A little further back, Hawkins, Lucci, Urouge, and Gin stood behind, all gazing at the two figures gradually revealed before them.
The two imposing figures, the one in front with a fiery topknot, a stout and elongated neck adorned with two small horns, stood around seven meters tall, dressed in gothic attire.
Behind him stood another figure, over two meters tall, dressed in mesh clothing, resembling a round ball.
Moonlight Moriah, along with genius surgeon Hogback.
Moriah wore a stern face as he walked up to Sage, locking eyes for a moment before his mouth stretched into an exaggerated grin, releasing a shrill laugh:
"Heh heh heh heh, Sage..."
He reached back, and Hogback handed him a bottle of wine, a bottle Sage tossed him a few days ago when he came to Shampodi, "The wine you gave me last time."
Witnessing this scene, Sage's mouth curled into a grin, revealing a set of white teeth, "Bella, bring three goblets over."
The maid Bella picked out three large goblets, respectfully handing them to Sage, before passing two to Moriah and Hogback, although wary of the devil-like Moriah, she didn't dare approach closely, running off immediately after handing over the goblet.
"Sage, I honored my promise!"
Moriah plopped himself down, first pouring a cup for Hogback, then for himself, before finally looking at Sage.
Sage extended his goblet, letting Bella fill it with wine.
The clear wine, shimmering with crystal light under the glow of the bonfire.
"I've been waiting for you, Moriah..."
Although even standing, he wasn't taller than Moriah sitting, the meaning differed, this was acceptance through wine...
"With your joining, our cause will certainly expedite its realization! The addition of a Seven Warlords is fitting for an Emperor!"
"So..."
Moriah lifted his goblet, drinking it dry, "From now on, I'll rely on you, Sage!"
Hogback behind him similarly raised his goblet, drinking it dry.
"Ha ha ha ha ha!"
Sage similarly drank his fill, tossing the goblet aside, walking over to Moriah, managing to lift the seven-meter-tall body up, grinning towards everyone, "Wake everyone up, continue the banquet, welcoming the new members!"
"Master Sage, you said today isn't suitable for heavy drinking..." Gin recalled his previous statement, uttering a sentence.
"Changed my mind! Today's fitting for heavy drinking, let the Heavenly Celestial Dragon wait, they're not my subordinates!" Sage laughed heartily.
Regardless, Moriah as a Seven Warlords possessed a certain level of authority, even if lacking full conviction for peak power, he was adequately good for an Emperor's deputy.
What Sage lacked now was this kind of strength.
He was well aware of the Disaster Pirates' strengths, indeed, the cutoff was far too drastic.
Hawkins, Urouge, and Lucci currently were in the Super Rookie category, yet not the strongest; from his perspective, the strongest among those who owed him was Law.
Not only did he owe the most money, his abilities were exceptional too, managing to surpass other Super Rookies in absence of Haki.
Though Letty possessed Observation, she's only ten years old, considering where she stands, it's quite remarkable.
Marika had Armament, yet inherently wasn't fond of fighting, ranking mid-tier among Super Rookies, truly battling, might not surpass Urouge.
Only Lily was the most promising; even now, she could potentially overshadow this batch of Super Rookies.
But this level entering the New World posed no issue, standing ground posed no issue, yet meddling in territory disputes would be lacking.
Time was too brief, they lacked time for further development, had to hone in the New World.
With Moriah joining, his gap between the high-ranking officers was filled, liberating him from concern entering the New World, once honed enough, and several officers matured, they could firmly establish.
"I won't mistreat any subordinates, ha ha ha ha, Moriah, you'll witness my defeat of Kaido!"
Sage laughed heartily, "And you too, Hogback, I'm exceedingly lenient towards talent, you'll become the head of the Doctor Corps, no need for combat, 1% of the spoils delivered to your hand, request anything, I can provide every equipment!"
Owning hundreds of billions, obtaining equipment is exceedingly simple.
"Money outweighs life, he he he, Captain, as long as the coin flows." Hogback chuckled.
"As long as you're not empty, let the money pile up for you, ha ha ha ha!"
Fond of money?
What flaw could that be?
It's utterly normal for people to possess desires, and money is the most minimal of matters.
Recruiting subordinates, Sage naturally holds confidence to satisfy their desires, as long as they labor for him!
The bonfire feast continued, originally deeply sleepy subordinates were awakened again, moving on to the second lively session, this time Kumadori found his showcase, rousing Byron to resume playing, Kumadori also exhibited a humor-laden Kabuki war dance.
At the table, Moriah sat directly on the ground, his stature unsuitable for a chair alongside this table, simply sitting there accompanying Sage drinking.
Perfectly roasted flavorful food, paired with ale, admiring moonlight among the bonfire, coupled with the laughter of his continuing lively subordinates, sufficiently noisy.
"You allied with Teach, intend to seize Whitebeard's territory?"
Moriah clinked glasses with Sage, pondered, then laughed: "Heh heh heh heh, it's precisely the chance now, occupying Hive Island could bolster our reputation substantially."
"Hive Island?" Lily furrowed her brows.
"Indeed! As a younger person, you might be unaware, but Sage... having hailed from O'hara, you might know of the true overlord on the sea, the Rocks Pirates, their base resides on Hive Island, famously dubbed Pirate Island, occupying it signals pirates in the New World."
Former Heroes of the West Sea had numerous titles during youth, besides the notable 'Shadow Mage,' he was also Wizard, Priest... and giant Strategist.
Moriah thrived on intellect back then.
These years, despite resorting to being a recluse, his will regressed but not intellect.
"Too small!"
Sage dismissed it with a hand gesture, "I'm disinterested in insignificant places, preferring substantial territory..."
He sneeringly said: "For instance Totto Land, and Wano Country!"
Impression of Totto Land wasn't profound, faintly recalling a place radiating outward from a central position, commanding numerous islands, immense land.
Wano Country he knew well, especially belonging to Kaido, and its geographic location advantageous, situated in highlands, classic case of easy defense and hard offense.
"Heh heh heh, aiming for Four Emperors immediately?"
Moriah cackled: "Though I long to confront Kaido soon, Sage oh... timing has yet to reach, you still fall short, we too require time. If uninterested in Hive Island, then seize elsewhere, I suggest, best if adjoining Kaido's territory, facilitating our future assault on Kaido."
Still lacking some...
Though Sage displayed impressive destructive capabilities, ultimately still lacked some.
Pirates of the New World boasted abundant territories, numerous populace, their combat prowess, too, exceptionally superior.
Missing any factor leads to the inability to completely crush rivals.
Having met defeat, Sage hasn't yet.
Reflecting on their currently somewhat similar circumstances, originating West Sea, famed in youth, fervently entering New World, striving against pinnacle existence.
Similarly, was powerful himself, yet subordinate's strength insufficient...
This defeated him previously, leaving him alone, all companions vanished!
Facing Kaido now, battling, Sage's plight wouldn't fare much better.
If back then, alongside Sage was such a person...
"I'll support you!"
Moriah's eyes flared, blood stressed in pupils, extending hands, his mouth nearly reaching ears, "I'll have you ascend the Pirate King's throne!"
Nothing then, but now has!
His present is his envisioned, back then capable of joining battles alongside him is Sage.
No Sage back then, but now, he has Moriah, compensating for Disaster Pirates' shortcomings!
"I entrust my dream to you!" Moriah, eyes reddened, states in resolute tone: "Ensuring victory!"
Men entrusting dreams to men is never wrong!