"Being a pirate is just a profession, Hawkins."
Sage took a few gulps of the top-quality rum snatched from Gourmet City and said, "Since it's a profession, it should have a beginning and an end. I don't want my men to end up becoming slaves at the end of their lives. What's good about a life like that?"
A certain famous vice captain's retirement life was appallingly bleak.
Maybe the career was exciting, but if it was that exciting, the retirement shouldn't be that bleak!
He raised his glass to everyone, exuding strong confidence, and laughed loudly:
"Before we set out to sea, I said that being a pirate with me means you're willing to die with me. But regardless of whether you're dead or alive, I, Sage, guarantee that your efforts will surely be preserved! However, if you're dead, you can't rob money or do what you want, so... try to stay alive. I won't mistreat you!"
"Master Sage!"
A pirate stood up, downed the rum from a large wooden mug, and shouted, "I will always serve you!"
"Me too! Even pirates need a savior, Master Sage, you are our savior!"
"Yes! Master Sage is the savior! You will definitely become the Pirate King!"
"Let Master Sage become the Pirate King!"
The pirates shouted excitedly one by one.
"Hohohoho! Then let's work hard!" Sage emptied his drink and laughed heartily.
Hawkins looked at the excited expressions below, nodding thoughtfully: "I see."
The morale is useful.
But the oddity lies here, because the Disaster Pirates are not an ordinary crew.
Pirates and pirate crews differ.
Larger pirate crews essentially carry the captain's strong imprint, like Hawkins himself, who with his crew all wear cloaks to emphasize mystery, because he is like that.
Since they are many, it's useful for command and distinction, and those who can wear the captain's imprint represent compliance.
While those elite pirate crews have strong individual styles, but due to fewer members, no internal strife occurs.
But Sage's crew does not belong to any kind.
Call them elite, yet most recruited are ordinary folk.
Call them not elite, yet these pirates have differing styles.
This isn't about having officers or not, it's because there's no captain's imprint here.
Whether the three female officers or Hawkins himself, they boast significant individual styles.
Even among subordinates they're different, some wholly loyal to Sage, like the Demon Race.
Others board due to gratitude to Sage, those recruited in East Sea are like this, these folks aren't very loyal with personal agendas, asking why...
In the last heist at the City of the Spring Queen, a few didn't return.
Not dead, but left the ship willingly from that place, choosing a normal life.
Nobody knew because there were so many on board that even Gin, responsible for leading them, didn't care.
Sage cared even less; pirates are inherently free, not someone's vassals or slaves. Boarding or leaving is always possible.
This isn't betrayal, just simply quitting piracy, not to mention Sage, no pirate crew would mind such things, since they're not officers, just ordinary subordinates.
Lily discovered the discrepancy while compiling casualty figures, found several missing, especially veterans from East Sea, only then reported to Sage and uncovered it.
Anu Country isn't a possibility, too poor a place, thus only the thriving City of the Spring Queen remains.
Some felt they stole enough money, reluctant from the start to be pirates, merely followed Sage from being saved at Bridge Kingdom, maybe from fear of death or realizing they can't keep pace with Sage, regardless of the reason, they retreated with their treasure.
The more pirates aboard, the more such situations arise, even with a captain's imprint, let alone Sage's crew isn't tightly governed.
Subordinates who might leave anytime, and those joining from Demon Valley Town due to fame, these individuals are even more varied in style.
Bloodthirsty, greedy, vile, gallant, evil-hearted, kind-hearted... all kinds are present here.
Under any ordinary pirate crew, they'd be constantly internal strife.
But here, it's harmonious, not in a way where everyone feels joy, but in a simple... atmosphere without mutual vigilance.
Because of Sage's presence.
Here, there's no worry of treasures hard-earned being stolen, because Sage manages it.
No fear of being killed on board, as most conflicts arise from treasure, now treasure assiduously calculated, stolen amounts are known, never reaching other pirates' hands.
This prevents 70% of vendetta conflicts, while enabling subordinates to relax completely, no conflict of interest equals no chaos.
Moreover, Sage is generous, only taking half, everyone steals plenty, even those not participating in robbery get half a share, avoiding vast discrepancies.
As for trivial matters, like displeasure, these can't be prevented, but rules allow duels yet forbid vendettas, breaking rules means disobeying orders, disobedience leads to execution at sea.
Displeased?
Displeased can simply disembark.
This Hawkins doesn't mind at all, let alone Sage.
But it's not like you can just leave, Sage retains the tradition of requiring the captain's approval to disembark. Ordinary hands he's indifferent to, but the famous or personally recruited have no authority to disembark without consent.
Like Hawkins himself, or Bellamy...
The rules of the Disaster Pirates are simple, yet simplicity often yields efficacy.
A crew unable to meld into a single entity appears glued together by strong adhesive, forming a single whole.
Especially the system of treasures being sent back, greatly ignites subordinates' enthusiasm, if returned to their hometowns... even if without relatives there, this act would boost Sage's renown.
This would let more know of the Disaster Pirates and provide those intending to embark naturally an additional choice.
But...
Hawkins gazed deeply at Sage, laughing loud and proud.
Perhaps he hasn't thought much, or simply doesn't care about such matters.
Whether due to his Supreme King's qualification or not, such casual gestures... lead to unintended effects.
"Powerful, huh..."
Hawkins muttered softly, shaking his head slightly.
Seems not just powerful, so simple.
A formidable one isn't necessarily emotionally stellar.
As for Sage's bold charisma...
Hawkins turned to gaze out from the first-floor window, the vast waves of the sea stretching to infinity, seemingly without end.
Like the ocean itself...
Following him seems a decision not without merit.
"What are you reflecting on over there! Drink!"
Sage's voice reached his ears, turning his head he saw him refilling a cup, raising it this way, "Finish what's in your cup, leaving so little to feed the fish? Finish it and fill another!"
...
Two days later, in the morning.
The Death Star arrived near the island housing Carnival City.
The magnetic field island where Carnival City belongs wasn't originally a bustling location, only thriving slowly due to the Sea Train's terminal here.
The island's most bustling... is the entertainment industry.
Upon hearing the word, Sage's sleepiness vanished, he rose early now awaiting the vessel's docking on the deck.
The thriving entertainment industry meant the song and dance troupes he's long dreamed about.
Though there are quite a few female pirates on board now, there's always a bit of flavor lacking, those women have primary jobs, ship doctor, cook, navigator, and even combatants, proficient in their roles, but not professional in dancing.
Sage could pause here for a while, first selecting good song and dance troupes, experiencing local entertainment, then resume looting.
After such a long voyage, it's time to relax.