The cloak shrank, allowing the Death Star to land in the town center, as the crew jumped off the ship and began to wander around the town surrounded by trees.
The entire town had walls, with the entrance at the Elephant Lord's tail, but Sage descended from the sky, naturally skipping it.
The town at the center was situated amidst the clouds, as the Elephant Lord really towered into the clouds. This mist-covered town was called 'Cloud City' by the Fur Race.
In diameter, the entire town spans ten thousand meters, quite large, enough to be considered a large city on the sea.
And on the Elephant Lord's back near the head, there was the Whale Forest, the Holy Land of the Fur Race.
This was also where Sage headed.
The Fur Race's allegiance was insignificant to Sage, whether they submitted or not, it didn't matter.
For this type of stubborn species, Sage generally didn't want to waste effort, not having time to engage in some kingly conquest with them.
Because he himself was a stubborn person, he understood what being stubborn meant.
It's not something that can be realized by hitting a wall, it would take more than a decade or two to change a stubborn mind, and they might even persuade others instead.
Sage was not a bloodthirsty person but definitely not merciful either, though he wouldn't kill unless necessary.
He was merely a pirate, not a maniac.
He was unwilling to commit massacre, but exploding instantly... he could do that.
Simple and without trouble.
Luckily, they surrendered in time, and everyone was happy.
"If you had done this earlier, we wouldn't even have a battle, do I really have to set off a grand firework, right Pedro-san, Shishilian-san?"
On the road to the Whale Forest, Sage smiled at the lion and leopard accompanying him on either side.
They surrendered, the flag was raised, and he didn't need the Fur Race to provide any intelligence and went directly to the Whale Forest, accompanied by Lily and two so-called second-generation Fur Race leaders.
One was the Inuarashi Musketeer Squad Captain, the other the Cat Viper Heroic Group leader, both qualified successors to their positions, practically having inherited them after their predecessors stepped down.
"Your Excellency..."
Pedro thought for a moment and said, "Why are you so certain that what you want is in our Zou? We believe no intelligence has been leaked."
At this point, claiming ignorance of the Poneglyphs by the Fur Race would be too foolish.
He just couldn't understand why Sage was so sure.
Not all of the Fur Race knew; many knew the Whale Forest was a Holy Land, but definitely didn't know about the Poneglyphs.
Only those in relatively high positions knew this secret.
As for Captain Sage's Cat Fur Race member, he didn't even acknowledge Zou's existence, seemingly coming for the first time, so he wouldn't know either.
"Perhaps I was born knowing, hahaha."
Sage chuckled, saying, "Relax, whether you concealed intelligence or not, it's not my concern, I never expected you to. As for your allegiance, I don't care whether it's sincere submission or feigned conversion, it doesn't matter, just as long as you do things for me."
"If you do well, Pedro, I'll help you reclaim your life, which is like a dying ember in the wind."
"You..."
Pedro was stunned, "How do you know?!"
"The lingering aura of Big Mom's power on you is visible from afar. Against such an old lady, anything goes except fear."
Sage chuckled and glanced at Shishilian, saying, "Both of you, serve well, and everything you desire will be yours."
Pedro remained silent, but Shishilian was thoughtful.
To say they had no ambitions was impossible.
Pedro once set sail with Pekoms, Bepo, and Bepo's brother Jebo not only to seek the Poneglyphs but also with the thought of making a name for themselves.
Otherwise, their pirate crew's name wouldn't be so grand.
They were named the Nox Pirates...
Nox, Rocks...
The pronunciation is the same.
Really no ambition?
As for Shishilian, though he valued loyalty, he also admired strength, finding even certain words weak.
Words like gentle, love, child, sugar, honey, representing weakness, innocence, and beauty, he found distasteful.
To the younger ones, hearing them talk about such things would lead him to personally push them into deep valleys and cliffs for training.
Essentially, Sage came here, apart from subduing them, without causing any slaughter.
A guy like him would leave some face, otherwise, there'd be no need to demand surrender, destroying them from the start would be easier.
It was precisely because he realized this after the battle ended that Shishilian's resistance wasn't as deep; although he wasn't sure how this Pirate Emperor ruled his domain, judging by him and his subordinates, he seemed to be bold and unconcerned with trivial matters.
Especially before departure, he saw those disembarked Pirates treating the Fur Tribe with respect, even sharing some resources they'd never seen before.
It seemed that once they submitted and pledged loyalty, they genuinely considered themselves part of the group.
Aside from Duke Inuarashi and Boss Nekomamushi's displeasure, the others' feelings towards Sage were primarily due to the initial fear of invasion and the tension during battle.
After confirming that no one died and realizing they held no malice towards the Fur Tribe, while they possessed the power of destruction, they did nothing. This, though still shocking, was not cause for terror.
"Can we survive on the sea?" Shishilian asked.
"Your tribe, like the Long-armed and Long-legged Race, can be sold for seven hundred thousand Belly in the World Government's market. I'm not sure if you can survive on the sea, but in my territory, you'll live joyfully," Sage replied.
"But we know nothing except fighting," Pedro stated.
They knew their own limitations; the Fur Tribe did not engage in production.
Meat was splashed up with seawater when Elephant Lord sprayed twice daily, and vegetables and fruits were forest produce; beyond this, there were no traces of production.
The Fur Tribe also feared heat, unsuitable for high-temperature areas, preferring temperate or cooler climates.
They always stayed on Zou, partly due to tradition but also because the sea might not suit them.
"Indeed, in some ways, your habits are similar to the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, both residing high up, relying on support, and existing for centuries; what secrets compel you to live high up?"
Sage chuckled, saying: "But they rely on other nations, while you rely on this giant elephant. No worries, you're all born warriors, with the Full Moon transformation... Hmm, very useful."
Rich cases allowed him to easily devise plans for utilizing the Fur Tribe.
Whole tribe of warriors, Full Moon transformation...
Such familiarity!
Treating the sea as the universe and islands as planets... the Fur Tribe could cameo as Saiyans.
Sage wouldn't mind playing Frieza briefly, using the Fur Tribe as his weapon. Though not yet enough to clear island inhabitants and sell them to others.
But forming a specialized combat and raiding squad was entirely feasible.
Facing resistant islands, deploying some Fur Tribe, transforming during the Full Moon, and the flavor arrives, doesn't it?
As for internal resistance within the Fur Tribe.
He was merely posing as Frieza, not actually Frieza; there was no Super Fur Tribe legend, and if rebellion occurred, it would be easily quelled.
"Here we are."
Speaking, Sage stood firm, gazing at the enormous tree resembling a whale, signaling the group: "Step aside, I'll destroy it."
He didn't remember where the Poneglyph was, but that didn't matter; destroying everything would naturally reveal the Poneglyph.
Its hardness was greater than trees.
"Let me do it, sir."
Shishilian stepped forward, inhaled deeply, and said: "Since you're sure what you're looking for is here, please spare our Holy Land; I willingly offer... that red Poneglyph."
Now, nothing had meaning.
They were determined, knowing the destination, so it's better to be straightforward.
Shishilian and Pedro exchanged a glance; Pedro nodded, closed his eyes, and accepted the result.
Shishilian approached, and at the giant tree's root, he searched around, opening a hidden door at the root, revealing a relatively spacious wooden area.
As they entered, the first sight was a bird-shaped emblem at the far end.
Beneath the emblem was a square stone identical to Storm City Royal Palace's training room, inscribed with incomprehensible text.
But it was red...
"Is that the 'signpost'?" Lily murmured.
"Ah... the signpost, Big Mom has one, Kaido has one, and I've obtained Zou's one."
Sage approached the red Poneglyph, touching the inscriptions, then looked at the emblem above, saying:
"The Kozuki Race, generations of 'Stonemasons,' possess superior technical strength, able to carve the indestructible stone. It's baffling why ancient things always surpass modern technology... but no matter, obtaining this one cements my title as Pirate Emperor!"
How could the Four Emperors lack a signpost?
Unlike Whitebeard, who truly had no interest in Laugh Tale.
"With this piece, no one hoping to reach Laugh Tale can escape me! Wahaha!"
Whether fated or not, he intended to seek that treasure since he was a Pirate.
No matter destiny, he would be a hurdle; who would seize what remained uncertain!