"For Vegapunk?"
Saturn squinted his eyes at Sage's words, "Sage, are you intending to stand against us? I just praised you for not violating the taboos."
"Ha! You praised me?"
Sage laughed suddenly, "You think you're worthy? Do I need your permission for what I want to do?"
"Vegapunk is not possible for you to have."
Saturn said in a deep voice, "Don't deceive yourself, Sage. I know you're investigating the rising sea levels; I can tell you clearly, if you don't want to invite destruction, then don't violate the taboos."
"Our cooperation has always been good, though with some minor conflicts, but I trust you're a smart person. For you all, benefits are the eternal thing. Hand over Vegapunk, and I will discuss what's necessary with you. Even if you trade weapons with the Revolutionary Army, I can tolerate it."
Whether it's Tesoro's ship or some minor tricks behind the scenes, those are normal.
As the World Government, it is impossible to consider pirates as allies. If we could try to eliminate them, it would be good, but their mutual benefits are genuine, and this is why the Five Elders sometimes sigh; Sage is indeed among the sea emperors in history, the most likely to endure for a long time.
He understands exceedingly well what's the construct between countries, between forces should be.
So although they have investigated the source of the Revolutionary Army's weapons, they wouldn't fall out with Sage, primarily because there are no alternative sources for the relevant weapons apart from Sage in the short term.
Don't underestimate that 20% supply. After all, with so many kingdoms, security officers, and kingdom armies needing weapons everywhere, most weapons placed among the various kingdoms aren't even enough.
Only Sage can supply a large amount of weapons at once.
Secondly, they also don't want to fall out with a sea emperor so destructive. The immediate priority is to eliminate the Revolutionary Army first; once that's resolved, that business will naturally quiet down.
However, they do believe a real fallout wouldn't match Sage's expectations.
Grabbing a Vegapunk, he should understand how to choose wisely.
"You want to talk to me? Haven't you heard it said? Seek peace through war and you shall find peace; seek peace through peace and you shall perish. I don't have the habit of giving up the initiative to others, this guy..."
Sage patted the apple atop Vegapunk's head, "I must have him!"
"So, you want to officially start a war with us like the Revolutionary Army?" Saturn's voice lowered.
"Are we allies?"
Sage raised a fist, "Forget it, you hate me to death, and I dislike you guys too. Come on, words are powerless, if you want results, naturally it's a matter of fists! I've deliberately maintained this stance, don't expect me to stop without smashing a few things!"
"Now's the time..."
Sanji, from behind, snapped out of that strange immobility, picked up Bonney in one hand, and grabbed Vegapunk with the other to start withdrawing.
They considered themselves unsuccessful in Wano Country, but quickly regained their spirits. On this point, Luffy is not someone who can't let go; a loss is a loss.
The relationship with disaster isn't complex either; the disaster is just Robin's brother, just like Luffy's grandpa is a Navy, they're enemies, but not purely enemies.
They're just on different paths in their pirate journey, simply losing once, yet they firmly believe that in the race for Pirate King, Luffy will ultimately win!
"Hey, put that old man down!"
Seeing Sanji and Franky about to leave, Renedia called out, "Let go of anyone else, but the old man must stay. That's what Sage wants!"
The Straw Hat Gang, an old acquaintance, seems like wherever the excitement is bigger, they're there. But just as Sage never took them seriously, Renedia didn't hold much hostility either.
Leaving the old man behind and letting them leave wasn't a big deal.
"You..."
Franky was about to speak when Vegapunk shook his head, "Put me down, I also have things I'd like to say to this disaster."
"Vegapunk, he's..."
Sanji intended to persuade further, but Vegapunk said, "I know who he is, I've heard of some of his deeds. Rest assured, if he really wants to use me, he would strive to protect me."
"Hehehehe, precisely so."
A shadow twisted and gathered from beside several nearby Navy men, reaching in front of Sanji and blocking their path, forming the shape of Moriah.
"You are a genius, Sage is very interested in someone useful like you." Moriah chuckled.
He had followed along as well.
Sanji stayed silent for a moment, then set Vegapunk down, "If that's your will, I understand, take care!"
"Don't worry, I won't die. Even if this body dies, my thoughts will live on. Lilith has already joined up with you all, go find them."
Vegapunk said, watching Sanji and Franky leave with Bonney, he sighed, "This is good..."
"The unclean blood has left... never mind, she's not important either."
Saturn glanced at the few fleeing, also unfazed.
The biggest threat is here, compared to Nika who was defeated in the Wano Country conflict, this one needs more attention.
To him, Nika is just history, he is not from the second era either.
Among the Five Elders, some are new, some have been around longer, but even the longest don't know what the situation was eight hundred years ago.
Lord Imu is the only one concerned with Nika, but it's not the current Nika, just an everlasting remembrance of Joyboy.