"Only us! Only our existence is the world!!"
"In the end, landlords are not just about occupying land, they're also about ruling people!"
Sage's voice roared like thunder: "The guilt of all is mine! The spirit of all is mine! Grasping humanity is grasping the future! Ruling humanity is ruling the world!"
One Piece?
He truly doesn't care.
That thing can't truly rule the world; only his current method can achieve the most suitable rule in this Age of Sailing!
Sage's laughter started to become wild and extravagant:
"Let me tell you, Issho! When the beggars of Water Seven can proudly puff out their chests upon hearing about the prosperity of O'hara, that's when I begin to rule the world! Hahaha, ho ho ho!"
Issho opened his pure white eyes without pupils, astonished at the source of the laughter, visibly stunned for a moment.
"The two poles of the world..." he murmured softly.
The location of O'hara and Water Seven, according to the planetary division, happen to be at opposite ends of the planet.
When one is day, the other must be night, just like Mary Geoise and Inverted Mountain.
And indeed... like the extremities of Straw Hat and Sage himself.
"Terrifying spirit, fearsome ambition..."
Issho stood up as well, gripping his sword cane, "Let me witness your O'hara, if it truly is as the folklore says, like a heavenly realm!"
He's served as a soldier chief, a protector, part of the Navy, attended the World Conference, encountered various types of pirates, and seen those kings who all have their own calculations.
A pirate like Sage, he was seeing for the first time in his life!
Completely different from the Straw Hat he favored, they were entirely opposite extremes, just like the geographical locations he mentioned.
But from the aura and the emotions fed back by the crowd...
They are also of the same type.
If both were fire, Straw Hat is the fire of hope, bringing the last bit of light in the dark, then breaking it open.
Sage is purely the flame of devouring, no matter what darkness there is, it's all burned away in one breath, leaving nothing dark!
...
O'hara, port.
Hawkins held a book, making marks on it, matching the drawings to the port's backdrop filled with buildings either not yet repaired or demolished for reconstruction.
Along the edge of the port, there remains a huge fissure large enough to stretch across half the island, yet to be repaired.
Because Jean Bart is still repairing the earthquake traces in the Royal City.
"Lord Hawkins."
Link approached, saying, "The local business association has come to request for the third time today; they're willing to bear all the repair costs of O'hara, should we agree with them to avoid dampening their enthusiasm."
"Wait for the Captain to return."
Hawkins replied calmly, "We don't lack money or materials. What we lack now is, using this opportunity, what is the suitable course of action. That's not for us to decide; only the Captain, or Lily can."
He is the Minister of Environment, focused on sealing the fissure, beautifying the area, and prioritizing pollution control as his main duties. Even the port's renovation was started because Sage instructed not to affect trade.
The Royal City remains unfixed not out of laziness but because Sage must see it himself to decide whether to completely rebuild or fix and patch it on its current foundation. However, whatever happens, infrastructure leads to economic growth, and one can't let these business associations do good deeds badly.
Bear the costs?
If something doesn't cost money, could it be a good thing?!
It's exactly Sage's low-cost education, which relies on subsidies from Disaster Gold Bank for teaching staff's salaries; otherwise, a few pennies can't support anyone.
"I understand..."
Link nodded, surveying the port, sighing, "This delay, who knows how much business it will block."
Not all sea areas are suitable for docking, nor can they accommodate vessels of large draft; from a commercial standpoint, it's convenient for lighter ships. There are places to dock near the Royal City, but cargo ships can't, only at this port.
Now the submerged stones in the port's sea area are still visible, some even protruding. It's impossible to dock, though the inner positions are better, allowing temporary transfers from Dressrosa, but the outer ones can only halt.
These business associations aren't doing charity from altruism; it's because a day's halt causes massive losses, prompting them to think of repair methods, willing to spend their own money if necessary, even extending repairs to the Royal City. Since even a day's delay in importing goods leads to significant losses due to the city's large scale.
Link, upon arriving at O'hara, realized there's actually merchants rushing to donate for repairs, something unheard of elsewhere.
But no one agrees to this, because governance solely belongs to Sage. His word in O'hara is divine decree; whatever he says goes.
Even the refugees affected by stoppages and factory loss, who have neither work nor homes, haven't caused a disturbance, obediently staying in the provided tents.
"Indeed, blocking business is blocking vitality."
Hawkins gazed at the sea, "We're not dead yet. When the Captain returns, that's when we'll launch a full-scale attack. Tell those business associations not to rush, there's business coming their way."
Saying this, Hawkins instinctively gripped the sword hilt at his waist, anger flaring between his six vertical-patterned brows.
Humiliation!
He was surrounded by the Red Hair Pirates' officers!
It's not that he can't be surrounded; when invading Kaido, he fought against many others.
The disgrace is that their Disaster Pirates have reached this point, where they could be surrounded!
Does the opponent have more officers?
Soon, they'll know whose officers are more, whose combat power...
Hawkins looked towards the other side of the Royal City, where due to the city wall removal and expansion, the buildings nearly reached the shoreline, and in the front sea area, stood a towering jade pillar, his eyes filled with intense confidence.
...is stronger!
Vegapunk moved Pluton here; it's positioned right there!
"All set."
As he thought this, Vegapunk's voice came, and he arrived with several artificial human counterparts, greeting Hawkins, "The food machine is temporarily set up, and refugees can take food for free. Just..."
"Such a good thing, yet it's despised, even though they're homeless!"
Atlas spoke half annoyed, half puzzled, "The food machine we built has strictly controlled ingredients, tastes delicious too, how can it not compare to those restaurants?!"
"Honored Vegapunks."
Link smiled with a bow, "This is a tradition brought by the Governor. After all, we provide civilians ample rest time precisely to enjoy cooking leisurely, not quickly through machines. Fast as it is, it doesn't align with our philosophy."
Shaka said, "We've observed this already; indeed, it doesn't suit everyone in O'hara, but... for expansion, it can be placed in heavy industrial zones to provide food for working people."
The people in O'hara have a quirk of not using convenient things, but rather enjoying the tedious time consumed in the kitchen cooking, making work laborious yet delightful.
This aspect has always been incomprehensible to them, as they believe time is life, time is efficiency; this is wasting it.
"That won't do."
Link smoothly replied, "The Governor's policy doesn't allow this; doing so would squeeze the livelihood space of local factory chefs. We not only need tax revenue but also prosperity."
As a major businessman, the royal merchant of disaster, he had long understood Sage's preferences.
"It's coming."
Just as they spoke, Hawkins suddenly said.
In the sea, faintly emerged the silhouette of a gigantic Black Ship.
Sage has returned.