Chapter 465: Am I Not Human?
Chapter 465: Am I Not Human?
"Big Mom? I heard that due to the Straw Hat Pirates' intervention at Fishman Island, she had to postpone her plans."
Lily asked, "Will this conflict with our plans?"
Big Mom's tea party was a grand event on the high seas, attracting much attention. Usually, this would be a tense period as not only would all her children and subordinates attend, but also various influential figures from different circles who had connections with her.
Whether it was military might or tension, it was unprecedented. The slightest move of a Yonko would capture the world's attention.
However, Big Mom was clever; she scheduled her event to coincide with the World Summit, which was held once every four years.
The World Government was busy escorting royal families and organizing the summit, while the Navy was deployed worldwide, leaving them no time to spare for this matter.
It was as if the World Summit above ground had its counterpart in the underground world.
Sage was brave, but he also knew when to choose his battles. If there was an easier option, he wouldn't deliberately pick a harder one. That was why he chose to confront Big Mom first instead of going after Kaido.
For Big Mom, the tea party was a grand occasion, and for Sage, it was a rare opportunity.
The World Summit's attention was elsewhere, and so was the attention on Sage. The original plan was to take advantage of the summit to confront Big Mom. Once she was defeated, everything else would fall into place.
Besides, these rats from the underground world rarely surfaced, and it would be a shame to let such a rare opportunity slip by.
Sage had been searching for Duke Feld for over a year, but he hadn't found a trace. However, at the tea party, these people were sure to show up!
"It doesn't matter if it's earlier or later; the World Summit will last a long time, and with the time it takes to escort them back, we'll have enough time to carry out our plan!"
Sage emerged from the bathroom with a sinister smile on his lips. "Of course, I have more than one plan, Lily. You know I have Plan B, C, and D."
"The most important part of this plan is not just defeating Big Mom but eliminating those underground rats. They control too many industries, so many that I can't even force my way in."
"After all this time, I've only managed to gather some people in the assassin business. Those free agents in the underground world don't necessarily follow my orders since I can't reach them."
"Whether directly or indirectly, to rule over them and control the various channels associated with the industry chain, we must have a firm grip. I dare say these industries represent at least half, no, more than half of the world!"
"Now that you've taken over Dressrosa, some things should be brought forward, Lily."
Sage, naked, leaned forward excitedly, "I have a big plan!"
"As long as we control the world's storage, transportation, entertainment, news, and finance, and have a group of underground fighters at our disposal, our industries will reach their full potential. Resources will be freely traded, and all the prosperity will gather in my hands!"
Sage laughed heartily, "I can't stand having my desires unfulfilled!"
"Mhm, mhm," Lily instinctively averted her gaze, unsure if it was the bath or something else that caused her cheeks to flush. Her voice trembled, and she stuttered slightly.
"I, I'll help you, Sage."
She was about to reach out, but Sage had already left the bathroom.
"Of course, this will take a long time, so we need to prepare the foundation, Lily. I'm counting on you, hahaha!"
Sage laughed and said, "Once you're done bathing, come out for the gala. It's also your celebration party, and everyone's here!"
Lily subtly pulled at the corners of her mouth, her voice turning cold again. "Understood."
As Sage left, she submerged her body in the water, hiding most of her head, leaving only a pair of eyes that still held a hint of lingering fear.
"Next time, next time for sure..."
...
The gala was held in the palace's banquet hall, and the courtyard gates were opened to provide seating for the island's administrators.
Although it was daytime, the banquet hall was lit with lamps, and exquisite tableware glistened in the firelight. Thick carpets with intricate floral patterns stretched from the entrance to the end of the hall.
Nearby, musicians with various instruments were ready to set the rhythm, and elaborately dressed dancers awaited their performance.
(End of Chapter 465)
If one were to judge solely by appearances, they might mistake this gathering for a noble assembly of high society. However, the reality is quite different.
The banquet hall is filled with rough and rowdy individuals. Some are mere thugs, dressed in pirate shirts and exuding an air of menace. Others are island rulers, dressed somewhat decently but with a vulgar demeanor. There are also merchants wearing fur coats, their words laced with criminal undertones. Lastly, local security forces and law enforcers, the native forces, are present.
Not a single noble with refined manners can be found.
Among Sage's subordinates are not only the Tri-Star Celestial Stars and the New Star, but also pirate captains who once commanded their own ships. Here, they are reduced to team leaders, overseeing more ordinary subordinates.
"I've been swamped with work lately," Link sighed, sitting at a round table and addressing a group of pirate captains. "You guys have it easy. All you need to do is train, and when you're not busy, you can go out and rob someone. It's a sweet deal."
"I'd trade places with you in a heartbeat," one of the captains laughed. "You're rich, but I don't have the knack for business. I can't stand the constraints of trading. I'd rather just take what I want."
Pirates like them don't just stay in Ohara. The island-based pirates are restricted, but they can rotate shifts. Those without assignments, like Link, have more freedom. Once they leave their territory, they can plunder passing merchant ships like traditional pirates.
Link is exhausted. Doflamingo is gone, but the business must go on. Who else would they sell their goods to?
With the list in hand, Sage entrusted the task to the Eighteen Black Merchants, led by Link. After all, they are loyal subordinates, and if they decide to control the supply chain, it's best to leave it to them.
Link used to have a leisurely life, spending his days at the port, receiving pirates selling stolen goods, and making a profit by reselling them. But since Sage's order, they've been running around like crazy.
Although the reconstruction of Dressrosa hasn't been planned yet, some merchants have already gone to secure goods. Sage intends to turn Dressrosa into a frontier trading hub. Goods will be shipped from Ohara to Dressrosa, and orders will be taken from there before being transported elsewhere.
Sage has taken over all the orders that were previously placed through Doflamingo. As for whether others will buy or not, they're offering a 20% discount!
Doflamingo always added a 20% markup to his prices. Now, without a middleman, prices have naturally dropped.
As for those concerned about the impact on trade, do weapon buyers really care about such things? The best deals are always the cheapest.
"It's not just the World Government and the Navy we have to worry about," Link sighed. "They won't just sit idly by while we do this. After the World Summit, there will likely be major repercussions."
While they've secured the supply chain, the smuggling ships traveling back and forth are a concern. Within Sage's territory, the Navy won't intervene without orders. But once they leave the region, they become easy targets for the Navy.
Additionally, there's the issue of the underground world. If they want to control the supply chain, they can't rely on Kiberson and Umite for warehousing and transportation. Doflamingo had a vested interest in this regard, and negotiations were easier with him around.
Now that Sage wants to go it alone, negotiations will undoubtedly be more challenging. This business isn't like piracy, where brute force is enough. The required resources are countless.
The most crucial factor is that they are pirates, not hidden rulers with connections to the World Government.
The Navy won't hesitate to target them, unlike those underground rulers who might even be considered legitimate.
These are all future concerns, though. For now, things seem relatively peaceful.
Link glanced across the room and spotted a man with a golden hook for a hand, smoking a cigar at the main dining table. It was Crocodile!
The main door to the banquet hall opened, and a group of executives filed in.
Five of the Celestial Stars—Marika, Renitia, Hawkins, Urki, and Akin—had arrived and taken their places at the main table.
"Hey, are you here?" Renitia asked, surprised to see Crocodile. "I don't remember seeing you."
"He arrived yesterday," Marika explained with a smile. "You were at the factory, so you didn't see him."
Crocodile remained silent, his gaze fixed on the entrance.
"Big Sis," Wapol greeted Renitia as he approached, intending to sit next to her. Renitia immediately rolled her eyes and pointed across the table, "Over there, second seat. That's yours. Go sit there."
"Yes."
Wapol answered and took the second seat on the right, then turned to Crocodile, who was sitting in the third seat beside him, and asked curiously, "Hmm? You look familiar."
"Are you Whitebeard's son?" Crocodile clicked his tongue, "You and Whitebeard look nothing alike!"
"I don't care what you say, Sage and Big Mom both said I'm exactly like my dad, I even have the same hairstyle as him!" Wapol exclaimed.
Wapol glared at Crocodile, "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll kill you!"
Unlike before, Wapol used to fly into a rage at the slightest provocation, but now that he had inherited Whitebeard's weapon and gained recognition from so many members of the Cataclysm Pirates, his temper had become much more restrained.
At the very least, he didn't immediately launch an attack.
"Hmph, I'm not afraid of your diamond body." Crocodile chuckled, showing no fear.
Since regaining his confidence, he had never been afraid of anyone.
"Hehehehe, you're here too, are you joining us? Crocodile, if you're willing, I can give up my Tri-Star position and let you take it."
Moriah appeared with a sinister laugh and sat in the first seat on the right, staring at Crocodile with interest.
Crocodile ignored Wapol, who was still glaring at him, and said to Moriah, "I'm not interested. I won't submit to anyone. I'm here to discuss business."
"Am I not a person? Am I not a human?"
Wapol roared, "Don't ignore me!"
"Are you crazy?"
Crocodile shouted, then looked around and said, "Where's Sage? If the big boss isn't coming out, send out a small one to take his place."
"He's behind you."
A cold voice sounded, and with it, the air around them seemed to chill.
Lily, with her slender sword at her waist, was wearing a blue robe with a white underskirt, and she sat in the first seat on the left, "Alright, everyone quiet down."
Her words instantly silenced the noisy sounds in the banquet hall and courtyard.
Crocodile leaned back in his chair, exhaling a puff of smoke, and said to Lily, "I heard you went on a killing spree in Dressrosa, and you've grown a lot since entering the Grand Line, Bendata Lily."
"People do grow."
Lily replied calmly, "You've entered the New World and seem to have changed a lot too. Compared to the schemer you used to be, you're more like a pirate now."
Crocodile smiled, "I guess you're complimenting me."
"Hahahaha!"
Suddenly, loud laughter erupted from the main entrance.
Sage appeared, draped in his familiar black cloak with red trim, and strode forward.
"Captain!"
"Boss!"
"Master!"
As the newcomer entered, everyone in the banquet hall called out.
Sage lightly pressed his hand and stood before the only velvet throne in the main seat, surveying his subordinates who were looking at him. With a grand gesture, he laughed, "Let the banquet begin, my little ones!"
"Oh!!!"
The banquet hall erupted with cheers, causing the ceiling to tremble.
As Sage took his seat, the servants and maids who had been waiting nearby, led by Belana, began serving dishes and fine wines from the cart pushed by the chef, placing them on their table.
Under Byron's direction, the joyful and melodious sounds of string and reed instruments began to play.
The waiting dancers, led by Pasia, also began to dance.
After a brief moment of silence, the banquet hall became lively and noisy again.
"Old Sand, you came just in time, join us for the banquet."
Sage smiled at Crocodile, "As for these people, I won't introduce them, you should know them all."
He pointed to the people at the main table, on the left were Lily, Marica, and Renitia, and on the right were Moriah, Wapol, and Crocodile in the third seat.
The remaining Celestial Stars also took their seats on the right, leaving the left side looking sparse.
But after pointing to Wapol, the guy suddenly roared, "I'm Wapol!!!"
Crocodile clicked his tongue and pointed at him, not sure if it was out of exasperation or disdain.
He had taken the wrong seat, too close.
"After this banquet, we will set out on our expedition."
Sage looked into the crowd and waved, "You two, do you have any thoughts?"
From the crowd, a man and a woman stepped forward.
They were Sipher and Misty.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
