"Is it because my subordinates haven't caught up yet that they're recruiting me now? In this era, can one truly remain uninvolved? I don't know if I'll be an assistant officer or ruling a territory after this round..."
He knows when to quit while he's ahead and doesn't have many ambitions. A life like this is his most satisfying comfort zone.
Smart, content, and aware of what should and shouldn't be done, most importantly, he can resist temptation... that's why he's remarkable.
But now, the situation is forcing him to step up.
...
The Radio Snail started broadcasting at dawn, covering every time slot so that everyone in O'hara could hear it. Suddenly, both on O'hara Main Island and the surrounding islands, a wave of military recruitment frenzy erupted.
There was no need to knock door-to-door; everyone rushed to the local officer's doorstep early in the morning, each eager to be selected for recruitment.
Inside the tent at the collapsed Royal Palace, Lily found Sage for her routine report.
"The specific repair work has been outlined. Basically, it's a work-for-repair strategy supplemented by simple relief funds. During this period, meals and accommodation are covered. As for later, once Renedia gets the factory back up, these people will be reassigned to their original locations. Of course, it's also an assessment; those who perform well during this time can be dispatched to newly conquered islands."
Hugging a stack of documents, Lily explained briefly, with no intention of showing Sage.
"As for the conquest route, initially divided into three parts, Katakuri and King will head towards the proposed frontlines for conquest, while Moriah will lead a group towards Mary Geoise. After clearing all magnetic islands, we'll regroup at the front lines. Additionally, we've mobilized the Fur Race and Fishman Race to try to complete everything within half a month."
Sage nodded and asked again, "How about the items, are they being sent worldwide?"
"Not yet, we lack enough transmitting devices. Vegapunk's Radio Snail that connects global signals is too time-consuming for now. Also, many places don't have Radio Snails; it would be best to find a substitute for the news bird." Lily stated honestly.
"Don't we have a news agency?" Sage clicked his tongue, "Who's in charge of it? All this time, the news industry hasn't kicked off yet?"
"In our news agency, most of the newspapers are recorded and printed across the territory or broadcast via Radio Snail. While there is a separate news industry within O'hara, outside, the influence is not that great. Sage, the time has been too short." Lily said.
The six major industries in the Underworld have been expanding, but storage and transport are the best expanded, as they are interlinked. His vast merchandise also relies on these two sectors to complete export, thereby driving many black markets and smuggling from his place.
The funeral and assassin industries have basically merged with finance, the two together account for some market share.
The remaining news and entertainment are self-sufficient but haven't expanded outward.
Especially news, which requires talent; Morgans relies on his own fruit, the World Government has unique methods, while his side lacks a world-species capable of all-day navigation.
"Let someone look into it, things need to be sent out, and the world needs to see more than just my orders."
Sage sneered, "If you want it that much, I'll grant your wish and show the world!"
The Roadsign Poneglyph, Sage doesn't care. Since everyone treats it as a treasure, he'll just be straightforward and spread this treasure worldwide, whether anyone can decipher it or not, let them fight for it!
"Try to get it done, see if there's any other way."
Sage stood up, twisted his neck, "You continue to oversee the rest, I'm heading out."
Lily was slightly stunned, her eyebrows furrowing, "Sage, shouldn't you..."
"There's no should or shouldn't, war is war, revenge is revenge."
Sage walked out of the tent, picked a robust tree, patted the trunk, and said, "Two guys came here to declare war; I'll certainly retaliate. But the attack on my base, halting my business, causing casualties, almost killing my subordinates, this grudge must be settled."
"Red Hair wanders everywhere like a rat, that I can overlook, but can Teach really evade me? He dared to come to my O'hara, I must visit Hive Island, otherwise, I won't seem proper! Location!"
"Understood..."
Lily sighed slightly, "East-northeast, ten o'clock direction, the Death Star travels half a month's distance, with your speed, just one day would suffice."
"Not even a day!"
Sage picked up the Eight Precepts placed there, fastened them to his waist, then slapped the trunk to split it in half, raised his hands, aiming for the direction Lily mentioned, and enveloped the trunk in Haki, transforming it into a black column.
"Giving it my all, a few hours should suffice, maybe I'll even be back for dinner, you keep an eye on things, I'm off!"
Swoosh!
With that, Sage made a powerful throw, and the black trunk along with Sage's silhouette disappeared. In the blink of an eye, a massive black column appeared in the sky, Sage had landed on it, sitting cross-legged, drinking from a bottle.
In an instant, Lily couldn't see this scene anymore; when she looked again, she could only see a black dot.