Regarding Gares changing his name to O'hara, Sage doesn't really care if it slaps the World Government in the face.
The people under his rule just need to change their name to integrate into the new environment properly, as for what they're called... it doesn't really matter.
Even if they call it Mary Geoise, these people wouldn't care much since it's a non-adhering country that never paid attention to the World Government.
Life goes on, and business continues.
After renaming, people became highly enthusiastic about their work, which also boosted business a bit.
With Tias no longer competing for business, and a new batch of boatmen on board, the shipbuilding speed finally picked up. Whether it was warships or regular ships, Sage sold them all.
Weapons, ships, and those resources whose overproduction would lead to price drops, Sage sold them all. That's how business is done, and as for where traders sell and at what price, he doesn't care much as long as they pay taxes.
As long as they pay taxes, he doesn't mind if they sell to the World Government.
After all, as long as the market circulates, Sage can't control where things end up. Maybe the World Government will even buy some.
After all, weapons and cannons can shelter from the rain.
Every now and then, new pirate groups still come by, wanting to join the increasingly famous Sage, and the number of pirate groups is also starting to increase.
The longer Sage occupies this place, the more solid his position becomes, and the more people anticipate his success.
For such a huge crime as killing a Heavenly Celestial Dragon, nothing has happened to him so far, and he's occupied such a large country for so long. Being a hot candidate for the Four Emperors certainly draws pirates' attention.
Royal Palace, training room.
At the moment, Sage is continuously attacking the Poneglyph, using every part of his head, body, and limbs in the assault, yet still not employing Haki.
In terms of physique, it's steadily strengthening through constant training.
Sage isn't one of those naturally gifted individuals with exceptional physique. Even after becoming stronger, his body hasn't grown significantly taller, like reaching seven or eight meters all of a sudden.
Human strength can't be unrelated to physique; otherwise, giants wouldn't be acknowledged as strong fighters.
Some folks, no matter how skilled with Haki or adept with their abilities, can't withstand a giant's attack.
But Sage has his unique method because his physique is constantly improving through Life Return and training, with no end to this enhancement in sight.
This kind of average human height can also develop an extremely strong physique through his own training.
Currently, he estimates needing to amplify his strength fifty times to defeat Kaido. As his physique improves, this amplification requirement gets smaller and smaller.
After finishing physique training, training abilities, and then practicing using Haki, the Poneglyph, which initially didn't budge, is driven all around under the combination of abilities and Haki, chased rapidly by Sage, resulting in a series of sounds.
Bam!
Until Sage flashed to the front of the Poneglyph, hitting it fiercely with his shoulder, causing a sharp, ear-piercing noise from the friction between the massive stone and the steel ground, after which the Poneglyph returned to its original position.
Sage shook his fists downward, exhaled a breath, then looked at the doorway, "What's up?"
Lily had been there for quite a while, just silently watching him train.
"Your injuries are appearing less frequently now."
Lily casually pulled out a bottle of wine from the rack by the door and skillfully tossed it to Sage.
"People need to get stronger, Lily. When I get my normal state trained to the physique strength those relying on Zoan-type amplification can reach, nothing in the ocean can stop me!"
Sage downed half the bottle of wine in one go, then headed to the door, "I'm gonna take a bath, have Marika whip up some breakfast for me, add a dish of stewed beef to the breakfast, and lots of green onions."
After bathing, Sage arrived at a quiet dining room.
Apart from the banquet hall, the Royal Palace also has another dining area where Sage sometimes prefers to eat quietly, so there's only one round table.
Up till now, his eating routines, unless specifically requested otherwise, are fixed.
Breakfast needs to be good, and thus it's 166 meticulously prepared gourmet dishes…not the kind to explode clothes, but dishes crafted from various top-grade ingredients.
For lunch, it needs to be enough, usually 333 dishes.
Dinner also needs to be good...
Sage indeed has expectations for dinner and never settles for a small amount, typically 188 dishes.
Too much?
Not really, given Sage's physique growth, with Life Return additionally contributing significantly.
On one hand, he's able to enjoy delicious food, while on the other hand, he can enhance his physique and practice Life Return. Why wouldn't he do it?
If it weren't for considering the time it takes Marika to cook, he would have added even more.
Under normal circumstances, Sage only eats what she cooks, as it tastes the best.
In the past, when not being a pirate, Sage lived a tough life. Taste and even getting enough was a struggle. Now that he's a pirate, if he still lives poorly, then what's the point of being a pirate?
Moreover, now that he's done being a landlord, a bit of indulgence like this is no big deal at all.
"Lily, come eat with me, and then we'll go fishing. I've heard at Vice Island, there's a small lake with many fish jumping over the water's surface!" Sage remarks with high spirits.
Lily pouted slightly, "I'm really busy, Sage."
"Take a break once in a while." Sage chuckled.
That's your stubborn self idling around!
How many fishing rods have you broken already!
And they're never the same. Today it's the gold rod, tomorrow the gemstone rod; whenever there's no catch, the rod gets broken.
Storm City is almost developing an industry called 'treasure seekers,' specializing in finding places with water and fish, hoping to find one of Sage's broken rods, which can sell for quite a bit.
"No time, I have many matters to manage domestically, and I need to train." Lily firmly refused.
Leisure?
The Captain only needs to think about leisure, but subordinates have much more to consider.
"Besides, I came to report. Numerous pirate groups have joined us recently, increasing our available force in Storm City to five thousand people."
"Furthermore, our current production is nearing saturation point. Should we increase population and other industries... It's time to take over Whitebeard's territory."
"Hmm..."
Sage rubbed his chin, "Five thousand, huh? Fine, let those cadres go. Of course, the New World should be explored more. It's fine if you guys want to go too, it's indeed time to move."
Last time, Teach also called. Before attacking Hive Island, he was already seizing Whitebeard's territory.
Now that the recruitment is nearly complete, it's time to fight for territory.
His plan is to split Whitebeard's territory right in half.