"Governor, Prime Minister."
Wind Shadow bowed to them and then looked at the kneeling middle-aged man. After examining him up and down, he said, "Dylan, nicknamed 'Black Market Broker,' specializes in selling valuable information to different groups. He's not an ordinary person."
"Broker?"
Sage showed interest, "This place isn't easy to approach. I won't question where you got your information from, but having such a title means you must know about me, right? You almost died just to barge in here. What do you want?"
"Governor Sage! Please take a look!"
The middle-aged man named Dylan took out a stack of damp newspapers from his coat and offered them with both hands.
Lily just glanced at them and said, "The news about us destroying islands and you acquiring the Quake-Quake Fruit ability."
Back when they destroyed the second island, the newspapers had already reached Lily through other channels. She even read them to Sage at the time.
After all, when the Four Emperors travel, no, it should be the only Pirate Emperor traveling, it naturally draws massive attention, and the news industry wouldn't miss the chance. Everyone wants to get information and then publish a story. That way, they become famous.
In fact, Sage himself didn't miss that opportunity. What's the news industry about? Of course, it's about timely content!
Such a big event as his travel, the news of natural disasters can't be omitted. It not only needs to be mentioned but needs to be emphasized.
That's how to increase circulation quickly and get information on him, the leader of the pirate industry, which is the foundation of the news business.
Sage knows better than anyone how to handle the news industry. Not just this trip, even what he does in the Royal Palace is often turned into news releases, and O'hara's beauty is also distributed in sync.
Opinion and news, if he doesn't dominate them, others will surely seize them.
Being the burgeoning industry in the Underworld, Sage could never ignore such a big field, and many exclusive news pieces are indeed crafted by him.
Including this trip.
"What do you want to say?"
Sage frowned, "Is it just to tell me that I'm in the news? So what? The World Government has noticed me? If you're here with such trivial matters, I wouldn't mind dealing with you, even if the sea hasn't killed you."
In the eyes of ordinary people, Sage is no different from fate. They can't escape the fate of death, nor the death that Sage brings.
"No, it's not that, Governor Sage. This simply shows that I've seen this news, and this time I've come to talk business! Big business!" Dylan bowed his head.
"Talk business? The black market wants to negotiate with me?"
Sage smiled, "You seem to have bought quite a few of my weapons. Is there something that requires you to risk your life to talk to me? Monopoly? That's impossible, and you're not qualified. Only I can monopolize. I'll let you have some benefits because you can create distribution channels for me."
He's no stranger to the black market.
Lending, transportation, warehousing, these are three of the six major industries in the Underworld, and Sage is deeply involved in all of them. Of course, because the world is so vast, he hasn't reached the point where he can control the entire Underworld.
The Six Great Kings of the past were also just industry leaders.
This thing can't be eradicated. Wherever there are people, there are interactions. With interactions come needs, and with needs, there are transactions. What can't be bought officially will certainly have a black market.
The existence of this system also shares some of Sage's sales, as there are indeed some countries he can't reach, and the cost of transportation there is too high. No matter how high the price, it's not as effective as trading in surrounding areas.
Regarding timeliness and the amount of goods, places that are too far don't have cost-effectiveness.
After all, he's not purely after profit. Earning a hundred million Belly in ten trips versus a billion Belly in one trip is completely different. Ten trips represent ten completed factory orders, ten transports, and ten times completed trades, involving different industries and civilian effects.
So the overall existence of the black market is beneficial to Sage.
But if they're crazy enough to come talk about exclusive rights...
The World Government isn't qualified, so where do they get their qualification?
Dylan showed a fawning smile, "No, I'd never dare dream of that, Governor Sage. I have a very valuable business here, not clashing with your route, only requiring your indulgence."
"My route?" Sage laughed, "What route do you know about?"
"Certainly, the first half of the New World is already under your control, and your current actions are aimed at subduing the remaining dissenters. Just so, I know of an island among those you haven't governed yet. I've come to discuss that business!"
"Oh? Persuading me to stop?"
Sage waved his hand, "Throw him into the sea."
As soon as he finished speaking, Dellinger grabbed him by the nape, preparing to haul him outside.
"No, no, Governor! It's not like that!"
Dylan turned pale with fear and hurriedly said, "It's selling the island! Selling that island! Governor! We have someone willing to pay to acquire that island, just the island, not the people! A hundred billion Belly! For the island's usage rights!"
"Stop."
Sage waved his hand again, and Dellinger set him down, letting him catch his breath:
"The island you're heading to next is called Stanavis. It's a technology island, of course, nowhere near Egghead's Future Island, but it's quite decent. One of my clients wants that island and requests that you spare the island itself. For this, they're willing to offer a hundred billion Belly."
"Just need the usage rights. The island can use your flag, everything according to your rules. The client just wants the island."
"Selling the island?"
Sage was taken aback for a moment, then laughed, "Interesting, making me a mercenary? Bold, and the hundred billion... a reasonable price, but I don't want money for this. It's non-negotiable. If all you're bringing is this message, then..."
Money is just paper; if it doesn't generate new goods, it's useless.
Sage isn't about 'making' but 'buying,' everything he needs can be produced in O'hara, so what's the use of money?
Compared to that, his intimidation plan is more important; if fully destroyed, then no one will dare obstruct his business anymore.
"There, there! I have useful information! More information!"
Dylan saw Dellinger's hand reaching again and quickly shouted, "Not just that island; there are people worldwide looking for new territories, new islands! They just want the islands, and can forgo everything else! Governor, we know you're short on people; currently attracting population from all over the world. We can do this! No matter if it's resources within the land, or population, or other negotiables, they're willing!"
This statement made Sage lower his raised hand. He sipped from his glass and grinned: "You know what I lack? Not a bad investigation... worldwide? Including the East Sea and South Sea?"
"Yes, including the East Sea and South Sea. Globally, there are many clients wanting islands. They can even take on the responsibility of transporting populations, adding strength to your enterprise, needing only... a little military assistance." Dylan raised with his pinky finger.
"Explain in detail." Sage smiled.
"Of course, some clients... aren't quite convenient themselves, whether it's military or legal channels, they can't act. Your splendid feat offers them new hope. They're all marveling that if you act, they can receive islands, willing to pay a high price for it."
"Only needing islands, they can completely forego the people on the island, even subsidizing part of the population. And they don't mind the resources of the territory, only need governance. Governor, you can leverage this to strike a deal with them, secure islands and resell them, ensuring they offer significant returns." Dylan quickly explained.
Understood...
Real Estate King of the Seas!
Frieza-Sage!
They want him to be a real estate developer!