The enormous Black Ship crushed the stones in the coastal defense sea area, its sturdy and Haki-infused hull ignoring all obstacles, and docked along the coast.
"Such destruction..."
Sage stood at the front of the deck, observing the destruction within the Royal City, and clicked his tongue.
Originally, there was a large river that connected to the Royal Palace, specially built for the Death Star's navigation.
But that constructed river is now buried under massive ruins.
As far as the eye can see, the Royal Palace sitting north of the Royal City has mostly collapsed, with a precariously hanging Golden Bell on its pointed top.
"Master Sage!"
"Master Sage!"
"Governor Sage!"
As the gangway was lowered, Sage walked down to the landing port below, and the people in charge of construction excitedly called out.
The previously lifeless atmosphere seemed to gain vitality upon Sage's arrival.
The people's eyes began to shine.
Old Master has arrived, there is now a guiding spirit!
Master has arrived, the bright skies are here!
The Governor has arrived, order is now established!
"Captain..."
Hawkins saw Sage approaching and bowed his head slightly, "Apologies, we couldn't defend O'hara."
Sage patted his shoulder and laughed, "Victory and defeat are common at sea, nobody is undefeated forever, there's no need to worry."
"But..."
"What's 'but,' during that time you surely did a divination of the success rate, right?"
"No."
Hawkins paused slightly and said, "Approaching zero."
"And yet you still went ahead?"
Sage pointed at the bandage tied around Hawkins' waist, "That's enough, the rest I'll handle."
"Yes."
Hawkins looked at Sage's confident demeanor, with a subtle smile on his lips.
The Captain is the greatest, enjoying the benefits first, and bearing the responsibilities first as well.
Subordinates feel less pressure, allowing them to unleash their full potential without hindrance.
Handling stress naturally falls to the leader.
"Where are the others?" Sage looked around and asked.
"Moriah is at the Royal Palace, Weevil, Sipher, and Misty are seriously injured, still recovering. Especially Sipher and Misty, if not found in time, they might have died. Urouge went to offer last rites for the deceased, Renedia locked herself in the lab, seems forging new weapons..." Hawkins said.
Sage nodded and turned to Vegapunk, "The relocation went well."
"Sage, can it be not used?"
Vegapunk worriedly said, "The sea level can't rise anymore, it will deprive many of their living space."
If it rises another meter, it totals three meters...
Most can't reach three meters in height, at this threshold, many islands will completely disappear, becoming reefs.
"It won't be used for now, I don't know about others, but I keep my promises. Since the agreement was signed, I absolutely won't fire the first shot!"
Sage said, paused again, then said, "Of course, I also won't give anyone the chance to fire the first shot. Work hard on developing a monitoring device, since the energy is the Mother Fire Seed, if you know it, create a device to measure it, once there's a massive energy signal, it represents someone fired, by then, I must seize the opportunity."
"Additionally, according to Pluton's power, find a way to create a defense facility, at least cover the Royal City area."
With attacks, there naturally must be defenses; with destructive capabilities, a counter-destructive capability is necessary.
If backstabbed, only local areas are affected and can be rebuilt. If shelled, he'd have to find a new place for the main base.
He keeps promises but can't lack preventive abilities.
"Should the cannon platform direction be prepared in advance?"
Hawkins suggested, "Sage, there's a saying: no eternal friends, only eternal interests."
"Outdated thinking!"
Sage grinned, "Now there can be eternal friends, because it's about creating shared interests! Teach was never my friend, the sudden attack was unexpected but absolutely reasonable. Those who can be eternal friends with us are the Dragon Palace Kingdom, and that fellow old Sha."
Their interests remain unchanged.
Dragon Palace City wants to emerge, wants to step into the sunlight, wants to not be discriminated against, only Sage can provide that.
Even if one day the World Government is overthrown, he is the only one who can truly look Fishmen eye-to-eye in equality, and it's his O'hara.
Because Fishmen play the largest role here, with their need being unique worldwide to him.
The Cross Guild doesn't count, but old Sha is definitely a friend, if his Ideal Country isn't realized, he may likely come here, which equates to old Sha's ideal, just not under his leadership.
But should he truly come, Sage would welcome it wholeheartedly, even offer him a seat to join.
That's why Sage tolerates old Sha owing him money.
After all this time, the only ones calm and safe while owing him money are friends.
"You continue here, I'll head to the Royal Palace..."
Sage told Hawkins, suddenly noticing Link, waiting humbly nearby, and said, "I've heard about those business associations, tell them to hold back! Without my orders, no one is to act recklessly!"
This is a matter of principle.
Giving those merchants an inch today, tomorrow they'll want control.
This has nothing to do with personal courage, it's simply interests clouding judgment and being pushed into a corner. Sage would then have to clean out a batch, and developing new ones would be too time-consuming, better to set rules strictly from the start.