Attacking a Celestial Dragon and Mary Geoise was naturally a monumental event, and Koshiro, with his deep connections to the Revolutionary Army, understood this principle better than most.
However, given the terrifying power Cyrus had displayed, it was the World Government that should be worried now.
He had single-handedly destroyed almost all of Mary Geoise.
Perhaps this was a golden opportunity for the Revolutionary Army.
"Then where is Cyrus now?" Kuina asked, somewhat worried.
"If something had happened to him, the World Government would have released the news immediately to celebrate. Since they haven't reacted yet, it means they couldn't stop Cyrus," Koshiro explained as he stood up and left the room.
He needed to contact Dragon and ask about the situation.
After Koshiro left, Zoro and Kuina both stared at the newspaper on the table before them.
"Damn it, when will I ever catch up to Cyrus!" Zoro's fists were clenched tightly, his face full of unwillingness.
"Am I going to be the junior forever?"
Kuina, who was about to comfort him, paused.
'So that's what you're mad about?'
"We have to work hard," Kuina said with a serious expression.
"I will definitely surpass Cyrus," Zoro declared.
He was about to get up when Kuina rapped him hard on the forehead, causing a lump to quickly appear.
"You bastard, don't think you can bully me just because you've mastered Armament Haki!"
Zoro clutched his forehead, looking furious, and the two of them went outside to spar.
...
Now, everyone on the seas was waiting for news.
They were waiting for updates about Cyrus, and for the World Government's official response.
But several days passed, and both the World Government and the Marines remained completely silent.
A bounty for Cyrus was never issued.
This abnormal situation was puzzling for the public, but behind closed doors, the Marines and the World Government were in continuous meetings to discuss the fallout.
"No!" Sengoku looked at Kong across the round table and shook his head directly. "Issuing a bounty for Cyrus now would only increase his prestige."
Commander-in-Chief Steel Bones Kong frowned in thought upon hearing this.
"Besides, given his current situation, how much would be an appropriate bounty? And who could possibly deal with him?" Sengoku argued again.
"If we remain silent as you suggest, the authority of the Marines and the World Government will suffer a massive blow," Kong said in a deep voice.
"But the main forces of the Marines have not suffered any losses," Sengoku reminded him.
Aside from the catastrophic blow to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, the other military losses this time were not significant, meaning the Marines' combat strength had not diminished.
At most, only their public prestige had been damaged, but most of Paradise and the Four Seas were still firmly under Marine control.
As for the New World, the Marines' influence there was never that great to begin with.
"I understand. I will inform you of the solution later," Kong said, standing up to leave.
Sengoku watched him leave in silence, then stood up and departed as well.
They were currently in the remaining half of Mary Geoise.
From here, one could clearly see the sword slash that cut through the entire continent, as well as the sheer cliff face on the other side reflecting the sunlight.
Sighing, Sengoku knew he couldn't make the final decision on how to handle Cyrus, as it still depended on the World Government and the Five Elders.
It was clear that this incident had caused enormous losses for all of Mary Geoise, because in addition to the Celestial Dragons who were directly killed by the sword slash, many others were injured or killed by the intense tremors.
The entire Holy Land was under strict lockdown!
"Hunter Guild!" Sengoku softly uttered the two words.
In the previous meeting, he had blocked the Five Elders' proposed retaliatory action against the Hunter Guild.
In the current situation, taking action against the guild was meaningless, because as long as Cyrus existed, this newly established organization would continue to thrive.
If the Celestial Dragons wanted to suffer such a blow again, they were free to act as they pleased.
This reasoning clearly made the Five Elders very wary, forcing them to shelve the decision.
Sengoku did not leave Mary Geoise, choosing to wait for the final decision.
....
On the Five Elders' side, Steel Bones Kong reported his discussion with Sengoku to them.
After listening to the report, the five men did not speak immediately, each wearing a grim expression.
They hadn't even been granted an audience with Imu yet, so naturally, they couldn't force any major issues.
"A bounty must be issued," Saturn said after a long silence. "The World Government must respond. Even if it means we might be attacked again, we must respond."
Compared to the physical danger Cyrus posed, the complete collapse of the World Government's authority was far more terrifying.
They knew very well that the most dangerous time would be when the entire world turned against them.
"The news is already out anyway, so it's impossible for us not to react. Also, inform everyone to investigate his whereabouts," Ju Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture, added.
"Should we make a plan to target him?" Kong asked, taken aback by their resolve.
"The God's Knights are already prepared."
A voice rang out from outside as a tall figure strode in with his hand resting on his sword.
It was Saint Figarland Garling, the Commander-in-Chief of the God's Knights.
"The God's Knights have made all preparations to begin the hunt for this man," Garling announced.
"Hah, Garling, with the power that man has shown, your assassination attempts will have no effect," Saturn scoffed with a cold laugh.
Garling had always coveted a position among the Five Elders, naturally creating a competitive relationship between them.
"You don't need to worry about that," Garling said, resting his hand on the sword at his waist.
"Even when facing the attack of the Rocks Pirates back then, the God's Knights fulfilled their duties perfectly."
Hearing him mention the God Valley incident, the Five Elders exchanged glances.
"Since you've said so, we'll leave it to you," Saturn relented.
'If he is so eager to die, we won't stop him,' Saturn thought.
After all, given the power Cyrus had previously displayed, anyone who went looking for trouble was likely not coming back.
'He should be grateful for the power granted to him by Lord Imu.'
"The bounty amount?" Kong asked as Garling turned to leave.
"The highest!" the Five Elders replied in unison.
'The highest?' Kong frowned.
The highest bounty belonged to the former Pirate King at 5,564,800,000 Belly.
Were they going to exceed that legendary amount? But in truth, at this level, the actual number was meaningless.
For anyone who could actually kill Cyrus, money had already lost its meaning, the bounty amount largely just represented the attitude of the Marines and the World Government towards him.
"9.9 billion Belly!" Nusjuro, holding the First Generation Kitetsu spoke in a deep voice.
Kong's expression froze as he looked at the bald Elder in surprise.
"The world's most heinous criminal. The one who kills him will become a Celestial Dragon!" Nusjuro stated.
'That's useless too!' Kong thought to himself, but he didn't voice his objection.
Since they had stated the terms, it was clear the Five Elders had made their final decision.
And so, not long after, the official response from the World Government and the Marines was released.
A bounty of 9.9 billion Belly for the world's most heinous criminal, Flame Demon Cyrus!
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