“Let’s go see him.”
“Lieutenant Tashigi, tell Colonel Smoker that I’ll be staying at the Barto Club for a few days. Thank you for your care during this time.”
“I will commend you to Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Just wait for your promotions.”
Wang Shi, still covered in bandages, put on his platinum military uniform and walked out of the infirmary with a swagger, not forgetting to grab his large piece of roasted meat.
“Your Majesty Wang Shi, are you going to recuperate at a criminal club? Is that appropriate?”
Tashigi quickly tried to dissuade him. The Marines of the entire Navy Branch felt very remorseful about Wang Shi’s attack in Loguetown.
They were all very proactive in treating Wang Shi and providing service.
“Are you afraid they’ll eat me?”
“Don’t worry, these few Imperial Baron subordinates of mine are not so simple.”
Wang Shi chuckled. Eric and Edradgo both puffed out their chests.
Even Van Auger’s lips curled into a slight smile.
It wasn’t easy to receive praise from Wang Shi.
Currently, among Wang Shi’s cadres, only these three have been granted the title of Imperial Baron.
Even young people like Zoro and Saka have not been ennobled.
They will be ennobled after they defeat an enemy with a bounty of over tens of millions of Berries.
To be promoted to 【Viscount】, they need to defeat or kill a pirate with a bounty exceeding 100 million Berries.
Defeating or killing a pirate with a bounty of over 300 million Berries will make one a high-ranking 【Count】.
Defeating or killing a great pirate with a bounty of over 500 million Berries means the position of 【Marquis】, holding great power and influence.
Except for Zoro, the position of Marquis is likely the limit for these individuals.
Even Eric and Edradgo will find it difficult to reach that level.
Van Auger, however, has that potential.
As for the position of 【Duke】, one’s strength must at least be comparable to the Three Disasters or the Four General Stars.
If one’s strength is strong enough, comparable to an Admiral, Wang Shi could even bestow the 【King】 title of the Goa Empire.
One should know that in those Allied Nations, the title of Count is generally the highest.
Dukes and Marquises are few and far between, and their family power is no less than that of the royal family.
In fact, many kingdoms do not even have Dukes and Marquises.
The royal family does not allow Dukes and Marquises who threaten their position to appear.
For example, the Mokomo Dukedom of Zou, its national leader is merely a Duke.
If Red Count Redfield were to join the Goa Empire, Wang Shi would definitely give him the title of King.
How could a Count match Redfield’s strength?
But Red Count, this great pirate, is destined not to walk the same path as Wang Shi.
Wang Shi led his subordinates out of the Loguetown Navy Branch.
Bartolomeo, with a group of his underlings, excitedly watched Wang Shi, completely unafraid of Colonel Smoker.
Because His Majesty Wang Shi could instantly defeat Smoker.
Looking at Wang Shi, who had recovered well, the expressionless Smoker bit his cigar, lost in thought.
According to the post-mortem description from that day, Wang Shi very likely awakened Conqueror's Haki.
It was unknown whether this was a blessing or a curse for the East Blue.
“Your Majesty Wang Shi, please be sure to rest well.”
Tashigi did not forget to remind Wang Shi, her face full of worry.
“Lieutenant Tashigi, your concern warms me greatly.
How about this, I will apply to Fleet Admiral Sengoku to promote you to Navy Branch Colonel, to serve as the base commander of Marine Branch 153 or Navy Branch 16.
I still have some say in those two Navy Branches.”
Wang Shi, for some reason, suddenly turned back and smiled slightly at Tashigi.
“Eh!!!”
“No!”
“Your Majesty, I, I, I... my strength isn’t enough...”
Tashigi, upon hearing Wang Shi’s words, immediately stammered, unable to speak.
She was currently only a Navy Branch Lieutenant. If she were promoted to Branch Colonel, wouldn’t that be a jump of five ranks?
She couldn’t handle such a heavy responsibility.
Even Colonel Smoker was only a Branch Colonel.
Colonel Smoker was originally a Marineford Colonel, but due to a certain incident where he disobeyed orders and talked back to his superiors, he was demoted three ranks to Branch Colonel and sent to the East Blue Loguetown to serve as the Branch Commander.
According to the Marine system, the ranks of Marineford are three ranks higher than those of the Four Seas Branches.
Marine fortresses in the Grand Line and New World are directly under the jurisdiction of Marineford, and their ranks are consistent with Marineford.
Moreover, Marines who can reach Admiral-level strength are generally transferred to Marineford, or to Marine fortresses in the Grand Line and New World.
Marines in the Four Seas can still be promoted based on seniority and military achievements.
But at Marineford, promotion truly requires both strength and military achievements.
“Just wait for your promotion, Lieutenant Tashigi. Perhaps in a few days, you’ll be on the same rank as Smoker.”
Wang Shi laughed heartily, ignoring the flustered Tashigi and the dark-faced Smoker, and directly left the Loguetown Navy Branch.
“Colonel Smoker, I, I, I... I don’t want a promotion...”
Tashigi, at a loss, explained to Smoker that how could a weakling like her become the highest commander of a Navy Branch?
“Tashigi, train hard and strive to raise your strength to a level worthy of your rank.”
Smoker bit his cigar, his fists clenched, but still chose to let Tashigi grow on her own.
Perhaps entrusting Tashigi with such an important task could even help her grow quickly.
After all, with pressure comes motivation!
Of course, the prerequisite was that Wang Shi could handle the relationship with Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
After all, Wang Shi couldn’t just arbitrarily interfere with Marine promotions, especially a jump of five ranks at once.
Smoker had always wanted to be transferred back to the Grand Line.
Now he heard that his old classmate, Tina, was already accumulating military achievements, preparing for promotion to Marineford Rear Admiral, or even Marineford Vice Admiral.
This made Smoker a bit agitated.
Because in the East Blue, the weakest of the seas, Smoker couldn’t get any decent military achievements.
He didn’t know when he would be able to leave Loguetown.
“Can I... do it?”
“Yes!”
Tashigi was still a bit hesitant, but seeing Smoker’s stern gaze, she immediately stood at attention and saluted.
And the other Marine officers, seeing that Tashigi was protected by Wang Shi and could jump several ranks, were filled with nothing but envy, jealousy, and hatred.
They also wanted to have a big shot covering for them!
Becoming the highest commander of a Navy Branch was like being a local emperor!
In the Barto Club’s bar.
Before Wang Shi could even invite him, the green-haired rooster-head had already volunteered to follow Wang Shi.
He wanted to follow Wang Shi to overthrow the North Sea Overlord Germa 66 and make a name for himself in the world!
To spread the glory of the East Blue throughout the world!
“Since Barto has such aspirations, how could this Emperor refuse a hero like you?”
“Bartolomeo, this Emperor officially bestows upon you the title of Imperial Baron of the Goa Empire, to unify the East Blue underworld for the Goa Empire!”
Wang Shi used a new sword, resting it on Bartolomeo’s shoulder, completing the ennoblement ceremony.
“Imperial Baron? Unify the East Blue underworld?”
Bartolomeo trembled with excitement. This was a great responsibility indeed.
To be so highly regarded by Wang Shi, Barto felt incredibly moved.
“Boss, I will definitely unify the East Blue underworld for you!”
Bartolomeo promised with teary eyes.
Dezaya and Gambia, meanwhile, were filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred for Boss Barto.
He had so quickly gone from being a gang leader in Loguetown to an Imperial Baron of the Goa Empire, and had even taken on the important task of unifying the East Blue underworld.
One should know that the title of Imperial Baron of the Goa Empire was even more glorious than the title of Count in other Allied Nations.
...