'Are you freaking kidding me!'
That's what Morgans wanted to ask upon hearing Cyrus's words, but what came out of his beak was something else entirely.
"Sure, Cyrus, just tell me directly. I can handle anything on my end."
As an old hand, Morgans possessed extremely flexible principles.
Hearing Morgans's tone through the Den Den Mushi, Cyrus hadn't expected this birdman to be so straightforward, so he didn't beat around the bush either.
"Enel, Rumble-Rumble Fruit user. Currently the branch president of the Hunter Guild in Dressrosa," Cyrus stated, getting straight to the point.
"The Logia-type Rumble-Rumble Fruit that Crocodile mentioned? He previously told me not to leak information about this person."
Hearing that Cyrus was talking about Enel, Morgans was somewhat surprised.
"Times have changed, and there's no hiding it anyway. Besides, I want to use this person—if you want the horse to run, you must let it eat its fill," Cyrus spoke cheerfully into the snail.
"Alright, I have no problem with that."
Though he didn't understand exactly why Cyrus was doing this, the request wasn't difficult.
Compared to the current situation where the World Economy News Paper was clashing head-on with the World Government's propaganda machine, promoting one person was clearly not a big deal.
Moreover, this kind of sensational hype was originally the World Economy News Paper's true specialty.
After all, in the future, when a certain Straw Hat merely clashed with Charlotte Linlin and escaped with his life, Morgans would blow it up into him becoming the Fifth Emperor.
"So, to what extent do you need me to go?"
'To what extent?' Cyrus thought for a moment upon hearing this.
"Just keep an eye on him and report what can be reported. After all, that's just Enel's nature."
"I think I understand now." Hearing Cyrus say this, Morgans roughly understood the Guild Master's goal.
"Don't forget about our cooperation. You can rest assured—I truly have no desire to control your newspaper," Cyrus reiterated, his tone sincere.
"That's why I said I believe you. If there's nothing else, I'll contact Crocodile now. Recently, the World Government has been targeting me too much, and honestly, this is largely because of your matters." Morgans's words seemed to carry a hint of seeking credit.
"Don't worry, I won't forget what you've done." Cyrus didn't avoid acknowledging the journalist's assistance.
Although he didn't particularly care about public opinion himself, the mudslinging from the World Government might even accelerate the Hunter Guild's development.
After all, in this world filled with superhumans, worship of the strong was commonplace, and infamy was still fame.
After the call ended, Cyrus put down the receiver, a contemplative look flashing in his eyes.
The World Government had made their move, and he needed countermeasures.
After the Great Military Draft, the Marines' institutional power would certainly increase significantly.
He naturally didn't need to worry about this for himself, but the Hunter Guild was a different story.
If the guild continued according to his plans, it would inevitably compete with the World Government and the Marines for global dominance in the future.
Things were going to become increasingly complicated.
Unless... they could find an opportunity to turn the Marines to their side in the future.
Cyrus stroked his chin, considering whether this approach had any actual chance of success.
Imu possessed means to completely destroy an island with a single strike, but such power definitely couldn't be used routinely, at most, it served as an ultimate deterrent.
To physically control the world, what the World Government needed most was still the Marines.
As for the Marines themselves, though controlled by the World Government, both Sengoku and Sakazuki, actually harbored considerable complaints about their bureaucratic overlords.
This fracture could indeed be exploited.
"As for the New World..." Cyrus's thoughts turned to his upcoming itinerary.
Following his original plan, he initially intended to become one of the Four Emperors before Red-Haired Shanks, but now this identity wasn't that important to him anymore.
Or rather, both his reputation and raw strength had already surpassed the conceptual scope of the Four Emperors entirely. But he still needed to make the trip to the New World.
He would inevitably have contact with the Three Emperor Pirate Crews and Red Hair, but how to handle encounters with these individuals was what he needed to consider now.
As for recruiting them? Not to mention whether prideful monsters like Charlotte Linlin, Kaido, and Whitebeard would agree to serve under someone else, Cyrus himself was unwilling to make such a choice.
'Pirates, the Marines, the Revolutionary Army, and the Hunter Guild.'
Cyrus wore a contemplative expression until Boa Hancock was brought over by Kyros.
As Hancock stepped down from the carriage, her Observation Haki had already detected Cyrus inside the unassuming house before her.
Her footsteps faltered, hesitation written clearly across her face.
"Mr. Cyrus, she's here," Kyros announced from the doorway.
"Mhm, let her in," Cyrus's voice carried out.
Hancock took a deep breath, glanced at the door, then strode into the house.
Kyros immediately left with his guards; his task was complete, and whatever happened next was far beyond his control.
The tall Empress entered the room and saw Cyrus turning to look at her, momentarily flustered.
"Lord Cyrus, I..." Hancock's lips moved as she tried to speak, but her mind went completely blank.
"Have a seat first," Cyrus pointed to the chair opposite him, observing the blushing Pirate Empress.
Hancock stiffly walked to the indicated chair and sat down, her back ramrod straight, clearly tense.
Seeing Hancock like this surprised Cyrus somewhat.
But remembering how in the future she'd regard even someone like Luffy—who merely punched a Celestial Dragon in anger—with newfound respect and devotion, he could understand the shift.
"So, why have you come to see me?" Seeing Hancock flushed and nervous but entirely silent, Cyrus took the initiative to guide the conversation.
"Lord Cyrus, about that time at the Sabaody Archipelago..." Hancock clearly cared deeply about their first encounter where they had crossed hands.
As soon as Cyrus spoke, she immediately brought it up.
"Because of Rayleigh, right? I understand." Cyrus waved his hand dismissively, making Hancock swallow her remaining words.
"Yes, Rayleigh saved me in the past. When I saw you fighting him last time, I..." Hancock nodded quickly, wanting to continue explaining her actions.
"That matter is in the past. If you came to apologize, there's no need. I didn't take it to heart."
Hearing this, Hancock breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"It's like this, Lord Cyrus. I wish to follow you."
After taking several deep breaths, Hancock raised her eyes to meet Cyrus's gaze, though when their eyes finally met, she instinctively averted her gaze, her eyes darting nervously around the room.
"You should understand my current situation with the World Government, and what officially following me might bring upon your country. Have you truly considered this carefully?" Cyrus reminded her.
"Yes, I've considered it carefully," Hancock nodded seriously. "I am the Empress of Kuja Island. My will is the will of Kuja Island."
---------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator