Upon hearing Sage's words, Lily briefly described the geographical position of the Hyrule Kingdom, where thirty thousand pirates were held up, caught in the quagmire of war.
"Compared to our forces, the enemy's soldiers are more coordinated, and their adherence to orders is higher than ours. Most importantly, Hawkins mentioned that every one of them possesses Haki."
"Wait, Haki for everyone, including ordinary people?"
Sage was initially more and more bewildered by what he heard – things like luring the enemy deeper, surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao, midnight raids, burning of grain supplies... leaving him dumbfounded.
The one playing the commander was actually conducting guerilla warfare!
In an ocean where strength is paramount, could there really be such a character?
It could be considered an unconventional approach.
But Sage didn't really care because true strength could do as it wished, even if one played the art of command to the fullest, they'd still falter when confronted by a strong opponent.
However, Lily's last statement piqued his interest.
"Yes, many people influenced by that woman named Sivier, even ordinary people, have manifested Haki in battle. Despite the low quality, the sheer numbers are troublesome. In short, although we won the battle, we suffered losses," Lily said.
"Ability user? Someone who can evoke ordinary people's willpower, quite similar to a cadre of the Revolutionary Army," Sage pondered.
There are many with similar abilities—either hierarchical or different abilities with similar effects. Having a Fruit Ability that can evoke willpower is quite normal.
But Sage wasn't concerned about that matter.
"With adept command skills, engaging in guerilla warfare, not a noble but an ordinary person ascended to power... Haki bursting at the seams, not promptly resolving those obstructive nobles, courting disaster."
Sage chuckled, "However, this talent seems quite suitable—a command talent, likely also adept at internal affairs. We're in need of someone like this to assist you; just Suleiman alone isn't enough."
Lily, deemed an all-rounder, proficient in command, internal affairs, battles, but her subordinates aren't—especially command talents are exceedingly rare. Now, it seems another decent fellow has surfaced, and persuading them to surrender would be ideal.
"Hawkins shares this sentiment. Through divination, he believes that as long as we feign defeat, the chance of the opponent falling into chaos is 99%. Then, we could take this opportunity to persuade this one you mentioned, the one conducting guerilla warfare, to surrender."
"Defeat? Wouldn't defeat make me a war criminal? How did old Hawkins think up such an unreliable idea? There are many ways to achieve victory, yet he opted for the one with the worst reputation."
Sage flicked his fishing rod, letting the hook near a school of fish in the water, but as soon as the hook moved, the targeted fish school scattered, diving to the sea bottom and disappearing from the surface.
Sage tossed the rod aside, leaving behind a legend of the golden rod of O'hara's homeland and said into the microphone, "Prepare the ship."
"Sage? You don't need to be there personally for this matter; I can take care of it," Lily was momentarily stunned.
"You have too many things to maintain, just stay. I'm idle as it is, just changing fishing spots. Given that it's the junction of three routes, affected by magnetic fields, there should be plenty of good fish to catch."
"Understood, preparing the ship immediately."
"Thanks for your hard work."
Sage handed the microphone to Perona and laughed, "You're idle too, accompany me for a while, and later take Bella with you. Without Lily, missing someone to serve us won't do."
"I can do that too, Master Sage."
Perona puffed up her cheeks, "I often make tea for Master Moriah."
"Are you talking about cocoa-flavored tea or tea-flavored hot cocoa?"
Sage waved his hand, "I have little interest in sweets; I love wine more than tea. You focus on your bagel sandwich instead."
On Moriah's side, Hogback and Perona were both homebodies; although Hogback was a doctor, he only liked his own surgical research in the lab, while Perona was torturing her Kumashi in the castle all day.
Despite having intentions to take care of her old father, all she drank was cocoa-mixed drinks, eating nothing but bagels.
Continue taking care of Moriah like this, and she'll end up causing diabetes.
"What's with that? Sweet things are so delicious, they can heal the soul!" Perona said huffily.
"Alright, alright. You can eat with Redi, and when she's done with her work, go share with her."
Sage stepped into thin air, creating a smoke ring that propelled him upwards, and upon reaching the cliff edge, a dark cloud appeared below him, carrying him toward the Royal City.
"Wait for me!"
Perona rose lightly, also slowly floating towards the direction of the Royal City.
...
Hyrule Kingdom.
Within the manor of a town yet to be discovered by the Disaster Pirates.
"I do not agree!"
With her golden hair neatly tied in a single ponytail, clad in a knight's armor exuding a heroic demeanor, Sivier forcefully slapped the table, her eyes burning as she stared at the middle-aged man seated on a high-backed chair, wearing a crown.
The man was taken aback by Sivier's sudden stance, his eyelids twitched, and his complexion turned directly gloomy.
The two knights in noble attire standing beside him immediately grasped the hilts of their swords, and one of them shouted, "Sivier! How dare you act so presumptuously!"
"I apologize sincerely! King Melvin, your majesty!"
Realizing her abruptness, Sivier placed one hand over her chest and bowed, saying, "I'm speaking from a strategic perspective, not intending disrespect. You are the king of this nation, and we are all your subjects, but we are subjects, not servants. We gather under your command for the sake of this country, as you declared before initiating the war."