The fall of Gares Kingdom, the World Desire City has fallen into the hands of Pirates!
Despite the war, the place being a crucial crossroads and a mix of various factions, large crowds still gathered outside, including journalists looking for firsthand news, aside from the United Army that Sage had not yet joined.
Augustine Castle is open!
The United Army flooded into the city, regardless of the ruins, gathering in front of the destroyed half of the Inner City, gazing at the completely intact Royal Palace, their faces showing fear, fervor, or some curious thoughts...
On the balcony, Sage emerged after a day's rest, overlooking the people like ants below.
"Disaster!"
A man dressed as a pirate shouted loudly, "I want to join your Pirates, take me in!"
This statement resonated with many people around, who began shouting.
"Hohohohoho, want to join? You're all welcome, anyone who wants to join the Disaster Pirates, I'll accept with open arms!"
Sage laughed, "But don't think you can share in my fruits of victory that easily; that would be unfair to the subordinates who fought for me. There's still a lot waiting for you!"
A batch of people had pledged their lives for him two days ago, and even though they died, Sage had his own principles. Recruiting a new batch to share the fruits of victory without hesitation would render the sacrifices of those who died meaningless.
But people must be recruited, as the tasks are still not complete...
"Hey, Disaster, you've taken over here, will it be like before?" asked a merchant.
"Of course, everything will continue as before. This will remain a city of freedom and openness, as long as my rules are followed, I'll allow you passage."
Sage said, "However, given that it needs rebuilding, the name needs change. Augustine Castle is history, as is Gares Kingdom. I will rule here from now on!"
He shouted to the crowd, "Go, inform the people across the seas, I, Disaster, hereby invite you all, regardless of race or profession, to settle and live here. Follow my rules, and I will grant you fairness, under me!"
"I'm not Totto Land, I won't demand your souls. I'm not Whitebeard, merely raising flags. Nor am I Kaido, sealing off nations over there. I'm nothing like Red Hair, merely exploring certain places. I will protect you until I die!"
"So, come, whether residents or Pirates, you can find your place here!"
Recruitment isn't urgent, but this invitation must be spread first.
More people bring vitality to the territory!
A few reporters picked up their cameras and Radio Snails, pressing the shutter towards Sage's wanton laughter above the palace...
...
New World.
On a tropical island further back, a group of pirates were having a banquet, amidst shouts and drinking, a grey-haired man with a slight wave, blue cloak on his back, climbed onto a tree stump, handing a newspaper to a red-haired, one-armed man.
"Oh?"
The red-haired man set down his wine glass, took the paper with his remaining right hand, glanced at the content, then the Wanted Order accompanying it.
"William was defeated?"
"Shouldn't be wrong, this man was already very formidable." The grey-haired man bit onto his cigarette, exhaling smoke.
"Ah... it's a bit of a pity; I met William, indeed a nice fellow. I respected his adherence to oaths and protection; didn't expect him to be defeated already." The red-haired man shook his head, smiling.
"Boss! If you're upset, we should go to Gares!"
A nearby fat man tore off a chunk of meat, eating with oil dripping.
"Better not, that man's not to be trifled with, hahahahaha!"
The red-haired man laughed twice, but his tone showed no concern about the threat, glancing back at the paper, and chuckled, "The sea, it never ceases to usher in new eras..."
Kapow!
Inside an island cave emanating purple thunder, a massive figure grabbed the giant cup on the ground, amidst the panic-stricken face of a pirate of almost equal size, gulping down the drink in one go.
Next to him on the ground were scattered newspapers and a Wanted Order.
"Well done! Ohhohohoho!"
The gigantic creature roared to the sky, "Whitebeard, that old man did well, stirring up such a huge war! And this brat did well too, not satisfied just destroying Marineford, even Augustine fell prey!"
Boom!
The huge fist slammed into the nearby pirate, sending him flying and creating a dent in the wall.
"So boring, too boring! Why haven't I died yet!!"
Within the cave, the colossal being's roaring voice echoed.
On the other side of New World, within a throne room resembling a Royal Palace, a similarly massive black shadow bared creepy white teeth, emitting a bizarre laugh.
"Mwahahaha!"
In front of that shadow lay a newspaper and a Wanted Order for a certain white-haired fellow.
"Spoken well, daring to talk about any race... Are you bold enough to house all races? Don't get too conceited, let me see!"
In the Grand Line, in a small town.
Crocodile sat on a crate, single-handedly holding a newspaper, the golden hook of his left hand tapping a side, the corner of his mouth with the cigar revealing a smirk:
"Any race? Renaming? Planning to take business from Totto Land, Sage, directly aiming at the Four Emperors? That's not the Pirate way; it's also business..."
Beside him, Daz Bonez crossed his arms, unsmiling, "Eighteen billion bounty, aiming for the Four Emperors?"
"He's always had the idea, always been confident... It's fine, this guy has territory now; we can continue to cooperate. Mr. 1, willing to accompany me to the long-missed New World?" Crocodile asked.
Daz Bonez said grimly, "Are you confident?"
"Ha, ha, ha, ha!"
Crocodile laughed in staccato, "Don't underestimate me, my confidence has returned!"
...
Augustine Castle, Royal Palace.
Since the last statement, Sage had entered, this building barely touched by destruction became Sage's headquarters now.
"Eighteen billion..."
Sage sat on a stone throne, looked at his Wanted Order, and smiled, "With this value, can I call myself the Fifth Emperor?"
"Fifth Emperor?"
Renedia below paused momentarily, "Wasn't Whitebeard dead? Shouldn't it be the Four Emperors, Sage, are you one of the Four Emperors now?"
"If one territory counts as a Four Emperor, then with Pirates raising flags, there'd be Pirate Emperors everywhere, sixty Pirate Emperors!"
Sage laughed heartily, pointing at Sipher, "Then with you taking down fifty-six as a Mountain Bandit, you can be promoted to Mountain Bandit King in the future, hohohoho!"
Sipher scratched his head, puzzled.
Could anyone take down fifty or sixty of those Four Emperors monsters?
Who's that formidable?
"Sage, what should be done now? Outside there are still many people, how to accommodate them?" On Sage's left side below, Lily, aligned first, asked.
Indeed, issues were plenty; foremost was the need to rebuild this city.
Fought to this extent, it's unviable for use, leaving many people homeless; ignoring them would be too troublesome.
Now those guards, albeit not surrendered, have started doing things for Sage, are maintaining order spontaneously.
But that can't last long.
They too need to eat...
Even if the chef team operates fully, it can't feed a million mouths, Marika cooking herself to death wouldn't suffice for this many meals, plus, they can't afford that much food.
When people are in poverty, Lily knows what happens all too well.
In the past, Oykot saw many who couldn't survive becoming Mountain Bandits; can't truly let Sage sit on the Mountain Bandit King title, can we?
Not yet Pirate King...
"The city needs rebuilding, let them do it, distribute the looted money, work for relief."
Sage waved his hand, "Let them rebuild, pay them, if money's lacking... We've only occupied one city, the entire kingdom isn't under control yet; lead, let those new recruits do the work."
He clenched his fist, grinned fiercely, "I want all nobles here gone, all rule consolidated under me!"
What is a landlord?
It's of course the largest, with no shared ruling power existence!