As for whether the recruits are elites, Sage doesn't really care.
Being a pirate means living a life licking blood off the blade, fighting the Navy, fighting other pirates, fighting the targets of their raids.
If you can survive after fighting for so long, then you're an elite.
Just like he said before, being a pirate means being ready to die with him.
Whether someone can become elite enough to catch his eye depends on their own ability.
There aren't many cadres recognized by Sage.
Currently, he only values five people.
Lily, Marika, and Renedia are three of them.
Gin counts as one, and Pearl and Mute count together as one.
As for whether these people will act up due to their high bounties and refuse orders...
Gin will take care of that kind of thing.
The next day.
On the third day of Sage entering Demon Valley Town.
A pirate ship with an alpaca figurehead approached the town's port.
"Oh! Wonderful, it looks like a nice town! Time for a vacation!"
Luffy sat on the alpaca, excitedly watching Demon Valley Town coming into full view.
Nami shouted, "Where's the money! Once we gather info on Sky Island, we leave!"
"Eh? But it really looks like a town suitable for vacation..."
Usopp was just saying this when he suddenly saw the ships docked at the port and froze, "Did I see that wrong? Why are they all pirate ships..."
At the port, apart from pirate ships, there were no normal vessels.
"You must be mistaken, how could pirate ships dock openly at the port of a town..."
Nami forced a smile, not wanting to admit it.
On the ship, Robin glanced at the massive black ship amidst the others at the port, clearly stunned, "That is..."
"Master Sage, ah~"
A voluptuous female pirate sidled up to Sage with freshly grilled skewers, speaking coyly.
"Ah..."
Sage lay shirtless on a beach chair, enjoying the female pirate's feeding.
A group of female pirates surrounded him, all dressed skimpily, showing off their fine figures.
Though their looks and figures couldn't rival those of Lily and Marika, they were still pretty good for young women.
Over thirty female pirates, most were navigators and ship doctors, with a few combatants. Their singing and dancing might not be professional, but they were serviceable, especially when serving people.
Being a captain with such a high reputation, Sage didn't even need to give commands; they automatically served him.
By the barbecue grill, Marika smiled as she grilled skewers of meat and fish, waiting for her crew to take them and feed them to Sage.
Bang!
A huge splash erupted on the sea surface as Renedia fired cannonballs from a mechanical hammer, precisely hitting fish schools underwater, causing an explosion that sent some flying to the shore.
"Oh yeah! Caught some fish!" she cheered, jumping around.
"It's illegal to use explosives for fishing!"
Sage called out, half sitting up, "How is that considered fishing!"
"I'm a pirate; isn't breaking the law normal? Besides, blasting fish is fun!" Renedia said nonchalantly.
"Sage..."
Lily's voice came from behind, and she offered a wine glass, one that was Sage's Gemstone Wine Glass.
Sage took the wine glass, drank a few sips, exhaled with satisfaction, and lay down comfortably again, allowing the female pirates to massage his feet.
"This is what life is all about, Lily."
He laughed, "Too bad this isn't my domain, and we're only in the first half of the Grand Line. Once we reach the New World and claim territory, I'll expand even more! Hahaha!"
Seeing Sage's smile, Lily also smiled faintly.
Back in the East Sea, they were worrying about getting a ship. Now, they had a ship, crew, and plenty of wealth.
Once upon a time, Sage used to dive into the ocean himself to catch Sea Beasts for meals. Now, their meals included over a hundred different dishes, and he's even picky about cuisine and taste.
Dreams are advancing step by step.
"Sage, what about those people outside? Are you just going to leave them hanging there?" Lily asked.
Sage grabbed a meat skewer from a female pirate, shoved it into his mouth along with vegetables, and after a few chews, swallowed it down.
"The magnetic power will be full by tomorrow, and we'll leave the day after. If they're still alive by then, that's their good fortune."
Sage had no interest in punishing small fry, so let them hang there.
"You're really kind-hearted..." a strange female voice said.
"Hmm?"
Lily was taken aback, glancing to the side, her hand resting on the sword hilt at her waist.
There, from the garden beside the villa complex, walked a woman in a purple business suit and hat.
A woman with black hair and blue eyes, somewhat resembling Sage.
Nico Robin.
They'd met in Alabasta, where she was one of Crocodile's subordinates...
"Didn't you get captured along with Crocodile?" Lily asked in a deep voice.
Marika also paused her grilling, watching with interest.
Renedia stopped blasting fish, tilting her head to the side.
"Has someone else broken in!"
Gin, who was guarding the entrance, heard the commotion and rushed over, his hands moving toward the combat sticks at his back with a terrifyingly sullen expression.
Clearly, he wanted to fulfill his duty to guard, yet someone still managed to intrude into Captain Sage's resting place. This is humiliating!