Several days later.
On the flagship of the Goa Empire fleet, the Exile Emperor.
Nami excitedly directed the sailors and helmsmen.
She never imagined that she, a little cat burglar, would one day be able to command the Empire's Royal Guard; the thought alone was thrilling.
If her old rival, the little fox Carina, knew how formidable she was now, Carina would surely be driven mad with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Nojiko, dressed in gardener's attire, tended to the various fruits and vegetables on the flagship, and seeing Nami's excited expression, she too was very happy.
Their destinies had completely changed the moment they met Wang Shi.
Belle-Mere, we will live on, strong and splendidly.
At Kaya's repeated requests, Wang Shi permitted Kaya and the court physician to go to sea together, becoming the ship's doctors for this voyage.
Kaya could also continue learning with the court physician.
This filled Kaya with gratitude towards the 'easy-going' King Wang Shi, and a certain affection appeared in her eyes.
Wang Shi said nothing, only smiling gently.
All gifts of fate have already been marked with a price in secret.
They would have to repay Wang Shi's high regard and favor well in the future.
...
Van Auger, carrying his famous rifle Senriku and golden sniper rifle, sat atop the main mast, his sharp eyes scanning all directions.
He was a sniper, but also a lookout.
Detecting and eliminating potential threats in advance.
“Stay alert! Not a single mistake can be made during His Majesty's four-nation tour this time.”
Eric, dressed in the uniform of a Royal Guard captain, shouted to all the Royal Guard.
Only after becoming the captain of the Goa Empire's Royal Guard did Eric realize how good this feeling truly was.
Looking at the pirate slaves like Hypnotist Zango, Siamese Cat Sam, and Spotted Cat Butch, he realized that there was no harm without comparison.
This made Eric feel incredibly fortunate.
Luckily, he had decisively surrendered that day, otherwise the slave collar in Wang Shi's hand would have been on his neck.
Colonel Mengka and Colonel Nezumi, these Marine scum, were all taken back by Marineford to be dealt with personally.
To suppress the corruption issues of the two Navy Branch heads and prevent them from appearing in Morgans' newspaper, Fleet Admiral Sengoku gave Emperor Wang Shi of Goa many compensations and administrative conveniences.
He even gained partial command over all Navy Branches within the Goa Empire.
This was indeed a significant breakthrough.
...
As the Goa Empire's fleet set off, Wang Shi and his group arrived at their first destination in less than a day.
Moonlight Province, Shimotsuki Village, Isshin Dojo.
Genzo of Shimotsuki led all the students of the dojo to welcome the Emperor of the Goa Empire at the port.
Now they were also citizens of the Goa Empire.
No one expected that this renowned Goa Emperor would visit a small village.
'This moss-head hasn't gone to sea yet, no wonder his name isn't known in the East Blue.'
When Wang Shi saw the green-haired figure behind Genzo of Shimotsuki, a smile appeared on his lips.
It was only September of the year 1518.
The moss-head Zoro's birthday is November 11th, so he wasn't yet 17 years old.
Therefore, Genzo hadn't yet let Zoro, who inherited the Supreme Grade Swords Wado Ichimonji, set sail.
However, Nami, born on July 3rd, was already 16 years old.
Nojiko, two years older than Nami, born on July 25th, was 18 this year.
As for Kaya, she was a year younger than Nami, and even two or three months younger than Straw Hat Luffy.
'Hmm? Saka hasn't gone to sea injured either?'
Wang Shi also saw a silver-haired figure next to Zoro, whose hands were actually intact.
Saka was Zoro's sword-training classmate in his youth, and in the month before Zoro set sail to challenge Hawkeye Mihawk, he lost the use of his right hand permanently while saving the reckless Zoro.
Saka then left Shimotsuki Island, and while Zoro was lost in the East Blue for a year or two, Saka had already drifted to Asuka Island in the Grand Line, eventually obtaining the Shichiseiken.
Zoro's guilt towards Saka even led him to strike his own pirate comrades.
'Since they're all here, they'll all be mine!'
Wang Shi smiled as he looked at Genzo of Shimotsuki; it was simply too easy to control the master of this Isshin Dojo.
“Welcome, Your Majesty, to Shimotsuki Village!”
Genzo respectfully greeted the Emperor of the Empire.
“I hear that the students of Isshin Dojo in Shimotsuki Village are very outstanding. I would like to recruit some excellent swordsmen. What do you think, Dojo Master?”
Wang Shi went straight to the point, not beating around the bush with Genzo.
Hearing Wang Shi's words, the moss-head Zoro looked indifferent. He planned to set sail after he turned 17 to find the World's Greatest Swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk.
Carrying his and Kuina's dreams, he would challenge Hawkeye and claim the title of World's Greatest Swordsman.
And Silver-haired Saka was somewhat moved. He had originally planned to become a Marine after completing his training.
However, with the Goa Empire's unification of the four nations and the deepening exchanges between the new provinces, the reputation of the Marines from nearby Branches 153 and 16 seemed to be quite poor.
Even the Branch heads, Colonel Mengka and Colonel Nezumi, had been taken down by King Wang Shi.
If he didn't join the Marine, becoming a Royal Guard swordsman for the Goa Empire seemed like a good option too.
His sword of justice could still protect more weak people, and even become famous throughout the world.
“Your Majesty is too kind. These are just crude sword arts for strengthening the body and resisting pirates, hardly excellent.”
Genzo said humbly. He wouldn't interfere too much with other students.
But he didn't want Zoro, who inherited Wado Ichimonji, to join the Imperial Royal Guard.
“Then I want this green-haired swordsman and this silver-haired swordsman. The aura about them is very good.”
Wang Shi directly named them, causing both Genzo and Zoro to instantly look at Wang Shi, their eyes filled with unwillingness.
Saka, feeling Wang Shi's high regard, immediately firmed up his wavering resolve between the Marine and the Royal Guard.
“Your Majesty, this green-haired swordsman is Roronoa Zoro, whose ambition is to become the World's Greatest Swordsman. He...”
Genzo hurriedly tried to get Zoro out of it, his tone quite anxious.
“Mr. Genzo, you wouldn't want the World Government to know that you provided food to the Revolutionary Army, would you?”
At this moment, Wang Shi walked to Genzo's ear and whispered softly, his voice heard only by the two of them.
Hearing Wang Shi's whisper, Genzo's heart instantly trembled, his eyes narrowing to pinpricks, and he closed his mouth.
The cold sweat that suddenly broke out on his back made Genzo feel chilled.
He even had the thought of killing Wang Shi.
After all, the crime of colluding with the Revolutionary Army was enough to destroy Shimotsuki Village.
But was this Wang Shi truly that simple?
This was the King of Exile who had conquered four kingdoms!
Even at such close proximity, Genzo had no confidence in killing Wang Shi.
He saw the playfulness and confidence in Wang Shi's eyes.
And was Wang Shi the only one who knew this information?
Genzo couldn't possibly kill the entire high-ranking leadership of the Goa Empire.
He didn't have that strength either.
“Don't worry, I'm not interested in your dealings with the Revolutionary Army. I just want to cultivate these two students of yours.”
Wang Shi didn't continue to pressure Genzo, laughing in a relaxed tone.
“If you can convince them, that's fine. Zoro's temper is quite stubborn...”
Genzo reluctantly accepted Wang Shi's threat. He couldn't gamble, simply couldn't.
“Roronoa Zoro, is it? Do you want to go find the World's Greatest Swordsman...”
...