Let CP9 join?
Gin said anxiously, "Captain Sage, they're a secret intelligence organization, specializing in stealing information. Our intelligence could easily be leaked."
"Gin, we are Pirates."
Sage laughed and said, "A sieve-like Pirates, where could there be any information that won't be leaked? Do you think by excluding these obvious people, there won't be any intelligence organizations in the shadows?"
He glanced at the crowd gathered in the hall, his gaze as mighty as a mountain, making his subordinates subconsciously lower their heads, all as silent as cicadas in winter.
Pirates, especially large-scale Pirates, how could there be no spies?
Even in a group of hundreds, there could be a few intelligence agents mixed in, not to mention someone of Sage's level.
Other Pirates might pretend to be Navy to seize warships. As a massive World Government, placing a few spies in some notable Pirates is completely normal.
In this regard, Sage didn't care.
Pirates are inherently an unruly, lawless bunch. A Pirates formed by pirates is just a big sieve, not some tightly-knit organization. As long as you fancy yourself a pirate and have the strength to wield a sword, that's enough.
Especially since Sage wanted to become a major power, unlike those Pirates formed by just a few people, there were certainly those with ulterior motives infiltrating.
Sage's Pirate crew of 1,200, apart from the obviously characteristic Demon Race and these officers, certainly had a few spies among the crew.
After all, he had already raided several places, so if spies infiltrated midway, no one would know.
Also, in a mixed place like Demon Valley Town, with so many recruits, there were always some originally hidden spies who took the opportunity to enter the Disaster Pirates.
Even if you clean them out now, what can you do by killing them?
Once he has a territory and more power, there would still be people coming in.
Besides, these people are actually quite useful.
Intelligence agents are mostly government officials; these people are disciplined and, as pirates, very dedicated. They do what they should, even more rule-abiding than normal pirates, only revealing their true nature when necessary. Otherwise, they're quite handy.
Why not use something useful?
Sage never pursued a pure crew; he just needed to ensure the officers were loyal. As for the rest of the crew, aside from the Demon Race who he planned to cultivate as the backbone, he didn't care.
As long as they work for him, he didn't care what their original identities were.
Government officials?
Navy?
It's just a profession.
How can people be restricted by such things?
A spy in the dark is still a spy, just as a spy in the open is one too.
Why can't CP9 be recruited?
Why should he be afraid of leaking core secrets?
What core secrets could a Pirates have?
"Hey, we're a direct secret agency of the World Government, and yet you talk about recruiting us." Jabra widened his eyes.
Most Pirates would kill them if seen.
Jabra had prepared for mission failure.
He would like to play some deception; after all, that's how wolves are, cunning, brutal, and good at deception, but in front of Sage, he couldn't muster that thought.
"What's the difference? I didn't ask you to quit CP9, did I? Aren't you a special agent? Just do your agency work, and while you're at it, be a Pirate too."
Sage laughed heartily, "Go tell the World Government that I've detained you guys. Ha ha ha ha!"
Just like he wanted to be a landlord but didn't stop being a Pirate.
These special agents are running around on missions anyway, so they might as well carry out a long-term mission with him.
Anyway, he wasn't going to let them go.
Jabra stared blankly at the laughing Sage. He had never seen a Pirate like this... He hadn't even interacted much with Pirates, mostly completing missions between various kingdoms and the Revolutionary Army. But no matter if they're Pirates or not, who would let their forces be infiltrated like that?
Is this guy stupid, or just fearless?
But...
What audacity!
Jabra couldn't refuse, he couldn't even come up with any harsh words. Though the mission failed, it was the orders of that incompetent officer, not the overall order of the World Government. If he could live, it would be the best.
"In that case, we'll stay on the ship, as if nothing happened. Sage... Captain." Jabra showed a sly smile.
As long as they could stay alive, they would have a chance to escape from here... No, they didn't need to escape. This foolish Pirate thought he could recruit them, so they would stay on the ship and secretly send information, letting the World Government keep track of their actions.
When they got the order from Spandam in Carnival City, they also reviewed Sage's basic information.
Since his debut, Sage had plundered many kingdoms, killed numerous kings, and was someone who challenged the authority of the World Government,
"Great, we're not going to die, chuckle chuckle."
Owl said, "What a foolish Pirate, thinking of recruiting us CP9. We will soon transmit the information out. As long as we're on the ship, your actions will be known by the Navy."
"Shut up, you let it slip again!" Jabra shouted.
"Although it wasn't my fault, it was my companion's plan leak, for which I should share the blame. There's nothing else to do but commit seppuku to atone for the sin, yo yo yi!"
Kumadori once again gripped the Ryofu and forcefully stabbed his abdomen.