Of course, Baby 5 might not have been thinking that deeply.
Perhaps what truly bothered her was why Cyrus didn't let her hold the sword instead, in her eyes, Robin had suddenly become a direct competitor for his attention.
"You didn't kill him?" Issho sounded surprised upon hearing this.
He had some understanding of Cyrus's way of doing things, knowing the young man never hesitated when lethal action was needed.
The conflict between Doflamingo and Cyrus predated Issho's own acquaintance with him and Cyrus had even destroyed many of the Warlord's operations in the North Blue because of this exact matter.
Yet now, when face to face, he hadn't taken the final step.
"He's still useful. Besides, it's a way to test the World Government and the Marines' current reactions. Consider it making use of trash," Cyrus said, turning to look at Issho.
"It seems you have other objectives." Issho nodded upon hearing this, though his brow furrowed slightly.
"It appears he's done many terrible things here."
"You sensed it? That's right. Based on what he's done, he couldn't atone even if he died ten times over," Cyrus said with a dark laugh. "But he's going to attack the Celestial Dragons next. Twenty Celestial Dragon lives in exchange for his own."
Cyrus's words made Issho's expression change dramatically, and the swordsman turned toward him in pure surprise.
"Attack Celestial Dragons?"
"Yes, Issho! Don't you understand yet? Those guys who attacked today..." Cyrus's voice grew deeper, his eyes seeming to hold profound meaning.
"No, from the exact moment I decided to act at the Sabaody Archipelago, the war had already begun. What we're seeing now is merely the prelude."
As he spoke, Cyrus began walking forward.
Issho, Robin, and Baby 5 followed closely behind him.
"Or perhaps, everything that has occurred has been an interlude in the war—the Celestial Dragons' attack is one such episode, and the attitudes others on the sea will adopt toward the nobles hereafter are another. The war has already begun," Cyrus spoke calmly, while the three behind him displayed varied expressions.
"Though my decision at Sabaody may have seemed abrupt, I won't shy away from any consequences that follow. Since it has started, there must be an outcome—whatever it may be, I will accept it. However, I will not lose. Never."
His tone was even, yet the absolute confidence and Haki contained within were palpable to Issho and the others.
"So, what do you intend to do next?"
After a moment of silence, Issho finally posed the question.
"Next, I will establish Hunter Guild branches throughout the entire New World," Cyrus declared.
"After all, as the President, I can't simply stand by and do nothing."
Robin immediately grasped the massive implication behind Cyrus's words.
While setting up branches on some islands and nations in the New World might seem trivial on the surface, the region was entirely dominated by powerful pirates, including three reigning Emperors.
Cyrus's move was a clear, open declaration: he intended to bring these territories directly under the Hunter Guild's influence.
'Having just opposed the World Government and the Marines, is he now preparing to challenge the Emperors as well?' Robin understood the scale of the ambition but offered no advice.
Cyrus's tone made it clear his decision was final, and her role was simply to support him.
"We'll remain here for a few days to log the compass and ensure Dressrosa's stability and the branch's establishment. Robin, coordinate this with Violet or the Riku royal family," Cyrus ordered.
"Understood," Robin nodded.
"But your training must not lapse." Cyrus paused, turning to look at her.
"Yes, I will persevere."
The four of them moved through the island city, where chaos still reigned, though perhaps positive changes finally lay ahead.
Before long, Issho departed alone, seemingly to aid those caught in the turmoil of the shifting power dynamic.
...
"It's over."
At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku's voice was heavy.
They had all witnessed the projection broadcast by the World Government—doctored footage of Cyrus brutally attacking the citizens of Dressrosa, resulting in severe casualties across the nation.
Yet, something about the footage felt incredibly off.
"This doesn't seem right," Vice Admiral Tsuru frowned deeply.
The broadcast was peculiar and completely inconsistent with Cyrus's usual conduct.
Even if he had targeted Mary Geoise, she doubted he would actively slaughter innocent civilians.
The situation was shrouded in strangeness.
"Perhaps we should consult Morgans," Sengoku nodded in agreement.
Crunch, crunch!
The sound of rice crackers being chewed loudly echoed through the office.
A thick vein throbbed on Sengoku's forehead as he glared at the old monkey munching away.
"I didn't say anything, Sengoku! You told me not to speak!" Garp protested innocently under Sengoku's burning gaze.
"If you have nothing to do, then set sail and capture some pirates! The Marines need manpower!" Sengoku slammed his desk and roared.
The angry voice erupted from behind the closed office doors.
The Marine soldiers standing guard outside exchanged helpless glances upon hearing the Fleet Admiral's roar, knowing only Vice Admiral Garp could infuriate the Fleet Admiral to this extent.
"Don't be so angry, Sengoku. What's done is done," Garp spread his hands in a casual gesture.
"Besides, Cyrus would never do such a thing. This must be fake."
Garp's expression turned entirely serious as he spoke these words.
The fuming Sengoku stiffened upon hearing this and turned to look at Vice Admiral Tsuru.
Tsuru also wore a helpless expression upon hearing Garp's blunt assessment.
'Playing dumb isn't as easy as it seems. Why did he have to say it out loud? Wouldn't it be better to pretend not to know?'
Anyone with clear eyes could see that the situation in Dressrosa definitely wasn't what the broadcast made it appear to be, and the World Government's motive for faking the footage was actually quite easy to guess.
People and nations across the seas had always either feared or deeply resented the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, but they dared not show their dissatisfaction due to the Marines' deterrence.
This time, when Cyrus attacked Mary Geoise, those who witnessed it might not dare to show their joy and happiness openly, but they were definitely celebrating inwardly.
The Marines understood this, and so did the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.
Cyrus, the man who attacked the Holy Land, had become a true hero in these people's hearts, even if they didn't dare to show it.
The World Government's goal this time was to turn Cyrus back into everyone's enemy.
Even if the news was entirely false, many would still believe it due to the World Government's extensive propaganda machine.
The Marines had no way to counter this!
Stop it?
This was pushed directly by the World Government—the Marines simply couldn't stop it.
Both Sengoku and Tsuru clearly didn't want to promote this smear campaign either, and even without outsiders present, they preferred to play dumb.
Yet Garp, who usually excelled at playing the fool, had to point it out this time.
"Garp, leave immediately on your warship and return to the Four Seas. Capture every active pirate you can find."