Zeff frowned deeply, his gaze fixed on the group of Hunters seated around the table.
"You actually allow something like this to happen?"
As someone in East Blue, Zeff had some understanding of the Hunter Guild, and he knew very well that, for ordinary people, the existence of the Hunter Guild was absolutely a good thing.
But now, something like this had actually happened.
"We're dealing with it now, aren't we?"
The young Hunter leading the group sighed and exchanged looks with his companions.
"Too many people have joined the Guild and the Guild can't keep track of every single Hunter at all times. But the chairman has already issued orders. The Guild will deal with this kind of thing internally as soon as possible."
"So, Red-Leg Zeff, will you agree to what I mentioned earlier?"
"I agree."
Zeff nodded.
It was no real loss for them since they only had to pay a little attention to information.
"Thank you. We'll leave once we finish eating and won't disturb your business."
The young Hunter nodded slightly and said nothing more.
Zeff brought Sanji back into the kitchen, while the other chefs and waiters quickly gathered around.
"Boss Zeff, are we really going to agree? These people aren't easy to deal with. And anyone who managed to sneak into the Hunter Guild and still cause trouble must be no ordinary person either."
Zeff nodded when he heard that.
"Just pay a little attention. The Hunter Guild should finish dealing with this matter internally soon."
Zeff shook his head slightly.
This kind of thing did affect the Hunter Guild's reputation, but as long as the chairman of the Hunter Guild was still around, the Guild would not experience any major upheaval.
Besides, establishing a connection with the Hunter Guild could, in a sense, help clean up their own past a little.
After all, Zeff himself had been quite worried before when he saw Pirate Hunters coming and going.
"Sanji, what are you thinking about?"
Zeff chased the others away, then looked toward Sanji.
"Nothing."
Sanji's lips moved when he heard that, but he shook his head and turned to leave.
The current Sanji was not good at hiding what was on his mind, especially not from Zeff, who had watched him grow up.
"What's going on with that brat?"
"Boss, Sanji's been like that ever since he read a newspaper a few days ago."
After hearing Zeff's words, one of the chefs produced a newspaper from somewhere as if performing a magic trick and handed it over.
Zeff took the newspaper in confusion, then saw the report printed on it.
"The Vinsmoke Family? Germa 66? Announcing cooperation with the Hunter Guild?"
Zeff froze for a moment, then frowned.
In the newspaper, the photos of Vinsmoke Judge and his sons were very clear.
The distinctive curled eyebrows made Zeff understand what had happened.
"Don't bring this up again."
Zeff put the newspaper away and gave that warning.
"Got it, Boss!"
The chef who handed him the newspaper immediately nodded and shrank back to continue working.
Zeff sighed softly, clasped his hands behind his back, and slowly walked away.
As for Sanji's matter, it would depend on how the boy chose for himself.
No matter what, Zeff would support him.
…
Totto Land, Candy Island.
A terrifying pressure of Conqueror's Haki suddenly appeared, making the minds of the people living on the island go blank in an instant.
One by one, they rolled their eyes back and fainted.
Even those who barely managed to stay conscious under that pressure were shocked beyond belief.
Immediately after, a scorching heat swept across the entire island.
The houses made of candy began melting into syrup under the high temperature.
"What is this?"
Katakuri, who had returned to wait for reports about Guild affairs, looked completely stunned.
He could not see any flames, yet under the combination of extreme heat and Conqueror's Haki, even he felt as though it was becoming difficult to endure.
But the phenomenon appeared quickly and vanished just as quickly.
After only a few breaths, that unbearable pressure suddenly disappeared.
The door to Cyrus's room was pulled open, and Cyrus walked out with a relaxed expression.
"Looks like I do have some talent after all. Even though it's an advanced use of Conqueror's Haki, spending a month on it was enough to master it easily."
He had only just muttered that to himself when the smile on his face faded.
Because he rarely encountered life-or-death crises, he had no chance to awaken stronger power in the middle of battle.
He really did envy the talent of people like Straw Hat Luffy and Zoro.
Improving themselves in battle.
"You should pay more attention to your own power. Don't release it so casually. With your strength, ordinary people can't withstand it."
Issho walked over, tapping the ground with his cane sword as he spoke.
"You didn't go to Whole Cake Island?"
"Aren't you supposed to be able to sense that?" Issho asked in return.
"I've been mastering this new Conqueror's Haki technique recently, so I haven't kept my Observation Haki active the whole time."
Cyrus shook his head.
"All right. Robin will be back soon. Earlier, she tried to move the stone tablet carved with the Poneglyph, but it seems that was rather difficult."
"Has she finished deciphering it?" Cyrus asked.
"It seems not. Robin said what was recorded on it this time is rather obscure. It appears to point toward a Poneglyph related to the Void Century."
Issho thought for a moment before answering.
Cyrus nodded slightly.
"This old man knows you don't care about that, but your strength has increased again this time, hasn't it?"
Issho faced Cyrus, his pale eyes staring directly at him.
"Don't look at me like that. I've always been getting stronger! It's not like you don't know that."
Cyrus waved his hand, then turned and walked in a certain direction.
"My own business is finished. Next comes arranging a place for Whitebeard and the others."
Issho paused when he heard that, then followed him.
"Do you really intend to send Whitebeard and the others to Impel Down?"
Even though Cyrus had said this before, Issho still could not understand it.
"The four of them need somewhere to be placed. I can't just put them anywhere. Even if they themselves don't want to cause trouble, others will stir things up around them."
"Besides, I don't believe Big Mom and the others will obediently stay here after I leave."
"What about Seastone?"
Issho offered the suggestion.
"For some Devil Fruit users, Seastone can naturally restrict them. But for people like Whitebeard and Big Mom, it would be very difficult."
As he spoke, Cyrus brought Issho to the tall tower where Whitebeard and the others were temporarily being held.
After Cyrus entered, the four people inside the tower immediately looked toward him.
"Looks like you've recovered well."
Cyrus glanced at Whitebeard, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor.
After sensing his steady aura, he spoke.
"Compared with being on the ship, this period has indeed been rather relaxing."
Whitebeard nodded, seeming not to care much about being imprisoned here.
What he said was true as well.
When it came to recuperating, land was naturally better than a ship.
Besides, Cyrus had not treated them poorly. Whatever treatment they should receive was provided.
There was no limit on meat and wine either, so Whitebeard was actually more relaxed here than on his ship.
After all, on the ship, Marco would often try to stop Whitebeard from drinking.
"You got stronger again. That thing just now was your doing, wasn't it?"
Golden Lion stared at Cyrus with both eyes, looking eager to try something.
The dent in the top of his head was very conspicuous. By now, the wound had healed, but the shattered skull could not regenerate.
A glossy layer of flesh had formed over it, and one could even occasionally see Golden Lion's brain twitching beneath it.
"Do you want another fight? The four of you can come at me together."
Cyrus walked to the center of the four with his hands behind his back, then looked around and asked.
"Brat, don't get too arrogant!"
Big Mom spoke with an unfriendly expression.
He wanted to fight all four of them?
Even Rocks back then had not been this arrogant.
"Don't take it the wrong way. I honestly don't put the four of you in my eyes."
Cyrus turned his head toward Big Mom, who seemed to have grown a little fatter compared with when she was first locked up.
"Brat, what did you say?"
Golden Lion slammed a hand against the ground and floated into the air, glaring angrily at Cyrus.
Silver Axe looked left and right, then lowered his head and pretended he did not exist.
"Don't misunderstand. I don't mean anything else. My hands are just a little itchy, and I can't find better punching bags than the four of you."
Cyrus hurriedly waved his hand and said this with a cheerful smile.
That sounded even worse!
Both Big Mom and Golden Lion's faces darkened, their eyes filling with bloodshot veins.
"Enough."
Whitebeard, sitting cross-legged on the floor, suddenly spoke and frowned at Cyrus.
"Say it. What do you want?"
Hearing this, Cyrus immediately looked somewhat regretful. But Whitebeard truly did not seem to have any intention of fighting again.
"I'm preparing to send the four of you to Impel Down and exchange you for your bounties."
"You really dare to say that? Didn't you attack Mary Geoise before?"
Golden Lion stared at him with wide eyes.
He had charged out of Impel Down himself, losing both legs for it.
"What does that have to do with anything? Does it stop me from earning your bounties? I'm a bounty hunter, after all."
Cyrus looked as though this was only natural.
---------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator