"I am a Pirate, still a Great Pirate. By joining me, you will also gain my strength. When the time comes, borrowing my strength to communicate with your Greenbit compatriots, won't that be faster?"
"But..."
"No buts. Since I've captured you, I won't let you leave. I am someone who loves talent. Your Tontatta Tribe is known among the Little People Race for being able to grow anything. I really like that talent."
Sage said, "Whether you are willing or not, you will all bear my flag. Of course, I also won't make you do things you don't like. If you want to farm, then farm, consider it settling down in another home! Alright, to celebrate our Little People joining us, everyone, have a drink!"
Bella filled the wine glass again, which Sage raised, inciting a round of cheers from everyone.
The Little People are simple, and Sage is straightforward in not hiding anything. After all, I've told you everything, I won't let you go, do as you like.
Their nature is to plant, they will plant no matter where they are.
Sage would even be patient, waiting for a period of time, waiting for them to be fully used by him.
Only the subsequent communication with Greenbit...
That would no longer be Sage's concern.
He is willing to lend his subordinates strength, but will also save face for partners. If such a thing happens in the future, he won't interfere.
Conflicts between subordinates and partners should not be interfered with, let them fuss.
As long as he controls the direction, that's enough.
Flapper and these Little People were at a loss for words, but pulled by a few subordinates, they pure-heartedly joined the revelry.
Once released to freedom, the people on the ship have already started seeing them as partners, all being quite amicable. The Little People didn't feel any hostility, and even felt that most of the subordinates were good people. Naturally, their resistance wasn't very strong.
Kidnap?
As long as it's explained clearly, the Little People won't mind.
That's just the Little People.
The former royal family of Dressrosa has deep ties with the Little People, so there's no reason why Sage couldn't achieve what they did.
Just re-establish a connection. In the future, the Norton Clan will also be a family with ties to the Little People, starting from Sage's generation.
After a full meal, the subordinates either lay down, went back to the cabin to rest, while Sage took the officers to the second floor.
The overall layout of the captain's quarters hasn't changed much, but a few areas have been added for use as dining and training rooms, plus an additional rest area. The office area also has a place to rest, with Sage's collections positioned throughout, making the overall layout very harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Designed by Hawkins.
Sage arrived directly at the meeting room, sat on his velvet Golden Throne, which was no longer designed as a round table but rather divided left and right with the throne as the head.
The left three were the three female officers, the right three the male ones.
There was also Gin, standing guard at the door.
"Smelt-Smelt Fruit..."
Upon sitting down, Sage glanced at Gin standing by the door, thought for a moment, then said, "The Ability User is still detained. Once we contact Teach, I'll have Teach extract the ability. Gin, what are your thoughts on this ability?"
Gin lowered his head, saying, "I will follow Master Sage's orders."
To enhance the strength of the subordinates, apart from years of training to guide out Haki, the only way for rapid growth is through abilities.
Gin's current strength is indeed somewhat lacking. Gin is only proficient in Six Styles, with strength similar to Jabra, who's a Zoan-type Ability User and naturally will grow stronger.
Over time, he might even be overtaken by Bellamy.
Let alone these high-ranking officers.
Moriah doesn't count. With the strength of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, plus his gradually recovering will, aside from Sage, he's stronger than anyone on the ship.
Hawkins and Urouge are themselves Ability Users. Though their Haki is not yet comprehended, the trickiness of Ability Users isn't comparable to New World trash who only know Haki.
All three female officers are proficient in Haki. Though Renedia doesn't know Armament Haki, her power-boosted attacks are very strong, whether in close combat or at range.
If Gin doesn't catch up, he really won't be fit to be a high-ranking officer, just as he said himself.
There happens to be a Fruit here. Once we find Teach, it can be used directly. As Lily put it, high heat attaches to steel and can melt; for close-combat users, it's hard to win.
"I'm the kind of person who won't let my subordinates get the short end of the stick. The dead remain dead; there's no option. Being a Pirate means dealing with death, but even so, the deceased's share will be preserved."
"Even for those who want to slack off, who don't want to be Pirates anymore, I cherish the old relationships and would make sure they have a meal, something I couldn't do before because there was no territory. Now..."
Sage gestured for Lily to pass him his personal Gemstone Wine Glass and handed over a fine bottle of wine.
Pouring the wine, he clicked his tongue, "Thrones are a must, cups too... next time, keep an eye out. Bring me any good wine glasses you find. I want one for every area. This glass... I'll carry it with me from now on. Alright, Lily, go ahead."
"Understood."
Lily walked over, pulled out a blackboard in the meeting room, and pasted on it a hand-drawn yet very detailed geographical map.
Drawing maps is a basic skill for a Navigator. As long as there is detailed intel, the drawings are standard formulations.
On it was a detailed island map, divided into left and right sections. In the middle was a city-symbol map that belonged to the left island but very close to the right island, with a very narrow sea route separating the two islands.
"Hey, this here is..."
The others didn't have much of a reaction, but Moriah slightly widened his eyes, showing a surprised expression.
Lily said, "Using intelligence from Doflamingo, we finally determined this time's targeted territory, and it's also the most suitable basic territory for our development."
"It's located in the first half of the New World, very close to the former territory of Whitebeard and friendly with him. According to intelligence, in the entire world, it falls under the category of a 'strong nation.'"
"Especially with its unique geographical location, it's first and foremost the Magnetic Field Island. Those sailing this route cannot bypass it, and within this sea route, even with an Eternal Pose, it cannot be bypassed."
"Because beyond the islands on the left and right, dangerous weather frequently occurs. If time is spent bypassing it, the chance of encountering a sea accident greatly increases. Most people choose to travel through this sea route."
Lily pointed to the sea route between the left and right islands, saying, "With more people, trade and population here will greatly increase. It's a prosperous place with varied attendees gathering on the route through years of exchange, and being friendly with Whitebeard allows Pirates to approach."
"Gares, that's the country's name, and that city..."
Lily moved her finger to the city symbol near the sea route on the left island, about to speak, but Moriah spoke first.
"World Desire City..."
Moriah said in a deep voice, "Augustine Castle."
"Heard of it?" Sage looked over.
"Of course. I've roamed the New World, the famous Free City State, Sea Pearl, World Desire City, I know it."
Moriah showed a weird smile, "Heh heh heh, Sage, this place is not easy to conquer. It's extremely strong, full of powerful individuals. The World Government has made tremendous efforts to make it a member, yet Gares is too strong, strong enough to disregard the World Government."
Sage grinned fiercely, "Precisely because of that, it qualifies as a basic stronghold!"
This is the place Sage selected among the meticulously chosen territories Doflamingo provided him for conquest.