'Cyrus?'
Dragon, who was in Baltigo, was taken aback.
The image of the strange boy he had met in Shimotsuki Village came to mind.
"Him? What about him?"
Dragon was genuinely interested now.
He waved his hand. Several Revolutionary Army commanders in the room cast curious glances but did not interrupt Dragon.
"You should have sensed his talent," Koshiro's voice came from the Den Den Mushi.
The commanders became even more curious, while Ivankov, who had met Cyrus, looked puzzled.
Dragon was also a bit confused.
"Of course I know. That boy's talent is indeed very good. It's rare to see someone that young who has mastered both Observation and Armament Haki."
"That's not what I'm talking about."
Koshiro's voice sounded again, and then he recounted his exchanges with Cyrus during this period.
This time, a look of surprise appeared on Dragon's face.
"Can't be injured?" Dragon asked in amazement.
"That's right. After fighting for so long, he hasn't been injured even once."
Koshiro's words made the Revolutionary Army commanders look at each other in dismay.
"Could he really be from that race?"
Dragon had previously denied that Cyrus was from the Lunarian Tribe, but now, he wasn't so sure.
Or perhaps, this boy named Cyrus possessed the same talent as Charlotte Linlin?
Charlotte Linlin had roamed the seas for many years.
Back in the Rocks Pirate Crew, and later after the crew disbanded, she established the Big Mom Pirate Crew on her own, making a huge name for herself.
And one of this woman's talents was very famous.
'Iron Balloon.'
Her physical defense was extremely terrifying!
Quite a few people knew about this.
Relying on this special constitution of hers, Charlotte Linlin rarely had any record of being injured, even when facing opponents of the same level.
If what Koshiro said was true, then Cyrus's talent was somewhat terrifying.
"So, what are you trying to say?" Dragon asked, though he already had a guess in mind.
"Perhaps, we can try to recruit him into the Revolutionary Army again," Koshiro's voice came through.
Dragon fell silent.
"That's impossible. He rejected my invitation before. I can sense his thoughts."
"He doesn't know what we're doing. Maybe we can reveal a little," Ivankov suddenly interjected.
Dragon glanced at him, then shook his head before speaking into the Den Den Mushi.
"He doesn't care about what we're doing. It would be the same even if we told him."
After a pause, Dragon sighed and continued into the Den Den Mushi.
"Since you've sensed his attitude toward the outside world, you should understand that he doesn't care about what we're doing, nor about pirates, the Navy, or even the World Government or the Celestial Dragons."
"I was just thinking we could try again," Koshiro's voice sounded somewhat helpless.
"You brought this up for more than just that reason, didn't you?"
Dragon could become the leader of the Revolutionary Army, so his mind was naturally quick.
He had already sensed that Koshiro's sudden call wasn't just about wanting to invite Cyrus.
"Yes. My abilities are insufficient to teach him. He needs a better teacher, so his talent isn't wasted," Koshiro stated his other purpose.
"Perhaps you could ask him for his thoughts," Dragon smiled and offered a suggestion.
"Alright, I'll ask him."
"Let's leave it at that for now."
Dragon waited for a moment after speaking. When Koshiro didn't say anything more, he hung up the Den Den Mushi and looked at the group of commanders.
"Does that kid really have such a terrifying talent?"
Seeing Dragon hang up the Den Den Mushi, Ivankov couldn't help but ask.
He had seen Cyrus with his own eyes, so he was even more curious.
At the very least, he really hadn't seen it at the time.
"It should be true. Koshiro would only say so after confirming it," Dragon said, shaking his head and sweeping his gaze around the room.
"Alright, let's put this matter aside and continue discussing our next plan."
...
Shimotsuki Village.
After daybreak, Koshiro called Cyrus over alone and told him about his contact with Dragon, his recommendation for Cyrus to join the Revolutionary Army, and his offer to help Cyrus find a new teacher.
Cyrus listened calmly.
"Dragon said you wouldn't agree, but I still wanted to ask your thoughts." Koshiro asked, looking at the calm Cyrus.
"This is your fight."
Cyrus was silent for a moment, then shook his head.
Just as he thought, Dragon had guessed correctly.
Cyrus's answer left Koshiro feeling a bit helpless.
"My skills are not sufficient to guide you for much longer," Koshiro said to Cyrus earnestly.
"It's fine. I won't be staying here for long anyway. After a while, I have some things I need to do," Cyrus said, not seeming to mind.
"You're leaving Shimotsuki Village?"
Cyrus had mentioned before that he wouldn't stay long, and now it seemed he had a definite time in mind.
"Yes, but I won't be leaving the East Blue," Cyrus nodded.
"Are you sure you won't reconsider? Dragon is much stronger than I am," Koshiro continued.
"Forget it. Your ideals don't suit me," Cyrus refused again.
"If that's the case, then very well."
Koshiro nodded and didn't bring it up again.
Contacting Dragon so rashly was his own misstep to begin with.
Since Cyrus had made his stance clear, Koshiro wouldn't press the matter.
However, he still felt that Cyrus needed a better teacher to guide him.
Otherwise, his terrifying natural talent would surely be wasted.
But he didn't know Cyrus's true situation.
Cyrus, on the other hand, understood his own circumstances perfectly.
His time sparring with Koshiro had made him understand one truth.
Combat was the best teacher.
Whether it was improving his fighting techniques or trying out new methods he had conceived, it could all be done in the midst of battle.
Even his physique had improved rapidly during this period of fighting.
Therefore, finding suitable opponents to fight was the most appropriate path for Cyrus at the moment.
Of course, there was a very good opponent right here. Instead of going out to search, he could continue to reap the benefits of training with Koshiro and still improve significantly.
He could also improve while waiting for the right time to leave.
...
After that conversation, Koshiro never mentioned the invitation to Cyrus again.
He spent his days in a state of shock at Cyrus's rapid improvement.
Meanwhile, Cyrus was searching for a fighting style that suited him and researching moves that would complement the Flame-Flame Fruit.
Of course, this meant seeing how he could replicate Old Man Yamamoto's techniques.
Even if the temperature couldn't reach the same heights, there was still much to learn from them.
This continued until a major piece of news appeared on the front page of the newspaper.
Doflamingo had become the king of Dressrosa and accepted the invitation to join the Shichibukai.