Just like Link transforming into a salesperson, everyone who could talk was doing the same.
For the civilians, those who could open their doors opened them, and those who couldn't had their doors broken down—whatever it took to sell the goods.
For the civilians, although they were initially frightened, upon seeing so many cheap products, their panic quickly faded, and they instead began choosing goods.
Because they were really cheap...
Not to mention the essential medicines, which were in high demand; as long as they were cheaper than in stores, even if only by 10%, people would buy them.
Second were the jewels, bought at nearly 70% or even 50% of the market price, which were very popular with women, who were willing to spend money on them.
The men didn't refuse either; as far as they were concerned, buying these things was a profit, and they could even make money reselling them later.
Least popular, however, were the weapons and gunpowder.
The former was somewhat acceptable; there were always some who liked weapons, whether for collection or self-defense, so some were bought, but as for the latter, basically no one touched them.
Because gunpowder consisted mainly of things like cannonballs, and there were even cannons themselves...
This was stuff the Pirates had taken from the Navy Base. It didn't matter how smart civilians were, they wouldn't buy such things.
The World Government didn't prohibit ordinary weapons like swords and guns, but cannons? Only Pirates would use them; even the local gangs wouldn't come to buy cannons.
However, they did buy weapons.
These hard-to-move weapons caught the eyes of black market merchants towards the gangs, and whatever civilians didn't buy was all absorbed by the gangs.
As for those cannons...
"Fire them out!"
After running back and forth a few times, Link looked at the cannons placed on wasteland, specially water-proofed so the rain couldn't wet them, gritting his teeth and said, "These were bought for ten billion Belly; they're mine, and I won't hand them back to the Navy easily. Fire them all out, then toss the cannons into the sea!"
He had thought about returning the cannons to the Navy, hoping it might earn some goodwill, but thinking again, that would just be handing them evidence, and the risk was too great. It's better to destroy all evidence, so even if people knew it was them, there wouldn't be any proof.
A group of subordinates pushed the cannons to the shore, loaded the cannonballs, and lit the fuses.
Bang!!
Zephyr smashed down with a fist, but before the fist reached Sage's body, he was countered with a punch from Sage; their fists never touched, separated by a slight distance at the center, but a shockwave rippled out, echoing a booming sound.
The fist, flowing like black fire, withstood Zephyr's blow!
Sage lifted his head, revealing a taunting grin at Zephyr.
"Kid, well done!"
Zephyr bared his teeth, his eyes suddenly widening as a gale-like Haki swept over his prosthetic, and he punched again.
Bam bam bam!
The clashing fists erupted with powerful shockwaves that rippled through the air, making the ground tremble slightly.
To the bystanders, the way they attacked seemed strange and terrifying; even though the fists never collided, the power was impressively large.
As the fists continued to clash, Zephyr's face suddenly reddened, and his breathing became labored, visibly gasping, his Haki waning, and his movements showing signs of delay.
Sage seized the opportunity without hesitation, his arms brushing past Zephyr's fist, approaching with his body, channeling the Haki from his fists into his knee, for a knee strike toward Zephyr's abdomen, which didn't even touch it before an impact blossomed forth.
Bang!
Zephyr was knocked back by the attack, twisting in the air and landing heavily on the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood as he held his mouth, his body quivering as if enduring something for a long moment before regaining composure.
He took a few forceful breaths, as if forcing himself to endure something, before looking at the opponent, who, despite being bloodied, was showing an ever-increasing momentum, Sage.
"You've not only mastered external release, but also internal destruction?"
Sss!
Sage exhaled arrow-like white breath, shaking off the blood on him, and though grimacing in pain, he stubbornly grinned, "Thanks to you!"
External release is sending out Haki to form a shockwave-like strike, attacking someone without physical contact—seemingly powerful, and indeed it is.
But this is a technique of Haki, not some realm of enlightenment; it's different from Haki itself. Haki needs to be comprehended personally, but Haki techniques do not.
For Sage, who understands the concept of Haki and has a clear grasp of it, as long as it is a technique, it cannot escape his eyes.
In North Star Divine Fist, there is a move called the 'North Star Water Shadow Heart,' which can copy others' techniques for use.
Essentially, it relies upon a very profound mastery of body techniques to analyze skills. Coincidentally, that is the move Sage is most proficient in, having practiced 'North Star Water Shadow Heart' to the bone; any technique he's come into contact with, regardless of difficulty, is only a matter of time for him.
When Zephyr first used external release and internal destruction, it caught him off guard, but after taking two hits, he immediately grasped the technique of external release and used it himself.
However, he certainly did not hold the upper hand and instead was at a disadvantage.
Hardening, Coiling, External Release, and Destruction—these four techniques can be used in combination; the old man used internal destruction along with external release, and when withstanding the external release impact, he couldn't block the destructive shock that penetrated inside him.
If not for using the Dragon Transformation Breathing Technique, he might have been knocked down first.
It took several strikes before he cracked the internal destruction technique, which led to him dealing damage to Zephyr.
Before that, he could only use external release.
Even as it was, it was Zephyr's physical issue revealing a flaw that let him land a hit; otherwise, that level of Haki strength...he couldn't have managed.
Zephyr watched Sage intently with growing alarm; at first, just the external release surprised him, but during the subsequent battle, only a few punches later, Sage immediately grasped internal destruction.
Such monstrous talent—Zephyr didn't know if those monsters on the seas could match up to Sage, but he knew...
"I absolutely can't let you reach the sea!"
BOOM!
Zephyr swung his left arm, Haki swiftly flowing like a storm, coiling around his arm like a hurricane, stirring up a thunderous roar in the atmosphere with his swing.
The wind-like air currents even coiled around Zephyr's body, making his purple hair float upwards, causing his cape to flutter.
Crack!
The ground beneath his feet cracked open in that instant, forming a depression, with the gravel trembling up.
The amount of Haki, coiling all over, was beyond imagination!
The old guy was going all out!
Zephyr spoke slowly: "Kid, I admit your mastery in body techniques is extraordinary, but for that very reason, if I don't arrest you now, who knows how much trouble and destruction it will cost in the future. Before you fully grow, I will arrest you!!"
He couldn't continue contesting with this kid; using full force like this might make his body suffer more, but for now, catching this kid was the most important!
BOOM!
Zephyr's figure flashed into an afterimage, about to rush forward, but at that moment, a black shockwave swiftly attacked, making him instinctively halt, and he punched it away.
He frowned, incredulously looking at Sage, who had swung his palm, deep confusion in his eyes.
External release?
But why is the force not right...
Sage's swollen body rapidly shrunk like a deflated balloon, returning to a normal physique, exhaling foul air, smiling at Zephyr: "I won't let you close in again."
That level of Haki, if he came into contact, he wouldn't be able to endure it.
But it's possible to avoid contact too.
North Star Divine Fist has fighting spirit techniques, but in this world, fighting spirit is Haki. When he had first mastered Haki, Sage could only do close combat, unable to use certain moves, but now, having external release, it's different.
Sealed techniques in the North Star Divine Fist, now usable.
The attack technique known as 'North Star Palm Wave'!
Alternatively known as 'Kamehameha'.
Or even...
BOOM!
Sage spread his five fingers, his black Flowing Fire leaving his palm, firing forward rapidly like a launched projectile.
"Hadoken!"