Cadres like Dellinger, who aren't exactly small-time minions, will inevitably attract attention. Behaving like he wants to attack his own comrades just because he disagrees—absolutely unacceptable.
"You... you're a newbie too, right? I joined before you, don't talk to me with that senior tone!" Dellinger protested defiantly.
But his struggling body softened, allowing the drunken sailors to dress him in Pirate Attire, transforming a somewhat gender-neutral fellow into a youthful, spirited Half-Fishman.
"I'm a newbie?"
Sipher chuckled, casually pointing at a Pirate, "Who am I?"
"Master Sipher... don't be ridiculous,"
laughed the Pirate. "Back then when I was in a hurry at night to find a lane for a pee, you caught me, lashed me a few times, and locked me up for three days."
"You heard that, I might be a newbie at being a Pirate, but under Sage's rule, I'm undeniably an old..."
Sipher raised his thumb, about to utter the words 'old senior', when suddenly his face darkened. He fell to his knees, supporting himself with his hands on the ground, dejectedly saying:
"An old loser... still living as a loser, wasting life as a burden is just an insult to existence."
Besides him, everyone else also knelt down at that moment, each one losing their spirit.
Even Dellinger, who had angrily changed his clothes, knelt on the ground too, pounding the deck, crying:
"As a Half-Fishman, it's such a shame to the sea. If possible, I just want to be a grass carp..."
"Shut up already!"
In the banquet hall, a woman with floating gothic pink hair appeared in low altitude, "If you're here for a party, have a party! Fights are the most annoying! Reflect on yourselves!"
From around her, a group of cloth-like, contract ghost-like things zoomed out, continuing to pass through the bodies of these people, making Sipher and everyone else feel even more dejected.
"Ghost lady?"
Misty looked over, nodded and said, "Hello."
"I'm Perona, don't randomly give people nicknames."
Perona snorted lightly, floating over to Misty's opposite, sitting in the spot Sipher previously occupied.
The two exchanged glances, Misty picked up a jug, took a fresh cup from the table and poured her a drink, and the latter took it, sipping lightly, then showing a faint smile.
The two exchanged glances again, both exhaled deeply.
"It's quieter now," Misty said. "I like quietness."
"I can handle it, as long as it's not too noisy," Perona replied.
The two women, both the type who prefer quiet over movement, one enjoys being at home, the other enjoys tranquility, just happened to know each other by coincidence, and they both felt it was nice.
Since Perona left Hawkeye last time, she found Moriah and smoothly joined the Disaster Pirates, though she herself is quite the homebody, enjoying staying in the castle, appreciating her gloomy dolls.
So Sage knew she was here, but had yet to meet her.
He couldn't personally go to Vice Island to meet the woman, could he?
Wouldn't that be overturning the heavens?
By coincidence, heading to Gulan Tesoro this time, Moriah felt Perona staying in all the time was no good, so he dragged her out to join Sage's robbery tour.
As for himself...
No interest.
Heading to Gulan Tesoro this time, aside from Sage himself and his three leading female cadres, he also brought newly joined cadres, aiming to train and broaden their horizons.
Others were either uninterested or too busy.
Hawkins and Urouge belong to both categories—disinterested in entertainment cities and... busy as heck.
Sipher's receiving and reconstruction of new territories kept him occupied, as Totto Land's sweet building batch doesn't fit Sage's aesthetic and lacks practicality.
Who eats sweets all day?
Totto Land's residents are from outsiders seeking refuge, not original locals, they don't necessarily enjoy sweets, purely because Totto Land only provides sweets, and Big Mom only eats sweets.
Sage's dietary preferences aren't just sweets, so under his rule, it's impossible to eat just sweets.
Thus the food needs changing, buildings need demolishing, shifting to bustling structures and skyscrapers fitting the Disaster Pirates' style and constructing factories accordingly.
Totto Land's direct territory—thirty-four islands—formed by Big Mom's great power, all remodeled into islands modeled after various dessert foods.
For example, Nut Island, Candy Island, Cocoa Island...
Truly Island is made of nuts; Candy Island land and waters made of candy; Cocoa Island's peaks are chocolate...
Definitely Big Mom's handiwork—a profound alteration of the island's essence, resulting in the islands being overall useless, save for dessert production.
After reviewing reports, Sage swiftly decided they'd develop sweets as specialties, establishing factories, becoming another core industry.
Hawkins, managing construction, was engrossed in planning layouts, too busy to accompany Sage on voyage.
Urouge was similarly busy, managing debts.
Bank running short on funds, without robbing Tesoro yet, debt collection accelerated—outstanding loans needing recovery.
No money?
Without money, who would receive loans? It's not granting loans without background checks, is it?
Creating this business, Sage naturally kept intelligence up to date, gaining significant underworld intel after disposing of Du Feld's rat.
Those borrowing money reach out worldwide via the underworld channels.
As for fraud, attempting to scam him blindly...
Nobody would risk offending him over a borrower—identity falsification is simple, but in this aspect, three days ago no one dared fool him.
Why three days ago...
Because indeed, someone attempted it, concocting a lie fabricating another identity, duping Sage out of three hundred million Belly.
Due to discovering the deception, Urouge personally went.
For just that much?
Cheating a Four Emperors for a few hundred million Belly?
Consider the man's ambition, to dare deceive a Four Emperors for so little.
Consider the man's lack of ambition, daring deceive a Four Emperors for so little...
Reminiscent of Sage's forced business with Doflamingo.
Also, Gin, as General Commander, didn't board either, he went directly to do business in Big Mom's territory, ensuring seamless contact between both powers, patrolling regularly to eradicate clueless Pirates.
Apart from Big Mom Pirates' thirty-four direct islands, the surrounding islands are either safeguarded by her, or are her Hunting Grounds. All definitely fall within her domain, necessitating conquest and governance.
Also personnel issues—recruiting and integrating new Pirates became Gin's duty.
Big Mom still had other Pirate subordinates, joining along with Katakuri, bringing those underlings too.
Plus, maintaining chess defenses in Totto Land direct territory alleviated some island guard pressure, quickening integration.
Many tasks, quite cumbersome.
Once initial planning is accomplished, everything on course, time will follow.
Sage, in this realm, can't be considered unhelpful, yet unproductive...
Pirates primarily engage in robbery, taxation development belongs to landlords.
Sage, executing Pirate duties perfectly now.
Storm gradually ceasing, turbulent sea began calming, revealing the pitch-black Giant Ship, while distant golden light flickered, akin to night revealing radiance.
From afar, a glittering gold island appeared.
"Arrived."
In the office, Sage rose, gazing at the scintillating view outside the window, lips curving, "A grand ship indeed..."