Chapter 342: You Must Not Lose!
Chapter 342: You Must Not Lose!
The weather was clear without a cloud in the sky, boding well for an expedition.
At the bustling harbor, the Death Harbinger had arrived at the port, having navigated through the canal from the palace.
The residents of Storm City lined up along the route from the palace to the port, eagerly awaiting their departure.
The reconstruction of this city of a million people also led to a redesign of the previous quadrants. Now, the city was divided into just two regions.
The first was the area surrounding the palace, adorned with statues and gardens.
The rest was allocated for residential purposes, and the walls that once separated the eastern and northern districts were torn down.
However, despite this simplification, the areas closest to the palace were inevitably inhabited by merchants and nouveau riche who had risen to prominence after the Heavenly Disaster took control.
This was an inevitable occurrence.
When one rises in fortune, even if they desire solitude, there will always be those who eagerly associate themselves.
Moreover, this was Sag, the ruler of a vast domain.
"There they are! There they are! I see Lady Lily!"
The heavy palace doors slowly opened, and the nearby guards rushed out to block the enthusiastic crowd, trying to prevent them from surging forward and causing a commotion.
"Lady Marika! She's always so gentle. I'll forever remember her patience in teaching me cooking skills!" A housewife exclaimed, striking a prayer pose as she reminisced.
"Hehe, but Lady Reneetia is the best. Despite her young age, she sure knows how to curse people out without holding back. Every time she chews me out, I can't help but wonder, 'why am I doing this?' And what are you lot doing?!"
Two guards rushed into the crowd, picked up the talking man, and dragged him out.
"Cut off his head! No, better yet, chop him in half at the waist!"
Reneetia, who had just exited the palace, called out, "I want to see this pervert's blood flow like a river, and his teeth clattering to the ground!"
Sag, leading the group, sighed, "While it's true that men can be perverted, this one takes the cake. There really are all sorts of people."
"Lord Sag!"
"Lord Sag!!!"
As Sag appeared, the crowd erupted in cheers.
Today was the day their lord was personally leading an expedition—an event that hadn't occurred in three months.
The members of the Heavenly Disaster Pirate Group were incredibly popular among the residents of Storm City. Whether it was Moria or Ajin, they each had their fair share of admirers, not to mention the three female executives.
And then there was Sag, who had granted them a better life and freed them from the oppression of the nobility. He was undoubtedly the most popular of them all.
"Lord Sag! Which Emperor Pirate are you going after this time?"
A civilian shouted out the question that was on everyone's mind.
While the newspapers might not report it, the residents of Storm City certainly knew what was going on. Many of the pirates who were part of the expedition lived among them, and a visit to any local tavern would yield stories of Sag's exploits.
Their Lord Sag had already clashed with two Emperor Pirates.
With another large-scale expedition underway, there was a good chance he would encounter another Emperor Pirate.
Sag glanced at the enthusiastic crowd and laughed, "This time, I'm going to become a Pirate Emperor myself! Hahahaha!"
His words elicited another round of cheers.
"Lord Sag, this... these are flowers for you. I wish you victory!"
A little girl with hair the same color as Sag's managed to wriggle halfway through the crowd, despite the guards' efforts to hold them back. She held a bouquet of flowers and timidly raised them as Sag passed by.
Sag took the flowers, ruffled the little girl's hair, and asked, "What's your name, how old are you, what do your parents do, and do you have any difficulties?"
"I'm Lida, I'm six years old. My dad is a miner, and my mom owns a flower shop. Hmm, a difficulty... I want to go to an amusement park, does that count?"
Before the little girl could finish her sentence, her mother grabbed her and pulled her back into the crowd.
"Lord Sag, I apologize for my daughter's impudence." The woman with white hair, presumably Lida's mother, bowed her head, her body trembling with a mix of embarrassment and awe.
Sag inspired not only admiration but also a healthy dose of fear.
No one could forget that he was a ruthless and formidable pirate who had destroyed the Navy Headquarters, killed a Celestial Dragon, and eradicated the local nobility.
"An amusement park?"
Sag laughed and surveyed his surroundings before responding with a smile, "Don't bother me with such matters. If there are any merchants interested, they can come forward and claim it."
Now that the opportunity was presented, there would surely be those who would take the initiative.
Storm City lacked many amenities, and Sag couldn't be expected to address them all himself. It was best to let those interested in entertainment and ancillary businesses take the lead.
A diverse range of businesses would also make for a beautiful sight, and he could collect additional taxes.
"Where's the fleet?"
Sag handed the flowers to Lily and inquired.
"They're preparing to assemble in the waters ahead of Cerent. They should be there by the time we set sail."
Lily continued, "Gathering a ten-thousand-strong fleet from various locations takes time. Should we also deal with those surveillance ships?"
Not only were they aware of the surveillance ships near Ohara, but they even knew their exact locations.
They had simply chosen to ignore them until now.
As Sag put it, it wouldn't make much of a difference anyway. The World Government had more than just the openly operating CP9 as their spies; there were countless others working in the shadows.
Let them watch.
"No need," Sag replied. "The Navy is like a turtle hiding in its shell right now. Akainu is busy recruiting, and they don't have enough troops themselves. Besides, it won't be easy for them to take me down. If things really go south, I'll just come back on my own."
Sag laughed, "This battle will be over quickly."
Whether it was Marco's side that wanted the decisive battle or if he and Teach had pushed them to this point didn't matter.
Because victory would come swiftly.
Marco was indeed impressive. As the 'Emperor-like First Mate' of the Whitebeard Pirates, he was more than qualified to serve under a powerful emperor like Whitebeard.
However, his strength still fell short.
With Teach by his side, Sag wouldn't let this battle drag on for too long.
Bringing along a ten-thousand-strong fleet was more for show and to boost their morale.
After all, he needed to maintain his image during this grand departure.
"Also," Lily continued, "Ajin mentioned that he wants to come back. He doesn't want to captain a single ship; he wants to return to the Death Harbinger as the combat squad leader."
"He seems to be having a hard time adapting to that environment," Lily added.
"Alright, after this battle, let him return. Where is he stationed now?"
"Cerent, the Gold Mine Island. His abilities aren't needed on that island anymore, as the factories are already up and running."
"I'll send someone with decent combat strength to take his place. How about Bellamy and his crew? They've been doing well lately."
Sag casually gave his instructions as he strolled towards the port, his subordinates already gathered on the ship, awaiting his arrival.
"Lord Sag!"
As Sag ascended the gangplank, an excited voice rang out from behind, "You must not lose!"
"What are you babbling about, idiot!"
His companion beside him punched him and pushed his head down.
Sag turned his head, looking at the person who was being restrained, a smile tugging at his lips.
A gust of wind blew his fur cloak, causing it to flutter noisily.
Standing behind him were the three female executives: Lily, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, exuding a mix of elegance and determination; Marika, with a relaxed smile on her face; and Reneetia, mimicking Sag's expression with her small tiger teeth showing.
Yet, despite their differing expressions, they all exuded an air of confidence.
Confidence in Sag's victory.
"Hohohoho!"
Sag threw his head back and laughed heartily, "How could I possibly lose!"
The past was the past, and the present was now.
Back then, when he was still a rookie pirate, it was understandable to suffer defeats before reaching the New World.
But now, at this stage, whether he liked it or not, he couldn't afford to lose.
Not just minor setbacks, but a crushing, overwhelming defeat.
Sag knew better than anyone that everything he had built was a result of his victories, and a single loss could bring it all crashing down in an instant.
However, Sag had faith.
There was no one worthy of defeating him!
(End of Chapter)
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