While asking Sage, he was also watching the battle between Whitebeard and Teach, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
"That kind of thing, you'll only know when you get to the New World. Everything we're doing now is also for the advance into the New World."
Sage grinned, stretching out his hand to Crocodile, "Old Croc, want to join me? I've already convinced Moriah. If you come with me, I'll definitely become the new Pirate Emperor, carving out a huge territory. The Military Power you want, I can also achieve it!"
"Don't speak so certainly!"
A shadow darted swiftly under the sunlight, revealing Moriah's figure. He pursed his lips and said piercingly, "You haven't proven it to me yet, Sage!"
"Huh? You weren't defeated by Jinbe?" Crocodile exclaimed in surprise, "Recovered? Moriah..."
He had just seen Moriah face off against Jinbe. From what he knew of Moriah, Jinbe was his greatest counter. Yet, unexpectedly, this guy could still move, and quite effortlessly at that.
"Are you underestimating me, Crocodile!"
Moriah glared at him, "I don't just absorb shadows!"
In the battle with Jinbe, he hadn't absorbed anyone else's shadow, using only his own abilities.
"Hmph." Crocodile snorted coldly and ignored him, but in his heart, he was calculating.
Their situations were similar.
One challenged Whitebeard and was defeated miserably, losing his will. But now, seeing Whitebeard in that aged state, unable to gain the upper hand even in a confrontation with that Blackbeard, his heart was already wavering.
Old means old, no matter how much reverence or shadow remains in the heart, seeing this scene would leave one despondent and then... would firmly awaken that long-dormant heart!
And the other was someone who failed against "Hundred Beasts." But Kaido isn't old; he's in his prime now. Where did his conviction come from?
In this state now, it's clear he's picking up something too.
Is it Sage's influence?
Crocodile frowned and continued, "I won't join anyone's crew. I only trust myself!"
Cooperation is cooperation; joining is joining; they're entirely different.
"I knew you'd say that. Whatever, you owe me money anyway. When the time comes, just share some of the channels with me."
Sage chuckled nonchalantly and then turned his gaze to Moriah, smiling, "You will see, Moriah, very soon!"
Recognizing the gap with the current top experts doesn't necessarily require fighting with them. As long as you can prove to the world... that you have the qualification, that's enough.
"Old man, you're done for!"
Teach's hand released darkness, absorbing the shock of Whitebeard's fist as he taunted, "I once admired you so much! I even thought if I couldn't obtain this power, serving under your protection and working for a strongman like you wouldn't be a bad idea!"
"But you're old! You've disappointed me so much! For an Ace, you would even risk your life! Then this is my chance, my destiny. From the moment you decided to come here, everything was already fated!!"
"What does he mean?" Crocodile said in a deep voice.
"What can a gambler mean, he won his bet!"
Sage grinned sinisterly, "There aren't so many plans in this world that can go smoothly as others wish. Even for me, making a plan involves countless strategies, always ready to activate contingencies upon failure. A gambler is even more so, betting with their life, winning means everything, losing means death at sea!"
Teach originally planned to capture Luffy, which Sage knew since they met in Demon Valley Town.
His initial plan was to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and then find an opportunity to reach Impel Down and recruit these companions.
According to the original plan, it might have taken much longer to achieve this. Without a good opportunity, even if he entered Impel Down, he couldn't get out.
But he just happened to capture Ace, and Whitebeard wanted to rescue Ace, even at the cost of starting a war.
This was the opportunity!
In the time the Navy couldn't spare their hands, Teach reached Impel Down and won the bet.
And due to the war, he knew his next opportunity had arrived!
Lucky guy...
Sage has always liked that!
Poof!
The ability was canceled, but Whitebeard seized the opportunity, slashing Teach with a counterattack and using the hilt of his long sword to clamp one of Teach's hands, while his other foot, infused with Haki, stomped on Teach's other hand to prevent him from using his ability, while gripping Teach's neck with the empowered hand.
"Experienced."
Sage said, "But unfortunately, close to death."
Though Teach was already terrified and pleading for mercy, Whitebeard's consciousness momentarily slipped at the moment of attack, giving Teach the chance to break free again, while his companions pulled out firearms and continued shooting.
Bullets on the sea can be effective against anyone, especially those imbued with Haki.
"Tch!"
Crocodile's face was gloomy, turning into sand and dispersing, moving far away.
He seemed to be spitting on Blackbeard's actions.
Until all the lead bullets were exhausted, Teach pulled the trigger, unable to fire another round, and urgently said, "Give me another gun!"
"No need!"
Shiryu, observing the towering figure of Whitebeard, slowly said, "He's already lost consciousness..."