The ones appearing before Sage, who touched Saturn's spider legs, are two of Teach's subordinates, including the Captain of the Blackbeard Pirates' third ship, the sniper, Van Augur.
The other one is the Captain of the sixth ship, 'Crescent Moon Hunter' Catarina Devon.
"The mist just now was terrifying, we didn't dare get close."
Devon laughed: "So once the mist cleared, we came over. We arrived at the edge on purpose, hoping to sneak in and see if there were any suitable technological weapons, but..."
She looked at Saturn, "This guy is already enough."
"A prisoner from the sixth level... actually bowing down to someone?"
Saturn glanced down at Devon, saying: "Unexpected."
"Don't stir things up, Teach is different." Devon waved her hand.
"The lineage is, too." Saturn remarked.
"Ah... So you know?"
Devon shrugged, then licked her lips, and looked again at Sage, who was about to sink into the sea, saying:
"It's a shame, really. If an Ability User is completely submerged, they can't float up on their own, no matter how strong their vitality is. The sea's energy is far more powerful than Seastone. As allies, should we save you?"
With hands on her hips, she struck a menacing pose, laughing: "Teach wants many things, and you only gave one map. You should have two in your hands, right? Also, Big Mom's daughter, that girl from the Three-Eyed Race, we want her too. If you disappear, Teach's plan can proceed smoothly. After all, in the first half of the New World, you are the biggest."
"Also, if you vanish, those beautiful women under your command, can I hunt them too? If they don't join us as partners..."
The 'Crescent Moon' Hunter represents youth and beauty, meaning Devon is a hunter who enjoys hunting young and beautiful women.
She loves peeling off the faces of those beautiful people.
"Alright, these are our demands."
Van Augur stepped forward, calmly speaking: "Sage, give us one map, and give us the girl from the Three-Eyed Race. Also... Teach has always said your weapons are too expensive. Can they be cheaper?"
O'hara now has the largest black market source, split into two halves; one is other pirates wandering the sea, and the other is those who joined Hive Island under Teach's protection.
The latter even takes up a bit more, O'hara might not serve as the black market center, but the transactions obtained from the latter half are all conducted at the port and then transported to Dressrosa.
Yet, the spoils match Teach's needed supplies, especially firearms, cannons, and ships. It's not really expensive, it's just that his size and method can only accomplish so much.
Over time, Teach naturally holds resentment, even wanting to swallow Sage up, directly taking over the prosperous O'hara. Once that place becomes his territory, it would be like taking off.
After all, in terms of military strength, Sage might surpass him, but in terms of economic value, Sage outshines him by miles.
His Hive Island is now decked out like a primitive man, with a very traditional pirate style.
Sage's O'hara Kingdom appears to be more prosperous than any city in the world, its former self being the World Desire City, now becoming even more desirable.
If Sage disappears here, then all of this... will likely fall into Teach's hands!
However...
Van Augur glanced at Saturn who lay there, dismissed the thought inside.
Doing so would bring too much pressure, and they still aren't ready to fully confront the World Government, besides, Teach still wants to establish a 'Pirate Kingdom.'
Just capturing Coby might not be enough of a chip, but rescuing Sage and facing Sage's pressure, they might agree.
Rather, ask for more benefits now; whether to agree later... Sage isn't someone without integrity.
Planning is planning, a promise is a promise, those who don't keep promises would never have strong willpower, nor become Sage, the first on the sea.
"Really..."
Sage scoffed, sizing up Van Augur and Devon, "Where do you get the courage to negotiate with me? Even that idiot Teach doesn't dare negotiate with me, and you two are doing it."
"But you're about to sink."
Devon pointed back at Saturn, "Even if you don't die immediately, but with the renowned Five Elders here, they won't let your subordinates dive smoothly into the sea to take you, not even the 'Sword Princess.' In the end, you'll become a fate of sinking into the sea and everything will perish."
Once Sage dies, the Disaster Pirates are as good as dead, like the leftover Big Mom Pirates and Beast Pirates, with combat power but not top-notch, and may end up holding onto O'hara, awaiting their doom.
Turn to join the Cross Guild?
That can't change this outcome, the Cross Guild doesn't have that many forces.
"Ha... People, always arrogantly thinking presumptuous things, why do you think I would definitely sink to the sea bottom? Just two hundred meters anyway."
With the sea water already up to Sage's jaw, he suddenly grinned viciously, taking a deep breath. His head floating above the water suddenly swelled at that moment.