A fist sank deeply into his abdomen.
He staggered back two steps, clutching his stomach, pretending to retch, but he didn't fall.
Gin spat to the side and said, "Not bad strength, decent endurance. Better than regular henchmen, but this level doesn't deserve forty-two million. Even my former self was much better."
Forty-two million?
Krieg is just sixteen million.
In his eyes, Krieg was much stronger than this guy.
This price is exaggerated.
What's going on with the Grand Line?
Has the intensity of sailing changed so much that even pirates here have increased bounties?
No wonder Captain Sage feels that the officers' bounties aren't high enough.
"Do you submit?" Gin asked.
"Yes, Master Gin." Roshio, bearing the pain, slowly answered.
"Not bad, not someone who can't take a loss." Gin nodded slowly, "Let's go then, stroll around this Demon Valley Town, gather some intel, and see if there are any suitable pirates."
Whether there is genuine submission, Gin never cares about, nor does Captain Sage.
After all, it's not an officer, just a pirate.
As long as they follow the rules, that's enough.
High bounties mean nothing in the Disaster Pirates.
Here, either you get Captain Sage's attention, or you're independently strong, but those who get attention from Captain Sage are never weak.
This guy doesn't qualify at all.
At most, he could be a small leader...
That evening, during the storm, Sage requisitioned all the space on the first floor of the inn, transforming it into a temporary dining hall, to entertain his crew.
"For the newly joined crew, cheers!"
In a restaurant, Sage raised his glass, his voice echoing throughout the inn.
"Oh!!"
The crew raised their glasses, cheering loudly.
Including 'Executioner' Roshio and his over sixty subordinates, all were recruited by Sage.
As for recruiting new crew members, it's ongoing; not every subordinate can be immediately brought in. Roshio being here is purely because Sage felt he should be the first to join, just in a good mood.
No new recruits just yet; today was only for spreading the word. Official recruitment starts when they gather tomorrow.
But they got some intel about Roshio though.
Known for being dangerous and crazy, not only did he enjoy hanging people, but he also enjoyed pursuing relentlessly. Winning was fine, but if he lost, he'd persist until he turned things around, so there are wild rumors about him.
In contrast, he seems more the calm type.
But such guys are all around in the Disaster Pirates.
He's nothing remarkable.
"No one's dancing, hey, you over there, dance!"
Sage picked up a stack of Belly, throwing it in the face of the owner, saying, "The more you dance, the more you earn!"
"Yes, yes!"
Although not understanding what "you over there" meant, the owner wasn't angry at all, firstly due to Sage's reputation, and secondly…
He simply paid too much!
In the pouring rain, the owner danced clumsily and amusingly in the rain, making Sage burst into laughter.
...
The storm lasted until the early morning of the next day before this island of spring weather forced it to end.
Early in the morning, the owner prepared ingredients, and Marika personally prepared a hundred-serving breakfast, covering a long dining table.
"Lily, bring over that roast suckling pig, right, sprinkle some sugar on it."
"Marika, bring over that stewed chicken."
"Letty, what are you eating? Roast knuckle? Give me a serving!"
Sage sat at the head, pointing at the food he couldn't reach due to the length of the dining table.
His arms weren't long enough; did he have to stand up to eat?
He didn't want guys serving him; he hadn't found any women to serve him yet, so he had Lily and the others fill in for now.
Being the local wealthy landlord, if he couldn't command people, what's the point?
Marika's cooking was excellent, and while the ingredients here weren't top-notch, they were premium enough. A hundred completely unique dishes were laid out, making the owner's eyes light up. If not for this being a highly dangerous eighty-million bounty criminal, he would've been tempted to hire him at a high salary stealthily.
The meal took nearly an hour, all falling into Sage's stomach. After eating, it was of course leisure time.
"Into the water!"
Letty, wearing a floral swimsuit dress and a swim ring, jumped straight into the sea.
Then...
She collapsed on the swim ring, letting the blue undulating sea carry her along.
With half her body submerged in the seawater, naturally, she lost her strength. After all, she was still a child, incapable of exerting force in the water.
"Sage, why don't you come into the water..." Renedia said weakly, "Swimming is fun."
"Do you want to be eaten by a Sea King?" Sage rolled his eyes, "I'm going to get the fishing rod, I refuse to believe I can't catch a fish today!"
"It's prepared for you."
As soon as he finished speaking, a fair arm reached over.
Sage turned his head to see Lily holding a fishing rod in one hand and a bucket in the other, standing behind him.
She had tied her sun-flame-colored wavy blonde hair into a ponytail, wore a white one-piece swimsuit, with her long slender legs gleaming in the sunlight. Though her chest was fully covered, due to its grand scale, it had an extraordinary allure.
Like a large jelly wrapped in white packaging...
"Oh, fishing again?" Marika approached, saying, "Captain, do your best today."