The next morning.
A magnificent golden warship sailed into the World Government's port of entry and exit on Tree Island 66. The World Government flag and the Celestial Dragons flag flying on it indicated their distinguished status.
"That Wang Shi guy actually ruined those guys' pet shop."
"Yesterday, quite a few members of the clan were complaining and cursing the Wang Shi."
Figarland Shamrock, with his long red hair, reappeared, personally delivering the mercenary fee prepared by Saint Saturn to the Wang Shi.
"That bastard is a coward, he doesn't even have the courage to face Whitebeard."
Gunko's voice was icy, seemingly disliking Wang Shi, the Overlord of the East Blue, whom he considered all show and no substance.
"That's not how it works. If Wang Shi were to encounter those Mouse from the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon's strength wouldn't be weaker than that of a seriously ill Whitebeard."
"This guy might be too clever for his own good and end up facing an even more troublesome Leader of the Revolutionary Army."
Shamrock smiled calmly. If Wang Shi performs well in this incident, Wang Shi chances of becoming Holy Knight are very high.
Shamrock wanted to befriend the new Celestial Dragons Figarland Family, on behalf of the Wang Shi family, so that they could become part of his faction.
After all, among the 19 Celestial Dragons families, very few can boast as many powerful individuals as the Goa Empire.
Even the Figarland Family couldn't muster that many top-tier experts.
"Hmph, those Mouse from the Revolutionary Army have less than a 20% chance of daring to invade Impel Down."
"I understand Monkey D. Dragon's personality!"
Gunko's voice remained cold. This time, Wang Shi had essentially earned a commission for nothing, even though the Holy Land Mary Geoise was not short of money.
"Who can say for sure?"
"The Revolutionary Army is frequently active Four Blues, and the Shiki may well appear."
"It's just spending a little money; consider it being prepared for a rainy day."
"Only by Impel Down and Enies Lobby safe can we slaughter those ant-like pirates in Marineford."
Shamrock has little concept of money; it's just a few Belly, and the World Government can print as many as he wants.
The Devil Fruit weapon technology that was given to Wang Shi in this extra trade wasn't actually that valuable.
After all, the Goa Empire, unlike the World Government, cannot collect Devil Fruit worldwide.
Creating Devil Fruit weapons is less efficient than training a Devil Fruit User.
Only the Celestial Dragons can waste Devil Fruit so casually.
The Five Elders were a little disappointed that the two Devil Fruit they were paying Wang Shi this time were given to him.
After all, Wang Shi was demanding payment of a Logia or Mythical Zoan, plus a powerful Paramecia or Ancient Zoan.
Saint Saturn spent a long time searching through the Devil Fruit inventory in the Holy Land Mary Geoise before finally selecting two Devil Fruits that met the Wang Shi's requirements but were of relatively poor quality.
"He got off too easily," Gunko snorted.
"If we can kill Whitebeard, Shiki, and the Marco in this war, and then retrieve the Rebirth Devil Fruit..."
"This would be the best prize in the human clearance competition!"
A glint flashed in Shamrock's eyes. If only the World Government could find powerful fruits like the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, the Float-Float Fruit, Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Phoenix.
So what if he becomes a landlubber?
He doesn't even think much of the Cerberus Fruit's power, Mythical Zoan, but he could accept the Tremor-Tremor Fruit or the Float-Float Fruit.
Shamrock and Gunko were followed by twenty guards, each carrying a large chest of Belly.
A 10,000-dollar Belly is worth one million dollars when stacked in a hundred, and one hundred million Belly is just a briefcase.
The Straw Hat Pirates sold the gold they got from Sky Island in Water 7, earning hundreds of millions of Belly. Only Usopp and Nami carried a few suitcases.
These World Government guards now use a huge money box containing billions of Belly.
Two hundred billion Belly —that's more money than many pirate crews could ever steal in their entire lives.
But today, it's just a payment for a protection mission within the Goa Empire.
Shamrock and Gunko, along with the others, traveled from the World Government port on Tree Island 66 to Tree Island 28, where Wang Shi was located.
Why on Tree Island No. 28?
Because this tree island has been relatively undamaged.
Of course, this number is also considered auspicious.
28! 28! It'll be sent in no time!
No.
Two Holy Knight have come in person to deliver money and Devil Fruit.
"Wang Shi, if you keep ruining the Celestial Dragons' pet shops and slave shops in the mortal realm, when you become Holy Knight and your woman becomes Celestial Dragons, you'll probably be ostracized by other families."
"However, as long as we, Figarland, speak up, they won't dare to do anything to you."
When Shamrock saw the dashing Wang Shi, he gave a calm smile.
He immediately tried to bring Wang Shi into his family's camp.
The father and son currently hold the positions of commander and vice-commander of the Holy Knights, wielding the Celestial Dragons' strongest sword.
If Saint Garling has the opportunity to become Five Elders, then he can take over the Holy Knights.
That would usher in the strongest era for the Figarland Family.
If the Figarland Family were to take the lead in the Wang Shi, Shamrock might well hand over the position of vice-commander of the Holy Knights to the Wang Shi.
This allowed the new Celestial Dragons family, Wang Shi, to rise rapidly and surpass other Celestial Dragons families.
In Shamrock's eyes, after this war, it was practically a foregone conclusion that Wang Shi would become Holy Knight.
This guy can no longer use the Whitebeard Pirates as an excuse.
Unless Wang Shi is killed by Dragon.
If Wang Shi were to die so unluckyly, the Five Elders would then, in the name of the World Government, recruit the Three Dukes of the Goa Empire to serve the World Government.
"Are these Human Auction House and shops actually the Celestial Dragons' pet shops and slave shops?"
"I'm so sorry, I really didn't know about these things."
"Why don't you put up the banners and crests of the Celestial Dragons?"
"I thought this was Lawless Zone where I could shoot anyone I wanted."
I'm really sorry.
"I deeply regret the loss of the Celestial Dragons."
"Alright, I'll punish myself with three drinks..."
Wang Shi looked at me with an expression of regret that I didn't know about, and even pretended to drink three glasses of... juice.
He didn't even drink any alcohol.
That self-imposed punishment of drinking three cups is truly impressive.
Shamrock's calm smile faltered for a moment, turning slightly cold.
He was being so obviously friendly, yet Wang Shi, that old fox, still wouldn't accept his kindness.
"Without further ado, hand over the payment to us immediately."
We have just received intelligence that the Revolutionary Army's Dragon has been spotted.
We rushed to pursue the Revolutionary Army.
"Reassure the Five Elders that since I, Wang Shi, have accepted the payment, I will definitely do a good job."
"If I can take down Dragon, or one or two Revolutionary Army Commander, remember to give me extra rewards."
Wang Shi kept talking non-stop, not giving Shamrock and Gunko any time to continue.
How could he not sense Shamrock's intention to recruit and befriend him?
But he could never become Holy Knight, and he could never ascend to the Holy Land Mary Geoise.
"You've discovered news about Monkey D. Dragon?"
"Does he really dare to invade Impel Down?"
Shamrock frowned. Were the Revolutionary Army really that rampant now?
He was considering whether or not to lead the Holy Knights to join the One Emperor and Three Dukes of the Goa Empire in suppressing the Revolutionary Army.