One Piece: Failure’s Road to the Pirate King

No matter how bold or crazy the words are, no pirate who comes to rob would ever say they want to sell an entire town.

A town is an island; in some places, an island may only have one town, and a kingdom might only consist of that one island.

What Sage said about selling the town is essentially no different from selling a kingdom.

If it were someone else, the old man would think they were talking nonsense, but Sage is different. He is not only the highest bounty criminal in the East Sea, but the crimes he has committed are unlike those of other pirates.

This guy has destroyed nations and killed kings!

When someone like him speaks, there's no need to consider whether he's a madman.

In any case, the old man called for a Black Market Merchant.

On the sea, aside from the popular pirates and the navy, there exists a gray area—not the kind of low-profile star that can't be seen in public, but a dark world that connects smuggling and shady dealings, encompassing finance, news, transportation, assassination, storage, and entertainment.

Most of the goods stolen by pirates are consumed by them. After all, it's rare for someone to go treasure hunting, risking their lives to gather a pile of gold, and then exchange it for three hundred million Belly. More often, they exchange stolen goods with the black market to obtain the supplies and money they need.

Otherwise, even if it's black on black, the one being robbed must have something, right? If you don't rob him and he doesn't rob you, what's there to eat in a black-on-black scenario? Air? Things don't just appear out of thin air; it's just a matter of transferring hands, and suddenly it becomes high-end? Isn't that just ridiculous?

When Sage farts, he doesn't drop his pants; there's no need to.

As a pirate, he is still very dedicated.

The old man at the tavern had also worked as a contact person a long time ago, but after Smoker arrived, that situation was suppressed. However, the connections still exist. Although this tavern doesn't have many customers, he still knows where to find people.

At this moment, the old man called over a fat man wearing a round hat and a suit, who is the local Black Market Merchant.

Even if Log Town lacks business from pirates, there are still things that the navy can't manage, and they can still survive.

"I didn't want to come at first. What can a pirate do in Log Town? But when I heard it was you, I came over. It's been a long time since I dealt with pirate business in Log Town; it's really exciting."

The fat man, accompanied by two bodyguards in black, sat across from Sage, bit into a cigar, and smiled, "I'm Link, the Black Market Merchant of Log Town. Norton Sage, do you have any goods to handle?"

"Oh? Didn't I tell you?"

Sage took the wine glass that the old man had re-poured, took a sip, and said, "I told you, I want to sell the entire Log Town."

"I'm not here to listen to your jokes, Sage."

Link exhaled a puff of smoke, not afraid of the seventy million bounty pirate in front of him. "I've heard you've destroyed several kingdoms; you must have quite a few good things. I can buy them at a high price."

And Sage really does have them.

Especially the good things obtained from the Natia Kingdom; besides an entire throne, there are also many valuable collectibles, but those items are not for sale.

His ship's treasure vault also needs to hold some worthy collectibles to showcase his wealth.

"I can sell you some gold, but that's not the main thing. What I mean by Log Town is not a joke."

Sage smiled and said, "My men are currently causing a ruckus in Log Town; someone like you should have received the intel, right?"

Coming in so brazenly, anyone who isn't blind would definitely know.

"Of course I know. That's why I came, but the situation is too tense. The things I can get from Log Town, I can only offer half of the cost price. Three days later, we can choose a place on the sea to trade." Link said.

The prices in stores are selling prices, so it's impossible to buy at that price; it's usually based on the cost price with a discount.

"Half? Do you think I'm a beggar on the street?" Sage raised an eyebrow.

"Half is already very fair. We also have to bear a lot of risks. You're causing such a commotion in Log Town; it will definitely attract attention. We have to handle your goods and find ways to convert them into cash, which requires a lot of effort."

Link said solemnly, "Unlike you pirates, who don't need to consider costs when robbing."

"The price is too low."

Sage took another sip of wine and fell into a brief silence.

Upon hearing this, Link prepared to negotiate the price.

In business, there's always give and take; if the price is low, it should be raised, and if it's too high, it should be lowered. There will always be a price that satisfies everyone.

As long as it doesn't exceed the cost price, it's all profit.

"But it's not impossible."

Just as Link was about to speak, Sage preempted him, "If it's half, then it's half. What price are you prepared to offer for Log Town? How about fifty billion Belly?"

Link nearly dropped the cigar from his mouth, gritting his teeth, "I told you, I'm not joking with you!"

"I'm not joking either. I said I'm selling the entire Log Town; it's you who keeps refuting my words. What? Do you lack a certain level of respect for me?"

Sage shook the glass of wine and glanced at him.

Just a glance, and Link's body trembled. He was about to slam his hand on the table, but it froze in mid-air, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

This guy is terrifying! "You still don't quite understand what I mean by selling Log Town. I have over six hundred subordinates robbing in Log Town; how much we can rob doesn't depend on the size of my ship, but on you!"

Sage bared his teeth, revealing a sinister grin, "Why must we trade at sea? Can't we do it right here? Navy reinforcements? That also takes time. I have maps obtained from the navy, so I know where their branches are."

"According to estimates, the nearest reinforcements will take half a day to arrive, which means that within half a day of my entry into Log Town, everything here…"

Sage spread his arms and laughed, "Will belong to me, Sage! As long as you have the money, I can clean out all the nobles, rich people, and merchants in Log Town! Ha ha ha ha!"

No mistake, all the pirate ships piled high with spoils, and then finding a place to trade with the Black Market Merchant, allowing the other party to pick and choose while haggling?

That's a trick used when robbing merchant ships.

Now that he's entered the town, is he still playing like that? That's not what Sage should be doing! How much can a ship's cargo hold compared to what a town has?

What he wants is to digest it on the spot!

How convenient is that, and it also avoids any bad luck causing unexpected incidents? After all, no one knows what kind of troublesome things might happen during a sea trade; it's better to trade directly.

Sage's words completely shattered Link's previous composure. He instinctively wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking at Sage as if he were a terrifying beast.

To be called a 'Natural Disaster' is indeed a crazy guy!

"The risk is too great," Link said, trembling.

"But the profit is also huge!"

Sage leaned forward, pressing Link, and grinned, "Accept my proposal, and everyone can earn more. As for how to mitigate the risks, you, as a Black Market Merchant, must have your ways."

"I know you have many channels to liquidate all the goods, but instead of passively choosing goods, why not be proactive? Trading with me has many benefits. The most important point is, whatever you want, you can place an order on the spot. As long as Log Town has it, I have it!"

Nonsense!

You're going to rob the entire town; how could there be nothing? Link felt the sweat on his head getting heavier and heavier. He didn't dare to look directly into Sage's eyes, tilting his head slightly to the side, hesitantly saying, "I…I don't have that much money."

Fifty billion?!

Even if he sold himself, he wouldn't have that much! Sage sat back down in his chair, his tone calming, "I'll provide as much goods as you have money for. Such a good opportunity won't wait; after all, chances like mine are rare."

This statement is indeed correct. When trading with pirates, it's all about what goods the pirates have stolen, and the pirates' goods depend on what the merchant ships are carrying. Although everyone can make money, opportunities like this are too rare.

There are no pirates on the sea who do what Sage is doing.

It's too contrary to common sense.

Everyone else robs and leaves; now Sage doesn't seem like a pirate but more like a nouveau riche selling off assets, but it's an opportunity that can't be missed! If you take a gamble, there will be huge profits!

Link took a deep breath, made up his mind, "I will gather other merchants to come together to pool money! Fifty billion Belly is definitely not possible, but we will do our best!"

"Also…"

He thought for a moment and said, "We can place orders on the spot, right? There's something I really want."

Sage smiled, "No problem."