Chapter 406: My Plan is the Real Plan!
Chapter 406: My Plan is the Real Plan!
Sage's words caused the Communication Bug to fall silent once again, as if pondering something. After a moment, it spoke, "Big Mom, you do know a lot. Alright, I agree. The Pacifists that Zeifa took, I'll have someone retrieve and hand them over to you. As for the channels, they will remain unchanged."
The Communication Bug paused for a moment before continuing, "Porusali, take Green Ox away first."
"Oh, it seems there are some things I shouldn't hear."
Yellow Monkey scratched his head under Sage's gaze. He helped Hwang Mu up and smiled at Sage, "If you two have finished your discussion, then I'll take my leave."
As he spoke, his body transformed into a yellow light, and he disappeared with Green Ox.
Sage didn't stop him; he watched the light disappear into the horizon before clicking his tongue, "That speed is truly impressive. If you really wanted to leave, no one could stop you, you old monkey."
Then, he turned to the Communication Bug on the ground, picked it up, and said, "So, what do you have to tell me?"
Communication Bug didn't seem concerned about the World Government backing out. Even if they looked down on others, would they play tricks like pirates? If necessary, Sage could always cause trouble in the Four Seas.
In terms of agility, Sage couldn't match Yellow Monkey, but he was still superior to most others.
With a few cannonballs, he could destroy any country he wished.
As for the consequences,
he didn't care about them. Although it might be an unrewarding task, it wasn't part of his plan, but he didn't mind causing some trouble for the World Government.
"Norton Sage, I think I should offer you a new condition."
The Communication Bug said slowly, "You should know that the ancient kings of the twenty nations surrendered their power and established the World Government."
"Hmm, ancient history, what's the point of bringing it up? I'm not interested in history, but valuable artifacts are worth my attention," Sage said.
"I appreciate your way of handling things. That's how it should be; making the world a better place is what people should strive for, not being constrained by the pursuit of past history."
"You're an Ohara survivor, and I've been watching your actions. You're not just searching for that so-called history. Therefore, I'll offer you a new condition."
"Give up your pursuit of the Pirate King, and hand over your new Ohara to the World Government. We can make you a..."
"Celestial Dragon."
The Communication Bug said, "I can help with the Rozward family's matters. If you agree, from now on, Marajoa will be your home."
"Celestial Dragon."
Marika, who was nearby, opened her eyes at these words, "Wow, that's the highest offer."
Undoubtedly, for the vast majority of the world's population, Celestial Dragons were noble, and they had been noble for eight hundred years.
However,
Marika looked at Sage and smiled mischievously.
People at the top like them would never agree to such a thing.
"Hahahahaha!"
Sage burst into laughter, "I thought you had some profound insight, but you're suggesting this? Do you want me to become a caged bird like Mary Joa? You may be content in your cage, but I'm not! Besides, if I want something, I'll take it myself!"
"So, you're refusing the proposal? Think it over carefully. I have high hopes for you, and this offer will remain open."
The Communication Bug spoke in a solemn tone, "I hope you won't regret your decision. It's rare for me to extend such an invitation to a mere mortal after all this time."
"Finished talking?"
Bang!
Before the Communication Bug could respond, Sage crushed it in his hand and flicked it away with a hiss, "Even if I wanted it, I'd take it myself!"
He wasn't particularly interested in becoming the Pirate King, but since his profession was that of a pirate, why not strive for the pinnacle of that profession?
"Sage!"
Just then, people began to approach the scene.
With her Perception Color restored, some followed the Life Card, while others directly sensed the situation.
Lily was the first to arrive, exuding an unfamiliar aura of sharpness.
Sage recognized this feeling—it was like the refreshing sweat after intense exercise or the chilling sensation after a decade of fishing.
People often retained a certain aura after completing a task.
Lily currently gave off the impression that she could cut down anyone who approached her with a single sword.
"Who did you encounter?" Sage asked.
"Marco," Lily replied nonchalantly. "I left him with a permanent scar, and he fled."
"Ha!"
Sage laughed, "That pineapple-head hasn't retired yet? Still holding a grudge after his failure with Teach?"
"But if you're looking for trouble with me, you're not up to par."
"Hehehehe, we've got something here too."
On the other side of the massive depression, Moriah appeared with Hawkins and Ulki, the latter swinging his arm to toss Jozu, bound by shadows, down to the ground.
Jozu tumbled along the edge of the depression before rolling to a stop in front of Sage. He struggled to lift his head, his face contorted in anger.
"Oh, 'Diamond' Jozu, you've given me quite a gift, Moriah," Sage said with a smile.
Sage glanced at Moriah and waved his hand dismissively, "Release him."
As soon as he finished speaking, the shadows suddenly retracted from Jozu and merged into Moriah's feet, forming a shadow.
Jozu moved slightly, confirming that he was no longer bound. He stood up, shook his body, clenched his fist, and with a flash of his eyes, he threw a punch at Sage's head.
"No need."
Sage suddenly spoke, extending a finger, and his external projection of dominance formed a barrier, blocking Jozu's surging diamond fist.
Beside him, Lily sheathed her half-drawn sword and watched as the fist approached.
Bang! A wave of energy erupted from the surface of the fist, but Sage's finger deflected the diamond punch with ease.
In front of his finger, the dominance aura left the surface, blocking Jozu's fist.
Sage's transformation was still in effect.
"Oh, that's an impressive display of strength, befitting of a captain," Ulki nodded.
Jozu was strong, but his ability had been restrained, just like Vista.
Moriah couldn't break through his defense, and Jozu's strength was truly formidable.
"Let me make you an offer. The Whitebeard Pirates no longer exist, so why not join my Cataclysm Pirates?"
Sage smiled, "I'm very generous. I wanted Marco to join, but since he escaped, there's nothing I can do. But you can."
"Think about it. This is Whitebeard's homeland. I've conquered it, but if you join, it'll be a sign of loyalty. I promised Wibbur this place, but I'll allow you to continue using Whitebeard's name. Of course..."
Sage's face contorted, "But it'll be Whitebeard under my Cataclysm banner."
In the end, there wasn't much deep-seated hatred between them.
Whitebeard wasn't killed by Sage; even Teach couldn't take the credit. It was Teach who took advantage of the situation, and anyone who witnessed the Great War would shake their heads and say it was hopeless.
Whitebeard fought to the death.
Sage was simply taking over territory, a common occurrence among the old pirates. The unspoken rules were accepted by all veteran pirates.
If the older generation dies, you can't stop the new generation from rising. It's inevitable.
"Don't joke with me!"
Jozu's arm trembled, as if he was using all his strength, "How could we ever submit to you? I'm the son of my father! Cataclysm, even if I die, I'll never become your subordinate! You and Teach are the same!"
"I never asked you to be my son."
Sage shook his head and retracted his finger, "Forget it, Lily."
The barrier created by Sage's finger suddenly disappeared, allowing Jozu to strike with full force towards Sage's face.
Clang! Just as Jozu's arm reached forward, a lightning-like flash of light appeared below.
Puff! In the blink of an eye, the light penetrated his arm and rushed upwards.
Jozu was still unaware, his pupils reflecting the light as he tried to throw another punch at the white-haired man in front of him.
However...
Why did his arm feel so light?
As he extended his arm, it suddenly became lighter at the elbow.
With a snap, the diamond-covered forearm fell to the ground, sinking into the dust and sparkling.
Jozu's eyes widened, and he instinctively took two steps back, staring at his severed diamond arm, unable to speak.
Lily, holding a white lightning sword, stood to his side and swung her rapier, ready to slice at his legs.
If she could cut through the immortal, a diamond was nothing. "Forget it, I'll give it to Wibbur. Maybe he can forge a human-shaped tank." Sage revealed a mouthful of white teeth.
"I'd rather die than let you have it!" Jozu roared, taking a few steps back, his body shaking as if about to give out.
Whoosh! At that moment, Sage moved faster than Lily, appearing in front of Jozu. His hands vanished, and he struck Jozu's diamond surface, creating a series of muffled sounds.
Bang, bang, bang! The diamonds on Jozu's body cracked, and blood flowed from the cracks. His face paled, and the diamonds shattered and peeled off like glass.
Jozu stood there like a statue, rigid and unmoving.
"Hmm, I may be a killer, but death itself is also under my control."
Sage's fiery white hair settled down, returning to its usual state. He retracted his hand and, after glancing at Jozu, chuckled softly.
"Besides, biting your tongue won't kill you; it'll only make your death more painful. Your other tricks are useless too. In front of me, you're not strong enough to defy the life and death I've decided for you."
Even death required Sage's approval.
The original Northern Dipper Divine Fist was the pinnacle of martial arts targeting the human body, but in Sage's hands, it evolved into the ultimate martial art for all things.
If you want to die, you'll need his permission too!
Otherwise, Sage could keep Jozu in this state for the rest of his life!
"Sage!"
At that moment, Renitiah, sitting on Wibble's shoulder, also appeared at the edge of the depression. She kicked Wibble's shoulder, urging him to speed up, and they rushed to the center of the depression.
"It's done!"
Renitiah jumped down, hands on her hips, and laughed triumphantly, "I've taken care of many of Whitebeard's pirates. Now, no one can stop us, ahahahaha!"
"Well done!"
Sage ruffled her hair, then extended his hand and drew a giant kukri from the ground with a gust of wind, sending it flying towards Wibble.
Smack! Sage kicked the massive kukri, sending it spinning towards Wibble.
Wibble was taken aback but caught the handle. He looked puzzled and said, "Boss, is this for me? It's strange; this knife looks like my old one. Is it a replica?"
"You idiot, your knife is the replica. This is the real deal, your father's knife."
Sage laughed and scolded, "This island is Whitebeard's hometown, which I intentionally spared. Take this 'Cloud Slash' as your own. You said you didn't have a suitable weapon, so here it is."
"Oh! My father's knife, my father's!"
Wibble's eyes lit up. He tossed aside his temporary longsword and gripped the handle of the Cloud Slash, swinging it to create a gust of wind.
"I've obtained my father's legacy! I'm the rightful heir! Mom... no, not mom, Big Sis! Boss! I'm the true son of Whitebeard! Waaah, I am!"
The nearly seven-meter-tall giant wailed, tears flowing like a waterfall.
But no one treated him like a child, for even his crying was terrifying.
"I'll protect my father's legacy, boss! You'll let me protect it, won't you?!" Wibble cried out.
"You idiot!"
Renitiah hammered his foot, "When has Sage ever failed to keep his word? Your life belongs to Sage, and what Sage gives you is yours. You've already received it!"
"Ouch, you're right, Big Sis."
Wibble proudly straightened his chest, "I've got it now! No one can say I'm not Whitebeard's son anymore! Next, I'll go and take out Teach; he killed my father!"
"That's for later. We need Sage's orders!" Renitiah hammered his foot again.
Wibble flinched but nodded obediently, "Yes, Big Sis."
"Alright, we'll talk about this later."
Sage looked to the sides and shook his head, "The preparations are decent, and the people here are unharmed. That pineapple-headed guy didn't lose his mind either."
The islanders could sense someone hiding in a corner outside the island, untouched by the battle.
"Lily."
"Understood."
Lily replied, "I'll find someone to take over."
"Good, let's keep pushing forward. Since we're here, let's not waste time. We'll rush to the Azure Nation, conquer that place, and fulfill this step of my plan!"
Sage said, "Finally, after all this time, my rule plan has taken its first step!"
Since invading the New World and formulating the plan to conquer Whitebeard's territory, it had been a year and a half, and they had finally eliminated all the resisting forces in the surrounding areas.
Even if there were some defiant pirates within the territory, it didn't matter; the strategic goal had been achieved!
"Is that plan Kai Hai made even a plan? My plan is the real plan! My Plan is the Plan!"
Sage burst into laughter,
"When I make a plan, I've never lost! Hahahaha! Whoo-hahahaha!"
(End of Chapter)
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