Sage was unlike others, who either set a grand target from the start, rushing headlong without looking back,
or tread carefully, but due to their lack of ambition or dreams, their willpower was actually not strong.
On the sea, many died because of these two aspects.
The former easily died, while the latter was too weak and easily perished in this chaotic world.
Sage was an adult, he wanted both.
He had grand ambitions, but also grounded goals.
His territory was thriving now, so the next target naturally came to mind!
When he allied with Teach in the beginning, it was in preparation for this.
He would keep an eye on Red Hair, while he devoured Big Mom!
"Speaking of which, I always thought your target was Kaido," Lily said.
From the start, Sage's target wasn't Kaido. He did want to take down Kaido one day, but his real target upon entering the New World was Big Mom!
"Kaido is at his peak, and Wano Country is easy to defend but hard to attack. To fight him, we need thorough preparation. Also, the people of Wano are stubborn, and I don't have enough people to fill it. Only by devouring the forces of Charlotte Linlin will dealing with Kaido be much simpler."
Sage laughed, "Charlotte Linlin is different. Though her forces are large, it's easy to take over once she's gone. Those who rely on her can be easily used by us. And the Homiez won't disappear with her death; those guys are useful too!"
"Moreover, Lily, you know, Big Mom's family isn't so perfect..."
Lily's eyes moved, uncertainly saying, "Katakuri?"
"Oh? You noticed? When?"
"During the previous battle, although I could feel the strong willpower, there was a very strange feeling, like..."
Lily thought for a bit, "Like the hidden rebellious emotion in the merchants I cleared out before they realized their situation."
"Not exactly, but close enough," Sage said. "Charlotte Linlin's family is deformed. It's not that they're disloyal, but after her death, this loyalty won't turn into enmity. Even if they aren't used by me, they won't be too troublesome."
"Most importantly... she is already old. Since the last battle, I've felt she can't control her symptoms. Why choose a hard mode when a simple one is available?"
He's no fool; why complicate things that can be solved simply?
Isn't simplicity good?
"Ah, only you can say such things," Marika smiled aside.
In this sea, who dares say that a Pirate Emperor is a simple mode?
"Since it's confirmed she's holding a tea party, let's go then. Doff said there would be some 'old friends' I'm eager to meet..."
Sage grinned, exposing a row of white teeth, "Perfect, I'll solve it all at once!"
News of the tea party was already well-known on the sea. Any notable figure in the New World would know it; Sage didn't even need to gather information specifically.
It's also a chance to launch a decisive battle while the Big Mom family's members are all on Cake Island.
As for whether anyone would intervene...
With Red Hair keeping watch, many preferred to sit back and watch the tiger fight the dragon. As for the Navy...
Whenever he makes a large deployment, the Navy will watch him.
The only difference being...
"The World Conference is approaching, right?"
Sage smiled, "It shouldn't be long now. The Navy doesn't have the time to deal with this, instead, they might ask me not to attack Mary Geoise actively."
He waved his hand, "I'll discuss this matter with those old guys properly."
Since trades began between both sides, Sage could easily get those old guys' calls.
Similarly, the World Government would secretly call too.
Anyway, there's no hiding his movements; surveillance ships are everywhere. Better to bring conditions directly to the table when the time comes.
"If it doesn't work out, there's always Plan B. When I make plans, there's always a backup, so the plan will definitely be fulfilled!" Sage laughed heartily.
Not long after, news came from Fishman Island.
Shishilian and Pedro had been defeated...
Sage wasn't surprised.
The whole Straw Hat crew participated, and Jinbe helped too. With just two people, they weren't a match. The stolen treasure was taken back and then taken by the Big Mom Pirates watching nearby.
Since this happened, the lesson is inevitable.
If Renedia doesn't encounter it, Sage will himself.
Though from the same era, as a Four Emperors, dealing with such minor roles didn't warrant his personal visit; a high-ranking officer wouldn't bother either.
Anyway, Fishman Island wasn't his territory, so it wasn't violating any rules by not plundering his domain.
Otherwise, so many covet his land and wealth. If they all targeted the Fur Race earlier in the Grand Line, Sage would be overwhelmed.
Besides, he's busy... fishing.
...
Punk Hazard, also known as the 'Bank Restricted Area', was once an abandoned island full of toxic gas. However, a year ago, it inexplicably transformed into the Ice and Fire Island, half covered in frost, colder than the Drum Kingdom, and half covered in lava, hot enough to kill.
And on the shores of the frozen peninsula, where the blizzard raged, a large ship sailed in and docked there.
"Ugh, so cold... boss lady,"
The gangway was lowered, and a rough, overweight man with terrifying scars on his neck and left cheek, and a crescent-shaped mustache was the first to step out. He shivered, his voice trembling.
Bang!
In the next moment, a hammer struck the back of his head.
"I just reminded you to wear something thicker!"
Renedia, wearing a thick leather jacket and a pink fur cape on her back, put away the hammer, rolled her eyes, and glanced around.
"Hmm... no one's here to receive us?"
Whoosh!
As soon as she spoke, a blizzard suddenly blew here, forming a graceful shadow with green hair under the snowstorm.
"We've been waiting a long time, Renedia-sama, Weevil-sama,"
Monet flapped her bird wings, her bird-clawed feet landing on the snow, smiling at the two and the Pirates coming down from behind.
"Hmm?"
Renedia was puzzled, glancing at Monet's bird wings and feet, "Why have you become like this?"
The last time she came, Monet was still a normal person.
And it couldn't be a Fruit Ability since she knew well that Monet had eaten the Logia-type 'Snow-Snow Fruit' of the Snow Maiden, not a Zoan-type.
"Oh, this..."
Monet said, "Though I quite like this form, that man was quite detestable... I was modified by Trafalgar Law."