The pirates who become the Seven Warlords of the Sea, at least the first generation, are carefully selected strongmen in the sea, each possessing significant strength.
Kuma is, of course, one of them. Whether it is in the use of abilities or the Haki that just withstood a kick to the head, it is very impressive.
His memory of this guy is limited to knowing he's with the Revolutionary Army. For some unknown reason, he joined the World Government, became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and was then transformed into a weapon, losing consciousness and becoming a slave.
Such a guy...
A slave?
It's simply incomprehensible what they're thinking!
"Is working for the Navy really that interesting? Why don't you come with me? Whatever you want to do, maybe I can help you achieve it," Sage said to him.
He's definitely eager to obtain such powerful combat strength.
Kuma didn't respond, his extended palm gathering a bear paw-shaped air mass.
"Rejected, huh?"
Sage smirked, "As expected."
The feeling of the kick was not right.
Although the guy still bled, Sage knew his internal structure was completely different.
If he remembers correctly, he's about to lose consciousness...
"Then don't waste it!"
Sage moved his body and sneered, "I'm gladly taking that ability!"
Bam!
In an instant, Kuma fired a bear paw shockwave like a bullet flying straight at him. Sage tilted his head, took a step forward, turning into a blur as he rushed directly at Kuma, his fist clenched, gathering a massive amount of Flowing Fire Haki.
Kuma expressionlessly moved his palm down, aiming at the direction of Sage's incoming fist, and slapped down with his palm.
Hiss!
At this moment, a jet of white air like an arrow shot from Sage's nostrils, as if his body was about to break free from its limitations.
"Enough!"
Just as their fist and palm were about to collide, a twisted shadow erupted between them, the front of the shadow transforming into several spikes, pointing at Sage on one side and Kuma on the other.
"Get off my turf!"
Moriah's forehead veins bulged, "Whoever wants to fight, I'll take them on too!"
He first looked at Kuma, "I don't need you causing trouble on my turf, Kuma!"
Then angrily glared at Sage, "And you, Sage! I reject your proposal; I have my own way!"
The power of the Shadow Horn Spear is certainly not weak.
Sage wasn't afraid, but there was no need to face two of the Seven Warlords at once.
He came to say hello, not to take lives. Fighting these two guys wouldn't end quickly—in victory or defeat, it would delay his plans.
Better not to get too caught up and miss the Enies Lobby event and not seize Water Seven.
Especially now that Kuma had already withdrawn his hand.
Sage retracted his fist, his back's black and red furry cloak swirled as he turned and walked towards the door.
"Let's go, boys, the greetings are done, ho-ho-ho!"
He laughed loudly, turned back to glance at the two giant figures, from Kuma to Moriah, "Think about m,y words, Moriah."
Saying that, he walked out of the castle gates with Lily and the others.
"Damn guy!"
Moriah glared at the departing Sage, grinding his teeth in anger, looked down at his shadow, "The shadow... it's not so pathetic! He's just an exception!"
He admitted Sage made a good point, but it was hard to let go of a goal he had pursued for so many years.
Just now, he was momentarily reminded of the past and couldn't react, but now he thought it over carefully.
Sage is not really a newcomer!
No newcomer has such mastery of Haki!
Reviving Oars is something he cannot give up!
"Hee-hee-hee-hee..."
Moriah let out a sharp laugh, "Once I revive Oars, let's have another good fight, Sage... you might not have anyone as reliable as my Oars."
Speaking, he thought of something, turned and glanced at Kuma, "Does that guy understand Poneglyph? What's his background?"
"O'hara..." Kuma said lightly.
"Oh!"
Moriah's eyes widened, "So, he's a West Sea native!"
He, too, was a pirate from the West Sea, knowing the affairs of O'hara.
"What are you here for? I don't remember inviting you to help."
Moriah's face darkened, "Sage is my prey."
"Orders."
Kuma replied calmly, "They invited him to become one of the Seven Warlords, and I was also entrusted by Sengoku."
"Hee-hee-hee, I know you follow the World Government's orders, but I've never heard you even listen to the Navy's?" Moriah laughed sharply.
"Sengoku wants him to go to Impel Down. A little help is something I'm willing to offer."
Kuma said, "If he doesn't want to go, so be it. The Warlords have no obligation to cooperate with the Navy."
Saying that, his figure disappeared from the spot, vanishing without a trace.
"All these damn guys!"
Moriah raged, "What do they take this place for!"
Devil's Triangle Sea Region, hidden for eight years...
Repeatedly breached so easily just like this.
That hidden effort... was it really worth it!
Moriah's face was uncertain.
"Moriah-sama, Sage is leaving, we could use the zombie army..." Perona said urgently.
"Leave it... Perona, open the gates and let them out!"
Moriah gritted his teeth, "The Heroes of the West Sea don't do such pointless acts! Winning is winning!"
...
In the creepy town, with no zombies blocking the way this time, the group of five walked along the road, and Renedia asked Sage curiously, "Sage, why not keep recruiting?"
"He still doesn't have the credentials..."
Sage said surprisingly, with a smile, "We'll talk again when he does. For now, it's just to say hello."
Seven Warlords... don't have the credentials?
Hawkins was stunned, "Sage, the Seven Warlords are very mighty forces."
You didn't succeed in inviting him...
"Am I not stronger?"
Sage chuckled, "I originally thought he had the credentials, and considered him a powerful force, so I came to say hello, let him get to know me, but... it was disappointing."
This was indeed a spontaneous decision to come and greet; the original plan was to just give Moriah a beating to leave a deep impression so when they enter the New World later, they'd at least be acquaintances.
But during the scuffle, he realized Moriah's will had weakened significantly.
Once able to clash with Kaido, and now just this?
Seriously hooked on being listless?
This was the second time!
The last time Crocodile's listlessness ruined his investment plan, it still stuck with him and served as a warning.
Whether recruiting subordinates or cooperating with people, associating with slackers means certain failure.
Which is why he was so angry.
But fortunately, he could see that Moriah's will was somewhat different than when they first fought.
"Such a guy isn't just a common subordinate, that's a Warlord, once a Hero of the West Sea, a strongman who made a name as a 'Shadow Mage' in the sea!"
"This kind of person has pride of their own. Given time, they might surprise me yet. Besides, it really isn't that easy to recruit successfully."
No matter how listless or qualified, such top-tier power as the Seven Warlords is not easily recruited, otherwise Moriah wouldn't be a Warlord, he'd have already been Kaido's subordinate.
Sage spread his hands, "No matter what we aim to do, it's still too early; we don't even have territory. To attract such top-tier strongmen, at the very least, we need to make a name in the New World; more strongmen then would be willing to follow us!"
Right now it's impossible, Sage has no reputation or territory, besides the core members who followed him since the East Sea, only Hawkins joined mid-way.
Sage's current fame could merely attract to this extent, and that's because Hawkins, being the sort who follows destiny, smoothly boarded the ship.
First say hello, wait for the fame to spread, then naturally strong ones will come to his aid!
He remembers when the Straw Hat entered the New World, he made a name which led to a blue fat guy joining.
So for Sage, if he gains fame, attracting a big guy should be no problem either.
"Let's go! To Water Seven! Let's not waste time!"
Sage laughed, "Take things slow, for now let's stick to our main plan!"