https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-582-Hoarding-for-Profit-Controlling-the-Market-/13080752/
Chapter 583: When in Doubt, Rely on Abilities. When the Cause is Unclear, Rely on Superior Abilities
Chapter 583: When in Doubt, Rely on Abilities. When the Cause is Unclear, Rely on Superior Abilities.
The transaction between the World Government and the Revolutionary Army continued, and with the addition of new populations and the emergence of cluster industrial bases, Sage's weapon production capacity improved even further.
Aside from these two parties, the heightened tension in the world also made various countries feel the crisis. Those capable of making guns started manufacturing them, and those lacking the capability simply began purchasing them.
Sage's recent weapon sales were so brisk that he didn't have to worry about selling them; instead, he almost struggled to keep up with the production capacity.
Ordinary weapons, sell!
Iron and steel weapons, sell!
He only controlled the export of Sea Tower Stone weapons, unlike during Kaido's time when even Sea Tower Stone was sold.
The only exception was this particular product, which had a genuinely low yield, and machine craftsmanship was useless. It required skilled artisans to polish them.
Selling them would only control casualties and prevent the war from escalating.
Regarding ability users, the Revolutionary Army seemed to have many, with almost all of their important cadres possessing abilities. The Navy, on the other hand, had even more. Once Sea Tower Stone was brought into play, it could easily lead to a decisive shift in the battlefield.
This was something Sage didn't want to see. Ordinary weapons were sufficient. To deal with ability users, they would need to deploy significantly more troops, and the demand for weapons would increase.
Sage naturally hoped that both sides would engage in fierce battles, the more intense, the better.
However, up until now, it seemed that they were still in the preparation stage, constantly ordering weapons. Although the obtained intelligence mentioned minor frictions, they had not yet escalated into full-scale wars. It was unclear what they were waiting for.
"He escaped?"
Inside the royal palace, Sage looked at Lily, who had come to report.
"Yes, the news of Sabo's death in Mary Joa in the newspaper was false. According to the information received, he should have escaped. As for Cobra, it can be confirmed that he is truly dead."
Lily paused and said, "But I don't understand. I remember that during the Alabasta incident, Straw Hat Luffy also stood on the side of the royal family. Since he is the sworn brother of Straw Hat Luffy, why did he choose Cobra specifically, and why only Cobra?"
If they could take down Cobra, why not take down more kings?
That would create even more chaos.
"Forget about it."
Sage smiled and said, "This information is temporarily of little use to us. Let it be. As long as we don't make mistakes in our business, it's fine. Let Lucci and his subordinates focus their main efforts on the war, and also be more active in the underground world. I want accurate information on every war so that I know how many weapons to sell."
Regarding pricing, he admitted to selling high and low, and he wouldn't deny it until the matter was concluded. However, he had to control the quantity.
This was to prevent either side from gaining consecutive victories and turning the war into a decisive, one-sided battle.
"Understood. There's one more thing to report."
Lily took out a regional sea map and placed it on the table. Her slender, pale fingers pointed to the center of the map, "This place is strange. We've occupied all the surrounding areas, but this place is still a blank."
The area on the sea map was within Kaido's sphere of influence, with several islands nearby. As they conquered those islands, their colors changed on the map, but only the central area remained blank, covered by the symbol of mist, indicating it had not been discovered.
The complete sea map of the Grand Line was always rough and approximate. Although the drawn maps were detailed, they required someone to have been there to create them.
Either these maps were not shared among sailors, or some places had never been reached.
The Grand Line was mysterious and vast, especially with its varying magnetic fields, making it even less accessible. There were likely many lands yet to be recorded.
"If it hasn't been discovered, then go and discover it."
Sage said, "Send someone to check it out."
"Yes," Lily nodded and left the room.
...
Mary Joa.
Pangugong Palace.
Between Powers.
"Damn that guy!"
Topman Woquli, one of the Five Elders, sat on the sofa with his hands crossed under his chin. He spoke in a deep voice, "That Sabo managed to escape. We must find him!"
"Indeed, he's a threat. He has seen the Celestial Dragon," nodded Shepard Ten-Peter, with his hands in his pockets. "This is no ordinary Revolutionary Army. We must deal a heavy blow."
"We must also punish those Revolutionary Army members who are rebelling and the kingdoms that refuse to pay the Celestial Tribute," said Makas Maz, with his legs crossed.
Satan, leaning on his cane, looked out the window at the Celestial Dragon residence in the distance. He could see some people executing a Celestial Dragon—it was Musgarude of the Donquixote Family, a peculiar man who never wore a bubble helmet when in the human world. He was the one who had targeted his own family during the World Council for the sake of the Mermaid Princess from the Ryugu Kingdom.
The executioners were the Celestial Dragons' internal law enforcement organization, the Divine Knight Order.
"The Donquixote Family is full of weirdos," Satan said flatly, turning to face everyone. "Finding Sabo is important, but there's something else we can't ignore. It's been five hundred years, and that matter is approaching."
"I've already sent someone there."
Isambolan V Nasu, sitting on the sofa with a sword in his lap, nodded his bald head. "If this works out, there won't be any more mistakes in the future."
Upon hearing this, the other four all turned their gazes towards him.
"Found it?" Satan asked.
"Yes, that special fruit. Only with that power can existence be completely erased, making people forget everything. Although it's within Sage's territory, he won't remember. As long as this period of time is erased, it will be enough. A gap of five hundred years is enough to make anything disappear."
"If used well, we can also erase some history within a few decades."
Nasu's glasses gleamed, "But now, it's for that, containing the wealth of an entire world, capable of fulfilling any wish, and overturning everything in legend."
The others exchanged glances and spoke in unison:
"Golden Mist."
...
"Sage, I have something to report."
Two days later, Lily appeared before Sage again, taking out a sea map and pointing to the center, "This place is strange. We've occupied the surrounding areas, but this spot is still a blank."
"Just send someone to discover it; it's not a big deal. Dispatch a few ships."
Sage waved his hand dismissively, but as he finished speaking, he noticeably paused.
"Lily."
"Hmm?"
"Don't you have a sense of deja vu? Didn't you come to me before?"
"Of course. Two days ago, I came to report on the Revolutionary Army's movements and also..."
Lily furrowed her brows, wanting to say something, but her mind drew a blank.
She should have remembered.
In matters of internal affairs, she analyzed every detail, even if there were things Sage didn't want to hear. As the chief minister, she had to keep them in mind.
In all this time, she had never forgotten something, or even had a vague memory of it.
But now, she clearly remembered that she had reported something before, yet she had no memory of it.
This was very unsettling.
It was dereliction of duty!
It was a disgrace!
Without a word, Lily took her leave, intending to investigate what she had overlooked.
A few days later, she returned to Sage's room, holding a sea map, "Sage, this place is strange. We..."
She stopped mid-sentence, stunned by the strangeness herself.
The sense of deja vu intensified.
"Deja vu, a strong sense of deja vu."
Sage glanced at the sea map, stood up, and looked out the window towards the distance, "What about time?"
"Time is passing as it should."
"I clearly remember how many days have passed. Six days ago, I reported on the Revolutionary Army and Mariejois' movements, and inspected the port trade and weapons factory relocation. Four days ago, I also remember coming here and then going to tally the goldsmith's accounts. But..."
She looked at the sea map on the table, "The strangeness comes from here. Why is there a center of fog left untouched when the surrounding areas have been discovered and conquered? It doesn't align with our way of doing things, and it's even more contrary to my goal of mapping the entire world."
The position of the Calamity Pirates' navigator had not been abolished. Aside from managing internal affairs and deploying personnel, Lily was also responsible for mapping newly discovered seas and updating existing sea maps.
Even if Sage's plans hadn't reached that area yet, they would still send scouts to make the sea maps.
Time wasn't the issue; their memory felt strange. It couldn't be a mistake on their part.
"Let me see what's going on."
Sage turned around and smiled, "When faced with a problem, use your abilities. When the cause is hard to find, rely on your exceptional abilities. Most likely, an ability user has appeared in my territory, causing me to have no memory of this. So, what could be here, or what could be hidden?"
Similar abilities did exist.
Sugar's Toy Toy Fruit had such power.
"Perfect timing. Recently, the kingdom has been thriving, brimming with vitality, and all things are flourishing, leaving me with too much free time."
Sage grinned, "Let me see what this island has to offer."
"Understood. What about the personnel?" Lily asked. "Currently, on the island and within three days, we have Moria, Hawkins, and Ulki."
These three women were crew members who accompanied them on voyages. If they didn't go on a voyage, it was fine, but they were essential when they did.
A navigator, a chef, and a shipwright were all indispensable.
"Just bring Old Hawkins, and Old Ulki."
Sage laughed, "Prepare a few good fishing rods. I feel like my luck is hot these days; I might just catch something."
Lily: "..."
When aren't you feeling lucky?
What good is luck when the fish aren't biting?
"I'll go and prepare now." Lily held the hilt of her sword and left to make arrangements for the voyage.
Sage sat down again, poured himself a drink, and suddenly laughed, "How interesting. There aren't many who dare to cause trouble in my territory anymore."
(End of Chapter)
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