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Chapter 580: From the East Blue Windmill Village to the New World's Hive Island
Chapter 580: From the East Blue Windmill Village to the New World's Hive Island
"Blub blub blub..."
The sound of a Den Den Mushi rang out, and soon, its form transformed into a red-nosed figure shouting loudly.
"It's all my men's doing! It's too late to try and make amends now! Spare me, I'll do anything, even lick shoes, just don't call me Red Nose again!"
"Oh? Is that you, Buggy?" Sage asked.
No sooner had he spoken than the Den Den Mushi transformed again, revealing a smug face with a cigar in its mouth, "What's up, Sage?"
"It's quite lively over there," Sage said with a chuckle. "I wanted to ask about the Cross Guild. You know, Crocodile, your territory is within my plans."
"Well, we didn't plan to stay in Kalai Bali Island for long either. Our next move will draw the Navy's attention, so we're preparing to relocate. Also, since you defeated Kaido and took over Wano, can you spare some business in the Sea Prism Stone and Wine Iron Mine sectors?"
At this, Sage's temples throbbed with anger, "I recall you still owe me the final payment. What's this, do you want to run a tab? It's almost the New Year, you know? You're still thinking of running a tab when it's time to settle debts? Are you looking for a fight?!"
"New Year?"
Crocodile's Den Den Mushi looked puzzled, "Is that an Ohara custom? Anyways, I know your channels aren't that many, so sharing the burden is a win-win situation."
"Additionally, we plan to offer bounties to anyone who takes down Navy personnel worldwide. We'll reward them with money and even recruit them into our organization, which will only grow stronger."
"Absolutely, that's right!"
Buggy's voice chimed in at the perfect moment, "Brother! We can even provide hitman services. Is there someone you want to take down but don't have the time for? We can handle it for a price. No, since you're also joining, this service will be free!"
"I have my own subordinates, and I don't like working for free," Sage replied.
Sage clicked his tongue, "Let's make it a partnership. Money can be converted into shares. We can settle the previous debts, and you can continue with your business as usual. But I want a stake in the Cross Guild you've established."
"Oh? Are you proposing a collaboration?"
The Den Den Mushi, with a cigar in its mouth, blew out smoke and said, "You know, Sage, we're now on equal footing with you as the 'Four Emperors'. Ha, ha, ha, ha."
"So what if we're the Four Emperors? Does that mean we don't have to repay our debts? You know me; no one in this world can owe me money and get away with it. Those who haven't repaid are either dead or on the path to death!"
Sage took a sip from his gem-encrusted wine glass, "I want a share of your Cross Guild, and I want your transport business to work for me. Is that a problem?"
"Sure, but we must announce to the world that we're starting a collaboration and forming an alliance!"
The voice from the other end of the Den Den Mushi replied, "Of course, besides Kalai Bali Island and its surrounding waters, we won't make any moves elsewhere."
"Alright, let's do it. Come over later, and we'll hold a banquet to celebrate our partnership."
As Sage was about to hang up, the other party quickly spoke up, "Wait, about the Sea Prism Stone business..."
"I'll give you 20% of the Sea Prism Stone and 20% of the Wine Iron Mine. Take as much Ohara weaponry as you can handle, and I'll give you 80% of the market price. From now on, no more running tabs. Since you're offering bounties on Navy personnel, you must have the funds. Either pay up or offer something in exchange!"
Click.
On Kalai Bali Island, Crocodile watched as the call ended, a smile spreading across his face, "Our influence has grown stronger. Our 'Military Superpower' utopia, where we're free from any external influence, is about to take another step forward."
"A partnership with Sage?"
Mihawk paused for a moment, then nodded, "That's fine too. An alliance with another Four Emperor will deter the Navy from acting rashly. I acknowledge Sage's strength."
In terms of physical combat or overall combat strength, Sage was undoubtedly the undisputed top fighter on the high seas, without any competition.
However,
He glanced at the table, where, besides his own wanted poster, there were several other bounty posters, all of which were hot topics on the high seas.
Among them were the wanted posters of Straw Hat Luffy and Roronoa Zoro.
One billion, one hundred and ten million Belly.
They were growing too...
"Let's do it. I can even let him take the spotlight. At least I don't want to be a Four Emperor; I just want a peaceful life. If it weren't for the Cross Guild, I might have sought out Sage."
Mihawk stood up, glanced at Buggy's head, which Crocodile was holding, and turned to leave.
Although Crocodile's plan was tempting, and he would reluctantly take on the role of a Four Emperor, fate had intervened, and someone had stepped into the spotlight, which suited Mihawk just fine.
"What? You're thinking of going to see Sage? I thought you'd join the Red-Haired Pirates." Crocodile exclaimed in surprise.
"That's not suitable, that guy..."
Mihawk paused, then said, "He's even more nomadic and prone to disbanding."
Crocodile, biting on his cigar, watched Mihawk leave and then turned to the bruised and swollen Buggy, "Forget about standing at the forefront, it's up to you."
Staying hidden in the background was also a good idea, and it was his specialty.
Instead of standing at the forefront and letting people choose sides because of him and Mihawk, it was better to let Buggy continue. His influence was an excellent choice for those clueless people below.
As long as the decision-making power remained in their hands.
...
Ohara.
Sage hung up the call, finished the remaining half cup of wine, and leaned back in his seat.
Lily picked up the wine bottle and poured him another glass, saying, "With the Cross Guild at the forefront, we can also develop peacefully."
"Partly."
Sage smiled and said, "The great seas have never lacked ambitious people. Instead of having our men hunt down pirates who don't obey us, we can let the Cross Guild take on some of the work. Also, their transportation business is very useful to us. We have to admit that Old Sha's connections are indeed vast, even broader than mine."
Lily pursed her lips and said, "Sage, if we genuinely cooperate, things might be better."
Sage rolled his eyes, "You might as well say my reputation stinks."
Lily didn't speak, but her eyes were full of agreement.
Sage's reputation, how to put it, was notorious not only in his territory but worldwide.
From the East Sea's Windmill Village to the New World's Hive Island, his misdeeds were known to all.
The common charges known to ordinary people were plundering towns, slaughtering civilians, killing kings without permission, and exterminating nations.
But those in the know, like those in the underground world, had even more information.
He had eliminated Feldt and Pieke, forcefully occupied part of their businesses, extorted one trillion Belly each from Umite and Giberson, forced Germa 66 to work for him, practiced indiscriminate strong-arm tactics on countries, loaned money to important citizens leading to their ruin, and his debt collectors were everywhere.
The key was that they couldn't stop him.
Because they needed to make money.
Many in the underground world were engaged in illegal businesses, and money was the primary concern. No one wanted to mess with money.
Take Umite and Giberson, for example; even after being extorted, they held their noses and accepted it, continuing their business.
Good reputation?
That had nothing to do with Sage.
Of course, Sage didn't intend to rely solely on the underground world either. The last time with Doflamingo, he had suffered a loss, although he had recovered by using Dressrosa as a transit point. But he wouldn't let himself be taken advantage of again.
He was here to control the industry, not to share it. If he shared power, with his means, he would have become the sole emperor of the underground world long ago.
This also led to his current situation, where most of his business was in domestic demand, and although there were many who wanted his excess production, transportation couldn't keep up, and many were unwilling to cooperate with him. Instead, they used the underground world to find intermediaries.
Sage sold 20% of the world's weapons, but the actual distribution wasn't that straightforward.
This 20% had been previously calculated by Lily.
'Hidden Master' Giberson and 'Sea Transportation King' Umite occupied around 5% of the market share, selling through their channels and warehousing logistics.
Crocodile was even more impressive, using his connections to secure 7%, while only 8% came from Ohara.
Some people, even if they wanted to buy from Sage, couldn't due to transportation and geographical constraints. Sage's logistics and transportation were a significant weakness.
"Is the logistics in the West and North Seas falling behind? Let the Cross Guild take over this part of the business and continue expanding our operations," Sage said.
Even before he prepared for the World's First Martial Arts Tournament, this problem had surfaced. The Vinsmoke Family in the North Sea and Capone Bege in the West Sea were doing well. The former relied on their influence in the North Sea, while the latter forced nations to engage in free trade.
What is free trade?
It means my trade with you is free, but your trade must go through me.
Many nations, unable to resist their threat, opened their borders, not entirely severing trade with other countries, but redirecting their primary businesses towards Sage.
Of course, there was a limit to Sage's control. Once they reached the critical point of bearing the burden of his territory, they would need to temporarily halt.
Population and transportation were all part of this equation.
"How many people do we have now?" Sage asked.
Lily's expression turned serious as she replied, "The population of Wano Country is over 800,000. This is after years of starvation and significant losses. Twenty years ago, their population should have exceeded a million. In addition to the main island of Wano, we've absorbed Kaido's territory, which includes twenty-one islands. Our total population has surpassed 4.4 million, including the pirates stationed on the islands, and our total military strength has exceeded 70,000."
To be precise, the total population was 4,436,584, and the total military strength was 75,154.
With the absorption of the Beast Pirates' forces of over 20,000, their military strength had increased rapidly. However, Lily knew that Sage wasn't interested in the exact numbers, so an approximate figure would suffice.
"The population is sufficient. Let's see how much the Cross Guild can handle in terms of transportation. If they can manage it, we'll continue production. If not, we'll have to find another way." Sage said.
Although his forces could handle transportation, they were still pirates. Going to the Four Seas openly would prompt the Navy to engage in a war with the Four Emperors without hesitation. There was no need for permission to fight against the forces of the Four Emperors.
Flying the pirate flag to the World Government's headquarters would be a pointless loss.
Not flying the pirate flag...
Would you have your subordinates abandon the pirate flag?
At this point, Sage couldn't bring himself to do it, and his subordinates wouldn't agree either.
"Understood."
"There's more," Lily added. "Kobra is dead."
Sage was taken aback, "Who?"
"Kobra, the King of Alabasta."
"Our people brought newspapers," Lily continued. "They reported what happened in the World Government. Apparently, the Revolutionary Army infiltrated Mary Geoise during the World Conference, and the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command, Sabo, assassinated Kobra. This was reported by the World Economic News, and Morgans wouldn't fabricate such news."
The News Bird wouldn't deliver newspapers outside the World Government's jurisdiction, but they had extensive information channels and didn't need that. Sage's subordinates also had ways to obtain newspapers within the World Government's territory, and with double verification, the authenticity of the news could be confirmed.
"Our intelligence suggests that Bartholomew Kuma, who was a slave in Mary Geoise, was also rescued by the Revolutionary Army. He's not just a Shichibukai but also a member of the Revolutionary Army."
Lily paused before continuing, "I believe the Revolutionary Army might use this opportunity to confront the World Government. Sage, this is our chance. The World Government won't have the capacity to focus on us."
"Hmm, what a chaotic world," Sage chuckled, taking a sip of wine. He stood up and looked out the window, overlooking the bustling Ohara Royal City. "It's the perfect time to do business."
He had initially prepared for a confrontation with the World Government.
After all, on the surface, he had unified the first half of the New World. Given the nature of those in power, it was unlikely they would ignore such a massive pirate presence and not take action.
A full-scale war might not be on the horizon, but friction was inevitable and would only increase.
However, it seemed they didn't have the energy for that now.
Furthermore, business prospects looked even brighter!
"Let's call Doflamingo and see what he thinks. If they're truly going to fight, we can sell more weapons. The same goes for the World Government. If there's going to be a war, weapons, warships, and supplies are essential!"
"The next phase is our expansion. We've captured so much territory and gained many forces. It's the perfect opportunity to fully digest it all. The next big plan is to digest and develop simultaneously. I want my territory..."
Sage's smile turned sinister as he spoke, "To become a string of pearls on the sea, serving the greatest landlord—me! The more prosperous it is, the more I'll benefit!"
Unconsciously, Lily's gaze fell on the pirate flag hanging behind Sage's throne, the skull with fiery eyes, covering the starry sky.
The territories were like stars, their brilliance shining under Sage's emblem, radiating splendor.
"Yes!"
Lily's eyes shone with determination, "I will do my utmost!"
With all her might, she would create a world under Sage's rule, free from oppression!
(End of Chapter)
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