This time, for the plating alone, 108 dishes were prepared. In terms of abundance and taste, they're far superior to what the subordinates can manage.
However, those who can sit at the table to eat... it's not forbidden, but only high-ranking officers are allowed.
Lily and the others are allowed to share food with him. Judging by their appetites, they don't eat nearly as much as Sage, so they won't make much of a dent in this massive spread.
Hawkins and Gin are also qualified, but they won't eat here. Now Lucci also counts, but he's even less likely to join, choosing instead to sit silently in the corner with his buddies, casting cold glances at the bustling scene.
But no matter what, only what Sage grants is what others can take!
The landlord has only charity and permission, there's no taking without asking, it's a matter of principle.
If he doesn't agree, even if Pirate King Roger were resurrected, he wouldn't get a bite here.
"Stingy!"
Luffy muttered, eyes darting as he stretched his arm toward another table, snatching a few pieces of meat with bones.
"Hey! What are you doing, you guy!"
The pirates who were robbed one by one slammed their tables, glaring angrily at Luffy, who just giggled, stuffing his mouth with food.
Meanwhile, at the table, Nami was dealing with a steak, tears streaming down her face as she ate.
It wasn't because it was so delicious; Sanji's cooking was excellent too. It's just that she hadn't eaten this type of steak in ages, resorting to cheap stuff due to financial difficulties. Top-grade beef with marbling like snowflakes was something she hadn't tasted in a long time.
In fact, they could only enjoy food of this level for a couple of days after defeating an enemy, as that was when they were richest. Beyond that, it was back to ordinary ingredients.
Most of their money went to the captain's food expenses, leaving little else for the rest.
Recently, they were so broke they almost had to eat fish bait.
This was a situation they only encountered when they first entered the Grand Line, going without food for several days. To think they were repeating it now.
Fortunately, they have food again now.
But only food.
Because they didn't manage to grab any money...
"Master Sage~"
Nami, holding a glass of wine, drifted like a ghost to Sage's side, wanting to get closer, but was forced back by Lily's gaze, leaving her to smile ingratiatingly from a distance: "About that 320 million..."
"I didn't get any money, so how could you possibly get a share? However..."
He glanced at Luffy, who was still eating happily, and sneered, "Old man Garp did me a lot of 'favors'. Lily, after the banquet, give him a million Belly as my charity to the paupers."
"A million!"
Nami's eyes lit up, and she downed the glass of wine with a grin, resting her head on her hands and body relaxing, "Master Sage! You're amazing!"
On the sea, a million is definitely a huge sum, even a hundred thousand Belly is significant, considering prices aren't that high. You could throw a city-wide feast in Water Seven for a day with a billion Belly and still have a hundred million left.
A million Belly is a tenth of a full city feast in Water Seven, definitely enough for their expenses.
As for being called paupers...
Getting money but not letting people talk?
If they're going to throw money at her face, she'd say whatever they wanted!
"Just this is enough. I don't even know how your bounty reached this amount..."
Sage shook his head with a smile, "There are plenty of places on the sea to spend money. Without ambition, it won't do. If you want money, I've got plenty. You can borrow it. Of course, there's interest—10% within three months, 20% within six months, 30% within nine months, 40% within a year, and 100% if overdue.
"My prices are very reasonable. Even as a moneylender, I'm fair."
As for not repaying...
Who would dare not repay him?
This woman's head alone was worth sixteen million.
"No, no need. A million Belly is enough!" Nami didn't know whether to cry or laugh.
Having money is a good thing, and a million Belly is a huge amount!
But when it comes to borrowing money...
That was even more outrageous than she was.
"Being pirates to the point you are now is really interesting. Don't end up retiring broke."
Sage laughed heartily, "Otherwise, you'll only have your glorious past to reminisce about!"
"No way! I'll be a wealthy and beautiful pirate in the future!" Nami's voice pitched higher at the thought of such a predicament.
He's someone who can differentiate between favors.
Though Garp was an enemy, Sage remembered the favors from the East Sea days.
As for Enies Lobby, Marines and pirates are natural enemies; wins and losses are common, and he bore no grudges.
It wasn't because he didn't die then, he was sure wouldn't die. The Navy capturing an adversary wouldn't kill them if they could help it, and he had just snagged the Pluton blueprints back then.
The World Government wouldn't want him dead either.
This favor was just a repayment for Garp's kindness during the East Sea days.
And this banquet was just repaying the tanuki for saving him in Alabasta. Since he was hosting, it didn't matter who he invited, and it made things livelier.
He loved excitement, after all.
After Nami left with eyes twinkling with the promise of a million Belly, Lily said, "Sage, you're in a good mood."
"Of course."
Sage poured himself another glass of wine, "The More-More Fruit's power has boosted me quite a bit, and the method to craft Rainbow Gems will be a tremendous aid once we reach the New World."
Whether it's viable or not... Lady said it's feasible anyway.
And those two sisters could test it within a few days, and with Radio Snail, they'll get results soon enough.
"What if we end up losing?" Lily asked.
"Even if we do, no problem. A billion Belly is easy to snatch; we aren't some pauper pirate crew." Sage chuckled.
He was quite wealthy, having forty-five billion Belly in funds, the robbery of the Sisomia Kingdom, along with the last half month's loot, accounting for twenty-five billion in cash and a total of thirty chests of gold and silver gems.
A few more heists, and he could step into the billionaires' club!
Although not the world's most famous billionaire, definitely a personal tycoon. This amount of money could ensure a life of luxury anywhere.
"Besides, we won't lose. Those two girls... have great potential."
Sage watched the sisters below, munching away happily, "The elder sister has a knack for science, and the younger one is quite pretty, with a sharp mind and learns things quickly. If trained from a young age, she'd become a fine assistant, and..."
"Worst case, they can become idols!"
On the sea, idol stars were a kind of performer.
As long as they were loyal and under his protection, whatever they did was fine by him.
Sage was slightly invested in nurturing talent too.
He aimed to be a landlord, not just for the short-term gains but to build a foundation for the long run by grooming people from an early age to create a solid team later on.
But all of this could only be developed once they got territory in the New World.
"For now, you guys still need continued enhancement, but you do have what it takes to enter the New World."
Sage pondered, "Once there, it's where you'll undergo true tempering to become stronger!"
The first half of the Grand Line was truly a 'Paradise' for Sage; there wasn't much development left here.
With Lily's skills and Supreme King, she could manage in the New World, unlike Moriah, the dead shut-in, because Sage had plans and wasn't just going to challenge anyone immediately.
With the intensity of the high-ranking officers aboard, they had the qualifications to be honed in the New World.
Then, the plan to advance into the New World could be set in motion.
"Just one more place!"
Sage swirled the liquid in his Gemstone Wine Glass, his grin growing sinister, "Grab that place, and we'll advance into the New World!"