Just as Cyrus was changing his plans on the fly and heading to Loguetown with the head, in the royal palace of Dressrosa in the New World...
A terrifying aura filled the entire palace.
The palace guards and maids rolled their eyes and collapsed.
The officers of the Donquixote Family looked at Doflamingo with a mixture of awe, fanaticism, and, of course, anger.
"Doffy, it's all my fault!"
Just as Doflamingo released his Conqueror's Haki in a fit of rage, Trebol spoke up.
Doflamingo turned to look at Trebol, the veins on his forehead throbbing.
"It's not your fault. I never expected such a person to emerge from the measly East Blue."
After retracting his Conqueror's Haki, Doflamingo said with a grim expression.
"Young Master, I'll go and finish off this brat to avenge Diamante!"
A high-pitched voice came from a burly man clad in full armor.
Although Diamante often mocked his voice when he was around, he was still family. If anyone was to kill him, it had to be one of them.
Doflamingo shook his head.
Pica's Devil Fruit Ability was only powerful enough when used on an island.
The other members of the Donquixote Family were also eager to go.
Only a tall young woman, who looked to be around twenty, remained calm.
Violet, formerly the second princess of Dressrosa, had joined the Donquixote Family to save her father's life after Doflamingo seized the kingdom.
Violet knew very well that her older sister had been killed by Diamante.
And now, she could only desperately suppress the joy in her heart, feeling immensely grateful to the person who had killed Diamante.
"Didn't that brat say he was going to the North Blue to disrupt the family's business? Lao, you and Pink head back to the North Blue."
Doflamingo was naturally furious over Diamante's death, but he hadn't lost his reason.
After all, the most crucial thing right now was to establish a connection with Kaido, one of the Emperors of the New World, and become his weapons supplier.
This matter was more important to him.
As for the guy who killed Diamante, if he went to the North Blue, they could corner him there then.
Doflamingo thought this, but deep down, he didn't believe Cyrus would actually go to the North Blue.
He felt the other party was probably just making empty threats.
"Violet, you go with them. Use your ability. If that person really goes to the North Blue, find him in advance."
Doflamingo suddenly looked at Violet.
"Understood, Young Master!"
Viola, code-named Violet, nodded.
It was because of her Glare-Glare Fruit ability that she had value and was able to save her father's life.
At full power, she could see through others' thoughts and view scenes within a four-thousand-kilometer radius.
"Doffy?"
After Lao G and Pink left with Violet, Trebol spoke.
"Have everyone in the Four Seas keep an eye on that bastard's movements. I want to know his location at all times. When I have the time... Hmph!"
Doflamingo snorted coldly and stood up.
"When Jack arrives, have him come see me!"
Doflamingo walked away in his little leather shoes.
The remaining people looked at each other.
They never thought that guy Diamante would die just like that.
It was originally just a trivial matter.
Who on earth could kill Diamante?
...
Loguetown, East Blue.
A small boat approached, attracting no one's attention.
Because it was the entrance to Reverse Mountain, there were many Navy personnel stationed there, and the base commander was a Commodore.
Naturally, no pirate dared to cause trouble here, or even get close.
However, the sight of Cyrus disembarking with a human head in his hand left many people dumbfounded.
Only after watching Cyrus walk towards the Naval Base did the people on the docks begin to whisper.
"Looks like a Pirate Hunter."
"Coming to claim a bounty with a head in hand, he's a ruthless one."
"What's the big deal? It's just that head, can't tell who it is."
"If no one recognizes him, he must be a small-time pirate. This young man isn't old, so he probably isn't that strong."
As the crowd speculated, Cyrus went directly to the Naval Base and stated his purpose.
And Commodore Tibs, stationed in Loguetown, was stunned when he saw Diamante's gruesome head.
He already knew the name Cyrus now.
In fact, just two days ago, when Garp stopped here on his way out of the East Blue, he had mentioned that he was returning to recruit Cyrus.
Then there was the clash between the Shichibukai Jinbei and Cyrus, though the outcome was unknown.
And now, if he wasn't mistaken, this head belonged to a member of the Donquixote Family, with a bounty of 99,000,000 Belly.
'This guy not only provoked Jinbei, but also Doflamingo?'
Tibs was dumbfounded.
'Just how much trouble could this person cause?'
'That Doflamingo fellow was not like Jinbei.'
'His viciousness was far greater, and no one knew what that man was capable of.'
"Sir?"
A Navy soldier at his side noticed Commodore Tibs's expression changing like a slideshow and reminded him in a low voice.
"That Pirate Hunter said to have Garp deposit the bounty into his account."
Tibs was taken aback.
"Where is he?"
"He left, heading towards Reverse Mountain. He's probably going to the Grand Line."
The soldier answered this question immediately.
"He left? Good that he left!"
Tibs breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately picked up a Den Den Mushi to contact Garp.
"Puhahaha, that kid even provoked Doflamingo and killed one of his officers. This guy got a huge balls i tell ya!"
After hearing the report, Garp's loud laughter boomed from the Den Den Mushi.
"He said to have you deposit the bounty into his account."
"Mm, I got it. You said he's heading towards Reverse Mountain, possibly to the Grand Line?"
"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Alright, I understand!"
The Den Den Mushi was hung up. Commodore Tibs had someone deal with the head, then began drafting a report for Headquarters.
...
At the base of Reverse Mountain, Cyrus stood on his boat, looking up at the mountain with its strange, reverse-flowing channels.
He had seen Loguetown, and he had seen the Pirate King's execution platform.
It was ordinary, but quite a few people did stop to look.
He didn't stay long. After restocking some supplies, he came directly to Reverse Mountain.
The boat under his feet rushed up the mountain with the current. Cyrus's eyes swept over the sea chart in his hand, and flames suddenly erupted from his body.
The boat, which was sailing against the current, tilted its bow upward under the impact of the flames.
At its highest point, it flew directly into the air, turned around, and rushed towards another reverse-flowing channel on the mountain.
The boat, glowing with fire, was like a flying ship, crossing the channel and descending towards the West Blue.
On the reverse-flowing channel below, cheers rang out from a pirate ship, presumably another group of pirates who thought they could make a name for themselves in the Grand Line.
Whoosh!
A Flame Slash descended from the sky, cutting their pirate ship into three pieces.
Sheathing his sword, Cyrus looked down at the pirates who had fallen into the sea.
He ignited a jet of flame, controlling the boat to descend towards the sea surface below.