Chapter 1188 - 697: The Boss Must Bear Everything!

What Sage is thinking about is the broad plan; the specifics of implementation still rely on his subordinates.

So some matters, they still need to be clear about.

"Give away technology just like that? Even if it’s selling ships, aren’t you giving these Pirates easier access? You are like the sun shining on the sea, long-lasting and undefeated. If given to those Pirates in the latter part, what if they occupy the West Sea and North Sea after going there?"

Kuzan asked, "After all, the Four Seas are different from the Grand Line; the Four Seas are too vast. Doing this will only make those Pirates more difficult to deal with."

The Grand Line is actually large enough, but no matter how large it is, it has a pattern. Following the magnetic pointer indicated by the Log Pose can divide the routes, you just sail according to the routes. The remaining islands can be found around the routes.

However, the Four Seas are different; that’s where it’s truly vast. Until now, the World Government’s reach has been management of the seas around the continent’s edge. The vast seas lacking land, with only a few islands, are uniformly called the ’Outer Sea’.

Especially since the Four Seas are places with normal climates, unlike the violent climate of the New World. In fact, some Pirates entering the New World are dealt with by the climate.

Once they reach the Four Seas, these Pirates can run wild unimpeded, even if there are experts within the Kingdoms. But they definitely wouldn’t be a match for those of New World level strength. If we truly let them in, they might not feel like coming out.

Especially now that Sage is too strong, smart people will definitely avoid the brunt, choosing a better place to develop.

One Piece?

With the technology to cross the Calm Belt, it’s easy to re-enter the New World. At least compared to the danger of Inverted Mountain, many would still choose the Calm Belt for its convenience with this technology.

After crossing Inverted Mountain, you still have to go to Fishman Island. How could it be as convenient as the Calm Belt? Time would also be greatly reduced.

"Wouldn’t that be a good thing?"

Sage smiled, extending a finger, "No matter how strong Haki is, there’s a limit. Once fighting starts, firearms and cannons are still needed. I’m selling a basic version of the Peacekeeper, and just relying on the World Government and Revolutionary Army’s intensity is far from enough to absorb my goods."

"You know what kind of character the World Government has. They’re busy dealing with the Revolutionary Army, so they won’t think about solving the Pirate invasions between the Four Seas, especially when facing Pirates from the New World. Their forces are simply not enough. At that time, those Kingdoms will definitely come to buy weapons from me. The West Sea and North Sea also have plenty of experts; we still have the Cross Guild, this employment organization, under our command."

Sage extended another finger, "Staff issues can be solved by the Cross Guild, we can also make some money this way."

"Two-pronged approach; if Pirates want to occupy a Kingdom, that’s very difficult. They are Pirates; if they can face high-intensity casualties and want to continue fighting, then they wouldn’t be considered Pirates."

"Even if they are lucky enough to occupy a few kingdoms, even if the World Government can’t spare the manpower, the Navy deployed around will engage, not to mention the Revolutionary Army causing trouble everywhere— they won’t let go of this rare opportunity to incite."

"Pirates can’t stand it; they don’t have the nature for it. Over time, they’ll ultimately choose to resort to robbery, but robbery requires a sales channel, right? Currently, I’m the only one who can provide this..."

Sage extended a third finger, "If they want new weapons, new ships, want to cash in their loot, only I can provide it. In the end, they can only choose me."

"No Pirate is so foolish as to forsake the lawless area in the New World that is full of pirates, to go to the Four Seas where order prevails, only to endure firepower— they still need their base."

"As for us..."

Sage extended a fourth finger, "Our capacity has reached its limit. The front half of the Grand Line hasn’t been thoroughly absorbed; we can’t absorb it. We need a larger population, so the matter of further expansion isn’t considered."

"But this doesn’t mean we aren’t preparing. When Pirates have a stronghold, want to pile up loot, want more people to work for them, want to have a place to rest after returning— even if unwilling, they still develop their stronghold."

"Where do the resources come from? Where do the goods come from? People in the sea don’t have the mindset to choose development like I did. For O’hara, to get what I want, I must give something. The laying of O’hara’s foundation exhausted all the money I grabbed from Paradise! With hundreds of billions of Belly, can those Pirates still be Pirates?"

"Our business can reach that side; besides military goods, civilian products can also be sold to the latter half, subtly allowing their development. When the time is right, they can be directly absorbed under our command; if the timing isn’t right, then serving as a product sales channel is also great!"

Forced buying requires the needer.

In a place where no one wears shoes, selling shoes requires first allowing locals to have the money to buy shoes, then it’s about creating the demand for shoes.

Sage isn’t so idealistic about population; he doesn’t think everyone will come just because he wants it. Whereas, the population here is still greatly lacking.

An entire front half needs developing, needs prosperity, definitely needs population support. But the front half is so large; you must know that Alabasta is merely one of the large islands in the front half of the Grand Line.