Koala still couldn't see Sage's face because there were too many people.
When she pushed the cart to the place, let alone reaching the port, she couldn't even see a shadow of the people, as she was already blocked by more crowds.
The people spontaneously lined up, cheering one after another, and the line was so long that Koala couldn't see anyone, and she was sure the people at the front couldn't see either, but they were still cheering.
This Disaster is really too popular among the people under its rule!
"Thank you, little girl, but it's okay to leave it there. At least I'm renowned around here; everyone knows this is my cart."
However, the elderly man, after cheering, turned back to thank Koala: "Anyway, thank you, little girl. Let me give you a clay figurine that I made by hand."
He picked up a chibi clay doll, which looked a lot like Sage but dressed in a full set of Pirate Captain's outfit, and handed it to her before Koala could refuse.
"I really don't... need..."
Koala instinctively wanted to refuse, but before she could finish speaking, the old man had already pulled the cart and left, leaving her standing there dazed.
But she wasn't dazed for long before another voice sounded nearby.
"Kafers, sixty-three years old, used to be an ordinary artisan from Augustine Castle in the Gares Kingdom. Before Sage arrived, he was worried because he couldn't pay the taxes and was almost starving. After Sage came, he regained new vitality without the burden of heavy taxes."
"He now makes a living by crafting clay and stone art related to the Disaster Pirates and taking custom orders for gold and gemstone items, becoming quite famous in half of the district, which allows him to pay the Fifth Gear tax. He is a typical example of someone whose life was changed by the Pirates' arrival, either breaking or establishing new order."
Koala turned her head to see a figure next to her, with a cap and a square long nose, standing there unnoticed.
"You..." Her heart tightened, instinctively becoming wary.
"There's no need for that. You're the intruder in this place."
The square-nosed person said, "Let's go. Although the Captain didn't instruct it, if you're not there for the banquet, it will reflect poorly on our job. After all, at this moment, you're a customer intending to place an order."
"Who are you?" Koala squinted her eyes.
She reviewed in her mind and confirmed she hadn't seen this person in the Disaster Pirates' wanted orders, but instinctively felt this person was very strong; logically, he shouldn't be so unknown.
"I'm called Kaku, currently a..."
Kaku paused and smiled, "Boatman."
With that, he walked towards the direction of the Royal Palace, "Follow me, your time wandering here is over."
Koala watched Kaku's departing figure, snapping out of her stupor after a moment, with a self-mocking smile.
She thought no one had noticed, but had been watched all along...
Within the Royal Palace of Storm City.
In a large bathhouse covered with light-transmitting stone bricks, Sage lay naked at the wide bath's edge, his hands spread out, head resting on a soft pillow, with several maids dressed skimpily around giving him a meticulous scrub and massage.
He leaned his head back, let out a long exhale, and moved his mouth, prompting a maid to trim a cigar, light it, and carefully place it in his mouth.
Enjoying a puff and exhaling the smoke, he signaled the maid to take the cigar away. Another maid opened a bottle of red wine, pouring it into an exquisite gold cup, from which he took a large sip.
"Master Sage, ah~"
A maid bathing in the water offered neatly arranged fruit, feeding it into Sage's mouth.
No matter how well the Death Star is made, it can't compare to the comfort of a Royal Palace. After all, the environment is too limited. For Sage, no matter how luxurious a voyage may be, it is still a voyage; a palace is the true epitome of opulence.
"Besides Nicole Robin who came this time, the Revolutionary Army cadre Koala has also arrived. During the waiting time, she explored Storm City and the surrounding areas, seemingly searching for some intelligence, Kaku has already informed her."
Behind Sage, a blonde woman dressed in secretary attire, holding a notepad, reported in detail:
"Additionally, I've compiled recent developments in O'hara and summarized them; now..."
She had just started when Sage's hand, withdrawing from the warm, delicate care of the maid, waved slightly before turning his head with a smile, "Report to Lily, I don't like listening to this. I just need to know whether my plan is off course."
The person behind was the long-unseen former CP9 member, now present CP0 member, Kalifa.
"It's part of my job,"
Kalifa pushed her slightly reflective glasses, staring at Sage's extended hand, "Also, this is harassment, Captain."
"Hahaha, you're still so amusing!"
Sage laughed, "What? Changed people? Has Lucci come?"
"No... He's now considered a superior officer, here to exchange with Jabra and the others. Only I, Kaku, and Blueno came. Kaku is now acting as a boatman, I'm your secretary, and Blueno opened a tavern nearby."
Kalifa said slowly, "After all, they have been here long enough, if they don't return to report, the higher-ups might default to considering them as Pirates."
"That, can't say for sure, never mind... since you're here, you're here."
Sage chuckled.
After the ambush in the Country of Cyan, once Lucci had Kaku come over to leak information, he no longer worried about these people not providing intel, at best Owl would be more straightforward while these people might be a little slower.