Chapter 510: I Will Host the World's First Martial Arts Tournament!
Chapter 510: I Will Host the World's First Martial Arts Tournament!
Governor Sag was a man of immense desire and greed, but his greed encompassed the masses, a supreme form of avarice. A single belli coin found on the ground belonged to him, and with it, the people under his rule.
Whether they were important executives or the lowest-ranking underlings, none would feel abandoned by Sag.
"Before we proceed with the deployment, let's first discuss the intelligence on both sides."
Lily spoke up, "First, about us. According to the preliminary data reported a couple of days ago, the population under our rule has reached 3,541,586. There are also merchants heading to Totland, preparing to set up related factories."
This population included Totland itself. Despite Big Mom's considerable influence, the number of people under her control wasn't that high. The thirty-odd islands centered around Whole Cake Island, which she occupied, were all outside the magnetic field of the Grand Line.
Navigation on the high seas, especially the Grand Line, was extremely challenging. Without the aid of magnetic fields, one would either need a Permanent Compass or a Life Card.
The promise of a peaceful life in Totland, in exchange for a portion of one's lifespan, was enticing, but due to the harsh sailing conditions, not many ventured there. Most of the population consisted of those already living in the surrounding areas.
As a pirate, Sag had studied Big Mom's model, but he couldn't replicate it.
Previously, Totland residents had to pay one month's worth of their lifespan every six months, which meant they were giving up one year of their life for every six years of residence. Living for sixty years would cost them ten years of their life.
This seemed like a lot, but in the dangerous seas, at least half the people were willing to do so. Many wouldn't even reach the age of sixty due to the harsh environment and constant dangers. However, in Totland, this was a non-issue, as long as Big Mom remained alive.
In reality, she hadn't even lived for sixty years since founding Totland. As for the longevity of her personal-led model, it wasn't something Sag concerned himself with.
He didn't care much about Totland, nor did he have any interest in the factories there. He had little interest in sweets, so he simply left it to Link to manage.
Currently, there wasn't much specific intelligence, but Sag, this 'visible yet invisible giant', didn't mind. No work, no factories, it didn't matter. He was confident that opportunities would arise, and all he needed to do was collect taxes.
"Excluding the necessary personnel, the total number of troops we can mobilize from Totland is 33,546. We have also initially achieved our plan to recruit a mobile force of 30,000."
If one were to include the total forces, Sag could mobilize at least a million troops. The people under his rule could be turned into a fighting force with just a weapon in hand.
However, when it came to fighting the Navy, ordinary people weren't up to the task.
The training of the new recruits at headquarters was enough to overpower many ordinary people. This available force could at least hold its own against the new recruits at headquarters.
The strength of the New World pirates was commendable, even without formal training. They had grown from the chaos of constant battles and were all formidable.
Lily continued, "As for Wano Country, Kaido's forces number 20,000, but they are all elites. According to the intelligence, they are slightly stronger than our regular troops."
There was residual intelligence from Dressrosa, and Sag had also obtained the intelligence gathered by Totland. The former had collaborated with Kaido, while the latter was renowned for its industry-leading intelligence. Now, all of it belonged to Sag, adding to his existing knowledge of the World Government, the Navy's secrets from Vergo's espionage, and Big Mom's pirate intelligence. With his ongoing infiltration of the underground world, the Cataclysm Pirates possessed the most formidable intelligence network in the New World.
They also had intelligence on Kaido, including geographical information. After all, Moriah had suffered defeat there, and they were well-acquainted with Wano Country's terrain.
In terms of military strength, Kaido, the epitome of martial prowess, commanded a force of resilient individuals. The Hundred Beast Pirates were synonymous with absolute chaos.
With the frequently raging drunkard Kaido at the helm, those under his command were predominantly brute force specialists, undoubtedly stronger than Sag's more inclusive recruitment policy.
"Additionally, Wano Country also has 'Samurai'."
Lily paused, "According to the intelligence, those guys are even stronger than Kaido's forces. With a force of 10,000, their total strength is 30,000. While we might have the numbers, the issue is..."
She pointed at the Wano Country region on the sea chart, "This place is difficult for us to approach."
"Wano Country is a reclusive nation, more isolated than other non-affiliated countries. They are unaware of the outside world, even more so than Zou. Geographically, it resembles Zou, but there's one crucial difference. It is a 'powerful nation' on the high seas, just like the former Garess."
"Wano Country possesses a unique geographical environment, starting with its weather. The surrounding seas are perpetually shrouded in harsh weather, and the ocean currents are swift and turbulent. A slight mishap could result in being swept into the sea. Additionally, there are pillar-like solitary islands and rock walls that can easily collide with ships, causing them to break apart."
"Normally, just approaching the nearby seas is a significant challenge. Well, it's not that big of a deal."
As she spoke, she glanced at Sag.
Sag: "..."
He always felt offended, but he had no evidence.
Renetia's eyes narrowed, revealing her small fangs, "Sag, what Lily means is..."
"Shut up!"
Sag interrupted her abruptly.
The harsh weather and turbulent currents weren't much of a concern.
The Cataclysm Pirates might not excel in combat, but their navigational skills were top-notch, capable of enduring the worst weather conditions.
After all, those who couldn't endure it wouldn't be able to follow Sag on his expeditions.
Why?
Because he was jinxed!
"The harsh weather isn't the problem, but there's one aspect we currently can't resolve."
Lily explained, "Wano Country's terrain is very high, surrounded by rocky barriers, like mountains in the ocean. To get there, we can only navigate against the current from a rising waterfall, a challenge comparable to passing through the Celestial Current in the first half of the Grand Line to reach a Sky Island."
"This is the most difficult part."
According to the intelligence, there should be a place of steady ascent within Wano Country, but since it's an internal location, they probably can't get in. And if they were to approach from the outside, this would be a challenge.
It was a typical fortified and hard-to-attack geography, which first blocked the progress of the grand fleet. Wanting to ascend from Ascension Falls was too difficult, and any incident would directly result in losses.
Although everyone in their group could use Lunar Step, it was impossible to lift the entire grand fleet.
"The success rate is 3%."
Hawkins picked up the tarot cards again, shuffled and divined, then said, "It's too dangerous. Sending the fleet would only result in pointless losses."
"So..."
Sag raised his index finger and grinned maliciously, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have a new plan! An updated plan! A great plan!"
Everyone glanced at him, choosing not to respond. Only Akin hesitated for a moment before firmly saying, "Governor Sag, even if it's the end of the world, I will fight to the end with you!"
Renetia immediately clapped her hands.
What a good audience!
Sag chuckled softly, "Hmm hmm hmm hmm. First, let's talk about the original plan. If Wano Country isn't suitable for the grand fleet, then let's just take one ship. We can manage on our own, but the ship must be filled with elites."
"Since we're talking about elites, some of the people on board now aren't suitable. The strong will rise, and the weak will fall. The Doom Star, as the main ship, doesn't need weaklings. I was originally planning to hold an internal selection, but now I've changed my mind."
"That's too small-minded. If we're going to do it, let's go big! Treasure, belli, status—I have it all! Let's hold a festival!"
Sag spread his arms and laughed, looking up, "I want to recruit. I'll select elites from the pirates and make them my followers! I'll hold a pirate version of the World Recruitment, the World's First Martial Arts Tournament!"
"Oh!"
Moriah's eyes lit up, "That's a good idea. If we use a festival to attract people, we can indeed recruit some decent subordinates."
A great plan!
Because Sag truly had everything.
With ordinary recruitment, there wouldn't be any formidable individuals. Currently, the pirates who joined were mostly drawn by Sag's reputation, seeking the benefits and treatment of the Cataclysm Pirates. They were aimless individuals looking for a meal ticket.
Those with some ability would only go to Ohara to sell their loot and never considered joining his pirate crew.
Tich's territory was even more chaotic, almost becoming the Pirate Overlord of that place, but weren't his capable subordinates still those few executives?
Capable individuals were truly rare, and some were simply impossible to meet.
However, if there was an attractive festival with sufficient rewards to lure people in, even if only one out of ten could be recruited, it would still be a profitable venture.
Moreover, it could boost the morale of his followers, making it a relatively perfect plan.
Lily frowned, "I think we don't have enough time. The World Summit is only a few days away, and if it's a festival, we'd need a long time just for advance promotion."
"No,"
Moriah chuckled, "During the World Summit, we're not the only ones stirring up trouble on the high seas. I just remembered something. There is such a festival."
He glanced at the people present, "Do you know about the Pirate Expo?"
"I've heard of it."
Hawkins nodded, "It's held every few years, and only pirates can participate. All the pirates in the Grand Line will find a way to gather in the New World, and the total bounty easily exceeds 10 billion."
"I've also heard of it."
Urki nodded, "But I've never heard of this festival inviting the Four Emperors. Their followers won't participate. Only those with invitations can reach the location through the Permanent Compass."
"Hee hee hee hee! It doesn't matter. We have unique intelligence, and we'll definitely know the location. And we're not going to attend, right, Sag?" Moriah giggled.
"There's such a festival."
Sag's mouth twitched, "It's like my wish is granted. I want to hold a festival, and someone else has already prepared the venue for me. But it would be a bit disrespectful to just take it!"
A ready-made festival!
Just right to host the festival!
"Master, Sifer is calling for help."
Just as Sag finished speaking, a Demon Tribe subordinate walked in with a Telebeetle in hand, already connected.
"Help!"
The Telebeetle cried out, "Sag, Governor Sag, help me! Otherwise, I'll..."
Click.
Before the sentence was finished, the Telebeetle fell silent, abruptly hung up by someone.
"Hmm?"
Sag frowned, "What's going on? Sifer? Where is he?"
"I remember he went on a long voyage. When he returned, he said he wanted to see the beauty of the ocean, so he went out with his subordinates."
"I remember assigning him an Uncharted Island Exploration Mission. It seems he's encountered danger," Lily said.
"I'll go there."
Hawkins stood up, putting away the tarot cards he had just used for divination, "Sifer's survival rate is 80%, and the danger level is 10%. He won't die, but I don't know what the danger is."
"I'll go too, so we can bring him back faster and not delay the captain's plan." Urki also stood up, grinning strangely.
Ever since Sag asked them to accompany him fishing, these two had been teaming up frequently, resembling a trickster duo.
One handled fortune-telling, and the other handled transmigration, making them a well-rounded team.
Then, after half a day, while Sag was taking a bath, Lily walked in, "There's been an incident."
Sag rested his arms on the edge of the bathtub, tilting his head slightly, "What?"
"Hawkins called and said he doesn't want to continue. He just wants to quietly live out the rest of his life."
Splash!
"Eh?"
The bathwater stirred, and Sag stood up abruptly, raising his eyebrows in confusion, "What's going on?"
(End of Chapter)
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