The Empire's Glory, I Won't Enjoy It Alone!

Under the massage of Princess Sally, Wang Shi studied the map of the East Blue and the introductions to its various kingdoms with great care.

The Organ Kingdom had an Orange Town; the name felt familiar...

The Moonlight Kingdom had a Syrup Village...

The Konomi Kingdom had Cocoyasi Village...

"To think there are so many kingdoms in the East Blue alone; this is a betrayal of the concept of a unified empire."

Wang Shi's eyes flickered as he drove his dagger into the map of the East Blue spread across the table.

Every small cluster of islands, or even a single medium-sized island, was an independent kingdom.

Just as the Four Emperors occupied territories, he wanted to plant the flag of the Goa Kingdom across the surrounding kingdoms and elevate the Goa Kingdom into the Goa Empire.

Vinsmoke Judge had once executed a "Four-Nation Slash" in the North Blue to intimidate the region once more.

Then Wang Shi, at the very least, had to launch a "Four-Nation Conquest" to make the name of the Goa Empire echo throughout the East Blue, and perhaps the entire world!

However, the larger the territory, the more Heavenly Tribute one had to pay.

No wonder King Bekori of the Sorbet Kingdom had split his realm in two, abandoning the impoverished southern lands.

Damn it!

Forget it; let this bit of Heavenly Tribute be kept by the Celestial Dragons for now.

When the time comes, he would find a way to earn it back—or seize it back.

For now, he still needed to strengthen his own power and develop his military forces.

He recalled two particular criminals of Admiral-level strength.

Given the reputation of the Goa Kingdom, was there any chance of recruiting these two?

At the right moment, perhaps it could be done.

After all, Issho was originally the captain of the guard for the fallen Cang Kingdom of the Grand Line, and Aramaki had been a police officer in the Taya Kingdom of the South Blue.

When the time came, he would redeem Issho from the casinos on Twin Snake Island in the West Blue and see if this righteous, stateless criminal would obey his commands.

"For now, I must first make a name for myself and the Goa Kingdom."

"I shall be the Judge of the East Blue! I am the King of Exile!"

Wang Shi stared at the chart of the East Blue, his eyes flashing with intensity; he would lead the Goa Kingdom's fleet to cruise the East Blue and spread the ideology of unification across its waters.

Those local warlord Colonels of the Marine branches, relying on the isolation of information, were actually colluding with pirates to oppress the commoners.

Since the Marines were so corrupt and dark, then the Marine branches that the Marine Headquarters could not reach would be managed by Wang Shi!

The member states that the World Government could not manage would be managed by Wang Shi!

And the seas that the World Government and the Marines could manage, Wang Shi would manage as well!

The Goa Empire, by Imperial decree!

Come to think of it, it wasn't unheard of for a king to personally go to sea to fight pirates and wage war.

In Dressrosa, there was a king of a member state who took to the field himself.

That was none other than Elizabello II, who wielded the King Punch.

Several days later, at the Goa Kingdom's morning court.

When the nobles and officials of the Goa Kingdom heard that their new King intended to conduct a cruise of the East Blue and even subjugate the surrounding kingdoms, they all widened their eyes in shock.

After all, the Goa Kingdom had always been famous for being "peace-loving" and "beautifully prosperous."

Wang Shi's actions were completely at odds with the peaceful East Blue and the Goa Kingdom itself.

"The North Blue has produced a Germa Kingdom; do you not wish to enjoy the glory of an empire yourselves?"

"Rest assured! I will not hoard the glory of the empire for myself!"

"The glory of the Goa Empire is the glory of my Royal House, and it is the glory of you all!"

Under the devilish, persuasive mobilization of Wang Shi, a group of radical young nobles and officials truly began to emerge.

Even some of the stiff and stubborn old aristocrats were deeply attracted by the blueprint of the empire Wang Shi had painted.

Transforming from the "Most Beautiful Kingdom in the East Blue" to the "Strongest Empire in the East Blue."

Just thinking about it made their hearts race.

If the imperial territory expanded, their titles and power would grow, and their descendants would have more opportunities for advancement.

But could this new King, Wang Shi, truly lead them and the Goa Kingdom toward such brilliance?

Would he not just be a man of empty words, aiming high but achieving nothing?

Furthermore, would Vice Admiral Garp simply watch as the peaceful Goa Kingdom transformed into a warmongering state?

Several traditional high-ranking nobles and key officials, who desired only stability and peace, immediately stepped forward to object.

"The Goa Kingdom is the most beautiful kingdom in the East Blue, the most peaceful nation! I will never allow you to destroy the century-old heritage of the Goa Kingdom!"

"Everyone, do you really want to turn our country into a land of war?!"

"Once war begins, it is difficult to stop!"

"Do you trust this new king?"

"He is nothing but a devil king who usurped the throne."

An old duke and a second-rank official pointed at Wang Shi on the throne and began to reprimand him.

It was one thing for this devil king to slaughter the Outlook clan and five hundred guards.

But now, he actually intended to drag the Goa Kingdom into war.

They would never allow it!

In an instant, the entire court fell silent.

All the nobles and officials looked at Wang Shi, wanting to see how this new king would 'persuade' the old duke and the high-ranking minister.

"Bones in a tomb, yet you dare to obstruct the empire's grand cause, and even dare to insult Me?"

Upon hearing these two old fools dare to call his ascension illegitimate, Wang Shi's expression darkened instantly.

Did they really think Princess Sally, whom he labored over every night, was a fake royal?

"This King is informing you, not seeking your consent!"

"You two have committed treason against your superior, which displeases This King greatly. I sentence you to the Sentence of Exile!"

Wang Shi remained expressionless. He tapped the armrest of his throne with his left index finger, instantly activating the Time Domain, and a transparent energy shield covered the court.

As Wang Shi raised his right hand and snapped his fingers.

Snap.

The old duke and the second-rank official vanished from their spots instantly.

This eerie scene frightened the nobles and officials in the court into silence.

The nobles and officials standing next to the old duke and the second-rank official were so terrified they collapsed to the floor, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire.

What exactly was this king's Devil Fruit ability?

Sentence of Exile?

Could these two high-ranking, powerful figures have been banished to some unknown prison?

"Very well, the noisy ones have disappeared."

"Next, let us properly plan This King's East Blue patrol route and list the countries to be conquered."

Wang Shi swept his majestic gaze across the room like an arbitrary tyrant, his tone brooking no argument.

Yet, inwardly, he sighed; the ragtag team of an East Blue kingdom seemed inferior to a powerful pirate crew.

This starting point didn't seem much better.

The path he had chosen seemed a bit difficult.

But it was still slightly better than starting from scratch at sea.

With Wang Shi setting the tone, the nobles and officials began to nimbly flatter him and offer their suggestions.

Younger nobles and officials clamored to conquer all the nearby kingdoms and build a powerful Goa Empire.

After heated discussion and Wang Shi's decisive final word, the East Blue patrol route and the conquest plan were officially finalized.

When Wang Shi saw a map of the World Government member nations' routes provided by an official, his eyes filled with surprise.

It seemed that besides the East Blue conquest plan, a Four Seas patrol plan could also be put on the agenda.

Damn it!

He had been misled by the Straw Hat Pirates' sailing route.

The idea that one must pass through Reverse Mountain to enter the Grand Line?

It was all nonsense!

Reverse Mountain was merely the path for pirates of the Four Seas.

But Mary Geoise, on the other side of the Red Line, was also a hub where the four seas converged.

There were no upstream currents like those at Reverse Mountain there, and safe shipping lanes had already been opened through the Calm Belts on all four sides, complete with Seastone warships for navigation and escort.

These were the legitimate and safe routes for member nations of the Four Seas to travel directly to the Holy Land Mary Geoise during the Reverie.

Member nations of the Four Seas did not need to pass through the dangerous Reverse Mountain or the Grand Line to reach the Holy Land Mary Geoise directly.