Whitebeard was not surprised to hear that Cyrus thought highly of Teach.
Teach had spent years aboard his ship without Whitebeard ever seeing through his ambitions, yet Cyrus seemed to have understood the man's purpose from the beginning.
"Possessing Conqueror's Haki doesn't guarantee someone will become a great power on the sea."
Before Whitebeard could respond, Shiki—who had remained a quiet spectator until now—spoke first.
"Without the will to charge forward no matter what stands in your way, Conqueror's Haki won't take you very far. This sea has never lacked ambitious men."
Cyrus glanced at the deep hollow in Shiki's head.
"Fair point."
He nodded.
After Whitebeard's death and the later defeats of Kaido and Big Mom, the three so-called Emperors who rose to replace them had indeed lacked the overwhelming presence of the old generation.
Buggy hardly needed mentioning. Blackbeard had been beaten bloody by a dying Whitebeard at Marineford, while Straw Hat Luffy had tremendous potential and awakened the power of Nika, but Cyrus had never fought him directly and could not judge exactly how strong he was.
"What are you planning to do with Teach?"
Whitebeard looked down at Cyrus.
"Teach?"
Cyrus thought for a moment, then shook his head.
Originally, he had intended to use Teach to locate the Dark-Dark Fruit.
Devil Fruits might genuinely choose their users, and Teach seemed to have some unique connection to that particular fruit.
But now that Cyrus had obtained it by accident, Teach was no longer especially useful to him.
Even so, Teach's earlier conversation had not escaped Cyrus's senses.
Not only had Cyrus understood his intentions, but the three veteran pirates had likely seen through them as well.
If Whitebeard officially joined the Hunter Guild, someone of his strength would naturally hold considerable influence.
As one of Whitebeard's sons, Teach would benefit from that position.
When Teach made his proposal, he had not known Cyrus already possessed the Dark-Dark Fruit. He had probably hoped to use the Hunter Guild's vast resources to search for it.
"I won't do anything to him without reason. He hasn't committed any offence under my command."
Cyrus gestured toward the examination grounds.
"As for the three of you, you should understand your roles by now."
"Each of you will guard a different area. Decide who deserves to pass and apply different levels of pressure depending on the candidate."
"You aren't worried we'll start slaughtering people?"
Linlin grinned at him, her tongue hanging from her mouth.
"That's not allowed."
Cyrus met her gaze calmly.
"If you do, I'll kill you and replace you. Mihawk, Issho, or Rayleigh could all handle the same job."
"Mamamama! That certainly sounds like you."
Linlin laughed without taking offence and said no more.
"What happens after the exam?"
That was the question Shiki cared about most.
Cyrus wanted them to work for him now, but what would happen once the task was finished?
"Afterward, you can decide for yourselves. You may even return to the sea if that's what you want, but the restrictions placed on you won't disappear."
"Fine."
Shiki nodded.
If he could at least leave Cyrus's immediate sight, his chances of staying alive would improve.
He raised a hand and touched the hollow left behind after the ship's wheel was removed from his skull.
Beneath the newly grown flesh, he could feel his brain pulsing.
Without the wheel lodged in his head, his thoughts had become far clearer. Perhaps he could accomplish quite a few things now.
Naturally, all of that would require careful planning.
"Someone will come later to explain the details. Once the exam begins, you'll remain inside the trial grounds until everything is over."
Cyrus turned and waved.
"If I wanted to join your Hunter Guild, would you accept me?"
Whitebeard suddenly asked as Cyrus was leaving.
"We'll discuss that after the exam."
Without turning back, Cyrus raised his right hand in farewell as his figure gradually disappeared.
"You're seriously considering joining?"
Linlin stared at Whitebeard in disbelief.
She could imagine herself joining before she could imagine him doing it.
"We are remnants of an old era. There's no ship left in the New World for men like us."
Whitebeard's voice was heavy.
"Jihahaha! Never thought I'd hear those words from you."
Shiki laughed at being included among the remnants of the old age.
"The world has changed too quickly."
A trace of weariness settled over Whitebeard.
His health had improved greatly since leaving his ship, but the spirit he once carried had faded.
Everything he had experienced recently had clearly changed something within the legendary pirate.
His words left the other two silent, and stillness returned to the room.
…
Cyrus's opinion on what to do with Whitebeard and the others had never changed.
Killing them would be a waste.
Even now, they could still contribute a great deal.
And if Cyrus failed to find a place connected to another world in the near future, he would have no way to eliminate Imu completely.
In that case, Straw Hat Luffy might have to embark on another grand voyage across the sea.
These three could once again serve as pieces on the board.
Strictly speaking, Cyrus was the outsider in this world.
Luffy was its true adventuring protagonist.
Cyrus shook his head at the thought.
"Should I put Ace on the execution platform again? Maybe arrange another war at Marineford?"
He walked along, rubbing his chin as he murmured to himself.
"Cyrus, did Ace do something to anger you?"
Kuina's voice came from nearby.
She had heard him mention putting Ace on an execution platform and could not hide her surprise.
Cyrus had naturally sensed her approach.
"Not yet. I was only thinking through a few possibilities."
"Oh."
Kuina looked at him curiously.
"Should I go capture him?"
She looked eager.
Whether or not he actually ended up on an execution platform, if Cyrus had mentioned it, she might as well ask.
"Forget it for now. We'll deal with that after the exam. Mihawk is here, so keep learning from him while you have the chance."
Cyrus waved the suggestion aside.
"Why don't you teach Zoro and me instead?"
Kuina looked at him expectantly.
"Me? I can't teach either of you."
Cyrus knew his limitations.
His power had not come from conventional training and could not be reproduced by following the same path.
"My swordsmanship isn't very good."
He spread his hands.
"But aren't you stronger than him?"
Kuina moved closer, openly curious.
"My overall strength is greater. Mihawk's swordsmanship is superior. Those are different things."
"So I can take that to mean my swordsmanship surpasses yours?"
Mihawk's voice came from a distance.
"Of course."
Cyrus nodded without hesitation.
"But one sentence isn't enough to make me train those two idiots."
Cyrus considered that, then beckoned.
A Hunter immediately ran over.
"Go ask Issho where they stored the sword I had them bring. Retrieve it."
"Yes, Chairman!"
The Hunter hurried away.
"A sword?"
Both Mihawk and Kuina immediately became alert.
"It belonged to Zoro's ancestor. I obtained it by chance. A blade once wielded by a great swordsman."
Cyrus looked toward Mihawk.
"One of the Supreme Grade Blades?"
Mihawk's interest was genuine.
Owning Yoru did not mean he had no curiosity about the other famous blades of the world.
"Shusui."
"A Great Grade Blade?"
Mihawk frowned slightly.
"A black blade."
Cyrus added.
"I see. Then it's certainly worth examining."
Mihawk's eyes brightened.
Whatever its original rank, any sword forged into a permanent black blade had been wielded by someone extraordinary.
There were many Great Grade Blades in the world, but only a handful of black blades.
"When it arrives, have Zoro take possession of it."
Cyrus prepared to leave, then paused.
He raised one hand and a streak of red light crossed the sky and landed in his palm.
"En."
Cyrus looked at the sword that had flown into his hand.
Kuina and Mihawk both focused on it.
"It's completely different from when you first gave it to me."
Kuina remembered En's original form.
Back then, it had barely been more than the shape of a sword.
Although its foundation had already placed it among the Great Grade Blades, it had never been fully completed.
Now, calling it the greatest sword in the world would hardly be an exaggeration.
Even the title of Supreme Grade Blade no longer seemed sufficient.
It was beginning to transcend the very concept of a sword, becoming an extension and manifestation of Cyrus's power.
"Catch."
Cyrus tossed it to Kuina.
"Huh? You're giving it to me?"
Her eyes widened.
"Dream on. I'm lending it to you."
Cyrus shook his head.
"Only I can truly use this sword. If it stays away from me too long, it'll disappear on its own."
Kuina hugged the weapon to her chest and nodded, her eyes shining with curiosity.
"It can draw on a portion of my power. Be careful when you use it."
After giving the warning, Cyrus left.
Kuina and Mihawk watched him enter the nearby Hunter Guild branch.
"Come."
Mihawk stared at the sword in Kuina's arms.
"Wait until Zoro arrives."
Kuina knew exactly what he wanted.
Not long afterward, Shusui was finally delivered into Zoro's hands.
"My ancestor's sword?"
Zoro stared at the weapon in amazement.
Mihawk inspected it as well, surprise filling his face.
"An excellent blade. Would you like to test it?"
"Here?"
Zoro looked around.
Even the Hunter who had delivered the sword was watching with obvious anticipation.
"Over there."
Mihawk surveyed the area, then pointed toward the examination grounds.
"Are we allowed inside right now?"
Kuina asked the nearby Hunter.
"Others aren't, but those restrictions don't apply to you."
The Hunter answered immediately.
They were the chairman's junior brother and sister, accompanied by the world's greatest swordsman.
Of course they were permitted.
Once inside, Mihawk selected a suitable area.
From within the Guild branch, Cyrus naturally sensed where they had gone.
He watched Kuina use En against Mihawk, sending blazing slashes and waves of heat across the field.
None of them posed any real danger to Mihawk.
Cyrus shook his head.
"What is it?"
Robin sat in the main seat beside him, helping process Guild matters. Seeing him react, she smiled.
"Nothing. Make sure you rest properly over the next few days."
Cyrus waved his hand.
Robin immediately put down what she was holding and glanced outside at the darkening sky.
...
Night had fallen.
Cyrus and Robin finally did what they had both been waiting to do.
To prevent anyone from overhearing them, Cyrus carried her to the deepest part of the examination grounds, atop the tallest tower.
The commotion drove the surrounding birds and beasts far away.
By morning, Robin looked radiant while Cyrus showed no sign of exhaustion.
At his current level, handling Robin alone was hardly difficult. Even adding Hancock would not have been much trouble.
The Flower-Flower Fruit also offered an astonishing variety of possibilities.
Over the next several days, Cyrus and Robin were almost inseparable. Even the most oblivious observers could tell that their relationship had changed.
Issho, meanwhile, reappeared after being absent for days, looking utterly dejected.
"That makes no sense…"
He muttered when he saw Cyrus, then paused as his pale eyes turned toward Cyrus and Robin sitting in his arms.
"You two… Ahem. I lost all my money."
Issho abruptly changed the subject.
"With your abilities, winning should be effortless."
Cyrus looked at him.
"Gambling should be decided by luck and skill. Using Haki to cheat would be unacceptable."
Issho's expression immediately became solemn.
"Fine. Play however you like."
Cyrus waved dismissively.
"You can collect your salary now. I pay you well enough to keep losing for a long time."
"Excellent."
Issho immediately began walking away.
After several steps, he realized what Cyrus had said and turned back.
"Wait. Why are you so certain I'll lose?"
"Have you ever won?"
"Of course."
Issho nodded.
"Overall?"
Issho turned and left without answering.
Robin covered her mouth and laughed.
Her expression changed when she felt Cyrus's hand settle on her flat stomach. Blushing, she caught his wrist.
"Lord Cyrus!"
Hancock entered while calling for him.
The moment she saw how Cyrus and Robin were sitting, her eyes widened.
"My apologies, Lord Cyrus. I seem to have come at the wrong—"
"Your timing is perfect."
Cyrus beckoned her over.
Robin immediately looked ready to object, but whatever thought crossed her mind made her close her mouth again.
That night, Hancock finally received what she had long desired.
The next morning, Rayleigh came looking for Cyrus with his sword in hand.
After Hancock beat him senseless, he left with Shakky in a fury, sporting two dark circles beneath his eyes.
…
The day before the Hunter Exam began, Crocodile personally arrived on Sky Island.
He brought a young man with him.
Cyrus narrowed his eyes slightly as his gaze settled on the stranger beside Crocodile.
"This is the person I mentioned before—the young man who can use Nen."
Crocodile stepped aside, revealing the figure who had been standing half a step behind him.
"Chairman Cyrus!"
The young man stared at Cyrus with open excitement.
The reason he had come was simple.
After seeing an organization so similar to the Hunter Association he knew, he desperately wanted to join.
"Come here."
Cyrus beckoned.
"Let's see whether you can open my aura nodes."
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