Kaku, whose face was half-hidden, chuckled bitterly, "The Governor says a double agent should make chicken soup, but I can't. I would choose a side instead. I prefer shipbuilding to being a special agent or hitman. I remember O'hara doesn't forbid people from changing careers, does it? I..."
A trace of nostalgia gleamed in his eyes.
In that dark life consumed by espionage and killing, the only bright spot was during the shipbuilding days in Water Seven. Later, it was when he rotated back to O'hara and re-entered the shipyard.
"I want a change of pace. If possible, let me open a ship repair yard. I've accumulated quite a bit of funds over the years."
Kaku smiled, "Provided I keep living, that is."
"Our people only stand to die, never to be pushed to death. Do whatever you want; I agree to your terms."
Lily nodded, looking towards Stussy, "And you? You were modeled after Ba Jin? You weren't created recently, were you? Your reputation in the Underworld has lasted many years. Eternal youth? Or is it due to abilities?"
Stussy replied, "Abilities. I'm a Zoan-type Bat-Bat Fruit user. It's uncertain if it's a Mythical type. The great Vegapunk added something into my fruit, allowing me to preserve youth through bloodsucking."
Stussy continued, "Of course, lifespan can't be maintained, only appearance. If possible, I'd like to find my own path and seek a new life."
Earlier, she had received a call from Vegapunk. The message was similar: to find her own path as a reborn individual.
"The entertainment industry..."
"It will also be handed over to you."
Understanding the situation, Stussy declared, "I'm not really interested in those things. If I can use them as a trade for my future life..."
"I can only guarantee your departure from here; the rest can't be assured. I accept the deal. You use your control over the entertainment industry to trade for your life here."
Lily glanced at a large screen in what seemed to be the control room, showing four enormous dark shadows emerging on the ground around Saturn.
"Alright, where is the so-called Mother Fire Seed? Take me there."
...
Four colossal shadows unveiled their concrete forms before Sage's eyes. Next to the left of the spider appeared a giant, eerie-faced snake-bodied bird, coiled in black flame clouds, similar to the Ushioni.
Nearby, a gigantic boar with a green face covered in scars revealing four massive tusks.
On the right stood a massive skeletal horse, wearing only a bone mask on its equine face.
Further right lay a massive sand worm, larger than all four, baring plated teeth in its expansive mouth.
"They're each stranger than the next!"
Sage chuckled lightly, "Don't move, let me guess..."
He pointed at the giant boar, "Those tusks resemble your mustache, and your skin is marked with scars, like the map on your head. You're the Map-head Five Elders, right?"
Then he pointed at the eerie bird, "Sharp beak, a long figure characteristic of birds. Should be the tall, long-haired, long-bearded Five Elders."
"A skeletal horse, with a touch of Wano Country flavor—you're the only Five Elders wearing a kimono."
"Finally, the large worm...must be the red-skinned Five Elders, huh?"
Logically, Sage shouldn't have met the other Five Elders, though he knew their positions. But in his impression, he had indeed seen them.
The features of these beasts resemble them.
"So, Ushioni is a legendary form; what about you? Aren't you going to introduce yourselves?" Sage sneered.
"Lack manners."
The eerie-faced snake-bodied bird spoke up, "I am Marcus Mars, the Environmental Martial God, also known as Izumizan!"
The giant boar declared, "I'm Topman Warcury, the Legal Martial God. Fengxi!"
"Shepherd Ju Peter, Sand Worm form, also the Agricultural Martial God," announced the sand worm.
"Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Financial Martial God."
The skeletal horse spoke blandly, "Horse Bone. Norton Sage, you made a poor choice by choosing to fight us. We'll show you happiness lies being a content pirate at sea rather than meddling in our World Government affairs!"
"Humph, legends from all over. Japanese legends have three, and there's one Western legend, but..."
Sage pointed at the giant boar, "Fengxi? Are you even worthy? Let me try then!"
With that, Sage's expression turned stern, the Black Jade Bead Chain around his neck scattered and ignited into flames forming a ring behind his head. His cape peeled off his back, slowly rising into the clouds, casting the sky into thick overcast.
Soon, Sage's body also lifted by the wind to hover mid-air; he pointed upward, showcasing his teeth with a malicious grin:
"First, let us..."
"Hahaha!"
Before he could act, laughter burst out behind him. A figure with white hair like fire, radiating freedom, quickly approached while covering one eye and clutching his stomach, laughing as he came.
"Let me join the fray! You dastards are targeting Bonney!"
Sage glanced sideways, "Straw Hat..."
"Oh! Sage... White-haired man!"
Luffy laughed heartily, "Long time no see, lost to you last time in Wano Country, but we're not enemies this time. These guys are my opponents!"
"Oh? You have some awareness now?"
Sage mused, "Not quite the same as last time."
Compared to his form in Wano Country, this state seemed to have regained some consciousness, unlike the muddled behavior from before.
However...
"Still a bit mindlessly merry." Sage shook his head with disdain, "You've finally got time to escape, don't waste it."
As for whether he resented himself or considered him an enemy, Sage didn't care.
A pirate's life is all about win or lose; Luffy accepted his loss and earned some respect from Sage. Stubborn confrontation, although a pirate's motif, isn't threatening.
Such demeanor suits those pursuing the title of Pirate King.
Luffy thought similarly; losing Momonosuke saddened him like Ace's death, yet everyone had their own lives, as Sabo believed upon seeing the news.
Failing was a matter of personal capability, not others' faults.
Sage wasn't a good person, but nor purely malicious in Luffy's eyes.
Though they fought, they could also cooperate.
"I'm here for revenge for Bonney! For Apple-head uncle! Lilith has told me everything; I want to pummel them!" Luffy laughed heartily.
"Indeed! I want vengeance for my father too!"
Bonney, who had been led away by Sanji, somehow returned. She looked at the similar-looking pair, feeling puzzled at first but eventually fixing her gaze on Luffy.
That's Nika...
The future her father spoke of, and the legend...
She had longed to witness that form!
"Nika's form!"
Bonney took a deep breath, her hair turning white as it 'burned,' and she leaped high, raising her fist, shouting, "Let's go!"
"Nika, huh?"
Saturn's upper half shrunk into the spider body, leaving only his head, appearing fiercer in spider form.
"You could've just left, yet insist on facing death. Perfect. By eliminating Nika, I'll crush Bonney's spirit, proving that Nika amounts to nothing." Saturn spoke somberly.
"Seems the giants are coming..."
Then Horse Bone transformed, reducing to about six meters, revealing an old bald-headed bespectacled figure, a wooden-sheathed sword hung at his waist.
Nusjuro glanced towards the island's edges, gripping the sword hilt, "Not a single soul on this island shall be spared."
Swoosh!
Boom!
Having said this, he began launching his skeletal horse legs, just about to rush out when a sudden thunderbolt struck down upon him.
"Who said you could leave?"
Sage looked down upon them, "I also want to test your mettle!"