Sage smiled and said, "A little more is still something, I'll gather 2.5 billion Belly for you."
"Master Sage is really... unique." The merchant wiped away the droplets on his face, uncertain if they were rain or sweat, and smiled ingratiatingly.
This person wasn't one of Doflamingo's subordinates; he was a subordinate of 'Deep Sea Current' Umit, sent by Doflamingo to collect money from Sage at Umit's behest.
Sage would inform Doflamingo of the value of this amount, but whether it reached him was not Sage's concern.
Once the money was invested, it was considered given to Doflamingo, regardless of whether it stormed later or required delivery service, three months or three years wait, it wouldn't matter to Sage as long as the return was received for the money paid.
However, with Doflamingo as the leader of the Underworld, his authority was unquestioned, and no one dared to pocket his money.
The merchant chuckled twice, moved a bit closer, and said, "Upon arrival, Master Umit instructed me that regarding Carnival City, he was very satisfied..."
"Hmm?"
Sage glanced over, his eyes carrying a hint of coldness, "What?"
Under his gaze, the merchant's body trembled, instinctively stepped back two paces, and forced a smile, "I mean, Master Umit is very satisfied..."
"Lily."
Smack!
The merchant fell with a thud, a two-finger-wide mark appeared on his face.
Lily sheathed her sword, gazing coldly at him, "Don't speak to us in such a tone, whether Umit is satisfied or not doesn't concern us. This time it's the flat of the blade, next time... I'll chop off your head."
"Sumimasen!"
The merchant knelt, trembling and yelled, "Master Umit said he would reward... no, he would give Master Sage an additional 500 million Belly as thanks!"
"That's more like it, speak properly."
Sage nodded, "500 million Belly... it seems Link handed the city to Deep Sea Current."
The forces and people involved in Carnival City were too many, noble and wealthy, World Government, Navy, Underworld, Link couldn't manage it alone, having his industry leader Umit withstand the pressure was a smart move.
But it had nothing to do with Sage.
Robbery is great, nothing to cling to, take the money and go, don't bother with which faction is what.
No matter how vast, when the sword falls, won't it die all the same?
Pirates returned to the ship one after another, began counting loot, the cash robbed from the city amounted to roughly over 300 million Belly, there were also gold and jewels, after Sage sorted half, he sent Gin with the merchant to his Treasure Vault, to convert those hoarded gold jewels, along with cash making a total of 2.5 billion Belly for him to take away.
The Treasure Vault must be cleared, otherwise, how will it accommodate more looting?
Aside from those items, Sage still held over 100 million in cash, and the total to Doflamingo, including the 500 million Belly Deep Sea Current promised, had already reached 4 billion Belly.
"40% interest, next year it could yield 1.6 billion Belly in interest, let it sit for two years at least 3.2 billion Belly, plus my principal, hehe..."
Sage grinned, "Before venturing into the New World, it's best to have 10 billion Belly, so when I arrive there, this capital will be the seed money for my development!"
A landowner, after all, must undergo the initial stage of capital accumulation, when enough is amassed, it begins the era of dominance!
Then, even his dining would require the world's most expensive utensils!
"Hey, Owl, where is the Navy deploying now?" Sage saw Owl coming from the port, and asked.
"Apart from Water Seven, the necessary passage of the Sea Train tracks is guarded by warships, how did you figure that out so cleverly?" Owl said.
Sage smiled proudly, "The Navy's moves can't escape my eyes? You guys are conservative and stubborn, predicting their moves isn't too difficult!"
As for plans, he took them seriously!
When it comes to planning, he was a master planner!
"But Sage, what if someone decides not to play by the rules?" Renedia asked curiously.
Sage replied, "Everything has a purpose, capturing pirates is a purpose, thus by thinking along their lines, you can know what these guys will do, besides, there aren't that many deviations from norms..."
Boom!!
Beside the Death Star, a massive splash erupted, resembling a cannonball hit.
On a rainy day... where did the cannonball come from?
Sage instinctively looked towards the town, there was no coastal defense here, right?
"Sage!"
Lily looked through the binoculars at the direction where the cannonball came from, her voice tensed, "It's Garp's warship!"