Wano Country must be dismantled.
Pluton must also be created.
"Then, the original Plan remains unchanged!"
Sage glanced around at everyone and said solemnly, "But for the original Plan, a new Plan must support it! I have a new Plan! Fully manufacture Pluton!"
Sage is not foolish; he can distinguish between failure and destruction clearly.
Death itself is not frightening; once you set sail, life and death are no longer in individual hands.
But recklessly rushing to one's death, and dying fearlessly for a dream, are two different things.
Any threats must be eradicated. Dying on this path is his problem, but if he survives...
"No one can obstruct me. Even if the Disaster Pirates are wiped out, as long as I'm still alive..."
Sage's eyes burst with crimson, and he snarled, "I'll keep pushing forward! Everyone, for my dream, fight with all your might!"
"Yes!" Gin shouted, his eyes full of determination.
No matter what Master Sage wishes to do, he will always follow.
"Understood." Hawkins said calmly.
They've already reached this point; there's no choice left.
Moreover, Hawkins doesn't even want to choose.
The recent state of the Disaster Pirates is flourishing like blooming flowers and boiling oil, at its prime; this is no time for it to suddenly extinguish, or else it would just be an ordinary Four Emperors Team.
No matter what kind of disaster it is, this flame must continue to burn, even if it's destined to extinguish one day, it should wait till the oil runs out and the flowers wither, rather than being forcefully doused and plucked.
Lily didn't say much, just instinctively gripped the hilt of her sword.
It's different; this time might lead directly to confrontation with the World Government. The World Government itself isn't terrifying, but it's this disaster-inducing method that's scary.
If there really are Ancient Weapons... just drowning alone could drown these pirates,
Countermeasures must be in place!
And we must figure it out!
After the meeting dispersed, Lily approached Sage alone.
In his room, Lily took the sake from Bella's hand, poured a cup for Sage, and asked:
"Since Wano Country is to be relocated, what's the timeline? What about the mining of Wine Iron Ore and Seastone?"
Plain relocation is easy to discuss, but Wano Country itself has important resources, Wine Iron Ore is negotiable, but Seastone is the most scarce resource.
"Not important."
Sage waved his hand, "We've never relied on these resources to survive, if we can't sell them, we won't. Our finely crafted weapons can still sell. Before acquiring Wano Country, our weaponry already had no issues selling."
These things don't have much competition anyway, Wine Iron Ore and Seastone are just monopolized by Sage alone.
If he doesn't sell, what then?
"Just continue mining, let the people of Wano Country pause all work, evacuate while mining, store as much as possible until fully withdrawn."
However, to be safe, Sage decided to start mining early, as relocation takes time anyway.
"And what about the disaster victims... Not to mention our reduced area, many people's houses have been submerged by seawater, should we relocate anew, or find another place to settle?" Lily asked.
"Is there a place?"
"No new islands, it's all rotational relocation, and the resources need to be redeveloped..."
Upon hearing this, Sage clicked his tongue, shadows crossed his eyes.
It's this matter that he couldn't suppress his fury about!
With less territory, previously prime locations for mining and farming now submerged, people are at a loss.
Those were all resources, initially mined, from surely the best spots on the islands; once submerged, relatively inferior spots would be chosen.
Although he doesn't manage internal affairs, it's clear he could feel Lily's fatigue increasing lately.
A large amount of reports and corresponding commands were issued by her; only decisions beyond her authority came to Sage.
"Those large islands don't need to be relocated, move people from submerged islands without resources to the large islands."
Sage looked at the worried Lily and said, "No need to rush; if something really happens, no one can escape. At worst, I'll take you all to the Red Earth Continent and switch to being mountain bandits!"
Can't be a pirate, but doesn't know how to be a bandit?
The Red Earth Continent's area is similar to the Grand Line, but that place has no sea, just land.
Anyway, what he wants to be is a landlord; if he can't be a pirate anymore, he'll switch careers.
"Don't worry; they aren't that foolish either..."
Sage laughed, "Without pirates, naturally there won't be a Navy, no member countries. What, will he abandon the Four Seas too? If everyone fled to the Red Earth Continent to live, there's no harm in that. If we really can't win, I'll just go to the Moon and become a Cosmic Pirate, hahahaha!"
There are still many paths.
It's just that now he hopes to become the pinnacle of a mainstream profession; he's not at the last step yet, naturally unwilling to give up.
...
The relocation of Wano Country, of course, takes time, and addressing the disaster-stricken areas also keeps everyone busy.
Lily busy handling internal affairs, Marika is managing logistics, ensuring those hit by disaster don't go hungry, Hawkins is in charge of coordinating national construction issues, a one-meter rise in sea level requires rebuilding for many island structures.
Fortunately, Sage's major infrastructure is still in its early stages, apart from O'hara being somewhat in shape, Magnetic Field Island has just begun some work, other places remain untouched, and this rebuilding offers a chance to replan.