Sage moved the wine glass slightly, allowing Bella to pour another glass, the crimson liquid flowing from the bottle obscuring half of Sage's view, as well as half of Teach's face opposite him, making him appear somewhat more sinister.
"Help?"
Sage was taken aback, "What are you planning to do, Teach?"
Teach revealed his slightly incomplete set of teeth, "The place you just left, Impel Down, I want to go there, recruit some comrades, that's the primary goal of my becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, unlike you. I want ten giant partners; only they are qualified to accompany me to the New World!"
"However, now circumstances have changed; besides this, there's another thing I need to do even more..."
He braced himself on the table, leaning forward slightly, his smile turning grim, "I've captured Ace, the Navy wants to execute him, and the old man won't let that happen; he'll come! I've just come down from Mary Geoise and confirmed this; it's a top-level war between the Navy and Pirates, the old man... will lose!"
His eyes widened as he sat back down, extending his left hand, where a ball of darkness bloomed, "You understand, don't you, Sage!"
Upon seeing that darkness, Renedia felt a pang in her heart, feeling somewhat uneasy.
The other Ability Users also stared solemnly at the hand.
"That is..."
Only Lucci stared at that darkness, frowning.
"Hmm?"
Showcasing his ability, Teach also paused, looking at Sage in surprise and laughed, "Zehaha, Zehahaha, Zehahahaha! This feeling, Sage, you've become an Ability User!"
The Dark-Dark Fruit has a unique attraction, drawing Ability Users towards it, even if only showing the ability; he can sense it, the person before him... has become an Ability User!
"What? Do you think you can do it now?"
Sage chuckled, his eyes flashing a ghostly light, "Feel free to try, Teach."
"Don't joke around; I didn't intend to fight you, Zehahaha..." Teach wiped a layer of sweat from his forehead and laughed a few times as he withdrew his ability.
"I'm not going to Impel Down; I have a Heavenly Celestial Dragon, with a new deal with the World Government, I'm leaving, but my subordinates may not withstand it."
Sage shook his head, "As for whether to go to that war or not, it depends on whether the World Government plays fair!"
He was waiting for the newspaper, which hasn't come out yet!
Judging by what Teach said after coming down from Mary Geoise, there isn't much time left until the execution of Ace.
"Eh? Refusing my proposal? I originally wanted you to go to Marineford to help me; after all, we are partners!"
Teach made no secret of his goal, "As long as the old man dies, and I acquire his ability, I can compete in the New World, the old man's territory, it'll all be ours; aren't you also waiting for this?"
There might be doubts about whether Whitebeard can win, but not for Teach.
He's spent too long aboard the ship, since over twenty years ago, always been with the Whitebeard Pirates, witnessing Whitebeard... Edward Newgate grow old!
He's reached the point where he needs medication, needs to quit drinking to sustain his life!
He's dying!
The winner of this war might be the Navy, or it might be Blackbeard, but it won't be the Whitebeard Pirates!
"That's your concern, Teach."
Sage curled his lips, pointing at Teach, "If you can't accomplish this, the collaboration in the New World is meaningless, you know, the weak have no qualification to cooperate with me."
Their goals largely coincide, their agreement to collaborate in the New World comes with the same purpose.
Sage was assessing Teach, and Teach was assessing Sage.
Only in the New World can it be determined whether there's qualification for cooperation.
Even as it approaches, but certainly not now.
"Zehahaha, as expected, those are words you would say, don't worry, I've got big luck! If I fail here, it means that my competence is only up to this point!"
"Then drink up, you gambler!" Sage laughed heartily.
Just then, a group of chefs came down from the ship, each holding trays, placing them on a long table.
"Ah, familiar faces."
Having finished the cooking, Marika carried a large stew pot over a meter long herself, smiling toward Teach and the others, "Here to join the feast too? Please eat plenty."
She placed the stew pot in the center of the table, when she lifted the lid, in the firelight of the campfire, it seemed to emit a glow, slightly dazzling everyone's eyes.
It was a stew pot, filled with precious ingredients, exuding an exotic aroma.
"Sea cucumber, abalone, Sea King fins, shellfish essence... just found a tendon with a wonderful taste here, tried stewing it, everyone give it a try."
"Your craftsmanship, I certainly trust it, no matter what it tastes good." Sage wrinkled his nose and laughed.
Bella picked up a bowl, first serving a bowl for Sage, respectfully placing it on the table, then placing her hands below, standing aside.
"I'm really envious!"
Teach shouted, "Musicians, dancing girls, maids, you're living the Pirate life quite comfortably."
"With such a profitable occupation, if not living comfortably, then what's the point of being a Pirate, Teach, isn't that also your thought?!" Sage laughed proudly.
"Mm... Indeed, all right, let me have a taste!" Teach picked up a bowl himself, just about to serve, when suddenly a bizarre and sinister laugh sounded nearby.