After Kizaru spoke, the expressions of the others did not change.
Because they knew very well that, let alone sending Kizaru alone, even if everyone attacked together, the result of facing Cyrus would still be uncertain.
And if Kizaru went ahead first, once he truly faced Cyrus head-on, then while standing in Mary Geoise, Kizaru would not be able to rely on his Devil Fruit ability to keep retreating forever.
When the time came, something really might happen to him.
"With Cyrus's speed, logically speaking, he should have already reached Mary Geoise by now. But there has still been no movement."
Vice Admiral Tsuru suddenly spoke, drawing everyone's attention.
"Big Sis, are you saying he might not attack Mary Geoise?"
Momousagi, who was following behind Tsuru, asked curiously.
Back when she first heard Cyrus's name, he had not even gone out to sea yet.
But now, after such a short time, Cyrus had already grown into the person who gave the World Government and the Marines the biggest headache.
"No. This old man thinks that with that brat's personality, he will definitely go to Mary Geoise, and he will definitely make a lot of noise."
Garp grabbed a handful of senbei and stuffed it into his mouth. As he chewed and spoke, crumbs flew everywhere.
"Indeed. Based on the analysis of Cyrus's personality, he really would do that."
Tsuru nodded.
"Then he should be waiting for some opportunity."
Sengoku frowned and rubbed his brow as he spoke.
But the moment his words fell, his body froze, and then he suddenly raised his head.
At the same time, because of Sengoku's words, everyone present thought of something, and their expressions turned blank one by one.
"The bounty money!"
Almost everyone said it at the same time.
"It seems he really does value that."
Tsuru smiled bitterly.
"Intercept the bounty money." Akainu spoke directly, his gaze grave.
"Well, that won't work."
Hearing Akainu's words, Aokiji immediately shook his head before continuing.
"He only needs a pretext. After all, the Hunter Guild claims it is fundamentally different from pirates. As its chairman, he naturally cannot break his own rules by directly robbing people of property.
"But now, Whitebeard and the others have already been sent into Impel Down. If he doesn't see the bounty paid, he can come and take it himself, using whatever method he wants."
After Aokiji said this, Akainu fell silent.
With only a little thought, it was clear that this was indeed the situation.
"He won't go anywhere else."
Sengoku shook his head directly.
"He said before that if he couldn't receive the bounty, he would personally come to Headquarters to collect it."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, then can we use this opportunity to lure him to Headquarters and surround him there?" Akainu spoke again.
It was obvious that he truly wanted to kill Cyrus.
"The chance of success isn't high. At his level, if he wants to leave, no one can stop him. And besides, he doesn't need to leave."
Garp shook his head directly.
That was the truth.
With his personal strength alone, Cyrus could come and go freely anywhere in this world.
Marine Headquarters was nothing special in Cyrus's eyes.
"No matter what, should we first pause the bounty delivery, then discuss this in detail?" Tsuru spoke.
From the sound of it, she also agreed with using the bounty money to do something.
Then Sengoku picked up a Den Den Mushi.
A moment later, he hung it up, his expression extremely grave.
"It's too late. The bounty money has already been delivered."
When everyone heard this, their expressions varied, but all of them silently let out a breath of relief.
Even Akainu was the same.
"Head to Mary Geoise at full speed."
Sengoku rubbed his brow as he spoke, then looked toward Kizaru again.
"Yes, yes. But if I really have to fight Cyrus, I can't clash with him head-on. I nearly got killed at Sabaody last time."
Kizaru stood helplessly, clearly showing his reluctance.
"Act according to the situation. Since someone among the Celestial Dragons did this, perhaps they already considered this possibility and made preparations."
Unless necessary, Sengoku naturally did not want to lose one of the three Admirals.
After all, the three Admirals were the Marines' symbol for suppressing the sea. Losing even one would be terrible for the Marines.
Golden light lit up, and Kizaru's figure vanished within it.
"Garp."
After Kizaru left, Sengoku looked toward Garp, who seemed to be watching the show.
"If we arrive in time and a conflict breaks out, you and I will join forces. At the very least, we have to stop him from continuing to destroy things."
"This old man already said that will be very difficult. It might even be impossible."
The moment Garp heard Sengoku's words, he immediately responded.
"Just do your best."
Tsuru shook her head helplessly.
"No matter what the result is when the time comes, the Marines will have already made an effort."
"Fine. I'm bored anyway. That short exchange with that brat earlier wasn't enough for me."
Hearing Tsuru's words, Garp raised a hand and scratched his short gray hair before speaking.
"Also, order all Marines to remain on alert. If the worst-case scenario occurs, the Marines must respond immediately."
Sengoku's order was quickly carried out.
The two Admirals and the Chief Staff Officer all rose and left, then contacted the Marines under their command through Den Den Mushi to prepare a response.
...
On the other side.
Dragon, who had just taken advantage of the weakened defenses to bring Vegapunk away, also received contact from Crocodile.
After hearing about this sudden situation and Cyrus's plan, Dragon was stunned.
The world was changing far too quickly.
"Doctor, it seems we have to return as soon as possible. If something really happens, the Revolutionary Army must also respond immediately."
With Cyrus drawing fire at the front, the Revolutionary Army's development had been much easier during this period.
This was an opportunity.
If they truly succeeded, then the situation on the sea would change completely.
At the very least, it could change the Revolutionary Army's current need to remain hidden, and they might even be able to stand against the Marines and the World Government as equals.
According to Dragon's previous estimates, it would have taken at least several more years before there was a chance to reach that stage.
Now, everything had been brought forward.
"That man's strength is abnormal."
Vegapunk had heard the conversation between Dragon and Crocodile, so he naturally understood the current situation.
As a researcher and a top-level genius, he could also see the state of the sea clearly.
A drastic change would happen within these next few years.
The future would depend on what occurred during this period.
"Cyrus?"
Hearing Vegapunk's words, Dragon turned his head and asked.
"Yes. Humans cannot obtain power like his in such a short time."
"Doctor, are you saying Cyrus is from some rare race, not a pure human?"
Vegapunk shook his head.
"I'm not sure about that. Perhaps he has some special method of improving himself, but his growth speed is too fast, so fast that no one has time to prepare for it. The World Government should understand that point better than anyone."
"No matter what, Cyrus is currently our ally. The stronger he is, the greater the benefit to us."
After Dragon said this, he released a violent wind that wrapped around the two of them. Then both figures vanished into the wind, no longer visible.
On Crocodile's side, after communicating with Dragon, he also began ordering the people at Headquarters to prepare.
Everyone was waiting for news from Mary Geoise.
…
The Room of Flowers.
Two sets of footsteps sounded.
The steps were very light, and one could tell that the owners of those footsteps were not heavy.
Or rather, their bodies were very light.
Imu, dressed entirely in a black robe, returned to the Room of Flowers. But the moment she entered, her steps stopped.
She looked toward the central area of the Room of Flowers.
On the soft sofa in the resting area, a figure was lying there lazily with his eyes closed, as though he were resting.
Swish!
Gunko moved in front of Imu.
Then Imu raised a hand, placed it on Gunko's shoulder, and pushed her aside.
"You go down first."
Hearing this, Gunko glanced at Cyrus, then quickly turned and left.
As for Imu, dressed fully in black, she walked toward Cyrus.
"Sorry. I waited for quite a while and almost fell asleep."
As Imu approached, Cyrus, who had seemed deeply asleep, suddenly opened his eyes.
Then he stretched lazily and raised his gaze toward Imu.
His tone was relaxed, as though he did not care at all that he was inside the World Government's lair.
"I will compensate you for this matter."
Imu understood why Cyrus had come.
Instead of directly answering his words, she immediately offered her solution.
"That sounds nice. Unfortunately, I don't want to make this trip for nothing."
Cyrus smiled when he heard that.
"After all, there are far too many pests here. And since you've kept so many spare bodies, killing you really isn't easy.
"But after I kill all the Celestial Dragons here, dealing with you will become much easier."
Cyrus's words made Imu's approaching body pause.
"You saw through it?"
Imu's tone became still and unreadable, making it impossible to tell what kind of mood she was in.
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