Storm City.
After a night of revelry, the banquet concluded. The next afternoon, Crocodile looked at Sage, who had just hung up the phone, and frowned, saying:
"Buggy, huh... This guy does have a bunch of subordinates, perfect for patrols. But everything hinges on you winning. If you fail, I can't guarantee anything."
"Fail? Even if I fail, I won't die! I've been preparing for so long; if I die, then so be it!" Sage was completely unconcerned.
Pirates who go to sea aren't afraid of death...
This idea, including for Crocodile, hasn't changed from the beginning till now.
Especially after regaining his will, he's even less afraid.
"Hmph, I hope you do die."
Crocodile puffed out smoke from his cigar, "This place is so big, it perfectly fits my ideals."
Yet ironically, or perhaps not, it was not Crocodile who achieved his ideals, but a very similar pirate...
He glanced at Sage, turned, and left the office, "If you die, I'll gladly take over this place."
With strong military and immense wealth, an ideal land without interruptions... Currently, O'hara is a perfect fit, already renowned worldwide as a 'strong nation.'
"Then it's yours! Ha ha ha ha!"
Sage laughed heartily.
Once dead, who cares? No matter the turmoil of the sea, it doesn't concern the dead.
Two days later.
At the break of dawn, golden sunlight sprinkled over the shimmering sea, and the salty sea breeze gently brushed over the port.
O'hara Port and the surrounding sea areas were filled with fleets, their Starry Sky Skull Flags flapping loudly in the sea breeze.
The road from the Royal Palace to the port was crowded with people, forming two rows, creating a path in the middle. Along this path, cadres continuously walked out from the palace, cheered on by the crowd, heading to the port and boarding ships.
There was anticipation in the citizens' faces, but also a hint of worry.
Ever since the master began gathering people, it hasn't stormed since then.
The storm, while terrifying, sometimes coming down after Sage took charge, represented peace instead.
Once it no longer storms... it represents an even greater danger!
They're going to war with Big Mom!
"Master, may fortune favor you!"
"Master, invincible across the land!"
"If you win this time, we can freely eat desserts! Master, you must win!"
Whether sincere or self-interested, nobody who benefited from the prosperous life brought by Sage wanted him to fail.
Sage walked amid the cheers, heading to the port, boarding the massive Black Ship docked there, glancing back at the eagerly waiting crowd, and laughed heartily:
"Set sail!!"
One by one, the ships sailed to sea, their blue waves colliding with the hulls producing white spray, a massive fleet heading into the ocean.
...
"Bluru Blu Blu Blu."
The radio snails at various Navy bases were going off wildly, with many Navy personnel running about frantically in the corridors, relaying messages continuously until they reached Navy Headquarters.
Inside a massive warship on the ocean, filled with a fiery red arm, a phone was hung up with a forceful grip, then a fist violently smashed the tabletop, leaving a gaping hole.
Akainu bit down on a cigar, looking up with protruding veins on his forehead, "They really set out!"
"And it's all hands on deck, truly... very frightening."
Beside him, Kizaru, no longer clipping his nails or puckering his lips, stared solemnly at the waves outside the window.
For a while now, the atmosphere on the ocean had been tense; their superiors had strict orders to monitor the movements of the Four Emperors' Disaster Pirates.
Reports from surveillance ships stated that all the notorious Disaster Pirates cadres had gathered in O'hara, including Moriah, who had secluded himself in a Vice Island castle, which was rare.
Although it was known that big moves were in the works, and intelligence from the World Government indicated a potential clash with Big Mom taking advantage of her tea party,
such an occurrence was generally considered highly unlikely.
Would a Four Emperor dispatch everything to take down another, who, because of the tea party, had gathered all family leaders?
Unlikely, considering a better opportunity should be sought even for a fight.
However, the gathering pirates kept the Navy on edge.
Just now, Akainu received accurate news, and even before that, he had set sail with Kizaru toward Red Harbor.
"Twenty-three thousand people..."
He struggled to contain his anger, "All cadres, all deployable vessels in motion! What is this guy trying to do with all his forces?"
To fight Big Mom?
Part of him believed, but not the higher-ups.
They thought targeting Big Mom might just be a guise, with a greater possibility of striking Mary Geoise!
Usually, the World Conference causes turmoil across the ocean.
This time the turmoil was evidently greater.
Otherwise, the higher-ups wouldn't withdraw forces into the Red Harbor beneath Mary Geoise.
They're even willing to forego Navy Headquarters for Mary Geoise's defense.
If it were other pirates, it wouldn't be so severe, but the Disaster Pirates' notorious deeds were too many.
Killing nobles, kings, and Heavenly Celestial Dragons...
Precisely where such individuals mostly congregate during the World Conference!
Who wouldn't be nervous?
The Disaster Pirates possess the More-More Fruit's destructive power, rumored to annihilate an island at once. Letting them attack might harm the fifty kings eligible for the conference, a major world upheaval.
Despite much intelligence confirming a clash with Big Mom, Akainu had no choice but to defend under higher-ups' duress.
The quickest mover, Kizaru, was brought along with him.
"At such a time, a plan preventing our action... truly impressive."
Kizaru shrugged, saying, "Was the timing specially chosen, or coincidence..."
"If targeting Big Mom, this is the best time!"
Akainu exhaled scorching breath, clenching his fist tightly, "It could shatter the existing Four Emperors' balance!"
"But the higher-ups won't let us do that."
Kizaru resumed a relaxed smile, "Relax, even if a battle breaks out, no matter who wins, it's good for us, one less troublesome enemy."
Akainu fell silent briefly, lowering his head again, a wanted order for Sage lay on the desk. The brim of his hat concealed his eyes, obscuring any expression.
"But also a bigger force among the Four Emperors..."