O'hara.
A mansion near the Royal Palace, shrouded by a towering tree nearby, its shadow casting over, making the mansion appear somewhat somber.
In the somber mansion, there lies a spacious courtyard. The courtyard faces the outside sun, gradually turning red as the sun sets, casting a crimson glow at the entrance and upon the blade that appears in the courtyard.
Shiryu is sitting cross-legged at the courtyard entrance, still in his guard captain's outfit, biting on a cigar and letting the smoke billow as he tends to his sword.
However, with each stroke, his brow furrows a bit more, and the speed at which he smokes obviously quickens. Until he finishes maintaining the sword and sheathes it, that tightly knitted brow relaxes. But if looked at carefully, one would notice he seems to be enduring something with great effort.
"I joined at the wrong time..."
Shiryu let out a long sigh.
When he joined the Disaster Pirates, the war was already over. Even internally, there was nothing left for him to clear out, as those ruled areas had been swept clean by others long ago. As for those below violating the rules, he wasn't needed, as the Demon Race was specifically responsible for internal cleaning.
Being here for such a long time, he completely has no place to use his skills.
However...
"But what do I do with this desire for slaughter?" Shiryu exhaled his smoke and pressed the cigar head fiercely into the ashtray, his pupils turning ferocious, "I can barely hold back!"
In Impel Down, he was imprisoned by Magellan for mindless slaughter.
Yet now, it seems utterly ridiculous.
The World Government itself can't control the slaughter, how can they make those beneath not kill? What difference does it make to kill a few criminals?
Following Teach was good, allowing him free reign to massacre, but Teach lost. Their place in the New World fell under Sage's control, and if one didn't surrender, then they could only be eliminated.
Originally joining Sage was a good choice, but now the issue is... he currently has no place to employ his skills!
Although as an original World Government personnel, he could manage fine, but that's not in line with his desires. Compared to using his mind, he preferred wielding a blade!
But O'hara was too prosperous and Sage greatly valued it, deaths were impossible here, not to mention he wanted something beyond mere death, he wanted massacre!
Even knowing that sooner or later they'd clash with the World Government, he could no longer withstand it!
If it continues, he'll surely begin slaughter!
"Can't hold it anymore?"
Just as Shiryu thought so, a voice suddenly echoed from behind him.
Without even turning his head, Shiryu said, "Breaking into people's homes uninvited is quite rude... Augur."
"But it's different when you come with orders."
Van Augur stood behind Shiryu, handing over an order, saying, "You don't have to hold back any longer, we both have a mission now, not only signed by the Prime Minister but also by the Governor, this represents... unlimited power."
"Oh?"
Shiryu's eyes widened as he took the commission, gradually showing a sneer. He licked his lips, "Finally... has it reached this point?"
The orders were simple: dispatch them to Alabasta to deal with the aristocrats hindering business there and incidentally clear the surrounding islands' nobles.
"I could do this alone, why include you?" Shiryu glanced at the orders and then turned to look at Van Augur.
"Because of efficiency."
Van Augur said coolly, "Location chosen, personnel chosen, next comes the massacre. My Instant Teleportation combined with your Invisibility won't take long to resolve them. The Prime Minister also stated to resolve it quickly."
"Assassination?" Shiryu thought for a moment, furrowing his brow, "Will the Governor permit such a thing?"
Whether just or unjust, evil or not, it doesn't matter.
However, Sage's methods cannot be deemed despicable, things like assassination and ambush, Shiryu may do, but he would never think Sage would do such things.
Since his debut, he's always been straightforward.
"I also have my doubts, but the Prime Minister means the Governor does not look upon such matters... how to handle it is up to us."
Van Augur said, "I believe the most efficient means often yield great results."
"Is that so... that works too."
Shiryu chuckled softly twice, "We two should count as allies now, cooperating here at O'hara lest we be overshadowed by other factions. Let's begin from this task, let us ascend to the stage belonging to O'hara!"
O'hara is so large nowadays, there couldn't be no factions.
No factions within the party, countless oddities.
Theoretically, maybe not, but practically there's always a source. This isn't something that can be brushed off with a couple laughs, recognizing this can lead to better governance.
If someone told Sage that his governed people were all acting selflessly for the public, Sage truly wouldn't believe it.
They're Pirates, after all.
Many factions exist in O'hara, the largest being led by Lily's faction, old subordinates from the East Sea era, though now few remain, but the three women hold high positions, with Lily as second-in-command, the faction's power isn't high but holds the greatest influence.
Next is Moriah's faction, collected by Sage in the early Grand Line, including Moriah, Hawkins, Urouge, among others, outwardly led by Moriah, but essentially a cooperation, Hawkins also holds significant sway.