Just as the news of Doflamingo becoming a Shichibukai was reported, another invited Shichibukai also set out to sea.
Jinbei the "Knight of the Sea," the successor of the Sun Pirates, had also been invited to become a Shichibukai.
The two might have been appointed one after the other, but the Marines may have announced them at the same time, or perhaps the news simply hadn't broken earlier.
Cyrus stared at the newspapers laid out side by side in front of him, his chin propped on his hand, a dazed look in his eyes.
Kuina and Zoro, both a year older now, crept up quietly from behind Cyrus.
"Take this!"
The two of them struck in unison.
Without turning his head, Cyrus rapped his left hand backward twice.
"Ouch!"
They both cried out in pain.
Cyrus's Armament Haki-infused noogies quickly raised large lumps on their foreheads.
Tears welled up in their eyes as they looked at Cyrus.
It wasn't that he had made them cry.
It was just that Cyrus's hits were really, really painful, and they couldn't help it!
"I believe I've taught you this before. Don't shout when you attack. You're just alerting your opponent," Cyrus said in a calm tone without turning his head, his eyes never leaving the newspaper.
"I'm a swordsman! I'm going to become the world's greatest swordsman!" Zoro yelled, clutching his forehead and raising his voice.
Kuina held her forehead, looking at Cyrus with teary eyes.
"So that's why you create a bunch of flashy names for your moves?"
Zoro's retort made Cyrus turn his head, a warm smile on his face.
But upon seeing Cyrus's smile, Zoro subconsciously took several steps back, watching Cyrus warily.
As expected, the noogie arrived on schedule.
Before Zoro could even react, Cyrus's knuckles had already rapped the spot on his forehead between his hands.
Thump!
A hollow thud echoed, and a lump the size of a bird's egg quickly appeared.
Zoro winced in pain, but his face still wore a stubborn expression.
"It seems I need to teach you how to respect your Senpai."
Cyrus cracked his knuckles, producing a crisp sound.
Seeing this, Zoro swallowed hard and quietly shuffled his feet backward.
"I'm the Senpai!"
Seemingly feeling that two steps back was a safe distance, Zoro tilted his head up slightly to retort, but his eyes remained glued to Cyrus's knuckles.
Hmm?
Cyrus struck again, but this time, Zoro tilted his head slightly.
Zoro's current reaction speed was no match for Cyrus, but he had indeed dodged.
Cyrus retracted his hand and sat down again.
His efforts during this time had not been in vain.
Then Cyrus looked at Kuina.
"I didn't argue with you!" Sensing Cyrus's gaze on her, Kuina subconsciously took half a step back.
Then, she sensed a dangerous aura and immediately tilted her head back.
The noogie aimed at her forehead scraped past the bridge of her nose.
Her nose stung, and Kuina's vision blurred.
Tears obscured her sight.
Yes, the beginnings of it.
Cyrus nodded in satisfaction, his eyes sizing up the two of them.
Aside from those born with powerful Observation Haki, awakening it at eleven or twelve years old should be considered the mark of a genius.
Of course, his own contributions were indispensable.
The pain from an attack enhanced with Armament Haki was quite high.
"I'm leaving!"
Cyrus walked back to the table and picked up the two newspapers.
The two, who were clutching their heads with tears streaming down their faces, both jolted when they heard Cyrus's words.
"Are you running away, you jerk? I haven't even beaten you yet," Zoro shouted, raising his voice.
Normally, if he dared to speak like that, Cyrus would definitely not let him off.
Zoro naturally knew this, so he was on high alert.
However, this time, Cyrus, who turned to look at him, simply shook his head.
"I'll find time to come back and visit. Of course, it's also possible that you and I will meet somewhere else on the seas in the future," Cyrus said with a smile.
"Why? Didn't you say before that you still needed to improve a lot more?" Kuina, forgetting her tears, asked with some urgency, staring at the two shiny lumps on her forehead.
She knew from her father that Cyrus would be leaving Shimotsuki Village, but this was too sudden.
She had thought Cyrus would stay in Shimotsuki Village for a long time.
"To save someone," Cyrus said in a relaxed tone.
"Huh?"
Zoro and Kuina were both stunned.
'Save someone?'
Then, the two of them simultaneously imagined that Cyrus had an extremely tragic past, that a relative had been kidnapped, and that he had come to Shimotsuki Village to get stronger before going back to rescue his family.
"Is it your family?" Kuina asked.
"I'll help you!" Zoro shouted, clenching his fists.
"Hmm?" Cyrus looked at the expressions on the two kids' faces.
"Are you two misunderstanding something? The person I'm going to save is a stranger," Cyrus said after a moment's thought, rubbing his chin.
"Huh? A stranger?"
The two were stunned again, unable to figure out what trick Cyrus was playing.
"Why?" Zoro was confused.
"There is no why. I just feel like saving them, so I'm going to. There's no need for so many whys," Cyrus said, shaking his head.
With that, Cyrus waved his hand and walked past the two, leaving them to stare at each other in bewilderment.
...
A short while later, Cyrus and Koshiro sat facing each other.
"So, you're leaving?"
Koshiro looked at Cyrus. He also felt that Cyrus's departure was a bit abrupt.
"Yes. I've learned what I needed. But I won't stop improving my strength in the future. However, before I leave, let's have a real fight."
As Cyrus spoke, his expression became sincere.
"Master Koshiro!" He called out.
Hearing this, Koshiro's expression stiffened, and he looked at Cyrus in surprise.
Cyrus had always addressed him as "Dojo Master."
In truth, Cyrus knew that the guidance Koshiro had given him during this time had long surpassed the value of nine million Belly.
In other words, having a top-tier master swordsman as a sparring partner for so long was of immeasurable value.
Not to mention, he had awakened both Observation and Armament Haki here.
Cyrus was naturally not someone who didn't know how to appreciate a favor.
"Alright!"
Koshiro was silent for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Kuina and Zoro, who had followed them, were about to speak when Cyrus turned to look at them.
"I can't take you two this time."
"Why?" Zoro retorted.
"You brat, you ask too many questions. You can't even block my knuckles," Cyrus said with a dismissive pout.
Veins instantly bulged on Zoro's forehead, and he glared fiercely at Cyrus.
But when he noticed Cyrus's gaze fall on his forehead, Zoro swallowed hard and composed his expression.
Can't mess with him, can't mess with him!
"Then let's get ready. Kuina, take Zoro to the village to buy some groceries," Koshiro said, turning to the two of them.
Then his gaze fell on Cyrus.
"So, now?"
"Alright!" Cyrus stood up and left.
A moment later, he returned carrying his longsword, En, and left with Koshiro.
Kuina and Zoro watched the two depart until their figures disappeared from sight before snapping back to reality.
"Where on earth is Cyrus going?" Kuina said, her face full of reluctance.
"Who knows? Going to save a stranger, and for no reason at that. 'Just feel like saving them, so I'm going to.' So childish!" Zoro said, crossing his arms like a little adult.