Lucci stood there rigid, despite his experience with big scenes, he was quite shaken by what Sage said.
It wasn't as simple as capturing a Heavenly Celestial Dragon. This guy's eyes were filled with a kind of disregard for them, no... to be accurate, a look of seeing them as prey.
He had seen that look in Sage's eyes during several robberies.
This guy was really serious about dealing with the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, it wasn't just talk.
Lucci should have refused. He was cold and ruthless, but not mindless. No matter what Sage said, he was definitely planning to withdraw. Even if he had to stay for a while, he'd find a way to leave.
Sage's threats didn't mean much to him. Lucci wasn't afraid to die. Facing the Heavenly Celestial Dragons and getting killed by Sage were the same in his eyes.
But...
But!
Killing a Heavenly Celestial Dragon...
Lucci's constricted pupils flared, his lips curled unconsciously, revealing a bloodthirsty grin.
The blood of a Celestial Dragon... what would it feel like?
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
Sage didn't give Lucci a chance to wander into his own thoughts. He addressed everyone, "Here's the plan. Shampodi is essentially the highlight of the first half of the Grand Line, with Heavenly Celestials frequently visiting, waiting for wealthy merchants bound for the New World, and nobles who frequent there... it's even better than Carnival City and also our final robbery site!"
"After robbing here, we must figure out a way to capture a Celestial Dragon, the more the better, to use their identity to threaten the World Government to open a path for us!"
He spread his hands, "By then, whether it's treasure or a route, we'll have everything. Once we enter the New World, no one can stop us!"
"It won't be easy to handle, right..."
Hawkins asked after the initial shock, "Dealing with the Celestial Dragons will attract Admirals."
He had just been captured by an Admiral and now provoking the Celestials... even if they successfully entered the New World, it would be troublesome if an Admiral followed.
"They can't come!"
Sage laughed heartily, "I just got off the phone with Dolph. That Flamingo gave me some news... Teach, that idiot, has become a Seven Warlord of the Sea!"
"Teach?" Hawkins was stunned, "Who is that?"
"A pirate Sage made a deal with to cooperate in the New World."
Marika said, "He seems to be very strong. Sage holds him in high regard."
The news of the Seven Warlords hadn't spread that much since his recent promotion and there was no bounty, so not many knew.
Sage wouldn't have known Teach became a Warlord if he hadn't called Doflamingo.
Not many even knew of him on the sea, as he was very low-key.
Hawkins commented in surprise, "For you to hold someone in high regard... that's quite rare."
Considering their Captain's disposition, besides the Four Emperors, no one else was praised. Even the Straw Hat, currently gaining fame, was only said to have 'great potential' by him, so a high regard... must be really high.
"One Warlord doesn't really change anything, does it?" Hawkins remarked.
It wasn't like Sage was planning to join under the Seven Warlords and change flags to get to Mary Geoise, then switch back in the New World?
But that wasn't his style.
"A regular Warlord doesn't change much, but Teach's becoming one is different..."
Sage laughed loudly, "He captured Ace and handed him to the World Government!"
This comment startled both Hawkins and Lucci.
Lucci hadn't heard this news since being cast out. Now on Sage's ship, the intelligence he had was outdated and hadn't been updated.
But he knew the implications of this event!
"Ace?"
Hawkins paused and said, "'Fire Fist' Ace? Second Squad Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates? If it's him... then it's indeed a big deal."
"You can't mess with the Whitebeard Pirates. Whoever you face, it will get noted. That Old Whitebeard might personally take action. As the Second Squad Captain, he's a big figure. If he's been captured..."
Hawkins took a deep breath, "It means the Navy will soon have a conflict with the Whitebeard Pirates."
"At the headquarters!"
Sage let out a wildly boisterous laugh, "I don't know the biggest, but it'll certainly be the highest specification war in the past twenty years!"
Originally, Sage was going to ask Dolph if there were any pathways to the New World for him, but the answer was evident. Doflamingo was shocked at his prison escape and pointed out Sage was a wanted man and an escapee from Impel Down. Were it not for the preparations for the war, the Navy would have already been dispatched in droves to find him.
Yes, war.
Since Teach captured Ace, he wouldn't easily hand him over, for it would shame the Navy. With this opportunity, they might as well crush a powerful pirate faction!
"Speaking of it, it feels like fate."
Sage said, "Garp caught Roger, and now Sengoku is going against Whitebeard."
He remembered this well.
The old generation of powerhouses was quite fascinating. Back in the days, the most prominent on the sea were Roger and Whitebeard, and their pursuers were Garp and Sengoku.
Garp caught Roger twenty-two years ago, and now, twenty-two years later, Sengoku is about to face his arch-enemy.
"So you're saying, at this moment, the Navy has no time to deal with us, right?"
Hawkins quickly understood the context, "So whether we rob Shampodi near headquarters or kidnap a Heavenly Celestial, we won't face much interference."
If the forces are insufficient, there's a high chance the World Government will agree to Sage's demands.
Compared to the Celestial Dragons, robbing Shampodi would be considered minor.
This plan... has a high probability of succeeding!
"Exactly, that's it!"
Sage picked up a wine bottle and poured a drink into his glass, "This is a rare opportunity. If we don't rob now, there won't be another chance to go for Shampodi, we must raid in the war context and head straight to the New World, where we can realize our ambitions!"
It's not that others don't have the opportunity, it's that he doesn't have it.
If not heading to the New World now, when the Navy frees up, maybe he could leave, but it would be uncertain for everyone on the ship.
The first half of this area is ultimately the Navy Headquarters, where robbery is possible but holding territory isn't.
Only in a place like the New World can he unfold his own ambitions.
He wouldn't let Shampodi slip by, no matter what!
"Hahahahahaha, Hohohoho!" Sage held his Gemstone Wine Glass and laughed heartily.
...
"Zehahahahaha!"
On an island not far from the Navy Headquarters, a burly man dressed in a Captain's coat, with even a few teeth growing out, clenched his fist and laughed into the sea, "War is starting, the opportunity is coming!"
...
"Buhahahaha!"
Navy Headquarters, Fleet Marshal's Office.
Garp laughed heartily at Sengoku, "That Newgate guy will definitely come."
"Shut up! Garp!"
Sengoku glared at him, "You're the biggest hassle right now!"
Ace...
Was his grandson!
"Things have already come to this, what can an old man like me do?"
Garp laughed carelessly, "It's his choice. Men of the sea won't easily change their minds!"
Boom!
A thunderbolt exploded in the sky, darkening the nearby skies. The thunder reflected off Sengoku's glasses and cast Garp's face, which was turned away from the window, into a moment of gloom.
"No matter what, this time... victory is the only option!" Sengoku said in a deep voice.