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Chapter 244: I Entrust My Dream to You!
Chapter 244: I Entrust My Dream to You!
Night had fallen.
Nearly nine hundred people gathered around a bonfire, their arms draped over each other's shoulders, wooden cups in hand, faces flushed, and laughing heartily.
Byron stood at the heart of the bonfire, playing a lively tune on his violin, prompting his men to sway their bodies to the music.
Pasha, dressed in a gorgeous embroidered dress that barely covered her chest, danced with graceful movements, revealing her soft and slender waist and bouncing breasts with every step. Her eyes sparkled like autumn water, and her outstretched arms resembled delicate butterfly wings, delicate yet powerful. As the music's tempo increased, her dance became more animated, her skirt fluttering like a colorful butterfly among flowers, reflecting an extraordinary glow in the bonfire's light.
As a dancer, her professionalism was undeniable, and her performances were always a delight to behold. She could adapt her dance to the music, always emphasizing grace and allure.
"Yo ho ho! It's my turn now! Allow me to showcase the allure of Kabuki!"
With a single-foot jump, Wyotori leaped into the center, his fluffy hair flying as he shook his head and spread his arms wide, crashing into the graceful dance like a lion. However, he looked rather comical, eliciting even louder laughter from the crowd.
Amidst the revelry, only Gabra sat apart, continuously drinking with a sullen expression.
"Hey, Gabra, don't look so glum," Bellamy said as he walked over, sat down next to Gabra, and patted him on the shoulder. "It's not the end of the world if you're lovelorn!"
"How did you know?!" Gabra exclaimed, startled, as he raised his cup to drink.
"Owl told me," the owl chirped as it hopped over. "You confessed to Catherine at the bar the day before yesterday, but you were rejected."
"It's you again!" Gabra grabbed the owl's face and pulled, annoyed. "And it's not Catherine; it's Angelina!"
"Well, they look the same to me," the owl mumbled, its face stretching like rubber.
"Can't you keep a secret, you annoying bird?!" Gabra continued to pull on the owl's face in frustration.
After messing with the owl for a while, Gabra angrily downed two cups of wine, his heart filled with sorrow.
Now that this bird knew, it meant the whole crew probably knew as well.
"Catherine! Not Angelina, my Angelina!" Gabra wailed, his tears drawing laughter from those nearby.
"Sag, what are you looking at?"
At the dining table, Lily elegantly cut a piece of meat and forked it into her mouth, chewing delicately before speaking to Sag, who was lounging on a sofa nearby.
The sofa was already littered with empty plates, a testament to Sag's hearty appetite. Unlike Lily's refined dining etiquette, Sag simply forked a duck-like roasted sea creature and devoured it in three bites.
While this particular dish was considered a delicacy, its true value lay not in the creature itself but in the rare ingredients stuffed inside, enhancing the flavor and making it even more delectable.
Sag waved his hand, and Bellana, who was attending to him, promptly handed him a napkin. He wiped his mouth and set the napkin aside before downing the contents of his cup.
"I'm waiting to see when that dead fatso will show up," he said, tearing off another piece of meat with his teeth.
"Dead fatso?" Lily's eyes narrowed. "Do you mean Moria?"
"I don't know," Sag replied, tearing off another chunk of meat. "I've shown him what I needed to. He should know what to make of it."
"If he doesn't agree, then so be it," Sag continued after swallowing the meat. He moved his cup aside and gestured for Bellana to pour more wine. "When we reach the New World, he'll be an enemy, and we'll deal with him accordingly."
By destroying Marinford, Sag intended not only to showcase his strength to the world but also to send a message to Moria and his crew.
When it came to battle strength, it was difficult to gauge the true extent of one's power without actually engaging in combat and fighting to the finish, especially when the gap in strength wasn't overwhelmingly vast.
Even the Four Emperors had their fair share of opponents who could withstand their attacks.
Take Jinbe, the "Red-Haired," for example—his signature move had evolved from an "instant-kill" technique to one that inflicted "real damage." The resilience of his opponents had forced him to acknowledge that his move no longer guaranteed death.
While it was challenging to compare battle strengths directly, one could certainly assess the threat and destructive capabilities of an individual.
With his current destructive power, Sag had risen to a level that demanded the attention and respect of those in the upper echelons. This level of threat was more than enough to make an impression on the denizens of the Grand Line, including Moria.
However, as the party drew to a close, Lily noticed that no one new had approached them. The crew members were already drunk and had found spots to lay down their small mats and sleep. Maryqa began tidying up the mess with her team.
"Wait," Sag said, raising his hand to stop Maryqa. A smile played on his lips as he added, "Prepare some more food. I intend to host a feast for our new partners."
Maryqa paused, her eyes instinctively drifting to the back of the starry night gathering. There, two rather plump figures had mysteriously appeared.
Seeing the newcomers, Maryqa smiled and waved for the kitchen crew to clear away the empty plates. She then turned to Sag and asked, "How about some grilled food? We won't have time to prepare anything else."
"Of course, we should have a barbecue for a night like this. Bring some mugs of ale as well. Hold on, come stand over here first. Let's welcome our new partners properly."
Sag opened his arms and shouted towards the front, "Our new partners are here!"
The two figures drew closer, prompting the officers to gather around Sag.
Lily stood to Sag's left, her hand resting on her sword hilt. In the flickering light of the bonfire, her golden hair shimmered, and her sapphire-like eyes shone with determination.
Maryqa stood on his right, maintaining a gentle smile. To her right was a drowsy-looking Reinitya.
A few steps behind them were Hawkins, Lucci, Urki, and Arkin, all gazing at the two approaching figures.
The first figure was about seven meters tall, with a chubby neck and a long torso. He had a fire onion head, small horns on his forehead, and wore Gothic-style clothing.
Following closely behind him was a two-meter-tall man dressed in a net-like outfit, resembling a round ball.
Moonlight Moria and the genius surgeon, Hogback.
Moria's face was taut as he walked right up to Sag and stared at him for a moment before his lips curved into an exaggerated grin, emitting a sharp laugh.
"Hehehehe! Sag."
He reached back, and Hogback handed him a bottle of wine—the same one Sag had given him during his previous visit to Chambord.
Seeing this, Sag bared his teeth in a wide grin. "Bellana, bring three large mugs!"
The maid, Bellana, promptly produced three large mugs and respectfully handed them to Sag, then gave two more to Moria and Hogback. However, facing the devilish-looking Moria, she was too intimidated to get too close, so she quickly scurried away after handing over the mugs.
"Sag, I'm keeping my promise!" Moria said as he plopped down on the ground, first pouring a mug for Hogback and then for himself, before turning to Sag.
Sag held out his mug, and Bellana poured him a drink as well.
The clear liquid shimmered in the bonfire's light, reflecting a crystalline gleam.
"I've been waiting for you, Moria," Sag said.
Even though Moria was taller, even when sitting, Sag's stance conveyed a sense of authority as he accepted the drink. "With your addition to our crew, I'm confident that our ambitions will be realized sooner! Having a Shichibukai on our side is a must for a Yonko!"
"Then..."
Moria raised his mug and gulped down the contents, "From now on, I'm counting on you, Sag!"
Hogback, standing behind him, raised his mug and followed suit.
"Whoo-ha-ha-ha!"
Sag also drained his mug and flung it aside. He strode over to Moria, helped the seven-meter-tall figure to his feet, and laughed heartily as he addressed the crowd, "Wake everyone up! The party continues as we welcome our new crew members!"
"Lord Sag, you mentioned earlier that we shouldn't drink too much tonight," Arkin reminded him, recalling Sag's previous instructions.
"I've changed my mind!" Sag laughed. "Tonight, we drink to our hearts' content! Let the Celestial Dragons wait; they're not my crew anyway!"
Regardless of Moria's current state, his status as a Shichibukai still held some sway. Even if his conviction was lacking and he hadn't reached his peak, he was still capable enough to serve as a vice-captain.
What Sag needed right now was precisely this kind of firepower.
He was well aware of the gaps in the strength of the Natural Disaster Pirate Group.
Hawkins, Urki, and Lucci were currently on par with the Supernovas, but they weren't the strongest among them. In Sag's opinion, the most formidable Supernova in debt to him was Law.
Not only did he owe money, but his abilities were also impressive. Even without Haki, he could easily dominate other Supernovas.
Although Reinitya had recently awakened her Observation Haki, she was still only ten years old, and her current level was already impressive.
Maryqa possessed Armament Haki but disliked fighting. Among the Supernovas, she was considered middle-of-the-road; if it came to a battle, she might not necessarily defeat Urki.
Lily was the one Sag had the highest hopes for; even at this moment, she could potentially overpower this batch of Supernovas.
However, while this level of strength was sufficient to enter the New World and establish a foothold, it might not be enough to engage in territorial disputes.
Time was their biggest constraint, and they didn't have the luxury of further development. The best they could do was to enter the New World and hone their skills.
Now, with Moria on their side, the gap in their crew's strength was filled, and they could confidently venture into the New World without hesitation. Once they had honed their abilities and the officers had grown stronger, they would be able to firmly solidify their position.
"I won't mistreat any of my men. Whoo-ha-ha-ha, Moria, you'll see me defeat Kaido!"
Sag laughed heartily, "And you, Hogback, I'm very tolerant of talent. From now on, you're the captain of the medical team. I won't require you to fight; 1% of the spoils will be delivered to you. Just tell me what equipment you need, and I'll get it for you!"
With a net worth of several hundred million, providing a set of equipment was a simple matter.
"Money is more important than life, hehehe. Just give me money, Captain!" Hogback laughed.
"As long as you don't feel empty, I'll let money pile up for you, whoo-ha-ha-ha!"
A love for money? That was hardly a flaw.
Desire was the most natural thing for humans, and money was the most basic of desires.
When it came to recruiting subordinates, Sag was confident in his ability to satisfy their various desires, as long as they worked for him!
The bonfire banquet continued, and the crew members who had been ready to sleep were roused once more. As Byron was called upon to resume playing his lively tune, Wei Qu also performed a captivating and whimsical Kabuki battle dance.
At the dining table, Moria sat directly on the ground, his height making it uncomfortable to add a chair around the table. So, he opted to sit on the ground and keep Sag company as they drank.
The perfectly grilled delicacies, paired with ale, were a delight under the moonlight and around the bonfire. The continuous laughter of the crew members and the lively atmosphere made for a memorable night.
"So, you've formed an alliance with Teach, intending to seize Whitebeard's territory?"
Moria clinked his mug against Sag's and said with a thoughtful smile, "Hehehe, now's indeed the perfect opportunity. If we occupy Honeycomb Island, it'll boost our reputation significantly."
"Honeycomb Island?" Lily furrowed her brows.
"Yes! You're young, so you might not know, but Sag, given your origins in Ohara, you should have some knowledge. The island was once the base of the true rulers of the seas, the Rocks Pirates. Their island, Honeycomb, is indeed a pirate island, and occupying it would send a message to the New World pirates."
In his youth, the man had many titles: in addition to his signature 'Shadow Mage', he was also known as the 'Wizard', 'Priest', and 'Giant Strategist'.
Back in those days, Moria, too, had relied on his brains.
While he had become a shut-in in recent years, it was his will that had degenerated, not his intellect.
"It's too small!"
Sag waved his hand dismissively, "I'm not interested in places that aren't suitable for development. I have my eyes set on a grand territory."
A sinister smile spread across his face as he continued, "Like Totto Land, and the Country of Wano!"
His impression of Totto Land wasn't as deep, but he vaguely recalled it as a place that radiated outward from a central location, ruling over countless islands. It was indeed a grand territory.
As for the Country of Wano, he had a clear memory of it as Kaido's base. Moreover, its geographical location was excellent, situated on high ground, making it the quintessential easy-to-defend-yet-hard-to-attack location.
"Hehehe, are you aiming for the Four Emperors right off the bat?"
Moria cackled, "While I'm eager to face off against Kaido as soon as possible, now isn't the time, Sag. You're still missing something. We need time, both of us."
Even though Moria was currently in a state, his conviction was lacking, and he hadn't reached his peak.
What Sag needed right now was precisely this kind of firepower.
He was well aware of the gaps in the strength of the Natural Disaster Pirate Group.
While Hawkins, Urki, and Lucci were on par with the Supernovas, they weren't the strongest among them. In Sag's opinion, the most formidable Supernova indebted to him was Law.
Not only did he owe money, but his abilities were also impressive. Even without Haki, he could easily dominate other Supernovas.
Although Reinitya had recently awakened her Observation Haki, she was still only ten years old, and her current level was already impressive.
Maryqa possessed Armament Haki but disliked fighting. Among the Supernovas, she was considered middle-of-the-road; if it came to a battle, she might not necessarily defeat Urki.
Lily was the one Sag had the highest hopes for; even at this moment, she could potentially overpower this batch of Supernovas.
However, while this level of strength was sufficient to enter the New World and establish a foothold, it might not be enough to engage in territorial disputes.
Time was their biggest constraint, and they didn't have the luxury of further development. The best they could do was to enter the New World and hone their skills.
"Then let's not aim for a small fry like Honeycomb Island. I suggest we set our sights on a territory bordering Kaido's. That way, it'll be more convenient for us when we eventually face off against him."
"You're still missing something.
Although Sag's displayed destructive power was formidable, he still fell short.
The pirates of the New World boasted vast territories and numerous crew members. Their battle strength was indeed top-notch.
Lacking in any of these aspects would result in an inability to thoroughly crush their opponents.
He had already failed once. But Sag had not.
As he contemplated their situation, he couldn't help but draw parallels between their circumstances. Both of them hailed from the West Blue, had risen to prominence at a young age, and had now set their sights on the New World, aiming to challenge the top powers there.
Similarly, they both possessed formidable strength but lacked capable crew members.
Years ago, Moria had failed, and in the end, he had been left all alone, having lost all his partners!
If Sag were to face off against Kaido in battle at this moment, his fate wouldn't be much better than Moria's had been.
"If only I had someone like you by my side back then... I entrust my dream to you!" Moria's eyes widened, the veins in his eyes bursting as he stretched out his hands, his mouth stretching to his ears, "I'll help you ascend to the throne of the Pirate King!"
He hadn't had Sag by his side back then. But now, he did!
Moria now was the Sag of his dreams, the missing piece that would complete the puzzle!
"I entrust my dream to you!" Moria declared, his eyes red with fervor, "I swear you will win!"
There was nothing wrong with a man entrusting his dream to another!
(End of Chapter)
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