"Don't bother with whether these guys have their reasons, are coerced, or are following some sea tradition, or putting up a flag because of good relations. None of these need consideration. This battle, besides achieving the goal of dominating the New World, also serves as a warning to other external forces that offending us will lead to no good end."
"This battle should demonstrate our collective deterrence, ensuring safety in future business dealings."
All along, it was the Disaster Pirates that uplifted their reputation globally, and although O'hara was founded by Sage, the current seas would not consider them as a whole.
O'hara is O'hara, Disaster is Disaster, the prosperity of O'hara is brought by Disaster, but without Disaster, it's nothing.
This mindset, even among themselves, they think so, and indeed, it is true. But now it must be corrected.
Sage tapped the table and said:
"Recruitment and mobilization are to be visible to the world. Recruitment has no limits, except for necessary wartime production operations, all willing to come should come! All strategies will not be hidden, let the world see how strong the mobilization of O'hara is!"
These words sent a chill down everyone's spine.
King asked, "So, who do we deal with first?"
"Hit them all, push all the front lines out!"
Sage grinned wickedly, "Make everyone risk it all!"
"Exactly."
Lily rearranged the figures on the white cloth, revealing their detailed sphere of influence.
"The first half of the New World has five routes; the latter half has three routes, judged by the compass's magnetic fields, we occupy a strategic position in the New World."
Looking at the routes divided from the latter half, she said, "Therefore, it is unsuitable for us to wage war here. The islands are too many, hard to manage, we must advance forward, press to the three magnetic field routes in the latter half, using them as the main battleground."
"Of course, we must also be prepared for defense."
Drawing the sword with its sheath from her waist, pointing at the map, "Five routes, five Magnetic Field Islands, these must be controlled, and then advance forward, seize the starting points of three routes, linking left and right."
"The exact number of islands is unknown, but the entire horizontal route centers on the starting points of three vertical routes, responsible for monitoring, defense, and offense, preferably preventing any enemy from crossing this line."
"Certainly, we will have heavy troops at the endpoints of the five routes."
With the sheath moving downward to the junction of the first and second half, "These interconnected key points crossing the entire Grand Line are our Magnetic Field Islands for radiating places, five islands will be packed with our recruited soldiers, standing by for attacking the latter half, ensuring to suppress all navigable areas!"
The Grand Line is vast, even horizontally big.
Pirates have never been totally cleared by the Navy also because it is too big, it is too easy for a ship to cross the sea, utterly impossible to encircle people.
If it weren't for the Grand Line's Red Earth Continent and Calm Belt, and the treasure on the Final Island, then the Four Emperors wouldn't just be in the New World, they would certainly be in the Four Seas.
The resources there far exceed that of one route.
But now, for strategy, it requires forcibly drawing a line.
The larger the territory, the greater the strategic depth, but sometimes it also means if invaded, the opponent's strategic depth would not be small.
Previously, Wano Country and Totto Land didn't have this worry, Blackbeard's core is only Hive Island, Red Hair simply has none, no need to consider these at all.
Pirates are this way, responsible for looting and partying, the landlord has much more to contemplate.
To once and for all slowly push Blackbeard and Red Hair aside, Sage waved a massive hand, a full mobilization!
"Anyway, the routes are open, if really fails, go to Alabasta for recruitment! In short, the first half, I want not even a fly to enter my area of control!"
He glanced at everyone, addressing King and Katakuri: "You two, one route each in the latter half, advance with my orders, any issues?"
"I will give my all!" King said in a deep voice.
Katakuri nodded, looking resolute.
"I'll handle the rest myself, I refuse to believe it!"
Sage slammed the table, "With my full mobilization, there's no war I cannot start! I'll strike the first blow, and those who follow can try to see if they can bear the cost!"
"Exactly, but we must make early preparations, such as the endpoints of the five routes I just mentioned... We haven't conquered these places, so early preparation is key, relying on this 4 million to clear all Magnetic Field Islands on the five routes in the first half of the New World." Lily continued.
They are nominally rulers of the first half of the New World, but the actual area of control is 52 in O'hara territory, 34 in Totto Land, Wano Country remaining 21 since the main island was converted into Pluton, and Dressrosa in the forefront, totaling 108 islands.
The time is too short, lacking manpower, only this much can be consumed.
After all, governance requires people, development requires people, even if Lily were divided into ten people, it might not be enough, they've always been short on talents in this aspect, so Sage has been waiting, waiting for his plan to be executed.
Otherwise, such as the Prodence Kingdom next to Dressrosa, remains untouched by anyone now.
But now, the time is almost right, he's ruled here for over two years, the rules deeply ingrained, the ruled under him highly revere him, education implemented in parallel, children have methods for children, adults have methods for adults.
Using these people as a basis to delegate to each newly conquered island, definitely no problem!
"Merchants, pirates, civilians, or whether Fishman, Giant, small people... everyone, anyone! All will serve this plan of mine! Four million is enough! Seize this opportunity for full-line expansion!"
No more pirate raiding home bases, triggering any solo duels.
No longer limited to just targeting Red Hair and Blackbeard, if fight, fight them all, anyway, having negotiated with the World Government, equivalent to the first half of the New World is his, time to start collecting!
He plans strategic territorial advances!
For this, everyone will serve this purpose!
The islands of the Grand Line are many, anonymous islands without magnetic fields also can't be discovered, but along the magnetic field routes, those territories he definitely needs to claim now.
The timing is perfect, action can be taken!
"It's decided then! Gentlemen, this war might last long, we must display an unrelenting spirit!"
Sage picked up the bottle on the table, poured himself a drink, raised the glass facing outside the tent, his voice echoing at the fallen palace gate, allowing all gathered here to hear.
"Old rule! Not fully under my control yet, no matter your status! As long as you join the battle, half the spoils are yours! Resist, attack, as long as they are the enemy, no need to hold back! Of course, working under me, my rules must be obeyed, you understand, don't you?"
"Understood! Do not rob the poor!"
"That's right! Don't rob the poor! Beyond that, rich powerful ones, powerful authorities, famous powerful ones, as long as they surpass ordinary people, are in your hunting range! Go! Go rob the entire New World for me, let all New World lands belong to me! And I won't hesitate to share wealth and status with you all!"
"Fight! Fight until I achieve complete victory! Hahahahaha, hohahahaha!"
Sage drank it all in one gulp, laughing heartily.
Inside and outside the tent, everyone stood up, regardless of size, all raised a cup suitable to their size, also drinking it all in one gulp.
"So, after midnight, the order becomes effective, informing the entire realm!"
Sage spread his hands, the force of gripping even creating a blast sound, "Commence war!!"