It's not that Lucci and the others are lacking in strength.
It's just that the Peacekeeper is indeed quite formidable.
In the first half of the Grand Line, where Haki is not prevalent, the competition is all about body techniques, swordsmanship, ability development, and physical qualities.
This machine is very strong, whether in strength or hardness, and its attacks also have powerful laser beams, making it almost overwhelming for Pirates who have not mastered Haki.
One-on-one, only two or three of these so-called Super Rookies can possibly win, and the cost is significant.
Looking at Sage, if this continues, Hawkins and the others will have to suffer more injuries to completely defeat the Peacekeeper.
If Lily and the others were to fight from the start, the result wouldn't be much different.
It's just that, due to the mastery of Haki, the injuries might be lighter.
Lily purely took advantage of the long duration of the battle, leveraging the realm of the Breath of All Things, found the weakness of the already damaged Peacekeeper, combined with the opening created by Marika and Renny, and then with Haki strong enough to shatter the Peacekeeper's defense, she was able to decapitate it with one stroke.
However, no matter what, the realm of the 'Breath of All Things' indeed deepened considerably, and Lily has started on her own path.
She now exhibits a sense of lethality when she decides to move.
"Good stuff!"
Renedia, with her eyes shining, reversed the Sheep Horn Hammer and hooked it into the Peacekeeper's chest cavity, picked up the Peacekeeper's head, and dragged its huge body back.
This high-tech construction is quite a good thing; analyzing it well might reveal some good technology.
A Peacekeeper blocking the way was just to let a High-Ranking Officer test the current battle strength, and Sage was quite satisfied. In the first half, this was enough; next, once they grasp Haki, they could be a figure in the New World.
Next is continuous grinding, which probably won't work in the Grand Line anymore. Those who have reached here have basically cleared most of the trials in the first half, and if their will hasn't been tempered here, then no matter how much time they waste, it won't change.
"Tsk..."
Lucci clicked his tongue, his human form full of discontent.
The power is completely off...
The Sword Princess woman is fine; he knew she was talented, but even the cook seemed to produce more power than he did using the Six Styles Secret Technique.
Is that the effect of Haki?
Shouldn't he also master it soon...
"Not bad."
Sage exhaled smoke, relaxedly changed his posture, surveyed them, and said, "But if you want to go further, this leisurely place won't cut it, enjoy it now; this is your last leisure time. After reaching the New World, be ready for the brutal trials."
"I have only one requirement for you, defeat is not terrible, but never lose the will you have when facing powerful enemies. If you are scared and become lost, then you are completely done. Of course, since you're my subordinates, at that time, I'll choose a retired path for you, as long as you're alive, you won't end up like that fallen old man Rayleigh in retirement, haha!"
"I will never fall to that level!"
Lucci clenched his fist and said coldly, "I never will!"
Others also steeled their minds and entered the venue without a word.
Sage smiled without saying a word.
That can't be said for certain.
He knew Lucci would eventually re-enter the World Government for some unknown reason, but isn't that a form of self-preservation?
If the World Government doesn't want them, a group of agents who only know how to kill, would they honestly become some boatman or secretary?
How is that different from being down and out?
Sage didn't care about subordinates' casualties, as long as there was no major disruption to the base, he was fine. Currently, it seemed Lily was the least likely to fall indefinitely, Marika was resilient enough, and Renedia was still young, entering the New World so early, she would get used to it.
As long as these bases didn't collapse, he could make a comeback.
As for the other guys, even if their will faltered, once they had territory, they could do something in it. After all, even without resolve, they just lost Haki, their inherent strength wouldn't change, and they could easily deal with ordinary folks.
Even if all were completely defeated and died, Sage wouldn't lack the courage to start over.
That's what entrepreneurship is about, ups and downs.
This is also what sets him apart from Moriah.
He would lose his will and become desolate for decades due to the death of his companions.
Sage wouldn't; he's come to this point through too many setbacks.
The High-Ranking Officers entered the venue to wait, and Gin, who didn't consider himself a High-Ranking Officer, began looting in the Shampodi Islands with his men.
He personally coordinated, taking his subordinates to target the most important places, while the other lower-ranking officers each led a team, using intelligence from CP9 members, to loot other places.
First was the human trafficking shop, with each illegal zone from 1 to 29 having one. There was quite a bit of cash here, although some were guarded, it was clearly not enough to deter the Disaster Pirates.
No. 3 Archipelago.
Bellamy crouched on the ground, charging up, then spring-jumped up, shot over, and punched through the wall near the entrance of the human trafficking shop, creating a hole. Taking advantage of the narrow room, he kept bouncing around, and with each leap, he would knock down a guard in the building, making the interior walls potholed.