Half a day later.
On the deck of the Death Star.
Pearl moved a chair onto the deck. Dressed in his attire, Sage, draped in a fur cloak, walked out from the captain's cabin and sat in that chair, looking at Bellamy and his crew ahead.
"Bellamy, have you thought it through?" Sage asked.
Having sent off Doflamingo, the next issue to resolve was the Bellamy Pirates, the only ones on the ship who weren't yet part of his crew.
This pirate crew had now lost its subordinates, leaving only a few officers. Besides Sarquiss, who carried a Great Scimitar, the others had good luck. Instinctively escaping towards the port during the battle, they then saw their captain and vice-captain boarding the ship, and they simply followed suit.
As for now...
Bellamy stood there, hands clenched tightly, saying nothing.
But he no longer had that look of constantly begging Doflamingo for another chance.
Because he truly wasn't wanted...
He was even completely ignored when he tried to follow during departure.
This was a huge blow to Bellamy.
"Bellamy, Doflamingo doesn't want us anymore. Master Sage is now inviting us. Don't miss this chance!" Sarquiss urged from the side.
"Yes, Bellamy, there's nothing wrong with joining the Disaster Pirates. We can still sail, Bellamy!" a man with short golden hair and diamond-shaped glasses also shouted.
He was the navigator of the Bellamy Pirates.
As a navigator, he could actually find a place anywhere, including with Sage, who wouldn't reject the addition of a navigator, enhancing Lily's navigation security wasn't a problem either.
But the key was that he clearly didn't intend to decide until Bellamy did.
These people were all arrogant and overbearing, although they were now as obedient as chicks, essentially they wouldn't change, but even so, they were very loyal.
Their loyalty to Bellamy was just like Bellamy's own loyalty.
Bellamy, at this moment, stared blankly at his comrades, lips pursed.
These were his partners from the North Sea, whom he had gathered at seventeen, together for ten years now.
If not for Sage, even if Doflamingo didn't want him, he would prove his loyalty, find a way to return to Doflamingo, even if it meant losing these rare companions...
But now, there was a Sage.
"Really accept me?"
He raised his head, looking at Sage sitting in front, hoarsely said, "I've offended you, and I was one of Doflamingo's men, do you have no reservations?"
He didn't understand, why, despite his evident loyalty to Doflamingo, repeatedly provoking Sage for it, the latter was completely unfazed and still recruiting him.
Sage chuckled, "Would you care if a stray dog barked at you? Bellamy, you're that stray dog, but it's fine, your loyalty is what I admire, but this is the last time, my patience has limits. Either join my crew and become my hyena, or..."
Lily, standing by Sage's side, placed her right hand on her sword hilt upon hearing this.
"I understand..."
Bellamy nodded, took a deep breath, standing still, yet unmoving.
He wasn't afraid of death.
Men of the sea are not afraid to die, even someone like him who doesn't believe in ancient legends or acknowledge so-called dreams.
He still possessed the boldness he should have.
He was just unconvinced!
Why, despite his profound loyalty to Doflamingo, even at the cost of his life, wasn't he wanted by Doflamingo, who wasn't even willing to give him a banner?
He originally thought he was too weak, hoping that becoming stronger might make Doflamingo reconsider him.
But now, someone stronger and more formidable than Doflamingo, without disdain for his battered state, stretched out a hand to invite him.
Hyena?
He's always been a hyena!
To him, this was not an insult at all.
He was already prepared to lose his companions...
"I will surpass Doflamingo and strive to catch up to you!"
Bellamy suddenly widened his eyes, shouting loudly, "I will not allow anyone to look down on me again!"
Saying this, he sank to one knee, pressing a fist heavily to the deck, bowing his head to Sage, "I will offer you my loyalty!"
"Hohoho! Whatever you want to achieve is up to you, as long as you have enough strength."
Sage threw his head back laughing, said, "Lily, bring a bottle of wine."
Lily went to the second-floor captain's cabin, fetched a bottle of wine and Sage's wine glass, and returned. Sage took the Gemstone Wine Glass, filled it, and tossed the bottle over.
Bellamy caught the bottle, watched Sage salute him with a gesture, and without a word, drank the wine straight, then wiped his mouth, staring intently at him.
"Very well!"
Sage's mouth curled into a vicious grin, downed the wine in the Gemstone Wine Glass, and called out to the crowd, "Men, celebrate! Let us welcome new additions to the crew!"
"Oh!!"
The pirates on deck cheered, with one even hauling out a barrel of wine from the cabin, using the occasion as an excuse for merry-making.
In the monotony of the sea voyage, any reason could be used to celebrate.
And the Bellamy Pirates, now accepted, breathed a sigh of relief.
Accepted by the Disaster Pirates, they wouldn't be cast to the sea, and they even joined a stronger Disaster Pirates.