17 Chapter 17

Sage kept on trying to use his observation Haki to sense exactly how many pirates their were, but for some reason it wasn't working and that was really bothering him.

Sage gave up on trying to use his Haki since he could use still use the moisture to feel his surrounding, but he could only make faint outlines of where the pirates were located. Sage then moved and began to head towards the biggest ship which was only a bit smaller than his own.

After sneaking on board he began to listen in onto the conversations some of the pirates that were standing on guard were having. Pirate 1: \"Oi did you hear that someone came into the cave?\" Pirate 2: \"Yeah I think it was Harry, Terry, and Larry.\" Pirate 1: \" But weren't they supposed to stay in the Marine outpost? \" Pirate 2 : \" You and your dumb questions. How do you think I would know they just came back and went straight to the Captain, so I got no clue why their back.\"

Sage kept on listening onto the conversation between the two pirates until he heard someone yell from inside the ship. ???: \"What!!! What do you mean the inspector from Marineford has already arrived? You told me he was to arrive in at least a few more days.\" After the angry shouts finished another person answered his question with a shaky voice clearly fearful of the man who just shouted at him.

???: \"We--Well Captain that's how it was supposed to be, but it seems that the inspector arrived faster for some reason.\" Another man began to talk after the other one finished except his wasn't shaky or scared. ???: Captain Jack we also got another problem. The inspector's ship is a Custom Battleship class.\"

The man now identified as Captain Jack then responded, :\" Even worse that means that their are now an additional 1000 men we have to account for. The inspector also has a Custom Battleship. That either means he has the power or connections to get himself one of those. How long will they be staying before they leave Terry.\"

Terry: \" Usually when a inspector comes they only stay for about 2 days before they set sail to check up on the other bases.\" Jack: \" Hmm then we wait it out. We've already spent more than a year sailing this sea. It's about time I get myself some territory to rule, so waiting a few days is no biggy.\"

While they were talking about taking over the island Sage had moved around and scouted each of the 3 ships. Each ship contained around at least 200 men and women while the Main ship where the Captain of this Pirate group Jack had 500.

Sage took his time to check out the ships for any things that may be hidden. This would have been done instantly if Sage could use his Observation Haki, but sadly he couldn't. After checking each and every ship Sage began to move back towards the entrance of the cave to meet up with his backup.

After arriving back out he meet up with Elliot and his crew alongside John and his Marines. When John saw Sage he immediately went over and asked him why he had sent a call for backup. Sage then informed him on what he had seen and heard while inside the cave.

Thankfully with the amount of men and women they already had gathered at the entrance of the cave they were mostly ready for a fight. They spent around half an hour planning their move based on the info Sage had given them. Sage alongside John and Elliot led them into the cave while telling them to be careful.

The Marines had gotten the drop on the pirates who were completely unprepared for an ambush. Sage, John, Elliot, and the other higher ranked Marines charged into the battle and killing or knocking out any pirates in their way.

John was using Rokushiki as well as a sword and flintlock to battle his opponents. Sage judged him to be pretty strong for a Marine that was trained in a Blue sea. Elliot was using two swords while using Rokushiki.

Elliot was doing a very good job in taking out the pirates with great speed. His count was already higher then Johns, but that was to be expected even though he's of a lower rank then John. He was trained in Marineford unlike John who was trained in the North Blue.

Even though Sage had already spent time with Elliot this was probably the first time he had seen him fight. Sage had pretty good judgement when it came down to judging someone's combat ability. Elliot's combat ability was enough for him to fight against Captains that were trained in the blues.

After around a minute the battle had really started going after trio of Arry's finally came out alongside Jack.

Currently Jack was fuming with anger since everything he had planned for Topo island had just gone under the sea. He turned to look at the trio standing with him and asked with a very very angry tone, \" How could you let someone follow you back you fucking Morons!!!\"

Larry the one who was shaking even more so when he told Jack about the early arrival of the inspector was about to pass out after Jack had screamed in his face. Terry was about to speak when he out of nowhere a hole where his heart is supposed to be appeared.

Jack: \" You bastard am going to kill you for what you have done.\" Jack rushed at Sage head on swinging his Katana at him. Even though Sage could still dodge even though he couldn't use observation haki decided not to bother and let the man hit him.

Jack seeing that Sage wasn't even trying to dodge got angry thinking that Sage was mocking him. When the Blade hit Sage's shoulder it went from there all the way across his body pretty much slicing him in half.

Jack was grinning at his success, but that grin quickly changed towards horror when he looked up to see Sage's body not split from his shoulder to his ribs, but it was actually water instead of blood. Jack was horrified that he started to back up from Sage while shaking in fear while thinking, 'What the hell is he. I know that I hit him I know that I did, so how come he's still alive.'

Sage told him what were inside the three ships and told him that he would be setting sail since he has already finished his inspection of the outpost. Sage also told him he passed, but that he should keep a better watch on who he lets join the Marines or else this might end up repeating once again.

With that Sage left and went into his cabin on his ship while he waits for the rest of his crew to finish and get back from their recent battle.