Bartolomeo

East Blue, Loguetown.

A magnificent imperial warship sailed into the port of Loguetown, causing quite a stir.

Even the highest-ranking officer in Loguetown, Colonel Smoker, was at the docks to "welcome" the arrival of this prominent figure.

"I hope His Majesty Wang Shi does not cause trouble in Loguetown as he did in the Polaris Kingdom. Otherwise, I am not like those two pieces of trash, Morgan and Mouse."

The hot-tempered Smoker showed no fear toward Wang Shi, the King of Exile, and even dared to warn the Emperor of the Goa Empire.

He was extremely confident in his Logia-type ability and his own strength.

"Rest assured. Since the Goa Empire has publicly announced a ceasefire, I will not attack other nations."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have come with only a single warship."

Wang Shi casually waved away the smoke drifting from the chain-smoking Smoker, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He had only brought a few officers and the Guard Army crew to Loguetown this time.

The rest of the expeditionary Guard Army remained in the Sasba Kingdom and the Flaws Kingdom, coordinating with the main force sent from the Goa Empire to fully occupy these new territories.

"Then what is your purpose for landing in Loguetown?"

Smoker did not fully believe the nonsense coming from this devilish emperor.

After the Goa Empire conquered four nations previously, they had only paused for a few weeks before moving against the Sasba Kingdom, and then they had taken the Flaws Kingdom in one fell swoop.

Such behavior was truly despicable.

However, the Navy had no authority to interfere in wars between affiliated nations.

Smoker could not press the issue further.

"Tourism! Shopping! And, while I'm at it, a look at Roger's execution platform."

Wang Shi led his subordinates—Eric, Van Augur, Zoro, and El Drago—along with his female officials, Nami, Nojiko, and Kaya, walking straight past Smoker and the other marines toward the center of Loguetown.

"Wait! The pirate El Drago is a wanted criminal!"

"I may not be able to manage the affairs of the Goa Empire, but I can certainly manage a pirate!!"

Smoker's body suddenly erupted into white smoke. He didn't even turn his head to look at Wang Shi's group, his tone icy.

In an instant, all the marines grew tense, and even sweat beaded on Tashigi's forehead.

How could Colonel Smoker dare to suddenly challenge Wang Shi?

Were they about to go to war with this devilish emperor?

Marine Headquarters would surely berate Colonel Smoker for this!

"Yo-ho, I forgot to tell you, I have already notified Sengoku the Buddha to revoke the bounties on El Drago and my other pirate slaves."

"You can just wait for the notification from Marine Headquarters, or call them on a Den Den Mushi yourself to ask."

Wang Shi did not look back, continuing to lead his group forward.

"Ahahaha! I am the Sonic Baron of the Goa Empire now! Tell me, Smoker, does that make you mad?!"

El Drago laughed arrogantly, looking utterly punchable.

Upon hearing the words of Wang Shi and El Drago, Smoker's face darkened, and the white smoke billowing from his body grew more intense, yet in the end, he did not strike.

Damn the rights of the affiliated nations!

To think they could actually alter bounty orders!

Just like the Shichibukai, they were all a bunch of bastards and scoundrels!

It was all just a filthy, corrupt mess!

A pirate is a pirate; how could a bounty be revoked?

Could the crimes committed by pirates simply vanish into thin air?

Could the innocent civilians who were murdered be brought back to life?

"Colonel Smoker, the orders from Marine Headquarters are for us to properly 'protect' and 'monitor' His Majesty Wang Shi and his party."

Tashigi reminded the grim-faced Smoker with a hint of fear.

"I know that!"

Smoker retorted irritably.

Wang Shi's actions and attitude made him extremely uncomfortable.

If that was the case, he would keep a close eye on Wang Shi today and make sure Wang Shi felt just as uncomfortable.

Smoker immediately led a group of marines to follow Wang Shi's party.

As they departed, the port of Loguetown immediately erupted into a frenzy.

No one had expected that even the fearless Colonel Smoker would be forced to swallow his pride in front of Wang Shi.

This made the residents of Loguetown even more terrified of provoking anyone from the Goa Empire.

···

In a bar near the harbor.

"Is that the flagship of the Emperor of the East Blue? So cool!"

Twenty-year-old Bartolomeo was already the underworld boss of dozens of streets and villages in the Polaris Kingdom, with his base of operations located in his hometown of Loguetown.

He held a small amount of admiration for Wang Shi, the King of Exile.

Wang Shi had managed to conquer six kingdoms in such a short time, shaking the world with his might.

That was far more impressive than him conquering a few dozen bustling streets and ordinary villages.

Moreover, word had it that the Germa 66 legion of the Overlord of the North Blue was coming to cause trouble for Wang Shi.

As a man of the East Blue, they naturally supported Wang Shi.

They hoped Wang Shi would defeat Germa 66 and bring fame to the East Blue.

Perhaps he could even help the East Blue shed its title as the weakest sea.

Currently, the North Blue was touted as the strongest of the four seas.

If Wang Shi could defeat the Overlord of the North Blue.

Wouldn't that mean their East Blue would become the new strongest sea?

Trampling the North Blue, South Blue, and West Blue underfoot.

At the mere thought of it, Bartolomeo felt a sense of shared hatred against a common enemy with Wang Shi, wishing he could contribute his own strength to help Wang Shi defeat Germa 66.

If Wang Shi helped the East Blue cast off the title of the weakest sea, they, the people of the East Blue, would have more face when traveling abroad and share in the honor.

Just as a saying went in the Goa Empire:

"The glory of the empire belongs to you as well."

If Wang Shi became the pride of the East Blue and a world-renowned figure.

The glory of the East Blue would belong to them as well.

Future pirates heading to the Grand Line would have a bit more face.

They wouldn't be looked down upon by pirates from other seas as being from the weakest sea.

"Boss Barto, shall we go and see the King of Exile in person?"

His strength-worshipping underworld lackeys also wanted to witness this great figure who had shaken the East Blue.

Never mind getting an autograph; just seeing him would be enough.

"Good! We shall go and see Wang Shi to see if he needs our help in fighting the Germa Evil Legion of the North Blue."

Bartolomeo grinned, revealing his sharp teeth, and led his gang of underworld lackeys toward the center of Loguetown.

Meanwhile, the lackeys of the Barto Club were whispering among themselves about their boss.

What did the boss just say?

Going to ask Wang Shi if he needs help?

Give us a break!

They were just a bunch of gangsters who hadn't even unified the underworld of Loguetown and the Polaris Kingdom.

What could they possibly use to help Wang Shi?

They could only hope that Boss Barto wouldn't talk nonsense later and offend this demon emperor known as the King of Exile.

At this moment, inside Ipponmatsu's weapon shop in Loguetown.

The owner, Ipponmatsu, had obediently brought out the shop's treasure, the Fine Grade sword Yubashiri.

Zoro and Saka were both captivated by this Fine Grade sword and were currently discussing who should claim it.

Meanwhile, Wang Shi found the cursed sword Sandai Kitetsu inside a sword barrel.

Seeing the Emperor of the East Blue pick up that ominous cursed sword, Ipponmatsu didn't dare to open his mouth to warn him.

He muttered to himself, surely this King of Exile was qualified to wield such a cursed blade, right?

Smoker and Tashigi watched Wang Shi and his party as they entered the weapon shop.

They hadn't expected that Wang Shi was truly here for shopping and sightseeing.

Wang Shi hadn't even gone to see the execution platform of the Pirate King Roger first; he was truly a mysterious man full of purpose.

···