Behind Cyrus, Issho and the others wore grave expressions.
"Seems like an unexpected character has shown up!" Cyrus's voice rang out.
"Do you need me to join the fight?" Issho's tone was serious, because although he didn't possess Conqueror's Haki, his powerful Observation Haki clearly sensed that the Haki emanating from the opposite side didn't belong to just one person, but four.
'Four individuals with Conqueror's Haki?'
While possessing Conqueror's Haki didn't necessarily mean they were on the same level as Charlotte Linlin, they certainly wouldn't be weak.
"Not necessary," Cyrus gently shook his head.
Besides releasing his own Conqueror's Haki to counter the four opposing Haki pressures, Cyrus's Observation Haki also detected the other people on the island.
"Don't disembark yet, wait until the matter is resolved."
After leaving these words, flames rose from Cyrus's body and extended toward the interior of Whole Cake Island, and his figure transformed into flames and merged with them to disappear in the blink of an eye.
As the flames embodying Cyrus approached, the conflict of Conqueror's Haki intensified, and the massive Whole Cake Island began to tremble under the clash of Conqueror's Haki.
"It's starting!" Morgans and Stussy watched as Cyrus, who had been standing on the ship, transformed into flames and charged into the island.
"I thought there would be some initial contact first. I didn't expect him to intend to take action immediately?" Stussy raised her hand to cover her mouth, appearing quite surprised.
"People on the seas don't need many reasons for their actions, and even if such individuals want to talk, they'll exchange greetings first," Morgans explained.
"This doesn't seem like the commotion of a greeting," Stussy spoke in a heavy tone after feeling the oppressive sensation of the clashing Conqueror's Haki.
"For them, this is just exchanging greetings. Let's wait and see the outcome."
"Since you're familiar with Cyrus, what do you think will happen next?" Stussy looked at Morgans.
"I can't say for sure, and moreover, this is my first time meeting Cyrus in person, although we've had some contact before." Morgans shook his head before turning to look toward the ship's location.
Issho's tall figure stood where Cyrus had been standing moments before, his Cane Sword resting diagonally on the ground.
This was the same Issho who fought Kaido to a standstill, and he was probably the strongest individual currently by Cyrus's side.
Just as Morgans thought this, a tremendous roar came from the direction of Whole Cake Chateau, and two blue slashes diagonally split the entire island.
"Shiki, you bastard!" Charlotte Linlin's furious roar echoed.
"So it's Shiki. It seems we're in for a good show," Stussy said with a smile before turning to leave.
It was time to leave this island, because staying here any longer might mean getting caught up in the battle, which wouldn't be a good thing.
...
Aboard the Rose Hunter, Charlotte Brulee emerged halfway from the ship's window glass and grabbed Katakuri, who was leaning against the cabin, seemingly trying to pull him into the mirror.
"Brulee, go bring the others into the mirror world first." Katakuri's body didn't move as he spoke with a serious expression.
Brulee was startled, then saw the other three people on the ship turn their heads to look at her, and though confused, she retracted her body and disappeared into the window glass.
Without asking questions, Robin and the other two turned their heads to look toward the direction of Whole Cake Island.
As the stronghold of Charlotte Linlin, Queen of Totto Land, Whole Cake Island was vast in area, and having undergone modifications by many Paramecia ability users and supplemented by Homies created through the Soru Soru no Mi, the entire island had transformed into a fairy-tale kingdom.
However, Cyrus had no mind to pay attention to such things.
Shiki's slashes sent numerous living plants and objects fleeing in all directions to create a peculiarly absurd spectacle.
Cloaked in burning flames, Cyrus watched four figures emerge from the castle of Whole Cake Island.
"Shiki, Big Mom!" Cyrus spoke softly before shifting his gaze to the other two individuals, his eyes scanning the axe in one person's hand.
"Is the Rocks Pirates being revived?"
"Brat, you're quite knowledgeable!" Shiki spoke clearly despite the lit cigar clenched between his teeth.
"Brat? It's been a long time since anyone called me that." Cyrus glanced at Shiki before settling his gaze on Charlotte Linlin's face.
"Here's your choice then: surrender voluntarily, or be beaten into submission!"
Cyrus's tone wasn't heavy, but this casual delivery made all four opposite him grimace.
Even Wang Zhi, who had other intentions, frowned upon hearing Cyrus's words, because though he had planned to leverage the forces under his control to negotiate cooperation with Cyrus, the man now appeared arrogant, so this didn't seem like a promising partner for collaboration.
Hovering midair with dual swords in hand, Shiki threw his head back and laughed.
"Gyahahaha! Quite the cocky brat! In that case, I choose to be beaten into submission!"
But as Shiki's laughter faded, Cyrus materialized before him as if teleporting and launched a sweeping kick.
Crossing his swords before him, Shiki enveloped them in Armament Haki, yet his body went flying backward along with the dual blades he gripped.
The velocity was extreme and left afterimages in its wake, and the gale force generated by Shiki's flight past Charlotte Linlin and Wang Zhi made both their eyes twitch.
"So, do you make the same choice?"
Having kicked away the first challenger, Cyrus hovered midair wreathed in flames to address the remaining three calmly.
"Napoleon!" Charlotte Linlin didn't respond but summoned her weapon instead, and the hat on her head leaped up to transform into a large blade that landed in her grasp.
"Zeus! Prometheus!"
With Charlotte Linlin's commands, her transformation completed as golden flame clouds became her hair and living thunderclouds supported her feet while she gripped an enormous longsword.
Seeing Charlotte Linlin in this form made both Wang Zhi and Silver Axe flash expressions of nostalgia, since they hadn't seen Charlotte Linlin like this for decades.
"Linlin, can you still fight?" Silver Axe hefted his axe onto his shoulder to watch Charlotte Linlin as he spoke.
"You two bastards better not underestimate this guy." The fully transformed Charlotte Linlin responded to Silver Axe's words with clear displeasure.
"Gyahahaha! Slash Wave!" Two cutting attacks shot toward Cyrus accompanied by Shiki's roaring laughter, except Charlotte Linlin and the other two happened to be positioned in the attacks' trajectory.
The three dodged aside, their expressions grim.
'That bastard hasn't changed at all—still acting without any restraint.'
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