Hearing this, those who had just awoken and those on the verge of awakening all suddenly jolted awake, showing expressions of disbelief.
Jack was the first to jump up, and his massive body caused a tremor when it leapt. His eyes bulged like copper bells, bloodshot.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! My big brother is invincible under the heavens!"
That's Kaido for you!
The strongest creature on land, sea, and air!
The strongest person in his heart!
How could he be dead!
"What a joke!"
Queen was the second to shout: "Disaster! I admit you're strong, but to kill Big Brother Kaido, it's... it's..."
Halfway through his shouting, his voice lowered, and under Sage's amused gaze, he gradually fell silent.
He was much smarter than Jack, wanting to deny Sage's words, but the evidence was right here.
With Boss Kaido's nature, if he were still alive, he'd definitely continue to fight. Only by dying would he completely vanish.
Right now, aside from the lingering aura felt on that Wolf Fang Club, there was not the slightest trace of Kaido's presence.
"Kaido is dead..."
Yamato sat on the ground, a bit dazed, but soon her eyes brightened: "Then Luffy..."
"He has a big life."
Sage gave her a sidelong glance and said: "As someone who challenges me, managing to escape with his life, he should be grateful I didn't hold it against him."
Saying this, he turned to Jack and said:
"Invincible doesn't mean one can't be defeated from above, your brother has lost before, only this time he's completely lost."
Sage chuckled: "At sea, anything can happen. Besides..."
His voice was exceptionally firm: "The truly invincible one is me!"
"Facts are facts. How you choose, whether to die here foolishly wasting your life, or to preserve your strength, inherit Kaido's will, and rule this sea with me?"
Upon hearing this, Queen and Who's-Who were the first to be tempted.
Though both were longstanding members, with the former having joined for nearly or over thirty years, and the latter for thirteen, they joined the Beast Pirates for its strength and protection.
As pirates, adapting to pirate traditions, it's normal for them to switch allegiances when the boss is defeated.
Giving the Wolf Fang Club to Sage represented Kaido's approval of Sage. Sage himself had a significant force, not a fledgling pirate crew, and joining would surely mean a good position.
From a rational perspective, joining the Disaster Pirates was definitely more beneficial than harmful.
But to suddenly surrender...
They had their pride too.
"I have the most legitimate reason, but... probably no one cares about that. My rules are simple, you folks who know what's going on should understand, and it's certainly suitable for you."
Sage keenly sensed their temptation, smiled, and said: "Queen, you can continue your research. I'm wealthier than Kaido, and we have many battles to fight. So there will be many for your experiments. Your chemistry research is excellent, you just need a bit more in medical research. You can exchange insights with Hogback, you'll surely gain a lot."
"Who's-Who, hm, is your real name gone already..."
He glanced at the 'who's who' tattoo on Who's-Who's chest, laughed, and said:
"Used to be a CP9 member? I have roles for you here to continue your specialty... Think about it, you have the latest intel, and you're not a Special Agent for the World Government, they can't do anything to you. The only difference between you and those agents is you purely work for me."
"Haven't you wanted to compare yourself with Rob Lucci? He's a CP0 agent now; you as my agent can compete to see who's the better agent."
While CP0 works under him here, who wouldn't want someone entirely on their side?
Who's-Who, as a Special Agent, was a very good choice.
"If you put it that way..."
Upon hearing this, Who's-Who pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, exhaled a puff of smoke, and said: "Since Boss Kaido has given you the Wolf Fang Club, I have nothing to argue with. Please guide me well, Boss Sage."
With one person surrendering, Queen followed suit tactfully, saying: "Alright, then. Give me plenty of research funding; I have a lot more I want to study. That damn Germa 66 technology, I will surpass it!"
"Hey, you guys!"
Jack glared over, "Are you so easily betraying Big Brother Kaido?"
"Whether it's betrayal or not doesn't matter; Boss Kaido has already symbolically handed it to Boss Sage, meaning they've reached an agreement. Joining is following Boss Kaido's orders."
Who's-Who exhaled another puff of smoke, "Jack, at this point, joining is the correct choice."
"Exactly, if you can't beat them, join them. Very good, I like those who know the times."
Sage laughed heartily: "Of course, I won't deny you the choice to challenge me, just as long as..."
He grasped the Eight Precepts, eyes gleaming fiercely, "you're not afraid to die!"
"Big Brother Kaido..."
King suddenly spoke up: "Did he say for everyone to join you?"
Sage looked over at King, "You're an exception... He promised you, he'd never hand you over to anyone. I also have a great respect for Kaido, so I won't make it difficult for you on his last words. I give you the choice; if you wish to leave, I'll let you go."
"Is that so..."
King closed his eyes, "Big Brother Kaido, still remembers those words..."
In those youthful days, amidst that sea of flames, it was Kaido who personally promised never to hand him over to anyone, to always cover him.