Some people didn't take it seriously, but of course, some did.
Capone Bege is someone who acts after careful planning. Instead of engaging in impulsive fights, he focuses on the future. With the Mafia's mindset, he doesn't see giving money as a big deal. Instead, calming a potential threat here is the action that aligns with his interests.
There's no choice...
'Disaster' Norton Sage is not only crazy but also powerful, powerful to the extent that Bege cannot resist.
Isn't this guy alone? Including that Urouge under his command, there are five 'Super Rookies' with bounties over a hundred million. They are indeed untouchable in the first half.
"Don't move, 'Gang' Capone Bege, you are already surrounded!"
Just as he stepped out, a squad of Navy soldiers surrounding the auction house singled out and encircled the lone Bege.
"Just surrender quietly. The gap in strength between you and us is too big!" The leading Navy officer shouted loudly.
Bege stood firm, slowly exhaled smoke, and one of his eyes suddenly became transparent, revealing a window with snipers all over it.
"Yes, the gap in strength... between you and my forces is too big!"
The Disaster is one thing, but what gives the Navy the right!
...
Inside the auction house, only the subordinates of the Disaster Pirates and those who hadn't paid and were treated as slaves remained.
Lily found a bunch of keys from the back and tossed them to these slaves, saying, "Since you haven't paid, you should leave."
Sage sold them, but all he sold were his slaves. As for the others, although he guest-starred at the end, it was just a guest role, not something of his own, so he didn't care much.
If Lily wanted to release them, she could. He wasn't interested in these guys.
"Um, can I leave too?"
The maid Bella, seeing the other slaves find their keys, unlock themselves, and leave joyfully, timidly asked.
"You can't."
Lily shook her head and glanced at the musician, maid, and dancing girl who also unlocked themselves, "The three of you are valued by Sage and can only join us as pirates; there's no other way."
"I see..." Bella lowered her head in disappointment. She didn't really want to be a pirate.
"Being a pirate is fine; I was originally a pirate!"
The musician Byron, on the other hand, was somewhat excited. He was originally a pirate and had joined other pirate crews before, but now he was just returning to his old trade. Besides, he was joining a famous group, which meant better prospects.
"What's wrong with being a pirate? You can do whatever you want. As long as you follow the rules on my ship, you will be the freest people in the world!"
Sage laughed loudly, "Better than being caught and turned into a slave. Do well, and I won't treat you poorly!"
As he spoke, he glanced at the giant squatting in the corner and asked, "Hey, what's your name, and what are you good at?"
This guy's size wasn't small. Even if he wasn't of a robust build but rather enormous, being from the Giant Race, the bigger he was, the more terrifying.
Like a small mountain.
The minimum height for an adult Giant is twelve meters, and he far exceeded that. A rough estimate would be around eighteen meters at least.
"Stansen, boatman, from Elbaf."
Stansen muffledly replied, "No matter what, you saved me, so I'll follow you to repay your kindness."
In the minds of the Giant Race, there's no such thing as buying or not buying. He only knew that Sage broke his collar and then invited him to join the Pirates. That's all there was to it.
"A boatman!" Renedia's eyes lit up, nodding mockingly, "Then you'll follow me from now on, and I'll teach you how to build ships!"
Stansen glanced at the tiny human and also nodded, "You seem to be an officer, and I'll comply with the ship's rules."
"Very good! Very sensible!"
Sage laughed, "I like pirates like you too. From now on, you're also an officer here. Maybe not a high-ranking officer, but definitely a lower officer."
For such an enormous guy, his natural strength and ability to suppress the crew members easily outmatch even the current Gin. Being a lower officer was more than sufficient.
However, moving any higher would be impossible.
Renedia and Hawkins are Ability Users; a large build only costs them some effort.
Marika's strength can match that of the giant, and she even has Armament Haki.
As for Lily...
Such a cumbersome build can't keep up with speed, and a single sword stroke could take him down.
"Sage, what are we waiting for? Just the money?" Renedia curiously asked.
"No..."
A red dot appeared in Sage's eyes as he looked toward the entrance, smiling and saying, "I'm waiting for someone worthy... here they come!"
Whoosh!
A beam of light burst in from the main door, heading straight for the stage with lightning speed that left no time to react.
"Hundred Times Speed!"
But at that moment, Sage's figure vanished in an instant, making a loud noise in mid-air.
Sage delivered a horizontal kick, blocking the beam and revealing a figure with the same foot blocking Sage's kick.
"So it's you, Kizaru, who showed up!"