Chapter 1161 - 683: The World’s Most Ordinary Yet Strongest

Avoidance is definitely not an option, even if he knows that following Lily’s advice would make winning easier.

But on this ocean, winning easily might not be winning with spirit.

Doing the impossible knowingly is common at sea because it concerns willpower.

Some things can consider convenience and compromise, as no one cares or it does not affect mindset, but some things can’t; once you compromise, it’s the beginning of decline.

"Even Teach chose to be in the New World and emptied Impel Down for a showdown with me. I can’t lose to him in terms of courage!"

Sage grinned viciously: "A battle to decide victory and defeat!"

The best choice Teach should have made was to enter Paradise, find a place to continue accumulating power, even wait to oppose the World Government again, and the most prudent way would be to achieve the greatest balance among the Government, Revolutionary Army, Pirates, and Sage amidst chaos.

But he didn’t do that.

In this world where willpower is supreme, intelligence means nothing, even the top wisdom of creating Ancient Weapons might not be as strong as the supreme Haki.

If Teach really did that, Sage would no longer take him seriously.

With declining spirit, his dangerous subordinates might not need Sage to act; in a few years, no, maybe less than half a year, news of Shiryu or Devon killing Teach might surface.

Retreat is impossible, whether for Sage or Teach.

"Understood, I will issue the notice now."

Lily responded and added: "Regarding Doflamingo... Impel Down is already emptied, should we bring him out? If we only consider his talents for the black market and business, they should benefit us, as he is indeed a high-end talent."

It’s still the same phrase: there aren’t enough talents.

Recruitment for two hundred thousand reserves, that’s only recent. Although a batch has been trained, numbers are still far from enough.

Strength is fundamental, and above strength, many considerations are necessary.

Not just the latter half of the New World, even the first half of the islands needs experienced leaders for governance, manpower is insufficient.

Their time is too short, even if standards are lowered, the number of talents meeting their needs is far from enough.

Besides island leaders, assistant officers need to be equipped. These assistants can’t all be local, can they? In this disconnected ocean, some places still have primitive people. Hiring a local to understand customs and resources is great, but the rest of the work needs someone to do it.

The larger the territory, the more Lily struggles with management.

She’s focused on that Sivier, who is still undergoing training, perhaps in another half year, he’ll mature through burdensome work, then be transferred to her side as an assistant officer.

Talents are hard to find...

Currently, in the black market, Link is already overwhelmed and must have an elite to share some duties.

As for the influence Doflamingo brings...

It doesn’t matter.

He’s a smart guy; as long as Sage is around, he won’t do anything unnecessary.

The Disaster Pirates, from past to present, never feared ambitious individuals, in their eyes, if they’re usable, that’s enough, let alone being useful.

Moreover, their core strength is growing stronger; Moriah, King, and Katakuri can hold equal ground with Doflamingo, and Lily is now confident enough to handle Doflamingo, not to mention many elites under her command.

Doflamingo hasn’t reached the level to confront an entire pirate group.

It’s not considered bullying; so far, there’s only one person on this sea who can take on an entire crew alone.

It’s the person in front of her, her Captain!

Doflamingo lacks major advantages, and other advantages, like plots, schemes... they don’t matter as long as Sage is present. With Sage around, all problems disappear.

Just enduring can exhaust Doflamingo! He won’t live longer than Sage; his age gives it away.

If Sage were to die...

Then whether Doflamingo is around or not, O’hara would certainly enter major turmoil, and it’s not yet time for a smooth transition.

By comparison, hiring an experienced talent matters more.

Lily has studied Doflamingo’s approach. After all, they have a few former Doflamingo subordinates who surrendered; these people were cultivated from a young age.

Whether in swordsmanship, gun techniques, artillery techniques, sailing, academics, even killing, infiltration, theft, robbery... all sorts, all taught!

The most typical one was Trafalgar Law, who was eliminated by Sage.

He was trained as Doflamingo’s successor, taught everything and shoved with everything.

I recall Doflamingo mentioning that if Law didn’t consume the Op-Op Fruit back then, after obtaining it, they intended to cure Law’s illness and foster him as the pillar of the younger family generation, succeeding Vergo who infiltrated the Navy as a Heart Elite Officer.

And after obtaining the fruit...

Although this wasn’t mentioned, by now, it’s roughly deducible.

If Awakening could occur, then relying on this ability for eternal life, using an alternative method to regain power and authority like the Heavenly Celestial Dragon, or rather, acquire power equivalent to the Five Elders.

"Go arrange it; if he’s willing, it’s fine. After all, he’s been there for quite a while; perhaps he’s still waiting..."

Sage pondered for a moment, then laughed: "You know, the seas aren’t peaceful right now; our shortage of people is positive. But the World Government’s shortage is negative, with many forces facing them, including myself, possibly might be drawn in, that Divine Knight Order..."