Hooked!
In the past, when Sage fished, although there was some enjoyment, it was mostly driven by determination.
Because he didn't believe in superstition and never thought he truly couldn't catch a fish. It was just bad luck. As long as he tried enough times, there would eventually be a time when he could catch one.
Even though he had a wealth of fishing theories, he wasn't truly that fond of it—not to the extent of "fishing for eternity."
But ever since the last time he used Buggy as bait and nearly caught a fish, the enormous satisfaction from finally catching something after long periods of empty attempts made his greedy soul feel momentarily fulfilled, followed by intense joy.
This feeling was amazing!
Especially this time, the sense of satisfaction was abundant. Fish kept biting, although Buggy's struggles caused some big ones to slip away, but ultimately, they were hooking fish; they just hadn't yet brought them onto the ship.
Keep it up, you can do it!
"Buggy, let's make a deal. Can you not move? Just be bait, and I won't mistreat you once we succeed! A hundred million Belly! As long as the fish eat you, I'll give you a hundred million Belly!"
"To buy me a coffin? I'll die if I don't move in the sea!"
Buggy's teeth were almost sharp from struggling madly, "Hurry and pull me up, being eaten by a fish is no fun, I will die, really die!"
"Hold on! Such precious bait... no, a good friend, how could I let you die? As long as I haven't become the Fishing King, you absolutely won't die! For me, give it your best shot, Aibo!" Sage shouted.
Lily looked at Sage, seemingly a little infected by Buggy, and sighed helplessly before returning to the captain's cabin balcony.
A hand formed from a mound of sand carried a cup closer. Lily glanced at it, took the cup and sipped, then looked over at Crocodile.
"Serving a Great Pirate is tiring, isn't it?"
Crocodile exhaled a cloud of smoke, chuckled lowly for a moment, "Great Pirates are powerful, willful, run rampant across the sea at the whim of their will, without regard for consequences. Just like the old Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, Sage is also that kind of person. He declares war, and he starts it immediately."
Questioning himself, if he were the Lord of O'hara, having achieved such prosperity, having completed the Ideal Country plan, would he have the courage to start a war of such scale?
Even the courage to directly turn against the World Government.
Once people possess something, the desire to protect it makes them think twice, and thinking too much leads to hesitance.
Like the Cross Guild.
Unlike the former organization in Alabasta, they were expendable, with no foundation to maintain, yet even so, he was constantly mindful of his image due to his reputation in Alabasta.
The Cross Guild was even more different. With the addition of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and those silver medalist evictees driven out by Sage, plus Buggy's fame attracting more pirates to join, the influx of funds from sponsors made this faction extraordinarily large. Yet, because it was so large, he has lacked the will to give it his all.
Just like the old Whitebeard...
"I think I can understand you."
Crocodile thought of something, sighed slightly, and took another drink.
Young Whitebeard and the older Whitebeard, although similar, were no longer the same person.
The Whitebeard he challenged was willing to bet everything he had, but the older Whitebeard lacked that will and fought only for his 'family'.
Currently, there are only two who can truly be called Great Pirates.
One is Sage, the other is Teach.
Red Hair...
That guy seems different; he indeed went out to sea for some purpose, but more like a world policeman of the pirate realm, wandering around without a clear goal.
Perhaps there's another reckless one...
Straw Hat.
But he hasn't become one of the Four Emperors.
"Serving Great Pirates is our duty, after all. You're the same, even though Buggy is merely your puppet, to some degree, he can also be considered a Great Pirate. That speech of his was excellent and very inspiring. It shows the willfulness of a Great Pirate..."
Lily glanced at the ship's bow, seeing Buggy flying up by his flight ability, with both feet lifted, as if about to confront Sage, smiled slightly:
"Getting to a level recognized by Sage is something commendable."
As the second-in-command, although there's no vice-captain position, it was clear that Lily and Crocodile share the same functions; after all, apart from his Logia-type ability, what Crocodile relies on is his extraordinary planning.
The Cross Guild was basically managed and planned by Crocodile, whereas Mihawk was more like the Combat Commander of the ship, highly capable but actually lazy, only wanting a peaceful life and finding swordsmen he could battle with.
For instance, right now...
"Bienta Lily."
Mihawk swirled the wine in his glass, his hawk-like eyes becoming even sharper, "Your aura is becoming more intense. I'm looking forward to battling you. If you can take my title as the World's Number One Great Sword Master, I'd be pleased."
"Not interested."
Lily said calmly, "I have more important goals; the limit of a single person is not what I seek. Rather than the strongest sword, what I seek is to liberate the whole world from oppression, to complete my ideal liberation sword! Unless you stand in my way, I'll cut you down!"
With nothing that can't be cut, it also aligns with her will.
Sage had already told him how difficult this path was.
Even so straightforwardly that Lily was almost shaken.
O'hara now prospers. But people are never satisfied; sometimes human will is unstoppable, and some who have gained only want more. Problems will arise, just like the big purge of merchants back then.
Currently, due to the many external enemies, numerous opportunities, the world is vast, hence O'hara can flourish.
If it truly reaches a certain point where O'hara can no longer advance, then internally, it will naturally divide into classes. This is unstoppable, as long as humanity exists, it is inevitable.
Perhaps, in the end, the first enemy Lily faces will be Sage.
This was Sage's words.
She even remembers Sage's anticipation and excitement when he said it.
It seemed like he wanted her to accomplish something and eagerly awaited her success.
But Lily couldn't comprehend.
O'hara is already perfect. Even if it stagnates, it can provide a good life; even if it means doing nothing, people can still live comfortably.
Sage's personal "oppression" hardly counts. Spread across today's O'hara, it's like a stone thrown into the sea, unable to make a splash.
His expectations, Lily suspected she might not meet.
However, those words were profoundly impactful, so she remembered them. After all, the obstacles are just too many.
It's something words cannot resolve—reliance on the sword in hand is the only way!
Compared to that, she's not at all interested in Mihawk's title as the 'World's Number One Great Sword Master.'
"Liberation?"
Boa Hancock's expression stirred, "Like Tiger climbing the Red Earth Continent and freeing the slaves of Mary Geoise? With your reputation... do you plan to kill all the Heavenly Celestial Dragons?"
Killing the Heavenly Celestial Dragons is a sin and a taboo on the sea, but this taboo doesn't exist within the Disaster Pirates.
They've already done it, and even now nothing has happened, forcing the World Government to negotiate with them.
Regarding Sage, Boa Hancock didn't harbor ill feelings, and even admired him greatly.
But admiration isn't synonymous with infatuation.
"It depends on whether they block my path or not; it's too early to say. We have a long way to go with the World Government. We need to solve the New World problems first before we have the power to consider this matter."
Lily said, "The role of the Cross Guild is a bridgehead, and causing trouble for the World Government within the Underworld realm. I know your plans. As long as we exist, your ideals will be realized."
She looked ahead, where a silhouette of an island gradually appeared in front of Sage and Buggy's 'playful' scene.
"Let's resolve this first, since we've encountered it. Now is the time for you to cooperate with us."