After having their fill of food and excitement, the subordinates lay down on the ground and fell asleep.
Sage instructed the night watch team to set up tents from the Black Ship.
The supplies looted from the Royal Palace and various battleships included camping equipment. Although these were simple tents, the materials inside were quite luxurious.
The Deep Forest Kingdom might not have much money, but they do have access to some fine furs, which are just perfect for making bedding inside the tents.
Sage, aspiring to be the landlord and master, could not sleep the same way as his subordinates. Even if they were camping, there had to be special arrangements!
Once a large tent was set up, three smaller tents were also constructed nearby. The men sleeping on the ground rotated along with the starry sky above, turning night into dawn.
Sage was awakened by a scent.
This time, he slept more soundly than usual; using 'Life Return' does consume energy, and no amount of food could replenish it, necessitating rest for recovery.
After a satisfying sleep, he was completely restored. Lifting the tent flap, he saw Marika already preparing food.
Inside a giant pot was a stew made from animals hunted the night before, with apples and some sweet dates added, its rich aroma whetting one's appetite.
"Oh, Captain, you're awake? I was about to send someone to call you... Please wait a bit; breakfast will be ready soon," Marika said with a smile.
"Where did this giant pot come from?"
Sage asked, "Was it made by Renedia?"
"Yes, since I'm responsible for feeding hundreds of people, having a big pot is definitely necessary," Marika smiled.
Even the shackles were not wasted; Renedia melted them down, at least they were iron and should not be wasted. Marika needed a pot, so a big iron pot was made, and the leftover materials were stored for future use when repairs requiring iron are needed.
"I'll allocate some people to you; even though you enjoy this alone, hosting a banquet shouldn't make the guests wait too long, and it can also train some chefs," Sage suggested.
With a crew numbering six hundred, though strong-willed, not everyone loves battle. Enjoying the role of a chef could be possible for some, and willing combatants could take dual roles.
On the ship, those with special statuses can receive more spoils than average combatants.
"Alright, I'll start selecting people soon," Marika nodded with a smile.
With the stew ready, the crew enjoyed breakfast on the island, filled wooden barrels with drinking water, and returned to the ship.
Upon reaching an island, naturally, they searched thoroughly for anything usable.
Besides the stored fresh water and remaining meat, enough timber was logged on the island for future use, especially in terms of food; each pirate figured a way to kill at least one beast, its normal size still providing some meat.
With nearly six hundred people's food, drink, and sanitation needs, relying solely on stored goods is risky. Meeting an unexpected challenge at sea could prevent reaching another town.
Therefore, reaching an island means gathering supply.
The pirate profession, always facing the elements, creates hardship without a home territory.
Given their size now, robbing a regular town is ineffective. The usual approach is selecting a temporary base, then sending pirates in batches to find merchant ships to pillage.
But Sage couldn't do this now; having blown up Bridge Kingdom and encountered Garp, the situation is significant. In the East Sea, eventually, a pushback occurs; entering the Grand Line is more favorable.
Since such regions have numerous pirates, entering there is typical; the Navy would not fully target oneself. But in East Sea, being notably outstanding draws attention from headquarters and across East Sea.
Simply stating, East Sea does not allow such exceptional characters!
The longer one stays, the more troublesome it gets.
Sage moved towards Death Star, where Renedia, covered in paint, appeared at the ship's railing, waving at him.
The black canvas had transformed, with its darkness like a night sky sprinkled with numerous star patterns, resembling a starry sky.
Below the sky filled with stars, a faint skull pattern occupied the entire sky, as if enveloped by the skull.
"A flag?" Sage was puzzled.
"Haha! I designed it as the Pirate Flag, isn't it great? Since it's a disaster, it surely relates to the sky, stars hiding a skull means disaster!"
Renedia proudly lifted her chin, "This is the Pirate Crew Flag I designed!"
Her expression anticipated Sage's compliment.
Lily whispered nearby, "She awoke at dawn to design the flag, I suggested utilizing stars since you often gaze at the starry sky..."
Pointing towards the stars, she declared, the Death Star is shining, precisely fitting.
A pirate crew must possess a Pirate Flag; now recruitment is complete and the crew's name exists, naturally a corresponding Pirate Flag is necessary.
"Pretty good."
Taking a look at the flag hung on the ship and the mast top, Sage nodded in agreement, boarding the vessel.
They're excellent subordinates.
Being a landlord means letting subordinates handle things while he enjoys life.
Though the venture is incomplete, lacking stable territory, what ought to be is almost in place!
This pirate life was definitely the right choice!
"Set sail!"
Standing on the deck, Sage proudly declared, "Head straight to the Grand Line, with the New World as our target destination!"
"Oh!!"
Already on deck, prepared pirates cheered, under Lily's direction, they unfurled the sails, departing the island, aiming the sea map towards Inverted Mountain.
Among the six hundred crew members, some have pirating experience, but their numbers are few, yet it's insignificant; controlling a ship isn't complex, old guides the new with practical action, soon all the crew learned ship handling, no longer needing Renedia's periodic ship-driving abilities.
Besides basic sailing relying on wind, they possess extra power systems, combining steam and manpower, generally using boiling water or manpower pedals, Renedia can forcibly operate it with her abilities, yet it's physically taxing.
While fleeing Bridge Kingdom, Renedia expended considerable energy, as controlling such a big ship using her powers isn't simple.
Thankfully, the Doghead Battleship didn't chase, otherwise escape would be uncertain.
Now, half the crew manages to drive this ship.
Recruiting remaining members can be done gradually.
"Sage, do we need nearby repairs for Ascending Mountain?"
In the third-floor conference room, Lily pointed at a sea map indicating Ascending Mountain's position and neighboring island, "The map shows there's a town here."