As usual, Sage used a Rankyaku to cut down the mast of the warship, breaking away from its pursuit.
The night sea was pitch-black, with only a faint gleam from the stars and moon above. Yet on this vast ocean, the drifting ships reflected that faint light, emitting a golden glow.
On the Black Sail Warship, a group of pirates held lanterns, gazing at the treasure scattered across the deck, their eyes gleaming.
Sage's eyes were also gleaming, even more excited than these pirates.
This was the first time he saw money!
Back in the day, he had done so many businesses and never even saw a single Belly. Now he finally saw money!
The Belly stolen from the mayor amounted to eight million, not to mention the value of the gold and jewels.
"That's why I say, there's nothing worthwhile stealing from the poor. Stealing half a town only gets you a million Belly, but rob a wealthy person, and you get everything!" Sage asserted proudly.
The seasoned pirates all agreed with this sentiment.
Commoners always had expenses, and if they managed to save even a little, it was a blessing. Compared to raiding towns, they preferred to loot merchant ships.
"Now, time to divide the spoils! Lily, give me the sword!"
Sage laughed heartily, extending a hand to Lily, who drew out the thin sword and placed it in his hand.
"I am the captain, eight million Belly; I take four million. The navigator gets a 5% share, Gin as the Combat Commander also gets 5%, Pearl, you get 3%. The rest each get a share, I won't participate in that!"
Technically, the remaining money could also afford the captain an extra share, but Sage generously declined.
"As for these treasures..."
He held the thin sword and sliced through the center of the treasure, shifting half aside and moving the rest towards the pirates, "The rest is all yours, cadre members pick first, the rest take what you will. If you're not satisfied with what you get..."
He pointed to the barrel of alcohol brought up earlier and laughed, "Then have a drink-off; whoever wins gets the right to claim a prize, let the revelry begin!"
"Oh!!" the pirates cheered loudly.
Gold and jewels aren't easily divided since no one knows their exact value, nor can they be immediately exchanged for Belly. Essentially, it's a matter of you take one, I take one.
And as for size and weight, they don't really matter.
Better to decide with a drink-off, which suits the pirates' tastes even more.
Sage handed the sword back to Lily, shouting to the pirates, "Have a blast, tomorrow we head to Nadia!"
"It's Nadia!" Lily corrected once more.
"It's all the same."
Sage, in high spirits, didn't bother with Lily's correction and hummed a tune as he returned to the captain's cabin.
Lily, intrigued, followed Sage to the captain's cabin.
"Lily, won't you join the fun? I remember you didn't have any money either. Now that you've got some, shouldn't you be thinking about where to shop, buy some things, after all, you're a girl."
Sage sat on the chair, legs crossed, laughing heartily.
"But that has to wait until we find a town. As for you... are we going to keep robbing in the East Sea? Even if you save enough money and buy land, as a pirate, you'll get exposed eventually, right?" Lily asked.
She wasn't upset that Sage only thought about robbing; after all, she was a pirate too, and piracy inherently involves looting, which was no problem.
She was merely worried about Sage's dream.
This guy was single-minded about buying land and becoming a landlord.
If he were to retire peacefully, perhaps the World Government wouldn't pursue him, but if he's not low-key, he'll surely be discovered one day.
Though she hadn't been with Sage for long, Lily understood a bit. This guy was anything but low-key.
After spending some days with Gin and the others, Lily knew what most pirates were like: either resting on uninhabited islands or temporarily settling in weak villages. While some robbed towns, they never did so without considering the defensive forces.
Most were focused on looting merchant ships, doing their best to avoid the Navy.
But Sage was different. Perhaps because of his great strength, he entirely disregarded these matters. As long as there was a target, he would surely loot it, even contemplating troubling a nation now.
Not only is he not low-key, but he's also very ostentatious.
After all, he dreams of becoming king even while fishing...
Moreover, he is very unlucky...
Even if he successfully acquires enough money to buy land, with his bad luck, could he really hold on to it?
"Who says I plan to buy land in the East Sea?"
Sage chuckled and said, "I'm serious about my endeavors. Whatever I do, I aim for the top. The same goes for being a pirate. But there are different paths, Lily, do you know what the Pirate King is?"
"Gol D. Roger?" Lily asked, puzzled.
"I meant the connotation of the title."
Sage explained, "Besides, it's Gol D. Roger, don't let the news mislead you."
"D..." Lily murmured, not quite understanding the distinction but continued, "To become the Pirate King, I suppose it's about finding Laugh Tale, that's how people would acknowledge you as the Pirate King."
"That's the issue; some people aren't interested, like me."
Sage said, "I have no interest in Laugh Tale. Becoming the Pirate King doesn't require reaching Laugh Tale. If someone with immense power reaches the pinnacle of piracy, who dares to deny that's not the Pirate King?"
Sailing around the world, finding the Final Island, and then being targeted by the World Government, racking your brain to evade capture.
He's not interested in that kind of Pirate King.
"Since we're pirates, we can't just lounge in the Four Seas. The Four Seas are where the World Government's power is strongest. Staying here only invites attention. The only place to go is the New World... the second half of the Grand Line, that's my true aim!"
Sage clenched his fist, "The 'Hundred Beasts' have conquered Wano Country, 'Big Mom' established Totto Land, Whitebeard has planted flags across the New World, even the youngest 'Red Hair' has a stable rear base!"
"These individuals are praised as the Pirate Emperors with vast territories and countless subordinates, doing whatever they please, they're all in the New World. Only there can I fulfill my dreams!"
He's no fool; being a pirate, how could he still dream of buying land in the East Sea?
He used to think this way because he hadn't opposed the World Government yet. Whether it was farming, fishing, being a bodyguard for merchants, or even a star performer, these were within the World Government's permissible scope.
During those times, he was legitimate, naturally dreaming of legally owning a piece of land, becoming a lawful big landlord.
But now, as a pirate, he's illegal. To realize his dreams, there's no hope in the Four Seas or the first half of the Grand Line. True, one can be a pirate here, even rather easily, but to become a big landlord, it has to be in the New World.
Never has he seen a pirate manage to dominate a place in the Four Seas or the first half for an extended period.
Going legit ashore?
That's no way to become the Pirate King!
When the time comes, whether it's through purchasing or violent acquisition, the New World offers the best opportunity.
The path paved by those emperors and silver medalists of the seas can be replicated.
Seizing territory, proclaiming himself king, his dream would then be halfway accomplished.
As for seizing land in the East Sea...
In theory, it's feasible, but in practice, it's not.
The East Sea indeed has non-member countries, and those countries aren't under the World Government's protection, but that's worthless. Not to mention these countries' own defense mechanisms; even if success was achieved, the World Government would find an excuse and perhaps even gain a new member state.
Rather than worrying about the World Government there, it's better to head to the New World directly.
There, he can complete both his dreams of being a landlord and the Pirate King, achieving a win-win scenario.
Win-win!