Wait for your promotion, Lieutenant Tashigi

"Let's go, we are going to see him."

"Ensign Tashigi, tell Colonel Smoker that I will be staying at the Barto Club for a few days. Thank you all for your care during this time."

"I will commend you all to Sengoku the Buddha; just wait for your promotions."

Wang Shi, covered in bandages, donned his white-and-gold military uniform and strode out of the ward, not forgetting to grab his large slab of roasted meat.

"Your Majesty Wang Shi, are you going to recuperate at a criminal syndicate's club? That doesn't seem right."

Tashigi hurriedly tried to dissuade him. The entire Marine branch felt deeply responsible for the attack on Wang Shi in Loguetown.

They had all been very proactive in providing treatment and improving their service for him.

"Are you afraid they might eat me?"

"Rest assured, my few Baron-ranked subordinates are not so simple."

Wang Shi chuckled, and both Eric and El Drago puffed out their chests.

Even Van Augur's lips curled upward slightly.

It was not easy to earn praise from Wang Shi.

Among the officers currently under Wang Shi's command, only these three had attained the rank of Baron.

Even young men like Zoro and Saka had not yet been granted a title.

They would have to defeat an enemy with a bounty of over ten million Belly before they would be granted a title.

To be promoted to [Viscount], they would need to defeat or kill a pirate with a bounty exceeding one hundred million.

Defeating or killing a pirate with a bounty over three hundred million would earn them the lofty status of [Count].

Defeating or killing a great pirate with a bounty over five hundred million would grant them the position of [Marquess], a rank of great power and influence.

Except for Zoro, the rank of Marquess was likely the limit for these people.

Even Eric and El Drago would find it difficult to reach that level.

Van Augur, however, did have that potential.

As for the position of [Duke], one's strength would at least need to be comparable to the Three Disasters or the Four Sweet Commanders.

If someone were strong enough to rival an Admiral, Wang Shi could even bestow the [Royal Duke] title of the Goa Empire upon them.

One must know that in those allied kingdoms, the rank of Count was generally the pinnacle.

Dukes and Marquesses were few and far between, with family influence no less than that of the royal families.

In fact, many kingdoms had neither Dukes nor Marquesses.

The royal families would not allow Dukes or Marquesses to emerge who could threaten their own status.

Take the Mokomo Dukedom on Zou Island, for example; the leader of the entire nation only held the rank of Duke.

If Red Count Redfield were to join the Goa Empire, Wang Shi would certainly grant him the title of Royal Duke.

How could a mere Count be worthy of Redfield's strength?

But a great pirate like Red Count was destined never to walk the same path as Wang Shi.

Wang Shi led his subordinates out of the Loguetown Marine Branch.

Bartolomeo, accompanied by a group of his underlings, looked at Wang Shi with excitement, showing no fear of Smoker, the Marine Colonel.

This was because His Majesty Wang Shi could take down Smoker in an instant.

Watching Wang Shi, who seemed to have recovered well, Smoker stood expressionless, chewing on his cigar, lost in thought.

According to the debriefing of that day, it was highly likely that Wang Shi had awakened Conqueror's Haki.

He wondered if this would be a blessing or a curse for the East Blue.

"Your Majesty Wang Shi, please be sure to rest well."

Tashigi did not forget to urge Wang Shi, her face full of worry.

"Ensign Tashigi, your concern makes me feel very warm."

"How about this: I will petition Sengoku the Buddha to promote you to a Marine Branch Colonel and appoint you as the base commander of Marine Branch 153 or Marine Branch 16."

"I still have some sway over those two Marine branches."

For some reason, Wang Shi suddenly turned back and gave Tashigi a faint smile.

"Eh!!!"

"No!"

"Your Majesty, I... I... I... my strength is not enough..."

Upon hearing Wang Shi's words, Tashigi was so stunned that she stuttered, unable to speak.

She was currently only a Marine Branch Ensign; if she were promoted to Branch Colonel, wouldn't that be a jump of five ranks?

She is incapable of holding such a heavy responsibility.

Even Colonel Smoker is currently only a branch colonel.

Back then, Smoker was originally a colonel of the Marine Headquarters, but because he disobeyed orders and defied his superiors over a certain matter, he was demoted three ranks to branch colonel and sent to Loguetown in the East Blue to serve as the branch commander.

According to Marine regulations, a rank in the Marine Headquarters is three levels higher than the same rank in the Four Seas branches.

Marine fortresses in the Grand Line and the New World are under the direct jurisdiction of Marine Headquarters, and their ranks are equivalent to those of the Headquarters.

Furthermore, Marines capable of reaching the strength of a commissioned officer are basically all transferred to Marine Headquarters or the Marine fortresses in the Grand Line and the New World.

In the Four Seas, one can still rely on seniority and military merit to get promoted.

But in the Marine Headquarters, one truly needs both strength and military merit to advance.

"Just wait for your promotion, Ensign Tashigi; perhaps in a few days, you'll be on the same rank as Smoker."

Wang Shi laughed heartily, ignored the flustered Tashigi and the dark-faced Smoker, and walked straight out of the Loguetown Marine branch.

"Colonel Smoker, I, I, I... I don't want a promotion..."

Tashigi explained to Smoker in a panic; how could a weakling like her become the highest-ranking officer of a Marine branch?

"Tashigi, train hard and strive to raise your strength to a level worthy of your rank."

Smoker bit down on his cigar, his fists clenched, but he chose to let Tashigi grow on her own.

Perhaps entrusting Tashigi with a heavy responsibility would allow her to grow rapidly.

After all, pressure creates motivation!

Of course, that is assuming Wang Shi can handle the connections with Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

After all, Wang Shi cannot simply interfere with Marine promotions, especially not by five ranks at once.

Smoker has always wanted to be transferred back to the Grand Line.

Now, hearing that his old classmate Hina is already accumulating military merit and preparing to be promoted to a Headquarters commodore, or even a Headquarters rear admiral, makes Smoker feel a bit restless.

Because in the East Blue, the weakest of the seas, Smoker simply cannot obtain any decent military merit.

He has no idea when he will be able to leave Loguetown.

"I... can I do it?"

"Yes!"

Tashigi was still a bit hesitant, but seeing Smoker's stern gaze, she immediately stood at attention and gave a military salute.

As for the other Marine officers, seeing that Tashigi had Wang Shi's backing and could jump several ranks, their eyes were filled only with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

They, too, wished to have a big shot backing them.

Becoming the highest-ranking officer of a Marine branch is like being a local emperor!

In the Barto Club bar.

Before Wang Shi could even extend an invitation to Bartolomeo, this green-haired, rooster-headed man had already taken the initiative to ask to follow Wang Shi.

He wants to follow Wang Shi to take down the Overlord of the North Blue, Germa 66, and make a name for himself in the world!

To spread the glory of the East Blue across the globe!

"Since Barto has such ambitions, how could This Emperor refuse a hero such as you?"

"Bartolomeo, This Emperor formally bestows upon you the title of Baron of the Goa Empire, to unify the underworld of the East Blue for the Goa Empire!"

Wang Shi used a new sword to tap Bartolomeo on the shoulder, completing the knighting ceremony.

"Imperial Baron? Unify the East Blue underworld?"

Bartolomeo was trembling with excitement; this was a massive responsibility.

To be held in such high regard by Wang Shi, Barto felt incredibly moved.

"Boss, I will definitely unify the East Blue underworld for you!"

Bartolomeo promised with tears in his eyes.

As for Dezaya, Gambia, and the others, they were simply filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred toward Boss Barto.

To go from a thug boss in Loguetown to a Baron of the Goa Empire so quickly, and to take on the heavy responsibility of unifying the East Blue underworld.

One must know that the title of Baron of the Goa Empire is even more prestigious than the title of Count in other affiliated kingdoms.