The next day.
Morning.
As the news birds delivered reports worldwide, different regions received a piece of news differently.
The Seven Warlords of the Sea, 'Celestial Yaksha' Donquixote Doflamingo resigned from his position as a Warlord. From now on, he is just a pirate!
Some people think it's inconsequential, but for others, the sky is falling!
In the Land of Famine, representatives elected by the famished to exclusively trade food with Doflamingo.
Those heads trading weapons and warships with Doflamingo in the midst of war.
And the benevolent king trading medicines with Doflamingo for his sick subjects in harsh environments.
And those lacking handicrafts and textiles, relying on external trade.
Good people, bad people, it doesn't matter anymore. What matters is that those with deeper transactions with Doflamingo have lost contact.
They don't know if there's any stock, and with the phone disconnected, they can only confirm through the newspaper that Doflamingo has resigned from the Seven Warlords. Perhaps he's really done?
"Buru buru buru..."
In the Royal Palace of Storm City, a Radio Snail rang, picked up by a hand. At the moment of connection, it took the form of a sinister-looking man with a cigar.
"Hey, Old Sand..."
Sage spoke into the receiver, "It's rare for you to call me."
"Enough chit-chat."
The Radio Snail said deeply, "You saw it, right, what Doflamingo did."
Sage glanced at the newspaper spread on the desk and nodded, "I saw the pictures."
"That fool resigned from the Warlords position. I don't know what he's scheming, but trade will definitely be affected. For you, that's the big issue, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it's annoying, everyone just can't do business properly..."
"Leave it to me."
Crocodile gave Sage no chance for small talk, straightforwardly, "Leave everything to me, this won't happen. You know, I have good relationships with those financiers."
In a way, he's the same type as Doflamingo. When both were Warlords, they respectively controlled different trade channels in the Underworld.
It was just jail time that didn't cost him all his channels. Only later when Sage restarted his business, they split differently.
What Doflamingo owned was secured by his Warlords position, making his sea trading more convenient.
Crocodile, however, hid deeper, trading with other criminals and using Underworld leaders' channels for secret deals.
The world is big, with places Doflamingo can't cover fully. He only occupies a small share.
Sage was stunned by Crocodile's words, honestly not expecting his call was about this.
"Heh heh heh..."
He chuckled, flipping through the newspaper, which had more pictures besides Doflamingo's.
Pictures of Law and Straw Hat, Kid, and Scratchmen Apoo.
"You think Dof will lose?" Sage asked.
"Two years have passed, and Straw Hat re-entered the sea. With his unruly nature, I don't think Doflamingo will be unscathed. Of course, the important thing isn't this..."
"Win or lose isn't your issue. What matters is your trade being impacted. You want to be restrained? I recall you're not that kind of person."
"Leave it to me, I'll share channels, making money, it doesn't matter who you choose. But trust me, you won't worry about channel problems. I know you want Underworld channels, I can help."
"Old Sand, Old Sand..."
Sage chuckled, pulled out a cigar box, lit one, put it in his mouth, inhaled, and exhaled smoke.
"Not the right time to discuss now, but I'm interested in the channel issue, come by and let's talk."
Clack.
He hung up and leaned back in his chair, glanced outside the window, "Quick moves, Lily... right on time."
...
Crash!
Waves hit the ship, splashing water. A large ship sailed stably on the sea, parting the water below, moving forward.
Sea breeze stirred, lifting the golden wavy hair of the woman standing at the bow.
She brushed her hair from her ear, glanced at the newspaper, frowned slightly, "Not only resigned from the Warlords, but also gave up the king's position... to do something like this, is it for independence or to make us understand your importance?"
She handed the newspaper to Gin, who respectfully took it.
As for the revealed alliances of Law and Straw Hat, Kid and Apoo, she directly overlooked, indifferent.
"Whatever it is, let me see for myself what you intend to do..."
Lily grasped the sword handle at her waist, "If you mess up, I won't mind giving you a warning for Sage."
"Lady Lily... is Doflamingo not afraid of offending us by doing this?"
Gin couldn't resist asking, "After all, we're the Four Emperors."
"Because he doesn't want to offend Kaido either. Sage can ignore a war with Kaido, but as subordinates, we have much to consider, best not to disrupt his plan."
Lily said calmly, "We're about to battle Big Mom. At this point, if we go against Kaido, all plans will be void. So far, none of Sage's plans have failed, and we can't change plans due to this. Compared to Sage's plan, this trade issue is minor."
Sage sent her perhaps just to secure the goods, as for her final actions, it depended on Dressrosa's situation.
This time there's no clear target, so Lily contemplated a lot.
The Four Emperors' dignity is crucial, can't be Doflamingo's henchman.
Resigning from the Warlords and king position, is it simply to negotiate with Law?
Is there another intention, wanting them as support?
Such exploitation, Lily dislikes.
Doflamingo is a partner, their relationship is good, but from Doflamingo's own actions, he positions himself as a collaborator, not a subordinate.
"Want an equal conversation with Sage, show your strength first, small schemes won't work." Lily said calmly.
"What a hassle, Lady Lily, why not just take out Straw Hat and Law?"
Pearl tapped his shield, confidently approached, said, "Take them out, everything returns to normal, if they're that threatening, get rid of Straw Hat early, it's no threat."
"What do you think I am?"
Lily glanced at him coldly, "Who do you think Sage is?"
"We've discussed this long ago... If we eliminate anyone just for being threatening, Sage wouldn't be in this position."
"That's the sea, minus a Straw Hat, a Straw Hat appears, if every threat is prematurely eliminated, Sage wouldn't be an Emperor, and we wouldn't have achieved this."
Not even Teach would do it, making Sage do it?
For hatred, capturing Ace leading to his death, Teach should be the one to rid Straw Hat.
That Straw Hat isn't weak, can't say is no threat.
Aura is crucial in the sea.
"Just ensure the goods are safe, as for Doflamingo... upon arrival, I'll warn him."
Lily watched the surging sea, turned and strode towards the cabin.