Teach also felt that this man knew him well.
Sage glanced at him, "Dark-Dark Fruit."
Teach's pupils shrank, then he laughed again, "Zehahaha, you really know, huh? Were you aiming for the Dark-Dark Fruit too? But I've already eaten it."
Sage smiled, "Devil Fruits choose their owners. Since it didn't come to me, it means it's not destined for me."
He certainly understood Devil Fruits, as a unique existence on the sea, one cannot resist tasting them.
If you encounter the right fruit, it can make your strength grow exponentially.
Sage didn't mind eating a fruit; after all, he didn't like going to sea anyway. Being able to swim held no meaning for him, he just hadn't found the right one.
The Dark-Dark Fruit is certainly impressive; as a special Logia-type, the double pain is exchanged for the ability to nullify all powers using gravity.
But it's not his. Even if he killed Teach here, the Dark-Dark Fruit wouldn't appear near him; who knows where it would go.
Even piling up a bunch of fruits won't help; Devil Fruits also choose their hosts, and the ability residing within would slip away.
Moreover, with his luck, unless the fruit finds him on its own, piling up fruits won't do any good.
"Zehahaha, you really know a lot. People choose Devil Fruits based on their desires and dreams. Similarly, Devil Fruits choose their owners based on the strength of those desires and dreams. It all seems like coincidence, but on the sea, it's all destiny's choice!"
Bam!
Teach slammed his fist on the table, his expression twisted, "I don't like such a destiny; how can people's dreams be blocked by fate! My ambition is the world!"
He looked at Sage, with a hint of longing, "Hey, Sage, how about becoming my partner? We're very much alike. If you join, we're sure to have a pleasant cooperation!"
Sage grinned fiercely, "What a coincidence, my dream is to become the world's biggest landlord. If you want the world, then we can't cooperate."
"Zehahaha, so you're a guy who likes to rule everything!"
Teach laughed a few times, drank up the wine in his glass, and said something that made Sage slightly pause.
"We can totally cooperate!"
He raised his eyebrows, saying, "Sage, what do you think pirates are? Of course, they are a combination of interests. Having different goals isn't surprising, we're not playing a naive children's game. As long as the goals align, anyone can cooperate!"
"Even if we can't become partners and may become enemies in the future, before you and I reach that goal, shouldn't we cooperate more? You help me solve problems, I help you, and we reach that pinnacle together, how about it?"
Teach grinned, "After all, if you understand the Dark-Dark Fruit, you should understand its power, right?"
"Testing me?"
Sage sneered, "A special Logia-type makes pain several times the norm, but in exchange, it nullifies the abilities of those it touches. It's not the sea, it's just that special suction that can temporarily absorb abilities, hence the nullification."
He thought for a moment, pulling a cigar from his cloak and clamping it in his mouth.
Teach laughed heartily, "You indeed know it well. Then you should understand the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit, our cooperation won't have downsides."
Sage lit his cigar, exhaled a puff of smoke, and said, "Alright, but for this kind of thing, let's talk once you've found your footing."
"You too…"
Teach laughed heartily, "If you can't stand firm in the New World, then everything is void, zehahaha."
In a way, they are of the same kind, the kind with deep desires.
Sage could see that this guy's deeply buried ambition was actually the same as his, both are people who advance step by step, not those who demand everything from the start.
Wanting the world is the same; it's all about following the steps.
If there's a chance to get it, of course, they would take it,
Their goals might clash one day, but only if they reach that time, absolutely not now...
Because there are too many people in the way.
Before that, they can certainly cooperate.
"Then let's toast to our…"
Teach raised his glass, grinning viciously.
Sage lifted his glass, clinking it against Teach's, and smiled just as fiercely, "A pleasant cooperation in the New World!"
Only at this moment did Lily release her grip from the hilt at her waist and relax.
She also had that feeling; in some ways, this rough man was very similar to Sage.
"Crocodile has been defeated, and there's a vacancy among the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
After finishing a glass of wine, Teach said, "I've set my sights on that position, so I want to find someone substantial enough for the World Government to choose me as a Warlord. I have another partner, named Laffitte, and we agreed to meet in Demon Valley Town. I learned you were here when we landed..."
"You're definitely substantial enough, it's just a pity, I probably can't beat you, zehahaha!" Teach laughed heartily.
"Wahaha! Captain, so you have moments of conceding!" The robust man at the table raised his arms, displaying his bulging muscles, and laughed heartily.
"Fate is such a trickster," said Van Augur lightly.
The sickly man just sat there laughing and gasping.
"Hey, Sage, you don't also want to become a Warlord, right? Since we're cooperating, give me this position. I need it to recruit more partners!"