The underworld is vast beyond measure.
With the World Government sitting high above, member nations only manage their internal affairs and nearby regions. On these mutually isolated seas, the underworld connects the entire world, wielding considerable influence.
The rulers of the six major realms of the underworld are not just businessmen; they also operate both black and white markets, with many renowned strongmen of the seas being their investments.
Even the Four Emperors have cooperated and interacted with them.
After all, the Sea Emperor only influences one territory; their influence is worldwide!
These people are entitled to speak such words.
However... Sage doesn't care.
"I suppose it's been a long time since anyone spoke to me like this, Sage. You might have a bit of fame, and getting out of Impel Down is quite impressive, but don't get too arrogant. There are too many people like you on the seas..."
"Ten billion." Sage said calmly.
The other side of the radio snail was silent for a moment, then responded angrily, "Didn't you hear what I said?! People like you in the New World..."
"Twenty billion."
"If you even damage a piece of my territory, the New World will be your grave!"
"Thirty billion."
"Are you mad? I won't give you a single Belly! If you want to rob, you will pay the price!"
"Forty billion."
"What are you up to, you disaster!"
"Fifty billion."
Sage stood up, grabbed the dangling telephone, and sneered: "Du·Feld, King of Usury, have you spent so long underground that you've forgotten to look up at the sky? Remember, fifty billion Belly. I'll come to get it!"
Bam!
As soon as he finished speaking, he crushed the receiver.
"Move now?" Lily asked.
"Hohohoho, of course, who dared to stop me from robbing!" Sage laughed loudly.
Lily: "..."
Never heard of a robbery needing consent.
This is robbery, robbing someone's business; how could anyone agree to be robbed?
"Rob first, talk later. Wait for the follow-up, I still have a plan, I have another plan!" Sage waved his hand vigorously.
"Indeed..." Hawkins spoke indifferently: "I kind of felt it coming."
"No choice, the main business conflicted, old Hawkins!"
Upon arriving in this place and realizing what 'King of Usury' the boss was behind it, Sage had already formulated a plan.
Or rather, it's a completion of his plan.
He is aiming to be a landlord in the New World, to be a landlord who controls everything, naturally not letting the underworld's business slip away. He won't settle for having territory, yet rely on others' channels for business, right?
Is that called business?
That's called working for someone else!
But such a venture takes time, he might let other businesses and channels pass for now, but usury is different!
Usury!
Loan Sharking!
The mainstay of a landlord's business!
To be a pirate and reach the pinnacle of the industry as Pirate King is his professional path.
However, being a landlord is his true dream!
This Du·Feld or the financial sector he represents, partially or entirely... have a conflict with Sage!
He himself is lending money; reduce competition here, and he'll have more channels.
Obviously, he has to choose a typical target and eliminate them.
Especially when the other party refused to let him rob.
Lily reached out, instructed the serving girl pirate to pull out the radio snail, ready to inform the entire ship.
"Hold on."
Sage waved, squatted before Dorong, and unfolded the sea map from the small booklet to show him, "This place, it's your current location. Now, tell me, is the Rainbow Gem real?"
"Yes, yes!"
Dorong, already pale with fright, rapidly nodded: "I am running this resort here precisely to search for the treasure. Foxy was hired by me to add manpower for the search. But just when I was preparing to take those two girls, the Straw Hat stopped me."
Failed to seize the people, but the small booklet fell right into Sage's hands due to bad luck.
Luffy's eyes widened: "So you were the mastermind, no wonder you looked like a bad guy!"
Dorong tugged at the corners of his mouth, what right does a pirate have to say that...
He's merely searching for treasure, different from pirates.
A manager is a manager, but he's not quite the same kind of manager.
He's not exactly working for others, just receiving hefty investments from Du·Feld. But he holds autonomy, even though most earnings are not with him, as long as the secret of the treasure is uncovered here, everything will be resolved.
"Where is the Treasure Vault?"
"Third, third floor safe room, the password is the date of Pirate King Roger's death, inside is two months' turnover, roughly twenty billion Belly!"
"Very good, I like honest people, you may run for your life now."
Dorong quickly got up and ran away without looking back.
"As for you..."
Sage looked at the two young girls who had been there all along, handing the booklet to Lily.
"How much is the intellectual property worth? Name your price."
Sayou timidly said: "No, it's not for sale. If it's real, once the method is mastered, the villagers can live happily."
"Then let's compromise. I want a copy of the method and allow you to produce on your own."
Sage gestured and said: "Two options, first, if it's real, I want to see the finished product, then evaluate, and pay based on Rainbow Gem prices for your production method."
"Second, one billion Belly."