'He's not unbeatable!'
The thought suddenly popped into Doflamingo's mind, and even he himself found the emergence of this idea somewhat strange.
Cyrus's strength no longer needed anything to prove it, but now that they were actually fighting, Doflamingo simply didn't feel that kind of irresistible, overwhelming pressure.
'Perhaps... he's not that strong?' His earlier cessation of hostilities to talk with Cyrus in the palace was just a ploy to replace his real body with a String Puppet, because the closer he was to Cyrus, the less safe he felt.
This was also the true reason for his delay tactics, if Cyrus wouldn't attack him after he formally submitted, then this submission would pose absolutely no psychological burden for the Warlord.
But Doflamingo felt that possibility was slim.
Or rather, even if it were possible, Cyrus would definitely impose a condition he couldn't bear to accept.
"Still not making your move? He's not as powerful as you imagined," Doflamingo suddenly called out, looking at the intensely burning flames not far away where his strings had been completely incinerated.
But the very next moment after he spoke, a figure cloaked in flames abruptly emerged from within the fire and appeared right before him.
The flames acted as his outer garment, and his eyes seemed to hide blazing suns within them.
Boom!
A kick lashed out.
Even though he was on high alert, Doflamingo still failed to dodge it.
Following the sharp sound of the air exploding, a ring of white mist erupted around Doflamingo's body.
He was sent flying backward, destroying absolutely everything in his path as blood sprayed wildly from his mouth.
He was severely injured in a single blow.
Strings rapidly wove inside Doflamingo's body, desperately stitching his ruptured organs back together.
His mouth filled with the heavy taste of rust as he struggled to look at the flame-wreathed figure, finally realizing how utterly laughable his earlier thought had been.
To think he actually entertained the idea of being able to fight this monster.
Countless white strings wove into large nets behind Doflamingo, and these nets were broken through one by one, though the force of his backward momentum was slowed because of them.
Cyrus didn't pursue after his kick, because he sensed the person his Observation Haki hadn't been able to see before.
He turned his head toward the Dressrosa port.
Two figures were rapidly heading toward the docks, and one of them was very familiar to Cyrus.
It was Gunko, the Knight whom Imu had possessed back on the Sabaody Archipelago.
After a few glances, Cyrus retracted his gaze.
A large number of monsters were now surrounding him from all directions.
Not only monsters, but also all sorts of twisted, grotesque figures, their forms bizarre enough to stand out even in this world of diverse life forms.
Nightmare Monsters.
And it wasn't just these monsters, but also the people who produced them in their dreams.
The residents of Dressrosa.
Almost all of them, now in a half-dreaming, half-awake state, were converging steadily on the royal palace.
"So this is your plan?" As his Observation Haki saw these approaching people, Cyrus immediately understood the conspiracy taking place in Dressrosa this time.
"I thought you would try to kill me at all costs. It seems I overestimated you. Have so many years of extravagant living robbed you of the courage to fight to the death?"
Cyrus shouldered his flaming sword, his eyes locked on a figure walking over from the distance.
The man's red hair was very conspicuous.
A smile appeared on Cyrus's face.
It was a smile, but also a mocking sneer.
Cyrus understood in his heart that when dealing with certain opponents, one didn't necessarily have to fight them head-on.
As long as the opponent could be defeated, any method was acceptable—even underhanded tactics.
This was simply human nature, yet when he found himself in such situations, he still looked down upon these unsavory methods.
Even though he understood this might be the most 'correct' tactical choice for the World Government or the Celestial Dragons.
In the distance, the pale-faced Doflamingo stared fixedly in this direction.
From other sides, the Donquixote Family Executives who had managed to rush out from the flames with varying degrees of burns didn't dare approach at all.
Everyone watched Cyrus and the red-haired man approaching him.
The sharp sound of a blade being drawn from its scabbard rang out as Shamrock solemnly unsheathed his sword.
When the blade was fully drawn, a mass of thick black mist surged from the steel, and low, guttural growls emanated from within.
As the black mist churned, a massive three-headed hound leaped out, baring its fangs threateningly at Cyrus.
"Join us, and you can become one of the most revered people in this world."
This was the first time Shamrock had spoken since his appearance, and unexpectedly, it was an invitation.
"Become a Celestial Dragon? If I join, can I become more revered than you?" Cyrus asked with a smile playing on his lips, casting a sidelong glance at Shamrock, who clearly relied on his hound's intimidation.
"I cannot decide that, but your strength indeed makes you qualified," Shamrock nodded. "As long as you agree, everything in this world will be within your grasp—wealth, beautiful women, absolute power. You can destroy any country or island at will, whenever you wish."
"That sounds quite appealing!" Cyrus raised his left hand, stroking his chin thoughtfully as he spoke.
Shamrock showed no change in expression as he watched Cyrus seemingly pondering the offer.
The surrounding monsters swarming in and the encircling citizens showed no signs of stopping. Although Cyrus appeared to be considering it, Shamrock knew the likelihood of him accepting was slim.
He knew it, and his companions knew it too.
"Though it sounds tempting, I refuse," Cyrus stated without changing his expression.
He spoke as if discussing some trivial matter, his tone completely flat.
"Heh, in that case!"
Upon hearing the rejection, Shamrock gave the order, and the three-headed hound beside him lunged at Cyrus like a black streak of light, accompanied by three incredibly swift blades.
The three-headed hound was fast, but its three heads were even faster.
The rapidly spinning heads detached from their necks and shot toward Cyrus like three black-and-silver drills carrying terrifying force.
The black flame clouds swirling around the three-headed hound were particularly conspicuous.
'Quite impressive!' Cyrus inwardly marveled as the three black drills approached him.
Few who ate Zoan Devil Fruits achieved Fruit Awakening, yet this guy made his sword consume a Mythical Zoan Fruit and actually managed to achieve Awakening.
However, it was also highly possible that during their millennium of ruling the world, the World Government had mastered artificial methods to Awaken Zoan Devil Fruits.
After all, it wasn't just this guy before him, there were also Rob Lucci and Kaku from Cipher Pol whose fruits had awakened.
There were very few recorded Awakened users, and with most belonging to the World Government, it somewhat explained certain things.
Boom!
The drills struck Cyrus, whose body burst like a bubble formed from flames, scattering fire in all directions.
The bizarre monsters surrounding them immediately began to charge forward.