Whirlwind Eric and Supersonic Van Augur

No wonder Fist Garp could return to the East Blue as if it were child's play; it turns out there are safe passages through the Calm Belts on both sides of the Red Line near Marineford, guarded by the World Government and powerful Marines.

Coupled with the Seastone Warships developed later, these routes through the Calm Belts have become even safer.

As for the rookie pirates from the Four Blues who want to cross these Calm Belt routes or charge the Marine escort fleets, they are simply courting death.

Even the great pirates of the New World dare not assault the World Government's escort fleets.

Therefore, rookie pirates from the Four Blues can only enter the Grand Line via Reverse Mountain.

While dangerous, at least there is a glimmer of hope for survival.

Just as pirates can only enter the New World by passing through the gap in the Red Line beneath Fish-Man Island.

The bubble elevators of the Holy Land Mary Geoise and the safe routes through the Calm Belts are all vital transit channels heavily guarded by the World Government.

They do not allow any pirates to touch them.

Wang Shi looked at the safe routes for the World Government's affiliated nations.

It turns out that traveling from the East Blue directly through the Calm Belt to Mary Geoise, and then via the Red Line to the North Blue and West Blue, is incredibly convenient.

Even traveling to the South Blue only requires passing through the safe routes of the Calm Belts on either side to reach it directly.

Back then, when Fist Garp brought Ace back to the East Blue from Baterilla in the South Blue, he likely took these same safe routes.

"After dealing with matters in the East Blue, perhaps I can make a trip to the South Blue first."

Wang Shi's eyes flickered; after all, going to the South Blue does not require crossing the Red Line, nor does it require the application process for passage to the Holy Land Mary Geoise.

This is perhaps the greatest benefit of being an affiliated nation.

One can use the World Government's safe routes to achieve navigation across the Four Blues.

There is no need to pass through the dangerous Reverse Mountain, Fish-Man Island, or the pirate paradise of the Grand Line.

No wonder Blackbeard wanted so badly to make Hachinosu an affiliated nation.

Beyond not being targeted by the World Government and the Marines, navigating the world becomes incredibly convenient.

This is one of the benefits of joining as an affiliated nation.

With a single command from Wang Shi, countless officials and soldiers set to work for him.

This is the benefit of being a king.

Wang Shi had always been keeping an eye on the powerhouses of the East Blue.

He immediately ordered his officials to invite some familiar mercenaries and bounty hunters to the Goa Kingdom in the name of the kingdom.

He didn't even need to set sail to find them himself; these guys rushed to the Goa Kingdom, lured by the generous rewards.

The rich and beautiful Goa Kingdom is the best calling card in the East Blue!

After several days of preparation.

A ready-to-go fleet appeared at Gray Port in the Goa Kingdom.

Years ago, Sabo set sail from this very Gray Port in a small boat, only to be blasted away by Saint Charlos, the Celestial Dragon, before being rescued by Dragon.

At this moment, on the most luxurious flagship of the fleet.

Several mercenaries stood respectfully below Wang Shi, among them two tall, thin figures who appeared quite aloof—one could tell at a glance they were experts with real strength.

These two were the mercenary and bounty hunter Wang Shi had attracted with high prices.

Whirlwind Eric, a Paramecia-type Scythe-Scythe Fruit user, a scythe-man capable of emitting wind blades.

He often frequented the waters between Loguetown and Reverse Mountain, and had repeatedly accepted commissions from the Marine 8th Branch to surround and kill rookie pirate crews from the East Blue attempting to enter the Grand Line.

Supersonic Van Augur, a famous sniper who wields the renowned rifle 'Senriku'.

Unexpected, isn't it?

Hailing from the East Blue, Van Augur is only 23 years old this year; he is currently a bounty hunter with a decent reputation and has yet to become a pirate to enter the Grand Line.

Looking at his attire and temperament, one could tell he came from a noble background.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have the capital to play with sniper rifles.

When Wang Shi was still hanging around in the lower towns, he had heard of this guy's reputation.

Wang Shi had originally planned to recruit him after setting sail.

But he hadn't expected to meet him in this manner.

As Wang Shi sized the two up, they were also observing this new king of the Goa Kingdom.

They had heard that this Wang Shi used to be nothing more than a street thug, yet he had somehow managed to become a king.

Van Augur marveled at Wang Shi's luck.

Eric, however, felt a mix of envy, jealousy, and hatred, thinking Wang Shi was just a lucky pretty boy who had managed to catch the eye of the Goa princess.

Looking at Wang Shi's handsome face and ornate clothing, the ugly and gaunt Eric felt even more unbalanced inside.

"Since you've taken my money, I hope you all work hard; otherwise, the consequences will be very severe."

Wang Shi did not immediately attempt to recruit these fellows, merely offering a faint smile.

Wang Shi also noticed that this fellow Eric seemed a bit jealous and displeased.

It appeared that he would have to beat these guys into submission.

For the sake of the Millennium Dragon, this Eric was the type of man who dared to eliminate Nelson Roy, the commander of the Marine 8th Branch.

Wang Shi had already figured out how to make use of such a character.

"I only recognize money, not people. You give me money, and I will naturally get the job done for you!"

Eric looked conceited, seemingly not holding Wang Shi, the King of Goa, in any regard.

He was extremely confident in his own strength.

Even against Arlong, who held the highest bounty in the East Blue, he felt no fear.

The guards on the ship widened their eyes as they watched Eric act so arrogantly.

Would their devilish King slaughter or banish this mercenary?

"I certainly hope so."

Wang Shi smiled indifferently, not immediately teaching Eric a lesson.

He would make good use of him first, then show him the true meaning of cruelty.

"I hear your marksmanship is quite good; I am also interested in marksmanship."

Wang Shi looked toward Van Augur and drew a golden flintlock pistol from his waist.

It had to be said that the Goa royal collection was quite extensive.

It even included high-tech firearms gifted to the King of Goa by the Celestial Dragons.

There were golden flintlocks, golden sniper rifles, golden cannons...

The power of that golden cannon was quite impressive; it was the same high-end merchandise that Saint Charlos used to blast Sabo's pirate ship to pieces with a single shot.

Things favored by the Celestial Dragons were, naturally, both expensive and effective.

Wang Shi felt that his Toki Toki no Mi ability, when combined with sniper fire, would be quite effective.

At the very least, he wouldn't have to charge in and hack people to death himself.

Moreover, the hit rate was nearly one hundred percent.

It was truly an excellent way to show off and intimidate these weaklings.

"I know a little."

Van Augur actually sensed a lethal threat emanating from this pretty-boy King.

He did not act as wildly arrogant as Eric.

His attitude was very gentle and steady, possessing a touch of nobility.

"I think highly of you!"

Wang Shi made no secret of his appreciation for Van Augur; he was, after all, a future executive of a Yonko pirate crew and one of the subordinates he had his eye on.

Wang Shi's praise for Van Augur left Eric, standing to the side, feeling extremely displeased.

Clearly, he, a scythe-wielder, was stronger; why should this King value a sniper who only knew how to fire cold shots more?

Following Wang Shi's order, the Goa Kingdom fleet—a total of nine warships carrying over a thousand men—sailed majestically out of Gray Port.

Queen Sally did not depart with the royal fleet; she was responsible for the internal administration of the Goa Kingdom.

She was also preparing to take over the kingdoms that Wang Shi intended to conquer.

To travel from the Goa Kingdom to the Konomi Kingdom, one had to pass through several other kingdoms.

And these kingdoms were all targets for Wang Shi.

These small kingdoms were pathetically weak; they might as well be annexed into his Goa Empire.

As for whether the World Government would have any objections, as long as the Heavenly Tribute was paid in full, it would be fine.

If Garp had any objections, he would let the World Government pressure him; Wang Shi even wanted to stir up trouble for Foosha Village!

After the fleet sailed out of the port, the first kingdom they encountered heading west was the Four-Leaf Kingdom, established on the Four-Leaf Archipelago.

Shells Town, where the Marine 153rd Branch was located, was on one of the smaller islands within the Four-Leaf Archipelago.

Speaking of which, the seventeen-year-old green-haired Zoro might not have even set sail yet.

At present, the name of the Pirate Hunter Rororonoa Zoro had not yet spread throughout the East Blue.

That fellow would be nineteen when he made his debut; who knew how long he would spend getting lost in the nearby waters before he could make a name for himself.