Aside from them, working together as part of the same faction, are Sipher and Misty from the original Gares Kingdom.
The original Beast Pirates, who surrendered with King leading, and those samurai form one faction, while the well-preserved Totto Land is another, led by Katakuri.
This even includes the influence of the Cross Guild. Although they're not present in O'hara now, the Four Emperors are essentially defunct, but it's still a substantial organizational structure with sway in O'hara.
Next is the intelligence organization with Lucci and Who's-Who opposing each other, forming an overall faction.
Kuzan, although he came from Teach's side, could even be considered a former World Government member with Shiryu, but he stands alone as his own faction. After all, he was a Navy Admiral. Compared to Teach's old subordinates, his relationship with Fujitora is actually better.
Then we have Shiryu and Van Augur. To make a name for themselves in O'hara, they must take concrete actions to draw people in.
They're not like Kuzan, who, despite not having high desires for power, stands firm with status and strength, attracting people continuously.
They themselves must find a way to become famous, securing a good position to establish themselves in O'hara.
Sometimes, not fighting doesn't mean safety. Shiryu doesn't want to become a background character like so many nameless Pirate followers.
"This time, let's show some real skill, keep it clean and efficient!"
Shiryu's eyes glowed with a red hue. "Ten of them! Besides Alabasta, find nine more nations and wipe them clean. Only then will our business run smoothly."
"Agreed, trying to make a name for oneself in this way, I'm willing to give it a go. Those selected nations can only blame their misfortune for not being favored by fate," Van Augur said flatly.
From a geographical perspective, O'hara's location compared to Water Seven is like one facing the front and the other the back, with Alabasta even further, crossing half the world just for business... Something only O'hara could pull off.
After all, Sage's business really does have a global impact.
Once decided, the two of them took action immediately upon receiving orders. Relying on O'hara's technology, they set a safe course and directly cruised, their speed not slow at all.
This was not an adventure. Under full-speed navigation, it was quick to reach the destination, especially since they didn't need to pass Fishman Island or enter the Gate of Justice, but rather moved through smuggling channels, heading to Alabasta.
A month later.
Panic spread across the world.
In Alabasta and nine surrounding nations, all leading important citizens were dead, leaving no bloodline surviving.
Noon.
Sage continued his meal as usual, Lily walked in and immediately reported, "Alabasta's done."
"Such a normal matter, it's not even worth mentioning."
Sage opened his mouth to accept a piece of steak cut by a maid, chewed, swallowed, and smiled, "Speed up the progress and bring more people to my O'hara. Let's thrive together, how wonderful."
The sea is a simple mode.
Here, Heavenly Celestial Dragons and ocean life are the two poles of the world. In front of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, even the kingdom nobility are mere commoners, and commoners are practically not considered human.
With such a cornerstone in place, naturally, distinctions between races and colors blur.
Color?
Here we have both the Fur Race and Fishmen. Compared to these two races, the Long-armed Race and Long-legged Race can be considered normal humans; skin color is nothing.
Sage doesn't need to worry about all that; he just needs to ensure O'hara's prosperity and give the locals enough hope so he can rule O'hara well.
Maintaining stability with force and paving the way with money, such simple matters—if he couldn't manage them, he might as well smash his head.
Currently, O'hara's workload is hefty for Lily and others, but it's also an opportunity. With proper adjustments, internal and external improvements can swiftly integrate newly conquered islands, solidifying them into a unified whole.
Then, by controlling business in the North Sea and West Sea, it's practically half the world. When the time comes, they can choose to fight or negotiate, and the initiative won't be with the World Government.
They're busy enough on that side, giving Sage considerable time to develop.
"True, but... isn't it time to be more discreet? Intelligence reports state that the Divine Knight Order has fully withdrawn from Elbaf, fully engaging in battles against the Revolutionary Army, and there's news suggesting they may have discovered some of our business interests."
Lily contemplated, "That brother of Shanks, a twin... possesses power not inferior to the Four Emperors."
"World Government, how could they have shallow foundations? The Five Elders don't represent the strongest of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, only those capable of governing," Sage grinned fiercely. "From Teach, we understand that so-called immortality and eternal life don't only target the Five Elders. If each generation retains top individuals, that's an impressive force. But there's no need to fear; even at their strongest, they don't surpass mine..."
"Ah!"
Just as he finished speaking, a maid preparing to cut a fruit cried out in surprise. The fruit, resembling a pineapple, suddenly transformed in her hand into a gray-white fruit with spiral patterns.
"Look, it's here!"
Sage was briefly stunned, then quickly laughed, "The first one to arrive, and it's you? Made me wait long enough!"
Lily was frozen there, staring intently at the suddenly appearing fruit, frowning.
For the first time, she was seeing a Devil Fruit...
They had formed their pirate crew for so long, having everything except a Devil Fruit, the appearance being just hearsay, never seen in person.
Finally, they saw it.
And they witnessed the process of a common fruit transforming into a Devil Fruit.
"Shock Fruit..."
After a brief shock, Lily regained her composure.
According to the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, this fruit was the Shock Fruit.
This was expected, because by Sage's estimation, it had to appear.
However, Devil Fruits don't appear immediately after the host's death, there seems to be a cooldown period, though it's unknown how long.
According to Vegapunk's new theory, proposed by Sage himself, each time an Ability User dies, it refreshes people's understanding of the ability. The stronger the recognition, the stronger the power contained in the next Devil Fruit.
This refresh of understanding could be the reason behind the Devil Fruit cooldown period.
This recognition doesn't weaken; once strengthened, it never fades, only becoming hidden within the fruit as legends disappear, waiting for those with top-tier qualifications to develop it.
Based on this theory, Vegapunk also stated that when Sage expires, if the World Government still exists, they will certainly strive to hide Sage's story, just like they did with Rocks.
The Dark-Dark Fruit's power, when Rocks had it, was likely highly developed, but if the story was hidden, known by only a few, that power would remain hidden, and re-developing it would be challenging.
If Sage dies and the legend is buried, the power might remain in the Devil Fruit, but developing it anew would require exceptional qualifications unmatched by ordinary individuals.
Like Nika.
The Gum-Gum Fruit's hosts over the past eight hundred years weren't just the Straw Hat; among all these generations, only the Straw Hat developed the Nika form.
"You're the first to appear, so let's consume you now. The Dark-Dark Fruit can wait a bit longer."
Sage unhesitatingly picked up the Shock Fruit, opened his mouth, and bit into a piece, swallowing it directly.
"Sage!"
Lily wanted to stop him, but it was too late, she could only watch as Sage paused after swallowing.
It's really not going to explode...
"Don't worry."
Sage paused for a moment, "There's no possibility of expelling it."
He clenched his fist, immediately a faint white glow appeared, grinning fiercely, "This power... I've obtained it!"