https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-63-Whatever-Loguetown-Has-I-Have-It-Too-/12608512/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-65-Thoughts-on-the-Jinjiang-Literature-Website-and-a-Request-to-Catch-Up/12608515/
Chapter 64: The Man Who Possesses Everything
Chapter 64: The Man Who Possesses Everything
In the dimly lit tavern, it wasn't just Link conducting business anymore; a large group had gathered, crowding around every table in the establishment.
Among them were those dressed like thugs, others with untrustworthy faces, and some who smiled congenially like legitimate merchants.
They represented the underground world of Rogue Town, drawn together by Link's message, whispering amongst themselves and infusing the once quiet tavern with a long-lost vitality.
This was how such a pub was meant to be—lively and bustling.
Link, at that moment, was fiddling with a signet ring on his finger, a nostalgic look in his eyes as he said, "I used to be a noble too, but my family fell from grace. This signet ring is the symbol of my family, and the one who possesses it now is my enemy. I—"
"Hold on, I didn't come here to listen to your life story," Sag interrupted, waving his hand dismissively. "Get on with the bidding."
This signet ring was the very item Link had requested, originating from a wealthy noble in Rogue Town.
Sag had sent Lily on an errand to retrieve the ring, and she had taken the opportunity to ransack the noble's home of its treasures.
The signet ring itself was rather plain, holding more sentimental than practical value, and Link offered a million berries as a token of gratitude.
What a profiteer!
As for the authenticity of the item, that depended on whether the noble had any forgeries. Sag didn't guarantee authenticity; it was up to the customers to inspect the goods, and he only handled the sale.
As he finished speaking, the noisy tavern fell into an unexpected silence. The crowd exchanged glances, and it was Link who eventually spoke on their behalf, extending a single finger. "Ten billion berries. This is all the money that we eighteen black-market merchants can gather."
This sum, no matter where it was mentioned, would undoubtedly be considered enormous.
"Ten billion, huh?" Sag twisted his lips, clearly unsatisfied.
"That's enough, Sag!" Link interjected. "You only had half a day, and it's not certain that you could even gather goods worth ten billion berries."
Link continued, "Since we can specify the goods, what we need first and foremost are weapons, gunpowder, medicine, jewelry, and gold. The rest of the goods need to be reassessed. As for food and clothing, those are the last things we need. After you've seized them, just deliver them outside the range of Rogue Town, and we'll take care of the handover ourselves."
With a mere 50% of the cost, shouldering only a slight risk, they could reap enormous profits. With the navy officers who had blocked the port all knocked unconscious and the current navy incapable of stopping the Natural Disaster Pirate Group, it was easy for them to make a decision.
And so, the proposal was unanimously approved.
"It's better to have some profit than none at all," Sag acknowledged. "As for the things you mentioned, after I've secured enough provisions for the voyage, the rest will be left to you. However, for jewelry and gold, you'll get however much you manage to plunder."
Sag stood up, raising his glass towards the crowd. "Let's toast to a successful collaboration!"
The group rose to their feet, following suit and raising their glasses. After they had all emptied their drinks, Sag burst into a hearty laugh and addressed the bartender, "Old man! The wine is excellent. I hope you're still alive the next time I visit!"
With that, he left the tavern, Lily by his side.
Their purpose had been accomplished, and there was no need to linger any longer.
It wasn't until they reached the street that Lily finally asked, "Sag, can we really trust them?"
"Of course, trustworthiness is essential in business, especially for black-market merchants," Sag replied. "Losing credibility would render them worthless. Rest assured, no one would joke around with their future prospects."
Sag continued, a smile on his face, "Lily, my plan is flawless, isn't it? With this trip to Rogue Town, we not only resupplied our provisions but also made a hefty sum. This is so much better than ordinary robbery! Once we reach the New World and have sufficient funds, I can fulfill my dream of becoming a grand landlord!"
"Don't you just need a plot of land for that?" Lily asked, confused.
"Shallow thinking!" Sag exclaimed. "How is having a plot of land enough? Being a landlord is not that simple."
Sag spread his arms wide, "Listen carefully, Lily. Even kings have many constraints and things they can't control. So-called kings are nothing but rich, pitiful creatures confined to their castles, deluding themselves into thinking they're in control."
"But landlords are different," he continued. "They are the masters of the land, and everything on it belongs to them! The kind of landlord I aspire to be, in the land that is mine, should possess everything!
"Finance, news media, warehousing... whether it's agriculture or commerce, as long as it exists on the land, it will exist in my domain, and I will rule over it all! Everything will belong to me, and whoever they may be, they will ultimately serve me!"
He clenched his fist tightly, his teeth gritting as he said, "But those things can't be plundered; they must be built from scratch, and that requires more funding. With enough money, I can fulfill this ultimate dream of mine. Do you understand now, Lily?"
Regardless of the profession, Sag always aimed to reach the pinnacle of that field to fulfill his dream of becoming a landlord.
Exploitation requires something to exploit, doesn't it? He had no interest in being a mere chief; he wanted to be the richest landlord, with the best of everything, preferably at the pinnacle of it all and belonging to him. That was his ambition!
Fishing and farming, living a carefree life—there was nothing wrong with that. But when it came to fishing, he wanted to use the most expensive rod to catch the biggest fish in the world. And when farming, he desired to use a golden hoe to till the finest land, enjoying the world's finest services with ease. Just like the saying, 'If all else fails, go back to the countryside and farm.' The feeling conveyed by this statement is entirely different coming from an average person versus a billionaire.
He was the former now, but he aspired to be the latter!
Looking at the excited Sag, Lily opened her mouth but hesitated, finally speaking after much thought. "This doesn't seem that simple."
"Of course, it's not that simple, which is why we need to take it step by step. We don't even have a territory yet, and we haven't entered the Grand Line, let alone the New World." Sag laughed heartily.
No, it wasn't about the Grand Line.
It was about bad luck.
Sag seemed to have money at first, but he lost it all when he tried to start a business.
If he insisted on starting a business with this luck...
Maybe it would be easier to simply buy a piece of land.
Lily pursed her lips, ultimately deciding not to voice this thought.
Because she felt it would be useless.
"Let's go, Lily. Let's see what our crew has looted."
Sag laughed, leading Lily toward the bustling part of Rogue Town.
The town was livelier than ever, with shop doors on the commercial street smashed open. The goods inside had a mind of their own, no longer wishing to be confined to display windows. They broke free from their prisons, embracing the freedom beyond.
Similarly, treasures and berries in the wealthy district longed to be freed from the darkness of safes and storerooms. They yearned to circulate in the world, calling upon messengers of justice to take them out.
Pirates looted one treasure after another, stuffing them into boxes or barrels, excitedly rushing toward the port and their ships.
"Captain! Captain!"
Several pirates spotted Sag and rushed over excitedly. Leading them was the three-meter-tall mute whom Sag had recruited first on the Bridge Kingdom.
He was gesturing excitedly, pointing at something, and another pirate displayed a cloak they had found. "Captain! We found this nice thing and want to give it to you!"
It was a fur cloak, long enough to reach Sag's shins. It was mostly black, but the tips of the fur had a hint of crimson, and it was unclear what material it was made of, but it looked exquisite.
It screamed luxury!
Sag's eyes lit up, and he took the cloak, putting it on immediately. "Not bad, I like it!"
Perfect timing, as the 'Sword Mountain Cloak' he had taken from Captain Krieg during his fight with Garp was now gone. This luxurious fur cloak suited his status.
"Well done!"
Sag praised them and continued, "Load more important supplies onto the ship. When the ship is full, take the rest of the loot outside Rogue Town. I just concluded a deal, and someone will be there to buy our goods."
"So, be diligent, and you'll get as much as you work for. Hurry now, and pass this message to the others."
"Yes, Captain!" The pirates replied and ran off to deliver the message.
"That's why I like these guys. They're energetic and have strong willpower."
Sag pointed at the departing pirates with a smile, but suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and a red dot appeared in his pupils as he subconsciously looked toward the port.
"Oh dear."
"Sag?" Lily asked, puzzled.
"A group of people are coming to stop us, and the timing is a bit off. Are they the reinforcements called due to those small-time pirates?"
Sag shook his head and smiled as he started walking toward the port. "Let's go, Lily. It's time to leave. I won't let anyone hinder my get-rich plan!"
(End of Chapter)
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