"Issho!" Cyrus's voice rang out across the deck.
Issho turned to face him with a puzzled expression.
"Give those three some intensive training." Cyrus still couldn't get used to this feeling of being constantly surrounded.
In contrast, his previous interactions with Robin alone had been far more comfortable and enjoyable for him.
Clearly, Hancock and Baby 5 were being a bit too enthusiastic.
However, since he was the one who brought them aboard, being sandwiched between them was something he'd have to endure.
But that didn't mean there was no solution.
Understanding Cyrus's meaning, Issho turned and walked back.
The three women also understood that today's training was about to begin, and even Hancock couldn't be exempt from training under extreme gravity.
The three women left for the ship's training room. Issho used his ability to apply gravity to the space, though he didn't go there personally.
With his mastery of the ability, he could easily control the power without any leakage to the rest of the ship. Of course, this was only when he wasn't going all out.
"All three of them—Robin and the others—have significant room for development in their Devil Fruit abilities," Issho noted.
Sensing through his Observation Haki that Cyrus was lying lazily on a deck chair, Issho started a conversation after some thought.
"Indeed, Hancock has already developed her ability quite impressively. As for Robin, the further development of her Flower-Flower Fruit requires Fruit Awakening. But Baby 5's ability..."
The Paramecia-type Weapon-Weapon Fruit.
If it were just limited to cold weapons, its potential would be quite limited.
However, the Weapon-Weapon Fruit allows the user to transform part or even their entire body into weapons.
Not just cold weapons, but even firearms.
Weapons like guns and cannons can also be created using the fruit's ability, which opens up tremendous possibilities.
But this fruit's potential might also be directly related to Baby 5's own scientific knowledge and understanding.
According to her, to transform into a complex weapon, she needs to have a thorough understanding of that particular weapon's mechanics.
Under those conditions, she could even transform into missiles, and after the explosion, her body could fully recover.
To some extent, the versatility of this fruit is no less impressive than those of the famous top-tier Devil Fruits.
If she could transform into a nuclear weapon, even he probably couldn't withstand it.
But getting Baby 5 to master knowledge at that advanced level?
Still, it's a pity.
If she had studied properly since childhood and had the opportunity to learn, she would definitely be very powerful now, possibly not inferior to Doflamingo.
"Her ability is indeed quite good, but according to what you said, will finding her a teacher really work?" Issho asked curiously.
"Yes, I've been thinking about finding her a teacher when the opportunity arises. I originally considered having Caesar be that teacher, but now Vegapunk seems like a better choice."
Of course, both Caesar and Vegapunk are rare geniuses in this world.
However, compared to Vegapunk, who had extensive knowledge and remarkable achievements in various technologies, Caesar's areas of expertise were far more limited.
Caesar excels primarily in biotechnology-related fields.
"But there's no need to think that far ahead. Vegapunk is still in the hands of the World Government, and I don't need to make a special trip just for this. Besides, the timing isn't right now," Cyrus pondered and spoke.
"Do you know where he is?" Issho was somewhat puzzled by Cyrus's tone.
Regarding Vegapunk, after he and Cyrus met, Cyrus shouldn't have had time to learn this classified information.
'Could it be that he already knew before they met? How much more information is Cyrus hiding?'
"Right now, he should be near Marine Headquarters, but later, he'll probably go to the Future island."
According to Straw Hat Luffy's future route, the Egghead Island where Vegapunk is located is reached after Wano Country.
Of course, the magnetic fields in the New World are even more chaotic.
After leaving Wano Country, they might not necessarily sail deeper into the Grand Line—they could change direction entirely.
But it's indeed deep within the New World.
"If we travel slowly, we might encounter him by then. If we move quickly, he might not even be there when we reach Future Island," Cyrus thought it over.
Cyrus values Vegapunk highly.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have specifically brought the scientist up in front of Dragon.
The weapon suspected to be Uranus in Imu's hands definitely requires a massive amount of energy to activate.
Without a new energy source, its own energy might only be enough for a few activations.
As for the Mother Flame, Cyrus actually wants to see what it is.
If it truly is a limitless energy source, it would be very useful for Cyrus.
No, it should be said that it would be equally important for the future world under the order of the Hunter Guild.
Upon hearing this, Issho nodded, used his Observation Haki to sense the three women training, and gradually increased the gravity.
"If we don't encounter that giant elephant, we'll head straight to Totto Land. That's Big Mom's territory, so conflict is inevitable. But this time, it's up to you," Cyrus looked at Issho.
"You mean, I should take on Big Mom?" Upon hearing this, Issho turned his blind eyes toward Cyrus, his face full of surprise.
"If you want to, it's not impossible. But the Charlotte family does have several highly skilled fighters, so it won't be easy for you to win quickly."
"Now that you mention it, this old man wouldn't mind giving it a try." After hearing Cyrus's words, Issho realized he had misunderstood.
But the idea of fighting Big Mom made Issho feel it was worth attempting.
After all, Charlotte Linlin is very famous and incredibly powerful.
"It's not impossible," Cyrus nodded.
But he needed to think about what to do next.
Should they go directly to Whole Cake Island, or start from the other islands of Totto Land and push through one by one?
As Cyrus was thinking, the cry of News Birds sounded above the ship.
Cyrus raised his hand and waved.
A News Bird descended from the sky and landed on the railing in front of him.
He pulled out two Belly notes, stuffed them into the bag hanging around the bird's neck, and then took out a newspaper.
Once the transaction was complete, the News Bird spread its wings and flew away.
Cyrus's gaze fell on the newspaper in his hand. The main section still covered the events in Dressrosa.
Clearly, the World Government's propaganda machine and the World Economy News Paper's public opinion battle were still ongoing.
However, the news in the small section at the corner of the paper surprised him.
"It really happened—Crocodile and Hancock have been expelled from the Warlords."
This news took Cyrus by surprise as well.
"It seems the World Government already knows Hancock boarded this ship," Issho remarked upon hearing it.
"Indeed, but with this development..." Cyrus flipped the newspaper over and saw two bounty posters on the back.
The updated bounties for Crocodile and Boa Hancock, the Empress of Amazon Lily.
Crocodile: 1.5 billion berries.
Hancock: also 1.5 billion berries.
When they became Warlords, both had bounties around 80 million berries.
Now, with their bounties reinstated, the amounts had increased twentyfold.
'But Crocodile's bounty...'
Was the World Government planning to classify the Hunter Guild as pirates too?