Katakuri could understand what Sage was saying, the kind of refined sentiment that somewhat resembled the West Sea Flower Country, but what he didn't understand was why Sage seemed particularly focused on him.
They had no real interaction, even when Sage became famous, they didn't come into contact until later when they were able to fight mom and hurt each other.
In just a short time, he'd already become one of the Four Emperors.
Such talents and freaks like mom and him were destined to have nothing in common.
As one drifts across the sea, some things must be acknowledged, otherwise, it affects one's own will.
Those not at their level see the Four Emperors and simply feel they are strong and terrifying.
At their level, when looking at the Four Emperors, they find they can no longer be described as terrifying but rather a miraculous power as vast and unreachable as the sea.
Such people needn't be treated with so much respect, especially since he is mom's son, and Sage just killed mom yesterday...
Buried at sea, the burning of the Life Card, in their eyes, mom was certainly dead.
This guy's spirit... is just like his strength.
Katakuri sighed inwardly, deciding to defect wasn't made hastily just now, and in fact, after being captured, noticing those holding them seemed polite and didn't forbid their conversation, they had an idea.
Deciding to defect was not only based on Sage's promised conditions but also his own exploits.
This guy's external behavior, apart from absolute orders, the people under his rule were quite free and living well.
Katakuri didn't care for outsiders, but he had to care about his brothers and sisters...
Life under mom's rule was too painful; they couldn't even argue with mom normally, let alone defy her. Mom's orders were absolute.
Katakuri didn't want this; even if he didn't care, his younger siblings... they could pursue a life of freedom as long as the older brother protected them.
With mom gone... perhaps, it was a new type of life.
He originally placed his hopes on Straw Hat, but now Sage implemented it earlier and defeated mom outright.
Homiez were in Sage's hands; no matter how he got them, it was symbolic.
Adding these layers, their surrender seemed simple.
Sage didn't care too much, purely a whim to joke with Katakuri; as long as they agreed to join him, the sea wasn't so complicated, since he was still winning, so everything was simple.
"Since they're all under me, let's go together. Organize it, and I'll hold a welcome ceremony for you in O'hara, let's all have a banquet together!"
Sage laughed for a moment, didn't wait for them to speak, waved his hand, and said, "But before that, I need to handle other matters."
With his words, a man dressed in a coat with horns atop his head was brought in from outside the door.
He rubbed his hands like a fly, with an ingratiating smile, "Mas-ter Sage..."
This was Caesar Clown, originally captured in Dressrosa, only to be caught by Big Mom's forces outside the sea sector, when they snatched Sanji, they also took him.
This guy was lucky; the new experimental base that Big Mom prepared for him was situated around Cake Island, and after the central peace broke, that location remained preserved, and he was found by subordinates.
"Caesar Clown..."
Sage sat back down, glanced at him and said, "Speaking of which, it's our first meeting, isn't it?"
Although there was cooperation, Sage lacked the time to visit places like Punk Hazard, usually entrusting subordinates to handle things. With Caesar Clown, he only communicated via phone.
"Yes, yes..."
Caesar Clown stammered and, recalling something, quickly put on a look of regret, snorted:
"Master Sage, it's all the Straw Hat guy and Law's fault. If it weren't for them, the Universal Medicine would've been produced! But the lab was destroyed, data completely vanished!"
"Such a pity! It was so close to completion, just a little more. With new funding, perhaps I could continue to collect various data, thereby reviving the Universal Medicine..."
As he lamented, he subtly glanced at Sage.
During the confrontation with Big Mom, he used the wrong words, leading him to be directly locked in a new research base.
This time, he had to change tactics.
Forget the research base talk; directly discussing funding was enough, and he hadn't swindled much funding from Sage, it was feasible to pose requests.
Next, leveraging the Universal Medicine materials issue, he could lead funding to travel around.
Plan understood!
Bam!
Just as he thought this, a noise suddenly sounded in his ear, followed closely by a chest pain. Looking down, there was already a bullet hole where his heart was.
Wearing Seastone, he was unable to use abilities, his form remained normal flesh, and injuries were felt directly.
"Uh..."
He instinctively lifted his head, then saw Sage raising a flintlock gun aimed at him, the barrel still emitting smoke.
"Sa, Sage..." Caesar Clown stammered, blood trickling from his mouth.
"Caesar, Caesar... this name doesn't quite suit you."
Sage withdrew the flintlock gun and said indifferently, "I've given fortunes beyond what knowledge and formulas you've taught, and what's your repayment? Now trying to deceive me?"
"That old woman is too superstitious, believing in a project that hasn't been completed for hundreds of years. I'm not that easily fooled... Also, I've told you before, I don't like you."
"I, I am still useful..." Caesar Clown slowly curled his body, his tone full of pleading.
"There are too many useful people on the sea."
Sage said, "But no matter how useful, it's hard to buy my willingness... I'm a pirate, I do what I want!"
Before the Ice and Fire Island, this guy was already conducting human experiments. He isn't morally scrupulous, but he really can't like it.
But at the time, he could only find someone like Caesar, and his research talents were indeed very high, so Sage traded with him.
Only in that battle at Punk Hazard, he already took his apprentices back. Although they didn't have such profound scientific talents yet, they had already mastered the basic learning methods. The vast wealth also made Caesar contribute the entire set of scientific knowledge.
Maybe he's holding back some knowledge, but it doesn't matter anymore.
Since taking them back, his deal with Caesar has been over. A wise person should know not to expose themselves in front of him at this time.
If they hadn't met by chance, Sage might not even have remembered such a person, but seeing him...
Just take care of an annoyance casually.
"Sage, we've also captured someone else..."
Just then, Lily walked in from outside and beckoned, letting the subordinates escort in a chubby short man dressed in Mafia attire, biting a cigar, also restrained by seastone.
Sage frowned, looked at the short chubby man for a long time, and didn't immediately remember.
"Four hundred million Belly."
Lily was about to speak when the short chubby man suddenly spoke up.
"What?"
"I'm offering four hundred million Belly for my own life."
The short chubby man said smoothly, "I understand the rules, my bounty is three hundred million Belly. According to the principle of premium and ransom, plus my subordinates... I offer four hundred million Belly. No delays, no defaults, no installments... I will pay in full, just like two years ago in Shampodi."
"Ah... Capone Bege!"
Sage immediately remembered.
The Super Rookie of Shampodi, this guy was the most straightforward, and the only one who paid in full!
"Long time no see, have you joined the Big Mom Pirates?"
"Not only have I joined, but I also got married, to Charlotte Chiffon."
Capone Bege exhaled a smoke ring, "But now Big Mom is gone, and I will also leave this pirate group, hey, Sage, you won't stop me, will you?"
"You follow the rules, I also talk about justice. If you don't want to join, then you can leave."
Sage said, but then suddenly thought of something, "However... I remember you're from the West Sea, right? After you leave, are you planning to go back?"
It was evident that the ambition in this guy's eyes had largely faded.
Capone Bege was silent for a while, then nodded.
He planned to return to the West Sea to be part of the Mafia again.
Although his bounty is now three hundred million Belly, and it might rise even higher because of that Cake Island incident, cooperating with Blackfoot to escape, but as long as he returns to be part of the Mafia in the West Sea, no one will bother him.
From the past to now, for these 'notorious' guys to retire, it's too simple.
Even for the Pirate King's right-hand man, retiring is very easy.
"Hmm..."
Sage looked at him for a while, thought for a moment, and said, "Since you don't want to join my pirates, how about a deal?"
"A deal?"
Capone Bege pondered for a while, "What kind of deal? Let me say first, if it's too risky, I can't do it."
This guy has taken over Big Mom's territory and conquered these subordinates, so surely he's Navy's number one enemy. Having any dealings with him, for someone like Capone Bege who wants to return to the West Sea, would bring more harm than good.
"I have a channel in the West Sea; it's risky, but highly profitable. As the saying goes, 'wealth is sought in danger.' If you have the guts, I'll give you ten percent after the success."
Sage grinned and said, "I don't lack the ability to do this deal myself; I'm giving it to you for only one reason, and that's because you play by the rules. I appreciate those who play by the rules, Bege, I really like you."
The business channels in the North Sea are covered by Vinsmoke, so for the West Sea, one of the Northwest Two Seas that connect the New World through the Calm Belt, someone is needed too.
A Mafia clan would be just right to operate in the West Sea.
His base is in the New World; if he rushed into the Four Seas, the World Government might become sensitive, but if he supports a proxy, no one would likely say anything.
The combination of underworld channels and proxies in the Four Seas would allow him to fully spread his wings.
After devouring Big Mom's territory and once fully digested, his production capacity here would certainly explode. Sage wants to see prosperity soon; he doesn't want to wait. Then the only option is to produce on a large scale, not only expanding domestic demand but also selling the products outside.
The West Sea and the North Sea, before he occupies the New World, are the places he has chosen for dumping products.
If he doesn't engage in opening and free trade, how can he guarantee prosperity?