodile's expression and said with a smile.
"Of course the chairman is confident. His strength is also enough to support that confidence. However, the Guild is ultimately a loose organization. I don't know how much power can actually be mobilized in the future."
Even Crocodile could not predict that.
However, the World Government had oppressed the entire sea for hundreds of years.
He could also feel that in many places across the sea, plenty of people were dissatisfied with the World Government.
That was also one of the reasons the Revolutionary Army had developed so quickly.
No matter what, as long as nothing happened to the chairman, they had a chance of winning.
And that chance was not small.
Moreover, once they truly succeeded in overthrowing the World Government and destroying those Celestial Dragons, what they would gain was the entire world.
Thinking of this, Crocodile's mind briefly conjured a scene of the Hunter Guild controlling the whole world in the future.
That kind of scene seemed rather good.
…
Mary Geoise.
As the seat of the World Government and the residence of the Celestial Dragons, this place was naturally luxurious.
However, a large portion of it was where the World Government conducted its official business.
But no matter how one looked at it, the enormous Mary Geoise did not house many people.
The canyon Cyrus had cut open had already been isolated by a towering wall.
From within Mary Geoise, it was impossible to see that terrifying canyon beyond the high wall.
As for the Celestial Dragons here, they had long since recovered from their fear back then and were still living lives similar to before.
Cyrus's Observation Haki covered the entirety of Mary Geoise, allowing him to see countless scenes of sin and cruelty.
His expression did not change. He simply stepped toward the center of the enormous room.
The vast room was empty, without a single person present.
Instead, there were countless clusters of flowers, as well as a resting place in the center surrounded by blossoms.
Cyrus walked over, then sat down on the soft sofa.
No one knew of his arrival.
The people outside were still doing their own things, while the Marine warships were rapidly returning toward Headquarters.
Sengoku had already reported everything that had happened at Impel Down to Kong.
As the current Commander-in-Chief, Kong naturally understood what Sengoku's report meant.
Cyrus was not someone easy to talk to.
The events from before were still very clear in his mind.
That power capable of piercing through the entire Red Line in a single strike was not something humans could oppose.
And this time, Cyrus had only used Whitebeard and the others to exchange for bounty money. Originally, no accident should have occurred.
But then God's Knights had made a move.
Yes, after hearing the report, Kong already knew that the ones who acted were God's Knights.
Their sudden action had changed the entire situation.
If Cyrus truly attacked Mary Geoise again, how were they supposed to stop him?
"Pay the bounty to the Hunter Guild. Also, try to contact Cyrus."
After hesitating, Kong finally spoke into the Den Den Mushi.
Sengoku, who had been waiting on the other end for a long time, replied, "Commander-in-Chief Kong, what should we do if we contact him? Can you hand over the people from God's Knights who made the move?"
Sengoku's words made Kong's expression stiffen.
That was the key issue.
With his current identity, his status was not low even within the World Government, and even before the Celestial Dragons.
But could he decide to hand over members of God's Knights?
What a joke.
"Commander-in-Chief Kong, if the people who acted are handed over, this matter might be calmed. Anything else will be very difficult. So we should prepare for battle."
Sengoku's reminder made Kong's brows furrow even more deeply.
"In that case, the bounty…"
Kong opened his mouth, but before he could finish, he was interrupted.
"I have already sent someone to deliver the bounty. Judging by the time, it should have arrived by now. Cyrus mentioned this matter before. If he could not receive the bounty this time, he would personally come to Headquarters to collect it."
Sengoku's words left Kong silent.
"In that case, hurry back as soon as possible. Have Borsalino return first and come directly to Mary Geoise."
"Understood."
On the warship sailing at high speed, Sengoku hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Everyone around him turned to look at Kizaru, who stood nearby like a wooden chicken.
Kizaru, who had originally looked lazy, even froze with the hand he had been using to trim his nails.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I can't beat that guy. I can't even block him. I'm not suited for that!"
Kizaru spoke, clearly doing his utmost to oppose being sent ahead.
Because if he went ahead first, he might really take the first step straight out of this world!