The sky was filled with black clouds and thunder, carrying the threat of world destruction, pressing upon the Fur Race after they reverted from their transformation forms.
They didn't know if it could destroy the world.
But exterminating a tribe should be no problem.
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi had followed Roger in their early years and knew the terror of these top-tier warriors.
Some things sound simple, merely the effect of power, but when you truly see it, it's terrifying.
The kind of people who destroy towns at a whim, cause tsunamis effortlessly, and can bring down islands and overturn skies and earth with a wave of their hand.
Among them, some follow the rules, some speak of justice, and some act unrestrained...
Just like the unrestrained white-haired fellow in the sky now, summoning lightning with a raise of his hand, shattering everything into dust.
They did not doubt that Sage was telling the truth, as someone of such immense power had no need to deceive, especially with those eyes...
He simply didn't care about the survival of the Fur Race!
He was certain that what he wanted was here, and he didn't need the Fur Race to guide him.
No one here could stop him.
Would the Fur Race...really die here?
This isn't a matter that can be settled by just a few deaths...
"Being willing to die to protect your homeland is a commendable trait, but if you're all gone, then what are you protecting?"
Sage sneered at them, "Is it the trees here protected by your spirits, or my flag?"
The extermination of a tribe meant nothing to him, and it carried no psychological burden.
Anyone who obstructed his plans and rule should be swept away into the dust of history.
Since he was here, he had no reason to leave empty-handed; either the Fur Race surrendered, or they were destroyed.
If anything here could be developed, he might as well plant a flag...
And even if not, he would still plant a flag.
After all, it was too far away for Sage to control at the moment.
Now, according to Lily, Zou was very close to Dressrosa, located in the first half of the New World, away from the area where Sage's influence reached in the other half.
His plans for control were based on range, and he didn't intend to bypass Kaido and Big Mom to rule here, risking turning it into a lonely land.
But planting a flag was possible; future plans could involve developing it.
Seeing the Fur Race unmoved, Sage shook his head, ready to lower his arm.
"Enough! It's enough!"
Just then, a loud shout came from below.
It wasn't Nekomamushi or Inuarashi; it was Pedro, his bangs blown aside revealing a terrifying scar running across his left eye.
He knelt on the ground, shouting upwards, "I am the leader of the Knight's Order and the second King of Night, and I have the qualification to represent the Fur Race. If it's for venting your anger, then kill me for it!"
Just like when Bepo's brother Jebo died to protect him, he was willing to sacrifice his life for the whole tribe!
"You're overvaluing yourself..."
Sage's arm didn't slow down and had already swung halfway, "I have no interest in your life."
He had no interest in the lives of the Fur Race either, but that was precisely why their destruction came without hesitation!
"We surrender! We surrender! We pledge our allegiance to you!"
Pedro immediately responded, bowing low to the ground as the heavenly thunder began to peek from the clouds, shouting with all his might.
Having been at sea, seeking Poneglyphs, he was very clear about the choice to be made between preserving the race and protecting the Holy Land.
Without people...
What homeland would remain!
The thunder still fell, and almost instantly, Pedro, moving with unreal speed, swiftly pulled up the fallen Shishilian beside him, pressing his head down.
"He is the Firearms Team Captain, the second King of Daylight, and he also has the authority to surrender!"
The black-red lightning, visible to the naked eye, had already descended upon the heads of the many in the Fur Race.
"Enough!"
Until Nekomamushi and Inuarashi collapsed to the ground, heads lowered, looking dull, murmuring, "We surrender..."
At this moment, everyone in the Fur Race, whether with reluctance or fear, knelt alongside the cat and dog.
Rumble!
The thunder that reached their heads suddenly exploded, blossoming in the sky like fireworks during a grand celebration, scattering in lightning balls.
The dark clouds gradually dispersed, moonlight shining down into the town, enveloping the Fur Race, but no one raised their head to look.
Sage slowly descended from the sky, laughing, "Wasn't this the better choice?"
"Yes, you have won..."
Inuarashi said softly, "Our entire tribe is no match for you, and we cannot accept being destroyed."
They also had great vengeance unfulfilled; even if they surrendered temporarily, they needed the lives of the entire tribe intact.
He and Nekomamushi exchanged glances, both lowering their heads even further.
Taking their heads was easy, but refusing to surrender would mean the clan would perish too.
Even if the two had fallen out and split into the so-called Night and Day, they were still one Fur Race.
No one could bear the responsibility of the entire tribe being destroyed, and neither could they.
This moment felt incredibly heavy.
Emotion meant more than death, but the continuation of the entire tribe...mattered just as much.
The weight above them was immense!
All along, whether it was Inuarashi or Nekomamushi, they always believed their emotions were paramount, and dying for friendship and bonds was something exhilarating for the entire Fur Race, valuing loyalty and righteousness, thus choosing to sacrifice.
At most, it would mean death...
But when it came to it, when considering the entire tribe, things weren't as simple as they thought.
In such circumstances, they couldn't decide, and ultimately, instincts led them to choose the continuation of their race.
"We voluntarily resign as the leaders of the Fluffy Kingdom; we ask that you treat them kindly," Nekomamushi said with his head lowered.
At this time, it was also inappropriate for them to remain as leaders.
"Heh heh heh, as long as you surrender, I don't need the two of you; go do whatever you want. On this matter, I am lenient. But, are you sure you don't want to follow me? With me, there's not only soup but also meat,"
Sage laughed heartily, "I won't shortchange my own people, unlike that Kozuki fool!"
"Sir, I don't know where you heard of Lord Oden's story, but as his household servants, I cannot tolerate your denigration of Lord Oden."
Nekomamushi and Inuarashi raised their heads, "We have already stepped down as leaders and speak for ourselves; even in death, we will defend Lord Oden's honor."
"Ha! What honor? Honor of a good man?"
Sage laughed, "It's just my personal evaluation; he wasn't worthy of my denigration. Perhaps for him personally, he was a good man. After all, on the seas, people do what they want, and making certain choices is personal, beyond reproach."
"But bringing a whole nation along, that's another matter. If trusting destiny and perishing, dragging an entire country into fire and brimstone is being a good man..."
Sage said, "Then wouldn't I, who leads my people to greater heights, be a savior?!"
Though called a 'Savior of Pirates,' Sage never saw himself as one.
He merely chose the pirate's profession, and everything he did was based on his personal desires.
He was just someone who believed in principles.