The guy standing on the sea moved instantly when Sage discovered him, turning into shattered ice, bringing a wave of frost, and rushing onto the deck along the frozen path.
Whoosh!
The cold wind swept across, adding an extra layer of frost to the deck. On the frost, a humanoid ice block rapidly rose, taking the shape of a man.
He wore a dark green coat, underneath was a white V-neck shirt, black trousers on the lower half, carrying a backpack, wrapped in a blue headscarf, and wearing round sunglasses like a blind person.
Overall, he really looked like a homeless vagabond.
Komei weakly called out, "Kuzan... Admiral."
"Ah la la, I'm no longer an admiral now."
Kuzan scratched his head, troubled, "This is quite a hassle now."
"Hahaha, what kind of outfit is this? Planning to settle on a park bench?" Sage laughed heartily.
"It's not impossible, I've been quite lost lately."
Kuzan nodded seriously, as if seriously considering Sage's suggestion.
"Come off it."
Sage mocked, "Your eyes don't look lost though, is this outfit for a vacation?"
Compared to before, Kuzan now had less of his usual laziness, shedding the confusion often seen previously.
"No, I've left the navy."
Kuzan shrugged, "I'm a free man now."
This made Sage pause in surprise.
Left the navy?
This triggered his memory.
Seems there was such a thing...
Has it already happened now?
However...
"An admiral not in the navy?"
Sage chuckled, "Just like a Four Emperor not being a pirate, quite surprising."
Within the navy, an admiral's main function isn't much different from a governor, in terms of rank, they are on par with the Fleet Marshal, just one is a primary and the other a deputy.
Leaving the navy at this rank is a massive upheaval.
"Yes, not in the navy anymore..."
Kuzan said, "Didn't you get the news? I lost the fight for Fleet Marshal against Sakazuki, couldn't agree with his views, so I simply left the navy."
"Haven't received word, must be a matter of timing..."
He really hadn't heard this news, having been busy fishing lately, plus no breeze brought news here.
Sage instinctively looked at Kuzan, noticing a few burn marks visible on the left side of his open V-neck shirt.
Though standing seemed convenient, it looked rather awkward from a sensory standpoint, exuding bursts of cold air.
"Lost a leg?" Sage clicked his tongue in wonder, "The fight was fierce..."
"Of course, unlike you guys, our Logia-type battles are different. But it's fine, things like legs, they don't affect me much."
As Kuzan spoke, he glanced at Komei lying on the ground and sighed,
"Hey, Sage, can you let them go? Some guys are too familiar, can't watch them get killed by you. If you're not done with your antics, I can accompany you."
"I'm not interested in fighting you without a leg anyway, besides, you're not navy anymore."
Sage laughed, glancing around at the warship that had completely lost its combat capability, the fallen navy soldiers, and the scrapped Peacekeepers.
Under the previous Conqueror's Haki attack, these couldn't withstand even one of his blows, they were all down already.
If not for this timely frost, the ship would have been almost burned out by now.
Now these ships, even if not sunk, can't be set sail.
"For your previous restraint at Water Seven..."
Sage's lips curved as he glanced at the gravely injured Komei, "That's it then, go back and tell your superiors, if you want to catch me next time, send someone with some caliber!"
As he spoke, he looked towards Kuzan, "You're no longer navy, so how about visiting my place? Kuzan."
"I do have that thought."
Kuzan nodded, "Even if I hadn't met you, I planned to visit your New O'hara, some things, you can only see after leaving the navy."
"I'll be waiting for you on the Death Star."
Sage stepped onto the railing, recalling something, turned back to mock Komei:
"By the way, there's an obvious flaw in your plan, which is that you don't understand my battle power. Your greatest success was ruining my foundation, just causing me some trouble."
Thud!
With that, he drifted away in circles of smoke, using Moon Step, gradually turning into a small dot in Kuzan's vision.
Kuzan scratched his head, "This guy... uses the Navy's Six Styles better than anyone."
"Kuzan... Admiral, s-sorry."
Komei said tiredly, "W-we failed."
"I already said, I'm not an admiral anymore."
Kuzan said, "The plan was good, but lacked substantial battle power, though I'm not navy anymore, I still have to give you advice... Sage, no, Disaster, is already untouchable."
He looked in the direction where Sage disappeared, paused, and said, "This guy now... what he lacks is just the title, not the strength."
Just as Sage could see his state change, Kuzan could also see Sage's current state.
He was completely different from the last time. Though Sage was strong before, Kuzan was still confident he could suppress him.
Now, the aura Sage exuded at all times had reached a terrifying extent.
Supreme King's Entanglement, Haki, abilities, Body Techniques... Not only does this guy know them all, but he's also highly proficient.
All that's left is the territory and influence issue to reach the Four Emperors level.
Such an existence is untouchable for the navy now, not even a stray thought should be entertained.
The typical 'Four Emperors', the Navy must consult higher-ups to decide whether to engage in battle if they come across one. Sage previously had this privilege, but since he wasn't yet a Four Emperor, he found a flaw and wanted to try again.
But this time, the plan was a complete failure.
Twenty large warships, with fewer Vice Admirals, but with Peacekeepers, at least equipped like two Buster Calls.
Such significant losses in the New World, even the Navy would find it troublesome...
"Sakazuki, that guy, he encountered defeat right at the start..."
Kuzan shook his head and walked towards another level of the ship's railing, speaking to Komei at the end: "Take a break, I'll let someone come and fetch you."
With that, he jumped back onto the ice path frozen on the sea, heading to ride his bike.
On the sea, there are many Ability Users who don't need ships and are not afraid of seawater, but Kuzan must be one of the most unique.
The power from his Ice-Ice Fruit makes him fearless of any storm; just riding a bicycle allows him to wander the world.
...
Half a day later, inside the banquet hall of the Death Star.
"Master Sage!"
Gin stood guiltily below the throne, his expression incredibly solemn, "It's my incompetence that made you come personally."
After receiving treatment, Gin naturally regained consciousness; his injuries weren't serious, the worst one was caused by Sage mainly knocking him unconscious.
Upon awakening, Gin immediately sought Sage to plead guilty.
It was undeniable, he had not handled the matter well.
"Hmm... indeed, let it be this way, for three months, you won't share in the spoils." Sage was blunt.
"Yes, Master Sage, I will strive harder and not tarnish your reputation!" Gin breathed a sigh of relief but looked determined, secretly clenching his fist.
He realized that it was the ability's influence, Master Sage was indeed not just illusory as he appeared; however, this incident serves as a warning.
He is one of the Disaster Pirates enjoying High-Ranking Officer treatment, he can't continue like this!
To become stronger, to better serve Master Sage.
"Alright, let's have the banquet, it's an old friend coming over, time to give a warm welcome!" Sage laughed heartily.
When Kuzan first boarded the ship, he scared quite a few people, but upon hearing that he was no longer with the Navy, everyone relaxed one by one.
Otherwise, the appearance of an Admiral could cause significant problems.
Gin's punishment met no objections, though Kuzan was somewhat puzzled, taking advantage of Gin stepping down and others preparing for the banquet, he quietly asked:
"Hey, this is your subordinate, you shouldn't blame him, 'Fear of the Mist' is something I know, an old pirate tough to deal with. It was after he lost to Whitebeard that Mr. Garp found the opportunity."
Upon hearing this, Sage said: "Victory or defeat on the sea is not important; survival is. However, when it comes to managing subordinates, even as an Admiral, you don't have my experience. At such times, punishment reassures people; ignoring it leaves people uneasy."
Punishment is necessary for closure.
Ignoring it leads to issues, it makes subordinates feel it's not a big deal even if they err, which negatively influences behavior.
Sage's punishment is neither severe nor lenient, but for pirates, the main concerns are regarding compensation, or money.
After all, pirates roam and plunder for wealth, for some the punishment might be minor, but for most pirates, it's quite heavy.
Punishing Gin also serves as a warning to other pirates.
Indeed, keeping to Sage's rules means no danger to life, but inefficiency still results in embarrassment.
Beyond that... there is no more.
These are not the strict hierarchies of the Navy or Kingdom, a chaotic group of pirates, accomplishing this is satisfactory.
"Sage..."
Lily came over and said: "Leaving just two hundred people here might not suffice, perhaps we should enhance manpower, given the gold mine and it's Magnetic Field Island, let's assign someone to guard."
Half a day's time was sufficient for Lily and others to settle the matter here.
Without the Ability User, the mist was gone, Lily quickly announced Sage's domination here, under Heinrich's leadership, exterminated a batch of 'walking dead' mining in the caves.
Maroni's ability is permanent; once controlled by illusion, beings remain forever in the Illusion Realm, even the Ability User's death can't free them.
If it doesn't cause problems, that's manageable, but those beings turn savage upon encountering humans; thus Lily decided to clear them out completely.
However, after cleaning, a new issue arose.
Who to assign here.
For subsidiary small islands generating resources, just stationing subordinates suffices, since the proximity to New O'hara allows the quick response to emergencies.
This island is different, being Magnetic Field Island—a vital route, coupled with gold mines; if ordinary people are dispatched, breach consequences would be severe.
Sage pondered and said:
"Once Gin returns, let's have him bring some men to guard here... for now, let's settle on five hundred people."
"An island with gold mines potentially holds other minerals, suits his ability; serves as a frontline to mobilize troops conquering other areas."
It's a step bound to be undertaken.
As territories expand, officers will increasingly disperse, each guarding varied critical spots.
Currently, it's the first major territory, assigning an ordinary captain definitely fails to hold it; only a High-Ranking Officer provides reassurance.
Can serve as a frontline, advancing towards Sage's planned sphere of influence.
Gin is merely the first; more will follow.
In his plan, besides indispensable Lily, Marika, and Renedia remaining by his side, the rest need to venture out to guard.
Regarding strength issues...
Whether capable or not, battles will reveal that.
It's not that Sage lacks sentimentality, New World demands such rigor; he ensures suitable places for those failing without spirit.
However, if one doesn't strive, doesn't fight, neither individuals nor Pirates can solidly establish in the New World.
"This is the arena, the proving ground!"
Sage raised his glass, stood facing his already boisterous subordinates, and exclaimed loudly:
"Fight, get your spirits up and battle, bring me victory, I'll generously reward you with everything deserved!"
"Wealth, glory, status—apart from ruling authority, everything else I will share with you! Hahaha, hohohoho!"