Chapter 1189 - 697: The Boss Must Shoulder Everything! (2)

The first half of what Sage occupies, although not yet fully tallied, definitely doesn’t have the population to support the prosperity he wants. But if concentrated on a few islands, the industrial chain won’t keep up.

The current focus is no longer suitable for domestic matters; it must be linked to the outside world, and their standard of living must be improved to match the grand industry he envisions.

"And add me to that!"

Sage extended his last thumb, revealing a sinister smile: "We! With absolute strength, we will reign over these seas, ensuring the most basic order. The World Government can’t threaten us, the Revolutionary Army wouldn’t dare mess with us, and those kingdoms fear us! Whether it’s favorable timing, geography, or human harmony, they all stand on our side! We have achieved the most advantageous business foundation!"

"With these, achieving dreams is no longer mere talk; everyone can follow my path to fulfill their dreams! Lady can continue building ships, crafting vessels that allow the whole world to sail safely. The more people need them, the more she’ll build."

"Marika can expand her business endlessly, experimenting with new cuisines or searching for seeds of foods that can sufficiently feed everyone. One day, she’ll achieve it."

"Lily can also keep walking on the path of dreams with decreasing oppression! As living standards improve, oppression naturally diminishes!"

"Hey, hey, are you putting everyone’s dreams on yourself?" Kuzan seems to be hearing Sage articulating others’ dreams for the first time.

"Of course!"

Sage firmly clutched his outstretched five fingers, confidently saying: "What do you think a captain is? What is a boss? The one who carries everything forward should be the master of everyone, the landlord of all lands, the... King of the World! Hohohoho!"

The so-called pirates are just a group bound by interests, gathered for individual aims, and loyalty among pirates itself needs to be viewed dialectically.

The people in the Pirates appear to gather together, but in reality, they fight for their individual purposes.

Even if the captain has great charm, making others submit, ultimately it is about sacrificing one’s own dreams to complete others’ dreams.

Kuzan always thought Sage was like that too.

After all, his dominance is just too powerful; the entire O’hara is his word alone, a prestige he won with absolute strength and thus his subordinates naturally serve his plans and dreams.

Didn’t expect...

"Carrying everything together, huh?"

Kuzan murmured and shook his head with a smile: "Fine, let me watch a bit more."

"Watch as long as you want! But work still needs to be done!"

Sage laughed heartily: "Kuzan, don’t be idle with me here, everyone has things to do, can’t let you idle!"

After the conquests conclude, everyone returns to their original stations, as development must continue.

King and Katakuri are mutual shields, also active fur race and fishman race shields at the entrance of the Red Earth Continent.

The newly joined Doflamingo now takes back the black market trade in Dressrosa and redevelops Dressrosa; he’s also busy.

Sage’s headquarters, meanwhile centrally governs the areas digested by O’hara and similarly can’t spare manpower.

Only the recently arrived Kuzan, whether from prestige or strength, can dominate the latter half as a deterrence against any rash attacks on his borders.

Of course, that’s secondary, he’s grown so large that no one would dare, and a branch fleet dispatch could easily handle any lunatic attacks.

The main interest, though, lies in this guy’s administrative capability; strength is quite major, but handling governance is the most vital.

"Ah, don’t underestimate me. I do have some insights on working and such. But as you said, it also fires me up; since in the Navy, it’s ’Lazy Justice’, why not act as ’Passionate Evil’ as a bounty-bearing real pirate." Kuzan said with a smile.

"Great! Hope you keep up this enthusiasm, Kuzan!" Sage showed a hint of a mysterious smile.

Lily’s workload...

Even though he doesn’t do it, he knows it well.

"Thank you!"

Lily politely nodded towards Kuzan, saying words that left Kuzan somewhat stunned.

"Don’t be too formal, we’ve worked together before." Kuzan scratched his head, "Just interact normally."

Lily didn’t say much, just raised a relieved smile at the corner of her mouth.

Kuzan simply thought he just joined, perhaps his position here made them feel appreciative?

A bit too polite.

And after Sage announced the meeting adjourned, Kuzan was guided by a servant to choose a residence close to the Royal Palace and also set his office in the palace.

This further convinced Kuzan that they’re valuing him highly, but also feeling overly formal.

To some extent, he was Sage’s senior, making him a bit embarrassed by all this.

Just interact more in the future...

Then he regretted it the next day!

On this day, he reset his mindset, as if working at the Navy, and went to his office in the Royal Palace. Upon seeing waiting servants inside, he waved them out, donned a sleeping mask, and leaned back in his chair like dozing off at the Navy.

Work surely needs to be done, just handling some papers, like during his Admiral days, sneaking naps whenever he can.

No matter how overwhelming, could it be heavier than a Navy Admiral’s duties?

Speaking of which, it’s been a while since he slept this comfortably...

Bang!

Soon, very soon, so soon Kuzan didn’t even realize, an attack-like vibration suddenly erupted before him.

Lily, leading a group of assistant officers, placed mountain-piled documents on Kuzan’s office desk, shaking the entire office.

"What is this?"

Kuzan peeked from behind the mountain of papers, revealing a sense of ominous foreboding beneath his sleep mask.

"Files you need to process."

Lily smiled: "Kuzan, these documents are your responsibility. I’ve left three assistant officers to assist you. You can ask them questions if needed. I’m heading out and must say, you’ve helped a lot, thank you!"

Saying that, she headed out without turning back, fearing Kuzan might try to retain her.

Kuzan was stunned for quite a while, only then regaining his senses from the pile of documents, blinking at the three bowing assistant officers, "How long will it take to process all these?"

"Minister Kuzan, ideally half a day, since we need half a day for unified returns. But since it’s your first time at O’hara, some leniency to a full day is available." An assistant officer softly replied.

"Minister?" Kuzan paused.

"Yes, you’ve been recently appointed by the Governor as O’hara’s Minister of General Affairs, different from Lily’s Prime Minister, handling administration, only reporting to the Governor." The assistant officer explained.

"A day?"

Kuzan slightly opened his mouth, "One day, how can you handle all this? No, why does O’hara have more affairs than the Navy?"

Heaven as witness!

His duties at the Navy never had this much paperwork!

It was just signing a few files, mostly deciding responses to pirate movements.

"Minister Kuzan, these files cover numerous island development plans, garrison applications, along with industrial adjustments. Let me explain..."

An assistant officer picked up the top file, saying: "Anudria Island produces iron ore, but we don’t currently need it due to Feniks Island, Sari Island, Delta Island...all are high iron ore producers. If the locals mine there, they might not meet the expected living standards. Is there a need for by-products mining, or continue iron extraction via different channels..."

Kuzan’s head gradually began to spin as the mountain of documents and the officers’ explanations infused into him, twisting within his consciousness, like demonic low whispers, inducing mental collapse.

Got it.

Understood everything.

Why Lily was grateful and smiled...

A whole day handling these?!

Judging by this, tomorrow’s the same too, isn’t it?

Is this even humanly possible?!

Where is Sage?!

What is Sage doing?!

"Achoo!"

In the morning, lying on his gigantic bed, Sage sneezed, rubbed his nose, and turned over to continue sleeping.

Proper sleep is crucial; it concerns one’s vitality, no matter what, always ensure his rest first.

At his age, of course, he can sleep well.

After all, it’s the people below doing the work...