On the vast sea, the Death Star sailed smoothly over the surface. Lily stood on the deck, facing the direction of Water Seven, her face full of solemnity.
The whole atmosphere of the ship was also quite eerie.
On the deck, Renedia sat in a spot, flipping through a stack of blueprints, with 'Puluton' written on the top cover.
These were found inside Sage Cloak, and were the design blueprints of the most ancient weapon 'Pluton'.
Compared to the blueprints of Water Seven that Renedia had grabbed herself, these blueprints were the most crucial, yet she looked through them casually, her eyes vacant, with no focus on them.
The pirates carrying barrels of wine out of the cabin moved carefully, afraid of making any noise.
But the more cautious one is, the more chances there are for mistakes.
Bam!
One pirate stumbled, nearly falling down, and the barrel he was holding slipped from his hands and rolled on the deck, spinning a few times.
And he himself stood there as if he had committed a grave mistake, no idea what to do, frozen in place.
Renedia lifted her head, fiercely scolding: "Are you so clumsy that I should throw you into the sea, let the water clear your head, and have the Sea Beast chase you before your limbs can work properly, huh?!"
"I-I'm sorry, Lady Renedia!" The pirate shivered and shouted loudly with eyes closed.
"Alright, Renedi..."
Marika stepped out of the banquet hall on the first floor, followed by a few chefs pushing carts, she smiled gently at the frightened subordinate:
"You did well, knowing everyone is tired and wanting them to have a drink, you're someone who cares for everyone. Come, have something to eat and let's get rid of our fatigue."
"Yes, Lady Marika!"
The pirate was almost in tears.
Indeed, only Lady Marika is our true goddess!
"Humph!"
Renedia snorted and put away the blueprints, "I'm done looking! It's annoying!"
"Renedi, don't be so agitated..."
Marika gently rubbed her head, whispering: "We just raided Water Seven, haven't even rested, and Sage isn't here, everyone is on edge."
"I know, but I can't help it!" Renedia took a deep breath, suppressing her inner turmoil, "There's still no news from Sage!"
"Don't worry..."
Hawkins stood up from the bow position, walked to the center of the deck, and said, "I have done divination numerous times, and Sage's survival rate is 90%, the probability of death is too small."
"Rather than dazing here, it's better to think about what to do next."
He looked at Lily, who had her back to the group, and said: "With the captain not here, you should be the one to give orders. Do we go back to Water Seven?"
Lily, looking over the sea, turned her head and said calmly: "We can't go to Water Seven now. When Sage threw us out, a man appeared abruptly, his speed was so fast that no one could react. If we end up in trouble, and if Sage managed to escape at that time, it would be a real hassle."
"Sage has the ship's Radio Snail number, if he escapes, he'll call us. We wait for his call, but to prevent unforeseen problems, we'll continue with Sage's plan, raiding other routes. This way, even if Sage is unfortunate enough to not find a Radio Snail, he can locate us by the commotion we cause."
But most importantly...
Lily pursed her lips, some words she couldn't say.
That incredibly fast man, and the one who caused Hawkins to break out in a cold sweat at that moment, is surely high up in the Navy ranks, and was the reason Sage decisively ejected the ship back then. If I'm not mistaken...
It's definitely an Admiral.
If it were just a Vice Admiral, Sage couldn't have gone to such lengths.
If Sage isn't dead, the result won't be very surprising.
Regardless of whether the newspapers come out, Lily needs to keep morale steady on the ship.
First, follow Sage's plan and continue raiding, let these subordinates hold back their restless hearts, then think about what to do later.
This is the solution Lily came up with after careful consideration.
Her left hand gripped the hilt of her sword as she faced everyone and said: "With Sage gone, I'll be commanding this ship temporarily, anyone with objections, speak now."
Her gaze mainly fell on Hawkins.
When a pirate captain runs into trouble, the pirates tend to quickly fall apart.
This is a common problem with Pirates, either they'll fully retreat, or they'll rebuild into a new pirate group.
But there are also loyal ones.
On this ship, Lily knew who wouldn't leave.
The officers from the East Sea period wouldn't leave.
The three hundred demons Sage recruited in Anu Country wouldn't leave either.
But the rest, that's uncertain.
Especially Hawkins.
He joined midway, with a considerable bounty, and though they got along well enough, Lily knew it was because Sage was around.
This man had respect for Sage, other people... it's hard to say.
"Don't look at me like that."
Hawkins spoke coolly: "I have already betrayed my own ship once, my dignity does not allow me to betray a second time, even if my divination shows a 97% chance of leaving now and building a new pirate group, I won't do that."
Not only Lily, but Hawkins also had something he didn't spell out.
His divination showed that Sage was still alive.
But likewise, he divined the success rate of Sage escaping...
0.1%.
Almost impossible.
In Anu Country, he indeed felt influenced by Sage, not thinking probabilities were everything, yet he knew those people.
Except for Admiral Aokiji, that man who appeared suddenly should be Admiral Kizaru.
Two Admirals, plus the Navy Hero...
It's impossible to escape.
But Hawkins had no intention of leaving.
He had chosen once already according to the highest probability, but this time... he didn't want to choose that way again.
Until it's confirmed that the Disaster Pirates dissolve, he will remain their Chief of Advisor!
Lily nodded slightly, her hand letting go of the sword hilt, "Then, following the original plan, we'll continue raiding, cause a commotion first!"
"Yes, Lady Lily!"
Gin exclaimed, his sharp eyes scanning over the other pirates on the deck, saying: "I will stabilize the situation on the ship!"
Pirates could leave the ship if ordinary subordinates wanted to, that's Captain Sage's principle.
But if they want to cause chaos on the ship...
They'll have to get past him first!
Otherwise, if Master Sage comes back to see the whole pirate group in chaos without him, he'll surely be deeply disappointed!
"Brrrrr, brrrrr, brrrrr..."
At that moment, a pirate carrying a ringing Radio Snail burst through the control room door, rushed down the stairs, and ran onto the deck.
"Lady Lily, the phone..."
Before he finished speaking, Lily swiftly moved to that pirate's side, raised her hand to take the receiver, "This is Lily!"
But the Radio Snail didn't simulate Sage's arrogant, flamboyant face, instead, it was a peculiar one with long mustaches.
"I am Jabra..."
Jabra?
CP9?
Lily was startled, then realized, "Speak."
"Please tell us the location, all of CP9 have been betrayed, now captured by the Navy, Lucci was gravely wounded, we'd like to board the ship... given that we're also crew members, you can shelter us, right?" Jabra said.
CP9, due to Enies Lobby's destruction, was scapegoated by Spandam, and now... they've been removed.