Chapter 827: Chapter 507: I’m Going to Hold the World’s Greatest Martial Arts Tournament!

Sage was full of strong desires and greed, but this greed also included the common people; it was a supreme form of greed, as even a Belly found on the ground belonged to him, yet this Belly also included those under his rule.

Whether they were important officials or low-level minions, none would feel abandoned by Sage.

"Before we start the deployment, let’s discuss the intelligence on both the enemy and ourselves."

Lily said, "First, about us: according to preliminary data reported two days ago, the population under our rule has reached 3,541,586 people, and merchants have started heading to Totto Land, preparing to open related factories."

This number includes Totto Land. Although Big Mom’s forces are significant, the population isn’t much because the thirty-some islands centered around Cake Island that Big Mom controls don’t belong to Magnetic Field Island.

Navigating the vast sea, especially the Grand Line, is still very difficult. Without magnetic power, either the Eternal Pose or the Life Card is needed.

One only needs to pay with their lifespan to obtain stability in Totto Land, given these sailing conditions; not many people come, mostly those who are already nearby.

As a Pirate, Sage has studied Big Mom’s model, but he doesn’t follow it.

The previous residents of Totto Land needed to contribute one month of lifespan every six months, equating to living there for six years and paying one year of life, living sixty years to pay ten years.

It seems like a lot, but on the dangerous sea, at least half of the people are willing to do so, because many may not live to sixty due to the environment and hazards...

But in Totto Land, this is worry-free, provided Big Mom doesn’t die.

Actually, from the creation of Totto Land until now, she hasn’t lasted sixty years, and any concerns about personalized governance being short-lived aren’t within Sage’s considerations.

He doesn’t care much about that...

There are no factories in Totto Land that interest Sage, and he is not very fond of sweets, so he simply leaves it be; Link is responsible for the specifics.

Currently, there is no concrete intelligence, but Sage’s ’tangible yet intangible big hand’ doesn’t need to work; no factories are necessary, as resources will grow from the ground or be blown by the wind, and he is only responsible for collecting taxes.

"Of the forces acquired from Totto Land, excluding necessary stationed personnel, the total usable force reaches 33,546 people, which initially achieves our recruitment plan for usable force, reaching 30,000 people."

Considering total military strength, Sage can mobilize at least one million troops; those under his rule can be given weapons to become fighting power.

However, ordinary people are not enough to fight against the Navy.

The training intensity for new recruits at the headquarters is enough to crush many ordinary people; this usable force can at least confront the headquarters’ new recruits.

Pirates in the New World have decent strength. Although there is no formal training, those who grow from chaotic battles are not bad.

Lily continued: "Over in Wano Country, Kaido has 20,000 troops, all of them elite; according to intelligence, they are somewhat stronger than our ordinary troops."

Residual intelligence is available from Dressrosa, and Totto Land has also provided Sage with intelligence they collected; the former cooperated with Kaido, while the latter is first in industry intelligence, all now inherited by Sage, along with his own intelligence...

The World Government’s intelligence, naval intelligence from when Vergo was undercover, Big Mom’s Pirate intelligence, Sage has it all. Additionally, he is also infiltrating the Underworld; now, in the New World, the Disaster Pirates possess the strongest intelligence capacity.

They have also obtained Kaido’s intelligence, including geographical information; after all, Moriah was defeated there in the past and is now very familiar with Wano Country’s geography.

In terms of troops, Kaido is a representative of martial prowess, and those under him are all extremely resilient; the Beast Pirates are absolutely synonymous with chaos.

With the addition of the frequently deranged drunkard Kaido, those under him are generally superior in combat ability compared to Sage’s welcoming of all kinds.

"Besides, Wano Country also has ’Samurai.’"

Lily paused and said: "According to intelligence, those guys are even stronger than Kaido’s men, with a troop count of 10,000, totaling 30,000 troops. From a numbers perspective, we are capable of fighting, but the key is..."

She pointed to the Wano Country area on the sea map. "This place is very difficult to approach."

"Wano Country is a closed-off nation; compared to other Non-Adhering Countries, it hardly knows any outside information. This place knows nothing, more sealed than Zou, and its geographical position is very much like Zou. However, it’s akin to Gares before, also belonging to the ’strong country’ at sea."

"This country has a unique geographical environment. Firstly, the weather; the surrounding sea is constantly enveloped by harsh weather conditions. The current speed is very fast; turbulent currents are extremely unstable, and any slight accident gets one swept into the sea. Pillar-like solitary rocks surround the area, making it easy for currents to crash ships onto them and break apart."

"Normally speaking, approaching the nearby waters is a major difficulty... Hmm, actually it’s nothing much."

As she spoke, she glanced at Sage.

Sage: "..."

He felt somewhat offended but lacked the proof.

Renedia rolled her eyes and bared her small fang, "Sage, Lily means..."

"Shut up!"

Sage directly interrupted her speech.

The harsh weather, turbulent currents... These are really not significant issues.

The Disaster Pirates’ sailing skills may not be striking in battle, but their navigation capabilities are individually top-notch, capable of enduring any harsh weather.

After all, those unable to endure could not sail with Sage on expeditions.

As for why...

Because he’s unlucky!

"Harsh weather is not a concern, but there is one point that is currently difficult for us to resolve."

Lily said, "Wano Country’s terrain is very elevated; it’s surrounded by rocky barriers like high mountains at sea. To get across, we can only reverse navigate a strong waterfall point, which is as challenging as entering Sky Island from the first half of the Grand Line via a soaring sea current."

This is the hardest part.

Intelligence suggests there should be stable ascents inside Wano, but since it’s internal, they probably can’t penetrate it, and externally, this point becomes an obstacle.

It’s a standard terrain that’s easy to defend and hard to attack, primarily blocking the advance of large fleets. Trying to ascend through the waterfall has great difficulty, and encountering an accident leads to direct losses.

While these people all know Moon Step, lifting the entire fleet into Wano isn’t possible.

"Success probability is 3%."

Hawkins picked up the Tarot Cards again, shuffled them for divination, and said, "Too dangerous, the fleet crossing is just meaningless loss."

"Therefore..."

Sage raised his index finger and grinned wickedly, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have a new Plan! A renewed Plan! A great Plan!"

The crowd glanced at him, each choosing not to respond, except Gin who hesitated for a moment, then resolutely declared, "Master Sage, even if it’s the end of the world, I will fight alongside you to the bitter end!"

Renedia immediately applauded.

Well done!

Sage chuckled softly, "Heh heh heh heh... Let’s start with the original plan. As I just thought, since Wano Country is not suitable for a grand fleet, then we’ll go with just one ship; we can manage on our own, of course, it must be filled entirely with elites."

"Since it is elites we’re talking about, some of the people on the ship now are not fitting; the competent ones should stay, and the weaker ones should leave. The Death Star as the main ship has no room for the weak. Originally, I planned to have an internal selection, but I’ve changed my mind now."

"Because that’s too small-scale. If we’re going to do it, let’s make it big! Treasures, Belly, status... I have everything! Let’s have a grand assembly then!"

Sage spread his arms and laughed, "I want to recruit soldiers, to select elites from among the pirates to be my subordinates! I want to have a pirate version of ’world recruitment,’ and hold the world’s greatest martial arts tournament!"

"Oh!"

Moriah’s eyes brightened, "That’s a good idea. If we use an assembly to attract people, we can indeed recruit some decent subordinates."

A great plan!

Because Sage truly has everything.

Ordinary recruitment of subordinates hardly yields any impressive people now; it’s mainly pirates coming over due to Sage’s reputation, aiming for a bite out of the Disaster Pirates’ welfare, with no promising prospects.

The slightly competent ones just come to O’hara to fence stolen goods, never considering joining his Pirates.

That fellow Teach’s territory is even more chaotic; he’s almost like the pirate ally of that place, but even the competent ones under him are just those few cadres, right?

The truly impressive ones are extremely rare, some you simply can’t encounter.

But if there’s an attractive assembly, as long as the rewards are sufficient to draw people in, even if you can recruit one out of ten, it’s a gain.

Besides, it can also boost the morale of the subordinates, definitely a more perfect plan.

Lily frowned, "We don’t have enough time. The World Conference is just in these few days, and if it’s a grand assembly, merely the advance publicity will take a long time."

"No..."

Moriah chuckled, "During the World Conference, it’s not just us making waves on the sea. I remembered one thing about an assembly; there truly is one."

He glanced around at everyone present, "Do you all know about the ’Pirate World Exposition’?"

"Heard about it."

Hawkins nodded, "Held every few years, a grand event only pirates can attend, where all pirates from the Grand Line find ways to gather in the New World, with total bounties easily surpassing ten billion."

"The monk has heard of it too."

Urouge nodded, "But haven’t heard of such a celebration inviting the Four Emperors. Their subordinates don’t participate. Only those who receive an invitation can reach there with an Eternal Pose."

"Hee hee hee hee! No problem; we have unique intel that’ll definitely reveal the location. And we’re not there for the event, right, Sage?" Moriah laughed sharply.

"There’s such a gathering..."

Sage grinned, "As if what you think comes true, I want to host an assembly, and they just open the venue for me; can’t let it go to waste just going to take it!"

A ready-made celebration!

Perfect for snatching to host an assembly!

"Master, Sipher seeks help."

Just as Sage finished speaking, a subordinate from the Demon Race walked in, holding a Radio Snail, which was already connected.

"Help!"

The Radio Snail cried out, "Sage, Master Sage, Governor Sage! Hurry to save me, or I’ll become..."

Click.

The voice abruptly fell silent, as someone suddenly hung up.

"Hmm?"

Sage frowned, "What’s going on? Sipher? Where is he?"

"I recall he set out on a voyage. When returning, he said he wanted to see the grandeur of the sea, so he took the subordinates on a journey."

Lily said, "I remember I tasked him to investigate undiscovered islands, seems like he’s in danger."

"I’ll go."

Hawkins stood up and put away the Tarot Cards he had just finished divining, "Sipher’s survival rate is 80%, danger level 10%; he won’t die, but who knows what the danger is... "

"The monk will join, too. We’ll speed up, bring him back, and not delay the Captain’s plan." Urouge stood up as well, laughing eerily.

Ever since Sage had them accompany him fishing, the two often teamed up lately, showing signs of forming a quirky duo.

One is responsible for fortune-telling, the other for absolution, a quite complete set of services.

Then...

After just half a day, Sage was bathing when Lily came in, "There’s been a mishap."

Sage placed his arms on the edge of the bathing pool, slightly turning his head, "What happened?"

"Hawkins called, saying he’s tired of doing this, and just wants to quietly live out the rest of his life."

Splash!

"Ah?"

The water in the pool stirred as Sage suddenly stood, raising an eyebrow, "What kind of nonsense is that?"