"Don't worry, your work is quite enjoyable for you."
Sage smiled and glanced around at the people who had arrived in the conference room, "Is everyone here?"
"Yes, all the key participants are here for this meeting." Lily responded.
"Hey, Sage, is there something related to us here?"
Buggy questioned, but immediately felt something was off, waving his hands repeatedly: "Although I'm happy to participate in this meeting, our Cross Guild hasn't joined O'hara, it's just collaboration. In terms of war, you guys can fight, but if you want us to join the battle, then probably..."
"You guys are also an external organization, I'm your biggest patron. All the activities of the Cross Guild have my approval involved. Attending the meeting is just right, to avoid your people getting lost when the fight starts. At this time, following the steps of the biggest patron is certainly the best."
Sage thought of something, and grinned: "If the World Government relies on member countries and the Navy, then our O'hara can also be considered an alternative World Government. I am the World Government itself; Cross Guild is the Navy, it's also your biggest patron. Other patrons can be considered member countries; calling you an external organization is fine too."
He pointed at Crocodile, Mihawk, and Boa Hancock, saying: "You three, being the three Admirals of Cross Guild isn't impossible. Relying on brains, relying on strength, and one relying on charm, it's quite good..."
It can't be said not to resemble, but it's exactly the same.
Though there isn't as strong a superior-subordinate relationship as the World Government, that's only on the surface whereas in some ways, the Cross Guild operates according to Sage's will.
After all, he sponsors the most.
To this day, all activities of the Cross Guild depend on support from O'hara.
Those guys in the Underworld, mere money is useless; even with money, it must be transformed into goods. Just relying on that one secret passage under the Red Earth Continent isn't enough to gather many resources; ultimately, everything comes to Sage.
Weapons, food, medical supplies, clothing, ships... even an iron nail, a usable piece of wood, all come from Sage.
Rather than saying buying with money, it's more like Sage has indirectly controlled Cross Guild through resources; but this method doesn't make people feel repulsed.
In today's great sea, such a notion hasn't spread.
Plus, Sage is too strong, subtly, Cross Guild has indeed become O'hara's external organization.
"You all, this time, can be considered as observers; the main force won't include you, including you..."
Sage looked at Doflamingo, "The fight this time won't need you; of course, if you want to observe, I don't have any objections."
Unlike Crocodile's 'Dragon's Field Enlightenment,' Sage believes Doflamingo hasn't made much progress in Haki, it hasn't changed much compared to before.
However, back then, Old Crocodile was considered weak, only now returning to a proper standard.
Doflamingo always maintained a steady level.
"Calling you here is mainly for the current plan... Lily."
"Yes."
Lily stepped out from beside him and came to a spacious spot in front, didn't even need to move a hand. Atlas, who was assisting, had eyes glowing, without using any devices, projected a holographic sea map.
In the conference room, the chandelier above, the surrounding stone pillars, and the long tables and thrones still had a medieval style. Everyone wore outfits fitting the sea style, but it completely contrasted with the holographic projection.
The sea is simply miraculous like this.
"The New World, no need to say more."
This is an overall sea map encompassing the Four Seas and the entire world.
Lily's gesture enlarged the sea area of the New World, already smeared with a disaster-representing black and red color.
"Although not yet entirely conquered and digested, not even touching the latter half of the New World, but lacking powerful figures, sooner or later this will be ours. Currently claiming dominion poses no problem; the whole world implicitly acknowledges the New World is entirely our territory."
She extended her hand towards the Paradise region before the Red Earth Continent, a mix of blue and white representing the Navy and World Government.
"The Navy withdrew to Paradise, reestablishing Marineford as headquarters, represents the complete defeat of the Navy combat faction led by Akainu. What the World Government wants is to bring Teach out to challenge us..."
Her hand reached the G-1 Headquarters location, enveloped in pure black.
"According to intelligence, Teach hollowed Impel Down. The gathered forces amount to a hundred thousand men, including personnel from Impel Down and pirates emerging from Paradise, all joined his banner due to the Pirate Kingdom affair, currently gathered at this position, such that the number of ships almost covers the sea area, which seriously affects our businesses."
"At the Gate of Justice position, the goods we send out weren't originally much; previously targeting Blackbeard and Red Hair, now this matter counts as a follow-up. But to conduct business, this passage must be opened, otherwise those wandering pirates will cause serious trouble for us."
"Of course, as long as we win, all of this isn't a problem, it doesn't count as a plan..."
Lily paused, stating: "What we need to consider is now how to do business, that's also why I called you Cross Guild here."
Her focus laid on the black region representing Teach.