"Aren't you not doing it?" Sage laughed.
"Business is business, there's no reason not to do it. I'm in!"
For Link, who wanted to establish a foothold in Carnival City, the lure here was undeniable.
This business... handed over to those local counterparts?
Impossible!
He's afraid of the World Government, but it's not like he doesn't have a way right now, and... he's a businessman!
Dare to risk it all for a 30% profit, dare to trample everything for a 50% profit, 100% profit... can even sell the rope to hang himself!
In the black market, there's no risk-free business!
This business can be done!
"Twelve billion Belly is too little; this is the terminus of the Sea Train, and the traffic is not ordinary, hmm... deduct five billion, forty-five billion Belly," Sage said.
"That's too much; you can't take away all the things you rob, except for cash, which you can spend once you get it, it's originally yours... fifteen billion Belly!" Link argued.
Sage shook his head, saying, "I'm the one taking the fall, and only a pirate of my rank qualifies to do this kind of thing; average pirates can't handle it, not even over a billion; ask Hawkins if you don't believe me... forty billion Belly!"
Hawkins was stunned, thought about it, and agreed as well.
If he were still the captain, even if given the opportunity, he wouldn't choose to go against the World Government, especially with two Headquarter Vice Admirals here... the pirates here lack the strength.
A pirate group like Sage's, which has gathered over a thousand members and is strong enough, not fearing the World Government... they're basically in the New World.
Probably he's the only one in the first half of the Grand Line."
"You're just doing your old trade; those local black market merchants are already mixed with the rulers here; they won't accept your offer, only newcomers eager to establish a foothold will buy your goods. Twenty billion Belly, can't go higher!" Link gritted his teeth.
"Forget it, let's drink... consider me here on vacation to relax."
Sage picked up the glass and sighed, "You're right, this damned place has too much you can't take away."
"Sage!"
Link breathed heavily, staring at him for a while, before pursing his lips and speaking in a deep voice: "Thirty billion Belly! This is all the assets of black market merchants coming from the East Sea, no more after this."
After all, it's all non-liquid assets; they can't immediately turn into profit, spending this much now would be a temporary loss, but if Link could acquire his own industry, this part of money would soon be recouped.
By then, he could start his own black market business here and establish a foothold in Carnival City.
But thirty billion Belly is the limit; more wouldn't be an issue of earning it back, they genuinely don't have that much money...
"Deal! Hohohoho!"
Sage finished the drink in his glass and smiled at Link: "We're indeed good friends, Link!"
"Then hopefully next time you'll sell 'friends' something with lower risk and higher value." Link rolled his eyes and said irritably.
"From a fishing perspective, the bigger the waves, the more valuable the catch," Sage laughed.
Link didn't say anything, taking a pen and paper from his jacket pocket, scribbling down several lines.
"Sage, how you rob is your matter, but I have requests. These people... must be killed, if not, burn their headquarters, I'll handle the rest."
Soon, Link filled the paper with a list and handed it to Sage.
Sage took it, gave it a pretentious look, nodded solemnly, and handed it to Hawkins.
"By the way, who are the top three richest people in this city?" he asked.
"The introduction is in the list I gave you!" Link said, gritting his teeth, "What did you just look at?!"
Obviously seeing nothing...
He can't read, looking was merely for show.
"Um..."
But before Sage spoke, a waitress timidly spoke, "Guests, if you're really going to do this, could you start with this place?"
At this time, these waitresses were already stunned by the conversation between Sage and Link.
In a state of believing and not believing, the disbelievers just thought these paying drinking guests were bragging. It's too normal for guests to brag in a place of entertainment.
When traveling, identities are self-given.
But those who believed, especially those close to Sage, didn't know why, but they just believed Sage's words. However, the more they believed, the more uneasy their hearts became.
Amidst the unease, there was excitement and thrill.
If what they said is true...
Then maybe they could be free from debt?
And in this place... maybe they wouldn't have to share the takings?
Sage became intrigued, laughed for a while: "Hehehe... interesting, why such thoughts? Logically, you should either want to report me or pretend not to know, but instead, you come forward with opinions, careful not to be regarded as accomplices."
Being stared at by Sage, the waitress shook with fear, but quickly took a deep breath and declared firmly:
"I really don't want to work here. My family's housing loan has been paid off, but my father is seriously ill, so I borrowed a large sum from the boss. I've repaid that money, but it's a high-interest loan, impossible to fill. If he's gone... I could be free!"
"Whether you're ruthless pirates or want to sell the local black market merchants, I don't care, as long as it actually happens, I'm willing to pay!"
Some work here due to livelihood needs, others simply due to debt, whether indebted by their own greed and fall, or because of a sick father, deceased mother, sibling's education...
The truth doesn't matter.
Sage didn't care either.
The most important thing was that his idea was correct.
Many people are willing to pay for such things.
Robbery doesn't necessarily have to be tangible goods to sell; some things... also hold value.
"Link, see, business just arrived. I'll make a call for you, this person is worth a hundred thousand Belly, remember to collect the money... you don't mind, right?" Sage laughed.
"Not at all!" The waitress nodded firmly, "As long as it's done, I'm willing to pay more!"
"Sage, this store's owner is in the list."
Hawkins glanced at the list, saying, "The owner who controls half the businesses on this entertainment street, hmm... is upstairs."
The main targets in the list all have detailed introductions, one of whose addresses coincidentally matched what the waitress mentioned.
High-interest loans and the entertainment industry, this guy is involved in both.
"You three go into action, follow the plan, take out people first then set the place ablaze, if no one's there just torch the place."
Sage turned and instructed Bellamy among others.
"Leave it to me, Master Sage!" Bellamy viciously licked his lips, downed half a bottle of wine, and left with Pearl and Mute.
"Gin, take care of the people on this street, don't spare the wealthy ones."
"Yes, Captain Sage."
Gin nodded and left the shop.
"Alright! The party's over!"
Sage stood up, his voice dramatically loud, echoing throughout the nightclub, quieting the guests who had come since morning to consume, all turning to look this way.
"Drinking always makes people's mood joyful, but joyful times are always fleeting. You lucky ones, I'm honored to inform you that you're the first target of my robbery since Norton Sage landed in Carnival City!"
Sage revealed a toothy grin, in the intentionally dim setting only highlighting the neon-lit architecture, casting a sinister smile:
"Now, let's start the robbery!"