Nami, Nojiko, Kaya

A week later.

The prestige of the Goa Empire had thoroughly spread throughout the entire East Blue.

Even remote minor nations and non-affiliated countries were aware that a powerful empire had emerged in the East Blue.

At the Gray Port of the Goa Empire.

Sailing ships and merchant vessels from all over arrived in an endless stream, making the Imperial Capital of the Goa Empire even more prosperous.

The Goa Empire had now gained several brand-new reputations.

[The Most Beautiful Empire in the East Blue], [The Richest Empire in the East Blue], [The Strongest Empire in the East Blue]...

This caused countless merchants and factions to flood into the Goa Imperial Capital, seeking opportunities for development and wealth.

At this moment, in the port.

A rather old three-masted sailing ship steered into Gray Port.

"So prosperous!"

Nojiko looked at the various magnificent merchant ships and the dense crowds on the shore, her eyes shining brightly.

Compared to the Goa Imperial Capital, her hometown of Cocoyasi Village was indeed nothing more than a dilapidated little village.

"The people here must be very rich~"

Nami's eyes turned into the shape of Berries, her hands itching as she couldn't help but let her inner "Little Thief Cat" spirit flare up.

"Nami, don't you dare steal anything! We are people summoned by His Majesty Wang Shi now; we can't lose face for His Majesty."

Nojiko hurriedly gave Nami a rap on the head, reminding the money-obsessed girl.

Now that the Arlong Pirates had been defeated, Cocoyasi Village was no longer in crisis.

Nami no longer needed to steal money to buy back the village.

"I know, you violent Nojiko!!"

Nami clutched her head in dissatisfaction, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.

It hurt, you know.

"Hurry up and come help move the oranges!"

Genzo, who had been promoted from village policeman to village chief, shouted at Nami and Nojiko.

Behind him were many other villagers from Cocoyasi Village.

This time, besides escorting Nami and Nojiko to the Imperial Capital, they were also transporting the village's oranges to the Goa Imperial Capital to sell.

In the bustling Imperial Capital, their high-quality oranges would surely fetch a good price.

Their oranges had even become one of the fruits specifically designated for purchase by the Goa Imperial Household.

This made the people of Cocoyasi Village very happy and proud.

"Haha, if Nami and Nojiko could become ladies-in-waiting to Empress Sally, or even imperial concubines to His Majesty Wang Shi, then our Cocoyasi Village would really be making a name for itself."

A sturdy auntie carrying a large crate of oranges off the ship didn't forget to tease the two sisters as she turned back.

The fact that the oranges of Cocoyasi Village had become tribute fruit was largely thanks to Nami and Nojiko.

"Auntie Dahua, it's 'making a name for oneself,' not 'showing one's face'~"

Another uncle moving oranges laughed and corrected her.

At this, all the villagers of Cocoyasi Village burst into laughter.

This caused the faces of Nojiko and Nami to turn bright red.

During these past few days, Nami and Nojiko's little bickering had actually revealed the incident where Wang Shi had held them while shooting the fish-men.

Nami claimed that because she had been held by Wang Shi while he fired two shots, she was definitely more valued by him than Nojiko.

Meanwhile, Nojiko had only been held by Wang Shi while he fired one shot.

Nojiko never expected that Nami would find such a bizarre angle just to get the upper hand over her older sister.

This made Nojiko grit her teeth in frustration.

After their bickering was overheard by the other villagers, it completely ignited Cocoyasi Village.

The nicknames "Two-Shot Nami" and "One-Shot Nojiko" began to spread like wildfire throughout the village.

At the same time, the fact that Nami and Nojiko were valued by His Majesty Wang Shi was also taken seriously by the village.

Genzo personally took over the orange groves that Nami and Nojiko couldn't bear to leave behind, allowing the two women to head to the Goa Imperial Capital with peace of mind to find a bright future.

Genzo, who had secretly loved Bell-mère for years, had always cared for Nami and Nojiko as if they were his own daughters.

Naturally, he wanted Nami and Nojiko to succeed.

Moreover, the scene of Wang Shi stepping onto a cannonball to make his entrance was still etched in Genzo's mind.

This Emperor was truly handsome, powerful, and influential!

While the sailing ship in Cocoyasi Village was bustling with the transport of oranges, a ram-headed sailboat sailed into the Royal Port of Gray.

This sailboat was none other than the Going Merry, crafted by Merry of Syrup Village.

It was the future first pirate ship of the Straw Hat Pirates.

Now, Steward Merry was escorting Miss Kaya, responding to the summons of His Majesty Wang Shi to enter the Imperial Palace and serve as a lady-in-waiting to Empress Sally.

Ever since Kuro had been captured, Kaya's health had improved with each passing day.

Merry and Kaya immediately deduced that Kuro must have been tampering with Kaya's food and medicinal soups.

That was the reason Kaya had remained ill for so long.

This realization left Kaya with a little less fear and an endless sense of gratitude toward the Emperor, Wang Shi.

If Wang Shi had not appeared, Kaya likely would have followed in her parents' footsteps, dying an obscure and unexplained death.

"It's so lively~"

Kaya looked at the bustling port and took a deep breath; she also noticed the orange-haired girl and the blue-haired girl moving oranges on the ship nearby.

Their smiles were truly warm and harmonious...

This left Kaya deeply moved and filled with envy.

She no longer had any family, nor did she have any friends to confide in.

Usopp, frightened by the Goa army, had not come to boast to her for many days.

According to Merry, after Usopp destroyed the pirate flag he had painted, he had gone into hiding with Onion and the other children.

Upon hearing this news, Kaya smiled helplessly.

Usopp, that "Champion of the Sea," was still far too timid.

His Majesty Wang Shi and his people had not even paid any attention to Usopp and those children playing at being pirates.

Compared to Wang Shi, Usopp, with his penchant for bragging and storytelling, was indeed insignificant and ordinary.

"Miss Kaya, why not sell the family estate in Syrup Village? I could come to the Imperial Capital to look after you as well."

Steward Merry looked at his increasingly healthy young mistress, his eyes filled with a trace of worry and helplessness.

Kaya insisted on keeping the estate left by her parents, leaving it under Merry's management.

She intended to enter the Imperial Palace to "make her own way" alone.

"Let's not talk about that anymore, Merry. We can keep in touch via Den Den Mushi."

"I believe His Majesty Wang Shi is a good man, and I will surely have vacations to return to Syrup Village and visit."

Kaya displayed the resolve of an elegant young lady of wealth; she intended to preserve her parents' legacy and believed in her own capabilities.

The three girls from the two sailboats, under the protection of their respective villagers and guards, headed toward the Goa Imperial Capital.

As they drew closer to the Imperial Capital, Kaya noticed that the orange-haired girl and the blue-haired girl were heading in the same direction.

Nami and Nojiko were also observing this elegant blonde lady.

The three girls merely smiled and greeted one another, but did not strike up a conversation.

As it turned out, after the three of them underwent inspection and identity verification and entered the Imperial Palace together, they all wore expressions of surprise.

The villagers of Cocoyasi Village and Steward Merry stood at the gates of the Imperial Capital, watching the three girls enter the palace before turning back to return home.

They believed that the Goa Imperial Capital was the safest place in the East Blue and that nothing would go wrong.

After all, the reputation of the Goa Emperor, the King of Exile, was already deeply ingrained in the minds of the people of the East Blue.

"Hello, my name is Kaya, and I am from Syrup Village in the Moonlight Province."

The elegant Kaya, sensing the unease of Nami and Nojiko, smiled and took the initiative to speak.