Marika timely arrived, offering Lily a drink, "A refreshing beverage. Rest assured, Sage will definitely win."
"I'm not really worried about him facing any misfortune..."
Lily accepted the drink, her words shimmering with strong confidence, "After all, Sage has always been strong."
Yet it's clearly a time to hold the fort, but he insists on moving out. It can only be said that plans are plans, but Sage himself still belongs to the pirates.
"What's Issho doing? Haven't seen him around." Lily thought of something suddenly and asked.
"I don't know, indeed he's not in O'hara. Maybe he's off roaming somewhere. You know, that man walked off alone after disembarking. Sage said not to worry about him, he won't run off abroad."
Lily nodded: "Let's go, our task is heavy. You need to come up with a big plan for logistics over the next few days, make sure those soldiers get their fill."
"Rest assured, I may not excel at other things, but feeding people is my forte." Marika smiled.
…
In the latter half of the New World, Hive Island.
Currently, Hive Island still bears marks of half restoration, with the other half maintaining a destroyed appearance.
That was Garp's doing.
Originally, it was set to be fully repaired, but after Teach's attack on O'hara, it was simply left unrepaired.
In the tallest, skull-like building, Kuzan crouched by the window, gazing at the mostly evacuated and somewhat empty architectural streets below, then looked toward the port where pirates were continually boarding ships, and deeply sighed.
"Insisting on doing such futile things."
"Ze ha ha ha ha, how can you call it futile!"
A coarse laugh stirred from behind him.
Teach sat upon the throne, letting out a great laugh, "After all, we obtained the engraved copy of the Road Poneglyph, Kuzan, that's what truly matters."
"For this, you can abandon your old lair?"
Kuzan countered, "That seems to be your symbol, Teach."
"Symbols don't matter when compared to becoming the Pirate King! Vegapunk has said so, that's the key to controlling the world! Ze ha ha ha ha, anyway, Garp has been secured. As long as the Pirate Kingdom can be established, it's all the same in the end!"
Teach grinned, missing a few teeth, "Being a pirate, as long as you have a ship!"
"Just afraid Sage might suddenly show up." Kuzan said gravely.
"Oh ho ho ho, how could it be so soon."
Laffitte spun his cane in a circle and adjusted his hat, "We have enough time, no delays. Even if Sage brings a fleet, we will have already evacuated. Maybe..."
"Maybe even destroy his fleet." Shiryu exhaled smoke from his cigar and laughed lowly, "This sea area isn't determined by that guy."
Kuzan turned to look behind, apart from Teach, all these captains were present.
"You all don't understand him."
Kuzan shook his head, "I've fought with him. This guy appears magnanimous, but it depends on the matter. For things he doesn't care about, he's indeed magnanimous. Even if someone defeats his subordinates on the sea, he just considers it normal victory and defeat."
"However, Teach..."
Kuzan sighed again, scratching his head, "You and Red Hair together destroyed half of O'hara, even smashed his royal palace, and the port was entirely wrecked, obviously affecting his business. Making his business difficult will lead him to make your life difficult."
In the physical sense, making life difficult.
After all, once dead, how can one live?
Teach's laughing face clearly stiffened for a moment. He was well aware of Sage's temperament, but this was a gamble.
Betting he can finish the plan first.
"Ze ha ha ha ha, at worst, we'll just escape. Our time is definitely enough." Teach's laughter was somewhat dry.
Though he had resolved to abandon Hive Island, to avoid being surrounded by Sage's fleet, he himself still harbored some hope, so they were to be the last to retreat.
Unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to give up this symbol of Rocks.
"I used to think the same."
Kuzan pointed at the window, "Now I don't."
The distant sky outside the window inexplicably turned black.
Under the rolling dark clouds, the gusting winds seemed to transform into visible lines, mixed with the falling torrential rain, further stirring up devouring waves in the sea. Though far away, the wind seemed to have blown over, causing the window to sway and produce a slapping sound.
The air seemed somewhat thick, making one very uncomfortable.
"You see..."
Kuzan said helplessly, "Trouble has arrived."